JPH05325729A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an operating key top capable of push-down operation both in the vertical use and horizontal use of a recording device such as a printer. CONSTITUTION:The circuit board 11 of a device has a push switch 12. A manual operation part provided on a device facing 1 to operate the push switch 12 is formed of two sets of key tops 5, 6 which are pushed nearly downward and operated when the device is horizontally and vertically set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by recording means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc., a workstation, etc. Image (including characters etc.) on the recording material (recording medium) such as paper or plastic thin plate based on
Is configured to record. The recording device can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording type.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is recorded. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording device mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyed material to be recorded) after the recording for one line is completed, and then again. The recording of the entire recording material is performed by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material that has stopped. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the conveying direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and one line of recording is collectively performed, and then a predetermined amount is recorded. The paper is fed (pitch feed), and the recording of the next line is collectively performed, whereby the entire recording material is recorded.

Of the above recording apparatuses, an inkjet recording apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) is configured to eject ink from a recording unit (recording head) in accordance with an image signal and perform recording on a recording material. In addition, it is easy to make the recording means compact, it is possible to record high-definition images at high speed, it is possible to record on plain paper without requiring special processing, the running cost is low, and the non-impact method is used. Therefore, there is an advantage that there is little noise and that it is easy to record a color image using multicolor ink. Among them, the line type using a full multi type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming a liquid path wall, a top plate, etc., it is possible to easily manufacture a product having a high-density liquid path arrangement (ejection opening arrangement), a simple and compact structure, and a high-resolution image at high speed. Can be recorded. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material, and in recent years, in addition to ordinary recording material such as plain paper and resin thin plate (OHP), thin paper and processed paper (bunching holes for filing). It has become necessary to use attached paper, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.).

In recent years, recording devices as output devices for office computers, personal computers, word processors, etc. have become remarkably popular, and in particular, there is an increasing demand for personal type recording devices, which are popular machines. These personal type recording devices (personal printers, etc.) are often used by individuals, and therefore, those that are portable or can be battery-operated, and those that can be installed vertically or horizontally to reduce the installation area. Those that have been made available are being developed.

When the recording device is set up and when it is laid down,
Generally, since the installation areas are significantly different, the recording apparatus that can be used in either vertical or horizontal orientation can select either vertical or horizontal orientation according to the usage environment of the user.
Further, in the case of vertical placement, it is generally possible to mount and use an automatic paper feeder. On the other hand, in this type of recording device, a push switch provided on a circuit board inside the device is pressed by a key top provided on an operation unit on the exterior of the device,
This is adapted to operate the recording device.

[0008]

However, in the conventional recording apparatus of this type, the direction in which the key tops are pressed differs when the apparatus is used vertically and when it is used horizontally. Generally, when the automatic paper feeder is installed vertically, the key top is pushed in the horizontal direction, which makes it extremely difficult to operate the key top.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is whether the recording apparatus is used in a vertical position or in a horizontal position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device capable of pressing a switch of an operation unit in substantially the same direction (usually from the top to the bottom) and greatly improving the operability of the switch.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by recording means, a push switch is provided on a circuit board of the recording apparatus, and the push switch is provided on an operation section of an exterior of the recording apparatus. The above object is achieved by providing a pressing operation mechanism that can be operated from two directions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned constitution, it can be used in any of a vertical posture and a horizontal posture, and in any posture, the operation direction of the pressing operation mechanism is substantially downward. The pressing operation mechanism is a separate keytop operated from the two directions, or the pressing operation mechanism performs operations from the two directions with one keytop, and elastic deformation of the one keytop causes the pressing operation mechanism to operate. By configuring the push switch to operate, the above object is achieved more efficiently.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is used when it is placed horizontally and FIG. 2 is used when it is placed vertically. Indicates when you are. In the illustrated recording apparatus, the recording material 3 such as recording paper is manually fed in the horizontal orientation, and the automatic paper feeding device 9 is mounted in the vertical orientation to automatically feed the recording material 3 one by one. Is configured. 1 and 2, the exterior 1 of the recording apparatus serves as a paper feed tray when placed horizontally,
Openable and closable tray member 2 that serves as a paper ejection tray when placed vertically
Is attached. The tray member 2 serves as a lid of the recording device when the recording device is not used.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 4 is a recording material 3.
A discharge roller 5 for discharging the sheet is a first key top that serves as an operation unit that is manually operated from the outside when the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, and a 6 is manually operated from the outside when used in a vertical position. The second key top, which is the operation unit operated by
Is a platen for carrying the recording material 3 and forming a recording surface, and 8 is a recording head (recording means) for recording on the recording material 3. The automatic paper feeding device 9 is detachable, and can be mounted at the position shown in FIG. 2 when the recording device is placed vertically and used. A cable 10 for sending recording information from a host such as a personal computer to a recording device is connected to a side surface of the outer package 1 via a connector.

