JP3551622B2 - Power transmission control mechanism of printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power transmission control mechanism for performing operations such as switching of a power transmission path for supplying a cut sheet and the like, and connection / disconnection using a carriage on which a print head is mounted in a printer such as an ink jet printer. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A printer incorporated in a facsimile or the like generally has a type in which a carriage on which a print head such as an ink jet head is mounted reciprocates to print on a cut sheet conveyed by a conveyance mechanism. After the printing of one cut sheet is completed, it is necessary to automatically send the cut sheets one by one from the cassette in which the cut sheets are stored to a position where the cut sheets can be transported by the transport mechanism. For this purpose, a supply mechanism usually called an automatic paper feeder is attached, and the supply mechanism sends out the cut sheets one by one from the cassette and transfers the cut sheets to the transport mechanism side. .
[0003]
In this type of printer, the drive sources of the transport mechanism and the supply mechanism are shared because of the demand for downsizing and weight reduction. For example, each time the printing of one cut sheet is completed, the supply from the shared drive source is performed. The power transmission path to the mechanism is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state to supply the cut sheet.
[0004]
Here, the incorporation of a special mechanism or component for the switching operation of the power transmission path is contrary to the demand for downsizing and weight reduction of the apparatus. Therefore, conventionally, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-63-139765 and JP-A-1-184174, the state of the power transmission path is switched using a reciprocating carriage. A configuration is employed.
[0005]
That is, the state switching mechanism of the power transmission path disclosed in these publications includes a lever disposed at an end position outside the printing area. When the lever is pressed, the power transmission path switches from the disconnected state to the connected state, and the cut sheet supply operation is performed. That is, when the carriage moves to the end and hits the lever, the lever is pushed by the carriage to forcibly move the clutch that holds the power transmission path in the disconnected state, and switches the power transmission path to the connected state. . When the carriage starts moving in the opposite direction and moves away from the lever, the lever returns to its original position and the clutch is disengaged, so that the power transmission path returns to the disconnected state again.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional power transmission path state switching mechanism configured as described above has the following problems to be solved.
[0007]
First, when the carriage has moved beyond the preset movement range, an excessive pressing force acts on the lever from the carriage. As a result, the lever may be damaged, or the clutch moved by the lever may be damaged.
[0008]
Second, the carriage cannot be moved to a position further outside the position where the lever is disposed. For this reason, only the both ends of the moving range of the carriage can be naturally adopted as the position of the lever. This limits the layout of the device. Further, there is an inconvenience that only two levers for switching the transmission path of the driving force can be arranged.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to realize a power transmission control mechanism of a printer that can solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to realize a power transmission control mechanism of a printer which does not cause damage to a lever or the like for switching a state of a power transmission path even when a carriage overruns due to a malfunction or the like. Another object of the present invention is to realize a power transmission control mechanism of a printer in which a lever for switching a state of a power transmission path can be arranged at a position other than both ends of a movement range of a carriage.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a power transmission control mechanism for a printer configured to operate a lever for switching a power transmission path between a disconnected state and a connected state using a carriage on which a print head is mounted. , A configuration is employed in which the lever can be moved between a first position operable by the carriage and a second position that does not hinder the passage of the carriage.
[0011]
In a preferred embodiment, the lever may be rotatable between the first and second positions about a rotation center line parallel to a movement path of the carriage.
[0012]
Further, it is preferable that the lever be configured to move by a fixed distance in a direction along a movement path of the carriage when the lever is rotated from the first position to the second position.
[0013]
In the power transmission control mechanism of the printer according to the present invention, the lever for switching the power transmission path from the disconnected state to the connected state is operated by the carriage passing therethrough at the first position. However, when operated to the second position, the carriage can pass over the lever. Therefore, even if the carriage overruns due to an erroneous operation or an erroneous operation, there is no adverse effect such as breakage of the lever or a component constituting the power transmission path linked to the lever.
[0014]
Further, in the mechanism of the present invention, since the carriage can pass without being disturbed by the lever, the lever can be arranged at an arbitrary position within the movement range of the carriage. Generally, the lever is arranged at a position outside the printing area. However, according to the present invention, there is no problem even if the lever is arranged at a position within the printing area. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to arrange three or more levers for switching the power transmission path using the movement of the carriage.
[0015]
The present invention provides a feeding mechanism for feeding a driving force transmitted to a transport mechanism that transports a cut sheet along a transport path passing through a printing position by the print head to a position where the cut sheet can be transported by the transport mechanism. The present invention can be applied to a power transmission path for transmitting power to a vehicle.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
(overall structure)
1 to 3 show the configuration of a main part of an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied. The inkjet printer 1 includes a box-shaped carriage 4 on which an inkjet head 2 and an ink tank 3 can be mounted. The ink jet head 2 and the ink tank 3 are, for example, of a cartridge type. The upper lid 41 of the carriage 4 is opened, and is detachably mounted inside. The carriage 4 can reciprocate linearly in the long side direction (left-right direction) of the device frame 5. While moving the carriage 4, the inkjet head 2 mounted thereon is driven to print on the cut sheet 100 conveyed.
[0018]
First, the reciprocating mechanism of the carriage 4 will be described. The carriage 4 has its front side slidably supported by a guide shaft 6 extending between left and right side walls 5a and 5b of the apparatus frame 5, and its rear side also has a guide extending between the side walls 5a and 5b. It is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the plate 7. A drive-side pulley 8a and a driven-side pulley 8b are attached to both ends of the front wall 5c of the device frame 5, and a timing belt 8c is stretched between them. The timing belt 8c is connected to a front portion of the carriage 4. When the driving pulley 8a is rotated by a carriage motor 8d attached to the front wall 5c of the apparatus frame, the carriage 4 connected to the timing belt 8c moves in the left-right direction along the guide shaft 6.
[0019]
Next, a transport path, a transport mechanism, and a supply mechanism of the cut sheet 100 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an automatic sheet feeding mechanism 10 which is a feeding mechanism of the cut sheet 100 is attached to a front side of the apparatus frame 5. The automatic paper feed mechanism 10 includes a cassette 11 capable of storing a large number of cut sheets 100, a paper feed roller 12 for feeding out the cut sheets 100 stored in the cassette 11 one by one from the cassette, and a paper feed roller 12. A power transmission path 13 (indicated by a double dashed line in the figure) for transmitting a driving force thereto, and a cut sheet 100 fed from the cassette 11 are cut inside the apparatus frame 5. And a sheet feeding path 14 that guides the sheet to a position where the sheet can be delivered to the sheet conveying mechanism 20. The drive source of the paper feed roller 12 is shared with the drive source of the transport mechanism 20 as described later. Therefore, the power transmission path 13 is provided with a clutch mechanism so that the power transmission path 13 is maintained in a disconnected state during a normal printing operation and is switched to a connected state only at a necessary time so that a driving force can be transmitted to the paper feed roller 12. . This configuration will be described later.
[0020]
The cut sheet transport mechanism 20 configured inside the apparatus frame 5 includes a cut sheet introduction port 23 defined by a pair of upper and lower guide plates 21 and 22 on the side of the frame front wall 5c. When the cut sheet 100 supplied from the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 is fed through the inlet 23, the cut sheet 100 is held by the transport rollers 24. The cut sheet 100 is transported by the transport rollers 24 via a printing position defined by a guide plate 25 facing the inkjet head 2. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged by a discharge roller 26 through a discharge port 27 formed on the rear side of the apparatus frame.
[0021]
A transport motor 28 as a drive source of the transport mechanism 20 is attached to a front wall side of the apparatus frame 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotational force of the transport motor 28 is transmitted to the transport roller shaft 29 via a gear train. Further, the power is transmitted to the discharge roller shaft 32 via the conveying roller shaft 29 and the gear train 31 on the opposite side.
[0022]
Here, the carriage 4 reciprocates in a preset printing area, and performs printing on the surface of the cut sheet 100 conveyed as described above by the inkjet head 2 mounted thereon. In this example, the carriage 4 can reciprocate over a range including the print area. That is, it is possible to move to a position on the side of the side wall 5a of the apparatus frame which is out of the printing area. This position is a home position of the inkjet head 2 and a position where the inkjet head 2 is cleaned. Further, it is a position where the automatic sheet feeding mechanism 10 is driven to supply cut sheets.
[0023]
For this purpose, a nozzle capping mechanism 50 for capping the nozzles of the ink jet head 2 and a waste ink are sucked from the ink jet head and the nozzle capping mechanism between the end of the guide plate 25 defining the printing position and the apparatus frame side wall 5a. And a clutch mechanism 70 for switching the driving force transmission path 13 of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 from the disconnected state to the connected state.
[0024]
Prior to the description of the configuration and operation of each of these parts, the overall flow of each operation performed with the movement of the carriage 4 will be described.
[0025]
(Outline of operation)
FIG. 4 shows a movement position of the inkjet head 2 mounted on the carriage 4 (hereinafter, simply described as a position of the carriage 4) and each operation executed corresponding to the position. The moving position of the carriage 4 is detected by a photo sensor, a mechanical micro switch, or the like.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the pump power cutting position P, the flushing position (preliminary discharge position) F, the pump power cutting position P from the end of the printing area A by the inkjet head 2 mounted on the carriage 4 toward the side wall 5a of the apparatus frame. The empty suction position K, the home position HP, and the pump power connection position R are arranged in this order. The operation at each position is as follows.
