JPH09172518A - Read unit and recorder capable of mounting the read unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid reading of undesired information at a lower part of an original by seeing through the original even in the case of reading from the original of an OHP sheet (right transmissive plastic sheet) or a thin paper sheet. SOLUTION: The recorder has a recording head to jet ink to read an image, a carriage 2 on which a read unit to read an image described on a recording medium is mounted, and a white reference board 71 having a reference face to calibrate the read unit. In the case of reading, a white reference shutter lever 72 provided to the recorder is used to isolate the reference face of th white reference board 71 from a space in the recorder in which recording is made by the recording head when the unit calibration is not executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading unit detachably attached to a recording apparatus and a recording apparatus to which the reading unit can be attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional serial printer, a thermal transfer method is used on a carriage that moves back and forth along a recording medium in a direction different from the conveying direction of the recording medium.
Recording is performed by mounting a wire dot type or daisy wheel type ink ribbon cassette or an inkjet type head cartridge.

There is also a reading printer that functions as a reading device by mounting a reading unit having a reading function on the carriage instead of the ink ribbon cassette.

Generally, in a reading printer, a light source attached to a reading unit irradiates a document surface with light,
The structure is such that the reflected image from the document surface is read by a reading sensor via a lens and the like, the carriage reciprocates serially, the document is conveyed every time one line is read, and a mechanism for reading the contents of one page is provided. Has become.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional reading printer, when performing reading operation from OHP paper (light transmitting plastic sheet) or thin paper,
In some cases, these originals were read through to read the irregularities, holes, colors, etc. of the printer body such as a platen which serves as a recording base for recording paper at the time of recording.

Further, when the platen is soiled due to adhesion of ink or the like at the time of recording, the paper is soiled at the time of reading, or when reading from OHP paper or thin paper as in the case described above. , Sometimes, these originals were read through to read dirt on the platen.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, and the original document is used even when the reading operation is performed from OHP paper (light transmitting plastic sheet) or thin paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus having a reading function that does not read unnecessary information in the lower portion of a document through a sheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus having a reading function in which the reference correcting means used in the reference correction during the reading function is not contaminated.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording in which a recording head for recording on a recording medium can be mounted on a carriage which carries and moves a reading unit for reading an original. In the apparatus, a detachable white plate member is provided at a position facing the reading unit along a region where the carriage moves.

Further, the flat plate material also functions as a white reference setting member in the reading operation.

Further, the recording head is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port.

Further, the recording head is an ink jet recording head which ejects ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

Further, in a reading unit used in a recording device in which a recording head unit for recording on a recording medium and a reading unit for reading an image of an original are selectively exchangeable with respect to a carrier which reciprocates, For reading an image, a document image reading unit that constitutes a predetermined reading optical path that is reflected and reflected from the document surface, and a position corresponding to the document surface on the reading optical path when the carrier is at a predetermined position. And a movable member having a reference correction unit for reading which is moved to.

Further, the movable member is a lever, a part of which is projected to the outside of the reading unit.

Further, the reference correction means comprises a white reference or a pattern mark.

Further, the recording head unit is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port.

Further, the recording head unit is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

Further, a recording head for ejecting ink to record an image and a mounting means for mounting an image scanner unit for reading an image described on a recording medium, and a mounting means opposed to the mounting means are provided. In a recording apparatus having a white reference provided with a reference surface for calibrating the image scanner unit, when the image scanner unit is not calibrated, the reference surface of the white reference is set by the recording head in the apparatus. It is characterized by having an isolation means for isolating it from a recording space.

Further, when only the image scanner unit is mounted on the mounting means, the isolation means makes the reference plane of the white reference face the image scanner unit.

Further, the mounting means is provided with a scanning means for scanning the mounting means in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium, and when the mounting means is scanned to a position facing the white reference, the isolation means is provided. The means is characterized in that the reference surface of the white reference is opposed to the image scanner unit.

Further, the recording head is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port.

Further, the recording head is an ink jet recording head which ejects ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

(Operation) In the present invention configured as described above, a white portion is provided at a position where the reading unit reads during the reading function, that is, on a straight line where the carriage moves and at a portion facing the reading unit. By fitting the flat plate material, the irregularities, holes, colors, stains such as ink and the like existing in the reading unit of the recording apparatus main body are covered and hidden. Therefore, OH
Even when reading from P paper or thin paper, there is no possibility that the original is seen through and irregularities, holes, colors, stains such as ink are read, and the original is not stained due to stains of ink during the reading function.

Further, since the flat plate material also serves as the white reference setting member, no new component is added to set the white reference.

Further, when the carrier is at a predetermined position, the movable member incorporated in the reading unit is operated, and the reference correction means for reading that the movable member has is installed at a position corresponding to the document surface on the reading optical path. To be done.

