JP3610236B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus in which a recording apparatus main body is a vertical type and the installation area of the apparatus is reduced.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Several configurations have been implemented to reduce the installation area in the recording apparatus. For example, a recording apparatus that saves installation space includes a recording apparatus that embeds the recording apparatus itself in a wall surface, and a device that devise the installation location of paper to be fed and paper to be ejected. Furthermore, there is a paper that uses a roll paper wound in a roll shape instead of a cut paper or a folded continuous paper. Representative mechanisms arrangement of above-described recording apparatus shown in FIG.
[0003]
Sheet feeding unit of FIG. 7 (a) a recording apparatus for recording on a continuous sheet folded, the recording unit is a configuration example of a discharge unit. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording unit that records on paper, 2 denotes a paper feeding unit that supplies the paper to the recording unit 1, and 3 denotes a paper discharge unit that stacks the papers that have been recorded by the recording unit 1. The folded continuous sheet is pulled up from the sheet feeding unit 2 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by the sheet driving unit built in the recording unit 2, and after the recording operation is performed in the recording unit 2, the above-described sheet driving unit Is discharged to the paper discharge unit 3. At this time, similarly to the case where the continuous sheet is folded in the sheet feeding unit 2, it is folded again according to the folding fold and loaded.
[0004]
7 (b) is an example using a roll into the recording paper. The paper is pulled out from the roll paper-like paper feeding unit 2 supported at the center so as to be rotatable by the paper driving means built in the recording unit 2, and after the recording operation is performed by the recording unit 2, The sheets cut into a predetermined size by the built-in sheet cutting means are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge unit 3.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, there are some restrictions on the paper due to the space-saving installation. That is, as in the example shown in FIG. 7 (a), or a recording apparatus using a continuous paper folded, as in the example shown in FIG. 7 (b), the a recording apparatus using roll paper There were some restrictions. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 7 (a), since the recorded sheet discharged would be folded again to confirm the recorded contents by cutting at a continuous sheet suitable, folded It was necessary to open it again from the state where it was.
[0006]
Furthermore, as in the example in FIG. 7 (a), the spacing component form the length of the bent portion and the bent portion of the recording paper is required for the recording apparatus installation space, in order to obtain a practical recording paper length It was necessary to secure a certain amount of installation space.
[0007]
In the structure using the roll paper as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the need to use a dedicated sheet, flexibility of the sheet selection was a problem of low.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and achieves a reduced installation space, has few restrictions on recording paper, and allows recording contents to be immediately confirmed. The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, in the present invention, a recording material stacking unit for stacking the cut recording material, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording material fed from the recording material stacking unit, And a recording material storage unit for storing the recording material discharged from the recording unit, wherein the recording material stacking unit stacks the recording material substantially upright, and records the recording material. storage unit and stored by substantially upright the recording medium, the recording unit is arranged in the vicinity of the extension of the surface of the recording material housed in the loading or the recording material housing portion in the recording medium stacking unit, the recording The material storage portion has an outer wall facing the outside, and includes a window portion made of a transparent member on the outer wall, and the recording material support position in the recording material storage portion is defined as the recording material support position in the recording material stacking portion. Place it in a direction almost parallel to the recording material Enabling check the status of the recording medium stacking unit from the outside.
Alternatively, a recording material stacking unit for stacking the cut recording material, a recording unit for recording an image on the recording material fed from the recording material stacking unit, and an image recorded and discharged from the recording unit In a recording apparatus including a recording material storage unit for storing the recording material, the recording material stacking unit stacks the recording material almost upright, and the recording material storage unit stores the recording material almost upright. The recording unit is disposed in the vicinity of an extension of the surface of the recording material stacked on the recording material stacking unit or stored in the recording material storage unit, and the recording material storage unit has an outer wall facing the outside. The recording medium storage section is shifted in a direction substantially parallel to the recording material support position of the recording material and the recording material support position in the recording material stacking section. The state of the recording material stacking unit is confirmed from the outside. Possible to be.
