JP3382449B2 - Ink jet printer and ink storage member mounted on the printer - 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 printer that ejects ink to record on a recording medium,
In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet printer provided with a carriage capable of detachably holding ink storage members having different capacities, and an ink storage member attached to the printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, paper, cloth, plastic sheet, O
As a recording device that performs recording on a recording medium such as a HP sheet (hereinafter, also simply referred to as recording paper), a recording head using various recording methods, for example, a wire dot method, a heat-sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, and an inkjet method. The one equipped with is proposed.

Among these, as for the recording method using the ink jet method (ink jet recording apparatus), a printer as an output terminal of an information processing system, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, an electronic typewriter, a word processor, a workstation, etc. Alternatively, it has been commercialized by being used as a printer provided in a personal computer, a host computer, an optical disk device, a video device, or the like.

A recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus uses an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element as an energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting ink from an ejection port, or an electric element having a heating resistor. There is a device that uses a heat conversion element to heat a liquid to eject ink droplets.

Further, as the market trend in recent years, along with the miniaturization of personal computers and the like, miniaturization and handyness of printers, which are output devices thereof, have been demanded.

Further, printers are rapidly changing from monochrome machines to those capable of color output. Along with this, a color output function has been desired even in a small handy type printer.

However, the data to be output varies depending on the user, and a high-definition color output function is required to output a graph or a design.
Higher throughput tends to be desired for outputting monochrome data such as sentences and documents.

As described above, it is necessary to simultaneously satisfy the demands for a high-definition color image and a higher-speed monochrome output depending on the purpose of the user.

In addition, as the size of the printer becomes smaller, the user may take the printer outside (outdoors) and perform output at the destination. In addition, output may be performed on an indoor desk such as an office as in the conventional case. As such a desired function in various situations, compactness with an emphasis on portability is emphasized when outputting at a destination such as the outdoors, whereas when outputting at a desk such as an office, The importance of cost is emphasized, for example, the running cost of the ink tank.

As one of the methods for satisfying such market demand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-282253 discloses a means for providing a miniaturized printer.

Here, with respect to the downsizing of the printer, the recording head and the ink accommodating portion (hereinafter also referred to as an ink tank) having an ink accommodating amount corresponding to the life of the recording head.
There is a description about an inkjet head cartridge in which and are integrated. Specifically, it is equipped with an ink storage unit that has a recording ink storage capacity that is commensurate with the life of the recording head. At the time of recording, the printer cover is opened, the inkjet head cartridge is projected, and the carriage is scanned for non-recording. At the time of storage (when stored), the inkjet head cartridge can be removed from the carriage, or the inkjet head cartridge can be moved into the inkjet head cartridge storage space provided in the apparatus main body at the home position of the carriage. A configuration is disclosed in which the printer is rotated by 70 ° to 80 ° and stored in the printer.

[0012]

However, in the printer disclosed in the above publication, an ink jet printer of a certain size (size protruding from the printer cover) is used without downsizing the ink storage unit (ink jet head cartridge). By mounting only the head cartridge on the carriage, the printer itself can be made smaller and thinner. Further, in a configuration having a mechanism for rotating the inkjet head cartridge during storage to store it in the inkjet head cartridge storage space provided in the apparatus main body, the number of parts is increased and the structure is complicated, and As a result, the size of the printer itself becomes large.

The portable type ink jet printer has the following problems.

That is, when a small ink jet cartridge that fits in the space of the housing of the portable ink jet printer is mounted on the carriage and the carriage protection cover is closed, the ink other than the ink used for forming the recorded image is formed. A minute ink (hereinafter referred to as an ink mist) generated when the ink is ejected during recording is scattered in the closed narrow space, and is a recording medium such as paper, cloth, plastic sheet, OHP sheet and the like. There is a risk that the recording quality will be significantly deteriorated.

This phenomenon has been within an allowable range to some extent in a monochrome printer using only black ink, but in a color printer which is becoming mainstream in the market at present, for example, a magenta (M) color on a yellow (Y) background is used. ), Cyan (C) or the like adheres as mist to a portion of the recording medium other than the one to be attached as a recorded image, which directly causes deterioration of the image itself, which is a problem.

Further, the problem of the ink mist is that the color image when ejecting ink while scanning the carriage at least twice or more in the same recording area, particularly in the fine mode for outputting the color image with high definition. In order to suppress color mixture bleeding in, the waiting time between paper feeding increases, and the amount of ink mist floating on the paper surface attached to the recording medium is likely to increase.
It was a more important issue to consider.

