JP2795568B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording system for performing recording by discharging ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, many information recording devices such as printers, facsimile machines, word processors and the like have been developed. As these recording devices, the ink jet recording method is widely used because of its advantages such as high resolution, high speed recording, low cost, and miniaturization. Among them, downsizing of the apparatus and reduction of running cost are important factors.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 18, a recording head 1081a and an ink tank 18 filled with ink are used.
There has been a method in which a head cartridge 1801 integrally formed with the head cartridge 01b is exchangeably connected to a mounting portion 1802 of a recording apparatus. However, this method has a drawback that the running cost is increased because the recording head is a consumable item.
At the time of ink consumption, the recording head 1801a
Has not reached the end of its life, and the recordable recording head 18
01a was discarded.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, there has been a method in which a recording head 1901 and an ink tank 1903 are separately formed and connected to a mounting unit 1903 of a recording apparatus so as to be exchangeable separately. However, in this method, the ink supply path 1 for supplying the ink in the ink tank to the recording head is provided.
The need for the 904 on the recording apparatus hinders cost increases and miniaturization. When an ink tank having a different color of ink is used, even if the print head 1901 and the ink tank 1902 are replaced, color mixing with the ink in the ink flow path of the printing apparatus occurs. In addition, it is necessary to separately provide the ink supply path 1904 for each color on the mounting section 1903. For example, as shown in FIG.
001 is connected and fixed to the mounting section 2002 of the printing apparatus, and the ink tank 2003 is connected to the printing head 2001.
There was a way to connect them interchangeably. However, this method cannot easily replace the recording head due to a failure. In addition, when ink tanks having different colors of ink are used, mixed colors of ink in the print head occur. Therefore, it is necessary to separately provide the print head 2001 on the mounting unit 2002 for each ink color.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce running costs, to easily replace an ink tank and a recording head, to replace an ink tank and a recording head. An object of the present invention is to prevent the ink from being scattered at the time of replacing a head, and to replace ink colors easily and without color mixture.

[0006]

According to the present invention , there is provided a recording medium, comprising:
In the inkjet device that performs recording,
Ink tank with an ink flow path for supplying ink to the outside
Ink and the supply of ink from the ink tank
Provided with a connecting portion for connecting to the ink flow path.
And a print recording head via the connecting portion.
A carriage having a mounting surface for
Ink jet recording head and the ink tank
When removing the ink tank from the carriage
The ink jet recording device is engaged with the ink tank,
The ink tank in the direction to release the connection with the recording head.
Ink tank removal to move on the mounting surface
And a lever member.
A recording device , further comprising:
For the connection between the ink tank and the ink jet recording head.
Prohibit movement of the inkjet print head when it is released
Ink having a head movement inhibiting member
A jet recording device, and in the above device,
The ink jet recording head is connected to the ink tank.
When removing from the carriage with the
Ink jet recording head using a head movement inhibiting member
Head tank removal level to release movement prohibition
Ink jet recording having a bar member
Device.

[0007]

In the above means, only the ink tank needs to be replaced after the ink is consumed, and the running cost can be reduced.

In addition, the recording head can be easily replaced after the life of the recording head or at the time of failure.

Further, the ink tank and the recording head can be stored and replaced in an integrated state for each ink color, and the color change of the recording apparatus can be easily performed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording head section and a carrier section of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head that discharges ink by an electric signal, 2 denotes an ink tank that stores ink and supplies it to the recording head 1, and 102 denotes a recording apparatus main body that holds the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2. Career career, 1
06 is the head / tank removal lever according to the present invention.
As an example of a “member”, a head lever 107 for holding and releasing the recording head 1 is referred to as an “ink tank storage” in the present invention.
An ink tank lever for performing the mounting and demounting of the ink container 2 as an example of a Disconnect lever member "108 in the present invention
As an example of a “head movement prohibiting member”, a head fixing spring for fixing the recording head 1 to the carrier 102 (afterward)
A head movement inhibiting member together with a lever (not shown) described in
These components constitute a recording head unit and a carrier unit of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording head 1 and an ink tank 2 of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an ink supply hole serving as a passage for supplying ink from the ink tank 2 to the recording head, 11 denotes an ink supply hole for supplying ink from the ink tank 2 to the recording head 1, and 12 denotes the recording head 1 and the ink. A coupling claw for guiding and holding the two when the tank 2 is integrated, a coupling claw guide groove 13 for engaging with the coupling claw 12, and an ink tank 14 for attaching and detaching the ink tank 2 and the recording head 1. And an ink tank guide groove for holding the ink cartridge 2, and these components constitute the head cartridge 101.

