JP2001219618A - Imaging apparatus, and system and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which a function can be added, modified or repaired through partial replacement without discarding the entire apparatus. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises a carriage block 4 including a carriage for holding a recording head, a basic block 3 including a carriage motor generating a driving force of he carriage, a cut sheet basic block 6 including a platen roller for carrying a recording medium to a platen part for supporting it at a recording position, a sheet feed block including a sheet feed roller for introducing the recording medium supported on a sheet feed array to the platen roller part, a recovery block 5 including an enclosed cap covering the ink ejection opening of the recording head at the time of nonuse, a control block 1 for delivering an operation signal to each part, and a power supply block 2 for supplying power to each part. A function can be added, modified or repaired by replacing these blocks.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material by recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or an image forming apparatus used as an output device such as a multifunction machine or a workstation combined with a computer or a word processor is based on image information. Recording material (recording medium) such as paper and plastic thin plate (OHP sheet etc.)
An image (including characters, symbols, etc.) is formed (recorded).

As a recording method of such an image forming apparatus, for example, there are an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a wire dot method, a heat-sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, a laser beam method and the like.

After the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, the recording material is moved along a recording surface of the recording material in a main scanning direction (described later) which intersects the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording material. In a serial type image forming apparatus that records an image including characters and symbols by a head mounted on a carriage that performs (main scanning), recording for a predetermined width and paper feeding (sub-scanning) for a predetermined amount are synchronized. By running alternately,
Recording is performed in a desired range of the recording material. On the other hand, the line-type image forming apparatus is configured to set a recording material at a predetermined recording position and then collectively record one line of image by a long head without performing main scanning. Recording is performed by continuously performing image formation for one line and paper feeding for a predetermined amount.

[0005] Among the recording methods of such an image forming apparatus, an ink jet recording method in which ink is ejected from a recording head as a recording means onto a recording material to perform recording is easy to make the recording head compact. , High-definition images can be formed at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise and uses multi-color ink to produce color images. Is easy to record. Above all, an ink jet recording head using a line-type long recording head in which a large number of ink ejection ports are arranged over a length corresponding to the width of a recording material does not need to perform main scanning. High-speed recording can be performed.

In particular, an ink jet recording head which foams ink by using thermal energy and discharges ink by a foaming pressure includes a film-shaped electrothermal transducer, electrodes, liquid path walls, and the like.
By forming a top plate or the like on a substrate by using a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, or sputtering, it is possible to easily manufacture a recording head having liquid paths and discharge ports arranged at high density. A compact recording head can be configured. In addition, by utilizing the advantages of the IC technology and the micro-machining technology, the discharge ports are arranged in a long area, or arranged two-dimensionally (in a matrix or in a zigzag) to form a long area or a plane area. It is easy to configure a recording means that can perform recording at one time,
It is also easy to simultaneously discharge a plurality of colors of ink and to increase the arrangement density of the discharge ports.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, an outline of the configuration of the entire conventional ink jet recording apparatus will be described. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording apparatus taken along a plane parallel to the transport direction of the recording medium 202. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inkjet recording apparatus with the exterior removed.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a recording medium 202 such as a sheet of paper or a film is placed on a paper feed tray 201 protruding outside the apparatus. The recording head 209 that ejects ink from the paper feed tray 201 passes through the surface facing the ink ejection surface and exits outside the apparatus (arrow 2 in FIG. 15).
06 direction), a conveyance path is formed, and the sheet feeding roller 203 and the platen roller 20 are arranged from the upstream side along the conveyance path.
4, a platen 210, a paper discharge roller 208, and a spur 207 disposed opposite to the pinch roller 205 and the recording head 209.

The recording head 209 is mounted on a carriage 212 together with four ink tanks 216, and the carriage 212 is supported by guide shafts 211 and 215 arranged in parallel with the platen roller 204.
The driving force of the carriage motor 213 is transmitted to the carriage 212 by a timing belt (not shown), and the carriage 212 reciprocates in the main scanning direction (the direction of the arrow 214 in FIG. 16) along the guide shafts 211 and 215. The timing belt is stretched on pulleys (not shown) arranged on both sides of the apparatus.
The end of the output shaft 3 is press-fitted.

The platen 210 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and a width substantially equal to that of the recording medium 202. In the inkjet recording method, the interval between the ink ejection port of the recording head 209 and the recording surface of the recording medium 202 is relatively small (for example, 1.0 mm) in order to increase the accuracy of the position of the deposited ink. During recording operation, the platen roller 204 and the pinch roller 204 are located upstream of the platen 210 so that the recording medium 202 does not come into contact with the recording head 209 due to cockling in which the recording medium 202 floats on the platen 210. By 205
On the downstream side, by a discharge roller 208 and a spur 207,
The recording medium 202 is sandwiched and held at an appropriate recording position on the platen 210. An ink ejection port group in which a plurality of ink ejection ports are arranged in a predetermined arrangement is formed on an ink ejection surface of the recording head 209, and an electrothermal converter (heating element) arranged behind each ink ejection port is formed. ) Can cause ink to fly from each ink ejection port.

Next, the recording operation of the ink jet recording head will be described.

The paper feed roller 203 is driven by a paper feed motor (not shown), and the recording medium 202 loaded on the paper feed tray 201 is transported to the platen roller 204. When the recording medium 202 arrives at the platen roller 204, the paper feed roller 203 is driven by drive switching means (not shown).
Is cut off, and the platen roller 204 is driven. When the recording medium 202 is conveyed (sub-scanning) to a recording position on the platen 210 by the platen roller 204 and the pinch roller 205, the recording head 209 performs main scanning together with the carriage, and ejects ink droplets based on the recording data. The recording is performed by causing the recording medium 202 to adhere to the recording medium 202. Thereafter, the printing of the predetermined width and the sub-scanning are performed in synchronization,
When the desired recording is completed in this manner, the recording medium 2
02 is discharged outside the apparatus.

Next, a recovery unit of such an ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a recovery unit of the ink jet recording apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, this recovery means closes the ink discharge ports of the recording head 209 and
A sealing cap 217 for preventing ink inside the recording head from drying, a suction cap 218 used for a suction recovery process for sucking ink from the recording head, and a rubber blade 220 for wiping the recording surface of the recording head 209. I have.

The sealing cap 217 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is arranged at a position facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head 209 when the recording head 209 is at the home position. The sealing cap 217 is movable between a position in contact with the ink discharge port of the recording head 209 and a position away from the ink discharge port, and closes the ink discharge port of the recording head 209 during non-recording to prevent drying of the ink. At this time, the protrusion 219 is
The carriage 212 is brought into contact with a concave portion (not shown) of FIG.
By pushing the sealing cap 217 up and pressing it against the ink discharge port in a state where it is pushed up to the upper limit position in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of No. 7, the ink discharge port is securely closed.

The suction recovery process is performed by applying a suction force by a pump (not shown) in a state where the discharge port is closed by the suction cap 218 to forcibly discharge the ink in the recording head 209. The waste ink sucked by the pump is guided to a waste ink absorber (not shown). By this suction recovery process, it is possible to suck out and remove bubbles and dust in the ink or ink which has become unsuitable for printing due to an increase in viscosity, which causes ink ejection failure and printing failure.

The blade 220 can move up and down between a contact position in contact with the ink discharge surface of the recording head 209 and a retreat position not in contact with the ink discharge surface.
Is set at the contact position, the ink ejection surface of the recording head 209 can be wiped during the movement of the carriage 212.

The pump, the sealing cap 217, the suction cap 218, and the blade 220 are driven by transmitting the driving force of the recovery motor 221 via the cam device 222. A flag 223 is provided on the cam device.
The position of the flag 223 is detected by the photo interrupter 224.

[0019]

Although computerization and networking using computers have been mainly performed in the business world, the use of personal computers at home has been greatly increased with the spread of the Internet at present. . Recently, there have been announced models of televisions and home video game machines having a function of connecting to the Internet, and more and more information has been exchanged at home.

In addition to such computerization and networking, with the spread of digital video equipment, various media such as photographs taken with a digital camera, such as new year's cards with pictures or photographs and invitations to birthday parties, etc., are used. In order to pursue playfulness, such as creating captured image information using processed images, users are demanding image forming apparatuses capable of recording clearer high-quality images. Further, in order to print out a large amount of New Year's cards and the like, an image forming apparatus capable of performing recording faster has been required. Under these circumstances, in the image forming apparatus market, fierce competition between manufacturers has intensified price competition and functional competition.
For this reason, new products with more advanced functions appear before the product's original useful life due to the deterioration of the functions of the products, and the functions of the previous products become obsolete, and as a result, users New products with the ability to better achieve their intended purpose are being purchased, and products are being discarded before their useful life has expired.

If the product is disposed of in such a short cycle, resources are wasted, and the environment is adversely affected, such as the possibility of adversely affecting the environment during waste disposal.

In order to solve such global environmental problems, it is necessary for manufacturers and consumers to work together with international governmental efforts. In other words, in order to pass on the good natural environment and natural resources to offspring, change the current multi-consuming lifestyle to an energy-saving lifestyle, and simply dispose of used products as waste Instead, it is necessary to build a resource-recycling society by changing to a recycling-type lifestyle of collecting resources.

Therefore, in the treatment of discarded products, mechanical shredding by a shredder for waste treatment,
In addition to collecting iron and aluminum by magnetic separation,
It is necessary to remove harmful substance-containing parts before mechanical pulverization and collect rare metal-containing parts and reusable parts.

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, no consideration is given to recycling of the product, and in order to carry out the recycling, it is necessary to perform troublesome work such as manually dismantling the product. is there. Therefore,
From the viewpoint of not putting an burden on the environment when making products, not putting an burden on the environment when using products, and not putting an burden on the environment when discarding products, etc.
Products that consider parts / units collected from used waste products so that they can be used for product repairs and new product manufacturing.
There is a need to provide easily recyclable products to the market. Reuse of parts recovered from used products has been recognized by the public and will be accepted as a matter of course in the future.