[0027]
Pump power cutting position P:
The driving force of the transport motor 28 is switched from the side of the suction pump mechanism 60 to the side of the transport mechanism 20 to stop driving the suction pump mechanism 60.
[0028]
Flushing position F (preliminary discharge position):
This is a position where ink is preliminarily ejected (flushing) from all nozzles of the inkjet head 2 and ink with increased viscosity is discharged from unused nozzles and the like. At this position, the nozzles of the inkjet head 2 face the head capping mechanism 50, and the ink droplets that have been preliminarily ejected are collected by the head capping mechanism 50.
[0029]
Empty suction position K:
This is the position where the nozzle of the inkjet head 2 is capped by the head capping mechanism 50, and the waste ink collected by the ink capping mechanism 50 is discharged from the ink capping mechanism 50 by the operation of the suction pump mechanism 60.
[0030]
Home position HP (feed position of cut sheet):
This is the initial position of the carriage 4, and when the power is turned on, the carriage 4 is located at the home position HP. At this position, the ink jet head 2 is in a state where it is capped by the head capping mechanism 50. Therefore, adverse effects such as evaporation of the solvent of the ink in the head nozzles to increase the viscosity thereof, or retreat of the ink meniscus are prevented.
[0031]
In this position, the cut sheet is fed.
[0032]
Pump power connection position R:
This is a position where the driving force of the transport motor 28 is switched from the transport mechanism 20 side to the suction pump mechanism 60 side so that the suction pump mechanism 60 can be driven.
[0033]
Although the operation at each position is as described above, the ink-jet head is kept capped from the idle suction position K to the pump power connection position R. That is, this range is the capping area.
[0034]
An operation example of the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described. When the drive power is turned on at time T0 in FIG. 4, the carriage 4 is at the home position HP. Therefore, the head 2 is in a state of being capped by the head capping mechanism 50. After the power is turned on, an initial operation including a cleaning operation of the head 2 and a supply operation of the cut sheet is performed, and then a printing operation on the supplied cut sheet is started while the supplied cut sheet is being conveyed.
[0035]
More specifically, at time T0, first, the carriage 4 is moved toward the pump power connection position R. When the carriage 4 reaches the position R at the time T1, the transmission path of the driving force to the suction pump mechanism 60 is switched to the connection state. As a result, the driving force of the transport motor 28 can be transmitted to the suction pump mechanism 60 side. Thereafter, the carriage 4 is moved toward the home position HP, and at the time T2 when the home position HP is reached, the transport motor 28 is driven to start the suction pump mechanism 60. As a result, the waste ink is sucked and collected from the nozzles of the inkjet head 2 and the head capping mechanism 50 in the capping state.
[0036]
Thereafter, the carriage 4 is moved to the idle suction position K. At time T3 when the position K is reached, the transport motor 28 is driven again. At this position, the head capping mechanism 50 is kept open to the atmosphere. This idle suction operation prevents bubbles from being caught in the nozzles and breaks in the ink meniscus.
[0037]
After stopping the transport motor 28, the carriage 4 is moved to the pump power cutting position P. At the time T4 when the carriage 4 reaches the position P, the transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor 28 to the suction pump mechanism 60 is switched to the disconnected state. Thereafter, the carriage 4 is again moved in the opposite direction toward the home position HP.
[0038]
At the time T5 when the carriage 4 reaches the home position HP again, the transmission path of the driving force of the transport motor 28 has been switched to the transport mechanism 20 side. At this position, the clutch mechanism 70 in the transmission path for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor 28 to the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 is switched to the connected state. Therefore, when the transport motor 28 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 and the paper feed roller 12 is rotated. As a result, the feeding operation of the cut sheet 100 starts. The cut sheet 100 is transported by the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 to a position where the cut sheet 100 is held by the transport rollers 24 constituting the transport mechanism 20. Since the driving force of the transport motor 28 is also transmitted to the transport mechanism 20 side, the cut sheet 100 caught by the transport rollers 24 is transported by the transport mechanism 20 along a transport path passing through the printing position. .
[0039]
Thereafter, the carriage 4 is moved toward the print area A. When the carriage 4 starts moving from the home position HP toward the printing area A, the clutch mechanism of the driving force transmission path of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 switches to the disconnected state. Therefore, the paper feeding operation stops. After that, the capping by the head capping mechanism 50 is released when passing through the idle suction position K on the way to the printing area A.
