JPH06210920A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the reliability of the abnormality judgment of a carrier position by judging the abnormality of the carrier position on the basis of the output of a detection means detecting the carrier position by the changeover of the output level at a predetermined position and the output of an estimation means estimating the carrier position on the basis of the number of drive pulses of a pulse motor. CONSTITUTION:A carrier loaded with a recording head 2 is moved by a carrier motor 9 and the predetermined position of the carrier is detected by a home position sensor 22. Further, the moving position of the carrier is estimated from the pulse position based on the number of the drive pulses of the carrier motor 9 and the abnormality judgment of the carrier position is performed on the basis of the output level of the sensor 22 and the pulse position. At this time, the judgment of the predetermined range containing the predetermined position is not performed and error judgment is not performed. As a result, the reliability of the abnormality judgment of the carrier position is enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly, a so-called serial type recording apparatus in which a recording head is mounted on a carrier and recording is performed while the carrier is conveyed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the recording material conveying direction. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such a recording apparatus, a carrier on which a recording head is mounted is conveyed by a conveying mechanism driven by a pulse motor in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording material as described above. The recording information is sent to the recording head for recording in synchronization with this. A sensor (hereinafter, home position sensor) for detecting the position of the carrier or the recording head is provided in order to obtain the reference of the recording position with respect to the recording material.

It is also known to detect an abnormal position state of a carrier due to a jam of a recording material, a step-out of a pulse motor, or the like, and perform a predetermined abnormal time process based on the detected state. One example of this is to provide an encoder on the pulse motor or the carrier and monitor the output of the encoder.

[0004]

However, in the case where the encoder or the like is specially provided, the apparatus becomes expensive accordingly, and a space is required for its installation, so that the apparatus is prevented from becoming large. It was not there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which can solve the above problems, can be manufactured at a low cost and can be made compact, and can judge an abnormality with high reliability.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a recording apparatus in which a carrier having a recording head is moved by using a pulse motor, and the carrier is changed by switching an output level at a predetermined position. Detecting means for detecting the position of the carrier, estimating means for estimating the position of the carrier based on the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor, and determining the abnormality of the position of the carrier based on the outputs of the detecting means and the estimating means. And a determination means, wherein the determination means makes a determination corresponding to a predetermined range including the predetermined position.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the abnormality determination of the carrier position is
This is performed based on the output of the detection unit that detects the carrier position by switching the output level at the predetermined position and the output of the estimation unit that estimates the position of the carrier based on the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor. It is performed corresponding to a predetermined range including.

Therefore, the switching of the output level at the predetermined position is displaced due to a mechanical error of the carrier transport mechanism, a shift of the stop position of the rotor of the step motor, a hysteresis of the detecting means, or the like. However, for example, it is possible to stop the abnormality determination within a predetermined range including this predetermined position, or to determine an abnormality when there is no output level switching within this predetermined range, so make an incorrect determination. There is no problem, and abnormality determination is performed with high reliability.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a carrier 1 is equipped with a head cartridge 4 in which a recording head 2 which constitutes a recording means and an ink tank 3 are connected. One end of the carrier 1 on the recording head 2 side is slidably fitted in a lead screw 6 rotatably supported by a chassis 5 forming a frame of the apparatus in the axial direction thereof. A guide (not shown) is arranged at the end, and the guide is slidably fitted in a guide rail 7 formed on the chassis 5 in parallel with the axial direction of the lead screw 6. And carrier 1
Lead screw 6 while maintaining that posture at all times
It is configured to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction with the rotation of the.

That is, in the lead screw 6, as shown in the drawing, a lead screw gear 8 fixed to the left end of the screw and a pinion gear 10 fixed to the output shaft of the carrier motor 9 mesh with each other, and the lead screw 6
A lead pin (not shown) attached to the carrier 1 is fitted in a guide strip (not shown) spirally formed at a predetermined pitch. Therefore, the carrier 1 reciprocates when the lead screw 6 rotates with the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the carrier motor 9.