As described above, given a new proposition to consider recycling, product development has reached a major turning point. In order to facilitate disassembly and separation and collection, it is necessary to review the structure and materials of products, and in some cases, a change in manufacturing technology is required. In the production of products suitable for recycling as described above, it is desirable to maintain the current performance and production costs. In order to find the best way to manufacture such products, establishment of new design means and technological development are urgently needed, but few of them are environmentally friendly.

In the current production of image forming apparatuses, there are many types of parts to be handled on a production line, and it is difficult to manage parts for storage and supply. However, it is necessary to perform a separate assembly process, which is not efficient. In addition, since the quality judgment test of the product with actual recording must be performed after the entire assembly is completed, if a defect occurs, the entire product is repaired to repair the defective part. Alternatively, there is a complication that most parts need to be disassembled and reassembled. Furthermore, for the parts that were reassembled in this way,
There is a waste that it is necessary to repeat the inspection again, including the portion where there was no defect in the first inspection. These are obstacles to improving productivity.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of providing a product having a new function by replacing a part or unit without discarding the entire product. It is to reduce the amount of waste generated by the disposal of old products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is easy to recycle, design, manufacture, and maintain.

[0029]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a plurality of detachable blocks.
Each of the blocks has a specific function and is provided with connecting means for connecting to each other. The blocks are divided into a plurality of groups according to the configuration of the connecting means, and the blocks in the same group have the same configuration of the connecting means. There is a feature that blocks selected from the groups according to functions are connected to each other by connection means.

As described above, by dividing the image forming apparatus into a plurality of blocks, when the function of the image forming apparatus fails or when a new function is added to the image forming apparatus, The object can be achieved by replacing or adding only the corresponding block instead of replacing the entire image forming apparatus.

As described above, a new function can be added to the image forming apparatus by exchanging and adding blocks, and a mechanism that may be used in the future in the image forming apparatus as previously performed is previously installed. There is no need to keep it.

Further, when the development, manufacturing, and maintenance services of the image forming apparatus are performed, the services can be performed for each block and can be performed efficiently.

Since the function can be repaired / added by replacing / adding blocks, the entire image forming apparatus is less likely to be discarded. Since the blocks are discarded for each block, the amount of waste can be reduced and recycling can be performed. Also, since the blocks have a simpler structure than the entire image forming apparatus, the collection and recycling can be performed easily and efficiently by collecting and recycling each block.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that blocks in the same group have the same type of function. One block is selected from the blocks in the same group and assembled, and as a whole,
One image forming apparatus having necessary functions can be configured.

As a more specific example, the image forming apparatus is configured so that a recording head that performs recording by attaching ink to a recording medium, a carriage that holds the recording head, and a carriage that can reciprocate. A carriage block including a guide shaft for supporting, a basic block including a carriage motor for generating a driving force for reciprocating the carriage, a platen for supporting a recording medium at a recording position facing the recording head, and a platen portion. A cut sheet basic block including a platen roller that conveys a recording medium, a paper feed tray that supports the recording medium,
A paper feed block including a paper feed roller that separates a recording medium supported by a paper feed tray and guides the medium to a platen roller portion; and a recovery block including a sealing cap that covers an ink discharge port of a print head when not in use. A control block including a connector for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device, a control board for outputting an operation signal to each section, and a power block having a power board for supplying necessary electricity to each section.

With this configuration, when it is necessary to change the driving speed of the recording head, it is necessary to change the number of nozzles of the recording head and the number of colors of ink used in the control block and the carriage block. Control block, carriage block and recovery block,
When it is necessary to change the interface of the connected computer, etc., or the transfer method of the recorded image data, it is necessary to change the control block, when it is necessary to change the paper supply method, the paper supply block, and the connection power supply. In this case, the function of the image forming apparatus can be changed or added by replacing the power supply block.

Further, if a connector portion for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an external device is separated from the control block and the interface block is used as the interface block, and the remaining portion is used as a printer control block, when the interface of a computer or the like to be connected is changed, The function can be changed or added by replacing only the interface block, not the entire control block.

Further, as one of such blocks,
Includes all means for realizing the minimum necessary functions to perform recording, and by providing a recording function aggregation block that can perform recording by itself, various functions are provided to other peripheral blocks, An image forming apparatus that has functions and can be used for various purposes can be easily configured by rearranging peripheral blocks.

More specifically, for example, a recording head which is held at a position facing a recording surface of a recording medium and performs recording by adhering ink to the recording medium, and a recording head and a recording medium Sub-scanning means for determining the recording position in the sub-scanning direction by changing the relative position in the sub-scanning direction along the recording surface of the image forming apparatus,
What is necessary is just to adopt a configuration in which the recording head, sub-scanning means, and recording function control means for driving these are incorporated in the recording function aggregation block.

In this configuration, since all the means for realizing the minimum function required for recording in the recording function aggregation block are included, the function aggregation block is covered by rotating as the sub-scanning means. A configuration in which a moving roller that can be moved on the recording surface of the recording medium is provided,
By moving the function aggregation block, printing can be performed while performing sub-scanning.

Also, by integrating the minimum functions required for recording in the recording function aggregation block, the structure of other peripheral blocks can be simplified, and the main part can be made of a single material. By using a biodegradable plastic as a single material, the peripheral block can be easily decomposed, and disposal of the peripheral block can be facilitated.

More specifically, for example, the power source of the sub-scanning means of the function aggregation block is also used as the power source included in the peripheral block, and the power source is not provided in the peripheral block. The peripheral block can have a simple structure.

Further, a transport roller which contacts the recording medium and rotates and transports the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, which is provided in the above-described cut sheet basic block in the function aggregation block, is provided by a sub-scanning means. The conveyance roller is provided with the function of the above-described paper supply roller, and the paper supply block is provided with a plurality of recording media. It is possible to have a simple configuration in which only one sheet is separated and conveyed from the recording medium, and the recording position where the recording medium is opposed to the recording head by the conveyance roller instead of the cut paper basic block. , A transport guide block having a simple structure that only supports the recording medium can be used.

If the outer wall of the entire image forming apparatus is constituted by the outer wall of each block, it is not necessary to separately provide the outer wall of the entire image forming apparatus, and the size and shape of the blocks to be assembled are less restricted. .

Blocks can be easily exchanged by a user or the like by connecting the blocks by a connection means that can be easily connected to each other without using a special technique. As such a connecting means, a press-fitting fitting part by a convex part and a concave part, an engaging part by a projection part or a claw part, or a fastening part arranged at an easily visible position may be used.

The system for manufacturing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of detachable blocks, each block comprising:
Each of the blocks has a specific function and is provided with connecting means for connecting to each other. The blocks are divided into a plurality of groups according to the configuration of the connecting means, and the blocks in the same group have the same configuration of the connecting means. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that blocks selected from the respective groups according to the functions are connected to each other by a connection unit.

The method of manufacturing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a method of manufacturing an image forming apparatus by a plurality of detachable blocks each having a specific function and provided with connecting means for connecting to each other. According to the configuration of the connection means, connection means are provided in each block so that blocks in the same group can be grouped so that the configuration of the connection means is the same, and functions are selected from among the groups. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the blocks are selected by the user and the selected blocks are connected to each other by a connection unit.

[0048]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ink jet printer is disassembled for each block. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the control block 1. FIG. 4 shows a case where an interface portion is divided from the control block and a block corresponding to the control block 1 of FIG. The perspective view of each block is shown. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection portion for transmitting the driving force of the carriage motor 19 of the basic block 3 to the pulley of the carriage block 4. 7 is a perspective view of the carriage block 4, FIG. 8 (a) is a recovery block 5, FIG. 8 (b) is a power supply block 2, FIG. 8 (c) is a cut sheet basic block 6, and FIG. Each is shown. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the entire inkjet printer in a state where these blocks are connected. In addition, FIG.
9 is a perspective view, all of which show main internal components.

As shown in FIG. 1, this ink-jet printer can be roughly divided into three components: an electrical unit, a recording unit (main scanning unit), and a conveying unit (sub-scanning unit). The electrical unit is composed of two blocks of a control block 1 and a power supply block 2, the recording unit (main scanning unit) is composed of three blocks of a basic block 3, a carriage block 4, and a recovery block 5, and the transport unit (sub-scanning unit) is composed of The inkjet printer includes two blocks, a cut sheet basic block 6 and a paper feed block 7, and the entire inkjet printer is composed of seven blocks.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control block 1
Has a connector 8, a control relay board 13, a control board 10, a panel board 11, an operation button 12, a lock lever 14, and a lock member 15. Describing each, the connector 8 connects the ink jet printer to an external computer or the like. The control relay board 13 includes the connector 17 a of the first relay board 17 of the basic block 2 and the second relay board 1.
8 connected to the connector 18a of the control block 1 and exposed to the outer surface of the housing of the control block 1.
3b. The control board 10 is connected to the connector 8 via a cable (not shown) symbolically indicated by an arrow 9 and to the control relay board 13. Electric components such as a tact switch and an LED are mounted on the panel substrate 11. The operation buttons 12 are provided on the panel substrate 1.
It is arranged on one tact switch for inputting operation commands such as power on / off, online, recovery, and the like. The lock lever 14 can be rotated by inserting a coin or the like into the slit portion 14a. The lock member 15 includes the lock lever 14 and the basic block 3.
In order to make a mechanical connection between the carriage block 4 and the control block 1, it is an L-shaped member which is screwed inward via a spring washer with an outer cover interposed therebetween.

