JPH10226060A - Ink-jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording apparatus which can surely protect an ink-discharging part, prevent an electric connection failure, and improve reliability in a simple and inexpensive constitution. SOLUTION: An electric contact part 26 is set to a recording head 13 approximately perpendicularly to an ink discharge direction B. An electric contact part 21 to the recording head 13 is provided at a recording means-mounting part 11. When the recording head 13 is attached or detached, an ink-discharging part 25 passes avoiding the electric contact part 21 of the recording means- mounting part. Moreover, a fixing member 19 for fixing the recording head to the recording means-mounting part serves also as an insertion guide for the recording head.

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 which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like, or a recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a computer or a word processor or a workstation, is based on paper based on the recording information. An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on a recording medium (recording material) such as a recording medium or a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial recording apparatus that performs recording while performing main scanning in a direction that intersects the conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, an image is recorded by recording means (recording head) that moves along the recording medium. After printing (main scanning), printing of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch conveyance as sub-scanning) is performed, and then the next line image is printed on the stopped recording medium. By repeating the operation of (main scanning), recording of the entire recording medium is performed.

On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that performs recording only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of a recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording of one line is continuously performed collectively. A predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed while printing, and an image is recorded on the entire recording medium.

[0005] Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording medium. Easy,
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise, and It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line type using a full multi-type recording means in which a large number of discharge ports are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed.

[0006] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to further reduce the size.

There are various requirements for the material of a recording medium (recording material). In recent years, developments in response to these requirements have been advanced, and paper (including thin paper and processed paper) which is a general recording medium has been developed. ) And resin sheet (OHP etc.)
Recording devices using cloth, leather, nonwoven fabric, metal, or the like as a recording medium have also been used.

[0008]

The recording apparatus described above is strongly demanded to be reduced in price. In the ink jet recording apparatus, various methods have conventionally been proposed as a method of attaching and detaching a recording head to and from the recording apparatus.
However, the print head is provided with an electrical contact portion arranged substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction, and the print head mounting portion (printing device mounting portion) is provided with an electrical contact portion with the print head. In an ink jet recording apparatus in which these electrical contact portions are brought into conductive contact with the mounting portion (fixed), there is a problem that the configuration of the recording head mounting portion becomes complicated and the price increases. . In addition, the electric connection portion including these electric contact portions also has a problem that when a lateral force is applied, the connection portion is displaced and electrical connection failure is likely to occur.

That is, the recording means and the recording means mounting portion are electrically connected by bringing their respective electric contact portions into contact with each other. When a lateral force acts on the electric connection portion, the connection portion is displaced. Contact failure easily occurs.
For this reason, it is preferable that the recording means (recording head) is positioned by pressing in the ejection direction with respect to the recording means mounting portion (such as a carriage of a serial recording apparatus). This means
This is also preferable for maintaining a predetermined distance between the ink ejection unit and the paper.

[0010] Therefore, it is required that the recording means (recording head) is finally mounted while being pressed in the ink ejection direction. At this time, it is desirable that the electrical connection between the recording means and the recording means mounting portion is also made in the pressing direction, and in order to achieve this, it is usually the case that the ink discharge portion and the electrical connection portion are on the same surface. Configuration. However, if both are on the same surface, the ink in the ink ejection unit may adhere to the electrical connection unit and cause a connection failure (conduction failure). Therefore, while making the space between the recording means (ink ejection unit) and the recording medium (recording paper, etc.) as close as possible,
It is required that the ink discharge unit and the electrical connection unit be provided on different surfaces.

The present invention has been made under such a technical background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus in which a recording-medium mounting portion and a recording means are provided with an electrical device substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can reliably protect an ink ejection section and can reliably prevent a poor electrical connection with a simple and inexpensive configuration when providing a contact section, and can improve reliability.