[0040]
When the end of the printing area A is reached at the time point T6, the driving of the inkjet head 2 is controlled in synchronization with this, and the printing operation on the conveyed cut sheet 100 starts. Printing is performed for each line or for a plurality of lines. Further, periodically, the carriage 4 is moved out of the printing area A to the flushing position F, and the flushing of the inkjet head 2 is executed (time T7).
[0041]
When printing of one cut sheet 100 is completed, the carriage 4 is returned to the home position HP again. As a result, the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 is driven to perform an automatic paper feed operation for another cut sheet (time T8). Thereafter, the cycle of automatic sheet feeding and printing is repeated in this manner. Then, when the printing operation is completed, the carriage 4 is returned to the home position HP and stops there (time T9).
[0042]
Among the above operations, the switching operation of the clutch mechanism 70 of the transmission path 13 of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10, the connection / disconnection operation of the driving force transmission path of the suction pump mechanism 60, and the capping operation of the inkjet head 2 by the head capping mechanism 50. Is performed using the movement of the carriage 4.
[0043]
For this purpose, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, on the side of the carriage 4, there are provided engagement projections 42, 43, and 44a, 44b formed for switching these portions. Further, the clutch mechanism 70 of the automatic paper feed mechanism includes a switching lever 71 operated by the engagement projection 42, and the suction pump mechanism 60 also includes a switching lever 61 operated by the engagement projections 44a, 44b. ing. Similarly, the head capping mechanism 50 also includes a lever 51 that is operated by the engagement protrusion 43 of the carriage 4.
[0044]
(Clutch mechanism in the transmission path of the automatic paper feed mechanism)
First, the clutch mechanism 70 that switches the transmission path 13 of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the clutch mechanism 70 includes a clutch gear 72 attached to the outer periphery of the shaft end of the transport roller shaft 29, and a clutch connectable to the gear by moving the clutch gear 72 in the axial direction. A board 73 is provided. The clutch gear 72 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the transport roller shaft 29 and normally meshes with a paper feed mechanism side transmission gear 74 connected to the paper feed roller 12 of the automatic paper feed mechanism 10. The side of the clutch disc 73 is attached to the outer periphery of the transport roller shaft 29 so as to be movable only in the axial direction of the transport roller shaft 29. Normally, the clutch gear 72 is urged toward the clutch gear 72 by a coil spring 75 mounted in a compressed state between the transmission gear 34 fixed to the shaft end of the transport roller shaft 29 and the transmission gear 34. Further, since the coil spring 76 is also arranged between the clutch gear 72 and the clutch plate 73, they are always separated from each other.
[0045]
On the opposite side of the clutch gear 72, a sleeve 77 is rotatably attached to the transport roller shaft 29. A switching lever 71 extending substantially in the radial direction is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the sleeve 77. A spiral sliding surface 77a is formed on the sleeve 77, and a fixing pin 77b fixed to the side of the apparatus frame 5 always contacts this surface. When the sleeve 77 rotates, the action of the sliding surface 77a and the pin 77b causes the sleeve 77 to move in the axial direction.
[0046]
On the side of the carriage 4, the back surface, that is, the surface 45 facing the guide plate 25 that defines the printing position, is engaged with the switching lever 71 as briefly described with reference to FIG. 5. A possible engagement projection 42 is formed. The engagement protrusion 42 has an inclined surface 42a inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the moving direction of the carriage 4, and a side surface 42b extending in the carriage moving direction continuously to the inclined surface 42a. The movement locus of the inclined surface 42 a is set so as to intersect the tip of the switching lever 71.
[0047]
Therefore, when the carriage 4 moves out of the printing area A, the inclined surface 42 a of the engagement projection 42 hits the switching lever 71. The switching lever 71 is rotatably attached to the transport roller shaft 29. Therefore, when the carriage 4 further moves in a state where these are hit, the switching lever 71 is pushed by the inclined surface 42a, and rotates by a predetermined angle from its initial position (first position), and is continuously connected to the inclined surface 42a. The state shifts to a state (second position) in which the vehicle rides on the side surface 42b.
[0048]
FIG. 7 shows this state. As described above, the sleeve 77 integrated with the switching lever 71 also rotates in the arrow direction together with the switching lever 71. Here, since the spiral sliding surface 77a of the sleeve 77 contacts the fixing pin 77b, the sleeve 77 moves in the axial direction by an amount corresponding to the rotation angle. In this case, the clutch gear 72 moves in a direction of pressing the clutch gear 72 toward the clutch board 73. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the clutch gear 72 is engaged with the clutch disc 73 to establish a connected state.
