JP2009113437A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device enabling an optical sensor to be automatically cleaned by a simple and space-saving construction without necessitating a new drive mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The recording device records an image in a recording medium P by a recording head 7 based on image information. The recording device includes an optical sensor 100 detecting a state of a component such as an ink tank 71 and the like, an access cover 97 openably closably mounted on the outer package 9 of the device, and a link mechanism having an operation member 201 contacting the access cover and a driven member 202 holding an eradication member. The optical sensor is cleaned with the eradication member 203 by moving the driven member via the operation member in accordance with opening and closing of the access cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by a recording head based on image information.

  Recording apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles are configured to form an image on a recording medium by a recording head based on image information. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method. In addition to ordinary paper (paper), various materials such as plastic sheets, photographic printing paper, and cloth are used as recording media. Among them, in an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink droplet is ejected from an ejection port of a recording head to form an image, so that mist-like floating ink (ink mist) may be generated inside the apparatus.

  On the other hand, in the recording apparatus, an optical sensor such as a photo sensor or an infrared sensor is used to detect the position and speed of the movable mechanism section, or the state of components such as the position and registration of the recording medium. The optical sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and there are several methods for arranging them. One of them is a method of receiving light emitted from a light emitting unit arranged on the moving side by a light receiving unit arranged at a fixed position. For example, ink tank identification information or the like from a light emitting unit disposed on an ink tank on a carriage that is scanned and moved is read by a light receiving unit fixed inside the apparatus. In such an arrangement method, the gap between the light emitting part and the light receiving part is often selected to be a small value such as several millimeters, and it is difficult to effectively shield the light transmission surface of the optical sensor. Therefore, it becomes difficult to effectively prevent ink adhesion to the light transmission surface in an environment where ink mist is generated inside the apparatus. If the light receiving unit is contaminated with ink, there is a risk of erroneous recognition due to fluctuations in the detection level. Also in photocopiers, photosensors are used for image density detection, registration detection, etc., but the detection performance deteriorates due to scattered toner and foreign matter adhering to the detection surface of this photosensor, It may not be possible to obtain normal detection values.

  Methods for cleaning such a detection surface are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151858 describes that in an ink jet recording apparatus, when the amount of ink ejected from a recording head reaches a predetermined value, the surface of a paper width detection sensor disposed on a carriage is wiped off. Further, Patent Document 1 describes that a device for displaying the state of the constituent elements of the apparatus is provided, and the optical sensor is cleaned using an existing wiping mechanism when the detection performance of the paper width detection device is reduced. . Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a photosensor is attached to a functional unit that is detachable from the apparatus body, and a cleaning member is slidably contacted with the photosensor when the functional unit is attached or detached. The configuration of Patent Document 2 cleans the photosensor only when the functional unit is attached or detached.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-238906 JP 2005-134726 A

  However, the conventional example has the following problems. First, since the light transmission surface of the optical sensor is open, it is difficult to shield ink mist, paper dust, and the like generated inside the apparatus. Second, when using a moving light emitting part and a fixed light receiving part, the light receiving part cannot be moved and cleaned with an existing cleaning mechanism, and a wiping member incorporated in a removable unit It cannot be used. Third, it is difficult to separately provide a powered cleaning mechanism.

  The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that does not require a new drive mechanism and can automatically clean an optical sensor with a simple and space-saving configuration.

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium using a recording head based on image information, an optical sensor that detects a state of a component, an access cover that can be opened and closed on the exterior of the apparatus, and the access cover. The optical sensor is cleaned by the wiping member by moving the driven member through the operating member as the access cover is opened and closed as the access cover is opened and closed. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus that does not require a new driving mechanism and can automatically clean an optical sensor with a simple and space-saving configuration. It is also possible to prompt the user to clean the light receiving unit based on information from the timer or the optical sensor.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the right front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the left front. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, a case where the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink from a recording head to a recording medium based on image information is shown. The recording apparatus includes a paper feeding unit 2, a conveyance unit 3, an image forming unit 5, an ejection recovery unit 6, and a U-turn paper feeding unit 8.