[0012]

According to the present invention, when the recording means is attached and detached, the ink discharge section of the recording means passes through the electrical contact section of the recording means mounting section so as to pass through the recording means. When providing an electrical contact section substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction in the means mounting section and the recording means, a simple and inexpensive configuration can reliably protect the ink ejection section and reliably prevent poor electrical connection. It is intended to provide a high inkjet recording apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording medium, wherein the recording means is disposed substantially perpendicular to an ink discharge direction. An electrical contact portion is provided and an electrical contact portion with the recording means is provided in the recording device mounting portion, and when the recording device is attached or detached, the ink ejection portion of the recording device replaces the electrical contact portion of the recording device mounting portion. It is characterized by passing by avoiding.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a fixing member for fixing the recording means to the recording means mounting portion is provided when the recording means is mounted on the recording means mounting portion. The conductive member for fixing the flexible cable, which is electrically connected to the electrical contact portion of the recording device mounting portion, to the recording device mounting portion also serves as a guide when the recording device is attached to or detached from the recording device mounting portion. A configuration for guiding the insertion of the means, a release member for releasing the recording means from the fixed state in the recording means mounting portion is provided, and the release member controls the recording means in a state where the recording means is fixed to the recording means mounting portion. A configuration in which the recording unit is locked to a recording unit mounting unit, or a carriage in which the recording unit mounting unit moves relative to a recording medium, and a position sensor is mounted on an electric board mounted on the carriage. Yarijji and said position sensor by a structure which is fitted to the carriage scanning direction, is to achieve more effectively the object.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. In FIG. 1, a recording medium 2 such as a sheet or a thin plastic plate loaded in a cassette 1 for sheet feeding is shown.
Is rotated by rotating the feed roller 3 so that
The sheets are separated and supplied through the space between the paper feed guides 4 and 5.

When the paper feed roller 3 makes one rotation and stops at the position shown in FIG. 1, the conveying force for the recording medium 2 disappears. However, at this time, the lower conveying roller 6 has already been driven to rotate by the pulse motor (recording medium conveying motor), and the leading end of the recording medium 2 is moved between the lower conveying roller 9 and the upper conveying roller 7 which is driven to rotate. It is sandwiched between. Therefore, the paper feed amount of the recording medium 2 after that is regulated by these transport roller pairs 6 and 7. The transport roller pairs 6 and 7 (the transport lower roller 6) are driven to rotate by a pulse motor (not shown) via a transmission mechanism including a belt (not shown) and a pulley (not shown). .

In FIG. 1, the recording medium 2 is further conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 6 and 7, and once stopped when its leading end is sandwiched between the discharging roller pairs 8 and 9. The paper discharge roller pair includes a paper discharge lower roller 8 and a paper discharge upper roller 9 pressed against the paper discharge roller 8 by a spring means (not shown). The lower discharge roller 8 is driven to rotate by a pulse motor common to the lower conveyance roller 6 via a gear train (not shown). In this case, the peripheral speed of the discharge lower roller 8 is set to be higher than the peripheral speed of the transport lower roller 6 by a predetermined ratio (for example, 2%).
The recording medium 2 is held in a state where a predetermined tension is applied to a recording section (a portion supported by the platen 10).

In the present embodiment, in the case of a serial ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording unit mounted (mounted) on a carriage that moves relatively to a recording medium, that is, the recording unit mounting unit is a carriage. A case will be described as an example.

While the recording medium 2 is positioned and held on the platen 10 (paper feed is stopped), the carriage 11 is moved along the guide rail 12 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. By driving the ink ejection unit of the recording unit 13 mounted (mounted) on the carriage 11 based on the recording information, recording for one line (one line) is performed. When recording for one line is completed, the transport roller 6 is rotated by a predetermined amount in the direction of arrow A to feed the recording medium 2 by one line (sub-scan), and recording of the next line is performed. Hereinafter, printing on the entire recording medium 2 is performed by alternately repeating the paper feeding (sub-scanning) operation of the recording medium 2 and the recording operation synchronized with the movement (main scanning) of the carriage 11. The recording medium 2 on which recording has been completed is discharged to a discharge tray 14 by discharge roller pairs 8 and 9. Thus, a series of recording operations are performed. In this embodiment, as the recording means 13, an ink cartridge (ink storage source) 1 is attached to a so-called recording head (recording means).
8 are integrally connected.

The recording means (recording head) 13 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 13
According to the method, recording is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection port using a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by heat energy applied by the electrothermal transducer.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording means (recording head) 13. In FIG. 2, the ejection port surface 5 facing the recording medium 2 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm).
1, a plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch,
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 54 communicating the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52. The recording head 13 is configured such that the ejection port 52 is
The carriage 11 is mounted on the carriage 11 in such a positional relationship as to be aligned in a direction intersecting the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 1. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 54 to boil, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means (recording head) 1
3 are configured.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a carriage and a recording means as a recording means mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, 11 is a carriage, 15 is a carriage lid, and 16 is an electric board (hereinafter referred to as P
CB), 17 is a position sensor mounted on the PCB 16, 13 is inkjet recording means (recording head),
Reference numeral 18 denotes an ink cartridge as an ink storage source;
Denotes a head fixing member for fixing the recording head 13 on the carriage 11, 20 denotes a head fixing spring, and 21 denotes an electrical contact portion of the carriage 11.

