JPH04272880A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the carrying properties of recording paper in a recording unit and the facility of an information processor while compactly constituting the information processor integrally having the recording unit. CONSTITUTION:A printer unit 2 housed into a device body 101 on non-recording is moved on recording, and installed to the upper section of a device. Recording paper 3 fed from a paper-feed port 201f under the state is passed through an approximately horizontal path during the carrying. The printer unit 2 is disposed between a display section 103 and a keyboard 102.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses such as word processors, personal computers, electronic typewriters, etc., and more particularly to information processing apparatuses equipped with recording means as information output means.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Among devices of this type, small devices that do not require a particular installation location and do not require much installation space are becoming popular, especially from the viewpoint of personal use. These are so-called laptop types and are also portable. Such an information processing device includes a device main body as an information processing section, a disk device as an external storage device, a display device as an information display means including a liquid crystal display, a recording device as an information output means, and an information input device. It is integrally equipped with various devices such as a keyboard device for inputting control commands, operations, and control commands.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a word processor as a conventional example of this type of device. When using this device,
As is clear from the figure, a top cover 104 including a display section 103 is opened and stood up so that an operator (not shown) located on the right side in the figure can see the display section 103. Further, by opening the upper cover 104, the keyboard 102 appears in front of the operator. A device main body 101 as an information processing section is located behind the display section 103 (on the left side in the figure), and a part of the device main body 101 includes a disk unit 105 and a recording device (hereinafter referred to as a recording device). (also referred to as a printer) 2 is provided. Figure 1
The transport path of the recording paper 3 in the printer 2 shown in
The direction is reversed by the paper feed roller 214, and the paper is formed substantially in the vertical direction.

[0004] Smaller and thinner information processing apparatuses that are even more portable and easy to install than the above-mentioned laptop-type information processing apparatuses have also been proposed. These are so-called notebook types or book types. Figure 2 shows a conventional example of this type of personal computer.
and shown in FIG.

[0005] In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 is detachably attached to the rear of the apparatus main body 101. This printer 2 can perform recording operations both when attached to the main body and when detached from the main body. When the printer 2 is attached to the main body 101, the possible conveyance paths for the recording paper are, as shown in the figure, a combination of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with an approximately right-angled bend, or a path at the bottom of the printer 2. This is a vertical route that utilizes space. Further, when the printer 2 is used in a detached state, the conveyance path can be set in the horizontal direction as shown in the figure.

Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the printer 2 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 101, rotating about a predetermined axis during use. In this configuration, the conveyance path of the recording paper is in the horizontal direction.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, there are several problems that need to be solved in the information processing apparatus incorporating the printer as described above.

First, there is a problem caused by restrictions on the recording paper conveyance path. For example, the printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which recording paper is wound around a paper feed roller and conveyed. Therefore, there may be cases where cardboard such as postcards and envelopes are not transported well. Furthermore, in consideration of the transportability of the thick paper, it is necessary to adopt a configuration that increases the space for transporting the recording paper, such as by increasing the diameter of the paper transport roller. As a result, the proportion of printers in information processing equipment has increased.
It becomes difficult to miniaturize the device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by restrictions on the recording paper conveyance path, for example, as shown in FIGS. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is changed. However, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, operations such as disconnecting the printer 2 from the main body of the information processing apparatus must be performed depending on the type of recording paper used. Therefore, the operation for this becomes complicated, and the simplicity and compactness that should originally be provided by an information processing apparatus such as a so-called laptop type is lost. In addition, since the device shown in FIG. 3 has a configuration in which the installation posture can be changed by rotating the printer 2, the lower surface of the printer 2 also requires an exterior, which not only increases the thickness of the device but also increases the This requires space in the depth direction, and it may be difficult to downsize the device.

