JP2004142449A - Recorder, recording cartridge, and recording material container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce running cost by mounting a large capacity recording material container while realizing high speed recording by ensuring a large recording area under a state where the entirety of a recorder is made thin and reduced in size. <P>SOLUTION: In the recorder, a recording area, a sheet feed roller area, and an ink (recording material) area are arranged on a line substantially parallel with a plane including the recording area. Consequently, increase in the recording area and the ink (recording material) area can be confined within a region on the line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium according to image information, a recording cartridge that can be mounted on the recording apparatus, and a color material storage container.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an ink jet printing apparatus that discharges ink from a plurality of printing elements as drops, for example, to form a predetermined image on a printing medium, the distance between the ink ejection surface of a printing head and the printing medium (hereinafter simply referred to as the “paper distance”) ) Greatly affects image quality. For example, ink ejected from a plurality of print elements arranged in a print head has a slight variation in its ejection direction. Also, a slight speed unevenness occurs in the moving scan of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted. In such a case, a deviation occurs in the landing position of the ink on the recording medium, and the deviation amount increases as the sheet distance increases, deteriorating the quality of the formed image. However, on the other hand, if the sheet distance is too small, the ink ejection surface may come into contact with the recording medium due to the unevenness of the recording medium. Therefore, in an area where the recording head is performing recording, it is desirable to apply an appropriate amount of tension to the recording medium and to keep the sheet distance within a predetermined range.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a conventional general inkjet recording apparatus.
In FIG. 1, 11 is a pickup roller, 13 is a recording medium, 12 is a paper feed tray on which unrecorded recording medium 13 can be loaded, 14 is a feeding roller, 15 is a pinch roller, 16 is a platen, and 17 is an ink tank. A cartridge integrated with a recording head, 18 is a discharge roller, 19 is a spur, and 20 is a discharge tray.

When a command to start the recording operation is given from the host computer or the like, first, the pickup roller 11 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) in the figure, and the topmost portion of the recording medium 13 stacked on the paper feed tray 12 is started. From one sheet at a time. Thereafter, the recording medium 13 is conveyed while being nipped by the feeding roller 14 and the pinch roller 15 and reaches the image recording section on the platen 16. The recording operation is performed by ejecting ink from each recording element of the recording head in accordance with an image signal while reciprocatingly scanning a carriage (not shown) on which the cartridge 17 is mounted in the drawing. The recording medium 13 after recording is nipped by the discharge roller 18 and the spur 19, conveyed outside the apparatus, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 20.

The central axes of the feed roller 14 and the pinch roller 15 are on the same straight line in the vertical direction. The same applies to the discharge roller 18 and the spur 19. Furthermore, the contact portion between the paper passing surface (upper surface) of the platen 16 and the feed roller 14 and the pinch roller 15 is on the same plane, and the feed roller 14 conveys the recording medium 13 horizontally. The paper passing surface (upper surface) of the platen 16 and the contact portion between the discharge roller 18 and the spur 19 are also on the same plane, and the discharge roller 18 conveys the recording medium 13 horizontally.

Generally, the feed roller 14 and the discharge roller 18 are set such that the peripheral speed of the discharge roller 18 is higher than that of the discharge roller 18, and the discharge roller 18 is configured to convey the recording medium 13 while pulling the recording medium 13. On the other hand, the transporting force of the discharge roller 18 is set to be sufficiently weaker than the transporting force of the feeding roller 14, and in practice, the discharging roller 18 pulls while sliding on the recording medium 13. I have. In this manner, by applying an appropriate amount of tension to the recording medium 13, the recording medium 13 is smoothed, and the distance d between the ink ejection surface of the cartridge 17 and the recording medium 13 is kept constant. Generally, it is appropriate that the distance d between the sheets is about 0.7 to 1.2 mm. If the distance d is within this range, the influence of the landing position shift as described above does not appear. It is also possible to prevent the ink ejection surface from contacting the recording medium.

