JP2831724B2 - Carrier unit and recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a carrier unit for detachably mounting and moving a recording head, and a recording apparatus including the carrier unit.

[Prior Art] Some inkjet recording apparatuses use an inkjet recording head (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording head) in which an ink tank and a recording head element for discharging ink are integrated. I have.

In mounting such a recording head on the carrier of the recording apparatus, the recording must be performed by accurately attaching ink to an appropriate position on a recording medium such as paper, and connection terminals for transmitting recording signals must be provided. Since the connection must be made appropriately, the recording head has to be fixed and mounted at an appropriate position.

The method of mounting the print head is roughly classified into a method of mounting the print head parallel or rotating from above and behind the carrier, and a method of operating the fixing lever after inserting the print head into the carrier from a predetermined direction. There has been a method of pressing and fixing a recording head to a contact position.

As a configuration using one of such mounting methods, for example, a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-8076 by the present applicant has been proposed.

In the configuration shown above, the positioning projections and the like for mounting are provided further outside the full extension of the recording head,
Also in the carrier, the mounting lever mechanism is provided at a position on the rear side when the recording head is mounted.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in recent ink jet recording apparatuses, particularly, recording heads, the production thereof is performed by a semiconductor film forming process or a micromachining technique, so that the apparatus is more compact and inexpensive. Recording heads are being realized. Thereby, the ink tank is integrated as described above,
There has also been proposed a different exchange type recording head in which the ink in the ink tank is replaced with a new one when the ink in the ink tank is used up.

Along with this, the equipment itself should be small and inexpensive,
There is a demand for an inkjet recording apparatus that can be used more easily by users.

In response to such demands, there is room for further improvement in the configuration for detachably mounting the recording head on the carrier, including the above-described conventional example.

For example, in the conventional configuration shown above, the guide member and the positioning projection increase the overall length of the recording head, and the mounting lever mechanism in the carrier is provided behind the recording head, so that the useless movement accompanying the movement is achieved. Thus, a large dead space is formed.

Further, it is desirable that the possible range of the recording head in attachment / detachment be small without interfering with other members of the apparatus.

Further, from the viewpoint of the ink storage capacity of the ink tank, it is desirable that the amount of ink that can be stored is as large as possible. Therefore, the ink tank should be made as large as possible within the space allowed for the recording head and the carrier. Configuration is required.

In addition, when attaching and detaching the recording head, connection of a connection terminal for transmitting an electric signal such as a recording signal is also an important problem accompanying the configuration for attachment and detachment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a carrier unit capable of appropriately connecting a contact terminal with a mounting operation of a recording head, and the carrier unit. And a recording device provided with the same.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, in a carrier unit including a carrier for detachably mounting a recording head and moving a predetermined path, the carrier detachably mounts the recording head. A bottom portion to be placed, a support plate having a flat portion erected on the bottom portion, a flexible substrate having a connection terminal held on the flat portion of the support plate, and a connection terminal of the flexible substrate. A pressing member provided between the flexible substrate and the flat portion of the support plate, and a different pressing member for positioning the recording head with respect to the support plate. Two positioning parts provided at positions,
The two positioning portions position the recording head with respect to the carrier in two different directions, and move the recording head along the bottom to press the connection terminal substrate of the recording head against the flexible substrate. And a moving means.

Further, in a recording apparatus including a carrier for detachably mounting a recording head and moving a predetermined path, the carrier includes a bottom portion on which the recording head is detachably mounted, and a flat surface provided on the bottom portion. A support plate comprising a part,
A flexible substrate having connection terminals held on a flat portion of the support plate; and a projection provided corresponding to the connection terminals of the flexible substrate, wherein the flexible material plate and the support are provided. A pressing member disposed between the carrier and the flat portion of the plate; two positioning portions provided at different positions for positioning the recording head with respect to the support plate; Moving means for positioning the recording head in two different directions, and for moving the recording head along the bottom in order to press the connection terminal substrate of the recording head against the flexible substrate. Features.

[Operation] According to the configuration described above, when the recording head is mounted on the carrier, the connection terminal substrate of the recording head is pressed against the flexible substrate held on the flat portion erected on the carrier. Move the recording head along the bottom of the
The operation in which the flexible substrate and the connection terminal substrate of the recording head slide with each other can be eliminated.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 excluding a case and the like, and FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams mainly showing a paper discharge system of the apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an ink jet recording apparatus. This apparatus 100 is used when mounted and used as shown in FIG. Etc., which are relatively small.

101 is an apparatus case, 102 is an outer lid, and 103 is an inner lid. When not in use, the outer lid 102 is superimposed on the inner lid 103 so that the
0 is compact.

Thus, for example, the recording device can be put in a dedicated storage bag and carried by the user.

The outer cover 102 can also serve as a paper feed guide for the recording paper 40 as shown in FIG.
Is the paper feed port. Further, the outer lid 102 can also be used as a paper discharge tray as described later.

 In any of the above cases, 107 in FIG.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a position fixing hook of the upper cover 102, and reference numeral 104 denotes an operation key, a display unit, and the like.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the main part of the device as a carrier unit according to the present invention (including at least the carrier 6 for mounting the recording head 9 and the mechanism for moving the carrier 6; What is described includes a configuration for transporting a recording medium.).

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a chassis, and a left side plate 1a and a right side plate 1b, which also serve as a guide for a recording medium such as paper, are erected on the back side. The chassis 1 is provided with a motor mounting hole for rotatably supporting a carrier motor described later, but is not shown.

1h is a lead arm that supports a lead screw described later in the axial and radial directions, and a bearing (not shown).
It is pivoted on.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lead screw, in which lead grooves 2a are formed at a predetermined pitch relative to a recording range. On the carrier home position side of the lead screw 2, a cap and a position groove 3b for setting a position at which the ejection is recovered are formed along a section perpendicular to the screw axis. Furthermore, the lead groove 2a and the position groove 3b
Is smoothly continued by the introduction groove 3c.

A shaft 2g is provided on the right end of the lead screw 2 and a shaft is also provided on the left end side. The shaft is fitted into bearings provided on the front plate 1c and the lead arm 1h, and is rotatably supported by them. You. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lead pulley including the grooves 3b and 3c and provided on a shaft of the lead screw 2, and a pulley 3a is provided at an end thereof. Then, a driving force is transmitted from the motor 11 to the pulley 3a via the timing belt 13.

A shaft 2g on the right end side of the lead screw 2 is slidably engaged with a mechanism of a guide plate 1c connected to the chassis right side plate 1b and the chassis 1, and is pressed in the thrust direction by a pressing portion 10a of the plate spring 10. The shaft 2g is further connected to the guide plate 1c
Is engaged with a cam groove of a cam groove plate 50a which is rotatably supported by a shaft provided on the cam groove plate 50a. A meshing tooth is formed around the cam groove plate 50a, and the ratchet portion 10c of the leaf spring 10 is formed.
The engagement between the two allows the cam groove plate 50a to be locked at a desired rotational position. As a result, the position of the shaft 2g engaging with the cam groove is determined in the groove of the guide plate 1c, and thus the position of the lead screw 2 at the right end of the device is determined. This configuration is used for adjusting the gap between the recording head and the platen, which will be described later.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a clutch gear which is slidably supported in the axial direction with respect to the lead pulley 3, and which is engaged with a key portion provided on the lead pulley 3 described later in FIG. The second rotational power is transmitted. Reference numeral 5 denotes a clutch spring, which is a compression spring that urges the clutch gear 4 in the lead groove direction. In addition, a regulating member that allows the clutch gear 4 to move only within a predetermined range in the axial direction is formed between the clutch gear 4 and the lead pulley 3.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a carrier, which is slidably attached to the lead screw 2. Reference numeral 6a denotes a pressing portion for pressing the end face of the clutch gear 4, which is integrally formed on the left side of the carrier. Reference numeral 7 denotes a lead pin, and a lead screw 2
And the pressing direction thereof is guided by guide holes (not shown) of the carrier 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a lead pin spring, one end of which is attached to the carrier 6 and the other end presses the lead pin 7.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a recording head mounted on the carrier 6. In this example, a head element 9a for performing ink ejection and an ink tank 9b serving as an ink supply source are integrated to form a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the carrier 6. It has a disposable type that can be replaced when ink is consumed. In addition, as a discharge energy generating element that is disposed on the head element 9a and applies the discharge energy to the ink, an electrothermal conversion element or an electromechanical conversion element is used. There is,
The former is preferably used because the manufacturing process is simple and the like.

