JP2007118437A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a gap adjusting member from receiving a damage and a gap from slipping out when vibration and fall received during the transportation and handling of a freight from shipping from a factory until arrival at a user are larger than an expected level, in a recording apparatus equipped with a guide shaft elevating/descending means for making the gap between a material to be recorded and a carriage and a recording means to be appropriate by changing a position of the guide shaft in the height direction in accordance with the kind and the thickness of the material to be recorded. <P>SOLUTION: The recording apparatus for recording on the material to be recorded by a recording means is equipped with a carriage carrying the recording means and moving in the direction intersecting the carrying direction of the material to be recorded, the guide shaft for guiding movement of the carriage, and the guide shaft elevating/descending means for making the gap between the material to be recorded and the carriage and the recording means to be appropriate by changing the position of the guide shaft in the height direction in accordance with the kind and the thickness of the material to be recorded. The guide shaft is moved to a height of the guide shaft which is not used for printing before the power source is turned off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as a printing apparatus or an image forming apparatus. When recording is performed on a recording material having various thicknesses, the gap between the recording means such as a recording head and the recording material is appropriately set. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that can perform recording by changing to anything.

  Conventionally, various recording materials have been proposed as recording materials recorded by a recording apparatus such as a printing apparatus or an image forming apparatus. Among them, there are small and thick recording materials such as CD-Rs, DVDs, and cards (hereinafter collectively referred to as compact discs or CDs). When recording on a recording material such as a CD in the current general-purpose recording apparatus, if the conveyance path of the cut sheet is used, the conveyance performance is deteriorated or scratches are caused due to the high rigidity of the CD. Or a problem such that the conveyance becomes impossible due to the distance between the conveyance rollers. Therefore, when transporting a small and thick recording material such as a CD, a tray is used and transported through a path different from the transport path of the cut sheet.

  Since the tray is thicker than general cut sheets, it is necessary to give sufficient consideration to insertion into the transport roller pair, clamping between the transport roller pair, and securing an appropriate gap between the recording head and the recording material. There is. As one means for that purpose, a guide shaft that supports the carriage on which the recording head is mounted in order to release the pressing of the conveying member by a tray guide for inserting the tray into the recording apparatus and to secure an appropriate gap. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-42346 discloses a method for raising the height by a dedicated carriage lifting motor.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged side view of the periphery of the guide shaft showing a conventional example. FIG. 17 (1) shows the normal recording position (normal printing height), and FIG. 17 (2) shows the height during CD printing. It is a side view showing typically. Here, the configuration for raising the guide shaft from the normal recording position to the height during CD printing will be briefly described. The guide shaft 52 as shown in (1) of FIG. 17 is raised from the height during normal recording by rotating the eccentric cam R721 counterclockwise in the drawing by a carriage lifting motor (not shown). Begin to. 17 (2), the rotation restricting portion 721a of the eccentric cam R721 hits the chassis abutting portion 525, so that the rotational position of the eccentric cam R721 is positioned and is pivotally supported by the guide shaft 52. The carriage and the recording head mounted on the carriage can form a gap suitable for CD printing.
JP 2004-42346 A

  However, the recording apparatus shown in the conventional example has the following problems.

  The guide shaft height position set at the time of shipment from the factory and the guide shaft height position used during normal printing are set to the same position. If the guide cam, carriage, or recording head is heavy enough, the cam contact surface may be damaged if the guide cam, carriage, or recording head is heavy enough. It was.

  As a result, the height of the guide shaft at the time of normal printing or CD printing is deviated, which causes problems such as rubbing between the recording paper and the recording head, and collision between the CD printing transport tray and the recording head. There was a case.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical problem, and is a recording in which the guide shaft height position used at the time of printing is not influenced by the influence of vibration and dropping mainly received from the factory until reaching the user. The device is realized.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by a recording means, a carriage mounted with the recording means and moving in a direction crossing the recording material conveyance direction, and guiding the movement of the carriage. In a recording apparatus including a guide shaft to be operated and a guide shaft lifting / lowering means for changing the position of the guide shaft in the height direction, the guide shaft height is set not to be used for printing before the power is turned off. Or it is set to the height of the guide shaft which is not used for printing at the time of factory shipment, and it is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the recording apparatus for recording on the recording material by the recording means, the carriage mounted with the recording means and moving in the direction crossing the recording material conveyance direction, In a recording apparatus comprising a guide shaft for guiding the movement of the carriage and a guide shaft lifting / lowering means for changing the position of the guide shaft in the height direction, the guide shaft height that is not used for printing is set before the power is turned off. The Alternatively, the guide shaft is set at a height that is not used for printing at the time of shipment from the factory, and if the vibration or drop experienced during transportation or handling from the factory to the user is greater than expected, it is eccentric. The place set to the printing height of the cam can prevent damage. Further, even when the guide shaft, carriage, and recording head are sufficiently heavy, the configuration as shown in the first embodiment can prevent damage such as deformation of the cam contact surface. The height of the guide shaft at the recording position and CD printing position can be reproduced at a high level by the user after assembly and adjustment at the factory, and the recording paper and the recording head are rubbed, and the CD printing is transported. It is possible to prevent problems such as collision between the tray and the recording head.

