JP7161700B2 - Image forming apparatus and main body of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus main body.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a portable image forming apparatus that includes a recording unit that records an image on a recording material, and an apparatus body that accommodates the recording unit.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a portable image forming apparatus that has a recording unit on the bottom surface and is manually operated on a recording material. This portable image forming apparatus has a structure in which a head cartridge section having an ink tank is loaded into the apparatus main body.

The detachable unit such as the head cartridge section of the portable image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200010 receives electric power and electric signals for driving from the apparatus main body in a state of being attached to the apparatus main body. have electrical connections. When such a detachable unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the electrical connections on the detachable unit side and the apparatus main body side may rub against each other, and one or both of the electrical connections may be damaged.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that includes a recording unit that records an image on a recording material, and an apparatus main body that accommodates the recording unit. A detachable unit electrically connected to the apparatus main body, and a unit-side connection portion of the attached detachable unit is in a direction toward the main body-side connection portion, which is a detachable direction with respect to the detachable unit. and a pressurizing means for pressurizing the attachment/detachment unit in a direction perpendicular to and between a first position at which the pressurizing means is closest to the body-side connecting portion and a second position at which the pressurizing means is the farthest from the connection portion. in the first position, the movable member faces a surface of the detachable unit facing the downstream side in the mounting direction, and the movable member faces the body side. It is characterized by comprising a unit facing moving part that moves upstream in the mounting direction by moving away from the connecting part .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when mounting|wearing a detachable unit, it has the outstanding effect that it can suppress that an electrical connection part is damaged.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the cartridge holder and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism in a state where the ink cartridge is not installed, and the ink cartridge; The external perspective view which looked at HMP from left back side upper direction. The appearance perspective view which looked at HMP from the right back side downward direction. Bottom view of HMP. The schematic sectional drawing which looked at HMP from the left side. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the user's hand and the HMP when operating the HMP; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how an image is formed on a recording sheet by HMP; FIG. 4 is a schematic top view showing the positional relationship between the HMP and the printed portion image on the recording paper; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing part of the electrical circuitry of the HMP; The appearance perspective view which looked at HMP from left front side upper direction. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the HMP with the upper unit opened. FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP with the ink cartridge popped up; FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the HMP shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP with the ink cartridge taken out; FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view of a single ink cartridge; Three-sided view of ink cartridge FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the HMP shown in FIG. 12; The perspective view of a lower unit. The top view of a lower unit. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram in which the cartridge installation area is added with a dashed line to FIG. 19; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge holder and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism in a state where the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism is in a separated position; FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP in a state where the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism is in the separated position; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the HMP with the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism at the separated position; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the end on the front side of the cartridge holder and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism in a state where the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism is at the connection portion side position; FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the end on the front side of the cartridge holder and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism in a state where the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism is located at the connecting portion side position; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is in contact with the pressurizing portion; FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a state in which an ink cartridge is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 26; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the collar portion of the inserted ink cartridge is in contact with the push-up lever; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the ink cartridge is completely installed; FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the lower unit shown in FIG. 18 additionally including a push-in direction indicator; FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP with the upper unit opened, as viewed obliquely from below; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the HMP in a state where the upper unit is closed with the ink cartridge removed; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a cartridge holder, a cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism, and an ink cartridge in an HMP of a modified example;

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a handy mobile printer (hereinafter referred to as "HMP1"), which is a portable image forming apparatus, will be described below. First, the basic structure of HMP1 which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated.

2 is an external perspective view of the HMP 1 viewed from above the left rear surface, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the HMP 1 viewed from below the right rear surface, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the HMP 1. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the HMP 1 is mainly composed of an upper unit 2 and a lower unit 3. As shown in FIG. The HMP 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and its length in the scanning direction (=printing direction: X-axis direction in the figure) is such that it can be grasped by the user's palm.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the horizontal direction (transverse direction) of the main body of the HMP 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, and the longitudinal direction of the main body perpendicular thereto is defined as the Y-axis direction. In the printing operation using the HMP 1, the HMP 1 is moved in the X-axis direction (scanning direction) when characters, patterns, etc. are to be printed linearly. Then, a line feed is caused by moving HMP1 in the Y-axis direction.
However, the print operation using HMP1 is not limited to the operation described above. It is also possible to print by moving the HMP 1 in an oblique direction other than the X-axis direction or in a curved line, for example, when arranging characters, pictures, etc. for design purposes. It is also possible to move the HMP1 in a direction other than the Y-axis direction for line feed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the HMP 1 as seen from the left side.
As shown in FIG. 5, the upper unit 2 has an L-shape including a horizontally extending portion 2a extending in the Y-axis direction and a vertically extending portion 2b extending in the Z-axis direction. Inside the vertically extending portion 2b of the upper unit 2, a battery 15, which is a power source for supplying power to each device of the HMP 1, is arranged. A control board 14 is arranged in the horizontally extending portion 2a, and the print button 5a and the power button 5b are connected to the control board 14. As shown in FIG. The power button 5b is a button for switching ON/OFF the power of the HMP 1, and the print button 5a is a button for operating the ink ejection timing.

The lower unit 3 includes an upper unit rotating shaft 3a that rotatably supports the upper unit 2, a position detection sensor 18, an FPC contact portion 13, an upper unit lock claw 11, a housing 80 that holds them, and the like. The position detection sensor 18 is an optical sensor (reflective type) for detecting the presence or absence of a print target as well as detecting position coordinates. Further, inside the housing 80 of the lower unit 3, an ink tank integrated ink cartridge 40 (inkjet head) integrally comprising a print head 41 (image forming section) and an ink tank is detachably attached to the housing 80. Contained. The ink cartridge 40 ejects ink droplets from the print head 41 to form an image. directed downwards.
By rotating the upper unit 2 with respect to the lower unit 3 in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG. 40 can be removed.

In the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the battery 15 is arranged in the vertically extending portion 2b of the upper unit 2 positioned so as to cover the front side (right side in FIG. 5) of the lower unit 3, The battery 15 is positioned on the front face 35 side of the ink cartridge 40 . For this reason, the height of the HMP 1 is made lower than in the configuration in which the heavy battery 15 is positioned above the ink cartridge 40 . As a result, the center of gravity of the HMP 1 can be lowered, and overturning of the HMP 1 during the movement operation can be suppressed.

The size (apparatus width) of the HMP 1 in the scanning direction (X-axis direction) is only slightly wider than the ink cartridge 40 . By making the device width as small as possible, the range in which the HMP 1 can be moved in the scanning direction on the surface of the recording paper P can be widened, and the recordable range on the surface of the recording paper P can be widened as much as possible.

The HMP 1 has a recording surface 30 (lower surface) that faces the print head 41 of the ink cartridge 40 to a recording material such as paper. It also has an upper surface 31 opposite to the recording surface 30, a left side surface 32 extending in the scanning orthogonal direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing) that is orthogonal to the scanning direction of the HMP 1, and the like. Furthermore, it has a right side surface 33 extending in the scanning direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing), a rear surface 34 extending in the scanning direction (X-axis direction in the drawing), and a front surface 35 extending in the scanning direction. . The HMP 1 is used with the recording surface 30 facing vertically downward and the upper surface 31 facing vertically upward.

