JPH04288261A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute a simple and small-sized recording apparatus. CONSTITUTION:The recording paper 40 fed by a feed roller 207b and a pinch roller 203B is gradually fed to the right by a recording head 209a. After recording is entirely completed, the recording paper 40 is discharged to the region almost directly under the recording head 209a while the rear end thereof is guided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording paper transport system for transporting recording paper in the apparatus.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art This type of recording paper transport system in a recording apparatus generally includes a transport roller for transporting the recording paper to a recording area by a recording head, and a transport roller for regulating the recording surface of the recording paper in the recording area. The printer includes a platen for recording, and a paper discharge roller for discharging the recorded paper from the recording area. In addition, the conveyance roller and paper ejection roller are generally equipped with pinch rollers, spurs, etc. in order to press the recording paper against these rollers so that the friction force between these rollers and the recording paper causes the conveyance. It is true. Furthermore, there is also a configuration in which the conveyance roller also functions as a platen.

A conventional example of a recording paper conveyance system will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the main parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 excluding the case, etc., and FIGS. 10 and 11 are similar views. 8 is a diagram showing a recording paper conveyance system of the apparatus shown in FIG.

[0005] In FIG. 8, 100 indicates an inkjet recording device, and this device 100 is used either when it is mounted as shown in the figure, or when it is used when it is mounted vertically as will be described later. In some cases, it is relatively small.

101 is a device case, 102 is an outer cover, 10
3 is an inner lid, and when not in use, the outer lid 102 is folded and overlapped on the inner lid 103, making the device 100 compact. This allows the user to carry the recording device, for example, by putting it in a predetermined storage bag.

The outer cover 102 can also be used as a paper feed guide for the recording paper 40, as shown in the figure, and in this case, 106 in the figure becomes a paper feed port. Furthermore, the outer lid 102
can also be used as a paper ejection tray, as will be described later.

In any of the above cases, reference numeral 107 in the figure serves as a paper discharge port.

Reference numeral 105 indicates a hook for fixing the position of the upper lid 102, and reference numeral 104 indicates an operation key, a display section, and the like.

Next, the configuration of the main parts of the apparatus will be explained with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a chassis, which includes a left side plate 1a and a right side plate 1 which also serve as guides for recording media such as paper.
b are erected at predetermined positions on the left and right sides of the device, respectively. Further, a motor mounting hole for rotatably supporting a carrier motor, which will be described later, is provided at the rear left end of the chassis 1, but is not shown.

Reference numeral 1h designates a lead arm that is disposed at the left end of the device and supports a lead screw, which will be described later, in its axial and radial directions. A lead screw 2 extends in the left-right direction at approximately the center of the device, and has lead grooves 2a formed at a predetermined pitch. Further, near the left end of the lead screw 2, a position groove 3b is formed for setting the position of the carrier when performing capping and ejection recovery processing for the recording head. The position groove 3b is formed along a cross section perpendicular to the screw axis so that the carrier does not move from this position. Lead groove 2a and position groove 3
b is smoothly continuous with the introduction groove 3c.

A shaft 2g is provided at the right end of the lead screw 2, and a predetermined shaft is also provided at the left end, each of which is fitted into a bearing portion provided in a horizontal groove of the front plate 1c and one end of the lead arm 1h. , are rotatably supported by each. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lead pulley portion including the grooves 3b and 3c and provided on the shaft of the lead screw 2, and a pulley 3a is provided at the end thereof. The rotational driving force of the motor 11 is transmitted to the lead screw 2 via the timing belt 13 stretched around the pulley 3a.

The shaft 2g provided at the right end of the lead screw 2 is slidably engaged with the lateral groove of the chassis right side plate 1b and the guide plate 1c provided continuously on the chassis 1, and is provided on the right side of the device. Holding part 10 of the flat spring 10
It is pressed in the thrust direction by a. Along with this, axis 2
g further engages with a cam groove of a cam groove plate 50a rotatably supported by a shaft provided on the guide plate 1c. Engaging teeth are formed around the cam groove plate 50a, and by engaging with the ratchet portion 10c of the leaf spring 10, the cam groove plate 50a can be latched at a desired rotational position. As a result, the position of the shaft 2g that engages with the cam groove is determined in the lateral groove of the guide plate 1c, and therefore the position of the lead screw 2 at the right end of the device in the longitudinal direction of the device is determined.

