JP2002036646A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can improve a recording quality and reduce vibrations/noises by enhancing a mechanical stability. SOLUTION: An ink jet head 30 fixed to the apparatus has a paper carriage 1 where part or the whole of a paper transfer route reciprocates in a perpendicular direction to a paper transfer direction, and a carriage motor 5 for moving the paper carriage 1. A paper 45 loaded to the paper carriage 1 is recorded while being moved in the vicinity of the ink jet head 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly to an apparatus in which a recording object and a recording device relatively move.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printers of a type called an ink jet system have been remarkably advanced, and have achieved practically sufficient performance in terms of image quality and recording speed, and have been adopted in various printing systems.

A general structure of a printer of this type is schematically shown in FIG. FIG. 39 is a schematic perspective view of the whole, and FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of arrow 5A in FIG.

[0005] 501 is a recording head, 502 is paper, 50
3 is a head drive motor, 505 is a timing belt, 5
06 is a driven pulley, 507 is a scanning axis, 508 is a scanning guide, 509 is a discharge nozzle provided on the recording head 501, 510 is a paper feed roller, 511 is a paper feed pinch roller, 512 is a pinch roller spring, and 513 is a discharge pinch roller. A paper roller 514 is a paper discharge auxiliary roller, and 515 is a platen.

In this configuration, first, a sheet 502 is sandwiched between a sheet feed roller 510 and a sheet feed pinch roller 511. The paper 502 is pressed by the paper feed pinch roller 511 and the pinch roller spring 512 and the paper feed roller 5 is pressed.
10, the paper feed roller 510 is rotated in the direction of arrow 5B by the driving of a paper feed motor (not shown), and then advances in the direction of arrow 5C. Paper feed pinch roller 511
The purpose is to generate a frictional force for paper feeding together with the pinch roller spring 512, so that the paper 502 is not driven by power but passively rotated as the paper 502 advances. When the sheet 502 advances to a recording start position on the platen 515 serving as a printing table,
Once the paper feed roller 510 stops. Next, the head drive motor 503 rotates in the direction of arrow 5D. When the head drive motor 503 rotates, the timing belt 505 engaged with the head drive motor 503 and the driven pulley 506
Also rotates, and the recording head 501 fixed to the timing belt 505 moves in the direction of arrow 5E along the scanning axis 507 and the scanning guide 508 (this movement is called scanning). Printing is performed by discharging ink from the ink discharge nozzles 509 to the paper 502 during the scanning of the print head 501. The recording head 501 moves the recording range with an arrow 5E.
After scanning in the direction, scanning is performed in the reverse direction, and the recording range is reciprocally scanned. The ink ejection from the recording head 501 (ink ejection nozzle 509) is performed in one direction or two directions in this reciprocating scanning. When recording is performed by this one-way scanning or bidirectional scanning, the recording head 501 stops once, the paper feed roller 510 is driven, the paper 502 is fed in the direction of arrow 5C, and the recording is started at the recording start position in the next scan. Stop. Hereinafter, this procedure is repeated until the recording is completed. The paper discharge roller 513 and the paper discharge auxiliary roller 514 perform substantially the same role as the paper feed roller 510 and the paper feed pinch roller 511 when the leading end of the paper 502 reaches here and is sandwiched. However, the paper feed accuracy is determined by the paper feed roller 510 and the paper feed pinch roller 51.
1 in many cases, and the discharge roller 513 and the discharge auxiliary roller 514 so as not to hinder the movement.
Is not strongly pressed as in the case of the paper feed pinch roller 511, or is very small even if it is pressed.
We do not actively play the role of driving. Also, the driving of the paper discharge roller 513 often uses the same drive motor as the paper feed roller 510. In order to prevent the paper from sagging between the paper discharge roller 513 and the paper feed roller 510, the paper discharge roller 513 is driven by a gear (not shown) having an appropriate speed reduction ratio. Is spinning slightly faster.

Various means have been proposed to pursue high-speed printing in an ink jet printer having such a structure. One of the means for dramatically increasing the printing speed is to use a print head 501 in FIGS. Arrow 5C
Conventionally, it has been considered that the recording medium is extended in the direction (paper transport direction), the area that can be printed by one scan is increased, and the number of scans of the print head on a certain area of paper is reduced to achieve high-speed printing. .

[0007]

However, in recent years, ink-jet printers have become popular for full-color printing, and usually have at least four recording heads for discharging at least four color inks of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. Full-color recording is performed by scanning an integrated one of the above and recording the ink over each other.

