JP4277488B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records ink by ejecting ink supplied from an ink cartridge onto a recording material while a head scans the recording material.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ink jet recording apparatus records ink by discharging ink supplied from an ink cartridge onto the recording material while the head scans the recording material. As an example of the ink jet recording apparatus, the head is fixed to an ink carriage to which an ink cartridge is detachably mounted. In this case, the head mounted on the ink carriage is scanned and moved by scanning and moving the ink carriage on which the ink cartridge is mounted with respect to the recording apparatus main body.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs color recording, a black ink cartridge and a color ink cartridge are mounted on an ink carriage, and the ink carriage is increased in size. In this case, since the head is fixed with respect to the ink carriage, in order to scan and move the ink carriage, the recording apparatus main body has a length necessary for the head to scan and move on the recording material, that is, the recording material. The length of the ink carriage in the scanning direction is longer than the length in the head scanning direction. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus itself has been increased in size.
[0004]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus that records an ink supplied from an ink cartridge by ejecting the head while moving in the scanning direction. A head carriage mounted and movable in the scanning direction of the head with respect to the recording apparatus main body, and the ink cartridge are mounted and provided to be movable in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body. An ink carriage that is movably connected to the head carriage, and a head carriage driving unit that drives the head carriage and moves the head carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body. The ink carriage can move the head carriage in the scanning direction. Held and the head carriage, by the head carriage drive means, thereby driven the ink carriage on the ink carriage, after moving slidably to the scanning direction.
[0007]
The ink jet recording apparatus further includes an ink carriage driving unit that drives the ink carriage and moves the ink carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body, the head carriage, and the ink carriage. You may drive independently in the said scanning direction.
[0008]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the movement range of the ink carriage in the scanning direction may be narrower than the movement range of the head carriage in the scanning direction.
[0009]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the movement range of the ink carriage in the scanning direction may be within the movement range of the head carriage in the scanning direction.
[0010]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the outermost shape when the ink carriage moves in the scanning direction may not be outside the outermost shape when the head carriage moves in the scanning direction.
[0011]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the head carriage may move in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage based on the position of the ink carriage with respect to the recording apparatus main body.
[0012]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink carriage may move in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body based on a position of the head carriage with respect to the ink carriage.
[0013]
The ink jet recording apparatus is supported by the ink carriage, moves with the ink carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body, and holds the head carriage so as to be movable with respect to the ink carriage in the scanning direction. A rail may be further provided.
[0014]
The ink jet recording apparatus detects a relative position between the ink carriage and the head carriage, drives the ink carriage based on the detection result, and moves the ink carriage relative to the recording apparatus main body in the scanning direction. An ink carriage driving means for moving the ink carriage may be further provided.
[0015]
The ink jet recording apparatus may further include an absorbing member that is provided at a position facing the scanning direction of the ink carriage on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body and absorbs the inertial movement of the ink carriage.
[0016]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, the absorbing member may be formed of an elastic body.
[0017]
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are solutions of the invention. It is not always essential to the means.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a mounting unit 12 that holds a plurality of recording objects 11, and a feeding unit that takes out one recording object 11 from the mounting unit 12 and records it. The feeding unit 20, the conveyance unit 30 that transmits power in the feeding direction to the recording material 11 fed by the feeding unit 20, the recording unit 40 that records on the recording material 11, and the recorded recording material 11 A discharge unit 50 that transmits power in the discharge direction is provided in this order in the feeding direction.
[0021]
The feeding unit 20 includes, for example, a feeding roller 22 that rotates together with a drive shaft by a motor (not shown), and a separation pad 24. The paper feed roller 22 is substantially fan-shaped, and the drive shaft is provided at the center of an arc that forms the fan. As the paper feed roller 22 rotates, the paper feed roller 22 repeats a contact state and a separation state with respect to the separation pad 24. In the contact state, the feeding roller 22 and the separation pad 24 move the recording material 11 positioned at the top of the bundle of recording materials 11 fed from the placement unit 12 to the feeding unit 20. By sandwiching them, the recording objects 11 are separated one by one and fed to the transport unit 30. The feeding roller 22 and the hopper, which is a part of the placement unit 12, are separated from each other at the midway timing of feeding, and the recording material 11 that has not been fed is returned to the placement unit 12 and aligned. To be able to.
