JPH04282253A - Ink jet recording device and information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a device compact without restricting an ink quantity in an ink tank of an ink jet recording device. CONSTITUTION:Part of a recording head cartridge 102 consisting of a recording head 102a and an ink tank 102b formed in one piece is allowed to protrude from the upper case 101a of a printer 100 and data is recorded under this state. When recording process is not performed, the recording head cartridge 102 is removed from a carrier 103.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus and an information processing apparatus equipped with means for outputting information, such as a word processor, a personal computer, an electronic typewriter, and the like.

0002

[Prior Art] Inkjet recording devices (hereinafter also referred to as printers) and information processing devices equipped with the same,
Particularly from the viewpoint of personal use, small and thin devices that can be installed anywhere and do not require much installation space are becoming popular. These devices are called, for example, notebook type or laptop type, and have portability, and are provided as stand-alone printers, or as personal computers, word processors, etc. that are integrally equipped with a printer.

The printer is connected to, for example, a word processor or computer as part of an information processing system, and outputs information processed by these onto a recording medium such as recording paper. In addition, the above-mentioned personal computers, word processors, etc. as information processing devices include a device main body as an information processing section, a disk device as an external storage device, a display device as a display means including a liquid crystal display, etc.
It is integrally equipped with various devices such as a printer as an information output means, and a keyboard device for inputting information, operations, and control commands.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned printers or printers included in information processing apparatuses, inkjet type recording heads, in particular, those of a type that ejects ink using thermal energy, are increasingly being used. This type of recording head can be manufactured using semiconductor device manufacturing technology such as film formation technology, so it can be made relatively compact and inexpensive, and its ink ejection ports etc. can be configured with high density. It has various advantages such as being able to In addition, since the recording head can be realized particularly compactly and at low cost, it is possible to integrate the recording head with the ink tank and replace it with a new integrated recording head and ink tank when the ink tank runs out of ink. It is available in cartridge form.

[0005] In such a so-called print head cartridge that is integrated with a print head and an ink tank, the ink tank occupies most of its volume, and the ink capacity of the ink tank is determined depending on the life of the print head and other factors.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when the recording head cartridge described above is used in a relatively compact printer such as the above-mentioned notebook type or laptop type, or an information processing device integrally equipped with a printer, the configuration of these devices is The size of the ink tank of the print head cartridge is relatively large compared to each element. Therefore, the size of the ink tank is a major factor in determining the size of these devices. For example, when configuring a so-called serial type printer using a recording head cartridge, the width of this printer is
It is determined by the sum of the width of the recording paper used for recording and the length in the moving direction of the cartridge that moves within this width range, that is, the width of the ink tank, and the thickness of the printer is determined by the width of the ink tank. The length in the direction perpendicular to the direction (
thickness).

[0007] Therefore, when attempting to make a printer or an information processing apparatus equipped with a printer smaller and thinner, the first consideration is to reduce the amount of ink in the recording head cartridge. However, if the amount of ink is reduced, the print head will also have to be replaced with a new one while the print head still has some margin in its lifespan. For this reason, the cost of the recording head relatively increases, leading to an increase in the running cost of the printer or the information processing device.

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned viewpoint, and is intended to be used in a recording device (printer) or an information processing device using a recording head cartridge integrated with a recording head and an intactor without downsizing the ink tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording device and an information processing device equipped with information output means, which make it possible to reduce the size and thickness of these devices.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, in the present invention,
In an inkjet recording device that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a recording head that integrally includes a recording head for discharging ink and an ink storage member storing ink to be supplied to the recording head The apparatus is characterized by comprising a cartridge and a case member that forms the outer shell of the apparatus and has an opening through which at least a portion of the recording head cartridge can protrude to the outside.

[0010] More preferably, the inkjet recording apparatus further comprises mounting means for removably mounting the recording head cartridge on the apparatus.

[0011] Alternatively, the inkjet recording device may include:
The recording head cartridge is characterized in that it further includes a storage means for storing the recording head cartridge in the case member.

[0012] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus is capable of recording on a recording medium, and includes an input means for inputting information, a display means for displaying information, and an information processing apparatus for performing the recording. an information output means comprising a recording head and an ink storage member, and a member having an opening through which at least a part of the information output means can protrude to the outside, forming the outer shell of the apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a case member.

[0013]

[Operation] According to the above structure, the recording head cartridge in which the recording head and the ink storage member are integrated can be provided in a state that protrudes from the case member of the apparatus. Settings can be made freely without being restricted by the size of the device.

In addition to this configuration, the recording head cartridge can be detached from the apparatus or housed inside the apparatus, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and thickness of the apparatus equipped with the recording head cartridge.

