JPH09300765A - Scanning type image-forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily keep the distance between a reading sensor and a linear scale constant by providing a regulating member for regulating a position of a base material in a reading position. SOLUTION: In a reading position where a reading sensor 24 reads a line, a fitting portion 16a of a carriage 16 and a bent portion 22b of a base material 22 are fitted with each other. Accordingly, a position of the base material 22 is regulated, and the distance between the reading sensor 24 fixed to the carriage 16 and a linear scale 20 fixed to the base material 22 is kept constant. Further, when the carriage 16 is reciprocated while being guided by scanning rails 14, the carriage 16 moves, following the scanning rails 14, and the base material 22 is also to be moved in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 16 because the fitting portion 16a and the bent portion 22b are fitted to each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanning image forming apparatus which scans a recording paper to form an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of output devices for computers and workstations, there is known a scanning type image forming device for forming an image by scanning a printing portion for forming an image on a recording paper. An inkjet type image forming apparatus, which is one of the image forming apparatuses, generally has a recording head, which is a printing unit in which a plurality of ink ejection holes for ejecting ink are formed, and a recording head mounted with the recording head orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction. The carriage includes a carriage that scans in a direction for moving the carriage and a conveying member that intermittently conveys the recording paper in a direction (recording paper conveying direction) orthogonal to the carriage scanning direction. Further, the inkjet type image forming apparatus includes a linear scale on which a scale for recognizing the position of the carriage is formed, and a read sensor which is mounted on the carriage and reciprocates together with the carriage to read the scale of the linear scale. .
The linear scale extends in the carriage scanning direction and is made of a resin such as a transparent film.
Lines orthogonal to the carriage scanning direction are drawn or carved at equal intervals on the linear scale. As a reading sensor for reading the scale, a sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is known.

When forming an image on a recording sheet, for example, the recording sheet being conveyed is temporarily stopped by a conveying member, and while the carriage is being scanned, the scale of the linear scale is read by a reading sensor, and this reading is performed. An image is formed (printing, drawing, etc.) on the recording paper by recognizing the position of the carriage based on the scale and ejecting ink from any of a plurality of ink ejection holes, and then recording paper for a predetermined length. Is repeated to form an image for the next band.

As described above, in the ink jet type image forming apparatus, the timing at which ink is ejected is determined by reading the scale of the linear scale with the reading sensor. Therefore, while the carriage is moving and the read sensor is reading the scale of the linear scale, the read sensor and the linear scale should not be overread or misread when the read sensor reads the scale of the linear scale. It is desired that the distance be constant.

[0005]

However, as described above, since the recording head is mounted on the carriage and this recording head has a great influence on image formation, the distance between the recording head and the recording paper is set to a predetermined distance. Need to keep.
When it is determined that this distance does not satisfy the desired value, the position of the carriage on which the recording head is mounted is changed to adjust this distance. In this way, when the position of the carriage is changed, it is desired that the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale is constant as described above.
The position of the linear scale must be readjusted, and maintaining the positional relationship between the linear scale and the reading sensor is
There is a problem that it takes time and effort.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scanning type image forming apparatus in which the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale can be easily made constant.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, a scanning image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a printing section for forming an image, a carriage for mounting the printing section to scan a recording sheet, and A linear scale that extends in the carriage scanning direction and has a scale for recognizing the position of the carriage, and the scale of the linear scale that is mounted on the carriage and scans the recording paper together with the carriage at a predetermined reading position. And a reading sensor for reading, while scanning the above-mentioned carriage on the recording paper,
A scanning type image forming apparatus for reading the scale of the linear scale by the reading sensor, recognizing the position of the carriage based on the read scale, and forming an image on a recording sheet by the printing unit, (1) A base member extending in the carriage scanning direction to fix the linear scale, which is immovable in the carriage scanning direction and freely movable in any direction orthogonal to the carriage scanning direction (2) At the reading position It is characterized in that a regulating member formed on the carriage for regulating the position of the substrate to keep the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale constant.

Here, it is preferable that the regulating member is fitted with the base material or the linear scale at the reading position to keep a constant distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale.