[0022]
The conveyance unit 30 includes a conveyance roller 32 that is rotated by a motor 60, and a conveyance driven roller 34 that rotates with the conveyance roller 32, and sandwiches the recording material 11 at a contact point between the conveyance roller 32 and the conveyance driven roller 34. The recording material 11 fed by the feeding unit 20 is fed to the lower part of the recording unit 40.
[0023]
The recording unit 40 includes a carriage 100 on which the recording head 44 and the ink cartridge are mounted, a shaft hole 46 provided in the carriage 100, and the shaft 100 is inserted through the shaft hole 46 and slides in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction. It has a guide shaft 48 that can be supported and a recording controller 49 that controls recording. With this configuration, the carriage 100 on which the recording head 44 and the ink cartridge are mounted is provided so as to be movable in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0024]
In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, since the black ink cartridge 405 and the color ink cartridge are mounted on the ink carriage 100 as an example of the carriage 100, the ink carriage 100 includes the ink cartridges 405 and 406. It has a width greater than the width.
[0025]
Here, when the recording head 44 is fixed with respect to the ink carriage 100, the recording apparatus main body 80 scans the ink carriage 100 more than the length that the head scans to move the ink carriage 100. More than the length of the direction was formed long. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 itself has been increased in size.
[0026]
Furthermore, in order to drive not only the recording head 44 but also the ink carriage 100 that is larger and heavier than the recording head 44, driving means such as a large motor has been provided. Further, since the ink carriage 100 is heavy, the inertial force is large, and the run-up distance to reach a desired speed suitable for recording is long. Therefore, the recording speed has a limit. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 has been increased in size.
[0027]
Therefore, the present embodiment aims to improve the recording speed and reduce the size of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 itself in the ink jet recording apparatus 10 in which the ink carriage 100 moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0028]
In the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a head carriage 120 is supported by a guide shaft 150 on the surface facing the recording object 11 of the ink carriage 100, that is, the bottom surface side, and is movable in the scanning direction. The ink carriage 100 is connected to the head carriage 120 so as to be relatively movable in the scanning direction. A recording head 44 that discharges ink is mounted on the head carriage 120. The recording head 44 has a plurality of ink ejection openings arranged along the feeding direction of the recording material 11.
[0029]
The discharge unit 50 includes a discharge roller 52 that is rotated by a motor 60, and a discharge driven roller 54 that rotates with the discharge roller 52, and sandwiches the recording material 11 at a contact point between the discharge roller 52 and the discharge driven roller 54. Then, the recorded object 11 after recording is discharged.
[0030]
The transport driven roller 34 is provided above the transport roller 32 and closer to the recording head 44 than the transport roller 32. The discharge driven roller 54 is provided above the discharge roller 52 and closer to the recording head 44 than the discharge roller 52. Thereby, the recording material 11 bends downward at a position facing the recording unit 40.
[0031]
In the above-described configuration, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 ejects ink from the recording head 44 while reciprocating the head carriage 120 along the guide shaft 150 by reciprocating the ink carriage 100 and the head carriage 120. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 performs recording on the entire recording object 11 by feeding the recording object 11 every time the recording head 44 performs one scan. Note that the recording head 44 may perform recording on both the forward path and the return path, and may perform recording on only one side.
[0032]
Power is transmitted from the motor 60 to the transport unit 30 and the discharge unit 50 via a single belt 62. A tension is applied to the belt 62 by a tensioner 64. The motor 60, the tensioner 64, the transport unit 30, and the discharge unit 50 are arranged in this order along the flow direction of the belt 62.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 40 includes a timing belt 402 that is partially engaged with the ink carriage 100. The timing belt 402 is wound around a pair of pulleys 405 and 406 provided at both ends in the scanning direction of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 and is held rotatably. A black ink cartridge 405 that holds black ink and a color ink cartridge 406 that holds color ink are detachably mounted on the top of the ink carriage 100.