The recording head 1 includes a substrate on which a plurality of electrothermal transducers for generating thermal energy used for ink ejection and a drive circuit for driving the elements are formed, and the plurality of electrothermal transducers are provided on the substrate. The discharge port and the liquid path corresponding to each of the conversion elements, and a top plate for forming a common liquid chamber communicating with each liquid path are stacked. Then, the recording head configured as described above is mounted on the apparatus such that the ejection port surface where the ejection ports are arranged faces the recording medium.

The ink tank 2 is a tank for appropriately supplying ink to the recording head 1 in order to supplement the ink consumed by recording while holding the ink. It is sealed by a sealing means (not shown) so that ink does not leak from the recording head 1, and this sealing means is automatically or manually opened when integrated with the recording head 1 to supply ink. I can do it. Further, a mechanism may be provided for introducing the atmosphere from the outside according to the ink volume reduced by the consumption of the ink. Further, by keeping the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head at a slight negative pressure, a mechanism for improving the print quality and preventing ink leakage can be provided inside.

The recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are used on a recording apparatus during a recording operation in the state of the integrated head cartridge 101. Next, a method of integrating the two will be described.

Basically, the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are integrated by connecting the ink supply holes 10 and the ink supply holes 11, so that this portion is
Alternatively, it is configured to prevent gas from entering the ink flow path. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, a method utilizing the elasticity of the mold member is employed. That is, the ink supply hole 10a and the ink supply hole 11a are formed in a cylindrical shape by a mold member, and the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 11a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply hole 10a. . Then, when the ink supply hole 10a is press-fitted into the ink supply hole 11a, the two are tightly integrated while being slightly deformed in the radial direction. Further, the connecting portion is not limited to the mold member, and may be any member having a sealing function. Therefore, other types of connecting methods will be described later.

When the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are integrated, the ink supply hole 10 and the ink supply
Although only one connection may be used, it is possible to prevent the head cartridge 101 from easily coming off when an unexpected external force is applied when handling the head cartridge 101, or to provide a guide that can be easily integrated when integrated. In this embodiment, the coupling is further strengthened by the coupling claws 12 and the coupling claw guide grooves 13. That is, the coupling claw 12, which is molded integrally with the ink supply hole 10 and can be elastically deformed, is provided with a projection at the tip, and is elastically deformed by the height of the projection. While engaging with the coupling claw guide groove 13, the coupling claw guide groove 1
The engagement is completed when the projection of the coupling claw 13 reaches the deepened portion of the groove provided at the back of 3.

Further, the coupling claw 12 also has a role as a guide so that the ink supply hole 10 and the ink supply hole 11 can be easily coupled when the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are coupled. That is, the coupling claw 12 is
The coupling claw 12 contacts the ink tank 2 before the ink supply hole 10 contacts the ink supply hole 11. Here, the tip of the coupling claw 12 is cut off diagonally, and the diagonal portion can be easily engaged with the coupling claw guide groove as a guide in the direction of arrow a in FIG.
Further, a projection provided at the tip of the coupling claw 12 is also cut off obliquely, and serves as a guide in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 2 to facilitate easy engagement.

In the present embodiment, the connecting claws are provided on the recording head side, but are not limited thereto, and may be provided on the ink tank 2 side or on both the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2.

Next, a method for mechanically and electrically connecting the recording head 1 to the carrier 102 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a connection portion of the recording head 1 to the carrier 102 as viewed from the direction of FIG. 1A. In the figure, reference numeral 109 denotes a positioning pin which is fixed to the carrier 102 and engages with a hole provided in the recording head 1 to perform positioning in the vertical and vertical directions in FIG. A stopper for receiving the recording head 1 pressed against the recording head; 401, a flexible cable for electrically connecting the recording apparatus main body to the recording head 1; 111, a flexible cable sandwiched between the flexible cable 401 and the carrier 102;
Reference numeral 15 denotes a pad provided on the recording head 1 for elastically supporting the contact 1, and a contact portion electrically connected to a heater in the recording head 1.

The recording head 1 is pressed in the direction a by a head fixing spring 108 via a lever (not shown). The position of the recording head 1 is determined by the engagement between a hole provided in the recording head 1 and the positioning pin 109 and the stopper 110. Is uniquely determined by the interference of Thus, the recording head 1 and the carrier 102 are mechanically connected.

A plurality of electrical contacts are provided at opposing positions on the contact portion 15 provided on the recording head 1 and the end surface of the flexible cable 401, and these contacts are pressed with a predetermined pressure. As a result, the recording apparatus main body and the recording head 1 are electrically connected. At this time, since it is necessary to press a plurality of electrical contacts at once, the pads 111 made of an elastic material are required to press them uniformly.
In the pressing portion. The pad 111 is made of, for example, silicon rubber, and is configured such that the reaction force generated when the pad 111 is pressed is much smaller than the force of the head fixing spring 108 pressing the recording head 1.