[0010]
In this way, the recording material cut like a cut sheet is almost upright in the recording material stacking unit and the recording material storage unit, and the recording unit is stacked on the recording material stacking unit or stored in the recording material storage unit. Since the recording material is arranged in the vicinity of the extension of the surface of the recording material, the installation area of the recording device can be reduced as compared with the case where the recording material is stacked or stored so as to be substantially parallel to the installation surface. .
[0018]
In the case where a window portion is provided on the outer wall, the output result of the discharged recording material can be easily confirmed from the outside through the window portion, and the recording apparatus can be used like a display.
[0020]
When an opening is provided in the outer wall, the output result of the discharged recording material can be easily confirmed from the outside through the opening, and the recording device can be used like a display and can be recorded from the opening. The material can be taken out and the operability is improved.
[0021]
Further, the recording material support position in the recording material storage unit is shifted in a direction substantially parallel to the recording material support position in the recording material stacking unit and the recording material, and the state of the recording material stacking unit is confirmed from the outside. Since it is possible, it is possible to check the presence or absence of the recording material in the recording material stacking portion that is supported by being shifted even when the recording material discharged in the recording material storage portion is stored.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the entire apparatus showing a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031]
First, the overall configuration of the recording apparatus will be described.
[0032]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording unit. The recording unit 1 can employ various types of recording units. As a recording method, for example, a serial scanning ink jet printer, a serial scanning thermal transfer printer, a line recording ink jet printer, a line recording thermal transfer printer, or the like can be used.
[0033]
In this embodiment, a serial scanning ink jet printer is used.
[0034]
The recording unit 1 has a built-in mechanism that allows recording paper (recording material) to be inserted, recorded, and ejected in the direction shown by an arrow a in the figure.
[0035]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a paper feeding unit as a recording material stacking unit. The sheet feeding unit 2 includes a cut sheet stacking unit, a separating unit that pulls out sheets to be recorded one by one from the stacked sheets, and a conveying unit that feeds the separated recording sheets to the recording unit 1.
[0036]
Reference numeral 3 denotes a paper discharge unit as a recording material storage unit. The paper discharge unit can sequentially receive and stack the sheets recorded by the recording unit 1 and can display the recorded contents on the front surface of the recording apparatus (left side in the figure).
[0037]
4 is a stacked recording sheet stacked vertically on the sheet feeding unit 2 (only the thickness direction of the sheet is visible in the figure), and 5 is formed integrally with the sheet ejection unit 3 or the sheet feeding unit 2. A front cover, 6 is a paper feed roller related to the separation unit and the transport unit described above in the paper feed unit 2, and 7 is a stacking position adjustment mechanism (support) for absorbing the difference in the size of the recording paper stacked in the paper feed unit 2. Position adjustment mechanism). FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the entire apparatus showing an example of the recording apparatus according to the present invention described in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a recording head / ink tank relating to recording by the recording unit 1, and 9 denotes an access cover provided on the exterior of the main body, which closes a hole opened for replacing the recording head / ink tank 8. Is an operation unit of a power switch of the recording apparatus and switches related to various controls, 11 is a paper unit in which the paper feed unit 2, the paper discharge unit 3 and the front cover 5 are integrally formed, and 12 is a power source and host supplied to the recording apparatus An external connection cable 22 for connecting to a computer is a release lever 22 used when the paper unit 11 is opened.
[0038]
First, an operation for replenishing a recording sheet to the recording apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper unit 11 can be rotated in the direction of arrow a in FIG. The operator of the recording apparatus operates to push the release lever 22 downward to release the latch on the paper unit 11, and the paper unit 11 is changed from the closed state in FIG. 1 to the open state in FIG. Two pockets appear in the opened paper unit 11, and the front side is a paper discharge unit and the back side is a paper feed unit. In order to perform paper feeding, a single sheet is inserted in a bundle in the pocket of the paper feeding unit on the back side. It is necessary to adjust the stacking position of the sheets replenished in a bundle according to the sheet size (the vertical length of the recording sheet 4 in FIG. 1). A method for adjusting the stacking position will be described later.