Reference numeral 11 is a flexible cable for transmitting a print signal from the electric circuit described later to the recording head 2.
The flexible cable holder 12 positions and holds the pinch roller frame 13.

Reciprocating movement (scan) of the carrier 1 described above
By ejecting ink from the recording head 2 in synchronism with the above, one line of recording can be performed on the recording material 14.
That is, the recording head 2 generates a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a liquid passage and an energy acting portion provided in a part of the liquid passage, and energy acting on the liquid (also referred to as ink) in the acting portion. Equipped with energy generation means. Ink droplets are ejected from the orifice by utilizing the energy generated by this means.

As an energy generating means for generating such energy, an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element is used, electromagnetic waves such as a laser are radiated to generate heat, and droplets are ejected by the action of this heat generation. There are those which heat the liquid by an electrothermal conversion element having a heating resistor.

Among them, the recording head of the type in which the liquid is ejected by utilizing the thermal energy is capable of high-resolution recording because the liquid ejection ports can be arranged at a high density. Among them, the recording head using the electrothermal converting element as the energy generating means is easy to be made compact, and has the advantages of the IC technology and the microfabrication technology, which have been remarkably improved in technology and reliability in the recent semiconductor field. This is advantageous because it can be used in two parts, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

When one line is recorded by scanning the carrier 1, the recording medium 14 such as recording paper is conveyed by one line for one line and the next line is recorded. This is performed by a pair of rotating bodies of the conveying roller 15 and a pinch roller 16 that is in pressure contact with the conveying roller 15, and a pair of rotating bodies of a discharge roller 19 and a spur 18 that is in contact with the discharge roller 19.

To explain this concretely, the recording head 2
The recording material 14 whose recording surface faces the ejection opening surface of the sheet is pressed against the conveying roller 15 by the pinch roller 16, and the conveying roller 15 is appropriately rotated by the paper feed motor 17, so that the recording material 14 is conveyed to the recording position as much as necessary. . After recording, the recording material 14 is pressed against the discharge roller 19 by the spur 18 and is discharged and conveyed outside the apparatus by the rotation of the discharge roller 19.

The conveyance roller 15 and the discharge roller are driven by the paper feed motor 17, and the driving force is transmitted by the reduction gear train 20.

Reference numeral 21 is a paper sensor, which is the recording material 1.
The presence or absence of 4 is detected. Reference numeral 22 denotes a home position sensor composed of a photo interrupter, which is cut off by a blocking plate 1A attached to the carrier 1 and moving together with it.
It is detected that the carrier 1 is at the home position (on the left side in the drawing) by releasing the interruption.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a head cartridge portion and a carrier portion of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 23 designates the holding of the recording head 2.
Head lever for releasing, 24 is the ink tank 3
An ink tank lever for attaching / detaching, a head holder spring 25 for fixing the recording head 2 to the carrier 1,
26 is a tank case for holding the ink tank 3,
Reference numeral 27 denotes a connecting portion that fits the carrier 1 into the lead screw 6, and each of these portions constitutes a head cartridge portion and a carrier portion of the recording apparatus.

The recording head 2 includes a substrate on which a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements that generate thermal energy used for ejecting ink and a drive circuit for driving the electrothermal conversion elements are formed, and the plurality of electrothermal conversion elements on the substrate. A discharge port and a liquid passage corresponding to each of the conversion elements, and further, a top plate for forming a common liquid chamber communicating with each liquid passage is laminated,
Further, an electric contact for providing a signal from the recording apparatus main body to the drive circuit is provided. Further, a sensor for detecting the state of the recording head from the recording apparatus main body may be arranged in the recording head 2, and specifically, a temperature detection sensor for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the electrothermal conversion element,
Use while replacing the ink remaining amount detection sensor that detects this when the ink supply is exhausted and the ink is exhausted from the common liquid chamber, or the type of ink in the ink tank or the type of recording head that is different In this case, it is a head type determination sensor for specifying the type of head cartridge. The printing apparatus main body can judge the signals from these sensors and control the signals applied to the electrothermal conversion elements to optimize the printing state.

