JP2003175654A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch over a gap between a recording head and a medium to be recorded by a right-left movement of a carriage. <P>SOLUTION: The recording head is set downwardly to the carriage. A part of a lower end closer to one side is supported slidably and rotatably by a round shaft-shaped guide shaft. A plurality of butting parts having different heights and disposed to oppose a sliding part of an upper end of a frame extending in a longitudinal direction along a rear face of the carriage are switched over by a first pressing means of a left end part of the frame and a second pressing means of a right end part. The gap between the recording head and the medium to be recorded can be adjusted by selectively sliding the plurality of butting parts having different heights into touch with the frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine or a copying machine, and more specifically, it adjusts the distance between the face surface of the recording head and the paper according to the thickness of the paper. The present invention relates to a structure of an image forming apparatus that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a copying machine, an ink ribbon is arranged on the surface of the paper, and a dot pin of a recording head strikes the ink ribbon to form dots on the paper. That form the image of
There are ink-jet type image forming devices that form an image on paper by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the ink jet head. In these, the gap (gap) between the face surface of the recording head and the paper is printed. Since the quality is greatly affected, various types have been devised which are provided with a mechanism capable of adjusting the gap between the face surface of the recording head and the paper according to the thickness of the paper. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-104817, a carriage equipped with a dot pin type recording head is slidably mounted on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a platen, and is eccentric with respect to the axis of the guide shaft. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-348373 discloses that the distance (gap) between the head surface of the recording head and the paper can be adjusted by rotating the eccentric shaft by a contact / separation mechanism. Discloses that a gap adjusting member is displaceably arranged at a position opposed to an ink jet type recording head with a sheet conveying path interposed therebetween.

In these systems, an operator selects and inputs the type of paper to be used in an input unit such as a computer according to the thickness of the paper to be printed, and the contact / separation mechanism (gap) is input in accordance with an input signal from the input type. The drive motor of the adjusting member) is operated to perform the gap adjustment, or the operator manually operates the contact / separation mechanism (gap adjusting member) with the manual lever. In all of these prior arts, the carriage or the gap adjusting member is operated so that the face surface of the recording head moves in parallel with the surface of the paper.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-300768,
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-250184, one end of a carriage on which a recording head is mounted is slidably and rotatably mounted on a round shaft guide shaft, and a guide plate for guiding the other end side of the carriage is provided. A lever provided on the other end of the carriage is rotatably mounted around a support shaft, an eccentric cam is provided about the support shaft, and a protrusion is provided on a hold portion of the lever. The guide plate is sandwiched by the eccentric cam and the protrusion.
When the guide plate is held by the large-diameter portion and the protrusion of the eccentric cam by selecting the turning position of the lever, the carriage rotates around the support shaft and the distance between the face of the recording head and the sheet is increased. (Gap) is set to be large, and conversely, when the guide plate is sandwiched by the small diameter portion and the protrusion of the eccentric cam, the gap can be set to be small, and the lever can be set by the operator. It was operated manually.

[0005]

However, as described above, in order to select and input the type of paper used in the input section of the computer or the like and adjust the gap to a predetermined amount, a complicated electric mechanism member is required. Become. Also, in the case of manually operating the lever, if the user does not know it, the gap cannot be adjusted, and the paper is wasted by forming an image with a gap that is inappropriate for the thickness of the paper. ,
There was inconvenience such as wasting time.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and provides an image forming apparatus in which the size of the gap can be adjusted by a simple operation of moving the carriage in the reciprocating scanning direction. The purpose is.

[0007]

To achieve this object, in an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a carriage on which a recording head is mounted extends in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of a recording medium. In an image forming apparatus configured to be reciprocally mounted on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame and configured to adjust a distance between a recording head and a recording medium, a carriage is slidably contacted with the frame. Contact portions having different heights that move in parallel with the carriage are provided, and the contact portions can be moved to predetermined positions during movement to one side in parallel with the frame and during movement to the other, respectively. The height of the recording head can be switched and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted.

Further, in the invention as set forth in claim 2, the carriage has a plurality of contact portions having different heights that slide in contact with the frame and move in parallel with the carriage, and one of the contact portions is selected. The image forming apparatus is provided with a pushing unit that is actuated by pushing the switching unit to push the switching unit when moving in one direction parallel to the frame and when moving the other direction. The moving means pushes the switching portion to select one of the contact portions, and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted.

In the invention according to claim 3, the carriage has a plurality of contact portions having different heights that slide in contact with the frame and move in parallel with the carriage, and a switch for selecting and switching one of the contact portions. The image forming apparatus is provided with a pushing unit that operates by pushing the switching unit, and the pushing unit includes a first pushing unit that pushes the switching unit in one direction, and A second pushing means for pushing in one direction, the first pushing means pushes the switching portion in one direction when the carriage moves in one direction parallel to the frame, and the first pushing means moves the carriage in the other direction. (2) The pushing means pushes the switching portion in the other direction to select one of the contact portions and adjust the distance between the recording head and the recording medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the frame is provided with a pushing means so that the carriage can be moved to one side and to the other side. Then, change the height of the abutting part with the pushing means,
By selectively abutting portions of different heights slidingly contacting the frame, the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, pushing means are provided at one of the carriage and one of the substantially moving end portions of the carriage, and the pushing means is provided to one of the carriages. The height of the contact portion is switched by the pushing means between the movement of the recording head and the movement of the recording head to the other side, and the contact portions of different heights are selectively slid on the frame, so that the recording head and the object to be covered are selectively moved. The distance between the recording medium and the recording medium is adjustable.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the carriage is provided with a switching block body that can change its posture when moving in one direction parallel to the frame and when moving to the other side. A plurality of abutting portions having different heights that slidably contact the sliding surface of the frame according to the change of the posture are provided, and the frame is provided with a pushing means for switching the posture when the switching block body is moved, By selectively abutting portions having different heights slidingly contacting the frame, the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the carriage is configured to be rotatable around the axis of the guide shaft, and the contact portion of the switching block body is the frame. The portion that selectively comes into contact with the sliding contact portion is arranged on the opposite side of the recording head with the guide shaft interposed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the recording head is mounted on the carriage so that the printing side faces downward, and a portion of the lower end of the carriage near the one side is used as a guide shaft. A frame extending vertically along the back surface of the carriage at a position higher than the guide shaft so as to face the sliding surface of the frame on the opposite side of the carriage. The arranged switching block body is configured to be rotatable on a horizontal axis orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the changed posture can be maintained by the biasing means that moves beyond the fulcrum of the switching block body.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the switching block body is engaged with the frame when moving in one direction parallel to the frame and when moving to the other side. The posture can be changed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the carriage is provided with a switching block body capable of changing its posture between movement to one side parallel to the frame and movement to the other side. The block body is provided with a plurality of abutting portions having different heights that slidably contact the sliding surface of the frame according to the change of the posture, and the frame is arranged at one end side of the moving range of the carriage and A first pushing means for switching a plurality of contact portions having different heights when moving to one end side, and a plurality of heights when arranged to the other end side of the carriage movement range and moving to the other end side of the carriage. And a recording medium by selectively contacting the frame with a plurality of contact portions having different heights. Adjustable spacing It is those that you have configured.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the carriage is provided with a plurality of abutting portions having different heights that are in sliding contact with the frame, and the plurality of abutting portions having different heights are the carriage. A first contact portion fixedly attached to the first contact portion, and a second contact portion having a height different from that of the first contact portion that is projected or housed during movement in one direction parallel to the frame and during movement to the other. When the carriage moves to one side and moves to the other side, the pushing means switches the projecting or storing of the second contact portion, and the first or second contact portion having a different height from the frame. By selectively slidingly contacting the recording head, the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, and twelfth aspects, the pushing means are the left and right side plates of the image forming apparatus. .

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any of the second, third, and twelfth aspects, the carriage is configured to be rotatable about the axis of the guide shaft. However, a plurality of abutting portions having different heights are selectively placed on the sliding contact portion of the frame on the recording head side with the guide shaft interposed therebetween.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, and twelfth aspects, the recording head is mounted on the carriage so that the printing side faces downward. A portion of one side of the lower end of the carriage is slidably supported by a guide shaft, and a frame extending vertically along the back surface of the carriage is arranged at a position higher than the guide shaft, and the upper portion of the frame is bent, Extending from the rear side of the carriage to above the carriage, and arranging the lower end of the vertical surface of the bent portion close to the upper surface of the carriage,
A plurality of contact portions having different heights are arranged so as to face the sliding surface on the side opposite to the side where the carriage is located on the vertical surface of the bent portion of the frame.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, when the second abutment portion is projected, the second abutment portion is in sliding contact with the frame, and the second abutment portion is stored. Sometimes, the first contact portion is in sliding contact with the frame.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a first contact portion fixed to the carriage and selectively slidingly contacting the frame is provided on the carriage, and the first contact portion is projected higher than the first contact portion. And a switching portion having a second contact portion that is stored lower than the first contact portion, and is arranged at substantially one end of the movement range to one side of the carriage, and pushes the switching portion to one side. Accordingly, the first pushing means for accommodating the second abutting portion and the second pushing portion for pushing the switching portion to the other are arranged at substantially the other end of the moving range of the carriage to the other.
The carriage is moved to the substantially one end portion by the pushing means including the second pushing means for projecting the abutting portion, and the second abutting portion is accommodated, whereby the first abutting portion is moved with respect to the frame. By sliding in parallel with each other, moving the carriage to the other end portion and projecting the second contact portion, the second contact portion slides in parallel with the frame, and the recording head and the recording target. The distance between the medium and the medium is adjustable.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, sixth, eleventh, twelfth and seventeenth aspects, the pushing means is , Is arranged outside the printing range within the carriage movement range.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the first pushing means includes a recording head and a recording medium. The contact portions having different heights are changed so as to reduce the distance, and the second pushing means changes the contact portions having different heights so as to increase the distance between the recording head and the recording medium. It was done.