As shown in FIG. 2, a print button 5a and a power button 5b are provided within the outer edge (frame) of the upper surface 31 . A USB connection port 9 is provided on the left side surface 32 of the upper unit 2 . The USB connection port 9 is for connecting a USB cable. By supplying electric power from an external power supply to a rechargeable battery 15 mounted in the HMP 1 through a USB cable connected to the USB connection port 9, the battery 15 can be charged.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the L-shaped upper unit 2 is arranged so as to cover the upper surface 31 side and the front surface 35 side of the lower unit 3. The upper unit 2 is the lower unit. 3 has a wider width (length in the X-axis direction).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the surface forming the recording surface 30 of the lower unit 3 (the lower surface of the housing 80), the print head 41 of the ink cartridge 40 mounted inside the lower unit 3 is exposed to the outside. A discharge opening 30a is provided for the purpose. The print head 41 of the ink cartridge 40 has a print area 41a in which a plurality of ejection holes are arranged, and ink droplets are individually ejected from the ejection holes of each print area 41a by driving piezoelectric elements. It is possible to
The width of the print area 41a of the print head 41 (the length of the image in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (Y-axis direction)) corresponds to the distance between the ejection holes located at both ends of the print area 41a in the Y-axis direction.
The ink ejected from the ejection holes of the print area 41a of the print head 41 passes through the ejection openings 30a and reaches the recording paper P to form an image.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the user's hand H and the HMP 1 when the user operates the HMP 1. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the HMP 1 is moved on the surface of the recording paper P in the scanning direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing, the horizontal direction in FIG. 6) for image formation, the user moves the upper unit 2. Move HMP1 with it. By making the upper unit 2 wider than the lower unit 3, it becomes a shape that is easy for the user to hold by hand, and furthermore, the vertically extending portion 2b can be used as a storage portion for the battery 15. FIG. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left side 32 and the right side 33 of the lower unit 3 are formed with recessed holding portions 39 . The grip portion 39 is formed at a position where the fingers of the hand H holding the upper unit 2 are applied (usually, the position where the thumb, middle finger, or ring finger is applied) when the user holds and uses the HMP 1 . ing. The user can stably hold the HMP 1 by placing fingers on the holding portions 39 on the left side 32 and the right side 33 and holding the HMP 1 therebetween.

The HMP 1 can be turned on and off (ON/OFF) by the user pressing and holding the power button 5b. When the power is turned on, image information can be acquired by the control board 14 provided in the upper unit 2 of the HMP 1 through wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like with an external device such as a smartphone. can.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how the HMP 1 is set on the recording paper P to form an image.
After obtaining the image information, the user places the HMP 1 on the surface of the recording paper P with the recording surface 30 facing the surface of the recording paper P. As shown in FIG. Thereafter, the user can form an image on the surface of the recording paper P by pressing the print button 5a once and moving the HMP 1 along the scanning direction (X-axis direction) as shown in FIG. can. As shown in FIG. 7, in image formation using the HMP1, printing can be performed while confirming the printed portion W1 that has been printed and the print-scheduled portion W2 that is to be printed.

8 is a schematic top view showing the positional relationship between the HMP 1 and the printed portion image on the recording paper P. FIG.
HMP1 indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8 indicates the position before movement in the scanning direction, and HMP1 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8 indicates the position after movement in the scanning direction.
When the user presses the print button 5a once and then moves the HMP 1 in the scanning direction, the main body of the HMP 1 moves in the scanning direction and ink is ejected from each of the plurality of ejection holes in the printing area 41a, thereby printing on the recording paper P. be done. When the HMP 1 is moved from the position of the HMP 1 before movement indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 to the position of the HMP 1 after movement indicated by the practice in FIG. Images are formed in the order of "D", "E", and "F".

In this embodiment, the image forming position in the scanning direction (X direction) is from a point on the recording paper P where the exterior of the right side surface 33 of the HMP 1 is positioned when the HMP 1 is placed at the start position of the movement operation (manual scanning). An image is set to form.
On the other hand, the image forming position in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) is set within the area on the recording paper P facing the printing area 41a of the HMP1 when the HMP1 is placed at the start position of the moving operation (manual scanning). . The print area 41a is provided on the recording surface 30. When the HMP 1 is placed on the recording paper P, the user cannot visually recognize the print area 41a. The image forming position in the direction (Y direction) cannot be grasped.

Therefore, in the HMP 1 of the present embodiment, the sub-scanning guide 7 is provided, and by looking at the sub-scanning guide 7, the user can see the sub-scanning direction of the image formed when the manual scanning is performed in the scanning direction (X direction). It is possible to grasp the position of

When the HMP 1 is moved forward (to the right in FIG. 7) in one of the scanning directions (X-axis direction in FIG. 7) and returned to the other (to the left in FIG. 7) by the user's movement operation (manual scanning). An image can be formed on the surface of the recording paper P each time it is moved. The ejection of ink from the ink cartridge 40 may be performed continuously after the user presses and releases the print button 5a once, or may be performed only while the user is pressing the print button 5a.
The recording material is not limited to paper such as recording paper P, but includes OHP, cloth, cardboard, packaging container, glass, substrate, and the like.

The ink cartridge 40 can use an electromechanical conversion element (piezoelectric actuator, etc.) using a laminated piezoelectric element, a thin film piezoelectric element, or the like as a drive source for ejecting ink. As another configuration of the drive source, an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, an electrostatic actuator including a diaphragm and a counter electrode, or the like can be used.

A well-known configuration can be applied to a so-called inkjet mechanism that performs recording by ejecting liquid such as ink from the ink cartridge 40 . Moreover, as an inkjet mechanism, if it can be mounted on HMP1, it can be suitably adopted. In the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the inkjet mechanism corresponds to the print head 41 that records an image on the recording paper P, and the print head 41 is housed inside the housing 80 of the lower unit 3 .

The ink (liquid) ejected from the ejection holes of the print area 41a of the print head 41 is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be ejected from the ejection holes. However, it is preferable that the viscosity becomes 30 [mPa·s] or less under normal temperature and normal pressure or by heating or cooling. Specifically, the ink (liquid) includes solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional imparting materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins and surfactants, DNA, amino acids, proteins, calcium and the like. They are solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing biocompatible materials, edible materials such as natural pigments, and the like. These can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, constituent elements of electronic elements and light-emitting elements, liquids for forming electronic circuit resist patterns, material liquids for three-dimensional modeling, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, a position detection sensor 18 as position detection means for detecting the position of the HMP 1 on the recording paper P in a non-contact manner is provided within the outer edge of the recording surface 30 . A detection opening 302 for exposing the detection portion of the position detection sensor 18 is formed in the lower surface of the housing 80 forming the recording surface 30 .
A contact type sensor using a rotary encoder or the like needs to be brought into contact with the print surface, and detection errors are likely to occur depending on the contact state. Specifically, when the detection part of the contact sensor moves away from the printing surface or slips, the actual moving direction and moving distance differ from the moving direction and moving distance calculated based on the detection result. and becomes a detection error. On the other hand, by using an optical sensor as the position detection sensor 18 to detect the print surface without contact, it is possible to detect the movement direction and the movement distance with high accuracy.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, within the outer edge of the recording surface 30 are a left first roller 37a, a left second roller 37b, a right first roller 38a and a right second roller rotatably attached to the housing 80. 38b and the like are provided. The left first roller 37 a and the left second roller 37 b are fixed to a left rotating shaft 37 c , and the left rotating shaft 37 c is rotatably held with respect to the housing 80 . Similarly, the right first roller 38a and the right second roller 38b are fixed to the right rotating shaft 38c, and the right rotating shaft 38c is rotatably held with respect to the housing 80. As shown in FIG.