The carriage lid 15 is fixed to the carriage 11, and the PCB 16 is fixed by the carriage lid 15. The carriage lid 15 serves as a guide for guiding the recording head 13 up and down when the recording head 13 is attached and detached. Electrical board (PCB) 16
Is fixed by the carriage 11 and the carriage lid 15, and the position sensor 17 is mounted on the PCB 16. Here, a photo interrupter is used as the position sensor 17. The head fixing member 19
The recording head 13 is fixed on the carriage 11 by being biased by the head fixing spring 20.

In the recording apparatus, the recording means and the recording means mounting portion are electrically connected by bringing their respective electric contact portions into contact with each other. When a lateral force acts on the electric connection portion, the connection is made. The parts are displaced and contact failure is likely to occur. For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, it is preferable that the recording means (recording head) is positioned by pressing the recording means mounting portion (such as a carriage of the serial recording apparatus) in the ejection direction. This is also preferable for maintaining a predetermined distance between the ink ejection unit and the paper.

Therefore, it is required that the recording means be mounted in a state where the recording means is finally pressed in the ink discharge direction. At this time, it is desirable that the electrical connection between the recording means and the recording means mounting portion is also made in the pressing direction, and in order to achieve this, it is usually the case that the ink discharge portion and the electrical connection portion are on the same surface. Configuration. However, if both are on the same surface, the ink in the ink ejection unit may adhere to the electrical connection unit and cause a connection failure (conduction failure). Therefore, the recording means (ink ejection unit) and the recording medium (recording paper etc.)
It is required that the ink discharge unit and the electrical connection unit be provided on different surfaces while making the distance between them as close as possible.

Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when the recording means (recording head) 13 is attached or detached, the ink ejection portion 25 (FIG. 4) of the recording means passes by avoiding the electrical contact portion 21 of the carriage 11. It is configured as follows. That is,
The attachment and detachment of the recording head 13 is performed while taking a posture as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. With such a configuration, when the electrical contact portions 21 and 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4) that are substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction are provided in the recording device mounting portion (carriage) 11 and the recording device 13, it is simple and inexpensive. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus capable of reliably protecting the ink discharge section 25 and reliably preventing a poor electrical connection.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the recording means (recording head) 13 as viewed from below. In FIG. 4, 2
2 is a boss provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the recording head 13;
Reference numeral 3 denotes an engagement portion that engages with the head fixing member 19, and reference numeral 24 denotes a discharge port array formed in a predetermined arrangement on the discharge port surface 51 of the recording head 13. Ink is ejected from each ejection port 52 forming the ejection port array 24 in the direction of arrow B (z direction). Reference numeral 25 denotes an ink ejection portion of the recording head 13, and reference numeral 26 denotes an electrical contact of the recording means 13 arranged substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction B and on the opposite side of the ejection port surface 51 in the ink ejection direction (the lower side in FIG. 4). Department.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 27 denotes an ink ejection direction (z
Direction) B is a positioning portion of the recording head 13. This positioning portion 27 is provided with a rotational moment (z
-X) can be suppressed, and the positioning part [z, z-x]
It functions as. Numeral 28 denotes a positioning part [y- that suppresses the rotational moment (yz) about the x-axis in the figure.
z] and 29 perform positioning in the y direction in the figure and
It is a positioning part [y, xy] for suppressing the rotational moment (xy) about the axis. Reference numeral 30 denotes a positioning unit [x] for positioning in the x direction in the figure. The positioning unit 30
The other side has a receiving portion (not shown) which receives a force in the x direction in the figure. Reference numeral 31 denotes a convex portion for receiving a head release member described later.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the carriage 11. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 32 denotes a flexible cable electrically connected to the electrical contact portion 21 provided on the carriage 11, reference numeral 33 denotes a conductive member for fixing the flexible cable 32 to the carriage 11, and reference numeral 34 denotes a detachable recording head 13. In this case, a head attaching / detaching guide portion provided on the carriage 11 for guiding the recording head, a guide portion 35 for guiding the boss 22 of the recording head 13, and 3.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a guide bearing portion to which a guide rail 12 (FIGS. 1 and 3) for guiding the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction is fitted. The head attaching / detaching guide part 34 is an entrance guide part when the recording means 13 is inserted on the carriage 11. When the recording means 13 is mounted on the carriage 11, the head attaching / detaching guide part 34 and the recording means 13 do not overlap.