The connectors 13a and 13b are mounted facing downward in the drawing, that is, on the lower surface of the control relay board 13. The control board 10, the panel board 11, and the control relay board 13 are fixed to the housing of the control block 1 with screws (not shown). FIG. 3 shows only one lock lever 14 and lock member 15 on the left side, but two lock levers 14 and lock members 15 are further provided on the right side. On the lower surface of the control block 1, there are provided positioning pins (not shown) that can be inserted into positioning holes (not shown) formed in the upper surface of the carriage block 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the basic block 3 includes first and second relay boards 17 and 18, a carriage motor 19 for causing the carriage 27 of the carriage block 4 to perform main scanning, and a basic block 3. And a lock member 15 and a lock lever 14 used for mechanical connection between the carriage block 4 and the basic block 3.

The first relay board 17 includes a connector 17a connected to the connector 13a of the control relay board 13 of the control block 1 and a connector 17b connected to the connector 30a of the carriage relay board 30 of the carriage block 4. The control block 1 and the carriage block 4 are respectively mounted so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the basic block 3 at positions facing the control block 1 and the carriage block 4. The second relay board 18 includes a connector 18a connected to the connector 13b of the control relay board 13 of the control block 1 and a connector 1a connected to the connector 47a of the cut paper relay board 47 of the cut paper basic block 6.
8b are mounted on the outer surface of the basic block 3 at positions facing the control block 1 and the cut sheet relay board 47, respectively. The carriage motor 19 is screwed (not shown) to a sheet metal frame 20, and a drive transmission member 21 is press-fitted to an output shaft 19a. As shown in FIG. 6A, the drive transmission member 21 has six convex portions 21a and six concave portions 2 on the outer periphery of a central cylindrical member.
1c has a shape formed like a gear, and an inclined portion 21b is formed at the axial end of the convex portion 21a so that the width of the convex portion is reduced in the distal direction. A positioning hole (not shown) into which a positioning pin (not shown) of the carriage block 4 can be inserted is formed in a front surface of the basic block 3 which is a joining surface with the carriage block 4.

In a state where the basic block 3 and the carriage block 4 are connected, a large number of bends are provided in the sheet metal frame 20 so that a large stress is not applied to the drive transmission member 21 and the driven transmission member 22 of the carriage motor 19. To absorb stress and have sufficient rigidity to withstand vibration and torsion. In addition, as a material of the sheet metal frame 20, aluminum die casting may be used instead of the sheet metal.

As shown in FIG. 7, the carriage block 4
Are four ink tanks 26, a carriage 27, and two guide shafts 29a, 29 arranged in parallel with each other.
9b, a carriage relay board 30, an exterior 32 forming the outer periphery, and a lid 31. The four ink tanks 26 contain black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively. The carriage 27 includes the guide shaft 2
It operates in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow 28 in FIG. 7) while holding a recording head (not shown) that ejects ink and is supported by 9a and 29b. On the carriage relay board 30, a connector 30a connected to the connector 17b of the first relay board 17 of the basic block 3 is mounted. The lid 3 is located in the cutout portion of the exterior 32 and is rotatable in the direction of arrow 33 in FIG. 7 with the shaft portion 31a as a fulcrum. With the lid 31 rotated and opened, the ink tank 26 and the recording head held by the carriage 27 can be attached and detached. An engagement hole 24b capable of engaging with the lock member 15 of the control block 1 is opened on the upper surface of the exterior 32.
A positioning hole into which a positioning pin (not shown) can be inserted is opened. The lock member 15 of the basic block 3 is provided on the joint surface of the rear surface of the carriage block 4 with the basic block 3.
An engaging hole (not shown) that can be engaged with the opening is opened, and a positioning pin (not shown) that can be inserted into a positioning hole (not shown) of the basic block 3 is provided.

Further, a pinch roller (not shown) is provided at a position facing the platen roller 41 of the cut paper basic block 6 in a state of being coupled to the cut paper basic block 6. The carriage relay board 30 and the carriage board (not shown) on the carriage 27 are electrically connected by a flexible cable (not shown). Guide shaft 29
Both ends a and 29b are supported by a frame (not shown). A pulley connected to the carriage motor 19a of the basic block 3 is further attached to the frame, and a timing belt for transmitting a driving force for operating the carriage 27 is stretched around the pulley. The pulley connected to the carriage motor 19a is press-fitted into one end of a shaft 23, and the driven transmission member 22 is press-fitted into the other end of the shaft 23 as shown in FIG. The driven transmission member 22 has a hollow central portion and is formed so that six convex portions 22a protruding in the axial direction surround the outer periphery with six concave portions 22c. An inclined portion 22b is formed at the distal end of the convex portion 22a so that the width of the convex portion is reduced in the distal direction.

The method of replacing the ink tank 26 and the operations of the carriage 27 and the pinch roller are the same as in the conventional example.
The material and the wiring method of the flexible cable are the same as those already used in many conventional inkjet printers. The two guide shafts 29 are assembled at the time of assembly so that the carriage 27 operates smoothly and horizontally.
The parallelism of a and 29b is adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the recovery block 5
Has a suction cap 34 and a sealing cap 35, and further has a blade (not shown), a recovery motor, and a recovery pump. On both side surfaces of the recovery block 5, concave portions 38 which can be engaged with the fixing claws 37 of the cut paper basic block 6 are formed. In FIG. 8, the concave portion 38 is shown on only one side, but a concave portion (not shown) is formed on the opposite side. On the upper surface of the recovery block 5, a connector 39 connected to the connector 25 of the basic block 3 is arranged so as to be exposed from the exterior. Also, the recovery block 5
The transmission gear 4 of the cut paper basic block 6 in the assembled state
A swing gear (not shown) for transmitting the driving force from 1a to the gear 52a of the paper feed block 7 is provided.

The power supply block 2 has a power supply board (not shown) inside. As shown in FIG. 8B, a power supply cord 55 connected to an external power supply and a cut sheet basic block 6 are cut. And a connector 2a for electrical connection with the paper relay board 47. At the lower ends of both ends of the power supply block 2, projections 57 that engage with the grooves 56 of the cut paper basic block 6 protrude. In the rear part of the power supply block 2, the protrusion 5 of the locking means 59 of the cut sheet basic block 6 is provided.
A not-shown concave portion that can be engaged with 9a is formed.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the cut paper basic block 6 includes a paper feed motor 40 and a platen roller 41.
, A platen 42, a paper ejection spur 43, and a paper ejection roller (not shown) arranged at a position facing the paper ejection spur 43. These are arranged near both ends of the exterior 45 and face each other. Is held by two sheet metal frames 44 which stand upright. A transmission gear 41 a is press-fitted into one end of the platen roller 41. A paper discharge tray 46 is slidably disposed at the bottom of the exterior 45. A connector 47a to be connected to the connector 18b of the basic block 3 is mounted on a corner of the upper surface of the cut paper basic block 6, and a cut paper relay board 47 is disposed. A connector (not shown) connected to the connector 2a of the power supply block 2 is mounted on the cut sheet relay board 47 via a cable (not shown). Cut paper basic block 6
Lock levers 14 used for mechanical connection with the basic block 3 and the carriage block 4
And a lock member 15, two on each side, a total of four, and a positioning pin 45 used for positioning the carriage block 4 is provided on the upper end of the side surface.
a, 45b are formed. At the upper end of the sheet metal frame 44, two guide shafts 2 of the carriage block 4 are provided.
9a, 29b, bearing portions 44a,
44b are formed. The sheet metal frame 44 has an exterior 45
The position is regulated by a positioning pin (not shown) on the inner side, so that the bearing portions 44a and 44b and the positioning pin 4
The accuracy of the relative positions of 5a and 45b is kept high. Sheet metal frame 44 instead of positioning pins 45a, 45b
It may be an emboss formed on the surface.

A space in which the power supply block 2 can be inserted is provided in the rear part of the cut paper basic block 6, and on both sides of this space, the projections 57 of the power supply block 2 can be engaged. A groove 56 that allows the power supply block 2 to slide in the fitted state is formed. Further, below this space, a projection 5 which engages with a not-shown recess of the power supply block 2 when the power supply block 2 is inserted into this space.
A locking means 59 having a leading end 9a is formed. At the upper end of the side wall of this space, there are formed concave portions 54a and 54b with which the positioning pins 53a and 53b of the paper feed block 7 can be engaged.

A space for holding the recovery block 5 at a position facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head when not in use is provided near one side surface of the cut paper basic block 6, and below this space. Positioning pins 36a, b for positioning the recovery block 5 are formed,
On both sides, fixed claws 37 which can be engaged with the concave portions 38 of the recovery block 5 are formed. Although FIG. 8 shows the fixing claw 37 on only one side, a fixing claw (not shown) is also formed on the opposite side.

As shown in FIG. 9, the paper supply block 7 includes a plate-shaped paper supply tray 48, a paper supply roller 49 disposed near the lower end of the paper supply tray 48, and a paper supply roller 49 on the surface of the paper supply roller 49. Rubber pickup rollers 49a arranged in two places
A paper width adjusting lever 50 disposed on the paper feed tray 48 and slidable laterally; a paper thickness switching lever 51 for adjusting the position of the paper feed tray 48 to a position corresponding to the thickness of the recording medium; It has gears 52a, 52b, 52c and positioning pins 53a, 53b projecting from both side surfaces. The transmission gear 52a transmits the driving force from the transmission gear 41a at the end of the platen roller 41 to the paper feed roller gear 49b press-fitted into the end of the paper feed roller 49 via a swing gear (not shown) of the recovery block 5. And is exposed on the lower surface of the paper feed block 7. When the paper feed block 7 is fixed to the cut paper basic block 6, the paper feed block 7
The transmission gear 52a is disposed so as to face and mesh with a swing gear (not shown) of the recovery block 5.

Next, a method of assembling the ink jet printer will be described.