  The paper feeding unit 2 includes a pressure plate 21 on which the sheet-like recording medium P is stacked, a paper feeding roller 28 for feeding the recording medium P, a separation roller 24 for separating the recording medium, and a return lever for returning the recording medium to the stacking position. 22 and the like are attached to the base 20. A pullable paper feed tray 26 for loading recording media is attached to the base 20 or the apparatus exterior. The paper feed roller 28 feeds the recording medium by roller rubber provided at a position near the recording medium reference surface. The pressure plate 21 is provided with a movable side guide 23 for regulating the loading position. The pressure plate 21 is rotatably mounted and is urged toward the paper feed roller 28 by a spring 212, and is pressed and separated from the paper feed roller 28 by a cam (not shown).

  The separation roller 24 is a roller for separating the recording media one by one, and is biased toward the paper feed roller 28 by a spring. The separation roller 24 is provided with a torque limiter and rotates when the rotational load is a predetermined value or more. The positions of the pressure plate 21, the return lever 22, and the separation roller 24 are detected by the ASF sensor 29. In the standby state, the pressure plate 28 is released, the separation roller 24 is also released, and the return lever 22 is held at a position that closes the delivery surface. When a paper feed command is issued, the separation roller 24 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 28, the return lever 22 is released, and the pressure plate 21 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 28. In this state, paper feeding is started.

  When paper feeding is started, a predetermined number of recording media are sent out to the nip between the paper feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 24. The sent recording medium is separated by the separation roller 24, and only the uppermost sheet is fed. When the recording medium reaches the nip of the conveyance roller 36 disposed on the conveyance upstream side of the image forming unit 5, the pressure plate 21 and the separation roller 24 are released, and the return lever 22 is returned to the stacking position. At this time, the recording medium that has been sent to the nip between the paper feed roller 28 and the separation roller 24 is returned to the stacking position.

  The transport unit 3 includes a transport roller 36, a PE sensor 32, a first paper discharge roller 40, and a second paper discharge roller 41. The paper discharge rollers 40 and 41 are driven in synchronization with the transport roller 36. A pinch roller 37 is disposed on the transport roller 36 so as to be driven to rotate, and a spur 42 is disposed on the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41 so as to be driven to rotate. A guide flapper 33 for guiding the recording medium P is disposed at the entrance of the conveyance unit 3, and a platen 34 for supporting the recording medium is disposed in the image forming unit 5. The PE sensor 32 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording medium P by being shielded by the movement of the sensor lever 213 disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance roller 36. The recording medium is conveyed to the recording start position on the platen 34 by detecting the leading edge of the recording medium and detecting the rotation amount of the conveying roller 36. A code wheel 362 is fixed to an end portion of the conveyance roller 36, and the conveyance amount of the recording medium is detected by reading the code wheel 362 with an encoder sensor.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the image forming unit of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming unit of FIG. The image forming unit 5 includes a recording head 7 mounted on the carriage 50, and is disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller 36 and upstream of the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41. The carriage 50 is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating along the guide shaft 52 and the guide rail 111 in a direction crossing the transport direction. The carriage 50 is driven by a carriage motor 54 via a timing belt 541 wound around a pulley. The recording head 7 is an ink jet recording head that forms an image on the recording medium P by selectively ejecting ink from a plurality of ejection openings based on image information. The recording head 7 is equipped with a plurality of ink tanks 71 that can be replaced for each color. The position of the carriage 50 is detected by reading the code strip 561 with an encoder sensor. The electric board on the carriage 50 is connected to the main board of the apparatus main body via a flexible cable 57.

  The recording head 7 mounted on the carriage 50 includes five ink discharge portions (recording head portions) 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e that discharge black, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks. Yes. Ink tanks 71 (71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e) for supplying ink to these ink ejection units are mounted in a replaceable manner. The recording head 7 can also be attached to the carriage 50 in a replaceable manner. Each ink tank 71 is provided with a light emitting portion 72 for projecting infrared rays. A light receiving unit 103 that receives light from the light emitting unit 72 and generates a signal is mounted inside the apparatus. The optical sensor 100 according to this embodiment including the light emitting unit 72 and the light receiving unit 103 is a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank 71 or out of ink. The light emitting unit 72 transmits information such as the remaining amount of ink in the corresponding ink tank or out of ink in a light irradiation state (on, off, blinking time interval, etc.).

  As described above, the light emitting unit 72 moves together with the carriage 50, while the light receiving unit 103 facing the light emitting unit 72 is attached to a fixed position in the apparatus, and the light receiving unit 103 and the light projecting unit 72 face each other. The distance between the two is selected to be a few millimeters. The light receiving unit 103 is connected to the electric substrate 102 with the side surface covered by the light receiving unit cover 101 and is held on a support member 104 installed in the apparatus (for example, the spur holder 43).