今 In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for inkjet recording apparatuses to increase the recording speed and reduce the running cost. When an attempt is made to increase the recording speed, it is desirable to increase the number of recording elements arranged on the recording head to increase the recording width h that can be recorded in one recording scan by the carriage. In order to reduce the running cost, it is effective to increase the volume of the ink tank to increase the usable ink capacity. However, in either case, the conventional configuration is inevitably enlarging the size of the recording apparatus. That is, when the recording width h is increased, the area H sandwiched between the feed roller 14 and the discharge roller 18 is also expanded, and the size of the entire apparatus is increased in the depth direction. Further, in order to increase the usable ink capacity, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the ink tank. In this case, the ink tank and the printing apparatus tend to expand in the height direction with respect to the printing area surface.

On the other hand, in computer-related equipment for consumer use around a desk, in recent years, a thin, vertical configuration has become mainstream. For example, a CRT display has been reduced in space in place of a liquid crystal display, and in a personal computer, it has been made thinner and more compact, and can be easily arranged at one corner of a desk. Further, slim flat head scanners used in a vertically installed state are becoming mainstream. Under such circumstances, consumer-use inkjet recording apparatuses used around desks are no exception, and vertical, thin, and compact ones have been demanded. Therefore, the above-mentioned demands for high-speed recording and running cost reduction, which cause an increase in the size of the apparatus, have been in conflict with each other.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a large-capacity recording material storage container while securing a large recording area surface that enables high-speed recording. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus in which the running cost is reduced by mounting the recording apparatus, and the recording apparatus has a thin and compact configuration.

For this purpose, the present invention uses a recording material storage container for storing the recording material, and a recording unit that replenishes the recording material from the recording material storage container and applies the recording material to the recording medium from a plurality of parallel recording elements. And a recording apparatus having a pair of paper feed rollers for transporting the recording medium while holding the recording medium in an area where recording is performed by the recording means from the front and back surfaces and keeping the recording medium smooth. A recording area plane facing the recording medium in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged, at least a part of a paper feed roller area occupied by the paper feed roller, and a recording material area in which the recording material storage container is located Are arranged on the same straight line included in the recording area plane.

A recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording unit, comprising: a first transport roller that transports a recording medium in a predetermined transport path; and a downstream side of the first transport roller with respect to the transport path. Holding means for holding the recording means, a second conveyance roller arranged for conveying the recording medium downstream of the holding means with respect to the conveyance path, and the holding means or the recording means. The recording that is held and is further downstream of the second transport roller with respect to the transport path and located closer to the transport path than a point of the second transport roller farthest from the transport path. And a material storage container.

A recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording unit, comprising: a first transport roller that transports a recording medium in a predetermined transport path; and a downstream side of the first transport roller with respect to the transport path. Holding means for holding the recording means, a second conveyance roller arranged for conveying the recording medium downstream of the holding means with respect to the conveyance path, and the holding means or the recording means. The recording that is held and is located further upstream than the first transport roller with respect to the transport path and closer to the transport path than a point of the first transport roller farthest from the transport path. And a material storage container.

According to the present invention, three main areas (recording area, paper feed roller area, and ink (recording material) area) related to recording are arranged in a straight line, and the recording area and the ink (recording material) area increase. Are also contained in the area on the straight line. As a result, the entire recording apparatus becomes thinner and smaller, and even if the number of recording elements is increased in response to the need for high-speed recording, or the capacity of the recording material is increased in response to the need for reducing running costs, the recording apparatus is increased. Does not increase in size.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, ink is described as an example of a recording material stored in a recording material storage container (hereinafter, also referred to as an ink tank) of the present invention. There is no limit. Needless to say, in the field of ink jet recording, it includes a treatment liquid for a recording medium.