Furthermore, as a second problem, FIGS. 2 and 3
In the apparatus shown in , the recording direction of the recording head differs depending on the installation orientation of the printer 2. For example, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, when the printer 2 is installed in the main body of the apparatus, the recording direction by the recording head of the recording head cartridge 212 is horizontal as shown by arrow A in the figure. The direction is vertically downward as shown by arrow B in the figure. When the recording direction changes in this way, the direction of the force acting on the recording paper, recording head, and recording agent such as ink used for recording changes accordingly, and the condition of each of the recording paper etc. during recording changes slightly. will be different. This is particularly noticeable in inkjet recording paper in which recording is performed by ejecting ink onto the recording paper. For example, the recording head discharges ink in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. Therefore, when the recording paper is conveyed in the vertical direction, a portion of the ink that adheres to the recording paper due to ejection flows vertically downward slightly until it is fixed. There may be slight differences in image quality, etc. between the printing results obtained by such a configuration and the printing results obtained by ejecting ink in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. Therefore, in order to stably obtain recording results of good image quality, it is desirable that the recording direction is always constant.

Furthermore, a third problem is the operability of the printer. That is, in any of the apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the printer 2 is located on the opposite side from the operator with the display section 103 in between. Therefore, when an operator performs an operation related to the printer, such as inserting recording paper, the display unit 10
3 may be perceived as an obstacle. Furthermore, the recorded results on the recording paper are difficult for the operator to see. As a result, when operating the printer, the user may have to fold down the top cover 104 in which the display section 103 is incorporated, making the information processing apparatus significantly less user-friendly. In particular, in an information processing apparatus that can perform printing operations in a printer and operations for other information processing in parallel, the above-mentioned problems arising from the arrangement of the printer become more pronounced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to efficiently convey all kinds of recording media to the recording position of the integrally provided recording section. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing device that can perform the above operations, has a compact configuration, and has improved usability.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, in the present invention,
In an information processing device, an input unit for inputting information, a recording unit capable of recording on a recording medium according to information input by the input unit, and the recording unit is moved in a vertical direction. and a moving mechanism capable of holding it in a predetermined position.

[0014] Further, in the information processing device, an input section for inputting information, a display section capable of displaying the information inputted by the input section, and an input section between the display section and the input section. and a recording section capable of recording on a recording medium according to information inputted by the input section.

[0015]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, by moving the recording unit included in the information processing device up and down, the recording unit is installed at the top of the device, for example, during a recording operation, and is moved into the device during a non-recording operation. Can be stored. Furthermore, even with such vertical movement of the recording section, the recording direction in the recording section does not change. Further, when the recording section is installed at the top of the apparatus and performs a recording operation, the conveyance path of the recording medium can be made horizontal, for example, along the top surface of the apparatus.

Furthermore, by disposing the recording section between the display section and the input section, the display section does not become an obstacle when performing operations related to the recording section, such as inserting a recording medium.

[0017]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) as an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The personal computer 1 includes a device main body 101, a keyboard 102, a top cover 104 that includes a display section 103,
It is composed of various parts such as a printer 2 and a printer 2. The upper cover 104 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 101 via hinges 104a provided at both ends of its rear edge. Thus, when the device is in use, the upper cover 104 can be rotated to open to a position where the display section 103 can be easily seen, and when the device is not in use, it can be closed to function as a cover. As the display element of the display section 103, a liquid crystal display element is used because the display section can be constructed thinly.

Here, the upper cover 104 and the display section 103 incorporated therein are not on the same surface. That is, since the upper cover 104 covers the electrical connection portion (not shown) of the display portion 103, a predetermined level difference occurs between these mutual surfaces. The slope 104h is
It is provided at a predetermined angle so as to connect the step between the upper cover 104 and the display section 103 with a smooth slope. As a result, as will be described later, the recording paper is moved to the display section 1.
03, the tip can be prevented from getting caught on the step. A latch plate 104c is attached to the upper edge of the cover 104 via a hinge (not shown) so that it can rotate by 90 degrees, and when this device is used, it is placed flush with the surface of the upper cover 104 as shown in FIG. is open to A latch groove 104d is provided in the center of the latch plate 104c. In the above configuration regarding the upper cover 104, when closing the upper cover 104, the latch plate 10
4c is rotated to form a recess 101 in the main body 101.
b, and the latch groove 104d.
is engaged with the protrusion 101a provided in the recess 101b. Thereby, the upper cover 104 can be reliably fixed to the main body 101.