As the material of the carriage 11, for example, modified PPO (poniphenylene oxide), modified PPE (poniphenylene ether) or PC (polycarbonate) is used. Additives, fillers with slidability, and additives with inorganic substances such as mica are also used. The material of the carriage lid 15 is ABS, modified PPO, PC, or the like. As the material of the head fixing member 19, ABS, POM (polyacetal), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate)
Are used. The material of the conductive member 33 may be SU
S, copper alloy, and iron plated are used. Although the carriage 11 in FIG. 5 has a structure in which two recording units (recording heads) 13 can be mounted at the same time, it may have a structure in which one or three or more recording units 13 are mounted. .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the electric contact portion 21 of the carriage 11. In FIG. 6, 37
Is a convex emboss provided on the conductive member 33, and the emboss 37 serves as a left and right guide when the recording head 13 is attached and detached. Numeral 38 denotes an elastic head pressing portion provided on the conductive member 33.
8 presses the opposing part of the head positioning part 30. The protruding emboss 37 is formed by embossing, which is formed by POM (polyacetal) or P
It may be formed of another member such as BT (polybutylene terephthalate).

Reference numeral 39 denotes a portion for holding the flexible cable 32 formed by a part of the carriage lid 15.
Reference numeral 40 denotes an opening formed in the carriage 11, and the flexible cable 32 is connected to the opposite PCB (electric board) 16 through the opening 40. 41, 4
Reference numerals 2 and 43 are head positioning portions provided on the carriage 11. The head positioning section 41 corresponds to the positioning section [z, z-x] 27 of the recording head 13, and the head positioning section 42 corresponds to the positioning section [y, xy] 2 of the recording head 13.
9, the head positioning section 43 corresponds to the positioning section [x] 30 of the recording head 13.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording means 13 is attached to and detached from the carriage 11. As described above, the ink cartridge 18 is integrally connected to the recording means (recording head) 13 of this embodiment. Also, the ejection port array 24 including the plurality of ejection ports 52 of the recording head 13
Is formed of polysulfone, modified PPO, or the like.
The electric contact portion 21 of the carriage 11 is formed of a flexible cable based on polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate, and a rubber pad for contact 44 is mounted between the electric contact portion 21 and the carriage 11. This rubber pad 44
In general, a material having excellent creep resistance, such as silicon rubber or CR, is used.

In FIG. 7, when the recording head 13 is attached or detached, the ink ejection portion 25 is moved to the carriage 1 as shown in FIG.
It moves so as to pass around the one electrical contact portion 21. The ink ejection section 25 of the recording head 13 has an ejection port surface 51 in which the ejection port array 24 is formed, and is a very delicate portion. Therefore, the ink ejection unit 2
If an careless force is applied to 5, the ink ejection may be harmed (for example, the ejection direction may be deviated or the ejection may not be performed). On the other hand, the electric contact portion 21 of the carriage 11 is a portion that is electrically connected to the recording head 13, and if an inadvertent force is applied to this portion, the contact portion 21 is deformed to cause an electrical contact failure. Sometimes.

That is, as described above, in the recording apparatus, the recording means and the recording means mounting portion are electrically connected to each other by bringing their respective electrical contacts into contact with each other. When a force in the direction acts, the connection portion shifts and a contact failure is likely to occur. For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, it is preferable that the recording means (recording head) is positioned by pressing the recording means mounting portion (such as a carriage of the serial recording apparatus) in the ejection direction.
This is also preferable for maintaining a predetermined distance between the ink ejection unit and the paper.