Further, it is preferable that the regulating member contacts the base material or the linear scale at the reading position to keep a constant distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a scanning image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter which is a first embodiment of a scanning type image forming apparatus of the present invention.

The plotter 10 includes a platen (not shown) on which the recording paper 12 or the like conveyed in the arrow X direction (recording paper conveying direction) is placed, and above the platen, the arrow Y direction. (An example of the predetermined direction according to the present invention,
Two scanning rails 14 extending in a direction orthogonal to the arrow X direction) are bridged. An arrow Y is formed on the scanning rail 14 by a motor (not shown) and a belt (not shown).
A carriage 16 is attached so as to be reciprocally movable in any direction. The scanning rail 14 is a columnar rail having high rigidity, and guides the carriage 16. A recording head 18 having an ink ejection port for ejecting ink is mounted on the carriage 16.

The plotter 10 also includes a linear scale 20 extending parallel to the scanning rail 14. The linear scale 20 is made of a transparent film, and extends in the arrow Z direction (an example of the predetermined direction in the present invention and a direction orthogonal to the arrow X direction) (an example of the scale in the present invention). 20a are drawn at equal intervals in the arrow Y direction. Further, the plotter 10 is provided with a base material 22 extending parallel to the scanning rail 14. The non-printed surface of the line 20a of the surface of the linear scale 20 is attached and fixed to the base material 22 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The base material 22 is made of sheet metal, and is bent and reinforced along the longitudinal direction so that it is difficult to bend due to its own weight.

A reading sensor 24 having a light emitting element 24a (see FIG. 3) and a light receiving element 24b is mounted on the carriage 16, and the reading sensor 24 reads the line 20a of the linear scale 20 described above. Thus, the position of the carriage 16 is confirmed.

In forming an image on the recording paper 12, the recording paper 12 nipped by the conveying roller 24 and the pinch roller 26 and conveyed in the arrow X direction is temporarily stopped, and the carriage 16 is moved in the arrow Y direction. While reciprocating, the line 20a of the linear scale 20 is read by the reading sensor 24, the position of the carriage 16 is recognized based on the read result, and ink is ejected from any of the plurality of ink ejection holes. An image is formed on the recording paper 12 by using the
Is repeated to form an image for the next band.

Details of the base material 22 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an end portion of the base material 22, and the same components as those of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

A boss 28 standing on the main body 10a of the plotter 10 is inserted into an elongated hole 22a formed in the base material 22. A portion of the boss 28 between the main body 10 a and the base material 22 is inserted into the compression spring 30. The compression spring 30 allows the base material 22 to swing freely in the arrow Z direction (which is an example of the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction according to the invention) orthogonal to the arrow Y direction. . Further, the base material 22 is formed by the long hole 22a so that the arrow Y
It is also configured to be freely movable in the W direction (which is an example of the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the present invention) orthogonal to the direction. A stopper 32 having a surface wider than the width of the long hole 22a is formed at the tip of the boss 28. When the base material 22 collides with the stopper 32, the base material 2
2 does not come off from the main body 10a.

A bent portion 22b extending in the direction of the arrow Y is formed on the base material 22. As will be described later, the bent portion 22b is fitted to the fitting portion 16a of the carriage 16 at the reading position where the reading sensor 24 reads the line 20a, and the position of the base material 22 is regulated.

FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the base material and the carriage shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the carriage as viewed from the back side of FIG. In FIG. 3, the same components as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The light emitting element 24a of the reading sensor 24 mounted on the carriage 16 faces the surface of the linear scale 20 on which the line 20a is formed, while the light receiving element 24b sandwiches the linear scale 20. Is located on the side opposite to the light emitting element 24a. Also,
The bent portion 22b of the base material 22 and the fitting portion 16 of the carriage 16
a is fitted, and the position of the base material 22 is regulated by this.

FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship between the base material, the linear scale, and the carriage shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fitting portion of a base material and a carriage, a reading sensor, a linear scale, and the like, and the same components as those of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are the same. The reference numeral is attached.

