JP3810033B2 - Recording method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that conveys and records a recording medium, and a sheet conveying method in the apparatus. In the following embodiments, the case where the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various recording methods such as a thermal printer, a photosensitive printer, or a laser beam printer can be used. It can also be applied to a recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, various types of recording media can be used. Examples of such recording media include plain paper, glossy paper, OHP transparent sheet, postcard, envelope, and seal paper. In order to properly use these various recording media, a manual paper feed slot has been provided in the past, and normally used sheets are stacked and stored in paper cassettes, etc., and temporarily used sheets are manually fed one by one. It has been dealt with by putting it in from the paper feed slot. However, such a configuration has the following problems.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since there is only one mechanism for storing multiple stacked recording media and taking out the stacked recording media one by one, there are two types of frequently used recording media. One of them must be inserted manually by hand each time.
[0004]
In recent years, a large number of models capable of handling large-sized sheet-like recording media have appeared, and recording apparatuses capable of printing on recording sheets such as A3 and A2 sizes have become common. At the same time, the recorded image quality is improved as the recording pixel density is increased, so that glossy paper and transparent sheets for recording photographic images are also frequently used. In these sheets, an image receiving layer that absorbs ink is formed on a base material, and the surface of the sheet is extremely smooth compared to plain paper. Therefore, when a plurality of such sheets are stacked, the adhesion between the sheets is increased. Further, when a resin material such as a PET film is used as the base material of such a sheet, static electricity is likely to be generated, and the adhesion between the sheets is further enhanced. In addition, the image receiving layer itself of such a sheet has higher adhesiveness than plain paper. In order to increase the sheet size and increase the adhesion between the sheets, a method of separating and feeding the sheets one by one with a separation roller as in the conventional example is extremely difficult. . Therefore, at present, when recording on such a type of sheet, it is currently inserted and set one by one by hand. Therefore, when printing a large amount using such a sheet, The work efficiency was extremely poor.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording method and apparatus that are provided with a plurality of storage units for recording media and that can select and record the designated recording medium.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to detect the type of the recording medium stored in each storage unit of the recording medium, and the detected type of the recording medium is suitable for means for feeding the recording medium from the storage unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording method and apparatus that can feed and record a recording medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and records an image on the recording medium by a recording head,
A first storage unit capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording media;
A second storage unit capable of storing a plurality of recording media in a stacked manner;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium fed from the first and second storage units to a recording position by the recording head;
Identification means for identifying the type of recording medium accommodated in each of the first and second accommodation units;
Suction feeding means for sucking the recording medium accommodated in the first accommodation part by a suction part and feeding it to a position where the recording medium can be conveyed by the conveying means;
A separation feeding unit that separates the recording medium accommodated in the second accommodation unit by a separation roller and feeds the recording medium to a position that can be conveyed by the conveyance unit;
Input means for inputting instruction information for instructing the type of recording medium used for recording;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a recording medium of a type corresponding to the instruction information input by the input means is stored in the first or second storage unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that the first or second storage unit is stored, Instructed by instruction information The type of recording medium is Discriminated by discriminating means It is determined whether or not the suction feeding means or the separation feeding means corresponding to the storage unit is supported, and if so, the suction feeding means or the separation feeding means Control means for controlling to feed and record to a position that can be conveyed by the conveying means;
It is characterized by having.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the recording method of the present invention is as follows. Process Is provided. That is,
A recording method of conveying a recording medium and recording an image on the recording medium by a recording head,
An input step for inputting instruction information for instructing the type of recording medium used for recording;
An identification step for identifying the type of recording medium accommodated in each of the first and second accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of recording media;
A determination step of determining whether or not a recording medium of a type corresponding to the instruction information input in the input step is stored in the first or second storage unit based on the identification result in the identification step;
When it is determined in the determination step that the first or second storage unit is stored, Instructed by instruction information The type of recording medium is Discriminated in the discrimination process Containment In Corresponding , A determination step of determining whether or not the feeding by the suction feeding unit by the suction unit or the separation feeding unit by the separation roller is supported;
A control step for controlling to perform recording by feeding the recording medium to a position where the recording medium can be conveyed by the suction feeding unit or the separation feeding unit when it is determined that the determination step corresponds. When,
It is characterized by having.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a sheet conveying mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, the recording medium will be described as recording paper. However, this recording paper is not only a normal recording paper, but also a resin sheet such as OHP, or various recordings subjected to a special coating process. Sheet for use.
