JP2797282B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a recording apparatus using a continuous recording medium.

<Related Art> In recent years, office automation equipment such as facsimile machines and printers have become widespread, and these recording apparatuses use not only cut sheets but also continuous recording media such as roll paper and fan hold paper. I have.

In this type of recording apparatus, after the recording is completed, the recording medium is conveyed and cut to a setting position of a cutter disposed downstream of the recording head, and the recorded recording medium is discharged.
In addition, the recording medium has a so-called short tear-off function of moving the remaining recording medium so that the cut end returns from the cutter position to the recording start position of the recording head.

Here, in order to return the cut end of the recording medium from the cutter position to the recording start position, for example, a stepping motor, which is a drive source of the recording medium conveying means, is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the rotation angle is previously set to a certain angle. Is set.

Therefore, when the stepping motor is controlled and rotated by a predetermined angle from the short tear-off state, the cut end of the recording medium reliably returns to the recording start position.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the above-described conventional technology, if the recording medium is fed by mistake during manual operation during the short tear-off state, the cut end of the recording medium is accurately positioned at the recording start position. There was an inconvenience that could not be returned to.

For example, if the cut end of the recording medium is moved further downstream than the cutter position, even if the stepping motor is rotated by a predetermined angle, the cut end of the recording medium does not return to the recording start position, and is located downstream from the position. There was an inconvenience of stopping.

Also, when the operator forcibly tries to pull out the recording medium during the short tear-off state, the cut end position of the recording medium is shifted, and the cut end of the recording medium is also accurately positioned at the recording start position. There was an inconvenience that could not be returned to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a recording apparatus which can always convey a cut end of a recording medium accurately to a recording start position and perform recording.

<Means for Solving the Problems> A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium in the forward and reverse directions, recording means for recording on the recording medium conveyed to the recording position by the conveying means, and cutting means for cutting the recording medium after being recorded by the recording means And detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium at a predetermined position upstream of the recording position, and after cutting the recorded recording medium by the cutting means, transport the recording medium in a reverse direction, After the recording medium is no longer detected by the detection means during conveyance, the conveyance in the reverse direction is stopped, then the recording medium is conveyed in the forward direction, and then the recording medium is detected by the detection means. And control means for controlling the transport means so as to stop the transport in the forward direction when the paper is transported by a predetermined amount and to position the recording medium at the recording position.

<Operation> In the above-described configuration, the recording medium on which recording has been performed is cut and then conveyed in the reverse direction. To stop, then transport the recording medium in the forward direction,
Thereafter, when the recording medium is conveyed by a predetermined amount after being detected by the detecting means, the conveyance in the forward direction is stopped by stopping the conveyance in the forward direction, so that the cut end of the recording medium is positioned at the recording position. The recording can be accurately started from a predetermined position of the cut end of the recording medium.

<Embodiment> Next, an embodiment of the present invention in which the above-described means is applied to a serial type bubble jet recording type recording apparatus will be described.

(First embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control unit of a recording apparatus, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control means, and FIG.
The drawings are schematic exploded perspective views showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are operation explanatory diagrams of the main parts.

Recording apparatus of the present embodiment, conveying the recording sheet 3 as a recording medium by a drive source to become the driving motor 2 for driving the transport means 1 as shown in FIG. 3 in the arrow a ₁ direction, and as a recording means The recording head 4 is driven while moving in the direction of arrow b to record image information such as characters on the recording sheet 3.

Here, the drive motor 2 is driven by a pulse signal output from the control means 5 shown in FIG. 1 to convey the recording sheet 3, and a stepping motor is used.

Further, a detecting means 6 for detecting the recording sheet 3 is disposed in the transporting means 1, and a cutting means 7 for cutting the recording sheet 3 after recording is disposed at a position downstream of the recording head 4 (the first position). 4 to 6).

The recording sheet 3 is a continuous sheet perforated at predetermined intervals.

Next, each component of the recording apparatus will be described.

(Conveying Means) The conveying means 1 includes a friction roller 8 and pinch rollers 9a and 9b which press the recording sheet 3 by receiving an elastic force of a spring or the like (not shown) on the surface of the friction roller 8, and include a friction roller. The pinch rollers 9a and 9b are driven to rotate by the rotation of the roller 8, and the recording sheet 3 is conveyed by the cooperation of the friction roller 8 and the pinch rollers 9a and 9b.

