JP2838745B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head in which an ink tank for supplying ink to a recording head section is integrated, and more particularly, downsizing of the entire apparatus or a part thereof is achieved. Related to a recorded device. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus applicable to a single printer, a copying machine, a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink supply mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus uses a so-called permanent recording head in which a recording head is used for a long term, and a large ink cartridge is replaced with an ink supply path of the recording head. And when replacing the ink tank integrated recording head with the recording head with the ink tank integrated in the recording head unit detachable from the device as it is, and when ink is stored in the ink tank of the integrated recording head. It is roughly divided into the case of re-use where the re-fill is performed only at a predetermined position or manually by the user.

As a driving means of the ink jet recording head, an electrothermal converter or a photothermal converter is used to generate thermal energy to cause film boiling exceeding nucleate boiling in ink to form bubbles. The method of ejecting ink droplets by the stable volume expansion has been put to practical use. In other methods, a method of ejecting ink using an electromechanical transducer has been partially put into practical use.

[0004] By the way, although the miniaturization of the printer has been achieved, the miniaturization of the whole apparatus has not yet been achieved by providing the multifunction device.

[0005]

In either of the above-described conventional ink jet recording apparatuses, the position of the recording head can be changed by rotating the carrier about one axis for guiding the carrier. In many cases, if the distance between the axis for guiding the carrier and the printing position of the recording head is not long enough, the amount of movement cannot be sufficiently obtained, or the angle between the recording paper and the recording head greatly changes. Therefore, as the size of the entire apparatus is reduced, it becomes difficult to keep the distance between the recording head and the paper constant by the rotation of the carrier.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional example, and has as its object to provide a small-sized recording apparatus which does not need to switch the carriage even when printing thick paper or the like.

[0007]

Therefore, in the present invention, a discharging means for discharging a recording material from the apparatus is provided.
A spur that comes into contact with the recording surface side of the recording material, and a rotating member pair that includes a discharge roller that contacts the non-recording surface side, and a cylindrical portion that is made of an elastic member and abuts against the spur, the discharge roller being made of an elastic member. A shaft press-fitting portion that supports the discharge roller, a substantially conical portion that connects the cylindrical portion and the shaft portion, and a spur is further disposed near the discharge roller conical portion side, or The discharging means for discharging the recording material from the apparatus comprises a pair of rotating members including a spur contacting the recording surface side of the recording material and a discharge roller contacting the non-recording surface side. The roller is made up of an elastic member, a cylindrical portion contacting the spur, a shaft press-in portion for supporting the discharge roller, and a generally conical portion connecting the cylindrical portion and the shaft portion. The discharge roller has the cylindrical portion. The spurs opposing to each other are arranged so that another spur is disposed in the middle between the spurs, and the discharge roller extends the axial press-fit portion also to the cylindrical portion side. Further, the guide member of the carrier that moves with the ink jet recording head mounted thereon and the supporting member for supporting the spur that contacts the recording surface side of the means for unloading the recording material from the apparatus are the same member. With this configuration, the object is achieved.

[0008]

In the recording apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, the discharge roller is deformed by contacting the spur, and has a tilt in the axial direction of the discharge roller. Since the position is regulated, the distance between the head and the recording material does not change as much as the change in the thickness of the recording paper, and it is possible to realize a small recording apparatus that does not need to switch the carriage each time. .

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a carrier 203 has a recording head 200 and an ink tank 201 which constitute recording means.
And a head cartridge 202 to which the head cartridge 202 is connected. One end of the carrier 203 on the recording head 200 side is fitted to a lead screw 213 rotatably attached to the chassis 1 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. Is arranged,
The guide is slidably fitted in a guide rail 2 formed on the chassis 1 in parallel with the axial direction of the lead screw 213. The carrier 203 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction with the rotation of the lead screw 213 while keeping its posture constantly constant.

That is, the lead screw 213
As shown in the figure, a lead screw gear 257 fixed to the left end of the screw and a pinion gear 256 fixed to the output shaft of the carrier motor 255 mesh with each other, and are formed spirally at a predetermined pitch on the lead screw 213. The lead pin 209 (FIG. 8) attached to the carrier 203 is fitted into the guided guide 268 (FIG. 7). Therefore, when the lead screw 213 rotates in accordance with the forward and reverse rotation of the carrier motor 255, the carrier 203 is rotated.
Reciprocates. The details of the scanning of the carrier 203 will be described later.

A flexible cable 211 transmits a print signal from an electric circuit to be described later to the recording head 200. The flexible cable 211 is positioned and held on the pinch roller frame 11 by the flexible cable holder 16.

The recording head 200 is driven in synchronization with the reciprocating movement of the carrier 203 to discharge ink in accordance with a recording signal, thereby performing one-line recording on the recording material 3. That is, the recording head 200 is used for ejecting a liquid by acting on a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a liquid path and an energy action section provided in a part of the liquid path, and acting on the liquid in the action section. Energy generating means for generating energy to be generated.

A recording method using a piezo element or the like as an energy generating means for generating such energy, a recording method of irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser to generate heat and discharging a liquid by the action of the heat, or a heating resistor There is a recording method using an energy generating means for discharging the liquid by heating the liquid with an electrothermal converter such as a heating element having the above.

Among them, a recording head used in an ink jet recording method in which a liquid is discharged by thermal energy can arrange liquid discharge ports for discharging a recording liquid to form droplets at a high density. High-resolution recording. Among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means,
It is easy to make compact, and it can make full use of the advantages of IC technology and micro-machining technology, which have made remarkable progress in technology and recent improvements in the semiconductor field, making high-density mounting easy and reducing manufacturing costs. This is advantageous because it is inexpensive.

When one-line printing is performed by scanning the carrier 203, the recording material 3 is conveyed by one line by the conveying means to perform the next line recording.
Is carried out by a rotating pair of a conveying roller 4 and a pinch roller 8 which presses against the conveying roller 4, and a rotating pair of a discharge roller 7 and a spur 6 which comes into contact with the discharging roller.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the recording material is conveyed. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows the recording material 3 whose recording surface faces the discharge port surface of the recording head 200.
The sheet is conveyed to a recording position as needed by being pressed against the conveyance roller 4 by a pinch roller 8 and appropriately rotating the conveyance roller 4 by a paper feed motor 5. After the recording, the recording material 3 is pressed against the discharge roller 7 by the spur 6, and the discharge roller 7 rotates to discharge and convey the recording material 3 out of the apparatus.

Here, reference numeral 17 denotes a platen which also serves as a case for the waste ink absorber 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes a holding plate (not shown in FIG. 1) made of a thin elastic body such as a polyester sheet or stainless steel, which is attached to the pinch roller frame 11 and is connected to the spur 6 and the conveying roller 4 from an assumed conveying path. This also prevents the recording material 3 from floating.
Also, since it is integrated from the printer unit paper feed port, it plays the role of guiding the recording material from the paper feed port to the recording unit. Further, as shown in the drawing, the recording material can be more easily inserted by bending upward at the paper feed port. The transport roller 4 and the discharge roller are driven by a paper feed motor 5, and the driving force is transmitted by a reduction gear train 15.
It is performed by

The position of the rotation axis of the spur 6 that contacts the recording surface of the recording material 3 is fixed, and the contact position between the spur 6 and the recording material 3 changes regardless of the thickness of the recording material 3. On the other hand, the discharge roller 7 that contacts the non-recording surface side of the recording material 3 responds to a change in the thickness of the recording material 3 due to the deformation of the discharge roller 7 due to the thickness of the recording material 3. It has become. Specifically, the discharge roller 7 is made of thin rubber,
It is formed in a conical shape and deforms with a restoring force in the radial direction.
Therefore, deformation is performed according to the pressing force against the spur 6 and the thickness of the recording material 3.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the discharge roller portion is further improved and viewed from the discharge direction. First, the discharge roller of this embodiment is configured so that a portion fitted to a shaft supporting the discharge roller protrudes from both ends of the conical portion. Accordingly, when the discharge roller is pressed into the shaft supporting the discharge roller in either direction, the shaft portion may be pressed and the assembling property is improved.

In the first place, the discharge roller of this embodiment is deformed so as to rotate around the joint between the conical portion and the shaft portion when pressed against the spur as shown in the figure, so that the cylindrical surface is conical at the point where it contacts the spur. Since the recording medium is slightly inclined so that the side is higher, the recording medium has a floating meaning as shown by a dotted line in the figure. Therefore, by adding a spur and using one discharging roller and two spurs in combination, the recording material is kept at the correct position.

In this case, it is sufficient to make the portion that hits the spur into a conical shape so as to be horizontal in a state of being deformed by contacting the spur. However, the circumference of the discharge roller changes depending on the position where the spur hits. It is not preferable because the feed amount changes for each discharge roller due to a variation in the directional position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, two discharge rollers are combined so that the cylindrical portion thereof is on the outside, and one spur is added between the opposing spurs, whereby three discharge rollers are provided for the two discharge rollers. With the spurs, the same effect as in the case of FIG. 3 is obtained. A similar effect can be obtained by forming the discharge roller 7 from a material having a large elastic deformation, for example, a material such as a porous sponge or a resin or rubber having a very low hardness. Further, the entire discharge roller 7 may be pressed against the spur 6 by a spring or the like. Therefore, the distance between the recording head 200 and the recording material 3 can be maintained at a predetermined amount regardless of the thickness of the recording material 3, and stable conveyance can be performed. Reference numeral 14 denotes a paper sensor which detects the presence or absence of the recording material 3.

Next, the structure of pressing the pinch roller 8, which is a driven rotary member, that presses the recording material 3 against the discharge roller 4, which is a driving rotary member, will be described. In FIG. 5, a pinch roller 8 is integrally formed by a mold, and an end of a pinch roller spring 9 which is a spring member is supported by being bent into the pinch roller 8. The pinch roller spring 9 is attached to the pinch roller frame 11 by the pinch roller holder 1.
0 is used so as to be rotatable around the illustrated shaft portion 9a. The center of the shaft portion 9a of the pinch roller spring 9 is bent in a U-shape, and the lever portion 9b is bent.
Is formed.