(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus applied in the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink jet recording apparatus main body, 2 denotes a paper feed tray for feeding a recording medium, 3 denotes a discharge tray from which a recording medium after recording is discharged, and members other than the two trays are: Are all accommodated in the rectangular parallelepiped ink jet recording apparatus main body 1. In the present embodiment, the recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 2 located below the main body of the recording apparatus to the paper discharge tray 3 located above, along the path indicated by the arrow in the figure. In the middle of the transport path, the recording medium is substantially perpendicular to the installation surface, and the recording is performed on the recording medium in the recording area 6 by the cartridge 4 installed above the main body of the recording apparatus.

The cartridge 4 according to the present embodiment includes a recording head 4a for performing inkjet recording, and an ink tank 4b for supplying ink to the recording head 4a. The ink tank 4b is connected to the recording head 4a via an ink supply port, and supplies ink while being mounted almost directly above the recording head 4a. A plurality of recording elements for ejecting ink are arranged in the recording head 4a, and the arrangement direction is parallel to the conveying direction of the recording medium. Reference numeral 5 denotes a carriage, which can reciprocate in a vertical direction in the drawing along a guide shaft (not shown) with the recording head 4a and the ink tank 4b mounted. The ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment is of a serial type, and the image formation on the recording medium is performed by a recording main scan in which the carriage 5 is moved while ejecting ink from each recording element of the recording head 4a, and a recording medium conveyance path. This is performed by sequentially repeating the transfer of a predetermined amount along.

(4) In the recording area 6, the recording medium forms a vertical plane by the paper feed rollers 7 arranged before and after. Further, a platen is provided on a plane substantially parallel to and facing a recording element surface (hereinafter, also referred to as a recording section) of the recording head. As described above, the distance between the recording medium conveyed on the platen and the recording section is maintained at a small gap (inter-paper distance d). In the present embodiment, the length h of the recording section in the cross-sectional view is 10 to 50 mm, and the sheet distance d maintains a value of 0.7 to 1.2 mm over the length h. .

Among the paper feed rollers 7 arranged before and after the recording area 6, a normal roller is used as the paper feed roller 7a on the upstream side with respect to the conveyance path, while the paper feed roller 7b on the downstream side is a spur having a gear shape. May be used. In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, it may take about 0.2 seconds for the discharged ink to be fixed on the recording medium, and if the recording medium immediately after recording comes in contact with the paper feed roller, the image quality may be degraded. Therefore, by setting the conveying roller in contact with immediately after recording as a spur roller in the form of a gear, the area of contact with the recording medium can be reduced and the image after recording can be prevented from being affected.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the paper feed roller 7b is located in an area close to the area scanned by the recording head 4a, the ink tank 4b, and the carriage 5 mounted with these, the paper feed roller 7b A feed roller guide is arranged so that the carriage 5 does not contact the rollers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the whole of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in more detail. In the drawing, reference numeral 61 denotes a pickup roller for feeding the recording medium P stacked on the paper feed tray 2 into the main body of the recording apparatus. Reference numeral 62 denotes a friction separation pad which prevents a recording medium other than the recording medium receiving the feeding force in contact with the pickup roller 61 from being fed into the apparatus main body.

(4) The recording medium P fed into the main body of the recording apparatus by the pickup roller 61 is reversed by the reversing roller 8 on the reversing path portion 47 a which is a part of the transport path 47. 8a and 8b are pinch rollers for pressing the recording medium against the reversing roller 8, and 63 is a guide plate for guiding the recording medium reversed by the reversing roller 8.

# 64 denotes a discharge guide plate for guiding the recording medium on which the image is recorded to the discharge tray, and 7g denotes a guide roller for guiding and supporting the recording medium at a position opposing the discharge guide plate 64. Reference numeral 7h denotes a discharge roller for discharging the recording medium P to the discharge tray 3.

# 42a denotes a carriage guide serving as a guide when the carriage 5 scans in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, and 67 denotes a circuit board provided on the carriage 5.

