JP2005074705A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent poor printing from being caused by adhesion of dust to recording paper and prevent poor conduction etc. from being caused by adhesion of dust to a circuit board, by preventing intrusion of dust into an apparatus body, in terms of a recording apparatus wherein a paper path entrance is provided on the other side of a paper feeding port of a paper carrying path. <P>SOLUTION: The paper path entrance 24a, which is provided on the top surface or backside of the apparatus body, of the paper carrying path is provided with a lid member (paper path lid) 54 which can be opened by a paper carrying force in the case where the recording paper is output to the outside of the apparatus body, and which is automatically closed (by self-weight) in other cases. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording material such as recording paper based on image information, such as a printer or a printing apparatus.

  Recording devices such as printers and printing devices can be classified into thermal transfer recording devices, ink jet recording devices, laser recording devices, wire dot recording devices, and the like depending on the recording method. Of these, thermal paper is used as printing paper, and a plurality of heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction are selectively driven to convey the paper in the sub-scanning direction, thereby printing a dot line on the paper. There is a line thermal transfer recording apparatus to perform. In recent years, with the advance of input devices that handle images such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, and scanners on the input side, attention is paid to thermal transfer recording devices. The thermal transfer recording apparatus is a recording apparatus suitable for printing out electronic information captured by a still camera, a video camera, or the like that records a still image, using a computer or a recording medium.

  For example, in other systems such as an ink jet recording apparatus, since there is only a binary selection as to whether or not to form dots, the apparent resolution can be increased by using a technique such as error diffusion while forming small dots on recording paper. In contrast to trying to obtain gradation, in the case of a thermal transfer recording apparatus, the value of heat capable of controlling one pixel can be easily changed, so that a large gradation is obtained for one pixel. Therefore, there is an advantage that a smooth and high-quality image can be obtained as compared with other recording apparatuses such as an inkjet recording apparatus. In addition, since the thermal transfer recording apparatus has improved the performance of the thermal head as a recording means and the performance of the paper material, it is possible to obtain an image print that is not inferior to a silver salt photograph even in the finished quality. In order to keep pace with progress, it is attracting attention as a printer for natural images.

  Therefore, an apparatus for processing image information such as a computer without directly connecting the above-described recording apparatus to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, or by integrally configuring the image information. There is also a system that prints out directly without intervention. According to such a system, it is possible to easily print out image information from a digital camera or digital video camera, which is very convenient. Furthermore, when the recording device is used as an image output device such as a digital camera, the user is required to have mobility according to the use of the digital camera, and the size and weight associated therewith are reduced. Etc. are needed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-151423 describes downsizing of a recording apparatus and reduction in the number of parts. This comprises a recording medium and a conveyance roller capable of conveying the recording medium to the printing means (recording means) side, and feeding the recording medium to the printing means side during printing by rotation of the conveyance roller And a paper discharge operation for returning the printed recording medium in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction and discharging the returned recording medium. ing. According to this, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by unifying the two rollers of the paper feed roller and paper discharge roller of the conventional printer paper feed / discharge mechanism into one transport roller, which leads to miniaturization of the printer. Is very effective.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-260471 describes downsizing of a printing apparatus. This printing device is provided on the bottom surface side of the printing device, and has a control circuit having a control circuit for controlling at least one of paper feed control and ink ribbon feed control, and is provided on one side of the printing device, and battery contacts are connected. And a connecting means for electrically connecting the control board and the power board, wherein the control board and the power board are one end side of the control board and one end part of the power board. The two boards connected to each other are substantially L-shaped and are mounted on the exterior of the printing apparatus. Such a configuration can reduce the mounting area of the board by improving the mounting form and arrangement of the circuit board on which the circuit group necessary for the printing operation is mounted, and for the downsizing of the printing apparatus. It is very effective.
JP2001-151423 JP 2001-260471 A JP-A-5-24358

  However, in the recording apparatus, when an image is printed out, dust is placed on the recording paper before the printing operation (recording operation), so that a printing failure (recording failure) may occur in that portion. is there. In particular, in a thermal transfer recording apparatus, due to the nature of thermal transfer, defective printing caused by the dust occurs up to the area where the dust is present, and image quality deterioration is caused even in the case of fine dust such as cilia. May become clear. As means for solving such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-24358 discloses an invention relating to a thermal transfer printer for making a light-shielding mask. In the invention disclosed therein, an air suction means by a vacuum cleaner, a dust removal means by an adhesive roller, or a static elimination means by static elimination by a static elimination roller is disposed immediately before the thermal transfer portion so that dust does not enter the inside of the printer. By doing so, dust on the recording paper is to be removed before printing.