A printer unit 2 using an inkjet recording head is arranged in front of the display section 103. When this printer unit 2 is used, that is, when recording, etc., it is slid upwards and the device body 10 is removed.
1, and is configured to be stored inside the main body 101 when not in use. Note that the vertical movement of the printer unit 2 may be performed by the operator operating a lever, dial, etc., and converting these changes into vertical movement by known means, or a structure using a motor etc. It may also be configured to operate automatically as part of the recording operation. Several examples of configurations for this will be described later.

The recording paper 3 is fed from the front side of the apparatus through the paper feed port 201f provided in the printer unit 2, and after being recorded in the printer unit 2, it is attached to the upper cover 104 and the surface of the display section 103. is discharged along the Note that since the recording paper 3 slides on the surface of the display section 103 during ejection, it is desirable that the surface has a low coefficient of friction and is excellent in abrasion resistance. For this reason, the display section 10
The surface of No. 3 is preferably coated with a material such as fluororesin.

The keyboard 102 can have a conventionally known configuration, and inside the device main body 101, a control circuit for the device and the like are provided in the form of a board. Further, as will be described later, a waste ink absorber for retaining waste ink discharged from the printer unit 2 is provided inside the main body 101. In order to promote the evaporation of ink in the waste ink absorber, louvers 101l are formed on the cover members on both sides of the main body 101.

According to the first embodiment described above, since the conveyance path of the recording paper can be made substantially horizontal, even thick paper can be conveyed satisfactorily. Furthermore, since the printer unit 2 moves only in the vertical direction, the printing direction by the printing head can always be kept constant. Furthermore, since the printer unit 2 is placed in front of the display section 103, various operations on the printer can be performed without the troublesome operation of closing the top cover 104.
It can be done easily.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 4, excluding a part of the cover.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the printer unit 2, seen from the side, in a state where it has been moved and installed above the main body of the apparatus.

The mechanism of the printer unit 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0026] The printer unit 2 has a front cover 222f.
The rear cover 222b, the lid 223, and the base 202 constitute a case member. The base 202 is a structural member of the printer unit, has a substantially W-shaped cross-section, and extends together with other case members to cover the movement range of the recording head, which will be described later. Reference numeral 202a is a platen that forms part of the base 202, and extends over the range of movement of the print head so that it can face the ejection ports of the print head with a predetermined interval. As a result, during the recording operation, the surface of the recording paper 3 on which ink is ejected is regulated as it is transported, and the flatness and position of the recording paper are maintained.

A cutout 202b is provided at the end of the base 202 on the home position side, and the recovery unit 203 is housed in the cutout 202b. The recovery unit 203 includes a cap 203a, a drive motor (not shown), a suction pump (not shown), and a discharge ink tube 203.
b, etc., and performs processing to maintain good ejection performance of the print head, such as eliminating clogging caused by thickened ink that has occurred in the ejection ports of the print head, and preventing ink from drying out in the print head. can.

The waste ink absorber 204 is attached to the bottom inside the apparatus main body 101, and extends parallel to the platen 202a over approximately the same range. The absorbent body 204 is made of a porous material such as laminated paper or polyester cotton sponge.
The recovery unit 203 takes in waste ink discharged from the print head through the tube 203b and holds it. Since the ink evaporates into the atmosphere while being held, the holding power of the absorber 204 hardly decreases.
It is also possible to use the absorbent body 204 semi-permanently.

