JP3233368B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording material by recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording apparatus used as an output apparatus such as a composite electronic apparatus including a computer or a word processor, or a workstation is provided with image information (character information, etc.). (Including characters) on a recording material (recording medium) such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on
Is configured to be recorded. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a serial scanning system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording is performed. The image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording means mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and after the recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyance of the recording material), and then again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the stopped recording material, the recording of the entire recording material is performed. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that performs recording only in the sub-scanning direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording is performed for one line at a time. By performing the paper feed (pitch feed) and repeating the operation of collectively recording the next line, the entire recording material is recorded.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) is configured to discharge ink from a recording means (recording head) in accordance with an image signal to perform recording on a recording material. It is easy to make the recording means compact, can record high-definition images at high speed, can record on plain paper without special processing, has low running cost, and has a non-impact method. Therefore, there are advantages such as low noise and easy recording of a color image using multicolor inks. Above all, a line type using a full multi-type recording means in which a large number of discharge ports are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming a liquid path wall, a top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid path having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement). Can be recorded. On the other hand, there are various demands for the material of the recording material. In recent years, in addition to ordinary recording materials such as plain paper and resin thin plates (such as OHP), thin paper and processed paper (bunch holes for filing). Paper, perforated paper, paper of an arbitrary shape, etc.) have been required.

[0006] In recent years, recording devices as output devices such as office computers, personal computers, and word processors have been remarkably popularized. Among them, in particular, the demand for personal type recording devices, which are popular devices, has been increasing. These personal recording devices (personal printers and the like) are often used by individuals. Therefore, portable recording devices and battery-driven recording devices can be used. Those that can be used in any of them have been developed.

[0007] When the recording device is set up and when it is laid down,
In general, the installation area is significantly different. Therefore, according to a recording apparatus that can be used both vertically and horizontally, it is possible to select between vertically and horizontally according to the use environment of the user.
In addition, it is general that an automatic paper feeder can be mounted and used in the case of a vertical installation. On the other hand, this type of recording apparatus operates a push switch provided on a circuit board inside the apparatus with a key top provided on an operation unit on the exterior of the apparatus,
Thus, the recording apparatus is configured to be operated.

[0008]

However, in this type of conventional recording apparatus, the direction in which the keytop is pressed differs between when the apparatus is used vertically and when it is used horizontally. In general, when the automatic paper feeder is mounted vertically, the key top is pressed in the horizontal direction, and the key top is very difficult to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which can be used either vertically or horizontally. , The switch of the operation unit can be pressed in substantially the same direction (usually downward from substantially above), and the pressing operation is performed.
There is no loss in operating force at the time of
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device which can be operated and can greatly improve the operability of a switch.

[0010]

The present invention SUMMARY for resolution (claim 1), there is provided a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by the recording means, the serial
A circuit board disposed inside the recording device; and a circuit board disposed on the circuit board.
And an operating force in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the circuit board.
An actuated push switch and said push switch
A first operating part that moves in the first direction to operate
Material and the first switch for activating the push switch.
Operating member that moves in a second direction that intersects the direction of
And the second direction formed on the first operation member.
The hole, the second operation member and the hole engage with each other, and the second
The first operation member is moved with the movement of the second operation member in the second direction.
Tapered surface for moving the operating member in the first direction
And moving the first operating member in the first direction.
When actuated, the first operating member is directly
The push switch is activated by contact with the switch.
Moving the second operating member in the second direction.
Then, the first operation member moves in the first direction.
The above object is achieved by the configuration in which the push switch operates .

[0011] According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the above structure, before
The recording device can be used both vertically and horizontally.
The second operation when used vertically.
When operating the operation member almost downward and using it horizontally
The above- mentioned object is achieved more efficiently by adopting a configuration in which the first operation member is operated substantially downward .

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing one embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, and FIG. Indicates when you are. The recording apparatus shown in the drawing can manually supply the recording material 3 such as recording paper when placed horizontally, and can automatically feed the recording material 3 one by one by mounting an automatic paper feeder 9 when placing vertically. It is configured as follows. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the exterior 1 of the recording apparatus serves as a paper feed tray when placed horizontally,
Openable and closable tray member 2 that serves as a paper output tray when placed vertically
Is attached. The tray member 2 serves as a lid of the recording device when the recording device is not used.

1 and 2, reference numeral 4 denotes a recording material 3;
Rollers 5 for discharging paper, a first key top which is an operation unit which is manually operated from outside when the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, and 6 is a manual key from outside when used in a vertical state. A second keytop, which is an operation unit operated by the user, 7
Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen for conveying the recording material 3 and forming a recording surface, and 8 denotes a recording head (recording means) for recording on the recording material 3. The automatic paper feeding device 9 is detachable, and can be mounted at the position shown in FIG. 2 when the recording device is used vertically. A cable 10 for transmitting recording information from a host such as a personal computer to a recording device is connected to a side surface of the exterior 1 via a connector.