  However, in such a method, there is a strong tendency for the recording apparatus to be reduced in size, cost, convenience, etc., and a sufficient solution has not been realized. For example, in the case of air suction means using a vacuum cleaner, a power source for generating intake air is required, which is contrary to the realization of downsizing and cost reduction of the printer device. In addition, in the case of dust removal means using adhesive rollers, there is a disadvantage that dust will accumulate on the roller surface by continuing to use the adhesive roller and the dust removal performance will be lost. Regular maintenance is performed to eliminate this inconvenience. It is possible to do this, but this will impair convenience. Furthermore, in the case of the static eliminator by static electricity removal by the static eliminator roller, the purpose is to reduce the dust adsorption force of the recording paper due to static electricity, and another dust removing means is required unless the recording paper is arranged vertically. However, it is not a fundamental means for solving problems.

  In the case of a thermal transfer type recording apparatus, the sheet conveyance path is provided in the rear part of the apparatus substantially linearly without bending the recording sheet after the recording sheet is taken into the apparatus main body from the paper feed port. A configuration is adopted in which the leading edge of the paper is made to enter and exit from the paper entrance and exit. However, in such a configuration, when the recording apparatus is installed in an inappropriate state in which the rear part of the apparatus is in contact with the wall, or when an object is scattered around the recording apparatus, the recording sheet that has popped out from the rear sheet entrance / exit However, there is an inconvenience that it hits an obstacle or a wall, and the impact causes a printing failure or a paper jam. As a solution to this problem, it is considered that the sheet conveyance path is bent upward from the sheet feeding port and the sheet inlet / outlet is provided at the upper part of the apparatus so that the recording sheet can enter and exit in the vertical direction at the sheet inlet / outlet. It is done. However, in such a configuration, since the paper inlet / outlet is provided in the upper part of the apparatus, there is a disadvantage that the possibility that dust enters the apparatus is further increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent dust from entering the inside of the apparatus main body, and prints are poor because dust is placed on a recording material such as recording paper. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can prevent the occurrence of the problem.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording material by recording means based on image information. When the recording material goes out of the apparatus main body, the lid member provided in the apparatus main body opens and the recording material is led out of the apparatus main body. The lid member is automatically closed when the recording material is inside the apparatus main body or not present.

  According to the present invention, the recording material conveyance path is formed so that the recording material goes out of the apparatus main body from the upper surface or the back surface of the apparatus main body, and when the recording material goes out of the apparatus main body, A configuration in which a lid member provided in the apparatus main body is opened and the recording material is led out of the apparatus main body, and the lid member is automatically closed when the recording material is inside the apparatus main body or not present. As a result, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the apparatus main body without increasing the number of parts or increasing the size of the apparatus, and it is possible to prevent prints from becoming defective due to dust on the recording material such as recording paper. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 1 to 3 are schematic longitudinal sectional views showing an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state during paper feeding, FIG. 2 shows a state at a recording start position, and FIG. Each state of the recording end position is shown. 1 to 3, when recording is performed, a paper cassette 2 loaded with a plurality of recording materials (recording papers) P is inserted into the apparatus main body 1 to prepare for paper feeding. At this time, a plurality of types of sizes such as a card size, an L size, and a post card size are prepared for the recording paper P, and the size of the paper cassette 2 also has a width and a length corresponding to them. A rail-shaped protrusion is formed on the bottom surface of the paper cassette 2 and is fitted in a groove provided in the apparatus main body 1 so that the width of the paper cassette 2 having different widths according to the size of the recording paper P is increased. Position alignment is performed so that the center and the center in the width direction of the apparatus main body 1 coincide. Next, the recording paper P is separated and fed one by one by the paper feeding roller 3 to feed paper. At this time, the recording paper P is formed by cutting out a part of the paper cassette 2 by lifting the paper push-up plate 5 that is spring-biased by a cam gear 4 (not shown) that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 26. The sheet is brought into contact with the sheet feed roller 3 by the push-up plate 6.

  The recording paper P transported by the paper feed roller 3 is sandwiched by a pair of transporting rollers composed of a pinch roller 7 and a paper transporting roller 8 so that the recording unit can be reciprocally transported. The recording paper P is further conveyed to the back of the apparatus by a pair of conveying rollers, and the recording paper leading edge Pa passes through the recording unit (printing unit) and is further conveyed so that the recording paper trailing end Pb is separated from the paper feeding roller 3 or It becomes the state just before leaving. That is, the recording paper P fed through the path switching flap 9 is in the state of the recording start position (printing start position) shown in FIG. 2, and the recording paper P is not further conveyed to the back. A paper path lid 54 made of a rotatable lid member is attached to a through hole portion on the upper left side of the apparatus main body 1 on the paper conveyance path.

  Therefore, when the recording paper leading edge Pa passes through a gap provided between the ink cassette 10 and the cassette guide 14 and further the recording paper P is conveyed in the upper left direction of the apparatus main body 1, the recording paper is caused by the conveying force. As shown in FIG. 2, when the leading edge Pa of the recording paper is released by pushing up the paper path lid 54, the printing paper starting position (recording starting position) is reached when the leading edge Pa of the recording paper protrudes outside the exterior of the apparatus main body. . A power supply unit 53 for supplying power is disposed behind the engine unit including the recording head 18 and the conveyance roller 8 of the apparatus main body 1, and a battery 52 is accommodated therein. A circuit board 51 having a power supply circuit and a control circuit is disposed on a bottom surface of the engine portion and extending below the power supply portion.