Further, due to the wind pressure generated during the scanning of the carriage, the landing position of the ink mist on the recording medium is highly likely to land at a position distant from the landing position of the ink droplet used for image recording. However, there is a problem that deterioration occurs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printer excellent in portability and capable of high-definition image recording, and an ink storage member mounted in the printer.

Another object of the present invention is the purpose of use of the user, the usage situation (for example, color output (high definition) / monochrome output (high speed emphasis), destination output (portability emphasis), desk. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet printer that can be easily selected by the user according to the above output (focusing on running cost), and an ink storage member attached to the printer.

[0020]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet printer according to a first aspect of the invention ejects ink supplied from an ink containing member from an ink jet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium. In the ink jet printer, a mounting portion on which the ink storage member is detachably mounted, a space for storing the mounting portion, and a first ink storage member stored in the space are mounted on the mounting portion. Of the first recording mode in which the recording is performed by the second recording mode and the second recording mode in which the second ink storage member having a size that is not stored in the space is placed on the mounting portion to perform the recording.
And an ink storage member selection unit for inputting the selected mode .

In the above ink jet printer, the first ink containing member and the second ink containing member are
The placement areas when placed on the placement unit may be substantially equal, and the height of the second ink storage member may be higher than the height of the first ink storage member.

Further, the ink storage capacity of the second ink storage member may be at least 1.5 times or more the ink storage capacity of the first ink storage member.

Further, the ink jet head may eject ink by using heat energy generated by the electrothermal converter.

The ink jet printer of the second invention is
In an inkjet printer that ejects ink supplied from an ink storage member from an inkjet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, a mounting unit that removably mounts the ink storage member and a mounting unit described above are stored. And a first position that covers the space, and a cover member that is displaceable between a first position that covers the space and a second position that is separated from the first position and that opens the space to the outside, and is housed in the space. A first ink storage member is mounted on the mounting portion to perform recording.
Recording is performed by placing the second ink storage member stored in the recording mode, the space in the state where the cover member is displaced to the second position, and the external space continuous to the space on the mounting unit. Second recording mode selected to
And an ink storage member selection unit for inputting the.

[0025] In the ink jet printer, further comprising a detection unit for front <br/> Symbol cover member detects that it has displaced the second position, selecting portions of the ink receiving member,
The detection unit is configured such that the cover member is displaced to the second position.
The second recording mode may be selectable only when it is detected .

Further, the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member have substantially the same mounting area when they are mounted on the mounting portion, and the height of the second ink storage member is high. May be higher than the height of the first ink storage member.

Furthermore, the ink storage capacity of the second ink storage member may be at least 1.5 times the ink storage capacity of the first ink storage member.

Further, the ink jet head may be one which ejects ink by using the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.

The ink jet printer of the third invention is
In an inkjet printer that ejects ink supplied from an ink storage member from an inkjet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, a first inkjet head that ejects a first color ink and an ink that ejects a second color ink A second ink jet head, a first ink storage member that stores the first color ink, and a second ink storage member that stores the second color ink, and a mounting portion that detachably mounts each of them. A first recording for executing recording when a space for accommodating the placement portion and an ink accommodating member of a size such that the first ink accommodating member and the second ink accommodating member are accommodated in the space; A second mode in which recording is executed when the mode and the size in which at least one of the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member is not stored in the space;
To enter the selected mode of recording mode
And an ink storage member selection unit.

In the above ink jet printer, the ink containing member having a size to be accommodated in the space and the ink accommodating member having a size not to be accommodated in the space are placed when placed on the placing section. Even if the areas are substantially equal to each other, the height of the ink storage member that is not stored in the space is higher than the height of the ink storage member that is stored in the space. Good.

Further, the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member that is not stored in the space may be at least 1.5 times the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member that is stored in the space. .

Further, the first color may be black, and the second color may be yellow, cyan or magenta.

Further, the first ink jet head and the second ink jet head may eject ink by using heat energy generated by the electrothermal converter.

The ink jet printer of the fourth invention is
In an inkjet printer that ejects ink supplied from an ink storage member from an inkjet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, a first inkjet head that ejects a first color ink and an ink that ejects a second color ink A second ink jet head, a first ink storage member that stores the first color ink, and a second ink storage member that stores the second color ink, and a mounting portion that detachably mounts each of them. And a cover member displaceable into a space for accommodating the placing part, a first position for covering the space, and a second position for separating the space from the first position and opening the space to the outside. A first recording mode for performing recording when the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member are ink storage members of a size that can be stored in the space, and the first ink storage unit And a second ink storage member, at least one of which performs recording when the cover member has a size to be stored in the space in a state where the cover member is displaced to the second position and an external space continuous with the space. second recording mode
Ink storage member for inputting the selected mode
And a selection unit of.