When the user moves the HMP 1 in the scanning direction, the four rollers (37a, 37b, 38a and 38b) in contact with the surface of the recording paper P rotate like tires. By providing such rollers, the user can move the HMP 1 straight along the scanning direction. When the HMP 1 moves straight in the scanning direction, only the four rollers (37a, 37b, 38a and 38b) provided on the HMP 1 come into contact with the surface of the recording paper P and the surface of the table on which the recording paper P is placed. , the recording surface 30 is kept out of contact with the surface of the recording paper P. Therefore, the user can move the HMP 1 straight along the scanning direction while maintaining a constant distance between the print head 41 of the ink cartridge 40 and the surface of the recording paper P, thereby forming a desired high-quality image. be able to. That is, the four rollers function as a movement assisting means that guides the movement of the HMP 1 in the scanning direction and assists the linear movement in the scanning direction.

The position detection sensor 18 is a sensor that detects the distance to the surface of the recording paper P, the surface condition (for example, unevenness), and the moving distance of the HMP 1 . For example, one similar to that used in an optical mouse (pointing device) of a personal computer can be used. The position detection sensor 18 irradiates light to the place (recording paper P) where it is placed, and reads the state of that portion as a "pattern". Then, by continuously capturing how the “pattern” moves with respect to the movement of the position detection sensor 18, the amount of movement is calculated. As the position detection sensor 18, it is sufficient if it can detect a change in position with respect to the recording paper P without contact, and a sensor other than an optical sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor can also be used. Further, the position detection means provided in the portable image forming apparatus such as the HMP 1 to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a non-contact type sensor such as the position detection sensor 18, but a contact type sensor using a rotary encoder or the like. It's okay.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing part of the electrical circuitry of HMP1.
The control board 14 has a CPU 55 that performs various arithmetic processing and program execution, a Bt board 52 for short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), a RAM 53 and a ROM 54 that temporarily store data, a recording control unit 56, and the like. ing. The control board 14 is fixed inside the USB connection port 9 in the hollow of the upper unit 2 .

The Bt board 52 performs data communication with an external device such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal by short-range wireless communication. The ROM 54 stores firmware for hardware control of the HMP 1, drive waveform data for the ink cartridge 40, and the like. The recording control unit 56 also executes data processing for driving the ink cartridge 40 and generates driving waveforms.

The control board 14 is electrically connected to the gyro sensor 58, the position detection sensor 18, the temperature sensor 19, the LED lamp 59, the ink cartridge 40, the print button 5a, the power button 5b, the battery 15, and the like. The gyro sensor 58 detects the tilt and rotation angle of the HMP 1 using well-known technology, and transmits the result to the control board 14 . The LED lamp 59 is provided inside the exterior cover of the print button 5a made of a light-transmissive material, and causes the print button 5a to emit light.

When the power button 5b is pressed to turn on the power of the HMP 1, power is supplied to each module, and the CPU 55 starts booting based on the program stored in the ROM 54, and loads the program and each data in the RAM 53. When image data of an image to be formed is received from an external device by short-range wireless communication, the recording control unit 56 generates a drive waveform according to the received image data. Then, the ejection of ink from the ink cartridge 40 is controlled so as to form an image corresponding to the position on the surface of the recording paper P detected by the position detection sensor 18 .

The direction, speed, and distance of movement of the HMP 1 are detected by the position detection sensor 18, and the ink ejection amount and ejection position are adjusted based on the detection results, thereby printing a desired image. Also, the ejection start position can be adjusted using the sub-scanning guides 7 provided on the left side 32 and right side 33 of the housing 80 and the main scanning guide 10 provided on the rear surface 34 of the housing 80 . Specifically, the main scanning guide 10 is used to align the HMP 1 with respect to the recording paper P in the main scanning direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing), and the sub-scanning guide 7 is used to align the HMP 1 with respect to the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction ( The ejection start position can be adjusted by aligning the positions in the Y-axis direction in the drawing.

Further, when the control board 14 acquires image data through short-range wireless communication with an external device, the LED lamp 59 blinks, thereby blinking the light-transmitting print button 5a. Upon seeing this, the user knows that the HMP 1 has finished obtaining the image data, places the HMP 1 on the recording paper P, and presses the print button 5a.

On the other hand, after starting blink control of the LED lamp 59, the control board 14 waits for the print button 5a to be pressed. Then, when the print button 5a is pressed, the LED lamp 59 is lit continuously, thereby causing the print button 5a to emit light continuously. Upon seeing this, the user starts moving the HMP 1 in the scanning direction (manual scanning).

After completing the movement operation (manual scanning) of the HMP 1, the user presses the print button 5a again. As a result, the control board 14 turns off the LED lamp 59 to stop the print button 5a from emitting light. In addition, the HMP 1 may be picked up from the recording paper P without pressing the print button 5a and placed on a desk as it is, or may be placed on a cover member covering the recording surface 30. FIG. In these cases, the position detection sensor 18 cannot detect the position when the HMP 1 is picked up from the recording paper P. The control board 14 turns off the LED lamp 59 at the timing when the position detection sensor 18 stops detecting the position, and stops the print button 5a from emitting light. The user who sees this can understand that the print processing of HMP1 has ended.

In the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the user does not need to keep pressing the print button 5a during the movement operation (manual scanning). If the print button 5a is pressed and released prior to the movement operation, the print processing is continued until a predetermined timing. As the predetermined timing, the timing at which image formation based on the detection result by the position detection sensor 18 ends, the timing at which the print button 5a is pressed again, or the timing at which the position detection sensor 18 cannot detect the position can be cited.

When image formation is not performed, such as after image formation is completed, a capping unit, which is a cover member for covering the recording surface 30 of the HMP 1, is attached to the HMP 1. FIG. This can prevent drying of the ink in the ejection holes of the printing area 41a.

The HMP 1 of this embodiment has grips 39 on each of the left side 32 and the right side 33 . It is desirable that the gripping portion 39 be arranged at the center of gravity of the HMP 1 on the YZ plane. Specifically, the center of gravity of the HMP 1 on the YZ plane is positioned inside the holding portion 39 on the YZ plane. By providing the grip portion 39 on which the user places his/her finger when gripping the HMP 1 at the center of gravity of the HMP 1, the user can operate the HMP 1 while holding it near the center of gravity. operation can be realized.