First, the groove 56 of the cut paper basic block 6
Then, the projection 57 of the power supply block 2 is engaged, and the power supply block 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow 58a in FIGS. 2 and 8 until the connector 2a of the power supply block 2 is fitted to the connector (not shown) of the cut sheet basic block 6. Slide. At this time, the locking means 59 of the cut sheet recording block 6 is elastically deformed downward by the projection 59a abutting on the lower surface of the power supply block 2, and when the power supply block 2 is slid until the connector 2a is fitted, the locking means 59 is locked. Due to the restoring force of the means 59, the convex portion 59a engages with a concave portion (not shown) at the rear of the power supply block 2.
In this manner, the power supply block 2 is fixed so as not to be inadvertently detached from the cut sheet basic block 6.

Next, the recovery block 5 is inserted from above the cut sheet basic block 6 along the arrow 58b in FIGS. 2 and 8, and is positioned by the positioning pins 36a and 36b. The recovery block 5 is fixed to the cut sheet basic block 6 by engaging with the concave portion 38 of the recovery block 5. At this time, the swing gear (not shown) of the recovery block 5 and the transmission gear 41 of the cut sheet basic block 6
a is connected.

Next, the paper feed block 7 is placed from above the cut paper basic block 6 along the arrow 58c in FIG.
The positioning pins 53a and 53b of the paper feed block 7 are engaged with the recesses 54a and 54b of the cut paper basic block 6, respectively, and the lower surface is fixed to abut the frame of the cut paper basic block 6. At this time, the transmission gear 41a of the cut sheet basic block 7 rotates, and the swinging gear (not shown) of the recovery block 5 and the gear 52a of the sheet supply block 7 mesh.

Next, the positioning pins of the carriage block 4 are inserted into the positioning holes of the basic block 3 to position the carriage block 4 and the basic block 3, and the basic block 3 is further moved along the direction of arrow 58d in FIG. By pressing against the carriage block 4, the connector 17 b of the basic block 3 is fitted to the connector 30 a of the carriage block 4, and the drive transmission member 21 of the basic block 3 is fitted to the driven transmission member 22 of the carriage block 4. At this time, the inclined portion 2 of the convex portion 21a of the drive transmission member 21
1b and inclined portion 22b of convex portion 22a of driven transmission member 22
Abuts on the drive transmission member 21 and the driven transmission member 2
2 rotates, the protrusion 21 a of the drive transmission member 21 is in the recess 22 c of the driven transmission member 22, the protrusion 22 a of the driven transmission member 22 is in the recess 21 c of the drive transmission member 21, and the drive transmission member 21 has The central cylindrical portion is fitted into the central hollow portion of the driven transmission member. As described above, the drive transmission member 21 and the driven transmission member 22 can be smoothly coupled without being damaged by pressing them. When the basic block 3 is pressed against the carriage block 4, the lock member 15 of the basic block 3
The lock lever 14 is rotated by the lock lever 14 so as not to hit the carriage block 4, and after being pressed, the lock lever 14 is rotated 90 ° so that the lock member 15 is engaged with the engagement hole of the carriage block 4. The carriage block 4 is fixed in a connected state. The fixing by the lock member 15 can be released by rotating the lock lever 14 in the reverse direction.

Next, as shown by an arrow 58e in FIG.
Positioning pins 45a and 45b of the cut paper basic block 6
Is positioned on the cut paper basic block 6, the connector 47a of the cut paper basic block 6 is fitted to the connector 18b of the basic block 3, and the carriage block 4
The guide shafts 29a and 29b are arranged such that the bearings 44a and 44b of the cut paper basic block 6 respectively support the lock levers 1 of the cut paper basic block 6.
By rotating the lock 4, the lock member 15 is engaged with an engagement hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the basic block 3 and the carriage block 4 and fixed.

Here, the bearings 44a and 44b are manufactured so that the left and right relative heights are within a predetermined allowable value, and the position of the platen roller 41 and the bearings 44a and 44b are determined.
Is manufactured so that an interval between the upper surface (contact point with the guide shafts 29a and 29b) is within a predetermined allowable value,
Further, the guide shaft 29 of the carriage block 4
By manufacturing such that the parallelism between a and 29b is within a certain allowable value, the recording held on the guide shafts 29a and 29b of the carriage block 4 in a state where the carriage block 4 and the cut sheet basic block 6 are combined. The distance (inter-paper distance) between the ejection surface of the head and the platen roller 41 can be made to be within a predetermined accuracy even during the operation of the carriage 27. As described above, the ink jet printer of this embodiment includes the carriage 27 for holding the recording head and the platen roller 4 for holding the recording medium.
1 is included in a separate block, and these blocks are connected after manufacturing.
And the platen roller 41 can be positioned in a production line at the same paper-to-paper distance accuracy as that of a conventional printer, and printing can be performed with high printing accuracy. Since the horizontal relative position between the carriage block 4 and the cut sheet basic block 6 is regulated by the positioning pins 45a and 45b, the relative position and direction between the main scanning and the sub-scanning are within a predetermined accuracy. Will be kept.

In a state where the carriage block 4 and the cut sheet basic block 6 are fixed, the lock lever 14 and the lock member 15 of the cut sheet basic block 6 are moved to the respective centers of the two guide shafts 29a and 29b of the carriage block 4. Located in a vertical plane passing through, and
The left and right positions are arranged at the same height. Therefore, when locked, the guide shaft 2
The configuration is such that stresses such as twisting and bending are not applied to 9a, 29b and bearing portions 44a, 44b. Therefore, even if some stress is generated in a state where the lock member 15 of the cut sheet basic block 6 is engaged with the engagement hole of the carriage block 4, the guide shafts 29a, 2
9b and the parallelism of the bearing portions 44a, 44b are maintained.

Finally, a positioning pin (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the control block 1 is inserted into a positioning hole on the upper surface of the carriage block 4 along the arrow 58f in FIG. Positioning,
At the same time, the connectors 13a and 13b of the control block 1 are fitted to the connectors 17a and 18a of the basic block 3, respectively. Thereafter, the lock lever 14 is rotated to rotate the lock member 15 from the position indicated by the dotted line 15a in FIG. 3 to the position indicated by the solid line by 90 ° in the direction indicated by the arrow 16 in FIG. The control block 1 is engaged with the engagement hole 24a and the engagement hole 24b of the carriage block 4.
Is fixed. The control block 1 includes connectors 13a, 13
It suffices if the base block 3 is arranged so as to be electrically connected to the basic block 3 by the connector b and the connectors 17a and 18a, and it is not necessary to perform positioning with high relative positional accuracy. Therefore, the control block 1 may be fixed by the lock member 15 by fitting the connectors 13a and 13b and the connectors 17a and 18a without providing the positioning pins and the positioning holes.

Assembling the seven blocks in this way,
One printer as shown in FIG. 10 is configured.

Next, the operation and functions of the ink jet printer will be described.

First, a connection cable and the like are connected to the control block 1.
And a printer connected to an external computer or the like which outputs a signal corresponding to a recorded image, and a recording medium as a recording medium is placed on a sheet tray 48 of the sheet supply block 7. Place. The method of connecting to an external computer and the like and the method of setting recording paper are the same as those of a conventional printer.

When the power supply cord 55 of the power supply block 2 is connected to an external power supply, the electric power supplied via the power supply cord 55 is supplied from the power supply board of the power supply block 2 to the cut sheet relay board 47, the second relay board 18, It is supplied to the paper feed motor 40, the recovery motor, the carriage motor 19, various sensors, and the like via the control relay board 13 and the control board 10.

Signals corresponding to recorded image data transmitted from an external computer are transmitted via a cable (not shown) and a connector 8, and signals from various sensors installed at various parts of the ink jet printer are controlled and relayed. Substrate 1
3 and a command signal by operating the operation switch 12 are transmitted to the control board 10 via the panel board 11, and the control board 10 outputs a command signal based on these signals.

The feed signal and the sub-scanning command signal from the control board 10 are transmitted to the control relay board 13 and the first relay board 1.
7, transmitted to the paper feed motor 40 via the cut paper relay board 47, whereby the paper feed motor 40 is driven, and the platen roller 41 rotates. The driving force of the platen roller 41 includes a transmission gear 41a, a swing gear, and gears 52a and 52.
The sheet is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller 49 via the b and 52c, and the sheet feeding roller 49 rotates together with the platen roller 41.

The paper feed block 7 corresponds to a portion generally called an ASF (auto sheet feeder) in a conventional printer, and is placed on a paper feed tray 48 by rotating a paper feed roller 49 and a pickup roller 49a. The plurality of placed recording sheets are separated one by one from the top and fed to the platen roller 41.

The cut paper basic block 6 has the same function as the sub-scanning section of the conventional printer, and
The recording paper fed to 1 is sub-scanned by the rotation of the platen roller 41 to a recording position facing the ink ejection surface of the recording head.

The main scanning command from the control board 10 is transmitted to the carriage motor 19 via the control relay board 13 and the first relay board 17, and the carriage motor 19 is driven. The driving force of the carriage motor 19 is transmitted to the carriage 27 via a drive transmission member 21, a driven transmission member 22, a pulley, and a timing belt, and the carriage 27 is main-scanned along guide shafts 29a and 29b.

A signal corresponding to the recorded image data is transmitted from the control board 10 to the control relay board 13 and the first relay board 1.
7, transmitted to the carriage 27 and the recording head via the carriage relay board 30 and the flexible cable.
The recording head is driven based on a signal corresponding to the recording image data, and the recording head ejects ink to perform recording by adhering ink to a portion of the recording paper located at a recording position on the platen 41.

As described above, an image is formed by repeating the sub-scanning, the main scanning, and the ink ejection.

The recovery command signal from the control board 10 is transmitted to the control relay board 13, the first relay board 17, the connector 2
5 to the recovery block 5.

The function of the recovery block 5 is the same as that of the recovery system of the printer shown as a conventional example. When not in use, the sealing cap 35 closes the ink discharge port of the recording head to prevent drying. With the ejection port closed, a recovery pump performs a suction recovery operation to remove bubbles and the like along with the ink in the head, or removes ink attached to the ink ejection surface with a blade.