[0015]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a printer showing a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side.

In FIG. 1, an upper case 101a, a lower case 101b, and a lid 112 constitute the case members of the printer 100. The edge of the lid 112 is connected to the upper case 101a.
This allows for opening and closing operations between the open state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the closed state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the lid 112 is closed, for example, a convex fitting member is provided on the other edge opposite to the edge that is pivotally supported by the upper case 101a. By fitting into the concave fitting member, the lid 112 is fixed to the upper case 101a. Above-mentioned upper case 101a
The case members extend in a direction perpendicular to the drawing so that they can cover the entire mechanism of the printer 100.

Reference numeral 102 designates the aforementioned recording head cartridge, and this recording head cartridge 102 includes:
It is configured to integrally include a chip-shaped recording head 102a and an ink tank 102b as an ink storage member. A recording paper 110 is placed on the surface where the ejection ports of the recording head 102a are provided.
For example, 64 ink ejection ports (not shown) are arranged in the direction in which the ink is conveyed (the left-right direction in FIG. 1), and eject ink downward in the figure onto the recording paper 110 as a recording medium. This ink ejection is performed using thermal energy generated by electrothermal transducers provided in respective ink paths (not shown) communicating with each ejection port when electric pulses are applied according to print data. The recording head cartridge 102 is removably mounted on the carrier 103 by a mounting means (not shown). This installation is done on the lid 112.
This is done by opening the opening and inserting the recording head cartridge 102 into the carrier 103 through the opening formed by this opening.

The carrier 103 has a lead screw 10 which also serves as a guide shaft for the carrier 3 near one end thereof.
4, and also engages with a guide shaft 105 provided parallel to the lead screw 104 near the other end. Lead screw 104 and guide shaft 105
both extend over the range of movement of the carrier 103. The engagement between the carrier 103 and the lead screw 104 is achieved by the engagement between a lead groove (not shown) formed on the lead screw 104 and an engagement member (not shown) provided on the carrier 103, and , career 1
The carrier 103 is engaged with the guide shaft 105 so that the carrier 103 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the guide shaft 105 and slidable in the direction of the guide shaft 105. In the above configuration, the lead screw 104 is rotationally driven by a carrier motor (not shown), so that the carrier 103 can be moved within the above movement range. In this movement, the carrier 103 can reciprocate by switching the rotational direction of the carrier motor, and as a result, the recording head cartridge 103 attached to the carrier 103 moves in the forward direction or in the forward and backward directions. Ink can be ejected from the recording head 102a onto the recording paper 110 to record characters, images, etc. Although not shown, a known ejection recovery mechanism is provided at the end of the movement range of the print head cartridge 102 to ensure that the print head 102a always performs good ejection.

During the movement of the recording head cartridge 102, a part of the recording head cartridge 102 opens the opening 10 formed in the cover member 101a of this printer 100 by opening the lid 112 (rotating around the hinge 112a).
It protrudes outward from the cover member 101a via 1b. Note that this opening 101b is provided along the entire width of the recording paper conveyance path. In addition, when the printer of this example is not recording, such as when being carried around or stored in a predetermined place, the recording head cartridge 102 is removed from the carrier 103 and is installed in a part of the lower part 111 of the printer 100, so that the recording head cartridge 102 can be removed from the carrier 103. It is stored in a storage area equipped with a cap for capping. This capping makes it possible to prevent the ink from increasing in viscosity even when the recording head cartridge 102 is stored.

Note that this lower part 111 originally controls the ink ejection by the recording head 102a and the operations of various parts associated therewith by transmitting and receiving various signals to and from the host device and processing these signals. circuit board 1 for
15 is a part that is housed, and is constructed to be relatively thin. For this reason, the recording head cartridge 102 housed in a part of this portion is designed to be thin in accordance with the configuration of the housing portion so as not to impair the slimness of the printer 100. In this case, the amount of ink that the ink tank 102b must store is equal to the reduced thickness of the ink tank 102b, for example, the length in the longitudinal direction, that is, when the print head cartridge is installed as shown in FIG. This can be ensured by increasing the height at which the ink tank 102b projects from the case 101a.

