JPH05155091A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the labor for preoperation while being carried by a user, and at same time, prevent the carriage from being damaged. CONSTITUTION:A recording head 2 is loaded on a carriage 9 which is reciprocally scanned along two guide shafts 5a, 5b, and at one end side of the scanning region of the carriage 9, a capping position 24 of the carriage 9 is set. An operation panel 12 is supported by a case in such a manner that the operation panel 12 is turnable between a normal position at which the panel surface 12a faces the outside of the case of the recording device, and a storage position at which the panel surface 12a faces the inside of the case. When the operation panel 12 is turned from the normal position to the storage position under a condition in which the carriage 9 is located at the capping position 24, a fixing piece 19 of the operation panel 12 comes into contact with the external surface of a side plate 9b on the scanning region side of the carriage 9, and the carriage 9 is fixed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording head and a carriage which is reciprocally scanned in the main scanning direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium such as paper or OHP sheet (hereinafter referred to as recording paper or simply paper) has been proposed in the form of mounting recording heads of various recording systems. There is. The recording head may be of a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an inkjet type, or the like. In particular, the inkjet method is one that ejects ink directly onto the recording paper.
This method has attracted attention as a quiet recording method because of its low running cost. Hereinafter, the inkjet method will be described as an example.

Among the ink jet systems, there is a recording apparatus for recording characters, images, etc. by ejecting ink from an ejection port toward a recording medium by using bubbles generated by thermal energy. The size of the heating resistor (heater) provided in each ejection port is significantly smaller than that of the piezoelectric element used in the conventional inkjet recording device.
It is possible to make the ejection ports multi-density with high density, obtain high quality recorded images, and have features such as high speed and low noise.

Conventionally, as this type of recording apparatus, a serial type recording apparatus has a recording head mounted on a carriage which is reciprocally moved in the main scanning direction along a guide axis, and is arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The recording paper is transported. Then, when the carriage moves in the main scanning direction, the ink is ejected from the ejection ports of the recording head toward the recording paper to perform recording. A capping position as a standby position of the carriage is set on one end side of the scanning area of the carriage, and when the recording device is not used or recording is interrupted, the cap of the cap mechanism is moved after the carriage is moved to the capping position. Moves forward to seal the ejection port of the recording head. As a result, the discharge port is prevented from being dried and dust and the like are prevented from adhering.

Since this recording apparatus has a simple structure, there is a so-called portable type in which the exterior of the recording apparatus main body is small and a battery is incorporated as a power source. In this type of recording device, when the portable device is carried, the carriage is fixed to the standby position by pressing a fixing button to bring a predetermined fixing member into contact with the carriage, and an operation panel including switches and keys is housed in the exterior. It requires a previous operation.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, as a pre-operation for carrying the apparatus, in addition to the operation of housing the operation panel, the operation of pushing the fixed button is required.
In addition to the time-consuming pre-operation, it is easy to forget to press the fixed button. In this case, even though the resistance of the drive system is applied to the carriage, the carriage may be
There is a problem that it moves on the guide shaft to come out of the standby position, and further hits the exterior or the like to be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which does not require any pre-operation for carrying and can prevent the carriage from being damaged.

Further, particularly in an ink jet type recording apparatus, the cap comes off the recording head, the ejection port is dried or dust or the like is attached to the ejection port. There is a problem that it occurs.

In addition to the above objects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of preventing defective ejection of ink from a recording head and thus defective recording.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording apparatus having a recording head, a carriage for reciprocating scanning in the main scanning direction, and a standby position of the carriage being set. The recording device main body is provided with an operation panel rotatably supported between a normal position where the panel surface faces the outside of the recording device main body and a storage position where the panel surface faces the inside of the recording device main body. When the operation panel is rotated from the normal position to the storage position while the carriage is at the standby position, the operation panel contacts the carriage or the recording head to fix the carriage. Characterize.

The recording head performs recording by ejecting ink from the ejection port onto the recording medium.
The standby position of the carriage may be set to one end side of the scanning area of the carriage, and may be a capping position where the recording head is capped by the cap.

Further, the operation panel has a fixing piece that abuts at least the outer surface of the carriage on the side of the scanning area in the housed position, and the operation panel has a part of the carriage in the housed position. Located in the scanning area,
An engaging groove is formed on the outer surface of the carriage on the side of the scanning area, or on the carriage or the recording head, and the operation panel is engaged with the engaging groove in the storage position. It may have flakes.