Reference numeral 6c denotes a hook, which is fixed to a part of the carrier 6, and which moves the recording head 9 when the carrier 6 moves as described later.
This mechanism is used to stop stably at the position of the cap or the like.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a carrier guide shaft, which slidably engages with a guide pin 6b provided at the rear end of the carrier 6. The guide shaft 51 has eccentric shafts 51a as described later in FIG. 4, and these shafts 51a are rotatably supported by side plates 51b and 51c provided at the end of the chassis 1. Further, the end of the shaft 51a pivotally supported by the side plate 51c is provided with a positioning knob.
The rotational position of the shaft 51 is fixed by being fixed to 51d and engaging a projection provided on the knob 51d with a hole 51e provided on the side plate 51c.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the above-described configuration makes the distance between the recording surface of the recording paper 40 and the ejection opening of the head element 9a appropriate according to the type of the recording paper 40. It is for doing. That is, by manually rotating the knob 51d, the shaft 51 is rotated as shown in FIG.
The position where the distance between a and the pin 6b is the minimum, and FIG. 4 (B)
As shown in the figure, the same distance can be fixed at the maximum position. In response, the recording head 9 rotates about the lead screw 2 as a rotation axis, and the recording paper 40 is compared with a position corresponding to a relatively thin plain paper (FIG. 4 (A)) or an envelope or the like. The recording paper is fixed at a position (FIG. 4B) with a large interval corresponding to a thick recording paper.

However, the above-described configuration is a configuration corresponding to recording paper at the time of recording. That is, at the time of the ejection recovery processing, the recording head 9 is moved to the position of the recovery processing system shown on the left end of FIG. At this time, the recording head 9 and the recovery system must always have a predetermined positional relationship. Accordingly, regardless of the position shown in FIG. 4 (A) or (B), the recording head 9 needs to be at a fixed position during the ejection recovery processing. The configuration for that is shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and (B).

FIGS. 5 (A) and (B) respectively show FIG. 4 (A)
FIGS. 4A and 4B show diagrams corresponding to FIGS.

In the case of FIG. 5A, the shaft 51a and the pin 6b can be engaged without changing the height of the engagement position between the shaft 51 and the pin 6b.
At this time, in order to maintain the height of the engagement position, the parallel surface of the trapezoidal cam 51g is also engaged with the pin 6b.

In the case of FIG. 5B, the recording head 9 moves and the pin 6b
When the user attempts to engage the shaft 51a, the height of the engagement position of the pin 6b changes. Therefore, the shaft 51 is provided with a tapered portion 51f, and accordingly, the trapezoidal cam 51g is provided with a tapered surface. Thereby, the shaft 51 of the pin 6b (tapered portion)
As the height of the position of engagement with the shaft 51f, the shaft 51a) changes, the height is maintained.

With the above configuration, when the recording head 9 reaches the position of the ejection recovery system, it can always maintain a predetermined height, and therefore a predetermined positional relationship with the recovery system.

Note that the number of rotation fixing positions of the recording head 9 is not limited to two as described above, and it is also possible to fix the recording head 9 at an intermediate position so as to correspond to recording paper of various thicknesses.
In this case, the engagement position between the protrusion of the knob 51d and the hole 51e of the side plate 51c may be increased.

The rotation of the knob 51d is not limited to manual operation. For example, the knob 51d can be rotated using a driving force of a paper feed motor or the like in accordance with a key input corresponding to the recording paper to be used.

Referring again to FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a carrier motor composed of, for example, a pulse motor. Rotational pins 11a are provided below the front and rear surfaces in an aligned state. 11a (rear side not shown) is a recovery base 50 movable on the chassis 1.
Is rotatably mounted in a motor mounting hole provided in the motor. Of course, the pivot pin may be provided on the recovery system base 50 and the mounting hole may be mounted on the motor side. The carrier motor 11 is mounted so as to be rotatable around a rotation pin 11a. 11b is a spring support,
It is formed integrally with the carrier motor 11 and stands upright in parallel with the motor shaft to receive a motor spring 14 described later. A columnar projection is formed on the spring receiving portion, and an end of the coiled motor spring 14 is fixed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a motor pulley, which is fixed to the motor shaft of the carrier motor 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a timing belt, and a pulley 3a provided on the shaft of the motor pulley 12 and the lead screw 2.
It is stretched between. 14 motor springs are compression springs in the configuration of the present example, and one end of the lead arm 1h,
The carrier belt 11 is attached to the spring receiver 11b of the carrier motor 11 so as to urge the carrier motor 11 in the direction A in the figure, and to apply tension to the timing belt 13.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a set shaft, which is provided upright on a side plate (not shown) fixed to the base 50, to which means for improving the ejection port forming surface, a cap, and a so-called recovery system mechanism relating to ejection recovery are attached.

Incidentally, as described above, the positional relationship between the recovery system mechanism and the recording head 9 is important. For example, the positional relationship with the discharge port surface is important in favorably exhibiting the function of a blade for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording head 9, and a cap is required in order to improve the capping function of the discharge port surface. The distance between the nozzle and the discharge port surface is important. Therefore, it is desirable that the positional relationship between the recovery system mechanism and the recording head 9 is always kept constant.

On the other hand, the recording head 9 performs recording while moving along the lead screw 2 by transmitting its driving force via the lead screw 2. At this time, the recording paper
Obviously, it is desirable that the distance between 40 and the ejection port of the recording head 9 be equal at any position of the movement.
Therefore, by adjusting the distance of the recording head 9 with respect to the recording paper,
An adjustment mechanism can be provided so that the recording head can move in parallel with the recording paper, but this adjustment may impair a fixed positional relationship with the recovery system.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the carrier motor 11 and a recovery system base 50 provided with a recovery system mechanism described in detail later can be moved with respect to the chassis 1. By the movement of the base 50 and the adjustment by the cam groove plate 50a described above, the position of the lead screw 2 is adjusted at both ends thereof so that the recording head 9 moves parallel to the recording paper 40.
FIG. 6 shows details of the mechanism in the base 50 for that purpose.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the recovery system base 50 viewed from a direction opposite to that of FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 50e denotes a guide groove member fixed to the side surface of a groove provided on the back surface side of the base 50. The member 50e and the groove are related to a guide portion of a key type guide member 1k fixed to the chassis 1. By the combination, the moving direction of the base 50 is regulated, and the base 50 can be prevented from rising from the chassis 1.

In the above mechanism, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, by rotating the cam plate 50b around a shaft 50d attached to the base 50, the cam surface thereof is moved to the cam groove 11l of the chassis 1.
Is pressed while contacting any one of the surfaces. At this time, the base 50 moves in a direction guided by the member 50e and the member 1k due to the reaction force of the pressing force.

The configuration of the cam may be such that the cam plate is rotated around a predetermined axis by operating a shaft that engages with a predetermined cam groove formed in the cam plate.

Along with this movement, the carrier motor 11 attached to the base 50 and a drive system for driving the motor 11, that is, the timing belt 13, the pulleys 3 and 12, and the lead screw 2
The position of one end of the lead screw 2 is adjusted while the recovery system mechanism attached to the base 50 and the like are moved together.

