JP3397341B2 - 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 timing belt for scanning a carriage of a recording apparatus and a joint portion of the carriage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording device such as a printer, a copying machine or a facsimile drives a recording head such as paper or a plastic thin plate on a recording medium by driving an energy generator of a recording head based on image information being transferred. The image is composed of dot patterns.

The recording apparatus has an ink jet method, a wire dot method, a thermal method,
There is a laser beam method.

The recording mechanism is classified into a full-multi type and a serial type. The full-multi type has a recording means over the entire recording width and performs recording by moving the paper in the sub-scanning direction. The serial type scans the recording means mounted on the carriage for main scanning and moves the paper in the sub-scanning direction to perform recording.

Particularly, the serial type recording apparatus is inexpensive because the recording apparatus does not require a wide recording means.

The carriage, which is a serial type main scanning means, is usually driven by a belt via a pulley from a drive source such as a motor. This belt is usually attached by two pulleys and is tensioned by one pulley to prevent slack.

A so-called toothed timing belt (hereinafter referred to as a "belt") and a timing pulley, in which the belt and the pulley are provided with an uneven shape for performing the main scanning with higher accuracy, and a timing pulley are used to prevent printing defects such as slip. Things are common.

Various methods have been devised for joining the belt and the carriage in such a recording apparatus, and each joining method joins the belt joining portion of the carriage without backlash.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a belt joint portion of a conventional recording apparatus.

As shown in the figure, a carriage 1 is integrally formed with a belt joint 2 having a concave gap.
The concave gaps are provided at intervals slightly wider than the thickness of the belt. One of the convex portions forming the concave gap is formed with concavities and convexities so as to mesh with the teeth of the belt. The belt 3 is inserted into the concave gap and the cylindrical fixing pin 4 is inserted. By press-fitting the belt 3 to the carriage 1
Fixed to.

The method of joining the concave gap of the belt joining portion 2 and the belt 1 is as follows. The belt 1 made of an elastic member such as rubber is pushed by the pin 4 so that the carriage 1 and the belt 3 are joined without backlash. It

[0012]

However, the conventional method of joining the belt and the carriage in the recording apparatus has the following drawbacks. In the driving method using a belt, the belt vibrates due to the vibration of the carriage motor that is the driving source of the carriage, or the belt vibrates due to the vibration generated when the belt is engaged with the toothed timing pulley. This vibration may be transmitted to the recording head mounted on the carriage because the carriage is firmly fixed. For this reason, there is a problem in that it causes printing failure and causes noise such as resonance of parts incorporated in the carriage.

In particular, when a stepping motor is used as the carriage driving motor, vibration during driving tends to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and a recording apparatus having a drive means and a carriage with a joint for preventing defective printing and noise due to vibration from the carriage drive source. Is intended to provide.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a carriage that is movable by mounting recording means for recording on a recording medium, and a power source from a drive source for moving the carriage. In the recording apparatus, there is provided a recording device having a transmission means for transmitting the recording medium to the carriage, a joint portion joined to the transmission means, and a guide portion integrally formed with the carriage for inserting the joint portion. parts are inserted with a desired gap between <br/> the guide portion both sides with respect to the moving direction of the carriage, the two side
A compression spring for urging the joint portion in the moving direction of the carriage is provided in the gap.

[0018]

The recording means of the above-mentioned recording device is characterized in that it comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink, and ink is generated by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. It is characterized in that the ink is ejected from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling that occurs in 1.

[0020]

[0021]

In the invention configured as described above, in the joining of the carriage and the joining portion joined to the transmitting means for transmitting the power from the driving source to the carriage, the joining portion is formed integrally with the carriage. The guide portion is inserted into the guide portion with a desired gap on both sides in the moving direction of the carriage, and the joint portion is urged in the gap on both sides in the moving direction of the carriage. compression
By providing the spring , it is possible to prevent the vibration from the drive source from being transmitted to the carriage and the recording means.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention to which the above belt joining means is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the recording apparatus of the present invention. The overall configuration will be described based on this figure. AS
A plurality of recording sheets (not shown) stacked on an F (AUTO SEE FEEDER) 110 are sequentially fed to the recording unit by a separating mechanism (not shown) one by one in response to a sheet feeding command.

The recording sheets sent one by one from the ASF 110 are nipped by a paper feed roller 113 and a pinch roller 116, and driven by a paper feed motor 112 connected by a paper feed gear 114 to drive the paper feed roller 112.
Rotates and the recording sheet is conveyed.

The recording sheet for which recording has been completed is ejected by the ejection roller 115 and an ejection pinch roller (not shown).

The recording head 102 is mounted on the carriage 101 so as to face the recording sheet.
01 is slidably attached by a guide shaft 103 having a circular cross section and a rear guide shaft 111 having the same circular cross section.