As a result, not only one but also four recording heads are enlarged, and the entire scanning object is enlarged.
This causes an increase in weight, which leads to an increase in the size of a motor or the like for driving a scanning object, resulting in an increase in power consumption, and a cause of deterioration in vibration characteristics and mechanical stability and an increase in noise due to movement of a heavy object. There are problems such as

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a printer including a first transport unit for transporting a recording sheet and a recording unit for recording on the recording sheet. In the device, the recording means is fixed to the device,
It has a transfer means in which part or all of the paper transfer path reciprocates in a direction intersecting the paper transfer direction, and a drive means for transferring the transfer means. It is characterized in that a sheet is recorded while being transported in the vicinity of the recording means.

[0010] According to the above construction, since a lightweight recording paper is moved instead of a large recording head, the transport means itself can be reduced in weight, mechanical stability can be improved, and recording quality can be improved and vibration and noise can be reduced. Further, the motor for driving the transfer means can be reduced in size and power consumption, and the electric and physical loads on electric circuits and boards can be reduced.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment> A detailed description will now be given of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow A, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow C. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view of the operation state of the present apparatus viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3, FIG.
FIG. 10 to FIG. 10 are views of the operation state of the present apparatus viewed from the same direction as FIG.

The paper carriage 1 is combined with carriage guides 2A and 2B so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows B and C (the movement of the paper carriage 1 in this direction is called scanning). A carriage belt 4 is fixed to the paper carriage 1. This fixing position can be provided substantially at the center of gravity of the paper carriage 1, and the driving force for scanning the paper carriage 1 is transmitted to the paper carriage 1, so that mechanical characteristics such as vibration characteristics during scanning of the paper carriage 1 are advantageous. It is possible. The carriage belt 4 is attached to a carriage motor pulley 6 fixed to a rotation shaft of a carriage motor 5 held on a chassis 41 (approximately only) of the apparatus, and is rotatably attached to the chassis 41 in the direction indicated by an arrow F and the opposite direction. The idle pulley 38 is engaged with the idle pulley 38. A carriage motor pulley 6 fixed to the rotating shaft by operating the carriage motor 5
Is rotated in the direction of arrow E and its opposite direction, the carriage belt 4 engaged with it rotates in the same direction, and the paper carriage 1 fixed to the carriage belt 4 is rotated.
Moves in the directions of arrows B and C. At this time, the idle pulley 38 passively rotates following the rotation of the carriage belt 4. The paper carriage 1 is provided with paper detection sensors 25A and 25B, and has a known electrostatic adsorption system for adsorbing paper by static electricity. The paper detection sensors 25A and 25B are, for example, like photo sensors, and detect the leading edge and the trailing edge of the paper. The paper carriage 1 includes a leading end of a paper described later,
The paper is attracted and fixed on the rear end by static electricity according to the detection state of the rear end.

The paper feed motor 24 is held by a chassis 41, and a paper feed motor gear 23 is fixed to a rotating shaft thereof. The paper feed shaft 21 is rotatably held by the chassis 41 in the direction indicated by the arrow MA and the opposite direction, and the paper feed roller 19 and the paper feed shaft gear 22 are fixed thereto. The feed motor gear 23 and the feed shaft gear 22 are engaged, and when the feed motor 24 operates, the feed roller 19
A and the paper feed pinch roller 18 are fixed so as to be rotatable in the direction A and the opposite direction. The paper is sandwiched between the paper feed roller 19 and the paper feed pinch roller 18 and advances in the direction of arrow K (FIGS. 2 and 3) as the paper feed roller 19 rotates in the direction of arrow MA. At this time, the sheet feeding pinch roller 18 passively rotates following the progress of the sheet.

The paper discharge motor 37 is held by a chassis 41, and a paper discharge motor gear 36 is fixed to a rotating shaft thereof. The paper discharge shaft 34 is rotatably held by the chassis 41 in the direction indicated by the arrow MB and the opposite direction, and the paper discharge roller 33 and the paper discharge shaft gear 35 are fixed thereto. The paper discharge motor gear 36 and the paper discharge shaft gear 35 are engaged with each other.
B and rotates in the opposite direction. The discharge pinch roller shaft 32 is rotatably held by the chassis 41 in the direction indicated by the arrow NB and in the opposite direction, and the discharge pinch roller is fixed thereto. The paper is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 33 and the paper discharge pinch roller 31, and advances in the direction of arrow L (FIGS. 2 and 4) as the paper discharge roller 33 rotates in the direction of arrow MB. At this time, the paper discharge pinch roller 31 is passively rotated following the progress of the paper.