[0039]
When the paper is replenished, the operator closes the paper unit 11. At this time, it can be brought into a closed state by moving the paper unit 11 above the paper unit 11 until the latch (not shown) is engaged.
[0040]
With the above operation, the paper setting operation is completed. Note that this operation does not have to be performed at all times, and only needs to be replenished when all the stacked sheets have been used.
[0041]
Next, the recording operation will be described.
[0042]
The recording operation is started by a recording signal from the host computer or a recording start operation from the operation unit 10 of the recording apparatus main body. The recording operation starts when the recording paper is fed by the paper feed roller 6. The paper feed roller 6 is pressed in the direction of the stacked recording paper 4 by a drive mechanism (not shown), and rotates in the direction of transporting the recording paper 4 to the recording unit 1. The recording paper 4 that has received the conveying force by the paper feed roller 6 is separated into one sheet by a separation mechanism (not shown) and sent to the recording unit 1.
[0043]
When a recording sheet is inserted in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1 and guided by guide means (not shown), image data recording is started by the host computer or image processing means inside the recording apparatus. Although a detailed recording mechanism of the serial scanning type ink jet printer is omitted, in general, a predetermined amount of recording paper is conveyed by a paper conveying means built in the recording unit 1 and recording by an ink tank 8 mounted on the carrier is recorded. Recording is performed on a recording sheet by scanning in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.
[0044]
Note that if recording is performed from the beginning of the data to be recorded to the beginning of the recording paper, the recording result will be displayed upside down during the paper discharge operation described later, so that it is built into the host computer or recording device. By using the image processing apparatus, it is possible to reverse the image recorded on the page of the recording sheet and to perform the recording operation in the opposite order to the printing order, thereby discharging an upright image.
[0045]
After recording is sequentially performed on the recording paper by the recording mechanism, the paper discharge operation is started. The recording paper discharged along the arrow a in FIG. 1 moves into the paper discharge unit 3. When only one sheet is recorded and discharged, the recording sheet is stored in the paper discharge unit 3 along the wall of the paper discharge unit 3 (3a in FIG. 1). The wall 3a of the paper discharge unit 3 is slightly inclined so that the posture of the recording paper discharged at this time is stabilized. The same operation is performed when a plurality of sheets are continuously recorded and the recording paper is stored in the paper discharge unit 3. However, if a separate mechanism is provided to facilitate the alignment of the paper discharge, the alignment becomes better. Become. The paper discharge alignment mechanism will be described later.
[0046]
The above is a schematic description of the overall configuration of the recording apparatus.
[0051]
Next, a method for adjusting the recording paper stack position will be described.
[0052]
As described above, in order to be able to print various paper sizes, it is necessary to adjust the stacking position according to the paper size so as to enable recording. An example of a stacking position adjustment mechanism for this purpose will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the stacking position adjusting mechanism, and shows the corresponding part of FIG. 1 from the same direction.
[0054]
In the figure, 13 is a pressure plate for applying pressure to the loaded paper to hold the paper vertically with the wall surface of the paper unit 11, 14 is a pressure contact spring for applying pressure to the pressure plate, and 15 is a lower end of the stacked recording paper. 16 is a lead screw for adjusting the height by engaging with the height adjusting plate 15, 17 is a height adjusting motor for applying a rotational force to the lead screw, and 18 is an upper end of the stacked paper. Separation claw for separating the sheet during feeding, 19 is a sensor light emitting unit for detecting the leading edge of the paper when determining the supporting height of the paper, and 20 is a sensor light receiving unit that operates in cooperation with the sensor light emitting unit .
[0055]
In FIG. 3 (a), may be used in the present recording apparatus, a case where the stacked recording sheets having the maximum sheet size, in FIG. 3 (b), the recording paper having a slightly smaller paper size The case of loading is shown.
[0056]
Next, a method for adjusting the stacking position when sheets are replenished will be described in order.