In this manner, during recording, the recording head cartridge 102 is attached to the cover member (101a) of the printer.
By making the ink tank 1 protrude more outwardly and having a structure that allows it to be attached and detached when not printing, the ink tank 1 can be removed without considering the thickness of the printer 100.
The size, shape, etc. of 02b can be determined relatively freely. This makes it possible to record the amount of ink tank in the print head cartridge without being constrained by the miniaturization and thinness of information processing devices such as laptop-type or notebook-type printers and word processors with built-in printers. It can be appropriately determined depending on the life of the head, etc. For example, if the size of the printer is the same as the printer 100 shown in FIG. In such a case, the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is small, and as mentioned above, the print head and ink tank will have to be replaced while the print head has a relatively long lifespan. This will lead to an increase in costs. On the other hand, when the present invention is applied, it is possible to make the printer smaller and thinner, and at the same time, it becomes possible to use an extra amount of ink corresponding to the shaded area in Figure 1, and the size of the ink tank can be increased. The length can be made to correspond to the life span of the recording head, etc.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are side views, partially in cross section, of a personal computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(A) is a side view of a personal computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view showing the lid in a folded state;
FIG. 3(B) is a perspective view of the printer unit when it is used. In these figures, elements similar to those shown in FIG. 1 are designated with the leading digit "2" instead of "1", and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. The same applies to each of the following examples.

As is clear from these figures, the personal computer 220 of this embodiment includes a keyboard 216 for inputting various data and control commands, a disk unit 215 as an external storage device, and information processed in the device of this embodiment. The apparatus main body 201 mainly includes a display unit 213 and a printer unit 200 for displaying and recording, respectively, and a control unit therein for executing data processing for controlling the operations of the above-mentioned parts.

The display unit 213 is incorporated into a lid 214 that constitutes a part of the case of a personal computer 220, and the printer unit 200 is also a part of the lid 214 and is located along the lower edge of the display unit 213. It is configured below. When carrying or storing the personal computer 220, or when not recording even if the personal computer 220 is operated,
), the recording head cartridge 202 of the printer unit 200 is detached from the carrier 203, and the range in which these cartridges move is covered by a lid 212. Then, the detached recording head cartridge is attached to the main body 2 of the apparatus.
It is stored in a predetermined part of 01. For storage, the device is capped with a predetermined cap, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.

When using the printer unit 200 to record information processed by the personal computer 220, as shown in FIG. 2(B) and FIG. While opening to the side, the recording head cartridge 202 is taken out from the storage section and mounted on the carrier 203. At this time, a portion of the recording head cartridge 202 protrudes outward from a line extending from the frame 213f of the display unit 213 provided on the lid 214. In this state, the recording head cartridge 20
2 moves back and forth along the lower edge of the display unit 213, during which ink is ejected from the recording head onto the recording paper 210, and characters, images, etc. are recorded. According to this recording operation, the recording paper 210 is moved to the paper feed guide 212.
From there, through the recording section by the recording head, the display unit 2
13 is conveyed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 201 at the rear.

With the above configuration, FIG.
As shown in (A), the personal computer 220 can be made compact by folding the lid 214, and a recording head cartridge equipped with an ink tank capable of storing an amount of ink that is not restricted by this compactness is used as in the first embodiment. Obtainable.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is a partial cross-section of a personal computer in which an automatic paper feeder is installed on the back side of the display unit. FIG.

In FIG. 4, the paper feeder 330 is connected to the lid 314.
The display unit 313 is attached to the side opposite to the side where the display unit 313 is provided by an attachment mechanism (not shown). The recording paper 310 stacked on the tray 333 is separated one by one by a paper feed roller 331 and sent out. The recording paper being sent out is guided by a guide 332 and guided to a paper feed roller of the printer unit 300.

When the automatic paper feeding device 330 is attached to the lid 314 and used, the lid 314 is held in a position tilted at a predetermined angle toward the front of the device, as shown in FIG. As a result, the ejection path of the recording paper from the printer unit 300 toward the paper ejection tray 312A tends to be downward, so that the recording paper can be ejected well.

The paper discharge tray 312A has the same function as the lid 212 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. That is, when the printer unit 300 is not used, the recording head cartridge 302 is removed from the carrier 303, and the entire surface of the printer unit 300 and display unit 313 is covered by the paper output tray 312A. In this case, since the paper ejection tray 312A is made of a transparent material, even if it is configured to overlap the display unit 313, there is no problem with the operator viewing the display section of the display unit 313. When using the printer unit 300,
The paper ejection tray 312A is opened as shown by arrow A in the figure so as to cover the entire surface of the keyboard 216. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent problems such as the recording paper 310 to be discharged getting caught on the operation keys and the recording paper not being properly discharged.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams showing each state of a personal computer for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5(A) and (B)
are sectional views showing the opened and closed states of the lid forming the case member, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the state where the lid is opened and recording is being performed, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the personal computer of this example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration when the recording head cartridge is at the home position. below,
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