The swing arm motor 7 includes a chassis 41
, And a swing arm motor gear 8 is fixed to the rotation shaft. Swing arm shaft 10,
A swing arm shaft pulley 13 and a swing arm 12 are attached to the chassis 41 so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow H and the opposite direction. The swing arm shaft 10 and the swing arm shaft pulley 13 are fixed. Since the swing arm shaft 10 and the swing arm 12 are attached by the torque limit bearing 11, when the load applied to the swing arm 12 is small, the swing arm shaft 10 and the swing arm 1
2 rotate integrally, but when a load exceeding a certain level is applied to the swing arm 12, the swing arm 1
2 stops, and the swing arm shaft 10 idles. The swing arm motor gear 8 and the swing arm shaft gear 9 are engaged, and when the swing arm motor 7 operates, the swing arm shaft 10 idles. The swing arm motor gear 8 and the swing arm shaft gear 9 are engaged, and when the swing arm motor 7 operates, the swing arm shaft 10 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow H and the opposite direction. The swing arm roller shaft 15 is rotatably held by the swing arm 12 in the direction of arrow J and the opposite direction.
6 and the swing arm roller pulley 17 are fixed. Since the swing arm shaft pulley 13 and the swing arm roller pulley 17 are engaged with the swing arm belt 14, the swing arm shaft 10
And when rotated in the opposite direction, the swing arm roller 1
6 rotates in the direction of arrow J and its opposite direction.

Another mechanism related to the swing arm 12 is provided at the position symmetrical to the center line P in FIG. 2 with the same configuration, and the present apparatus has two mechanisms in total. In the above, the description of both components will be substituted by the one component described above.

The swing arm position sensor 40 is attached to the chassis 41 and detects an approaching or in contact object by mechanical, electrical, or optical means, and detects the position of the swing arm 12.

The ink jet head 30 includes a chassis 41
And a paper carriage on which paper is supplied by receiving ink for recording from an ink supply unit / control unit (both not shown) existing in the chassis 41, receiving an electric signal for control, and the like. When 1 passes under the inkjet head 30, recording is performed by spraying ink on paper.

A sequence when recording is performed in the apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the paper 45 is sent so as to be sandwiched between the paper feed roller 19 and the paper feed pinch roller 18.
At this time, the paper carriage 1 is at the position P1 in FIG. Next, the paper feed motor 24 operates, the paper feed roller 19 rotates in the direction of arrow MA, and the paper 45 is fed in the direction of arrow K,
It travels on the paper carriage 1. Then, paper 45
When the leading end of the swing arm reaches the paper detection sensor 25A, the swing arm motor 7 is operated by the signal to rotate the swing arm shaft 10 in the direction of arrow H. At this time, since no load is applied to the swing arm 12, the swing arm 12 and the swing arm shaft 10 rotate together and come to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the swing arm 12 is pressed against the paper carriage 1 via the swing roller 16 to apply a load, and stops at that position. However, the swing arm shaft 10, the swing arm shaft pulley 13, the swing arm belt 14, the swing arm roller pulley 17, the swing arm roller shaft 15, and the swing arm roller 16 continue to rotate. In particular, since the swing arm roller 16 rotates while being pressed against the paper 45, it imparts a conveying force to the paper 45. In this state, for a while, the paper 45 is transported by the paper feed roller 19 (and the paper feed pinch roller 18) and the swing arm roller 16, but the rotation speed of the swing arm roller 16 is slightly higher and the paper 45 is being transported. Paper 45 does not sag. Then, paper 45
The paper 45 is conveyed only by the frictional force between the swing arm roller 16 and the paper 45 and the slippage between the paper carriage 1 and the paper 45.

When the leading edge of the paper 45 reaches the paper detection sensor 25B, the signal triggers the electrostatic attraction system of the paper carriage 1 to fix the paper 45 at that position and rotate the swing arm motor 7 in the reverse direction.
In this rotation direction, the load applied to the swing arm 12 is almost eliminated, and the swing arm 12 and its associated parts rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow H.
When the swing arm 12 contacts the swing arm position sensor 40 or rotates to a very close position, the swing arm motor 7 is stopped by the signal of the swing arm position sensor 40, and the recording preparation is completed. FIG. 7 shows this state.

When the recording preparation is completed in the state shown in FIG. 7, the carriage motor 5 is operated, and the carriage motor pulley 6 and the carriage belt 4 engaged with the pulley 6 are moved by the arrow E.
Rotate in the direction. Then, the paper carriage 1 fixed to the carriage belt 4 is moved to the carriage guide 2A,
Scan in the direction of arrow B along 2B.