[0015] This configuration is used for adjusting the gap between the recording head and the platen.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a clutch gear provided near the left end of the lead screw 2, and is supported slidably in the axial direction with respect to the lead pulley portion 3, and in the rotation direction, a clutch gear provided on the lead pulley portion 3 By engaging with each other, the rotational force of the lead screw 2 is transmitted. A clutch spring 5 is a compression spring, and urges the clutch gear 4 toward the right side of the device, that is, in the direction in which the lead groove is provided. In addition, clutch gear 4
A regulating member is formed between the clutch gear 4 and the lead pulley portion 3 so that the clutch gear 4 only moves within a predetermined range in the axial direction.

6 is a carrier, and the lead screw 2
can be slidably attached to. 6a is a pressing portion for pressing the end face of the clutch gear 4, and is integrally formed on the left side of the carrier. A lead pin 7 is engaged with the lead groove 2a of the lead screw 2, and its pressing direction is guided by a guide hole (not shown) in the carrier 6. A lead pin spring 8 has one end attached to the carrier 6 and presses the lead pin 7 with the other end.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a recording head mounted on the carrier 6, and in this example, a cartridge is provided that is removably mountable to the carrier 6 by integrating a head element 9a for ejecting ink and an ink tank 9b serving as an ink supply source. The head element 9a and the ink tank 9b can be replaced together when the ink is consumed. Note that an electrothermal transducer or an electromechanical transducer is used as the ejection energy generating element disposed in the head element 9a to apply ejection energy to the ink, but it is possible to implement high-density mounting of ink ejection ports, etc. The former is preferably used due to the fact that the manufacturing process is simple and the manufacturing process is simple.

A hook 6c is fixed to a part of the carrier 6, and is a mechanism used to stably stop the carrier 6 at a position such as the cap of the recording head 9 during movement as will be described later.

A carrier guide shaft 51 is slidably engaged with a guide pin 6b provided at the rear end of the carrier 6. The guide shaft 51 has an eccentric shaft 51a, and these shafts 51a are connected to a side plate 51 provided at the end of the chassis 1.
It is rotatably supported by b and 51c. Further, the end of the shaft 51a that is supported by the side plate 51c is fixed to the positioning knob 51d. As a result, the knob 51
The rotational position of the shaft 51 can be determined by the engagement between the protrusion 510d provided at d and the hole 51e provided at the side plate 51c.

Furthermore, in FIG. 9, 11 is, for example,
This is a carrier motor consisting of a pulse motor, and rotary pins 11a are provided in alignment at the lower part of the front and rear surfaces of the carrier motor, and these rotary pins 11a (the ones on the rear surface are not shown) It is rotatably attached to a motor attachment hole provided in a recovery system base 50 that is movable thereon. Of course, the rotating pin is a recovery base 5
0 and the mounting hole may be mounted on the motor side. Then, the carrier motor 11 rotates the rotation pin 11
It is attached so that it can rotate around a. 11b
The spring support is formed integrally with the carrier motor 11, and is erected in parallel with the motor shaft to receive a motor spring 14, which will be described later. A cylindrical projection is formed in the spring receiving portion, and an end portion of the coiled motor spring 14 is fixed thereto.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a motor pulley, which is fixed to the motor shaft of the carrier motor 11. 13 is a timing belt, which includes a motor pulley 12 and a lead screw 2.
It is stretched between a pulley 3a provided on the shaft of. The motor spring 14 is a compression spring in the configuration of this example, and is attached between one end of the lead arm 1h and the spring receiver 11b of the carrier motor 11, thereby causing the carrier motor 11 to move in the direction A in the figure. This applies tension to the timing belt 13.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a set shaft, which is installed upright on a side plate (not shown) that is fixed to the base 50, and is equipped with means for improving the discharge port formation surface, a cap, and a so-called recovery system mechanism related to discharge recovery. It will be done.