  The recording operation (printing operation) is performed from the printing start position shown in FIG. 2 to the time when the recording paper P is conveyed toward the front of the apparatus until it reaches the printing end position shown in FIG. In this printing operation, the paper conveyance path differs from the above-described conveyance until the start of printing, and the recording paper trailing edge Pb passes above the path switching flap 9. Then, the recording paper P passing above the path switching flap 9 passes between the paper feed roller 3 and the paper pressing roller 16 and exits from the apparatus main body 1 to the print end position (FIG. 3). At the time of paper discharge, the paper is transported further from the printing end position toward the front of the apparatus, and the recording paper front end Pa is separated from the pair of transport rollers. , The recording paper P is separated from the paper feed roller 3 and landed on the upper surface of the paper cassette 2.

  Next, the recording unit (printing unit) will be described. The illustrated recording apparatus shows a case of a thermal transfer recording apparatus. In the thermal transfer recording apparatus, a thermal head 18 as a recording unit is constituted by a heating unit having a plurality of heating elements, and the ink sheet 13 is formed by the heating unit 18. Recording is performed by transferring the upper ink onto the recording material P. In the printing unit (recording unit), the platen roller 17 and the thermal head 18 that generates heat according to the recording information face each other across the recording paper conveyance path. Then, the ink sheet 13 stored in the ink sheet cassette (ink cassette) 10 and fed to the ribbon and the recording paper P are pressed against the thermal head 18 by the platen roller 17 so as to be pressed with an appropriate pressure. By selectively heating the heating elements of the thermal head 18, thermal transfer recording of a predetermined image on the recording paper P is performed.

  Simultaneously with this thermal transfer recording, an operation of overcoating a protective layer for protecting the image on the recording paper P is also performed. The platen 17 is mounted so as to be movable up and down, and is pushed up against the spring force against the thermal head 18 by a cam gear 4 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 26 described later. Further, the ink sheet 13 is provided with an image forming ink layer coated with heat-meltable or heat-sublimable ink and the overcoat layer overcoated on the printing screen in order to protect the printing screen. ing. The ink sheet 13 covers the print area of the recording paper P and is provided with a yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink layer and an overcoat (OP) layer arranged in a size substantially equal to the size. After each layer is thermally transferred, the recording paper P is returned to the printing start position shown in FIG. 2, and from there, the printing operation for each color is repeated, and the recording paper P is sequentially superimposed and thermally transferred.

  Next, the ink cassette 10 will be described. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ink cassette 10 in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cassette of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a state when the ink cassette of FIG. It is a typical perspective view for demonstrating. 5 shows the ink cassette 10 of FIG. 4 as viewed from below. The ink cassette 10 includes a ribbon supply unit 10a, a ribbon winding unit 10b, and a connecting unit 10c. The connection part 10c connects the ribbon supply part 10a which consists of a cylindrical case, and the ribbon winding-up part 10b. The supply bobbin shaft 11 is incorporated in the ribbon supply unit 10a, and the take-up bobbin shaft 12 is incorporated in the ribbon take-up unit 10b. Both ends of the ink sheet 13 are fixed to the supply bobbin shaft 11 and the take-up bobbin shaft 12, respectively, and are incorporated into the ink cassette 10 in a state where all of them are wound around the supply bobbin shaft 11 at an unused stage. It is.

  One end of the supply bobbin shaft 11 is provided with a cylindrical portion 11a into which a supply-side bobbin 22a mounted so as to protrude and retract at a corresponding position on the apparatus main body side can be inserted so as to be able to transmit rotational force. At one end of the take-up bobbin shaft 12, there is provided a cylindrical part 12a into which a take-up bobbin 22b mounted so as to protrude and retract at a corresponding position on the apparatus main body side can be inserted so as to be able to transmit rotational force. The supply bobbin shaft 11 and the take-up bobbin shaft 12 are respectively provided with disc-shaped collars 11b and 12b between the cylindrical portions 11a and 12a and the shaft body. Radial irregularities are provided on the surfaces of the flanges 11b and 12b on the cylindrical portions 11a and 12a side. The ribbon supply unit 10a and the ribbon take-up unit 10b are provided with inner walls 10d and 10e for receiving the ribs 11b and 12b of the bobbin shafts 11 and 12, respectively. The inner walls 10d and 10e are provided with the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 respectively. Ribs that can engage the concave and convex portions of the collars 11b and 12b are provided. Normally, when the ribbon (ink cassette) is not used, the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 are pressed against the inner walls 10d and 10e by springs, and the uneven portions of the ribs 11b and 12b of the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 and the ribs of the inner walls 10d and 10e are connected. By engaging, the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 are prevented from rotating due to external impact or vibration.

  The winding of the ribbon is performed by the following configuration. That is, by inserting the cylindrical portions 11a and 12a of the supply bobbin shaft 11 and the take-up bobbin shaft 12 respectively into the supply-side bobbin 22a and the take-up bobbin 22b that are detachably attached to the apparatus main body, the spring is pressed. By pushing back the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 against the force, the projections and recesses of the ribs 11b and 12b of the bobbin shafts 11 and 12 and the ribs of the inner walls 10d and 10e are released to freely rotate the bobbin shafts 11 and 12. At the same time, the ribs formed on the outer circumferences of the supply-side bobbin 22a and the take-up bobbin 22b are engaged with the ribs inside the cylindrical portions 11a and 12a of the supply bobbin shaft 11 and the take-up bobbin shaft 12, whereby the bobbin 22 By rotating the (winding bobbin 22b) and rotating the bobbin shaft (winding bobbin shaft 12), the winding operation of the ribbon is performed. Divide.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state when the ink sheet cassette 10 is loaded in the apparatus main body. In FIG. 6, the ink sheet cassette (ink cassette) 10 must be attached to the apparatus main body 1 so that the ink sheet 13 is positioned between the thermal head 18 and the platen roller 17 of the printing unit. In the present embodiment, the upper plate 19 holding the thermal head 18 is opened while rotating about the upper plate shaft 20 to create a sufficient space between the thermal head 18 and the platen roller 17. The ink cassette 10 from the front can be loaded. The upper plate shaft 20 is provided on an upper cover 24 mounted on the apparatus main body so as to be rotatable (openable and closable) about a rotation shaft 24d, so that the upper plate 19 and the upper cover 24 can be opened and closed simultaneously. They are connected by a link (not shown). The ink cassette 10 is positioned so as to fit in the left and right frames 21 in the width direction, and the curved surfaces on the bottom side of the ribbon supply unit 10a and the ribbon take-up unit 10b of the ink cassette 10 are arranged on the rear cassette guide 14 and the front. This is performed by contacting the upper curved surface of the cassette guide 49.

  However, if the bobbin 22 (supply-side bobbin 22a, take-up bobbin 22b) is always in a position where it can engage with the take-up bobbin shaft 12, the side end of the ink cassette 10 and the bobbin 22 are not attached when the ink cassette 10 is loaded. The ink cassette 10 cannot be loaded because of interference. For this purpose, a mechanism for moving the bobbin 22 on the apparatus main body 1 side back and forth in the direction perpendicular to the central axis in accordance with the opening and closing of the upper plate 19 and moving the bobbin 22 in the central axis direction by a predetermined amount is provided. At the time of maximum opening, the tip of the bobbin 22 escapes (withdraws) toward the outside of the frame 21 so that interference when the ink cassette 10 is attached / detached does not occur. Further, when the upper plate 19 is closed, the bobbin 22 (winding bobbin 22b) on the apparatus body 1 side protrudes (projects) by a distance that sufficiently engages with the cylindrical portion 12a of the winding bobbin shaft 12. It is configured.

  When the upper plate 19 is opened, the thermal head 18 is exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and the temperature of the heating element of the thermal head 18 reaches 100 degrees Celsius during printing. It is necessary to prevent direct touching. For this reason, when the upper plate 19 is opened, the thermal head 18 is entirely covered with the protective cover 23 having a semicircular cross-section with the cylindrical shape halved.

  In FIG. 6, the projection shafts (supporting projections) at both ends of the protective cover 23 are rotatably supported by holding portions provided at both ends of the upper plate 19, respectively. It can be rotated around the center. A cam-shaped projection is formed on the end of the protective cover 23 (one end in the example shown in the figure), and this cam-shaped projection is always in contact with the lever (operating projection) provided on the upper cover 24. Touching. Since the rotating shaft 24d of the upper cover 24 as an exterior cover member is separately provided at a position different from the rotating shaft 20 of the upper plate 19, the upper cover 24 connected to the upper plate 19 by a link When opening and closing, the upper plate 19 is opened and closed while being shifted. Due to the deviation of the movement at the time of opening and closing, the lever portion of the upper cover 24 pushes the cam-shaped protrusion of the protective cover 23, so that the protective cover 23 is rotated around the protrusion shaft in conjunction with the opening and closing operation. . Thus, when the upper plate 19 is opened, the protective cover 23 covers the thermal head 18 to prevent the user from contacting the thermal head 18, and when the upper plate 19 is closed, the protective cover 23 is the upper cover (exterior cover member). The thermal head 18 is opened by being rotated to a position where it abuts against the ink cassette 24 and being stored so as to cover the ink cassette 10.

  Next, the movement (winding) path of the ink sheet 13 during printing will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the ribbon (ink sheet) 13 at the time of printing after loading the ink cassette 10 is unwound from the supply bobbin shaft 11 and slides with the outlet edge of the ribbon supply unit 10a. After sliding with the head cover 46, it is heated while being pressed against the recording paper P between the platen roller 17 and the thermal head 18, and is conveyed in close contact with the recording paper P to the release plate 47. Further, after the ink sheet 13 slides on the peeling plate 47, the ink sheet 13 is pulled from the recording paper P by an angle shaft 48 provided so as to have a predetermined angle in the conveyance path of the recording paper P toward the conveyance roller pair 7, 8. After being peeled off and slid with the angle shaft 48, it is wound around the winding bobbin shaft 12 while sliding with the upper side of the entrance edge of the ribbon winding portion 10b.

