JPH0858074A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a relatively inexpensive storage box and a mounting means for the box to a device main body which prevent clogging due to the exposure of a recording head not placed in a recorder with the air or due to its loss due to indefinite placing position. CONSTITUTION: A storage box 14 in which a body 14 is integrally molded with a cover 14c and a thin part 14a between the both is operated as a hinge can be fixed at a plurality of positions at either the right or left side of the body by a storage box hanger as engaging means to the body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink onto a recording medium to perform recording, and more specifically, an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a means for protecting the ink ejection surface of a recording head and a means for storing the recording head. The present invention relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet printer for recording characters or images on a recording medium by ejecting ink by abruptly changing the pressure in a liquid passage of ink by utilizing vibration of a piezoelectric element or expansion force of bubbles. Is easy to miniaturize, high-definition images can be recorded at high speed, operating cost is low, and it is a non-impact system, so there is less noise, and color image recording is easy using multicolor inks. It is widely used nowadays because it can be done.

In the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a so-called permanent head system, which uses the recording head semipermanently, has been adopted. However, these permanent head systems require a relatively large space and a large number of parts in the ink supply system, and there is a limit to miniaturization thereof. Moreover, in order to secure strict printing durability, since it is produced through many processes, there is a tendency that the cost becomes high. For this reason, a disposable head type recording head (hereinafter simply referred to as a "recording head"), in which the recording head is integrated with an ink cartridge, and when the ink is used up, the entire recording head is replaced, is widely used.

In the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus, the water content of the ink evaporates from the ink ejection port of the recording head, the viscosity of the ink in the liquid passage increases, the ink solidifies, and the recording medium, paper, is used. If the generated paper dust, dust in the operating environment, dust, ink ejected from the ejection port, etc. adheres to the ejection surface, the ejection direction becomes unstable,
Normal ink ejection cannot be performed, such as clogging.

Therefore, in this type of apparatus, in order to prevent the above-described defective phenomenon, the ink ejection surface is regularly wiped cleanly, the ink ejection portion is sealed with a cap at the time of non-recording, and suction by a pump or the like is performed. A recovery device is provided for sucking the ink from the ink ejection port through the cap by the means to maintain the normalization of the ejection operation.

For example, in a serial type ink jet recording apparatus, when recording is not performed, the carriage on which the recording head is mounted is stopped at a position facing a cap provided outside the recording range, and the ink is stopped by this cap. The discharge part is configured to be hermetically closed (hereinafter referred to as "capping").

[0007]

Even in a small-sized ink jet recording apparatus which employs the above-mentioned disposable head system, which has become popular in recent years, color printing can be easily performed by simply replacing the recording head. . Also, depending on the purpose of use, a recording head containing a different ink such as a water-resistant ink can be used. As described above, a plurality of recording heads can be exchangeably mounted on one recording device.

However, since only one recording head can be attached to the carriage at the same time for one recording device, unused recording heads, that is, recording heads not mounted in the recording device, are exposed to air,
Moisture from the ink may evaporate from the ink ejection port and increase in viscosity, causing clogging, and recording may not be possible.

In addition, since the recording head which is not used is indefinitely placed, it is easy to be lost. Even if a storage box is provided, if the storage box cannot be fixed to the recording apparatus main body, the recording head is stored. It is easy to lose the whole box. Further, when the storage box can be fixed only to the specific side on either the left side or the right side of the recording apparatus body, the degree of freedom in installing the recording apparatus body is limited. Furthermore, it is desirable that the structure of the storage box itself be as simple as possible in order to suppress cost increase due to an increase in the number of parts.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an unused recording head can be stored so as not to be exposed to the air, which is convenient on either the left or right side of the recording apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost recording head storage box that can be attached via a coupling means.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the present invention, 1) a plurality of types of ink cartridge integrated recording heads are alternately attached to the main body according to the purpose of use, and ink is ejected according to the image information received from the host. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming characters and images on a recording medium by ejecting ink from a section, comprising a storage box for storing an unused ink cartridge recording head. In addition, 2) the storage box is configured to be attachable to either the left or right side of the inkjet recording apparatus main body via the engaging means, or 3) the engaging means is configured to be removable. Alternatively, 4) the main body and the lid of the storage box are integrally molded, and the thin portion between the two serves as a hinge, and 5) Serial storage boxes, by configured to be mounted at least two on the left and right sides of the ink jet recording apparatus main body at the same time, it is intended to achieve the object.

[0012]

With the above-described structure of the present invention, the unused recording head can be stored in the storage box and is not exposed to the air, so that the water content of the ink evaporates from the ink discharge port, the viscosity increases, and clogging occurs. It will not be lost. Further, since the storage box of the recording head according to the present invention is configured to be fixed to either the left or right side of the recording apparatus main body through a part such as a storage hanger, the recording head is prevented from being lost and the recording apparatus main body is installed. The degree of freedom is not limited. In addition, the storage box is made by integrally molding the main body and lid,
The cost increase due to the increase in the number of parts can be kept low.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an essential part of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus, without external parts. It is a figure. The recording head 1 for recording characters and images on the recording medium 5 by ejecting ink from the ejection port of the ink ejection surface 1 a is mounted on the carriage 2 and the carriage 2
Moves reciprocally along the guide shaft 3 that guides the moving direction while facing the recording medium 5.

The recording medium 5 is pressed against the paper feed roller 4 by the pinch roller 6 and is conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 4. Further, the recording medium 5 on which the image has been formed is ejected outside the recording apparatus by the paper ejection roller 7.

Paper dust, ink and the like attached to the ink ejection surface 1a are scraped off by a wiper 8 provided outside the image forming area. Further, a cap 9 for covering the ejection surface 1a to prevent clogging of the ejection port and sucking ink from the outside of the recording head 1 is provided, and a pump is connected to the cap 9. .

The recording head 1 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by an electrothermal converter. Is.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head 1. In FIG. 8, a plurality of ejection openings 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening formation surface 51 that faces the recording medium with a predetermined clearance, and the common liquid chamber 53 and each ejection opening 52 communicate with each other. An electrothermal converter (heat-generating resistor or the like) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid path 54.

In this embodiment, the recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage 2. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal converter is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the liquid passage 54 to flow.
The recording head 1 is configured to cause the ink inside to film-boil and eject the ink from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time.

FIG. 2 shows the exterior parts and the discharge tray 13 (13
3A is a perspective view seen from the front side of an inkjet recording apparatus used in the present invention, in which an extension is shown).
FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the rear side. The exterior component includes a rear cover 10, an upper cover 11 and an openable front cover 12.

In FIG. 2, 20 is a sheet feeder, 21 is a paper selection lever, 22 is a paper rest, and 2 is a paper rest.
3 is a paper guide, 24 is a control panel, 25 is a DIP switch cover, 26 is a power connector, and 27 is a parallel interface connector.

When replacing the recording head 1, as shown in the front perspective view of FIG. 4, the front cover 12 is opened to the front and then the recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the ink jet recording apparatus used in this embodiment has only one recording head attached at the same time. Therefore, a storage box 14 (FIG. 5) for storing unused recording heads was prepared. In this storage box 14, the main body and the lid 14c are integrally formed, and the thin wall portion 14a between them serves as a hinge. If the replacement recording head 1 is placed in the storage box body 14 from above with the label facing you and the lid 14c is closed, the recording head 1 can be stored without being exposed to air.

A protective sheet for protecting the ejection surface 1a of the recording head (see FIG. 1) is provided on the inner bottom surface of the storage box 14 and serves as a cap. Hanger attachment portions 14b for attaching a storage box hanger 15 shown in FIG. 6 to be described later are provided on both left and right sides. The storage box 14 is
It is fixed to the recording apparatus main body via the storage box hanger 15.

Next, a method of attaching the storage box 14 to the recording apparatus main body will be described. FIG. 6 shows the attachment explanatory view. A storage box hanger 15 was prepared for attaching the storage box 14 to the recording apparatus main body. This storage box hanger 15
Is composed of a storage box mounting portion 15a and a main body mounting portion 15b. As shown in the enlarged detail view of FIG. 6, the back cover 10
There is a gap C between the upper cover 11 and the upper cover 11, and by inserting the main body attachment portion 15b of the storage box hanger 15 into this gap, the attachment of the storage box hanger 15 to the recording apparatus main body is completed. Although not shown, there is a similar gap on the opposite side of the recording apparatus main body, so that it can be attached to the opposite side.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of attaching the storage box 14 to the recording apparatus main body. If the storage box mounting portion 15a of the storage box hanger 15 is inserted into the hanger mounting portion 14b of the storage box 14 as shown in the figure, the mounting operation of the storage box 14 to the recording apparatus main body is completed. Storage box hanger 1
The storage box mounting portion 15a of 5 has a symmetrical shape, and
Since the hanger attachment portions 15b are provided on both the left and right sides of the storage box 14, the storage box 14 can be attached to the opposite side of the recording apparatus main body in the same manner.

It is needless to say that the storage box hanger 15 and the storage box 14 do not have to be separate bodies, and both may be integrally configured. Storage box 14 and its hanger 1
If 5 and 5 are integrated, the number of parts can be reduced and the handleability is improved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using, for example, a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezoelectric element.
Above all, it has an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of a single head type ink jet recording apparatus in which one recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 has been described, but the present invention is applicable to a plurality of inks of different colors. It is also applicable to a recording apparatus such as an inkjet recording apparatus for color recording using a single recording head, or an inkjet recording apparatus for multi-value recording using a plurality of recording heads for recording with the same color but with different densities. It is possible to obtain the same effect.

[0029]

As described above, according to the storage box of the present invention, an unused recording head can be stored so as not to be exposed to air, and the recording head can always eject ink normally. Can be kept. In addition, there is no restriction on the attachment of the storage box to the device body,
There is an advantage that it can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view when the front cover is opened.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recording head and its storage box.

[Figure 6] Storage box installation explanatory diagram

[Fig. 7] An explanatory view of the mounting work of the storage box

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an ink ejection unit structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Head 1a Ink Ejection Surface 2 Carriage 3 Guide Shaft 4 Paper Feed Roller 5 Recording Medium 6 Pinch Roller 7 Paper Ejection Roller 8 Wiper 9 Cap 10 Rear Cover 11 Upper Cover 12 Front Cover 13 Paper Ejection Tray 14 Storage Box 14a Thin Section 14b Hanger mounting part 15 Storage box hanger 15a Storage box mounting part 15b Main body mounting part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location B41J 29/13 B41J 3/04 102 Z 29/12 A (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Saito Ota-ku, Tokyo Shimomaruko 3-30-2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kinoshita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Haruyuki Yanagi 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Makoto Karama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Koichi Tanno 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tetsuo Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of types of ink cartridge integrated type recording heads are alternately attached to a main body according to the purpose of use, and ink is ejected from an ink ejecting section in accordance with image information received from a host to form characters and images on a recording medium. An ink jet recording apparatus to be formed, comprising: a storage box for storing an unused one of the ink cartridge integrated recording heads. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage box is configured to be attachable to either the right or left side of the ink jet recording apparatus main body via an engaging means. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engaging means is removable. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body and the lid of the storage box are integrally molded, and the thin portion between the two serves as a hinge. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein two or more of the storage boxes can be attached to both right and left sides of the ink jet recording apparatus main body at the same time.