The recording head 8 is an ink jet recording head, and on the front surface thereof, a large number of ejection ports arranged in parallel to the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording material 3 such as paper or a plastic thin plate. Has been formed. An electrothermal converter is built in each ejection port, and by selectively driving (energizing) each electrothermal converter, ink droplets are ejected and ejected from a predetermined ejection port. ing.

That is, the recording head (recording means) 8
Is an inkjet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, which comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy, and is generated by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Recording is performed by ejecting ink from the ejection port by utilizing the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head 8. In FIG. 3, a plurality of ejection openings 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening formation surface 51 that faces the recording material 3 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). Further, an electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid passage 54 that connects the common liquid chamber 53 and each ejection port 52. There is. The recording head 8 is mounted on the carriage in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 54 to film-boil, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 52. Recording means (recording head) 8 is configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the recording apparatus is used horizontally, it is manually fed, and only one recording material 3 is set in the paper feed tray 2 to determine the first key top 5. The recording apparatus starts to operate by pressing the key from above, and the recording material 3 is fed onto the platen 7. Then, the recording head 8 starts recording together with the recording information sent from the cable 10. This recording is executed by alternately repeating the movement of the recording head 8 in the direction traversing the recording material 3 (main scanning) and the paper feeding of the recording material 3 (sub scanning). The recorded recording material 3 is ejected by the ejection roller 4. In this series of recording operations, the typeface, recording speed, recording density, etc., when the recording information is characters, can be set externally by the user, and these settings are as shown in FIG. When used horizontally, the first key top 5 is used to press these setting operations from above.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the recording apparatus is installed vertically, the automatic paper feeder 9 can be used. By setting a plurality of recording materials 3 in the automatic paper feeding device 9 and pressing the second key top 6, the recording device starts to operate in the same manner as described above. That is, when the recording material 3 is fed from the automatic paper feeding device 9 onto the platen 7, the recording head 8 starts recording together with the recording information sent from the cable 10. Recording is performed on the recording material 3 by alternately repeating the movement of the recording head 8 (main scanning) and the paper feeding of the recording material 3 (sub scanning), and the recorded recording material 3 is ejected by the ejection roller 4. The paper is discharged onto the paper tray 2. Also in this series of recording operations, the user can externally set the typeface, recording speed, recording density, etc. when the recorded information is characters, and it is used in a vertical position as shown in FIG. When doing, the second key top 6 is used to press these setting operations from above.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of the operating portion of the above-described recording apparatus. FIG. 4 shows the recording apparatus used horizontally and FIG. 5 shows the recording apparatus used vertically. Indicates. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a plurality of push switches 12 corresponding to the respective key tops 5 are provided on the circuit board 11 inside the recording apparatus, and the first key tops 5 are centered on the fulcrum 13 in the arrow A direction. The push switch 12 is configured to operate by rotating. Then, a hole 14 in the operation direction of the second key top 6 is formed in the first key top 5, and a part of the second key top 6 is engaged with the hole 14. In this case, the second key top 6 and the hole 14 are engaged with each other via the tapered surface as shown, and a gap is provided on the opposite side. Therefore, by moving the second key top 6 in the arrow Y direction, the first key top 5 can be rotated in the arrow A direction to operate the push switch 12.

In operation, when the first key top 5 is pressed (in the direction of arrow X), only the first key top 5 rotates in the direction of arrow A to operate the push switch 12. On the other hand, when the second key top 6 is pressed (arrow Y direction), the first key top 5 is rotated in the arrow A direction by the movement of the second key top 6, whereby the push switch 12 is moved. It will work.

According to the embodiment described above, when the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal position, it can be operated by pushing the first key top 5 in the direction of the arrow X as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the second key top 6 can be operated by pushing it in the direction of the arrow Y as shown in FIG. 5, so that the recording device can be set horizontally or vertically. It is possible to push the operation portion from the top to the bottom. As a result, it has become possible to greatly improve the operability of the switches of the recording apparatus.

6 and 7 are vertical cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the operating portion of the recording apparatus described above. FIG. 6 shows the recording apparatus when it is used in a horizontal position, and FIG. Indicates when to use. In FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of push switches 12 corresponding to the respective key tops 5 are provided on a circuit board 11 inside the printing apparatus, and the first key tops 5 are centered around a fulcrum 13 in the direction of arrow A. The push switch 12 is configured to operate by rotating. In this embodiment, the first key top 5 and the second key top 5
The key top 6 of is a U-shaped bent portion 15 that is elastically deformable.
Are formed integrally with each other.

The bent portion 15 is formed near the push switch 12, and the tip of the bent portion 15 contacts the push switch 12 during operation. When the second key top 6 is moved in the arrow Y direction, the bent portion 15 is elastically deformed so as to bend in the direction in which the lateral width becomes narrower, and the tip end thereof moves downward. The push switch 12 can be operated. That is, the integrated first key top 5 and second key top 6 constitute a key top that can be operated from two directions at substantially right angles.