  7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a drive motor 25 and its gear train 25G as a drive system in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 26 as a drive system in the recording apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the surface (a) and back surface (b) of the cam gear in the gear train 26G. In FIG. 7, a cassava gear (bevel gear) 27 fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 25 meshes with a pair of cassava gears 28, and an idle gear 29 is fixed coaxially with the cassava gear 28. The paper feed roller drive gear 30 coaxial with the paper transport roller 8 is connected (interlocked) with the idle gear 29 via three gears that are always meshed so as to be freely rotatable. A gear lever 32 and a gear lever 33 that are rotatably supported around the shaft are attached to the paper feed roller driving gear support shaft 31.

  A bobbin transmission gear support shaft 35 that rotatably supports the bobbin transmission gear 34 is provided at the tip of the gear lever 32. The bobbin transmission gear 34 is disposed so as to be able to revolve around the paper feed roller drive gear support shaft 31 while constantly meshing with the paper feed roller drive gear 30. A bobbin gear 36 is rotatably disposed on the right side of the bobbin transmission gear 34 in the figure. The bobbin gear 36 is disposed coaxially with the take-up bobbin shaft 12. The bobbin gear 36 is arranged so as to be able to select meshing and disengagement with the bobbin transmission gear 34 by the revolving operation of the bobbin transmission gear 34.

  A paper feed transmission gear support shaft 38 that rotatably supports the paper feed transmission gear 37 is provided at the tip of the other gear lever 33. The paper feed transmission gear 37 is arranged to revolve around the paper feed roller drive gear support shaft 31 while always meshing with the paper feed roller drive gear 30. The paper feed transmission gear 37 is composed of a main gear 37a and a sub gear 37b having different pitch diameters. A paper feed roller drive gear 39 is arranged on the right side of the paper feed transmission gear 37 in the figure. The paper feed roller drive gear 39 is arranged coaxially with the paper feed roller 3. The paper feed roller drive gear 39 is arranged so that the meshing with the sub gear 37 b of the paper feed transmission gear 37 can be selected by the revolving operation of the paper feed transmission gear 37. A tension spring 40 is stretched between the gear lever 33 and the frame 21. In a normal state, the gear lever 33 is in a state of being pulled downward in the figure, and the sub-gear 37b of the paper feed transmission gear 37 and the paper feed. The meshing with the roller drive gear 39 is released.

  A swing plate 41 that is rotatable about the support shaft is attached to the paper feed transmission gear support shaft 38. A swinging gear 42 is rotatably supported on a support shaft (swinging gear support shaft) provided at the tip of the swinging plate 41. The swing gear 42 is arranged to revolve around the paper feed transmission gear support shaft 38 while always meshing with the sub gear 37 b of the paper feed transmission gear 37. The revolving operation of the swinging gear 42 is arranged so that the meshing between the swinging gear 42 and the paper feed roller drive gear 39 can be selected.

  The cam gear 4 shown in FIG. 8 is rotationally driven through the gear train 26G by the driving force of the driving motor 26. A total of four cams are formed on the front and back of the cam gear 4, two each. On the surface corresponding to the front side in FIG. 1 of the cam gear 4, the raising / lowering cam 4 a of the gear lever 32 and the raising / lowering cam 4 b of the gear lever 33 are arranged, while on the back side corresponding to the back side, An elevating cam 4c for the paper push-up plate 5 and an elevating cam 4d for the platen roller 17 are disposed.

  When the paper transport roller (paper feed roller) 8 is rotated in the forward direction of the apparatus (direction during printing operation, clockwise), the paper feed roller drive gear 30 is driven to rotate clockwise. As a result, the bobbin transmission gear 34 that meshes with the paper feed roller drive gear 30 revolves clockwise, and the bobbin transmission gear 34 meshes with the bobbin gear 36. Then, since the bobbin transmission gear 34 rotates counterclockwise in the direction opposite to the paper feed roller drive gear 30, the bobbin gear 36 rotates in the clockwise direction opposite to the bobbin transmission gear 34. By the clockwise rotation of the bobbin gear 36, the ribbon is wound during the printing operation. Although there is no inconvenience in this operation at the time of printing, since the ribbon winding operation is unnecessary at the time of paper discharge in which the paper transport roller 8 rotates in the same direction, the cam gear 4 causes the gear lever 32 to be forced. Next, the operation of releasing the engagement between the bobbin transmission gear 34 and the bobbin gear 36 is performed.