Then, the recording head thus constructed is mounted on the recording apparatus so that the ejection port surface on which the ejection ports are arranged faces the recording medium.

Next, when replacing the recording head or the head cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are connected,
A method of mechanically and electrically connecting the recording head 2 to the carrier 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the connecting portion of the recording head 2 to the carrier 1 as seen from the direction of the arrow a in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view with a part broken away to show the mounting order.

3 and 4, 28 is a positioning pin fixed to the carrier 1 and engaged with a hole provided in the recording head 2 for positioning in the directions of arrows a and b shown in FIG. Similarly, a stopper for receiving the recording head 2 fixed to the carrier 1 and pressed in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG.
A flexible cable for electrically connecting to and
1a and 11b are flexible cables 11 respectively
The positioning hole 30 provided in the flexible cable 1 is sandwiched between the flexible cable 11 and the carrier 1.
Flexible cable pad for elastically supporting 1 and 3
0a and 30b are positioning holes provided in the flexible cable pad 30, 30c is an ink barrier for preventing ink from entering the contact portion, 31 is provided in the recording head 2, and a heater (electrothermal conversion element) in the recording head 2 is provided. ) Part, a head contact part electrically connected to the
Reference numerals 31a and 31b are positioning holes provided in the head contact portion 31, and reference numeral 31c is a stopper contact portion with which the end surface of the stopper 29 abuts.

The recording head 2 is pressed in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 3 from the head holder spring 25 shown in FIG. 2 through a lever (not shown), and its position is at the position.
It is uniquely determined by the engagement of the positioning pin 28 with the hole provided in the, and the interference with the stopper 29. In this way, the recording head 2 and the carrier 1 are mechanically connected.

A plurality of electrical contacts are provided at opposite positions on the head contact portion 31 provided on the recording head 2 and the end surface of the flexible cable 11.
By pressing these with a predetermined pressure, the recording apparatus main body and the recording head 2 are electrically connected. At this time, since it is necessary to press-contact a plurality of electrical contacts at once, a flexible cable pad 30 made of an elastic material is provided in the pressing portion in order to press-contact them uniformly. The flexible cable pad 30 is made of, for example, silicon rubber, has a plurality of protrusions at positions corresponding to the above-described electrical contacts, and is configured so that the pressing stress is concentrated on the contacts. Furthermore, the above-mentioned electrical contacts provided on the flexible cable 11 may be formed in a protruding shape in order to further concentrate the stress when pressed and to ensure the connection.

Further, since the reaction force generated when pressed is much smaller than the force of the head holder spring 25 pressing the recording head 2, recording is performed by the reaction force from the flexible cable pad 30. The position of the head 2 will not be displaced.

Further, the carrier 1, the flexible cable pad 30, the flexible cable 11, the head contact portion 31, and the head cartridge 4 must be accurately positioned with respect to each other in order to obtain a reliable electrical connection and a good recording quality. However, for that reason, it is configured as follows.

That is, with reference to the two locating pins 28 of the carrier 1, one locating pin 28a is fitted into the locating holes 30a, 11a and 31a in common,
Further, the other positioning pin 28b has a positioning hole 30.
B, 11b, and 31b are commonly fitted to determine the positions in the directions of arrow a and arrow b shown in FIG.

Further, until the end surface of the stopper 29 comes into contact with the stopper contact portion 31c of the head contact portion 31, FIG.
By pressing the recording head 2 in the direction of arrow a, the position of the recording head 2 in the direction of arrow c shown in FIG. 4 can be accurately determined.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the stopper 29 has a predetermined inclination θ with respect to the carrying directions X1 and X2 of the carrier 1.
When the recording head 2 is positioned on the carrier 1, nozzles (ejection ports or orifices) # 1 arranged at a constant pitch P of the recording head 2 are formed.
#M is configured to incline by a predetermined amount d with respect to the length H of the nozzle array. Further, the distance G between the stoppers 29 is the nozzle array length H so that the accuracy of the predetermined amount d is maintained.
It has been taken big against.