[0011]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a stacked unused recording sheet, which is placed substantially horizontally on a sheet feeding tray (sheet feeding cassette) 2. Reference numeral 3 denotes a suction cup, which is moved from a position a in FIG. 4 to a position b in contact with the uppermost one of the unused recording papers 1 by a suction cup moving mechanism (108 in FIG. 4), and the uppermost position. The paper can be sucked up and lifted. At this time, the suction mechanism (109 in FIG. 4) to be described later reduces the pressure inside the suction cup 3 while the suction cup 3 is in contact with the recording paper and sucks the uppermost sheet of the recording paper 1, The recording paper is separated from other recording paper. In this state, the suction cup moving mechanism 108 moves to the position c in the figure, and the leading edge of the separated recording sheet can be inserted between the transport rollers 4 and 5. Thereafter, the suction operation by the suction mechanism 109 is stopped, the suction force of the suction cup 3 is released, and the restraint of the recording paper by the suction cup 3 can be released.
[0012]
The transport rollers 4 and 5 are rotationally driven through a clutch mechanism (107 in FIG. 4) by a drive source such as a transport motor (106 in FIG. 4). Reference numerals 6 and 7 are guide plates which are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval, and form a supply path for recording paper to be conveyed by the rotation of the conveying rollers 4 and 5. The cross-sectional shape of the supply path formed by the guide plates 6 and 7 is substantially semicircular, and extends from the vicinity of the conveying rollers 4 and 5 to the upper sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9. These sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9 together with a second sub-scanning roller pair 10 and 11 arranged in parallel in the left direction in the figure sandwich the conveyed recording paper, and will be described later with a control unit (FIG. 4). The paper is fed under the control of 101). A guide plate 15 regulates the position of the recording paper between the sub-scanning rollers 8, 9, 10, and 11. A recording head (inkjet head) 12 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 1. Note that the recording head 12 may include a plurality of inkjet heads that discharge inks of different colors. An ink tank 13 stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 12. The recording head 12 and the ink tank 13 are placed on a carriage, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction is provided by a carriage guide disposed substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the sub-scanning rollers 8 to 11 in FIG. It is held so as to be movable (in the vertical direction in FIG. 1). Reference numeral 14 denotes a paper discharge tray on which recording paper discharged from the sub-scanning rollers 10 and 11 is placed after recording is completed.
[0013]
Reference numeral 16 denotes an unused second recording paper stored in a stacked manner in the upper recording paper storage unit. Reference numeral 17 denotes a pressure plate on which the stacked recording paper 16 is placed and appropriately pressed in the direction of the separation roller 18. Reference numerals 19 and 20 denote guide plates, which form a second supply path for guiding the leading edge of one recording sheet taken out by the separation roller 18 to the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9.
[0014]
21, 22, 23, and 24 are means for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper 1 and 16 and the paper quality disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-264879. 21 and 23 are light sources for irradiating the surfaces of the recording papers 1 and 16 with light of a predetermined wavelength, and 22 and 24 are photodetectors for receiving the light reflected from the surface of the recording papers. is there.
[0015]
Such detection of the quality of the recording paper by reflected light is caused by the fact that the roughness of the surface differs depending on the type of recording paper, and the degree of light diffusion varies accordingly. . For example, when the surface of plain paper is viewed microscopically, the fibers are intertwined and the diffusion of the surface is large, so the outputs of the detectors 22 and 24 are small. On the other hand, in the case of a sheet having a smooth surface and a low degree of light diffusion, the outputs of the detectors 22 and 24 become large. Whether the recording paper corresponding to the first separation mechanism using the suction cup 3 or the second separation mechanism using the separation roller 18 is loaded in the corresponding cassette by using such light detection means. It is possible to determine whether or not a recording sheet suitable for recording is loaded.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a suction mechanism of the suction cup 3.
[0017]
In FIG. 2, 3 is a suction cup and has a hole 3a opened for suction. The hole 3 a is connected to the hose 31. The other end of the hose 31 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 32. The other side of the electromagnetic valve 32 is connected to an electromagnetic pump 34 via a hose 33. Inside the electromagnetic pump 34, a rubber diaphragm 85 shown in FIG. 3 is provided. The diaphragm 85 repeatedly pushes and pulls the central portion 85a at high speed by an electromagnetic force generating means (not shown). The diaphragm 85 is fitted into a base 86, and the base 86 is provided with an intake port 86a, an exhaust port 86b, and one-way valves 87 and 88. The hose 33 is connected to the intake port 86 a of the diaphragm 85 inside the electromagnetic pump 34. Therefore, the gas sucked from the intake port 86a by the pushing and pulling operation of the diaphragm 85 is discharged from the exhaust port 86b, and as a result, the pressure of the portion connected to the intake port 86a can be reduced.