According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the recording head is an ink jet head for recording by ejecting ink. In addition, the cap mechanism for capping the recording head is provided at the same position as the operation of the second pushing means is completed or at the outer side when the carriage is moving. It is a thing.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the second pushing means includes a recording head and a recording medium. It is arranged such that it is arranged outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed with a small interval.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the second pressing means includes a recording head and a recording medium. It is arranged at a position further outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed with a small interval and at least a distance required for accelerating the carriage.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the recording head performs recording by ejecting ink. Is an inkjet head,
The flushing mechanism for performing the preliminary discharge is arranged at a position substantially the same as or inside the operation of the first pushing means.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the first pushing means is a recording head and a recording medium. It is arranged such that it is arranged further outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed by increasing the interval between the and.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the third, eleventh and seventeenth aspects, the first pressing means is a recording head and a recording medium. It is arranged such that it is arranged at a position further outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed by increasing the distance between and, and at least a distance required for accelerating the carriage.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, sixth, eleventh, twelfth and seventeenth aspects, the pushing means is provided. Switching of the contact portions having different heights is performed before the printing operation on the recording medium is started based on a command from the host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. .

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, sixth, eleventh, twelfth and seventeenth aspects, a host computer is used. Based on a command that an envelope has been selected as the recording medium, the changing operation of the contact portions having different heights by the pushing means is executed so as to increase the interval.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second, third, sixth, eleventh, twelfth and seventeenth aspects, a host computer is used. Based on a command that plain paper has been selected as the recording medium, the changing operation of the contact portions having different heights by the pushing means is executed so as to reduce the interval.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic right side sectional view of a printer device 1 also serving as a facsimile as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a front view of a recording portion, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head, and FIG. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body case of the printer device 1 which also serves as a facsimile accommodates the ink jet type recording unit 2 and feeds a paper P for forming an image. It is composed of a synthetic resin main lower case 1a provided with a tray 3 on the upper rear side in an inclined shape, and a synthetic resin upper case 1b covering the upper side of the main lower case 1a.

A document placing section 4 is arranged at a rearward portion of the upper surface of the upper case 1b, and a document reading unit 5 as a document reading section is mounted at a frontward portion thereof. Is covered with the operation panel section 6. On the surface of the operation panel unit 6, operation key units 6a such as various function keys and ten keys, and a display unit 6b such as a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying input values by the operation key units 6a and characters and numbers for various operations. It has and. A pair of left and right document guide plates 8 that slide to the left and right according to the width of the document are attached to the document placement unit 4 in order to guide the left and right edges of the document to be conveyed.

The lower surface of the main lower case 1a is closed by a bottom cover plate 7 made of a metal plate or the like.
In the internal space of a, although not shown, an NCU (network control unit) for enabling conversation and transmission / reception of facsimile data with other telephone devices and facsimile devices via a control board, a power supply board, and a telephone line. )
A control unit 9 such as a substrate is arranged. Further, although not shown, a handset for carrying out a conversation with another telephone device is placed on a pedestal protruding outward from a side portion of the main lower case 1a. Speakers for calling and monitoring are fixed to the rear side of the right side surface of the main lower case 1a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage 10 in the recording unit 2 has a lower rear end that is a round shaft mounted on the lower surface (front surface) side of a vertically long frame 12 that is long in the left and right directions. It is slidably and rotatably mounted on the guide shaft 11.

On this carriage 10, a color ink jet type cartridge type recording head 15 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is detachably mounted downward. The recording head 15 for executing color recording has four nozzle portions 15a for ejecting inks of cyan, yellow, magenta, and black on the lower surface side, and supplies to each recording head 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 16 for each color in which ink is stored can be detachably mounted on the upper surface side of the recording head 15 and can be vertically rotated forward and downward on the upper end side of the carriage 10. In this configuration, each ink cartridge 16 can be pressed and fixed downward.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 1
The timing belt 18 extending in parallel with the
2 is wound around a driven pulley (not shown) arranged on one side and a drive pulley 20 fixed to an output shaft of a drive motor 19 such as a stepping motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions. The carriage 10 is connected to the guide shaft 11 by connecting the portion to the carriage 10.
It becomes possible to reciprocate in parallel with. The paper feed tray 3
One sheet of paper P stacked on the other is formed by a paper feed roller 21 as a paper feed mechanism of a conventionally well-known structure arranged in the rear portion of the main lower case 1a, and a separation means such as a separation pad or a friction separation plate. The separated paper P is fed once between the lower side of the recording head 15 and the platen 25 after the position of the front end of the paper P is once adjusted by the registration roller 22 for adjusting the front end timing of the paper P. Then, while being nipped and conveyed by a pair of upper and lower conveying rollers 23 and 24 on the downstream side of the conveyance, ink droplets are ejected onto the upper surface of the paper P in accordance with a print command to record an image, and then the paper discharge tray 26. It is configured to be discharged to.

Next, the printing operation of the carriage 10 will be described with reference to FIG. A maintenance portion 27 is provided near the moving end of the carriage 10, for example, on the right side of the platen 25, outside the recording area. A nozzle wiping device (wiper device) for wiping ink droplets adhering to the surface (face surface) of the nozzle portion 15a of the recording head 15, and a non-ejection or ejection of ink of the recording head 15 are provided in the maintenance portion 27. A purging device (nozzle suction device) 28 for recovering defects is arranged. In this purging device 28, the nozzle portion of the recording head 15 is covered with a suction cap 28a, and a negative pressure generated by a pump (not shown) is used. The defective ink in the recording head 15 is sucked to recover from the defective recording. The purging device 28 in the maintenance unit 27 has a home position (see FIG. 2) at the moving end of the carriage 10.
Of the carriage 10 at the right end position) of the carriage 10.
5 also serves as a cap mechanism (protection device) for covering all the nozzle portions 15a of No. 5 to prevent the ink from drying, and the suction cap 28a also functions as a protection cap. In the following description, 28 indicating the purging device is also used as the number indicating the home position. Further, at the left end of the platen 25, there is provided a flushing portion 29 for ejecting ink from each nozzle portion 15a of the recording head 15 on a trial basis to eliminate ink clogging.

In the printer device 1 as described above, various processing operations are set and the document image is read by the document reading unit 5 in accordance with various commands from the operator inputted in response to various key operations on the operation panel section 6. , The transmission of the original image data, the encoding of the transmission data, the transmission / reception of the facsimile data to be transmitted to another facsimile device via a communication line such as a telephone line, the decoding of the received data, and the recording unit of the decoded facsimile data. In addition to the normal facsimile function of executing the recording on the paper P, the original reading by the CIS (contact image sensor) of the original reading unit 5 and the copying (copying) of forming a color image on the paper P by each unit of the recording unit. ) The processing function and the external device such as a personal computer (host computer) (not shown) A printer processing function of receiving print data transmitted via a wireless cable such as an input cable or infrared rays, and forming a color image on the paper P in accordance with the data, and image data read by the document reading unit 5 as described above. It also has a scanner processing function of transmitting to an external device.

In the apparatus for forming an image on a sheet having the above-mentioned structure, the present invention relates to the formation of a gap between the face surface of the recording head 15 and the sheet P, which affects the print quality, and the adjustment of the size. Two embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> A gap adjusting mechanism 30a for adjusting a gap according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A is a front view of the recording unit, FIG. 5B is a front view of the frame and the switching block body, FIG. 6 is a left sectional view of the carriage and the like when the gap is reduced, and FIG. 8 is a left side sectional view of the carriage or the like, FIG. 8 is a left side sectional view of the carriage or the like, FIGS. 9A to 9D are views of the switching block body, FIGS. 10A to 10F and FIG. (A) ~ 11
(F) is an operation explanatory view showing a posture change of the switching block body.