Example 1
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right front, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before and after mounting the CD transport unit 8 on the recording apparatus of FIG.

  1 to 3, a recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feeding unit 2, a paper feeding unit 3, a paper discharging unit 4, a carriage unit 5, a recovery mechanism unit (cleaning unit) 6, and a recording unit (recording head). 7) A CD transport unit 8 is provided. The outline of each of these parts will be described in order below.

(A) Paper Feed Unit The paper feed unit 2 is configured by attaching to the base 20 a pressure plate 21 on which the sheet material P is stacked, a paper feed roller 28 for feeding the sheet material P, a separation roller 241 for separating the sheet material P, and the like. Has been. A paper feed tray 26 for holding the stacked sheet materials P is attached to the base 20 or the exterior of the recording apparatus. The paper feed tray 26 is a multistage type as shown in FIG. 2, and is used by being pulled out during use.

  The paper feed roller 28 has a bar shape with a circular arc in cross section, and the paper feed roller 28 is provided with one paper feed roller rubber 281 based on the paper standard. Sheet feeding (sending out) of the sheet material is performed by such a sheet feeding roller 28. The pressure plate 21 is rotatable about a rotation shaft coupled to the base 20, and is urged toward the paper feed roller 28 by a pressure plate spring 212. The pressure plate 21 is configured to be able to abut against and separate from the paper feed roller 28 by a cam (not shown).

  Further, a separation roller holder 24 to which a separation roller 241 for separating the sheet material P one by one is attached to the base 20 is rotatable about a rotation shaft provided on the base 20 and the separation roller. The spring 242 is attached to the paper feeding roller 28 while being urged.

  The return lever 22 for returning the sheet material P to the stacking position is rotatably attached to the base 20 and is urged by a return lever spring (not shown) in the release direction. The return lever 22 is configured to rotate by a control cam (not shown) when returning the sheet material P to the stacking position.

  A state of feeding paper using the above configuration will be described below.

  In a normal standby state, the pressure plate 21 and the separation roller 241 are released by a cam (not shown), and the return lever 22 returns the sheet material P to the stacking position and stacks the sheet material P so that it does not enter the back during loading. It is provided at a loading position that closes the mouth.

  When paper feeding starts from this state, first, the separation roller 241 contacts the paper feeding roller 28 by driving the motor. Then, the return lever 22 is released, and the pressure plate 21 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 28. In this state, feeding of the sheet material P is started. The sheet material P is sent to a nip portion formed by the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241. The fed sheet material P is separated at the nip portion, and only the uppermost sheet material P is conveyed (feeded).

  When the sheet material P reaches a conveyance roller pair composed of a conveyance roller 36 and a pinch roller 37 described later, the pressure plate 21 and the separation roller 28 are released by cams (not shown). The return lever 22 is also returned to the loading position by a cam (not shown). At this time, the sheet material P that has reached the nip portion between the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 241 can be returned to the stacking position.

(B) Paper feeding part The paper feeding part is attached to the chassis 11 made of a bent metal sheet. The paper feeding unit includes a conveyance roller 36 that conveys the sheet material P and a PE sensor 32. The transport roller 36 is attached to the chassis 11 by receiving the metal portions of both shafts with bearings.

  The transport roller 36 is provided with a plurality of driven pinch rollers 37 in contact therewith. The pinch roller 37 is held by the pinch roller holder 30 and is urged by a pinch roller spring so that the pinch roller 37 is pressed against the conveying roller 36 to generate the conveying force of the sheet material P. Here, the pinch roller holder 30 has a rotation shaft attached to a bearing of the chassis 11 and rotates around the rotation shaft. Further, a paper guide flapper 33 and a platen 34 for guiding the sheet material P are disposed at the entrance of the sheet feeding unit 3 to which the sheet material P is conveyed. Further, the pinch roller holder 30 is provided with a PE sensor lever 321 for transmitting the detection of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet material P to the PE sensor 32. The platen 34 is attached to the chassis 11 and positioned. The paper guide flapper 33 can rotate around a bearing portion 331 that fits and slides on the transport roller 36, and is positioned by contacting the chassis 11.

  Furthermore, a recording head 7 that forms an image based on image information is provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 36 in the sheet material conveying direction.