The printer unit 2 is provided with a pair of guide shafts that guide the movement of a recording head cartridge 212, which will be described later. One of the guide shafts 205 is attached to each side plate (not shown) provided vertically at both ends of the base 202. A rack 205a is provided on the upper surface of the guide shaft 205 with a length corresponding to the movement range of the recording head cartridge 212, and a pinion of a carrier motor to be described later meshes with this rack. Further, a plurality of recesses are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on the lower surface of the guide shaft 205, and a pinch roller 206 is rotatably attached to each of these recesses. Note that the pinch roller 206 is urged downward by a spring (not shown). The other guide shaft 207 provided behind the guide shaft 205 is connected to the base 20 in parallel with the guide shaft 205.
Similarly, it is fixed to the side plates erected at both ends of 2. Similar to the guide shaft 205, recesses are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on its lower surface, and a paper pressing roller 208 is rotatably attached to each of these recesses. This paper pressing roller 208 is configured in the shape of a spur or a disk, and its circumferential end surface is coated with a water-repellent material such as fluororesin. As a result, the unfixed ink immediately after recording is transferred to the roller 2.
08 can be made difficult to adhere to.

The carrier 209 is connected to the guide shafts 205 and 2
It is slidably attached to 07. The bearing portion, which is the portion of the carrier 209 that engages with the guide shafts 205 and 207, has a shape in which a portion of its lower side is cut out. As a result, the portion of the carrier 209 that engages with the guide shafts 205 and 207 can be reduced, and the carrier 209 can be prevented from interfering with the conveyed recording paper. A motor mounting plate 209a is provided integrally with the carrier 209 on one side of the carrier 209, and a carrier motor 210 is fixed to the mounting plate 209a. carrier motor 210
A pinion gear 211 attached to the rotating shaft meshes with the rack 205a of the guide shaft 205. In the configuration described above, by rotating the motor 210 in the forward or reverse direction, the carrier 209 can reciprocate along the guide shafts 205 and 207.

The recording head cartridge 212 is an integral structure of a recording head 212H and an ink tank 212T, and can be detachably attached to the carrier 209. According to this configuration, when the ink tank runs out of ink, the print head cartridge can be replaced with a new one, and at this time, the print head is also replaced. The recording head used in this example uses thermal energy to generate bubbles in ink, and ejects ink based on the generation of the bubbles. The ejection ports of the recording head 212H are configured such that the ejection direction thereof is downward, and as described above,
and facing each other at a predetermined distance.

[0032] The flexible cable 213 is connected to the carrier 2
One end thereof is fixed to 09, and electrically connected to the recording head 212 via a contact portion (not shown). It is also electrically connected to the carrier motor 210. The flexible cable 213 has a loop formed at a predetermined position so that it can follow the movement of the carrier 209 and the vertical movement of the printer unit 2 as a whole, and the other end is connected to a control board 224 (FIG. 6) in the apparatus main body.

The paper feed roller 214 is arranged parallel to the guide shaft 205 with a predetermined distance therebetween. It is constructed by wrapping it around. Instead of wrapping rubber or the like, a material with a high coefficient of friction such as urethane may be applied thinly and uniformly. Roller shaft 21
5 is rotatably supported by side plates at both ends of the base 202, similar to the guide shafts 205 and 207. Paper ejection roller 2
17 is provided parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the guide shaft 207, and has the same configuration as the paper feed roller 214 described above. Like the roller shaft 215, the roller shaft 218 is also rotatably supported by the side plate of the base 202. The paper feed pulley 219 is fixed to the end of the roller shaft 215, and the paper discharge pulley 220 is fixed to the end of the roller shaft 218. A timing belt 221 is stretched between these pulleys 218 and 220. Furthermore, the paper feed motor 216 is attached to the end of the base 202, and its power is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 215 via a transmission mechanism (not shown).

According to the above configuration, the paper feed motor 216
The rotation of the paper feed roller 214 caused by the drive of the paper ejection roller 2
17. Here, the paper discharge roller 217 has an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the paper feed roller 214 so that the paper feed amount is several percent larger than that of the paper feed roller 214. By doing so, the recording paper is always pulled from the downstream side during conveyance of the recording paper, so that the conveyance is stabilized. In addition, instead of changing the diameter of the roller, the diameter of the pulley may be set to be slightly larger on the downstream side. Further, these rollers are set to have a weak conveying force on the downstream side, and are provided for the purpose of removing slack in the paper and discharging the trailing edge of the paper.