# 65 is an opening / closing lid which is also a part of the exterior part 8 of the apparatus housing. The opening / closing lid 65 is rotatably provided around a hinge 65a for performing maintenance or replacement of the carriage 5, the recording head 4a, and the ink tank 4b.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment described in FIG. In the figure, ink tanks 4b are ink tanks for three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow, and are mounted on the carriage 5 together with the recording head 4a in parallel in the main scanning direction. The numbers and colors of the ink tanks 4b and the recording heads 4a can be changed according to the use of the recording apparatus and the output image, and do not limit the present invention and the present embodiment. In this manner, the recording head 4a and the ink tank 4b perform recording on the recording medium while scanning the paper feed roller 7 in parallel.

Next, the recording operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2 again.
A recording operation is started by input of a recording signal from a host computer or a recording start operation from an operation unit of the recording apparatus main body. The recording operation starts when the recording medium on the paper feed tray 2 is fed. The recording medium is pressed in the stacking direction by a driving mechanism (not shown) near the paper feed tray 2 and is fed into the printing apparatus. The recording medium having received the conveying force is separated into one sheet by a separation mechanism (not shown), brought into close contact with the reversing roller 8, and the conveying direction is reversed upward by the rotation of the reversing roller 8. The recording medium whose direction has been changed is sent to the recording area 6.

(4) When the recording medium is inserted into the recording area 6, the recording of the image data by the host computer or the image processing means in the recording apparatus is started. That is, a step in which the recording head 4a mounted on the carriage 5 performs scanning while discharging ink from the recording element, and a step in which a predetermined amount of the recording medium is conveyed by the paper feed roller 7 in a direction orthogonal to the recording scan. Is alternately repeated.

(5) After the recording on the recording medium is completed, the operation proceeds to the sheet discharging operation. The recording medium discharged along the arrow by the paper feed roller 7 moves to the discharge tray 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing in detail the features of the present embodiment, and is a schematic cross-sectional view around the recording area 6, the paper feed roller area 43, and the ink area 44.

The most characteristic point of the configuration of the present invention lies in the positional relationship between the above three regions. The first area is the recording area 6, which is composed of a recording section 41 in which the ejection ports of the recording head 4a are arranged in parallel, and a transport path of the recording medium recorded by the recording section 41. The second area is a paper feed roller area 43, which includes the paper feed roller 7b and the paper feed roller guide. The third area is an ink area 44, which is an area composed of ink and the ink tank 4b that stores the ink. The present invention is characterized in that these three areas are arranged on a straight line substantially parallel to the recording area extension plane 45 also included in the recording area 6. In FIG. 5, the recording area 6, the paper feed roller area 43, and the ink area 44 are arranged on a bold line substantially parallel to the recording area extension plane 45 shown by the dotted line.

As described above, the arrangement of the recording area 6, the paper feed roller area 43, and the ink tank area 44 in a straight line from the upstream to the downstream in the transport path of the recording medium is different from the conventional method described with reference to FIG. As described above, the space in the printing apparatus can be more effectively used when the ink area is perpendicular to the printing area. In particular, in order to support the recording medium during recording while maintaining an appropriate sheet distance, ink is supplied to the recording head from the position downstream of the transport path beyond the paper feed roller 7b, which is difficult to keep a distance from the recording area. It can be said that the arrangement of the ink tank 4b in such a configuration is a feature of the present invention.

換 え In other words, description will be given with reference to FIG. Most of the ink tank 4b of this embodiment is located further downstream of the paper feed roller 7b downstream of the recording head 4a. The paper feed roller 7b has a shape occupying an area closer to the transport path 47 than a point 7d farthest from the transport path 47.

Further, by arranging the three regions in a compact manner and arranging them in a vertical line as in the present embodiment, the contact area of the recording apparatus main body can be reduced as much as possible. In the transport path of the present embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2, the diameter of the reversing roller 8 that changes the direction of the recording medium that has been transported downward in the upward direction will determine the width of the installation area. . That is, the recording area, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area are all disposed immediately above the reversing roller 8 and can be installed with a width smaller than the diameter of the reversing roller 8, so that these widths are: It does not affect the size of the recording apparatus main body.