Next, the operation of taking out the ink cartridge 40 of the HMP 1 of this embodiment will be described.
10 is an external perspective view of the HMP 1 viewed from above on the left front side, and FIG. 11 shows the upper unit 2 rotated in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG. 5 with respect to the lower unit 3 from the state shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of HMP1 in the state which was made.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper unit lock claw 11 is arranged near the boundary between the lower unit 3 (the lower surface of the housing 80) and the upper unit 2 (the lower surface of the vertically extending portion 2b) on the recording surface 30 of the HMP 1. It is The upper unit 2 is unlocked from the lower unit 3 by operating the upper unit lock claw 11 to move in the direction of the arrow "C" in FIG. By rotating the upper unit 2 in the direction of arrow "B" in FIG. is in an open state with respect to the lower unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 11, by opening the upper unit 2, the ink cartridge 40 and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 are exposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a cartridge upper surface biasing member 21 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper unit 2 for pressing and locking the ink cartridge 40 mounted in the lower unit 3 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP 1 in a state where the ink cartridge 40 is popped up by operating the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a of the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 of the HMP 1 shown in FIG.
12, the ink cartridge 40 pops up from the state shown in FIG. state. As a result, the ink cartridge 40 can be taken out.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the HMP 1 shown in FIG. 11 viewed from the left side 32 side. The cross-section shown in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the inner wall surface of the wall on the left side surface 32 side of the housing 80 . FIG. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of the entire HMP 1, and FIG. 13(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region "α" indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 13(a). FIG. 13 omits illustration of the cartridge holder 6 (details of which will be described later) that is fixed inside the housing 80 and holds the ink cartridge 40 .

As shown in FIG. 13, the front side (right side in FIG. 13) of the ink cartridge 40 is pressurized by the pressure part 12c of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12, so that an arrow "E" in FIG. , pressurizes the ink cartridge 40 to the rear side (left side in FIG. 13). As a result, the connection portion on the side of the ink cartridge 40 is pressurized to the FPC contact portion 13, which is the main body side connection portion fixed to the HMP 1 main body.

FIG. 14 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP 1 in a state in which the upper unit 2 is opened and the ink cartridge 40 is taken out, as viewed obliquely from above on the front side. FIG. 14(a) is a perspective explanatory view of the entire HMP 1, and FIG. 14(b) is an enlarged perspective view of a region "β" indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 14(a).
As shown in FIG. 14, the FPC contact portion 13 is arranged on the inner wall surface on the back side of the space in which the ink cartridge 40 is arranged in the lower unit 3 . A plurality of body-side connection terminals 13c protrude from the FPC contact portion 13 toward the space in which the ink cartridge 40 is arranged.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory perspective view of the ink cartridge 40. FIG. FIG. 15(a) is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 40 viewed from above on the left rear side, and FIG. 15(b) is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 40 viewed from below on the right rear side.
FIG. 16 is a trihedral view of the ink cartridge 40. FIG. 16(a) is a right side view, FIG. 16(b) is a rear view, and FIG. 16(c) is a bottom view.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16(a), the ink cartridge 40 has a portion extending downward at the end of the portion extending in the horizontal direction, and has an L shape when viewed from the side. ing. It also has a print head 41 that ejects ink on the lower surface of the portion that extends downward.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16(b), a cartridge-side connecting portion 40b for electrically connecting the body side of the HMP 1 and the ink cartridge 40 side is arranged on the outer wall surface on the back side of the ink cartridge 40. It is The cartridge-side connection portion 40b is a flexible substrate, and has a plurality of cartridge-side connection terminals 40c that come into contact with the plurality of body-side connection terminals 13c of the FPC contact portion 13, respectively. Regarding the electrical connection between the main body side of the HMP 1 and the ink cartridge 40 side, the plurality of cartridge side connection terminals 40c and the plurality of main body side connection terminals 13c are connected with correct positional relationship and appropriate contact pressure. Power is supplied correctly.
As shown in FIGS. 15B and 16C, a print head 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 40, forming a print area 41a in which a plurality of print nozzles (ejection holes) are arranged.

When the ink cartridge 40 is attached to the lower unit 3 and the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge-side connection portion 40b are electrically connected, power is supplied to the ink cartridge 40 from the power supply (battery 15). Also, an electrical signal for controlling the ink cartridge 40 is transmitted to the ink cartridge 40 .

As shown in FIGS. 5, 11 and 14, a flexible flat cable 25 is arranged on the side of the rear surface 34 of the upper unit rotating shaft 3a, and the control board 14 in the upper unit 2 and the is connected to the FPC contact portion 13 of . The flexible flat cable 25 is deformable according to the opening/closing operation of the upper unit 2, and can maintain the connection state between the control board 14 and the FPC contact portion 13 even if the opening/closing operation of the upper unit 2 is repeated.

17 is a cross-sectional view of the HMP 1 in the state shown in FIG. 12 with the ink cartridge 40 popped up, viewed from the left side 32 side. 17 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the inner wall surface of the wall on the left side surface 32 side of the housing 80, similar to FIG.
By pulling the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a of the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 toward the front surface 35 as indicated by the arrow "D1" in FIG. Rotate. At this time, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 rotates to a position where the stopper protrusion 12 d provided on the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 fits into the stopper groove 83 provided on the housing 80 . By this rotation, the push-up lever 12b of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 pushes up the flange 40a of the ink cartridge 40 from the state shown in FIG. 13, and the ink cartridge 40 pops up from the state shown in FIG. 13 to the state shown in FIG. . As a result, the user can take out the ink cartridge 40 by hand.

When installing the ink cartridge 40 in the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the ink cartridge 40 is set in the hollow portion of the lower unit 3 of the main body of the HMP 1 with the upper unit 2 shown in FIG. 14 in the open state. At this time, the user pushes the upper surface of the ink cartridge 40 and inserts it to the state shown in FIG. 13, and closes the upper unit 2 . As a result, image formation can be performed using the attached ink cartridge 40 .
Moreover, in the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the upper unit 2 can be closed in the state shown in FIG. 17 without being inserted to the state shown in FIG. In this case, the cartridge upper surface biasing member 21 of the upper unit 2 presses the upper surface of the ink cartridge 40 at the same position as when it popped up, and the ink cartridge 40 can be mounted at the position shown in FIG.

In the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the upper unit 2 is the only cover member that is opened when the ink cartridge 40 is attached or detached. Therefore, compared to a configuration having a plurality of cover members, the configuration can be simplified and the size of the apparatus can be reduced. work man-hours can be reduced, and operability can be improved.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of only the lower unit 3 seen from the upper left front side, in which the upper unit 2 is further removed from the HMP 1 with the ink cartridge 40 removed. 19 is a top view of the lower unit 3 shown in FIG. 18. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the lower unit 3 includes a cartridge holder 6 that is fixed inside the housing 80 and holds the ink cartridges 40 .

A housing bottom portion 80a forming the bottom surface of the housing 80 is provided with a discharge opening portion 30a. Further, a sensor protection film 180 is provided to cover the position detection sensor 18 fixed to the upper surface of the housing bottom portion 80a.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a space for setting the ink cartridge 40 is provided inside the housing 80 of the lower unit 3 of the HMP1. An FPC contact portion 13 for electrical connection with the ink cartridge 40 is arranged on the inner wall surface on the back side of the space for setting the ink cartridge 40 . The FPC contact portion 13 has a flexible substrate on which a plurality of body-side connection terminals 13c are provided. The position of the main body side connection terminal 13c is arranged so as to match the position of the cartridge side connection terminal 40c, which is the terminal on the ink cartridge 40 side, when the ink cartridge 40 is correctly set.