When the paper carriage 1 places the paper 45 thereon and scans in the direction of arrow B and passes below the ink jet head 30, ink is sprayed from the ink jet head 30 onto the paper 45 to perform recording. In general, as for the nozzles for ejecting the ink of the inkjet head 30, those having very small openings (for example, having a width or diameter of several μm to several mm) for one color ink have very small intervals (for example, , Several [mu] m to several tens [mu] m) in a row or in multiple rows, or in a staggered pattern. Although the nozzles in the present embodiment conform to this general one, the length of the row is substantially the same as the length of the paper 45 (in the direction of arrow K) (ink Color number is arbitrary). Therefore, when the paper carriage 1 on which the paper 45 is placed passes under the ink jet head 30 once, the content to be recorded within the range of the length and width of the paper 45 is appropriately recorded according to the speed. Ink discharge start time and ink discharge time interval (for example, several k
Hz to several tens of kHz), and the recording is completed by spraying the ink at the ink ejection end time.

When the paper carriage 1 passes below the ink jet head 30 and the recording is completed and reaches the position P2 in FIG. 2, the operation of the carriage motor 5 stops, and the paper carriage 1 also stops at the position P2. . When the paper carriage 1 stops at the position P2, the electrostatic attraction system stops to release the holding state of the paper 45, and
The swing arm motor 7 operates to rotate the swing arm shaft 10 in the direction of arrow H. At this time, since no load is applied to the swing arm 12, the swing arm 12 and the swing arm shaft 10 rotate together and come to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the swing arm 12
Is pressed by the paper carriage 1 via the swing arm roller 16 to apply a load, and stops at that position. The swing arm shaft 10, the swing arm shaft pulley 13, the swing arm The belt 14, swing arm roller pulley 17, swing arm roller shaft 15, and swing arm roller 16 continue to rotate. In particular, since the swing arm roller 16 rotates while being pressed against the paper 45, a transfer force is applied to the paper 45, and the paper 45 is moved by an arrow due to the frictional force between the swing arm roller 16 and the paper 45 and the slip between the paper carriage 1 and the paper 45. Simultaneously with the movement in the L direction, the paper discharge motor 37 operates and the paper discharge roller 33 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow MB. In this state, the paper 45 is conveyed only by the swing arm roller 16 for a while. Thereafter, the leading end of the paper 45 is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 33 and the paper discharge pinch roller 31, and is conveyed by the paper discharge roller 33 (and the paper discharge pinch roller 31) and the swing arm roller 16. The rotation speed is slightly lower so that the paper 45 being discharged does not slack. This state is shown in FIG. Thereafter, the rear end of the paper 45 exits from the swing arm roller 16, and the paper 45 is conveyed only by the discharge roller 33 and the discharge pinch roller 31. At the timing near the front and rear, the rear end of the paper 45 is detected by the paper detection sensor 25A.
Is reached, the swing arm motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction.
In this rotation direction, the load applied to the swing arm 12 is almost eliminated, and the swing arm 12 and its associated parts rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow H.
When the swing arm 12 comes into contact with the swing arm position sensor 40 or rotates to a position very close to the swing arm position sensor 40, the signal from the swing arm position sensor 40 stops the swing arm motor 7. This state is shown in FIG. In this way, when the paper 45 advances in the direction of arrow L and the trailing end reaches the paper detection sensor 25B, a sequence of paper feeding, recording, and paper discharging ends, and the carriage motor 5 operates again to discharge the paper 45. Then, the paper carriage 1 on which nothing is placed is returned to the position P1, and preparation for the next recording is started. Thereafter, the operation described above is repeated.

In the above description, when the paper 45 is conveyed on the paper carriage 1 by the swing arm roller 16, the lower surface of the paper 45 slides on the paper carriage 1. However, the paper carriage 1 may be provided with one or a plurality of carriage pinch rollers 46 as shown in FIG. 11 (a schematic sectional view of the paper carriage 1 viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3). The carriage pinch roller 46 is fixed to a carriage pinch roller shaft 47, and the carriage pinch roller shaft 47 is held by the paper carriage 1 so as to be rotatable in an arrow Q and the opposite direction. This position is a position directly opposite when the swing arm roller 16 descends. Thus, when the paper 45 is transported, the swing arm roller 16 and the carriage pinch roller 46 sandwich the paper 45 to assist the paper transport. The carriage pinch roller 46 has the same height as or slightly lower than the upper surface of the paper carriage 1 (the surface on which the paper is placed) so that the paper 45 is not hindered from being transported. And
It is desirable that the ridgeline of the opening is C-cut or R-shaped.