  In the above-described configuration, the sheet material P sent to the paper feeding unit 3 is guided by the pinch roller holder 30 and the paper guide flapper 33, and sent to the roller pair of the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. At this time, the leading edge of the sheet material P conveyed by the PE sensor lever 321 is detected, and thereby the recording position (printing position, image forming position) of the sheet material P is obtained. Further, the sheet material P is transported on the platen 34 by the roller pair 36 and 37 being rotated by the transport motor 35.

(C) Carriage unit The carriage unit 5 includes a carriage 50 to which the recording head 7 is attached. The carriage 50 is guided and supported by a guide shaft 52 and a guide rail 111 installed in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet material P so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction. The guide rail 111 also has a function of maintaining the clearance (between sheets) between the recording head 7 and the sheet material P at an appropriate value by holding the rear end of the carriage 50. The guide shaft 52 is attached to the chassis 11, and the guide rail 111 is formed integrally with the chassis 11. A thin sliding sheet 53 such as SUS is stretched on the sliding side of the guide rail 111 with respect to the carriage 50 to reduce sliding noise.

  The carriage 50 is driven via a timing belt 541 by a carriage motor attached to the chassis 11. The timing belt 541 is stretched and supported by an idle pulley 542. In order to detect the position of the carriage 50, a code strip 561 in which markings are formed at a pitch of 150 to 300 lpi is provided in parallel with the timing belt 541. Furthermore, an encoder sensor for reading the code strip 561 is provided on the carriage 50.

  In addition, an eccentric cam R (right eccentric cam) 521 and an eccentric cam L (left eccentric cam) 522 are provided at both ends of the guide shaft 52, and the gear train is driven by the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58. By transmitting the drive to the eccentric cam R521 via 581, the guide shaft 52 can be moved up and down. The carriage 50 is similarly raised and lowered in accordance with the raising and lowering of the guide shaft 52, and an optimum gap can be formed even for the sheet materials P having different thicknesses.

  Further, the carriage 50 has a reflection type for detecting a mark 834 for position detection of a CD printing tray 83 for recording (printing) on a display portion of a small and thick recording material such as a CD-R. A tray position detection sensor (not shown) composed of an optical sensor is attached.

  In the above configuration, when an image is formed on the sheet material P, the pair of rollers (conveying rollers and pinch rollers) 36 and 37 conveys the sheet material P to a recording row position (position in the conveying direction of the sheet material P). At the same time, the carriage 50 is moved to a recording (image forming) position (a position in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet material P) by the carriage motor 54, and the recording head 7 is opposed to the recording position (image forming position). Thereafter, recording (image formation) is performed by the recording head 7 ejecting ink toward the sheet material P in response to a signal from the electrical unit (electrical substrate) 9.

(D) Paper discharge unit The paper discharge unit 4 includes two paper discharge rollers 40 and 41, a spur 42 that can be driven and rotated by contacting the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41 with a predetermined pressure, and a conveyance roller 36. And a gear train for transmitting the drive to the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41.

  The paper discharge rollers 40 and 41 are attached to the platen 34. The paper discharge roller 40 on the upstream side in the conveying direction is configured by providing a plurality of rubber portions (paper discharge roller rubber) on a metal shaft. The paper discharge roller 41 has a structure in which a plurality of elastic bodies such as an elastomer are attached to a resin shaft. The paper discharge roller 41 is driven by the drive transmitted from the paper discharge roller 40 via an idler gear.

  As the spur 42, for example, a SUS thin plate provided with a plurality of convex shapes around it and integrally molded with the resin portion is used. Such a spur 42 is attached to a spur holder 43. In this embodiment, a spur spring provided with a coil spring in a rod shape is used to attach the spur 42 to the spur holder 43 and press-contact the discharge rollers 40 and 41.

  With the above configuration, the sheet material P recorded (image formation) by the carriage unit 5 is sandwiched by the nip portion between the discharge roller 41 and the spur 42, conveyed, and discharged to the discharge tray 46. The paper discharge tray 46 has a divided structure composed of a plurality of members and can be stored in the lower part of the lower case 99 of the recording apparatus.

(E) Recovery mechanism section (cleaning section)
The recovery mechanism unit (cleaning unit) 6 includes a pump 60 (a suction pump or the like as a negative pressure generation source) that performs a suction recovery process (cleaning operation) for maintaining and recovering the ejection performance of the recording head 7, and the recording head 7. A cap 61 for protecting the discharge port surface and preventing drying, and a wiping means (blade) 62 for wiping off and removing deposits such as ink and dust around the discharge port of the recording head 7 I have.

  This suction recovery means generates a negative pressure in the cap 61 by applying the pump 60 in a state where the cap 61 is in close contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head 7 (capping state), and recording is performed by the negative pressure. It is configured to suck and discharge thickened ink, foreign matters such as bubbles and dust together with ink from the ejection port of the head 7.