Next, the configuration and electric circuit of the information processing apparatus incorporating the above-described ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing apparatus 50 incorporating the recording apparatus according to this embodiment. The information processing apparatus of this example is a so-called personal computer, and is of a handy type that is integrally provided with the inkjet recording apparatus. In the figure, 33 is a printer unit including the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, 51 is a keyboard unit having keys 511 for inputting characters, numbers and other characters, keys 512 for giving various commands, and 35 is It is a display device for displaying processing information and has a display screen 351.

In the printer section 33, the window 331 is made of transparent plastic, which allows the window 331 to pass through the window 331.
The movement of the head cartridge 4 can be seen. The window 331 is configured so that it can be opened and closed when replacing the ink tank or the like. Further, keys 332, 333, etc. are for independently instructing operations in the printer such as recovery processing in the printer section, recording paper conveyance, and the like. A floppy disk attachment / detachment port 512 is provided on the lower side of the keyboard 51.

The display 35 is used for the keyboard 5 when carrying it.
It is provided rotatably in the direction of arrow b in the figure so that it can be folded together with 1. Also, the keyboard 51
Is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow a in the drawing when the recording paper 14 is set in the printer unit 33.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus 50 and the printer section 33.

First, the printer section 33 will be described.
In the figure, reference numeral 36 is a controller that performs main control, 37 is a CPU in the form of, for example, a microcomputer that executes processing procedures on the printer side, which will be described later, 38 is a RAM provided with an area for work in the above processing, 39
Is an RO that stores a program corresponding to the above processing procedure.
Ms and 40s are timers that create necessary timings in the recording operation by the printer unit 33 that creates an execution cycle of the CPU 37, and 41 is an interface unit that connects a signal from the CPU 37 and the host device.

Reference numeral 42 is a drive unit of the printer unit 33, where 43 is the presence or absence of the head of the recording head 2, the type, the output value of each sensor for detecting the temperature of the recording head 2, and the ink tank 3. A head detection unit that detects information of the recording head such as an output of a sensor that detects the presence or absence of ink in the head, 44 is a line buffer for storing the recording data of the recording head 2, 45 is a drive signal or power for the recording head 2, and the like. Head driver for sending out, 46a, 46b, 46c
Is a motor driver that sends out signals and electric power necessary for driving the carrier motor 9, the spur 18, and the automatic paper feeding motor 48, 47 is the home position sensor 22,
It is a sensor detection unit that detects outputs of sensors such as the paper sensor 21, the paper feed initial sensor 49a, and the paper feed switching sensor 49b.

Next, the information processing device as the host device has a CPU 501 for executing processing on the host side. The ROM 503 stores the processing procedure and font data, and the RAM 502 has an area for expanding text data and image data outside the work area.

The CPU 501 performs a predetermined display on the display unit 35 while exchanging signals with the printer unit 33.

Further, 506 is, for example, FDD, HDD,
An external storage device such as a RAM card or the like, and an external interface 505 for communicating with other information processing devices or for directly connecting to an internal bus to control peripheral devices.

Although not included in the block diagram of FIG. 7, there is another power supply unit for supplying electric power to the control circuit, which includes, for example, a rechargeable battery, a disposable dry battery, and the like. Alternatively, there is a converter for AC power supply when the information processing apparatus main body is fixed and used.

With the control circuit configuration described above, recording is performed on the recording material (paper) 14 in the printer (recording device) section. Below, the outline of ejection control of the recording head will be described using the timing chart of FIG. Explain.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart when ink is ejected from the recording head 2 while scanning the carrier 1 in the X1 direction (see FIGS. 1 and 5).