Although not specifically shown, the nozzles of the ink jet head 30 are periodically or directly placed on the chassis 41 immediately below the ink jet head 30 (in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 1) so as not to hinder the scanning of the paper carriage 1. A cleaning unit that performs irregular cleaning can be provided. When the paper carriage 1 is not directly below the ink jet head 30, the cleaning unit moves up and down to clean the nozzles, thereby completely separating the act of cleaning from the conveyance and scanning of the paper 45. Can be.

<Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, an apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. However, since many parts are common to the configuration of the first embodiment, FIG. A part of the reference numerals and symbols will be described in common with the first embodiment.

Although the description of the first embodiment has been made on the paper feeding, recording, and paper discharging method using a configuration suitable for paper of a specific size, it is needless to say that a configuration capable of dealing with various types of paper is also considered. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the largest paper size that is frequently used every day is A4 size (210 mm × 2).
97 mm) paper 45A, and the smallest one is a postcard size (100 mm × 148 mm) paper 45B.

In the present invention, FIG.
2, it is premised that a large area is recorded by one scan by the large inkjet head 30 having a long nozzle row in the direction of the arrow BB, and the recording time is shortened. Therefore, when printing is performed on paper of a plurality of sizes, the inkjet head 30 has a nozzle row having a length such that printing is completed by one scan for the paper of the minimum size.
It is appropriate from the object of the invention that printing is performed by scanning a plurality of times only for paper of a larger size. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the length of the nozzle row in the direction of arrow BB is set to 100 mm, and the paper 45A and 45B are fed with the short side (210 mm for 45A and 100 mm for 45B) in the direction of arrow BB.

FIG. 12 (view from the same direction as FIG. 2)
The following describes how the paper size responds to a change in the direction of the arrow AA.

Assuming that the center line of the paper carriage 1 is PA, on the upstream side of the paper feed roller 19 (and the paper feed pinch roller 18), the paper is fed so that the center line of the paper of all sizes coincides with the center line PA. I do.

The paper carriage 1, the paper feed roller 19,
The width of the paper feed pinch roller 18 in the direction of arrow AA is
The swing arm roller 16 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line PA so that the maximum outside width of the roller is in the range of the paper 45B. With this configuration, the paper can be conveyed even when the paper size changes in the direction of the arrow AA.

Next, referring to FIG.
The response to a change in direction will be described.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are diagrams (schematic diagrams viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3) showing a sequence for recording the paper 45A. FIG. 13 shows the first scan, FIG. 14 shows the second scan,
FIG. 15 shows recording in the third scan, and the range recorded in each scan is a portion painted black. Paper 45
A is recorded on the paper carriage 1 in such a manner. Considering the relationship between the lengths and the spare areas CC1 and CC2 by 5 mm each, the arrow BB of the paper carriage 1
The length in the direction is 330 mm.

Considering the paper 45B in such a paper carriage 1, the process proceeds as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 (schematic diagrams viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3). However, the length of the paper 45B in the direction of the arrow BB is the paper carriage 1
Is shorter than the length of the paper, and is only 100 mm. Therefore, immediately before the trailing edge of the paper comes out of the paper feed roller 19 (and the paper feed pinch roller 18), the leading edge of the paper is moved to the paper output roller 33 (and the paper output pinch roller) Must be conveyed by rollers arranged at intervals less than 100 mm until it is drawn into In addition, these rollers need to be retracted from the paper carriage 1 because the paper carriage 1 moves during recording.

In the first embodiment, the swing arm roller 16 plays the role. In this embodiment, the length of the paper carriage 1 is longer than the length of the paper 45B. It must be arranged at intervals of less than 100 mm.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing an alternative to the swing arm roller 16 and its accessories in the apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 20 (schematic view as viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3). Shows the arrangement. These components are the same as those of the first embodiment except that letters A, B, C, and D are added to the numbers of the first embodiment.

In this configuration, since the distance between all the rollers is set to be less than 100 mm in the paper transport state, the operation state of the present embodiment viewed from the same direction as FIG. Paper 45 as shown in the schematic diagram shown).
Even if B moves in the direction of arrow KL,
9 (and the paper feed pinch roller 18), any of the swing arm rollers, or the paper discharge roller 33 (and the paper discharge pinch roller 31), the paper can be conveyed without any problem, and the paper carriage 1 performs recording. When scanning is performed, the respective swing arm rollers operating on the paper carriage 1 are retracted by the same operation as in the first embodiment. The timing of pressing and retreating each swing arm roller is controlled by the determination of the paper size based on the information on the leading edge and trailing edge of the paper from one or more paper detection sensors provided on the paper carriage 1. Though some arrangement is required, the first embodiment is basically an application of the first embodiment.