As a result, since the reference correction means does not exist at the time of recording, it is never contaminated with ink, and it is not necessary to mechanically add or change the design for reading and using the recording apparatus.

Further, when the calibration surface of the image scanner unit is not calibrated, the white reference surface is contaminated by having an isolation means for isolating the reference surface of the white reference from an empty space where recording is performed by the recording head in the apparatus. No more problems during calibration and no need for cleaning.

[0028]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure around a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of mounting an image scanner as an embodiment according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a carriage 2 on which a recording head cartridge 1 for ejecting ink for recording is detachably mounted, has a guide shaft 5 and a guide shaft 5 which are fixed in parallel to each other and whose both ends are fixed to a frame 4. The rail 12 is slidably supported in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P and parallel to the surface of the recording medium P. Further, the carriage 2 is coupled to a part of a carriage drive belt 11 which is wound around a drive pulley 13 fixed to an output shaft of a carriage drive motor 10 and a driven pulley (not shown) rotatably supported. By driving the carriage drive motor 10, the carriage drive belt 11 rotates, and the carriage 2 is reciprocally movable.

The recording head cartridge 1 has a nozzle portion (not shown) for ejecting ink based on a recording signal which is an electric signal for ejecting ink, and a mono color holder (not shown).
An ink tank 30 containing ink is detachably held in the monocolor holder. The nozzle portion is provided at the bottom portion (lower end portion in the drawing) of the recording head cartridge 1, and ink is ejected downward in the drawing.
A recording signal to the recording head cartridge 1 is transmitted from a control board (not shown) that controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus via the flexible cable 3 provided on the carriage 2. The flexible cable 3 is arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 2 and forms a loop as the carriage 2 moves. The recording head cartridge 1 and the carriage 2 will be described in detail later.

The recording medium P is loaded on a pressure plate 8 whose both ends are rotatably supported by the frame 4. The pressure plate 8 is biased toward the pickup roller 9 by biasing means (illustrated), and the recording medium P loaded on the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the pickup roller 9. When the pickup roller 9 is rotated by the paper feed command from the control board, the recording medium P is sent out by the frictional force between the pickup roller 9 and the recording medium P. The pressure plate 8 is provided with a separating means (not shown) such as a separating claw used in a conventional automatic paper feeding device, and only one recording medium P at the uppermost position is sent out by the operation of the separating means. You can

The recording medium P sent out by the pickup roller 9 is conveyed below the carriage 2 while being nipped by the conveying roller 6 whose both ends are supported by the frame 4 and the pinch roller 7 provided on the base 14. Then, the recording is performed on the recording medium P at this position. A discharge roller 15 and a spur 16 are arranged to face each other on the downstream side of the carriage 2 in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P, and the recording medium P that has passed below the carriage 2 is discharged from the discharge rollers 1 and 2.
The sheet is sandwiched between the sheet 5 and the spur 16 and discharged. The pickup roller 9, the transport roller 6, and the paper discharge roller 1 described above.
The drive of 5 is performed by using a conveyance drive motor (not shown) as a drive source.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the structure around the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing. In the following description, the upstream side with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P is referred to as the back side, the surface thereof is referred to as the back surface, the downstream side is referred to as the front side, and the surface thereof is referred to as the front surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a case whose outer case is constituted by a lower case 18 and an upper case 17. Upper case 1
A first opening is provided at a position corresponding to the pressure plate 8 on the back side of the plate 7, and a top cover 19 that covers the upper case 17 is provided so as to be openable and closable. When the top cover 19 is opened, it serves as a tray for setting the recording medium P on the pressure plate 8, and the recording medium P is fed from the first opening.

Further, the upper case 17 is provided with a second opening from the central portion to the front surface thereof, and the recording head cartridge 1, the image scanner unit or the ink tank 30 can be attached and detached from the second opening. it can. Therefore, when the recording head cartridge 1, the image scanner unit, and the ink tank 30 are replaced, the carriage 2 is moved to the center by a predetermined operation. A head cover 20 that covers a part of the upper surface and the front surface of the second opening is openably provided on the front side of the second opening for replacement. When the head cover 20 is not replaced, the head cover 20 is opened. Closed recording head cartridge 1
And protects the image scanner unit.

Next, the recording head cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the direction in which the head terminal portion can be seen, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from a direction in which a surface opposite to the surface of FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

The recording head cartridge 1 described in the present embodiment is a monochrome (single color) cartridge and, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, is a box type having nozzles 50 for ejecting ink and openings on the upper surface. The mono-color holder 60 having the above-described shape is integrated with the mono-color holder 60, and the ink tank 30 for accommodating ink is detachably mounted inside the mono-color holder 60.