  Further, when the cap 61 is separated from the recording head (in the present embodiment, when it is lowered), the blade 62 moves in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the carriage 5, so that the discharge port surface of the recording head 7 is moved. Wipe (clean). Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of blades 62 are provided which are composed of a blade for wiping the vicinity of the ejection port of the recording head 7 and a blade for wiping the entire ejection port surface. When the blade 62 moves to the innermost position, the blade 62 is brought into contact with the blade cleaner 66 to remove ink (transfer ink) and the like attached to the blade 62 itself, thereby restoring the wiping performance of the blade 62. be able to.

(F) Exterior part Each function part and each mechanism part (each unit) described above are incorporated in the chassis 11 of the recording apparatus 1 to form a mechanism part of the recording apparatus. An exterior part is attached so as to cover the periphery of these mechanism parts. The exterior portion mainly includes a lower case 99, an upper case 98, an access cover 97, and a front cover 96. Here, the front cover 95 is configured to close the paper discharge port when not in use.

  Further, a multistage paper feed tray 26 is rotatably attached to the upper case 98. If the paper feed tray 26 is stored when the paper feed unit is not used, the paper feed tray 26 is configured to function as a cover for the paper feed unit.

  Next, in the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the configuration in the case of using a CD (compact disc compact disc) transport unit 8 and details of CD printing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 is a perspective view showing a state before and after mounting the CD transport unit 8 in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a mounting state of the lower case 99 and the hook 84 of the CD transport unit 8. FIG. 12 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the state of the arm 85 before and after the slide cover 81 of the CD transport unit 8 is moved.

  7 is a plan view of the tray 83 of the CD transport unit 8, FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the tray 83 is transported through the recording apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a guide shaft 52 of the carriage 50. It is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the state at the time of the carriage descent | fall of a shaft raising / lowering mechanism for raising / lowering a carriage, and a carriage raising.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the CD transport unit 8 is slid straight in the direction indicated by the arrow Y, the CD transport unit 8 is mounted on the lower case 99 of the recording apparatus. At this time, the CD transport portion 8 is positioned by inserting the fitting portions at both ends of the tray guide 82 along the guide rails 993 provided on both sides of the lower case 99 shown in FIG. A rotatable hook 84 is provided at the left and right ends of the tray guide 82, and the hook 84 is urged in one direction. When the CD transport unit 8 is slid and inserted to a predetermined position, it hits a certain part and is not inserted any more. Then, the hook 84 acts on the stopper of the guide rail 993 and is locked so as not to return in the direction in which the CD transport unit 8 has slid.

  A tray guide detection sensor 344 for mechanically detecting a state in which the tray guide 82 (CD transport unit 8) is mounted at a predetermined position of the recording apparatus is provided in the platen 34, and the tray guide 82 is provided in the recording apparatus main body. When mounted, a part of the tray guide 82 pushes the tray guide detection sensor 344 so that it can be detected that the CD transport unit 8 (tray guide 82) is mounted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the slide cover 81 is moved toward the main body of the recording apparatus (toward the main body), the arm 85 projects in the main body direction of the recording apparatus in conjunction with the slide cover 81. A spur holder 43 on which the spur 42 is mounted is attached to the platen 34 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and is urged downward by a spring force of a predetermined pressure. Therefore, when the arm 85 enters between the spur holder 43 and the platen 34, the spur holder 43 is lifted upward by a predetermined amount. At this time, the arm 85 can smoothly enter between the platen 34 and the spur holder 43 by the inclined portion formed at the tip of the arm 85. Thus, a space for allowing the tray 83 on which a CD (CD-R or the like) as a storage medium is mounted can be formed between the platen 34 and the spur holder 43.

  The tray 83 according to the present embodiment is formed of a resin plate having a thickness of about 2 to 3 mm. The resin plate includes a CD attachment portion 832 and an operation portion 833 that an operator grasps when inserting and removing the tray as shown in FIG. , Position detection mark 834 (in FIG. 7, three locations 834a, 834b, and 834c), CD ejection hole 835, insertion alignment mark 836, lateral pressure roller escape portion 387, media presence / absence detection mark 838, and type of tray adapter A tray adapter type detection mark 838a provided for discriminating between the two is provided.

  The position detection mark 834 is provided at two positions (834a, 834b) on the front end side of the CD mounting portion of the tray 83 and one position (834c) on the opposite side. Each position detection mark 834 is provided with a member having a high reflection performance in a square of about 3 to 10 mm. Here, it is formed using a hot stamp.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a tray sheet 831 is attached to the front end of the tray 83 in order to ensure that the tray 83 is engaged with the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. The tray sheet 831 is formed of a sheet material made of PET or the like having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.3 mm, and has a predetermined coefficient of friction and hardness. Further, the tray 83 itself is also provided with a taper portion 830 at the tip thereof. Therefore, first, the tray sheet 831 is bitten by the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 to generate a transport force, and then the taper portion 830 at the tip of the tray 83 lifts the pinch roller 37, thereby increasing the thickness of the tray 83. Is sandwiched between the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37, the tray 83 can be accurately transported.

