JPH0486264A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a recording head from becoming damaged due to a contact between the reading head and a material for recording by providing a lock device on the detachment mechanism of a head cartridge and making it impossible for the head cartridge to be detached by actuation of the lock device, if a carriage stops at any position other than a specific position such as a capping position. CONSTITUTION:A carriage 1 which has a mounted recording head cartridge 2 and scans, detachment devices 19, 22, 23, 43 which enable detachment of the recording head cartridge 2 against the carriage 1 and activation restriction members 24, 25 which restrict the activation of the detachment device, are provided. The activation restriction member locks the detachment device to allow detachment of the recording head cartridge 2. Subsequently, the head cartridge 2 is prevented from coming in contact with a material for recording 7 due to a narrow gap in a recording area through which the cartridge 2 is detached. Thus the recording head of said head cartridge is protected against the occurrence of damage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention provides the following features:
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copying machines, and facsimile machines are configured to record images consisting of dot patterns on sorted recording materials such as paper and thin plastic plates based on image information.

The recording device may be an inkjet type,
It can be divided into wire dot type, thermal type, laser beam type, etc. Among them, inkjet type (inkjet recording apparatus) is configured to perform recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material.

Inkjet recording devices can record high-definition images at high speed, use a non-impact system, making less noise, and can easily record color images using multicolored inks. It has advantages.

In this inkjet recording apparatus, it is widely practiced to use a replaceable cartridge that integrates a recording head and an ink tank.

9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the Infusiera I recording apparatus having a conventional replaceable head cartridge.

In FIG. 9, four head cartridges 2A, 2B, 2C, 2+-'] are mounted on the carriage 1-L,
The carriage 1 slides on the scanning rail 3 in the left and right directions in this drawing.

The carriage 1 is driven and scanned by a drive motor 4 via a drive pulley 5 and a drive heald 6.

According to the scanning of the carriage 1, each of the head cars I
An image is recorded on the recording target +A7 by ejecting ink from the ridges 2A to 2F according to the image signal.

A broken line A in FIG. 9 indicates the carriage stop position during non-recording.

When the carriage 1 is at the position indicated by the broken line A, the recording head of each of the RAD cartridges 2A to 2D is capped by the capping means 8.
By capping with the ink, evaporation of the ink is prevented.

Further, when replacing the head cartridge, it is similarly done at the above-mentioned stop position to prevent ink from scattering when the head cartridge is installed or removed.

[Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in normal operating conditions, the carriage 1 always stops at the carriage stop position along the broken line when not recording. At abnormal times, such as when the power is suddenly cut off during recording, the carriage 1 may stop at a position other than the carriage stop position.

If the head cartridges 2A to 2D have to be replaced under such abnormal conditions, the distance between the recording head of the head cartridge and the recording material 7 is approximately 0.5 to 2.0 mm due to the device configuration. Since this value is set to a relatively small value, the recording head may come into contact with the recording material 7 during the attachment/detachment operation, and the recording head may be damaged.

In addition, vibrations during attachment/detachment operations may cause ink to scatter from the recording head, contaminating the interior of the recording apparatus.

Particularly, if ink scatters along the conveyance path of the recorded object trA' 7, the back surface of the recorded object trA' 7 will be stained when recording is restarted.