On the other hand, the position of the other end of the lead screw 2 is adjusted by rotating the cam groove plate 50a.

With the above adjustment, the lead screw 2 can be made parallel to the recording paper, and therefore, the recording head can move parallel to the recording paper.

This adjustment is performed by the assembling robot during the manufacturing process of the recording apparatus. However, the adjustment may be performed on the user side, for example, by repairing the apparatus after using the apparatus for a long time.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 (A) to 7 (C), means for improving the ejection port forming surface, which is one of the recovery system mechanisms, will be described.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a blade lever (see FIG. 7A), and a boss 16a is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. 16b
Denotes an arm, and 16c denotes a hook. Reference numeral 17 denotes a blade for wiping the discharge port forming surface, which can be formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber or chloroprene (CR) rubber. Reference numeral 18 denotes a blade shaft, which clamps the blade 17 at the center in parallel with the rotation axis and is rotatably attached to the blade lever 16. Reference numeral 18a denotes a rotating piece, which is formed integrally with the blade shaft 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes an ink carrier, which is formed of a hydrophilic porous material (a plastic sintered body, urethane foam, or the like), and is fixed to the blade lever 16. Note that the blade 17 and the ink carrier 19 are arranged at positions overlapping with caps described later.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a set lever, which is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. 20a and 20b are stop teeth provided on the set lever 20, 20c is a start tooth, 20d is a rotary tooth, and the thickness of the start tooth 20c is about half the other. 20e
Is an arm portion, a part of which is cut out in the thickness direction to form a set surface 20f and a reset surface 20g, and a rotating piece 18a of a blade shaft 18 attached to the blade lever 16 is fitted. Have been combined to drive this.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a timing gear, which is rotatably attached to the base 50 by a support member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7 (B), the timing gear 21 has a stop cam 21a formed on a part of the outer periphery thereof for engaging with the stop teeth 20a, 20b of the set lever 20 described above. Moreover, the three kinds of drive teeth 21b in which the partially toothless _1, 21b _2, 21b ₃ is formed, a cap cam 21c for swinging the cap lever further described later is formed at a predetermined position. In addition, a piston set cam 21f for pressing a piston of a pump described later is formed as a face cam, and a piston reset cam 21g is integrally formed at a predetermined interval corresponding to the piston set cam 21f.

Numeral 22 denotes an ink absorber spring, which is fixed at a predetermined position on the base 50 and, as shown in FIG.
22a and a spring portion 22b for rotating a pump described later. Reference numeral 23 denotes an ink absorber, which is formed of a hydrophilic porous material in the same manner as the ink carrier 19 described above. The ink absorber 23 has a wiping portion 23a with which the above-mentioned blade 17 contacts, and further has an absorbing surface 23b with which the above-mentioned ink carrier 19 makes contact and transfers ink. . Note that the absorber holding portion of the ink absorber spring 22 is urged upward with a slight elastic force, and is locked at a predetermined position by a stopper (not shown). Therefore, when the above-described ink carrier 19 comes into contact, the ink absorber 23 is
22 is displaced downward by bending, so that the contact state is ensured.

Next, a recovery system unit, which is one of the recovery system mechanisms, will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG.

8 and 9, reference numeral 24 denotes a cylinder;
It has a cylindrical cylinder portion 24a and a guide portion 24b for guiding a piston shaft, which will be described later. The guide portion 24b has an ink flow path 24c formed by cutting a part in the axial direction. Reference numeral 24d denotes a cap lever receiver, which is formed so that a later-described lever seal is fitted therein. Also,
Reference numeral 24e denotes an ink flow path, which is opened at a predetermined position in the cylinder portion 24a. 24f is a rotating lever,
And the turning power is given by the spring portion 22b of the ink absorber spring 22 described above. Reference numeral 24g denotes a waste ink tube, which is formed integrally with the cylinder 24 and whose end is cut at an acute angle to facilitate insertion into a waste ink absorber described later. 24h is an ink channel formed in the waste ink tube 24g.

25 cylinder cap, which is press-fitted into the end of the cylinder 24. 25a is a lever guide, which is the cylinder 2 described above.
It is arranged at a position facing the cap lever receiver 24d of No. 4.

26 is a piston seal fitted into the cylinder 24,
The inner diameter is made slightly smaller so that a predetermined pressure contact force with a piston shaft described later is obtained. Further, a lubricating coating may be applied to the surface to reduce the sliding force of the piston shaft.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a piston shaft, which includes an operation shaft 27a, a piston presser 27b,
A piston receiver 27c, a connecting shaft 27d, and a guide shaft 27e are formed, and a groove 27f serving as an ink flow path is formed on the connecting shaft 27d.
And along the guide shaft 27e. Reference numeral 27g denotes a detent, which is formed as a groove on the operation shaft 27a. Also,
A bearing 27h is provided on an end surface of the operation shaft 27a.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a piston, and a main body forming an inner layer as viewed from the cylinder sliding member is formed of an elastic porous body. This includes a foam having a single cell pore (such as a sponge) and a porous body having continuous pores such as a continuous microporous body. Preferably, a continuous microporous body, for example, a continuously foamed urethane foam is used. Can be formed. Further, a plurality of continuous pores may be present in a direction crossing the direction of elastic deformation.
The outer diameter is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder 24 by a predetermined amount, and when inserted into the cylinder 24, it is in a state of being appropriately compressed. Further, the outer peripheral surface 28a and the piston shaft 2
The end surface 28b which comes into contact with the piston retainer 27b of No. 7 is adapted to position a solid layer (skin film) at the time of foam molding of the piston. Here, even if the member constituting the piston body communicates and foams, the skin film does not communicate with the liquid and the airtightness is maintained, so that the piston 28 fulfills its function. In addition, as long as it does not have a skin film, a film for maintaining airtightness may be separately provided.

42 is a pump room. Reference numeral 29 denotes a piston pressing roller, which is rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27.
Reference numeral 30 denotes a piston return roller, which is similarly rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27. 31 is the axis of those rollers.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a cap lever, on which a rotating shaft 32a, an ink guide 32b, and a lever guide 32c are formed. Also,
A convex spherical sealing surface 32d is formed at the tip end. In addition, a coupling portion 32e is provided as a pair of upper and lower members for engaging a claw of a cap holder described later. Further, the ink flow path 32f passes through the inside of the lever from the sealing surface 32d, turns rightward on the way, passes through the center of the ink guide 32b, and opens at its end face. A notch 32g is provided below the ink guide 32b.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a lever seal, into which the ink guide 32b is fitted and which is pressed into the cap lever receiver 24d. A communication hole 33a communicates the notch 32g of the ink guide 32b with the ink flow path 24e.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a cap holder, which is provided at a position facing a hook 34a that engages with the engaging portion 32e of the cap lever 32. 34b is an opening for attaching a cap described later.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a cap, and a cap portion 35a serving as both a sealing cap for preventing normal drying of the ink and a suction cap for sucking the ink is formed. Cap 3
A suction port 35b is formed in 5a, and opens toward the cap holder 34 through the center of the cap 35.

Reference numeral 35c denotes a flange portion, which serves as a stopper when attached to the cap holder 34. Further, a concave spherical cap seal portion 35d having the same curvature as the seal surface 32d of the cap lever 32 is formed on the flange portion 35c, and only the central opening communicates when pressed against the cap lever 32. The others are then sealed. Since the sealing portions (32d, 35d) are spherical, the cap member has an excellent ecological function, and even if there is a step on the discharge port forming surface, the step is immediately absorbed and a stable sealed state is achieved. Can be kept.