A timing belt 10 is stretched between a pulley 8a provided at one end in the axial direction of the friction roller 8 and a pulley 2a provided at the drive motor 2, and the friction roller 8 is driven by the drive motor 2. The recording sheet 3 is conveyed in the directions of arrows a ₁ and a ₂ (forward and reverse directions) shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 3 is a guide roller for conveying the recording sheet 3 between the friction roller 8 and the pinch roller 9a.

(Detecting Means) The detecting means 6 is disposed below the friction roller 8 and at a position between the pinch rollers 9a and 9b, and detects a page end (cut end) of the recording sheet 3. A flag 6b slidably supported via a pin 6a on a frame of the recording apparatus so as to be positioned substantially directly below the friction roller 8, and a recording sheet is formed by transmitting and blocking light by the flag 6b. 3 and a sensor 6c for detecting the cut end.

The flag 6b rises vertically by its own weight, and its upper end faces a circumferential groove 8b provided at a circumferential surface position of the friction roller 8 that conveys the recording sheet 3; When the recording sheet 3 is conveyed by the recording sheet 3, the recording sheet 3
The recording sheet 3 is pushed out of the recording sheet 3 and is inclined.

The sensor 6c includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown), and when the flag 6b is in a vertical state due to its own weight, that is, when the recording sheet 3 is at the detection position (flag 6b
The light from the light emitting element is shut off by the flag 6b when it is on the upstream side of the (installation position), and the absence of the recording sheet is detected. When the flag 6b is in an inclined state by sliding on the recording sheet 3, that is, when the recording sheet 3 is on the downstream side of the detection position (position where the flag 6b is installed), the sensor 6c detects the light from the light emitting element. Light enters the light receiving element to detect the presence of the recording sheet, and the output (output of the light receiving element) is input to the control means 5.

(Cutting Means) Although not shown in detail, the cutting means 7 is configured by fixing a cutter to a moving block that moves on a guide shaft provided in parallel with the friction roller 8, for example. It operates based on a control signal to cut the recording sheet 3 after recording.

In addition, as the cutting means 7, for example, in addition to the above,
The recording sheet 3 passing between the fixed blade and the movable blade is cut by combining the fixed blade and the movable blade and rotating the movable blade with respect to the fixed blade to rub the blades together. May be.

(Recording Unit) The recording head 4 as a recording unit is mounted on a carriage 12 which reciprocates by a driving unit (not shown) along a guide shaft 11 provided in parallel with the friction roller 8, and is conveyed by the conveying unit 1. This is to record an ink image on the recording sheet 3. An ink jet recording system is preferably used as a recording head in this apparatus.

The ink jet recording method is provided in a discharge port for discharging the recording ink liquid as a flying droplet, a liquid flow path communicating with the discharge port, and a part of this liquid flow path,
Discharge energy generating means for providing discharge energy for providing discharge energy for forming flying droplets in the ink liquid in the flow path. Then, the ejection energy generating means is driven according to the image signal, and an ink droplet is ejected to form an image.

As the ejection energy generating means, for example, a method using a pressure energy generating means such as an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, an electromagnetic energy generating means for irradiating an ink such as a laser or the like with an ink liquid to generate flying droplets And a method using a thermal energy generating means of an electrothermal converter. Among them, a method using a heat energy generating means such as an electrothermal converter is preferable because the ejection ports can be arranged at a high density and the recording head can be made compact.

In this embodiment, a bubble jet recording method, which is one of the ink jet recording methods, is used as the recording means.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the recording head 4 constituting the recording means, and FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (g) are explanatory diagrams of the principle of bubble jet recording.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 4a denotes a heater board on which an electrothermal transducer (discharge heater) 4b and an electrode 4c made of aluminum or the like for supplying electric power are formed on a silicon substrate. . A top plate 4e having a partition for partitioning a liquid path (nozzle) 4d of the recording liquid is bonded to the heater board 4a.

The ink supplied through the conduit from the ink cartridge (not shown) is filled into the common liquid chamber 4g in the recording head 4 from the supply port 4e ₁ provided on the top plate 4e, the common liquid chamber 4g
It is guided into each nozzle 4d. These nozzles 4d are formed ink discharge port 4d _1, also is formed at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction of the discharge port 4d ₁ Recording sheet 3 facing the recording sheet 3 of the recording head 4 .

Here, the ink flying principle in the bubble jet recording method will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b).

In the steady state, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the surface tension and the external pressure of the ink 4h filled in the nozzle 4d are balanced at the discharge port surface. To fly the ink 4h in this state, the electrothermal converter 4b in the nozzle 4d is energized, causing the ink 4h in the nozzle 4d to rapidly rise in temperature beyond the nucleate boiling. Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the ink 4h adjacent to the electrothermal transducer 4b is heated to generate fine bubbles (bubbles), and the ink 4h in the heated portion is vaporized to cause film boiling, Figure 8 wherein the bubble 4h ₁ as shown in (c) is rapidly growing.

When the bubble 4h ₁ is grown up as shown in Figure No. 8 (d), ink droplets are pushed out from the discharge opening in the nozzle 4d, the ink image by flying ink droplets onto a recording sheet 3 at that rate It is to be recorded.

When the energization of the electrothermal transducer 4d is completed, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the grown bubbles 4h ₁
contracted is cooled by h, further ink 4h is rapidly cooled in contact with the electrothermal transducer 4b surface, as shown in FIG. 8 (f), the degree bubble 4h ₁ is negligible or almost disappear Shrink to the volume of And when the bubbles 4h ₁ is contracted, the Figure 8 (g) in the nozzle 4d as indicated ink 4h is supplied from the common liquid chamber 4g by the capillary phenomenon, but ready for the next energization.

Accordingly, the ink image is recorded on the recording sheet 3 by energizing the electrothermal transducer 4b in accordance with the image signal in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 12.

(Control Means) The control means 5 includes an MPU 5a for controlling the entire apparatus and a second
It comprises a ROM 5b for storing control contents and the like shown in the figure, a RAM 5c for temporarily storing various data such as recording data in addition to serving as a work area of the MPU 5a, and an input / output unit 5d. The output end of the input / output unit 5d is connected to the drive motor 2, the recording head 4, and the cutting means 7, and the input end is connected to the sensor 6c.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 6.

When the cut end of the recording sheet 3 is conveyed to the recording start position of the recording head 4 from the short tear-off state shown in FIG. 4, the MPU 5a executes the program stored in the ROM 5b (the recording start position from the short tear-off state). The following processing is performed in accordance with the return program to

First, in step S1, the drive motor 2 is turned on by the sum of the amount corresponding to the distance from the cutting position shown in FIG. 4 to the detection position (the position of the flag 6b) shown in FIG. When reversing the friction roller 8 driven reversely to the recording sheet 3 is the arrow a ₂ direction shown in FIG. 3 (reverse)
And returned to the position of the flag 6b.

Next, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether or not the drive motor 2 is rotating. When the motor is stopped (in the case of NO), the recording sheet 3 is fed by a predetermined amount or more, but the cut end cannot be detected. Then, the process proceeds to step S3, and ends with error processing and the like.

If it is determined in step S2 that the motor is rotating (YES
In this case, the process proceeds to step S4, where the detection means 6, that is, the sensor 6c determines whether or not the recording sheet exists.

If there is a recording sheet (NO), the cut end of the recording sheet 3 has not yet returned to the detection position, so the process returns to step S2 and the same operation is repeated. Then, when there is no recording sheet (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the drive motor 2 is further driven in the reverse direction by the predetermined amount β to rotate the friction roller 8 in the reverse direction, thereby returning the recording sheet 3 to the upstream side from the detection position.

Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether or not the drive motor 2 has rotated in the reverse direction by the predetermined amount β. The drive motor 2 is continuously driven to rotate in the reverse direction until the drive motor 2 reaches the predetermined amount β, and the recording sheet 3 is returned. Then, when the drive motor 2 reversely rotates by a predetermined amount β, it stops.

Then the process proceeds to step S7, the drive motor 2 by one pulse and driven forward by the forward rotation of the friction roller 8, the arrow a ₁ direction shown by the recording sheet 3 in FIG. 3 (forward)
Transport to

Next, the process proceeds to step S8 to determine whether or not the cut end of the recording sheet 3 is located at the detection position. That is, it is determined whether or not the recording sheet 3 conveyed upstream from the detection position has returned to the detection position.

If the sensor 6c determines that there is a recording sheet, the process proceeds to step S9 and drives the drive motor 2 so that the recording sheet 3 is transported from the detection position to the recording start position, that is, to the position shown in FIG. To rotate the friction roller 8 forward. At this time, the cut end of the recording sheet 3 is further conveyed by an upper margin l downstream of the position of the recording head 4 so that the recording sheet 3 has an upper margin.

Next, the process proceeds to step S10, where it is determined whether or not the drive motor 2 has been driven by a predetermined amount. When the drive motor 2 has been driven by a predetermined amount, the drive motor 2 is stopped, and the above series of processing ends.

[Other embodiments]

The configuration of the recording means includes the above-described discharge port, liquid path,
In addition to the combination of the electrothermal converters, US Pat.
Those disclosed in, for example, JP-A-9-123670 can also be employed.

Also, the above-described recording means has shown an example in which ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge (not shown) mounted on the recording apparatus.However, an ink storage chamber is provided in the recording head, and the ink in the ink storage chamber is supplied with ink. When the recording head runs out, a recording head of a disposable type (a disposable type) in which the recording head is replaced may be used.

Further, the present invention does not need to be limited to the bubble jet recording method described above as the recording means. For example, a so-called thermal transfer recording method in which an ink sheet coated with a heat-meltable ink is heated in accordance with an image signal and the melted ink is transferred to the recording sheet 3, a so-called heating of the recording sheet 3 which develops color by heat in accordance with an image signal. Various recording methods such as a thermal recording method and a so-called wire dot recording method in which an ink ribbon is hit with a wire according to an image signal to perform recording can be employed. Therefore, the recording head is not limited to the above-described bubble jet head, and for example, a thermal head, a wire dot head, a daisy wheel head, or the like can be used.

The recording device may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer.
The present invention can be applied to a copying machine combined with a reader or the like, and further to a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, a recording medium on which recording has been performed is conveyed in the reverse direction after cutting, and the recording medium is detected by the detection means during the conveyance in the reverse direction. After running out, the conveyance in the reverse direction is stopped, and then the recording medium is conveyed in the forward direction. Thereafter, when the recording medium is conveyed by a predetermined amount after being detected by the detecting means, the conveyance in the forward direction is stopped. That is, that is, after cutting, since the recording medium is conveyed in the reverse direction, and is positioned at the recording position by conveying in the forward direction, the cut end of the recording medium can be accurately returned to the recording position, Thus, it is possible to start recording accurately from a predetermined position of the cut end of the recording medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control unit of the printing apparatus, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control unit, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective explanatory view showing the internal configuration of the printing apparatus, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the main part, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the recording head, and FIGS. 8 (a) to (g) are explanatory diagrams of the principle of bubble jet recording. 1 is a conveying means, 2 is a driving motor, 3 is a recording sheet, 4
Is a recording head, 5 is a control means, 5a is an MPU, 5b is a ROM, 5c is
RAM, 5d is an input / output unit, 6 is a detecting means, 6a is a pin, 6b is a flag, 6c is a sensor, 7 is a cutting means, 8 is a friction roller, 9a and 9b are pinch rollers, 10 is a timing belt, and 11 is a guide. The axis, 12 is a carriage.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A transport unit configured to transport a recording medium in a forward / reverse direction; a recording unit configured to perform recording on a recording medium transported to a recording position by the transport unit; and the recording medium after being recorded by the recording unit. Cutting means for cutting the recording medium; detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium at a predetermined position upstream of the recording position; and cutting the recording medium on which recording has been performed by the cutting means, and then turning the recording medium in the reverse direction. After the recording medium is no longer detected by the detection means during the conveyance,
The transport in the reverse direction is stopped, and then the recording medium is transported in the forward direction. Thereafter, when the recording medium is transported by a predetermined amount after the recording medium is detected by the detection means, the transport in the forward direction is stopped to stop the recording medium. Control means for controlling the transport means so as to position the recording medium at the recording position. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording apparatus is of an ink jet recording system in which a recording unit discharges ink in accordance with a recording signal to record an image. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means discharges the ink using thermal energy, and comprises an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy. Item (2). 4. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device supplies a current to the electrothermal transducer in response to a signal, and ejects ink to record an image by growing bubbles generated by heating by the electrothermal transducer. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein: