JP3167486B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly, to the structure of a print head and ink supply means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as for an ink jet head and ink supply means, there is provided a replaceable cassette type printing unit in which an ink jet head and an ink tank are integrated as described in, for example, JP-A-63-13752. Ink jet recording apparatuses are known.
In such an ink jet recording apparatus, since the ink jet head and the ink tank are integrated, it is possible to replace the printing unit without soiling the hands. Reliability can be ensured. Also, by using two types of printing units, monochrome and color, both monochrome and color printing can be performed by the same apparatus. However, the ink tank must travel with the head, so that the capacity of the ink tank cannot be increased, and a large number of printings cannot be performed by one replacement. In addition, re-supply of ink to the printing unit is difficult to achieve due to the incorporation of air bubbles, which necessitates disposable use of the printing unit and increases running costs.

[0003] Conventionally, regarding an ink jet head and an ink supply means, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-74660.
As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-107, there is known an ink jet recording apparatus in which components other than an ink tank are attached to a main body device and only the ink tank is replaceable. In such an apparatus, only the ink can be replaced without replacing the head, so that the running cost is low, and the size of the ink tank can be arbitrarily set, so that the capacity can be easily increased and a large amount of ink can be replaced by one ink exchange. Printing is possible. However, it is difficult to replace the head in the event of a failure and lacks reliability, and it is difficult to replace the ink tank with the same apparatus to perform both monochrome and color printing, because of the problem of color mixing.

Further, as a common problem of the above two methods,
Consumable parts of the maintenance mechanism, such as a wiping blade and a head cap, for preventing or clogging the head, are attached to the main unit, so that when they break down, it is difficult for the user to replace them.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(1) An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can perform a large amount of printing with one ink replenishment and can easily replace the ink jet head in order to secure the reliability of the ink jet head. (2) Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that enables replenishment of ink in order to reduce running costs. (3) Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having a long durability life. (4) An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing both monochrome and color printing with the same apparatus by simple unit replacement.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet head which moves relative to recording paper, a fixed ink storage means which is a supply source of ink to the ink jet head, and In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink supply tube for supplying ink in a fixed ink storage unit to the print head, a drive circuit, and a connection cable for connecting an electrode of the ink jet head,
The ink jet head and its traveling means, fixed ink storage means, ink supply tube, connection cable and connection terminals are mounted on a support member to form a replacement unit, and the support member is detachably attached to the main body device. And (2) a carriage that moves relative to the recording paper, an inkjet head attached to the carriage, a fixed ink storage unit that supplies ink to the inkjet head, and ink in the fixed ink storage unit that is supplied to the inkjet head. In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink supply tube to be supplied, a drive circuit, and a connection cable for connecting an electrode of the movable ink jet head, an exchange unit in which at least the print head, the fixed ink storage means, and the ink supply tube are integrated. At least a part of the replacement unit is detachably attached to the main unit, and the movable inkjet head is detachably attached to a traveling device provided in the main unit. (3) A maintenance member such as a cap is mounted on the replacement unit.

[0007]

[Action]

(1) According to the present invention, the inkjet head and the ink tank are mounted such that the head is movable with respect to the support member of the replacement unit, and the ink tank is fixed and replaceable. Therefore, it is possible to increase the capacity of the ink tank without putting a burden on the head, and it is possible to perform a large amount of printing by replacing the ink tank at one time, and to replace the head when the head falls into an irreparable failure due to eye clogging etc. By completely replacing the units, reliability as an ink jet recording apparatus can be ensured. In addition, as long as the head does not fail, even if the ink becomes insufficient, only the ink tank can be replaced any number of times, so that the running cost can be reduced.

(2) According to the present invention, consumable parts such as a cap for preventing or recovering clogging of a head, a cleaning blade for wiping a nozzle surface of an ink jet head, the cap and the fixed ink, as will be described in embodiments described later. By controlling the pressure of the cap by communicating with the tank, a pump and an out-of-ink detector that act to supply ink from the fixed ink tank to the ink jet head or to recover the clogging can be integrally attached to the support member. Therefore, in the event that the head is broken by eye clogging or the like due to the consumption of the consumable parts, or the supply of ink to the head becomes inconvenient, the reliability of the entire apparatus is secured by replacing each replacement unit,
As a result, it is possible to provide an inkjet recording apparatus having high durability. The out-of-ink detection device is, for example, a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element mounted on the support member with a transparent ink tank interposed therebetween. The user can be warned to replace the ink tank before the head becomes out of ink and printing becomes impossible. (3) According to the present invention, there is provided a first replacement unit for monochrome printing having a fixed ink tank containing black ink as a replacement unit, and a group of fixed ink tanks containing cyan, magenta and yellow inks, respectively. By using the second replacement unit for each unit, both monochrome and color printing can be performed. At this time, since the head and the ink are exchanged, it is possible to completely avoid the mixture of monochrome and color inks while maintaining the above advantages of mass printing, high reliability of the head, and low running cost.

[0009]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the exchange unit 201 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the main body device 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. Is shown. In FIG. 3, a substrate 211, first, second, third, and fourth
The side walls 212, 213, 214, and 215 and the cover plate (not shown) constitute a support member of the box-shaped exchange unit as a whole. The side wall 212 and the side wall 214 opposed thereto rotatably support the feed screw 220, and support the guide shaft 221 in parallel with the feed screw 220. A feed screw 220 and a guide shaft 221 are loosely fitted in the screw hole 225 and the guide hole 226 of the inkjet head 224, respectively, and support the inkjet head 224 so as to move in parallel along the guide shaft 221 by rotation of the feed screw.

A feed screw drive gear 227 is mounted near an end of the feed screw 220 near the first side wall 212, and is rotatably supported by a shaft pin 228 embedded in the first side wall 212. Engage with gear 229. A part of the intermediate gear 229 protrudes outside through the intermediate gear escape hole 230 provided in the substrate 211, and
1 is attached to the main device 101, the main device 1
No. 01 engages with the head drive motor via its reduction gear train. The inkjet head 224 has a nozzle surface 232 parallel to the moving direction and perpendicular to the substrate 211. A second side wall 213 is provided so as to face the nozzle surface, of which a portion connected to the third side wall 214 is open, and the nozzle surface 232 moves the ink droplets of FIG. The print is performed by discharging the print paper 127.

A flexible cable 234 connects the drive electrodes of the ink jet head 224 to a drive circuit (not shown) of the main unit via connection terminals 235 attached to the substrate 211. An ink supply tube 236 has one end connected to the inkjet head 224 and the other end connected to the substrate 21.
1 and supplies the ink in the ink tank attached to the ink tank 237 to the inkjet head 224. A wiping blade 240 is attached to the inner surface of the bent portion 213b of the second side wall 213 at a position where the nozzle surface 232 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 232 when passing therethrough.
1 and a suction pump 245 are attached. The cap holder 241 holds the cap 242 inside thereof so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. Cap 24
4 is fixed to the push rod 243 as shown in FIG. 4, and the push rod 243 protrudes outside through the L-shaped portion 213d of the side wall 213. The push rod is urged by the first return spring 244 in a direction opposite to the wall, and the cap 242 is urged in a direction pressed against the wall. In this state, when the nozzle surface 232 approaches, the cap 242 is arranged at a position facing the nozzle surface 232 with a slight gap.

Reference numeral 246 denotes a cylinder of the suction pump 245, which penetrates the second side wall 213 and protrudes outside. As shown in FIG. 5, the cylinder 246 is urged by the second return spring 247 in the direction opposite to the wall. Reference numeral 248 denotes a suction tube, which includes a cap 242 and a suction pump 245.
To the nozzle surface 23 as described later.
When pressed against the pressure 2, the inside of the cap 242 is set to a negative pressure, thereby making it possible to suck ink. A drain tube 249 communicates with the suction pump 245 and the waste box 250 of the ink tank, and guides the ink in the pump to the waste box 250. A cap clip 290 is attached to the outer surface of the second side wall 213, and serves to press the cap against the nozzle surface when the unit is a unit as described later.

The above-described ink tank 237 is a bookshelf-shaped container divided vertically into two stages by a tank partition plate 275, and an ink box 277 is detachably mounted above the opening surface thereof and a waste liquid box 250 is detachably mounted below the opening. Inserted. Ink box 277 and ink supply tube 23
The communication of No. 6 can be performed, for example, as follows.
An injection needle communicating with the ink supply tube protrudes inward from the upper back plate of the ink tank. On the other hand, a rubber stopper is attached to the back of the ink box at a corresponding position. When the ink box is inserted into the upper part of the ink tank, the tip of the injection needle penetrates the rubber stopper wall and protrudes into the ink in the ink box, and the ink communicates with the ink supply tube. The waste liquid box has a tray shape, in which an ink absorbing member is housed, and the waste liquid is processed by replacing the ink absorbing member. Pull-out grips 279 and 281 are provided in front of the ink box and the waste liquid box, respectively. The grip 279 for drawing out the ink box may be a screw-type cap that closes the ink supply hole. Further, a window 283 for drawing out an ink box or the like is provided on the first side wall of the replacement unit so as to face the front of the ink tank. With such a structure, the ink tank can be replaced or the ink can be added and the waste liquid can be easily treated even when the replacement unit is used alone or when the replacement unit is attached to the main unit.

A mounting shaft holding member 203 is mounted on the outside of the fourth side wall 215 so as to be in contact with the opposing lower corner, and holds the mounting shaft 204. The mounting shaft projects further outward through the mounting shaft holding member 203. Reference numeral 207 denotes a locking pin attached to the outer surface of the first side wall 212.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 102 denotes a bottom plate of the main unit 101, and reference numerals 103 and 104 denote a first side plate and a second side plate, respectively, which are stepped and are mounted so as to face each other with the bottom plate 102 interposed therebetween. A partition plate 105 is further attached to the bottom plate 102 between the first side plate 103 and the second side plate 104. The partition plate 105 is a basic portion 105b of the partition plate.
And the arm 105c of the partition plate. Basic part 1 of partition plate
05b and the second side plate 104 are opposed to each other.
b is rotatably supported, and the sheet supply plate 111 is held behind the platen roller 107. One end of the rotation shaft 107b of the platen roller protrudes through the basic portion 105b of the partition plate, and the platen drive gear 108 is fixed to the protruding portion. Reference numeral 109 denotes a paper feed roller, which is rotatably pressed against the platen roller 107 by holding means and urging means (not shown). A paper feed motor 113 is attached to a surface of the partition 105 facing the first side plate 103 with the arm 105c.

Basic part 105b of partition plate and arm part 1 of partition plate
The driving shaft 115 of the sliding gear is rotatably supported by 05c. The sliding gear 117 is connected to the drive shaft 11.
It is coaxial with 5 and rotates in the same direction as the rotation stop means but is slidably mounted in the axial direction. The rotation of the paper feed motor 113 is transmitted from a reduction gear train (not shown) to a driving shaft 115 of a sliding gear. First side plate 10
3 and the arm portion 105c of the partition plate rotatably support the cam shaft 119. The camshaft 119 projects through the arm 105c of the partition plate to the opposite side as shown in FIG. 5, and a cam drive gear 125 is attached to the protrusion, and a portion between the first side plate 103 and the arm 105c of the partition plate is provided. , A pump driving cam 121 and a cap driving cam 123 are attached. Sliding gear 1
Reference numeral 17 denotes a drive shaft 115 by a switching lever (not shown).
It moves axially upward and selectively meshes with cam drive gear 125 or platen drive gear 108. As a result, either the cam shaft 119 or the platen roller 107 is selectively driven by the paper feed motor 113. Reference numeral 127 in FIG. 1 denotes a printing paper, which is sandwiched between the platen roller 107 and the paper feeding roller 109, and is fed upward by the rotation thereof.

First side plate 103 and second side plate 104
The receiving plate 106 is attached to and supported by the stepped portion. 129
Is a transmission gear, which is rotatably supported around a shaft pin 131 embedded in the first side plate 103, and which uses an engaging escape hole 133 provided in the receiving plate 106 to communicate with the intermediate gear 229 of the exchange unit. Can engage. In a space between the bottom plate 102 and the receiving plate 106, an electric circuit including a power source (not shown), a head drive motor and a reduction gear train thereof are arranged, and the transmission gear 129 is used to drive the reduction gear train by the head drive motor. Driven through. Reference numeral 135 denotes a connection terminal pin provided on the receiving plate, which is electrically connected to a head drive circuit (not shown) of the main unit, and which is connected to the socket 2 of the connection terminal 235 of the replacement unit by mounting the replacement unit as described later.
35b and it is electrically connected to the drive electrode of the head. 137
Is a mounting shaft holding plate mounted on the outside of the side plate, and holds the protruding portion of the mounting shaft 204 of the replacement unit in the arc portion 137b of the slit as described later.

Reference numeral 138 denotes a braking plate which projects upward from a relief groove 138b provided in the receiving plate 106 and is elastically supported by a leaf spring (not shown). The replacement unit is connected by irregular contact of the receiving plate 106. The brake is brought into contact with the replacement unit so that the terminal pin 135 and the intermediate gear 229 of the replacement unit are not damaged. Reference numeral 139 denotes a hook for locking the replacement unit, which is attached to the outer surface of the first side plate 103.

In order to mount the exchange unit 201 on the main unit 101, as shown in FIG.
The protrusion of the mounting shaft 204 of the replacement unit is inserted into the arc 137b of the slit 7. When the replacement unit is rotated counterclockwise from this state, the replacement unit attempts to rotate by its own weight, but when the bottom surface of the replacement unit contacts the brake plate 138, the rotation is braked. The lower surface of the replacement unit is pushed down by further applying force so that the brake plate 138 is pushed in.
Contact the surface of No. 6. At this time, the connection terminal pin 135 is inserted into the socket portion 235b of the connection terminal, and the intermediate gear 2
Reference numeral 29 meshes with the transmission gear 129 through an engagement escape hole 133 provided in the receiving plate 106. On the other hand, the hook 139 engages with the locking pin 207 as shown in FIG. 1, presses this downward, and presses and fixes the replacement unit against the receiving plate 106. To remove the replacement unit, the hook 139 is pushed clockwise to release contact with the locking pin 207, and the brake unit 138 rotates the replacement unit clockwise. It can be removed in the reverse order of installation.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment in a state where the exchange unit is attached to the main unit as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a top view. FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the cap-related member as viewed from above. Printing paper 1
The printing on 27 has already been described and will not be described. As described above, the rotation of the head drive motor of the main body device is transmitted to the feed screw drive gear 227 via the reduction gear train and the transmission gear 129 via the intermediate gear 229 of the exchange unit, and the feed screw 220 is rotated, thereby causing the inkjet head 224 to rotate. Is moved along the guide shaft 221. At this time, by selecting the rotation direction of the head drive motor, the inkjet head can be moved in either direction.

When ink is sucked by the cap, first, the head is moved so that the nozzle surface 232 faces the cap 242 as shown in FIG. In this state, the cap driving cam 123 is not in contact with the push rod 243, and the nozzle surface 232 and the cap 242 face each other with a slight gap. Next, when the paper feed motor 113 is rotated in a state where the sliding gear 117 is engaged with the cam drive gear 125 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, the cam shaft rotates in the direction of the arrow, and accordingly, the cap drive is started. The cam 123 and the pump driving cam 121 start rotating. First, the cap driving cam 123 comes into contact with the push rod and pushes the cap toward the nozzle surface, so that the cap comes into contact with the nozzle surface as shown in FIG. . Vent holes in cap
9 are provided, but the vent hole 269 is in an open state when the cap comes into contact with the nozzle surface. When the cam further rotates, the push rod moves further as shown in FIG. 4C, but the cap hardly moves, and the elastic member 271 interposed between the push rod and the cap is compressed. At this time, the ventilation valve 273 attached to the push rod in parallel with the elastic member opposite the ventilation hole of the cap comes into contact with the outlet of the ventilation hole to prevent the ventilation. Thereafter, regardless of the rotation of the cam, the moving radius of the cap driving cam does not change until a predetermined rotation angle, and this state is maintained.

Next, the pump driving cam 121 comes into contact with the cylinder 246, and the moving diameter of the pump driving cam changes in a plurality of cycles with the rotation, so that the cylinder is moved back and forth to drive the suction pump to perform suction. At this time, the space surrounded by the cap and the nozzle surface via the suction tube 248 is at a negative pressure, and the ink inside the head is sucked out from the nozzles on the nozzle surface to perform a recovery operation. When the cap driving cam rotates by a predetermined angle, the moving radius starts to decrease, and first, only the push rod retreats to the state shown in FIG. 4B. At this stage, the valve separates from the vent and air flows into the cap. Even at this point, the suction operation of the suction pump is continued, so that the air that has flowed into the cap passes through the suction tube and reaches the suction pump, and the ink sucked earlier is sent into the suction pump. When the cap driving cam further rotates, the push rod further retreats, the cap separates from the nozzle surface, returns to the initial position shown in FIG. 4A, and the eye clogging recovery operation ends. The timing of the operation of the cap, the ventilation valve, and the suction pump described above is shown in the timing chart of FIG. The ink sucked by the suction pump is compressed by the action of a valve in the pump when the suction pump operates, and passes through the waste liquid tube 249 to the waste liquid box 250.
Sent to

To supply ink from the ink tank when ink is not initially contained in the ink jet head,
The cap is pressed against the nozzle surface by rotating the camshaft by the same operation as described above, and the camshaft is reciprocated a plurality of times within a predetermined rotation angle in a state where the valve closes the vent as shown in FIG. Rotate. That is, “ink suction” in FIG.
To maintain the state. As a result, the inside of the cap and the inside of the ink jet head communicating therewith via the nozzle are maintained at a negative pressure during that time, so that the ink is sucked and filled from the ink tank through the ink supply tube into the ink jet head. Next, in order to prevent the ink near the nozzle surface from drying in the storage state after printing,
The camshaft is rotated to press the cap against the nozzle surface, the camshaft is stopped with the valve closing the vent, and the ink is kept shut from the outside air.

When storing the replacement unit in a state where it is detached from the main unit, the clip plate 292 of the cap clip 290 urged by the clip spring 291 fixed to the second side wall 213 as shown in FIG. The push rod 243 is pushed in, the cap is pressed against the nozzle surface, and the ink is kept shut from the outside air in the same manner as described above.
At the stage when the replacement unit is mounted on the main body device, the cap clip 290 is blocked by the arm portion 105c of the partition plate and starts to separate from the push rod 243 as shown in FIG. 6, and as shown in FIG. As described above, the cap clip 290 is prevented from moving by the arm 105c of the partition plate,
The push bar 243 and other mechanical elements are kept in a state where they do not hinder the operation.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the capacity of the ink tank can be increased, the ink can be replaced and the ink can be poured, and the print head, the ink tank, the cap, the suction pump, and the tube connecting these can be provided. Are housed in the exchange unit, and these can be operated by the drive source of the main unit. Therefore, when a trouble occurs in ink supply, discharge, suction, or the like due to a failure of these elements, the replacement unit may be simply replaced.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 8 is attached to a main unit 101 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a color printing exchange unit 301. Reference numeral 237 denotes an ink tank mounted on the substrate 211, which is a bookshelf-like container divided vertically into two stages by a tank partition plate 275, and each of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks is disposed above the opening surface thereof. First, second, and third color ink boxes 385, 387, and 389 are provided, and a waste liquid box 250 is removably inserted in the lower stage. 39
Reference numerals 1, 393, and 395 denote first, second, and third color ink supply tubes for supplying cyan, magenta, and yellow inks to the color inkjet head 324, respectively. The first, second, and third color ink boxes 385, 387, and 389 are respectively provided with the first, second, and third color ink supply tubes 391 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. , 393, 39
Connect to 5. The color inkjet head 324 has nozzle groups for ejecting cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively. The structure of the drive electrodes is the same as that of the inkjet head 224 in the first embodiment. Flexible cable 23 same as the example
4. When the unit is connected to the connection terminal and the unit is mounted on the main unit 101, the unit is electrically connected to the drive circuit of the main unit and color printing can be performed. The structure of the exchange unit in this embodiment is the same as that of the exchange unit in the first embodiment except for the above-described color ink jet head and the supply of ink thereto, and is operated by being attached to the main unit of the first embodiment. be able to. That is, the exchange unit for color printing of the present embodiment and the exchange unit of the first embodiment are compatible with respect to a common main unit. Therefore, if black ink is used for the replacement unit of the first embodiment, black monochrome printing and natural color printing can be appropriately switched using the same main unit without causing color mixture.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an ink-out detecting mechanism used in the present invention. Ink tank 237
A light emitting element insertion hole 411 is provided on one side wall of the light emitting element, and a light receiving element insertion hole 413 is provided on the other side wall at a position opposed thereto. The light emitting element 415 is inserted into the light emitting element insertion hole so as not to protrude inside the side wall, and is supported by the light emitting element holding means 419 attached to the outer surface of the one side wall. The light receiving element 417 is inserted into the light receiving element insertion hole 413, is supported by the light receiving element holding means 421 attached to the outer surface of the other side wall, and is shielded from external light. The lead wire 423 of the light emitting element and the lead wire 425 of the light receiving element are connected to the connection terminal 235 of the replacement unit, and when attached to the main unit, are electrically connected to the electric circuit of the main unit via a connector on the main unit. In this embodiment, the ink box is made of a transparent material. The light emitting element is, for example, a light emitting diode, and emits light when a voltage is applied in a forward direction between the terminals of the light emitting diode by controlling an electric circuit of the main body device. The light receiving element is, for example, a photodiode, and controls an electric circuit of the main body device to apply a voltage between terminals of the photodiode in a forward direction. In this state, when the ink surface 427 is higher than the line connecting the light emitting element 415 and the light receiving element 417, the light emitted from the light emitting diode is blocked by the ink and does not reach the photodiode. No current flows through the wire. When the amount of ink in the ink box decreases and the ink surface becomes lower than the line connecting the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light emitted from the light emitting diode reaches the photodiode without being blocked by the ink, and the photodiode conducts. Current flows through the lead wire. Using this current as a detection signal, the electric circuit of the main unit is controlled to turn on an alarm lamp or the like, thereby making it possible to predict that the ink has run out. This can avoid running out of ink during printing.

(Embodiment 4) FIGS. 10 and 11 are a perspective view and a top view, respectively, showing another embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention. In this embodiment, a carriage driving means including a carriage 510 and a feed screw 220, a guide shaft 221, a feed screw driving gear 227, an intermediate gear 229, and the like, and a flexible cable for connecting the carriage 510 and a driving circuit to the main body device 501 shown in FIG. The point that the 234 is provided is different from that of the first embodiment, and the configuration of other mechanical elements is the same as that described in the main device 101 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. A replacement head 610, an ink supply tube 236, an ink tank 237, a maintenance device, and the like are arranged on the replacement unit 601 side shown in FIG. 13 corresponding to the main body device 501 of this embodiment. The replacement unit 601 has a structure in which a maintenance device mounting member 612 is fixed on the ink tank 237, and a drying prevention cap 6 is further provided thereon.
14 and a head fixing spring 620 are attached. Similar to the first embodiment, a wiping blade 240, a cap 242, a cap holder 241, a cap-related component such as a push rod 243, a suction pump 245, and a suction tube 248 are mounted on the maintenance device mounting member.

The ink tank is partitioned left and right by a tank partition plate 275 and opens to the front. An ink box 277 is provided at the left opening, and a waste liquid box 2 is provided at the right opening.
50 is inserted. The ink box 277 passes through the ink supply tube 236 and communicates with the replacement head 610. The suction pump 245 communicates with the waste liquid box 250 via the waste liquid tube 249. When storing the replacement unit, the nozzle surface 609 of the replacement head is brought into contact with the drying prevention cap, and is fixed by the head fixing spring. 616
618 is a cap cover for holding a drying prevention cap;
Is a head guide for positioning the replacement head. Reference numeral 622 denotes an ink tube guide plate for securing an attachment position of the ink supply tube 236 when the ink supply tube 236 is attached to the main body. Replacement unit 601 with main unit 501
10 and 13, the ink tank is inserted into the mounting groove 514 of the main body device with the ink tank facing down, the replacement head 610 is removed from the head fixing spring 620, and an electrode (not shown) is attached to the mounting portion of the carriage. Insert it face down and fix it with the mounting spring 516. At a corresponding position on the corresponding surface of the carriage, a terminal electrode surface 518 of the flexible cable is provided, the two electrodes are connected to each other, and the electrode of the replacement head is electrically connected to the head drive circuit of the main unit through the flexible cable. In such a state, as shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus has substantially the same positional relationship of the mechanical components as in the first embodiment, and the recording apparatus operates as described in the first embodiment. The supply, printing, and recovery operation of the clogging of the head are performed. However, the illustration of the flexible cable is omitted in FIG. This embodiment requires two steps of operation to replace the unit as compared with the first embodiment and takes some time, but the structure of the unit is simple and the running cost is reduced.

(Embodiment 5) As a modification of the embodiment described in Embodiment 4, a recording apparatus in which a maintenance device is further provided on the main body side will be described. FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing an apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 14A is a top view and FIG. 14B is a side view.
In the present embodiment, the carriage 510 is attached to the main body device 701.
And a carriage driving means including a feed screw 220, a guide shaft 221, a feed screw drive gear 227, an intermediate gear 229, and the like, and a flexible cable (not shown) for connecting the carriage 510 to a drive circuit are provided. Cap-related parts such as wiping blade 240, cap 242, cap holder 241, push rod 243, suction pump 245, suction tube 2
48, and a suction pump 2
This embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that a waste liquid box 250 communicating with the waste liquid tube 45 and the waste liquid tube 249 is attached.

The structure of the other mechanical elements is the same as that described in the main device 101 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Main device 701 of the present embodiment
To describe the structure of the replacement unit 801 corresponding to FIG.
7 is inserted, one end of the ink supply tube 236 is attached to the ink tank 237, and the ink box 277 is inserted.
The other end of the ink supply tube is attached to the replacement head 610 and is in communication therewith. At the top of the ink tank 237, a drying prevention cap 614, a cap cover 616, a head guide 618, a head fixing spring 62
The replacement head 610 is held by pressing the nozzle surface 609 against the drying prevention cap 614 during storage. The ink tube further includes an ink tube guide plate 62.
2 is attached to position the ink supply tube.

Next, the exchange unit 801 is connected to the main unit 701.
If you describe how to attach to the body,
06, first, second and third mounting positioning members 71
0, 712, and 713 are formed, an ink tank is inserted into this space, the replacement unit 801 is held, and the replacement head 610 is removed from the head fixing spring as in the fourth embodiment.
10 is inserted into the mounting portion 10 with the electrode surface (not shown) facing down, and is fixed with a mounting spring 516. As a result, the arrangement relationship of the mechanical parts of the apparatus becomes substantially the same as that of the first or fourth embodiment as shown in FIG. 14 (here, the flexible cable connecting the carriage and the drive circuit is not shown). .), The same operation as in the first embodiment or the fourth embodiment is performed. This embodiment has a disadvantage that the maintenance device cannot be replaced by the user as compared with the fourth embodiment.
The structure of the replacement unit is simple, and the running cost is further reduced unless the maintenance device fails.

The capping system in the embodiment of the present invention described above is a system in which the cap moves one-dimensionally only in the forward and backward directions. However, the capping system used in the present invention is not limited to this. Although it is somewhat complicated, a system in which the cap moves two-dimensionally in the forward and backward and right and left directions can also be used as described in, for example, JP-A-3-87268.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, (1) Since the replacement unit on which the ink jet head is mounted can be easily attached to and detached from the main unit, if the ink jet head breaks down, the user is required. The problem can be solved by replacing the exchange unit. This substantially improves the reliability of the recording apparatus. (2) The ink box, which is the ink supply source, is not directly mounted on the ink jet head, and a large capacity replaceable or ink refillable ink box is attached to another location. It is not necessary to replace the replacement unit including the print head due to the cause (the conventional ink tank integrated head system has a small tank capacity and ink cannot be added, so the ink runs out before the ink jet head itself breaks down. In many cases, the replacement cost has to be replaced.), Thus lowering the running cost. In addition, since the amount of printing that can be performed by one ink supply can be increased, a large amount of continuous printing can be performed. (3) Monochrome and natural color printing can be switched by using the same main body device by replacing only the replacement unit without causing color mixture, so that the utility value of the device can be enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a replacement unit is attached to a main body device in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main body device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exchange unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial sectional views showing the operation of the cap mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A shows a state in which the cap is separated from the nozzle surface, and FIG. (C) shows a state in which the cap is in contact with the nozzle surface and the vent is closed.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing a state in which a replacement unit is attached to the main unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a method of attaching a replacement unit to the main unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing ink suction and suction operations in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an exchange unit for color printing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an ink-out detecting means according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a replacement unit is attached to a main body device in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view showing a state where a replacement unit is attached to a main unit in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a main body device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an exchange unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a state in which a replacement unit is attached to a main unit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 14A is a top view and FIG. 14B is a side view.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the behavior of the cap clip attached to the replacement unit in the first embodiment of the present invention, and (a) shows the state of the cap clip when the replacement unit is detached from the main unit. (B) shows the state of the cap clip when the replacement unit is attached to the main unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 main unit 102 bottom plate 103 first side plate 104 second side plate 105 partition plate 105b basic portion of partition plate 105c arm portion of partition plate 106 receiving plate 107 platen roller 107b rotating shaft of platen roller 108 platen drive gear 109 paper feed roller 111 paper feed plate 113 paper feed motor 115 drive shaft 117 sliding gear 119 cam shaft 121 pump drive cam 123 cap drive cam 125 cam drive gear 127 printing paper 129 transmission gear 131 shaft pin 133 engaging escape hole 135 connection terminal pin 137 mounting shaft Holding plate 137b Arc portion of slit 138 Brake plate 138b Escape groove 139 Hook 201 Replacement unit 203 Mounting shaft holding member 204 Mounting shaft 207 Locking pin 211 Substrate 212 First side plate 213 Second side plate 2 4 Third side plate 215 Fourth side plate 220 Feed screw 221 Guide shaft 224 Inkjet head 225 Screw hole 226 Guide hole 227 Feed screw drive gear 228 Shaft pin 229 Intermediate gear 230 Escape hole for intermediate gear 232 Nozzle surface 234 Flexible cable 235 Connection Terminal 235b Socket portion 236 Ink supply tube 237 Ink tank 240 Wiping blade 241 Cap holder 242 Cap 243 Push rod 244 First return spring 245 Suction pump 246 Cylinder 247 Second return spring 248 Suction tube 249 Waste liquid tube 250 Waste liquid box 269 Pores 271 Elastic member 273 Vent valve 275 Tank partition plate 277 Ink box 279 Grip 281 Grip 283 Window 290 Cap clear 291 Clip spring 292 Clip plate 301 Color printing exchange unit 324 Color ink jet head 385 First color ink box 387 Second color ink box 389 Third color ink box 391 First color ink supply tube 393 Second Color ink supply tube 395 Third color ink supply tube 411 Light emitting element insertion hole 413 Light receiving element insertion hole 415 Light emitting element 417 Light receiving element 419 Light emitting element holding means 421 Light receiving element holding means 423 Lead wire 425 Lead wire 427 Ink surface 501 Main unit 510 Carriage 514 Mounting groove 516 Mounting spring 518 Terminal electrode surface 601 Replacement unit 609 Nozzle surface 610 Replacement head 612 Maintenance device mounting member 614 Drying prevention Cap 616 cap cover 618 head guide 620 head fixing spring 622 ink tube guide plate 701 main unit 710 first attaching the positioning member 712 second mounting positioning member 713 third attachment positioning member 801 exchange unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI B41J 2/21 (58) Investigated field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/165 B41J 2/175 B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185 B41J 2/21

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An ink jet moving relative to recording paper.
Head, ink supply source to the inkjet head
Fixed ink storage means,
Ink supply tube for supplying ink to the print head
And connecting the drive circuit and the electrode of the inkjet head
The above-mentioned ink jet head having a connection cable
And its running means, fixed ink storage means, and ink supply tube.
Mount the connection cable and connection terminals on the support member
Inkjet recording devices with replacement units
And the replacement unit includes a nozzle of the inkjet head.
The ink comes into contact with the sloshing surface to prevent or recover
Cap means for preventing ink drying, and ink jet
A wiping blade that wipes the nozzle surface of the head
Pump that communicates with the cap to reduce the pressure inside the cap
A first replacement unit for monochrome printing having a fixed ink storage unit containing a black ink and an ink supply tube communicating with the fixed ink storage unit, and a fixed unit containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks separately. features and to Louis tank attaching the ink of the three colors and the ink storage means and a second exchange unit comprising an ink supply tube leading to each separate ink jet head from said fixed ink storage means is switched to the main unit Jet recording device. A carriage that moves relative to the recording paper;
An ink jet head attached to the carriage,
Fixed ink, which is the ink supply source to the inkjet head
Ink storage means, the ink in the fixed ink storage means
Ink supply tube and ink supply to supply to inkjet head
And the drive circuit and the electrodes of the movable inkjet head.
Connection cable, and at least
, Fixed ink storage means, and ink supply tube
To constitute a replacement unit, and the replacement unit
At least a part is detachably attached to the main unit.
Traveling device provided with a movable inkjet head in the main unit
Inkjet recording device that is detachably attached to
And the replacement unit includes a nozzle of the inkjet head.
The ink comes into contact with the sloshing surface to prevent or recover
Cap means for preventing ink drying, and ink jet
A wiping blade that wipes the nozzle surface of the head
Pump that communicates with the cap to reduce the pressure inside the cap
A first replacement unit for monochrome printing having a fixed ink storage unit containing a black ink and an ink supply tube communicating with the fixed ink storage unit, and a fixed unit containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks separately. an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by mounting the ink of the three colors and the ink storage means by switching a second exchange unit comprising an ink supply tube leading to each separate ink jet head from the fixed ink storage device to the main unit . 3. A fixed ink storage means An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a replaceable or pour plus possible ink box.