JP3386829B2 - 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 in which a recording head and an ink container can be attached to and detached from a carrying member such as a carriage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to prevent downsizing of a recording apparatus and waste of ink irrelevant to a printing color, a recording head for monochromatic printing and a recording head for multicolor printing are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-13752. An ink jet recording apparatus has been proposed in which a head is replaceably attached to a conveying member. According to this, the recording head which is not involved in printing in printing can be eliminated flushing ink consumption by for preventing clogging of the nozzles due to be released from the cap, also the unnecessary recording head and ink container Since it is not necessary to mount it on the transport member, the transport member can be downsized and moved at high speed.

[0003]

However, there is a problem in that the recording head is present independently, and the ink remaining in the nozzles and the internal flow paths dries early and suffers fatal damage due to clogging and the like. is there. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of preventing fatal damage to a recording head due to replacement. is there.

[0004]

In order to solve such a problem, an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention has a recording member mounted on a conveying member so that the recording head is detachably mounted on the conveying member, and an ink storage container is provided on the recording head. In an inkjet recording apparatus that supplies ink to the recording head as removable, when the recording head is in an engagement fixing state with the conveying member, a release mechanism for the conveying member is used.
When the lock mechanism provided on the recording head is released so that the ink container can be always attached to and detached from the recording head, and when the recording head is detached from the transport member, Prevents the ink container from being removed from the recording head by the lock mechanism .

[0005]

[Action] only when the ink container to the recording head is coupled, the recording head is an ink ink container integral
Can be removed from the transport member in the state of
Wei binding of the removed recording head and the ink container
To have.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present invention, which is a recording head 10 which ejects ink droplets in response to a signal from the outside.
Is a pressurizing chamber 1 for pressurizing ink as shown in FIG.
1, a pressure generating means 12 such as a piezoelectric element and a heating element, a nozzle plate 14 provided with nozzles 13 having a diameter of about 30 to 70 μm for ejecting ink droplets, and an ink supply unit 1.
It is composed of 5 and the like.

An ink container 20 is detachably attached to the recording head 10. The ink container 20
Contains a porous material so that it can hold ink when necessary, and the ink amount is used as an electrical resistance value.
An ink remaining amount detecting unit 21 as a detecting unit is provided. The transport member 30 is configured to be guided by the guide shafts 3a and 3b and moved in the main scanning direction by a motor via a transporting means 4 such as a timing belt or a wire. Two
0 is detachably mounted on the transport member 30 .

With such a structure, when a print signal is input from the outside, the conveying member 30 moves in the main scanning direction of the recording member 5, and the pressure generating means 12 of the recording head 10 when necessary.
Signal is applied, the internal pressure of the pressurizing chamber 11 rapidly rises, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles 13, and pixels are formed at desired positions on the recording member 5. When the necessary image formation is completed, the recording member 5 is subsequently ejected from the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the series of image forming operations is completed, and the standby state is entered.

FIG. 3 shows a mechanism of an engaging portion of the recording head 10, the ink container 20 and the conveying member 30. The conveying member 30 has a first attaching / detaching limiting mechanism 6 and a second attaching / detaching mechanism. limiting mechanism have is provided, the ink container 20 through the first removable limiting mechanism 6 is engaged and fixed to the recording head 10, also engaging the recording head 10 in the conveying member 30 through the second removable limiting mechanism 7 It is designed to be fixed together. First
The attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 6 is disengaged when the recording head 10 is properly attached to the transport member 30, and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 7 is in a state where the ink storage container 20 is properly attached. The engagement with the transport member 30 is released.

[0010] detachable limiting mechanism 6 and 7, the first detachment mechanism 16, the second detachment mechanism 17, and the conveying member 30 and the ink container 20 and the first release mechanism 31 arranged respectively, each taking substantially the same configuration, It is constituted by the second release mechanism 23.

[0011] These detaching mechanism 16 and 17, the central portion as a fulcrum is constructed as a pivotable arm, pawl 16a at one end of the arm engages the locking mechanism 22 of the ink container 20, A claw 17a that engages with the lock mechanism 32 of the transport member 30 is formed, and the operating piece 1 that is rotated by the entry of the first release mechanism 31 and the second release mechanism 23 at the other end.
6b and 17b are formed.

The first release mechanism 31 and the second release mechanism 23 are
The actuating pieces 16b and 17b of the attaching / detaching mechanisms 16 and 17 are formed in a tapered shape so that they can be spread and easily entered.
It is configured as a protrusion having a substantially triangular cross-section that keeps the claws 16a and 17a in the engaged state when they enter the b and 17b.

Although not shown, in order to prevent the recording head 10 from being inadvertently removed from the transport mechanism when the ink container 20 is attached or detached, a spring member and a spring member, which are well known, are provided. The recording head is conveyed to the conveying member 30 by a second holding mechanism having a structure for coupling and a structure for pushing the spring member by a lever or the like to release the holding.
It is desirable to fix it to.