The aforementioned front case 222f is provided with a paper feed port 201f into which the recording paper 3 is inserted for paper feeding, and a portion of the front case 222f is attached to the base 202. In addition, guide rails 222a are provided in the vertical direction near both ends of each of the front case 222f and the rear case 222b for raising and lowering the entire printer unit. The printer lid 223 is attached to the front case 222f via a hinge so that it can be opened and closed, and the lid 223 can be opened when replacing the recording head cartridge.

In FIG. 6, a circuit board 224 has a CPU, peripheral IC, memory element, driver IC, etc. that executes control processing of the device mounted on its surface, and is housed in the device main body 101. . Further, a thin plate-shaped guide plate 101G is provided in a part of the apparatus main body 101, and the guide plate 101G has an R-shaped end surface so as to guide the recording paper 3 discharged after recording to the display surface. There is. upper cover 10
4 is closed, this guide plate 101G and the upper cover 10
A slit is provided in a corresponding portion of the upper cover 104 so as not to interfere with the upper cover 104. Note that the guide plate 10
1G may be configured to fall down in accordance with the operation of the upper cover 104, or may be configured to fall down in conjunction with the lowering of the printer unit 2.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the printer unit 2 is housed in the main body 101 of the apparatus. In this state, base 2
The ink absorber 204 is housed in the recess 02. Further, as described above, the vertical movement of the printer unit 2 is performed by a lever or a transmission mechanism (not shown) provided at the end of the unit 2.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a personal computer relating to a second embodiment of the present invention. Elements similar to those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted, and the same applies to each of the following embodiments.

Figure (A) shows the case where thick paper such as envelopes and postcards and relatively short recording paper are used.
At this time, the printer unit 2 is installed at the top of the apparatus main body 101, and the first paper feed port 10 provided in the main body 101
Insert the recording paper from 1c and the first paper output port 10 at the rear of the device.
Paper is ejected from 1e. At this time, the first paper feed port 101c
can also serve as a guide for positioning the recording paper in the horizontal direction, allowing the recording paper to be set smoothly.

[0040] In this way, when a postcard or the like having a relatively short length in the transport direction is used as recording paper, even when this recording paper is set, it does not cover the keyboard, so the recording operation is performed. During this time, operations using keys etc. can be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, since the recording paper transport path can be made straight, thick paper can also be transported satisfactorily.

The state shown in FIG. 8B shows a case where thin and long recording paper such as normal A4 size or letter paper is used. The paper is inserted through the second paper feed port 101d, is conveyed through a transport path that passes through the top of the board 224 inside the device, penetrates through the main body, and is discharged from the second paper discharge port 101f at the rear of the device. In this case as well, the keyboard 102 and the display section 10
Since there is no recording paper on the printer 3, various operations using the keyboard and display section are possible even during the recording operation.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are similar to FIGS. 8(A) and 8.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the state shown in FIG.

When the printer unit 2 is installed at the top of the apparatus main body 101 as shown in FIG. paper feed port 201f, paper discharge port 201
b and the paper discharge port 101e provided at the rear of the device. In addition, the printer unit 2 is connected to the device main body 10.
1, the recording paper transport path is as shown in Figure 1.
As shown in 0, the paper feed port 101d, the paper feed port 201f of the printer unit 2, its paper discharge port 201b, and the paper discharge port 101f provided at the rear of the apparatus are connected.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a mechanism for vertically moving the printer unit, which is different from that described above. That is, in this example, the printer unit 2 is moved up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the upper cover 104. Therefore, a drive gear 104e is fixed to the upper cover 104 coaxially with the axis of the hinge 104a of the upper cover 104, and an idle gear 104f and a pinion gear 104g are provided in the apparatus main body 101 to transmit the rotation of the drive gear 104e. Then, the pinion gear 104g and the rack 223b provided in the printer unit 2 are brought into mesh with each other. This allows the printer unit 2 to move up and down in response to opening and closing of the upper cover 104.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show still another example of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