A portion including the pressurizing portion 12c on the surface facing the surface where the FPC contact portion 13 is arranged in the space for setting the ink cartridge 40 (the inner wall surface on the side of the front surface 35) is indicated by the arrow "D ” is movable in the direction shown.
More specifically, most of the inner wall surface on the front face 35 side is formed by the surface of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 . Therefore, as the cartridge mounting/dismounting mechanism 12 rotates around the mounting/dismounting mechanism rotating shaft 12e, the inner wall surface of the space for setting the ink cartridge 40 on the front face 35 side moves. The cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 having the pressurizing portion 12c rotates about the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e, thereby being movable in the direction (Y-axis direction) in which the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b face each other. It's becoming

The cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 has a pressurizing portion 12c. The pressurization portion 12c is arranged at a position facing the front outer wall surface of the ink cartridge 40 in the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12. As shown in FIG. 18 and 19, the direction indicated by arrow "D1" in FIG. It becomes a direction away from the wall surface 6a.

In order to ensure the electrical connection between the ink cartridge 40 side and the apparatus main body side, it is necessary to bring the cartridge side connection terminal 40c and the main body side connection terminal 13c into contact with each other. Therefore, the HMP 1 is configured to press the cartridge-side connection terminal 40c against the main body-side connection terminal 13c with an appropriate force, and the pressing direction of the pressing portion 12c (direction of arrow "E" in FIG. 19) is , the ink cartridge 40 is pressed against the body-side connection terminal 13c. As for the shape of the terminals of the electrical connection portion, the shape of the cartridge-side connection terminal 40c is planar, while the shape of the main body-side connection terminal 13c is convex.

Next, the positional relationship between each member forming a space for setting the ink cartridge 40 inside the apparatus main body and the ink cartridge 40 will be described.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram in which the area where the ink cartridge 40 is installed (cartridge installation area 40d) is added with a dashed line to the top view of the lower unit 3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the cartridge holder 6, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12, and the ink cartridge 40 along the AA cross section in FIGS. 4 and 20. FIG. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 40 is not installed and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 is at the connecting portion side position, which is the position on the FPC contact portion 13 side, which is the connecting portion on the main body side. Here, the connecting portion side position is the position of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 when the pressure portion 12c provided in the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 presses the ink cartridge 40 attached to the apparatus main body toward the rear surface 34 side. is.

FIG. 21 shows a state in which the cartridge mounting/dismounting mechanism 12 is rotated about the mounting/dismounting mechanism rotating shaft 12e in the direction of the arrow "D1" in FIG. 1 from the state shown in FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the holder 6 and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12; FIG.
FIG. 22 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP 1 in a state where the ink cartridge 40 is removed and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is set to the separated position as in FIG. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the HMP 1 taken along line AA in FIG. 4 with the ink cartridge 40 removed and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 positioned at the separated position, as in FIGS.

"6r" in FIG. 23 indicates a wall portion on the right side surface 33 side (back side in FIG. 23) of the cartridge holder 6, and "80r" in FIG. 23) is shown.
In a state where the ink cartridge 40 is not attached to the lower unit 3, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is positioned at the connecting portion side position (first position) shown in FIG. 1 and the separated position (second position) shown in FIG. It is possible to move between

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the cartridge holder 6 and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 in the vicinity of the end portion on the front face 35 side when the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is at the connecting portion side position (the state shown in FIG. 1). FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vicinity of the front 35 side end portion of the cartridge holder 6 and the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 in a state where the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is located at the connecting portion side position.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 24, and 25, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 includes a pressurizing portion 12c, and further includes a pressurizing portion holding portion 12j that slidably holds the pressurizing portion 12c. The attachment/detachment operation portion 12a, the push-up lever 12b, and the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e are integral members with the pressing portion holding portion 12j. Further, this integral member forms an L shape by the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a extending in the horizontal direction and the pressing portion holding portion 12j extending in the vertical direction in the state of being on the connecting portion side.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 25, the cartridge holder 6 has a bearing recess 6c into which the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e is fitted. Then, in a state in which the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e is fitted into the bearing recess 6c and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 is assembled to the cartridge holder 6, the recess lid member 6d is fixed to the cartridge holder 6 as shown in FIG. As a result, the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e does not come off from the bearing recess 6c, and the cartridge holder 6 can rotatably hold the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 around the attachment/detachment mechanism rotation shaft 12e.

As shown in FIG. 1, inside the pressure member 12c, a pressure spring 12h is arranged to bias the pressure member 12c away from the pressure member holder 12j. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the pressure member 12c has a claw portion 12k that catches on a portion of the pressure member holder 12j. The pressure member 12c urged by the pressure spring 12h moves away from the pressure member holder 12j, but in the state shown in FIG. 25, the claw 12k is caught by the pressure member holder 12j. This prevents the pressure member 12c from moving further away from the pressure member holder 12j (to the left in FIG. 25) than in the state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 24, and 25, the pressurizing portion 12c has a pressurizing surface 12f that contacts and presses the outer wall surface on the front 35 side of the installed ink cartridge 40, and is positioned above the pressurizing surface 12f. and an inclined surface 12g inclined with respect to the pressure surface 12f. When the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is located at the connecting portion side position, the pressure surface 12f is substantially parallel to the ZX plane, and the inclined surface 12g is inclined with respect to the pressure surface 12f, and its surface faces obliquely upward. be.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 20, the distance from the cartridge-side connecting portion 40b of the ink cartridge 40 to the surface of the ink cartridge 40 opposite to the surface on which the cartridge-side connecting portion 40b is provided is defined as the "cartridge side pressure Inter-connection distance L1”. Assuming that the distance from the connection side inner wall surface 6a on the device main body side to the pressure surface 12f of the pressure member 12c is the "main body side pressure connection distance L2", the arrangement satisfies the relationship of "L1>L2".

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge 40 is inserted into the lower unit 3 from the state shown in FIG.
When trying to insert the ink cartridge 40 along the wall surface of the ink cartridge 40 on which the cartridge-side connection portion 40b is provided, along the connection-side inner wall surface 6a, since "L1>L2", the ink cartridge 40 as shown in FIG. 40 contacts the pressure part 12c. At this time, the ink cartridge 40 inserted vertically downward as indicated by the arrow "F" in FIG. 26 contacts the inclined surface 12g of the pressure member 12c and exerts a vertically downward force "F1".