At the same time, even if the number of printing elements is increased in response to the need for high-speed printing, or the ink capacity is increased in accordance with the need for running cost reduction, such a configuration allows the printing area 6 and the ink area 44 to be It can be enlarged along the recording area extension plane 45. Therefore, unlike the conventional recording apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1, the recording apparatus does not increase in size due to an increase in depth or ground contact area.

By the way, in this embodiment, in order to further reduce the running cost, it is assumed that a more efficient ink tank configuration is applied.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the ink tank 4b applied in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the ink tank 4b is configured to be detachably mounted on a carriage on which the recording head 4a is mounted, from above. The ink is supplied through a hollow ink supply needle 51 installed upward on the carriage.

The ink tank 4b generally includes two chambers, an ink storage chamber 52 and a valve chamber 53, in which an ink storage space is defined. The two chambers communicate with each other through a valve communication passage 54. The ink storage chamber 52 is filled with ink for discharging from the recording head 4a.

In addition, the method of ejecting ink in the recording head 4a is not particularly limited, and for example, thermal energy generated from an electrothermal converter may be used as energy for ejecting ink. In this case, the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer causes film boiling in the ink, and the ink can be ejected from the ink ejection port by the foaming energy at that time.

A flexible buffer sheet 55 is provided in a part of the ink storage chamber 52, and a space for storing ink (hereinafter referred to as an ink storage space 56) is defined between this part and the exterior. ing. The outer space with respect to the ink storage space 56 as viewed from the buffer sheet 55, that is, the buffer space on the right side with respect to the buffer sheet 55 in the drawing is opened to the atmosphere and made equal to the atmospheric pressure. Further, the inside of the ink storage space 56 forms a substantially closed space except for the ink supply port 63 provided below and the communication path 54 to the valve chamber.

バ ッ フ ァ The buffer sheet 55 of this example is formed of a deformable flexible film (sheet member). The shape of the central portion of the buffer sheet 55 is regulated by a buffer pressure plate 57 which is a flat support member, and only the peripheral portion can be deformed. The buffer sheet 55 in FIG. 6 has a central portion convex to the right and a substantially trapezoidal side surface. Further, the buffer sheet 55 is deformed in accordance with the amount of ink and the pressure fluctuation in the ink storage space 56. At this time, the peripheral portion of the buffer sheet 55 expands and contracts in a well-balanced manner, and the central portion of the buffer sheet 55 moves in a horizontal direction in the figure while maintaining a substantially vertical posture. As described above, since the buffer sheet 55 is smoothly deformed (moved), no shock is generated due to the deformation, and no abnormal pressure fluctuation occurs in the ink storage space 56 due to the shock.

A buffer spring 58 in the form of a compression spring is provided in the ink storage space 56. The buffer spring 58 generates a pressing force for urging the buffer sheet 55 rightward in the drawing via the buffer pressure plate 57. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the recording head 4a such that the ink can be ejected, and the meniscus formed in the ink ejection section is maintained in an appropriate state. The state of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the ink storage space 56 is almost completely filled with ink. In this state, the buffer spring 58 is still in a compressed state. Negative pressure is occurring.

The valve chamber 53 is provided with a valve pressure contact plate 60 having a valve communication port 59 as a component of the one-way valve and serving as a valve closing member, and a valve seat 61 formed of a seal member for sealing the valve communication port 59. It is. The valve pressure contact plate 60 is joined to the valve seat 61, and the valve communication port 59 penetrates through the valve pressure contact plate 60 and the valve seat 61. In the valve chamber as well, except for the valve chamber communication passage 54 and the valve communication port 59, a substantially closed space is maintained. The space on the right side of the figure from the valve seat 61 is opened to the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication port 64 and is equal to the atmospheric pressure.

In the valve seat 61, the peripheral portion other than the portion joined to the valve pressure contact plate 60 at the center is also deformable, the center is convex, and the side surface is substantially trapezoidal. . With such a configuration, the left and right movement of the valve pressure contact plate 60 is smoothly performed.