The ink jet printer of this embodiment has seven separable blocks, and functions as one printer by connecting each block mechanically and electrically. For each block, the configuration and position of the mechanical connection means and the electrical connection means between the blocks are the same, and by providing a plurality of types of blocks having different functions, instead of replacing the entire printer,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printer having a different function simply by exchanging some blocks. Further, even in the case where a printer having more advanced functions and upgraded functions is provided in the future, the configurations and positions of the mechanical connection means and the electrical connection means between the blocks are the same for the blocks which control the corresponding functions. Yes, by providing a block having more advanced functions, it is possible to replace the entire printer without replacing the entire printer and to construct a printer having more advanced functions and upgraded functions. Is what you do.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the change and improvement of the function of each block will be described.

The control block 1 is used by the user to select necessary items according to the driving speed of the recording head, the number of nozzles, the difference in the interface of the connected computer, the difference in the method of transferring the recording image data from an external computer, and the like. Then replace. Further, when a print head having a higher driving speed or a print head having a nozzle having a higher density is newly developed, the block can be replaced to improve the function of the printer.

For example, if a plurality of types of control blocks 1 having different interface units (such as connectors) from the outside are prepared, if the interface unit becomes incompatible due to replacement of a computer or the like, the user is required to use it. By replacing only the compatible control block 1, a printer having the same function can be obtained.

Further, for example, the driving frequency of the recording head used at the time of purchase is 10 kHz, and after several years, it is 20 kHz.
Assuming that a print head drivable by the above is developed, a user purchases a control block 1 having a control board corresponding to the print head drivable at 20 kHz together with a print head drivable at 20 kHz, and replaces the control block 1 with the one used so far. As a result, the user can obtain a printer capable of recording at a higher speed. At this time, a plurality of types of control blocks 1 having different interface units (such as connectors) with the outside.
Can be provided so that each user can select a control block 1 having an interface unit suitable for his / her own computer when purchasing a printer.

As described above, in order to make it possible to exchange the new control block 1 for improving or changing the performance of the printer with the currently used control block 1, the control block 10 or the control block 1 having a different interface unit is used. Also, a lock lever 14, a lock member 15, a positioning pin, used for connection between adjacent blocks,
The positions and shapes of the connectors 13a and 13b are the same.

As for the control block 1, the interface part with the external computer and other blocks may be a separate block, and may be divided into a printer control block 77 and an interface block 78 as shown in FIG. That is, the printer control block 77
A control board 79, a panel board 11, and an operation button 12 corresponding to a part of the control board 10 in FIG. 3 are included. The interface block 78 corresponds to the connector 8 and the control relay board 13 in FIG. An interface board 78 having a function is included so that both can be detached. The printer control block 77 and the interface block 78 are electrically connected by connecting a connector 80 of the printer control block 77 and a connector 81 of the interface block 78. For the mechanical connection, the printer control block 77
The lock levers 14 are provided on two sides of each of the housing and the interface block 78 so that they can be independently connected to other blocks.

As described above, by dividing the printer control block 77 and the interface block 78, for example, when the interface of an external computer connected to the printer is changed from IEEE 1284 (cable interface) to IrDA (infrared communication) In this case, only the interface block 78 may be replaced with the one for IrDA.

As described above, the interface block 78 for IrDA and the interface block 78 for IEEE 1284 (and another type of interface block 78) are connected to the printer control block 77 so that the user can exchange only the interface block 78. The type and position of the mating connector 81 and the position of the lock lever 14 are configured to be the same. IrD
Even if it changes to the interface block 78 for A etc.
As long as the format of the data transferred from the interface block 78 to the printer control block 77 does not change,
The user can obtain a printer corresponding to the change of the interface only by replacing the interface block 78 alone.

The basic block 3 includes a carriage motor 19, which is a component that is expensive and has a long life, and a sheet metal frame 2
0, and as the name implies, is a block serving as a printer base that determines the lifetime of the entire inkjet printer. Unless the carriage motor 19 or the sheet metal frame 20 is broken or the carriage motor 19 needs to be changed, even if the surrounding blocks are replaced with new blocks having new functions or different functions, the basic blocks 3 are replaced. Can be used without.

The carriage block 4 includes the ink tank 2
6 differences in capacity and number of colors (3 colors, 4 colors, 6 colors, etc.)
The user selects and replaces a necessary one according to a difference in size of the ink cartridge corresponding to the above. For example, the ink cartridge used at the time of purchase is Bk
If four color inks of (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) can be used, and a few years later, an ink cartridge that can use six dark and light inks is required. The user purchases an ink cartridge for six colors, a new carriage block 4 having a corresponding carriage size, and a new control block 1 having a control board 10, and exchanges them with those used so far. A printer capable of recording with six colors of ink can be obtained.

To enable replacement of the used carriage block 4 with a new carriage block 4 having a different ink cartridge or carriage size, a lock lever 14 for connection between the blocks, a positioning pin, a connector 30a, a carriage The position and shape of the driven transmission member 22 for connection to the motor 19 are unified. By shifting the position of the carriage to absorb the difference in cartridge size, the reference nozzle position of the recording head can be unified. By doing so, the print start position and printable area in the sub-scanning direction can be set. The same carriage block 4 and new carriage block 4 can be used.

The recovery block 5 is a block that is replaced together with the carriage block 4 when it becomes necessary to change the number and size of the recording heads, the nozzle pitch between the colors, the capacity of the ink tank, and the number of colors.

The paper feed block 7 is replaced according to the difference in the paper feed method. For example, if cassette paper feeding or roll paper feeding is required, the user can feed the cassette paper feeding block 7a,
The roll paper feed block 7b is selected and mounted. In this case as well, in order to make it possible to exchange a plurality of types of paper feed blocks, the shapes of positioning pins and abutting surfaces used for connection with the cut paper basic block 6, the positions of the gears 52a used for transmitting the driving force, and the like are changed. All are unified.

When using thick paper as the recording medium,
Instead of the cut paper basic block 6 and the paper feed block 7, a thick paper corresponding block 60 may be attached.
Also, instead of the cut sheet basic block 6 and the paper feed block 7, a self-propelled block 83 for moving the inkjet printer itself may be attached, and sub-scanning may be performed by moving the inkjet printer itself.
By doing so, recording on a recording medium of various materials and sizes becomes possible. Also in this case, the connection means corresponding to the electrical and mechanical connection means provided in the power supply block 2, the basic block 3, the carriage block 4, and the recovery block 5 and used for connection with the cut paper basic block 7 is a cardboard. The corresponding block 60 and the self-propelled block 83 are provided.

A plurality of types of power supply blocks 2 are prepared according to the difference in power supply voltage, and use the power supply block 2 suitable for each country or region. Usually, there is basically one type of power supply block used in one country, and the user purchases and replaces the same power supply if it fails or reaches the end of its life and becomes unusable. However, when the surrounding blocks are replaced with new blocks having different drive voltages for the components (motors, sensors, etc.), the blocks are replaced with new power supply blocks 2 corresponding to the new blocks. In order to enable the power supply block 2 to be replaced with a new power supply block 2, the groove 47 used for mechanical connection, the locking means 59, and the connector 2a used for electrical connection are unified as in the other blocks. is there. By unifying the mechanical connection and the electrical connection in this way for products exported overseas, even if they are taken out of Japan and used overseas, a power supply block compatible with the supply power of the country can be used locally. If purchased and exchanged, it can be used without exchanging other blocks.

As described above, according to the present invention, if the functions of the ink jet printer used by the user become unsatisfactory because of the progress of the technical level, it is necessary to replace the ink jet printer with a new ink jet printer. Instead, a new block having a function required by the user is replaced with a block corresponding to the ink jet printer being used, so that an ink jet printer having the function required by the user can be obtained. As a result, the amount of waste generated when a user purchases an inkjet printer having a new function can be reduced, and the waste of resources can be reduced.

Also, since the ink jet printer is divided into a plurality of blocks, recycling, designing, manufacturing,
Maintenance can be performed for each block, and can be performed more easily than when the entire inkjet recording apparatus is performed.

That is, the ink jet printer of the present embodiment does not impose an environmental burden upon producing a product, does not impose an environmental impact upon using a product, does not impose an environmental impact upon discarding a product, and the like. This is an inkjet printer that pays attention to the environment.

Further, the applicant of the present invention collects, in one block, parts that perform the functions of main scanning, sub-scanning, and ink ejection, which are the minimum printing functions required for printing by an ink-jet printer, and performs other functions such as ASF ( We propose a more desirable printer that simplifies the functions of the automatic sheet feeder) and the transporting function, and consists of a single material, particularly a biodegradable plastic, which is a desirable material from an ecological point of view.

Hereinafter, an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described features will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of all blocks forming the ink jet printer. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of development, manufacture, and service of the inkjet printer shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the recording function intensive type ink jet printer of the present embodiment has a main scanning unit which is a part of a recording unit of the conventional ink jet printer and a part of a transport unit of the conventional ink jet printer. The recording means having four element functional units, namely, a sub-scanning unit, a recovery unit, and a recording function control unit which is a part of the control unit of the conventional inkjet printer, which controls these, is integrated into one recording function. These are collected into blocks (Fig. 11, 1
2).

As shown in FIG. 12, the recording function aggregation block of the ink jet printer of this embodiment has a frame (structure) 151 which is a mounting reference for the entire printer including the recording function aggregation block and other blocks. I have. The frame 151 includes a sensor flag 155 for detecting the presence or absence of a recording paper conveyance error, and a line feed roller 156 that can function as a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper.
And a line feed motor 167 for driving a line feed roller 156, a discharge roller 157 for conveying the recording sheet to a discharge port, and a spur roller 158 for conveying the recording sheet while pressing the recording surface thereof. These function as sub-scanning means. The line feed roller 156, the paper discharge roller 157, and the spur roller 158 are used as recording paper transport means when performing recording while transporting recording paper as a recording medium, as in the case of recording on standard paper. When the recording function aggregation block performs recording while moving on the recording medium, the recording function aggregation block functions as the moving drive roller, and the paper discharge roller 157 and the spur roller 158 as the movement driven rollers. It can also function as a block moving means. As described above, by performing the recording while the recording function aggregation block runs on the recording medium by itself, recording on the recording medium of various materials and sizes becomes possible.