Further, in FIG. 9, reference numeral 36 denotes a paper feed roller extending parallel to the lead screw 2, and conveys a recording medium such as recording paper in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording head 9 is scanned. The paper feed roller 36 is, for example, coated with elastic paint (urethane resin, etc.) on the surface of a drawn aluminum tube.
It can be formed by applying acrylic resin, etc.), and its interior serves as a storage section for waste ink. Reference numeral 37 denotes a waste ink absorbing section provided inside the roller 36, which is constructed by filling a thin tube made of plastic such as vinyl chloride with an absorbing material such as polyester cotton so that it can absorb ink well in the axial direction.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a paper press plate which can be made of, for example, fluorocarbon resin, carbon fiber mixed material, etc., and is divided into four parts and attached to the chassis 1, as detailed in FIG. Further, a gear 38B is fixed to one end of the shaft 38A for releasing the pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38, and the other end engages with a bearing 38C that pivotally supports the shaft 38A. The bearing 38C is fixed to the chassis 1. Note that a gear portion of the release lever meshes with the gear 38B, but is not shown here. Reference numeral 39 denotes a paper feed motor, which is connected to the paper feed roller 36 via a speed reduction mechanism with a predetermined ratio.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the recording paper conveyance system of the apparatus of this example.

As shown in FIG. 10, the recording paper is inserted through the paper feed port 106 while being guided by the outer cover 102. The inserted recording paper is conveyed by a paper feed roller 36 and a pinch roller 42 along a conveyance path constituted by a paper pan 41 and a paper feed roller 36. Here, the pinch roller 42 is rotatably supported by a member (not shown) and is pressed toward the paper feed roller by an elastic member (not shown). Further, the recording paper is pushed by the paper feed roller 3 caused by the pressure from the paper pressing plate 38.
It is transported to the recording area by the transport force of 6. During this conveyance, the conveyance direction of the recording paper is regulated by the paper press plate 38. When the recording paper reaches the front surface of the platen 43, recording is performed on its recording surface in accordance with the scanning of the recording head 9. Repeating this scanning of the recording head 9 and feeding the paper by a predetermined amount,
During this time, the recording paper is conveyed between the paper ejection roller 60 and the spur 61, and is gradually ejected from the paper ejection port 107.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the above-mentioned paper ejection system in detail. As described above, the paper ejection roller 60 is provided above the apparatus and ejects the recorded recording paper, and the spur 61 applies pressing force to the recording paper conveyed by the paper ejection roller 60 to eject the recording paper. Regulates direction and generates conveying force.

62 is a paper discharge roller 60 and a paper feed roller 3.
This is a transmission roller disposed at an intermediate portion between the paper feed roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 60 for transmitting the rotation of the paper feed roller 36 to the paper discharge roller 60. These rotations are transmitted by frictional force caused by mutual contact. The paper ejection roller 60 has a cylindrical shape with different radii at both ends and a middle portion, and the transmission roller 62
contacts the intermediate portion of the paper ejection roller 60 with the smaller diameter. Therefore, both ends of the larger diameter where the recording paper is transported are
It rotates at a peripheral speed slightly higher than the peripheral speed of the paper feed roller 36. As a result, the recording paper has to be dragged and conveyed when it is ejected.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the support mechanism of the spur 61 in detail. In the figure, 61A is a shaft made of a coil spring that passes through the center of the spur 61 and extends on both sides thereof, and is rotatably engaged with the spur 61. Reference numeral 103B is a shaft supporting member that pivotally supports both ends of the rotating shaft 61A, and is formed as a part of the inner lid 103 shown in FIG. Shaft support material 1
03B supports the shaft 61A so as to be slidable in the axial direction thereof. 103C is a regulating member for regulating the movement of the spur 61 in the direction of the rotation axis and in a direction perpendicular thereto;
provided on both sides of the The regulating member 103C is also the shaft supporting member 10.
Like 3B, it is formed as a part of the inner lid 103.

With the above configuration, the shaft 61A pivotally supports the spur 61 and obtains a pressing force of the spur 61 against the paper ejection roller 60 by its bending elastic force.