The operation means for changing the pressing force of the pinch roller 8 by the pinch roller spring 9 includes a release angle 12 slidable on a pinch roller frame 11.
By operating this angle and pushing up the pinch roller spring 9, a twist is generated in the shaft portion 9a,
The pinch roller 8 is pressed against the transport roller 4 by the repulsive force. Further, the pressing force is released by eliminating the twist.

That is, in the state of FIG. 6, the lever portion 9 is provided by the cam portion 12a provided on the release angle 12.
As a result, the shaft portion is twisted (elastic deformation), and the pinch roller 8 is pressed against the transport roller 4.
On the other hand, when the release angle 12 is slid in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, and the cam portion 12a is lowered so that the lever of the pinch roller 8 is lowered, and the shaft portion 9a is restored and the twist is eliminated. The pressing force of the pinch roller 8 against the transport roller 4 decreases.

Thus, the jammed recording material 3 can be easily pulled out without the pinch roller 8 being completely separated from the conveyance roller 4. Release angle 1
2 is slid left and right by rotating the release lever 13. The release lever 13 is pivotally supported by the pinch roller frame and has a long hole on the side opposite to the lever with respect to the rotation axis.
Contains 2 handles. Then, by rotating the release lever 13, the release angle 12 moves in parallel.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a lead screw mechanism for feeding the carrier 203 to the recording material 3.
Only the members necessary for the function are shown. In the lead screw 213 slidably engaged with the carrier bearing A 228 and the carrier bearing B 229 provided on the carrier 203, the right end of the lead screw 213 is provided with an adjustment spring 250.
Is rotatably coupled to the chassis 1 via the The left end is rotatably coupled to the recovery plate 271 via a bearing 251. The guide portion (not shown) of the carrier 203 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 2, and
03 is prevented from rotating. Lead screw 213
Are formed with a plurality of guides 268, one of which is slidably fitted with a lead pin 209, and the carrier 203 is attached to the A, A parallel to the axial direction of the lead screw 213.
Drive in the B direction.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the carrier bearing A228 of FIG. The lead pin 209 is a pin whose one end is processed into a spherical shape, and has a carrier bearing A 228 and a carrier bearing B.
229 is slidably fitted in a hole formed in the main body of the carrier 203 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the lead screw 213, and the spherical portion is slidably fitted in the lead screw 213. It is urged in the direction of the lead screw 213 by a lead pin spring 210 detachably provided on the main body. The lead pin 209 is provided on the lead pin spring 210 in the sliding direction.
Of the lead pin 20 in order to prevent the
9 is formed with a stopper 269 for regulating the operation range of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a lead screw end. Recording head 200 and carrier 3 on carrier 203
Is determined by the distance of the lead screw 213 supporting the carrier 203 from the recording material 3. The left end of the lead screw 213 is determined by the recovery system plate 271, and the right end of the lead screw 213 is determined based on the left end. A first elongated hole 252 perpendicular to the recording material 3 is formed in the chassis 1 so that the first elongated hole 252 can be adjusted to be parallel to the recording material 3.

The adjustment spring 250 is parallel to the recording material 3 with the adjustment spring 250 attached to the chassis 1, and regulates the right end of the lead screw 213 in the vertical direction with respect to the recording material 3. Two long holes 253 are formed. The right end of the lead screw 213 is supported by the first slot 252 and the second slot 253,
The lead screw 213 is adjusted in parallel to the recording material 3 by moving the adjustment spring 250 where the 53 is formed perpendicularly to the recording material 3 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). A spring 250a for urging the right end of the lead screw 213 to the left end side is also formed integrally with the adjustment spring 250. Adjusting spring 25
0 is fixed to the chassis 1 with screws 254.

FIG. 10 shows the left end of the lead screw 213 where a clutch mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the carrier motor 255 to the recovery system via the lead screw 213 is formed. The carrier motor 255 is connected to the recovery system plate 271. A pinion gear 256 (FIG. 1) is fixed to the shaft of the carrier motor 255, and meshes with a lead screw gear 257 fixed to the lead screw 213. The forward / reverse rotation of the carrier motor 255 causes the lead screw 213 to rotate forward / reverse. Then, the lead pin 209 slidably in contact with the guide strip 268 of the lead screw 213 moves the carrier 203 along the guide strip 268. The control gear 102 is incorporated in the recovery system plate 271.

At the left end of the lead screw 213, an initial lock 258, a clutch plate 260, a clutch gear 259, and a return spring 261 are provided. The initial lock 258 is fixed to the lead screw 213. The clutch gear 259 is a lead screw 213
Are slidably fitted in the axial direction, and a part thereof enters the inside of the initial lock 258. That is, two protrusions 262 are formed on the clutch gear 259 at asymmetric positions on the circumference, and the protrusions 262 are formed on the initial lock 258 in the same phase as the protrusions 262.
63 is operably fitted only in the axial direction. A flange 267 is provided on an end surface of the clutch gear 259 on the side of the lead screw gear 257, and a trigger tooth 25 for giving a rotation trigger to the control gear 102 is provided on the flange 267.
9a are formed.

The control gear 102 has a gear formed on the outer periphery. When the lead screw 213 is incorporated into the recovery system plate 271, the lead screw 21
3 is in a position where it meshes with the clutch gear 259 on the upper side. However, during the recording operation, the control gear 102 is such that a part of the outer gear is cut off and faces the clutch gear 259, and the control gear 102 is
There is no mesh with. A side gear 102h having several teeth is formed on the side surface of the cutout portion of the gear. The side gear 102h meshes with a trigger tooth 259a of the clutch gear 259 by an operation described later, and gives a rotation trigger to the control gear 102.

Initial lock 258 and clutch gear 2
Between them, the clutch plate 260 is inserted. Further, a lead screw gear 257 is fixed to the lead screw 213. The return spring 261 is located between the clutch gear 259 and the lead screw gear 257, and always keeps the clutch gear 259 in the initial lock 2 position.
It is pushed to 58 side. On the circumference of the initial lock 258, an idling groove 264 having the same shape as that of the lead screw 213 is provided.
Are formed, and are connected to only the strip for guiding the lead pin 209 by the communication groove 265.

When the carrier motor 255 is rotated forward, the carrier 203 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. HP for recovery system plate 271
The sensor 270 (FIG. 1) is attached, the carrier 203 is scanned by the rotation of the carrier motor 255, and the point at which the shielding plate 230 (FIG. 1) formed on the carrier 203 passes through the HP sensor is detected to record. It can be a reference point for the operation and the recovery operation described later.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the clutch mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the carrier motor 255 to the recovery system. When the carrier motor 255 is rotated in the reverse direction from the state shown in FIG. 11A, the lead pin 209 that is moving the carrier 203 is moved by the guide 268 of the lead screw 213.
Through the communication groove 265 to enter the idling groove 264 of the initial lock 258.

At this time, as shown in FIG.
The end 228 pushes the clutch plate 260, and the clutch plate 260 pushes the clutch gear 259 and is pushed to a position where it engages with the control gear 102. At this time, the gear teeth on the control gear 102 side corresponding to the gear portion of the clutch gear 259 are notched, and the control gear 102 does not rotate.

When the carrier motor 255 is further rotated in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG.
59a meshes with the side gear 102h of the control gear 102 to rotate the control gear 102, and the teeth of the control gear 102 mesh with the clutch gear 259.

A flange 267 is formed on the clutch gear 259. When the clutch gear 259 and the control gear 102 are engaged with each other, the flange 267 of the clutch gear 259 is engaged with a side surface of the control gear 102.
It keeps meshing with the control gear 102. When the carrier motor 255 is further rotated in the reverse direction, the recovery operation starts.

After the recovery operation is completed, the carrier motor 255 is rotated forward, and the control gear 102 and the clutch gear 2 are rotated.
When the clutch gear 259 returns to the meshing start position of 59, the engagement between the control gear 102 and the flange 267 of the clutch gear 259 is released, and the clutch gear 259 attempts to return to the original position by the bias of the return spring 261. Clutch gear 25
9 is pressed in the same manner, and the carrier 2 in contact with the clutch plate 260 is pressed.
03 is also pressed in the same manner.

When the carrier 203 is further rotated forward, the lead pin 209 for guiding the carrier 203 becomes the initial lock 258.
The lead screw 213 is pushed out from the circumferential idle rotation groove 264 through the communication groove 265 to the guide strip 268 side of the lead screw 213.
That is, the carrier 203 enters a scanable state by the rotation of the carrier motor 255.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a recovery mechanism of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a cap 10 for capping the ejection port surface of the recording head 200
1, a pump unit 150 for applying a negative pressure to the inside thereof, sucking ink from a discharge port surface through a cap 101, and sending the ink to a waste ink absorber.
A transmission mechanism including a known cam and gear mechanism for moving the drive back and forth with respect to the discharge port surface, transmitting a driving force to the pump unit 150, and further operating a wiping mechanism for wiping ink adhered to the discharge port surface. A control gear 102 is formed. The control gear 102 is connected to the control gear 102 via the clutch gear 259 described above.
The rotational driving force of the carrier motor 255 is transmitted.

Next, a configuration in which the recovery means is driven by the rotation of the control gear 102 will be described. The control gear 102 includes a cap opening / closing cam 102a and a wiping operation cam (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the control gear 102 meshes with a stroke gear 103 that reciprocates a plunger 115, which will be described later.
Rotates, and the plunger 115 reciprocates.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 104 denotes a blade for wiping the ink discharge port surface of the recording head 200 to clean the ink discharge port surface. The blade 104 is made of rubber such as HNBR or urethane.
5a is inserted and attached so that one end is slid. In addition, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a projection 105b having a sharp tip for preventing blade detachment in a part of the blade projecting direction. Therefore, even when a force is applied to pull out the blade 104 during wiping, the blade 104 is not pulled out by being hindered by the protrusion 105b.

The blade slider 105 is provided with a through-hole 105c so as to be movable along a slide shaft 106 parallel to the ejection port surface of the recording head, and reciprocates along the slide shaft 106. Reference numeral 104 denotes that the amount of penetration of the recording head 200 into the ejection port surface is always constant at any position on the ejection port surface, and the ejection port surface is wiped uniformly.

The reciprocating motion of the blade slider 105 is performed by the blade link 107. The protrusion 107a of the blade link 107 reciprocates by pushing the wall 105a of the blade slider 105. The blade link 107 is the control gear 102
The movement thereof is controlled by a wiping operation cam (not shown) formed in the above.

When the ejection opening surface of the recording head 200 is wiped by the movement of the blade slider 105, the ink adhering to the blade 104 is removed by the blade cleaner 10.
8, the blade 104 is always maintained in a clean state. That is, the blade 104 that has moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 13 by the wiping operation finishes wiping all the discharge port surfaces, and then touches the blade cleaner 108 in the same manner. At that time, the ink on the blade 104 is absorbed by the blade cleaner 108.

The blade 104 is a blade cleaner 1
08 is always touching, due to the creep phenomenon of rubber,
The blade 104 is deformed and cannot perform its original performance. Therefore, after the blade 104 comes into contact with the blade cleaner 108 by the wiping operation cam of the control gear 102, the blade 104 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A in the figure to move the blade 104 into the blade cleaner 1.
08 so that no external force is applied to the blade 104.

Further, if both the forward and reverse rotations of the carrier motor 255 are controlled while always following the wiping operation cam of the control gear 102, the blade link 107 is controlled by the rotation angle of the control gear 102. Is uniquely determined. That is, the position of the blade 104 is controlled only by the angle of the control gear 102. In this case, if the wiping operation is performed when the carrier motor 255 enters the recovery unit due to the reverse rotation, then the wiping operation is also performed when the carrier motor 255 rotates out of the recovery unit due to the normal rotation. . Therefore, the ejection port surface is wiped on both sides of the blade 104. However, since the blade 104 can be turned upside down when its tip is cut, wiping can be essentially performed on only one side, and if the wiping is performed on the opposite side to the surface that can be used for wiping, a printing failure occurs. I will.

Therefore, in this embodiment, this problem is solved as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the shielding plate 230 is inclined, and when the carrier 203 enters the recovery means, the shielding plate 230 rotates the blade stopper 109 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. A series of subsequent operations will be described with reference to FIG. When the lead pin 209 of the carrier 203 completely enters the idling groove 264,
The blade stopper 109 rotates to the position shown in FIG.

Next, the control gear 102 starts to rotate, and as described above, the blade link 107 starts to rotate in the direction C in the figure as shown in FIG.
When the blade link 107 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 16C and continues to rotate, the spring hooking portion 107b of the blade link 107 starts rotating the blade stopper 109 in the direction of arrow D.

Further, up to FIG.
When the blade 7 rotates, the blade stopper 109 comes off the spring hook 107b of the blade link 107 and rotates in the direction of arrow E in the figure. However, since the rotation is stopped by the shielding plate 230, the blade stopper 109 is rotated to the position shown in FIG.

Thereafter, even if the carrier motor 255 rotates forward and the blade link 107 is disengaged from the wiping cam of the control gear 102 and rotates in the direction of arrow F in FIG. As shown, the blade stopper 109 stops its rotation.

Finally, when the carrier 203 comes out of the recovery means completely, the blade link 107 is rotated because the blade stopper 109 is not restrained as shown in FIG. It reaches the highest point in the opposite direction and waits. In this manner, the wiping locus of the blade 104 is changed depending on whether the carrier 203 enters the recovery unit or exits.
Wiping is not performed on the other side.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a carrier stopper, which is provided to prevent the carrier 203 from slipping out of the recording position due to dropping or vibration. Carrier stopper 1
13 is always given a rotational force in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 13 by a carrier hook spring 112, and is retracted from the carrier hook 231 by a projection 102c of the control gear 102 during recording.

Here, the operation will be described. When the lead pin 209 of the carrier 203 enters the position of the idling groove 264 and the control gear 102 starts rotating, the projection 102c of the control gear 102 is
11, the carrier stopper 111 rotates in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 13 and is hooked on the carrier hook 231. Therefore, in the standby state where recording is not performed, the carrier stopper 111 is hooked on the carrier hook 231 and
The carrier 203 is prevented from slipping out of the recording position.

Further, the carrier stopper 111 also serves to prevent the control gear 102 from coming off the shaft like an E-ring.

Next, the pump unit 150 has a plunger pump configuration as shown in FIG. FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 113 denotes a cylinder, which has a cylindrical cylinder portion 113a and a portion (not shown) for guiding a plunger 115 described later.
An ink flow path is formed. Reference numeral 113b denotes a cap lever receiver, which is formed so that a cap lever seal described later is fitted therein. An ink suction port 113c is opened at a predetermined position. A drain ink tube 113d is formed integrally and has a tip portion inserted into the drain ink absorber. Also,
An opening / closing operation 113e is a parallel pin for opening and closing the cap. When the parallel pin 113e is pushed by the cam 102a for opening and closing the cap of the control gear 102, the cylinder 113 rotates and the cap 101 comes into close contact with and separates from the ejection opening surface of the recording head 200. I do.

FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the cap opening / closing cam 102a of the control gear 102 and the cap opening / closing operation.
This will be described with reference to FIG. A switching sheet 102d is attached to the cap opening / closing cam 102a, whereby the cap opening / closing operation is performed by the forward rotation of the carrier motor 255,
It is possible to change the movement by reversing. In this embodiment, since the preliminary ejection is performed in the cap 101 as described later, the ink accumulated in the cap 101 during recording is once discharged before the carrier 203 enters the recovery unit and is capped. It is necessary to suck the ink in the cap 101 into the cylinder 113.

When the control gear 102 starts to rotate due to the reverse rotation of the carrier motor 255, the parallel pin 113e inserted into the cylinder 113
It passes through the 2e plane. In the figure, the cam 101 is closer to the center of the control gear 102 in a state where the cap 101 is open.
Therefore, in this case, suction can be performed while the cap 101 is open (this suction is referred to as empty suction).

Next, when the control gear 102 has finished rotating and the suction operation has been completed and normal rotation has started, the parallel pin 113e passes through the surface of the cam 102f, and the cap 101 is closed for the first time after the control gear 102 starts rotating. Will be. Normally, the apparatus stands by with the cap closed. Thereafter, when recording is started, the carrier motor 25
5 rotates forward and the control gear 102 rotates in the direction of arrow H in the figure.

However, when suction starts, the carrier motor 255 rotates in the reverse direction, and the control gear 102 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow H. In this case, since the parallel pin 113e passes through the surface of the cam 102f, suction can be performed with the original cap 101 closed. Thus, the switching sheet 102d
The two suction operations of the original suction and the idle suction are realized by one control gear.

During recording, the parallel pin 113e is inserted into the notch 102g provided on the cam surface, and the friction of the control gear 10
2 does not rotate. If the control gear 102 rotates during recording, the recovery operation will start in an incorrect case, and normal recording will not be possible.

The plunger 115 has an operating shaft 115a, a piston receiver 115b, a piston retainer 115c, and a pump seal retainer 115d. A groove 115e serving as an ink flow path is formed continuously with the operational shaft 115a. A part of this groove is fitted into the above-described guide portion (not shown) of the cylinder 113, and stops the rotation of the plunger 115. A lead groove 115f for controlling the reciprocating movement of the plunger 115 is formed on the operating shaft 115a, and a protrusion 1 formed on the inner surface of the stroke gear 103 is formed.
03a is fitted in the lead groove 115b. For this reason, when the stroke gear 103 is rotated in one direction by the reverse rotation drive of the carrier motor 255, the plunger 11
14 is stroked in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 14, and the forward rotation of the carrier motor 255 causes the stroke gear 103 to rotate in the other direction.
Stroke in the direction.

The plunger 115 is provided with a piston 116 made of a rubber material such as NBR.
The outer diameter of the piston 116 is larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder 113 by a predetermined amount.
When it is inserted, it is compressed moderately.
As a result, when the plunger 115 strokes in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 14, a negative pressure is generated to suck the discharged ink in the recording head 200, and when the plunger 115 strokes in the direction of arrow J, the suctioned ink is discharged from the discharge ink tube 113d. Discharge to absorber.

The plunger 115 has a pump seal 1
17 are attached. The pump seal 117 is made of a rubber material such as silicon or NBR. The inner diameter of the pump seal 117 is set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the plunger 115 so that a predetermined pressure contact force can be obtained with the plunger 115. Can be reciprocated by being pressed by the pump seal holder 115d and the piston receiver 115b of the plunger 115. The surface of the cylinder 113 and the plunger 115 is lubricated.
May be reduced. For the purpose of eliminating grease in the cylinder, rubber having self-lubricating properties may be used.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 118 denotes a cap lever. An ink guide (not shown) urges the cap lever seal 119, and the other rotating shaft 118a is attached to the hole 113f of the cylinder 113 by a snap fit. And it is rotatable. The cap lever seal 119 is press-fitted with the ink guide of the cap lever 118 and further press-fitted into the cap lever receiver 113 b of the cylinder 113.

The cap 101 is an elastic member such as a chlorinated butyl rubber having a conical cross section and is attached to the cap attaching portion 118b of the cap lever 118. As shown in FIG. 18, this attachment method utilizes the elasticity of rubber effectively, and is attached by expanding the ring to the attachment portion 118b of the cap lever having a shape following the inclination of the diaper of the cap 101. . The cap 101 once attached cannot be removed by normal use.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a preliminary ejection pad, which is made of a polymer absorbent like the blade cleaner 108 described above, and is attached to the cap lever 118 described above. The pre-discharge pad is for absorbing pre-discharge ink for discharging ink separately from normal recording work during recording in order to prevent drying of the ink on the discharge port surface. 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes a pump absorber, which is a high molecular absorber that serves to reliably transfer the ink discharged from the cylinder to the discharged ink absorber.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of the recovery means based on the rotational driving force of the carrier motor 255. In this figure, the carrier 203 enters the recovery means, and the trigger teeth 259a of the clutch gear 259 are connected to the control gear 1.
02 is described as 0 pulse of the carrier motor 255 when the control gear 102 starts rotating.

In this embodiment, the carrier motor 255 has 24
By rotating 0 steps (5 rotations) forward and reverse,
All recovery operations are performed, and simultaneously with the rotation of the carrier motor 255, the clutch gear 259, the control gear 102, and the stroke gear 103 start rotating. The plunger 115 is the stroke gear 103
, The reciprocating motion is controlled, so that the reciprocating motion starts simultaneously with the rotation of the carrier motor 255, and the reciprocating motion corresponds to the rotation of the carrier motor 255. As described above, the path of the blade 104 partially changes depending on whether the carrier motor 255 rotates forward or backward.

As described above, when the recovery operation is started by the reverse rotation from the zero pulse of the carrier motor 255 so that the suction can be performed by the switching sheet 102d, the plunger is kept open. 115 moves.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing a head cartridge section and a carrier section of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes a recording head for discharging ink by an electric signal; 201, an ink tank for storing the ink and supplying it to the recording head 200;
Numeral 03 denotes a carrier provided in the main body of the recording apparatus which holds and scans the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a head lever for holding and releasing the recording head;
Reference numeral 5 denotes an ink tank lever for attaching and detaching the ink tank 201, reference numeral 207 denotes a head holder spring for fixing the recording head 200 to the carrier 203, and reference numeral 208 denotes a tank case holding the ink tank 201. Thereby, a head cartridge section and a carrier section of the recording apparatus are configured.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 220 denotes an ink supply hole which serves as a passage for supplying ink from the ink tank 201 to the recording head; 221, an ink supply hole which supplies ink from the ink tank 201 to the recording head 200;
Reference numeral 2 denotes a coupling claw for guiding and holding the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 when they are integrated.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a coupling claw guide groove which engages with the coupling claw 222, and 224 denotes an ink tank guide groove for holding the ink tank 201 when the ink tank 201 and the recording head 200 are attached and detached. Is configured.

The recording head 200 includes a substrate on which a plurality of electrothermal transducers for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink and a drive circuit for driving the transducers are formed. A discharge plate and a liquid path corresponding to each of the electrothermal conversion elements, and a top plate for forming a common liquid chamber communicating with each of the liquid paths are laminated. Electrical contacts for providing signals are provided. Further, a sensor for detecting the state of the head from the printing apparatus main body can be provided in the print head 200. Specifically, a temperature detection sensor for detecting a temperature near the electrothermal transducer, an ink Sensor for detecting when the supply of ink has run out and the ink has run out from the common liquid chamber,
Alternatively, a head type discrimination sensor that specifies the type of the head cartridge when the ink cartridge or the type of the head in the head cartridge is used while exchanging a different type,
And so on. The signals from these sensors are judged by the main body of the recording apparatus, and the signals applied to the electrothermal transducer can be controlled to optimize the printing state. Then, the recording head configured as described above is mounted on the recording apparatus such that the ejection port surface on which the ejection ports are arranged faces the recording medium.

The ink tank 201 is a tank for appropriately supplying ink to the recording head 200 in order to supplement the ink consumed by recording while holding the ink.
When the ink tank 201 exists alone, it is sealed by sealing means (not shown) so that ink does not leak from the ink supply hole 221. The sealing means is automatically or manually opened when integrated with the recording head 200 to form an ink flow path. The sealing means can be realized by, for example, a mechanism for pressing a metal ball against a rubber stopper with a spring. Further, a mechanism may be provided for introducing the atmosphere from the outside according to the ink volume reduced by the consumption of the ink. Furthermore, by having a mechanism inside that keeps the pressure of the ink supplied to the print head slightly negative,
It can also improve the print quality and prevent ink leakage.

In this embodiment, the ink tank 201
It has a flexible bag (not shown) inside, in which ink is stored and connected to the ink supply hole 221. The remaining space in the ink tank 201 is filled with air, but the air pressure is adjusted by a pressure control valve (not shown) in the printing operation state. More specifically, a negative pressure state in a predetermined range is set. It is generated and held.

The recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are used in a recording apparatus during recording operation in the state of the integrated head cartridge 202. Next, a method of integrating both will be described. Basically, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are provided with the ink supply holes 220 and the ink supply holes 22.
1 are joined together to form an integral part, so that this part prevents ink from leaking or gas from entering the ink flow path. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a system using a rigid pipe and an elastic plug is employed. That is, the ink supply hole 220 is formed in a cylindrical shape by a mold member, and the ink supply hole 221 opposed thereto is a member having a cylindrical hole formed by a rubber material. The outer diameter of the ink supply hole 220 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the ink supply hole 221. Therefore, the ink supply hole 220 is connected to the ink supply hole 221.
, The ink supply hole 221 is closely integrated with the ink supply hole 220 while being slightly deformed in the radial direction.

The coupling portion is not limited to a combination of a rigid body and an elastic body, but may be any one having a sealing function. For example, the combination of a mold pipe and a mold hole may cause a slight deformation of the mold. Or a rubber-made sealing member without a hole and a needle-shaped pipe.

In the integration of the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201, only the above-described connection of the ink supply hole 220 and the ink supply hole 221 may be performed, but an unexpected external force is applied when the head cartridge 202 is handled. In this embodiment, the coupling claw 222 and the coupling claw guide groove 223 provide a stronger connection so as not to come off easily in the event of a break, or to provide a guide that can be easily integrated when integrated. And That is, the coupling claw 222, which is molded integrally with the ink supply hole 220 and can be elastically deformed,
A projection is provided at the tip, and engages with the coupling claw guide groove 223 while being elastically deformed by the height of the projection, and the groove provided at the back of the coupling claw guide groove 223 becomes deeper. The engagement is completed when the projection of the coupling claw 222 reaches the bent portion.

Further, the coupling claw 222 also has a role as a guide so that the ink supply hole 220 and the ink supply hole 221 can be easily aligned when the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are coupled. That is, the coupling claw 222
Is longer than the ink supply hole 220, so that the coupling claw 222 contacts the ink tank 201 before the ink supply hole 220 contacts the ink supply hole 221. Here, the tip of the coupling claw 222 is cut off obliquely, and the oblique portion can be easily engaged with the coupling claw guide groove as a guide in the direction of arrow a in FIG. Also, the coupling claw 2
The projection provided at the tip of 22 is also cut off obliquely, and serves as a guide in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 21 to facilitate easy engagement. In the present embodiment, the coupling claw is provided on the recording head side, but is not restricted to this, and
Side, or both the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201.

Next, the recording head 200 is moved to the carrier 203.
A method for mechanically and electrically connecting the devices will be described. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection portion of the recording head 200 to the carrier 203 as viewed from the direction of FIG. 20A, and FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view showing the order of attachment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 225 designates a portion fixed to the carrier 203 and engaged with a hole provided in the recording head 200.
3 positioning pins for positioning in the directions of arrow a and arrow b;
A stopper 226 is fixed to the carrier 203 and receives the recording head 200 pressed in the direction of FIG.
Reference numeral 211 denotes a flexible cable for electrically connecting the printing apparatus main body and the print head 200, and 211a denotes positioning holes a, 2 provided in the flexible cable 211.
11b is a positioning hole b provided in the flexible cable 211, 212 is a flexible cable pad sandwiched between the flexible cable 211 and the carrier 203 to elastically support the flexible cable 211, 212
a is a positioning hole a provided in the flexible cable pad 212, and 212b is a flexible cable pad 2
Positioning holes b and 212c provided on the ink jet head 12 are ink barriers for preventing ink from entering the contact portion. 227 is a head contact portion provided on the recording head 200 and electrically connected to a heater in the recording head 200.
Are positioning holes a and 227b provided in the head contact portion 227, and positioning holes b and 227c provided in the head contact portion 227 are stopper contact locations where the end faces of the stopper 226 contact.

The recording head 200 has a head holder spring 20
7 is pressed in the direction a via a lever (not shown), and its position is uniquely determined by the engagement of the hole provided in the recording head 200 with the positioning pin 225 and the interference with the stopper 226. In this way, the recording head 200 and the carrier 203 are mechanically connected.

Further, a plurality of electrical contacts are provided at opposite positions on the head contact portion 227 provided on the recording head 200 and the end surface of the flexible cable 211, and these are pressed by a predetermined pressure. The recording apparatus main body and the recording head 200 are electrically connected. At this time, since a plurality of electrical contacts need to be pressed at once, a flexible cable pad 212 made of an elastic material is placed in the pressing portion in order to press them uniformly. The flexible cable pad 212 is made of, for example, silicon rubber or the like, and has a plurality of protrusions at positions corresponding to the above-mentioned electrical contacts, so that pressing stress is concentrated on the contacts. Further, the above-mentioned electrical contacts provided on the flexible cable 211 may be formed in a projecting shape to further concentrate the stress when pressed and to secure the connection.

The reaction force generated when the recording head 200 is pressed is controlled by the head holder spring 20 holding the recording head 200.
7, the position of the recording head 200 does not shift due to the reaction force from the flexible cable pad 212.

The carrier 203, the flexible cable pad 212, the flexible cable 211, the head contact portion 227 and the head cartridge 203
Are required to be accurately positioned with respect to each other in order to obtain reliable electrical connection and good recording quality, and are configured as follows.

That is, with reference to the two positioning pins 225 of the carrier 203, one of the positioning pins 225 is
Are fitted in the positioning holes a212a, a211a, and the positioning holes a227a in common, and the other positioning pins 225 are fitted in the positioning holes b212b, the positioning holes b211b, and the positioning holes b227b in the same manner. The position in the 23b direction is determined. Further, by pressing the stopper 226 from the direction shown in FIG. 22A until the end surface of the stopper 226 comes into contact with the stopper contacting portion 227c of the head contact portion 227, the position of the recording head 200 in the direction shown in FIG.

Further, if ink enters for some reason between the electrical contact surface, that is, between the flexible cable 211 and the head contact portion 227, there is a possibility that an electrical short circuit may occur, and it is necessary to prevent this. is there. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a part of the flexible cable pad 212 is formed as a projection to form an ink barrier 212 c, which is pressed against the end surface of the recording head 200 to prevent the ink coming out from the ejection opening of the head 200 from entering. .

In this embodiment, the electrical or mechanical connection is provided on the recording head side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not limited to this, and the ink tank 201 side or the recording head 200 side and the ink tank 201 side may be provided. Either of them may be provided, or one of them may be provided with an electrical coupling part and a mechanical coupling part separately.

Next, a method of handling the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201, that is, a case where the ink tank 201 which has run out of ink is replaced with a new ink tank 201, or a case where the recording head 200 which has become unusable for some reason is replaced. The method will be described.

As a first mode, the fixing of the recording head 200 and the carrier 203 is released, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are taken out from the carrier 203 in a state of being integrated, and the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are detached from the carrier 203 (hereinafter, referred to as “integral”). , An off-carrier state) in which the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are separated or integrated.

FIG. 25 shows the recording head 2 from the carrier 203.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the case where the ink tank 201 and the ink tank 201 are taken out in an integrated state. In this case, head lever 2
25 from the state shown in FIG. 20 to the position shown in FIG.
The cam provided on the print head 4 releases the pressing force of the head holder spring 207 on the print head 200 by moving the shaft provided on the lever pressing the print head 200.

At this time, since the tank case 208 in the carrier 203 moves with its projection engaged with the ink tank guide groove 224, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 move in the direction of FIG. I do. Thereby, the positioning pin 225 and the recording head 200
25, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 can be moved in the direction shown in FIG. 25C as they are, and can be taken out of the carrier to be in the off-carrier state. After the off-carrier state, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 can be separated from each other by applying a force in a direction opposite to the joining direction when the ink tank 201 is integrated. Then, the person who wants to replace the battery is made a new one, and the two are integrated by the above-described integration method and stored in the carrier 203 in the reverse order, thereby completing the replacement operation.

In this embodiment, the head lever 2
Although the pressing force of the recording head 200 is released by using 04, the lever for pressing the recording head 200 may be directly moved without being restricted by this. Further, the recording head is pressed by using the head holder spring 207 in the method of fixing, but is not restricted to this, and the recording head may be fixed by using a latch hook having a spring property.

The first embodiment has the following effects. That is, when either the recording head or the ink tank needs to be replaced, only the one that needs replacement needs to be replaced, so that the economy is improved.

As a second mode, the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 are separated from each other on the carrier while the recording head 200 and the carrier 203 are fixed (hereinafter, referred to as a “carrier”).
On-carrier state), there is a method of removing only the ink tank 201.

FIG. 26 shows recording head 2 on carrier 203.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an ink tank 201 is separated from 00. In this case, by rotating the tank lever 205 from the state of FIG. 20 in the direction of FIG. 26a to such a position, a cam (not shown) provided on the tank lever 205 causes the tank case 208 to move to the position shown in FIG.
Move in the direction. The protrusion provided on the tank case 208 engages with the ink tank guide groove 224 provided on the side surface of the ink tank 201 to move the ink tank 201 to the position shown in FIG.
Move in the b direction. At this time, the fixing of the recording head 200 is the same as the state shown in FIG. 20 and does not move together with the ink tank 201, so that the engaging portion between the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 can be disengaged and separated. Further, the ink tank 201 can be removed from the carrier 203 by moving the ink tank 201 in the direction shown in FIG.

At this time, when the recording head 200 is elastically pressed by the head holder spring 207 as in this embodiment, the head may be detached due to the force applied during separation. Therefore, it is preferable to configure as follows. FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view showing how a force is applied. In the drawing, the recording head 200 is moved by the head holder spring 207 with the force of f1 to the carrier 203.
Is pressed. Further, in order to separate the recording head 200 from the ink tank 201, a force of f2 is required to disengage the engagement between the coupling claw 222 and the coupling claw guide groove 223 and the engagement between the ink supply hole 220 and the ink supply hole 221. Suppose there is. At this time, by setting the magnitude of the force as f1> f2, it is possible to prevent the recording head 200 from being detached during the separation operation.

In this embodiment, the tank lever 2
23, a force corresponding to f2 is applied to separate the recording head 200 from the recording head 200 and the ink tank 201 by directly holding the ink tank 201 and pulling it in the direction b in FIG. It may be configured as follows.

The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the first embodiment. That is, by appropriately designing the cam shape of the tank lever 205, it is possible to control the drawing speed at the time of separation, and it is possible to prevent the ink from being scattered from the ink supply holes 220 and the ink supply holes 221. Also, since it is not necessary to directly hold the recording head 200 by hand, the recording head 2
Since the vicinity of the ink discharge nozzle of No. 00 is not touched by hand, useless contamination which adversely affects printing can be prevented. In addition, since a portion of the ink tank 201 to which the force is applied is specified, it is sufficient that only the portion is configured to withstand the force.
Other parts can be made thinner, and have effects such as weight reduction and increase in internal volume.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the automatic paper feeder to the ink jet recording device according to the present invention. Here, reference numeral 300 denotes an automatic sheet feeding unit, which is fixed to the ink jet recording apparatus in the positional relationship shown in FIG.

FIGS. 29, 30 and 31 show examples of the structure of the automatic feeding unit according to the present invention. 29 is an external perspective view, FIG. 30 is a plan view, and FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view. Here, 301
Is the main holder, which supports all parts of the automatic paper feeder,
Further, an automatic paper feeding unit is fixed to the ink jet recording apparatus.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a separation roller for separating the recording material one by one by rotation and feeding the separated recording material to a paper feed unit of the ink jet recording apparatus. A separation gear 303 and a separation ratchet 304 are fixed. It is supported rotatably about the center. The separation shaft 305 is fixed to a separation holder 306, and the separation holder 306 is rotatably held by a main holder shaft 307 with respect to the main holder 301. Reference numeral 308 denotes a separation spring, and the projection 306a of the separation holder 306 and the main holder 3
31, the separation holder 306 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 31 to press the separation roller 302 against the separation pad 316. The pressing force by the separation spring 308 is set between 10 and 50 gf in this embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed to be 10 gf.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a spare roller for feeding the loaded recording material to the separation roller 302. The spare roller is fixed to the spare roller shaft 311. The spare roller holder 311a is fixed together with the spare roller gear 311a fixed to the spare roller shaft 311. 310 is rotatably supported. The spare roller holder 310 is rotatably held with respect to the main holder 301 by a main holder shaft 307. The preliminary roller 309 is driven by the idler gear 312 at the same peripheral speed as the separation roller 302.

Reference numeral 313 denotes a spare roller spring.
31 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 31, and the spare roller 309 is pressed toward the paper holder 317.
The upper limit of the pressing force of the auxiliary roller spring 313 is not so limited because the auxiliary roller 309 only needs to reliably feed the recording material 3, but in the present embodiment, a good result is obtained at 20 gf or more. In the following description, it is assumed that 50
gf.

Reference numeral 314 denotes a separation pressure arm.
15, the separation holder 306 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 28 via the convex portion 306a of the separation holder 306,
The separation roller 302 is pressed against the separation pad 316.
Separation roller 302 by separation pressure arm spring 315
The pressing force has to be carefully determined because it affects the separation performance, but in this example, good results were obtained at 20 gf or more. In the following description, it is assumed to be 100 gf.

In FIG. 31, reference numeral 316 denotes a separation pad for separating and holding the stacked recording materials, and 317 a paper holder for stacking and holding the recording materials. Reference numeral 318 denotes a cam shaft, which is provided between the automatic paper feed motor 323 and the speed reducer 32.
4 and the gear 318a. The cam shaft 318 is provided with the switch arm 3 together with the gear 318a.
19, the feed initial sensor 320a is turned on-o.
switch cam 318b, camshaft 318
Gear 318 for transmitting the rotation of
c, claw portion 310a provided on spare roller holder 310
In this regard, a preliminary roller holder cam 318d for raising and lowering the preliminary roller holder 310 and a separation pressure cam 318e for raising and lowering the separation pressure arm 314 are integrally provided.

Drive gear 321 and clutch disk 322
Are integrally formed and held rotatably and slidably with respect to the separation shaft 305.
26 presses against the separation ratchet 304 side.
A trapezoidal cam 321a is formed integrally with the drive gear 321 and a trapezoidal cam 306b is also formed integrally with the separation holder 306. The rotation of the drive gear 321 moves the drive gear 321 and the clutch disk 322 in the axial direction of the separation shaft 305. , The engagement between the clutch disk 322 and the separation ratchet 304 is controlled, and the transmission of the drive from the automatic paper feed motor 323 to the separation roller 302 is controlled. The gear ratio between the gear 318c provided on the cam shaft 318 and the drive gear 321 is 1: 1 and the rotational phases of the cam shaft 318 and the drive gear 321 match.

The release lever 325 is connected to the main holder 30
1, the release lever 325 has a cam shape at one end, and can be moved up and down the separation holder 306 by engaging with one end of the separation shaft 305. On-of of paper switching sensor 320b
f.

Returning to FIG. 28, reference numeral 328 denotes a separation roller 302.
The center line is perpendicular to the separation shaft 305 of the preliminary roller 309 and coincides with the traveling direction of the recording material 3. The left guide 317a is provided on the paper holder 317,
The left end face of the recording material 3 is guided at a fixed position with respect to the recording position. The distance L between the center line 328 and the left guide 317a is set and fixed to be 以下 or less of the minimum width of the recording material 3 used in the present inkjet recording apparatus. In this embodiment, the minimum recording material 3 is set in the vertical direction of the postcard, and is set to 45 mm with respect to the width of the recording material 3 of 100 mm.

A detailed description relating to the operation of the mechanism of the automatic paper feeder having the above configuration will be described below. FIG. 32, FIG.
3 and FIG. 34 are explanatory views of the operation according to an embodiment of the automatic sheet feeding section to which the present invention is applied. 32 and 33
FIG. 34 illustrates the change of the operation over time.
Describes the operation of the release mechanism.