  Since the recording paper P passes above the paper feed roller 3 during printing and paper discharge, it is necessary to always rotate the paper feed roller 8 and the paper feed roller 3 in the same direction. Therefore, by using the cam gear 4 to forcibly cause the gear lever 33 against the tension of the tension spring 40, the sub gear 37b of the paper feed transmission gear 37 and the paper feed roller drive gear 39 are always engaged. To do. By doing so, the paper feed roller drive gear 30 and the paper feed roller drive gear 39 are rotated in the same direction through the reverse rotation of the paper feed transmission gear 37. As a result, both the paper transport roller 8 and the paper feed roller 3 are driven to rotate in the clockwise direction (paper discharge direction). On the other hand, at the time of paper feeding, since the recording paper P passes below the paper feed roller 3, it is necessary to rotate the paper feed roller 8 counterclockwise and the paper feed roller 3 clockwise.

  Therefore, during paper feeding, the gear lever 33 is automatically lowered by releasing the forced raising of the gear lever 33 by the cam gear 4, and the paper feed roller drive gear 30 is driven to rotate in the paper feeding direction (counterclockwise). To do. Then, the main gear 37a and the sub gear 37b of the paper feed transmission gear 37 that are always meshed with the paper feed roller drive gear 30 rotate clockwise, and the swing gear 42 that meshes with the sub gear 37b is centered on the paper feed transmission gear support shaft 38. And the swinging gear 42 meshes with the paper feed roller drive gear 39. Accordingly, the swing gear 42 rotates counterclockwise in the direction opposite to the paper feed transmission gear 37, and the paper feed roller drive gear 39 rotates in the clockwise direction opposite to the swing gear 42. Thereby, the counterclockwise rotation of the paper transport roller 8 and the clockwise rotation of the paper feed roller 3 are realized during paper feeding.

  FIG. 9 is a chart showing the operating state of each mechanism at each rotational position of the cam gear 4 of FIG. In FIG. 9, the cam rotation position G is a mode for winding the ribbon. In this mode, the bobbin gear 36 is rotated, the meshing of the gear lever 32 is not performed and the bobbin transmission gear 34 is meshed with the bobbin gear 36. The cam rotation position H is a paper feed operation mode. In this mode, the gear lever 33 is lowered to rotate the paper transport roller 8 and the paper feed roller 3 in opposite directions, and the paper feed roller drive gear 30 is rotated counterclockwise. , The paper feed roller drive gear 39 is rotated clockwise via the paper feed transmission gear 37 and the swing gear 42. At the same time, in order to press the recording paper P in the paper cassette 2 against the paper feed roller 3, the paper push-up plate 5 is pushed up by the cam gear cam 4c. Further, in this paper feeding operation mode, since the winding of the ribbon 13 is unnecessary, the gear lever 32 is pushed up to release the engagement between the bobbin transmission gear 34 and the bobbin gear 36.

  The cam rotation position J is a mode for printing (recording). In this mode, in order to wind up the ribbon (ink sheet) 13, the gear lever 32 is held at the meshing position without releasing the meshing, and the thermal head The platen roller 17 is pushed up so that the ink 18, the ink sheet 13, and the printing paper P are pressed against each other. The cam rotation position K is a mode for paper transport (paper feed) other than paper feeding / printing such as paper ejection operation. In this mode, the gear lever 32 is pushed up to release the engagement between the bobbin transmission gear 34 and the bobbin gear 36. To prevent the ribbon from being taken up.

  The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a paper sensor for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper (recording paper) P and a ribbon sensor for detecting a ribbon marker (mark on the ink sheet). . These sensors are constituted by reflective photosensors. That is, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the paper sensors 43 and 44 sense whether or not the recording paper is correctly passing through the conveyance path during printing by checking the presence or absence of the recording paper at the sensor position. This is used to detect a recording paper jam or the like and to determine the print start position. The ribbon sensor 45 detects the color head detection marker marked at the head of each of the Y, M, C, and OP layers (overcoat layer, protective layer) of the ink sheet 13, thereby detecting each color sheet area of the ink sheet 13. Used for cueing. In this case, two markers are marked only on the print head color Y, and the other colors M, C, OP and the print head color Y can be distinguished.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the sequence of the printing operation in the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Next, a sequence of a series of printing operations will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, in step S1, the user instructs a printing operation (recording operation) by a print button (not shown) or a printing instruction from a digital camera or digital video camera. In step S2, communication with the device that has executed the print instruction is started in the processing circuit inside the apparatus main body 1, and the processing circuit confirms various conditions necessary for printing with the device that has executed the print instruction and necessary images. Image processing of information to print information is performed. The print image information of the digital camera DC is subjected to the optimum color and sharpness processing for the model of the connected printing device, and then matched with the number of pixels of the digital camera DC and the print size output from the printing device (recording device) 1 The image information is sent to the printing apparatus main body 1 after performing interpolation processing on the selected pixels.