  Eccentric cams are provided at both ends of the guide shaft 52, and the carriage 50 is moved up and down by rotating the eccentric cam and moving the guide shaft 52 up and down. As a result, an optimum gap can be formed even for the recording media P having different thicknesses. The carriage 50 is provided with a sensor 59 for performing registration adjustment for correcting landing deviation of ink droplets on the recording medium. The sensor 59 is a reflection-type optical sensor, and an optimum registration adjustment value can be obtained by reflecting the light from the light emitting element with the recording pattern on the recording medium P and receiving the reflected light with the light receiving element. Image formation is performed for each line by ejecting ink from the recording head while moving the carriage 50. An image of the entire recording medium P is formed by repeating one-line recording and intermittent conveyance. The recording medium on which the image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus main body by the discharge rollers 40 and 41 and placed on the discharge tray 46. The paper discharge tray 46 can be stored in the front cover 95.

  An ejection recovery unit 6 is disposed at a position outside the image forming area within the moving range of the carriage 50. The discharge recovery unit 6 includes a pump 60, a cap 61 and a wiper 62. The pump 60 is a suction pump for cleaning the recording head 7, the cap 61 is for covering the ejection port of the recording head 7, and the wiper 62 is attached to the surface of the recording head 7 where the ejection port is formed. This is for wiping off and removing the ink and the like. The operations of the pump 60, the cap 61 and the wiper 62 are controlled by rotationally driving the recovery cam 63. The rotational position of the recovery cam 63 is detected by an optical sensor (not shown) such as a photo interrupter.

  The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a U-turn paper feeding unit 8 that enables double-sided recording on a recording medium. A front cassette 81 for paper feed is detachably mounted on the front of the apparatus. The U-turn paper feeding unit 8 also includes a pressure plate 822 on which the recording medium P is stacked, a paper feeding roller 821 for feeding the recording medium P, a separation roller 831 for separating the recording medium, and a return lever 824 for returning the recording medium to the stacking position. Etc. These are attached to the U-turn base 84. The paper feed roller 821 feeds the recording medium by roller rubber provided at a position near the recording medium reference surface. The pressure plate 822 is provided with a movable side guide 827 for restricting the loading position of the recording medium. The pressure plate 822 is rotatably mounted and is urged against the paper feed roller 821 by a spring or the like, and is pressed and separated from the paper feed roller 821 by a cam (not shown).

  The separation roller 831 is urged by the paper feed roller 821 and can be separated one by one by rotating when the rotational load is greater than or equal to a predetermined value by a torque limiter. The positions of the pressure plate 822, the return lever 824, and the separation roller 831 are detected by sensors. In the standby state, the pressure plate 822 is released, the separation roller 831 is also released, and the return lever 824 is held at a position that closes the delivery surface. When there is a paper feed command, the separation roller 831 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 821, the return lever 824 is released, and the pressure plate 822 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 821. In this state, paper feeding is started.

  When paper feeding is started, a plurality of recording media are fed out to the nip between the paper feeding roller 821 and the separation roller 831 and only the uppermost separated sheet is fed. When the fed recording medium reaches the nip between the first U-turn roller 86 and the pinch roller 861, the pressure plate 822 and the separation roller 831 are released, and the return lever 824 is returned to the loading position. At this time, the recording medium fed to the nip between the paper feed roller 821 and the separation roller 831 is returned to the stacking position. The fed recording medium is a nip between the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 5 by the first U-turn roller 86 and the second U-turn roller 87 and the pinch rollers 861 and 871 pressed against them. It is conveyed toward. A guide flapper 33 is provided at a junction between the feeding unit 2 and the U-turn sheet feeding unit 8 so that each conveyance path can be switched. The recording medium that has been fed is subjected to registration for aligning the leading edge by abutting the nip between the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 that are stopped, and then the conveying roller 36 is rotated to rotate the image forming unit 5. It is conveyed to. In this way, an image is similarly formed on the recording medium fed from the U-turn paper feeding unit 8.