Before that, first, the structure of the carriage 10a in the first embodiment will be described. In the carriage 10a, the left and right side plates 32 are projected forward from both the left and right sides of the back plate 31, and the lower ends of the side plates 32 are protruded. Of the bottom plate of the recording head 15, a supporting portion 33 for supporting both left and right sides is provided so as to project inward, and the nozzle portion 15a of the recording head 15 is exposed downward between the both supporting portions 33. Are arranged (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). Engaging pins 34 protruding outward from the left and right sides of the recording head 15 disposed between the left and right side plates 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 8).
Are placed in a recess 35 formed in the left and right side plates 32. A wire spring 3 made of metal or the like having elasticity and rotatably mounted in a mounting hole 38 on the upper end outside the left and right side plates 32.
6 (however, only one side is shown in FIG. 7) presses the engaging pins 34 diagonally downward at midway in the longitudinal direction, while the lower end side (free end side) of each wire spring 36 is the side plate. Three
2 is locked so as to be immovable upward by a first locking portion 37 that is formed to project outside, and the free end side of each wire spring 36 is outside the side plate 32 by a second locking portion 39 that is diagonally downward and hook-shaped. Make sure the recording head 15 does not come off
It is attached firmly to 0a without backlash.

The back plate 31 of the carriage 10a
A rear downward bracket portion 40 is integrally formed on the upper end side of the through a pair of left and right bracket connecting portions 40a. 9 is a rear view of the synthetic resin switching block body 13 rotatably mounted on the bracket portion 40.
As shown in (a) and FIG. 9 (b) which is a front view, it is formed in a fan shape in a front view (rear view), and the rearward-facing pivot shaft 50 at the upper end thereof has a support hole formed in the bracket portion 40. 41 is rotatably fitted. The switching block body 13 is provided between an unsprung mounting portion 51 protruding rearward at the center of the lower end of the switching block body 13 and an upper spring mounting portion 42 protruding rearward at the upper end of the bracket portion 40. 1 is rotated by a switching coil spring 43 as a biasing means for switching to the left and right rotation postures and holding the posture (FIGS. 6, 7, 10 (a) to 10 (f), and FIG. 1).
1 (a) to 11 (f)). It should be noted that when the switching block body 13 is in a posture in which the switching block body 13 is largely rotated left and right, the fan-shaped end surface of the switching block body 13 comes into contact with the lower surface of one of the left and right bracket connecting portions 40a (40a),
Angles beyond that are regulated so as not to rotate.

On the surface side of the switching block body 13,
As shown in FIGS. 9B to 9D, the frame 12
The first contact portion 52 and the second contact portion 53, which are selectively in contact with the sliding contact portion 12a on the upper end side of the rear surface of the rear surface at different heights, are continuously provided via the inclined guide surface 54. There is. The first contact portion 52, the second contact portion 53, and the inclined guide surface 54 are set so that the radial distance from the central axis of the pivot 50 is substantially equal. The height dimension H1 of the first contact portion 52 from the surface of the switching block body 13 is set large, and the height dimension H2 of the second contact portion 53 is set small. Further, on the surface of the switching block body 13, a switching abutting portion 55 is integrally projected forwardly at a position where the radial distance from the central axis of the pivot shaft 50 is shorter than that of the abutting portions 52 and 53. ing.

On the other hand, the frame 12 has a horizontal rail portion 12b bent forward at a position higher than the sliding contact portion 12a, and near the left end portion of the horizontal rail portion 12b (more than the flushing portion 29). On the left side, there is provided a first pushing piece 56 which is cut and raised in a substantially vertical direction as a first pushing means for guiding the left and right turning postures of the switching block body 13, and is provided on the horizontal rail portion 12b. Near the right end (the center of the maintenance part 27 in the left-right direction)
Is provided with a second pushing piece 57 having a chevron shape in a front view as a second pushing means (FIGS. 5 and 10 (a) to 1).
0 (f) and FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (f)).

Next, the case of printing on plain paper by the printer device 1 will be described. The carriage 10 located at the home position (cap position) 28 in FIG.
When a print command is issued, a moves in the direction of arrow A, and after the flushing unit 29 executes the ink ejection test in the nozzle unit 15a (if this flushing is at least before the start of printing, a pushing operation described later). When the carriage 10a (switching block body 13) is moved leftward (direction of arrow A) in FIG. 5B, the side surface of the switching contact portion 55 is substantially vertical. Upon colliding with the right surface of the first pushing piece 56, the switching block body 13 rotates counterclockwise in a front view as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C.

In this case, in FIG. 10A, the central axis of the switching coil spring 43 is located on the left side of the center of the pivot 50, which is the center of rotation of the switching block body 13, and the switching block body 13 has its left side. The first contact portion 52, which has a high height and is held in the upward direction, has the sliding contact portion 12
It is in sliding contact with a. In the state of FIG. 10C, the central axis line of the switching coil spring 43 (the line connecting the sprung mounting portion 42 and the unsprung mounting portion 51) is from the left side to the center of the pivot shaft 50 which is the rotation center of the switching block body 13. When approaching, the inclined guide surface 54 rotates while slidingly contacting the sliding contact portion 12a, and further moves to the right, a so-called fulcrum is crossed, and the right side of the switching block body 13 is changed to the state of FIG. 10 (e). Rotate counterclockwise so that it faces upward. As a result, the first contact portion 52 is separated from the sliding contact portion 12a in the upward direction, while the second contact portion 53 having a small height is moved toward the sliding contact portion 1a.
The posture is changed to be in sliding contact with 2a. In this state, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Since the carriage 10a is deviated to the left side of the center of gravity of the carriage a and can rotate clockwise around the guide shaft 11 by its own weight, the switching block body 13 on the upper side of the carriage 10a. Of the front surface, the second contact portion 53 having a small height rotates so as to approach the back surface of the vertical frame 12. Therefore, the carriage 10a
The face surface, which is the lower surface of the nozzle portion 15a of the recording head 15 in (1), approaches the upper surface of the platen 25 and the posture is changed to a state in which the gap dimension G1 is small. In addition,
The switching contact portion 5 is provided on the right surface of the substantially vertical first pushing piece 56.
The switching block body 13 with which the side surface 5 collides, and thus the carriage 10a, cannot be moved further leftward.

Next, the carriage 10a is moved in the right direction (direction of arrow B) in FIG. 5B to record (print) L1.
Characters can be printed on plain paper within the possible range.
The range of L2 including the recordable (printable) range L1 is the range of carriage return when characters are printed on plain paper, and is on the left side of the position where switching is performed so as to increase the gap described later (see FIG. See b)).

That is, when printing on plain paper, the acceleration distance (Δ) is set on each of the left and right sides of the recordable range L1 of plain paper.
It is necessary to move the carriage 10a within the range of L2 including L), but even when the carriage 10a moves to the right end position of L2, the gap is still kept small (the switching contact portion 55 has a chevron shape). 2 Do not contact the pushing piece 57).

Therefore, at the position on the right side of the right end position of L2, the pushing operation by the second pushing piece 57 for increasing the gap is performed, and further on the right side of the position where the pushing operation is performed. There is a home position (capping position) 28 at the position, while the flushing position is at least on the left side of the left end position of the recordable range L1, is on the left side of the flushing position, and is on the left side of the left end position of L2. Since the pushing operation by the first pushing piece 56 for reducing the cap is performed at the position, the gap is small at least while the carriage 10a reciprocates within the range of L2. Printing is performed on plain paper while it is kept. Also,
During the printing, for example, even when flushing is performed at regular intervals, the flushing operation is performed with the gap kept small.

When printing on an envelope having a large paper thickness, if the gap is not enlarged, the envelope moving in the sheet conveying path will come into contact with the nozzle portion 15a and stain the surface of the envelope with ink. Therefore, the gap is changed and adjusted so as to be large (see FIGS. 11A to 11F). In this case, for example, when the previous printing operation was printing on plain paper, the carriage 10a is moved to the home position (cap position) 28 after the printing is completed so as to retract the carriage 10a as shown in FIG. When it is moved to the right (the direction of arrow B), the posture is maintained in the gap of the plain paper until the switching contact portion 55 gets over the position of the chevron-shaped second pushing piece 57 (FIG. 11A). The switching block body 13 is
Due to the biasing force of the switching coil spring 43, the right side of the switching coil spring 43 is held in an upward posture, as in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11C, as the switching contact portion 55 gets over the upper end of the second pushing piece 57 when the carriage 10a moves to the right, the switching block body 13 rotates clockwise and the inclined guide surface 54 is moved. First contact portion 52 having a high height through
Is selected so as to change into a posture in which it slides on the sliding portion 12a of the frame 12. At this time, when the center line of the switching coil spring 43 connecting the sprung mounting portion 42 and the unsprung mounting portion 51 moves to the left side of the center line of the pivot shaft 50 and exceeds the fulcrum, the switching block body 13 has its left side in the upper position. The posture is rapidly changed so that the posture is maintained by the biasing force of the switching coil spring 43 (see FIG. 11E).