[0035] In the ink jet printer, further comprising a detection unit for front <br/> Symbol cover member detects that it has displaced the second position, selecting portions of the ink receiving member,
The detection unit is configured such that the cover member is displaced to the second position.
The second recording mode may be selectable only when it is detected .

Further, the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member sized to be stored in the space and the external space continuous with the space is the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member sized to be stored in the space. May be at least 1.5 times or more.

Further, the first color may be black and the second color may be yellow, cyan or magenta.

Further, the first ink jet head and the second ink jet head may eject ink by using heat energy generated by the electrothermal converter. The ink jet of the second or fourth invention described above.
In the printer, the first recording mode is the first mode
And the second mode, which has higher image quality than the first mode.
The display means and one of the first and second modes
The mode selector for entering the selected mode, and
When the second mode is selected by the mode selection unit
To the second position of the cover member by the detector.
If the displacement of the cover member is not detected,
Display the message requesting displacement to the second position
As a configuration further including control means for displaying on the means
Good.

The ink accommodating member of the present invention is an ink jet printer that ejects ink supplied from the ink accommodating member from an ink jet head onto a recording medium to record on the recording medium, and the ink accommodating member is detachable. A mounting portion that has a locking portion that locks the ink storage member while mounting it, a space that stores the mounting portion, and an ink storage member that is stored in the space are mounted on the mounting portion. The selected mode is selected from the first recording mode in which the recording is performed by placing the ink storage member and the second recording mode in which the recording is performed by placing the ink storage member having a size not stored in the space on the mounting portion.
An ink storage member to be installed in an inkjet printer having a selection unit of an ink storage member for inputting a mode, and a storage surface to be mounted on the mounting unit and a storage unit to store ink. And a locked portion that cooperates with the locking portion of the mounting portion to lock the housing to the mounting portion.

[0040]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the outline of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of an ink jet recording apparatus.

In FIG. 1, the carriage 2 is a recording head cartridge (inkjet head cartridge).
1 is a cartridge mounting portion (cartridge mounting member) that is detachably mounted and moves in a direction different from the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and guide shafts having both ends fixed to the frame 4 and arranged in parallel with each other. 5 and the guide rail 12 are slidably supported in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P and parallel to the surface of the recording medium P. Also,
The carriage 2 is coupled to a part of a carriage drive belt 11 that is wound around a drive pulley 13 fixed to an output shaft of a carriage drive motor 10 and a driven pulley (not shown) rotatably supported. The carriage drive belt 1 is driven by driving the carriage drive motor 10.
1 rotates, and the carriage 2 reciprocates in the above direction.

The recording head cartridge 1 has a head terminal portion 51 for receiving a recording signal which is an electric signal for ejecting ink.
A nozzle unit 50 as a recording head for ejecting ink from the ink ejection port, an electrothermal converter such as a heater for generating energy for ejecting ink from the ink ejection port, and an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element. An ink tank holder or a monochrome ink tank (black ink tank 30b) and a color ink tank 30a in which a supporting base plate 52, a monochrome tank (black ink tank 30 in this embodiment) are individually mounted (see FIG. 3).
Ink tank holder 6 for mounting and (see FIG. 5)
0 and. Then, each ink tank holder detachably holds the black ink tank 30, the black ink tank 30b, and the color ink tank 30a that house the ink tank. The nozzle portion 50 is provided at the bottom portion (lower end portion in the drawing) of the recording head cartridge 1,
The ink is ejected downward in the drawing. Nozzle 50
A print signal to the head terminal unit 5 is sent from a control board (not shown) that controls the operation of the inkjet printing apparatus via a flexible cable 3 provided on the carriage 2.
1 is transmitted. The flexible cable 3 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 2 and forms a loop as the carriage 2 moves. The recording head cartridge 1 and the carriage 2 will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, both ends of the recording medium P are frame 4
It is loaded on a pressure plate 8 which is rotatably supported by. Pressure plate 8
Is urged toward the pickup roller 9 by urging means (not shown), and the recording medium P loaded on the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the pickup roller 9. When the pickup roller 9 is rotated by the paper feed command,
The recording medium P is sent out by the frictional force between the pickup roller 9 and the recording medium P, but the pressure plate 8 has a separating means (not shown) such as a separating claw used in a conventional automatic paper feeder. Due to the action of the separating means, only one recording medium P at the uppermost position is sent out.