The recording head ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and may have an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy.

[0014]

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, when the recording apparatus is used, the operation panel is held at the normal position, and the switches and keys on the operation panel are operated as necessary. ..

When the recording apparatus is carried or not used, the carriage is moved to the standby position, and then the operation panel is rotated from the normal position to the storage position and held at the storage position. When the panel contacts the carriage or the recording head, the carriage is automatically fixed to the standby position.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, the overall configuration of a first embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking an inkjet type as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 2 is detachably fixed to a carriage 9, and the carriage 9 is driven by a carriage motor 3 via a carriage belt 4 partly connected to the carriage 9. It can be moved in the main scanning direction along the two guide shafts 5a and 5b. By this movement, the recording head 2 can perform scanning for recording. The recording paper (not shown) is gear 1
The sheet is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by a conveyance roller (not shown) which is rotationally driven by the paper feed motor 6 via 0. The transport roller is provided below the platen 8, and the recording paper transported by the transport roller passes between the paper pressing plate 7 and the platen 8 and is transported above the apparatus. During this time, the recording paper is regulated by the paper pressing plate 7 and the platen 8, recording is performed in the recording area facing the recording head 2, and then the recording paper is discharged to the upper portion of the recording apparatus. The flexible substrate 18 transmits print data, driving power, and the like to the recording head 2.

The details of the recording head 2 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the recording head 2, an electric heat for generating thermal energy supplied with an applied voltage in order to eject the recording liquid from a plurality of ejection ports 2A provided in a row. The converter 2B is provided for each liquid path.
Then, by applying a drive signal, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal converter 2B to cause film boiling to form bubbles in the ink liquid path, and the growth of the bubbles ejects ink droplets from the ejection port 2A. Let

As shown in FIG. 1 again, a capping position 24 as a standby position is set on one end side of the scanning area of the carriage 9, so that the carriage 9 can be operated when the recording apparatus is not used or recording is interrupted. After being moved to the capping position 24, the cap 23 of the cap mechanism 22 moves forward to press the front surface of the recording head 2 into pressure contact, thereby sealing the ejection port (not shown). As a result, it is possible to prevent the ejection port of the recording head 2 from drying and the adhesion of dust and the like. Here, the scanning area of the carriage 9 refers to the maximum printable recording paper width peculiar to the printing apparatus. The above-mentioned carriage 9, two guide shafts 5a, 5
Each of the components such as b and the platen 8 is housed in an exterior as a recording apparatus main body described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording operation of this recording apparatus is such that the MPU 101 controls the entire apparatus while exchanging signals with each section of the recording apparatus, and the ROM 102 storing the recording operation and processing procedure. A RAM 103 and an input / output port 104 used as a recording data buffer or a work area for processing by the MPU 101.
This is performed by the control by the control unit 1 including. That is, the control signal from the control unit 1 is transmitted through the input / output port 104 to the first, second and third drive circuits 14, 15, 16
Is supplied to the first, second and third drive circuits 14,
Reference numerals 15 and 16 drive the carriage motor 3, the paper feed motor 6, and the recording head 2, respectively. Further, the print data is received from the computer as the host device via the interface circuit 11. The recording apparatus is controlled by operating switches, keys, etc. provided on the operation panel 12 described later. The sensor 13 detects a home position (standby position) of a carriage (not shown) and the like.

Next, the carriage fixing structure, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view in the vicinity of the capping position of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a side view of the exterior of FIG. 4 in section, and FIG. 4A is an operation panel when the recording apparatus is in use. Indicates that the is in the normal position (regular position),
(B) shows a state in which the operation panel is in the storage position and the fixing piece is in contact with the carriage when the recording apparatus is not used or is carried.

As shown in each of the drawings, a rectangular opening 20 is formed on a side portion of an outer casing 21 serving as a recording apparatus main body, and the opening 20 is located above a portion of the carriage 9 facing the scanning area. Is formed in. Notches 21a are uniformly formed on the outer peripheral portion of the upper edge of the opening 20.