Therefore, it is required that the recording means be mounted in a state where the recording means is finally pressed in the ink discharging direction. At this time, it is desirable that the electrical connection between the recording means and the recording means mounting portion is also made in the pressing direction, and in order to achieve this, it is usually the case that the ink discharge portion and the electrical connection portion are on the same surface. Configuration. However, if both are on the same surface, the ink in the ink ejection unit may adhere to the electrical connection unit and cause a connection failure (conduction failure). Therefore, the recording means (ink ejection unit) and the recording medium (recording paper etc.)
It is required that the ink discharge unit and the electrical connection unit be provided on different surfaces while making the distance between them as close as possible.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the recording means (recording head) 13 is attached and detached, the ink ejection portion 25 of the recording means is configured to pass through the electrical contact portion 21 of the carriage 11. ing. That is, the attachment and detachment of the recording head 13 is performed while taking the posture shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. With such a configuration, the electrical contact portions 21, 2, which are substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction, are provided on the recording device mounting portion (carriage) 11 and the recording device 13.
When the ink jet recording device 6 is provided, it is possible to provide a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus that can reliably protect the ink discharge portion 25 and reliably prevent a poor electrical connection with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

That is, when the recording head 13 is attached and detached, the ink ejection section 25, which is a delicate part, does not come into contact with the electrical contact section 21 of the carriage 11, so that each of the sections is simple and inexpensive. Reliability can be improved. For this purpose, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the carriage 11 is provided with the guide portion 35 of the boss 22 of the recording head 13, the carriage lid 15 is provided with a guide portion, and the recording head 13 is provided with the guide boss 22. .

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view on the carriage showing the movement of the recording head 13 with respect to the head fixing member 19 when the recording head 13 is attached and detached.
FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view on a carriage showing a state where a recording head 13 is mounted on a carriage 1. First, the case where the recording head 13 is mounted will be described. In FIG. 8, the recording head 13
Is guided by the upper part of the head fixing member 19, and slides the lower surface of the recording head 13 to move the recording head to the carriage 1.
Insert all the way to the end. Next, when the recording head 13 is pushed downward in the drawing, the recording head is guided by the guide portion and moves as shown in the drawing. Here, the recording head 1
The cross section of the engaging portion 23 of FIG.
Indicated by

The head fixing member 19 includes the head fixing spring 2.
At 0, the carriage 11 is pressed in the direction of arrow C (lower right direction) and stopped by an abutting portion 45 provided on the carriage 11 to be held at a predetermined position so as to be elastically displaceable. In this case, it is more preferable to form a rib on the side surface of the head fixing member 19, provide a groove on the inner wall of the carriage 11, and stop the head fixing member 19 by engaging the rib with the groove. The engaging portion 23 of the recording head 13 moves along the head fixing member 19 as shown in FIG. 23 (a) → 23 (b) → 23 (c).

By pushing the recording head 13 further downward from the state of 23 (c) in FIG.
3 is fixed at a predetermined position on the carriage 11 in the state shown in FIG. At this time, the positioning portion [y of the recording head 13
-Z] 28 is in contact with a boss formed on the carriage 11. The recording head 13 is engaged with its engaging portion 2 via a head fixing member 19 by a spring force of a head fixing spring 20.
3 is fixed on the carriage 11 by pressing in the direction of arrow C (the lower right direction in the figure).

When the recording head 13 is detached from the carriage 11, an upward force is applied to the recording head to displace the head fixing member 19 in the upper left direction in the drawing, and a state 23 (a) in FIG. It can be easily removed by pulling it out in the left direction (slightly upper left direction) in the figure.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the head fixing member 1.
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment in which a head releasing member is provided instead of the recording head 9, and FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view on a carriage showing the movement of the recording head 13 with respect to the head releasing member 47 when the recording head 13 is attached and detached. FIG. 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the carriage 11 showing a state where the recording head 13 is mounted on the carriage 11. 10 and 11, reference numeral 47 denotes a head releasing member rotatably attached to the carriage 11. The head release member 47 is provided with a head lock portion 48 corresponding to the convex receiving portion (convex portion) 31 of the recording head 13, and when removing the recording head 13, pushes the head upward in the drawing to mount the recording head 13. In this case, a rotating portion 49 that rotates and a convex portion 50 having elasticity are provided. The carriage 11 is provided with a receiving portion 56 for receiving the convex portion 50 of the head releasing member 47.
The center of the receiving portion 56 in the left-right direction in FIG.
0, and the left and right portions (front and rear portions in the attaching / detaching direction) in the figure are formed by slopes.