In particular, the electrical contacts provided on the flexible cable 401 may be formed in a projecting shape in order to concentrate the stress when pressed and secure the connection.

In this embodiment, the electrical or mechanical connection is provided on the recording head side, but is not limited to this, and is not restricted to the ink tank 2 side, or between the recording head 1 side and the ink tank 2 side. Either of them may be provided, or one of them may be provided with an electrical coupling part and a mechanical coupling part separately.

Next, a method of handling the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2, that is, the ink tank 2 that has run out of ink
A method for replacing the recording head 1 with a new ink tank 2 or replacing the recording head 1 that has become unusable for some reason will be described.

Using the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention
In the case where the recording head 1
The recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are taken out of the carrier 102 in an integrated state, and the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are removed from the carrier 102 (hereinafter, referred to as a detached state).
There is a method of separating or integrating the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 in an off-carrier state.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a case where the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are taken out of the carrier 102 while being integrated. In this case, the head lever 106 is
4A, the pressing force to the recording head 1 by the head fixing spring 108 is released. At this time, the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are moved in the direction shown in FIG. As a result, the engagement between the positioning pin 109 and the hole of the recording head 1 is released.
4c can be moved in the direction of FIG. After the off-carrier state, the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 can be separated from each other by applying a force in a direction opposite to the joining direction when the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are integrated. Then, the person who wants to replace the battery is made a new one, and the two are integrated by the above-described integration method and stored in the carrier 102 in the reverse order, thereby completing the replacement operation.

In this embodiment, the head lever 1
06, the pressing force of the recording head 1 is released.
Without being restricted to this, the lever for pressing the recording head 1 may be directly moved. In addition, the recording head is pressed by using the head fixing spring 108 in the fixing method, but the recording head is not restricted thereto, and the recording head may be fixed by using a latch hook having a spring property.

Further, the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 may be integrally attached and detached against the pressing force by directly holding the recording head 1.

The first embodiment has the following effects.

That is, when either the recording head or the ink tank needs to be replaced, only the one that needs replacement needs to be replaced, so that the economy is improved.

Further, since the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 can be exchanged integrally, the recording head and the ink tank with different ink colors can be stored integrally and exchanged, so that a simple color change can be performed. Can be.

Example of use of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention
As a second form of, while the fixing of the recording head 1 and the carrier 102, the separation of the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 on the carrier (hereinafter, on the carrier state and the call
Department) there is a method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the ink tank 2 is separated from the recording head 1 on the carrier 102. In this case, by rotating the tank lever 107 from the state of FIG. 1 in the direction of FIG. 5A to such a position, the lever in the carrier 102 (not shown) is moved to the ink tank guide groove 14 provided on the side surface of the ink tank 2.
And move in the direction of FIG. 5b. At this time, the fixing of the recording head 1 is the same as the state shown in FIG. 1 and does not move together with the ink tank 2, so that the engaging portion between the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 can be disengaged and separated. Further, the ink tank 2 can be removed from the carrier 102 by moving the ink tank 2 in the direction shown in FIG. 5C.

At this time, when the recording head 1 is elastically pressed by the head fixing spring 108 as in this embodiment, the head may be detached due to the force applied during separation. Therefore, it is preferable to configure as follows. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing how the force is applied. In the figure, the recording head 1 is pressed against the carrier 102 by a head fixing spring 108 with a force of f1. Further, it is assumed that a force of f2 is required to separate the coupling claw 12 and the ink supply hole 10 in order to separate the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2. At this time, the magnitude of the force is f1> f
By setting to 2, it is possible to prevent the recording head 1 from being detached during the separating operation.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention
Has such a tank lever 107,
The above-mentioned use form (especially the second form) becomes possible.
This is very useful in the following points .

The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the first embodiment.

That is, by appropriately designing the cam shape of the tank lever 107, it is possible to control the pull-out speed at the time of separation, and the ink supply hole 10
And scattering of ink from the ink supply holes 11 can be prevented.

Further, since it is not necessary to directly hold the recording head 1 by hand, the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzles of the recording head 1 is not touched by hand, and unnecessary pollution which adversely affects printing can be prevented.

Further, since a portion of the ink tank 2 to which the force is applied is specified, it is sufficient that only the portion has a structure capable of withstanding the force. Therefore, other portions can be made thin and light, and the inner volume can be increased. There is.