As shown in FIG. 6, the nozzle portion 50 is a grooved member in which a base plate 51 made of a metal plate such as aluminum is provided with grooves forming a plurality of liquid passages 50d and a common liquid chamber 50c. A plurality of ejection ports 50b, which are the opening ends of the liquid passages 50d, are formed on the ejection port surface 50a that is fixed to the recording medium P (see FIG. 1). Each liquid passage 50d is formed at a predetermined pitch, and each liquid passage 50d
An electrothermal converter (heat-generating resistor, etc.) that generates energy for ejecting ink on the base plate 51 corresponding to d.
50e is provided. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 30 (see FIG. 3) to the common liquid chamber 50c.
Each electrothermal converter 50e is electrically connected to the head terminal portion 53 shown in FIG. 3 via a wiring (not shown).

In the recording head cartridge 1 configured as described above, the ink supplied from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c is guided to the respective liquid passages 50d, and the ejection port 50 is formed.
It is held by forming a meniscus at b. At this time, by selectively driving the electrothermal converter 50e, film boiling occurs to generate bubbles in the liquid path 50d, and the growth of the bubbles causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 50b. In addition,
Although the electrothermal converter 50e is shown here as an element that generates energy for ejecting ink, it is not limited to the electrothermal converter 50e, and a piezoelectric element or the like that generates mechanical energy that momentarily applies ejection pressure may be used. You may use.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the base plate 51 fixed to one end wall of the mono-color holder 60 is provided with a head positioning notch 53a and a head positioning hole 53b. . These are, for example, the head positioning protrusions 2 of one carriage 2 in the embodiment described later.
d, 2e (see FIG. 10). Further, the head terminal portion 53 connected to the electrothermal converter 50e comes into contact with the cable terminal portion 3a (see FIG. 10) of the carriage 2.
Further, the head attachment / detachment operation unit 60c is provided so that when the recording head cartridge 1 is removed from the carriage 2, the user can easily remove it by pulling it upward with a finger.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank 30 is incorporated in the mono-color holder 60 and can be easily replaced by pushing the latch lever 32a. Also,
The head pressing portion 60b fits with the head guide of the carriage 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle portion 50 is attached to the base plate 51.
Is connected to the mono color holder 60 by an ink flow path 60d, and is connected from the ink tank 30 to the common liquid chamber 50c described above.
(See FIG. 6) and ink are supplied.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 7 is an external view of a structure around a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the recording head 2
02 or a carriage 230 on which the reading unit 203 is mounted, a paper feed roller 215 that conveys recording paper (not shown), a carriage belt 226 for reciprocating the carriage 230 in the sub-scanning direction of the recording paper, and a platen 240. And a white flat plate material 250 provided on the.

As described above, by inserting the flat plate material into the main body of the recording apparatus and covering the entire upper surface of the platen with the flat plate material 250, irregularities, holes, stains such as color and ink on the platen are hidden, and the read original is read. Even when OHP paper (not shown) such as a light-transmissive plastic sheet or thin paper, these irregularities, holes, colors and ink stains can be prevented from being read through the read document.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing one structural example of a flat plate material applied to the ink jet recording printer apparatus shown in FIG.

The flat plate member 250 shown in FIG. 8 is made of a material that is white and has a thickness not to be transparent and reflects light, and the locking projections 251 at both ends are inserted into the apparatus main body. The shape is such that it fits as shown in FIG. The flat plate material 250 is used for the reading unit 20 when the inkjet recording device operates as an image reading device.
It is configured to fit into a slight recess provided in the inkjet recording apparatus so as not to interfere with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 230 on which the sheet 3 is placed and the conveyance of the read document.

The case where the flat plate material is applied to the ink jet recording apparatus in which the reading unit and the recording head can be exchanged has been described above. In the application to the ink jet recording apparatus in which the reading unit is always mounted on the carriage even at the time of recording. Also, the same effect can be obtained by fitting the flat plate material 250 during reading as described above.

Further, an example of using the flat plate material 250 for white correction will be described.

When the ink jet recording apparatus operates as an image reading apparatus, the image processing IC sets a white reference for a certain color, and thereafter, the set color is recognized as white. Therefore, a member for setting the white reference is required.

Therefore, by performing the white reference setting using the white flat plate material 250, it is not necessary to newly provide a member for setting the white reference.

(Second Embodiment) First embodiment as described above
In the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment, the white reference may be contaminated with ink, which may cause a problem in calibration.

Further, if the white reference is not built in, it is necessary to pass a white sheet as the white reference through the conveyance path.