The recording medium P sent out by the pickup roller 9 is conveyed below the carriage 2 while being nipped by the conveying roller 6 whose both ends are supported by the frame 4 and the pinch roller 7 provided on the base 14. . Recording is performed on the recording medium P at this position. Further, a discharge roller (discharge roller) 15 and a spur 16 are arranged to face the downstream side of the carriage 2 with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P passing below the carriage 2 is discharged from these. It is sandwiched between the paper roller 15 and the spur 16 and discharged. The drive of the pickup roller 9, the transport roller 6, and the paper discharge roller 15 described above is performed by using a paper feed motor (not shown) as a drive source.

Next, a portable ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the above ink jet recording apparatus is housed, and an ink tank used for the same will be described. In the following description, the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P is the back side, the downstream side is the front side, and the side surface on the front side is the front surface.

2 and 3 are perspective views showing the appearance of a portable ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the top cover is opened, a state in which the carriage protection cover is closed, and a state in which the carriage protection cover is opened. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment has a lower case 18 and an upper case 17 which form an exterior, and the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed inside. ing.

At the rear side of the upper case 17, the upper case 17 is provided.
A top cover 19 that covers is provided so as to be openable and closable.
The upper case 17 has an opening at a portion corresponding to the pressure plate 8, and by opening the top cover 19, the top cover 19 is opened.
Serves as a tray for setting the recording medium P on the pressure plate 8. Further, the upper case 17 has an opening from the center to the front surface, and the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 can be attached and detached from this opening. Therefore, when the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30 is replaced, the carriage 2 is moved to the center of its moving range by a predetermined operation. On the front side of the opening for replacement of the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30, there is provided a carriage protection cover 20 which can be opened and closed so as to cover a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the opening. The carriage protection cover 20 is provided with a lock mechanism (not shown) that locks in the opened state. When replacing the recording head cartridge 1 or the ink tank 30, the carriage protection cover 20 is opened and then replaced.

In the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment, the recording head cartridge 1 has a small capacity (standard capacity) ink tank excellent in portability (see FIG. 5) and a large capacity capable of reducing the running cost. Two types of ink tanks (see FIG. 6) are mounted and recording can be performed on each. When a large-capacity ink tank is mounted on the recording head cartridge 1, recording is performed by locking the carriage protection cover 20 in the open state as shown in FIG. Considering running costs, it is desirable that the capacity of the large-capacity ink tank be 1.5 times or more that of the standard ink tank (small-capacity ink tank). The size (height in this case) of the large-capacity ink tank can be set within a range allowed in the recording space (carriage moving space), but the degree of freedom in design, carriage driving force, carriage Considering protection by the protective cover 20, appearance, etc., the cross section of the scanning space of the carriage in which the ink tank is mounted intersects the sliding direction of the carriage within the width of 50 mm or less and the height of 70 mm or less. Is desirable.

In this embodiment, with the carriage protection cover 20 closed, the carriage is accommodated and the cross section of the internal space that enables scanning is 50 mm wide and 30 mm high. Is within the range of.

Further, in this embodiment, the bottom area of the ink jet head cartridge and the bottom area occupied by the ink tank are made substantially the same, and the increased amount of the ink storage portion of the large capacity tank is extended in the vertical direction. When recording with a large-capacity ink tank, by opening the carriage protection cover for recording, even if a large-capacity ink tank is used, an extra large-capacity ink tank can be mounted on the carriage compared to when using a normal-capacity ink tank. A printer can be made more compact without requiring an installation area.

Further, as will be described later, by performing the recording with the carriage protection cover opened, the adhesion of the ink mist can be suppressed to the minimum, and higher-definition recording can be performed.

The recording head cartridge (also called an ink tank holder) and the ink tank will be described below.

In the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment, the recording head cartridge and the ink tank can be selectively attached / detached according to the user's usage status and output data.

More specifically, the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment includes an ink jet head cartridge 1 for monochrome recording shown in FIG. 3 and an ink jet head cartridge 1 for color recording shown in FIG.
Is selected and mounted on the carriage 2 and is further removable from the monochrome inkjet head cartridge (30 in FIG. 3) and the color ink tank removable from the color recording inkjet head cartridge (black shown in FIG. 5). Image recording is performed using the ink tank 30b and the color ink tank 30a).