When the recording head 13 is fixed to the carriage 11 in the state shown in FIG. 10, even if an inadvertent upward force is applied to the recording head, the receiving portion (convex portion) of the head in the latched state can be used. ) 31 and the head lock portion 48 of the head release member 47 abut, and the recording head 13 does not come off. Further, the convex portion 50 of the head release member 47 is pushed rightward in the figure by the slope of the receiving portion 56 of the carriage 11, and the head release member 47 is urged rightward in the figure. In the state shown in FIG. 10, the recording head 13 is mounted on the carriage 11 in a locked state.

Next, an operation and a state when the recording head 13 is removed from the state of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the head release member 47 is rotated in the left rotation direction (counterclockwise) in the figure, the elastic projection 50 is
6 and moves to the central convex portion. At this time, the head lock portion 48 is attached to the receiving portion (convex portion) 3 of the recording head 13.
1 and the recording head 13 can move upward. When the head release member 47 is further rotated left in the figure, the rotating portion 49 pushes the bottom of the recording head 13 upward, and the recording head 13 is completely released from the fixed state on the carriage 11. Further, the convex portion 50 of the head releasing member 47 moves to the left inclined surface of the receiving portion 56 of the carriage 11 in the drawing, and the head releasing member 47 is urged in the left rotation direction (head releasing direction).

When the recording head 13 is mounted on the carriage 11, the rotating portion 49 of the head releasing member 47 is pressed on the bottom surface of the recording head 13, so that the head releasing member 4 is moved.
7 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing to the state shown in FIG. 10, and the recording head 13 is mounted at a predetermined position on the carriage 11. FIG.
Also, by adopting the configuration described with reference to FIG. 11, it is possible to use a single component called the head release member 47 to have both the lock function when the recording head is fixed and the release function when the recording head is removed.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the carriage 11 and the electric board 16. In FIG. 12, an electric board (PC
B) 16 is the hook 5 provided on the carriage 11
7 and a contact portion 58 and an elastic fixing portion 59 provided on the carriage lid 15 are positioned and fixed to the carriage 11. Reference numeral 60 denotes a positioning boss for the position sensor provided on the carriage 11 for fixing the position sensor 17. A hole (opening) 61 larger than the shape of the boss portion 60 is formed in the PCB 16 at a position corresponding to the positioning boss portion 60 for the position sensor. The hole 61 serves as a reference hole for mounting the position sensor 17 on the PCB 16.

In FIG. 12, a hole 62 is formed in the position sensor 17 at a position corresponding to the position boss 60 for the position sensor. The hole 62 is for accurately determining the positions of the carriage 11 and the position sensor 17 in the carriage scanning direction indicated by the double-headed arrow D, and is fitted with the position sensor positioning boss 60 of the carriage 11.

By adopting the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the carriage 11 and the position sensor 17 can be formed at a low cost.
Can be accurately positioned in a one-to-one relationship, and high-precision inkjet recording can be performed. In this case, a similar effect can be obtained by a configuration in which a boss is protruded from a part of the housing of the position sensor 17 and a groove or a hole is formed in the carriage 11 instead of the illustrated positioning structure. However, in such a configuration, when the position sensor 17 is mounted on the PCB (electric board) 16, the boss portion of the position sensor protrudes from the PCB 16 so that the workability is not good. There is.

When the boss of the position sensor 17 is made of plastic, the boss may be thermally deformed during the mounting process. It is not desirable to adopt a configuration in which the holes pass through the holes of the electric board 16. The size of the hole (opening) 61 formed in the electric board 16 may be made larger than that of the position sensor positioning boss 60 in consideration of the dimensional tolerance of each component and the assembly mounting tolerance. Can be easily calculated.

In the present invention, a serial type ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head (recording means) is mounted on a carriage (recording means mounting portion) which moves relatively to a recording medium is taken as an example. Although the present invention has been described, the present invention is similarly applied to an ink jet recording apparatus employing other recording methods, such as a line type ink jet recording apparatus in which a line type recording means is mounted on a recording means mounting section provided in the apparatus main body. The same operation and effect can be obtained. Further, the present invention can be applied similarly regardless of the number of recording heads and the type of ink used in each recording head, and the same effects can be obtained.

The present invention also relates to an ink jet recording apparatus using a replaceable recording head (recording means), in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated, or the recording head and the ink tank are integrated. The present invention can be similarly applied to any configuration of the recording means such as a cartridge, and the same effect can be obtained.