Therefore, of the front surface of the switching block body 13 on the upper side of the carriage 10a, the first contact portion 52 having the large height is the sliding portion 12 on the rear surface of the vertical frame 12.
Since it slides on a, the lower surface side of the carriage 10a is pulled upward (counterclockwise in FIG. 7) about the guide shaft 11 and rotated, so that the gap size G1 is increased. (See FIG. 7) The surface of the envelope does not rub against the nozzle portion 15a during printing, and it is possible to prevent contamination due to unnecessary ink adhesion.

That is, when printing on an envelope, the recordable range L3 of the envelope is narrower than the recordable range L1 of plain paper and is set inside L1.
When the carriage 10a is moved within the range of L4, which is obtained by adding the acceleration distance (ΔL) to the left and right sides of the carriage 10, even when the carriage 10a is moved to the left end position of L4, the carriage 10a is further moved to the flushing position. Even in such a case, the gap is still kept large (the switching contact portion 55 does not collide with the substantially vertical first pushing piece 56).

Therefore, at least the carriage 10
While a reciprocates within the range of L4, printing is performed on the envelope with the gap kept large. Further, during the printing, even when flushing is performed at regular intervals, for example, the flushing operation is performed with the gap kept large. Therefore, each time flushing is performed, the operation of idling the carriage 10a to the position where the switching contact portion 55 abuts the chevron-shaped second pushing piece 57 is unnecessary, and the printing operation on the envelope is performed. Can proceed quickly.

When the carriage 10a is moved to the home position 28, the gap size G1 can be changed so as to increase at the position before the home position even if the gap is changed to be small. Carriage 1 to home position 28
At the time of transition of 0a, each cap 28a is reliably capped while maintaining a predetermined correspondence with the nozzle portion 15a. In addition, the ink cartridge replacement position is set to the right of the pushing position where the gap is switched to a small gap (the position where the switching contact portion 55 collides with the substantially vertical first pushing piece 56). It is possible to prevent an interference state in which the ink droplets leaking from the nozzle portion 15a to the outside at the time of replacement is rubbed against the wall of the maintenance portion 27.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a) and the like, a cushioning angular elastic protrusion 58 is provided on one end surface (right end surface) of the fan portion of the switching block body 13 to provide the carriage 10a. When the switching contact portion 55 gets over the upper end of the second pushing piece 57 during the rightward movement of the switch, if the rotational displacement of the switching block body 13 in the clockwise direction is insufficient, it is as specified in the previous regulation. Since the gap dimension G1 cannot be set, when the carriage 10a is moved to the home position 28, the elastic projection 58 is abutted against a restriction piece (not shown) provided on the frame 12 to rotate the switching block body 13. It is to ensure the posture.

Moreover, when the carriage 10a is retracted to the home position 28, the elastic projection 58 receives a shocking load to move the carriage 10a further to the right, for example, during transportation. Frame 1 if you accidentally drop the product
It mitigates a violent collision with the restriction piece provided in 2.
It is possible to prevent damage to the switching block body 13 in advance.

In the first embodiment, when printing on plain paper, the carriage 10a is moved within the range L2, which is the acceleration distance (ΔL) added to the left and right sides of the recordable range L1 of plain paper. , When printing on envelopes,
Since the carriage 10a is moved within the range L4 in which the acceleration distance (ΔL) is added to the left and right sides of the recordable range L3 of the envelope, the speed of the carriage 10a during the ink ejection operation is substantially constant. The advantage is that the timing control of ink ejection is extremely easy.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the ink ejection timing is controlled so that the ink can be ejected even during the acceleration of the carriage, the second pressing piece 57 should be made of at least plain paper. It may be arranged outside the recordable range L1 (on the right side in FIG. 5). Further, the first pushing piece 56, like the second pushing piece 57, is configured to allow the carriage 10a to move to the outside even after the pushing operation is completed, and the first pushing piece 56 can be placed at any place on the platen. In the case of the flushable structure, it may be arranged at least outside the recordable range L3 of the envelope (on the left side in FIG. 5).

When the gap size G1 is switched to, for example, three types, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), the switching block body 13 is rotatable left and right.
The contact portions 59a, 59b, 59c provided on the surface of the are set to have three different heights. Next, the space between the lowest first contact portion 59a and the second height second contact portion 59b is the first.
The inclined guide surface 60a is connected. Highest third contact part 5
9c is set so as to have the second inclined guide surface 60b in a position parallel to the contact portion 59b of the second height. Two mountain-shaped pushing pieces 61a and 61b having different heights are provided on the upper surface of the horizontal rail portion 12b of the frame 12 at appropriate intervals in the carriage movement direction. The higher pushing piece 61b is arranged on the side closer to the movement end of the carriage 10a. In that case, when the switching contact portion 55 is selected in a state where it has passed over the push piece 61a having a low height but not over the push piece 61b having a higher height, the contact portion having the second height is selected. It is set so that only 59b contacts the sliding contact portion 12a of the frame 12, and when the switching contact portion 55 gets over the higher pushing piece 61b, only the highest third contact portion 59c slides on the frame 12. It is set so as to come into contact with the portion 12a. Correspondingly, the carriage 10a can be rotated around the guide shaft 11 to switch and set the gap dimension G1 to three types of small, medium and large.

Instead of arranging the frame 12 vertically, the frame 12 is extended substantially horizontally on the side opposite to the nozzle portion 15a with the guide shaft 11 interposed therebetween, and the sliding contact portion 12a at the end thereof is provided with The switching block body 13 may be rotatably provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 10a so that one of a plurality of contact portions having different heights is selected and slidably contacts (contacts). It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to the printer device described above, but also to a copying machine and a carriage-mounted image scanner. <Second Embodiment> As described above, in the first embodiment, the left and right reciprocating movements of the carriage 10a utilize the first pushing piece 56 and the second pushing piece 57 provided on the frame 12, respectively. The size of the gap is adjusted by switching the contact portions of the switching block body 13 having different heights. However, in the second embodiment, the precision of the gap formation is improved while the structure relating to the gap adjustment is further downsized and simplified. A possible gap adjusting mechanism will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 13 shows a carriage 10 according to this embodiment.
The upper perspective view of b is shown. The configuration of the carriage 10b is substantially the same as that of the carriage 10a of the first embodiment described above, except for the gap adjusting mechanism 30a of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted and FIGS. 18
The gap adjusting mechanism 30b provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the carriage 10b of this embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, a first contact portion 101 having a first contact surface 100 which is in sliding contact with the vertical rail portion of the frame 12 at the substantially center of the rear end of the upper surface of the carriage 10b.
Is stuck. Further, the actuator portion 102 is screwed to the rear end portion of the upper surface of the carriage 10b so as to cover the first contact portion 101 from above. The actuator portion 102 has a first protrusion 104 and a second protrusion 105 at each end in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 14 and 15).
A switching lever 103 having a groove formed therein, a metal holding plate 121 that functions as a frame of the actuator portion 102, and a shaft fixed to the holding plate 121 as a pivot shaft for the movement of the switching lever 103 in the longitudinal direction. Two second contact portions 109 and 11 that are projected / stored by being interlocked
1 and.

Next, FIGS. 14 (a) -14 (c) and FIG.
Based on (a) to 15 (c), the actuator unit 1
02 will be described in detail. FIG. 14A shows the second contact portion 10.
Actuator unit 1 showing a state in which 9 and 111 are stored
02 is a rear view, and FIG. 14 (b) is a cross-sectional top view thereof.
(C) is a front view. The actuator section 102 includes a first pin 107 and a second pin 10 which are vertically provided on a holding plate 121.
The second abutting portion 10 is rotatably provided with 8 as pivotal shafts.
9 and 111 are inserted respectively. 2nd contact part 1
09 and 111 are connected to one ends of the connection arms 112 and 114, respectively, and the other ends of the connection arms 112 and 114 are
The third pin 1 formed on the upper and lower end surfaces of the switching lever 103
10a and the fourth pin 110b, respectively.
When the switching lever 103 is pushed by the pushing means described later, the two ends of the switching lever 103 in the longitudinal direction are
A first protrusion 104 and a second protrusion 1 that come into contact with the pushing means.
05 and are formed. Further, the presser plate 121 has a spring retainer 11 which is bent vertically downward at the center of its rear surface.
9 and has a recess 12 on the upper rear surface of the switching lever 103.
The leaf spring 118 inserted at 0 is stopped. Therefore, the switching lever 103 can reciprocate in the left-right longitudinal direction, and the first lever formed on the lower end surface of the switching lever 103 can be moved.
The stopper projection 115 or the second stopper projection 116 abuts a stopper 117 formed on the upper surface of the carriage. Therefore, the movement of the switching lever 103 is surely stopped, and the posture of the switching lever 103 is maintained by the force of the leaf spring 118.

When the switching lever 103 moves in the C direction shown in the drawing by the pressing means pressing the second protrusion 105, the other ends of the connecting arms 112 and 114 move in the C direction in conjunction with the switching lever 103. With being pulled,
The second contact portions 109 and 111, which are respectively coupled to one ends of the coupling arms 112 and 114, rotate counterclockwise with the first pins 107 and the second pins 108 as pivotal shafts (see FIG. 14 (b)). ) To rotate. When the pushing means pushes the switching lever 103 to a predetermined position, the leaf spring 1
18 pushes the spring retainer 119 and the second contact portion 109 and 1
A force for rotating 11 in the same rotation direction is generated, and even if there is no further pressing motion of the switching lever 103 by the pressing means, the second abutment protrusion 116 and the second abutment part 109 reach the position where they abut the stopper 117. 111 rotates, and then the spring retainer 119 presses the leaf spring 118 with the force of the switching lever 10.
By holding the posture of No. 3, the postures of the second contact portions 109 and 111 are also held at the positions shown in FIG. 15 (b).

On the other hand, when the switching lever 103 moves in the direction D shown in FIG. 15B by the pushing means pushing the first protrusion 104, the connecting arms 112 and 11 are moved.
The other end of No. 4 is pulled in the direction D in conjunction with the switching lever 103, and the second contact portions 109 and 111 are connected to one ends of the connecting arms 112 and 114, respectively.
Rotates in the clockwise direction (see FIG. 15B) with the first pin 107 and the second pin 108 as respective pivot axes. When the pushing means pushes the switching lever 103 to a predetermined position, the leaf spring 118 pushes the spring retainer 119 to generate a second force.
A force is generated to rotate the contact portions 109 and 111 in the same rotation direction, and even if there is no further pressing motion of the switching lever 103 by the pressing means, the first stop projection 115 contacts the stopper 117 to the second position. The contact portions 109 and 111 rotate, and then the force of the spring retainer 119 pressing the leaf spring 118 holds the posture of the switching lever 103,
The postures of the second contact portions 109 and 111 are also held at the positions shown in FIG.

A first contact portion 101 having a first contact surface 100 shown in FIGS. 14 (b) and 15 (b) is fixed to the upper surface of the carriage, and the first pin 107 or The height from the axis parallel to the moving direction of the switching lever 103 of the 2 pin 108 to the first contact surface 100 is set to T2. In this case, the above-mentioned first contact portion 109
Heights T1 and T when storing and projecting 111 and 111 respectively
The relationship with 3 is T1 <T2 <T3. That is, the height T3 is most protruded in the front direction of the drawing, and then T
2 and T1 in that order.

Next, the operation of gap adjustment by cooperation of the gap adjusting mechanism 30b including the first contact portion 101 and the actuator portion 102 and the frame 12 will be described. FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the recording portion side when the gap G1 is small. The frame 12, which is vertically provided on the back surface (left side in the drawing) of the carriage 10b, is bent at two places on the upper part thereof, and the vertical surface of the tip end of the frame 12 is located above the back surface of the carriage 10b so that the vertical surface of the first contact is the same as the first contact surface. A vertical rail portion 12c facing the contact portion 101 and the second contact portions 109 and 111.
It has become. Further, the vertical rail portion 12c has a surface on the side opposite to the ink cartridge 16 as a frame sliding surface 12d, and the first contact portion 101 or the second contact portion 101c.
Sliding guide is performed by contacting the contact portions 109 and 111. In FIG. 16, the second contact portions 109 and 111 of the actuator portion 102 are accommodated and have a height of T1, that is, the state illustrated in FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (c) described above. The shaft-shaped guide shaft 11 is displaced to the left of the center of gravity of the carriage 10b,
Can rotate clockwise around the guide shaft 11 by its own weight. Therefore, the first contact portion 101, which is fixed to the upper surface of the carriage and has a surface having a height T2 larger than T1, contacts the frame sliding surface 12d.
As a result, the carriage 10b is rotated about the guide shaft 11 in the clockwise direction by the maximum angle, and the carriage 1
The face surface, which is the lower surface of the nozzle portion 15a of the recording head 15 at 0b, approaches the upper surface of the platen 25 and is held in a state in which the gap dimension G1 is small.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the recording portion side when the gap G1 is large. In FIG. 17, the actuator unit 1
02 second contact portions 109 and 111 are projected,
Second abutment portions 109 and 11 having a height T3 greater than
1 contacts the frame sliding surface 12d. That is, since it is the state shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c),
The carriage 10b rotates counterclockwise about the guide shaft 11 from the position described with reference to FIG.
Nozzle portion 1 of recording head 15 in carriage 10b
The posture of the face surface, which is the lower surface of 5a, is changed to a state in which the gap dimension G1 is larger so as to be separated from the upper surface of the platen 25 as compared with FIG.

Depending on the structure of the carriage 10b, the guide shaft 11 which is the center of rotation of the carriage 10b may be the carriage 10.
When it is displaced to the front side (the right side in the drawing) of the position of the center of gravity of b, the above-described first contact portion 101 and second contact portion 10
The same effect can be obtained by configuring 9 and 111 so as to contact the front surface (right side in the drawing) of the frame 12.

With respect to the printer device 1 having the above-described structure, the upper surfaces (the front surfaces of the recording head 1 and the platen 25,
The operation and action of adjusting the size of the gap with the passage of the paper P as the recording medium will be described.
For example, when executing the printer processing function,
Start the printer driver software installed in an external device such as a personal computer. Then, the type of the recording medium (paper P) to be printed (recorded) is selected. At this time, if the plain paper (for example, letter paper or A4 paper) is selected, the gap can be set small, and if the envelope is selected, the gap can be set large.

First, the case of printing on plain paper will be described. 18A is a schematic front view showing a lateral movement state of the carriage with respect to the frame 12, and FIG. 18B is a schematic top view showing a positional relationship between the frame 12 and the gap adjusting mechanism. The carriage 10b located at the home position (cap position) 28 in FIG.
When a print command is issued, moves in the direction of arrow A, and the flushing unit 29 executes a test of ink ejection at the nozzle unit 15a (this flushing is at least before printing is started, and before gap switching described later). May go to). When the movement is further continued, the left side plate 12e (side frame) of the printer device 1 is located at a substantially end portion of the movement, and the left side plate 12e serves as the first pushing means.
The first protrusion 104 formed at the left end in the longitudinal direction of the switching lever 103 of the actuator unit 102 shown in FIG. 18B is pushed from the left to the right in the drawing. Therefore, the actuator portion 102 is in the state described based on FIGS. 14A to 14C and FIG. 16, that is, the second contact portion 109.
And 111 are accommodated, the first contact portion 101 contacts the frame sliding surface 12d, and the gap is changed to a small state.

Then, the carriage 10b can be moved in the direction of arrow B to print characters or the like on plain paper within the L1 recordable range. The range of L2 including the recordable (printable) range L1 is the range of carriage return when characters are printed on plain paper, and is on the left side of the position where switching is performed so as to increase the gap described later.

That is, when printing on plain paper, the acceleration distance (Δ
Although it is necessary to move the carriage 10b within the range of L2 including L), the gap is still kept small even when the carriage 10b moves to the right end position of L2 (the second protrusion 105 of the switching lever 103). Does not contact the right side plate 12f).

Therefore, at the position further to the right of the right end position of L2, the pushing operation is performed by the right side plate 12f (side frame) which is the second pushing means for increasing the gap, and the pushing operation is further performed. The home position (capping position) 28 is almost the same as the position where
There is. On the other hand, the flushing position is at least on the left side of the left end position of the recordable range L1, is on the left side of the flushing position, and is on the left side position of the left end position of L2, the first gap for reducing the gap. It is set so that the pushing operation by one pushing means is performed. Therefore, at least the carriage 10b is L2.
During the reciprocating movement within the range, the printing is performed on the plain paper with the gap kept small. Further, during the printing, for example, even when flushing is performed at regular intervals, the flushing operation is performed with the gap kept small as described above.

When printing on an envelope having a large paper thickness, unless the gap is enlarged, the envelope moving in the sheet conveying path comes into contact with the nozzle portion 15a and the surface of the envelope is stained with ink. Therefore, as described above, the change is adjusted so that the gap becomes larger. In this case, for example, when the previous printing operation was printing on plain paper, after the printing is completed, the carriage 10b is moved in the direction of arrow B so as to be retracted toward the home position (cap position) 28. And the second protrusion 105 formed at the right end of the switching lever 103 of the actuator 102,
The right side plate 12f, which is the second pushing means, pushes the sheet to the left in the drawing.

Therefore, the actuator section 102 is shown in FIG.
17 (a) to 15 (c) and the state described with reference to FIG. 17, that is, the second contact portions 109 and 111 are projected, and the second contact portions 109 and 111 are connected to the frame sliding surface 12.
By contacting d, the gap is changed to a large state (printed on the envelope), and the surface of the envelope is printed with the nozzle portion 15a during printing.
It is possible to prevent stains due to unnecessary ink adhesion without rubbing against the surface.