In FIG. 32, (1) shows a state before a recording material is loaded. (A) Clutch disk 322 and separation ratchet 304
Is separated by the trapezoidal cam 321a and the trapezoidal cam 306b, the separation roller 302 is separated from the driving source. (B) Since the separation pressure arm 314 and the separation pressure cam 318 e are not in contact with each other, the pressure of the separation pressure arm spring 315 causes the separation roller 302 to separate the separation roller 302 via the separation pressure arm 314, the convex portion 306 a and the separation holder 306.
It is pushing to. Since the separation spring 308 is similar, the separation pressure arm spring 31 is attached to the separation roller 302.
5 and the sum of the pressures of the separation springs 308 (10 + 100 =
110gf). (C) Since the spare roller holder cam 318d and the claw 310a of the spare roller holder 310 are in contact with each other, the spare roller 309 is separated from the paper holder 317 together with the spare roller holder 310 against the pressure of the spare roller spring 313. is there. (D) Since the switch arm 319 is located in the recess of the switch cam 318b, the paper supply initial sensor 320a is in the off state.

(2) shows a state where the recording material 3 is loaded. The automatic sheet feeding section does not operate between (1) and (2). (B) The recording material 3 is loaded from the right side of the drawing, but the separation roller 302 is pressed against the separation pad 316 by the pressure (11 gf) of the separation pressure arm spring 315 and the separation spring 308, so that the recording material 3 is separated. It stops at the contact point between the roller 302 and the separation pad 316, and the state shown in the figure is reached.

(3) is a state in which the automatic paper feed motor 323 starts to rotate and the camshaft 318 rotates counterclockwise by 20 degrees. (A) The trapezoidal cam 321a and the trapezoidal cam 306b come off by rotation, and the clutch disc 322 is pressed against the separation ratchet 304 by the clutch spring 326.
The separation roller 302 has started to rotate by the rotation of the automatic paper feed motor 323. (B) Since the separation pressure cam 318e and the separation pressure arm 314 are not in contact with each other, the separation roller 302 is separated by the separation pressure arm spring 315 and the separation spring 308.
Starts rotating clockwise while being pressed (110 gf). Therefore, only the uppermost sheet of the recording material 3 is separated to the left by the action of the separation pad 316 and the separation roller 302.
Paper is fed. (C) Since the spare roller holder cam 318d and the claw 310a of the spare roller holder 310 are disengaged, the spare roller 3
09 is pressed (50 gf) against the recording material 3 by the preliminary roller spring 313 via the preliminary roller holder 310, and further rotated clockwise by the separation gear 303, the idler gear 312, and the preliminary roller gear 311a to separate the recording material 3 The recording material 3 is conveyed to the left so as to reliably reach the contact point between the roller 302 and the separation pad 316. (D) The paper supply initial sensor 320a is turned on by the switch arm 319 and the switch cam 318b.

FIG. 4D shows a state in which the cam shaft 318 is further rotated counterclockwise. The difference is that in FIG. 4C, the preliminary roller holder cam 318d and the claw 310a abut, and the preliminary roller 309 is recorded. The recording material 3 is conveyed away from the material 3. At this point, the recording material 3 reaches the contact point between the conveyance roller 4 and the pinch roller 8 and is prevented from being conveyed. However, since the conveyance force by the spare roller 309 is reduced, the recording material 3 is bent. Without
A state in which the separation roller 302 and the recording material 3 are slipping by the stiffness of the recording material 3 becomes possible.

(5) is a state in which the cam shaft 318 is further rotated counterclockwise. In this state, the automatic sheet feeding section is temporarily stopped, and the recording state is set on the ink jet recording apparatus side. (A) Clutch disk 322 and separation ratchet 304
The separation roller 302 is completely cut off from the driving side, and is merely rotatably held with respect to the separation shaft 305. (B) Since the separation pressure cams 318e and 314 are in contact with each other, the separation pressure arm 314 is separated from the projection 306a. Therefore, the pressure of the separation pressure arm spring 315 is applied to the separation roller 3.
02, the separation roller 302 is pressed against the separation pad 316 only by the separation spring 308 (10 gf).
Have been. (C) The preliminary roller 309 is separated from the recording material 3.

In this state, the pressure of the separation roller 302 is small (10 gf) and the spare roller 309 is also separated from the recording material 3, so that the recording material 3 can be pulled into the ink jet recording apparatus with a small force. Has become.

When the recording is further advanced from the state of (5) and the recording is completed and the recording material 3 is removed from the automatic paper feeding section, the automatic paper feeding motor 323 is driven to advance to the state of (2), and This operation is completed to prepare for the next sheet feeding.

FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram of the operation according to the present invention. The lower points (1) to (5) correspond to the states (1) to (5) in FIG. Returning to FIG.
Since the center line 328 is set to be always on the left side of the center of the recording material 3 in the width direction, when the recording material 3 is conveyed by the separation roller 302 and the preliminary roller 309, the recording material 3 Is always transported while receiving a clockwise moment M. Therefore, the rear end of the recording material 3 is always conveyed while being pressed against the left guide 317a, and the recording material 3 is guided to the recording section along the left guide 317a without bending.

FIGS. 34A and 34B are explanatory views of the operation relating to the release mechanism of the automatic paper feeder. FIG. 34A shows the state of use of the automatic paper feeder. The separation roller 302 is pressed against the separation pad 316 because the separation roller 302 is not in contact with the separation shaft 305. That is, the paper feed switching sensor 320b
Indicates that the automatic sheet feeding unit is in a usable state.

FIG. 13B shows a state in which a recording material, such as an envelope, which is not suitable for automatic paper feeding is used. When the user rotates the release lever 325 counterclockwise, the automatic paper feeding unit is not used. You can create a state. In that state,
The separation shaft 305 is pulled up by a cam provided on the release lever 325, and the separation roller 302 is separated from the separation pad 316.
Is fixed away from. Therefore, the recording material inserted from the right in FIG. 34 reaches the transport roller 4 and the pinch roller 8 directly. Further, in this state, since the paper feed switching sensor 320b is in the off state, it is possible to detect that the automatic paper feeder is not in use. The above is the description of the operation related to the mechanical unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The following is a control example of this embodiment. FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an initial sequence control of the automatic sheet feeding unit.

When the power is turned on, the operation is set to START. First, in step S1, the paper feed initial sensor 320a is turned on or off.
j is determined. If it is off, the initial state, that is, FIG.
Since this is the state of (1) of No. 9, the sequence is terminated and the system is prepared for the next sheet feeding command. If the paper feed initial sensor 320a is on in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, in which the automatic paper feed motor 323 is rotated in the reverse direction. When the paper feed initial sensor 320a is turned off in step S1, the initial state is established. finish.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a control example for executing automatic sheet feeding. STA when feeding command
RT. First, in step S3, if the paper feed switching sensor 320b is off, the process proceeds to step S9, where the control unit determines that the automatic paper feed unit is not in use, and enters the hand mode. If the paper feed switching sensor 320b is on in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, where the automatic paper feed motor 323 is rotated forward and the cam shaft 318 is rotated by 320 degrees, and then the automatic paper feed motor 323 is stopped.
That is, this is the state of (5) in FIG.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S5, wherein the state of the PE sensor 14 on the ink jet recording apparatus side is detected. If “off” here, the sheet feeding operation is not performed correctly, so the process proceeds to step S10, and the control unit determines that there is an error (paper feeding failure or no paper). If it is on, the process proceeds to step S6 to start the recording operation.

Then, the flow advances to step S7 to search for a state where the PE sensor 14 is turned off.
8 to rotate the automatic paper feed motor 323 forward to rotate the cam shaft 318
Rotate 40 degrees to stop. That is, this is the state of (2) in FIG. 32, in which the state becomes END and prepares for the next sheet feed command.

Next, the configuration and electric circuit of an information processing apparatus incorporating the recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of an information processing apparatus 400 in which the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is incorporated.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes the above-described printer unit; 402, a keyboard unit provided with keys for inputting characters, numerals, and other characters, keys for giving various commands, etc .; Department.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of an information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a controller that performs main control;
Is a microcomputer in the form of a microcomputer for executing a certain procedure; 503 is a RAM provided with an area for expanding text data and image data, a work area, and the like;
Reference numeral 04 denotes a ROM that stores programs corresponding to the above procedure and other fixed data such as font data.
Creates an execution cycle of the PU 502 and the printer unit 4
A timer 506 for generating a necessary timing at the time of the recording operation by 01, and an interface unit 506 for connecting a signal from the CPU 502 to a peripheral device.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a controller of the printer unit 401. Reference numeral 508 detects the presence or absence and type of the print head 200, an output value of a sensor for detecting the temperature of the print head 200, and presence or absence of ink in the ink tank 201. A head detection unit for detecting information of the printhead such as an output of a sensor; 509, a line buffer for storing print data of the printhead 200; 510, a head driver for sending a print signal, power, etc. to the printhead 200;
a, b, and c are motor drivers for transmitting signals and electric power necessary for driving the carrier motor 255, the paper feed motor 5, and the automatic paper feed motor 323, respectively. 512 is a home position sensor 270, the paper sensor 14, Paper feed initial sensor 320a, paper feed switching sensor 32
0b, etc., is a sensor detection unit that detects the output of the sensor. Reference numeral 404 denotes an external storage device such as an FDD, an HDD, or a RAM card. Reference numeral 405 denotes an external interface for communicating with another information processing device or controlling a peripheral device by directly connecting to an internal bus. It is. Although not included in the block diagram of FIG. 38, there is another power supply unit for supplying power to the above electric circuit, such as a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry battery, or an information processing unit. There is an AC power converter when the apparatus body is fixed and used.