  When the preparation for printing is completed, in step S3, the driving motor 26 is rotated by the control means to set the cam gear 4 to the ribbon winding mode at the rotational position G, and the ribbon sensor 45 is rotated while the driving motor 25 is rotated to wind the ribbon. The head color Y is cued by detecting two continuous markers. In step S4, after the ribbon cueing is completed, the drive motor 26 is rotated to set the cam gear 4 to the paper feed mode at the rotational position H, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 2 is pressed against the paper feed roller 3, and the drive motor 25 is rotated. Thus, the recording paper P is supplied into the apparatus main body 1. Then, paper feeding is continued while detecting the recording paper by the paper sensors 44 and 43, and the drive motor 25 is further rotated by a predetermined rotation amount from the point where the paper sensor 44 has not detected the paper, whereby the recording paper P Is set at the print start position as shown in FIG. Next, in step S5, the drive motor 26 is rotated to set the cam gear 4 in the printing mode at the rotational position J, the platen roller 17 is pressed against the thermal head 18, and the drive motor 25 is rotated to carry a predetermined paper. The first ink color printing (thermal transfer recording) is performed on the recording paper P by driving the thermal head 18 to generate heat based on the image information.

  After the ink color printing is completed, in step S6, the drive motor 25 is continuously rotated while the drive motor 26 is rotated, and the cam gear 4 is set to the ribbon winding mode at the rotational position G to wind the ribbon. The next marker of the next color is detected by the sensor 45 to cue the next color of the ink sheet 13. After completing the next color cueing, in step S7, the drive motor 26 is rotated to set the cam gear 4 to the paper conveyance mode at the rotation position K, and the drive motor 25 is reversed by the same rotation amount as that in steps S4 to S6. By rotating, the paper position of the recording paper P is returned to the print start position as shown in FIG. Then, the printing of the next ink color is performed, and the same printing operation is repeated for Y, M, C, and OP, whereby the desired printed image is transferred and recorded on the recording paper P. In step S8, when the OP (protective layer) printing is finished, it is determined that the printing operation is finished. Next, at step S9, the drive motor 25 is continuously rotated while the drive motor 25 is rotated, and the cam gear 4 is set to the sheet conveyance mode at the rotational position K, the recording sheet is discharged as it is, and the sequence of the printing operation is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a paper path lid (lid member) and its mounting structure of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a recording paper inside the apparatus main body and the lid member closed. (B) shows a state in which the recording paper jumps out of the apparatus main body, the lid member opens, and the recording paper is led out of the exterior. The recording apparatus according to the present invention is a recording apparatus in which an image is formed on a recording material by recording means based on image information. The recording material conveyance path is such that the recording material (recording paper) P is from the top surface or the back surface of the apparatus body 1. When the recording material is formed so as to go out of the apparatus main body and goes out of the apparatus main body, the lid member (paper path lid) 54 provided in the apparatus main body is opened, and the recording material is attached to the apparatus main body. The lid member is configured to be automatically closed when the recording material is led out of the main body and the recording material is inside the apparatus main body or not present.

  In FIG. 11, a paper inlet / outlet (discharge port) 24 a that is opened slightly larger than the width of the recording paper (recording paper) P is provided on the upper surface of the upper cover 24. In the paper inlet / outlet 24a, the recording paper P is taken into the main body of the apparatus from the paper supply port in the paper transport path described above, and transported toward the back in the upper left direction, and the leading edge Pa of the recording paper P during the printing operation. Is an entrance for entering and exiting the inside and outside of the apparatus main body. As described above, when the paper front end portion Pa is moved in and out of the upper portion of the apparatus main body, the protruding recording paper P interferes with other objects, and the location of the recording apparatus is limited due to the interference. Can be resolved.

  The paper path lid 54 is normally disposed so as to close the paper inlet / outlet 24a. The paper path lid 54 is pivotally supported at both ends by a support portion formed on the upper surface of the upper cover 24. Further, the lid member (paper path lid) 54 is urged in a direction to close the paper inlet / outlet 24a by a lid closing spring 55 formed of a winding spring. The biasing force of the lid closing spring 55 is selected to be a force sufficient to support the weight of the paper path lid 54 so that the paper path lid 54 does not open even if the user turns the apparatus body 1 upside down. Yes. Further, after the paper feeding operation, when the paper leading edge Pa of the recording paper P reaches the paper inlet / outlet 24a, the recording paper P is strong enough for the paper leading edge Pa to overcome the lid closing spring 55 by the frictional conveying force of the paper conveying roller pair 7, 8. Then, the paper path cover 54 is pushed up to be opened, and the portion of the paper leading edge Pa protrudes outside the exterior of the apparatus main body 1.

  When the leading edge Pa of the recording paper P pushes up the paper path cover 54 and jumps out of the apparatus main body and reaches the printing operation start position as shown in FIG. 2, when the printing operation starts, the recording paper P is reverse to the paper feeding direction. It is conveyed in the direction of. When the conveyance in the reverse direction is started and the leading end Pa of the sheet is retracted to the sheet inlet / outlet 24a, the pushing-up force by the recording sheet P is released, and the sheet path cover 54 is closed again by the force of the lid closing spring 55. Close to. Further, during the paper feeding operation and the printing operation, the recording paper P always slides on the paper path cover 54 while the recording paper leading edge Pa is protruding from the paper inlet / outlet 24a to the outside of the apparatus. Here, when the sliding surface of the recording paper P is on the stamp screen (recording surface) side, there is a disadvantage that the state of the stamp screen deteriorates due to scratches or the like generated during the sliding.