[0034]
A head carriage 120 is disposed on the side of the ink carriage 100 facing the recording material 11, that is, on the bottom surface side. The head carriage 120 is slidably supported by guide shafts 150 that extend from both ends of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 in the scanning direction. Mounted on the head carriage 120 is a recording head 44 that ejects ink supplied from the black ink cartridge 405 and the color ink cartridge ink 406, respectively. The head carriage 120 is smaller in size and mass than the ink carriage 100 on which the ink cartridge is mounted.
[0035]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes, as an example of a head carriage driving unit, a timing belt 202 partially engaged with the head carriage 120, and a head motor 204 that is coupled to the timing belt 202 and rotationally drives the timing belt 202. With. In the present embodiment, the head motor 204 is a stepping motor. With this configuration, the timing belt 202 and the head motor 204 drive the head carriage 120 to move the head carriage 120 with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 in the scanning direction.
[0036]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes absorbing members 210 and 220 provided on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body 80 at positions facing each other in the scanning direction of the ink carriage 100. An example of the absorbing members 210 and 220 is a porous member. The absorbing members 210 and 220 absorb the inertial movement that the ink carriage 100 has when it moves to the right end or the left end of the recording apparatus main body 80. Thereby, the impact of the ink carriage 100 on the recording apparatus main body 80 can be reduced, and the ink carriage 100 can be gently stopped with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the ink carriage 120 as seen from the bottom. The head carriage 120 includes a recording head 44 provided with a plurality of ejection openings 45 and a fixing portion 122 connected to the timing belt 202. The fixing unit 122 fixes the head carriage 120 to the timing belt by being connected to the timing belt 202. Thus, as the timing belt 202 rotates, the head carriage 120 moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0038]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes an ink supply unit 160. The ink supply unit 160 is connected to the black cartridge 405 and the color cartridge 406 mounted on the ink carriage 100 and the recording head 44 mounted on the head carriage 120. The ink supply unit 160 is formed of a material that can be bent and stretched, such as silicon. Accordingly, ink is stably supplied regardless of the position of the head carriage 120 with respect to the ink carriage 100.
[0039]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes a wiring part 152. The wiring unit 152 electrically connects the recording head 44 and the recording control unit 49 of the recording apparatus main body 80. Thereby, the recording head 44 can be stably controlled regardless of the position of the head carriage 120 with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0040]
In the above configuration, the recording control unit 49 drives the head motor 204 to scan the recording head 44. The driven head motor 204 rotationally drives the timing belt 202 and moves the head carriage 120 connected to the timing belt 202 in the scanning direction with respect to the recording body 80. At this time, the ink carriage 100 may be stationary with respect to the recording apparatus 80. That is, in this case, the head carriage 120 also moves in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage 100.
[0041]
When the head carriage 120 reaches a desired speed and position, the recording control unit 49 gives a recording signal to the recording head 44 via the wiring unit 152, so that the recording head 44 ejects ink and records. 11 is recorded.
[0042]
When the head carriage 120 further moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 and the ink carriage 100, the ink supply means 160 that connects the head carriage 120 to the ink carriage 100 is finally extended. When the head carriage 120 further moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 from this state, the ink supply unit 160 pulls the ink carriage 100 in the direction of the head carriage 120. As a result, the ink carriage 100 follows the movement of the head carriage 120 in the scanning direction.
[0043]
As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment first moves the head carriage 120 in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage 100 and the recording apparatus main body 80, and then moves the ink carriage 100 to the head carriage 120. Therefore, since the head carriage 120 having a small mass is accelerated at the initial speed, the head carriage 120 can reach a desired speed in a short time. Therefore, ink discharge from the recording head 44 mounted on the head carriage 120 can be started from an early point in time, and the recording speed can be increased. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide an ink carriage driving means for driving the ink carriage 100 heavier than the head carriage 120, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 can be further downsized.
[0044]
Further, since the run-up distance until the recording head 44 reaches a desired speed can be shortened, the recording apparatus main body 80 can shorten the length in the scanning direction. Further, since the head carriage 120 can move in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage 100, the recording apparatus main body 80 has a shorter length in the scanning direction than when the recording head 44 is fixed to the ink carriage 100. can do.