[0049]
This state is maintained while the switching lever 71 rides on the side surface 42b of the engagement protrusion 42 on the carriage 4 side. When the switching lever 71 rides on the side surface 42b, the carriage 4 moves further toward the shaft end (toward the side wall 5a of the apparatus frame) without being disturbed by the switching lever 71. can do. In this example, taking advantage of this advantage, the carriage 4 is further moved to the shaft end side, and at that position, the driving force transmission path of the suction pump mechanism 60 is switched to the connected state.
[0050]
When the clutch mechanism 70 is switched to the connected state in this manner, the rotational driving force of the transport motor 28 reaches the transmission gear 34 via the gear train 80 forming the driving force transmission path of the transport mechanism 20, and From this, the power is transmitted to the transmission gear 74 constituting the power transmission path to the automatic paper feed mechanism 10 via the clutch gear 72 of the clutch mechanism 70. Therefore, the paper feed roller 12 can be driven, and the automatic feeding of the cut sheet 100 can be performed.
[0051]
However, when the carriage 4 moves to the printing area A again, the tip of the switching lever 71 slides along the inclined surface 42a from the side surface 42b of the engagement protrusion 42 of the carriage 4 with the movement. Later, it is completely disengaged from the engagement projection 42. As a result, the switching lever 71 returns to the initial state shown in FIG. That is, the sleeve 77 rotates by a predetermined angle together with the switching lever 71, and moves with the rotation in a direction away from the clutch gear 72 to return to the initial state. As a result, the clutch mechanism 70 returns to the disconnected state again, and the driving force is not transmitted to the automatic paper feed mechanism 10.
[0052]
(Switching of the driving force transmission path of the suction pump mechanism)
Referring to FIG. 6, the suction pump mechanism 60 includes a pump 62 and is configured to receive a driving force via a pump gear 63. On the side of the pump gear 63, a revolving plate 65 that is rotatable about a shaft 64 extending in the carriage moving direction and that is also movable in the axial direction is disposed. The revolving plate 65 has a transmission gear 66 for transmitting the rotational force of the transport motor 28 to the transport roller shaft side and a planetary gear mechanism 67 for transmitting the rotational force of the transport motor 28 to the pump 62 side. Is held.
[0053]
The sun gear 67a and the transmission gear 66 of the planetary gear mechanism 66 rotate integrally and can move in the axial direction of the shaft 64 integrally. A carrier plate 67d supporting a pair of planet gears 67b and 67c meshing with the sun gear 67a is attached to the revolving plate 65 so as to revolve integrally with the revolving plate 65.
[0054]
As briefly described with reference to FIG. 5, on the back surface 45 of the carriage 4, the engagement protrusions 44a and 44b for switching the driving force transmission path of the suction pump are formed. A lever 61 that can be operated by the engagement projections 44a and 44b is formed on the revolving plate 65.
[0055]
The switching operation of the transmission path of the suction pump mechanism 60 accompanying the movement of the carriage 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the carriage 4 moves out of the printing area A and moves toward the shaft end, the engaging projection 44a formed on the back surface 45 of the carriage 4 contacts the engaging lever 61 of the revolving plate 65, and the switching lever 61 is moved toward the shaft end. Push in. As a result, the turning plate 65 and the transmission gear 66 and the planetary gear mechanism 67 held thereon move along the shaft 64 as a unit.
[0056]
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the side surface of the revolving plate 65 is pulled obliquely from a position below the shaft 64 by a coil spring 68 to form a guide surface 5 e formed on the device frame 5 side. Is hitting. When the revolving plate 65 is pushed in the direction of the shaft 64 as a whole, the revolving plate 61 is revolved about the shaft 64 by the spring force of the coil spring 68, and the switching lever 61 on the upper side moves the engaging protrusion 44a on the carriage 4 side. Get off track. Further, the turning plate 65 is fitted into the step of the guide surface 5e, and is held in a state of moving and turning. This state is shown by an imaginary line in FIG.
[0057]
When the turning plate 65 moves and turns in this way, the state shown in FIG. 7 is formed. That is, the transmission gear 66 is disengaged from the transmission gear 15 on the side of the transport mechanism 10. Further, the planetary gear 66b meshes with the pump gear 63. As a result, the rotational driving force of the transport motor 28 can be transmitted to the suction pump mechanism 60 without being transmitted to the transport mechanism 10 side.