The inner lid 103 has a spring member 103A at its rear end, as shown in FIG. 11, and receives a pressing force toward the paper ejection roller due to a reaction with the case 101. The spur 61 applies an appropriate pressing force to the paper ejection roller 60 due to the interaction between this pressing force and the elastic force of the rotating shaft 61A.

Furthermore, as the inner cover 103 receives the above-mentioned pressing force, the fixing member 1 of the inner cover 103 is fixed as shown in FIG.
03D and the rotating shaft 60C of the paper ejection roller 60 are securely engaged. As a result, the positional relationship between the spur 61 and the paper discharge roller 60 is always kept constant. Alternatively, by abutting and fixing the rotating shaft 60C against a hooking member, a precise relationship can be maintained regardless of the precision of the inner lid.

In the transmission roller 62, the rotary shaft 62A made of a coil spring has the same function, and the elastic force of the shaft 62A causes the paper feed roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 60 to
The contact force is obtained.

Next, a case where the above-described conventional ink jet recording apparatus is used in an upright position will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

When the apparatus is used in an upright position, there are cases where it is used together with an auto feeder 200 as shown in these figures, and where thick paper such as envelopes is fed from the paper feed port on the back side of the apparatus.

In the case of ordinary recording paper using an auto feeder, the upper lid 102 can be used as a stacker for the discharged recording paper. At this time, the top cover 102 as shown in FIG. 8 is fixed at a different angle from when used as a paper guide for feeding paper.

The conditions for using the upper lid 102 as a stacker are as follows.

That is, the ejected recording paper is conveyed through the air to some extent by its own strain strength, and the position where it first contacts the top cover 102 or the already stacked recording paper is near the upper end 102A of the top cover 102. . As a result, only the leading edge of the ejected recording paper slides on the stacked recording paper, etc., and sliding can be avoided as much as possible, preventing stains on the recording paper from unfixed ink. It can be prevented.

For this purpose, the upper end 102A is located in the paper ejection direction, that is, in this example, near the common tangent between the paper feed roller 36 and the paper ejection roller 60, and the lower end 102A
The requirement is that 2B is down.

Further, when the trailing edge of the recording paper stopped on the upper end portion 102A is completely discharged, it is lowered at that position and stacked without sliding.

For this purpose, the length of the top cover 102 in the paper ejection direction (the length from the top end 102A to the bottom end 102B) is a requirement, and recording paper that is commonly used is used.
When the paper is ejected almost horizontally as in this example, its length is 60% to 90%, more preferably 70% to 90%, of the length of the recording paper.
It becomes 80%.

[0043] Note that if the configuration of the recording apparatus or the usage conditions are different and the paper ejection direction is different from the above, the length of the stacker may be determined while taking the above first requirement into consideration.

[0044] Furthermore, 10 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14
Reference numeral 8 denotes an entrainment prevention piece that can prevent stacked recording sheets from entering the paper feed port 106.

[0045]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] As explained above,
Most recording devices are equipped with a conveyance roller, a platen, a paper ejection roller, etc., regardless of the conveyance path for the recording paper, which ensures that the recording paper is conveyed smoothly to the recording section. Moreover, the structure is such that the operation of discharging from this can be performed automatically.

However, for example, when attempting to construct an inexpensive recording apparatus whose recording quality is within an acceptable range, the above-described configuration is not necessarily required.

[0047]Also, there are devices in which the conveyance roller functions as both a platen and a paper ejection roller, but in such a case, the recording paper conveyance path has a curvature, and the diameter of the conveyance roller increases accordingly. . As a result, it becomes difficult to downsize the device.

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned viewpoints, and its purpose is to reduce the number of components of the device as much as possible, to make the structure simple, and to record while maintaining a predetermined quality. The object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that can perform the following operations.

[0049]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, in the present invention,
A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, comprising a recording head having a recording element for performing the recording, and a conveyance means for conveying the recording medium to a recording area facing the recording element of the recording head. The recording medium is characterized in that when the recording medium recorded by the recording head is discharged, the rear end of the recording medium can be discharged to an area substantially facing the recording element of the recording head.