  Therefore, in order to avoid such an inconvenience, the paper path cover 54 is disposed so as to slide on the non-printing screen side (surface not printed) of the recording paper P. In the embodiment described above, the paper inlet / outlet 24a and the paper path cover 54 are disposed at the rear of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1. However, they may be disposed on the rear surface of the apparatus main body 1. In this embodiment, since the circuit board 51, the power supply unit 53, and the like are disposed below the paper discharge port 24a, the paper path lid 54 has poor continuity due to dust falling on the circuit board. Is also prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the recording apparatus is a thermal transfer recording apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is an inkjet recording apparatus, a wire dot recording apparatus, a thermal recording apparatus, a laser beam recording apparatus, and the like. The present invention can be similarly applied to recording apparatuses using other recording methods, and the same operational effects can be achieved. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus for performing monochromatic recording, a color recording apparatus for recording with a plurality of different colors using one or a plurality of recording heads, and a gradation recording apparatus for recording with a plurality of densities of the same color and different densities. Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to a recording apparatus that combines these, and the same effect can be achieved. The present invention also provides a line-type recording apparatus for recording only by sub-scanning using a line-type recording head having a length that covers the entire width or part of the recording material, or a main-scanning recording head as a recording means. The present invention can be similarly applied to a serial type recording apparatus that records while moving in the direction, and the same effect can be achieved.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied in a paper feeding state. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state when a recording sheet is at a recording start position in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state when a recording sheet is in a recording end position in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ink cassette in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cassette of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a state when the ink cassette of FIG. 4 is loaded in the apparatus main body. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a gear train in a driving force transmission system of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a front surface (a) and a back surface (b) of a cam gear used for a drive system in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a chart showing the operating state of each mechanism at each rotational position of the cam gear of FIG. 8. 3 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a printing operation in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 2A and 2B are schematic partial longitudinal sectional views showing a paper path cover and its mounting structure of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, wherein FIG. 1A shows a state when the paper path cover is closed, and FIG. The state where the path lid is opened is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Paper cassette 3 Feed roller 4 Cam gear 4a Gear lever 32 Elevating cam 4b Gear lever 33 Elevating cam 4c Pushing plate elevating cam 4d Platen roller elevating cam 5 Pushing plate 6 Pushing plate 7 Pinch roller 8 Paper transport roller ( Paper feed roller)
9 Path switching flap 10 Ink sheet cassette (ink cassette, ribbon cassette)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a Ribbon supply part 10b Ribbon take-up part 10c Connecting member 11 Supply bobbin shaft 12 Take-up bobbin shaft 13 Ink sheet 14 Rear cassette guide 16 Paper pressing roller 17 Platen roller 18 Thermal head 19 Upper plate 20 Upper plate shaft 21 Frame 22 Bobbin 22a Supply side bobbin 22b Winding bobbin 23 Protective cover 24 Upper cover (exterior cover member)
24a Paper entrance / exit 24d Rotating shaft 25 Drive motor 26 Drive motor 27, 28 Cassaba gear 29 Idle gear 30 Paper feed roller drive gear 31 Paper feed roller drive gear support shaft 32, 33 Gear lever 34 Bobbin transmission gear 35 Bobbin transmission gear support shaft 36 Bobbin gear 37 Paper feed transmission gear 37a Main gear 37b Sub gear 38 Paper feed transmission gear support shaft 39 Paper feed roller drive gear 40 Tension spring 41 Oscillation plate 42 Oscillation gear 43, 44 Paper sensor 45 Ribbon sensor 46 Head cover 47 Release plate 48 Angle shaft 49 Front cassette guide 54 Paper path lid (lid member)
55 Lid closing spring P Recording paper (recording paper, recording material)
Pa Paper leading edge Pb Paper trailing edge

Claims (4)

In a recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by recording means based on image information, the recording material conveyance path is formed so that the recording material exits from the upper surface or the back surface of the apparatus main body to the outside of the apparatus main body. When the recording material goes out of the apparatus main body, the lid member provided in the apparatus main body is opened, the recording material is led out of the apparatus main body, and the recording material is present or present inside the apparatus main body. If not, the recording apparatus is characterized in that the lid member automatically closes. The lid member is opened by the conveying force of the recording material, so that the recording material comes out of the apparatus main body, and when the recording material is drawn into the apparatus main body, the lid member is closed by a spring force. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the lid member is opened, the lid member contacts the non-recording surface side of the recording material. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording apparatus is a thermal transfer recording apparatus that records by heating and transferring ink on an ink sheet to a recording material by a heating unit having a plurality of heating elements. .

Images