The recording head cartridge 402 of this example is as follows:
It is not configured to be removed from the carrier 403 as in each of the above embodiments, but is housed within the device main body 401. FIG. 5(B) shows the state in which the recording head cartridge 402 is housed.
Shown below. FIG. 5(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the personal computer viewed from the side of the device. In this state, the recording head cartridge 402 is at the home position at the end of its movement range as shown in FIG. It is stored in the device main body 401 at the bottom of the corresponding storage hole 411A. This storage operation is performed in conjunction with the closing operation of the lid 414. That is, when the recording head cartridge 402 moves to the home position corresponding to the storage hole 411A as shown in FIG. 7, the cap holder 408 rotates as will be described later in FIG. Capping the surface where the ink ejection ports are provided. Along with this capping of the cap 408C, the carrier 403 and the recording head cartridge 402 attached thereto also rotate counterclockwise, as will be described later in FIG.
is confronted with. This state is shown in FIG. 5(A). At the same time, the guide shaft 405 is moved in the axial direction by a cam mechanism (not shown) or the like to release the engagement with the carrier 403.

When the lid 414 is folded from the state shown in FIG. 5A, the recording head cartridge 402 moves together with the lid 414 and is stored in the apparatus main body 401 through the storage hole 411A. Furthermore, the lead screw 404 rotates a predetermined amount in response to this storage, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 5(B).

In the device shown in FIG. 5A, the recording head cartridge 402 is at the home position.
It is also a state in which the printer unit is not used, that is, other operations are performed without performing a recording operation. At this time, the recording head cartridge 402 is inserted into the recess 4.
By being located within 14R, this can be prevented from interfering with the operator's operation of the keyboard, etc. Further, at this home position, ink can be sucked by a suction mechanism (not shown) via a suction tube 408P provided on the cap holder 408.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus viewed from the side when performing a recording operation. When performing a recording operation, the carrier 403 and the recording head cartridge 402 attached thereto reciprocate through the scanning hole 411B shown in FIG. 7, and can sequentially record characters, images, etc. on the recording paper 410. can.

In this way, by configuring the recording head cartridge to protrude from the case member forming the outer shell of the apparatus main body, it is possible to obtain a recording head cartridge that is not restricted by the size of the case member, as in each of the above embodiments. This allows the amount of ink stored in the ink tank to be appropriate depending on the lifespan of the recording head and the like. In other words, the entire device can be made smaller and thinner without considering the size of the recording head cartridge, which is a relatively large element in the device.

Note that in order to change from the state shown in FIG. 5A to the state of recording operation shown in FIG. By rotating the lead screw 404 in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the lead screw 404 for
03 clockwise rotation. As the carrier 403 rotates, the guide shaft 405 rotates the lead screw 4.
It moves in the axial direction and engages with the carrier 403 by the above-mentioned cam mechanism operated by the rotation of the carrier 403.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams for explaining the capping operation and the rotating operation of the recording head cartridge at the home position described above. 8C is a view of the recording head cartridge at the home position seen from the rear and left side of the apparatus, respectively, and FIG. 8C is a view of the recording head cartridge moving from the home position to the recording position viewed from the front of the apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, as the carrier 403 and the recording head cartridge 402 mounted thereon move to the home position,
A cam member 403C provided integrally with the carrier 403 engages with one end 408A of the cap holder 408. The cap holder 408 is rotatably supported by the end of the lead screw 404, and is biased clockwise in FIG. 8B by a biasing mechanism (not shown) such as a spring. When the cam member 403C and the one end 408A of the cap holder 408 are engaged, the one end 408A is pushed down by the cam member 403C as the carrier 403 moves, and the cap holder 408 is moved against the biasing force as shown in FIG.
(B) Gradually rotate counterclockwise. This allows the cap 408 provided at the other end of the cap holder 408 to
C caps the surface of the print head cartridge 402 where the ink ejection ports are provided. At a position corresponding to this capping position, the lead screw 404
The lead groove is the end. When the lead screw 404 is further rotated from this state, the carrier 403 and the recording head cartridge 402 are rotated as shown in FIG.
(B) Rotates counterclockwise in the middle, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 5(A).

When the recording head cartridge 402 moves from this home position to the recording position, the carrier 403 and the recording head cartridge 402 are first moved to the position shown in FIG. B) While rotating clockwise, the guide shaft 405 moves in the opposite direction to the above and engages with the guide groove of the carrier 403. Further, when the lead screw 404 is rotated in the same direction, the carrier 403
starts moving, and the cam member 403C and the cap holder 4
08 is gradually disengaged from one end 408A. At the same time, the cap holder 408 releases the cap, and enters the state shown in FIG. 8(C) or FIG. 6.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a printer section of a personal computer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side of the device.