Since the inclined surface 12g is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the force "F1" acts on the pressure member 12c as a force component "F2" and a force component "F3".
The force component "F2" acts in the direction along the inclined surface 12g, and the inclined surface 12g and the surface of the ink cartridge 40 are smooth surfaces. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the action of force in the direction along the surface due to the frictional force between the members. Rotational moments acting in the counterclockwise direction need not be considered.
On the other hand, when the component force "F3" acts on the pressure member 12c, the pressure member holder 12j is pushed by the component force "F3" via the pressure member 12c and the pressure spring 12h. As a result, the pressing portion holding portion 12j is moved in the direction of the arrow "D1" in FIG. rotate to

At this time, although the pressurizing portion 12c contacts the outer wall surface of the ink cartridge 40 on the front 35 side, the claw portion 12k remains caught on the pressurizing portion holding portion 12j. Therefore, the urging force of the pressure spring 12h does not act on the ink cartridge 40. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge 40 is further inserted from the state shown in FIG.
When the ink cartridge 40 is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 26, the contact portion with the ink cartridge 40 moves from the inclined surface 12g to the pressure surface 12f, and the pressure surface 12f and the ink cartridge 40 come into contact with each other. When the ink cartridge 40 contacts the inclined surface 12g and rotates the pressure holding portion 12j in the direction of the arrow "D1", the pressure surface 12f is obliquely upward. It is facing the Therefore, by further inserting the ink cartridge 40 after the ink cartridge 40 comes into contact with the pressurizing surface 12f, the pressurizing portion holding portion 12j rotates in the direction of the arrow "D1", resulting in the state shown in FIG. Even in the state shown in FIG. 27, the biasing force of the pressure spring 12h does not act on the ink cartridge 40. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a state in which the collar portion 40a of the inserted ink cartridge 40 is in contact with the push-up lever 12b.
When the ink cartridge 40 is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 27, the collar portion 40a comes into contact with the push-up lever 12b as shown in FIG. Further, when the ink cartridge 40 is inserted, the push-up lever 12b is pushed downward by the collar portion 40a, and the pressing portion holding portion 12j integrated with the push-up lever 12b rotates in the direction of arrow "D2" in FIG. Due to this rotation, the relative distance between the ink cartridge 40 and the pressure holding portion 12j is narrowed, the pressure spring 12h is compressed, and the urging force of the pressure spring 12h against the ink cartridge 40 pushes the pressure portion 12c. begin to act through

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the ink cartridge 40 has been completely installed.
As the ink cartridge 40 is inserted from the state shown in FIG. 28, the biasing force of the pressure spring 12h increases. At this time, if the pressure surface 12f is inclined with respect to the outer wall surface of the ink cartridge 40 on the front 35 side and is in a state of one-sided contact, the pressure surface 12f is attached parallel to the outer wall surface of the ink cartridge 40. There is a force that tries to hit. When this force acts, even if the push-up lever 12b is not pushed downward by the collar portion 40a, the pressing portion holding portion 12j rotates in the direction of the arrow "D2" in FIGS. 12j reaches the connecting portion side position and becomes the state shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29, even if the collar portion 40a is not in contact with the push-up lever 12b, the pressing portion holding portion 12j can rotate to the connecting portion side position.

Both the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 29 are positioned at the connecting portion side position. However, in the state shown in FIG. 29, the pressure member 12c is positioned closer to the front surface 35 (right side in the drawing) than in the state shown in FIG. 1, and the pressure spring 12h is compressed. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 29, the biasing force of the pressure spring 12h acts on the pressure portion 12c, and the pressure portion 12c pushes the ink cartridge 40 toward the rear surface 34 (in the direction of the arrow "E" in FIG. 29). It is in a pressurized state.

As indicated by the arrow "E" in FIG. 29, the direction of pressure applied by the pressure member 12c is substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction. Also, as indicated by the arrow "F" in FIG. 26, the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 40 is substantially parallel to the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the pressurizing direction of the pressurizing portion 12c is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 40 .

By applying pressure from the pressurizing portion 12c, the cartridge-side connecting portion 40b provided on the outer wall surface of the ink cartridge 40 on the back surface 34 side is directed toward the FPC contact portion 13 provided on the inner wall surface on the back surface 34 side of the apparatus main body. Can be pressurized. Thereby, the cartridge side connection terminal 40c of the cartridge side connection portion 40b and the body side connection terminal 13c of the FPC contact portion 13 can be connected with an appropriate contact pressure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 26 to 29, when setting the ink cartridge 40, the cartridge holder 6 is moved from top to bottom with respect to the apparatus main body (cartridge holder 6 fixed to the housing 80). is set to a predetermined position within
When setting in this manner, as shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is located near the FPC contact portion 13, that is, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is located at the connecting portion side, and the ink cartridge 40 is installed. may be set. The length of the ink cartridge 40 in the pressurizing direction is determined by applying pressure from the FPC contact portion 13 fixed to the cartridge holder 6 when the ink cartridge 40 is not installed and the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 is at the connection portion side position. It is longer than the distance from the portion 12c to the pressure surface 12f. That is, the cartridge-side pressurized connection distance L1, which is the length of the ink cartridge 40 in the pressurizing direction, is longer than the main body-side pressurized connection distance L2. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is attached while the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is at the connecting portion side position, the ink cartridge 40 comes into contact with the pressurizing portion 12c.

A surface adjacent to the pressing surface 12f above the pressing surface 12f of the pressing portion 12c is an inclined surface 12g that is inclined with respect to the pressing surface 12f, and the ink cartridge 40 to be set is inclined on the inclined surface of the pressing portion 12c. Contact 12g. By contacting the inclined surface 12g, even when the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is positioned at the connecting portion side position and closed, the ink cartridge 40 opens the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 to the outside (while moving it toward the separated position). ) can be set. As a result, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 moves away from the FPC contact portion 13 side position (connecting portion side position). Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is set, the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b move relative to each other in a state where a force is applied such that the main body side connection terminal 13c and the cartridge side connection terminal 40c are in contact with each other. It is possible to suppress mutual rubbing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b from being damaged due to friction.

As described above, in the HMP 1 of the present embodiment, pressure is applied to the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b due to the fact that the ink cartridge 40 is pressed toward the FPC contact portion 13 during the setting operation. It is possible to suppress rubbing against each other in a state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress damage to one or both of the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b due to rubbing.

If the ink cartridge 40 is not pressed against the FPC contact portion 13 after the ink cartridge 40 is mounted, a proper connection cannot be ensured. Further, the HMP 1 is moved by being manually operated by the user while the ink cartridge 40 is attached. It is necessary to maintain the electrical connection even in a moving state, and it is necessary to press the ink cartridge 40 against the FPC contact portion 13 with a certain amount of pressure.

In the HMP 1 of the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 40 is attached by satisfying the relationship "L1>L2", the pressure unit 12c presses the ink cartridge 40 toward the FPC contact portion 13, and the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b can be properly connected.
Further, since the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 having the pressurizing portion 12c can move from the connecting portion side position to the separated position, when the ink cartridge 40 is set, the pressurized state between the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connecting portion 40b can be changed. Sliding friction can be suppressed. As a result, damage to one or both of the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b can be suppressed.
As described above, in the HMP 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to properly connect the electrical connection with the ink cartridge 40 attached, and to prevent the electrical connection from being damaged when the ink cartridge 40 is attached.

As described above, when the ink cartridge 40 is set while the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is at the connecting portion side position, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 moves to the separated position side. Therefore, even if the position of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 when the ink cartridge 40 is not installed is either the connecting portion side position or the separated position, damage to the electrical connection portion can be prevented. It becomes possible to set the ink cartridge 40 in the apparatus main body.

In the present embodiment, a planar inclined surface 12g is provided such that the ridgeline portion of the upper end of the pressure surface 12f of the pressure portion 12c is the C surface. The surface above the pressing surface 12f of the pressing portion 12c is not limited to the C surface, and may be an R shape.

Handy mobile printers (portable image forming devices) such as the HMP1, compared to conventional inkjet serial printers, have a tray for setting paper, a paper transport device for transporting paper, and a head scanning over the paper. It is possible to omit a head scanning device for scanning. Furthermore, an ink supply device for supplying ink to the head and a maintenance device for eliminating clogged nozzles of the head can be omitted. Such a handy mobile printer can print by freehand scanning along a print target portion, thereby achieving both the convenience of mobile use and the ability of the printer to handle paper.