[0050]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, the recording medium transported to the recording area by the transport means is gradually discharged while being recorded by the recording head, and when the recording medium is recorded on the trailing edge and is discharged, the trailing edge is is discharged by falling naturally to a lower area facing the recording head, for example.

[0051]

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

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. The outer contour of the inkjet recording apparatus 200 of this example is formed by a case member 202. The front of the device 200 (
A paper feed port 220 for feeding recording paper 40 is opened in the case member 202 (on the opposite side of the apparatus in FIG. 1). Further, a paper discharge port 221 for discharging the recording paper 40 is opened on the back side of the apparatus 200. As will be described later, the recording paper 40 discharged from the paper discharge port 221 is hardly sent forward (in the direction away from the device 200), and the recording paper 40 falls at the position where the rear end is almost fed out. They are sequentially stacked on the surface on which the recording device 200 is placed. Further, the case member 202 on the front side of the device is provided with an operation key unit 204 for inputting operations of the device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the device 200 with the case member 202 removed, and FIG.
4 is a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.
FIG.

In these figures, reference numeral 209 indicates a recording head cartridge. This cartridge 209
are the recording head chip 209a and the ink tank 209b.
It is configured such that it can be detachably attached to the carriage 208 by an attachment means (not shown). As a result, when the ink tank 209b runs out of ink, it is replaced with a new one together with the recording head chip 209a. In addition, the recording head chip 209a has a plurality of ink ejection ports opening downward in these figures arranged in the conveying direction of the recording paper 40, and each ink path provided corresponding to each of these ejection ports has a plurality of ink ejection ports opening downward. An electrothermal transducer is provided to generate thermal energy for ink ejection. Carriage 208 is slidably engaged with guide shaft 210 at one edge thereof and engaged with lead screw 206 at the other edge thereof. When the lead screw 206 and the carriage 208 are engaged, a lead pin (not shown) provided on the carriage 208 is slidably engaged with a lead groove 206D formed on the lead screw. As a result, when the lead screw 206 rotates, the lead pin moves in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation while following the lead groove 206D, so the carriage 2
08 can move along the guide shaft 210 and lead screw 206. A pinion 212A and a driven gear 2 are connected to the lead screw 206 by a motor 212.
Rotation is transmitted via 13A and the like.

The recording paper 40 fed from the paper feed port 220 by the operator is guided by the conveying roller 20 while the leading edge of the recording paper 40 is guided to the lower surface of the support plate 202A (not shown in FIG. 3).
7 and the pinch roller 203. The conveyance roller 207 is divided into four rollers 207A, 207B, 207C, and 207D as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the pinch roller 203 is divided into four rollers 203A, 207D, and
203A', 203B, 203C and 203D are provided. Further, the conveyance roller 207 is connected to a conveyance roller shaft 207.
One end of the roller shaft 207S is rotatably supported by the second support plate 201 (the shaft support mechanism is not shown), and the other end is connected to a driven gear 213B for transmitting the rotation of the motor 212. Fixed. Further, each pinch roller 203 is rotatably supported by the first support plate 202A.

The rotation of the lead screw 206 and the rotation of the conveyance roller 207 described above are controlled by a control section constructed on a substrate 211 disposed at the end of the apparatus. This control unit is composed of a CPU that executes the control processing, a ROM that stores control processing procedures, etc., and a RAM that is used as a work area for developing recorded data transferred from the host device. Furthermore, a recovery unit 222 is provided at the end of the range in which the carriage 8 moves to maintain good ejection from the recording head 9a.