[0058]
As described above, by the movement of the carriage 4, the transmission path is switched from the disconnected state to the connected state by the driving force of the suction pump mechanism 60. When the carriage 4 moves toward the print area A, the switching lever 61 of the revolving plate 65 is not located on the movement locus of the engagement protrusion 44a. However, the carriage 4 has an engagement protrusion 44b. The engagement projection 44b is formed at a position where it can be engaged with the moved switching lever 61, and has an inclined surface 44c for pushing the switching lever 61 toward the original position. Accordingly, when the inclined surface 44c of the engagement protrusion 44b comes into contact with the switching lever 61 as the carriage 4 moves, the switching lever 61 is pushed, and the revolving plate 65 is disengaged from the step of the guide surface 5e. As a result, the turning plate 65 returns to the original position and posture by the spring force.
[0059]
(Drive of head capping mechanism)
Next, the head capping mechanism 50 driven by the movement of the carriage 4 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The head capping mechanism 50 includes a cap 52 for capping the nozzles of the inkjet head 2 and a box-shaped slider 53 that supports the cap 52. The cap 52 is filled with an ink absorber 54. An engagement lever 51 that can be engaged with the carriage 4 is integrally formed with the slider 53. The slider 53 is movable along the guide rail 55 toward the apparatus frame side wall 5a by a certain distance.
[0060]
The guide surface of the guide rail 55 is inclined in the middle and is raised one step. Therefore, the slider 53 that moves along here moves the capping position (shown in FIG. 10) as compared with the initial position (the flushing position F shown in FIG. 10) shown by the solid line in FIG. At the idle suction position K and the home position HP), the height is one step higher. That is, at the moving position, the cap 52 supported by the slider 53 hits the front surface (nozzle surface) 2a of the inkjet head 2 mounted on the carriage 4 moving above the cap 52 from below, and caps the cap. State.
[0061]
In this example, the engagement protrusion 43 formed on the side of the carriage 4 uses the side surface 2 b of the inkjet head 2. Of course, the engagement protrusion may be separately formed on the carriage 4 itself.
[0062]
After the carriage 4 moves from the printing area A side and the side face 2b (engagement protrusion) of the ink jet head hits the engagement lever 51 of the slider 53, the carriage 4 moves with the slider 53. As a result, the slider 53 moves along the guide rail 55 and rises to a position one step higher. As a result, the cap 52 supported thereon is capped on the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet head 2.
[0063]
When the carriage 4 moves toward the printing area A, the slider 53 returns to the original position by the spring force of the coil spring 56, and the cap 52 is separated from the inkjet head 2.
[0064]
Here, two holes are formed at the bottom of the cap 52, one of which is in communication with the suction pump mechanism 60, and the other of which is a vent. FIG. 10 shows only the ventilation holes 52 a formed in the cap 52. An air release valve 52b is attached to the ventilation hole 52a. When the valve 52b is opened, the inside of the cap is opened to the atmosphere.
[0065]
The atmosphere release valve 52b includes a valve body 52c that opens and closes the ventilation hole 52a, and a valve lever 52d that supports the valve body 52c. The valve lever 52d is supported by the support plate 53a of the slider 53 via an urging spring 52e in a state where the valve body 52c can move in a direction in which the valve 52c can open and close the vent hole 52a. A pin 52f is connected to a lower end of the valve lever 52d, and the pin 52f is movable along a valve guide rail 52g. The valve guide rail 52g has an inclined surface formed in the middle similarly to the guide rail 55 of the slider 53, and the pin 52f moves to a position higher by one step when it gets over the pin guide rail 52g. As a result, the valve lever 52d connected to the pin 52f is pushed up, and the valve body 52c at its upper end is also pushed up.
[0066]
As can be seen from FIG. 10, the inclined surface of the valve guide rail 52g is formed at a position shifted by a certain distance in the slider moving direction with respect to the guide rail 55 of the slider 53. Therefore, up to the flushing position F, the slider 53 and the atmosphere release valve 52b move at a certain height. In this state, the ventilation hole 52a is in a state of being closed by the atmosphere release valve 52d.
[0067]
However, the slider 53 rides on the inclined surface of the guide rail 55 from before reaching the idle suction position K and is lifted. On the other hand, the side of the atmosphere release valve 52b is maintained at a constant height even at the idle suction position K. As a result, at the empty suction position K, the air release valve 52d is removed from the air hole 52a, and the cap 52 is opened to the atmosphere. Thus, when the suction pump mechanism 60 is driven, the ink contained in the ink absorber 54 can be collected. Thereafter, the side of the air release valve 52b also rises by riding on the inclined surface of the valve guide rail 52g, so that the air hole 52a is again closed.
[0068]
Next, referring to FIG. 9 again, in this example, a drive pin 57 that moves together with the slider 53 is arranged. The drive pin 57 always moves at the same height position regardless of whether the slider 53 moves up or down. As shown in FIG. 9B, the drive pin 57 causes the swing lever 58 that can swing up and down to swing against the spring force. The tip of the turning lever 58 is engaged with an elevating lever 81 that moves up and down together with the head wiper 80. When the turning lever 58 turns, the tip of the turning lever 58 turns below the engaging portion 81 a of the elevating lever 81.