When the carriage motor 107 rotates,
The motor pulley 108, which is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the carriage motor 107 and has an uneven surface that meshes with the timing belt 109, rotates and power is supplied to the timing belt 1.
It is transmitted to 09. The timing belt 109 is hung between the motor pulley 108 and the idle pulley 104 that is rotatably attached to the pulley holder 105,
The tension spring 106 is stretched with an appropriate tension so that there is no slack. The timing belt 109 is joined to the carriage 101 by a joining method described later, and the print head 102 is driven while scanning the carriage 101 according to a print signal to perform appropriate printing.

(First Reference Example) FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view showing a first reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

The carriage 101 is integrally formed with a concave gap composed of a belt joint portion 201 as a first convex portion and a second joint portion 202 as a second convex portion. Of these, the belt joint portion 201 is formed with concavities and convexities so as to mesh with the concavities and convexities of the timing belt 109.
The belt joint portion 2 is provided at a position facing 01 with a space B.
02 is formed.

The interval B between the belt joining portions 201 and 202 is thicker than the thickness A of the timing belt 109 and A <B, and the tooth thickness of the timing belt 109 is C.
And the timing belt 10 when the timing belt 109 is inserted in the space between the belt joining portions 201 and 202.
When the distance between the spine on the opposite side of the unevenness of 9 and the belt joint portion 202 is D, the distance A between the belt joint portion 201 and the belt joint portion 202 is determined and designed by setting C> D. ing.

For example, A = 1.3 mm, C = 0.75 mm
When the timing belt 109 is used, D = 0.
It is desirable to set it to about 1 to 0.5 mm.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a joint relationship with the carriage.

In the positional relationship between the timing belt 109, the idle pulley 104, the motor pulley 108 and the belt joint portions 201 and 202, the timing belt 10
9 is a belt joining portion 201 and 202 of the carriage 101.
The carriage 101 is joined by being pushed and positioned so as not to come off.

(Second Reference Example) FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view showing a second reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

The carriage 101 is integrally formed with a concave gap composed of a belt joint portion 301 as a first convex portion and a belt joint portion 302 as a second convex portion. Of these, the belt joint portion 301 is formed with concavities and convexities so as to mesh with the concavo-convex portion of the timing belt 109.
01 at a position facing each other with a space B between them.
02 is formed.

The interval B between the belt joining portions 201 and 202 is thicker than the thickness A of the timing belt 109, and is designed by setting the relationship of A <B.

Belt joining portion 301 and belt joining portion 302
After the timing belt 109 is inserted between the belt and the belt joint 3
The carriage 101 is joined by the elastic body 303 made of rubber or the like being press-fitted or strongly inserted into the gap D between the carriage 101 and 02.

(Third Reference Example) FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view showing a third reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

Since this reference example has the same basic structure as the second reference example related to the present invention, the same parts are duplicated and the description thereof is omitted.

In this reference example, the belt joint portion 401 as the first convex portion and the belt joint portion 40 as the second convex portion.
After the timing belt 109 is inserted between the two, the carriage 101 is joined by pressing or inserting the leaf spring 403 into the gap D between the spine on the opposite side of the unevenness of the timing belt 109 and the belt joining portion 402. It

( Fourth Reference Example ) FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view showing a fourth reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

A guide portion 501 is formed integrally with the carriage 101, and the guide portion 501 is formed so that the belt joint portion 502 can be inserted and attached. Further, the timing belt 1 is attached to the belt joining portion 502.
The concavo-convex portion is formed so as to mesh with the concavo-convex portion of No. 09, and the gap for inserting the timing belt 109 of the belt joining portion 502 is provided in the same width as the timing belt 109.

After inserting the timing belt 109 here, the belt joining portion 502 joined to the timing belt 109 is further inserted into the guide portion 501 formed integrally with the carriage 101. A gap E is provided between the guide portion 501 and the belt joint portion 502 as shown in FIG. 6, and the gap E is preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

The carriage 101 is joined to the carriage 101 by the timing belt 109, the idle pulley 104, the motor pulley 108 and the belt joining portion 502 as shown in FIG.
The belt joint portion 502 is pushed and positioned so as not to come off.

As the method for fixing the timing belt 109 and the belt joint portion 502 here, any of the conventional techniques may be used, and the methods described in the first reference example, the second reference example and the third reference example are explained. You may fix it like this.

( Fifth Reference Example ) FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view showing a fifth reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

A joining hole 601 is provided in the carriage 101, and the joining hole 601 is formed so that the belt joining portion 602 can be loosely fitted. Further, the belt joint portion 602 is formed with irregularities so as to mesh with the irregularities of the timing belt 109, and a gap for inserting the timing belt 109 of the belt joint portion 602 is provided in the same width as the timing belt 109.

After the timing belt 109 is inserted here, the belt joining portion 602 joined to the timing belt 109 is further joined to the joining hole portion 602 of the carriage 101.
To insert.