Therefore, in the second embodiment described below, ink jet recording capable of mounting an image scanner (reading unit) that reliably prevents white reference stains, eliminates calibration problems, and does not require cleaning or the like. The device will be described.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a structure around a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the white reference is built in the ink jet recording apparatus, and when the image scanner unit is not calibrated, the reference surface of the white reference is hidden so that ink mist or the like does not adhere. Further, during calibration, the white reference plane is automatically arranged to face the image scanner unit.

The image scanner unit (image reading unit) mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus will be briefly described.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment normally operates as an ink jet recording apparatus, and has an apparatus configuration in which an image scanner unit is mounted if necessary. Although the details of the image scanner unit will be described later, the shape thereof is almost the same as that of the recording head cartridge 1, and instead of mounting the recording head cartridge 1, it is possible to function as an image scanner by mounting the image scanner unit. It will be possible.

A white reference 7 used to calibrate the output level of the read sensor of the image scanner unit.
1 is installed at the left end of the base 14 (platen) as shown in FIG. The white reference 71 serves as a reference surface for calibration when the white reference 71 is functioning as an inkjet recording device and when the image scanner unit is not being calibrated.
Contamination due to the ink mist does not adhere to the inside of the space 14 (downward in FIG. 9). Further, the white reference 71 operates in conjunction with the white reference shutter lever 72, and the white reference shutter lever 72 is tilted to face the image scanner unit with the reference surface facing upward.
Allows calibration of output level. Note that the white reference shutter lever 72 is tilted by the protrusion provided on the image scanner unit only when the image scanner unit is mounted on the carriage 2 and is scanned to the left as shown in FIG. When attached, it will not fall down due to its shape.

Next, the carriage 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of the carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the carriage 2 has a frame shape as a whole, and the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted in the hollow portion thereof. Two bearing portions 2a are integrally provided on the back surface of the carriage 2, and the guide shaft 5 is inserted into these bearing portions 2a. Further, on the front surface of the carriage 2, a guide rail holding portion 2b as two holding portions and a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c are integrally provided. The guide rail holding portion 2b and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c are each composed of two members which are provided so as to vertically sandwich the plate-shaped guide rail 12 with a gap therebetween. In this way, the carriage 2 is supported by the two bearing portions 2a, the guide rail holding portion 2b, and the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c. As a result, the distance between the nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 and the recording medium P (see FIG. 9) is kept constant.

The distance between the two members forming the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is determined by the guide rail holding portion 2b.
The distance is larger than the distance between the two members constituting the carriage 2, and the carriage 2 is substantially supported at three points except the carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c. This is because if the sliding load of the carriage 2 is taken into consideration, it is sufficient to support the carriage 2 in parallel with the base 14 at the time of recording by supporting the carriage 2 at three points that are not aligned in the same straight line. Is. However,
When the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2, there is a possibility that the carriage 2 is unnecessarily displaced or deformed by the load applied to the guide rail holding portion 2b and each bearing portion 2a, which may cause a malfunction. is there. Therefore, a carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided in order to prevent displacement and deformation of the carriage 2. The carriage deformation preventing stopper 2c is provided on the side of the head guide 22 shown in FIG. 10 because a force is applied to the side of the head guide 22 when the recording head cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the carriage 2.

The flexible cable 3 connected to the control board (not shown) is routed along a predetermined path, and the cable terminal portion 3a provided at the tip thereof is located inside the right side wall of the carriage 2 shown in FIG. It is fixed by a cable retainer 21 so as to be positioned. In the cable terminal 3a,
When the printhead cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, a head terminal portion of the printhead cartridge 1 described later comes into contact with the carriage 2, and thereby the printhead cartridge 1 is electrically connected.

Further, the cable terminal portion 3a of the carriage 2
On the surface where is located, two head positioning protrusions 2d,
2e is integrally provided. Of these two head positioning protrusions 2d and 2e, one head positioning protrusion 2d has a rectangular shape with a sharp tip and is provided on the back side of the cable terminal portion 3a, and the other head positioning protrusion 2e. Has a cylindrical shape with a conical tip and is provided on the front side of the cable terminal portion 3a.

Recording head cartridge 1 on carriage 2
With the head mounted, one head positioning protrusion 2d
Fits into a head positioning notch of the recording head cartridge 1 described later, and the other positioning protrusion 2e.
Is fitted into a head positioning hole of the recording head cartridge 1 described later, and the carriage 2 of the recording head cartridge 1
An accurate positioning is made with respect to. Further, a contact spring 23 is provided at a portion facing the cable terminal portion 3a, and a head guide 2 made of resin is provided at the tip thereof.
2 is fixed. That is, the head guide 22 is elastically supported by the carriage 2. Head guide 22
Is fitted to a head pressing portion of the recording head cartridge 1 to be described later with the recording head cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2, and the spring force of the contact spring 23 urges the recording head cartridge 1 toward the cable terminal portion 3a. . Further, since the carriage 2 has a shape that allows the white reference shutter lever 72 to escape, even when the carriage 2 moves to the left side shown in FIG.
There is no interference with.