[0069]
In this state, when the drive pin 57 returns to the original position from the position 57A indicated by the imaginary line, the turning lever 58 that has turned downward is turned upward around the fulcrum 58a. Therefore, the lifting lever 81 is pushed up, and accordingly, the wiper 80 is also raised. As a result, it is possible to wipe the nozzle surface 2a of the moving inkjet head 2 with the side surface of the wiper 80.
[0070]
When the turning lever 58 turns more than a certain degree, the tip of the turning lever 58 comes off the lifting lever 81. As a result, the lifting lever 81 and the wiper 80 move down to their original positions, and the tip of the turning lever 58 returns to the initial state in which it has climbed above the lifting lever 81.
[0071]
(Relationship between the movement position of the carriage and the operation state of each part)
Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the relationship between the movement position of the carriage 4 and the operation state of each part will be described together.
[0072]
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a state where the carriage 4 reaches the flushing position F from the printing area A side. In this state, the inclined surface 42 a of the engagement protrusion 42 formed on the back surface 45 of the carriage 4 has reached a position slightly separated from the switching lever 71 of the clutch mechanism 70. The side surface 2b of the ink jet head 2 also reaches a position slightly away from the engagement protrusion 51 of the slider 53 of the capping mechanism. On the other hand, the engagement protrusion 44a is located at a position sufficiently distant from the switching lever 61 formed on the revolving plate 64 of the suction pump mechanism 60.
[0073]
At the flushing position F, the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet head 2 is located just opposite the cap 52. In this state, flushing is performed, and ink droplets ejected from each nozzle are absorbed by the ink absorber 54 of the cap 52.
[0074]
When the carriage 4 moves from the flushing position F toward the home position HP, first, the inclined surface 42a of the engagement protrusion 42 formed on the back surface 45 of the carriage 4 hits the switching lever 71 of the clutch mechanism 70, and the lever 71 Operate. At the same time, the side surface 2b of the inkjet head 2 also hits the engagement projection 51 of the slider 53 of the capping mechanism, and operates the slider 53.
[0075]
FIGS. 5C and 5D show a state in which the carriage 4 moves from the flushing position F and reaches the home position HP via the idle suction position K while operating the lever 71 and the slider 53. Is shown. In this state, the switching lever 71 is operated to switch the clutch mechanism 70 to the connected state. In addition, the ink cap 52 of the ink capping mechanism 50 is capped on the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet head 2.
[0076]
However, the switching lever 61 of the revolving plate 64 of the suction pump mechanism 60 has not been operated yet. That is, the engagement protrusion 44a on the carriage 4 side is in a state slightly in front of the switching lever 61. When the carriage 4 moves from this state toward the pump driving force connection position R, the engagement protrusion 44a of the carriage 4 hits the switching lever 61, and the switching lever 61 is operated.
[0077]
FIGS. 5E and 5F show a state in which the revolving plate 65 of the suction pump mechanism 60 is operated by the engagement protrusion 44a of the carriage 4, that is, the carriage 4 has reached the pump driving force connection position R. The state is shown. In this state, the driving force of the transport motor 28 is transmitted only to the suction pump mechanism 60 side.
[0078]
FIGS. 5G and 5H show a state where the carriage 4 moves toward the printing area A and reaches the pump power cutting position P. In this state, the switching lever 61 of the revolving plate 65 is returned to the original position by the inclined surface 44c of the engagement protrusion 44b of the carriage 4, and the driving force of the transport motor 28 can be transmitted to the transport mechanism 10 side. Is formed.
[0079]
(Other embodiments)
The inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a printer other than the ink jet printer, for example, a thermal printer. In other words, the present invention can be applied as it is to a printer that prints on a recording medium conveyed while a print head mounted on a carriage reciprocates.
[0080]
In the above description, the home position of the carriage in which the inkjet head is in the capping state and the position of the switching lever 71 for automatically feeding the cut sheet are on the same side with respect to the print area. Alternatively, for example, the switching lever may be arranged at a position opposite to the printing area.
[0081]
Further, the switching lever 71 can be arranged at a position in the printing area A.
[0082]
On the other hand, in the above description, the present invention is applied to the clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the power transmission path of the automatic paper feed mechanism. Further, the present invention is applied to a mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a driving force transmission path to a suction pump mechanism. However, the present invention can be applied to other power transmission path switching.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides a printer configured to operate a lever for switching a power transmission path to an automatic paper feed mechanism between a disconnected state and a connected state using a carriage on which a print head is mounted. In the power transmission control mechanism, the lever can be moved between a first position operable by the carriage and a second position that does not prevent passage of the carriage.