In this example, the printer unit 2 has a spring 22
3s, and when the unit 2 is housed in the main body 101, it is locked by a lock lever 224 that can only rotate in one direction, and its upward movement is prevented. When moving the printer unit 2 upward, the button 225 is pressed down to rotate the lock lever 224 and release the lock. As a result, the printer unit 2 is activated by the spring 223s.
move upwards with the force of At this time, idle gear 10
4k is divided into two parts by a one-way clutch, and the drive gear 104e does not rotate. In addition, the upper cover 104
When closing the drive gear 104e, the rotation of the drive gear 104e is transferred to the rack 2 via the idle gear 104k and pinion gear 104g.
23b, whereby the printer unit 2 is lowered.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show still another example of the printer unit moving mechanism. In this embodiment, a motor 227 and a pinion gear 226 are provided,
The printer unit is moved up and down by electrical power.

FIG. 17 shows another example of the configuration of the printer unit. In the printer unit of this example, the upper half of the unit can be opened and closed, and the unit is divided into a paper feed port 201f and a paper discharge port 201b.
It will be held in According to this configuration, it is possible to easily handle paper jams, clean the platen surface, etc.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

In this example, a switching plate 228 is provided on the recording paper conveyance path connected to the paper feed port 101d, and the direction in which the recording paper is ejected can be arbitrarily selected by standing or tilting the switching plate 228. According to this, for example, the display section 10
When not performing operations while viewing 3, the recording paper is ejected from the paper ejection port 101g toward the display section, thereby saving space for ejecting the paper and making it easier to check the recording results. be able to.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an information processing apparatus that integrally includes various parts such as a printer has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, each part may be detachable, and when these parts are attached together to form an information processing apparatus similar to the above, they can be held together with a predetermined force and carried as a unit.

(Others) The present invention is particularly applicable to inkjet recording systems that include a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as the energy used to eject ink. The present invention provides excellent effects in a recording head and a recording apparatus that use the thermal energy to cause a change in the state of ink. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

For its typical configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, it is carried out using the basic principles disclosed in the '796 specification. This method is the so-called on-demand type.
It is applicable to both continuous types, but in particular, in the case of on-demand type, it is applicable to the electrothermal converter placed corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the liquid path. , by applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy to produce film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head. liquid (ink) that corresponds one-to-one to this drive signal.
This is effective because it can form air bubbles inside. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, making it possible to eject liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness. This pulse-shaped drive signal is described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat.
345262 are suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

[0054] In addition to the configuration of the recording head, which is a combination of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44 disclose a configuration in which a heat acting part is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a discharge opening that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The effects of the present invention are also effective even with a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1987 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the section. That is, regardless of the form of the print head, according to the present invention, printing can be performed reliably and efficiently.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have either a configuration in which the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, even in the case of a serial type as in the above example, the recording head is fixed to the main body of the apparatus, or by being attached to the main body of the apparatus, electrical connection with the main body of the apparatus and ink flow from the main body of the apparatus are possible. The present invention is also effective when using a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied with ink or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself.

Furthermore, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, since this further stabilizes the effects of the present invention. Specifically, these include heating the recording head using a capping means, a cleaning means, a pressure or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, a separate heating element, or a combination thereof. For example, there may be mentioned a pre-heating means for performing the ejection, and a pre-ejection means for ejecting other than recording.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one type that corresponds to a single color ink, there are also types and number of recording heads installed to correspond to a plurality of inks of different recording colors and densities. A plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode for only a mainstream color such as black, but may also be a recording mode in which the recording head is configured integrally or in a combination of multiple colors, Alternatively, the present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus equipped with at least one of the full-color recording modes using color mixing.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, may also be used. Generally speaking, in inkjet systems, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30°C or higher and 70°C or lower to keep the viscosity of the ink within a stable ejection range. Sometimes, ink in liquid form may be used. In addition, in order to actively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent ink from evaporating, it is possible to solidify and heat the ink when left standing. An ink that is liquefied by water may also be used. In any case, by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal, the ink is liquefied and the liquid ink is ejected, or the ink has already begun to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable when using ink that is liquefied for the first time. Ink in such cases is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-56847 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-71.
In a state where it is held as a liquid or solid in the porous sheet recesses or through holes, as described in Japanese Patent No. 260,
It may also be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0060]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by moving the recording unit integrated with the information processing device up and down, the recording unit can be installed at the top of the device, for example, during recording operation. , during non-recording operation, it can be stored within the apparatus by the above movement. Further, the recording direction in the recording section does not change due to such vertical movement. Further, when the recording section is installed at the top of the apparatus and performs a recording operation, the conveyance path of the recording medium can be made horizontal, for example, along the top surface of the apparatus.