[0018]
When adsorbing the recording paper with such a configuration, the suction cup 3 is pressed against the recording paper, the electromagnetic valve 32 is closed, and the electromagnetic pump 34 is operated. The electromagnetic pump 34 is continuously driven while the recording paper is adsorbed. When releasing the suction by the suction cup 3, the electromagnetic valve 32 is released and the electromagnetic pump 34 is stopped. The reason why the electromagnetic valve 32 is used here is to quickly take in outside air and quickly release the suction by the suction cup 3. If the electromagnetic valve 32 is not provided and the electromagnetic pump 34 is stopped and the adsorption is attempted to be released, the exhaust is slow, and the adsorption is not released easily, thereby hindering the operation of the apparatus.
[0019]
The electromagnetic pump 34 has various methods other than the illustrated diaphragm type. For example, a spiral pump that rotates the internal impeller and exhausts air may be used.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0021]
In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, a CPU 120 such as a microcomputer, a program memory storing a control program executed by the CPU 120, and various data are temporarily stored when the CPU 120 executes processing. A RAM 122 for storing data is provided. A head driver 102 drives the recording head 12 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101 to perform recording. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote motor drivers which rotate and drive the corresponding carriage motor 105 and transport motor 106 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 101. The carriage motor 105 is a motor for driving the recording head 12, and the transport motor 106 is independent of the transport rollers 4, 5, 8, 10 and the separation roller 18 shown in FIG. And can be rotated. A suction cup moving mechanism 108 moves the suction cup 3 between positions a, b, and c in FIG. Reference numeral 109 denotes a suction mechanism that exhausts air from the suction port of the suction cup 3 and causes the suction cup 3 to suck the recording sheet. 22 and 24 are paper sensors shown in FIG.
[0022]
Next, the outline of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described below.
[0023]
First, a case where recording is performed by selecting the recording paper 1 stored in the paper cassette 2 below the apparatus will be described. When the start of recording is instructed, the suction cup moving mechanism 108 moves the suction cup 3 from the position a to the position b, and comes into contact with the uppermost sheet of the recording paper 1 stacked in the paper cassette 2. Next, the suction mechanism 109 exhausts the suction cup 3 to reduce its internal pressure. As a result, the uppermost recording paper is adsorbed to the suction cup 3. After that, the suction cup moving mechanism 108 moves the suction cup 3 to the position a above, and then further moves to the right in FIG. 1 and moves to the position c to record one sheet adsorbed by the suction cup 3. The leading edge of the paper is held between the conveying rollers 4 and 5. When these transport rollers 4 and 5 are rotationally driven by the rotation of the transport motor 106, the recording paper inserted between the transport rollers 4 and 5 is a first supply formed by the guide plates 6 and 7. Advancing upward in the path, the leading end of the path is inserted into the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9 and sandwiched.
[0024]
Thus, the conveyed recording paper is sandwiched between the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9, and the recording head 12 moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction while the conveyance is stopped while intermittently conveying and stopping. However, the recording head 12 is driven according to the image data to be recorded. Thereby, ink is ejected from the recording head 12 and an image is recorded. When the leading edge of the recording paper on which the image is recorded reaches the second sub-scanning rollers 10 and 11, the recording paper is conveyed while being sandwiched between the four sub-scanning rollers 8, 9, 10, and 11. The After the trailing edge of the recording paper is separated from the first sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9, the recording paper is conveyed only by the rotation of the second sub-scanning rollers 10 and 11. The recording paper that has been recorded in this way is discharged to the recording paper receiver 14 by the further rotation of the second sub-scanning rollers 10 and 11.
[0025]
Next, a case where the second recording paper 16 set in the upper paper storage unit is selected and recording is described will be described.
[0026]
First, the pressure plate 17 moves upward in response to a recording start command, and presses the uppermost sheet of the recording paper 16 stacked thereon against the separation roller 18. By rotating the separation roller 18 in the clockwise direction, the uppermost sheet of the recording paper can be sent out to the second supply path formed by the guide plates 19 and 20. The leading edge of the recording paper sent out in this way is sandwiched between the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9 and conveyed by the rotation thereof. The subsequent operation during recording is the same as that in the case of recording on the recording paper from the paper cassette 2 described above.