[0045]
In the above embodiment, the case where the ink carriage 100 is driven by the movement of the head carriage 120 has been described. In this case, an impact is generated at the moment when the head carriage 120 starts to move the ink carriage 100, and printing disturbance is caused. May occur. In such a case, it is desirable to further include an ink carriage motor that drives the ink carriage 100. In this case, since the ink carriage motor does not require precise position control, an inexpensive motor can be employed. The above problem can be solved by driving the ink carriage motor so as not to give an impact to the head carriage 120.
[0046]
Further, in the above-described configuration, the acceleration / deceleration force of the head carriage 120 can be generated by moving the ink carriage 100 in the scanning direction slightly earlier than the head carriage 120 until the head carriage 120 reaches a desired speed. In addition to further reducing the running distance and the deceleration distance for moving in the direction opposite to the scanning direction, the recording apparatus 10 can be further miniaturized, and the driving force required for the head motor 204 is reduced. It becomes possible to adopt a simple motor.
[0047]
At this time, it is desirable to set the moving range of the ink carriage 100 in the scanning direction narrower than the moving range of the head carriage 120 in the scanning direction. Further, it is desirable that the movement range of the ink carriage 100 in the scanning direction is within the movement range of the head carriage 100 in the scanning direction. Furthermore, it is desirable that the outermost contour when the ink carriage 100 moves in the scanning direction does not come outside the outermost contour when the head carriage 120 moves in the scanning direction.
[0048]
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of another example of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4, the same components as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
[0049]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes an ink carriage driving unit that drives the ink carriage 100. The ink carriage driving unit includes a timing belt 402 that partially engages with the ink carriage 100, and a carriage motor 404 that is connected to the timing belt 402 and rotationally drives the timing belt 402. In the present embodiment, the carriage motor 404 is a DC motor. With this configuration, the timing belt 402 and the carriage motor 404 drive the ink carriage 100 to move the ink carriage 100 along the guide shaft 48 in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0050]
A head carriage 120 is connected to a side of the ink carriage 100 facing the recording material 11, that is, a bottom surface, via a rail 140 so as to be movable relative to the ink carriage 100 in the scanning direction.
[0051]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes absorbing members 210 and 220 provided on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body 80 at positions facing each other in the scanning direction of the ink carriage 100. An example of the absorbing members 210 and 220 is a porous member. The absorbing members 210 and 220 absorb the inertial movement that the ink carriage 100 has when it moves to the right end or the left end of the recording apparatus main body 80. Thereby, the impact of the ink carriage 100 on the recording apparatus main body 80 can be reduced, and the ink carriage 100 can be gently stopped with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0052]
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the ink carriage 120 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The bottom surface of the ink carriage 120 supports the rail 140. The rail 140 is connected to a pair of right vertical portion 142 and left vertical portion 144 that extend downward from the bottom surface of the ink carriage 120, and the right vertical portion 142 and left vertical portion 144, and extends in the scanning direction of the recording head 44. And the entire horizontal portion 146 has a substantially U shape. The horizontal portion 146 is inserted into the engagement hole 124 of the head carriage 120 and holds the head carriage 120 slidably in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage 100. Further, the right vertical portion 142 and the left vertical portion 144 restrict sliding of the head carriage 120 with respect to the ink carriage 100 in the scanning direction. Accordingly, the head carriage 120 can move along the horizontal portion 146 between the right vertical portion 142 and the left vertical portion 144 with respect to the ink carriage 100.
[0053]
The head carriage 120 includes a recording head 44 provided with a plurality of ejection openings 45 and a fixing portion 122 connected to the timing belt 202. The fixing unit 122 fixes the head carriage 120 to the timing belt by being connected to the timing belt 202. Thus, as the timing belt 202 rotates, the head carriage 120 moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0054]
The black cartridge 405 and the color cartridge 406 mounted on the ink carriage 100 and the recording head 44 mounted on the head carriage 120 are connected by an ink supply unit 160. The ink supply unit 160 is formed of a material that can be bent and stretched, such as silicon. Accordingly, ink is stably supplied regardless of the position of the head carriage 120 with respect to the ink carriage 100.
[0055]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes a wiring part 152. The wiring unit 152 electrically connects the recording head 44 and the recording control unit 49 of the recording apparatus main body 80. Thereby, the recording head 44 can be stably controlled regardless of the position of the head carriage 120 with respect to the recording apparatus 80.