Referring again to FIG. 2, reference numeral 36 denotes a paper feed roller for conveying a recording medium such as paper. For example, an elastic paint (urethane resin, acrylic resin, or the like) is applied to the surface of an aluminum drawing tube. Can be formed. The roller 36 functions as a platen on its outer surface to regulate the recording surface of the recording medium, and its inside serves as a waste ink storage section. Numeral 37 denotes a waste ink absorbing portion provided inside the roller 36, which is formed by filling a thin tube made of plastic such as vinyl chloride with an absorbing material such as polyester cotton so that ink can be absorbed well in the axial direction. The waste ink tube 24g of the cylinder 24 is inserted into the waste ink absorbing portion 37. However, even if the recovery system mechanism moves along with the movement of the base 50, the absorbing portion does not hinder the movement.
Supported within 37. Further, the fiber itself of the absorbing material is preferably a non-absorbing material such as resin or metal, but may be slightly absorbing.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a paper press plate made of a fluorine resin, a carbon fiber mixed material, or the like, which is divided into four parts and attached to the chassis 1 as described in detail with reference to FIG. Further, a gear 3 is provided at one end of the shaft 38A for releasing the pressing force of the paper holding plate 38.
8B is fixed, and the other end is engaged with a bearing 38C that supports the shaft 38A. The bearing 38c is fixed to the chassis 1. Gear 3
The gear portion of the release lever meshes with 8B, but is not shown here. A paper feed motor 39 is connected to the paper feed roller 36 via a speed reduction mechanism having a predetermined ratio.

 Numeral 40 is a recording paper such as paper, film or the like.

 Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, during a normal recording operation, the rotation of the shaft of the carrier motor 11 rotates the lead screw 2 via the timing belt 13, so that the carrier 6 is moved in the printing digit direction by the lead pin 7 engaged with the lead groove 2a. Are scanned along. Here, the carrier motor 11 is a motor spring 14
, The timing belt 13 is always stretched, and good transmission is performed.

When the carrier 6 is moved, an inertial force acts at the time of starting and stopping, but since the weight of the carrier motor 11 absorbs this inertial force, the load applied to the motor spring 14 is small, and the load applied to the rotation of the motor is also reduced. I need less. If an air damper or a hydraulic damper is provided in connection with this spring, noise due to vibration of the rotor of the motor 11 when the carrier 6 starts and stops can be reduced. By appropriately selecting the weight of the motor, the weight of the carrier portion, and the coefficient of the motor spring damper, the overshoot of the rotor can be reduced, and the noise can be reduced.

Next, the operation of this embodiment during non-recording will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit. The operation timing of each unit as shown in the figure can be determined by the number of pulses applied to the motor 11.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the above-described clutch gear 4 and timing gear 21.
The key groove 4d slides on the lead screw 2 and rotates together with the key portion 2h of the lead screw 2 by engaging the key groove 4d. The clutch gear 4 is urged in the direction of the carrier 6 by a spring 5, and usually rotates at a predetermined position by the groove 2 i of the lead screw 2 together with the lead screw 2 during recording. When the recording head 9 moves to the home position, the clutch gear 4 is pushed by the carrier 6 and starts to engage with the timing gear 21.

Clutch gear 4 has a start tooth 4c ₁ and normal drive teeth 4c ₂
Have, the start tooth 4c ₁ and drive teeth 4c ₂ are formed at different positions in the width direction of the clutch gear. Further, the driving teeth 4c ₂ are not formed similarly over the entire circumference of the gear,
There is a part having a curved surface part 4h in a part thereof. Further, a flange 4a is formed at the end of the clutch gear 4 over the entire circumference.

As shown in FIG. 7 (B), the timing gear 21
Start tooth 21b ₁ , and two types of drive teeth 21b at different positions
Has _2, 21b _3, these teeth 21b _1, 21b _2, 21b ₃ are formed at different positions in the width direction of the gear 21.

FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C), and FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B)
3 is a diagram showing an engaged state between the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21, respectively.

At the time of normal recording, FIG. 12 (A) and FIG. 13 (A)
Are engaged as shown in FIG. However, at this time, in FIG. 13 (A), the lead pin 7 is not at this position, and although not shown above the ink absorber 23,
17 and an ink carrier 19 are located.

At this time, the clutch gear 4 rotates is accompanied with the rotation of the lead screw 2, the start tooth 4c ₁ and a start tooth 2
1b ₁ is not in the positional relationship for engagement (see FIG. 13 (A)). Therefore, the timing gear 21 does not rotate, and the driving teeth 21b ₂ and the collar 21h at the left end of the timing gear 21 do not rotate.
The timing gear 21 cannot rotate in either direction because it is in a positional relationship in which it can contact the collar 4a of the clutch gear 4 with a slight gap.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the recovery gear mechanism from occurring due to the rotation of the timing gear 21 or the careless rotation of the timing gear 21 even if an artificial force is applied. it can.

When the recording head 9 moves toward the home position and the carrier 6 pushes the clutch gear 4, the positional relationship between the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 finally becomes as shown in FIG. 13 (B). In this process, the engageable positional relation with the start tooth 4c ₁ and 21b _1. (However, at this time, the lead pin 7 is not at this position yet).

Next, as the lead pin 7 moves from the groove 3c to the groove 3b, the clutch gear 4 rotates clockwise in FIG. 12, and the positional relationship between FIG. 12 (A) and FIG. ). At this time, until the start teeth 4c ₁ and 21b ₁ are engaged, the curved surface portion 4b as the non-meshing portion shown in FIG. Inadvertently, the timing gear does not move and the other drive teeth do not engage with each other first.

As a result, the meshing of the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 always starts between the start teeth, so that the rotation of the timing gear 21 always starts from the correct position.

As a result, the operation of the recovery system mechanism driven via the timing gear 21 becomes accurate.

In addition, advantages such as the necessity of making the mounting accuracy of the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 not so high are obtained.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
The drive teeth 21b ₃ whose positions are different among the drive teeth are the drive teeth that engage when the curved surface portion 4b again comes into contact with the timing gear 21. That is, if there is such drive teeth in the same position as the conventional drive teeth 21b _2, since the curved surface portion 4b will abut, engage the drive teeth each other by shifting its position.

Also, while the drive gears are engaged with each other and the timing gear 21 is rotating, the hook 6c attached to the carrier 6 is engaged.
Slides on the side surface of the timing gear 21.

Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent the recording head 9 from moving away from the home position due to the lead pin 7 leaving the groove 3b before the predetermined teeth mesh with each other. This is because the lead screw rotates twice when the recording head 9 is at the home position and performs a series of recovery processes, so that the lead pin 7 may move to the groove 3c.

In the above example, a series of the recovery processing is performed by two rotations of the lead screw. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary rotation can be set. The degree of freedom can be increased.

FIGS. 14 (A) to (D) are explanatory views showing the sequential operation state of the mechanism relating to the blade 17 and the like, and FIGS. 15 (A) to (C) show the sequential operation state of the mechanism relating to the cap 35. Illustration, No.
FIGS. 16 (A) and (B) are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a mechanism for introducing waste ink into the waste ink storage portion 37 in the roller 36. FIGS.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the carrier 6 moves in the home position direction (arrow B direction). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13 (A), the lead pin 7 is engaged with the lead groove 2a, and the ejection port 9c of the head element 9a faces the ink carrier 19 (see FIG. 14 (A)). In position. Here, at this position, all of the ejection energy generating elements of the head element 9a are driven to perform an ejection operation (hereinafter, referred to as preliminary ejection), and a slightly thickened ink or the like is ejected with the ejection force, and recovery by this preliminary ejection is performed. Operation can be terminated. Preliminary ejection is also performed at this position, which is performed periodically to prevent the ink in the unused ejection ports from being thickened during normal printing. FIG. 14 (A) is a side view around the same position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (B), when the lead screw 2 is rotated and the carrier 6 is moved in the direction B, the clutch gear 4 is pressed by the pressing portion 6a, and is similarly moved in the direction B and the start gear thereof is moved. 4c ₁ is a position where it can be engaged with the start teeth 21b ₁ of the timing gear 21. Thereafter, the clutch gear 4 rotates in synchronization with the lead screw 2, the start teeth are engaged, and the timing gear 21 is turned on as shown in FIG.
Rotate in the D direction as shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the lead pin 7 enters the position groove 3b from the introduction groove 3c, the carrier 6 does not move even if the lead screw 2 rotates.