Furthermore, by placing the recording section between the display section and the display section, the display section does not become an obstacle when performing operations related to the recording section, such as inserting a recording medium.

[0062] As a result, the information processing apparatus integrally provided with the recording section can be configured compactly, and the transportability of the recording medium in the recording section and the usability of the apparatus can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a word processor showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a printer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which the printer unit is installed above the apparatus in FIG. 4;

7 is a sectional view showing a state in which the printer unit in FIG. 4 is housed in the apparatus.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a word processor showing two usage examples in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 8(A).

FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 8(B).

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a vertical movement mechanism of a printer unit.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state in which the printer unit is housed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

14 is a sectional view showing another state of the printer unit in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

16 is a sectional view showing another state of the printer unit in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the printer unit.

18 is a perspective view of a word processor showing another modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the word processor shown in FIG. 18.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Printer unit 3 Recording paper 101　Device body 101c, 101d Paper feed slot 101e, 101f Paper outlet 102 Keyboard 103 Display section 104 Top cover 104e Drive gear 104f, 104k idler gear 104g pinion gear 201f Paper feed slot 201b Paper outlet 209 Career 212 Recording head cartridge 214 Paper feed roller 217 Paper ejection roller 202 Base 203 Rotating unit 223b rack 224 Lock lever 226 Pinion gear 227 Motor 228 Switching board

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device, comprising: an input section for inputting information; and a recording section capable of recording on a recording medium according to the information input by the input section;
An information processing device comprising: a moving mechanism capable of moving the recording unit in a vertical direction and holding it at a predetermined position. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information recorded by the recording unit includes information processed in the device. 3. In an information processing device, an input section for inputting information, a display section capable of displaying information input by the input section, and between the display section and the input section. a recording unit that is arranged and capable of recording on a recording medium according to information input by the input unit;
An information processing device characterized by comprising: 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the information recorded by the recording unit and the information displayed by the display unit include information processed in the device. 5. In an information processing device, an input section for inputting information, a display section capable of displaying information inputted by the input section, and between the display section and the input section. a recording unit that is arranged and capable of recording on a recording medium according to information input by the input unit;
An information processing device comprising: a moving mechanism capable of moving the recording unit in a vertical direction and holding it at a predetermined position. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the information recorded by the recording unit and the information displayed by the display unit include information processed in the device. 7. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the display section is provided on a cover member of the device, and the cover member is foldable. 8. An information processing device, comprising: an input section for inputting information; and a recording section capable of recording on a recording medium according to the information input by the input section;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a conveyance path for feeding a recording medium to a recording position by the recording section and/or discharging the recording medium from the recording position. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the information recorded by the recording section includes information processed in the device. 10. In an information processing device, an input section for inputting information, a display section capable of displaying information inputted by the input section, and a space between the display section and the input section. a recording section that is arranged and capable of recording on a recording medium according to information input by the input section; and a recording section for feeding the recording medium to a recording position by the recording section and/or the recording position. An information processing device comprising: a plurality of conveyance paths for discharging a recording medium from the recording medium. 11. The information processing device according to claim 10, wherein the information recorded by the recording unit and the information displayed by the display unit include information processed in the device. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of transport paths are located below the display section. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of transport paths is located below the display section and the input section. 14. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the recording section has an inkjet recording head, and records on a recording medium using ink ejected from the recording head. Device. 15. The inkjet recording head comprises:
15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein air bubbles are generated in the ink using thermal energy, and the ink is ejected as the air bubbles are generated.