[0056]
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 further includes a detection unit 180 that detects a relative position between the ink carriage 100 and the head carriage 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the detection means 180 is provided in each of the right vertical portion 142 and the left vertical portion 144 of the rail 140, and has conductive contact terminals 182 and 184, the right vertical portion 142 in the head carriage 120, and It includes conductive contact terminals 186 and 188 that are respectively provided on the side surfaces facing the left vertical portion 144 and have conductivity.
[0057]
Here, the head carriage 120 can be positioned at the right end with respect to the ink carriage 100 until it makes contact with the right vertical portion 142 of the rail 140. When the head carriage 120 is positioned at the right end with respect to the ink carriage 100, the contact terminal 186 of the head carriage 120 and the contact terminal 182 of the right vertical portion 142 are in electrical contact. By detecting this contact, the detection unit 180 detects that the head carriage 120 is located at the right end of the ink carriage 100 and outputs a signal to the recording control unit 49. Similarly, when the head carriage 120 is in contact with the left vertical portion 144 of the rail 140 and positioned at the left end of the ink carriage 100, the contact terminal 188 of the head carriage 120 and the contact terminal 182 of the left vertical portion 144 are in electrical contact. To do. By detecting this contact, the detection unit 180 detects that the head carriage 120 is located at the left end of the ink carriage 100 and outputs a signal to the recording control unit 49.
[0058]
In addition, the detection means 180 is not restricted to the structure shown in FIG. As another configuration of the detection unit 180, for example, a micro switch may be provided in each of the right vertical portion 142 and the left vertical portion 144. In this configuration, when the head carriage 120 presses any one of the micro switches, the detection unit 180 can detect that the head carriage 120 is located at the right end or the left end of the ink carriage 100. As another configuration of the detection unit 180, a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided near the right vertical portion 142 and the left vertical portion 144 on the bottom surface of the ink carriage 100, and the bottom surface of the ink carriage 100 in the head carriage 120. A reflective portion having a high light reflectance may be provided on the upper surface facing the surface. In this configuration, when the head carriage 120 is positioned at the right end or the left end of the ink carriage 100, light from the light emitting element provided near the right vertical portion 142 or the left vertical portion 144 is reflected on the upper surface of the head carriage 120. Incident on the light receiving element. Therefore, the detection unit 180 can detect that the head carriage 120 is located at the right end or the left end of the ink carriage 100 by detecting the magnitude of the amount of light received by the light receiving element.
[0059]
6 to 8 are schematic front views showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 6 to 8, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is shown in a simpler manner than FIGS. 4 and 5 for the sake of explanation.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation will be described by taking as an example a case where the ink carriage 100 scans and moves from the left to the right of the recording apparatus main body 80. First, the ink carriage 100 is disposed at the left end of the recording apparatus main body 80, and the head carriage 120 is disposed at the left end of the ink carriage 100. From this state, the recording control means 49 drives the head motor 204 to rotate the timing belt 204. As a result, the head carriage 120 moves in the right direction (direction A in the figure) with respect to the ink carriage 100 and the recording apparatus main body 80 along the horizontal portion 146 of the rail 140. After the head carriage 120 reaches a desired speed with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80, the recording control unit 49 drives the recording head 44 mounted on the head carriage 120 to discharge ink to the recording material 11.
[0061]
The head carriage 120 further contacts the right vertical portion 142 by moving the horizontal portion 146. The detection unit 180 detects that the head carriage 120 has come into contact with the right vertical portion 142 and outputs the detected result to the recording control unit 49. The recording control means 49 that has received the output from the detection means 180 drives the carriage motor 404 to rotate the timing belt 404.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the timing belt 404 rotates, the head carriage 120 moves along the guide shaft 48 in the right direction (direction B in the drawing) with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80. At this time, the rail 140 also moves as the ink carriage 100 moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80, so that the head carriage 120 on which the recording head 44 is mounted also moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80. The recording control unit 49 drives the recording head 44 while moving the ink carriage 100 to discharge ink onto the recording material 11.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink carriage 100 further moves the recording apparatus main body 80 to the right and is positioned near the right end of the recording apparatus main body 80, the recording control unit 49 stops driving the carriage motor 404. Even if the driving of the carriage motor 404 is stopped, the ink carriage 100 performs an inertial movement with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80. The inertial movement of the ink carriage 100 is absorbed by the absorbing member 210 provided on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body 80. Thereby, the impact of the ink carriage 100 on the recording apparatus main body 80 can be reduced, and the ink carriage 100 can be gently stopped with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80. Therefore, when the ink carriage 100 stops with respect to the recording body 80, the ink carriage 100 is not subjected to a strong impact, and the ink carriage 100 can be prevented from being destroyed due to the strong impact.