In operation, when the first key top 5 is pressed (in the direction of arrow X), the first key top 5 is pressed as shown in FIG.
When the key top 5 of is rotated in the direction of arrow A and the bent portion 15 is moved downward as it is, the push switch 1
Turn on 2. On the other hand, when the second key top 6 is pressed (in the direction of the arrow Y), as shown in FIG.
5 is elastically deformed so as to be bent in the direction in which the width is narrowed, and the tip end thereof is moved downward to operate the push switch 12.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
When the recording apparatus is used horizontally, it can be operated by pushing the first key top 5 in the direction of arrow X as shown in FIG. 6, and when it is used vertically, the first key top 5 can be operated as shown in FIG. Since the key top 6 of No. 2 can be operated by pushing it in the direction of the arrow Y, the operation portion is pressed downward from above regardless of whether the recording apparatus is placed horizontally or vertically. It becomes possible. As a result, it has become possible to greatly improve the operability of the switches of the recording apparatus.

In the above-described embodiment, the serial type recording apparatus for recording while the recording head 8 moves in the direction traversing the recording material 3 has been described as an example. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line-type recording apparatus that uses a line-type recording head having a length that covers the entire area or a part of the width direction and performs recording only by sub-scanning, and similar effects can be obtained. is there. Further, when the present invention is applied to an inkjet recording apparatus, in addition to a cartridge type in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are separately provided and connected by an ink supply tube or the like The present invention can be similarly applied regardless of the arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank, and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the recording apparatus using one recording head has been described as an example, but the present invention is a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads for recording with different color inks, Alternatively, it can be similarly applied to any number of recording heads and recording colors such as a recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads recording with inks of the same color but different densities. The effect can be achieved.

When the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, it can be applied to, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings excellent effects in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type that ejects ink by utilizing it. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

With regard to its typical structure and principle, for example, the specifications of US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740 are set forth.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,967. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface
If the conditions described in No. 24 are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration in which the above is associated with the discharge portion. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, as described above, 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 material (recording medium) which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. .. As such a recording head,
Either a configuration that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed may be used. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the device body,
Alternatively, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the device body and supply ink from the device body when mounted on the device body, or an ink tank is integrally provided on the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when the above cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the recording apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

As described above, regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads having different recording colors and densities are provided. A plurality of inks may be provided corresponding to the ink. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be either the recording head is integrally configured or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for a device provided with at least one of color colors or full colors by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. Any liquid may be used. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies when left standing for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink which has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one which has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-54.
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is held as a liquid or a solid in a concave portion or a through hole of a porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. It may be in the form of the above.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the recording apparatus for recording on the recording material by the recording means, the push switch is provided on the circuit board of the recording apparatus to operate the exterior of the recording apparatus. Since a push operation mechanism capable of operating the push switch from two directions is provided in the section, the operation section of the operation section can be used regardless of whether the recording apparatus is used vertically or horizontally. (EN) Provided is a recording device capable of pressing a switch in substantially the same direction (usually from top to bottom) and improving the operability of the switch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration,
It can be used in both vertical and horizontal postures, and the operation direction of the pressing operation mechanism is substantially downward in any posture. The pressing operation mechanism is a separate key top operated from the two directions. In a certain configuration, or the pressing operation mechanism is configured such that the operation from the two directions is performed by one key top and the push switch is operated by elastic deformation of the one key top. Regardless of whether you use it vertically or horizontally, you can press the switch of the operating part in the same direction (usually from top to bottom), more efficiently, A recording device capable of improving the operability of a switch is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is used horizontally.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied is used in a vertical orientation.

3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operating state of an example of an operating unit of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied when the apparatus is placed horizontally.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operation state of the operation unit of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied when the apparatus is placed vertically.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operating state of another embodiment of the operating unit of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied when the operating unit is placed horizontally.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operating state of another embodiment of the operating portion of the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied when the operating portion is placed vertically.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Exterior 2 Tray Member 3 Recording Material 4 Paper Ejection Roller 5 First Key Top 6 Second Key Top 7 Platen 8 Recording Means (Recording Head) 9 Automatic Paper Feeding Device 10 Cable 11 Circuit Board 12 Push Switch 13 Support Point 14 Hole 15 Bent portion A Rotation direction of first key top X Operation direction of first key top Y Operation direction of second key top

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B41J 29/00 29/13 29/38 A 8804-2C G06K 15/00 8804-2C B41J 29/00 T 8804-2C 29/12 B

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A recording device for recording on a recording medium by a recording means, wherein a push switch is provided on a circuit board of the recording device, and a push switch capable of operating the push switch from two directions is provided on an operating portion of the exterior of the recording device. A recording device provided with an operating mechanism. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus can be used in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation, and the operating direction of the pressing operation mechanism is substantially downward in any orientation. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing operation mechanism is composed of separate key tops operated from the two directions. 4. The pressing operation mechanism is configured such that an operation from the two directions is performed by one key top, and the push switch is operated by elastic deformation of the one key top. The recording device according to claim 1. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an ink jet recording unit that ejects ink to perform recording. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.