JP2007118365A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease the possibility that a head or a carriage interferes with a CD when the action of printing the CD is performed. <P>SOLUTION: A CD float preventing member is set in a CD tray, which covers the peripheral edge of the CD. The CD is pinched by upper and lower trays. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance auxiliary device that assists conveyance of a recording medium in an inkjet recording apparatus.

In an ink jet recording apparatus, printing on various recording media is being realized taking advantage of the characteristics of the non-contact type recording apparatus. When printing on a recording medium other than general recording paper, some sort of conveyance assist device may be used. For example, when printing on a compact disk or the like, which is an information storage medium, an auxiliary tray device is provided separately or incorporated in the device.
JP 2002-254677 A

  In general, compared to so-called recording paper, a recording medium that requires a conveyance assist device may be expensive or highly scarce. In transporting such a recording medium, it has become an issue to reduce the possibility of damage to the recording medium as much as possible.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a conveyance auxiliary device for assisting conveyance of a recording medium in an inkjet recording apparatus, and is positioned between the recording head and the recording medium at least during recording operation, A medium peripheral edge covering means for covering the outer peripheral edge of the surface is provided. The possibility that the recording head and the recording medium come into contact is reduced, and the possibility that the recording medium is damaged is reduced.

  Secondly, the apparatus includes first conveyance assisting means having the medium peripheral edge covering means, and second conveyance assisting means for positioning and fixing the recording medium. This improves the operability of the conveyance assist device.

  Third, the first conveyance assisting means and the second conveyance assisting means are provided with hinge means that couples the first conveyance assisting means and the second conveyance assisting means so that they can be opened and closed. The operability of the conveyance auxiliary device is further improved.

  According to the present invention, with a simple configuration, the possibility that the recording head and the recording medium come into contact with each other can be reduced, and a highly reliable recording system can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration using a compact disk, hereinafter referred to as a CD, will be described as a recording medium to be mounted on the conveyance auxiliary device. The conveyance auxiliary device may be built in the recording apparatus main body or may be externally attached separately. In this example, a description will be given with a separate external configuration.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus embodying the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus housing having a recording engine, an electric circuit board, and the like. Recording paper (not shown) is set in an internal paper feed opening by opening the paper feed tray 37. The recording paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 36. The CD tray 4 serving as a conveyance auxiliary device is set on the CD tray conveyance table 2 and conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a conveyance system (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the recording engine of the embodiment. In FIG. 2, a recording head 8 and an ink tank 7 are mounted on the carriage 6. The carriage 6 is driven by the carriage motor 11 through the carriage belt 12 along the carriage shaft 9 and the carriage guide 10 in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow K. The transport roller 15 and the paper discharge roller 16 are driven by the transport motor 13 through the transport drive transmission system 14 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow L. Reference numeral 17 denotes a platen that supports the recording medium. A maintenance unit 18 includes a head protection cap and the like, and maintenance of the recording head is performed in cooperation with a pump system (not shown).

  An example of the prior art will be described with reference to FIG. The CD 19 is lightly press-fitted into the CD mounting portion 20 of the CD mounting plate 21 and is transported into the apparatus together with the CD mounting plate 21. If the CD mounting plate 21 is deformed or if the CD 19 is not sufficiently adhered to the CD mounting plate 21, there is a possibility that the CD 19 and the recording head interfere inside the apparatus.