The recording function consolidation block has a suction cap, a sealing cap, a blade, a recovery pump, and the like (not shown). Like the recovery system of the conventional printer, the nozzle of the recording head is closed by the sealing cap when not in use. A recovery unit 159 that seals to prevent drying, removes air bubbles in the head by a suction recovery operation using a suction cap and a recovery pump, and removes ink attached to the nozzle surface with a blade.
And an absorber 160 for holding the waste ink sucked by the recovery unit 159 and the like, and these function as recovery means.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the recording function aggregation block stores four ink tanks containing Bk (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) inks and ink. It has a carriage 152 that holds a discharge recording head 154 and is reciprocally driven in the main scanning direction, and a carriage drive motor 153 that generates a driving force for moving the carriage 152, and these are the main scanning means. Has a function.

The recording function aggregation block transfers recording image data from the computer to the carriage 152, processes signals from the carriage motor 153, the line feed motor 167, and various sensors, and records image data from the computer. Recording head 154 based on
And a recording function control unit 161 for driving the printer. The recording function control unit 161 includes an operation unit 162 capable of performing a minimum operation necessary for a recording operation.
And a detection sensor output processing unit 163 that processes signals from the detection sensors provided in each unit, and connectors 164 and 168 for connecting the recording function aggregation block and the interface block 170 and the power supply block 169. ing. The connector 168 may be configured to directly connect the power supply block 169 or the power supply block 1
The power supply cable connected to the power supply block 169 may be connected to the power supply block 169 as an adapter type. In the present embodiment, the line feed motor 167 included in the sub-scanning means is provided with the recording function control unit 161.
Is located within.

The material of the frame 151 may be a metal or a resin, but it is preferable that the frame 151 is made of a single material so that the frame 151 can be easily recycled. It is desirable that the material be lightweight so that the driving force when recording by self-propelling does not increase.

As the line feed roller 156, a material obtained by press-fitting, coating, or baking a material having a high friction coefficient on a metal shaft may be used, or the surface of the metal shaft itself may be used so that the surface has a high friction coefficient. May be processed by blasting, etching, or the like.

In the case of performing recording while conveying the recording paper,
Although a space in which the recovery unit 159 and the absorber 160 can be arranged below the outer surface of the line feed roller 156 can be provided, in an ink jet printer configured to perform recording while the recording function aggregation block itself moves, the line feed roller 156 is Since the recording medium is grounded on the recording surface, the recovery unit 159 and the absorber 160 cannot be arranged below the ground surface of the line feed roller 156. Therefore, in this case, the recovery unit 159 and the absorber 160
Is arranged on the side of the printer, and when the recovery operation of the recording head 154 is performed, the recording head 154 is positioned such that the ink ejection surface of the recording head 154 faces the recovery unit 158.
Is configured to be able to change the direction. Recording head 154
May be changed by bending a guide shaft supporting the carriage 152, or the guide shaft may be straight without being bent,
The recording head 154 and the ink tank held by the carriage 152 may be displaced together with the guide holder that holds them. Recovery unit 15
9. The position of the absorber 160 is determined in consideration of the structural thickness of the recovery unit 159 so that the recovery unit 159 is disposed above the contact surface of the line feed roller 156.
It is desirable that the angle formed by the main scanning direction of the carriage 152 and the line connecting the recording position of the carriage 152 and the recovery unit 159 is equal to or greater than 30 °.
Arrange so as to be 90 °.

In this embodiment, a carriage driving motor 153 which is a driving source for moving the carriage 152 to perform main scanning and a sub-scanning operation by conveying recording paper or moving a recording function aggregation block are performed. And a line feed motor 167, which is a driving source for the two driving sources. Since these two driving sources are arranged in one block, the number of driving sources is one, and by switching the driving force transmission mechanism, the driving source is switched. Can be used by appropriately switching the driving force between the main scanning and the sub-scanning. By doing so, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

To keep the recording quality of the printer high,
It is important to properly maintain the distance from the ink ejection surface of the recording head 154 to the recording paper (paper distance). In a conventional printer, the position of the recording head 154 is determined by the carriage unit, and the position of the recording paper is determined by the transport unit. Therefore, the relative position between the recording head 154 and the recording paper cannot be adjusted by the unit alone, and It was necessary to make adjustments after combining the transport units. Adjustment of the sheet-to-sheet distance is performed by adjusting the distance from the ink ejection surface of the recording head 154 to the outer diameter surface of the line feed roller 156. However, in the conventional printer, since the recording paper is conveyed so as to pass over the line feed roller 156, the distance from the lower surface of the recording head 154 to the outer diameter surface of the line feed roller 156,
There is an error corresponding to the thickness of the recording paper between the distance from the ink ejection surface of the recording head 154 to the upper surface of the recording paper, which is the recording distance when the recording is actually performed. Had been affected by the error.

On the other hand, the printer according to the present embodiment includes the main scanning means for determining the position of the recording head and the sub-scanning means for determining the position of the recording paper in one block. And the recording paper is conveyed so as to pass below the line feed roller 156.
4 is the same as the distance between the ink ejection surface of the recording head and the top surface of the recording paper, which is the distance between the papers during actual recording. By adjusting the distance between sheets, the distance between sheets can be adjusted without being affected by an error that has conventionally occurred.

In this embodiment, a printer having a desired function is configured by adding some blocks to the above-described printing function aggregation block.

For example, the necessary blocks other than the recording function aggregation block for configuring a printer for recording on standard paper are control means, an interface control block 170 for connecting the inkjet printer to an external computer, etc., and an inkjet printer. Power supply block 169 that supplies power to the printer, a paper feeding block 165 (ASF: auto sheet feeder) that feeds standard paper to a recording position, and a transport (not shown) that guides the standard paper after recording to an outlet. It is a guide block. By mounting all of these blocks, a printer having the same function as a conventional inkjet printer can be configured.

The paper feed block 165 is substantially the same as the paper feed block 7 described in the first embodiment, except that the line feed roller 156 or another dedicated roller (not shown) included in the recording function aggregation block is used. For example, one of the plurality of recording papers held in the paper feed block 165 is selected.
Since the sheets can be separated, the sheet feeding operation is performed in cooperation with the sub-scanning means of the recording function aggregation block.

The transport guide block corresponds to the cut sheet basic block 6 in the first embodiment, but the sub-scanning function is realized by the line feed motor 156 included in the recording function aggregation block.

For this reason, the paper feed block (A
SF) 165 and the structure of the transport guide block are the first
It can be simplified compared with the paper feed block 7 and the cut paper basic block 6 in the embodiment. Further, since the structure is simple and there is no need to combine members made of different materials, the paper feed block 7 and the cut paper basic block 6 can be formed of a single material. As this material, it is desirable to use biodegradable plastic from the viewpoint of ecology.

As in the power supply block 2 of the first embodiment, the power supply block 169 uses a power supply block 169 that is classified according to a difference in power supply voltage and that is suitable for each country.
The power supply block 169 is made of a metal or a high-grade flame-retardant material from the viewpoint of safety. By configuring the power supply block 169 in this manner and making it detachable from the apparatus main body, even if an accident occurs in the power supply block 169, other blocks are unlikely to be affected. However, inexpensive materials can be used for other main body peripheral blocks.

The interface control block 170
A connector 171 for connection to a computer, a connector 172 for connection to the recording function control unit 161, a connector 173 for interface connection with an external telephone line, and a switch for operating the interface control block 170 are provided. And an operation unit 174 provided. The interface control block 170 and the recording function control unit 161 are connected to a connector 172 and a connector 164.
Are connected by fitting each other, and similarly to the first embodiment, are fixed without using fastening parts such as screws so that they can be easily replaced.

Connector 171 for connection to computer
Is divided into the interface control block 170 and the recording function control block 161 including, for example,
When changing the interface of the computer connected to the printer from IEEE 1284 (cable connection) to IrDA (infrared communication), the user purchases an interface control block 170 for IrDA,
By replacing with the interface control block 170 for 284, a printer capable of receiving signals from a computer by IrDA can be obtained.

As described above, in order to make the interface control block 170 for IrDA and the interface control block 170 for IEEE 1284 (and another type of interface control block 170) interchangeable, the connection with the recording function control unit 161 is established. The type and position of the connector 172 used are the same.
Unless the data format of the signal transferred from the interface control block 170 to the printing function control unit 161 is changed, the user obtains a printer corresponding to the change of the interface of the external computer by exchanging only the interface control block 170. be able to.

The printer according to the present embodiment aims to easily replace the blocks, reduce the amount of waste generated by the replacement, and to easily treat or recycle the generated waste. In order to connect the blocks, a fastening part such as a screw is used as little as possible, and the blocks are press-fitted to each other, the connection is made by engagement of the projections and claws, and the lock lever and the lock as described in the first embodiment are used. It is intended to use the joining by members. However,
It is difficult to configure without using coupling with fastening parts such as screws at all, so that the relative position between the blocks does not shift even if force is applied to transmit the driving force of the drive motor, drive roller, etc. Such as what you need to do
Some parts need to be joined by fastening parts. In order to make it easy to disassemble even in such a case, the number of fastening screws is reduced, and the fastening screws are arranged so that they can be easily removed and viewed.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, according to the present embodiment,
A method for improving the development, manufacturing, and service of an inkjet printer will be described.

In the market of the inkjet recording apparatus, fierce competition between manufacturers has intensified price competition and functional competition. For this reason, new products with more advanced functions appear before the product's original useful life due to the deterioration of the functions of the products, and the functions of the previous products become obsolete, and as a result, users New products with the ability to better achieve their intended purpose are being purchased, and products are being discarded before their useful life has expired.