The recording apparatus section performs recording on the recording material (paper) 3 by the above-described electric circuit configuration. Hereinafter, an outline of a recording operation control sequence will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIG. 39 and subsequent drawings.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when the power of the recording apparatus or the information processing apparatus is turned on and off. S1 is a power-off state, and the timer 50
Except for the operation of FIG. 5 (FIG. 38), the function is stopped.
The operation is started by a power-on signal from a power-off state, that is, by turning on a power switch. In the recording apparatus, first, a power-on process of S2 is executed. When S2 ends, the process proceeds to S3, where the power is turned on.
The recording operation and the like are performed when the power is on.
If a power-off signal is detected in the power-on state, the process proceeds to S4, where power-off processing is performed. When S4 ends, the process proceeds to S1 and the power is turned off. Therefore, when the power is turned on and off, the power is turned on and off after a predetermined process. Further, if a pause signal is detected in the state of S3, the process proceeds to S5, where a pause process is executed.

The pause signal is, for example, a signal generated when the display unit 403 shown in FIG.
Means for detecting when the user performs an action that is performed while the apparatus is in operation, such as when the apparatus is folded over or when the battery is replaced, etc. For example, it is a signal output by a sensor that detects opening / closing of the display unit 403, a sensor that detects attachment / detachment of a battery, and the like. The temporary stop process is a process performed for preventing damage to the device and occurrence of a defect when the device is used differently from the basic use, and will be described later in detail. When the suspension process is completed in S5, the process proceeds to S6 and enters a suspension state. In the pause state, functions other than necessary parts are stopped or the power is turned off.
In the pause state, when a pause release signal is detected, the process proceeds to S7, and a pause release process is performed.

The pause release signal is a signal that is paired with the pause signal. For example, when the display unit 403 changes from a closed state to an open state, or when the battery is removed from the mounted state. This signal indicates that the apparatus has returned to the operable state, for example, when the state has changed. Further, the suspension release processing is processing for returning to a state before the suspension, and will be described later in detail. As a result, even if the user inadvertently opens and closes the display unit 403 during operation of the apparatus, or removes or inserts the battery, it is possible to return to the original state. When the suspension release processing ends in S7, the process proceeds to S3 and returns to the power-on state. For the pause signal, it may be possible to select whether or not to perform a pause process when a signal is detected. For example, if the display unit 403 should be closed because the recording apparatus is handling paper while the recording apparatus is operating, the setting of the apparatus may be selected so as to prohibit the pause process when the display unit 403 is opened and closed. can do.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating the S2 power-on process. First, in S11, home position initialization, that is, the position of the carrier 203 is determined. Specifically, the carrier motor 255 is driven, and the position at which the output of the home position sensor 270 is switched is set as the reference position of the carrier 203.
01 sets the capping state. Then S1
Proceed to 2 to perform paper feed and automatic paper feed initialization.
Specifically, in order to reduce the play of the paper feed drive mechanism, the paper feed motor 5 is driven in the reverse direction and the forward direction by a predetermined amount, and the automatic paper feed motor is driven until the paper feed initial sensor 320a detects the initial position. . Next, the process proceeds to S13, where the timer 505 measures the time from the last ejection or suction of the print head 200 to the present time. If the interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined time n, the process proceeds to S14 to perform a print head recovery process. S15 if below
Proceed to.

In step S14, the recovery operation of the print head 200 includes discharging the print head 200 into the cap 101, cleaning the discharge port of the print head 200 by the blade 104, and printing the print head 20 by the pump unit 150.
Suction of ink from 0 is performed. As a result of the recording process being left unused for a long time by the recovery process, it is possible to prevent ink ejection failure or the like due to an increase in viscosity due to evaporation of ink at the ejection port portion of the recording head 200. After the end of S14, the process proceeds to S15 to check whether the paper sensor detects the presence of paper. If there is paper, the process proceeds to S16. If there is no paper, the process proceeds to S17. In S16, the detected paper is discharged. That is, after the paper sensor 14 detects that there is no paper, the paper feed motor 5 is driven in the forward direction to a predetermined amount. Next, the process proceeds to S17, and the power-on process ends.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining the S4 power-off process. First, in S21, the recording head 2
It is checked whether 00 is in the capping state. If it is not in the capping state, the flow proceeds to S22, and if it is in the capping state, the flow proceeds to S23. In S22, the carrier motor 2
55 is driven to bring the recording head 200 into a capping state. Next, in step S23, the power of the recording apparatus is turned off to stop the function. In this process, even when the recording head 200 is not in the capping state, that is, when the power switch is turned off during printing or the like, the recording head 200 is surely put into the capping state and then turned off. The outlet portion is exposed to the atmosphere to prevent the occurrence of ejection failure due to an increase in viscosity due to evaporation of the ink.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart for explaining the S5 temporary stop processing. First, in step S31, it is checked whether or not there is a process currently being executed.
If not, the process proceeds to S33. In S32, the process currently being executed is executed by a predetermined amount. More specifically, the process is executed until the printing of the line being executed is completed if printing is being performed, or until the operation is completed if paper feeding or automatic paper feeding is being performed. If the paper discharge process is being performed, the process is immediately interrupted. Next, the current state is stored in S33. That is, if there is an interrupted process, the interrupted state is displayed.
And a state of an operation panel (not shown), an online / offline state, or a power saving mode for battery power, if any, and the like, are stored in a memory.

Next, in step S34, the recording head 200 is brought into a capping state. If you are already capping, do nothing. Next, the process proceeds to S35, in which the power of unnecessary parts is turned off in the pause state. Next, the process proceeds to S36, in which the S5 temporary stop processing ends. In this process, even if a pause signal is detected during the execution of printing, capping of the print head 200 is reliably performed, and it is possible to prevent the print head 200 from being left without capping and causing ejection failure.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart for explaining the S7 temporary stop processing. First, in S41, a predetermined portion is initialized. Specifically, the position of the carrier 203 shown in S11 and S12, the play of the paper feed motor 5, the initial position setting of the automatic paper feed mechanism, and the like are performed.
Next, the process proceeds to S42, where the state before suspension stored in S33 is checked. Next, the process proceeds to S43 to perform a process of returning to the state before the suspension. Specifically, if there is an interrupted process, the process is completed, and the states of the display unit 403 and the operation panel are restored. Proceeding to the next S44, the S7 temporary stop release processing ends. Therefore, even if the recording apparatus is temporarily suspended during the execution of the processing, the processing before the temporary suspension after the return can be continued.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart for explaining the processing in the S3 power-on state. First, in S51, various errors are checked and error processing is performed. Specifically, for example, when there is no paper in the recording apparatus, the recording head 20
0, when the ink tank 201 is not installed, when there is no ink in the ink tank 201, when a paper jam is detected during the recording process, when the temperature of the recording head 200 rises abnormally, when various motor scanning errors occur. Is detected, an error is displayed on the display unit 403 or the operation panel, or a buzzer sounds to warn the user. Next, S52
To check the key operation and command reception from the keyboard unit 402, the operation panel, the external interface unit 405, etc., and perform the corresponding processing. Specifically, when the paper feed key is pressed, paper insertion and discharge, paper feeding of a predetermined amount, and the like are performed according to the situation. When the online key is pressed or when an online / offline command is received, an error state is checked, and processing of the online state / offline state is performed.

When a command related to recording or the like is received, a corresponding process is performed. Further, when a key input for replacing the recording head 200 or the ink tank 201 or the absence of ink in the ink tank 201 is detected, the carrier motor 255 is driven to move the carrier 203 to a position where replacement is easy. After the replacement is completed, the carrier motor 255 is driven to move the recording head 201 to the cap 101, and the pump unit 1
50 sucks ink from the ejection openings of the recording head 200. When the ink tank 201 is replaced, the recording head 20
Even when air is mixed in the middle of the ink flow path between the ink tank 201 and the ink tank 201, the mixed air can be sucked out of the recording head 200 by suction of the ink.
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of ejection failure due to the air mixing of the recording head 200. Next, the flow proceeds to S53 to perform a recording process. Details will be described later. Next, the process proceeds to S54, where the power-off signal is checked, and if the power-off signal is detected, the process proceeds to the power-off process in S4 described above.
Return to 51.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart for explaining the S53 recording process. First, in step S61, it is checked whether a command for executing recording, for example, a paper feed command or data to be recorded has been received. If there is a recording command, S62
If not, the process proceeds to S69 and the process ends.
At S62, the online status is checked.
If it is online, the process proceeds to step S63, and if it is offline, the process proceeds to step S69 to end this processing. In S63, a process for starting recording is performed. Specifically, the temperature of the print head 200 is adjusted by a heater in the print head 200, the discharge is adjusted by discharging the print head 200 to the outside of the print area, and the deviation amount of the carrier motor 255 during forward / reverse scanning. Is measured by the home position sensor, and deviation correction during bidirectional recording is performed.
Next, the flow advances to S64 to check the sheet feeding. If paper is not inserted at the recording position in the automatic paper feed state, the automatic paper feed motor 323 is driven to feed paper.

Then, the flow advances to S65 to execute recording on a line-by-line basis. Specifically, the carrier motor 255 is driven, the ink is ejected by the recording head 200 to perform recording, and 1
When the recording of the line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed, and the process proceeds to S66.
An error check is performed in S66, and if there is an error, the process proceeds to S68, and if there is no error, the process proceeds to S67.
The error check includes, for example, detection of the lower end of paper, detection of paper jam, detection of presence or absence of ink, scanning error of various motors, and the like. The detected error is processed in S51 described above. In S67, it is checked whether a command indicating the end of recording, for example, a paper discharge command, has been received. If the recording is completed, the process proceeds to S68, and if not, S65.
Return to and continue recording. In S68, a process for terminating the recording is performed. More specifically, paper ejection, recording head 200
Is performed. Then proceed to S69 S53
The recording process ends.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the flexible cable of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
(A) is a figure which shows the flexible cable which concerns on this invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes a flexible cable on which a conductor pattern required for the device is printed. The thickness and width of the conductor pattern are determined by the current capacity required for each conductor pattern, the allowable voltage drop value, etc. To improve the folding durability of the flexible cable, the thinner the conductor pattern is, the better. It is necessary to increase the width of the conductor pattern, which increases the width of the flexible cable.