Ink ejection is performed by nozzles # 1 to # 1 of the recording head 2.
This is performed sequentially in the order of #m. t1 represents the ejection time difference between the nozzles # 1 and # 2, t _m−1 represents the ejection time difference between the nozzles # 1 and #m, and t _cycle represents the ejection _cycle of the same nozzle. Usually, it is desirable that the time difference between the ejections of the adjacent nozzles be constant. That is, t _m-1 = (m-1) × t ₁ . Here, the carrier 1 is conveyed in the X1 direction at a speed R / t _cycle while ejecting at t _m-1 = d × t _cycle / R, whereby the nozzle inclination d (see FIG. 5) and the nozzle ejection Since the time difference t _m-1 is canceled out, it is possible to record without inclination.

The replacement of the recording head and the ink tank in the ink jet recording apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the above-described recording head and ink tank.

In the figure, the coupling claw 301 is provided on the ink tank 3 side, and the coupling claw guide hole 201 is provided on the recording head 2 side facing the coupling claw 301. The reference numeral 17 indicates that when the recording head 2 is taken out from the carrier,
It is a head tab for facilitating the taking-out operation. The ink tank 3 has no ink tank guide groove.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing the head cartridge portion and the carrier portion when the recording head and ink tank shown in FIG. 9 are used.

In the figure, 1 is a carrier for holding and scanning the recording head 2 and the ink tank 3, 23 is a head lever for holding and detaching the recording head 2, and 24 is an ink tank. An ink tank lever 117 for attaching and detaching 3 is a head holder for urging the recording head 2, and the shaft portion 1 of the head holder 1
A head pressing spring 25 is stretched between 17a and the shaft portion 102a of the carrier. The biasing force of the head pressing spring 25 is transmitted to the pressure receiving portion 2a of the recording head via the pressing portion 117b of the head holder 117. Reference numeral 118 denotes an ink tank holder for moving the ink tank by acting on the ink tank by the operation of the ink tank lever 24. The ink tank holder 118 has a front end acting portion 118a that acts on the recording head side end portion 3a of the ink tank and an ink tank holder. The recording head is provided with a rear end acting portion 118b that acts on the opposite end portion 3b.

Recording Head Replacement FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a case where the recording head and the ink tank shown in FIG.

In this case, by rotating the head lever 23 in the direction a in the drawing and raising it to such a position, the cam provided on the head lever 23 moves the head holder (not shown) in the direction b in the drawing. The head pressing spring 2 that presses the recording head 2 via the head holder
The pressing force applied to the recording head 2 by 5 is released. The head lever 23 also moves the ink tank holder 118 in the b direction in the figure. At this time, the front end working portion 118a of the ink tank holder 118 moves by engaging with the end portion 3a of the ink tank 3 on the recording head side, so that the recording head 2 and the ink tank 3 are moved in the direction b in the figure while being integrated. To do. In this state, the recording head 2 and the ink tank 3 can be moved together in the direction c in the figure, and the head tab 17a attached to the recording head 2 can be picked up from the carrier and lifted to the off-carrier state. it can. By performing the reverse operation to the above,
The recording head 2 and the ink tank 3 can be connected to and held by the carrier 1.

Ink Tank Replacement FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a case where the recording head and the ink tank shown in FIG. 9 are separated on the carrier 1.

In this case, the cam provided on the tank lever 24 moves the ink tank holder 118 in the direction b in the figure by rotating the tank lever 24 in the direction a in the figure and raising it to a predetermined position. Holder 1
17 does not move, and the head pressing spring 25 is in a state of pressing the recording head 2. At this time, the ink tank holder 11
Since the front end action portion 118a of No. 8 engages with the recording head side end portion 3a of the ink tank 3 to move, the ink tank 3 is released from the engagement state with the recording head 2 and moves in the direction b in the drawing. In this state, the ink tank 3 can be moved in the direction c in the figure, and by lifting the ink tank, it can be taken out of the carrier and brought into an off-carrier state. Conversely, by mounting the ink tank 3 on the ink tank holder 118 and rotating the tank lever 24 in the direction opposite to the direction a in the figure, a cam provided on the tank lever 24 causes the ink tank holder 118 to move in the direction shown in the figure. Move in the direction opposite to the b direction. At this time, since the rear end working portion 118b of the ink tank holder 118 engages with the end portion 3b of the ink tank 3 on the opposite side of the recording head, the ink tank 3 moves in the direction opposite to the direction b in the drawing, and the recording head. 2 and the engagement state. The ink tank 3 can be connected and held by the above operation.