The handy mobile printer described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a print object detection sensor that detects the presence of a print object in a print area facing the line head, and the print object detection sensor detects the print object. In this configuration, the line head is driven only when With this configuration, it is possible to prevent printing from being performed when the line head does not face the object to be printed.

The electrical connection part of a cartridge used in a handy mobile type ink jet printer is often of a type in which a substrate having a plurality of connection points is arranged on one side surface of the cartridge. As an electrical connection method between the cartridge and the printer main body, an electrical connection portion on the main body side having a projection shape corresponding to the connection portion of the cartridge is provided on the main body side, and a surface on which the electrical connection portion on the cartridge side is provided. A configuration in which pressure is applied to the opposite surface is conceivable. By applying pressure to the surface of the cartridge opposite to the surface on which the electrical connection is provided, the electrical connection on the cartridge side can be connected to the electrical connection on the main body side with an appropriate contact pressure. connection can be ensured.

However, in a configuration in which the cartridge is pressurized toward the electrical connection portion on the main body side, if the electrical connection portion on the cartridge side is pressed against the electrical connection portion on the main body side when the cartridge is set, both electrical The joints rub against each other. As a result, phenomena such as deformation of the connecting portion, peeling of the terminals of the connecting portion, and damage to the connecting portion may occur, leading to poor electrical contact.
In addition, in order to prevent rubbing between the electrical connection parts, when inserting the cartridge as a structure on the main body side, the cartridge is not pressurized toward the electrical connection part on the main body side, and after the cartridge is set A configuration in which a pressurizing mechanism is provided is conceivable. In such a configuration, it is necessary to separately provide a pressurizing mechanism for switching to a pressurized state after setting, which increases the size of the apparatus body and may impair user operability and portability.

The HMP 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the ink cartridge 40 is held inside the lower unit 3 which is the main body of the apparatus. The ink cartridge 40 has a cartridge-side connection portion 40b, which is an electrical connection portion having at least one connection terminal (cartridge-side connection terminal 40c), on the side surface of the back surface 34 side. The cartridge holder 6, which is the cartridge holding portion of the lower unit 3, has an FPC contact portion, which is an electrical connection portion on the main body side, at a position corresponding to the cartridge side connection portion 40b on the connection side inner wall surface 6a of the inner side surface. 13 is provided. A cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12, which is a movable member movable with respect to the FPC contact portion 13, is provided on a wall surface forming a space for setting the ink cartridge 40, which faces the FPC contact portion 13. As shown in FIG.

In the HMP 1 of this embodiment, the direction in which the cartridge-side connection portion 40b, which is the electrical connection portion on the ink cartridge 40 side, faces the FPC contact portion 13, which is the electrical connection portion on the main body side, The direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion into the A pressurizing portion 12 c for pressurizing the ink cartridge 40 toward the FPC contact portion 13 is provided in the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 , which is a movable member capable of moving away from the FPC contact portion 13 .

The body-side pressurized connection distance L2 is shorter than the cartridge-side pressurized connection distance L1. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is mounted, the pressure member 12c moves in the direction of compressing the pressure spring 12h with respect to the pressure member holder 12j of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12. FIG. Thereby, the biasing force of the pressure spring 12h acts on the ink cartridge 40 via the pressure portion 12c, and the ink cartridge 40 can be pressurized toward the connection side inner wall surface 6a. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is attached, the cartridge-side connection portion 40b can be connected to the FPC contact portion 13 with an appropriate contact pressure, and stable electricity is generated between the ink cartridge 40 and the main body of the HMP 1 after attachment. Connectivity can be secured.

Further, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 having the pressurizing portion 12c is a movable member that can move away from the FPC contact portion 13. As shown in FIG. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 40 is to be set while the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is at the connecting portion side position, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 can move away from the FPC contact portion 13 . As a result, when the ink cartridge 40 is set, the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b can be prevented from sliding against each other, and damage to the electrical connection portion can be suppressed.

Further, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 is provided with a push-up lever 12b, and after the push-up lever 12b contacts the lower surface of the flange portion 40a of the ink cartridge 40 by the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 40, the push-up lever 12b is pushed down. Therefore, in conjunction with the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 40, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 can be moved from the separated position to the connecting portion side position, and the mounted state of the ink cartridge 40 can be pressurized by the pressurizing portion 12c. can do.
Since the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 is moved from the separated position to the connection part side position in conjunction with the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 40, it is not necessary to separately provide a pressurizing mechanism for switching to the pressurized state after mounting the ink cartridge 40.例文帳に追加As a result, without increasing the size of the main body of the apparatus, damage to the electrical connections can be suppressed during the mounting operation of the cartridge, and stable electrical connection between the cartridge and the main body can be ensured after mounting. can be realized.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the cantilever-shaped push-up lever 12b projecting from the pressurizing portion holding portion 12j of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 to the side of the rear surface 34 extends in the width direction (X axial direction) on both sides. Further, above the pressurizing portion holding portion 12j in the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12, an attachment/detachment operation portion 12a is provided so that the user can operate the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12. As shown in FIG. The attachment/detachment operation portion 12a is a pushing portion that rotates the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 toward the front face 35 (in the direction of the arrow "D1") about the attachment/detachment mechanism rotating shaft 12e by being pushed by the user.

As shown in FIG. 30, the attachment/detachment operation part 12a may be provided with an arrow-shaped push-in direction display part 12p for making it easier for the user to recognize the push-in direction. The push-in direction display portion 12p may be displayed by printing with paint on the component forming the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a, or may be displayed by providing an uneven shape of an arrow on the surface of the component.

11, 13, and 29, the push-up lever 12b is positioned below the collar portion 40a, which is a part of the ink cartridge 40, when the ink cartridge 40 is attached to the main body of the apparatus. When the user pushes the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a from this state, the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 rotates toward the front surface 35 (in the direction of the arrow "D1" in the drawing) and moves away from the FPC contact portion 13, and is also cantilevered. The tip side of the shaped push-up lever 12b rises. By moving the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12 away from the FPC contact portion 13, the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 40 toward the FPC contact portion 13 can be released. As the tip side of the push-up lever 12b rises, the upper surface of the push-up lever 12b serves as a cartridge push-up surface, which pushes up the lower surface of the collar portion 40a of the ink cartridge 40, pulling the ink cartridge 40 upward. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 17, the ink cartridge 40 pops up so that the user can take out the ink cartridge 40 by hand.

As described above, in the HMP 1 of the present embodiment, when the user pushes the attachment/detachment operation portion 12a, the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 40 toward the FPC contact portion 13 is released, and the ink cartridge 40 is lifted upward. can be done.

FIG. 31 is a perspective explanatory view of the HMP 1 with the upper unit 2 opened with respect to the lower unit 3, as viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 32 is a state in which the upper unit 2 is closed with the ink cartridge 40 removed. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing of HMP1 of a state. The cross section shown in FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view at the position of the inner wall surface of the wall portion on the left side surface 32 side (the front side in FIG. 32) of the cartridge holder 6 .