It goes without saying that there is no problem in transporting paper having a size larger than the paper 45B (size up to the paper 45A). In addition, the present embodiment is applicable not only to fixed-size paper (cut paper) having a fixed size described above but also to roll paper. Although not specifically described with reference to the drawings, an example thereof is as follows. In the middle of the feeding of the roll paper by the feed roller 19 (and the feed pinch roller 18), the vicinity of the feed roller 19 (and the feed pinch roller 18) is described. At any point, when the length from the leading edge of the roll paper reaches the length of the paper to be recorded, pause the paper conveyance and cut the paper at that point with a rotary cutter, etc. Provide a structure. Then, the cut roll paper becomes equivalent to the standard paper (cut paper), and the subsequent sequence is the same as that described above.

Furthermore, recording by scanning of the paper carriage 1 including the first embodiment can be performed by scanning in one or both directions of arrows B and C shown in FIG. Regarding the positional relationship between the paper feed and the paper discharge, when the paper feed is at the position P1, the paper discharge may be at either the position P1 or P2, and when the paper feed is at the position P2, the paper discharge may be at the position P1. , P2. Therefore, each swing arm roller and its accessories are at least P1
Or one at each of the paper transport upstream and downstream sides of P2 (total of two places, diagonal positional relationship is also possible), and at the maximum both upstream and downstream sides of P1 and P2 (total of four places) It is possible to arrange.

In the above description, the dimensions, components, and the like indicated by specific numerical values are merely examples, and there are countless optimal values depending on various paper sizes, ink jet head sizes, and the like. It is specified herein that all of them are encompassed by the invention.

<Third Embodiment> An apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described below. However, since many parts are common to those of the first and second embodiments, FIG. , Signs, symbols and the like will be described in common with the first and second embodiments.

The description of the first and second embodiments has an electrostatic adsorption system for holding the paper 45 on the paper carriage 1 and a paper detection system for detecting the presence and size of the paper. Was. It is paper carriage 1
Means that it is necessary to connect to the main body by a cable for supplying power or transmitting an electric signal. In the present embodiment, no electric components are installed on the paper carriage 1.

First, regarding the sensor for detecting the presence and size of the paper, the chassis 41 is used instead of the paper carriage 1.
By attaching a photosensor having a light-emitting unit that emits light to the detection target and a light-receiving unit that receives the reflected light, it is possible to detect the presence or absence and size of paper even from a distant place. .

Next, the paper holding will be described. FIG.
Is a schematic perspective view of a paper holding mechanism installed on the paper carriage 1, and FIG. 32 is a view of the paper holding mechanism viewed from the direction of arrow EA. The rocker arm 52 has its shaft portion rotatably held in the holding portion of the paper carriage 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow EC and in the opposite direction. However, the rocker arm spring 53 applies a biasing force that always rotates in the direction of the arrow EC. And hits a rocker stopper 54 provided on the paper carriage 1 so as not to rotate any more. The shaft of the holder arm 50 is also rotatably held in the holding portion of the paper carriage 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow EB and in the direction opposite thereto, and the holder arm spring 51 is provided with an urging force that constantly rotates in the direction of the arrow EB. However, since the rocker stopper 52 hits the stationary rocker arm 52 by the rocker stopper 54, it does not rotate any more in the state of FIG.

Although shown as a simple schematic diagram, each swing arm is provided with a holder pusher 60 and a rocker pusher 61. These move in linkage with an actuator (not shown) that takes two positions according to the condition of a signal from each sensor described later. When the actuator is in one position (FA), the holder pusher 60 descends to the paper carriage 1 for each swing arm to convey the paper. Alternatively, it is at a position where the ED portion of the holder arm 50 is pushed in when descending, and the rocker pusher 61 is at a position that does not affect any components. When the actuator is in the other position (FB), the holder pusher 60 has no effect on any component, and instead the rocker pusher 61 causes each swing arm to descend on the paper carriage 1 for paper transport, or It is at a position where the EE part of the rocker arm 52 is pushed in when descending.