The operation panel 12 has a right-angled triangular shape, a switch 12b, keys and the like are arranged on an inclined surface as a panel surface 12a, and a rotary shaft 17 is integrally provided near the right-angled portion. .. Both ends of the rotary shaft 17 project from both end surfaces of the operation panel 12 and are rotatably fitted to the side portions of the exterior 21, so that the operation panel 12 extends in the horizontal direction and its panel surface 12a. Exterior 2
Between the normal position facing the outside of 1a (see (A) of FIG. 5) and the storage position (see (B) of FIG. 5) in which the panel surface 12a faces the inside of the exterior 21a. Is rotated and held in the normal position or the storage position.

The operation panel 12 has protrusions 12c and 12d, which will be described later, at both acute-angled portions thereof.
On the side surface facing the inward direction of the outer casing 21, the outer surface of the side portion 9b on the scanning area side indicated by the arrow X of the carriage 9 at the capping position 24 in the storage position (the state of FIG. 5B) is provided. A fixed piece 19 that can come into contact is integrally provided so as to project.

Next, the operation of the above-described carriage fixing structure will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A,
When using the recording apparatus, the operation panel 12 is set to a normal position with its panel surface 12a facing outward of the exterior 21, and the switches 12b and keys on the operation panel 12 are operated as necessary. At this time, one protrusion 1 of the operation panel 12
Since 2c is in contact with the inner surface of the outer casing 21, the operation panel 12 is prevented from rotating in the clockwise direction in the drawing.

When the recording apparatus is not used or is carried, the carriage 9 is at the capping position 24 (see FIG. 4).
After being moved to, the upper portion of the operation panel 12 is pushed and rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees, and the other protrusion 12d
5 is loosely fitted into the notch 21a of the outer casing 21, (B) of FIG.
As shown in, the operation panel 12 is housed in the exterior 21. At this time, since the fixed piece 19 of the operation panel 12 abuts on the outer surface of the side plate 9b (see FIG. 4) of the carriage 9 on the scanning area side, even if the recording apparatus is subjected to vibration or shock, the scanning of the carriage 9 is performed. Movement to the area side is blocked.

In the present embodiment, an operation panel may be used in which the exterior opening is formed so as to extend to the capping position of the carriage, and a fixing piece that abuts on the outer surface of the other side plate of the carriage is also provided. .. Further, the fixing piece may be in contact with the side surface of the recording head. (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,
The opening 20X formed in the exterior 21X is the carriage 9X.
Of the operation panel 12 at a position substantially opposite to the scanning area of
One end surface of X contacts the outer surface of the side plate on the scanning area side of the carriage 9X at the capping position in the storage position (the state of FIG. 6B). The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and its operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the explanation is omitted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the operation panel 12X is housed, a part of the operation panel 12X projects into the scanning area of the carriage 9X, so that the recording apparatus is It becomes smaller and its portability improves.

In this embodiment, the operation panel may be in contact with the side surface of the recording head on the scanning area side. (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the capping position of the third embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a side view of the exterior of FIG. 7 in section, and FIG. Shows that the operation panel is in the normal position at (B)
Shows a state in which the operation panel is at the storage position and the engagement piece is engaged with the carriage when the recording apparatus is not used or is carried.

As shown in each drawing, an engaging groove 9cY is formed at the rear end of the side plate 9bY on the scanning area side of the carriage 9Y indicated by the arrow X, and the exterior 2 of the operation panel 12Y is formed.
On the inner side surface of 1Y, an engagement piece 19Y that can be loosely fitted in the engagement groove 9cY of the carriage 9 at the capping position 24Y in the storage position (the state of FIG. 8B).
Are integrally projected. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment configured as described above, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, when the recording apparatus is used, the operation panel 12Y is mounted on the panel surface 1 thereof.
The 2aY is held in a normal position where the 2aY faces the outside of the exterior 21Y.

When the recording apparatus is not used or is carried, the carriage 9Y is moved to the capping position 24Y (see FIG. 7), and then the upper portion of the operation panel 12Y is pushed to move the counterclockwise direction by 90 degrees. When rotated, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the operation panel 12Y becomes the exterior 21Y.
It is stored inside. At this time, the engaging piece 1 of the operation panel 12Y
9Y is slidably brought into contact with the engaging groove 9cY of the carriage 9Y, so that even if the recording apparatus receives vibration or shock,
The movement of the carriage 9Y toward the scanning area and the movement in the opposite direction are blocked.