Next, the above-described recording head 1 and ink tank 2
The configuration and operation of the recording apparatus equipped with the carrier 102 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

The carrier 102 on which the head cartridge 101 is mounted is engaged with a helical groove 105 of a lead screw 103 which rotates via a transmission mechanism (not shown) in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a carrier motor 402a. (Not shown), and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b as the lead screw 103 rotates. Reference numeral 104 denotes a sliding shaft for restricting rotation of the carrier. In addition, the carrier sensor 5
With 10, the carrier 102 determines the position (home position) in the directions of the arrows a and b. Reference numeral 301 denotes a recovery unit, which is a cap 3 that faces a discharge port surface of the head cartridge 101 at a predetermined position (for example, a home position) outside the recording area of the head cartridge 101.
02 and a cap advancing / retracting drive unit (not shown) for abutting the ejection port surface on the ejection port surface to protect it during non-printing or the like. Further, at the time of the contact, a pump for suctioning ink from the discharge port and discharging ink with increased viscosity, dust, bubbles, etc. to improve the ink discharge state, and a member for storing the sucked waste ink are provided. It may be provided.

Further, a wiper (not shown) for cleaning the vicinity of the discharge port of the head cartridge 101 is provided.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a transport roller for transporting the recording medium 6 in the direction c in the figure, and reference numeral 202 denotes a pinch roller for pressing the recording medium 6 against the transport roller 201. At times, the recording medium 6 is intermittently fed in the direction c in the drawing. The transport roller 201 is engaged with the transport motor 402b via a transmission mechanism of the transport roller gear 205 and the transport roller idler gear 206, and receives a driving force. The pinch roller 202 is brought into contact with the transport roller 201 by operating the release lever 210.
Separation is possible.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a platen for regulating the recording surface of the recording medium 6 to be flat. In addition, this platen 20
A member for bringing the recording medium 6 into close contact with the recording medium 7 and preventing the recording medium 6 from floating may be provided.

Reference numeral 213 denotes a paper discharge roller which rotates in synchronization with the transport roller 201 to discharge the recording medium 6 on which recording has been completed in the direction c in the drawing, and faces the paper discharge roller 213 via the recording medium 6. Spur roller 214 driven by position
Is provided. After the end of recording by these rollers, the recording medium 6 is discharged out of the printer.

Next, the configuration and electric circuit of an information processing apparatus incorporating the recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing device 604 incorporating a recording device according to this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes the above-described printer unit; 602, a keyboard unit provided with keys for inputting characters, numerals, and other characters, keys for giving various commands, and a display provided with a 603 display. Department. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a controller which performs main control; 502, a CPU in the form of a microcomputer for executing a certain procedure; 503, an area for expanding text data and image data; 504 is a ROM that stores programs corresponding to the above-described procedures and other fixed data such as font data, and 505 is a block that creates an execution cycle of the CPU 502 and a timing that is necessary for a printing operation by the printer unit 601. Timer, 506 is CPU
An interface unit that connects a signal from the peripheral device 502 to a peripheral device.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a controller of the printer unit 601. Reference numeral 508 denotes a head driver that sends a recording signal, electric power, and the like to the head cartridge 101.
Reference numerals a and b denote motor drivers for transmitting signals, electric power, and the like necessary for driving the carrier motor 402a and the transport motor 402b, respectively. Reference numeral 510 detects the position of the carrier 102 and determines whether the carrier 102 is at the home position, for example. Sensor 511 detects the presence or absence of the recording medium 6 in order to prevent the recording from being performed in a place other than the recording medium 6 when the recording medium 6 is not inserted or the recording is completed up to the end of the page. Paper sensor.

Reference numeral 605 denotes an FDD, HDD,
An external storage device 512 such as a RAM card is an external interface for communicating with another information processing device or controlling a peripheral device by directly connecting to an internal bus.

Although not included in the block diagram of FIG. 9, there is another power supply section for supplying power to the above electric circuit, such as a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry battery, Alternatively, there is an AC power converter when the information processing apparatus main body is fixed and used.

The recording on the recording medium 6 is performed by the recording device section by the above-described electric circuit configuration. The outline of the recording operation control sequence will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A series of procedures described below are started by a recording start instruction by a recording command key on the display / operation unit of the printer body or an external recording start instruction by an external interface.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the display operation unit is online. This is a measure to prevent the printing operation from starting when the printer is not ready, mainly when the recording operation start instruction is sent from the outside by communication or the like. When it is determined, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, whether or not the recording medium 6 is set in the printer unit is determined based on a signal from the paper sensor 511 or the like. This is particularly true in a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, when printing is started without a recording medium, the ink scatters in the printer unit and contaminates the apparatus itself, or the recording medium ink or the like is wasted. This is to prevent it from being lost.