A sequence for holding paper in the apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. When it is not necessary to hold the paper, the actuator of each swing arm assumes the position FA. At this time, when each swing arm is retracted, the paper holding mechanism is in the state shown in FIG. 32, and when each swing arm comes down, the holder pusher 60 on the swing arm pushes the ED section of the holder arm 50. The paper holding mechanism is in the state shown in FIG. In any case, there is a gap between the paper and the holder arm 50, and the paper is not held.

It is necessary to hold the paper at the time of scanning of the paper carriage 1 for recording. Consider the components and the state involved at that time. Related components and their states include the position of each swing arm (swing arm roller), the presence or absence of paper on the paper carriage, the presence or absence of paper on the paper feed roller (paper feed pinch roller), and the paper discharge roller (paper discharge pinch). Roller). Among these, the paper needs to be held on the paper carriage 1 when each swing arm (swing arm roller) moves to the retracted position, and when the paper is on the paper carriage 1 at a predetermined position, This is when there is no paper on each of the paper feed and discharge rollers. At this time, the paper carriage 1 is just about to start scanning, and it is necessary to hold the paper.

Among them, the presence / absence and position of paper on the paper carriage 1 can be determined by the above-described paper detection sensor, and the presence / absence of paper at each of the paper feeding and discharging rollers is provided with a separate paper detection sensor. This can be determined. When the conditions for holding the paper are set by the signals from these sensors,
Before each swing arm starts the evacuation action, a signal notifying the same condition is sent to the actuator provided in each swing arm, and the actuator takes the position FB.

Then, since the holder pusher 60 is at a position where the pushing of the ED portion of the holder arm 50 is released, the holder arm 50 is rotated in the direction of arrow EB by the urging force of the holder spring 51, and the paper holding mechanism is turned on. The state temporarily becomes as shown in FIG. At the same time, since the rocker pusher 61 is at a position where the EE portion of the rocker arm 52 is pushed, the rocker arm 52 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow EC. Therefore, although the holder arm 50 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow EB for a short time due to the engagement of the EF portion, the engagement of the EF portion is immediately released. EB
In the direction shown in FIG. 34 to hold the paper. After that, when each swing arm retreats, the rocker pusher 61 naturally moves away, and the rocker arm 52 rotates in the direction of the arrow EC by the urging force of the rocker spring 53, and stops when it hits a part of the holder arm 50. , The state shown in FIG. In this state, the paper is still held, and the paper carriage 1 can shift to the scanning / recording state. When each swing arm comes to the retracted position, the actuator of each swing arm takes the position FA by a signal from a swing arm position sensor 40 (not shown).

When the scanning of the paper carriage 1 is completed and each swing arm descends again, the actuator is in the position FA, so that the holder pusher 60 pushes the ED portion of the holder arm 50.
The state of FIG. 35 is shifted to the state of FIG. 36 and FIG. 33 to release the holding of the paper, and the paper can be conveyed by each roller. The above is the sequence of the present embodiment.

The actuator, holder pusher 60 and rocker pusher 61 described above are used.
Is provided in each swing arm, but may be provided in other portions as long as the above-described paper holding sequence can be realized.

These paper holding mechanisms are shown in FIG. 37 (FIG. 2).
38 (see FIG. 37 with arrow J).
As shown in a schematic cross-sectional view as viewed from J), when the paper carriage 1 scans, the paper transport direction HH is applied to a range GG immediately below the ink nozzles of the inkjet head 30.
GA, GA, G to avoid slightly upstream and downstream of
C and GD, a holding portion between the paper holding mechanism and the paper carriage 1 is GF (an outer portion of the paper 45A), and a portion of the holder arm 50 that directly contacts the paper is a GE (a portion overlapping the paper 45B). By doing so, it is possible to cope with a plurality of types of paper sizes as in the second embodiment without hindering recording. However, because of paper holding, the paper size becomes slightly larger in the upstream and downstream directions in the paper transport direction HH for a recording range of a certain size, and that portion becomes a margin.
However, it is obvious that this can be cut off by providing a cutter as described in the second embodiment in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 33 after recording is completed.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a printer apparatus comprising: a first transport unit for transporting a recording sheet; and a recording unit for recording on the recording sheet. The recording means is fixed to the apparatus, and has a transfer means in which a part or the whole of the paper transport path reciprocates in a direction intersecting the paper transport direction, and a driving means for transporting the transport means. Since the recording paper is mounted on the recording medium and the recording paper is recorded while being transported in the vicinity of the recording means, a light recording paper is moved instead of a large recording head. Enhance stability, improve recording quality, reduce vibration and noise, reduce the size and power consumption of the motor used to drive this transfer means, and apply electrical and physical loads to electrical circuits and boards. Alleviation It can also contribute.