  Next, the operation when recording on a CD by the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, the CD transport unit 8 is slid straight toward the main body of the recording apparatus 1 and attached to the lower case 99. At this time, the tray guide detection sensor 344 (FIG. 5) detects that the tray guide 82 is attached to the recording apparatus main body. Next, when the slide cover 81 is moved in the direction of the recording apparatus main body, the arm 85 projects in the direction of the recording apparatus main body in conjunction with the slide cover 81 as shown in FIG. Then, when the arm 85 enters between the spur holder 43 and the platen 34, the spur holder 43 is lifted upward by a predetermined amount.

  Thus, when the slide cover 81 is moved in the direction of the recording apparatus main body, the slide cover 81 is configured to move obliquely upward, so that an opening 821 (FIG. 4) is formed between the tray guide 82 and the CD. Is loaded from the opening 821 and can be set at a predetermined position.

  Then, the CD is mounted on the CD attachment portion 832 (FIG. 7) of the tray 83, the operator holds the operation portion 833 (FIG. 7), and the insertion alignment mark 836 (FIG. 7) is set in the tray set of the tray guide 82. The tray 83 is inserted until it coincides with the mark 826.

  In this state, when a recording signal (printing signal, image signal) is sent from the host, a recording operation (printing operation) is started. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the transport roller 36, the paper discharge roller 40, and the paper discharge roller 41 are reversed, and the tray sheet 831 (FIG. 7) at the leading end of the tray 83 is caught in the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. As a result, a predetermined conveyance force is generated, and the taper portion 830 at the tip of the tray 83 lifts the pinch roller 37, whereby the tray 83 is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37.

  Next, when the carriage 50 mounted with the recording head 7 detects the tray 83, it moves from the home position to the recording area (printing area). At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58 operates to raise the guide shaft 52, and an optimum gap (inter-paper distance) can be formed between the recording head 7 and the tray 83. Thereafter, the carriage 50 obtains an accurate recording position (printing position) of the CD mounted on the tray 83 by means of a tray position detection sensor (not shown) on the carriage and the position detection marks 834a, b, and c of the tray 83. .

  When the above series of initial operations is completed, the tray 83 is conveyed to a predetermined position where the entire CD at the back of the recording apparatus (printer or the like) can be recorded (printed). Thereafter, recording (printing and printing) is started in accordance with recording data sent from the host.

  Then, after the recording (printing) is completed, the tray 83 is conveyed to a position where the operator sets the tray 83 on the tray guide 82 before the above-described printing. In this state, the operator can take out the tray 83 on which the printed CD is mounted. Further, when the slide cover 81 is pulled forward (moved away from the recording apparatus main body), the arm 85 is released from the spur holder 43 and the hook 84 is released from the lower case 99, whereby the CD transport unit 8 is It is released from the recording device body and can be removed.

  Here, the raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the guide shaft 52 of a recording apparatus is demonstrated using FIG.10 and FIG.11. The position of the guide shaft 52 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 indicates a state where the power is not turned on or a state before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment. 10 (1) shows the support state of the left side of the guide shaft, and (1) of FIG. 11 shows the state where the eccentric cam is attached. Further, (2) in FIG. 10 shows a support state on the right side of the guide shaft, and (2) in FIG. 11 shows a state in which an eccentric cam is attached.

  In this state, the height position of the guide shaft 52 (the height position of the carriage 50 for regulating the interval between the recording head 7 and the sheet material P or CD as the recording material) is the gap adjusting member L ( The guide shaft 52 is positioned by urging the inclined shaft 503a of the gap adjusting plate L) 503 and the inclined face 504a of the gap adjusting member R (interleave adjusting plate R) 504 by the guide shaft spring 502. Further, the recording material conveyance direction position of the guide shaft 52 is positioned by urging the guide shaft 52 to the vertical surface 505 of the chassis 11 serving as a skeleton of the recording apparatus by a guide shaft spring 502. For this reason, even if the height of the guide shaft 52 changes, the recording material conveyance direction position of the guide shaft 52 does not change and is always kept at a fixed position by the vertical surface 505 of the chassis 11 serving as the skeleton of the recording apparatus. It is configured to be accurately positioned.