[0027]
In such a configuration, the first recording paper is a large recording medium such as A2 size or A3 size, and a recording medium having high adhesion between the recording papers, such as a white or transparent PET base film. Even if the image receiving paper is provided or the like, it can be reliably conveyed one by one even in a state where a plurality of the receiving papers are stacked.
[0028]
On the other hand, by setting, for example, ordinary plain paper that can be sent out by the separation roller 18 as the second recording medium accommodated in the upper accommodating portion, this is not manually fed one by one. It can be automatically and reliably conveyed one sheet at a time.
[0029]
Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently record using different types of sheets selectively.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process performed by the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, and a control program for executing this process is stored in the program memory 121.
[0031]
This process is started by an instruction to start the recording process. First, in step S1, recording using the recording paper (first recording paper) stored in the cassette 2 or the upper storage unit is stored. It is checked whether the recording process uses the recording paper (second recording paper). When the recording process uses the first recording paper, the process proceeds to step S2, and the suction cup moving mechanism 108 moves the suction cup 3 from the position a to the position b. And the uppermost recording sheet of the cassette 2 is sucked. In step S3, the suction cup 3 is moved to the position c in the state as it is, and the leading edge of the recording paper is held between the conveying rollers 4 and 5. In step S4, the conveying rollers 4 and 5 are rotationally driven to convey the paper sandwiched between the rollers 4 and 5 along the feeding path.
[0032]
In step S5, when the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the position of the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9, rotation of the rollers 8 and 9 is started, and further, the recording paper is moved to the recording position by their rotation. In step S6, it is checked whether or not the recording paper has reached the printing position. When the recording paper has reached the printing position, the process proceeds to step S7, and the recording head 12 is scanned by the carriage motor 105 according to the image data to be recorded. 12 is driven to perform print processing. In step S8, when the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the position of the sub-scanning rollers 10 and 11, the process proceeds to step S9, and in addition to the rollers 8 and 9, the conveying rollers 10 and 11 are started to rotate. When the recording for one scanning by the recording head 12 is completed, the recording head 12 is returned to the home position (carriage return), and the sub-scanning rollers 8 to 11 are driven to rotate to record a predetermined amount of recording paper according to the recording width. Then, the recording process described above is executed. Thus, these processes are repeated until the recording process for one page is completed. When the recording process for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S11, and the recorded paper is discharged by the further rotation of the rollers 10 and 11.
[0033]
The detection of the leading edge position of the recording paper in steps S5, S6, and S8 may be performed by a paper sensor (not shown), or based on the rotation amount of the transport rollers 4, 5 and / or 8,9. You may judge.
[0034]
Further, in the determination process of step S1, it is determined based on signals from the paper sensors 22 and 24 which recording paper storage unit stores the type of recording paper to be used for printing, and the recording paper is stored. Printing may be performed by selecting a recording sheet from the storage unit. At this time, if it is determined that the desired recording paper is not set in any of the storage units, for example, an error message may be displayed or the error message may be returned to the host device that has instructed printing. .
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of the suction mechanism 109 according to the present embodiment.
[0036]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 41 denotes a rubber diaphragm having a compressible bellows 41a, and a cross section thereof is shown in the figure. In the figure, the diaphragm 41 is circular when viewed from the A direction. Reference numeral 42 denotes a base to which the diaphragm 41 is attached, and there is a pipe portion 42a for connecting the hose 46 at the center thereof. The contact portion between the diaphragm 41 and the base 42 is confidential because the inner diameter of the diaphragm 41 is smaller than the outer diameter of the base 42. The base 42 is fixed to a frame (not shown). Reference numeral 43 denotes a circular plate, and 44 denotes a metal fitting having a coupling portion 44 a with a mechanism for expanding and contracting the diagram 41. The right end surface of the diaphragm 41 is sandwiched and coupled by a screw 45. This prevents the end face from being deformed when the diaphragm 41 is expanded or contracted. The hose 46 is coupled to the hoses 47 and 48 through a joint pipe 49. Suction cups 52 are provided at the tips of 47 and 48. Reference numeral 51 denotes a member for holding and moving the suction cup. Reference numeral 50 denotes an interrupter with an actuator attached to the member 51. Reference numeral 56 denotes a laminated recording sheet. The suction cup 52 is moved toward and away from the recording paper 56 by a moving mechanism (not shown). 6 shows a state in which the diaphragm 41 is stretched by a diaphragm expansion / contraction mechanism (not shown), and FIG. 7 shows a state in which the diaphragm 41 is crushed.