In the production of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, since there are many types of parts handled on a production line,
It is difficult to manage parts for storage and supply, and the mounting structure of parts differs depending on the model. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out separate assembling steps, which is not efficient. In addition, since the quality judgment test of the product with actual recording must be performed after the entire assembly is completed, if a defect occurs, the entire product is repaired to repair the defective part. Alternatively, there is a complication that most parts need to be disassembled and reassembled. These are obstacles to improving productivity.

One of the advantages of this embodiment is that the ink jet printer is divided into individual blocks for each mechanism and element, and a plurality of blocks having different functions that can be replaced for each block are developed and manufactured. At the same time, for a plurality of inkjet recording devices with different combinations of blocks, by using a common block for some of the blocks, the development man-hours and the production man-hours are reduced, and further, reliability is improved. The point is that it can be improved.

That is, in the conventional product development, development, manufacture, and service were performed for each new product model. In the product development of the ink jet printer of the present embodiment, the recording function, which is the main part of the product, was used. Focus on development and manufacturing of the recording function aggregation block part, and use the previous one for other blocks,
Alternatively, each block can be separately developed and manufactured, and the development and manufacture of a new product can be performed efficiently.
In addition, for services such as maintenance, a new service system is not provided for new products when a new product is developed, but a new service system is provided only for the newly developed recording function aggregation block, and the other parts are Since the service system can be maintained, an efficient service system can be provided. Also, the recording function aggregation block is developed and manufactured by the main manufacturer,
With regard to other peripheral blocks, it is conceivable to outsource or outsource the work to another manufacturer, and to efficiently allocate the staff of the manufacturer to development and manufacturing operations.

The recording function aggregation block of the new product includes:
For example, the recording size (image area A4 size, image area A
Develop several types, such as those with different sizes (3 sizes), print quality (photo print, business-like print, etc.) and print speeds, so that users can select what they need.

Other blocks and peripheral devices that can be connected to the recording function aggregation block (recording engine), such as a multifunction controller, various wireless interfaces (I / F), various high-speed priority I / Fs
F, sorter, scanner, battery, car battery, cassette (single cassette, double cassette), large capacity AS
By providing an F, an ink supply system, a controller with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor, and the like, a printer having various functions can be configured by combining the recording function aggregation block with these other blocks and peripheral devices.

The recording function aggregation block and the peripheral device may be combined with each other by the manufacturer at the time of shipment from the factory and then shipped, or the recording function aggregation block and the peripheral device may be separately shipped at the time of shipment from the factory. Alternatively, the combination may be performed by the user. In addition, a sales person and a service person may be combined with the specifications required by the user at the store or agency.

Further, by using the recording function aggregation block according to the present embodiment in a multifunction machine in which an inkjet printer and another device such as a computer are combined, the number of development steps can be reduced as compared with the conventional multifunction machine. In a conventional multifunction machine, when only a portion other than the ink jet printer is improved, a unit having substantially the same configuration is used for the ink jet printer portion (ink jet recording device unit). However, such a unit diversion requires some design change so that the components constituting the ink jet recording apparatus unit, for example, the recording function control means can be incorporated in the multifunction machine to be developed. In the multifunction peripheral incorporating the recording function aggregation block of the present invention, since the recording function aggregation block includes all functions necessary for performing recording, the recording function aggregation block itself is developed without any modification. The function of the recording function aggregation block can be given to the multifunction peripheral only by attaching it to the multifunction peripheral. For this reason, in the multifunction peripheral incorporating the recording function aggregation block of the present embodiment, the number of development steps can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional multifunction peripheral.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that the ink jet recording apparatus is divided into independent blocks for each mechanism and element, and a plurality of types having different functions which can be replaced for each block are developed, manufactured, and provided. By doing so, it is possible to assemble an inkjet printer having various functions at the user's hand while using a common block for some blocks, and an inkjet recording apparatus that can be used for a new field and a new purpose. In other words, a new print culture can be created.

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a description will be given of a third embodiment showing a configuration example of an ink jet recording apparatus having such various functions.

In the configuration example of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 14, the main scanning function and the sub-scanning function, which are the minimum functions required for recording, and one block (recording) having these control functions collectively. 2 shows an inkjet recording apparatus having a function aggregation block as a main element. The transport roller included in the recording function aggregation block, which realizes the sub-scanning function, can also function as a moving roller for moving the recording function aggregation block itself,
In addition, a drive transmission for transmitting the driving force of the transport roller to various peripheral devices connected to the recording function aggregation block to operate the drive unit of each peripheral device to configure an ink jet recording apparatus having various functions. It is also possible to use it as a roller. As described above, by using the transport roller as the drive transmission roller, it is not necessary to provide a drive source in each peripheral device.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the recording size of the recording function aggregation block is set to, for example, a postcard size to provide a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus, and a power source is a battery and a portable information terminal is used. An ink jet recording apparatus that can be connected and used can be configured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing can be configured by combining two function-intensive blocks up and down.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on standard paper by combining a recording function aggregation block with a paper supply block (ASF) for standard paper and a transport guide block. it can. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (d), the function aggregation block is placed on a slightly uneven surface, and recording is performed while the recording function aggregation block is moved on this plane by the moving roller, so that the recording medium can be printed. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of printing regardless of the material, thickness, and the like can be used. In the latter case, as shown in FIG.
By assigning the rail to the recording function aggregation block and allowing the recording function aggregation block to run on the rail,
By improving the self-propelling accuracy, it is possible to perform recording on a recording medium other than the standard paper with the same quality as recording on the standard paper.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (f), a plurality of recording function aggregation blocks are stacked and connected by a built-in method or the like, so that recording in a wider recording area can be performed simultaneously, and high-speed printing can be performed. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the above can be configured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (g), a loop-shaped plastic sheet is provided, an image is recorded on the surface of the plastic sheet located on the display section, and when the recorded image becomes unnecessary, the plastic sheet is removed. By combining the recording function aggregation block with the wall-mounted message board that allows the recorded image to be moved out of the display unit by looping and a new surface on which the plastic sheet image is not formed to be moved to the display unit Thus, an ink jet recording apparatus capable of recording on a message board can be configured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (h), a recording function consolidation block having a size corresponding to an LBP cartridge which is a recording unit of a printer normally used by a user, for example, an LBP printer (laser beam printer) is provided. ,
An ink jet recording apparatus having a function different from that of the original LBP printer can be obtained by connecting and replacing the LBP cartridge with the LBP cartridge of the LBP printer. For example, an LBP printer that forms a black-and-white image is combined with a recording function aggregation block that can form a color image,
A printer capable of forming a color image can be provided.

The printing function aggregation block, which is the main element of the above-described ink jet printing apparatus, is a collection of control means necessary for printing control, main scanning means and sub-scanning means necessary for printing operation, and Therefore, by making appropriate the input signals to the recording function aggregation block such as the information of the formed image and the main scanning and sub-scanning ranges, the present invention can be applied to recording on a recording medium other than the standard paper. .

As shown in the present embodiment described above, by using the recording function aggregation block in which the recording functions of the ink jet printer are integrated into one block,
Various variations of ink jet recording apparatuses having higher functions or having various functions not realized conventionally can be easily configured. The wide variety of images that can be handled due to the spread of digital video equipment, the spread of the Internet, etc., and the processing of photos taken with digital cameras for invitations such as new year's cards with birthdays and birthdays with drawings or photos. A function that can form a higher quality image by pursuing playfulness such as using the device, and an image can be formed on something other than paper (for example, table, wall, cloth, plastic plate, metal plate, etc.). Although functions and the like are required for an ink jet recording apparatus, according to the present embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus having such functions can be easily provided.

Further, in this embodiment, the same function aggregation block can be used for various ink jet recording apparatuses having various functions, and by connecting various peripheral blocks to this function aggregation block, A desired function can be realized. Therefore, it is not necessary to incorporate unusual components such as mechanisms that may be needed in the future or mechanisms required to realize special functions in the function aggregation block or other peripheral blocks, and the necessary configuration Only the elements need to be incorporated in each block. Incorporating unused components results in wasted resources and energy, and increases waste.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment is divided into independent blocks for each component and element, and each block is replaced with a new block as needed, and a new function is added to the product at hand of the user. Since the product can be provided, it is possible to prevent the product from being thrown away due to obsolescence of the function and to use the product for a long time. Thereby, the amount of waste generated can be reduced by almost half. When a new product is manufactured, only the blocks need to be manufactured instead of manufacturing the entire ink jet recording apparatus, so that the consumption of resources and energy can be reduced accordingly. However, since the use period of one product becomes long by this, it is important to make a product which is hard to get tired. Furthermore, it is not the entire ink jet recording apparatus that is discarded, but each block. Blocks that become unnecessary due to replacement are divided into components and elements so that the structure can be simplified and the entire ink jet recording apparatus can be collected. -The collection and recycling of unnecessary blocks can be facilitated as compared with the case where recycling is attempted.

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, which is divided into individual blocks for each component and element, is preferable from the viewpoint of ecology.

It is not necessary to incorporate a mechanism that may be used in the future in the ink jet recording apparatus.
The waste of resources and energy can be reduced accordingly.

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention does not impose an burden on the environment when producing a product, does not impose an impact on the environment when using a product, and imposes an impact on the environment when discarding a product. There was no consideration for the environment.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a serial type image forming apparatus in which the recording head performs recording while performing main scanning in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording material, After the material is set at a predetermined recording position, an image (including characters, symbols, and the like) having a predetermined width is recorded on the recording material by a recording head mounted on a carriage that moves along the recording material. Although a specific example of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material by synchronizing the recording of a minute and the feeding of a predetermined amount of paper (sub-scanning) is shown, the present invention relates to a recording head It is sufficiently large and can be applied to a line-type image forming apparatus that performs recording without performing main scanning.