[0057] Conveyance roller 207 and pinch roller 20
3 are provided with their centers of rotation mutually shifted in the left-right direction in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. This deviation is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm in the above direction, and as a result, the recording paper 40 conveyed by these rollers
is conveyed slightly upwards. in this way,
By directing the direction of the force slightly upward at the portion where the conveying force is applied to the recording paper 40, the recording paper 40 is first prevented from sagging downward.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a regulating member 214 is provided at one end of the conveying path for the recording paper 40. As shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing details of the regulating member 214. One end of the regulating member 214 is bent upward, thereby making it easier to insert the recording paper 40 therein. Further, the regulating member 214 is located near one end of the regulating member 214.
At A, it is supported by a part (not shown) of the second support member 201, and the rest is not supported. Moreover, one point of the other end is in contact with a protrusion 201A provided on the second support member 201. This protrusion 201A corresponds to the recording paper 4.
It has a height comparable to the thickness of 0, and restricts displacement of the recording paper 40 in the height direction (particularly upward). Further, when the recording paper 40 is relatively thick, the regulating member 214 displaces upward against its own elastic force, but the upward displacement of the recording paper 40 can be similarly regulated. In this way, while the recording paper 40 is being conveyed, its widthwise end engages with the regulating member 214 (while avoiding the protrusion 201A), and its upward displacement is regulated.

As explained above, due to the upward conveyance by the conveyance roller 207 and the regulation of upward displacement by the regulating member 214, as the recording head chip 209a moves, the recording paper 40 faces the ink ejection orifice surface. The surface is kept substantially flat and the distance from the outlet surface is kept substantially constant. As a result, the size and position of the ink dots formed on the recording surface of the recording paper 40 are uniform, making it possible to perform recording with good quality.

In addition, in this example device, among the plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers 207 and pinch rollers 203, conveyance roller 2
07A and the pair of pinch rollers 203A and 203A' are configured so that most of the conveying force is applied to the recording paper 40. That is, the conveying roller 207A is pressed against the pinch rollers 203A and 203A' by a biasing mechanism (not shown), and this force is set to about 500 g to 1 kg. Further, it has been confirmed that satisfactory conveyance can be achieved if the length of the conveyance roller 207A in the axial direction is at least ⅓ of the recording paper being conveyed. Therefore, if the maximum recording paper 40 is A4 size, the above length is 70 m.
m or more is sufficient.

The other transport rollers and pinch rollers are arranged at positions corresponding to the size of the recording paper. That is, the pair of conveyance roller 207B and pinch roller 203B is
When using A5 recording paper vertically or postcard horizontally,
Further, the pair of rollers 207C and 203C guides the edge of the recording paper when B5 is used horizontally, and the pair of rollers 207D and 203D guides the edge of the recording paper when A4 is used horizontally.

Conveyance rollers 207B (on which a belt is applied as described later), 207C, and 207D are connected to pinch rollers 203B, 203C, and 203D, respectively, and conveyance roller 207A and pinch rollers 203A and 203A'.
They are in contact with a smaller pressing force than in the case of . A gap of 0 mm to 0.2 mm is formed between these rollers, and the pressing force is adjusted so that even when this gap is 0 mm, the pressure is 10 g at maximum. By configuring the transport roller 207 and the pinch roller 203 as described above, it is possible to prevent the recording paper 40 from being skewed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a belt 205 is hung around the conveyance roller 207B, and when the conveyance roller 207 rotates, the belt 205 loops in a predetermined loop depending on the strength of the user's waist. Rotate while forming. Thereby, the belt 205 can function as a conveyor belt and also function as a platen. At this time, the pinch roller 203B is in contact with the conveyance roller 207B via the belt 205. Therefore, when conveying the recording paper, the recording paper 40 is moved between the pinch roller 203 and the belt 2 in this part.
05, and when the recording paper 40 is ejected, its rear end is kicked out by the rotation of the belt 205. As a result, it is possible to improve the ease with which the recording paper 40 is removed from the conveyance roller 207 when it is ejected.

Regarding the ejection of this recording paper, the conveyance roller 2
07 and the second support plate 201 that supports it have a predetermined positional relationship. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, assuming that there is no belt 205, which is the worst condition regarding recording paper ejection, the point C where the second support plate 201 intersects with the mounting surface is
is retracted a predetermined distance from a point D where a perpendicular line drawn from the outer periphery of the conveyance roller 207 to the installation surface of the apparatus intersects with the installation surface, so that the rear end of the recording paper 40 is sent out from the conveyance roller 207. However, even if the paper hardly moves forward and falls downward, the recording paper 40 and the second support plate 201 are prevented from interfering with each other.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration of the device of this example is almost the same as that of the device according to the above example, but the difference is that the pinch roller 20
3, the first support plate 202A is brought into contact with the conveyance roller 207 as it is. As a result, when transporting recording paper,
The recording paper is conveyed between the conveyance roller 207 and the first support plate 202A.