[0037]
An outline of the operation of this mechanism will be described. In the state of FIG. 7 in which the bellows 41 a of the diaphragm 41 is crushed, the suction cup 52 is brought into contact with the recording paper 56. Next, when the suction cup 52 is crushed by being pressed against the recording paper 56, a signal is generated from the interrupter 50. Using this signal as a trigger, the metal fitting 44 is pulled to the right in FIG. As a result, the bellows 41a of the diaphragm 41 is extended, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, and the internal capacity of the bellows 41a increases. As a result, the internal pressure of the bellows 41 a is lowered and the recording paper 56 is adsorbed by the suction cup 52. Thus, by moving the suction cup 52 that has attracted the recording paper, only the uppermost recording paper is separated. When it is time to release the suction of the recording paper, the metal fitting 44 is urged to the left in FIG. 6 to bring it into the state shown in FIG. 7, and the suction is released after the diaphragm 41 is crushed.
[0038]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording paper transport unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Portions in common with FIG.
[0040]
The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the separation mechanism of the second recording paper 38 has the functions of both the suction cup 31 and the separation roller 32.
[0041]
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 32 denotes a separation roller, which has a function similar to that of the separation roller 18 of FIG. A suction cup 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the separation roller 32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a part of a holding mechanism that holds the separation roller 32 rotatably and movable within a desired range. Reference numeral 38 denotes an unused recording paper (second recording paper) that is stacked and stored, and 39 is a pressure plate that presses the recording paper against the separation roller. Reference numerals 34 and 35 denote conveying rollers for feeding the separated recording paper to the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9. Reference numerals 36 and 37 denote guide plates that form a second recording paper supply path between the conveying rollers 34 and 35 and the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9.
[0042]
Here, according to the type of recording paper detected by the paper sensors 23 and 24, the following two separation operations can be automatically selected according to the type.
[0043]
9 and 10 are views for explaining the operation of the second separation mechanism.
[0044]
FIG. 9 shows a state in which plain paper or the like having low adhesion between recording papers and high air permeability is separated. In this case, the pressure plate 39 presses the recording paper 38 against the separation roller 32, and the recording paper 38 is fed out one by one by the rotation of the separation roller 32, and is sandwiched between the conveying rollers 34 and 35. Here, when the suction cup 31 approaches the recording paper 38, the pressure plate 39 is lowered and the suction cup 31 does not contact the recording paper.
[0045]
FIG. 10 shows a state in which the recording paper is strongly adhered and the recording paper (sheet) provided with an image receiving layer on a PET base film, for example, is very low in air permeability. In this case, after the suction cup 31 approaches the recording paper 38 by the support mechanism 33 and comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper 38, the suction paper 31 is exhausted to suck the recording paper. The suction cup 31 is lifted by the support mechanism 33 while adsorbing the uppermost recording sheet, and then moved in the direction of the conveying rollers 34 and 35, and the leading end of the recording sheet 38 is moved to the conveying rollers 34 and 35. Insert between. This state is shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the suction by the suction cup 31 is released, the recording paper 38 is separated from the suction cup 31 and fed by the rotation of the transport rollers 34 and 35. Other mechanisms and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0046]
By adopting such a configuration, the second separation mechanism shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has a weak adhesion between the recording sheets and a high permeability of plain paper or the like, or the adhesion between the recording sheets. Even if it is a strong and extremely low breathable material, such as a sheet with an image receiving layer on a PET base film, one of the operations is automatically selected, and the recording paper is stably fed one by one. Can be supplied.
[0047]
In addition, when the first and second recording papers are of the same type and the paper sensors 22 and 24 detect that the supply of the recording paper from one recording paper storage unit is finished, the first recording paper is automatically sent from the other storage unit. You may control to switch to recording paper feeding.
[0048]
[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sheet separating mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to the above-mentioned drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0049]
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 61 denotes a separation roller, and an intake passage 61a is integrally formed therein. The air intake path forms a closed space when exposed to the recording paper 38 by being exposed to the flat portion 61 b on the outer periphery of the separation roller 61. The other end of the intake path passes through the separation roller 61 and a part of the rotation shaft of the roller 61 to reach a suction mechanism (not shown).
[0050]
[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sheet separating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The parts common to the above-mentioned drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0051]
In the fourth embodiment, the separation roller 65, the suction cup 66, and the suction cup support mechanism 67 are provided independently. When the separation roller 65 is used, the suction cup 66 is fixed at the position shown in FIG. 12, and the pressure plate 39 presses the recording paper 38 against the separation roller 65. Here, when the suction cup 66 is used, the suction cup support mechanism 67 is moved by a drive source (not shown) to lower the suction cup 66 and bring it into contact with the recording paper 38 for adsorption.
[0052]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system in the inkjet recording apparatus 1000 of the first embodiment.
[0053]
In FIG. 13, when the recording command input from the host device includes recording paper selection information 210, the selection information 210 is input to the control unit 201. The paper sensors 22 and 24 are the sensors described above, and are sensors for obtaining paper quality information of the first recording paper and the second recording paper. The paper quality determination unit 202 determines the paper quality of the recording paper set in each storage unit based on the outputs of the sensors 22 and 24, and sends the result to the control unit 201. The control means 201 collates the input paper quality determination result with the recording paper selection information 210, and if they match, the first and second recording papers are respectively supplied so that the desired recording paper is supplied. An activation signal is sent to the sheet supply drive source 203 or 204 for taking out. If they do not match, it is displayed on the display means 205 such as a display panel that it is incompatible.
[0054]
The first and second sheet supply drive mechanisms are provided with means 205 for storing paper quality that can be handled. The control means 201 includes a paper quality determination result from the paper quality determination means 202 and a handleable paper quality storage means 205. By collating the contents, if it is unqualified, that fact can be displayed on the display means 205. The sensors 22 and 24 may be omitted, and the operator may determine and input the paper quality.
[0055]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the recording process in this embodiment.
[0056]
First, in step S31, recording paper selection information 210 indicating the type of recording medium used for recording is input from an external device. In step S32, the type of the recording medium stored in each storage unit is identified based on the determination result of the paper quality determination unit 202 based on the signals from the sensors 22 and 24 described above. In step S33, it is determined whether or not the type of recording medium designated by the information 210 is stored in the paper feed cassette 2. If so, the process proceeds to step S33, where it is determined whether or not the type of the recording medium accommodated in the paper feed cassette 2 is appropriate for feeding by suction. Is used for suction feeding (S35). In step S39, the recording medium is conveyed to the recording position by the recording head 12 by the rotation of the conveying rollers 4, 5, 8, and 9, and printing is performed in step S40.
[0057]
If it is determined in step S34 that the type of the recording medium is not suitable for feeding by suction, the process proceeds to step S41 to display error information and instruct the operator to change the storage position of the recording medium. In S42, the error is dealt with.
[0058]
If it is determined in step S33 that the sheet cassette 2 is not present, the process proceeds to step S36 to determine whether or not the instructed type of recording medium is placed on the pressure plate 17, and if it is on the pressure plate 17, the step is performed. In S37, it is checked whether or not it is appropriate to feed the recording medium by the separation roller. If appropriate, the process proceeds to step S38, where separation feeding is performed by the separation roller, and the process proceeds to step S39. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S41, and as described above, an error display such as an instruction to change the storage position of the recording medium is performed.
[0059]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the designated type of recording medium is accommodated, and if it is accommodated, the recording medium is transported from the accommodating portion for recording. . At this time, it is determined whether or not the feeding mechanism that feeds the recording medium from the container is a feeding mechanism suitable for the type of the recording medium, and only when that is the case, the recording medium is fed. Since recording is performed, the recording medium is fed by an unsuitable feeding mechanism, so that there is an effect that a problem during recording can be solved.
[0060]
FIG. 15 shows an ink jet recording apparatus in which two types of separation mechanisms, that is, a suction cup and a separation roller, are installed on the same type of recording paper as in the recording paper storage units of Embodiments 2 to 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control in 1001.
[0061]
In FIG. 15, when the recording paper selection information 210 is added to the recording command input from the host device, the selection information 210 is input to the control unit 301. The paper sensor 24 is a sensor for obtaining paper quality information of the recording paper stored in the storage unit. The paper quality determination unit 302 determines the paper quality based on the output of the sensor 24 and sends the result to the control unit 301. The control unit 301 collates the input paper quality determination result with the recording paper selection information 210, and if they match, the supply unit (303 suitable for the paper quality detected so that the desired recording paper is supplied. , 304), that is, whether the separation roller is driven or the recording paper is separated using a suction cup, and an operation signal is sent to any of the selected driving devices. If the paper quality determination result input to the control unit 301 does not match the recording paper selection information 210, it is displayed on the display unit 306 that it is incompatible.