The recording head 8 is an ink jet recording head, and has a large number of ejection ports arranged in front of the recording head 8 in parallel with the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording material 3 such as paper or a thin plastic plate. Is formed. An electrothermal converter is incorporated in each of the ejection ports, and the ink droplets are ejected from predetermined ejection ports to fly by selectively driving (energizing) each electrothermal converter. ing.

That is, the recording head (recording means) 8
Is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, comprising an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy, which is generated by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. The recording is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles due to film boiling.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording head 8. In FIG. 3, a plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port forming surface 51 facing the recording material 3 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 54 that communicates the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52. I have. The recording head 8 is mounted on the carriage in a positional relationship such that the ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction crossing the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 54 to boil, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means (recording head) 8 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, manual feeding is performed. Only one recording material 3 is set on the sheet feeding tray 2 and the first key top 5 is determined. By pressing the key from above, the recording apparatus starts operating, and the recording material 3 is fed onto the platen 7. Then, the recording head 8 starts recording together with the recording information sent from the cable 10. This printing is performed while alternately repeating the movement (main scanning) of the recording head 8 in the direction crossing the recording material 3 and the paper feeding (sub-scanning) of the recording material 3. The recorded recording material 3 is discharged by a discharge roller 4. In this series of recording operations, the typeface, recording speed, recording density and the like when the recording information is characters can be externally set by the user, and these settings can be made as shown in FIG. When used horizontally, the first keytop 5 is used to perform these setting operations by pressing from above.

When the recording apparatus is used vertically as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic paper feeder 9 can be used. When a plurality of recording materials 3 are set in the automatic paper feeding device 9 and the second keytop 6 is pressed, the recording device starts operating in the same manner as described above. That is, when the recording material 3 is fed from the automatic sheet feeding device 9 onto the platen 7, the recording head 8 starts recording together with the recording information sent from the cable 10. Recording on the recording material 3 is performed while alternately repeating the movement of the recording head 8 (main scanning) and the paper feeding (sub-scanning) of the recording material 3, and the recorded recording material 3 is discharged by a discharge roller 4. The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 2. Also in this series of recording operations, the typeface, recording speed, recording density, etc., in the case where the recording information is characters can be set by the user from the outside, and can be used in a vertical position as shown in FIG. When performing the setting, the second keytop 6 is used to perform these setting operations by pressing from above.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of the operation section of the above-described recording apparatus. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the recording apparatus is used in a vertical state. Is shown. 4 and 5, a plurality of push switches 12 corresponding to the respective key tops 5 are provided on a circuit board 11 inside the printing apparatus. The push switch 12 is configured to operate by rotating. The first keytop 5 has a hole 14 in the operation direction of the second keytop 6, and a part of the second keytop 6 is engaged with the hole 14. In this case, the second key top 6 and the hole 14 are engaged via a tapered surface as shown, and a gap is provided on the opposite side. Therefore, by moving the second keytop 6 in the direction of the arrow Y, the first keytop 5 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow A to operate the push switch 12.

In operation, when the first key top 5 is pressed (in the direction of arrow X), only the first key top 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A to operate the push switch 12. On the other hand, when the second keytop 6 is pressed (in the direction of arrow Y), the movement of the second keytop 6 causes the first keytop 5 to rotate in the direction of arrow A, so that the push switch 12 is turned on. Will work.

According to the embodiment described above, when the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, the first key top 5 can be operated by pressing the first key top 5 in the direction of arrow X as shown in FIG. When using the recording device, the second key top 6 can be operated by pressing the second key top 6 in the direction of arrow Y as shown in FIG. , It is possible to perform an operation of pressing the operation section substantially downward from above. As a result, the operability of the switch of the recording apparatus can be greatly improved.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views showing a reference example of the operation unit of the above-described recording apparatus. FIG. 6 shows a case where the recording apparatus is used horizontally and FIG. Indicates when to use. 6 and 7, a plurality of push switches 12 corresponding to the respective key tops 5 are provided on a circuit board 11 inside the printing apparatus, and the first key tops 5 are arranged around the fulcrum 13 in the direction of arrow A. The push switch 12 is configured to operate by rotating. In this reference example , the first keytop 5 and the second keytop 5
The key top 6 has a U-shaped bent portion 15 that can be elastically deformed.
Are formed integrally with each other.

The bent portion 15 is formed near the push switch 12, and the tip of the bent portion 15 contacts the push switch 12 during operation. When the second key top 6 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y, the bent portion 15 is elastically deformed so as to be bent in a direction in which the lateral width is reduced as shown in FIG. 7, and its tip moves downward. Thus, the push switch 12 can be operated. That is, the integrated first key top 5 and second key top 6 constitute a key top that can be operated from two directions substantially perpendicular to each other.

At the time of operation, when the first key top 5 is pressed (in the direction of arrow X), as shown in FIG.
The key top 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A, and the bent portion 15 moves downward as it is.
Activate 2 On the other hand, when the second keytop 6 is pressed (in the direction of arrow Y), as shown in FIG.
5 is elastically deformed so as to bend in a direction in which the lateral width becomes narrower, and its tip moves downward to operate the push switch 12.