When the output data is a text or document in black only, the monochrome ink jet head cartridge (1 in FIG. 3) is mounted on the carriage by an elastic latch lever (not shown). By mounting the black ink tank (30 in FIG. 3) on this inkjet head cartridge by operating the latch lever (see FIG. 5), it becomes possible to output data at a higher speed and it is also effective in terms of running cost. Is.

On the other hand, when outputting a color image, a color ink jet head cartridge (see FIG.
1) and color ink tanks (30a, 30 in FIG. 5)
Similarly select b) and mount it on the carriage 2. By performing such exchange, high-definition color recording can be easily performed.

As described above, by constructing the recording head cartridge (tank holder) and the ink tank so that they can be easily replaced according to the usage situation, a user-friendly printer can be provided.

In the present embodiment, the ink jet head cartridge 1 is described as a structure in which the nozzle portion 50 and the ink tank are separate bodies, but the invention is not limited to this, and the ink storage portion of normal capacity is used. The inkjet printer may be configured such that an inkjet head cartridge in which the inkjet head and the inkjet head are integrated and an inkjet head cartridge in which the large-capacity ink storage portion and the inkjet head are integrated are appropriately selected and mounted on the carriage 2.

In this embodiment, an ink jet printer provided with a carriage will be described, but the invention is not limited to this, and it corresponds to the recordable width of the recording medium in a direction substantially orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. A printer of a type using a so-called full-line inkjet head, which has an ink ejection port array of a length that does not move with respect to a conveyed recording medium during recording, It may be a printer in which a plurality of ink storage members having different ink storage capacities to be supplied are mounted on the ink storage member mounting portion.

Next, a small capacity ink tank and a large capacity ink tank will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the color ink tank 30a and the black ink tank 30b, which are small-capacity ink tanks, are mounted on the recording head cartridge 1. In FIG. 6, the color ink tank 30a ′ and the black ink tank 30b ′, which are large-capacity ink tanks, are shown in FIG.
It is the figure which showed the state mounted in.

In FIG. 5, the recording head cartridge 1
Is provided with an ink tank holder 60 which mounts a color ink tank 30a and a black ink tank 30b via a partition plate 61, and discharges ink supplied from each ink tank mounted on the ink tank holder 60. A nozzle unit 50 having an outlet row is provided. Color ink tank 30a and black ink tank 30b
Includes an elastic latch lever 31 which is a lock mechanism for fixing the ink tank to the ink tank holder 60.
a and 31b are provided, and retaining claws 32a and 32b when the ink tank is stored in the ink tank holder 60 are provided on the bottom side of the side surface facing the latch lever. The color ink tank 30a 'and the black ink tank 30b' shown in FIG. 6 are also these ink tanks 30a, 3a except that the tanks are extended in the height direction.
A latch lever (not shown) and retaining claws 32a 'and 32b' are provided in the same configuration as 0b. Less than,
The configuration of the color ink tanks 30a and 30a 'will be described.

FIG. 7A shows the color ink tank 30.
The bottom view of a and the side view are shown in FIG.7 (b). The color ink tank 30a is composed of a container that holds ink and a lid member that covers the container and seals the container. At the bottom of the container, ink supply ports corresponding to the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are provided. 32C, 32M and 32Y are formed. The latch lever 31a has a latch claw 31 for fixing the ink tank to the ink tank holder 60.
b is provided. The color ink tank 30a 'has the same configuration except that the ink capacities are different. A bottom view of the color ink tank 30a' is shown in FIG.
It shows in (b). Although not shown, the black ink tanks 30b and 30b 'also have the same configuration as these color ink tanks except that they have only one ink supply port.

In any of the above ink tanks,
It is manufactured through the process of filling ink into the container that holds the ink inside, and when the ink tank is stored and fixed in the ink tank holder, the hook claw of the ink tank is the hook claw provided on the ink tank holder. It is fixed by fitting it into an engaging hole (not shown) and then inserting the latch claw of the ink tank into the latch claw engaging hole (not shown) of the ink tank holder. The attachment / detachment of each ink tank is performed by operating the latch lever.

In the printer of this embodiment described above, the ink tank holder 60 of the ink jet head cartridge 1 has the ink tank 30 of the normal capacity (the ink tank of a size usable with the carriage protection cover 20 closed). It is possible to select a mode in which the carriage protection cover 20 is used with the use of the above and a mode in which the carriage protection cover 20 is used with the ink tank 30 as a countermeasure against ink mist. A recording mode and a second recording mode in which an image is recorded using a large-capacity ink tank 30 'that must be used with the carriage protection cover 20 opened are provided.

Further, the printer according to the present embodiment has a first usage mode in which the black ink tank 30b having a normal capacity and the color ink tank 30a having a normal capacity as shown in FIG. The large-capacity black ink tank 30b 'and the large-capacity color ink tank 30a' as shown in FIG.
And a third usage mode in which a normal capacity black ink tank 30b and a large capacity color ink tank 30a ′ are mounted in the ink tank holder 60, and a large capacity black ink. A fourth usage pattern in which the tank 30b ′ and the normal capacity color ink tank 30a are attached to the ink tank holder 60 is provided. In this case, in the first usage mode, the first recording mode is selected, and in the second, third, and fourth usage modes, the second recording mode is selected to perform desired image recording, respectively. Will be things.

Further, in the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment, (1) since the recording head cartridge is equipped with a small capacity ink tank or a large capacity ink tank depending on the use, a large capacity ink is mounted on the carriage. When a recording head cartridge equipped with a tank is installed, it must be used with the carriage protection cover open. (2) During recording operations, especially in the recording area to output high-definition images. Ink ejected onto the head is scanned at least twice (carriage scan)
Since the image quality is deteriorated by ink mist during recording operation in the fine mode, it is preferable to use the carriage protection cover open in such cases. An open detection function is provided. In this example,
When the lock mechanism (not shown) that locks the carriage protection cover in the open state locks the carriage protection cover in the open state, the "carriage protection cover is in the open state" is detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the open state of the carriage protection cover may be detected using a micro switch or the like provided at the position when the carriage protection cover is opened.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of the carriage protection cover opening detection function provided in the portable ink jet printer of this embodiment, and FIG. 10 explains the processing in the carriage protection cover opening detection function shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for.

In FIG. 9, the carriage protection cover open detection function is composed of a CPU 100, a cover lock detection means 102 and a display operation unit 103 which are respectively connected to the CPU 100.

The cover lock detecting means 102 detects whether or not the carriage protection cover is locked in the opened state, and outputs the result of whether or not the cover is locked to the CPU 100.

The display operation section 103 is an ink tank selection section 10 for inputting the type of ink tank mounted on the recording head cartridge mounted on the carriage.
4, recording mode (normal mode, fine mode, etc.)
And a mode selection unit 105 for inputting, and outputs an input instruction from the operator to the CPU 100. Further, an instruction from the CPU 100 is displayed on the display operation unit 103.

In the carriage protection cover lock control system, when the print head cartridge is mounted on the carriage, the following processing as shown in FIG. 10 is performed.

First, whether the size of the ink tank mounted on the recording head mounted on the carriage is small or large is determined by the ink tank selection unit 104 of the display operation unit 103.
The determination is made based on the input by the operator in step S101.

When the determination in step S101 indicates that the ink tank has a small capacity, whether the fine mode is subsequently selected as the recording mode,
The determination is made based on the operator's input on the mode selection unit 105 of the display operation unit 103 (S102). If the determination in step S102 indicates that the mode is not the fine mode (here, the normal mode), recording is started as it is, and if the mode is the fine mode, it is determined whether the cover is open or not. Means 102
It is determined based on the lock state of the cover detected by (S103). If the judgment in step S103 indicates that the cover is open, recording is started as it is, and if the cover is not open, "Open cover" is displayed on the display operation unit 103, Recording is started after the carriage protection cover is opened according to the display or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the display (S
104, S107).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S101 indicates that the ink tank has a large capacity, then it is determined whether the cover is locked or not based on the lock state of the cover detected by the cover lock detecting means 102. It is determined (S105). If the determination in step S105 shows that the lock is made, recording is started (S107), and if it is shown that the lock is not made, "Please lock the cover" is displayed on the display operation unit 103. Then, step S105 is executed again (S1
06).

In the above description, the type of the ink tank is judged based on the input by the operator, but it is not limited to this. For example, a distinguishable electric resistance reading terminal is provided on the carriage. Alternatively, different resistance elements may be provided in the tank to electrically determine. Also,
The opening / closing of the carriage protection cover is judged based on the detection result of the cover lock detecting means 102. However, when only the cover opening operation in the fine mode is intended,
It may be possible to provide a sensor for detecting the state in which the cover is closed to make the determination.

[0079]

As described above, according to the ink jet printer of the present invention, by instructing the opening / closing of the carriage protection cover by the carriage protection cover lock detection system, a recording head cartridge having a large capacity ink tank is installed. Since the carriage protection cover is not locked when it is mounted on the carriage, it is possible to prevent the cover from falling to the carriage side and damaging the carriage or the like during recording.

Further, when a large amount of ink mist such as a fine mode for outputting a color image with high definition is generated, image recording is performed with the carriage protection cover open, thereby increasing the number of head scans. Along with this, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of ink mist adhering to the recording medium that occurs due to an increase in the paper feed stop time, and it is possible to mitigate the image quality deterioration due to the ink mist.

Further, according to the ink jet printer of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an ink jet printer having excellent portability and capable of recording high-definition images.

Furthermore, the purpose of use of the user, the usage situation (for example, color output (high definition) / monochrome output (high speed)), output at the destination (portability important), desk output (running cost) There is an effect that an ink jet printer which can be easily selected by the user and an ink tank attached to the printer can be obtained according to the priority.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a portable inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a carriage protection cover is closed with a top cover opened.

3 is a diagram showing a state where a carriage protection cover of the portable inkjet printer shown in FIG. 2 is opened.

4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a large-capacity ink tank is mounted on the recording head cartridge of the portable inkjet printer shown in FIG. 2 and a carriage protection cover is locked in an opened state.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a color ink tank and a black ink tank, which are small-capacity ink tanks, are mounted on a recording head cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a color ink tank and a black ink tank, which are large-capacity ink tanks, are mounted on the recording head cartridge 1.

7A is a bottom view of the color ink tank shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B is a side view thereof.

8A is a bottom view of the color ink tank shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8B is a side view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a carriage protection cover open detection function provided in the portable inkjet printer of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process in a carriage protection cover lock detection function shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Recording Head Cartridge 2 Carriage 3 Flexible Cable 4 Frame 5 Guide Shaft 6 Transport Roller 7 Pinch Roller 8 Pressure Plate 9 Pickup Roller 10 Carriage Drive Motor 11 Carriage Drive Belt 12 Guide Rail 13 Drive Pulley 14 Base 15 Ejection Roller 16 Spur 17 Upper Case 18 Lower Case 19 Top Cover 20 Carriage Protective Cover 30, 30 'Ink Tank 30a, 30a' Color Ink Tank 30b, 30b 'Black Ink Tank 31a, 31a', 31b, 31b 'Latch Lever 32a, 32a', 32b, 32b ' Lockout claws 33C, 33M, 33Y, 33C ', 33M', 33
Y'ink supply port 50 nozzle part 51 head terminal part 52 base plate 60 ink tank holder 61 partition plate 101 CPU 102 cover lock detection means 103 display operation part 104 mode selection part 105 ink tank selection part

Claims (21)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet printer that ejects ink supplied from an ink containing member onto a recording medium from an ink jet head to perform recording on the recording medium, and a mounting portion on which the ink containing member is detachably mounted, A space for accommodating the placement portion, a first recording mode in which the first ink storage member accommodated in the space is placed on the placement portion to perform recording, and a size of a size not accommodated in the space a second recording mode for executing recording by placing the second ink storage member to the mounting section
Ink storage member for inputting the selected mode
Jet printer characterized by having a selection section. 2. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member have substantially the same mounting area when mounted on the mounting unit. At the same time, the height of the second ink storage member is higher than the height of the first ink storage member. 3. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage capacity of the second ink storage member is the first ink storage capacity.
An ink jet printer characterized by having at least 1.5 times the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member. 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet head ejects ink by using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal converter. 5. An ink jet printer for ejecting ink supplied from an ink containing member onto a recording medium from an ink jet head to perform recording on the recording medium, and a placing section for detachably placing the ink containing member, A space for accommodating the placing portion, a first position for covering the space, a cover member displaceable to a second position for separating the space from the first position and opening the space to the outside, the space A first recording mode in which a first ink storage member accommodated therein is placed on the mounting portion to execute recording, and the space in which the cover member is displaced to the second position and the space are continuous To input a selected mode of the second recording mode in which the second ink storage member to be stored in the external space is mounted on the mounting portion and recording is performed.
An ink-jet printer, comprising : a storage member selection unit. 6. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, before Symbol further comprising a detecting section in which the cover member detects that displaced the second position, selecting portions of the ink receiving member, wherein the detection unit , The
When it is detected that the bar member is displaced to the second position
An ink jet printer characterized in that the second recording mode can be selected only in the case. 7. The inkjet printer according to claim 5, wherein the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member have substantially the same mounting area when mounted on the mounting unit. At the same time, the height of the second ink storage member is higher than the height of the first ink storage member. 8. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the ink storage capacity of the second ink storage member is the first ink storage capacity.
An ink jet printer characterized by having at least 1.5 times the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member. 9. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the ink jet head ejects ink by using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal converter. 10. An ink jet printer for ejecting ink supplied from an ink containing member from an ink jet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, wherein a first ink jet head ejecting a first color ink, and a second ink jet head. A second inkjet head for ejecting color ink, a first ink storage member for storing the first color ink, and a second ink storage member for storing the second color ink are detachably mounted respectively. A recording is performed when a mounting portion to be placed, a space for accommodating the placing portion, and an ink accommodating member of such a size that the first ink accommodating member and the second ink accommodating member are accommodated in the space. A first recording mode to be executed, and a second recording to be executed when the size is such that at least one of the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member is not stored in the space Enter the selected mode of the recording mode
And an ink storage member selection section for use with the inkjet printer. 11. The ink jet printer according to claim 10, wherein the ink storage member having a size stored in the space and the ink storage member having a size not stored in the space are mounted on the mounting portion. The placement area when placed is substantially the same, and the height of the ink containing member that is not stored in the space is higher than the height of the ink containing member that is stored in the space. Inkjet printer characterized by. 12. The ink jet printer according to claim 10, wherein the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member that is not stored in the space is the ink storage capacity of the ink storage member that is stored in the space. At least 1.5 times or more of the above. 13. The inkjet printer according to claim 10, wherein the first color is black and the second colors are yellow, cyan, and
An inkjet printer characterized by being magenta. 14. The inkjet printer according to claim 10, wherein the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head eject ink by using heat energy generated by an electrothermal converter. . 15. An ink jet printer for ejecting ink supplied from an ink containing member from an ink jet head onto a recording medium to perform recording on the recording medium, comprising: a first ink jet head for ejecting a first color ink; and a second ink jet head. A second inkjet head for ejecting color ink, a first ink storage member for storing the first color ink, and a second ink storage member for storing the second color ink are detachably mounted respectively. Displacement into a mounting portion to be placed, a space for accommodating the mounting portion, a first position that covers the space, and a second position that is separated from the first position and opens the space to the outside. A possible cover member, a first recording mode for performing recording when the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member are ink storage members of a size that can be stored in the space, and When at least one of the first ink storage member and the second ink storage member has a size to be stored in the space in a state where the cover member is displaced to the second position and an external space continuous with the space. Selected of the second recording mode for performing recording
An ink jet printer, comprising: an ink storage member selection unit for inputting a mode . 16. The ink jet printer according to claim 15, before Symbol further comprising a detecting section in which the cover member detects that displaced the second position, selecting portions of the ink receiving member, wherein the detection unit , The
When it is detected that the bar member is displaced to the second position
An ink jet printer characterized in that the second recording mode can be selected only in the case. 17. The inkjet printer according to claim 15, wherein an ink storage capacity of an ink storage member having a size stored in the space and an external space continuous with the space is stored in the space. An ink jet printer characterized by having at least 1.5 times the ink storage capacity of a large-sized ink storage member. 18. The inkjet printer according to claim 15, wherein the first color is black and the second colors are yellow and cyan.
An inkjet printer characterized by being magenta. 19. The inkjet printer according to claim 15, wherein the first inkjet head and the second inkjet head eject ink by using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal converter. . 20. An ink jet printer for performing recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink supplied from the ink containing member from an inkjet head onto the recording medium, wherein the ink containing member is removably mounted and the ink is A mounting portion having a locking portion that locks the storage member, a space for storing the mounting portion, and an ink storage member stored in the space are mounted on the mounting portion for recording. b for inputting the selected mode of the second recording mode for executing the recording is placed in the mounting section of the ink storage member magnitude of which is not stored in the first recording mode and the space that
An ink storage member to be mounted on an ink jet printer having a selection unit of the ink storage member, and a housing having a mounting surface mounted on the mounting unit and a storage unit storing the ink; An ink storage member, comprising: a locked portion that locks the housing to the mounting portion in cooperation with a locking portion of the mounting portion. 21. The ink jet according to claim 6 or 16.
In a jet printer, The first recording mode is divided into the first mode and the first mode.
It consists of a second mode with high image quality, Display means, A selected mode of the first and second modes
A mode selection section for inputting When the second mode is selected by the mode selection unit,
The detection unit causes the second position of the cover member to be detected.
If no displacement is detected, the cover member
The message requesting displacement of the
It further has a control means for displaying on the display means.
Inkjet printer to collect.