Recording is performed on the recording material (paper) 14 by the printer (recording device) section 33 by the above-described electric circuit configuration. The home position initialization processing and abnormality determination processing of the carrier 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. Will be described with reference to the drawings.

When the printer unit 33 is powered on, a home position initialization process is executed to determine the reference position of the carrier 1. Therefore, first, in step S11, the home position sensor (hereinafter referred to as HP
The CPU 37 determines whether the sensor 22) is on or off. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S12, and the blocking plate 1
A K pulse that gives a moving distance of the carrier 1 in consideration of the length A is given to the carrier motor 9 to move the carrier 1 in the recording area direction (X ₁ direction). Then, step S13
In the above, the switching state of the HP sensor 22 is determined again, and if it is off, the process proceeds to step S15, and if it is on, an abnormality of the carrier mechanism of the carrier 1 or the carrier motor 9 is assumed. Therefore, predetermined error processing is performed at step S14. Done.

On the other hand, steps S11 and S1
3, when the HP sensor 22 is off, the carrier 1 is moved in the home position direction (X ₂ direction) by one pulse in step S15,
In step S16, the state of the HP sensor 22 is determined, and the HP
This operation is repeated until the sensor 22 is turned on. When the HP sensor 22 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S17, where this position is stored, and the carrier 1 is further moved toward the home position by a predetermined value L pulses and then stopped, and this position is set to the home position pulse position O in step S18. Set as.

When the above home position initialization processing is completed, the deviation amount G due to the mechanical error of the carrier transport mechanism is measured according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, after the carrier 1 is moved to the home position pulse position O in step S21, a one-way movement operation of mechanical error is performed in step S22. This is realized by moving the carrier 1 in the forward direction (X ₁ direction) by A pulses and then moving it in the backward direction (X ₂ direction) by the same amount by A pulses. Then, in step S23, the carrier 1 is moved from the pulse position O in the forward direction to the limit position B (see FIG. 15) of the traveling range for each pulse, while the HP sensor 22 is switched from the on position to the off position. Count ₁ Further, in step S24, the carrier 1 is similarly moved in the backward direction from the limit pulse position B, and the pulse position S _{2 at} which the HP sensor 22 is switched from OFF to ON is counted. Then, in step S25, the deviation amount G from the pulse positions S ₁ and S ₂ obtained above is G = S ₁ −S
_Ask as ₂ . Although not described in detail, this deviation amount G can also be used for correction for recording position alignment between forward and backward.

For recording by the recording head 2 mounted on the carrier 1, the moving distance of the carrier 1 is estimated by counting the number of drive pulses of the carrier motor 9 with the home position pulse position O as a reference. It is performed while controlling the recording start position and the like.

Next, an example of the procedure of the carrier position abnormality determination processing (hereinafter referred to as error check) during the moving operation of the carrier 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16 and the time chart of FIG. To do.

Based on the home position pulse position O, one drive pulse is sent to the carrier motor 9 in step S31. This drive pulse is counted as the motor pulse position in step S32. For example, the count-up is made in the case of the forward time and the count-down is made in the case of the returning time. Then, in step S33 or step 36, it is judged whether or not the counted pulse position is larger than the lower limit position P ₁ or the upper limit position P _{2 of the} predetermined range.

Now, the lower limit position P ₁ and the upper limit position P ₂ of the predetermined range will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, it is presumed that the output level of the HP sensor 22 is switched at the pulse position S ₁ during the forward movement and at the pulse position S ₂ during the backward movement. However, these positions may cause an error due to a mechanical error of the transport mechanism of the carrier 1, a displacement of the rotor position of the carrier motor 9, a hysteresis of the HP sensor 22, or the like.
If the judgment is made based only on the pulse positions S ₁ and S ₂ , there is a risk of erroneous judgment. Therefore, in order to absorb such an error, a predetermined range is set by adding a predetermined margin margin n pulse equivalent to both sides of the above-described deviation amount G, and the lower limit position is set as P ₁ and the upper limit position is set as P ₂ .