  When performing double-sided recording, reverse recording is started by reversely rotating the paper discharge rollers 40 and 41 with the pinch roller 37 being separated from the conveying roller 36 after recording of the front surface (first surface) is completed. To do. Next, the pinch roller 37 is pressed to pinch the rear end of the recording medium, and the conveying roller 36 is rotated in the reverse direction to convey the recording medium to the nip between the double-sided roller 891 and the pinch roller 892 in the U-turn conveying path. At this time, the guide flapper 33 is moving in a direction to open the entrance of the U-turn conveyance path. The U-turn conveyance path is connected to the conveyance path of the recording medium fed from the front cassette 81. Accordingly, the recording medium introduced into the U-turn conveyance path is conveyed to the first U-turn roller 86 and the second U-turn roller 87 by the rotation of the double-sided roller 891, and is conveyed U-turn. The recording medium transported in the U-turn is transported toward the transport roller 36 with the front and back sides reversed. The subsequent transport operation of the recording medium is the same as the transport operation in the transport unit 3 described above, and an image is formed on the back surface (second surface) while being transported by the transport roller 36.

  The apparatus exterior portion 9 is attached so as to cover each of the above-described mechanism parts assembled to the chassis 11. The exterior portion 9 includes a lower case 99, an upper case 98, an access cover 97, a connector cover 96, a front cover 95, and a side cover 93. A paper discharge tray 46 is storably mounted on the front cover 95, and the open / closed state of the front cover 95 is detected by a sensor (not shown). An access cover 97 is attached to the upper case 98 so that it can be opened and closed. By opening the access cover 97, the inside of the apparatus can be accessed from the opening of the upper case, and maintenance work such as replacement of the recording head 7 and the ink tank 71 can be performed. The upper case 98 is provided with a switch 981 for detecting opening / closing of the access cover 97, and the open / closed state of the access cover 97 is detected by detecting an on / off signal of the switch 981 on the main board. A connecting portion between the upper case 98 and the lower case 99 is covered with a connector cover 96. The side cover 93 is attached so as to cover the left and right portions of the upper case 98 and the lower case 99 from the left and right. The paper feed tray 26 is attached to the upper case 98 so as to be openable and closable, and is configured to be a cover of the paper feed unit 2 when closed.

  The recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with an optical sensor 100 for detecting the state of the ink tank 71 (remaining amount of ink, running out of ink, etc.) mounted on the carriage 50 that reciprocates within the apparatus. The optical sensor 100 includes a light emitting unit 72 disposed on the carriage 50 and a light receiving unit 103 disposed in the vicinity of the apparatus exterior 9 in order to receive irradiation light from the light emitting unit 72. Next, regarding the cleaning mechanism 200 for cleaning the light emitting sensor 100, a configuration for cleaning the surface of the light receiving unit 103 as the access cover 97 is opened and closed will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view when the access cover of the recording apparatus is closed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view when the access cover of the recording apparatus is opened. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is closed. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is opened.

  The cleaning mechanism 200 is configured by a link mechanism having an operating member 201 that contacts the access cover 97 and a driven member 202 that holds the wiping member 203. This cleaning mechanism is configured to clean the surface of the light receiving portion 103 of the optical sensor 100 with the wiping member 203 by moving the driven member 202 via the operating member 201 as the access cover 97 is opened and closed. Yes. The access cover 97 is normally held in a closed position by a latching portion, and is opened when the user removes the latching portion when replacing the ink tank 71 or performing maintenance of a mechanism unit in the apparatus. The

  A guide member 982 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper case 98 constituting the apparatus exterior 9 and in the vicinity of the access cover 97. The guide member 982 is provided with a first protrusion 983 and a second protrusion 984. The first protrusion 983 is slidably engaged with the groove 205 of the operating member 201, and the second protrusion 984 is slidably engaged with the groove 206 of the driven member 202. The operating member 201 and the driven member 202 are rotatably connected by a pin 207, and an elastic member 208 that biases the central angle around the pin 207 in an expanding direction is mounted between the operating member 201 and the driven member 202. Has been. When the access cover 97 is closed, the other end of the operating member 201 is pressed against the inner surface of the access cover 97 by the elastic force (spring biasing force) of the elastic member 208, and the access cover is opened. Is energized. A wiping member 203 for cleaning the surface (light transmitting portion) of the light receiving unit 103 is held at the tip of the driven member 202. The wiping member 203 is formed of a material that can withstand repeated wiping without damaging the surface of the light receiving unit 103.

  The cleaning mechanism 200 includes a link mechanism having an operating member 201 and a driven member 202. That is, the operation member 201 is supported by the fixing point 983 disposed on the apparatus exterior 9 so as to be rotatable and slidable. The driven member 202 is supported rotatably and slidable by a fixing point 984 disposed on the apparatus exterior 9 and is connected to the operating member 201.