[0057]
First, when the paper is replenished in the paper feeding unit 2 and the paper unit 11 is closed in the above-described procedure (in this state, the pressure contact spring 14 is compressed by a latch (not shown) and the pressure plate 13 is applied to the recording paper). The height adjusting plate 15 is located at the lowermost part. From this state, for example, an infrared ray is emitted from the sensor light emitting unit 19, and the sensor light receiving unit 20 receives the ray. When a non-standard paper is inserted, the sensor light-emitting unit / light-receiving unit is blocked in this state, so that no light is incident on the sensor light-receiving unit 20. In this case, since the sheet is selected incorrectly, an error occurs and the operator is prompted to replace the recording sheet. When the sensor light receiving unit 20 receives light, it is determined that the height of the loaded paper is too low, and the height adjustment motor 17 starts to rotate. When the rotational force of the height adjustment motor 17 is transmitted to the lead screw 16, the engaged height adjustment plate 15 starts to rise. When the entire stacked paper is raised, the upper end (end in the feeding direction) of the stacked paper reaches the height of the sensor light receiving unit 20, and light incident on the sensor light receiving unit 20 is blocked. At this time, it is determined that the loading position has reached a predetermined height, and the rotation of the height adjustment motor 17 is stopped. With the above operation, the upper end of the stacked sheets can be always supported at a constant height regardless of the sheet size.
[0058]
Here, the latch that has compressed the compression spring 14 is removed, and the pressure plate 13 is pressed to hold the stacked sheets stably.
[0059]
The effect of keeping the upper end of the stacked paper at a constant height is that the distance between the separation claw 18 and the paper is kept constant, so that stable separation is possible. Further, there is no case where the paper does not reach the height of the paper feed roller 6 and cannot be conveyed.
[0060]
The above is the description of the operation of the loading position adjustment mechanism.
[0061]
Next, the structure of the paper discharge unit will be described.
[0062]
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment when the front cover 5 as an outer wall is made of a transparent member. The front cover 5 covers the front surface of the paper discharge unit 3 but is transparent, so that it is possible to look over the entire discharged recording paper. Thereby, the print result can be used as a display. When the recording paper is taken out, it can be taken out by opening the paper unit 11 as in the case of replenishing the recording paper. In the present embodiment, the entire outer wall is made of a transparent member and is used as a window portion.
[0063]
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which the front cover 5 is configured as a half opening. In this case, the front cover 5 need not be a transparent member. By providing the front cover 5 with the opening 5a having a width slightly narrower than the width of the paper, it is possible to look over almost the entire discharged recording paper, and the discharged recording paper falls to the near side. However, both ends are supported by the front cover 5, and the recording paper does not come out of the apparatus.
[0064]
The paper discharge unit 3 is provided at a position lower than the recording paper stacking position of the paper supply unit 2, and the paper discharge unit wall 3a is formed of a transparent member, or a hole is formed in the paper discharge unit wall 3a. By opening it, even if the discharged recording paper remains in the paper discharge unit 3, the state of the recording paper 4 in the paper supply unit 2 can be desired from above. Thereby, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the recording paper remains.
[0065]
Next, the alignment mechanism of the paper discharge unit will be described.
[0066]
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an alignment mechanism of the paper discharge unit. This figure is a plan view of only the paper discharge unit as viewed from the direction of arrow b in FIG.
[0067]
In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a paper discharge flapper as an alignment mechanism that rotates in the direction of arrow a in the figure.
[0068]
The paper discharge flapper 21 is disposed above both sides of the recording paper and rotates in synchronization with paper discharge.
[0069]
First, the paper discharged from the recording unit 1 is discharged to the position 4a. When paper is discharged, the recording paper 4 passes between the blades of the paper discharge flapper 21 without contacting the paper discharge flapper 21. When the recording operation is finished and the recording sheet is removed from the recording unit 1, the recording sheet falls to the sheet discharging unit 3. At this time, as shown in FIG. One-sixth of a turn in the direction. As a result, the recording sheet discharged to the position 4a is pushed into the position 4b. Up to the capacity of the paper discharge unit 3, it is possible to store recorded recording sheets in an aligned manner.
[0070]
Next, the operation unit will be described.