Thus, in step S33, the step position of the carrier motor 9 representing the estimated position of the carrier ₁ is compared with the lower limit position P _1, and if it is smaller than P ₁ , step S
Proceeding to 34, it is determined whether the HP sensor 22 is off. If it is on, the error check routine is terminated because it is a normal condition and therefore normal. However, when the HP sensor 22 is off in a range smaller than the lower limit position P ₁ , it is in a state that cannot occur, so that it is determined to be an abnormal state and the error processing of step S35 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the above step position is larger than the lower limit position P ₁ , the process proceeds to step S36, and it is determined whether it is larger than the upper limit position P ₂ . When it is larger, the process proceeds to step S37, and contrary to the above, it is determined whether or not the HP sensor 22 is on. If it is off, it is a state that can occur naturally, so it ends as normal, but if it is on, it is a state that cannot occur. Therefore, as in the case described above, it is determined to be an abnormal state, and the error processing of step S38 is performed. Done.

By the way, when the pulse position is smaller than the upper limit position P ₂ in step S36, that is, within the predetermined range between the lower limit position P ₁ and the upper limit position P ₂ ,
The routine ends without making any judgment. Thus,
Within the predetermined range including the predetermined positions S ₁ and S ₂ that may make an erroneous judgment, the abnormality judgment is stopped and the reliability of the judgment is ensured.

In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormal state by comparing with the output level state of the HP sensor 22 outside the predetermined range, but conversely, the lower limit position P ₁ and the upper limit are determined. It may be possible to determine whether or not the state is abnormal by determining whether or not the output level of the HP sensor 22 is switched within a predetermined range between the position P ₂ and the position. That is, when the output level of the HP sensor 22 does not switch within the predetermined range, it is determined that the output is abnormal.

Further, another example of the procedure of the abnormality determination processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. 17 and the flowchart of FIG.

In this example, in contrast to the above example in which the margin amount n pulses are added to both sides of the deviation amount G to define the predetermined range,
Predetermined positions S ₁ and S ₂ when the carrier 1 moves forward and backward
In addition to the margin margin Sa pulse,
The forward predetermined range and the return predetermined range are set. By doing so, the error check accuracy can be improved.

In the error check in this example, one drive pulse is sent to the carrier motor 9 in step S41 as in the previous example. Then, the shift direction of the carrier motor 9 is determined in step S42, and if it is the forward direction, the process proceeds to step S43, and one pulse is added to the current pulse position. Next, in step S44, the pulse position HP sensor 22 is an error processing if it is off less than (S ₁ -Sa), also pulse position (S ₁ +
If the HP sensor 22 is larger than Sa) and the HP sensor 22 is on, error processing is performed, and it is not determined whether or not there is an abnormality within a predetermined forward range including the predetermined position S ₁ .

If it is judged in the backward direction in step S42, one pulse is subtracted from the current pulse position in step S45. Then, step S46
, The pulse position is smaller than (S ₂ -Sa) and HP
Error processing if the sensor 22 is turned off, if the pulse position (S ₂ + Sa) greater than HP sensor 22 is on to perform an error process, or abnormalities in the recovery time of a predetermined range including a predetermined position S ₂ It suffices not to judge whether or not it is.

An example of the above error processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this error processing, the above-described home position initialization processing is performed in step S51, capping of the recording head 2 is performed in step S52, and error notification processing is performed in step S53.