[0062]
Further, a means 305 for storing paper quality that can be handled by the mechanism of the separation roller and the suction cup is provided, and the control means 301 collates the result of the paper quality judgment from the paper quality judgment means 302 with the contents of the paper quality storage means 305 that can be handled. By doing so, it is possible to display the fact on the display means 306 when it is unqualified. In this case as well, the sensor 24 may be omitted, and the operator may determine and input the paper quality.
[0063]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting and recording a recording sheet corresponding to the recording sheet selection information 210 input from the host device, for example, in the configuration of FIG.
[0064]
First, in step S21, selection information 210 is input. Next, in step S22, the type of recording paper stored in the recording paper storage unit is determined by the paper sensor 24. In step S23, it is determined whether the detected type of recording paper matches the selection information 210 input in step S1. If they match, the process proceeds to step S25, and a recording sheet separating mechanism corresponding to the detected recording sheet type is selected. That is, when the recording paper is ordinary paper, the driving unit of the separation roller is selected, and when the recording paper is resin sheet, the suction mechanism driving mechanism is selected for separation by the suction cup. The mechanism unit thus selected is driven, whereby only the uppermost recording sheet is separated and conveyed to the recording position (step S26). In step S27, recording is performed on the conveyed recording paper.
[0065]
On the other hand, if they do not coincide with each other in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, and a message indicating that the desired printing cannot be performed is displayed on the display unit 306 or returned to the host device as an error.
[0066]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications as described below are conceivable without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
(1) Any of the first and second recording paper separating mechanisms described above may be a mechanism that can use two types of separating mechanisms including the separating roller and the suction cup as described above.
(2) Both the suction cup and the separation roller are not limited to the positions of the above-described embodiments, but the separation roller is disposed in the first recording paper storage section and the suction cup is disposed in the second recording paper storage section (the paper feed cassette 2 side). May be.
(3) The conveyance rollers 4 and 5 may be omitted, and the recording paper may be directly inserted between the sub-scanning rollers 8 and 9 by moving the suction cup.
(4) The paper feed tray and paper discharge tray may be slightly inclined from the horizontal in order to align the recording paper.
{Circle around (5)} The paper quality detection means is not based on light as in the present embodiment, and other methods, for example, a notch may be provided on the recording paper, or a detection mark or sheet may be provided.
[0067]
The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus that use thermal energy among ink jet recording systems.
[0068]
As its typical configuration and principle, for example, those performed using the basic principle disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 are preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the film, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in a one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal. By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is pulse-shaped, the bubble growth and contraction is performed immediately and appropriately, and thus it is possible to achieve the discharge of liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness.
[0069]
As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by employing the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface.
[0070]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (straight liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting surface The configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer, or an aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge unit.
[0071]
Furthermore, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used.
[0072]
In addition, by mounting on the apparatus main body, the ink can be integrated with the replaceable chip type recording head, which can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body, or the recording head itself. A cartridge type recording head provided with a tank may be used.
[0073]
In addition, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc. provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the recording head, preheating means using a heating element different from this, or a combination thereof, or recording is used. Performing a preliminary discharge mode for performing another discharge is also effective for performing stable recording.
[0074]
Furthermore, 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 integrated or may be a combination of a plurality of colors. An apparatus having at least one of full colors can also be provided.
[0075]
In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink that is solidified at room temperature or lower, an ink that is softened or liquefied at room temperature, or an ink jet method may be used. Generally, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. to 70 ° C., and the temperature of the ink is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable discharge range. Anything can be used.
[0076]
In addition, it is solidified in a stand-by state in order to actively prevent temperature rise by heat energy as energy for changing the state of ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent ink evaporation. Ink that is liquefied by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy according to the application of thermal energy according to the recording signal, the ink is liquefied and liquid ink is ejected, or when it reaches the recording medium, it already starts to solidify. The present invention can also be applied to the case of using ink having the property of being liquefied for the first time. In such a case, the ink is held as a liquid or solid in a porous sheet recess or through-hole as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, It is good also as a form which opposes with respect to an electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-described inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.
[0077]
In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception function are provided as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer or the like. It may take the form of a facsimile machine.
[0078]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, etc.) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0079]
In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0080]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0081]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0082]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0083]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0084]
As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Both the large sheet with a smooth surface and high adhesion between the sheets and the sheet with high surface roughness and low air adhesion between the sheets, such as plain paper with high air permeability, are stable on the same supply path. Can be fed continuously. There is no need to change the sheet loading location for each type of paper.