  Therefore, when the user opens the access cover 97, the working member 201 is rotated upward by the biasing force of the spring 208, and the driven member 202 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 9 by the movement of the working member 201 and the action of the spring 208. Move to the position shown in FIG. As the driven member 202 moves at this time, the wiping member 203 on the driven member 202 rubs and cleans the surface of the light receiving unit 103. Also, when the access cover 97 is closed, the wiping member 203 rubs the surface of the light receiving unit 103 in the reverse direction and cleans the surface by the reverse movement of the link mechanism having the operating member 201 and the driven member 202. In this case, the support member 104 does not elastically deform when the wiping member 203 slides on the light receiving unit 103. Further, since the user can open and close the access cover 97 only for replacement of the ink tank 71 and maintenance of the image forming unit, the wiping member 203 is not consumed and the surface of the light receiving unit 103 is not worn. .

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 72 is mounted on the ink tank 71 that moves together with the carriage 50, and the light receiving unit 103 is irradiated with a blinking signal indicating the remaining ink amount or information about the ink out of the ink tank. The state of the ink tank 71 is detected by transmitting a detection signal from the light receiving unit 103 to the main board in the apparatus. In this case, the state of the surface of the light receiving unit 103 can be observed or estimated based on information from the timer in the apparatus or from the ink tank 71, and the result is sent to the user through the recording unit or the display unit of the connected computer. Reportedly. According to such a configuration, the user is prompted to perform an operation of opening and closing the access cover 97, that is, cleaning of the optical sensor 100 (the light receiving unit 103) after performing a certain amount of image formation based on the information of the timer. it can.

  Further, when there is an abnormality in the information of the optical sensor 100, it is assumed that either an error is detected or the light receiving unit 103 is contaminated. At this time, the user is prompted to open and close the access cover 97, thereby cleaning the light receiving unit 103. If an error is detected again after cleaning, it can be considered that an error has occurred, and if no error is detected, it can be considered that the light receiving unit 103 has become dirty. In this way, it is possible to deal with each while checking the occurrence of an error and the contamination of the light receiving unit.

  In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 100 that detects the state of the ink tank is taken as an example, but the present invention can be similarly applied to an optical sensor that detects the state of other components of the recording apparatus. . Examples of other optical sensors include a sensor that detects a state of the carriage or the recording head, such as a position and a moving speed, and a sensor that detects that the carriage has reached the ejection recovery unit 6. Furthermore, a sensor that detects the position and width of a frame that defines the image forming area of the recording medium can also be used. In the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 200 is provided on the inner surface of the upper case 98. However, this may be provided in other positions as long as the area is close to the access cover 97 in the apparatus.

  According to the recording apparatus according to the embodiment described above, the optical sensor 100 can be automatically cleaned as the access cover 97 is opened and closed. Accordingly, there is provided a recording apparatus that does not require a new drive mechanism and can automatically clean the optical sensor with a simple and space-saving configuration. Further, it is possible to prompt the user to clean the light receiving unit based on information from the timer or the optical sensor. In addition, this embodiment is applicable similarly also when cleaning the light emission part attached to the fixed position in the optical sensor which reversed the light emission part and the light-receiving part.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is closed. 12 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment is opened. The access cover 97 can be opened by the user removing the latching portion, and the cleaning mechanism 300 according to the second embodiment is arranged in the apparatus. A guide member 986 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper case 98 near the access cover 97, and the first pin connection point (fixed point) 987 and the second pin connection point (fixed point) 988 are provided on the guide member 986. It has been. One end of the operating member 301 is rotatably connected to the first pin connecting point 987, and the other end of the operating member 301 is rotatably connected to one end of the first connecting member 304 via the pin 306. ing. The other end of the first connecting member 304 is rotatably connected to one end of the driven member 302 via a pin 307.

  One end of the second connecting member 305 is rotatably connected to a second pin connecting point (fixed point) 988 of the guide member 986. The other end of the second connecting member 305 is rotatably connected to the vicinity of the other end of the driven member 302 via a pin 308, and a wiping member 303 is connected to the other end (tip) of the driven member 302. Is retained. Between the first connecting member 304 and the driven member 302, an elastic member (spring) 309 that biases the central angle around the pin 307 in an expanding direction is mounted. By this spring biasing force, the operating member 201 is biased in the direction of opening the access cover 97 via the first connecting member 304. Further, the driven member 302 is urged in a direction in which the wiping member 303 at the tip portion is directed toward the light receiving portion 103 on the support member 104 by the urging reaction force of the spring 309. The wiping member 303 is also formed of a material that can withstand repeated wiping without damaging the surface of the light receiving unit 103.