In step S2, not only the presence or absence of the recording medium but also the pinch roller 202 and the transport roller 20 are determined.
It may be determined whether or not one release has been made.
This is to prevent the recording medium 210 from being set when the pinch roller 202 is released even if the recording medium 210 is set, since normal conveyance of the recording medium is not performed.
The release of the pinch roller 202 can be determined by, for example, providing a mechanical switch on the release lever. If it is determined that the recording medium is not set normally, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, a message is issued to call attention of the operator and set the recording medium. The message may be generated by, for example, turning on a light on the display operation unit to display the message, or displaying the message by sounding a buzzer.

If it is determined in step S3 that the recording medium 6 has been set, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, a recording operation is started. C
The head driver 508 drives the head cartridge 101 according to an instruction from the PU 502, and in synchronization with this, the motor drivers 509a and 509b drive the carrier motor 402a and the transport motor 402b, respectively, so that the carrier 1
The recording is performed while the main scanning direction 02, the sub-scanning direction movement of the recording medium, and the cleaning of the head recording head 1 are performed.

Finally, in step S5, for example, the CPU 50
When the end of the printing operation is instructed by the signal from the second or when it is determined that the number of printing lines in one sub-scanning direction in one page has reached and printing on the printing medium cannot be performed any more, or the paper sensor 511 performs printing. For example, when it is detected that the recording area of the medium 6 is completed, it is determined that the recording operation is completed and the recording operation procedure is completed.

As a procedure for terminating the recording operation in step S6, first, the carrier 102 is returned to the home position.
This is because a cap is provided to protect the ink ejection surface of the recording head 1 in case of turning off the power after the recording operation. Next, the recording medium is discharged by, for example, driving the transport motor 402b by a predetermined amount or by driving the transport motor 402b until the paper sensor 510 confirms that the recording medium 6 has been discharged. Then, the CPU 502 displays the end of recording on the display / operation unit or notifies the peripheral device through an external interface to complete the recording operation.

As described above, the recording head and the ink tank are separable as in the present embodiment, and the ink jet recording is performed so that the separation or integration operation can be performed with the carrier mounted on or removed from the carrier. By configuring the apparatus, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, since the ink tank is mounted on the carrier, a tube or the like for supplying ink is not required, and the apparatus can be downsized.

When the ink runs out, only the ink tank need be replaced instead of the cartridge integrated with the head, so that the running cost can be reduced.

Further, when either the recording head or the ink tank needs to be replaced, only the one that needs to be replaced has to be replaced, so that the economy is improved.

When the recording head and the ink tank are separated from each other by a lever or the like on the carrier, the pulling speed can be controlled to prevent the ink from being scattered from the ink supply holes 10 and the ink supply holes 11. I can do it.

Further, when the recording head and the ink tank are separated on the carrier, it is not necessary to directly hold the recording head by hand, so that the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzle of the recording head 1 is not touched by hand, which adversely affects printing. To prevent unnecessary pollution.

Further, when the recording head and the ink tank are separated on the carrier, the portion of the ink tank 2 to which the force is applied is specified. Can be made thinner and lighter, and the inner volume can be increased. In addition, when the ink color needs to be replaced, it can be replaced while the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, so that the ink colors do not mix,
Easy exchangeable. And so on.

(Second Embodiment Part 1) FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 corresponds to a plan view of FIG. 1 used in the first embodiment as viewed from above. Reference numeral 112 denotes a head clamp lever for fixing the recording head 1 to the carrier 102, and reference numeral 113 denotes a first clamp lever. A head contact portion 114 for making electrical connection of the head as described in the embodiment is integrated with the ink tank 2 in conjunction with the ink tank lever 107.
An ink tank holding lever for performing separation, and these components constitute a head unit and a carrier unit of the inkjet recording apparatus.

In the first embodiment, as a method for mechanically connecting the recording head 1 to the carrier 102, the recording head 1 is pressed to the stopper 110 in the direction of FIG. 6A and is pressed using the head fixing spring 108. The fixing method is not limited to this, and the following method may be used.

That is, the head clamp lever 112 is configured as a rigid lever that can rotate and translate without being pressed by the elastic member. Here, a method of fixing the recording head to the carrier 102 will be described. First, the head clamp lever 112 is retracted to the position shown by the broken line. Next, in a state where the recording head 1 alone or the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are integrated, FIG.
The recording head 1 is inserted from the direction a, and is moved until the end face of the recording head 1 hits the head contact portion 113. From this state, the head clamp lever 112 moves in the direction of FIG. 11c while rotating, reaches the position shown by the solid line, and is fixed in that state.

As described in the first embodiment, since the pad 111 which is an elastic member is sandwiched in the head contact portion 113, the recording head 1 is pushed back in the direction of FIG. Fixed without being able to. The contact pressure of the head contact portion 113 is ensured by the pushing back force at this time. Further, the separation of the recording head 1 from the carrier 102 can be performed by performing the operation reverse to the above, so that the recording head 1 can be moved in the direction of FIG.

The ink tank 2 can be separated by operating the ink tank lever 107 (not shown) to move the ink tank holding lever 114 in the direction shown in FIG. 11B. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the ink tank 2 is separated in the on-carrier state, since the force applied to the recording head 1 is received by the head clamp lever 112, the recording head 1 does not move and the reliability is improved. .

In either the case where only the ink tank 2 is separated in the on-carrier state or the case where the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are separated from the carrier 102 in an integrated state, the moving direction is the direction of FIG. The performance is improved. And so on.

(Second Embodiment Part 2) FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a second method of the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 115 denotes a head holding lever having a head contact portion 113 and capable of rotating or translating, and 116 denotes a head stopper fixed inside the carrier.

In this embodiment, in order to fix the carrier 102 and the recording head 1, the following procedure is performed. The head fixing lever 115 rotatably fixed to the carrier 102 is rotated to a position indicated by a broken line in the figure. Next, the recording head 1 alone or the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2
Is inserted from the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.
The projection of the recording head 1 is inserted between the head stopper 116 and the head holding lever 115. Then, the head fixing lever 115 is rotated to the position indicated by the solid line, and the head fixing lever 115 is fixed by means not shown. At this time, as in the case of the first embodiment, the pad 111 made of the elastic material is used for the head contact portion 113, so that the contact pressure is secured by the compression repulsive force of the elastic member.

The separation of the recording head 1 from the carrier 102 can be carried out in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG.

The ink tank 2 can be separated by operating the ink tank lever 107 (not shown) to move the ink tank holding lever 114 in the direction shown in FIG. 12B. With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the ink tank 2 is separated in the on-carrier state, since the force applied to the recording head 1 is received by the head stopper 116, the recording head 1 does not move and the reliability is improved.

[Other Embodiments] FIGS. 13 (b), 13 (c) and 14 show a recording head and an ink flow path connecting portion of an ink tank according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
(B) shows a case where the ink supply hole 11b is made of a more elastic material such as rubber, and the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 11b can be made smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply hole 10a. The adhesion between the ink supply hole 10a and the ink supply hole 11b when the ink tank 2 is connected is improved,
The sealing performance of the ink flow path is improved. Further, since the force required for deforming the ink supply hole 11b may be small, the operating force when the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are attached and detached can be reduced.

FIG. 13C shows a case where the ink supply hole 10c has a tubular structure having a sharp end, and the ink supply portion 11c is made of an elastic material such as rubber without a hole. In this state, the ink supply unit 11c of the ink tank 2 is in the closed state, and there is no leakage of ink from the ink supply unit 11c, and the ink tank 2 is excellent in handling by itself. Further, when the ink tank 2 is connected to the recording head 1, the sharp end of the ink supply hole 10c forms a hole in the ink supply section 11c to form an ink flow path, so that stable flow paths can be connected. The operating force at the time of separating and connecting the ink tanks 2 can be reduced.