When the timing gear 21 rotates in the direction D, the gear portion and the gear portion of the set lever 20 mesh with each other, so that the set lever 20 starts rotating in the E direction. Until this time, since the hook 16c is engaged with the claw of the chassis, only the set lever 20 is rotated, and the blade lever 16 is stopped. While pressing down the rotating piece 18a of the blade shaft 18
Therefore, the blade 17 rotates in the direction G and is set in a state capable of engaging with the discharge port surface.

When the timing gear 21 further rotates in the direction D, the hook 16c of the blade lever 16 is disengaged from the pawl of the chassis, and the set lever 20 and the blade 16 further rotate, and as shown in FIG. The ejection port surface of the head 9 is wiped. At this time, the ink liquid or the like removed by wiping the plate 17 is eliminated only in one direction, that is, only downward in this case, and the eliminated ink liquid and the like are absorbed or held in the upper part of the ink carrier 19. At this time, the ink carrier 19 starts to come into contact with the ink absorber 23. When the set lever 20 further rotates, the ink carrier 19 and the blade 17 slide on the surface of the wiping portion 23a of the ink absorber 23 as shown in FIG. The ink, dust and the like wiped by the blade 17 from the discharge port forming surface are received by the wiping unit 23a, and ink droplets attached to the discharge port surface are also absorbed. Thereby, the ink absorption capacity of the ink carrier 19 can be maintained for a long time.

Further, although the timing gear 21 rotates in the D direction, the stop teeth 20a and 20b of the set lever 20 and the stop cam 21a of the timing gear 21 face and contact with each other, so that the rotation of the set lever 20 is restricted. At the same time, the driving teeth of the timing gear 21 are missing teeth, so that there is no rotation force.

As described above, the blade and the absorber holding the ink liquid and the like removed by the blade are the same as the ink receiver at the time of preliminary ejection, so that the apparatus is downsized and the time for these rotation operations is reduced. Can be.

When the timing gear 21 further rotates, the cap cam 21c of the timing gear 21 initially regulates the rotation shaft 32a of the gap lever 32c shown in FIG. 8, so that the cap as shown in FIG. Numeral 35 is stopped at a position distant from the discharge port surface of the head element 9a. Next, when the timing gear 21 further rotates in the D direction, the cap cam 21
15B, the restriction state is released. As shown in FIG. 15B, the rotation lever 24f of the cylinder 24 is urged by the spring portion 22b of the ink absorber spring 22, and the cylinder 24 is moved. Rotates in the F direction, and the cap portion 35a of the cap 35
Comes into pressure contact with the discharge port surface, and the capping operation ends. In addition,
FIG. 13 (B) shows a top view at this time. At this time, the sealing surface 32d and the cap seal portion 35d are also tightly sealed by the pressing force of the cap.

Well, the above is the nozzle surface cleaning and cap operation,
Usually, the operation is stopped here and the above operation is performed in reverse according to the input of the next recording signal, and the recording operation is started.

Next, a description will be given of a suction recovery operation performed in a case where the ejection state is not improved even by the preliminary ejection.

When this is started, the timing gear 21 is further rotated from the cap position, and the cap lever 32 is pressed by the cap cam 21f to slightly separate the cap 35 from the discharge port forming surface as shown in FIG. 15 (C). .

When the timing gear 21 further rotates in the direction D, the cap gear 21f comes off the cap cam 21f again, so that the cap portion 35a is pressed against the discharge port surface.

Now, regarding the pump operation, when the recovery operation is started after the above-mentioned closed cap is completed, the suction operation is started.

At this time, first, the piston set cam 21g pushes the piston pressing roller 29 attached to the piston shaft 27 by the rotation of the timing gear 21, so that the piston shaft 27 moves in the H direction as shown in FIG. 16 (A). I do. And the piston
28 is pressed by the piston presser 27b and moves in the H direction, and the pump chamber 42 is in a negative pressure state. Since there is a skin layer on the outer periphery of the piston 28 and the contact surface with the piston retainer 27b, the ink does not leak through the communication hole of the foam material.

Further, since the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24 is closed by the piston 28, the piston 28 is in a movable state only by increasing the negative pressure of the pump chamber 42. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), after the re-capping, the ink passage 24e is opened, so that the head 9 is moved through the suction port 35b of the cap 35.
Is sucked. The sucked ink flows into the pump chamber 42 through the ink flow path 32f formed inside the cap lever 32, through the communication hole of the lever seal 33, and further through the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24.

Further, the timing gear 21 rotates, and the cap 35 is slightly separated from the discharge port surface again by the cap cam 21h, and the ink in the discharge port surface and the cap portion 35a is sucked by the remaining negative pressure in the pump chamber, and the ink in these portions is Eliminate residue.

Next, when the timing gear 21 is rotated in the reverse direction (the direction indicated by the arrow I in FIG. 14 (D)), the piston reset cam 21i pulls the piston return roller 30, and as shown in FIG. 16 (B). Then, the fixie shaft 27 is moved in the direction of arrow J. At this time, since the piston 28 moves after the piston receiver 27c of the piston shaft 27 contacts, the end surface 28b of the piston 28
A gap .DELTA.1 is generated between the piston and the piston presser 27b.

Thus, the waste ink sucked into the pinch chamber 42 by the movement of the piston shaft 27 and the piston 28 passes through the gap Δl described above, passes through the groove 27f in the piston shaft, and passes through the ink flow path 24c of the cylinder 24. Then, the waste ink is discharged to the vicinity of the center of the waste ink absorber 37 through the waste ink tube 24g. In addition,
At this time, since the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24 is closed by the piston 28 at the beginning of the operation of the piston 28, the waste ink does not flow backward in the cap direction.

FIG. 17 collectively shows the sequence of the above preliminary ejection or suction recovery. However, in the figure, blade 17
Waits in a state in which wiping is possible (set state; see FIG. 14 (B)), and after wiping, the blade 17
(Reset state, see Fig. 14 (A))
Then, a sequence is shown in which the blade 17 is set to a set state in which wiping is possible immediately before the set lever 20 returns to the original position.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a description will be given of a recording sheet transport mechanism from recording to discharge of the apparatus of the present embodiment.

In these figures, reference numeral 38 denotes a paper pressing plate made of fluororesin, carbon fiber-mixed material, or the like, as described above. Have a predetermined interval.
The pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38 depends on the elastic force of the spring plate 38D. Details of this mechanism are shown in FIGS. 18 (A) and (B).

FIG. 18 (A) is a view showing a state where the paper pressing plate 38 is applying a pressing force to the paper feed roller. In this case, it has a D-shape in which a part of the circumference is cut linearly, and the notch of the shaft 38A slidable in the rotation direction with the paper pressing plate 38 is formed by the end 38 of the spring 38D.
F at this time, and at this time, the end 38E of the paper holding plate
Receives an urging force upward in the figure by the spring plate 38D. As a result, the paper pressing plate 38 tries to rotate clockwise about the shaft 38A, and applies a pressing force to the paper feed roller 36.

On the other hand, FIG. 18 (B) shows a state in which the action of the pressing force by the paper pressing plate 38 has been released. In this case, the shaft 38A rotates,
The arc of shaft 38A presses end 38F. At this time, the spring plate
38D is pushed down in the figure as a whole. As a result, the end portion 38E does not receive the urging force from the spring plate 38D.

When this biasing force is released, the shaft 38A and the paper holding plate 3
8 is engaged with a certain amount of frictional force, so that the paper holding plate 38 is not greatly changed in its rotational position.
Accordingly, even when it is necessary to release the pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38, the movement of the recording head and the like are not hindered by the paper pressing plate.

Further, the above-described paper pressing mechanism is a mechanism that can apply a pressing force that does not hinder the proper conveyance of the recording paper by the paper feed roller 36 in a limited space.

That is, without using an elastic member for the paper holding plate itself, the pressing force is generated by a leaf spring arranged along the apparatus bottom chassis 1 which is usually a dead space.
The degree of freedom in setting the pressing force by adjusting the length of the leaf spring increases,
In addition, the paper holding member can be reduced in size.

The leaf spring 38D is attached to the chassis 1 by a fixing member (not shown).

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, reference numeral 60 denotes a paper discharge roller for discharging the recorded recording paper, and reference numeral 61 denotes a recording paper which applies a pressing force to the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 60 to perform recording. This is a spur for regulating the paper discharge direction and generating a conveying force.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a transmission roller disposed at an intermediate portion between the paper discharge roller 60 and the paper feed roller 36 for transmitting the rotation of the paper feed roller 36 to the paper discharge roller 60. The transmission of these rotations is performed by frictional force due to contact with each other. The discharge roller 60 has a cylindrical shape with different radii at both ends and an intermediate portion, and the transmission roller 62 contacts the intermediate portion of the discharge roller 60 having a smaller diameter. Therefore, both ends of the larger diameter for conveying the recording paper rotate at a peripheral speed slightly larger than the peripheral speed of the paper feed roller 36. As a result, the recording paper is conveyed in a stretched state when the paper is discharged, and the recording surface can be formed well.

Note that a coil spring having an appropriate elastic coefficient is used for the rotation shaft of the transmission roller 62 and the spur 61. Details of the mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 19 taking the spur 61 as an example.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 61A denotes a shaft formed of a coil spring and extending through the center of the spur 61 and on both sides thereof. 103B is a shaft supporting member that supports both ends of the rotating shaft 61A, and is formed as a part of the inner lid 103 shown in FIG. The shaft support member 103B supports the shaft 61A slidably in the axial direction. 103C is a regulating member for regulating the movement of the spur 61 in the direction of the rotation axis and in the direction perpendicular thereto, and is provided on both sides of the spur 61. The restriction member 103c is also formed as a part of the inner lid 103, similarly to the shaft support member 103b.

With the above configuration, the shaft 61A pivotally supports the spur 61, and the discharge roller of the spur 61
Get thrust to 60.

The inner lid 103 has a spring member 103A at its rear end as shown in FIG. 3A, and receives a pressing force in the direction of the paper discharge roller by a reaction with the case 101. This pressing force and the rotation axis
Due to the interaction with the elastic force of 61A, the spur 61 exerts an appropriate pressing force on the paper discharge roller 60.

Further, when the inner lid 103 receives the above pressing force, the engagement between the fixing member 103D of the inner lid 103 and the rotating shaft 60C of the paper discharge roller 60 is ensured as shown in FIG. As a result, the positional relationship between the spur 61 and the discharge roller 60 is always kept constant. Alternatively, by fixing the rotating shaft 60C by abutting it against a member to be hooked or the like, an accurate relationship can be maintained regardless of the accuracy of the inner lid.

In the transmission roller 62 also, a rotating shaft formed of a coil spring
The function of 62A is the same, and a contact force with the paper feed roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 60 is obtained by the elastic force of the shaft 62A.

As described above, the discharge roller 60 has a shape in which the diameter of the middle portion is smaller than that of both ends. The details of this configuration are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral 60A denotes a cover member made of a rubber material, and 60D denotes a cylindrical core member having a smaller diameter at both ends than at both ends. The paper discharge roller 60 is formed by covering the core member 60D with a pipe-shaped cover member 60A.

As a result, it is not necessary to integrally form such a shape with a rubber member or the like, and a discharge roller can be obtained relatively easily and at low cost.

In addition, a groove provided continuously to one end of the paper discharge roller 60
60B can catch the trailing end of the recording sheet when the recording sheet is ejected by the sheet ejection roller 60, and can secure the ejection when the position of the recording sheet is shifted. it can.

The shape of the core member 60D is not limited to the above. For example, a cylindrical shape can be obtained by coating a rubber material even if the shape of the groove 60B is extended as it is and the intermediate portion is made smaller.

Next, a case where the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is used upright will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG.

The apparatus may be used upright, as shown in these figures, when used together with the auto feeder 200, or when thick paper such as an envelope is fed from a paper feed port on the back side of the apparatus.

In the case of ordinary recording paper using an auto feeder,
The upper cover 102 can be used as a stacker for the discharged recording paper. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 102 is fixed at an angle different from the case where the upper cover 102 is used as a paper guide for paper feeding.

The conditions for using the upper lid 102 as a stacker are as follows.

That is, the position where the discharged recording paper comes into contact with the upper lid 102 or already stacked recording papers when the recording paper is transported to the air to some extent with its own strength is set near the upper end portion 102A of the upper lid 102. As a result, the recording paper to be discharged slides on the recording paper or the like that has already been stacked only at the leading end of the recording paper, and the sliding can be avoided as much as possible. Can be prevented.

The configuration for this purpose is that the upper end portion 102A is located near the common tangent to the discharge roller 60 of the paper feed roller 36, and the lower end portion 102B is lowered, in the case of the present example. Become.

Further, when the rear end of the recording paper stopped on the upper end portion 102A is completely discharged, the recording paper is lowered at that position so that the recording paper is stacked without sliding.

For this purpose, the length of the upper cover 102 in the paper discharge direction (the length from the upper end 102A to the lower end 102B) is a requirement, and the recording paper that is usually used is used. If the length is 60% to 90% of the length of the recording paper
%, More preferably 70% to 80%.

When the configuration of the recording apparatus or the use conditions are different and the paper discharge direction is different from the above, the length of the stacker may be determined in consideration of the first requirement.

Reference numeral 108 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 is a winding prevention piece, which can prevent recording paper to be stacked from entering the paper feed port 106.

Next, the details of the above-described recording head 9 and carrier 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 23 shows an external perspective view of a recording head 9 in which an ejection element 9a and an ink tank 9b are integrated. In the drawing, 906e is hooked by a hook provided on a carrier 6 when the recording head 9 is mounted. It is a nail to be stopped. As is clear from the figure, the pawl 906e is disposed inside the full extension of the recording head. Further, a front ejection element of the recording head 9
In the vicinity of 9a, a positioning abutting portion, not shown in this figure, is provided. Reference numeral 906f denotes a head opening into which a support plate for supporting the flexible substrate and the rubber pad, which is supported by the carrier, is inserted.

FIGS. 24 (A) and (B) are exploded perspective views of the ink jet recording head shown in FIG. 23, which is a disposable type in which an ink storage unit as an ink supply source is integrated as described above. is there.

In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 110 denotes a heater board in which an electrothermal conversion element (ejection heater) and a wiring such as Al for supplying electric power are formed on a Si substrate by a film forming technique. 210 is a wiring board for the heater board 110, and the corresponding wiring is connected by, for example, wire bonding.

Reference numeral 400 denotes a top plate provided with a partition for limiting the ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, and the like. In this example, the top plate is made of a resin material integrally having an orifice plate portion.

300 is a metal support, for example, 500 is a holding spring,
By engaging the heater board 110 and the top plate 400 while sandwiching the heater board 110 and the top plate 400 therebetween, the heater board 100 and the top plate 400 are pressed and fixed by the urging force of the pressing spring 500. In addition, the support body 300 may be provided with the wiring board 210 by sticking or the like, and may have a positioning reference to the carrier 6 for scanning the head. Also,
The support 300 also functions as a member that radiates and cools the heat of the heater board 110 generated by driving.