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the HMP 1 includes an upper unit 2 that functions as a cover member that covers the storage portion of the ink cartridge 40 in the main body of the apparatus. Furthermore, inside the upper unit 2, the surface of the front 35 side (right side in FIG. 32) of the upper end rib 12r, which is the surface of the moving direction of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 in the state of the connection side position to the separated position. is provided with a movement restricting portion 26 facing the .

By providing the movement restricting portion 26, it is possible to prevent the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 from moving to the separated position after the upper unit 2, which is the body cover, is closed, and the pressurization of the ink cartridge 40 by the pressurizing portion 12c is released. can be prevented. As a result, even if some impact is applied to the HMP 1, such as when the HMP 1 is operated by the user after the upper unit 2 of the HMP 1 is closed, or when the HMP 1 is carried or dropped, the cartridge side connection portion 40b does not contact the FPC contact portion 13. Prevents pressure drop. Therefore, it is possible to maintain an appropriate connection state between the FPC contact portion 13 and the cartridge side connection portion 40b, and to prevent the ink cartridge 40 from being energized incorrectly even if some impact is applied to the HMP1.

[Modification]
In the HMP 1 of the above-described embodiment, the inclined surface 12g is provided at the portion of the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12 that contacts the ink cartridge 40. may be provided.
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the cartridge holder 6, the cartridge attaching/detaching mechanism 12, and the ink cartridge 40 in the modified HMP 1 in which the ink cartridge 40 is provided with a cartridge-side inclined surface 40f.

As the ink cartridge 40 of the modified example shown in FIG. 33 is inserted, the upper ridgeline portion 12s of the pressurizing portion 12c comes into contact with the cartridge-side inclined surface 40f. Further, when the ink cartridge 40 is inserted, the upper ridge line portion 12s receives a force to move rightward in FIG. Rotate in the direction of the arrow "D1" inside. As a result, the cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12, which was positioned at the connection portion side position before the ink cartridge 40 was attached, can be moved to the separated position by the ink cartridge 40 attachment operation, as in the above-described embodiment. . As with the ridgeline portion at the upper end of the pressure surface 12f of the pressure portion 12c, the shape is not limited to the C surface and may be an R shape.

In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the HMP 1 of the ink jet method has been described, but the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to apparatuses using other image forming methods. For example, it can be applied to a suitable type recording apparatus such as a thermal type or a thermal transfer type.

1 HMP
2 Upper unit 2a Horizontally extending portion 2b Vertically extending portion 3 Lower unit 3a Upper unit rotating shaft 5a Print button 5b Power button 6 Cartridge holder 6a Connection side inner wall surface 7 Sub-scanning guide 9 Connection port 10 Main scanning guide 11 Upper unit lock Claw 12 Cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism 12a Attachment/detachment operation portion 12b Push-up lever 12c Pressure portion 12d Stopper convex portion 12e Attachment/detachment mechanism rotary shaft 12f Pressure surface 12g Inclined surface 12h Pressure spring 12j Pressure portion holding portion 12k Claw portion 12p Pushing direction display portion 12r Upper end rib 12s Upper ridgeline portion 13 FPC contact portion 13c Main body side connection terminal 14 Control board 15 Battery 18 Position detection sensor 19 Temperature sensor 21 Cartridge upper surface biasing member 25 Flexible flat cable 26 Movement restricting portion 30 Recording surface 30a Ejection opening 31 Upper surface 32 Left side 33 Right side 34 Back 35 Front 37a Left first roller 37b Left second roller 37c Left rotating shaft 38a Right first roller 38b Right second roller 38c Right rotating shaft 39 Grip 40 Ink cartridge 40a Flange 40b Cartridge side Connection portion 40c Cartridge-side connection terminal 40d Cartridge installation area 40f Cartridge-side inclined surface 41 Print head 41a Print area 52 Bt substrate 53 RAM
54 ROMs
56 Recording control unit 58 Gyro sensor 59 LED lamp 80 Housing 80a Housing bottom surface 83 Stopper groove 180 Sensor protective film 302 Detection opening H Hand L1 Cartridge side pressure connection distance L2 Body side pressure connection distance P Recording paper W1 Print Part W2 Part to be printed

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-315385

Claims (15)

a recording unit that records an image on a recording material;
An image forming apparatus comprising an apparatus main body that accommodates the recording unit therein,
a detachable unit configured to be detachable from the device main body and electrically connected to the device main body;
pressing means for applying pressure to the detachable unit in a direction in which the unit-side connecting portion of the attached detachable unit faces the body-side connecting portion and in a direction perpendicular to the detachable unit attachment/detachment direction;
a movable member comprising the pressurizing means, the pressurizing means being movable between a first position closest to the body-side connecting portion and a second position furthest from the body-side connection portion ;
When the movable member is in the first position, the movable member faces a surface of the detachable unit facing the downstream side in the mounting direction. An image forming apparatus , comprising: a unit facing movement section that moves upstream in the mounting direction . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the pressurizing means and the body-side connection portion is shorter when the detachable unit is not attached to the apparatus body than when the detachable unit is attached. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When the attachment/detachment unit is attached to the apparatus main body while the movable member is at the first position, the attachment/detachment unit abuts against the pressure means, thereby causing the movable member to move away from the main body-side connection portion. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it moves to The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the pressurizing means that contacts the detachable unit has an inclined surface or a curved surface that is inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the detachable unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the detachable unit that abuts against the pressurizing means has an inclined surface or a curved surface that is inclined with respect to the mounting direction of the detachable unit . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is configured to be rotatable about a rotary shaft provided in the vicinity of a downstream end portion of the apparatus main body in a mounting direction of the detachable unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has an orthogonal direction extending portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction at an upstream end portion in a mounting direction of the detachable unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the orthogonal direction extending portion is provided with a display indicating that an operating direction of the orthogonal direction extending portion is a direction in which the movable member is separated from the main body side connection portion. . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
comprising a cover member that covers an accommodating portion of the detachable unit in the device main body,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cover member includes a movement restricting portion that restricts movement of the movable member from the first position to the second position when the cover member is closed. . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mounting direction of the detachable unit with respect to the apparatus main body is a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the unit-side connecting portion and the main-body connecting portion face each other. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
a space for accommodating the detachable unit is provided in the device main body,
The inner wall surface of the space is provided with the main body side connection portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means is provided on a surface facing an inner wall surface on which the body-side connecting portion is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft of the movable member is provided on a surface facing an inner wall surface on which the body-side connecting portion is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the pressurizing means is movable in conjunction with the operation of the front orthogonal direction extending portion . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
The image forming apparatus is a handy mobile printer in which an image is formed on the recording material by the recording unit when a user scans the apparatus main body. In an image forming apparatus main body to which a detachable unit having a recording unit for recording an image on a recording material is detachable,
an apparatus body in which the detachable unit can be accommodated and which is electrically connected to the detachable unit;
pressing means for applying pressure to the detachable unit in a direction in which the unit-side connecting portion of the attached detachable unit faces the body-side connecting portion and in a direction perpendicular to the detachable unit attachment/detachment direction;
a movable member comprising the pressurizing means, the pressurizing means being movable between a first position closest to the body-side connecting portion and a second position furthest from the body-side connection portion ;
When the movable member is in the first position, the movable member faces a surface of the detachable unit facing the downstream side in the mounting direction. An image forming apparatus main body , comprising: a unit facing moving portion that moves upstream in the mounting direction .

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