JP2004050663A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable good recording by reducing generation of image disturbances because of a transfer pitch disorder brought about when a rear end of a card separates from a pressure contact part between a transfer roller and a pinch roller. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder has a transfer roller 1 and a pinch roller 2 for transferring the card 7 towards a recording position where recording to the card 7 is carried out, and a relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94 for transferring the card 7 towards the first pairing transfer rollers 1 and 2. The relay roller 86 and pinch roller 94 are movable in a card transfer direction. A distance from the relay roller 86 to the transfer roller 1 is made shorter than a length in the transfer direction of the card 7. Moreover, the relay roller 86 and pinch roller 94 are arranged so that the rear end of the card 7 separates from the pressure contact part between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94 when recording to the card 7 is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by a recording unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, various cards are issued, such as a credit card, a point card issued in a retail business, an ID card issued as an identification card in a company, and a medical examination issued in a hospital. These cards include a magnetic stripe type card, an IC card, and the like, and various managements are performed by storing data on the card and reading data in the card.
[0003]
Recently, a photo of the owner's face is sometimes printed on these cards to prevent forgery and theft. In addition, small shops sometimes produce their own cards with colorful patterns for the purpose of promoting the shop. With the spread of various cards, the spread of card printers as recording devices for printing on these cards is expected to increase year by year.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, these cards are many times thicker than ordinary recording paper due to reasons such as texture, rigidity, strength and durability. Therefore, when the rear end of the card is separated from the press-contact portion between the transport roller and the pinch roller located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording position, the transport pitch is disturbed, and printing is disturbed.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and reduces the occurrence of image disturbance due to the disturbance of the conveyance pitch that occurs when the rear end of the card comes off from the press-contact portion of the conveyance roller and the pinch roller. The purpose is to enable recording.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a first transport unit for transporting a recording medium to a recording position where recording is performed on a recording medium by a recording unit, and a first transport unit for transporting the recording medium to the first transport unit. A second transport unit for transporting the recording medium through the second transport unit, wherein the second transport unit is movable in a recording medium transport direction, and a distance from the second transport unit to the first transport unit is reduced. The recording medium is shorter than the length of the recording medium in the transport direction, and is arranged such that when recording is performed on the recording medium, the rear end of the recording medium is separated from the second transport unit.
[0007]
According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of image disturbance due to the disturbance of the conveyance pitch that occurs when the rear end of the recording medium comes off the second conveyance unit.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in the following embodiments are to be appropriately changed depending on the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and It is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to them only, unless specifically stated.
[0009]
[First Embodiment]
A recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a card printer will be described as an example of the recording apparatus.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a right side sectional view showing a card transport unit of a card printer mechanical unit according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card printer mechanical unit as viewed obliquely from the upper right front, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the card printer mechanism viewed from the front, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the card printer mechanism viewed from the rear, and FIG. 6 is a card view. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the printer mechanism for the card viewed from directly below, and FIG. 8 is a right side sectional view showing a driving gear train of a transport unit of the printer mechanism for the card. FIG. 9 is a right side view showing the card printer mechanism.
[0011]
1, 2, 3, 4, and 8, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport roller that constitutes first transport means for transporting a card 7 that is a recording medium, and is formed of a rubber material. It is press-fitted into the shaft 1a. Both ends of the roller shaft 1a are rotatably inserted into the bearing 1b, and the bearing 1b is press-fitted into side plates 14b, 14c provided integrally with the chassis 73. A gear 30 is press-fitted into the right end of the roller shaft 1a.
[0012]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a pinch roller constituting the first conveying means, which has a cylindrical shape, and has a thin shaft portion 2a formed coaxially at both ends and rotatably inserted into the pinch roller holder 3. The pinch roller holder 3 is provided with rotating shafts 3a at both ends, and the rotating shafts 3a are rotatably inserted into support portions 73a formed integrally with the chassis 73, respectively. A spring support 73 b is formed on the chassis 73, and the torsion coil spring 4 is inserted into the support 73 b. One end of the spring 4 is pressed against the chassis 73, and the other end is pressed against the pinch roller holder 3. I have. Therefore, the pinch roller 2 presses the transport roller 1 when the card 7 is not inserted, and presses the card 7 against the transport roller 1 when the card 7 is inserted. Three sets of the pinch roller 2, the pinch roller holder 3, and the spring 4 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the transport roller 1, and the pinch roller 2 is independently pressed against the transport roller 1 respectively.
[0013]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen, and a plurality of ribs 8a are provided at an upper portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveying roller 1, and are fixed to the side plates 14b and 14c. Reference numeral 10 denotes a carriage provided with a bearing 10c, into which a carriage shaft 71 fixed to the side plates 14b, 14c is inserted. Sliding portions 10a and 10b are provided on the facing portion of the bearing portion 10c, and have a configuration in which a guide rail 70 fixed to the side plates 14b and 14c is sandwiched like the carriage shaft 71. Further, the carriage 10 is provided with a fixing portion 16 for fixing the timing belt 17. Further, a home position sensor 54 of a transmission type sensor is attached to the carriage 10, and a control board, which is a control means, detects initial position information of the carriage 10 by detecting a flat protrusion 73 d provided integrally with the chassis 73. To 9
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the timing belt 17 includes a pulley 20 rotatably inserted into a shaft 21 fixed to a chassis 73 and a pulley 19 pressed into a CR motor 18 fixed to the chassis 73. It is attached with a constant tension applied between them. An ink jet type recording head 11 which is a recording unit is mounted on the carriage 10. The CR motor 18 transmits the rotational force to the carriage 10 by the timing belt 17, and reciprocates the carriage 10 in the directions of arrows J and K along the carriage shaft 71 and the guide rail 70. The recording head 11 performs recording on the card 7 by discharging ink droplets from the head nozzles in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 10.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, bearings 23a and 23b are rotatably inserted at both ends of the discharge roller shaft 23, and the bearings 23a and 23b are press-fitted into the side plates 14b and 14c, respectively. A gear 36 is press-fitted to the right end of the discharge roller shaft 23 as shown in FIG. Also, three discharge rollers 22 are press-fitted coaxially with the discharge roller shaft 23. A spur 24 in the form of a thin metal plate is pressed against the upper portion of the discharge roller 22. The center of the spur 24 is made of a molding material by outsert molding, and the outer metal tip has a pointed shape and is subjected to a water-repellent treatment. The spur 24 has a through hole in the center of the molding material portion 24a, into which a spring shaft 25 is inserted.
[0016]
Both ends of the spring shaft 25 are inserted into a spur holder 72 fixed to the guide rail 70, and the spur 24 is pressed against the discharge roller 22 by the spring shaft 25. When the card 7 is on the discharge roller 22, the card 7 is pressed against the discharge roller 22 to convey the card 7. The discharge roller 22, the spur 24, the spur spring (spring shaft) 25, and the spur holder 72 are provided in three sets in the moving direction of the carriage 10. A reflection-type card sensor 59 is fixed to the chassis 73 below the discharge roller 22 in the downstream direction, and detects the discharge state of the card 7.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the LF motor 37 is fixed to the side plate 14c, and the gear 32 is press-fitted into the motor shaft 37a of the LF motor 37. The gear 32 meshes with a gear 30 press-fitted to the right end of the transport roller shaft 1a, and the gear 30 meshes with a gear 31 rotatably inserted into a gear shaft 38 fixed to the side plate 14c. Further, the gear 31 is engaged with a gear 36 which is press-fitted into the discharge roller shaft 23. Therefore, the rotation of the LF motor 37 is transmitted to the gear 32, the gear 30, the gear 31, and the gear 36. As a result, when the LF motor 37 rotates clockwise, the transport roller 1 and the discharge roller 22 rotate counterclockwise. At this time, the gear ratio and the outer diameter of each roller are set such that the outer peripheral rotation speed of the discharge roller 22 is slightly faster than the outer peripheral rotation speed of the transport roller 1.
[0018]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a basic structure of an ink ejection unit of the recording head 11. The recording head 11 employs an ink jet system for performing recording by discharging ink. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the ejection of the ink is performed by the pressure of bubbles generated in the ink by applying thermal energy to the ink.
[0019]
The recording head 11 has 256 ink ejection ports arranged in a line, and this arrangement direction is parallel to the transport direction of the recording paper (card) 7 when mounted on the carriage 10.
[0020]
Here, the basic structure of the recording head 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The recording head 11 has a plurality of ink ejection ports 11b formed at a predetermined pitch on a face surface 11a facing the surface of the card 7 at a predetermined interval, and communicates the liquid chamber 11c with each of the ink ejection ports 11b. An electrothermal converter (heating resistor) 11e for generating thermal energy for ink ejection is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 11d. The liquid chamber 11c communicates with an ink tank (not shown), and the liquid chamber 11c is configured to be supplied with ink from the ink tank. The ink supplied from the ink tank to the liquid chamber 11c enters the liquid path 11d by capillary action, forms a meniscus at the ink discharge port 11b, and keeps the liquid path 11d filled. At this time, when the electrothermal converter 11e is energized and generates heat based on the data, the ink on the electrothermal converter 11e is rapidly overheated, the film boils, and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 11d, and the bubbles expand. The ink is ejected from the ink ejection port 11b by the pressure of.
[0021]
Reference numeral 42 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 denotes a flexible cable. The flexible cable 42 is connected to the control board 9 fixed to the chassis 73 through a hole provided in the chassis 73, and electrically connects the control board 9, the recording head 11 on the carriage 10, and the home position sensor 54. ing. The flexible cable 42 is partially fixed to the chassis 73 by a flexible retainer 74 at the hole of the chassis 73.
[0022]
A pump unit 43 is provided with a cap 44 for preventing the nozzles (ink discharge ports) 11b of the recording head 11 from drying or eliminating clogging of the nozzles. The cap 44 is moved up and down by a pump motor 56 and is brought into close contact with the face surface 11a of the recording head 11 as necessary. The pump motor 56 drives a pump inside the pump unit 43 to generate a negative pressure in the cap 44 to suck excess ink accumulated in the cap 44 and repair clogging of the nozzle 11b of the recording head 11. Also works.
[0023]
The recording head 11 periodically discharges a predetermined amount of ink from all nozzles within a predetermined time (preliminary discharge) in order to maintain its performance, but the cap 44 also serves as a preliminary discharge port as a receiving port of the preliminary discharge. Therefore, the carriage 10 periodically moves to the upper side of the pump unit 43 during the recording operation, and discharges from all the nozzles of the recording head 11 to the cap 44, so that the recording head 11 realizes stable discharge and clean Recording can be performed. Further, when the non-printing state continues for a certain period of time or more, the carriage 10 moves above the pump unit 43, and the cap 44 adheres to the face surface 11a of the head 11 to prevent the nozzle 11b from drying.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, reference numeral 84 denotes a plate, a side plate 84a is integrally formed on the right side, a front plate 84b is integrally formed on the front side, and a lower part is installed on the chassis 73. A plurality of ribs 84c (see FIG. 1) are formed on the upper surface of the plate 84, and the cards 7 are stacked on the ribs 84c. A weight 95 is placed on the card 7 to press the stacked cards 7 in the direction of the rib 84c.
[0025]
Reference numeral 81 denotes an arc-shaped separation roller, which is formed of rubber having a high friction coefficient and is pressed into the holder 81a. The holder 81a is fixed to a separation roller shaft 81b, and a bearing 81c (see FIG. 7) is rotatably inserted into the separation roller shaft 81b. The bearing 81c is fixed to a plate 84. A gear 82 is press-fitted into the right end of the separation roller shaft 81b, and meshes with a gear 77b press-fitted into a shaft 77a of a separation motor 77 fixed to a side plate 84a. A one-way clutch 82a is press-fitted into the gear 82, and when the gear 82 rotates in the direction of arrow G, the torque is transmitted to the separation roller shaft 81b. When the gear 82 rotates in the direction of arrow H, the rotation force is transmitted to the separation roller shaft 81b. Do not communicate. When the separation roller shaft 81b rotates in the direction of arrow G, the torque is not transmitted to the gear 82, but when it rotates in the direction of arrow H, the torque is transmitted to the gear 82.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a disk 81d having a convex portion is press-fitted at the left end of the separation roller shaft 81b. The convex portion of the disk 81d blocks the transmission type separation sensor 58 fixed to the plate 84. In the present embodiment, the convex portion cuts off the sensor 58 immediately before the arc portion of the separation roller 81 rotated in the counterclockwise direction contacts the lower surface of the stacked cards 7. By rotating the separation roller 81 in the counterclockwise direction, the arc-shaped portion comes into contact with the stacked cards 7 and sends the cards 7 forward.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, gap separation is performed as a method for separating the card 7. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 85 denotes a separation plate, which is fixed to the front plate 84b by screws 87a. The separation plate 85 is provided with dowels 85a and 85b (see FIG. 2), and the dowels 85a and 85b are fitted with oblong holes provided in the front plate 84b. Therefore, by loosening the screw 87a, the dowels 85a and 85b of the separation plate 85 can move up and down along the elongated holes. The gap created by the separation plate 85 and the rib 84c is slightly larger than the thickness of the card 7, slightly larger than the maximum value within the thickness tolerance of the card 7, and slightly larger than twice the minimum value within the tolerance. It is set small. Therefore, by adjusting the separation plate 85, cards of various thicknesses can be handled.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, reference numeral 86 denotes a relay roller constituting the second transport means, which is press-fitted into a shaft 86a, and bearings 86c are rotatably inserted into both ends of the shaft 86a. 86 c is fixed to the plate 84. A gear 86b is press-fitted outside the right bearing 86c of the shaft 86a, and a pendulum 90 is rotatably inserted outside the gear 86b.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pendulum 90 is provided with a shaft 90a, and a gear 90b is rotatably inserted into the shaft 90a. The pendulum 90 is provided with a dowel 90d coaxially with the shaft 86a, and a torsion coil spring 90c is inserted therein. One end of the arm portion of the torsion coil spring 90c is in pressure contact with the oblique projection 84f provided on the plate 84, and the other end is in pressure contact with the projection 90e provided on the pendulum 90. Therefore, a force is applied so that the pendulum 90 always rotates in the direction of the arrow E, and the gear 90 b meshes with the gear 91. The gear 91 is rotatably inserted into a shaft 91a fixed to the side plate 14c, and further meshes with the motor gear 32. Therefore, the torque of the motor gear 32 is transmitted from the gear 32 to the gear 91, the gear 90b, and the gear 86b, and the relay roller 86 rotates.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pinch roller is a pinch roller that constitutes the second transport unit, has a cylindrical shape, and has thin shaft portions 94 a coaxially formed at both ends thereof. It is movably inserted. Rotation shafts 88a are provided at both ends of the pinch roller holder 88, and the rotation shafts 88a are rotatably inserted into support portions 84e provided on the front plate 84b. A spring support portion 84d is formed on the front plate 84b, and a torsion coil spring 89 is inserted into the support portion 84d. One end of the torsion coil spring 89 is pressed against the front plate 84b, and the other end is connected to the pinch roller holder 88. We are in pressure contact. Therefore, the pinch roller 94 presses the relay roller 86 when the card 7 is not inserted, and presses the card 7 against the relay roller 86 when the card 7 is inserted. Two sets of a pinch roller 94, a pinch roller holder 88, and a spring 89 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the relay roller 86, and the pinch roller 94 is independently pressed against the relay roller 86.
[0031]
Downstream of the relay roller 86, there is a transport plate 73e provided integrally with the chassis 73. Above the transport plate 73e, a plurality of ribs 73f are provided in parallel with the card transport direction. The card 7 is sent to the nip between the transport roller 1 and the pinch roller 2 through the rib 73f. At the lower part of the transport plate 73e, there is a flat convex portion 73g, and a reflective card sensor 55 is attached. The card sensor 55 is electrically connected to the control board 9 and sends the detection state of the card 7 to the control board 9.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, an adjusting plate 93 is provided behind the stacked cards 7, and is fixed to the plate 84 by screws 87d. The adjustment plate 93 is guided by a dowel 84n and a side plate 84 provided on the plate 84, and can be moved in the directions of arrows C and D by loosening the screw 87d. An adjustment plate 92 is provided on the left side surface of the stacked cards 7, and is fixed to the plate 84 by screws 87e. Like the adjustment plate 93, the adjustment plate 92 is also guided by the dowels 84m and 84g provided on the plate 84, and can be moved in the directions of arrows J and K by loosening the screw 87e. Therefore, by adjusting the two adjusting plates 92 and 93, cards of various sizes can be handled.
[0033]
The plate 84 is fixed to the chassis 73 by screws 87b and 87c. The plate 84 is provided with long holes 84h, 84i, 84j and 84k, and the chassis 73 is provided with dowels 73h, 73i, 73j and 73k so as to fit into the long holes. Therefore, the plate 84 can be translated in the directions of arrows C and D by loosening the screws 87b and 87c. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear 86b and the gear 90b also move in the directions of the arrows C and D, but the engagement with the gear 91 is continued by the operation of the pendulum 90.
[0034]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the card printer of the present embodiment. The control board 9 is in the form of a printed circuit board, is fixed to the back surface of the chassis 73, and has a CPU 60, a gate array (GA) 61, a dynamic ram (DRAM) 62, and a mask ROM (MASKROM) 63. Further, the control board 9 drives a driving circuit for each motor, that is, a carriage motor driver 64 for driving the carriage motor (CR motor) 18, an LF motor driver 65 for driving the LF motor 37, and a pump motor 56. And a separation motor driver 79 for driving a separation motor 77. The interface 57 is composed of IrDA and receives recording data and the like from a host device such as a personal computer.
[0035]
In the control board 9, the CPU 60 executes data processing relating to the entire card printer. The MASKROM 63 stores the data processing procedure, font data, and the like. The DRAM 62 is used as a work area for data processing. Various circuits related to the processing of the CPU 60 are formed in the GA 61. The CPU 60 converts print data transferred from the host device via the interface 57 into ejection data used by the print head 11, and transfers the ejection data to the driver 67 of the print head 11 according to the ejection timing of the print head 11.
[0036]
Further, the CPU 60 performs processing according to input information of the switches 52 and 53 and detection information from the card sensor 55, the card sensor 59, the home position sensor 54, and the separation sensor 58.
[0037]
FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of the card printer of the present embodiment viewed obliquely from the upper right, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 viewed from the right side, and FIG. 13 is a view of FIG. It is the perspective view of the external appearance seen from diagonally left rear upper part.
[0038]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a case, which is an exterior part of the card printer according to the present embodiment. A discharge port 5b is provided on the front of the case 5, and the recorded card is discharged. An interface 57 made of IrDA is provided at the lower right of the front surface, and a power cable 80 is drawn out from the left side, and an outlet 80a is connected to a tip of the power cable 80. Reference numeral 6 denotes a cover, which is removed from the case 5 when the card 7 is set or the mechanical section is adjusted according to the size of the card 7.
[0039]
Next, the setting of the mechanical unit and the recording operation during recording will be described in detail. First, the adjustment of the mechanical unit according to the size of the card 7 will be described.
[0040]
The height of the separation plate 85 is adjusted according to the thickness of the card 7 to be recorded, and then the positions of the adjustment plates 93 and 92 are adjusted to appropriate positions according to the size of the card 7. The required number of cards 7 are set in the stacking section, and the weight 95 is placed on the cards 7.
[0041]
Next, the position of the plate 84 is adjusted. The position of the plate 84 is determined by the length of the card 7 in the feed direction. More specifically, the rear end of the card 7 is located between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94, the leading end is sandwiched between the transport roller 1 and the pinch roller 2, and the leading end of the card 7 is When the card 7 is fed below the nozzle (recording position), the position of the plate 84 is adjusted so that the rear end of the card 7 is located at a position outside the press-contact portion between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94. Thus, the adjustment of the mechanical unit according to the size of the card 7 is completed.
[0042]
Next, the recording operation will be described. When recording data is received from a host device such as a personal computer via the interface 57, the CPU 60 processes the data based on detection information from the home position sensor 54, the separation sensor 58, the card sensors 55 and 59, and is not at the initial position. In this case, each motor is driven and set to the initial state.
[0043]
Subsequently, the separation motor 77 is rotated clockwise, and the separation roller 81 is rotated counterclockwise. When the separation roller 81 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the card at the lowermost end of the stacked cards 7 is conveyed to the relay roller 86 from the gap between the separation plate 85 and the rib 84 c on the plate 84. The card 7 enters the nip between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94. At this time, since the relay roller 86 is stopped, the card 7 is registered by the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94. When the registration is completed, the LF motor 37 starts rotating clockwise, the relay roller 86 rotates counterclockwise, and the card 7 starts to be conveyed. When the leading end of the card 7 passes over the card sensor 55, the sensor 55 detects it. Since the distance between the card sensor 55 and the recording head 11 is constant even when the plate 84 is moved, it is possible to accurately record at a predetermined position of the card 7 based on the detection information of the card sensor 55.
[0044]
The card 7 is directly sent to the nip portion between the transport roller 1a and the pinch roller 2. When the leading end of the card 7 does not reach the nozzle portion 11b of the recording head 11 at the recording position, the rear end of the card 7 is connected to the relay roller 86. And the pinch roller 94. When the card 7 is further conveyed from this state and the leading end of the card 7 reaches the nozzle portion 11b of the recording head 11 at the recording position, the rear end of the card 7 comes off the nip portion between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94, and the LF motor 37 The rotation pauses. Therefore, during recording on the card 7, the card 7 is completely removed from the press-contact portion (nip portion) between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94.
[0045]
The separation motor 77 stops driving when the leading end of the card 7 is sandwiched between the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94 and is slightly conveyed. While the card 7 is in contact with the bottom surface of the card 7, the card 7 rotates. At this time, the gear 82 does not rotate due to the function of the one-way clutch 82a. After the arc portion of the separation roller 81 is disengaged from the bottom surface of the card 7 and the leading end of the card 7 reaches the nozzle portion 11b of the recording head 11, the separation motor 77 starts to rotate clockwise again to rotate the separation roller 81. . When the separation sensor 58 detects a convex portion of the disk 81d fixed to the separation roller shaft 81b, the separation motor 77 stops rotating and the separation roller 81 returns to the initial position.
[0046]
Next, the carriage 10 located on the pump unit 43 starts to move in the arrow J direction along the carriage shaft 71 and the guide rail 70. When the carriage 10 reaches a certain speed, ink is discharged from the recording head 11 based on the recording data, and recording is performed on the card 7. When recording for one line is completed, the carriage 10 decelerates and stops at a predetermined position. Again, the transport roller 1 rotates counterclockwise, transports the card 7 based on the recording data, and stops the transport roller 1 when transported by a predetermined amount. Subsequently, the carriage 10 moves in the direction of arrow K, and when reaching a certain speed, ink is discharged from the recording head 11 based on the recording data, and recording on the card 7 is started.
[0047]
By repeating the above operation, the card 7 is conveyed to the discharge roller 22 and the spur 24, and when the recording of one card is completed, the card 7 is discharged from the discharge port 5b by the discharge roller 22 and the spur 24. After the printing is completed, the carriage 10 moves onto the pump unit 43, and the cap 44 comes into close contact with the face surface 11a of the printing head 11, thereby completing the printing operation.
[0048]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, before the recording on the card 7 starts, the relay roller 86 is moved so that the rear end of the card 7 is separated from the press contact portion (nip portion) of the relay roller 86 and the pinch roller 94. By using a plate 84 on which a pinch roller 94 is disposed and which can be moved in the card transport direction, the relay roller 86 is disposed on the recording head 11 and the transport roller 1 so that the relay roller and the pinch roller can be moved. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of image disturbance due to the disturbance of the transport pitch that occurs when the rear end of the card comes off the press-contact portion, and it is possible to perform good recording.
[0049]
[Second embodiment]
FIG. 15 is a right side sectional view showing a drive gear unit of the card printer transport unit according to the second embodiment. Since the overall configuration of the apparatus is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0050]
In FIG. 15, reference numerals 84h and 84g denote bearings provided integrally with the plate 84, and the pinion shaft 96 is rotatably inserted. E-rings 96c and 96d are attached to the pinion shaft 96 so as to sandwich the bearing 84g, and regulate the pinion shaft 96 in the thrust direction. Further, the pinion shaft 96 is provided with pinion gears 96a and 96b coaxially. The gear 91 is provided integrally with a crown gear 91e, and the gear 86b is provided integrally with a crown gear 86e, and meshes with the pinion gears 96a and 96b, respectively. Therefore, the torque of the gear 91 is transmitted to the gear 86b by the crown gear 91e, the pinion gear 96a, the pinion gear 96b, and the crown gear 86e. Further, since the pinion gear 96a has a longer shape in the axial direction (the moving direction of the plate 84), the meshing between the crown gear 91e and the pinion gear 96a is maintained even when the plate 84 moves in the directions of arrows C and D. , The rotational force of the gear 91 is transmitted to the gear 86b.
[0051]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pendulum 90 is used to transmit the rotational force of the gear 91 to the gear 86b, but as described above, the crown gear and the pinion gear are used. No problem.
[0052]
According to the configuration of the present embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of image disturbance due to the disturbance of the transport pitch that occurs when the rear end of the card comes off from the press contact portion between the relay roller and the pinch roller. And good recording can be performed.
[0053]
[Third embodiment]
FIG. 16 is a right side sectional view showing a drive gear unit of the card printer transport unit according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the card printer according to the third embodiment.
[0054]
16 and 17, reference numeral 97 denotes a relay motor, which is driven by a relay motor driver 97c. The relay motor 97 has a motor shaft 97a, is fixed to the side plate 84a of the plate 84, and a gear 97b is press-fitted into the motor shaft 97a. The gear 97b meshes with the gear 86b.
[0055]
In the first and second embodiments, the pendulum 90, the crown gear, and the like are used to transmit the driving force of the LF motor 37 to the relay roller 86. However, as shown in FIGS. One dedicated motor for driving may be added.
[0056]
According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the mechanical unit becomes very simple by adding a motor.
[0057]
[Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the case of an inkjet recording apparatus using one recording head has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of recordings using different color inks may be performed. The same applies regardless of the number of recording heads, such as an ink jet recording apparatus for color recording using a head or an ink jet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads for recording with the same color and different density inks. It is possible to achieve the same effect.
[0058]
Further, as the recording means (recording head), a recording type such as a cartridge type in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, or a constitution in which a recording head and an ink tank are separately provided and these are connected by an ink supply tube, and the like. Regardless of the configuration of the ink tank, the same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.
[0059]
When the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, for example, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus using a recording unit using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. This provides an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of the following method. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.
[0060]
Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed. In addition, even in the case of the serial type described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or an exchange that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a printhead of a free chip type or a printhead of a cartridge type in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the printhead itself is used.
[0061]
In addition, as the form of the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to those used as image output terminal devices of information processing equipment such as computers, an ink jet input / output apparatus capable of mounting a scanner or the like other than a recording head on a carriage, a reader And a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function.
[0062]
In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet recording method is exemplified as the recording method. However, the recording method is not limited to the ink jet recording method.In addition, a thermal transfer recording method, a thermal recording method, and an impact recording method such as a wire dot recording method, or Other recording methods such as an electrophotographic method can be applied.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of image disturbance due to the disturbance of the transport pitch that occurs when the trailing edge of the recording medium comes off the second transport unit, and it is possible to achieve good recording. I can do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a right side cross-sectional view illustrating a card transport unit of a card printer mechanical unit according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card printer mechanism of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the card printer mechanism of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the card printer mechanism seen from the front.
5 is a rear view of the card printer mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the card printer mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from directly above;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the card printer mechanism of FIG. 1 as viewed from directly below;
8 is a right side sectional view showing a driving gear train of a transport unit of the card printer mechanical unit of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a right side view showing the card printer mechanism of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a recording head according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the card printer according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from the upper right front side.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 viewed from the right side.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the appearance of a place where the cover of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the card printer according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a right side cross-sectional view illustrating a drive gear unit of the card printer transport unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a right side cross-sectional view illustrating a drive gear unit of the card printer transport unit according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a card printer according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... transport roller
1a: Transport roller shaft
1b… Bearing
2… Pinch roller
2a ... Shaft
3. Pinch roller holder
3a ... rotating shaft
4 ... torsion coil spring
5 ... case
5b ... outlet
6 ... cover
7… Card
8… Platen
8a ... rib
9 Control board
10. Carriage
10a, 10b ... sliding parts
10c ... bearing part
11 ... recording head
11a ... face side
11b ... ink ejection port (nozzle part)
11c ... liquid chamber
11d ... liquid channel
11e ... electrothermal converter
14b, 14c ... side plate
16 ... fixed part
17… Timing belt
18… CR motor
19 ... pulley
20 ... pulley
21 ... axis
22 ... discharge roller
23 ... discharge roller shaft
23a, 23b ... bearings
24 ... spur
24a: Mold material part
25 ... spring shaft
30 ... gear
31 ... gear
32… Motor gear
36 ... gear
37… LF motor
37a… motor shaft
38 ... gear shaft
42… Flexible cable
43… Pump unit
44… Cap
50 ... power supply
51 ... LED
52… Switch
53… Switch
54… Home position sensor
55… Card sensor
56… Pump motor
57… Interface
58… Separation sensor
59… Card sensor
60 ... CPU
61… Gate array (GA)
62… Dynamic ram (DRAM)
63… Maschrome (MASKROM)
64… Carriage motor driver
65 LF motor driver
66… Pump motor driver
67: Recording head driver
70… Guide rail
71… Carriage shaft
72… Spur holder
73… Chassis
73a ... support
73b ... spring support
73d ... flat projection
73e ... transport plate
73f ... rib
73g ... convex part
74… Flexible holding
77… Separation motor
77a ... axis
77b ... gear
79… Motor driver for separation
80 ... Power cable
80a ... outlet
81… Separation roller
81a ... Holder
81b ... separation roller shaft
81c… Bearing
81d ... disk
82 ... gear
82a ... one-way clutch
84… Plate
84a ... side plate
84b ... front plate
84c ... rib
84d ... support
84e ... support
84f ... convex part
84h, 84g ... bearing
84h, 84i, 84j, 84k ... long holes
84m, 84g ... dowel
84n ... Dowel
85… Separation plate
85a, 85b ... dowel
86… Relay roller
86a ... axis
86b ... gear
86c… Bearing
86e: Crown gear
87a ... screws
87b, 87c ... screws
87d ... screws
87e ... screw
88… Pinch roller holder
88a ... rotating shaft
89 ... torsion coil spring
90 ... pendulum
90a ... axis
90b ... gear
90c ... torsion coil spring
90d ... dowel
90e ... convex part
91 ... gear
91a ... axis
91e… Crown gear
92 ... adjustment plate
93 ... Adjustment plate
94… Pinch roller
94a ... Shaft
95 ... weight
96 ... pinion shaft
96a, 96b ... pinion gear
96c, 96d ... E-ring
97… Relay motor
97a… motor shaft
97b ... gear
97c… Relay motor driver

Claims (6)

First transport means for transporting the recording medium toward a recording position at which recording is performed on the recording medium by the recording means;
A second transport unit for transporting the recording medium toward the first transport unit;
Has,
The second transport means is movable in a recording medium transport direction, a distance from the second transport means to the first transport means is shorter than a length of the recording medium in the transport direction, and recording on the recording medium is performed. A recording apparatus, wherein the recording medium is arranged such that a rear end of the recording medium is disengaged from the second conveying means when the recording is performed. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a driving source for driving the first transport unit and the second transport unit is common. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a pendulum gear is used for driving transmission between the first transport unit and the second transport unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a crown gear is used for driving transmission between the first transport unit and the second transport unit. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording device performs recording by discharging ink according to a signal. 6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the recording apparatus, a recording unit supplies electricity to the electrothermal transducer in response to a signal, and discharges ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer.

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