Reference numeral 600 denotes a supply tank, which functions as a sub tank that receives ink supply from the ink storage unit 9b serving as an ink supply source and guides ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 110 and the top plate 400. Reference numeral 700 denotes a filter disposed at a position in the supply tank 600 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber, and reference numeral 800 denotes a cover member of the supply tank 600.

900 is an absorber for impregnating the ink, and is arranged in the ink tank main body 9b. 1200 is the above parts 110-8
A supply port for supplying ink to the discharge unit 9a made up of the ink tank body 9b
By injecting ink from the supply port 1200 in a process before disposing in the portion 1010, the ink impregnation of the absorber 900 can be performed.

Reference numeral 1100 denotes a lid member of the cartridge body, and 1400 denotes an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. Reference numeral 1300 denotes a liquid-repellent material disposed inside the air communication port 1400, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 1400.

When the ink filling of the ink tank 9b via the supply port 1200 is completed, the ejection unit 9a including the respective parts 110 to 800 is positioned and arranged in the part 1010. The positioning or fixing at this time is performed by, for example, a protrusion 1012 provided on the ink tank body 9b.
And a hole 312 provided in the support 300 corresponding to this, whereby the cartridge type recording head 9 shown in FIG. 24 (B) is completed.

And the ink is supplied from the inside of the cartridge to the supply port 1200,
The opening 320 provided in the support body 300 and the 24th of the supply tank 600
(A) Supply tank 60 through an inlet provided on the back side in the figure.
After being supplied to the inside and passing through the inside, it flows into the common liquid chamber from the outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and the ink inlet 420 of the top plate 400. A packing made of, for example, silicon rubber or butyl rubber is provided at the connection portion for ink communication described above, whereby sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path.

FIGS. 25A to 25C are a top view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively, showing details of the carrier 6.

In these figures, reference numeral 606 denotes a support plate erected on the bottom of the carrier 6, which corresponds to a flexible substrate 604 as a flexible substrate according to the present invention and terminal pads formed on the substrate 604. And a rubber pad 605 as a pressing member according to the present invention having a projection 605A provided by the projection.

Reference numeral 607 denotes an abutting member which is similarly provided upright at the bottom in front of the carrier 6. The abutment member 607 is formed to have a small thickness in order to make the space of the ink tank as large as possible within the limited arrangement space of the recording head and the carrier. Therefore, the member 607
Are formed with three ribs 608 for securing strength. The direction in which the rib 608 extends is the moving direction of the carrier 6 so as to have a strength corresponding to the movement in the turning direction when the recording head is attached and detached. The rib 608 is formed so as to protrude by about 0.1 mm from the ejection surface when the recording head 9 is mounted. Accordingly, even when the recording paper protrudes into the movement path of the recording head due to some action, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from rubbing the ejection surface and causing damage or the like.

Reference numeral 602 denotes a contact lever for performing a detaching operation of the recording head, and is rotatably supported by a shaft 601d provided on the carrier 6 main body. 603 is the contact lever 6
A contact hook for performing a detaching operation of the recording head 9 having a part engaged by a movement engaged with a part of the part 02. The hook 603 performs the above-mentioned attachment / detachment operation when the elongated hole 603c formed therein is guided by the guide shaft 601e provided on the carrier 6 main body.

Since the detachable operating mechanism including the contact lever 602 and the contact hook 603 as the recording head moving means according to the present invention is provided on the side of the carrier 6, that is, on the side of the moving direction of the carrier 6, the detaching operation is performed by moving the carrier. The mechanism does not create a large dead space.

Next, the butting portion including the butting portions 601a and 601b as the positioning portion according to the present invention for positioning when the recording head is mounted will be described.

Reference numeral 601a denotes an abutting portion for positioning in the left-right direction, and is provided at two locations on the side of the abutting member 607. For positioning in the left-right direction, an abutting portion 60f provided on the support plate 606 is used in addition to the abutting portion 601a.

601b is a butting portion for positioning in the front-rear direction,
It is formed on the lower side of the abutting member 607.

601c is a butting portion for vertical positioning,
2 of the lower side of the butting member 607 and the lower side of the support plate
Formed at two places.

26 (A) and (B) are a top view and a left side view, respectively, showing a state where the recording head 9 is mounted on the carrier 6. FIG.

In these figures, reference numeral 906a denotes an abutting portion provided on the recording head 9 so as to be able to abut on the abutting portion of the carrier 6 when the recording head is mounted. Similarly, 906b and 906c denote abutting portions 601b and 601c, respectively. This is the contact part corresponding to.

Hereinafter, the engagement relationship of each part when the recording head is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. 26 (A).

The contact portion 906a of the recording head 9 is in contact with the contact portion 601a of the carrier 6, and at the same time, the pawl 906 of the recording head 9.
Means the coil spring 6 via the hook 603
Due to the urging force of 09, force is applied to the left in the figure. As a result, the recording head 9 receives a moment force about the contact portion. At this time, the substrate 90 provided on the recording head
6d comes into contact with the butting portion 601f, and as a result, the recording head 9
Is positioned in the left-right direction, and that position is maintained.

At this time, the protrusion 605a of the rubber pad 605 is
Is compressed and deformed by contact with With this deformation,
A force for pressing the terminal pad of the flexible substrate 604 and the terminal of the substrate 906d is generated. In this case, since the substrate 906d is in contact with the abutting portion 601f, the amount of deformation of the protruding portion 605A is constant, and the above-described stable pressing force can be obtained.

Note that the upper drawing does not show a state in which the protrusion 605A is compressed and deformed.

Further, as will be described later, the positioning of the recording head 9 in the front-back and up-down directions has already been performed in the mounting process.

FIG. 27 is a top view showing the carrier before the recording head is mounted, in which the contact lever 602 is omitted.

The state shown in the figure is a state in which the contact lever 602 is pulled backward (see FIG. 25 (B)). At this time, the position of the contact hook is as shown in FIG. Wait for loading.

28 (A) to 28 (C) are top views sequentially showing a process of mounting the recording head.

The recording head 9 is loaded from above the carrier so that the support plate 606 of the carrier 6 is inserted into the opening 906f. At this time, as shown in FIG.
7, the recording head 9 fits into the carrier 6 in an oblique state due to the positional relationship between the support plate 606 and the contact hook 603, and the relationship between the entire length of the recording head 9 and the opening 906f.

Next, when the contact lever 602 is rotated counterclockwise (see FIG. 25 (B)), the contact hook 603 rotates counterclockwise about the axis 601c as a rotation center, and then becomes leftward when it becomes horizontal in the figure. To the state shown in FIG. 28 (B).

Along with the movement of the contact hook 603, the recording head 9 is pushed obliquely upward and leftward in the drawing by contact with the contact hook 603. As a result, the contact portion 906a of the recording head rides on the contact portion 601a of the carrier, and the contact portion 906b contacts the contact portion 601b. At this time, the substrate 906d is not in contact with the flexible substrate 604.

Further, when the contact lever 602 is rotated counterclockwise, the contact hook 603 moves further to the left. At this time, since the recording head 9 moves while being hooked by the pawl 906c, the recording head 9 rotates clockwise around the contact portions 906a and 906b as the center of rotation, and reaches the state shown in FIG. The position on 6 is determined.

The position in the front-back and up-down directions is determined in a series of movements in the mounting process described above.

In the state shown in FIG. 28 (C), as described above, the contact lever 602 is urged to the left by the coil spring 609 provided inside the rotation shaft, and this urging force applies The recording head 9 is fixed to the carrier 6 through the intermediary.

As is apparent from the above description, the recording head device according to the present embodiment is a combination of the linear motion and the rotational motion of the recording head, and the deflection angle of rotation is about 5 degrees.