That is, when printing is performed on the envelope, the recordable range L3 of the envelope is narrower than the recordable range L1 of the plain paper and is set inside the L1.
When moving the carriage 10b within the range of L4, which is obtained by adding the acceleration distance (ΔL) to each of the left and right sides of the carriage 10, even when the carriage 10b moves to the left end position of L4, the carriage 10b is further moved to the flushing position. Even in the case, the gap is still kept large (the first protrusion 104 of the switching lever 103 is the left side plate 1).
2e does not contact).

Therefore, at least the carriage 10b
During the reciprocating movement within the range of L4, printing is performed on the envelope with the gap kept large. Further, during the printing, even when flushing is performed at regular intervals, for example, the flushing operation is performed with the gap kept large. Therefore, each time the flushing is performed, the first
The operation of idling the carriage 10b to the position where the protrusion 104 comes into contact with the left side plate 12e and is switched is unnecessary, and the printing operation on the envelope can be rapidly advanced.

When the carriage 10b is moved to the home position 28, even if the gap is switched to a small value, the home position 2
The switching lever 103 is pushed from the position before 8 by the right side plate 12f, which is the second pushing means, so that the gap size G1 is increased at a position substantially the same as the home position 28.

As described above, when printing is performed on plain paper, the carriage 10b is moved within the range of L2, which is obtained by adding the acceleration distance (ΔL) to the left and right sides of the recordable range L1 of plain paper, and the envelope 10 is printed. When printing is performed, the carriage 10b is moved within the range L4, which is obtained by adding the acceleration distance (ΔL) to the left and right sides of the recordable range L3 of the envelope.
Has an advantage that the ink ejection timing control becomes extremely easy.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the ink ejection timing is controlled so that the ink can be ejected even during the acceleration of the carriage, the switching lever 102 is switched to increase the gap. The point is at least the recordable range L1 of plain paper
It may be arranged on the outer side (right side in FIG. 18B). Further, the point where the switching lever 102 makes the gap small is that the carriage 10b remains even after the switching operation is completed.
If it is a structure that allows the outer side of the envelope to move to the outside and is flushable to any place on the platen, at least outside the recordable range L3 of the envelope (left side in FIG. 18B). Should be placed in.

Next, in case of changing the above-mentioned gap size G1 to, for example, three types, FIG. 19 (a) and FIG.
As shown in (b), the actuator section 102 described above.
This can be achieved by stacking vertically when viewed from the front. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an operation and a state in which the gap between the recording head and the recording medium can be switched between large, medium and small, and the gap is switched to two stages of small and medium.
(B) is a figure which shows the operation | movement and the state which switch the said space | interval switched inside to big. In this configuration, the first contact portion (not shown) having a height of T2 (FIGS. 14B and 15B)
Is fixed to the upper surface of the carriage 10b (not shown), and the lower actuator portion 142a and the upper actuator portion 142b are stacked and fixed by being screwed onto the upper surface of the carriage 10b (not shown). The respective structures and constituent parts of the lower actuator portion 142a and the upper actuator portion 142b are the actuator portion 102 of the second embodiment described above except for the portions described later.
Since it is the same as (FIG. 14 (c) and FIG. 15 (c)), its detailed description is omitted.

Further, the pushing portion of the right side plate 12f for pushing the switching lever 143 of the lower actuator portion 142a is
As shown in the figure, the push plate 1 is composed of a push plate 130, a slide pin 132, and a compression coil spring 131.
30 is a slide pin 132 fixed to the right side plate 12f.
Can be moved left and right in the figure with the reciprocating sliding axis.
Therefore, when the force for pushing the pushing plate 130 from the left side of the drawing is not working, the compression coil spring 131 is compressed by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 131 as shown in FIG.
Is in a stretched state. Furthermore, this compression coil spring 131
The repulsive force is set so that the switching lever 143 of the lower actuator portion 142a can be switched in the direction C while the compression coil spring 131 is hardly compressed. Further, the right side plate 12f is provided with a switching contact portion 133 with which the second protrusion 145b of the upper actuator portion 142b abuts.

Now, in a state where the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is adjusted to be small, that is, the second contact portions 149 and 151 of the lower actuator portion 142a are accommodated and the third contact portion of the upper actuator portion 142b is accommodated. Contact parts 149b and 15
1b is stored, and the first contact portion 101 (see FIG. 14B) is in contact with the frame sliding surface 12d. In this case, when viewed from the front, the switching levers 143 and 143b are in a state of being switched by moving to the right side. In this state, the carriage 10b (not shown) faces the side plate 12f.
Let B be the moving direction of A and A be the opposite direction. When the carriage 10b moves in the B direction, first, the second protrusion 145 of the lower actuator portion 142a causes the pushing plate 130 to move.
Abut. When the carriage 10b further continues to move in the B direction, the movement of the switching lever 143 is restricted by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 131 as described above, so that the carriage 10b moves leftward relative to the carriage 10b (E direction in the drawing).
The second contact portions 149 and 151 having the height of T3 after switching.
Is projected, and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is switched to the inside. At this time, the second protruding portion 145b of the upper actuator portion 142b is on the verge of contact with the switching contact portion 133.
The state at this time is shown in FIG. In this state, if the movement of the carriage 10b is switched to the A direction to perform the printing operation, printing can be performed with the gap in the middle.

When the carriage 10b (not shown) continues to move in the B direction from the state shown in FIG. 19 (a),
The switching lever 143 of the lower actuator portion 142a is
Since it is locked by the stopper 157 formed on the upper surface of the carriage via the second stopper projection 156, it does not move further in the E direction in the figure. Therefore, the second protrusion 14
5, the pushing plate is pushed to the right in the drawing to move the carriage 10b.
While moving in the B direction, the upper actuator unit 14
At the same time that the second protrusion 145b of the carriage 2b contacts the switching protrusion 133 of the right side plate 12f.
As it moves in the direction, the switching lever 143b moves in the direction F and switches. Simultaneously with the switching, the third abutting portions 149b and 151b of the upper actuator portion 142b having a height of T4, which is thicker than the thickness of T3, are projected, and the frame sliding surface 12d of the upper end portion of the frame 12 is projected.
(See FIG. 17 and FIG. 18B), the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is largely switched. FIG. 19
(B) is a diagram showing a state at this time. In this way, the gap can be switched in three steps of large, medium and small.

In the second embodiment described above, the left side plate 12e and the right side plate 1 are used as the first and second pushing means, respectively.
Although the example of using 2f has been described, depending on the configuration of the printer device 1, depending on the configuration of the printer device 1, there are provided extension portions extending from both side edges of the vertical portion of the frame 12 to the front side, or from both sides of the horizontal portion at the upper portion of the frame 12. By providing an extension portion extending downward, this extension portion can be used as the first and second pushing means. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to the printer device described above, but also to a copying machine and a carriage-mounted image scanner.

[0092]

According to the present invention, the abutting portion having a desired height is selected by moving the carriage left and right to a predetermined position in accordance with the frame, so that the abutting portion slides on the frame. By sliding on the contact portion, the gap between the recording head and the recording medium can be automatically changed, and the operator can manually change the gap between the recording head and the recording medium one by one as in the conventional technique. It can be lost.

Further, a switching portion having a plurality of contact portions is provided on the carriage that reciprocates left and right, and the switching means is separately provided to push the moving portion during the movement of the carriage to ensure the contact. As the parts are switched, it becomes easier to set the switching timing.

By further dividing the pushing means into the first pushing means and the second pushing means in accordance with the movement of the carriage to the left and right, it is possible to perform finer control.

If this pushing means is provided on the frame, the contact portion provided on the carriage that slides in contact with the frame and moves left and right can be reliably switched, and a complicated pushing mechanism is newly provided. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration.

Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the switching block body having a plurality of abutting portions slidably contacting the frame is used as the abutting portion switching mechanism, so that the pushing means is simply used. By pushing the switching block body, the contact portion can be switched, and a space-saving and simple structure of the switching mechanism can be realized.

Further, by arranging the sliding contact portion of the switching block body with the frame on the side opposite to the recording head with the guide shaft interposed, the gap between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted by adjusting the guide shaft of the carriage. It can be executed only by adjusting the rotation around, and the adjustment accuracy can be accurately performed.

Then, by making the sliding contact portion of the switching block body with the frame on the upper surface of the vertical portion of the frame on the rear surface of the frame opposite to the surface on which the carriage is present, the existing frame can be used. Inspection and maintenance such as installation and replacement of the switching block can be done easily.

Further, since the posture of the switching block body can be maintained by the urging means for moving beyond the fulcrum, the switched contact portion is securely held without being unnecessarily switched.

Since the switching block can change the posture by engaging with the frame when the carriage moves, defective switching is less likely to occur.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first contact portion is fixed to the carriage, and the second contact portion having a height different from that of the first contact portion is housed or projected by the pushing means. Since the first contact portion or the second contact portion is selectively brought into sliding contact with the frame, the structure is simple, and at least the accuracy of sliding contact of the first contact portion with the frame can be improved. Becomes

Further, by using the left and right side plates of the image forming apparatus as the above-mentioned pushing means, it is possible to improve the dimensional accuracy of the pushing means without requiring new parts or mechanisms.

Further, by disposing the sliding contact portion of the first and second contact portions with the frame on the recording head side with the guide shaft interposed, the gap between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted. This can be performed only by adjusting the carriage to rotate around the guide axis, and the adjustment accuracy becomes accurate.

Therefore, it suffices to bend the upper portion of the frame on the rear surface of the carriage and bring the vertical surface end edge of the frame close to the upper surface of the carriage from above the carriage, and the existing frame can be used as the sliding contact portion. However, the accuracy can be improved by using a robust frame as the sliding contact portion.

By providing the pushing means for switching between the protrusion of the second contact portion and the accommodation, at the substantially end portion of the movement range to one side and the other side of the carriage, the pushing means is arranged outside the printing range,
Printing can be executed without affecting the printing operation.

The second abutting portion is accommodated by the first abutting portion of the pushing means, and the first abutting portion is brought into sliding contact with the frame so that the gap between the recording head and the recording medium is adjusted to a small value. In the configuration in which the second abutting portion is projected by the pushing means and the second abutting portion is brought into sliding contact with the frame to largely adjust the gap between the recording head and the recording medium, the capping position is the second pushing means. Is located at the same position as the end of the operation or outside, that is, the recording head is reliably capped in the state where the gap between the recording head and the recording medium is large, and the recording head of the recording head is replaced when the ink cartridge is replaced. There is no possibility that ink droplets leaking from the nozzle portion will rub against the wall of the capping mechanism and stain the capping mechanism. .

The second pushing means is located outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed with a small gap between the recording head and the recording medium, or from the position where the carriage acceleration distance is added. Since it is arranged on the outer side, when the printing operation is performed with a small gap, it is possible to maintain a predetermined gap and perform the printing operation with high accuracy continuously at a constant carriage speed.

The second abutting portion is accommodated by the first abutting portion of the pushing means, and the first abutting portion is brought into sliding contact with the frame to adjust the gap between the recording head and the recording medium to be small, In the configuration in which the second abutting portion is projected by the pushing means and the second abutting portion slidably contacts the frame to largely adjust the gap between the recording head and the recording medium, the flushing position is the first pushing means. Since it is arranged at the same position as the position where the operation is completed or at the inner side, during printing in a state where the gap is small, flushing can be performed in the state of the gap.

Further, the first pushing means is located outside the printing range when the printing operation is performed with a large gap between the recording head and the recording medium, or from the position where the carriage acceleration distance is added. Since it is arranged on the outside, when the printing operation is performed with a large gap, it is possible to maintain a predetermined gap and perform the printing operation with high accuracy and continuous at a constant carriage speed.

When the host computer is used, the contact portion is switched (gap between the recording head and the recording medium) by the pushing means before the printing operation is started by the paper type selection command. Printing is possible with a gap that is suitable for the paper.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a printer device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a horizontal movement state of a carriage with respect to a frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a carriage on which a frame and a recording head are mounted.

5A is a schematic front view showing a lateral movement state of a carriage with respect to a frame in the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a schematic front view showing a positional relationship of a switching block body with respect to the frame in the first embodiment. It is a figure.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the recording unit in a state where the gap is small in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the recording unit in a state where the gap is large in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a carriage on which the recording head according to the first embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 9A is a rear view of the switching block body.
(B) is a front view of the switching block body. (C)
[Fig. 4] is a left side view of a switching block body. FIG. 9D is an enlarged sectional view of the switching block body taken along the line VIId-VIId in FIG. 9B, showing the height of the contact portion.

FIG. 10A is a front view showing a change in the posture of the switching block body on the left side of the frame before the switching contact portion hits the first pushing piece. (B) is V of FIG. 10 (a)
It is a IIIb-VIIIb line arrow line view. (C) is a front view showing a state in which the switching block body crosses a fulcrum. (D)
FIG. 6E is a left side view showing a state in which the switching block body crosses the fulcrum, (e) is a front view when the switching contact portion hits the first pushing piece and the posture of the switching block body is completely switched. is there. (F) is a left side view when the switching contact portion hits the first pushing piece and the posture of the switching block body is completely switched.

FIG. 11A is a front view immediately before the switching contact portion hits the second pushing piece. (B) is a left side view immediately before the switching contact portion hits the second pushing piece. (C) is a front view showing a state in which the switching contact portion gets over the second pushing piece. (D) is a left side view showing a state in which the switching contact portion gets over the second pushing piece (e), and (e) shows the posture of the switching block body after the switching contact portion passes through the second pushing piece portion. It is a front view when it is completely switched. (F) is a left side view when the switching contact portion passes through the second pushing piece portion and the posture of the switching block body is completely switched.

FIG. 12 (a) is a front view of a switching block body having contact portions with three different heights. (B) is shown in FIG.
2 (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line Xb-Xb of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of the carriage according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a rear view of the actuator section 102 showing a state where the second contact sections 109 and 111 are housed. FIG. 14B is a top sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 14C is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 15A is a rear view of the actuator portion 102 showing a state where the second contact portions 109 and 111 are projected. FIG. 15B is a top sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 15C is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of the recording unit in a state where the gap G1 is small.

FIG. 17 is a sectional side view of the recording portion in a state where the gap G1 is large.

FIG. 18A is a schematic front view showing a lateral movement state of the carriage with respect to the frame in the second embodiment. (B) is a schematic front view showing the positional relationship of the gap adjusting mechanism with respect to the frame in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an operation and a state of switching the interval between two levels of small and medium in a configuration in which the interval between the recording head and the recording medium can be switched to large, medium and small. (B)
[Fig. 6] is a diagram showing an operation and a state in which an interval which is switched inside is switched to a large interval.

[Explanation of symbols]

P paper 1 Printer device 1a Main lower case 1b upper case 2 recording section 3 paper trays 4 Document placing section 5 Document reading unit 6a Operation key section 6 Operation panel section 6b Display section 7 Bottom cover plate 8 Document guide plate 9 control unit 10, 10a, 10b carriage 11 Guide shaft 12 frames 12a sliding contact part 12b Horizontal rail part 12c Vertical rail part 12d frame sliding surface 12e Left side plate 12f right side plate 13 blocks 15 recording head 15a nozzle part 16 ink cartridges 17 lever 18 Timing belt 19 Drive motor 20 drive pulley 21 Paper feed roller 22 Registration roller 23, 24 Transport rollers 25 platen 26 Output tray 27 Maintenance Department 28 Purge device 28a Suction cap 29 Flushing section 30a, 30b Gap adjustment mechanism 31 back plate 32 side plate 33 Support 34 Engagement pin 35 recess 36 wire spring 37, 39 Locking part 38 holes 39 Locking part 40 Bracket part 40a bracket connecting part 41 Support hole 43 coil spring 50 Axis 52, 53, 55 abutting part 54, 60a, 60b Inclined guide surface 56, 57 Pushing piece 58 Elastic protrusion 59a, 59b, 59c Contact part 61a, 61b Pushing piece 100 contact surface 101 abutting part 102 Actuator part 103,143,143b Switching lever 104, 144, 144b First protrusion 105, 145, 145b Second protrusion 107, 147 Pin 1 108, 148 2nd pin 109, 111, 149, 151 First contact portion 109a contact surface 110a third pin 110b 4th pin 112 connecting arm 115, 155, 155b First stop protrusion 116, 156, 156b Second stop projection 117,157 Stopper 118 leaf spring 119 Spring retainer 120 recess 121 Presser plate 130 push plate 131 Compression coil spring 132 slide pin 133 Switching contact part 142b Upper actuator part 142a Lower actuator part 149b, 151b Third contact portion

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C056 EA09 EC11 EC24 EC33 HA38                       HA58 JA03 JA13 JB04 JC23                 2C064 DD02 DD14

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A carriage having a recording head mounted thereon,
The recording medium is placed on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium so as to be reciprocally movable,
Further, in the image forming apparatus configured to adjust the gap between the recording head and the recording medium, the carriage has contact portions having different heights that slide in contact with the frame and move in parallel with the carriage. The height of the abutting portion is switched by moving to a predetermined position during movement to one side parallel to the frame and movement to the other side parallel to the frame, the recording head and the recording medium. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the interval between the image forming apparatus and the apparatus is adjustable. 2. A carriage having a recording head mounted thereon,
The recording medium is placed on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium so as to be reciprocally movable,
Further, in the image forming apparatus configured so that the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted, the carriage has a plurality of contact portions having different heights that slide in contact with the frame and move in parallel with the carriage. And a switching unit that selects and switches one of the contact portions, the image forming apparatus is provided with a pushing unit that is actuated by pushing the switching unit, and is parallel to the frame. Between the recording head and the recording medium by moving the switching unit by the pressing unit to select one of the abutting units during the movement to the other and the movement to the other. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be adjustable. 3. A carriage having a recording head mounted thereon,
The recording medium is placed on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium so as to be reciprocally movable,
Further, in the image forming apparatus configured so that the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted, the carriage has a plurality of contact portions having different heights that slide in contact with the frame and move in parallel with the carriage. And a switching unit that selects and switches one of the contact portions, the image forming apparatus is provided with a pushing unit that is actuated by pushing the switching unit, and the pushing unit is First for pushing the switching portion in one direction
Comprising a pushing means and a second pushing means for pushing in the other direction, when the carriage is moved to one side parallel to the frame,
The first pushing means pushes the switching portion in one direction, and the second pushing means pushes the switching portion in the other direction when the carriage moves to the other side. An image forming apparatus characterized in that any one of them is selected and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted. 4. The pushing means is provided on the frame, and the height of the contact portion is switched by the pushing means when the carriage is moved to one side and the other side. 4. The distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted by selectively abutting portions of different heights slidingly contacting the frame. Image forming device. 5. The height of the abutting portion is arranged between the one end and the other end of substantially the same movement of the carriage, and the pushing means is arranged at one end of the carriage and at the other end of the carriage. Is changed by the pushing means and the abutting portions having different heights are selectively slidably brought into contact with the frame, whereby the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. 6. A carriage having a recording head mounted thereon,
The recording medium is placed on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium so as to be reciprocally movable,
Further, in the image forming apparatus configured such that the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted, the posture of the carriage is changed between one movement parallel to the frame and the other movement. A switching block body that can be changed is provided, and the switching block body is provided with a plurality of contact portions with different heights that make sliding contact with the sliding surface of the frame according to a change in the posture thereof. A pushing means for switching the posture of the block body when the block body is moved is provided, and the distance between the recording head and the recording medium is adjusted by selectively sliding the contact portions having different heights against the frame. An image forming apparatus characterized by being configured to be possible. 7. The guide shaft is configured such that the carriage is rotatable around an axis of the guide shaft, and a portion where the contact portion of the switching block body selectively contacts the sliding contact portion of the frame is the guide shaft. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged on the opposite side of the recording head with the recording sheet sandwiched therebetween. 8. A recording head is mounted on the carriage so that a printing side faces downward, a lower end portion of the carriage on one side is slidably supported by the guide shaft, and the carriage is located at a position higher than the guide shaft. A frame extending in the longitudinal direction along the back surface of the carriage, and a switching block body arranged so as to face the sliding surface of the frame opposite to the side where the carriage is located, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be rotatable. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the changed posture can be maintained by an urging unit that moves the switching block body over a fulcrum. 10. The posture according to claim 6, wherein the switching block body can change its posture by engaging with the frame when moving to one side parallel to the frame and when moving to the other side. Image forming apparatus. 11. A carriage, on which a recording head is mounted, is reciprocally mounted on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of a recording medium, and the carriage is mounted on the recording head and the recording head. In an image forming apparatus configured to be adjustable in interval with a recording medium, the carriage is provided with a switching block body capable of changing its posture when moving in one direction parallel to the frame and when moving to the other. The switching block body is provided with a plurality of abutting portions having different heights that slidably contact the sliding surface of the frame according to a change in the posture thereof, and the frame is arranged at one end side of a moving range of the carriage. When the carriage is moved to the one end side, the first pushing means for switching the plurality of contact portions having different heights and the other end of the carriage movement range are arranged. A pressing means including a second pressing means for switching the plurality of contact portions having different heights when moving to the end side, wherein the plurality of contact portions having different heights selectively with respect to the frame. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the distance between the recording head and the recording medium can be adjusted by slidingly contacting each other. 12. A carriage, on which a recording head is mounted, is reciprocally mounted on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting a recording medium conveying direction, and the carriage is mounted on the recording head and the recording head. In the image forming apparatus configured so that the distance between the carriage and the recording medium can be adjusted, the carriage includes a plurality of abutting portions having different heights that slidably contact the frame, and a plurality of abutting portions having different heights. The portion has a height that is higher than that of the first contact portion fixed to the carriage and the first contact portion that is projected or housed during the movement to one side and the movement to the other parallel to the frame. The second contact portion comprises different second contact portions, and when the carriage moves to one side and moves to the other, the pushing or moving means switches the protrusion or the storage of the second contact portion, and thus the carriage has different heights. Alternatively, the second contact portion Selectively by sliding contact with respect to the frame, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the distance between the recording head and the recording medium adjustably configure the interval. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressing unit is a left and right side plate of the image forming apparatus. 14. The carriage is configured to be rotatable about an axis of the guide shaft, and a plurality of abutting portions having different heights are selectively abutted on a sliding contact portion of a frame. 3. The recording medium is arranged on the recording head side with the guide shaft sandwiched therebetween.
2. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 above. 15. A recording head is mounted on the carriage so that a printing side faces downward, a part of a lower end of the carriage near one side is slidably supported by the guide shaft, and the carriage is located at a position higher than the guide shaft. A frame extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged along the back surface of the carriage, the upper portion of the frame is bent, and the carriage is extended from the back surface side to the upper side of the carriage. The plurality of abutting portions having different heights are arranged so as to face a sliding surface on the side opposite to the side where the carriage is located on the vertical surface of the bent portion of the frame. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, claim 3, or claim 12. 16. The second contact portion slides in contact with the frame when the second contact portion projects, and the first contact portion slides in contact with the frame when the second contact portion is stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. 17. A carriage, on which a recording head is mounted, is reciprocally mounted on a guide shaft arranged in parallel with a frame extending in a direction intersecting a recording medium conveying direction, and the carriage is mounted on the recording head and the recording head. In an image forming apparatus configured to be adjustable in interval with a recording medium, the carriage includes a first contact portion fixed to the carriage and selectively slidingly contacting the frame, and a first contact portion higher than the first contact portion. A switching unit provided with a second contacting part that is projected and is stored lower than the first contacting part, and is arranged at approximately one end of the moving range to one side of the carriage, and the switching part is By pushing to the second
A first pushing means for accommodating the abutting portion and a second pushing portion for arranging the second abutting portion by pushing the switching portion to the other, which is arranged at substantially the other end portion of the moving range of the carriage to the other. By moving the carriage to the one end portion and storing the second abutting portion by the pushing means including two pushing means, the first abutting portion becomes parallel to the frame. By sliding the carriage, moving the carriage to the other end portion, and projecting the second abutting portion, the second abutting portion slides in parallel with the frame, and the second head abuts on the recording head. An image forming apparatus characterized in that a space between the recording medium and the recording medium is adjustable. 18. The pressing means is arranged within the movement range of the carriage and outside the printing range, as claimed in claim 2, claim 3, claim 6, claim 11, and claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 17. 19. The first pushing means changes the contact portions having different heights so as to reduce the distance between the recording head and the recording medium, and the second pushing means changes between the recording head and the recording head. 4. The contact portions having different heights are changed so as to increase the distance between the recording medium and the recording medium.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 17. 20. The recording head is an inkjet head for recording by ejecting ink,
A cap mechanism for capping the recording head is provided at a position substantially the same as the completion of the operation of the second pushing means or outside the carriage when the carriage is moving. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, claim 11, or claim 17. 21. The second pressing means is arranged further outside a printing range when a printing operation is performed with a small distance between the recording head and the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 and 17. 22. The second pushing means has a distance between the recording head and the recording medium which is smaller than the printing range when the printing operation is performed and the distance required for accelerating the carriage is at least outside. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3, 11, and 17, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged in a closed position. 23. The recording head is an inkjet head for recording by ejecting ink,
The flushing mechanism for performing the preliminary discharge is arranged at a position substantially the same as or at the inner side of the completion of the operation of the first pushing means, and the flushing mechanism is arranged. The image forming apparatus described in any one of 1. 24. The first pushing means is arranged further outside a printing range when a printing operation is performed by increasing a distance between the recording head and the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 and 17. 25. The first pushing means has a distance that is at least necessary for accelerating the carriage outside a printing range when a printing operation is performed by increasing the distance between the recording head and the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3, 11, and 17, wherein the image forming apparatus is arranged in a closed position. 26. Switching of contact portions having different heights by the pushing means is performed before a printing operation on a recording medium is started based on a command from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 3, 6, 11, 11, and 17, which is executed. 27. Based on a command from a host computer that an envelope has been selected as a recording medium, the pushing means changes the contact portions of different heights so as to increase the interval. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, claim 6, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 17. 28. Based on a command from the host computer that plain paper has been selected as the recording medium, the changing operation of the contact portions having different heights is executed by the pushing means so as to reduce the interval. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 6, claim 11, claim 12, or claim 17.