バ ル ブ A valve spring 62 is provided inside the valve chamber 53 as a valve regulating member for regulating the opening operation of the valve. The valve spring 62 is in a slightly compressed state, and the valve pressure contact plate 60 is pushed rightward in the figure by the reaction force of the compression of the valve spring 62. By performing close contact / separation of the valve seat 61 with respect to the valve communication port 59, a function as a valve is achieved, but only introduction of gas from the atmosphere communication port 64 into the valve chamber through the valve communication port 59 is permitted. Therefore, the valve chamber 53 has a one-way valve mechanism.

シ ー ル As a seal member of the valve seat 61, any member can be used as long as the valve communication port 59 is securely sealed. That is, it suffices that at least a portion that comes into contact with the valve communication port 59 has a shape that maintains flatness with respect to the opening surface, and the material is not particularly limited as long as it can ensure a close contact state. However, since this close contact is achieved by the extension force of the valve spring 62, the sealing member is made of an elastic material such as rubber, which is easy to follow the valve pressure contact plate 60 which moves by the action of the extension force, that is, rubber having contractility. More preferably, it is formed.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the ink tank 4b is separated from the state in which it is mounted on the recording head 4a in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the ink in the ink tank is completely used, the empty ink tank can be cut off as shown in the figure and replaced with a new ink tank filled with ink. The connection between the recording head 4a and the ink tank 4b is made by inserting the ink supply needle 51 provided in the recording head 4a into the ink tank 4b. As a result, the two are fluidly coupled, and ink can be supplied to the recording head 4a. A joint rubber 65 is attached around the ink supply needle 51 to ensure the close contact between the ink supply needle and the ink tank. Further, a filter is provided in a flow path between the ink supply needle 51 and the recording head 4a to prevent impurities mixed in the supplied ink from flowing into the recording head 4a.

As described above, in order to discharge ink stably from the recording head 4a, a certain amount of negative pressure is required to draw the ink in the recording element into the head. Conventionally, in order to generate this negative pressure, an absorber such as a sponge is filled in the ink tank, and a force of absorbing the ink by the absorber is used as the negative pressure. However, filling the ink tank with an absorber, such as a sponge, reduces the true ink volume inside the tank. Further, since there is a step of filling the absorber, the shape of the ink tank is restricted. On the other hand, according to the ink tank 4b of the above-described embodiment, since the negative pressure is controlled by the buffer spring 58 and the valve chamber 53, a large amount of ink is transferred to the elongated tank as in the present embodiment. The negative pressure can be kept stable during the ink supply process regardless of whether the ink is stored or in any shape tank as long as the ink as the liquid can be stored. Further, since no ink is contained in the absorber such as sponge, all the ink in the tank can be used up. As a result, the volume efficiency of the ink tank alone can be improved, and it can be said that the ink tank is suitable for a thin and small recording apparatus as applied in the present embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording area, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area are arranged on a straight line substantially parallel to the plane including the recording area and perpendicular to the installation surface of the recording apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a thin and small recording device with a small installation area. Further, by applying an ink tank that does not include an absorber such as a sponge to the recording apparatus, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that is more efficient and has a low running cost.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus in which the thin recording apparatus is used vertically and the installation area is small is described. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus which is thin but is used in a flat state will be described.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the recording area in the actual use state of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. In this figure, the plane of the recording area is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, in this state, the same ink tanks as in the first embodiment are arranged and used as illustrated.

FIG. 8A shows an initial state in which the ink tank 4b is sufficiently filled with ink. In this case, the ink tank near the paper feed roller 7b is located above the paper feed roller 7b. Therefore, as the recording proceeds, the ink initially in the ink tank needs to pass through a path that rises once against the gravity and then descends again to the recording head. In general, there is a concern that the ink flow may not be smooth as compared with the conventional method of always supplying ink vertically downward as described with reference to FIG.