That is, since the recording head is mounted with such a small rotation angle, no special space is required for mounting the recording head.

Next, the relationship between the contact lever and the contact hook will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 (A) and 26 (A).

As shown in these figures, the contact lever 602
One flat part 602A, 602B and one slope (cam surface) 602c
When the recording head is fixed (see Fig. 28 (C))
, The flat surface 602a is engaged with the portion 603a of the contact hook 603 to transmit a biasing force to the hook 603.

Further, the relationship between the lever 602 and the hook 603 will be described in the process of attaching and detaching the recording head. When the contact lever 602 is rotated in the direction opposite to the mounting process from the state shown in FIG. 26 (A), the cam surface 602c of the contact lever rotates while contacting the cam surface 603b of the contact hook. As a result, the contact hook 603 moves rightward until the left end of the elongated hole 603c hits the guide shaft 601e of the carrier, and then rotates clockwise around the guide shaft 601e to contact the contact lever 602. When the surface becomes a flat surface 602b, it comes into contact with the end of the cam surface 603b of the contact hook and FIG. 25 (A).
The state shown in FIG.

In the process from the state shown in FIG. 26A to the state shown in FIG.
Extruded by 3d.

(Others) The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a bubble jet system among ink jet recording systems. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.
This is because it is expected that the fixing speed will be further increased by the recording pattern.

Regarding the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to any of the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate heat energy, and This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal one-to-one can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble 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 a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. This pulse-shaped drive signal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,359.
No. 4,434,262 are suitable. Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in 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 converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters. The effect of the present invention is also effective when used in JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Regarding the type or number of print heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one provided for single color ink, a plurality of print heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities. May be used.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be a form used as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may be.

[Effects of the Invention] As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when a recording head is mounted on a carrier, recording is performed on a flexible substrate held on a flat portion provided upright on the carrier. Since the recording head is moved along the bottom of the carrier so as to press the connection terminal substrate of the head, the operation in which the flexible substrate and the connection terminal substrate of the recording head slide with each other can be eliminated.

As a result, since the sliding operation is eliminated in the contact operation, connection between different terminals can be prevented.

In addition, since the contact is performed by applying the pressing force of the projection, the connection is reliably performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 (A) is a perspective view mainly showing a paper discharging system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 (B) is a side view of the figure shown in FIG. 3 (A), FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views showing an embodiment of a recording head corresponding to recording paper, respectively. FIGS. 5A and 5B are recording heads at home positions corresponding to recording paper, respectively. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment in which a base on which a recovery system mechanism is mounted is engaged with a chassis, and FIGS. 7 (A) to 7 (C) are perspective views. FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial perspective views showing one embodiment of a blade and an ink carrier portion for a recording head. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view and a sectional view showing one embodiment of a suction recovery system for a recording head, FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing operation timings of various parts according to the embodiment, and FIG. FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C) are perspective views showing an embodiment of a clutch mechanism for transmitting torque, and FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C) show engagement states of a clutch gear, a hook, and a timing gear in the clutch mechanism shown in FIG. 13 (A) and (B) are front views similar to FIG. 12, and FIGS. 14 (A) to (D) are views for explaining the sequential operation of the blade and the ink carrier unit. 15 (A) to 15 (C) are side views for explaining the sequential operation of the cap portion, and FIGS. 16 (A) and 16 (B) are diagrams showing the operation of the pump portion for performing suction recovery. FIG. 17 is a sectional side view for explaining the present embodiment (partly another embodiment). FIGS. 18 (A) and (B) are side views showing one embodiment of a pressing operation mechanism of the paper holding plate, and FIG. 19 is a timing chart for explaining a sequence at the time of such preliminary ejection or suction recovery processing. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of a supporting state of a spur in a paper system, FIG. 20 is a front view showing an example of a sheet discharging roller, and FIG. 21 shows another example of a use state of the present example apparatus. FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 23 is an external perspective view of a recording head according to this example, and FIGS. 24 (A) and (B) are examples of this example. 25 (A) to 25 (C) are respectively a top view, a left side view and a right side view of the carrier according to the present example, and FIG. 26 (A). And (B) are a top view and a top view, respectively, showing a state where the recording head is mounted on the carrier shown in FIG. FIG. 27 is a top view showing the state of the carrier according to this example before the recording head is mounted, and FIGS. 28 (A) to (C) are top views each showing the mounting process of the recording head in order. It is. 1 ... chassis, 2 ... lead screw, 2a ... lead groove, 3a ... lead pulley, 3b ... position groove, 3c ... introduction groove, 4 ... clutch gear, 5 ... clutch spring, 6 ... Carrier, 6c: hook, 7: lead pin, 9: recording head, 9a: head chip (ejection element), 9b: ink tank section, 9c: ejection port, 9d: ejection port forming surface, 11 …… Carrier motor, 13… Timing belt, 15… Set shaft, 16… Blade lever, 17… Blade, 19 …… Ink carrier, 20 …… Set lever, 21 …… Timing gear, 22… Ink Absorber spring, 23 ... Ink absorber, 24 ... Cylinder, 27 ... Piston shaft, 28 ... Piston, 29 ... Piston pressing roller, 32 ... Cap lever, 34 ... Cap holder, 35 ... Cap , 35a ... Cap part, 36 paper feed roller, 37 waste ink absorber part, 38 paper presser plate, 40 recording paper, 50 base, 51 guide shaft, 60 discharge roller 61 ... spur, 62 ... transmission roller, 100 ... inkjet recording device, 102 ... upper lid, 103 ... inner lid, 601a, 601b, 601c, 601f ... butting part, 602 ... contact lever, 603 ... … Contact hook, 604… Flexible board, 605… Rubber pad, 606… Support plate, 607… Butt member, 608… Rib, 906a, 906b, 906c… Contact part, 906d… Board, 906e …… Tail.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masazumi Nagashima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Keiji Yanaura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside (72) Inventor Hiroshi Sugitani 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Norifumi Hattori 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masami Ikeda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Asao Saito 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Invention Person Kazuaki Masuda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akio Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Orikasa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-60-204332 (JP, A) JP-A-60-204333 (JP, A) JP-A-60-204335 (JP, A) JP-A-60-204337 (JP, A) JP-A-1-125238 (JP, A) JP-A-61-125849 (JP, A) 60-204343 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2 / 01,2 / 13,25 / 312,25 / 316

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A carrier unit comprising a carrier for removably mounting a recording head and moving a predetermined path, wherein the carrier has a bottom portion on which the recording head is removably mounted, and an upright standing on the bottom portion. A support plate having a flat surface portion, a flexible substrate having a connection terminal held on the flat portion of the support plate, and a projection provided corresponding to the connection terminal of the flexible substrate. A pressing member disposed between the flexible substrate and the flat portion of the support plate; and two positioning portions provided at different positions for positioning the recording head with respect to the support plate; The two positioning portions position the recording head with respect to the carrier in two different directions, and press the contact terminal substrate of the recording head against the flexible substrate along the bottom along the bottom portion. And a moving means for moving the recording head. 2. A printing apparatus comprising a carrier for removably mounting a recording head and moving a predetermined path, wherein the carrier has a bottom portion on which the recording head is removably mounted, and an upright standing on the bottom portion. A support plate having a flat surface portion, a flexible substrate having a connection terminal held on the flat portion of the support plate, and a projection provided corresponding to the connection terminal of the flexible substrate. A pressing member disposed between the flexible substrate and the flat portion of the support plate; and two positioning portions provided at different positions for positioning the recording head with respect to the support plate; The two positioning portions position the recording head relative to the carrier in two different directions, and press the recording head along the bottom to press the connection terminal substrate of the recording head against the flexible substrate. And a moving means for moving the storage device.