  4 to 6 are perspective views showing the configuration of a CD tray which is a conveyance auxiliary device. 4 shows how the CD 19 is attached to and detached from the CD tray 4, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state in which the CD 19 is set on the CD tray 4 and printing is possible. FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the recording head facing surface side, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from the platen facing surface side.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 22 denotes a case on the tray which is the first conveyance assisting means. Reference numeral 23 denotes a tray lower case serving as a second conveyance auxiliary means. The tray upper case 22 and the tray lower case 23 constitute a CD tray 4 which is a conveyance auxiliary device. In this example, the tray upper case 22 and the tray lower case 23 are plastic molded products. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the tray upper case 22 is opened for attaching and detaching the CD 19. Reference numeral 26 denotes an upper and lower case rotating hinge portion which is a hinge means. The upper tray case 22 and the lower tray case 23 are connected to each other only in the direction of the arrow C so that the movement in the plane direction is restricted by the upper and lower case rotating hinges 26. Reference numeral 20 denotes a CD mounting portion that is integrally formed with the tray lower case 23 and that positions and fixes the CD 19. CD19 is attached and detached in the direction of arrow B. Reference numeral 27 denotes a CD pressing collar which is a medium periphery covering means for covering the outer periphery of the CD 19 when the tray upper case 22 is closed as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 24 denotes a finger hook for putting a finger on opening and closing of the upper and lower cases. When the upper and lower cases are closed, the upper case locking claw 29 is locked to the lower case locking jaw 30.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 5, and further enlarged partial views are shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the CD mounting portion. In FIG. 8, the CD 19 is press-fitted into a CD mounting elastic portion 28 that is a part of the CD mounting portion 20, and is mounted in contact with the recessed bottom 34 of the tray lower case 23. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the outer peripheral edge of the CD. In FIG. 9, the CD outer peripheral edge 35 is covered with a CD pressing collar 27 which is a part of the tray upper case 22. The entire outer periphery of the CD is covered with a width I and a clearance J. The width I is about 1 to 2 mm, and the clearance J is about 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

  FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper and lower case locking portion 25. The two locking portions have the same shape. An upper case locking claw 29 formed integrally with the tray upper case 22 and having elasticity is locked to a lower case locking jaw 30 which is a part of the tray lower case 23.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper and lower case rotating hinge portion 26. The two hinge parts have the same structure. The hinge pin 33 is press-fitted into the pin press-fit portion 31 of the tray upper case 22 through the rotation hole portion 32 of the tray lower case 23. The tray upper case 22 and the tray lower case 23 are coupled to each other so as to be rotatable without rattling.

  With the configuration described above, even if the CD tray is deformed or the CD is not sufficiently attached, the possibility that the CD and the recording head interfere inside the apparatus is reduced. The possibility of impairing the function of the CD as an information storage medium can be reduced. Furthermore, operability is good by using an openable tray structure. Moreover, if this structure is implemented, conveyance drive force can be provided to both the upper surface side and lower surface side of the tray. Since there are fewer restrictions on the transport system design than in the prior art, it contributes to better device design.

External perspective view of the embodiment The perspective view which shows the main structure of the recording engine of an Example. A perspective view showing a conventional CD tray The perspective view which shows the structure of the CD tray of an Example The perspective view from the recording head opposing surface side of the CD tray of an Example The perspective view from the platen opposing surface side of the CD tray of an Example Cross section of center of CD tray of embodiment Enlarged sectional view of the CD mounting part of the CD tray of the embodiment Enlarged sectional view of the peripheral edge of the CD tray of the embodiment Enlarged sectional view of the locking part of the upper and lower cases of the CD tray Enlarged perspective view of rotating hinge part of upper and lower cases of CD tray of embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus housing 2 CD tray conveyance stand 3 Paper feed opening 4 CD tray 5 Main chassis 6 Carriage 7 Ink tank 8 Recording head 9 Carriage shaft 10 Carriage guide 11 Carriage motor 12 Carriage belt 13 Conveyance motor 14 Conveyance drive transmission system 15 Conveyance roller 16 Discharge roller 17 Platen 18 Maintenance unit 19 CD
20 CD mounting portion 21 CD mounting plate 22 Tray upper case 23 Tray lower case 24 Finger hook flange 25 Upper and lower case locking portion 26 Upper and lower case rotating hinge portion 27 CD pressing flange 28 CD mounting elastic portion 29 Upper case locking claw 30 Lower Case locking jaw 31 Pin press-fit portion 32 Rotating hole portion 33 Hinge pin 34 Recessed bottom 35 CD outer peripheral edge portion 36 Paper discharge port 37 Paper feed tray

Claims (3)

  A conveyance auxiliary device for assisting conveyance of a recording medium in an inkjet recording apparatus, which is located between the recording head and the recording medium at least during recording operation and covers the outer peripheral edge of the recording surface of the recording medium A conveyance auxiliary device comprising a covering means.   2. The conveyance auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising first conveyance auxiliary means having the medium peripheral edge covering means, and second conveyance auxiliary means for positioning and fixing the recording medium.   3. The conveyance auxiliary device according to claim 2, further comprising a hinge unit that couples the first conveyance auxiliary unit and the second conveyance auxiliary unit so that the first conveyance auxiliary unit and the second conveyance auxiliary unit can be opened and closed.

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