  The cleaning mechanism 300 includes a link mechanism having an operating member 301, a first connecting member 304, a driven member 302, and a second connecting member 305. That is, the operating member 201 is rotatably supported by a fixing point 987 arranged on the apparatus exterior 9 and is connected to the driven member 302 via the first connecting member 304. The driven member 202 is coupled to a second coupling member 305 that is rotatably supported by a fixing point 988 disposed on the apparatus exterior 9.

  Therefore, when the user opens the access cover 97, the operating member 301 rotates upward by the biasing force of the spring 309. At the same time, the driven member 302 moves from the position shown in FIG. 11 to the position shown in FIG. 12 by the movement of the operating member 301 and the bias of the spring 309. As the driven member 302 moves at this time, the wiping member 303 on the driven member 302 rubs and cleans the surface of the light receiving unit 103. Also, when the access cover 97 is closed, the wiping member 303 rubs and cleans the surface of the light receiving unit 103 in the reverse direction by the reverse movement of the link mechanism including the operating member 301 and the driven member 302 as the constituent members.

  The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment except for the points described above, and has the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and other components of the recording apparatus. The present invention can be similarly applied to an optical sensor that detects a state. That is, also in this embodiment, the optical sensor 100 can be cleaned by the wiping member 303 by moving the driven member 302 via the operating member 301 in accordance with the opening and closing of the access cover 97. Therefore, also in this embodiment, a new drive mechanism is not required, and the optical sensor can be automatically cleaned with a simple and space-saving configuration. Further, it is possible to prompt the user to clean the light receiving unit based on information from the timer or the optical sensor. Furthermore, this embodiment can be similarly applied to the case where the light emitting unit attached to the fixed position is cleaned in the optical sensor in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are reversed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the recording apparatus is an inkjet recording apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to other recording systems such as a thermal transfer type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, and a wire dot type. The present invention can be similarly applied to a recording apparatus. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a recording apparatus in a complex apparatus or a system configuration as well as a single recording apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

1 is an external perspective view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the right front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment viewed from the left front. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of an image forming unit of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming unit in FIG. 5. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the access cover of the recording apparatus is closed. It is a perspective view when the access cover of the recording apparatus is opened. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is closed. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state when the access cover of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment is opened. It is a side view which shows a state when the access cover of the recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is closed. It is a side view which shows a state when the access cover of the recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is opened.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Image formation part 7 Recording head 9 Apparatus exterior 50 Carriage 71 Ink tank 72 Light emission part 97 Access cover 98 Upper case 100 Optical sensor 103 Light receiving part 200,300 Cleaning mechanism 201,301 Actuation member 202,302 Driven member 203,303 Wiping member 982, 986 Guide member

Claims (8)

In a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by a recording head based on image information,
An optical sensor for detecting the state of the component, an access cover provided on the exterior of the apparatus so as to be openable and closable, an operating member that contacts the access cover, and a driven member that holds the wiping member,
A recording apparatus, wherein the optical sensor is cleaned by the wiping member by moving the driven member through the operating member as the access cover is opened and closed.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an ink jet recording head that records an image by discharging ink from a discharge port to a recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor includes a light emitting unit disposed on a carriage that reciprocates within the apparatus and a light receiving unit disposed in the vicinity of the exterior of the apparatus.   The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the optical sensor detects a state of an ink tank mounted on the carriage.   The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the access cover is opened and closed by a user when the ink tank is replaced.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is pressed against the access cover by an elastic force in a state where the access cover is closed.   The operating member is supported so as to be rotatable and slidable by a fixed point disposed on the apparatus exterior, and the driven member is supported to be rotatable and slidable by a fixed point disposed on the apparatus exterior. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording apparatus is connected to the recording apparatus.   The operating member is rotatably connected to a fixed point disposed on the apparatus exterior and is coupled to the driven member via a first connection member, and the driven member rotates to a fixed point disposed on the apparatus exterior. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording apparatus is connected to a second connecting member that is connected to the second connecting member.

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