[0085]
The type of sheet loaded in the recording sheet storage unit can be detected and displayed. The operator can select the separation mechanism by looking at it, and can change the recording paper if not desired. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from being hindered by using an inappropriate separation mechanism or recording on an undesired type of recording paper. Therefore, waste of recording paper can be eliminated.
[0086]
In addition, since the supply mechanism corresponding to the type of recording paper is automatically selected, the burden on the operator can be reduced. Further, the use of an inappropriate separation mechanism does not hinder the recording paper feeding.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plurality of storage units for recording media and to select and record the designated recording medium.
[0088]
According to the invention, the type of the recording medium stored in each storage unit of the recording medium is detected, and the detected type of the recording medium is adapted to the means for feeding the recording medium from the storage unit. In this case, since the recording medium is fed and recorded, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a recording defect due to an abnormal conveyance of the recording medium.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a recording paper conveyance path of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an adsorption function of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a diaphragm in the electromagnetic pump according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording process in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a suction mechanism according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the diaphragm of FIG. 6 is crushed.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sheet conveying mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a separation roller of a transport mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the suction cup of the transport mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a recording sheet separating mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording sheet separating mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a recording process in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (12)

A recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and records an image on the recording medium by a recording head,
A first storage unit capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording media;
A second storage unit capable of storing a plurality of recording media in a stacked manner;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium fed from the first and second storage units to a recording position by the recording head;
Identification means for identifying the type of recording medium accommodated in each of the first and second accommodation units;
Suction feeding means for sucking the recording medium accommodated in the first accommodation part by a suction part and feeding it to a position where the recording medium can be conveyed by the conveying means;
A separation feeding unit that separates the recording medium accommodated in the second accommodation unit by a separation roller and feeds the recording medium to a position that can be conveyed by the conveyance unit;
Input means for inputting instruction information for instructing the type of recording medium used for recording;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a recording medium of a type corresponding to the instruction information input by the input means is stored in the first or second storage unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that the recording medium is stored in the first or second storage section, the type of the recording medium indicated by the instruction information corresponds to the storage section determined by the determination means. It is determined whether or not the feeding by the suction feeding means or the separation feeding means is supported, and if it is supported, the feeding means can carry the feeding means by the suction feeding means or the separation feeding means. Control means for controlling to feed and record to a correct position;
A recording apparatus comprising: A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first housing portion a recording media having a high degree of adhesion to a recording apparatus, wherein said second housing portion that houses the ordinary recording sheet . A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separating and feeding means has a second housing are suction cups by suction to separate and feed the recording medium to the accommodating portion, the second housing part and further comprising by Ri or feeding by separating the separating roller a recording medium accommodated, or a means capable of selectively executing said sucker by separates and feeds by sucking recording medium Recording device . The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information is not stored in either the first storage unit or the second storage unit. A recording apparatus further comprising output means for displaying and outputting the image. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus . The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording head is a recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. A recording apparatus . A recording method of conveying a recording medium and recording an image on the recording medium by a recording head,
An input step for inputting instruction information for instructing the type of recording medium used for recording;
An identification step for identifying the type of recording medium accommodated in each of the first and second accommodating portions each accommodating a plurality of recording media;
A determination step of determining whether or not a recording medium of a type corresponding to the instruction information input in the input step is stored in the first or second storage unit based on the identification result in the identification step;
When it is determined to have been received in the first or second housing portion in said determination step, the type of the instructed recording medium corresponds to a housing portion that is determined by the determination step in the instruction information, A determination step of determining whether or not the feeding by the suction feeding unit by the suction unit or the separation feeding unit by the separation roller is supported;
A control step for controlling to perform recording by feeding the recording medium to a position where the recording medium can be conveyed by the suction feeding unit or the separation feeding unit when it is determined that the determination step corresponds. When,
A recording method characterized by comprising: A recording method according to claim 7, recording method wherein the first housing portion recording media having a high degree of contact, wherein said second housing portion that houses the ordinary recording sheet . A recording method according to claim 7, wherein the separation feeding unit has a suction cup to separate conveyed by sucking the recording medium, the said first or recording medium housed in the second housing part recording method characterized by selectively execute either that feeding by separating Ri by the separation roller, or separating and feeding by suction the recording medium by the suction cup. The recording method according to claim 7, wherein when it is determined in the determination step that the recording medium corresponding to the instruction information is not stored in either the first storage unit or the second storage unit. A recording method , further comprising an output step of displaying / outputting. The recording method according to claim 7, wherein the recording is recording by an ink jet method . 12. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein the recording head is a recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. And a recording method .

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