However, in the case of the present embodiment, the ink tank described in the first embodiment is applied, and the buffer sheet 55 is disposed vertically below the ink storage chamber. Accordingly, as the ink is consumed, the buffer area located below the buffer sheet 55 gradually increases upward as a space equal to the atmospheric pressure, so that the ink in the ink storage chamber is supplied to the recording head without difficulty. It is done.

FIG. 7B shows a state in which the ink has been consumed from the state of FIG. 7A and all the remaining ink is located above the paper feed roller area. In this state, all of the ink in the ink storage space 56 is located above the recording unit 41 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, also on the path, the supply is made gradually downward without opposing gravity. At this point, by introducing the atmosphere from the above-described valve (not shown), all the ink inside can be sent to the recording head, and the ink can be completely used.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording area, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area are arranged on a straight line substantially parallel to the plane including the recording area and horizontal to the installation surface of the recording apparatus. Accordingly, it has become possible to realize a thin and small recording apparatus having a low apparatus height. Further, by applying the same ink tank as that of the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a more efficient recording apparatus with a low running cost.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9A is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the arrangement of the recording area, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, in order to realize a vertical and thin recording apparatus, the recording area, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area are formed substantially in parallel with the recording area extension surface. It is arranged on a straight line perpendicular to the installation surface of the device. However, the ink area 81 according to the present embodiment protrudes greatly in an area opposite to the recording head with respect to the extension plane of the recording area.

(2) As shown in FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, a vertical recording apparatus usually has a configuration in which a discharge tray is inclined at a certain angle so that a recorded medium does not fall over. In such a case, there is an unused space in the rectangular parallelepiped frame due to the inclination of the paper discharge tray. In the present embodiment, the volume efficiency of the printing apparatus is improved by utilizing this area as the ink area 81.

FIG. 9B shows a state in which ink has been consumed from the state of FIG. 9A. In this embodiment, the same ink tank configuration as in the above-described two embodiments is applied. After the buffer area 82 separated by the buffer sheet and having the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure protrudes sufficiently to the left as shown in the figure, the atmosphere is introduced from a valve (not shown), and ink is completely discharged as in the previous embodiments. It can be used.

According to the present embodiment, the thinning of the printing apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the reduction in running cost is reduced by the first embodiment because the capacity of the ink tank is increased. It can be said that it is superior to the form.

In the above embodiment, the ink tank with the valve chamber shown in FIG. 6 and without the absorber is applied in order to particularly emphasize the running cost, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if an ink tank including an absorber such as a sponge is applied without having a valve chamber as in the related art, the arrangement of three areas characterized by the present invention, namely, a recording area, a paper feed roller area, and If the ink areas are arranged on a straight line substantially parallel to the plane including the recording area, the effect of the present invention on reducing the size of the recording apparatus can be sufficiently obtained.

In the above embodiments, the serial type inkjet recording apparatus has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the recording area of the recording head, the paper feed roller area, and the ink area are arranged on a straight line substantially parallel to the recording area plane, the effect of the present invention can be applied to a line printer that does not perform moving scanning of the recording head. Is sufficiently obtained.

Further, in the above embodiments, the recording material as a consumable has been described using liquid ink as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. One of the features and advantages of the present invention is that consumables, such as ink, which directly affect the running cost of the printing apparatus, are retained in the printing apparatus in a form that increases the volumetric efficiency. Therefore, even if the consumable is not liquid ink, the effects of the present invention can be exerted even when the consumable is in the form of, for example, a solid ink or an ink ribbon.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, the recording medium is transported along the transport path 47 from above to below. A normal roller is used for the conveying roller pair 7a on the upstream side of the recording area 6, and a gear-shaped spur-shaped roller is used for the roller on the recording head 4a side of the downstream roller pair 7b. Most of the ink tank 4b is located further upstream of the paper feed roller 7a on the upstream side of the recording head 4a, and extends to a region closer to the transport path 47 than the point 7e farthest from the transport path 47 of the paper feed roller 7b. It is shaped to occupy.