In connection with the carriage 101, the timing belt 109, the idle pulley 104, the motor pulley 108, and the belt connecting portion 602 are in the positional relationship as shown in FIG.
The belt joint portion 602 is pushed and positioned so as not to come off.

As the method of fixing the timing belt 109 and the belt joining member 602 here, any of the conventional techniques may be used, and the methods described in the first reference example, the second reference example and the third reference example are explained. You may fix it like this.

( Sixth Reference Example ) FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed view showing a sixth reference example of the belt joining portion of the present invention.

The material of the belt joining portions 502 and 602 of the fourth and fifth reference examples is a molded product, but the whole or a part of them may be formed of an elastic member.

For example, a rubber molded product may be used for the belt joint portion, or as shown in FIG. 8, the elastomer 701 may be used to give elasticity only to the collision portion by utilizing two-color molding.

[0054] (First Embodiment) FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view showing a first embodiment of a belt joint of the present invention.

A guide portion 801 is integrally formed on the carriage 101 with the same structure as in the fourth reference example, and the guide portion 801 is formed so that the belt joint portion 802 can be inserted and attached. As shown in this figure, both sides of the belt joint portion 802 are biased by compression springs 803, respectively. The timing belt 109 is fixed to the belt joint portion 802 by the method described above.

[0056] recording apparatus of the present invention having the following upper Description the belt joint, a carriage for carrying the recording head, and a belt with a moving means for scanning the same since they are joined with flexible structure motors etc. Is not transmitted.

Further, the present invention provides excellent effects particularly in an ink jet type recording head and a recording apparatus for recording by forming flying droplets by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording systems.

With regard to its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, a rapid temperature rise corresponding to the recorded information and exceeding nucleate boiling is applied. , It is effective because it generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter, causes film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, can form bubbles in the liquid (ink) that correspond one-to-one to this drive signal. Is. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected.

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

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670 discloses a structure in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a pressure wave of thermal energy is absorbed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. The present invention can exert the above-mentioned effects more effectively, although it may have a configuration that satisfies the above requirement or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge-type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection other than recording It is also effective to perform stable recording.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for a device provided with at least one of full colors by color mixing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and softens at room temperature, or is a liquid, or the above-mentioned. In the inkjet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. Any material that is in liquid form may be used.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink is solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. In some cases, whether ink is used, the ink is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or the one that already begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied only by heat energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-71260, a mode in which it is opposed to the electrothermal converter in the state of being held as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet. Also good. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

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

[0069]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

In joining the joining portion joined to the transmission means for transmitting the power from the driving source to the carriage and the carriage, the joining portion is attached to the guide portion integrally formed on the carriage, Insert with a desired gap with the guide part on both sides with respect to the moving direction,
Further, by providing a compression spring for urging the joint portion in the moving direction of the carriage in the gap on both sides, it is possible to suppress the vibration from the drive source from being transmitted to the carriage and the recording means. As a result, there is an effect that printing defects and noise generation such as resonance of components incorporated in the carriage are eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view showing a first reference example of a belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a joint relationship with a carriage.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view showing a second reference example of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view showing a third reference example of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view showing a fourth reference example of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view showing a fifth reference example of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed view showing a sixth reference example of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed view showing the first embodiment of the belt joining portion of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a belt joining portion of a conventional recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 carriage 102 recording head 103 guide shaft 104 idle pulley 105 pulley holder 106 Tension spring 107 carriage motor 108 motor pulley 109 Timing belt 110 ASF 111 Rear guide shaft 112 Paper feed motor 113 Paper feed roller 114 Paper feed gear 115 Paper ejection roller 116 pinch roller 201,202 Belt joint 301,302 Belt joint 303 Elastic body 401, 402 Belt joint 403 leaf spring 501 guide 502 Belt joint 503 pin 601 Mating hole 602 Belt joint 701 elastomer 801 Guide part 802 Belt joint 803 compression spring

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Taniguro 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Soichi Hiramatsu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ki In Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Haruyuki Yanagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoshi Saikawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hideaki Kawakami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kinoshita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Bibliography Sho 57-159467 (JP, U) Fukai Kai 4-58357 (JP, U) Fukai Kai 1-67062 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) B41J 19/2 0 B41J 19/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A carriage that is movable by mounting recording means for recording on a recording medium, a transmission means for transmitting power from a drive source to the carriage for moving the carriage, and the transmission means. In a recording apparatus having a joint portion joined to the carriage, and a guide portion integrally formed with the carriage for inserting the joint portion, the joint portion is provided on both sides with respect to a moving direction of the carriage.
Is also inserted with a desired clearance between the guide portion, the two
A recording apparatus, wherein a compression spring for urging the joint portion in the moving direction of the carriage is provided in the side gap. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from an ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.