(Others) The present invention is provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating heat energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system. The present invention brings about excellent effects in a recording head and a recording apparatus of the type in which the state of ink is changed by the heat energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
It can be applied to any of the continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling is caused on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one correspondence
It is effective because bubbles can be formed inside. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening 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 the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration corresponding to the ejection portion is disclosed in JP-A-59-138461. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main body of the apparatus, or the electrical connection to the main body of the apparatus or the ink from the main body of the apparatus by being attached to the main body of the apparatus. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, as the constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to add an ejection recovery means of the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means and the like because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, heating is performed by using a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit for the recording head, an electrothermal converter or a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof. Examples thereof include a preliminary heating unit for performing the discharge and a preliminary discharge unit for performing discharge different from the recording.

Regarding the type and the number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, and a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. A plurality of pieces may be provided. 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 it may be either the recording head is integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full-color recording modes by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Or, in the inkjet system, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within the range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. Sometimes, a liquid ink may be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or in order to prevent the evaporation of the ink, it is solidified and heated in the standing state. You may use the ink liquefied by. In any case, by applying thermal energy such as ink that is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In this case, the ink is
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent No. 1260, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet. 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 the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, besides the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function are provided. It may be a form or the like.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when determining an abnormal position state of a carrier,
It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination and make a highly reliable abnormality determination.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carrier portion of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a partially enlarged view of a carrier portion of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a method of connecting the carrier portion and the head cartridge portion of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a method of positioning the carrier portion and the head cartridge portion of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an information processing apparatus incorporating the ink jet recording apparatus of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of ink ejection of the recording head of the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the connection between the recording head and the ink tank in the head cartridge of the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a top view for explaining the connection between the recording head and the ink tank in the head cartridge of the above embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining attachment / detachment of the recording head and the ink tank.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining attachment / detachment of the recording head and the ink tank.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of home position initialization processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a shift amount measuring process in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a time chart showing an example of the relationship between the HP sensor output and a predetermined range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of error check processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing another example of the relationship between the HP sensor output and the predetermined range in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another example of the error check processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of error processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Carrier 2 Recording Head 3 Ink Tank 4 Head Cartridge 5 Chassis 6 Lead Screw 7 Guide Rail 8 Lead Screw Gear 9 Carrier Motor 10 Pinion Gear 11 Flexible Cable 11a, 30a, 31a, 11b, 30b, 31b Positioning Hole 12 Cable Holder 13 Pinch Roller Frame 14 Recording material 15 Conveying roller 16 Pinch roller 17 Paper feed motor 18 Spur 19 Discharging roller 20 Reduction gear train 21 Paper sensor 22 Home position sensor 23 Head lever 24 Ink tank lever 25 Head holder spring 26 Tank case 27 Connecting part 28 Positioning Pin 29 Stopper 30 Flexible cable pad 30c Ink barrier 31 Head contact part 31c Stopper contact part 33p Input unit 35 Display unit 36,42 Controller 37,501 CPU 38,502 RAM 39,503 ROM 40 Timer 41 Interface unit 43 Head detection unit 44 Line buffer 45 Head driver 46a, 46b, 46c Motor driver 47 Sensor detection unit 48 Automatic supply Paper motor 49a Paper feed initial sensor 49b Paper feed switching sensor 50 Information processing device (host unit) 51 Keyboard unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus in which a carrier having a recording head mounted thereon is moved by using a pulse motor, and a detection means for detecting the position of the carrier by switching the output level at a predetermined position, and a drive pulse for the pulse motor. An estimation unit that estimates the position of the carrier based on a number, and a determination unit that determines an abnormality in the position of the carrier based on the outputs of the detection unit and the estimation unit. A recording apparatus, characterized in that the recording is performed in correspondence with a predetermined range including a position. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is set based on the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor, and the judgment by the judgment means is stopped within the predetermined range. 3. The predetermined range is set on the basis of the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor, and when the output level of the detecting means is not switched within the predetermined range, the judging means judges that there is an abnormality. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
The recording device according to 1. 4. The predetermined range is set separately as a forward predetermined range when the carrier moves in the forward direction and a backward predetermined range when the carrier moves in the backward direction. The recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The recording device is an inkjet recording device, and the recording head has an electrothermal converter, and ejects by utilizing film boiling generated in ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ink is ejected from an outlet.