  An eccentric cam R521 is provided at the right end of the guide shaft 52. The eccentric cam R521 has a cam surface and a gear portion, and is driven from the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58 via a drive gear train to the gear portion ( Rotation) is transmitted. Further, both the paper interval adjusting plate L503 and the paper interval adjusting plate R504 are provided with eccentric cam abutting portions (cam abutting surfaces) 503b and 504b parallel to the guide shaft support portions 503a and 504a, both of which are inclined. Therefore, the height (normal printing height) of the guide shaft 52 during normal recording can be finely adjusted by sliding the paper gap adjusting plate L503 and the paper gap adjusting plate R504 back and forth. . Further, an eccentric cam L522 is provided inside the chassis 11 at the left end portion of the guide shaft 52. The eccentric cam L522 abuts against the carriage 50 to restrict the rotation of the eccentric cam L522. A rotation restricting portion L522a is provided.

  In the above configuration, the height position of the guide shaft 52 (distance between the recording head 7 and the recording material) can be adjusted by controlling the rotational position of the eccentric cam R521 by the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58. It is configured.

  Next, the relationship between the eccentric cam and the inter-sheet adjusting plate at the height of each guide shaft (the power-off height, the normal printing height, the CD-R printing height) will be described.

  (1) of FIG. 12 is a side view schematically showing the height position (the height when the power is turned off) in a state where the eccentric cam L522 is not turned on, or before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment. (2) of FIG. 12 is a side view schematically showing the postures of the eccentric cam R521 and the guide shaft spring 502 in the same state.

  13 is a side view schematically showing the height position (normal printing height) of the eccentric cam L522 during normal printing, and FIG. 13 (2) is an eccentric cam R521 in the same state. It is a side view which shows typically.

  In the state where the power is not turned on, or the height position before turning on the power for the first time after factory shipment (the height when the power is turned off), both the eccentric cam L522 and the eccentric cam R521 have the cam surfaces of the gap adjusting member L. (Paper spacing adjusting plate L) 503 and gap adjusting member R (Paper spacing adjusting plate R) 504 are not in contact with the eccentric cam abutting portions 503b, 504b, and the guide shaft 52 (the lower surface thereof) is at both ends thereof. Is supported by the guide shaft support portions 503a and 504a as the minimum height position defining portion and is reliably positioned by the guide shaft spring 502. The rotational position of the eccentric cam R521 is determined by abutting the rotation restricting portion 521a against the chassis abutting portion 525 of the chassis 11 (see (2) in FIG. 12).

  Next, the normal printing height from the state shown in FIG. 12 in which the power is not turned on or from the height position before turning on the power for the first time after shipment from the factory (the height when the power is turned off, the lowest height position in this embodiment). A case where the carriage 50 (guide shaft 52) is raised to the position will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14, the carriage 50 is moved to a switching position in the vicinity of the left end eccentric cam L522 of the guide shaft 52. Therefore, the eccentric cam R521 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right side shown in FIG. 12 (2) by applying a current for a predetermined time to the carriage elevating motor 58 and rotating the motor 58. Then, the eccentric cam L522 also rotates in the same direction together with the guide shaft 52, and rotates from the state of (1) in FIG. 14 to the state of (2) in FIG. 14, so that the rotation restricting portion L522a of the eccentric cam L522 is rotated. Positioned against the carriage 50.

  As a result, the eccentric cam L522 is in a state as shown in FIG. 13 (1), and the eccentric cam R521 is in a state as shown in FIG. 13 (2). That is, the guide shaft 52 (the carriage 50 and the recording head 7) is in a normal printing height position, and can form a height position that forms an optimal sheet interval for recording on a normal sheet-like recording medium. it can.

  Next, a case where recording is performed on a CD will be described.

  From the state where the guide shaft 52 as shown in FIGS. 12 (1) and 12 (2) is not turned on, or from the height position before turning on the power for the first time after factory shipment, the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58 which is a DC motor is moved to The eccentric cam R521 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side (FIG. 12) by applying a current for a predetermined time and rotating it. The cam surfaces of the eccentric cams R and L abut against the cam abutting portions (cam abutting surfaces) 503b and 504b of the gap adjusting members L and R (inter-paper adjusting plates L and R) 503 and 504, so that the guide shaft The 52 height position begins to rise. As shown in (2) of FIG. 15, the rotation position of the eccentric cam R521 is positioned when the rotation restricting portion 521b of the eccentric cam R521 hits the chassis abutting portion 525.

  As a result, the eccentric cam L522 is in a state as shown in (1) of FIG. 15, and the eccentric cam R521 is in a state as shown in (2) of FIG. That is, the guide shaft 52 (the carriage 50 and the recording head 7) is in a CD printing height position (a height position that forms an optimal sheet interval for recording on a CD), and performs recording on the CD on the tray 83. An appropriate gap can be formed.