The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and it is possible to improve recording performance when attaching and detaching a head cartridge.
An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can eliminate head damage and ink scattering caused by contact with a recording material or the like or vibration.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an inkjet recording device that forms a record by ejecting ink from a recording head cartridge that is removably installed in an apparatus main body, in which a head cartridge is mounted on the recording head. a carriage that scans the recording medium, an attachment/detachment mechanism that enables the attachment/detachment of the cartridge to/from the carriage, and an operation regulating member that restricts the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism, and the gear ridge is positioned at a predetermined location. By configuring the movement regulating member to lock the attaching/detaching mechanism so that the recording head cartridge cannot be attached or detached except when the recording head cartridge is in the position, the recording spatula I is prevented from being exposed when the spatula I and the cartridge cartridge are attached or detached. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can eliminate head damage and ink scattering due to contact with a recording material or the like or vibration.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is an inkjet recording apparatus that performs desired recording by ejecting ink toward a recording material from a recording head cartridge 1-ridge that is removably attached to the apparatus main body. a carriage member that loads the recording head cartridge and scans in the main scanning direction; an attachment/detachment mechanism that restricts attachment/detachment to the carriage;
a regulating member that regulates the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism and allows the recording head cartridge to be attached/detached only in an area outside of an area where the carriage faces the recording material;
By having a configuration equipped with this, an inkjet recording device can be created that can eliminate damage to the head and ink scattering due to contact and vibration of the recording head with the recorded +A, etc., when attaching and detaching the headcarl and ridge. This is what we provide.

[Effect]

- Attachment/detachment mechanism for headcar 1 to headcar 1 A locking means is provided, and if the carriage stops at a position other than the specified position such as the camping position, the locking means operates to attach/detach the headcar 1 to the headcar 1. This prevents the recording head from being damaged due to contact between the recording head and the recording target +4, and also prevents ink from scattering during attachment and detachment.

(Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In addition, all the same or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings below.

In the first session, inkjet recording heads 10A, I
The head cartridges 2A, 2B, 2C12+) equipped with OB, 10C110D (not shown) are removably mounted on the carriage.

The carriage 1 is slidably guided on a scanning rail 3'2, and the other end portion is placed on a sliding rail 11.

The carriage is reciprocated by a drive motor via a drive pulley and a drive belt, as in the prior art, and performs reciprocating scanning in the direction of arrow S with respect to the recording material 7.

Following this scanning of the carriage 1, the head cartridge 2
By ejecting ink from the recording heads IOA~] and OD of A to 2D according to the image signal, the recording material 7
Images such as characters and figures are recorded on top.

In this case, ink is supplied to each of the recording heads IOA to IOD from an ink tank (ink reservoir) in each of the head cartridges 2A to 2D.

The recording heads IOA~] and OD each record an image using different inks, and in the case of color recording, they can correspond to ink colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, for example.

Each of the above records - Rad 1. OA to IOD are inkjet recording heads that eject ink using thermal energy, and are equipped with electrothermal converters for generating thermal energy.

Further, the recording heads IOA to 10I] eject ink from the ejection openings by utilizing pressure changes caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer, and perform recording. This is what we do.

In addition, in the following, when referring to a plurality of similar components such as the head cartridges 2A to 2D and the recording heads 10A to IOD, when any one of them is indicated or when they are collectively referred to, their reference numerals will be used. A to D will be omitted and will be indicated by head car I, ridge 2, recording head 10, etc.

The recording material 7 is moved by a pair of feed rollers 1 in accordance with image recording.
2.13 and 14.15, and a predetermined image is recorded at a predetermined position.

In this case, the side edge of the recording material 7 is attached to the guide plate 16.
It is guided by and its position in the left and right direction is regulated.

For each head car I/ridge 2, from the signal line bundle (flexible cable) 17, the main body connector 18A,
An image recording signal is transmitted via 18B, 18C, and 118D.

Each of the main body connectors 18A to 18D is held by a connector holder 19 that is engaged with the carriage 1 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow M.

Further, the signal wire bundle 17 is held by a holding plate 21 fixed to the connector holder 19 with screws 2OA and 20B.
Fixed.

A release lever 22 is rotatably supported on the carriage 1.

The release lever 22 normally holds each head cartridge 2 in a positioned state 2, and is rotated to release each head cartridge 2 from the positioned state at a specific carriage position.

Furthermore, a link plate 23 is provided on the carriage 1 to engage with the release lever 22 and the connector boulder 19.

Further, the carriage 1- is provided with a lock pawl 24 and a lock spring 25, which constitute a locking means to be described later.

As will be described later, this locking means normally locks the release I/bar 22 in the head cartridge positioning state, and when the carriage 1 comes into contact with the guide portion 27 of the device housing 26, that is, the carriage 1 locks the release I/bar 22 in the head cartridge positioning state. 8
When each recording head 10 is at the carriage stop position A where camping is possible, the release lever 22 is operated to restrict the operation of the release lever 22 so that the release lever 22 can be rotated to the release position.

The capping means 8 holds each recording head IOA to IOA.
Cap parts 28△, 28B, 28C1 that can come into contact with OD
28D is provided.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the ink ejection section of the recording head 10 of the cartridge 2 in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the ejection port surface 3 faces the recording material 7 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm).
1, a plurality of discharge ports 32 are formed at a predetermined pitch,
An electrothermal transducer (such as a heating resistor) 35 for generating energy for ink ejection is disposed along the wall surface of each liquid path 34 that communicates the common liquid chamber 33 with each ejection port 32 .

In this example, the recording head is mounted on the apparatus in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports are aligned in a direction intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage.

The corresponding electrothermal transducer 35 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to film-boil the ink in the liquid path 34, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 32. It is configured.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the carriage 1 and the recording section in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, the head cartridge 2 has its abutment surface 36, 37, 38 aligned with the abutment surface 3 of the carriage 1.
It is positioned and mounted by abutting on 9.40.41.

That is, the push pin 43 attached to the connector boulder 19 while being biased in the projecting direction by the spring 42,
By pressing the head cartridge 2 in the left direction in FIG.
The head cartridge 2 is positioned in the horizontal direction against the abutting surface of the head cartridge 2, and the downward component force f of the force f pressing the slope 44 of the head cartridge 2 with the tip of the push pin 43 is applied to the abutting surface of the head cartridge 2. 3
8 is pressed against the abutting surface 41 of the carriage 1, thereby positioning the head cartridge 2 in the height direction.

On the other hand, the main body connector 18 is attached to the connector boulder 19.

Note that the vertical surface 45 of the carriage 1 and the vertical surface 46 of the head cartridge 2 serve as rough guides when the head cartridge is mounted on the carriage.

The recording head 10 of the head cartridge 2 is connected to the cap portion 2 of the cap means 8 when the carriage 1 is in a predetermined position.
8, and camping of the ejection port surface 31 (FIG. 2) of the recording head is performed.

FIG. 4 is an analytical side view showing the head cartridge 2 removed from the carriage 1.

In FIG. 4, when removing the head cartridge 2, the connector boulder 19 is first moved to the right.

When the connector holder 19 is moved, the head cartridge 2 is prevented from moving by contact with the rough guides 45 and 46, so the main body connector 18 separates from the head connector 47, and at the same time, the push pin 43 separates from the head cartridge 2. , the head cartridge 2 is released from the positioning state.

When the connection between the head connector 47 and the main body connector 18 is released and the push pin 43 is also separated from the head cartridge 2, the head car 1 and the ring can be attached and detached in the direction of arrow R.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of a mechanism for moving the connector boulder 19, and at the same time is a side view showing an example of a configuration for regulating the operation of the release lever 22.

In FIG. 5, a shaft 51 provided on the connector holter 19 is integrally connected to a link plate 23. As shown in FIG.

This shaft 51 is a slide hole 5 formed in the gear ridge.
2, and the slide hole 53 formed in the link plate 23 is fitted with a carriage shaft 54 provided in the carriage 1. Therefore, the connector holder 19 and the link plate 23 are fitted in the carriage 1. It is possible to slide in the front and rear directions.

The release lever 22 is rotatable (DJ) about the galling shaft 54, and the protrusion 55 provided on the link plate 23 is inserted into the groove-shaped cam hole 56 formed in the release lever 22. Therefore, as the release lever 22 rotates, the link plate 23 moves in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5) toward or away from the head connector 47 of the head cartridge.

The lock claw 24 is connected to a lock shaft 5 provided on the carriage 1.
7, and is biased clockwise in FIG. 5 by a lock spring 58 stretched between the carriage 1 and the carriage 1.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the lock portion 59 formed on the lock pawl 24 and the lock portion 60 formed on the release lever 22 engage with each other, thereby preventing the release lever 22 from rotating. It is configured to

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the release lever 22 in the unlocked state.

When the carriage 1 moves to the carriage stop position A (see FIG. 1), the guide portion 61 of the lock claw 24 on the carriage comes into contact with the guide portion 27 (see FIG. 1) of the device housing 26, and the lock is closed. The pawl 24 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 6 against the lock spring 25.

When the lock pawl 24 is rotated in this manner, the lock portion of the lock pawl separates from the lock portion 60 of the release lever 22, as shown in FIG. 6, and the release lever 22 becomes rotatable. .

In FIG. 6, the release lever 22 indicated by a solid line is rotated to the release position where the head cartridge 2 can be attached or removed, and the release lever 22 indicated by a broken line is not yet rotated and the head cartridge 2 is not rotated. Indicates a locked (positioned) state.

When the release lever 22 is rotated from the lock position to the release position, due to the cam action of the cam hole 56 and the projection 55,
Connector holder 1 integrated with link plate 23
9 moves rearward (to the right in FIG. 6) in a direction away from the electrical connector of the HenF car 1-ridge.

When the connector holder 19 moves backward, the main body connector 18 is separated from the head connector 47, and
The push pin 43 (FIG. 3) is also separated from the head cartridge 2, and the head cartridge 2 is placed in an open state where it can be freely attached and detached.

With the above-mentioned parts, an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, an inkjet recording apparatus in which ink is ejected from a recording head cartridge 2 that is removably installed in the apparatus main body to form a record.
A carriage 1 on which the recording head cartridge lithography 2 is mounted and scanned; and an attachment/detachment mechanism 19 that allows the recording head cartridge 2 to be attached to and detached from the carriage 1.
22, 23, 43, and a movement regulating member 24.25 that regulates the movement of the attaching/detaching mechanism, and the movement regulating member locks the attaching/detaching mechanism except when the carriage 1 is located at a predetermined position. An inkjet recording apparatus is configured in which the recording head cartridge 2 is not allowed to be attached or detached as a state.

Further, according to each of the above parts, the ink side recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention of claim 2, the Zunawa Hitoshi, records from the recording head cartridge 2 that is detachably provided to the apparatus main body. In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs desired recording each time ink is ejected toward a material 7, there is provided a carriage member 1 in which the recording bend car 1-ridge 2 is loaded and scans in the main scanning direction, and a carriage member 1 that is attached to and detached from the carriage 1. 19.22.2 Attachment/detachment mechanism regulating
3.43, and a regulating member 24 which regulates the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism and allows the recording head cartridge 2 to be attached/detached only in an area outside the area where the carriage 1 faces the recording material 7. 25. An inkjet recording apparatus is configured.

According to the above-described embodiment, in an inkjet recording apparatus using a removable head cartridge 2, when the carriage 1 is at a predetermined stop position, such as a capping position, the head cartridge of the carriage is sometimes Since the attachment/detachment mechanism of No. 2 is locked and the head cartridge is held in a positioned state, contact with the recording material 7 etc. due to attachment/detachment of the head cartridge 2 in a recording area with a small gap is eliminated; It was possible to prevent the recording head 10 of the head cartridge from being damaged.

Furthermore, even if ink is scattered when the head cartridge 2 is attached or detached, since the cartridge is attached or detached at a predetermined position outside the recording area, the recording material 7 may be soiled by the scattered ink at the recording position, and the inside of the apparatus may be contaminated. was able to be prevented.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view showing the main part configuration of another embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, as a lock release mechanism for the release lever 22,
Instead of the mechanical means described above, electrically controllable means are used.

In FIG. 7, a solenoid shaft 68 of a solenoid 67 attached to the gear ridge 1 is connected to the arm portion 66 of the lock pawl 24.

The on/off operation of the solenoid 67, that is, the unlocking operation of the release lever 22, is controlled by an electric control circuit 69.

The carriage 1 is provided with a position detection section 70, and is configured to detect whether or not the carriage is at a predetermined position using a photosensor 71 installed on the device housing side.

The signal from the photosensor 71 is input to the electric control circuit 69, and by detecting that the carrier with the cartridge attached is in the capping position, the solenoid 67 is turned on under the control of the electric control circuit. Then, the lock pawl 24 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 7, and the release lever 22 is unlocked as in the previous embodiment.

This embodiment has the same number as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 in terms of the points explained above, and has substantially the same configuration in other parts, and corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. death,
Detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, this example also achieved the same effects as those of the above-mentioned example.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the main structure of an inkjet recording apparatus suitable for carrying out the present invention.

In FIG. 8, on the front side of the recording apparatus, there is a front door 72 that can open the entire scanning area of the carriage I.
It can be opened and closed by rotating around 3.

By providing such a front door 72, it is possible to open the front door and operate the release I/bar 22 no matter where the carriage 1 is in the scanning area. , it is possible to improve workability when handling a jam (paper jam) in a recording device.

In the following embodiments, the present invention has been explained in the case of a color inkjet recording apparatus using four head cars I and ridges 2A to 2D, but the present invention can be applied to a color inkjet recording apparatus using one head car 1 to ridge (Thus, one recording head) for monochrome recording, or for gradation recording using multiple head cartridges with the same color but different densities. It can be applied in the same way regardless of the relationship, and the same effects can be achieved.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the Infusiera I recording system.
The Hubble Knit type recording device proposed by Canon Co., Ltd. brings about excellent effects in the recording device.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796.

This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but in the case of the on-demand type, it is particularly applicable to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) and the liquid path. The electrothermal transducer is caused to generate thermal energy by applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the disposed electrothermal transducer. This is effective because a film is formed on the heat-active surface of the recording head, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal.

Due to the growth and contraction of these bubbles, liquid (
ink) to form at least one droplet.

If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, bubble growth and contraction will occur immediately and appropriately, so liquids with particularly excellent responsiveness (
Ink) can be ejected, which is more preferable. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable.

Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the above-mentioned temperature rise ratio of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be achieved.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combined configuration 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, a heat acting section. US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,60 disclose a configuration in which the
(The configuration using Specification No. 1 is also included in the present invention.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1.23670 of 1982 discloses a configuration in which a common sliding slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a method for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The present invention is also effective with a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461 of 1982, which discloses a configuration in which the openings correspond to the discharge portions.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum travel medium that can be recorded by the recording device, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exhibit the effects described above.

In addition, by being attached to the main body of the device, it is possible to make electrical connections with the main body of the device and supply ink from the main body of the device. The present invention is also effective when using a cartridge type recording head.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized.

Specifically, these include capping means, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means for the recording head using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof. , It is also effective to perform a discharge mode other than recording (a discharge mode) for stable recording.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording device is not limited to a recording mode in which only the mainstream color such as black is used; the recording head may be configured integrally or in combination with a plurality of recording heads; The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one full color image.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but in the present invention, it is possible to use ink that is solid at room temperature or ink that is soft at room temperature. can.

In the above-mentioned inkjet device, the ink itself is heated to 30°C.
Since the temperature is generally controlled within the above range of 70°C or less so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range, the ink becomes liquid when the recording signal used is applied. In addition, it is possible to actively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy to transform the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating by leaving it to solidify. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and is ejected as a liquid ink, or the ink starts to solidify even before it reaches the recording material. It is also applicable to the present invention to use ink that is liquefied only by thermal energy, such as ink.

In such a case, the ink is held in a liquid or solid state in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. In this case, it may be arranged so as 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.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in an inkjet recording apparatus that forms a record by ejecting ink from a recording head cartridge that is removably installed in the apparatus main body, the recording head The carriage includes a carriage that carries a cartridge and scans, an attachment/detachment mechanism that enables the attachment/detachment of the recording head cartridge to/from the carriage, and an operation restriction member that restricts the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism, and the carriage is mounted at a predetermined location. The movement regulating member sets the attachment/detachment mechanism in the long position and prevents attachment/detachment of the recording head cartridge, and the head cartridge is attached/detached at a stop position such as the cap position. , it is possible to prevent the recording head from coming into contact with the recording material, etc., thereby eliminating the possibility of damage to the recording spatula l.

Furthermore, even if ink scatters due to vibration when attaching and detaching the head cartridge, since the cartridge is attached and detached at a predetermined position outside the recording area, it is possible to prevent ink from contaminating the recording material and the inside of the device due to the scattered ink in the recording area. I.
A recording device is provided.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, in the inkjet recording apparatus that performs desired recording by ejecting ink toward a recording material from a recording head cartridge that is removably installed in the apparatus main body, a carriage member that loads a recording head cartridge and scans in the main scanning direction; an attachment/detachment mechanism that restricts attachment/detachment to the carriage; and an attachment/detachment mechanism that regulates the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism, and the carriage faces the recording material. The configuration includes a regulating member that allows the recording head cartridge to be attached and detached in an area outside the recording area, and the head cartridge is attached and detached at a stop position such as a camping position, so that the recording It is possible to prevent the head from coming into contact with the recording material, etc., thereby eliminating the possibility of damage to the recording head.

Furthermore, the ink Wj! caused by vibration when installing and removing the head cartridge! Even if failure occurs, the cartridge is attached and removed at a predetermined position outside the recording area, so that an inkjet recording apparatus is provided that can prevent contamination of the recording material and the inside of the apparatus by scattered ink in the recording area.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of essential parts of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the ink ejection section of the head cartridge in FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the head cartridge attachment/detaching mechanism in FIG. 1 in a locked state, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the head cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism in FIG. 3 in an open state, and FIG.
M is a side view showing the locking hand of the head cartridge attachment/detachment mechanism during the first operation. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the locking means in an unlocked state, FIG. 7 is a side view showing the locking means of another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an example of an inkjet printer suitable for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of the main part configuration of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus. Below, symbols representing main components in the drawings are listed.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In an inkjet printing apparatus that forms a print by ejecting ink from a printhead cartridge that is removably attached to the main body of the apparatus, there is provided a carriage on which the printhead cartridge is mounted and scans, and a printhead that is connected to the carriage. It has an attachment/detachment mechanism that enables the attachment/detachment operation of the cartridge, and an operation restriction member that restricts the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism, and the movement restriction member restricts the attachment/detachment mechanism except when the carriage is located at a predetermined position. An inkjet recording apparatus characterized in that the recording head cartridge is not attached or detached in a locked state. (2) In an inkjet recording device that performs desired recording by ejecting ink toward a recording material from a recording head cartridge that is removably installed in the device main body, the recording head cartridge is loaded and the a carriage member that scans in the scanning direction; an attachment/detachment mechanism that restricts attachment/detachment to the carriage; and an attachment/detachment mechanism that restricts the operation of the attachment/detachment mechanism, and that controls the operation of the carriage member only in areas outside the area where the carriage faces the recording material. An inkjet recording device comprising: a regulating member that allows a recording head cartridge to be attached and detached. (3) A claim characterized in that the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy and is equipped with an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy. 3. The inkjet recording device according to 1 or 2. (4) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording head discharges the ink from the discharge port by the growth of bubbles due to film boiling caused by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. .