FIG. 14 shows a case where guides 10e and 11e are provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the ink flow path. The ink tank 2 is moved relative to the recording head 1 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface to perform connection and separation. In addition, a seal member 10f made of an elastic material such as rubber is provided at the joint portion to prevent ink leakage. When the mounting / detaching direction of the recording head 1 is the same as the mounting / detaching direction of the ink tank 2, the configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. Since the directions of attachment and detachment of the ink tank 2 and the ink tank 2 are different from each other, there is no relationship between the forces as shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment according to the present invention in which the attachment / detachment of the ink tank 2 is restricted. FIG. 15A shows a state where the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are not present. 1
Reference numeral 51 denotes a head detection lever which rotates in accordance with attachment / detachment of the recording head 1, and reference numeral 151a denotes a pinion portion which transmits rotation of the head detection lever 151 to a rack portion 152a of a stopper 152. Reference numeral 153 denotes a tank regulating lever for regulating the mounting of the ink tank 2. In a state where the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are not provided, the head detection lever 15
1 and tank regulating lever 153 are springs or the like (not shown)
Is configured to close the mounting path of the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 by the urging force. Stopper 1
Reference numeral 52 denotes a position where the head detection lever 151 restricts the rotation of the tank restriction lever 153 in the mounting direction of the ink tank 2. That is, when the recording head 1 is not mounted, the mounting of the ink tank 2 is prevented by the tank regulating lever 153. FIG. 15B shows a state where the recording head 1 is mounted. Head detection lever 15
1 is rotated by the mounting of the recording head 1 and is brought into a state shown in the figure. The rotation of the head detection lever 151 is
The state is transmitted to the stopper 152 via 1a, and the state in which the regulation of the rotation of the tank regulating lever 153 is released as shown in the figure is released. That is, when the recording head 1 is mounted, the ink tank 2 can be mounted. Accordingly, in a simple configuration in which the ink tank 2 is detachable from the recording head 1 and only the recording head 1 is detachably attached to the carrier 102, the mounting of the ink tank 2 when the recording head 1 is not mounted is prohibited. Incorrect operation can be prevented.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment according to the present invention in which the attachment / detachment of the recording head 1 is restricted. FIG. 16A shows a state where the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 are mounted.
The configuration is the same as that of FIG. 4, but a tank detection lever 160 is provided below the ink tank 2 mounting portion of the carrier 102. Tank contact portion 160 of tank detection lever 160
The position a is regulated by the ink tank 2, the hook portion 160b of the ink detection lever 160 is released from the notch portion 106a of the head lever 106, and the head lever 106 is freely rotatable. As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 1 and the ink tank 2 move in the direction of the arrow 16b in an integrated state and can be removed by the rotation in the direction of the arrow 16a. FIG. 16B shows the recording head 1 in the mounted state and the ink tank 2 in the non-mounted state. The tank detection lever 160 is urged in a direction indicated by an arrow 16d by urging means (not shown) such as a spring. When the ink tank 2 is not provided, the tank detection lever 160 rotates to the illustrated state, and the hook 160b is cut off by the notch 106a. And the rotation of the head lever 106 is restricted. That is, the recording head 1 cannot be removed without the ink tank 2. Therefore, the recording head 1 alone is not handled, the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzles of the recording head 1 or the vicinity of the ink supply hole 10 is not touched by hand, and it is possible to reliably prevent unnecessary contamination that adversely affects the recording. . Further, by handling the print head 1 alone, it is possible to reliably prevent a trouble that air enters the ink flow path from the ink discharge nozzle or the ink supply hole 10 and adversely affects printing.

In the first embodiment, whether or not the recording head 1 exists on the carrier 102 can be detected by judging whether or not the recording head 1 is electrically connected. There is no means for detecting the remaining amount of ink and transmitting information on whether the ink tank 2 is present on the carrier 102 to the information processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a means for detecting the above-mentioned matter.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an ink tank sensor for detecting whether or not the ink tank 2 exists on the carrier 102, and 514, an ink remaining amount sensor for detecting whether or not printable ink exists in the ink tank 2. The description of the elements having the same numbers as in the above is omitted.

Specifically, the ink tank sensor 513 may be provided with a mechanical contact on the carrier 102 or may be provided with an optical sensor. The ink remaining amount sensor 514 may be configured such that the ink tank 2 is made of a transparent material to optically detect the remaining amount from outside, or a sensor that comes into contact with the ink inside the ink tank 2 is provided. From there, arrange contacts on the ink tank surface,
It may be configured to make contact on the carrier 102.

When the recording operation is to be started without the ink tank 2 or the recording head 1 by using the above-described sensor, or when the printing operation becomes impossible due to the lack of the remaining ink during the recording operation. And transmitting information to the CPU 502 via the interface unit 506,
It can issue warnings and take appropriate action.

For example, the ink tank 2 is
Immediately after the connection is made, bubbles or the like may be mixed in the recording head 1 and the recording operation may not be possible. To prevent this, when the state where the ink tank 2 is present from the state where the ink tank 2 is not present while the recording head 1 is present on the carrier 102 is changed to the state where the ink tank 2 is in the on-carrier state, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is determined that a new connection is made, the carrier 102 is returned to the home position, and the recovery unit 301 sucks ink.

With the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the ink runs out during the recording, the operation is automatically stopped to prompt the exchange of the ink, so that the recording medium is not wasted.

Further, since it is not necessary to manually perform a recovery operation after replacing the ink tank, the operability is improved. And so on.

The present invention is particularly applicable to an ink-jet recording apparatus which includes means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, and a method of producing a state change of the ink by the thermal energy. In a head and a recording apparatus, an excellent effect is provided. According to such a method, the recording density is increased,
This is because high definition can be achieved.

The typical configuration and principle are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to a sheet or a channel in which , Heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording head,
As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal, which is effective. The growth of this bubble,
The liquid (ink) is discharged through the discharge opening by contraction to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. The driving signal in the form of a pulse is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Suitable are those described in 345262. If the conditions described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,244 for the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region, is also effective for the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal conversion pair for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit.