The present invention can be used for a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium according to image information.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration example of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus applied in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the recording device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining an arrangement relationship among a recording area, a paper feed area, and an ink area in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining an ink supply path of an ink tank applied in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state where the ink tank shown in FIG. 6 is separated from a recording head. (A) and (b) are enlarged sectional views for explaining an ink supply path of an ink tank applied in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 13A and 13B are enlarged cross-sectional views for explaining the arrangement relationship among a recording area, a paper feed area, and an ink area in a recording apparatus applied to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for explaining a 4th embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink-jet recording apparatus main body 2 Paper feed tray 3 Disused tray 4 Cartridge 5 Carriage 6 Recording area 7 Paper feed roller 8 Reverse roller 11 Pickup roller 12 Paper feed tray 13 Recording medium 14 Feed roller 15 Pinch roller 16 Platen 17 Cartridge 18 Discharge roller 19 spur 20 paper discharge tray 41 recording section 42 paper feed roller guide 43 paper feed roller area 44 ink area 45 recording area extension plane 51 ink supply needle 52 ink storage chamber 53 valve chamber 54 valve communication path 55 buffer sheet 56 ink storage space 57 Buffer pressure plate
58 Buffer spring 59 Valve communication port 60 Valve pressure contact plate 61 Valve seat 62 Valve spring 63 Ink supply port 64 Atmospheric communication port 65 Joint rubber 81 Ink area 82 Buffer area

Claims (11)

A recording material storage container for storing the recording material,
Replenishing the recording material from the recording material storage container, using a recording means to apply the recording material to a recording medium from a plurality of recording elements arranged in parallel,
In a recording apparatus having a pair of paper feed rollers for transporting the recording medium, while maintaining the recording medium in an area where recording is performed by the recording unit from the front and back surfaces, and keeping the recording medium smooth.
A recording area plane facing the recording medium in which the plurality of recording elements of the recording means are arranged, at least a part of a paper feed roller area occupied by the paper feed roller, and the recording material storage container are located. A recording apparatus, wherein at least a part of a recording material area is arranged on the same straight line included in the recording area plane. At least a part of the paper feed roller area is located on the same straight line included in the recording area plane while being sandwiched between the recording area plane and at least a part of the recording material area. The recording device according to claim 1. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material area is located above the recording head in the direction of gravity in a posture in use. 4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material is positioned lower in the gravity direction in the recording material storage container as the recording is performed on the recording medium. 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording material is a liquid, and the liquid is stored in the recording material container as it is. 6. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device has a device for performing recording in a process of moving the recording medium in a horizontal direction in a posture when the recording device is used. Recording device. The recording material is a liquid ink, and the recording element includes an ejection port for ejecting the ink, and an element for generating energy used for ejecting the ink from the ejection port. The recording device according to claim 1. (8) A recording cartridge comprising the recording means and the recording material storage container, the recording cartridge having a shape attachable to the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7. A recording material container which is detachable from the recording means used in the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the recording means constituting the recording cartridge according to claim 8. A recording device that performs recording using recording means,
A first transport roller that transports the recording medium in a predetermined transport path,
Holding means for holding the recording means, which is disposed downstream of the first conveyance roller with respect to the conveyance path,
A second transport roller that is disposed downstream of the holding unit with respect to the transport path and transports the recording medium;
The sheet is held by the holding unit or the recording unit, and is further downstream than the second conveyance roller with respect to the conveyance path, and the conveyance of the second conveyance roller from a point farthest from the conveyance path. A recording material storage container located up to a distance close to a road; A recording device that performs recording using recording means,
A first transport roller that transports the recording medium in a predetermined transport path,
Holding means for holding the recording means, which is disposed downstream of the first conveyance roller with respect to the conveyance path,
A second transport roller that is disposed downstream of the holding unit with respect to the transport path and transports the recording medium;
The sheet is held by the holding unit or the recording unit, and is further upstream of the first conveyance roller with respect to the conveyance path, and the conveyance of the first conveyance roller from a point farthest from the conveyance path. A recording material storage container located up to a distance close to a road;

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