In this case, it is desirable that at least the contact portion of the first support plate 202A has wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction. Further, in contacting with the conveying roller 207, it is necessary to set the above-mentioned contact force to be larger on the roller 207A than on the roller 207D, as in the case of the above embodiment, in order to prevent skewing and the like.

As explained above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, the mechanisms related to the platen and paper ejection roller can be omitted, so the overall structure of the apparatus is simplified, and
The length of the device in the conveyance direction can be shortened, and can be approximately 1/2 of the length of the conventional device described above.

Furthermore, since the paper ejection roller is omitted, there is no possibility that ink stains or pressure marks caused by, for example, a spur pairing with the paper ejection roller may be left on the recording paper.

Note that each of the above embodiments has been explained using an inkjet recording apparatus as an example. Although this method is particularly suitable for use in the present invention as a non-contact recording method, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. It can also be used in a contact type, and specifically, it can be applied to a recording device of a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, or the like.

(Others) The present invention particularly relates to means for generating thermal energy as energy used to eject ink, in an inkjet recording system.
For example, the present invention provides an excellent effect in a recording head or recording apparatus that is equipped with an electrothermal converter (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) and uses the thermal energy to cause a change in the state of the 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.

[0074] 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, there may be mentioned a pre-heating means for performing the ejection, and a pre-ejection means for ejecting other than recording.

[0078] Regarding the type and number of recording heads mounted, for example, in addition to a single head installed for single-color ink, there are also configurations for multiple inks with 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 it is also possible to use an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and that softens or liquefies at room temperature. 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.

In addition, the ink jet 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 transmitting/receiving function. It may also take a form.

[0081]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the recording medium conveyed to the recording area by the conveying means is gradually ejected while being recorded by the recording head, and recording is performed on the trailing edge. When the recording head is ejected, the trailing end is ejected by naturally falling to a lower region facing the recording head, for example.

As a result, it is possible to eliminate the platen and the paper discharge roller, for example, and it is possible to provide a simple and inexpensive recording apparatus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the device with its cover member removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device as seen from the front.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device viewed from the side.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of details of the regulating member in the above device, viewed from the side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the discharge of recording paper in the above apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a conventional example of an inkjet recording device.

9 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the device shown in FIG. 8 with the cover removed; FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the transport system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

11 is a perspective view mainly showing the paper ejection system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which spurs are supported in the paper ejection system of the apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of the usage state of the device of this example.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 13;

[Explanation of symbols]

200 Inkjet recording device 210 Second support plate 202 Case member 202A First support plate 203, 203A, 203A', 203B, 203C,
203D Pinch roller 204 Operation key unit 205 Belt 206 Lead screw 207, 207A, 207B, 207C, 207D
Conveyance roller 208 Carriage 209 Recording head cartridge 209a Recording head chip 210 Guide shaft 211 Printed circuit board 212 Drive motor 213 Driven gear 214 Regulation member

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, comprising a recording head having a recording element for performing the recording, and transporting the recording medium to a recording area facing the recording element of the recording head. and a conveyance means for
A recording apparatus characterized in that, in ejecting a recording medium printed by the recording head, a rear end of the recording medium can be discharged to an area substantially facing a recording element of the recording head. 2. The conveying means includes a conveying roller and a pressing member for generating a frictional force between the conveying roller and the recording medium, and the recording device is defined by the conveying roller and the pressing member. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a regulating member that regulates conveyance of the recording medium in a predetermined direction. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a belt is attached to the conveyance roller. 4. The recording head has, as the recording element, an ejection opening for ejecting ink and a thermal energy generator that generates thermal energy for ejecting the ink, and the thermal energy generates bubbles in the ink. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus generates bubbles and ejects ink based on the generation of the bubbles.