Furthermore, although the serial type ink jet recording apparatus has been described in the embodiment, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recordable width. As a full-line type recording head, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification, either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed. Although good, the present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head and preliminary auxiliary means provided as components of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, for the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a recording unit It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection in order to perform stable printing.

Further, regarding the type and number of recording heads and inks to be mounted, for example, monochromatic ink and
In addition to the recording heads provided with a plurality of recording heads, the recording heads may be provided with a plurality of heads corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. The present invention is effective not only in a recording mode such as black as a recording mode of the recording apparatus but also in a full-color recording mode of a multi-color of different colors or a mixed color.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or melts at room temperature, or which is used in the above-described ink jet printer. Generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled in the range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. Is fine. In addition, to prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy, positively use the phase change energy of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, thermal energy such as ink that liquefies and is ejected as an ink liquid by application according to the recording signal of thermal energy, or that already starts to solidify when it reaches the recording medium, is used. The use of an ink that liquefies for the first time is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in
JP-A-4-56847 or JP-A-60-71260
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-205, a mode may be adopted in which the liquid sheet is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

The present invention also relates to an ink jet system such as a piezo jet system in which electricity is converted into a force to eject ink, and a recording system in which a recording head is disposed in non-contact with a recording medium and ink is ejected for recording. It is effective in.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus of the present invention may be provided as an output terminal of an information processing device such as a word processor or a computer as described above, as an integral or separate output terminal, as well as a copying device combined with a scanner or the like. Further, a facsimile phase having a transmission / reception function may be used.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the recording head and the ink tank can be selectively replaced, the economy can be improved and the running cost can be reduced.

Further, since the recording head and the ink tank can be exchanged integrally, the recording head and the ink tank whose ink colors have been changed are stored integrally and exchanged, so that a simple color change can be performed.

Further, since the recording head and the ink tank can be exchanged on the carriage, the operability is improved, and the scattering of ink can be prevented.

Further, since there is no chance of directly touching the recording head with a hand, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering and mixing of air.
The reliability of the record is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a partially enlarged view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an exchange system according to a first embodiment of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an exchange system according to a second embodiment of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing how a force is applied in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the entire recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an information processing apparatus using the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an electric circuit block diagram of an information processing apparatus using the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a second method of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an electric circuit block diagram of an information processing apparatus showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 20 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Ink tank 6 Recording medium 10 Ink supply hole 11 Ink supply hole 12 Coupling claw 13 Coupling claw guide groove 14 Ink tank guide groove 15 Contact part 101 Head cartridge 102 Carrier 103 Lead screw 104 Sliding shaft 105 Spiral groove 106 Head lever 107 Ink tank lever 108 Head fixing spring 109 Positioning pin 110 Stopper 111 Pad 112 Head clamp lever 113 Head contact part 114 Ink tank holding lever 115 Head holding lever 116 Head stopper 201 Transport roller 202 Pinch roller 204 Pinch roller shaft 205 Transport roller gear 206 Conveyance roller idler gear 207 Platen 209 Paper feed port 210 Release lever 213 Paper discharge roller 214 beats Roller 301 Recovery unit 302 Cap 401 Flexible cable 402a Carrier motor 402b Transport motor 501 Main controller 502 CPU 503 RAM 504 ROM 505 Timer 506 Interface unit 507 Printer controller 508 Head driver 509 Motor driver 510 Carrier sensor 511 Paper sensor 512 External interface 513 Ink Tank sensor 514 Ink remaining amount sensor 601 Printer unit 602 Keyboard unit 603 Display unit 604 Information processing device 605 External storage device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-230939 (JP, A) JP-A-2-39945 (JP, A) JP-A-2-198861 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 217257 (JP, A) JP-A-3-227653 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/175

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording medium, comprising: ejecting ink onto a recording medium;
An ink jet device that performs recording on the printer has an ink flow path for supplying the stored ink to the outside.
Ink tank and supply of ink from the ink tank
A coupling portion for coupling with the ink flow path to receive the ink
And the ink jet recording head via the connecting portion.
A carriage having a mounting surface for mounting the ink jet recording head and the ink tank combined with each other;
Ink tank and separate the ink tank from the carriage.
When the ink tank is removed from the ink tank,
In the direction to release the connection with the jet recording head.
Ink tank for moving the ink tank on the mounting surface.
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the ink ejectors member. 2. The ink tank and the ink jet.
The ink jet recording at the time of separating the connection with the recording head
A head movement prohibition member for prohibiting the movement of the recording head
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The ink jet recording head and the ink jet recording head.
Take it out of the carriage with the tank
When removing the ink cartridge,
Head to release the movement prohibition of the jet recording head.
A contractor having a tank removal lever member.
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2.