At the same time, due to the characteristic paper transport structure, while having an unconventional recording system for moving the recording paper in a direction intersecting the paper transport direction during recording, it is possible to respond in the same way as the existing one. It is possible to provide a paper transport system having a wide correspondence range without limiting the paper size.

Further, since the paper transport direction intersects the recording scanning direction of the recording paper, even if a head nozzle cleaning mechanism is installed immediately below the recording head, the recording paper transportation / scanning and cleaning of the recording head can be performed. Since the operations can be completely separated, there is also an effect of preventing the recording paper from being stained without having a storage means for the cleaning mechanism.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of arrow A.

FIG. 3 is a view of FIG. 1 as viewed from an arrow B direction.

FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow C.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment when viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment when viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance according to the first embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of an additional function according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a view of a part of the second embodiment viewed from the same direction as FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance according to the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the concept of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view schematically showing main components in the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the second embodiment viewed from the same direction as FIG. 3;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment when viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment when viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a state of paper conveyance in the second embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view schematically showing main components in the third embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of FIG. 31 as viewed from the direction of arrow EA.

FIG. 33 is a view of the operation of the third embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a view of the operation of the third embodiment viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a diagram of the operation of the third embodiment viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a view of the operation of the third embodiment viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is a view of the arrangement of main components of the third embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 38 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 37 as viewed from the direction of arrow JJ.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional example.

FIG. 40 is a view of FIG. 39 as viewed from the direction of arrow 5A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper carriage 2 Carriage guide 4 Carriage belt 5 Carriage motor 6 Carriage motor pulley 7 Swing arm motor 8 Swing arm motor gear 9 Swing arm shaft gear 10 Swing arm shaft 11 Torque limit bearing 12 Swing arm 13 Swing arm shaft pulley 14 Swing arm belt Reference Signs List 15 swing arm roller shaft 16 swing arm roller 17 swing arm roller pulley 18 paper feed pinch roller 19 paper feed roller 20 paper feed pinch roller shaft 21 paper feed shaft 22 paper feed shaft gear 23 paper feed motor gear 24 paper feed motor 25 paper detection sensor Reference Signs List 30 inkjet head 31 discharge pinch roller 32 discharge pinch roller shaft 33 discharge roller 34 discharge Shaft 35 paper discharge shaft gear 36 paper discharge motor gear 37 paper discharge motor 38 idle pulley 40 swing arm position sensor 41 chassis 45 paper 46 carriage pinch roller 47 carriage pinch roller shaft 50 holder arm 51 holder arm spring 52 rocker arm 53 rocker arm spring 60 Holder pusher 61 Rocker pusher

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65H 7/14 B41J 3/04 101Z F-term (Reference) 2C056 EA18 EA23 EA25 EB13 EB36 EC12 EC28 FA09 HA27 2C059 AA23 AA26 AA49 AA55 AA72 AA73 3F048 AA05 AB01 BA05 BB03 CC03 CC04 DA08 DB03 DB07 DC12 EB04 3F049 AA10 DA14 DB02 EA27 LA07 LB03 3F101 BA01 BB05 BB07 CA10 CB03 CC13 LA07 LB03

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printer device comprising: a first transport unit for transporting a recording sheet; and a recording unit for performing recording on the recording sheet. A transfer unit for reciprocating all or a part of the transfer unit in a direction intersecting the sheet conveying direction; and a driving unit for transferring the transfer unit. A printer device for recording while moving near the printer. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a transmission portion of the transfer unit to which the driving force from the drive unit is transmitted is near a center of gravity of the transfer unit. 3. A method for conveying recording paper on the transfer means.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or a plurality of second transporting means, and a part or all of the second transporting means is retracted relative to the transporting means when paper transport is not performed. Or the printer device according to 2. 4. The printer device according to claim 3, wherein when the paper transport is not performed, a part or all of the second transport unit itself is retracted from the transport unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or more detecting means for detecting the presence, position, and size of the recording sheet on the transfer means and other places. The printer device according to claim 3, wherein the position is relatively variable with respect to the transfer unit, or the second transport unit itself is variable. 6. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit has one or more holding units for fixing the recording paper. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding means automatically fixes the recording sheet when the recording sheet is loaded on the transfer means and the recording sheet is transferred, and otherwise releases the recording sheet. Item 7. The printer according to Item 6. 8. The printer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a signal from said detecting means is used so that said holding means automatically fixes recording paper.