[0071]
As described above, when the paper unit 11 is in the open state, the release lever 22 is operated to be pushed down, but the same applies to the other operation units. That is, the operation unit 10 for the power source and the control switch of the recording apparatus is attached to the upper surface of the recording apparatus. In addition, the switch is a switch that operates by a push operation, and applies only a downward force to the recording apparatus during operation. Further, when the recording head / ink tank 8 is attached / detached, the access cover 9 provided on the upper surface of the recording apparatus is opened, and the attaching / detaching direction is the vertical direction. That is, the force applied to the recording apparatus when the recording head / ink tank 8 is attached / detached is only the force in the vertical direction. As described above, regarding the operation of the recording apparatus, it is possible to perform a stable operation without applying a force in the direction of overturning the recording apparatus.
[0072]
In addition, the external connection cable 12 is taken out from below the center of gravity of the entire recording apparatus, so that the possibility of the recording apparatus body falling is reduced even if the external connection cable 12 is pulled.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the recording material stacking unit stacks the recording material almost upright, the recording material storage unit stores the recording material almost upright, and the recording unit serves as the recording material stacking unit. Since the recording material is disposed in the vicinity of the extension of the surface of the recording material stored in the recording material storage unit, the recording device is compared with the case where the recording material is stacked or stored so as to be substantially parallel to the installation surface. The installation area can be reduced.
[0077]
In addition, since the recording material storage portion has an outer wall facing the outside, and the outer wall is provided with a window portion made of a transparent member, the output result of the discharged recording material can be easily passed from the outside through the window portion. The recording device can be used like a display.
[0078]
Further, since the recording material storage portion has an outer wall facing the outside, and the outer wall has an opening opened to the outside, the output result of the discharged recording material can be easily passed from the outside through the opening. It can be confirmed, the recording apparatus can be used like a display, and the recording material can be taken out from the opening, so that the operability is improved.
[0079]
Further, the recording material support position in the recording material storage section is shifted in a direction substantially parallel to the recording material support position and the recording material in the recording material stacking section, and the state of the recording material stacking section is confirmed from the outside. Since it is possible, it is possible to check the presence or absence of the recording material in the recording material stacking portion that is supported by being shifted even when the recording material discharged in the recording material storage portion is stored.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing an overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[3] FIG. 3 (a), shows the (b) is stacked position adjusting mechanism of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, is a schematic side sectional view.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a paper discharge mechanism of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of the paper discharge mechanism of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a paper discharge flapper of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
[7] FIG. 7 (a), the indicating the (b) a recording device of the conventional example, is a schematic side sectional view.

Claims (2)

A recording material loading section for loading the cut recording material;
A recording unit for recording an image on the recording material fed from the recording material stacking unit;
In a recording apparatus comprising a recording material storage portion for storing the recording material on which an image is recorded and discharged from the recording portion,
The recording material stacking unit stacks the recording material almost upright,
The recording material storage portion stores the recording material in an upright state,
The recording unit is arranged on the recording material stacking unit or in the vicinity of an extension of the surface of the recording material stored in the recording material storage unit,
The recording material storage portion has an outer wall facing the outside;
Provided with a window made of a transparent member on the outer wall,
The recording material support position in the recording material storage section is shifted in a direction substantially parallel to the recording material support position and the recording material in the recording material stacking section, and the state of the recording material stacking section can be confirmed from the outside. A recording apparatus characterized by that. A recording material loading section for loading the cut recording material;
A recording unit for recording an image on the recording material fed from the recording material stacking unit;
In a recording apparatus comprising a recording material storage portion for storing the recording material on which an image is recorded and discharged from the recording portion,
The recording material stacking unit stacks the recording material almost upright,
The recording material storage portion stores the recording material in an upright state,
The recording unit is arranged on the recording material stacking unit or in the vicinity of an extension of the surface of the recording material stored in the recording material storage unit,
The recording material storage portion has an outer wall facing the outside;
The outer wall has an opening that is open to the outside,
The recording material support position in the recording material storage section is shifted in a direction substantially parallel to the recording material support position and the recording material in the recording material stacking section, and the state of the recording material stacking section can be confirmed from the outside. A recording apparatus characterized by that.

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