The concept of the present invention is not limited to an ink jet recording apparatus, but may be applied to a printer such as an electrophotographic system, an ink jet system, a wire dot system, a thermal system, a thermal transfer system, a laser beam system, or a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like. The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus used, or an image forming apparatus used as an output device of a multifunction peripheral or a workstation including a computer or a word processor.

[0155]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus that records an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus is divided into independent blocks for each component and element, and a block having a different function can be easily replaced with an original block. The following effects can be obtained.

A variety of image forming apparatuses having various functions can be easily configured at the user's hand, and an image forming apparatus having a function which has not been realized conventionally can be easily developed by developing corresponding blocks. Easy to develop. An image forming apparatus that can meet various user needs can be easily provided by developing and manufacturing various types of blocks.

Since the image forming apparatus having a new function can be constructed by exchanging blocks at hand of the user, the function of the image forming apparatus is unlikely to become obsolete and can be used for a long time. By using the image forming apparatus for a long period of time, the amount of waste generated can be reduced by almost half. In order to provide different functions to the image forming apparatus, it is only necessary to exchange blocks corresponding to the functions. Therefore, it is not necessary to incorporate in advance a mechanism necessary for providing different functions in each block, and to provide a necessary configuration. It is only necessary to incorporate only the elements, and there is little waste.

Even when many types of image forming apparatuses are manufactured in one production line, since blocks common to many types of image forming apparatuses are used, the corresponding part of the production line corresponds to a different manufacturing process. There is no need, and management is easy.

Since design, evaluation, and shipping can be performed in block units, man-hours can be reduced as compared with the case of designing, evaluating, and shipping the entire image forming apparatus. Since the configuration is made in units of blocks, it is possible to incorporate some blocks into other products, and to give other products the functions and elements of the image forming apparatus according to this summer. In addition, the structure of each block can be simplified, and a reversible line (decomposition step) for recycling can be constructed more easily than in the case where the entire image forming apparatus is constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the ink jet printer of FIG. 1 is exploded for each block.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a control block 1 of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view when the control block 1 of FIG. 3 is divided into a printer control block 77 and an interface block 78.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a basic block 3 of the ink jet printer of FIG.

6 is a perspective view of a connection portion for transmitting a driving force of a carriage motor 19 of the basic block 3 of the ink jet printer of FIG. 1 to a pulley of the carriage block 4.
FIG. 6A shows the carriage motor 19 side, and FIG. 6B shows the pulley side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carriage block 4 of the inkjet printer of FIG.

8 is a perspective view of a recovery block 5, a power supply block 2, and a cut sheet basic block 6 of the ink jet printer of FIG. 1; FIG. 8A is a recovery block 5, FIG. 8 (c) shows the cut paper basic block 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a paper feed block 7 of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer in a state where all the blocks in FIG. 1 are assembled.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of all blocks constituting the inkjet printer of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of development, manufacture, and service of the inkjet printer of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a conventional ink jet printer.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a conventional inkjet printer.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a recovery unit of a conventional inkjet printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control block 2 power supply block 2a, 8, 13a, 13b, 17a, 17b, 18a,
18b, 25, 30a, 39, 47a, 80, 81
Connector 3 Basic block 4 Carriage block 5 Recovery block 6 Cut paper basic block 7 Feed block 7a Cassette feed block 7b Roll feed block 10 Control board 11 Panel board 12 Operation button 13 Control relay board 14 Lock lever 14a Slit section 15 Lock Member 17 First relay board 18 Second relay board 19 Carriage motor 19a Output shaft 20, 44 Sheet metal frame 21 Drive transmission member 21a, 22a Convex portion 21b, 22b Inclined portion 21c, 22c Concave portion 22 Driven transmission member 24a, 24b Engagement Hole 26 Ink tank 27 Carriage 29a, 29b Guide shaft 30 Carriage relay board 31 Lid 31a Shaft 32, 45 Exterior 34 Suction cap 35 Sealing cap 36a, 36b, 45a, 45b, 5 3a, b Positioning pin 37 Fixing claw 38 Recess 40 Feeding motor 41 Platen roller 41a Transmission gear 42 Platen 43 Discharge spur 44a, 44b Bearing 46 Discharge tray 47 Cut sheet relay board 48 Feed tray 49 Feed roller 49a Pickup Roller 49b Paper feed roller gear 50 Paper width adjustment lever 51 Paper pressure switching lever 52a, 52b, 52c Gear 54a, 54b Recess 55 Power cord 56 Groove 57 Projection 59 Lock means 59a Projection 60 Cardboard block 77 Printer control block 78 Interface block 79 Control board 82 Interface relay board 83 Self-propelled block 151 Frame 152 Carriage 153 Carriage drive motor 154 Recording head 155 Sensor flag 156 Line fee Roller 157 Discharge roller 158 Spur roller 159 Recovery unit 160 Absorber 161 Recording function control unit 162 Operation unit 163 Detection sensor output processing unit 164, 168, 172172, 173 Connector 165 Paper feed block 167 Line feed motor 169 Power supply block 170 Interface control Block 174 Operation unit 201 Paper feed tray 202 Recording medium 203 Paper feed roller 204 Platen roller 205 Pinch roller 207 Spur 208 Paper discharge roller 209 Recording head 210 Platen 211 Guide shaft 212 Carriage 213 Carriage motor 215 Guide shaft 216 Ink tank 217 Sealing cap 218 Suction cap 219 Convex portion 220 Blade 221 Recovery motor 222 Cam device 223 Hula 224 photo-interrupter

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Hideaki Okamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ01 AQ04 AQ05 AQ06 AR01 AS02 BB11 BB30 BB37 CD26 CF01 CF06 CF11 CF12

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of detachable blocks, wherein each of the blocks has a specific function, and each of the blocks is provided with connection means for connecting to each other. Are divided into a plurality of groups according to the configuration of the connection unit, the blocks in the same group have the same configuration of the connection unit, and blocks selected respectively from the groups according to functions, An image forming apparatus connected by the connection unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocks in the same group have the same type of function. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blocks support a recording head that performs recording by attaching ink to the recording medium, a carriage that holds the recording head, and the carriage that can reciprocate. A carriage block including a guide shaft; a basic block including a carriage motor that generates a driving force for reciprocating the carriage; a platen supporting the recording medium at a recording position facing the recording head; A cut sheet basic block including a platen roller for transporting the recording medium in a portion thereof, a sheet feeding tray for supporting the recording medium, and one sheet of the recording medium supported by the sheet feeding tray. A paper feed block including a paper feed roller leading to the platen roller portion, and an ink discharge port of the recording head when not in use. A control block including a recovery block including a sealing cap, a connector for transmitting and receiving signals to and from external devices, and a control board for outputting an operation signal to each section, and a power supply board for supplying necessary electricity to each section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply block. 4. A printing head for performing printing by applying ink to the printing medium, a carriage holding the printing head, and supporting the carriage such that the carriage can reciprocate. A carriage block including a guide shaft; a basic block including a carriage motor that generates a driving force for reciprocating the carriage; a platen supporting the recording medium at a recording position facing the recording head; A cut sheet basic block including a platen roller for transporting the recording medium in a portion thereof, a sheet feeding tray for supporting the recording medium, and one sheet of the recording medium supported by the sheet feeding tray. A paper feed block including a paper feed roller leading to the platen roller portion, and an ink discharge port of the recording head when not in use. A recovery block that includes a sealing cap, an interface block that includes a connector for transmitting and receiving signals to and from external devices, a printer control block that includes a control board that outputs operation signals to each unit, and supplies necessary electricity to each unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply block having a power supply board. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a recording function aggregation block capable of performing recording by itself as one of the plurality of blocks. 6. A recording head that is held at a position facing a recording surface of the recording medium and performs recording by adhering ink to the recording medium, and the recording head and the recording medium An image forming apparatus comprising: a sub-scanning unit that determines a recording position in the sub-scanning direction by changing a relative position in the sub-scanning direction along a recording surface; wherein the recording function aggregation block includes: the recording head; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a sub-scanning unit and a recording function control unit that drives the sub-scanning unit. 7. The sub-scanning means includes a moving roller capable of moving the function aggregation block on the recording surface of the recording medium by rotating.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The recording block according to claim 4, wherein a structure of the other block is simpler than that of the recording function aggregation block, and a main part is formed of a single material.
Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a power source of the sub-scanning means of the function aggregation block is also used as a power source included in the blocks other than the function aggregation block. 10. A transport roller, wherein said sub-scanning means is in contact with said recording medium and rotates to convey said recording medium in said sub-scanning direction. And a sheet supply block for holding one of the plurality of recording media so as to be separated and conveyed when the conveyance roller is rotated and the conveyance roller is rotated. A transport guide block that supports the recording medium so that the medium is guided to a recording position facing the recording head; and a main part of the paper feed block and the transport guide block is formed of a single material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the single material is a biodegradable plastic. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer wall of the entire apparatus is configured by an outer wall of each of said blocks. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocks are easily detachable from each other. 14. The connection means between the blocks includes a press-fitting fitting part by a convex part and a concave part, an engaging part by a projection part or a claw part, or a fastening part exposed to the outside. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 15. A system comprising a plurality of detachable blocks, each block having a specific function, and a connecting means for connecting to each other, provided respectively. Are divided into a plurality of groups, and the blocks in the same group have the same configuration of the connection unit. Blocks selected from the respective groups according to functions are connected by the connection unit. An image forming apparatus manufacturing system in which the image forming apparatus is configured. 16. A method of manufacturing an image forming apparatus by a plurality of detachable blocks, each having a specific function and provided with connection means for connecting to each other, comprising: According to the configuration, the connection means is provided in each block so that the blocks in the same group can be grouped so that the configuration of the connection means is the same, and the blocks are selected from the groups according to the functions. A method for manufacturing an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured by selecting and connecting the selected blocks by the connection unit.