Further, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to, for example, an apparatus using recording means using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. Particularly excellent effects can be obtained in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a discharge system. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

[0054]

As apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording medium.
The recording means is provided with an electrical contact portion arranged substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection direction, and the recording means mounting portion is provided with an electrical contact portion with the recording means. Since the unit is configured to pass through the electrical contact part of the recording unit mounting part, the ink discharge unit can be reliably protected and the electrical connection failure can be reliably prevented with a simple and inexpensive configuration. A high inkjet recording device is provided.

According to the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the fixing member for fixing the recording means to the recording means mounting portion mounts the recording means on the recording means mounting portion. The conductive member for fixing the flexible cable conducting to the electrical contact portion of the recording device mounting portion to the recording device mounting portion when the recording device is attached to and detached from the recording device mounting portion. A guide for guiding the insertion of the recording means, a release member for releasing the recording means from the fixed state in the recording means mounting portion is provided, and the release member is in a state where the recording means is fixed to the recording means mounting portion. A configuration in which the recording means is locked to the recording means mounting portion, or
The recording unit mounting section is a carriage that moves relative to the recording medium, and a position sensor is mounted on an electric board mounted on the carriage. The carriage and the position sensor are fitted in the carriage scanning direction. With this configuration, a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus that can reliably protect the ink ejection section and reliably prevent the poor electrical connection with a more efficient, simple, and inexpensive configuration is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a recording unit mounting portion (carriage) and a recording unit in an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit in one embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from a lower surface side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit mounting section (carriage) in an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a periphery of an electric contact portion of the recording unit mounting portion of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a recording unit is attached to and detached from a recording unit mounting unit in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing the movement of a head fixing member when a recording unit is attached and detached in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a recording unit is mounted on a recording unit mounting unit in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a movement of a head releasing member when a recording unit is attached and detached in another embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording means is mounted on the recording means mounting portion in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a recording unit mounting portion (carriage) and an electric substrate of an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Recording part mounting part (carriage) 12 Guide rail 13 Recording means (recording head) 15 Carriage lid 16 Electric board 17 Position sensor 18 Ink cartridge 19 Head fixing member 20 Head fixing spring 21 Electric contact part (carriage) 22 Boss (Recording) Means) 23 Engaging part (recording means) 24 Discharge port array 25 Ink discharging part 26 Electrical contact part (recording means) 27 Positioning part (recording means) 28 Positioning part (recording means) 29 Positioning part (recording means) 30 Positioning Unit (Recording Unit) 31 Convex Unit (Recording Unit) 32 Flexible Cable 33 Conductive Member 34 Head Detachment Guide 35 Guide (Carriage) 38 Head Pressing Unit 41 Head Positioning Unit (Carriage) 42 Head Positioning Unit (Carriage) 43 Head Positioning unit (Carriage) 46 Positioning boss (carriage) 47 Head release member 48 Head lock part (head release member) 49 Rotating part (head release member) 50 Convex part (head release member) 51 Discharge port surface 52 Discharge port 54 Liquid path 55 electrothermal transducer 56 receiving part (carriage) 57 hook part (carriage) 58 contact part (carriage) 59 elastic fixing part (carriage) 60 positioning sensor positioning boss part 61 hole (opening) 62 hole (position sensor)

Claims (7)

[Claims] In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording medium, the recording means is provided with an electrical contact portion arranged substantially perpendicularly to an ink discharge direction and a recording means mounting portion. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein an electric contact portion with the recording means is provided, and when the recording means is attached or detached, the ink ejection portion of the recording means passes through the electric contact portion of the recording means mounting portion. . 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member for fixing the recording means to the recording means mounting portion also serves as an insertion guide when the recording means is mounted on the recording device mounting portion. . 3. A conductive member for fixing a flexible cable, which is electrically connected to an electrical contact portion of the recording device mounting portion, to the recording device mounting portion, when the recording device is attached to or detached from the recording device mounting portion. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein insertion of the means is guided. 4. A recording member mounting portion is provided with a release member for releasing the recording device from the fixed state, and the release member attaches the recording device to the recording device while the recording device is fixed to the recording device mounting portion. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is locked to a unit. 5. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing means mounting portion is a carriage which moves relative to a printing medium, and a position sensor is mounted on an electric board mounted on said carriage. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is fitted with the inkjet recording apparatus. 6. The ink jet recording device according to claim 1, wherein said recording device is an ink jet recording device including an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .