JP2004074781A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink jet printer includes a storage unit that stores a predetermined amount of ink in a print head, and ink is supplied to the storage unit intermittently at an appropriate timing from an ink storage unit that forms an ink supply source. Configure the supply system.
An ink storage unit (12) for supplying ink to a print head is arranged on a side opposite to a side on which a print head (68) of an inkjet printer is scanned with respect to a print position of print paper, and the ink storage unit (12) is printed. By moving back and forth to the scanning space of the head, ink is supplied to the print head 68 in a timely manner. That is, by adopting a configuration in which the ink supply source side is moved to the joint position without moving the print head so that the intermittent supply of the ink is appropriately performed, the mounting accuracy of the print head may be adversely affected. Disappears.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, and more particularly, to an improvement in an ink supply system for a print head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet printing apparatus that forms an image on a print medium by applying ink to the print medium using an ink jet print head is operated by ejecting ink in the process while moving the print head with respect to the print medium. There are those which form the image and those which form the image by ejecting ink during the process while moving the print medium with respect to the fixed print head.
[0003]
There are roughly two types of ink supply methods to a print head applied to such an inkjet printing apparatus. A system in which a supply system is configured so that an amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ink ejected is always supplied to the print head in a continuous manner (hereinafter referred to as a continuous supply system), And a storage unit (sub tank or second ink tank) for storing the ink, and ink is supplied intermittently to the storage unit from an ink supply source (main tank or first ink tank) at an appropriate timing. A system in which the supply system is configured as described above (hereinafter, referred to as an intermittent supply system).
[0004]
Here, for example, the present invention is applied to an ink jet printing apparatus of a so-called serial type in which a print head is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction with respect to a print medium, and the print medium is transported in a direction substantially orthogonal to the print medium to form an image. There are two types of continuous supply systems. A print head mounted on a carriage or the like and attached to an ink tank inseparably or separably from a print head reciprocating (main scanning) to supply ink, and a print head mounted on a carriage Separately, there is a tube supply system in which an ink tank is fixedly installed in another part of the printing apparatus, and the ink is connected to the print head via a flexible tube to supply ink.
[0005]
In the case of employing the on-carriage type configuration, the projected area and volume of a member (print head and an ink tank that cannot be separated or integrated integrally with the carriage) that moves together with the carriage in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. When a small-sized printing apparatus is configured, only a very limited amount of ink tank can be used. Therefore, the frequency of replacing the ink tank integrated print head or the ink tank becomes extremely high, and there is a problem in terms of usability and running cost.
[0006]
In the case of employing a tube supply system, the members that move with the carriage during main scanning can be reduced in size to some extent, but the print head on the carriage and the ink tank located outside the carriage are connected. In addition, a space is required for the tube member for supplying the ink to move following the carriage, so that it is difficult to reduce the size accordingly. Furthermore, in recent years, the carriage has also tended to scan at a high speed in response to the speeding up of the printing operation, and the pressure fluctuation of the ink in the ink supply system with respect to the print head due to the intense swinging of the following tube causes It is strongly desirable to provide various complicated pressure buffering mechanisms in order to suppress the size, and miniaturization is also difficult in this regard.
[0007]
On the other hand, the intermittent supply method applied to, for example, a serial type ink jet printing apparatus has a relatively small second ink tank and a print head on a carriage, and a relatively small ink tank and a print head on a part other than the carriage of the printing apparatus. A first ink tank which is relatively large, and a supply system is configured so that ink is supplied from the first ink tank to the second ink tank at an appropriate timing. In addition, during the main scanning, a configuration is adopted in which the ink supply system between the first and second ink tanks is spatially separated so that the first and second ink tanks are fluidly insulated. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to this, it is basically possible to solve various problems caused by the size of the moving member such as the ink tank and the swinging of the tube, which are restrictions on miniaturization in the continuous supply method.
[0008]
In such a conventional intermittent supply system, the print head is moved together with the carriage to an area outside a scanning range for recording, and the first ink tank and the second ink tank are fluid-coupled in that area. Was adopted. For this reason, the joint part for performing the fluid communication has to be arranged in a region outside the scanning range for recording, which limits the miniaturization of the ink jet printer.
[0009]
On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, a joint portion that fluidly couples the first ink tank and the second ink tank is disposed above the scan range of the print head, and the print head is rotated to the joint position. There is disclosed a configuration in which fluid communication is performed. With this configuration, space can be more effectively used than in a configuration in which the joint portion is arranged in a region outside the scanning range for recording, and the inkjet printer can be reduced in size.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-238016
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-86819 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-334982 A
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the ink jet recording method performs recording by discharging ink from a discharge port toward a recording medium. In particular, in recent years, demands for higher density and higher definition of recording have made fine the discharge port. Accordingly, the amount of ink ejected from the ejection port is becoming very small. For this reason, the accuracy of the ink adhesion position on the recording medium is required to be extremely strict, and in order to meet this requirement, it is also required to strictly manage the gap between the ejection port and the recording medium.
[0012]
However, all of the conventional intermittent supply type ink jet printers are based on the premise that the print head is moved to a joint position where fluid communication is performed. In addition, a relatively large force is required for attachment and detachment to and from the joint portion for performing fluid communication and fluid insulation. In a configuration in which the print head is moved to perform such attachment and detachment, the position with respect to the recording medium is not sufficient. There is a possibility that the mounting accuracy of the print head that must be strictly controlled may be deviated.
[0013]
The present invention considers this as a problem to be solved, adopts an intermittent supply system, and effectively utilizes space to reduce the size of the inkjet printer, but without adversely affecting the mounting accuracy of the print head, It is an object of the present invention to appropriately perform intermittent supply of ink.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the present invention provides an ink jet printer that performs printing on a print medium using a print head capable of discharging ink.
A storage section for the ink to be supplied to the print head is held in a space opposite to a side where the print head is scanned with respect to the area where the print head performs printing on the print medium. Holding means;
The storage unit is moved reciprocally toward a scanning space in which the scan of the print head is performed, and in a state where the storage unit is advanced with respect to the scanning space, the print head and the storage unit are jointed. Moving means for supplying ink;
It is characterized by having.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In this specification, “print” (sometimes referred to as “record”) refers not only to the formation of significant information such as characters and figures, but also to the perception of human beings, whether significant or insignificant. Irrespective of whether or not the image is actualized so as to obtain, it refers to a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a print medium or a case where the print medium is processed.
[0016]
The term “print medium” includes not only paper used in general printing apparatuses but also a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic films, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. It should be noted that, hereinafter, it is also referred to as “paper” or simply “paper”.
[0017]
Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be widely interpreted as in the definition of “print” described above, and is applied to a print medium to form an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like. , Forming a print medium, or processing an ink (for example, solidifying or insolubilizing a coloring material in the ink applied to the print medium).
[0018]
The recording head to which the present invention is applied includes a form in which liquid boiling is caused by using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal transducer to form bubbles, a form in which a liquid is ejected by an electromechanical transducer, and a form in which static electricity is discharged. Alternatively, various forms proposed in ink jet recording, such as a form in which droplets are formed and discharged using an air current, may be mentioned. In particular, from the viewpoint of miniaturization, a form using an electrothermal converter is preferably used.
[0019]
(1.1) First embodiment
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire configuration of the printer with an upper cover removed, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view taken along a sub-scanning direction (print medium transport direction).
[0020]
In FIG. 1, P1 is a printer main body, which forms an outer case. P2 to P5 are dry batteries serving as a power supply of the printer, and are laid out in series. P6 is print paper, and tabs P6a and P6b, which are blank portions, are provided at a front end and a rear end, respectively, and these tabs can be separated from perforations indicated by broken lines after printing is completed. , Which can be provided as borderless photos. P7 is a spring for biasing the printing paper P6 to the printing reference plane P1a, and prevents the printing paper P6 from shifting or skewed.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral P14 denotes a receiving tray for the paper 82 on which the print paper P6 is stacked, and is fixed to the printer main body P1. A connector P15 for connecting a printer to another external device according to a standard such as USB is attached to the main printed board P16. P17 and P18 exemplarily show electrical components attached to the main printed board P16. A main IC (not shown) is also attached to the main printed board to control the operation of the printer.
[0022]
(Opening / closing lid for ink cartridge loading)
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing, in an enlarged scale, a print mechanism portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the printer with the carriage mechanism removed from FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the print mechanism portion.
[0023]
The ink cartridge 12 of this example containing ink as a printing agent is slid into the printing mechanism in a direction along the scanning direction of the carrier 40. In this configuration, the opening / closing lid 19 is fully opened, and slide-loading is performed from the loading opening on the opening / closing lid side shown in FIG.
[0024]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2 denotes a lock slider, which is slidably fitted to a pinch roller 37 for pressing a sheet against a conveying roller 78 (shown in FIG. 5) to generate a conveying force when conveying the print sheet P6. are doing. The lock slider 2 has a lock pin 4 for preventing a lid guide plate 13 integrally formed with an opening / closing lid 19 that opens and closes when the ink cartridge 12 is replaced from being accidentally slid. The opening / closing lid 19 can be opened and closed by the lock pin 4 coming out of the lid guide plate 13 by the sliding movement of the lock slider 2. The lock pin 4 is programmed to return to the lock position when the open / close lid 19 is fully opened, and when the open / close lid 19 is closed again, the lid guide plate 13 causes the slope portion 4a of the lock pin 4 (see FIG. 4), the lock pin 4 is slid. The lock pin 4 is fitted into a hole 13b (shown in FIG. 4) of the cover guide plate 13 at a position where the cover 19 is completely closed to lock the cover 19. The lock pin 4 is integrally formed with a contact 3 which is also used to prevent the lock pin 4 from coming off. The contact 3 is always urged by a spring 5 toward a terminal 2b (see also FIG. 6) of the lock slider 2. When the opening / closing lid 19 is closed, the lock pin 4 is moved in the direction of the spring 5 by the lid guide plate 13, whereby the contact state between the contact 3 and the terminal portion 2b is released. When the cover 19 is completely closed and the lock is completed, the contact 3 and the terminal 2b come into contact again. The contact state between the contact 3 and the terminal portion 2b can be confirmed by a main IC described later.
[0025]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a decorative plate for blindfolding when the opening / closing lid 19 is closed, and also guides the interlocking portion 13a of the lid guide plate 13 as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. Reference numeral 15 denotes a click spring when the cover 19 is fully opened. The click spring 15 is fixed to the printer main body P1 by caulking shafts P13 and P14. (See also FIG. 8).
[0026]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 110 denotes a lock interlocking member attached to the lift slider 58 which moves along the lead of the shaft 57 by a flange portion 110a, and has a hook portion 2d of the lock slider 2 at a tip opposite to the flange portion 110a. A hook 110b is provided so as to engage with the hook. A compression spring 111 is provided between the hook portion 2d and the flange portion 110a, and by setting the spring force of the compression spring 111 higher than that of the spring 5 pressing the lock pin 4, the opening / closing lid 19 is opened. When the lock pin 4 is pushed when closing, the spring 5 is always compressed and the lock pin 4 moves in the direction of the spring 5 so that the contact 3 and the terminal 2b are turned off. Can be. When the lift slider 58 moves away from the opening / closing lid 19 from the state of FIG. 4, the lock slider 2 is also moved by the moving distance of the lift slider 58 because the hook 110b and the hook 2d are engaged. The doors 19 move in the same direction, and the lock of the opening / closing lid 19 is released.
[0027]
(Internal configuration of ink cartridge)
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 2, a waste ink absorber 23 is provided inside the ink cartridge 12 disposed in an area facing the scanning area of the print head. When the print head scans the print area and prints, as shown by, in order to enable printing over the entire surface of the print paper, the ink ejected from the width of the print paper to the outside is printed. 14 and 16, the ink cartridge 12 is provided with an opening 12c so that ink can be received through the opening 12c) and the joint case 90. Are stored therein. Joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93 are attached to the joint case 90 in a state where the joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93 are pressed by the pressing plates 89 so as to correspond to the ink flow paths from the ink bags 88, 87, and 86, respectively. Not to be. It is needless to say that the number of ink bags can be provided in accordance with the type of ink used in the printer, such as the color and density.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 12, a wiper ink absorbing pad 108 is mounted adjacent to the joint case 90 while being held by the pad holder 109, so that the wiper ink absorbing pad 108 is pushed toward the inside of the ink cartridge 12. It is movably supported. As shown in FIG. 6, a drain hole 12b formed of a long hole that can be connected to a waste ink absorber is provided to absorb waste ink generated by the recovery operation of the print head 68. A backflow prevention film 22 is set inside the inside so that the drain pipe 20 can be inserted.
[0029]
(Ink cartridge attachment / detachment mechanism and detection mechanism)
Reference numeral 24 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, or FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 is a full-open switch for detecting the full opening of the open / close lid 19, while the contact piece 24a is positioned by a pin P15 fixed to the printer body P1, while The movable contact 24b is pushed by the rack gear 18 when the opening / closing lid 19 is fully opened as shown in FIG. 8, and the movable contact 24b comes into contact with the contact 24a to be turned on.
[0030]
The toggle gear 25 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, or FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft P12 fixed to the printer main body P1. A drive pin 25a that fits into the long hole 27d of the interlocking lever 27 is provided at a position smaller than the pitch circle radius that meshes with the rack gear 18, and a toggle spring 26 is connected to the drive pin 25a. The toggle spring 26 is stretched between a drive pin 25a of the toggle gear 25 and a shaft P9 fixed to the printer main body P1, and is set to be stable in a state shown in FIG. When the cover 19 is opened, as shown in FIG. 7, the rack gear 18 moves with the movement of the cover 19, and the toggle gear 25 rotates clockwise as indicated by the arrow. When the opening / closing lid 19 is closed, the rack gear 18 moves with the movement of the opening / closing lid 19 and rotates in a counterclockwise direction (counter-arrow direction) (operation is not shown). Is released, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the ink cartridge 12 is slid into the printer main body P1, the convex guide portions 9h and 9i of the platen 9 and the guide portions 12d and 12e of the concave portion of the ink cartridge 12 fit respectively. (Note that in the schematic view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 5, only the guide portion 12d is shown). As shown in FIG. 4, a protrusion (hereinafter referred to as an unused protrusion) 12a for indicating that the ink cartridge 12 is unused is arranged at the mouth of the guide portion 12e of the concave portion for the positioning. Is established. As shown in FIG. 6, the flat surface 12ab of the convex portion at the highest part of the unused protrusion 12a is flush with the outer surface of the ink cartridge 12 so as not to protrude. This prevents the user from inadvertently bending the unused protrusions 12a with his / her finger or the like when loading it.
[0032]
Reference numeral 28 shown in FIG. 4 is a presence / absence detection switch of the ink cartridge 12 provided on the platen 9. Reference numeral 29 denotes a detection lever, which is rotatably supported about a rotation shaft 104 by a bearing 9f of the platen 9 as shown in FIG. 10, and when an unused ink cartridge 12 is loaded, Since the unused projection 12a has not yet been bent, the projection 29a of the detection lever 29 is pushed by the unused projection 12a, and is turned clockwise in FIG. 10 against the spring force of the movable contact piece 28a of the presence / absence detection switch. And the movable contact 28a is separated from the fixed contact 28b to turn off the presence / absence detection switch.
[0033]
This state can be recognized by a main IC described later as a state in which the ink cartridge 12 is newly loaded.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 7, the unused protrusion 12a is moved by pushing the detection lever 29 by moving the interlocking lever 27 as described above with the opening operation of the lid 19 for removing the ink cartridge 12. Is bent and plastically deformed, and is not restored. At this time, the presence / absence detection switch 28 is turned on again when the movable contact 28a comes into contact with the fixed contact 28b as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the ink in the ink cartridge 12 is depleted, the open / close lid 19 is fully opened, and even when the ink cartridge 12 is taken out, the ON state of the presence / absence detection switch 28 is continued. Even if the cartridge 12 is once taken out and loaded again, the presence / absence detection switch 28 does not turn off. Therefore, in this case, the ink remaining amount storage information (information on the absence of ink) of the printer is not reset, and also has a function of being distinguishable from an unused cartridge. Furthermore, as a matter of course, the presence / absence detection switch 28 is not turned off even when the ink cartridge 12 that has run out of ink is not taken out as it is after the opening / closing lid 19 is fully opened as shown in FIG. The main IC can detect that 12 has not been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink cartridge 12, which has run out of ink, from being erroneously recognized as an unused cartridge, and to prevent inconvenience such as blurring of ink during printing.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 10, the detection lever 29 is rotatably supported about the rotation shaft 104 by bearings 9f and 9g of the platen 9. When the unused ink cartridge 12 is loaded, the detection lever 29 is not used. Since the projection 12a has not yet been bent, the projection 29a of the detection lever 29 is pushed by the unused projection 12a, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 10 against the spring force of the movable contact piece 28a of the presence / absence detection switch. Then, the movable contact piece 28a is separated from the fixed contact piece 28b, and the presence / absence detection switch is turned off.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 denotes a stopper member for preventing the ink cartridge 12 from coming off, and is attached to a substantially U-shaped leaf spring 31 as shown in FIG. The leaf spring 31 is set in a substantially U-shaped portion 9c of the platen 9. When the unused ink cartridge 12 is loaded into the loading portion, the stopper member 30 is pushed by the slope portion 12aa of the unused projection 12a, and the leaf spring 31 is bent accordingly. When the loading is completed, the stopper member 30 returns to the original position by the reaction force of the leaf spring 31. Then, even if the user attempts to remove the ink cartridge 12 in this state, the end 12ac of the unused projection 12a abuts against the stopper member 30 (not shown), and the ink cartridge 12 once loaded is inadvertently removed or dropped. Can be prevented.
[0037]
On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 12 runs out of ink and performs replacement, the detection lever 29 is pushed by the convex portion 27a of the interlocking lever 27 with the opening operation of the opening / closing lid 19 as shown in FIG. Since the unused projection 12a is bent or cut, the end portion 12ac which has hitherto abutted the stopper member 30 escapes, and the surface 12ab which has abutted the detection lever 29 abuts the stopper member 30 to deflect the leaf spring 31. Since it acts as a slanted surface, there is no problem in taking out the ink cartridge 12 even if the unused protrusion 12a is bent insufficiently. Further, when the unused projection 12a is cut by bending, there is nothing to come into contact with the stopper member 30, so that the ink cartridge 12 can be taken out.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 12 having a housing made of a resin molded product is used, but the material may be not only resin but also metal, and the bending of the unused protrusions 12a can be similarly performed. Needless to say, an appropriate material can be used. Further, instead of being configured integrally with the exterior of the ink cartridge 12, it may be configured by combining separate components.
[0039]
(Combination of platen and ink cartridge)
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a motor for driving the paper feed roller, which switches the transmission path of the driving force by a mechanism described later and also drives the ink cartridge lift-up mechanism.
[0040]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 6 denotes a hinge plate fixed to the printer main body P1, which is a member used to lift up the platen 9 together with the ink cartridge 12 as described later. Pins 7 and 10 protrude from the hinge plate 6, and are loosely fitted to portions 9a and 9b of the platen 9, respectively, and serve as rotation axes when the platen 9 is lifted up. Reference numerals 8 and 11 denote retaining washers which prevent the pins 7 and 10 from falling off, respectively.
[0041]
The platen 9 is a reference plate for pressing a sheet during printing to regulate the printing surface flat. As described above, in this example, the opening / closing lid 19 is fully opened, and the ink cartridge 12 is slid and loaded from the loading opening that opens. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the protruding guide portions 9h and 9i serving as positioning references and the guide portions 12d and 12e of the concave portions of the ink cartridge 12 are fitted into each other, thereby ensuring a loaded state. Therefore, when the platen 9 is lifted up about the pins 7 and 10 as a rotation axis during ink supply as described later, the ink cartridge 12 is also lifted up integrally with the platen 9. Further, the platen 9 is provided with openings 9d and 9e for allowing ink ejected from the paper to pass through when printing on the entire surface of the paper (full bleed printing). The ink cartridge 12 is provided with openings 12c at positions corresponding to the openings 9d and 9e of the platen 9 when the ink cartridge 12 is completely loaded. Through the waste ink absorber provided in the ink cartridge 12.