At the reading position where the reading sensor 24 reads the line 20a, the fitting portion 16a of the carriage 16 and the bent portion 22b of the base material 22 are fitted to each other.
The position of the base material 22 is regulated, and the distance between the reading sensor 24 fixed to the carriage 16 and the linear scale 20 fixed to the base material 22 is kept constant. Further, when the carriage 16 reciprocates in the arrow Y direction while being guided by the scanning rail 14 (see FIG. 1), the carriage 16 moves following the scanning rail 14 and the fitting portion 16a and the bent portion 22b are fitted. Therefore, as the carriage 16 moves, the base material 2
2 will move. As a result, the reading sensor 24
Is moved to the proper position for reading the line 20a of the linear sensor 20. In this way, the linear scale 20 is always moved along with the movement of the carriage 16, and the distance between the read sensor 24 and the linear scale 20 is kept constant. Therefore, the distance between the reading sensor 24 and the linear scale 20 can be easily made constant without increasing the accuracy of assembling the linear scale 20 and the base material 22, and the assembling efficiency can be improved and the reading accuracy of the reading sensor 24 can be improved. it can.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In these drawings, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the base material 30 to which the linear scale 20 is fixed and the regulating member 36 of the carriage 36 for regulating the position of the base material 30.
a, 36b.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of the base material 30 of the second embodiment.

The non-printed surface of the line 20a of the surface of the linear scale 20 is attached and fixed to the attachment portion 30a of the base material 30 in the longitudinal direction of the base material 30. Further, the base material 30 is made of sheet metal and is bent and reinforced along the longitudinal direction so as not to be easily bent by its own weight. At both ends of the base material 30 in the longitudinal direction, the inclined portions 30 along the inclined surfaces 10c of the convex portions 10b formed on the main body 10a.
b and a flat portion 30c along the flat surface 10d of the convex portion 10b are formed.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the base material 30 and the main body 10a of FIG.

The inclined portion 30b of the base material 30 is fixed to the inclined surface 10c of the convex portion 10b via a compression spring 32, and is oriented in the direction of arrow A (which is an example of the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the present invention). Being energized. In addition, the flat portion 3 of the base material 30
0c is fixed to the flat surface 10d of the convex portion 10b via the compression spring 34, and is biased in the direction of arrow B (which is an example of the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the present invention).

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the base material and the carriage shown in FIG.

The light emitting element 24a of the reading sensor 24 mounted on the carriage 36 faces the surface of the linear scale 20 on which the line 20a is formed, while the light receiving element 24b sandwiches the linear scale 20. Is located on the side opposite to the light emitting element 24a. The carriage 36 is formed with abutting portions 36a and 36b for pressing the base material 30 in directions opposite to both the arrow A direction and the arrow B direction. At the reading position where the reading sensor 24 reads the line 20a, the contact portion 36a contacts the linear scale 20, while the contact portion 36b contacts the substrate 30. As a result, the position of the base material 30 is regulated, and the distance between the reading sensor 24 fixed to the carriage 16 and the linear scale 20 fixed to the base material 30 is kept constant.

When the carriage 36 reciprocates in the arrow Y direction while being guided by the scanning rail 14, the carriage 36
Moves along the scanning rail 14 and moves to the contact portions 36a, 36a.
Since each b contacts the linear scale 20 and the base material 30, the base material 30 moves as the carriage 36 moves. As a result, the read sensor 24 is moved to the proper position for reading the line 20a of the linear sensor 20. In this way, the linear scale 20 is always moved with the movement of the carriage 36, and the distance between the read sensor 24 and the linear scale 20 is kept constant. Therefore,
Even if the assembling accuracy of the linear scale 20 and the base material 30 is not made strict, the reading sensor 24 and the linear scale 20
The distance between and can be easily made constant, the assembling efficiency can be improved, and the reading accuracy of the reading sensor 24 can be improved. When the contact portions 36a and 36b are formed near the read sensor 24, the reading accuracy of the read sensor 24 is further improved.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the base material 40 to which the linear scale 20 is fixed and the restriction member 46 of the carriage 46 that restricts the movement of the base material 40.
a.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the base material 40 of the third embodiment.