Although the engaging groove is formed in the carriage in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the engaging groove may be formed in the recording head.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described by taking the ink jet type recording apparatus as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a wire dot type or the like in which a carriage having a recording head is reciprocally scanned. The present invention can be applied to a recording device. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the one in which the standby position of the carriage is set to one end side of the scanning region, but also to a recording device set in the center of the scanning region. Further, the operation panel may not be housed when the storage device is not used.

[0039]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the recording device is carried, the carriage is automatically fixed to the standby position when the operation panel is rotated to the storage position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the carriage from being fixed as in the conventional case, and it is possible to prevent the carriage from moving and being damaged even if vibration or impact is applied to the recording apparatus.

In addition to the above effects, the caps of the second and third aspects of the present invention do not allow the cap to come off the recording head, so that the ejection port of the recording head does not dry and dust or the like does not adhere to the ejection port. No recording defects occur during recording.

In addition to the above effects, the invention according to claim 4 is
Since a part of the operation panel is housed in the scanning area of the carriage, the recording device becomes compact and its portability is improved.

The invention according to claim 5 is the above-mentioned claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the inventions 2 and 3, in addition to the movement of the carriage to the scanning area side, the movement in the direction opposite to the scanning area can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the recording head shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram of a control system of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

4 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the capping position of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a side view of the exterior of FIG. 4 in section, (A)
Shows a state in which the operation panel is in the normal position when the recording apparatus is used, and (B) shows the operation panel in the storage position when the recording apparatus is not used or when the recording apparatus is carried and its fixing piece is in contact with the carriage. It shows the state.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the second embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention, (A) shows a state in which the operation panel is in the normal position when the recording apparatus is used, and (B) shows recording. It shows a state in which the operation panel is in the storage position and is in contact with the carriage when the apparatus is not used or is carried.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view near the capping position of a third embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

8 is a side view of the exterior of FIG. 7 in section, (A)
Shows the state where the operation panel is in the normal position when the recording device is used, and (B) shows the operation panel in the stored position when the recording device is not used or when the recording device is carried, and the engaging piece engages with the carriage. It shows the state of being.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Control Unit 2, 2X, 2Y Recording Head 2A Ejection Port 2B Electrothermal Converter 3 Carriage Motor 4 Carriage Belt 5a, 5aX, 5aY, 5b, 5bX, 5bY Guide Shaft 6 Paper Feed Motor 7, 7Y Paper Press Plate 8 Platen 9 , 9X, 9Y Carriage 9a, 9aY, 9b, 9bY Side plate 9cY Engagement groove 10 Gear 11 Interface circuit 12, 12X, 12Y Operation panel 12c, 12cX, 12cY, 12d, 12dX, 12
dY protrusion 12a, 12aX, 12aY panel surface 12b, 12bX, 12bY switch 13 sensor 14 first drive circuit 15 second drive circuit 16 third drive circuit 17, 17X, 17Y rotary shaft 18 flexible substrate 19 fixed piece 19Y engagement Joint piece 20,20Y Opening 21,21X, 21Y Exterior 22,22Y Cap mechanism 23,23Y Cap 24,24Y Capping position 101 MPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Input / output port

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B41J 29/00 29/54 A 8804-2C 8804-2C B41J 29/00 T

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus comprising a carriage having a recording head, which is reciprocally scanned in a main scanning direction, wherein a standby position of the carriage is set, wherein a panel surface is outside the recording apparatus main body. An operation panel rotatably supported between a normal position facing inward and a storage position in which the panel surface faces inward of the recording apparatus main body, and the operation panel is in a state in which the carriage is in the standby position. The recording apparatus fixes the carriage by contacting the carriage or the recording head when the carriage is rotated from the normal position to the storage position. 2. The recording head performs recording by ejecting ink from a discharge port onto a recording medium, the standby position of the carriage is set at one end side of the scanning area of the carriage, and the recording head is capped. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a capping position that is capped by. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation panel has a fixing piece that abuts at least an outer surface of the carriage on the scanning area side in the storage position. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part of the operation panel is located in the scanning area of the carriage and is in contact with the outer surface of the carriage on the scanning area side in the storage position. 5. The recording according to claim 2, wherein an engagement groove is formed in the carriage or the recording head, and the operation panel has an engagement piece that fits in the engagement groove in a storage position. apparatus. 6. The recording head is for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy.
The recording apparatus according to any one of 3, 4, and 5.