Next, the image scanner unit will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the construction of an image scanner unit mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus as an embodiment according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof.
(B) is a top view of the same, (c) is a side view of the scanner terminals, and (d) is a side view of the scanner protrusions.
(E) is the bottom view.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the image scanner unit 70 is provided with a scanner attachment / detachment operation portion 70a, and like the recording head cartridge 1, it has a structure that can be easily removed by putting a finger on it. The scanner terminal portion 70b shown in FIG. 11C is electrically connected to the above-mentioned cable terminal portion 3a, and is for transmitting the read image data to a control board (not shown). FIG. 11 (e)
The LED window 70c shown in is a window through which the light from the LED housed inside is transmitted, and the surface where the image to be read is recorded is irradiated with the light from the LED and the brightness required for detection by the reading sensor. Is getting The condensing window 70d is a window for guiding the reflected light from the image to the reading sensor. The scanner protrusion 70e plays a role of mounting the image scanner unit 70 on the carriage 2 and tilting the white reference shutter lever 72 when the image scanner unit 70 is scanned at the left end shown in FIG.

Here, the dimension indicated by X in FIG. 5 is about 8 mm shorter than the dimension Y indicated in FIG. That is, in FIG. 5, since there is no portion corresponding to the scanner protrusion 70e, when the recording head cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2, the white reference shutter lever 72 may be tilted even if the recording head cartridge 1 is scanned to the left end shown in FIG. Absent. That is, when the recording head cartridge 1 is installed, the white reference 7
The reference plane of 1 never faces upward.

Next, the internal structure of the image scanner unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the appearance of the optical system of the image scanner unit shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, the light emitted from the LED 70f is condensed by the condensing lens 70g and is applied to the reading position of the image Pa recorded on the recording medium P. The reflected light reflected from the image Pa by the light from the LED 70f is imaged on the reading sensor 70k by the imaging lenses 70h and 70j and the mirror 70i. The reading sensor 70k forms a binary image corresponding to the formed image from the formed image and transmits it as image data to the control board (not shown) via the flexible cable 3. The reading sensor 70
In k, 128 sensor elements are arranged on a straight line at a pitch of 360 dpi.

Next, the white reference shutter mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the white reference operation mechanism shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view seen from the upper surface thereof.
(B) is a perspective view seen from the side.

In FIG. 13, rotating shafts are formed at both ends of the white reference 71 and are rotatably supported by the base 14. When no force is applied to the white reference shutter lever 72, the white reference 71 is urged by the spring 73 in the direction in which the protrusion 71a abuts the base locking portion 14a as shown in FIG. The reference surface for is facing downward so that dirt does not adhere. Further, the image scanner unit 70 is attached to the carriage 2,
When the carriage 2 is scanned to the left end shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the scanner protrusion 70e moves in the direction of arrow α, and the white reference shutter lever 72 is tilted in the direction of arrow β. When the white reference shutter lever 72 is tilted, its rotational movement is transmitted to the reduction gear train 74 via the elastic shaft member 75 made of an elastic material, and the white reference 71 is passed through the reduction gear train 74 in the direction of the arrow γ. Turn to.
As a result, the white reference protrusion 71a rotates until it abuts the base locking portion 14b, and stops with the reference surface for calibration facing upward. It should be noted that the elastic shaft member 75 absorbs the white reference 71 so that the white reference 71 does not rotate too much even if the scanner protrusion 70e advances too much in the direction of the arrow α.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus which can mount the image scanner of each embodiment according to the present invention.

The MPU 100 is a central information processing element that controls the entire apparatus. The interface unit 101 is M
The communication between the PU 100 and the host 102 is controlled, and a recording command or an image scan command from the host 102 or the MPU 100 is controlled via the interface unit 101.
Information such as image data is transmitted and received.
The timer 103 controls the MPU 10 in order to perform time management such as a preliminary ejection interval necessary for controlling the inkjet recording apparatus.
Used with 0. The ROM 104 stores control programs for the inkjet recording apparatus and the image scanner, and the MPU 100 performs processing according to these control programs. The RAM 105 temporarily stores the recording data on the recording medium P and the read image data. The non-volatile data holding means 106 is a storage element in which the stored contents can be rewritten and the stored contents are saved even after the power is turned off. The data recorded in the non-volatile data holding unit 106 is the ink ejection amount, the preliminary ejection amount, the suction amount, etc. for the image recording executed in the past, and the MPU 100 stores the data in the ink tank 30 based on these information. Calculate the remaining ink amount and the life of the waste ink container. The key switch 107 is an input unit for setting a start command and a mode for the recovery operation of the nozzle unit 50.

Further, the MPU 100 includes the sheet sensor 1 for detecting the presence / absence of the recording medium P when the recording medium P is conveyed.
08, and a signal from the carriage home sensor 109 that detects whether or not the carriage 2 is at the standby position where the recovery operation of the nozzle unit 50 is performed, and the carriage motor driver 110 and the conveyance motor driver 111 are checked.
The drive command is output to. Carriage drive motor 1
0 is driven by the carriage motor driver 110, and the transport drive motor 113 is driven by the transport motor driver 111, respectively, to scan the recording head cartridge 1 or the image scanner unit 70 mounted on the carriage 2 and rotate the transport roller 6. The recording medium P is conveyed. Further, the MPU 100 outputs a recording signal which is an electric signal for ejecting ink to the head driver 112, and the head driver 112 applies a voltage to the electrothermal converter 50e in the recording head cartridge 1 to eject ink. . Further, a signal for discriminating between the recording head cartridge 1 and the image scanner unit 70 is received, and the control program is switched according to each operation.

The control board (not shown) mentioned above includes these MPU 100, interface section 101, timer 103, ROM 104, RAM 105, non-volatile data holding means 106, key switch 107, carriage motor driver 110, conveyance motor driver 111, and the like. And a head driver 112 is mounted.

As described above, when the image scanner unit 70 is not calibrated, the reference surface of the white reference 71 is isolated from the space for recording by the recording head cartridge 1, so that the reference surface of the white reference 71 becomes dirty. No more problems during calibration and no need for cleaning. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the ink jet recording apparatus in which the image scanner in which the user need not be aware of the existence of the white reference at all.

Although the image scanner unit 70 and the recording head cartridge 1 are exchangeable in this embodiment, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the image scanner unit 70 is always used. It may be fixed to the carriage 2.

Further, the mechanism in which the white reference 71 rotates about the axis and the reference plane for calibration is hidden or shown is explained as an example, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, the reference surface of the white reference 71 is always slidably supported toward the image scanner unit 70, a window for the white reference 71 is prepared, and the white reference 71 is slid to face the image scanner unit 70. May be Further, the white reference 71 may be fixed in a posture always facing the image scanner unit 70, a shutter for covering it when not in use may be provided, and the shutter may be opened for calibration. Further, the shutter mechanism may be of a slide type or a rotary type.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the reference surface of the white reference 71 is hidden by the scanning of the carriage 2 or faces the image scanner unit 70 has been described as an example, but the gist of the present invention is limited thereto. Not what is done,
For example, the white reference 71 may be operated by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid, or may be operated by another drive source such as a conveyance motor for the recording medium P.

Further, in this embodiment, the image scanner unit 70 and the recording head cartridge 1 are the carriage 2
The case of the serial type mounted on the top and scanning in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium P has been described as an example.
The gist of the present invention is not limited to that. For example, the image scanner unit 70 may be a line type having the width of the recording medium P, and the recording head cartridge 1 is also a full multi type. May be.

Further, although the image scanner unit 70 has been described by taking the case of monochrome as an example, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a color image scanner unit.

Further, the reference plane of the white reference 71 faces the image scanner unit 70 only when the image scanner unit 70 is on the carriage 2 and is moved to the white reference 71 side as an example. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to that, and if necessary, an actuator for driving the white reference 71 is independently provided as described above, or until a series of calibration procedures is completed or an image is obtained. It may continue to face the image scanner unit 70 while electrically recognizing the mounting of the scanner unit 70.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing a reading unit which is a characteristic part of an ink jet recording apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reading unit shown in FIG. 15 when the document is read from the front, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reading unit shown in FIG.

In FIG. 15, the reading unit 301 in this embodiment is mounted on a carrier 311 so as to be replaceable with a recording head unit (not shown). The carrier 311 is slidably supported in the longitudinal direction by carrier guides 312 and 313. Both ends of the carrier guides 312 and 313 are fixed to the side wall portion 314. Further, in the lower part of the reading unit 301, the original O is conveyed in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the reading unit.

Such a reading unit 302 is shown in FIG.
5 and FIG. 16, it has a hollow structure, and a sensor 301a, a main lens 301b, a lamp 301c, etc. are built therein. The reading unit 302 has an opening at the bottom, and the original document O at the bottom of the unit is opened from this opening.
The light from the lamp 301c is emitted to the sensor 301a and the light reflected from the original is incident on the sensor 301a through the main lens 301b.

A lever 303 rotatably supported by a fulcrum 303a is provided inside the reading unit 302. A tension spring 304 is hooked on one end of the lever 303 to lift the other end located on the reading optical path from the document surface to the sensor 301a around a fulcrum 303a. At this time, the operation portion 303b formed near the other end portion of the lever 303 protrudes from the opening of the side wall of the reading unit 301.