[0064]
As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can obtain the same effects as those of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. Further, since the head carriage 120 is driven separately from the heavier ink carriage 100, a high-precision step motor is used as the driving means for the head carriage 120, and a high-output DC motor is used as the driving means for the ink carriage 100. The driving means can be used properly.
[0065]
FIG. 9 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 when scanning in the direction opposite to that in FIGS. In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 9, the operation when the ink carriage 100 and the head carriage 120 move in the left direction in the figure with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 will be described.
[0066]
First, the recording control unit 49 drives the head motor 204 to rotate the timing belt 204. As a result, the head carriage 120 moves to the left (direction C in the figure) with respect to the ink carriage 100 along the horizontal portion 146 of the rail 140.
[0067]
The head carriage 120 further contacts the left vertical portion 144 by moving the horizontal portion 146. The detection means 180 detects that the head carriage 120 has come into contact with the left vertical portion 144 and outputs it to the recording control means 49. The recording control means 49 that has received the output from the detection means 180 drives the carriage motor 404 to rotate the timing belt 404. As the timing belt 404 rotates, the head carriage 120 moves in the left direction (direction D in the figure) with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 along the guide shaft 48. At this time, the rail 140 also moves as the ink carriage 100 moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80, so that the head carriage 120 on which the recording head 44 is mounted also moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80. Even if the driving of the carriage motor 404 is stopped, the ink carriage 100 performs an inertial movement with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80, and this inertial movement is absorbed by the absorbing member 220 provided on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0068]
Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the case of scanning in the right direction shown in FIGS. In particular, in the ink jet recording apparatus 10 in which the recording head 44 records in both the reciprocating directions of the scanning direction (both left and right in the figure), the head carriage 120 having a small mass is accelerated at the initial speed, so that the head carriage 120 can be desired in a short time. Can reach speed. Therefore, ink discharge from the recording head 44 mounted on the head carriage 120 can be started from an early point in time, and the recording speed can be increased.
[0069]
FIG. 10 is a schematic front view illustrating another example of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 when scanning in the direction opposite to that in FIGS. 6 to 8. In the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 10, the operation when the ink carriage 100 and the head carriage 120 move in the left direction in the figure with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 will be described.
[0070]
First, the recording control unit 49 drives the carriage motor 404 to rotate the timing belt 404. As the timing belt 404 rotates, the head carriage 120 moves in the left direction (direction E in the figure) with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80 along the guide shaft 48. At this time, the rail 140 also moves as the ink carriage 100 moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80, so that the head carriage 120 on which the recording head 44 is mounted also moves relative to the recording apparatus main body 80.
[0071]
When the ink carriage 100 moves to the left end of the recording apparatus main body 80, the recording control unit 49 stops the carriage motor 404. Even if the driving of the carriage motor 404 is stopped, the ink carriage 100 performs an inertial movement with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80, and this inertial movement is absorbed by the absorbing member 220 provided on the inner wall of the recording apparatus main body 80. The recording control unit 49 drives the head motor 204 to rotate the timing belt 204. As a result, the head carriage 120 moves leftward (direction F in the figure) with respect to the ink carriage 100 along the horizontal portion 146 of the rail 140. The head carriage 120 further contacts the left vertical portion 144 by moving the horizontal portion 146. The detection means 180 detects that the head carriage 120 has come into contact with the left vertical portion 144 and outputs it to the recording control means 49. The recording control means 49 that has received the output from the detection means 180 stops driving the head motor 204.