[0084]
Therefore, according to the present invention, when the lever is operated to the second position, the carriage can pass over the lever. For this reason, even if the carriage overruns due to erroneous operation or erroneous operation, there is no adverse effect such as breakage of the lever or the components constituting the power transmission path linked to the lever. Further, in the mechanism of the present invention, since the carriage can pass without being disturbed by the lever, the lever can be arranged at an arbitrary position within the movement range of the carriage. Generally, the lever is arranged at a position outside the printing area. However, according to the present invention, there is no problem even if the lever is arranged at a position within the printing area. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to arrange three or more levers for switching the power transmission path using the movement of the carriage.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing main components of an inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a portion including a printing position of the inkjet printer in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1 partially omitted;
FIG. 4 is a schematic operation flow showing an operation of the inkjet printer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a movement position of a carriage in the inkjet printer of FIG. 1 and an operation state of each part.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a case where a clutch mechanism of an automatic paper feeding mechanism in the printer of FIG. 1 is in a disconnected state.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state after the clutch mechanism shown in FIG. 6 has been switched to a connected state.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of switching a driving force transmission path of a suction pump mechanism in the printer of FIG. 1;
9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a capping mechanism of an inkjet head in the printer in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement of a wiper of the inkjet head.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the movement of an atmosphere release valve attached to a capping mechanism of an ink jet head in the printer of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet printer
2 Inkjet head
2a Nozzle surface
2b Head side
3 Ink tank
4 carriage
42 Engagement protrusion
43 Engagement protrusion (nozzle side)
44a, 44b engaging projection
10 Automatic paper feed mechanism
13 Power transmission path of automatic paper feed mechanism
20 transport mechanism
28 Transport motor
29 Transport roller shaft
70 Clutch mechanism for power transmission path of automatic paper feed mechanism
71 Switching lever
72 clutch gear
73 Clutch board
74 Transmission gear to automatic paper feeder side
77 sleeve
77a Spiral sliding surface
77b fixing pin

Claims (7)

In a power transmission control mechanism of a printer configured to operate a lever for switching a power transmission path between a disconnected state and a connected state using a carriage on which a print head is mounted,
A power transmission control mechanism for a printer, wherein the lever is movable between a first position operable by the carriage and a second position that does not prevent passage of the carriage. 2. The power transmission control of a printer according to claim 1, wherein the lever is rotatable between the first and second positions about a rotation center line parallel to a moving path of the carriage. mechanism. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lever moves a predetermined distance in a direction along a moving path of the carriage when the lever is rotated from the first position to the second position. Power transmission control mechanism of the printer. The power transmission path according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power transmission path includes a driving force transmitted to a transport mechanism that transports the cut sheet along a transport path that passes through a print position of the print head. A power transmission control mechanism for a printer, which is a path for transmitting a cut sheet to a supply mechanism for feeding a cut sheet to a position where the cut sheet can be transported by the transport mechanism. 3. The carriage according to claim 2, wherein the carriage includes an engagement portion engageable with the lever, and the engagement portion is configured to rotate the lever from the first position to the second position. A first surface formed to be inclined with respect to a movement path, and formed in a direction along the movement path of the carriage, the first surface being continuous with the first surface so as to hold the lever at the second position. A power transmission control mechanism for a printer, the power transmission control mechanism comprising: 4. The lever according to claim 3, wherein the lever includes a spiral sliding surface formed along an outer periphery of the rotation center line, and the lever contacts the sliding surface and the sliding surface in accordance with a rotation operation of the lever. A power transmission control mechanism for a printer, wherein the lever is movable in a direction along a movement path of the carriage by an action of a pin fixed to the printer frame. A carriage mounted with a print head and capable of reciprocating along a predetermined movement path,
A transport mechanism having a rotation axis substantially parallel to the movement path, and transporting the cut sheet to the print head unit,
A paper feed mechanism for feeding the cut sheet to the transport mechanism,
A drive motor for driving the transport mechanism and the paper feed mechanism,
A transmission gear for transmitting the rotational force of the drive motor to the rotating shaft;
A clutch provided on the rotating shaft and capable of transmitting the rotational force of the drive motor to the paper feeding mechanism; and a first position provided on the rotating shaft and operable by the carriage and does not hinder movement of the carriage. A lever that is rotatable between the second position and a movable distance along the rotation axis along the rotation axis;
A power transmission control mechanism for a printer, wherein the clutch is switched between a disconnected state and a connected state by movement of the lever along the rotation axis.

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