[0025] by reference example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
When the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, the first key top 5 can be operated by pushing the key top 5 in the direction of arrow X as shown in FIG. 6, and when the recording apparatus is used in a vertical state, as shown in FIG. 2 can be operated by pressing the key top 6 in the direction of the arrow Y, so that in both cases when the recording device is placed horizontally and vertically, the operation unit is pressed substantially downward from above. It becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to improve the operability of the switch of the recording apparatus.

In the above-described embodiment, a serial type recording apparatus in which the recording head 8 performs recording while moving in the direction traversing the recording material 3 has been described as an example. A line-type recording head using a line-type recording head having a length covering the entire area or a part in the width direction can be similarly applied to a line-type recording apparatus that performs recording only by sub-scanning, and the same effect can be obtained. is there. Further, when the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to a cartridge type integrated with a recording head and an ink tank, a recording head and an ink tank which are separated and connected by an ink supply tube or the like. Regardless of the arrangement of the recording heads and the ink tanks, the present invention can be similarly applied and the same effects can be achieved.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the recording apparatus using one recording head has been described as an example. However, the present invention relates to a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads for recording with inks of different colors. Alternatively, the present invention can be similarly applied to any number of recording heads and recording colors, such as a recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads for recording with the same color and different density inks. The effect can be achieved.

When the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, it can be applied to, for example, an apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type in which ink is ejected by utilizing. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, this is done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to 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 Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head). As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one corresponding to the driving signal. It is valid.

The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, as described above, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium (recording medium) on which a recording apparatus can record. . As such a recording head,
Either a configuration that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used. In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body,
Alternatively, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body, or an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
For the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a discharge other than recording. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for performing stable printing.

As described above, the types and the number of print heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided for only one color ink, and a plurality of print heads having different print colors and densities are provided. A plurality of inks may be provided in correspondence with the above ink. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and may be any of a configuration in which the recording head is integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of color colors or full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet ink is used. In general, in the method, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted 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,
Whether to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as an ink which starts to solidify when it reaches a recording medium, is used.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be. 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, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in a recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording material by a recording means, a circuit board disposed inside the recording apparatus;
A first direction disposed on the circuit board and substantially perpendicular to the circuit board;
A push switch operated by the operating force of
Move in the first direction to activate the switch.
Operating the first operating member and the push switch
Move in a second direction that intersects the first direction
A second operating member and a front portion formed on the first operating member.
The hole in the second direction, the second operating member and the hole are
Engaged with the movement of the second operating member in the second direction.
Moving the first operating member in the first direction.
And the first operation member is
When the first operation member is moved in the direction of
The push switch by contacting the push switch.
A switch is operated, and the second operating member is moved to the second direction.
Moving the first operating member in the first direction.
The push switch is actuated
Since the configuration and the that is pressed (substantially downward from the normal on) substantially in the same direction switch any, of the operation unit cases when used in every case and transverse to use the recording apparatus vertically In addition, the first operating member can be moved to the first
And moving the second operating member to the second direction.
In either case, the first direct
Operating force of the push switch in the first direction by the operating member
Can be actuated, which results in a loss of operating force
And the push switch can be operated reliably.
Thus, a recording device capable of greatly improving the operability of the switch is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect , the recording apparatus can be used in any of a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation, and is used in a vertical orientation. And
When operating the second operation member substantially downward,
When used, operate the first operation member substantially downward.
To achieve the above effect more efficiently
be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a horizontal position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a vertically installed state.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit of the recording apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operation state when the operation unit of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is placed in a horizontal position.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operation state when the operation unit of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is placed vertically in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operation state when the operation unit of the recording apparatus is placed horizontally in the reference example .

7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state when the operation unit of the recording apparatus in FIG . 6 is placed vertically.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Exterior 2 Tray member 3 Recording material 4 Discharge roller 5 1st keytop 6 2nd keytop 7 Platen 8 Recording means (recording head) 9 Automatic paper feeder 10 Cable 11 Circuit board 12 Push switch 13 Fulcrum 14 Hole A Rotation direction of first keytop X Operation direction of first keytop Y Operation direction of second keytop

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI B41J 29/38 B41J 29/00 T G06K 15/00 29/12 B (58) Investigated field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name ) H01H 21/00 330

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording material by a recording unit, comprising: a circuit board disposed inside the recording apparatus; and a first direction disposed on the circuit board and substantially perpendicular to the circuit board. A push switch operated by force; a first operating member moving in the first direction to operate the push switch; and a second direction intersecting the first direction to operate the push switch. A second operating member that moves, a hole in the second direction formed in the first operating member, the second operating member and the hole engage with each other, And a taper surface for moving the first operation member in the first direction along with the movement in the second direction. When the first operation member is moved in the first direction,
When the first operating member comes into direct contact with the push switch and the push switch is operated to move the second operating member in the second direction, the first operating member moves to the first direction. Wherein the push switch is actuated by moving in the direction of. 2. The recording device can be used in any of a vertical position and a horizontal position. When the recording device is used in a vertical position, the second operation member is operated substantially downward, and the recording device is used in a horizontal position. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first operation member is operated, the first operation member is operated substantially downward. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit that performs recording by discharging ink. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. . 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. apparatus.