[0072]
Here, the movement of the head carriage 120 with respect to the ink carriage 100 may use the inertial movement of the head carriage 120 when the ink carriage 100 stops at the left end. Thereby, the drive of the head motor 204 can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.
[0073]
As another example of driving the ink carriage 100 and the head carriage 120, a carriage driving unit that drives the ink carriage 100 is provided, and the head carriage 120 moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body 80. You may be driven to do.
[0074]
The absorbing members 210 and 220 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 are porous members that absorb the inertial movement of the ink carriage 100. However, the absorbing members 210 and 220 are not limited to this. Another example of the absorbing members 210 and 220 is an elastic body such as a coil spring. When an elastic body is used as the absorbing members 210 and 220, the energy of the inertial motion of the ink carriage 100 is temporarily stored as the elastic energy of the absorbing members 210 and 220, and the ink carriage 100 is gently stopped. Thereafter, the absorbing members 210 and 220 accelerate the ink carriage 100 in the direction opposite to the inertial movement by the elastic energy. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of the initial movement in which the carriage driving unit drives the ink carriage 100. Furthermore, the apparatus main body 80 can be reduced in size by shortening the running distance until the ink carriage 100 reaches a desired speed.
[0075]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a recording head is mounted, a head carriage that is movable in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body, and an ink cartridge are mounted, and the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body. Since the movable ink carriage is connected to be movable relative to each other in the scanning direction, the recording apparatus main body can be reduced in size.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus 10;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the ink carriage 100 as viewed from the bottom.
4 is a partial perspective view of another example of the ink jet recording apparatus 10. FIG.
5 is a partial perspective view of the ink carriage 100 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the bottom.
6 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.
7 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.
8 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.
9 is a schematic front view showing the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 when scanning in the direction opposite to that in FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG.
10 is a schematic front view showing another example of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 when scanning in the direction opposite to that shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Inkjet recording device
44 Recording head
49 Recording controller
100 Ink carriage
120 head carriage
140 rails
142 right vertical
144 Left vertical part
146 Horizontal part
160 Ink transport section
180 detection means
182, 184, 186, 188 Contact terminal
202, 402 Timing belt
204 Head motor
210, 220 Absorbing member
404 Carriage motor

Claims (11)

An ink jet recording apparatus that records by discharging ink supplied from an ink cartridge while the head moves in a scanning direction,
A recording device main body;
A head carriage mounted with the head and movable in the scanning direction of the head with respect to the recording apparatus main body;
An ink carriage that is mounted with the ink cartridge and is movable with respect to the recording apparatus main body in the scanning direction, and is movably connected with respect to the head carriage in the scanning direction;
Head carriage driving means for driving the head carriage and moving the head carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body,
The ink carriage holds the head carriage so as to be movable in the scanning direction, and the head carriage is slidably moved on the ink carriage in the scanning direction by the head carriage driving means. An ink jet recording apparatus in which a carriage is driven. An ink carriage driving unit that drives the ink carriage and moves the ink carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body;
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head carriage and the ink carriage are driven independently in the scanning direction.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moving range of the ink carriage in the scanning direction is narrower than a moving range of the head carriage in the scanning direction.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement range of the ink carriage in the scanning direction is within a movement range of the head carriage in the scanning direction.   5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an outermost contour when the ink carriage moves in the scanning direction does not come out of an outermost contour when the head carriage moves in the scanning direction.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head carriage moves in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage based on a position of the ink carriage with respect to the recording apparatus main body.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink carriage moves in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body based on a position of the head carriage with respect to the ink carriage.   And a rail that is supported by the ink carriage, moves in the scanning direction together with the ink carriage with respect to the recording apparatus main body, and holds the head carriage movably in the scanning direction with respect to the ink carriage. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1.   Ink carriage driving means for detecting a relative position between the ink carriage and the head carriage and driving the ink carriage based on the detection result to move the ink carriage in the scanning direction with respect to the recording apparatus main body. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   10. The ink jet type according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbing member provided on an inner wall of the recording apparatus main body at a position facing the scanning direction of the ink carriage and absorbing an inertial movement of the ink carriage. Recording device. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the absorbing member is formed of an elastic body.

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