This example is a modification of the fourth example, and the shape of the recording head cartridge 502 is different from that of the main body 501 of the apparatus.
It is wedge-shaped to match the shape of the storage section configured inside. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the dead space within the apparatus main body and maximize the capacity of the ink tank in the print head cartridge.

The recording head cartridge described in the fourth and fifth embodiments is also configured to be detachably attached to the carrier, and to be replaced with a new one when the ink runs out. Of course. (Others) In particular, the present invention is an inkjet recording method that includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, This provides excellent effects in recording heads and recording apparatuses that use energy to cause changes 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 can be applied to any continuous type, but in particular, in the case of an on-demand type, recording is performed on an electrothermal transducer placed corresponding to the sheet holding the recording liquid or the liquid path. At least one drive signal is applied that corresponds to the information and provides a rapid temperature rise above nucleate boiling. This causes the electrothermal transducer to generate thermal energy, causing film boiling on the heat-active surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles can be formed in the recording liquid within the ejection port that corresponds one-to-one to this drive signal. Therefore, it is valid. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes the recording liquid to be ejected through the ejection port 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. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable. In addition,
U.S. Patent No. 4 for the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 313124 are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

[0046] In addition to the configuration of the recording head that 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 hole 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. 138461/1985 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge section. That is, regardless of the form of the recording head, according to the present invention, recording 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.

Further, 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, it is possible to provide a preliminary heating means for carrying out the recording, or to provide a preliminary ejection means for carrying out a discharge 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 numbers of recording heads installed to correspond to multiple 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 explained as a liquid, but for example, an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, but softens or liquefies at room temperature, may be used. In any case, the ink may be liquefied by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal, and the liquid ink may be ejected, or the ink may already begin to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium.
The present invention is also applicable when using ink that liquefies only upon application of thermal energy.

In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying machine combined with a reader, etc., and a facsimile machine having a transmission/reception function. It may also take a form.

[0053]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the recording head cartridge in which the recording head and the ink storage member are integrated can be provided in a state that projects from the case member of the apparatus. In particular, the ink amount of the ink storage member can be set freely without being restricted by the size of the device.

In addition to this configuration, the recording head cartridge can be detached from the apparatus or housed inside the apparatus, so that the apparatus equipped with the recording head cartridge can be made smaller and thinner.

Furthermore, it is possible to downsize information processing devices such as printers, personal computers, and word processors, and it is also possible to provide information output means of a size that is not restricted by this downsizing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of a personal computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are perspective views of a personal computer according to a second embodiment, with the lid folded and the lid opened, respectively; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a personal computer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views partially showing a printer section of a personal computer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 5 showing another state of the printer section of the fourth embodiment.
It is a sectional view similar to.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a personal computer according to a fourth embodiment.

8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams showing the states of the carrier and the recording head cartridge at the home position in the printer section of the fourth embodiment, respectively, viewed from three directions.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view partially showing a printer section of a personal computer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200, 300 Printer 101a Upper case 101b Lower case 201, 301, 401, 501 Device main body 102,
202, 302, 402, 502 Recording head cartridge 130, 203, 303, 403, 503 Carrier 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 Lead screw 105, 205, 305, 405, 505 Guide shaft 112, 212, 312A Lid

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, in which a recording head for discharging ink and an ink storage member storing ink to be supplied to the recording head are integrated. The apparatus is characterized by comprising: a recording head cartridge provided with the apparatus; and a case member forming an outer shell of the apparatus, the member having an opening through which at least a part of the recording head cartridge can protrude to the outside. Inkjet recording device. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mounting means for removably mounting the recording head cartridge on the apparatus. 3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the recording head cartridge in the case member. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head generates bubbles in the ink using thermal energy, and ejects the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. inkjet recording device. 5. An information processing device capable of recording on a recording medium, comprising an input means for inputting information, a display means for displaying information, and a recording head for performing the recording. an information output means including an ink storage member; and a case member forming an outer shell of the apparatus, the member having an opening through which at least a part of the information output means can protrude to the outside. An information processing device characterized by: 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, further comprising mounting means for detachably mounting the recording head and the ink storage member on the device. . 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising storage means for storing the recording head cart and the ink storage member in the case member. 8. The information output means is provided in the device and is housed in the case member in response to a closing operation of a lid forming a lid member of the device, and protrudes in response to the opening operation. The information processing device according to claim 7. 9. The recording head according to claim 5, wherein the recording head generates bubbles in the ink using thermal energy, and ejects the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. information processing equipment.