In this embodiment, when only the recording head 10 is properly mounted on the conveying member 30, as shown in FIG.
Since the second attaching / detaching mechanism 17 returns to its original position and the pawl 17a engages with the second lock mechanism 32 as shown in (a), it is impossible to remove the recording head 10 from the transport member 30. Becomes

When the ink storage container 20 is mounted in the state shown in FIG. 4A, that is, in the state where the recording head 10 is locked to the conveying member 30, the second attachment / detachment mechanism 17 as shown in FIG. The operating piece 17b of the second release mechanism 2
3, the claw 17a is pushed out by the second lock mechanism 32.
Get out of.

In this state, the conveying member 30 of the recording head 10 can be removed, so that the above-described second member (not shown) can be used.
When the recording head 10 is lifted together with the ink storage container 20 by releasing the holding mechanism of the recording head 10, the recording head 10 is separated from the transport member 30. When the recording head 30 separates from the transport member 30, the operating piece 16b of the first attaching / detaching mechanism 16 loses the support of the first releasing mechanism 31 and returns to the original state as shown in FIG. The lock mechanism 22 of the ink storage container 20 is engaged with the ink storage container 20 to be integrated.

Therefore, since the recording head 10 is coupled and locked in a state where the ink can be supplied to the ink storage container 20 even when it is detached from the transport member 30, the recording head 10 can store the ink even during storage. The ink is supplied from the container 20 to prevent the nozzles from drying.

On the other hand, the ink container 20 is the recording head 1.
When the recording head 10 is removed from 0, since the recording head 10 is connected to the conveying member 30, the recording head maintenance function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, for example, the nozzle, is similar to the recording apparatus in which the recording head is fixed to the conveying member. Attention can be urged by the sealing by the cap mechanism and the function of warning that the ink storage container 20 is not mounted.

The first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 6 and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 7 do not have to be limited to one each, and a plurality of them may be provided. If necessary, a single-color recording head 10 and a multi-color recording head 10 may be provided. By changing the positions of the ink container 20 for single color and the ink container 20 for multicolor respectively, it is possible to prevent erroneous connection between the recording head 10 and the ink container 20. it can.

The first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 6 and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 7 do not have to be limited to one location, but a plurality of them may be provided. If necessary, a single-color recording head 10 and a multi-color recording head 10 may be provided. Between the recording head 10 and the ink storage container 20 can be prevented by changing the position between the single color ink storage container 20 and the multicolor ink storage container 20. it can.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The attachment / detachment limiting mechanism 8 in this embodiment comprises an attachment / detachment mechanism 33, a lock mechanism 18, and a release mechanism 40, and the conveyance member 30 has An attaching / detaching mechanism 33 having the same structure as the above-mentioned first attaching / detaching mechanism 16 is provided.

Further, the recording head 10 is provided with a lock mechanism 18 corresponding to the attachment / detachment mechanism 33 and having the same structure as the first lock mechanism 22 described above.

In this embodiment, the releasing mechanism 40 is arranged at a specific position, for example, the end of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. The release mechanism 40 is rotatably joined to the support column 41 on the main body case 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, and has a rotating member 44 rotatably joined to one end thereof, and a tip end portion or the entire rounded member at the other end. A lever 42 to which a releasing member 43 having a tapered portion is slidably joined, and a guide portion for guiding the sliding of the releasing member 43.
The material 45, the spring 46 that constantly urges the release member 43 in the direction of arrow A in the figure, and the protrusion 34 that contacts the rotating member 44 on the conveying member 30 and pushes down the lever 42 in the direction of arrow B in the figure.
And are formed.

[0024] In this embodiment, when come to move to the end of the ink-jet recording apparatus 1 by the transfer means 5 is guided by the transport member 30 is the guide shaft 3a, 3 b, the lever 42 by the projecting portion 34 in the direction of arrow B with depressed, releasing member 43 is a guide member 45 to be guided is pushed upward in the drawing against the spring 46, the lever portion 33 of the formed on the conveying member 30 detaching mechanism 33
When b is pushed away, the connection with the lock mechanism 18 is released. As a result, the recording head 10 can be removed only at a specific place of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Similarly, the ink container 20 can be configured to be attachable / detachable only at a specific place of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

According to this embodiment, since the recording head 10 can be replaced only when it moves to a specific position, the maintenance mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, for example, the nozzle cap mechanism can be utilized, and the recording head 10 can be further improved. It is easy to maintain.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the attachment / detachment limiting mechanism. The attachment / detachment mechanism 51 for connecting the recording head 10 and the ink storage container 20 has a window 52a, one of which has an inclined surface in the central portion. the projection member 52 having a ink container 2
It is housed in a guide 53 so as to be biased by a spring 54 so as to be fitted into a lock mechanism 56 formed of a recess formed in 0.

On the other hand, a release mechanism 55 corresponding to the lock mechanism 56 is provided on the conveying member 30, and at the tip end thereof, in cooperation with the slope of the window 52a of the projecting member 52, the projecting member 52 is provided with a spring 54. Slope 55a that is moved in the direction of retracting from the lock mechanism 56 (to the right in the figure) against the bias of
It is configured as a protrusion provided with.

According to this embodiment, when the recording head 10 is mounted on the conveying member 30, the release mechanism 55 penetrates the window 52a of the projecting member 52 and retracts the projecting member 52. Lock mechanism 56 for storage container 20
It is released from the possible removal of the ink container 20.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the attachment / detachment limiting mechanism. In this embodiment, for example, ink collection is performed.
The storage container 20 has a lock mechanism 65 including a cylindrical protrusion.
Further, the recording head 10 is provided with a hook-shaped portion 63a at its front end, is biased by a spring 64 at its rear end 63b, and
An attachment / detachment mechanism 61 including a lever 63 pivotally supported by the carriage 2 is provided, and a release mechanism 66 including a protrusion that presses the rear end of the lever 63 is provided on the transport member 30.

In this embodiment, the ink container 20
When the recording head 10 is attached to the transport member 30, the release mechanism 66 of the ink storage container 20 presses the lever 63, the lever 63 rotates, the hook-shaped portion 63a disengages from the lock mechanism 65, and the recording head 10 is removed. It will be possible.

The above embodiment is an example of the attachment / detachment limiting mechanism, and the present invention is not limited to this. Any shape may be used as long as it has a configuration such as an attachment / detachment mechanism, a lock mechanism, and a release mechanism. In addition, the release mechanism can be driven not only by mechanical displacement but also by an actuator operated by a signal.

[0032]

According to the present invention as described in the foregoing, only when the ink container to the recording head is coupled, it is possible to remove the recording head from the conveyance member
Therefore, the recording head receives constantly subjected <br/> supply the ink from the ink container, it is possible to prevent fatal damage to the recording head due to drying of the ink.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a recording head and an ink container used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an attachment / detachment limiting mechanism of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention in a state where a recording head and an ink storage container are mounted on a conveying member.

[4] FIG. (A), (b) shows are left behind the recording head in the conveying member in the same as above apparatus the ink accommodated state container is removed, and a state where the recording head and the ink container is removed together It is an expanded sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention in an enlarged manner of a mounting / demounting restriction mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the attachment / detachment limiting mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing another embodiment of the attachment / detachment limiting mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 First detachment restriction mechanism 7 Second detachment restriction mechanism 10 recording head 16 First detaching mechanism 17 Second detaching mechanism 20 Ink storage container 22 First locking mechanism 23 Second release mechanism 30 Transport member 31 First release mechanism 32 Second lock mechanism

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head is detachably mounted on a conveying member, and an ink container is detachably attached to the recording head to supply ink to the recording head, the recording head comprising: When the conveyance member is in the engaged and fixed state, the above-mentioned mechanism is used for releasing the conveyance member.
The lock mechanism provided on the recording head is released so that the ink storage container can be always attached to and detached from the recording head, and when the recording head is detached from the conveying member, the lock mechanism is used. blocking to Louis ink <br/> jet recording apparatus removal of the ink container from the recording head. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head is detachably mounted on the conveying member, and an ink container is detachably attached to the recording head to supply ink to the recording head, the recording head comprising: When the transport member is engaged and fixed, the ink storage container is always removable from the recording head, and the recording head is
When the ink is removed from the transport member,
A first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism for bringing the container into an engaged and fixed state with respect to the recording head, the recording head attached to the transport member, and the ink container attached to the recording head. If the recording head and the conveying member are not engaged and fixed, and if the ink container is not attached to the recording head, the recording head and the conveying member are engaged. Second to maintain a fixed state
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein an attachment / detachment limiting mechanism is provided on the recording head. 3. When the ink storage container is mounted on the recording head and the engagement fixing state by the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism is released, the first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism causes the recording head and the ink storage to be stored. 3. The recording head can be detached from the transport member in a state in which the recording head is integrated with the ink storage container while maintaining the engagement fixed state with the container.
The inkjet recording device according to item 1. 4. A first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism releases the fixed engagement state by attaching the recording head to the conveyance member, and a second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism causes the ink storage container to be attached to the recording head. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement fixing state is released by being attached. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engaged and fixed state of the first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism is released by the movement of the conveying member. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement fixing state of at least one of the first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism is released by a signal from the outside. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement and fixation by the first attachment / detachment limiting mechanism and the second attachment / detachment limiting mechanism are released when the transport member moves to a specific position .