  When the recording on the CD is finished and the guide shaft 52 is not turned on before the recording apparatus is turned off, or when returning to the height position before turning on the power for the first time after factory shipment, the carriage lifting / lowering motor 58 is used. The rotation and eccentric cam R521 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side shown in FIG. Here, since the eccentric cam R521 and the eccentric cam L522 are fixed to the both ends of the guide shaft 52 in the rotational direction as described above, the guide shaft is synchronized with the clockwise rotation of the eccentric cam R521. 52 and the eccentric cam L522 rotate in the same manner in the clockwise direction.

  The cam surfaces of the eccentric cams R and L begin to descend the cam abutting portions (cam abutting surfaces) 503b and 504b of the paper gap adjusting plates L and R (the axis of the guide shaft 52 and the paper gap adjusting plate L). , The distance between the cam contact portions 503b and 504b of R starts to decrease), and the height position of the guide shaft 52 starts to descend. Then, as shown in (2) of FIG. 12 again, when the rotation restricting portion 521a of the eccentric cam R521 hits the chassis abutting portion 525, the rotational position of the eccentric cam R521 is positioned and the power is not turned on. The state or the height position before the power is turned on for the first time after shipment from the factory (the positions shown in (1) and (2) of FIG. 12, the minimum height position in this embodiment) is returned.

  According to the guide shaft raising / lowering means (the guide shaft raising / lowering means according to this embodiment) for raising and lowering the guide shaft 52 as described above, the height of the guide shaft that is set when the recording apparatus is turned off or at the time of shipment from the factory. Since the position and the guide shaft height position (normal printing, CD printing) to be used for printing are set separately, vibration and dropping during shipping and handling from the factory to delivery to the user are more than expected. Even in some cases, the portion set to the printing height of the eccentric cam is not damaged. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the state where the power is not turned on, or in the height position before turning on the power for the first time after factory shipment (the height when the power is turned off), both the eccentric cam L522 and the eccentric cam R521 are Since the cam surface is configured not to contact the eccentric cam abutting portions 503b and 504b of the gap adjusting member L (paper interval adjusting plate L) 503 and the gap adjusting member R (paper interval adjusting plate R) 504, the guide shaft Even when the carriage and the recording head are sufficiently heavy, damage such as deformation of the cam abutting portion of the gap adjusting member can be prevented.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, at the height of the guide shaft set at the time of power-off of the recording apparatus or at the time of shipment from the factory, the cam surface together with the eccentric cam L522 and the eccentric cam R521 has a gap adjusting member L ( Although it is configured not to contact the eccentric cam abutting portions 503b and 504b of the paper gap adjusting plate L) 503 and the gap adjusting member R (paper gap adjusting plate R) 504, the guide shaft, carriage and recording head are relatively light. If the strength of the eccentric cam abutting portion can be sufficiently secured, as shown in FIG. 16, even at the height of the guide shaft set at the time of power-off of the recording apparatus or factory shipment, Both the center cam L522 and the eccentric cam R521 have cam surfaces of a gap adjusting member L (paper interval adjusting plate L) 503 and a gap adjusting member R (paper interval adjusting plate R). 04 of the eccentric cam abutment portion 503b, may be configured to contact the 504b.

  The other normal printing heights and CD printing heights are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the first and second embodiments, the height position of the guide shaft used for printing is set to the normal printing height and the CD printing height, but there is no problem if three or more types are set.

  In the first embodiment, when the guide shaft height is changed to the height position before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment or when the power is not turned on, the cam surface of the eccentric cam is the gap adjusting member. Since the guide shaft and the guide shaft support part come into contact with each other away from the eccentric cam abutting part, a slight metal noise may be generated. However, in the second embodiment, the cam surface of the eccentric cam always adjusts the gap. Because it is in contact with the eccentric cam abutting part of the member, it is moved gently even when the power is not turned on or when the guide shaft height is changed to the height position before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment. It becomes possible.