1001a is a flexible cable 100
0 is a moving side, 1001b is a fixed side, and the flexible cable fixed side 1001b is
01c is provided. Flexible cable moving side 1001a and flexible cable fixed side 1001
b, two flexible cable divisions 1 of width Wd
001d and 1001e. The bent portion 1001f on the flexible cable moving side 1001a and the bent portion 10 on the flexible cable fixed side 1001b
By bending and overlapping the flexible cable 1000 at 01g, the width of the flexible cable 1000 becomes the width Wd at the divided portion, and can be smaller than the width Wo of the flexible cable moving portion 1001a. In the figure, an example is shown in which the image is divided into two parts. Also, positioning holes 1001h, 1001h ′, 1001i,
1001i 'is provided, and positioning holes 1001h,
1001h 'and the positioning holes 1001i, 1001i' are spaced apart by a predetermined distance d.

FIG. 46B shows the flexible cable 10.
It is a figure which shows the apparatus using 00. In the figure, 100
Reference numeral 2 denotes a moving unit, which is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The moving unit 1002 includes a recording head in the case of a printer, and a sensor and the like in the case of a scanner. 100
Reference numeral 3 denotes a fixed portion, and the fixed portion has a positioning pin 1003a.
Is provided. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a state in which the flexible cable 1000 shown in FIG.
(FIG. 46A) is connected to the moving unit 2. Flexible cable positioning holes 1001h, 1001
h ′, 1001i and 1001i ′ are positioning pins 100
3a, and is fixed to the fixing portion 3 by the fixing member 4.

As described above, the positioning holes 1001h and 101h
01h ′ and 1001i, 1001i ′ are separated by a distance d, so that the flexible cable dividing portion 1001d
And 1001e are displaced by the distance l. When the thickness of the flexible cable 1000 is sufficiently smaller than the bending height h, 1 becomes substantially equal to d / 2. Therefore, since the flexible cable divisions 1001d and 1001e have different bending positions, they do not receive a force from the other flexible cable at the bending portion,
The bending durability performance is close to the performance without bending.

However, making the interval 1 between the bending positions larger than necessary leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus. It is desirable that the interval 1 between the bending positions is equal to or less than the bending height h, that is, the interval d between the flexible cable positioning holes is equal to or less than twice the bending height h.

As described above, the flexible cable is divided into a plurality of parts, and the flexible cables are used in a superposed manner so that the bent positions of the divided flexible cables are different from each other. , The width and the bending height of the flexible cable can be reduced without lowering the bending durability, and the device can be downsized.

FIG. 46 shows an example in which the flexible cable is divided into two. However, three or more flexible cables may be provided, and the positioning holes of the flexible cable are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the flexible cable by the number of divisions.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus which perform recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among ink jet recording systems.

The typical configuration and principle are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which This is effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. It is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. 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 the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region, is also included in the present invention.

In addition, JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters or absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. The present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively, though it may be either a configuration that satisfies the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head that is formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the printhead, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording Is also effective for performing stable recording.

Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and the printing head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full-color or mixed-color.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or below and which softens at room temperature, or which is liquid, In general, in the ink jet method, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just to be liquid.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing the evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-71260, in a state in which the porous sheet is held as a liquid or solid substance in a concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. Is also good. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to those provided integrally or separately as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as a word processor and a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like, May take the form of a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

The recording head according to the present invention is broadly divided into an ink recording section and an ink tank section for supplying ink to the ink recording section. The effect of the present invention is more remarkable when the size is reduced as compared with the configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0167]

As described above, since the distance between the recording material and the recording head is not significantly changed by the thickness of the recording material by the combination of the discharge roller and the spur according to the present invention, the base paper is used. In such a case, it is possible to obtain a small-sized recording apparatus that does not need to replace the carriage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a recording material conveying portion.

FIG. 3 is a view of a discharge roller portion of one embodiment as viewed in a discharge direction.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a pinch roller pressure contact release state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a pinch roller pressed state of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a lead screw mechanism diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion 228 of the carrier bearing A of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a lead screw end according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a left end view of the lead screw 213 on which the clutch mechanism of the first embodiment is formed.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view of the clutch mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an engagement diagram of a clutch gear and a control gear of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the recovery device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the pump unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing a mounted state of the blade of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory view of the blade stopper of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a cap opening / closing cam according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of the cap of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of the recovery unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing a carrier section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing a head cartridge section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged view of the carrier section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view showing a method of connecting the carrier unit and the head cartridge unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a head cartridge coupling portion according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view showing an exchange system according to a first embodiment of the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing an exchange system according to a second embodiment of the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view showing how a force is applied in the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an overall perspective view illustrating an automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism of an automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an example of an operation sequence diagram of the automatic sheet feeding unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a release mechanism of the automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of the automatic sheet feeding unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a schematic perspective view showing an information processing device incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit configuration of an information processing device incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing power on / off processing of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating a power-on process of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating a power-off process of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating a temporary stop process of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a temporary stop release process of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a power-on process of the information processing apparatus incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process of an information processing device incorporating the recording device of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 46A and 46B are explanatory views of an embodiment of the flexible cable of the present invention.

FIGS. 47 (a) and (b) are modified examples of FIG. 43.

FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional flexible cable.

FIG. 49 is a conventional explanatory view related to the cleaning of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chassis 2 Guide rail 3 Recording material 4 Conveyance roller 5 Paper feed motor 6 Spur 7 Ejection roller 8 Pinch roller 9 Pinch roller spring 10 Pinch roller holder 11 Pinch roller frame 12 Release angle 13 Release lever 14 Paper sensor 15 Reduction gear train 101 Cap 102 Control gear 102a Cap opening / closing cam 102b Wiping operation cam 102c Projection 102d Switching sheet 102e Cap opening cam 102f Cap closing cam 102g Notch 102h Side gear 103 Stroke gear 104 Blade 105 Blade slider 105a Blade mounting groove 105b projection 105c through hole 105d wall 106 slide shaft 107 blade link 107a projection 107b spring hook 108 blade Cleaner 109 Blade stopper 110 Blade spring 111 Carrier stopper 112 Carrier hook spring 113 Cylinder 113a Cylinder part 113b Cap lever receiver 113c Ink suction port 113d Drainage pipe 113e Parallel pin 114 Cap spring 115 Plunger 115a Operating shaft 115b Piston receiver 115c Piston holder 115d Pump Seal holding 115e Groove 115f Lead groove 116 Piston 117 Pump seal 118 Cap lever 119 Cap lever seal 120 Pre-discharge pad 121 Pump absorber 122 Bearing 150 Pump unit 200 Recording head 201 Ink tank 202 Head cartridge 203 Carrier 204 Head lever 205 Tank lever 206 Head holder 2 07 Head holder spring 208 Tank case 209 Lead pin 210 Lead pin spring 211 Flexible cable 211a Positioning hole a 211b Positioning hole b 212 Flexible cable pad 212a Positioning hole a 212b Positioning hole b 212c Ink barrier 213 Lead screw 213a Positioning hole a 213b Positioning hole b 220 Ink supply hole 221 Ink supply hole 222 Coupling claw 223 Coupling claw guide groove 224 Ink tank guide groove 225 Positioning pin 226 Stopper 227 Head contact portion 227a Positioning hole a 227b Positioning hole b 227c Stopper contact position 228 Carrier bearing 1 229 Carrier bearing 2 230 Shielding plate 231 Carrier hook 250 Adjusting spring 251 Bearing 252 First elongated hole 2 53 Second elongated hole 254 Screw 255 Carrier motor 256 Pinion gear 257 Lead screw gear 258 Initial lock 259 Clutch gear 260 Clutch plate 261 Return spring 262 Projection 263 Depression 264 Idling groove 265 Contact groove 267 Flange 268 Guide strip 269 Stopper 270 HP sensor 271 Recovery system plate 301 Main holder 302 Separation roller 303 Separation gear 304 Separation ratchet 305 Separation shaft 306 Separation holder 307 Main holder shaft 308 Separation spring 309 Spare roller 310 Spare roller holder 311 Spare roller shaft 312 Idler gear 313 Spare roller spring 314 Separation pressure arm 315 Separation pressure arm spring 316 Separation pad 317 Paper holder 318 Cam shaft 19 switch arm 320a paper feed initial sensor 320b paper feed switching sensor 321 drive gear 322 clutch disk 323 automatic paper feed motor 324 reduction gear 325 release lever 326 clutch spring 400 information processing device 401 printer unit 402 keyboard unit 403 display unit 404 external storage device 405 External interface 501 Controller 502 CPU 503 RAM 504 ROM 505 Timer 506 Interface unit 507 Controller 508 Head detection unit 509 Line buffer 510 Head driver 511 Motor driver 512 Sensor detection unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 13/076 B41J 2/01 B65H 29/20

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A discharging means for discharging a recording material from an apparatus comprises a pair of rotating members including a spur contacting a recording surface of the recording material and a discharge roller contacting a non-recording surface of the recording material. The discharge roller comprises a cylindrical portion made of an elastic member and abutting on a spur, a shaft press-fitting portion supporting the discharge roller, and a generally conical portion connecting the cylindrical portion and the shaft portion. A recording device, wherein a spur is further provided near the shape portion side. 2. A discharging means for discharging a recording material from an apparatus includes a spur pair including a spur contacting a recording surface of the recording material and a discharge roller contacting a non-recording surface of the recording material. In addition, the discharge roller is composed of an elastic member, a cylindrical portion which comes into contact with the spur, a shaft press-fitting portion for supporting the discharge roller, and a generally conical portion connecting the cylindrical portion and the shaft portion. 2. A recording apparatus, wherein two discharge rollers are combined so that the cylindrical portion faces outward, to form a set, and another spur is disposed in the middle between the opposing spurs. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge roller has a shaft press-fit portion extending also on the cylindrical portion side. 4. A guide rail of a carrier, on which a recording head is mounted and moved, and a support member for supporting a spur that comes into contact with a recording surface side of a unit for carrying out a recording material from the apparatus, are formed of the same member. A recording device characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. A recording head having an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink, wherein a film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter is used. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is ejected from an ejection port. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording head has ink discharged from a discharge port.