[0042]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6, a drain guide plate 16 is provided on the printer main body P1, and is supported by the printer main body P1 so as to be slidable in the same direction as the lid guide plate 13. As shown in FIG. 6, a spring 17 is stretched between the hook portion 16c of the drain guide plate 16 and the printer main body P1, and urges the opening / closing lid 19 in a direction to always open. Further, the interlocking portion 16a or 16b abuts on the interlocking portion 13a of the lid guide plate 13. As described above, reference numeral 18 denotes a rack gear fixed to the drain guide plate 16, and only the rack gear portion (only three teeth in FIG. 6) meshes with the toggle gear 25 by sliding movement of the drain guide plate 16, thereby rotating the toggle gear 25 by a predetermined amount. Let it.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 6, the drain pipe 20 has a substantially L-shape fixed to the drain guide plate 16, and one end thereof is connected to a cylinder pump 33 shown in FIG. When the ink cartridge 12 is loaded and the opening / closing lid 19 is closed, the other end is inserted into the waste ink absorber 23 of the ink cartridge 12 as shown in FIG. 6, and the waste ink can be discharged in this state. is there.
[0044]
(Main scanning mechanism and print head)
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 35 denotes a lead screw, which is a member for reciprocally scanning and driving the carrier 40 in which the print head 68 is incorporated at the time of printing in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction (sub scanning direction). is there. Driving force is transmitted from the drive motor 41 to the screw gear (not shown) press-fitted to the shaft of the lead screw 35 from the drive motor 41 via the pinion gear G6 press-fitted to its shaft and an idler gear (not shown). By doing so, it is driven to rotate. The lead screw 35 and the carrier 40 are connected via a lead piece 112, and the lead piece 112 is fitted into the hole 40 e of the carrier 40, and is urged by the biasing spring 113 in the scanning direction of the carrier 40. The carrier 40 is reciprocally driven by the rotation of the lead screw 35 by partially engaging the groove of the lead screw 35. The lead piece 112 for the lead screw 35 is coupled to the lead screw 35 which is the third shaft because the carrier 40 reciprocates in this embodiment with the posture being regulated by the main shaft 42 and the guide shaft 46. What you need above.
[0045]
In the carrier 40 on which the print head 68 (see FIG. 10) is mounted, a bearing member in which a bearing pipe 44 and bearings 43 and 45 are integrated is fixedly provided as a fitting portion with the main shaft 42. Further, the carrier 40 is provided with tank portions 40b, 40c and 40d for storing print ink as shown in FIG. 10, and inks of yellow, magenta, cyan and the like are respectively injected at an appropriate timing during printing. Is done. Further, sponges 72, 73 and 74 for ink impregnation are accommodated inside the tank portions 40b, 40c and 40d, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a resin lid 54 is adhered to each ink tank, and a suction port 40a (see FIG. 9, FIG. 9) through a film (hereinafter, referred to as a gas-liquid separation film) 55 for separating gas and liquid. The lid member 56 is set so as to form a gas flow path in FIG. 10).
[0046]
The print head 68 has a row of ejection ports arranged in a direction different from the main scanning direction (for example, the sub-scanning direction), and the number of the ejection port rows is arranged in the main scanning direction in a number corresponding to the ink color to be used.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply needles 94, 95, and 96 are press-fitted into the carrier 40, so that independent flow paths are formed in the ink tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d. Further, the positioning pins 97 and 98 have conical portions 97a and 98a at the tips, respectively. The conical portions 97a and 98a are set at positions lower than the tips of the ink supply needles. As described below, when the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are lifted up, the positioning pins 97 and 98a are lifted up. The conical portions 97a and 98a at the tip of 98 are inserted and positioned with respect to 89e and 89d provided on the holding plate 89 before the ink supply needles 94, 95 and 96. As a result, the ink supply needles 94, 95, and 96 can be accurately inserted into the joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93, respectively.
[0048]
(Lift-up mechanism)
In the present embodiment, an intermittent supply method is used in which ink is supplied from an ink cartridge to the sub tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d communicating with the print head as needed. When the intermittent supply is performed, the ink cartridge 12 is lifted up and connected to the mechanism on the printer main body side as described above, so that an ink injection operation or the like to the tank portions 40b, 40c and 40d on the carrier 40 is performed. Is The lift-up mechanism will be described.
[0049]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 57 denotes a lead screw for sliding a lift slider 58 for performing a lift-up operation. The lead screw 57 controls the driving force of the paper feed motor 1 (see FIG. 3) serving as a drive source for feeding the paper P6. The rotation is driven by switching the power transmission path by a planetary gear mechanism as shown in FIG.
[0050]
First, the planetary gear mechanism will be described. In FIGS. 3 and 10, a pinion gear G9 is press-fitted into the shaft of the sheet feeding motor 1, and the power of the motor 1 is transmitted from the pinion gear G9 via reduction gears G10 and G11. And transmitted to the planetary gear G16 via the small gear G12a concentric with the sun gear G12, and also transmitted from the small gear G12a to the planetary gear G14 via the planetary gear G13. The planetary gear G16 is separated from the transmission gear G17 in the state of FIG. 10, and only idles. On the other hand, the planetary gear G14 coupled to the planetary gear G13 is in a state capable of transmitting power because it meshes with the transmission gear G15 attached to the lead screw 57.
[0051]
The planetary gears G16, G13, and G14 are rotatably supported by shafts provided on the rotating plate 100, respectively, so that the planetary gear G16 applies rotational friction between the sun gear 12 and the concentric rotating plate 100. The rotating plate 100 is rotated with a fixed friction in the same direction as the rotation direction of the sun gear G12. The rotating plate 100 is provided with a convex portion 100a so as to be rotatable between stopper pins P19 and P20 fixed to the printer main body P1. The rotating plate 100 is provided with a cam surface 100b. When the lever 102 provided at the end of the transport roller 78 is in contact with the stopper pin P21, the cam surface 100b comes into contact with the lever 102, and The clockwise rotation of the rotating plate 100 accompanying the clockwise rotation of the gear G12 is prevented from occurring. In the state of FIG. 10, the lead screw 57 is configured to be capable of both forward and reverse rotation by the motor 1. Here, the lever 102 is rotatably fitted to the transport roller 78. A friction spring 103 (not shown) is provided between the gear supporting side plate P8 fixed to the printer main body P1 and the lever 102. The lever 102 is provided with a stopper pin P21 when the conveying roller 78 rotates counterclockwise. 10 when the conveying roller 78 rotates clockwise, and the stopper pin P22 is set. The stopper pins P21 and P22 are of course fixed to the printer body P1.
[0052]
The lift slider 58 is slidable in a direction parallel to the scan direction of the print head by the forward or reverse rotation of the lead screw 57 as described above. The lift slider 58 is provided with cam surfaces 58a and 58b for joining and separating the suction joint 48 shown in FIG. 3 with respect to the carrier 40 as shown in FIG. Further, the lift slider 58 is provided with a lift cam 58c for lifting up the platen 9, and a lift pin 9f fixed to the platen 9 is engaged with the lift cam 58c. Further, the lift slider 58 is provided with a cap cam 58d for attaching and detaching the suction cap 60 to and from the print head 68 of the carrier 40, and a cap holding plate 59 that holds the suction cap 60 and the cap base 62 is engaged. The joint 59a is engaged.
[0053]
In response to the request, with the carriage moved to the position shown in FIG. 12, the lead screw 57 is rotated as described above, and the lift slider 58 is slid inward, whereby the lift pin 9f fixed to the platen 9 is moved. The platen 9 moves along the lift cam 58c and rotates around the rotation shaft 7 of the platen 9, as shown in FIG. In this state, the ink supply needle 94 is inserted into the joint rubber 91, and the ink in the ink bag 88 can be intermittently supplied to the ink tank 40b of the carrier 40 through the chamber 90e of the joint case 90.
[0054]
(Ink introduction section to tank)
Reference numeral 48 denotes a suction joint made of silicon rubber or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, an L-shaped pipe 49 made of resin is inserted with a part of the joint lever 51 interposed therebetween. Are fixed to the joint lever 51. Further, by urging the joint lever 51 using the spring force of the torsion spring 52, the joint port 48a of the suction joint 48 is sucked when the carrier 40 is located at a predetermined position (the position in FIG. 3). It is pressed against the mouth 40a, but no force is pulled out of the pipe 49. Further, a tube 50 made of silicon rubber or the like is inserted through the other end of the L-shaped pipe 49, and the tube 50 is connected to the air suction side of the cylinder pump 33. When the cylinder pump 33 performs the air suction operation in the state of FIG. 9, a negative pressure is generated in the suction joint 48, and the air in the ink tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d of the carrier 40 (see FIG. 10) is removed. The liquid is sucked out from the suction port 40a through the liquid separation membrane 55.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 9, the base of the joint lever 51 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 53 on a hinge plate P9 fixed to the printer main body P1. A torsion spring 52 is hung on the rotating shaft 53, and one arm abuts on the printer main body P1 and the other arm abuts on the joint lever 51, whereby the joint lever 51 is always attached in the clockwise direction in FIG. Be inspired.
[0056]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply needles 94, 95 and 96 are press-fitted into the carrier 40, so that independent flow paths are formed in the ink tanks 40b, 40c and 40d. Further, the positioning pins 97 and 98 have conical portions 97a and 98a at the tips, respectively. The conical portions 97a and 98a are set at a position lower than the tip of the ink supply needle, and the conical portions at the tips of the positioning pins 97 and 98 when the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are lifted up. 97a and 98a are positioned on the holding plate 89 before the ink supply needles 94, 95 and 96. As a result, the ink supply needles 94, 95, and 96 can be accurately inserted into the joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93, respectively.
[0057]
(Suction mechanism)
A pump motor 32 shown in FIG. 3 drives a pump constituted by a cylinder pump 33 and a piston 34. Known structures can be used for the reduction gear system arranged in the transmission path of the motor 32, the mechanism for driving the piston 34 and the piston shaft 34a, and the like, and are omitted for simplification of the drawing. .
[0058]
(cap)
The suction cap 60 that is joined to the ejection port forming surface of the print head 68 during the above-described ink introduction and the later-described suction recovery operation is held by a cap holding plate 59. As shown in FIG. 4, the cap holding plate 59 is rotatable around a rotation shaft 60s supported by the printer main body P1. The fitting shafts 62a and 62b of the cap base 62 integrated with the suction cap 60 are engaged with the hook portions 59b and 59c of the cap holding plate 59, respectively, and the cap holding plate 59 is released from the cap cam 58d in FIG. In the position shown in (2), the compression spring 63 always pushes up the cap base 62, so that the suction cap 60 is pressed against the carrier 40. At this time, the hook portions 59b and 59c of the cap holding plate 59 are respectively fitted with elongated holes provided in the moving direction of the cap 60 (vertical direction in FIG. 4) so that the suction cap 60 can be equalized with respect to the carrier 40. And Since the hook portions 59b and 59c have equalizing properties, the suction cap 60 can be hermetically sealed from the print head 68 as shown in FIG. 17, even if the positional accuracy of the cap holding plate 59 is low. .
[0059]
The suction cap 60 is formed of, for example, chlorinated butyl rubber, and has a rib 60a which is pressed on the ink ejection port forming surface of the print head 68 held by the carrier 40 at the time of the recovery operation of the print head 68 and the like. Thus, the ink discharge port forming surface can be sealed. A concave portion 60b is provided inside the rib 60a, and an ink absorber 61 having a relatively small thickness is set. Further, two holes are provided in the suction cap 60, and the pipe portion of the cap base 62 penetrates through these holes as shown in FIG. 17, and the pipe portion contacts the ink absorber 61.
[0060]
A tube 67 connected to one of the pipe portions of the cap base 62 is connected to the suction side of the above-described cylinder pump 33, and the tube 67 is brought into a negative pressure state so that the closed space between the print head 68 and the suction cap 60 is closed. Is in a negative pressure state, whereby a suction force is applied to the ink ejection port of the print head 68, and air bubbles, thickened ink, and the like staying in the ink can be sucked out. Further, a tube 64 connected to the other pipe portion of the cap base 62 is connected to an atmosphere release valve 65, and further, can be communicated with the atmosphere at an atmosphere release portion 66. Then, when the recovery process of the print head 68 is completed, the air release valve 65 is opened to communicate the above-mentioned closed space with the atmosphere, whereby the recovery operation is quickly released and the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 61 is released. The ink is sucked out through the tube 67 and is led out from the drain pipe 20 to the waste ink absorber 23 of the ink cartridge 12. Since a series of such recovery operations are generally performed in an ink jet printer, further description is omitted.
[0061]
(Wiper mechanism)
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 105 denotes a wiper ink absorber for temporarily absorbing waste ink adhered by the wiper blade 106 wiping the print head 68. The wiper ink absorber 105 is formed of a material such as a sponge. The carrier 40 is provided so as to be located on substantially the same plane as the forming surface. The wiper blade 106 is formed of rubber or the like, is attached to the wiper holder 107, and moves vertically (FIG. 11) perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carrier 40 as indicated by an arrow (FIG. 11) and rotates (FIG. 15). And it is possible. That is, when the wiper blade 106 is at the raised position, the wiper blade 106 is engaged with the discharge port forming surface of the print head to perform the wiping operation (FIG. 14). , The waste ink attached to the wiper blade 106 can be transmitted to the wiper ink absorbing pad 108 of the ink cartridge 12 (FIG. 15).
[0062]
The wiper ink absorbing pad 108 is vertically slidably held by a pad holder 109 formed of a leaf spring. When the ink cartridge 12 is lifted up, the wiper ink absorbing pad 105 provided on the carrier 40 It is possible to transmit the waste ink of the wiper ink absorber 105 to the wiper ink absorption pad 108 by being pressed by the spring force. It is needless to say that the wiper ink absorbing pad 108 has higher waste ink permeability than the wiper ink absorber 105.
[0063]
(Record)
The paper feed roller 80 shown in FIG. 2 is driven to convey the print paper P6 and set it at the print position. Then, while the carrier 40 is reciprocatingly driven between the positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, ink corresponding to the image data is ejected from the print head 68 onto the print paper P6 to perform printing. At this time, by printing the ink to the outside of both side edges P6a and P6b of the printing paper P6, the entire borderless printing (full bleed printing) is performed. At this time, the ink in the area protruding from the print paper P6 is collected by the waste ink absorber 23 arranged facing the opening 12c provided in the ink cartridge 12.
[0064]
(1.2) Description of operation
Hereinafter, an operation from supply of ink from the ink cartridge 12 to printing on paper will be described.
[0065]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state immediately after the loading of the unused ink cartridge 12 is completed. The suction cap 60 is in a state of being separated from the ejection port forming surface portion of the print head 68 attached to the head holding plate 70 of the carrier 40 against the urging force of the spring 63. This is the same position as the printable position, and the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are at the first lift-up position. That is, the ink cartridge 12 is loaded at a position where there is no lift-up.
[0066]
When the unused ink cartridge 12 is loaded and the opening / closing lid 19 is completely closed, the lock slider 2 and the contact piece 3 are once separated from each other and come into contact again in this process. By detecting this, the completion of the loading of the unused ink cartridge 12 is recognized. When this signal is detected, the motor 1 is driven, and the lift-up operation shown in FIG. 18 is set to the third position. The third position of the lift-up is also a standby state when the printing is completed and the next printing is not set yet, and the remaining ink in the sponges 72, 73 and 74 in the ink tanks 40b, 40c and 40d is dried. In order to prevent this, the tips of the ink supply needles 94, 95, 96 are brought closer to the joint rubbers 91, 92, 93. The state where the ink supply needle is inserted into the joint rubber is the most effective in minimizing drying, but the joint rubber is made of an elastomer etc. to reduce the insertion force of inserting the ink supply needle into the joint rubber. In this case, if the ink supply needle is left inserted in the joint rubber and left unattended, permanent deformation will occur in a short time, and the inconvenience of ink leakage will occur. I have. However, it has been proved that permanent distortion does not occur if the ink supply needle is inserted into the joint rubber in order to supply ink for printing. Further, at the position of the third position, the wiper ink absorber 105 and the wiper ink absorption pad 108 are always in contact with each other, so that the residual waste ink of the wiper ink absorber 105 is reduced as much as possible.
[0067]
FIG. 19 is a view showing the state of the positioning pin 97 at the third position of the lift-up in FIG. 18 (similarly to the positioning pin 98). Since the positioning holes of the holding plate 89 are fitted, it is possible to prevent the carrier 40 from moving and being damaged even if vibration is applied to the printer or the printer is accidentally dropped.
[0068]
When the print start switch is turned on in the standby state of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the motor 1 is energized to set the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 to the fourth position of lift-up as shown in FIG. An operation of supplying ink used for printing from the ink bags 86, 87, 88 to the ink tanks 40b, 40c, 40d of the respective colors via the ink supply needles 94, 95, 96 is performed. This ink supply operation is performed in response to the fact that the capacity of the ink tank in the carrier 40 is made small (for example, an amount corresponding to printing of one sheet). The ink supply operation is as shown in FIG. 17 at the time of the fourth position of the lift-up, in which the joint port 48a of the suction joint 48 comes into contact with the carrier 40 and the air in the ink tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d flows from the suction port 40a. Is realized by sucking ink of each color of the ink bags 86, 87, 88 from the ink supply needles 94, 95, 96 by the negative pressure. In addition, since each ink tank is provided with a film for separating gas and liquid, when each ink tank becomes full of ink, the ink comes into contact with the gas-liquid separation film. Since the air cannot be sucked out from the printer, the ink supply is automatically stopped. Even in the state of FIG. 20, the suction cap 60 is pressed against the print head 68 of the carrier 40 by the spring 67 (not shown) so that the ink tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d are kept in contact with each other when ink is supplied. This is because the negative pressure causes air to be sucked in from the ink ejection ports if not in a close contact state, and the amount of ink supplied from the ink bag is reduced. In the fourth position, the lift-up amount is the largest, but the compression amount of the spring of the pad holder 109 is set to be the maximum value in the state of FIG. 20, and the wiper ink absorber 105 and the wiper ink absorption pad 108 Can be properly abutted.
[0069]
When the ink is filled in each of the ink tanks 40b, 40c, and 40d in the operation of FIG. 20, the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are set to the second position of lift-up, which is an intermediate position between the third position and the first position. You. The second position is a position where a recovery operation for removing bubbles and the like remaining in the print head 68 is performed. During the recovery operation, the suction cap 60 is kept sealed with respect to the print head 68 by the spring 67, but the ink supply needles 94, 95 and 96 must be completely separated from the joint rubbers 91, 92 and 93. . This is because, in the recovery operation, the cylinder pump 33 is operated while the suction cap 60 seals the print head 68 to make the tube 67 a negative pressure, and the ink is sucked out of the print head 68 or each ink tank. Removal of bubbles and the like is performed, but at this time, if the ink supply needle is in contact with the joint rubber, the ink supply needle is sealed and air inflow cannot be tolerated. This is because the suction of the residual foam is not performed. This recovery operation can be performed by setting the lift-up position of the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 to the first position instead of the second position. However, when the recovery operation position is set to the first position in the operation of the lift-up mechanism described later. Since the inclination of the lift cam becomes large, the driving load of the motor 1 increases and the consumption of the battery becomes severe, it is preferable to perform the operation at the second position.
[0070]
Since the recovery operation is generally performed in an ink jet printer, further description is omitted.
[0071]
When the recovery operation is completed, as a preparation for the wiper operation, the suction cap 60 is pulled away from the carrier 40 against the urging force of the spring 67, and the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are set to the first lift-up position as in printing. .
[0072]
After moving the carrier 40 from the state to the position shown in FIG. 11 past the wiper 106, the wiper blade 106 is moved in the direction of the carrier 40 from the lowered position shown in FIG. 12 to the raised position shown in FIG. . Next, when the carrier 40 is moved to the left at a predetermined speed, the corner of the wiper blade 106 abuts on the print head 68 while being bent, and adheres to the discharge port forming surface of the print head 68 as shown in FIG. Unnecessary ink can be wiped off. Further, as the carrier 40 moves to the left in the drawing, the wiper blade 106 comes into contact with the wiper ink absorber 105.
[0073]
In this state, the carrier 40 is stopped, and the wiper blade 106 is rotated clockwise together with the wiper holder 107 as shown in FIG. 15 to press the wiper blade 106 against the wiper ink absorbing pad 108 of the ink cartridge 12. As a result, the waste ink remaining on the wiper blade 106 is wiped off.
[0074]
Next, the wiper blade 106 and the wiper holder 107 are set to the initial standby position (the state of FIG. 12). In the state of FIG. 12, the paper feed roller 80 shown in FIG. 2 is driven to convey the print paper P6 and set it at the print position. Then, while the carrier 40 is reciprocatingly driven between the positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, ink corresponding to the image data is ejected from the print head 68 onto the paper P6 to perform printing.
[0075]
(1.3) Operation of lift-up mechanism
Hereinafter, the operation of the lift-up mechanism of the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 will be described.
[0076]
In the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 21, the cam of the lift slider 58 is in the first position (the state of FIG. 21), and the lift pin 9f fixed to the platen 9 is moved to the lift cam 58c of the cam groove of the lift slider 58. When fitted, the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are held at a substantially horizontal position. Of course, since the engaging portion 59a of the cap holding plate 59 of the suction cap 60 is pressed down by the cap cam 58d, the suction cap 60 is separated from the print head 68 on the carrier 40. In this position, the lift pin 9f of the platen 9 is located at the first position 58ca of the lift cam 58c, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 21, the engaging portion 59a of the cap holding plate 59 is positioned on the pressing surface of the cap cam 58d. Located at 58 db, cap 60 is spaced from printhead 68 on carrier 40.
[0077]
When the motor 1 is driven to rotate the lead screw 57 to move the lift slider 58 slightly leftward, the position of the lift pin 9f is maintained at the first position 58ca, and the cap holding plate 59 is engaged. The portion 59a moves within the pressing surface position 58db of the cap cam 58d, but does not deviate from the cam surface 58db, and the suction cap 60 is kept away from the carrier 40.
[0078]
In this state, the lift cam 58c remains at the first position, the platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are kept horizontal, and the engaging portion 59a of the cap holding plate 59 is pushed down together with the suction cap 60 by the cap cam 58d. Is in a state where printing can be performed.
[0079]
In FIG. 22, the lift slider 58 moves further to the left, the lift pin 9f of the platen 9 is pushed up by the lift cam 58c, and the lift pin 9f is located on the cam surface 58cb and rotates around the rotation shafts 7 and 10 of the platen 9. The platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 move to the second position. The platen 9 and the ink cartridge 12 are slightly inclined by being lifted up to the second position, but are separated from the ink supply needles 94, 95, and 96. Further, the engaging portion 59a of the cap holding plate 59 is shifted from the pressing surface position 58db of the cap cam 58d to the free position via the inclined surface 58da, so that the suction cap 60 is equalized to the head holding plate 70 on the carrier 40. The ejection port forming surface of the print head 68 is closed by the urging force of the spring 63, and is at a position where a recovery operation can be performed.
[0080]
FIG. 18 shows that the lead screw 57 is further rotated so as to be in a standby position where long-term storage is possible, and the lift slider 9 is moved to the left so that the lift pin 9f is located at the third position 58cc of the lift cam 58c. 9, the ink cartridge 12, and the lift-up third position. In this state, the tips of the ink supply needles 94, 95, 96 are closest to the joint rubbers 91, 92, 93. Of course, the engaging portion 59a of the cap holding plate 59 that controls the position of the suction cap 60 is further away from the cap cam 58d, so that the ejection port forming surface of the print head 68 is sealed by the suction cap 60. Has been maintained.
[0081]
FIG. 20 shows a state in which the lift slider 58 has moved to the leftmost position, and the lift pin 9f of the platen 9 is located at the uppermost fourth position 58cd of the lift cam 58c. In this position, the ink supply needles 94, 95, 96 are inserted into the joint rubbers 94, 95, 96, so that the ink can be supplied into the ink tank of the carrier 40. Even in this position, the suction cap 60 maintains the sealed state of the print head 68.
[0082]
(2) Second embodiment
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which optimization in the lift-up operation is performed.
[0083]
In the configuration of FIG. 23, a joint case 115 is provided instead of the joint case 90 in the first embodiment, and the joint case 115 is used to lift the platen 9 with the surface on which the joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93 are mounted. In the opposite direction (counterclockwise direction in the figure) to the maximum rotation amount of the platen 9 (here, the platen 9 is rotating 4 degrees clockwise) (ie, 4 degrees). It is inclined. FIG. 23 shows a state in which the ink supply needles 94, 95, and 96 pierce the joint rubbers 91, 92, and 93. In the first embodiment in which the surfaces are not inclined, the ink supply needles pierce the diagonally. In the present embodiment, since the ink supply needle is pierced from the vertical direction, the durability of the joint rubber is significantly improved.
[0084]
When the positioning pins 97 and 98 are fitted to the joint case 15, the positioning pins also have a smaller inclination with respect to the holding plate 89, so that the positioning accuracy is further improved.
[0085]
(3) Third embodiment
FIGS. 24 and 25 show an embodiment in which the lift-up operation is not performed in rotation but driven in parallel in the vertical direction.
[0086]
That is, instead of performing the lift-up of the platen about the rotation axis as in the first embodiment, the positioning pins 7 (see FIG. 7 and 10). By fitting the platen 116 into the elongated hole 116a of the carrier 40, the lift-up is performed perpendicularly to the horizontal plane including the scanning direction of the carrier 40 as shown in FIG. It was done. By doing so, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be achieved because the ink supply needle 94 and the like do not obliquely pierce the joint rubber 91 and the like. In addition, since the ink supply needles 94 and the like enter the joint rubber 91 and the like without tilting, more reliable ink supply becomes possible.
[0087]
(4) Other
In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 12 is slid and mounted on the platen 9 in the same direction as the direction in which the print head is scanned during printing. However, the mounting direction is not limited to this. The ink cartridge 12 may be loaded from a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the head 68, that is, from the bottom side of the printer or the like, and it goes without saying that the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0088]
The present invention employs an intermittent ink supply system and effectively utilizes space to reduce the size of an ink jet printer, while moving the ink supply source side to a joint position without moving a print head to intermittently supply ink. The present invention provides an ink jet printer capable of maintaining print quality for a long time without adversely affecting printhead mounting accuracy by adopting a configuration that completely changes the concept of performing printing properly. it can.
[0089]
According to the embodiments described above, the following effects can be further achieved.
[0090]
That is, a storage section for storing the ink to be supplied to the print head is arranged on the opposite side of the print paper scanning position of the ink jet printer from the print position of the print paper with respect to the print paper conveyance path, and the ink storage section is provided. Not only does not require a complicated mechanism when supplying ink to the print head, but also allows ink to be supplied to the print head by moving the unit into and out of the scanning space of the print head and jointing it with the print head in a timely manner. The head itself does not need to perform a special moving operation for the ink supply operation different from the reciprocating scanning path for the printing operation (the moving direction is different from the scanning direction), and the positional accuracy of the head is reduced. This also has the effect of suppressing such situations and alleviating the need for strict accuracy control. In addition, by laying out the supply ink storage section in a space below the platen, which is usually wasted, the space efficiency of the printer can be significantly improved and the printer can be significantly reduced in size.
[0091]
Here, a rotation shaft is provided on a member (for example, a platen or the like) for setting the print sheet at the print position, and an ink storage unit is coupled to this member so as to be rotatable so as to advance and retreat to the scan space of the print head. As a result, the positioning at the time of ink supply is accurate, and a stable supply ink joint mechanism can be obtained.
[0092]
In addition, the ink storage section is an ink cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the printer, and is detachable from the rotating shaft side of the platen and other members. Can be improved, and the lift mechanism for performing rotation about the rotation axis can be disposed at a position away from the loading port, so that an effect that dust and the like hardly adhere can be obtained.
[0093]
Further, by mounting the ink cartridge at the position defined by the present invention, a part of the ink cartridge is located in the operation path of the wiper provided at the end (home position) of the head movement scanning path. It is possible to provide an absorber (wiper ink absorbing pad) for absorbing waste ink generated by the operation of the wiper for wiping ink remaining on the discharge port forming surface of the print head for this portion of the ink cartridge. ing. Therefore, it is possible to transfer the waste ink to the ink cartridge for each print. The arrangement position of the ink cartridge, which is such a replaceable member, coincides with the arrangement position of the wiper ink absorption pad, and the wiper ink absorption pad is also exchanged when the ink cartridge is exchanged, so that the capability of the wiper ink absorption pad is reduced. It will be refreshed before it is replaced.
[0094]
Further, by configuring the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge can be arranged at the position defined by the present invention, the entire surface can be printed on the printing paper, so that the waste ink absorber recovers the ink discharged beyond the width of the paper. Can also be arranged on the ink cartridge 12. This waste ink absorber will be replaced when the ink cartridge is replaced, and will be refreshed before the capacity of the waste ink absorber is reduced.
[0095]
This eliminates the need for a dedicated storage space for each waste ink on the printer side, so that the printer can be reduced in size, and it is not necessary to consider the overflow of the waste ink.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of an ink jet printer by adopting an intermittent supply method and effectively using a space, but without adversely affecting the mounting accuracy of a print head. Intermittent supply will be performed appropriately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a print mechanism of the printer according to the first embodiment in a cross section along a print medium transport direction.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a printing mechanism in the printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining a mounting portion of an ink cartridge in the printer according to the first embodiment by removing some of the components shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printing mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of a printing mechanism in order to explain the ink cartridge replacement operation in the first embodiment in more detail.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of a printing mechanism in order to explain the ink cartridge replacement operation in the first embodiment in more detail.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of a printing mechanism in order to explain the ink cartridge replacement operation in the first embodiment in more detail.
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing a printing mechanism from a cross section along a print medium transport direction for explaining a configuration of an ink supply unit and the like in the printing mechanism of the printer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the printing mechanism from a cross section along a carrier scanning direction for explaining a configuration of an ink cartridge loading unit and a transmission mechanism for lifting up the ink cartridge in the printing mechanism. .
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section in a direction along a scanning direction of a carrier.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printing mechanism from a cross-section along a carrier scanning direction for explaining loading of an ink cartridge and the like.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the printer in a state where the platen and the ink cartridge are lifted up about the rotation axis of the platen with respect to FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of cleaning a print head and cleaning a wiper.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of cleaning a print head and cleaning a wiper.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross section in a direction along a scanning direction of a carrier.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining operations of the lift slider, the lock slider, and the suction joint according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the lift-up mechanism for explaining the operation of the lift-up mechanism for the platen and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state where the positioning pin is being inserted into the positioning hole of the ink cartridge.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the lift-up mechanism for explaining the operation of the lift-up mechanism for the platen and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a lift-up mechanism for explaining the operation of the lift-up mechanism for the platen and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the lift-up mechanism for explaining the operation of the lift-up mechanism for the platen and the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a printing mechanism from a cross section along a carrier scanning direction for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printing mechanism from a cross-section along a carrier scanning direction for describing a configuration and operation of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a printing mechanism from a cross-section along a carrier scanning direction, for describing a configuration and operation of a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
P1 Printer body
9 Platen
12 Ink cartridge
12a Unused projection
12b Drain hole
12c opening
19 Opening / closing lid
20 drain pipe
23 Waste ink absorber
40 career
57 Lead Screw
58 Lift Slider
60 Suction cap
68 print head
77 Paper ejection roller
78 Transport roller
79 print paper
80 Paper feed roller
86,87,88 Ink bag
89 Holding plate
91,92,93 Joint rubber
94,95,96 Ink supply needle
97,98 Positioning pin
106 Wiper
108 wiper ink absorption pad
109 pad holder

Claims (4)

In an ink jet printer that prints on a print medium using a print head capable of discharging ink,
A storage section for the ink to be supplied to the print head is held in a space opposite to a side where the print head is scanned with respect to the area where the print head performs printing on the print medium. Holding means;
The storage unit is moved reciprocally toward a scanning space in which the scan of the print head is performed, and in a state where the storage unit is advanced with respect to the scanning space, the print head and the storage unit are jointed. Moving means for supplying ink;
An ink jet printer comprising: The holding unit is provided on a member that sets the print medium at a print position by the print head, and the moving unit rotates the member around a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the member. 2. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving the storage section forward and backward. The ink-jet printer according to claim 2, wherein the storage portion having a form of a cartridge is detachable from a side of the rotation shaft. The holding means is provided on a member for setting the print medium at a print position by the print head, and the moving means moves the member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scan direction of the print head to move the storage unit forward and backward. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising means for performing the operation.

Images