On the other end of the lever 303, a white reference which is a reference correction means 302 for correcting the brightness is attached.

The lever 303 normally has a shape such that one end portion to the other end portion thereof does not obstruct the reading optical path from the lamp to the document and from the document to the sensor 301a.

As shown in FIG. 17, the reading unit 3
When 03 moves to the side wall portion 314, the operation portion 303b hits the side wall portion 314, the lever 303 swings around the fulcrum 303a, and the reference correction means 302 at the other end portion is the same as the original surface illuminated by the lamp 301c. Form a surface. Therefore, the light from the lamp 301c is reflected and reflected by the white reference, which is the reference correction unit 302, and enters the sensor 301a to perform white correction.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the reading unit which is a characteristic part of another embodiment of the reading unit shown in FIG.

The reading unit 321 shown in FIG.
The lever 3 to which the white reference that is the reference correction means 322 is attached
When the reading unit 321 approaches the side wall portion 325, the operation portion 323b hits, the lever 323 slides obliquely downward, and the reference correction means 322 is arranged at the document surface position. Further, when the reading unit 321 is separated from the side wall portion 325, the reference correction means 322 is retracted from the document surface position by the spring 324.

In the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus, the operating portions 303b and 323b of the levers 303 and 323 are projected from one side surface of the reading units 301 and 321, and the operating portion 303 is moved along with the movement of the reading units 301 and 321.
Although the reference correction means 302 and 322 are moved to be arranged on the reading optical path by applying the b and 323b to the side wall portions 314 and 325, the correction by the reference correction means is not necessarily the movement of the reading unit 301. It does not need to be performed at the end, and may be performed during the movement of the reading unit by projecting the operation unit from the rear portion of the reading unit.

[0099]

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

According to the first, third and fourth aspects of the present invention, since the removable white flat plate member is provided on the surface facing the reading unit along the moving area of the carriage, the reading function At OHP
Even in the case of transparent paper such as paper or thin paper, it is unnecessary information for reading, such as unevenness, holes, colors of the device main body,
It is possible to prevent the reading of stains such as ink adhering to the platen or the like of the recording device during recording. In the ink jet recording apparatus, ink is often scattered on the platen or the like, and it is possible to prevent the stain of the scattered ink or the like from being read. Further, since the flat plate material is removable, it is possible to remove it from the main body of the apparatus at the time of the recording function so as not to affect the recording state.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the flat plate material also serves as the white reference setting member, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost without adding a new component for setting the white reference.

In the fifth to seventh aspects, since the reference correction means such as the white reference is arranged in the reading unit, the reference correction means is not contaminated with ink at the time of recording by the recording head unit. , The reference correction is made properly.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects, since the reference correction means such as the white reference is arranged in the reading unit, the recording head unit erroneously ejects ink to the reference correction means during recording. No reference is made, and the reference correction is made properly.

Further, similarly to the above, there is no concern that the reference correction means will be contaminated due to ink splattering during recording or the attachment of mist-like ink.

Further, since there is no reference correction means on the apparatus main body side, it is not necessary to mount the reading unit on the recording device during the adjustment when manufacturing the reading unit, and the reading unit alone can be adjusted for the reference correction by a jig or the like.

Further, there is no position regulation when the reference correcting means is arranged on the apparatus main body side.

According to the tenth to fourteenth aspects, there is an isolation means for isolating the reference plane of the white reference from an empty space where recording is performed by the recording head in the apparatus when the image scanner unit is not calibrated. As a result, the reference surface of the white reference is not contaminated, no trouble occurs during calibration, and cleaning is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the ink jet recording apparatus in which the image scanner in which the user does not need to be aware of the existence of the white reference at all can be mounted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a carriage of an inkjet recording apparatus capable of mounting an image scanner as an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a structure around a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a housing.

3 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 viewed from a direction in which a head terminal portion can be seen.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 3 viewed from a direction in which a surface opposite to a surface of a head terminal portion can be seen.

5 is a bottom view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

6 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of a nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a configuration around a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an external view showing a configuration example of a flat plate material applied to the inkjet recording printer apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an external view of a configuration around a carriage of an ink jet recording apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

11A and 11B are views showing a configuration of an image scanner unit mounted in an inkjet recording apparatus as an embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 11A is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 11B is a top view thereof, and FIG. Side view of scanner terminal, (d)
Is a side view in which the scanner protrusion is visible, and (e) is a bottom view thereof.

12 is a configuration diagram showing a state of an optical system of the image scanner unit shown in FIG.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing the white reference operation mechanism shown in FIG. 9, wherein FIG. 13A is a perspective view seen from the upper surface thereof, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view seen from the side surface thereof.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus capable of mounting the image scanner of each embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing a reading unit which is a characteristic part of an ink jet recording apparatus showing a third embodiment of the invention.

16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reading unit shown in FIG. 15 when seen from the front side of a document.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the reading unit shown in FIG. 15 when viewed from the front when white correction is performed.

18 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a reading unit which is a characteristic part of another embodiment of the reading unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording head cartridge 2,230 Carriage 2a Bearing part 2b Guide rail holding part 2c Carriage deformation prevention stopper 2d, 2e Head positioning protrusion 3 Flexible cable 3a Cable terminal part 4 Frame 5 Guide shaft 6 Conveying roller 7 Pinch roller 8 Pressure plate 9 Pickup roller 10 Carriage Drive Motor 11 Carriage Drive Belt 12 Guide Rail 13 Drive Pulley 14 Base 14a, 14b Base Locking Part 15 Paper Ejection Roller 16 Spur 17 Upper Case 18 Lower Case 19 Top Cover 20 Head Cover 21 Cable Presser 21a Cover 22 Head Guide 23 Contact Spring 30 Ink Tank 32a Latch Lever 50 Nozzle Part 50a Discharge Port Surface 50b Discharge Port 50c Common Liquid Chamber 50d Liquid Path 50e Electric Heat Change Body 51 Base plate 52 Grooved member 53 Head terminal portion 53a Head positioning notch 53b Head positioning hole 60 Mono color holder 60b Head pressing portion 60c Head attaching / detaching operation portion 60d Ink flow passage 70 Image scanner unit 70a Scanner attaching / detaching operation portion 70b Scanner terminal portion 70c LED window 70d Condensing window 70e Scanner protrusion 70f LED 70g Condensing lens 70h, 70j Imaging lens 70i Mirror 70k Read sensor 71 White reference 71a Protrusion 72 White reference shutter lever 73 Spring 74 Reduction gear train 75 Elastic shaft member 100 MPU 101 interface unit 102 host 103 timer 104 ROM 105 RAM 106 non-volatile data holding means 107 key switch 108 sheet sensor 109 Carriage Home Sensor 110 Carriage Motor Driver 111 Conveyor Motor Driver 112 Head Driver 113 Conveyor Drive Motor 202 Recording Heads 203, 301, 321 Reading Unit 215 Paper Feed Roller 226 Carriage Belt 240 Platen 250 Flat Plate 251 Locking Protrusion 301a Sensor 301b Main Lens 301c Lamp 302,322 Reference correction means 303,323 Lever 303b Operation part 34,324 Spring 311 Carrier 312,313 Carrier guide 314,325 Side wall O Original P Recording medium Pa image

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/034 B41J 3/04 101Z 1/04 107 25/28 Z (72) Inventor Shinya Asano Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus in which a recording head for recording on a recording medium can be mounted on a carriage which carries a reading unit for reading an original and moves the reading unit along an area where the carriage moves. A recording device, characterized in that a removable white flat plate material is provided at a position opposed to. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat plate material also serves as a white reference setting member in the reading operation. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Recording device. 5. A reading unit used in a recording device in which a recording head unit for recording on a recording medium and a reading unit for reading an image of a document are selectively exchangeable with respect to a carrier that reciprocates, An original image reading unit that forms a predetermined reading optical path that is reflected and reflected on the original surface for reading an image, and a position corresponding to the original surface on the reading optical path when the carrier is at a predetermined position. And a movable member having a reference correction means for reading which is moved to the reading unit. 6. The reading unit according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is a lever having a part thereof protruding outside the reading unit. 7. The reading unit according to claim 5, wherein the reference correction unit includes a white reference or a pattern mark. 8. The reading unit according to claim 5, wherein the recording head unit is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port. 9. The reading unit according to claim 5, wherein the recording head unit is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. And a reading unit. 10. A recording head for recording an image by ejecting ink, and a mounting means on which an image scanner unit for reading an image described on a recording medium can be mounted, and a mounting means facing the mounting means. In a recording apparatus having a white reference having a reference surface for calibrating the image scanner unit, when the image scanner unit is not calibrated, the reference surface of the white reference is set by the recording head in the apparatus. A recording apparatus having an isolation means for isolating from a recording space. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when only the image scanner unit is mounted on the mounting unit, the isolation unit causes the white reference plane to face the image scanner unit. A recording device characterized by the above. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the mounting unit includes a scanning unit that scans the mounting unit in a direction orthogonal to a recording medium conveyance direction, and the mounting unit faces the white reference. The recording device, wherein the isolation means makes the reference surface of the white reference face the image scanner unit when scanned to a position. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink from an ink ejection port by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Recording device.