The non-printed surface of the line 20a of the surface of the linear scale 20 is attached and fixed to the attachment portion 40a of the base material 40 in the longitudinal direction of the base material 40. Further, the base material 40 is made of sheet metal and is bent and reinforced along the longitudinal direction so as not to be easily bent by its own weight. Bent portions 40b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base material 40, and elongated holes 40c extending in the arrow C direction are formed in the bent portions 40b. A boss 10e standing on the main body 10a is inserted into the long hole 40c, and the base material 40 is freely slidable with respect to the main body 10a in the arrow C direction (which is an example of the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction according to the invention). It is configured to move to. The base material 40 tends to slide downward due to its own weight, but the contact portion 40 described later
Since a contacts the linear scale 20, the movement of the base material 40 is restricted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the base material and the carriage shown in FIG.

The light emitting element 24a of the reading sensor 24 mounted on the carriage 46 faces the surface of the linear scale 20 on which the line 20a is formed, while the light receiving element 24b sandwiches the linear scale 20. Is located on the side opposite to the light emitting element 24a. The carriage 46 is formed with an abutting portion 46a that abuts the base material 40 so as to push up the base material 40. At the reading position where the reading sensor 24 reads the line 20a, the contact portion 46a contacts the linear scale 20. This allows
The movement of the base material 40 is restricted, and the distance between the reading sensor 24 fixed to the carriage 46 and the linear scale 20 fixed to the base material 40 is kept constant. In this way,
The linear scale 20 is moved with the movement of the carriage 46 so that the distance between the read sensor 24 and the linear scale 20 is easily kept constant. Therefore, even if the assembly accuracy of the linear scale 20 and the base material 40 is not strict,
The distance between the read sensor 24 and the linear scale 20 can be made constant, and the assembly efficiency can be improved and the read sensor 24 can be improved.
The reading accuracy of can be improved. The reading sensor 24
When the contact portion 46a is formed in the vicinity of the
The reading accuracy of is further improved.

[0039]

As described above, according to the scanning type image forming apparatus of the present invention, the position of the substrate at the reading position is regulated by the regulating member, so that the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale can be easily adjusted. Can be kept constant.

Here, in the case where the restricting member is a member that fits with the base material or the linear scale at the reading position to restrict the position of the base material, the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale is set with a simple structure. Can be easily kept constant.

Further, even when the regulating member regulates the position of the base material by contacting the base material or the linear scale at the reading position, the distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale can be easily fixed with a simple structure. Can be kept at

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter that is a first embodiment of an inkjet image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an end portion of a base material included in the plotter of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between the base material and the carriage of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the base material, the linear scale, and the carriage of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a base material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the base material and the main body of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between the base material and the carriage of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a base material according to a third embodiment.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the base material and the carriage of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Plotter 12 Recording Paper 16, 36, 46 Carriage 16a Fitting Part 18 Recording Head 20 Linear Scale 20a Line 22, 30, 40 Base Material 24 Read Sensor 36a, 36b, 46a Contact Part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printing unit that forms an image, a carriage that mounts the printing unit and scans a recording sheet, and a linear member that extends in the carriage scanning direction and that has a scale for recognizing the position of the carriage. A reading sensor that is mounted on the carriage and that reads the scale of the linear scale at a predetermined reading position while scanning the recording paper together with the carriage; and the reading sensor while scanning the carriage on the recording paper. A scanning type image forming apparatus that reads the scale of the linear scale, recognizes the position of the carriage based on the read scale, and forms an image on a recording sheet by the printing unit, extending in the carriage scanning direction. The linear scale is fixed, is immovable in the carriage scanning direction, and The base material that moves freely in any one of the directions orthogonal to the carriage scanning direction, and the distance between the read sensor and the linear scale is fixed by regulating the position of the base material at the read position. A scanning-type image forming apparatus, comprising: a holding member for holding the regulating member formed on the carriage. 2. The regulating member is adapted to fit with the base material or the linear scale at the reading position to keep a constant distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale. Item 2. The scanning image forming apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The regulating member contacts the base material or the linear scale at the reading position to keep a constant distance between the reading sensor and the linear scale. 1. The scanning image forming apparatus described in 1.