1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right front. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before and after mounting a CD transport unit to the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting state of a lower case of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied and a hook of a CD transport unit. It is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section which shows the state of the arm before and behind the slide cover movement of the CD conveyance part in the recording device to which this invention is applied. 3 is a plan view of a CD carrying tray of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a tray is conveyed in a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a state of the guide shaft lifting mechanism when the carriage is lowered and when the carriage is lifted in the recording apparatus to which the invention is applied. The partial perspective view (1) which shows the support state of the guide shaft left side in the state before the power supply in the guide shaft raising / lowering means of the recording apparatus to which this invention is applied is not turned on, or before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment, It is a fragmentary perspective view (2) which shows the support state of the guide shaft right side in the same state. The state where the power is not turned on in the guide shaft raising / lowering means of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, or the state where the eccentric cam is attached in the support state on the left side of the guide shaft at the height before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment It is a fragmentary perspective view (1), and a fragmentary perspective view (2) which shows the state which attached the eccentric cam in the support state of the guide shaft right side in the same state. Side view (1) schematically showing the eccentric cam R in a state where the power of the eccentric cam L is not turned on or before the power is turned on for the first time after shipment from the factory (the height when the power is turned off). It is a side view (2) which shows a state typically. They are a side view (1) schematically showing the normal recording position (normal printing height) of the eccentric cam L and a side view (2) schematically showing the same state of the eccentric cam R. In the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, the eccentric cam L is not turned on using the carriage, or the normal printing height position (2) from the height position (1) before turning on the power for the first time after factory shipment. It is a perspective view which shows the state made to rotate to. Side view (1) schematically showing the height position (CD printing height) of the eccentric cam L during CD printing and the height position (CD printing height) of the eccentric cam R during CD printing are schematically shown. It is a side view (2) shown in FIG. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a side view schematically showing the height position (the height when the power is OFF) before the eccentric cam L is turned on or before the power is turned on for the first time after factory shipment. It is a side view (2) which shows typically the same state of figure (1) and eccentric cam R. It is explanatory drawing which shows the eccentric cam and guide shaft of the conventional recording device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording device 2 Paper feed part 3 Paper feed part 4 Paper discharge part 5 Carriage part 6 Recovery mechanism part (cleaning part)
7 Recording means (recording head)
8 CD Conveying Section 9 Electrical Section 11 Chassis 111 Guide Rail 20 Base 21 Pressure Plate 212 Pressure Plate Spring 22 Return Lever 24 Separation Roller Holder 241 Separation Roller 26 Feeding Tray 28 Feeding Roller 281 Feeding Roller Rubber 30 Pinch Roller Holder 32 PE Sensor 321 PE Sensor lever 33 Paper guide flapper 34 Platen 344 Tray guide detection sensor 35 Conveyance motor 36 Conveyance roller 37 Pinch roller 40 Discharge roller 41 Discharge roller 42 Spur 43 Spur holder 46 Discharge tray 50 Carriage 501 Butting section 502 Guide shaft spring 503 Gap adjustment member L (Paper gap adjustment plate L)
503a Minimum height (initial height) position defining part (guide shaft support part)
503b Cam abutting part (cam abutting surface)
504 Gap adjustment member R (Paper gap adjustment plate R)
504a Minimum height (initial height) position defining part (guide shaft support part)
504b Cam abutting part (cam abutting surface)
505 Vertical surface of chassis 51 Headset lever 511 Head pressing means 52 Guide shaft 52a Cam surface of guide shaft 521 Eccentric cam R
521a Rotation restricting portion 521b Rotation restricting portion 522 Eccentric cam L
522a Rotation restriction part L
526 Guide shaft spring receiving cam 541 Timing belt 542 Idle pulley 561 Code strip 58 Carriage elevating motor 581 Drive gear train 60 Pump 61 Cap 621 Eccentric cam R
622 Eccentric cam L
62 blade 66 blade cleaner 69 recovery motor 7 recording means (recording head)
71 Ink tank 8 CD transport unit 81 Slide cover 82 Tray guide 821 Opening 826 Tray set mark 83 Tray (for CD printing)
830 Tapered portion 831 Tray sheet 832 CD attachment portion 833 Operation portion 834 Position detection mark 836 Tray insertion alignment mark 85 Arm 851 Inclined portion 95 Front cover 96 Connector cover 97 Access cover 98 Upper case 99 Lower case 993 Guide for CD transport portion rail

Claims (5)

  In a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by a recording means, a carriage mounted with the recording means and moving in a direction crossing the recording material conveyance direction, a guide shaft for guiding the movement of the carriage, and the type of the recording material In a recording apparatus comprising a guide shaft lifting / lowering means for changing the position of the guide shaft in the height direction according to the thickness and setting the gap between the recording material, the carriage and the recording means to an appropriate value. The recording apparatus is characterized in that it is moved to the height of a guide shaft that is not used for printing before dropping.   In a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by a recording means, a carriage mounted with the recording means and moving in a direction crossing the recording material conveyance direction, a guide shaft for guiding the movement of the carriage, and the type of the recording material In a recording apparatus comprising a guide shaft elevating means for changing the position in the height direction of the guide shaft in accordance with the thickness and setting the gap between the recording material, the carriage and the recording means to an appropriate value, A recording apparatus that is set at a height of a guide shaft that is not used for printing at the time of shipment.   The guide shaft raising / lowering means includes cams provided at both ends of the guide shaft, and a cam abutting portion disposed in the vicinity of the guide shaft so as to abut against the cam and define the height of the guide shaft. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide shaft is moved up and down by rotating the cam.   4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all the height positions of the guide shaft are determined by a rotational position of the cam that is in contact with the cam abutting portion. 5.   The guide shaft position not used at the time of printing is when the guide shaft is at a minimum height, and at this time, the cam is not in contact with the cam abutting portion. Recording device.

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