JPH10297038A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording medium having a high rigidity. SOLUTION: A vertical position of a conveying unit 12 having a paten 12a can be changed corresponding to a thickness of a thick paper. A paper tray 8 is provided to a rear side of this apparatus such that the vertical position thereof is changed along with the conveying unit 12 to be equalized to the position of the platen 12a. A part of a body cover 1 (front door 19) is openably provided to a front side of the apparatus. The vertical position of the front door 19 is changed along with the conveying unit 12 to be equalized to the position of the platen 12a in the opening condition of the door 19. As a result, a conveying path (tray face 8a-platen 12a-receiving face 19a) which is exclusive use of the thick paper is formed, when the front door 19 is opened. During the forming of the image, the changed vertical position of the conveying unit 12 is maintained so that a region where the image can be formed is enlarged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer for recording an image on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a printer is mainly used to form an image on a relatively flexible recording medium such as cut paper or thermal paper. Therefore, the paper path system (paper path for paper feeding, recording, and discharging) can be set relatively arbitrarily. Therefore, the so-called J-turn path and U-turn path are mainly used as the paper path system for transporting such a recording medium.

In recent years, as the performance of printers has been improved, it has been desired to form images on postcards with photographs, white cardboard, and CD label surfaces.

Hitherto, image formation on a recording medium having high rigidity, such as cardboard, has generally used a dedicated image forming apparatus. However, a general user wants to print on such a cardboard using his or her usual printer. However, printers used by ordinary users need to be designed mainly for image formation on plain paper. Therefore, in order to respond to such a demand, it is necessary to sufficiently cope with plain paper and also to cope with a recording medium having high rigidity. Therefore, until now, the paper path system for plain paper (
In addition to a J-turn path and a U-turn path, there has been proposed an apparatus provided with a paper path system (straight path) for a recording medium having high rigidity.

[0005] Further, the image quality required by users has been increasing year by year, and recently, it has been demanded that the image quality be photographic. To achieve such high image quality,
It is very important to ensure the flatness of the image forming surface of the recording medium. For this reason, attempts have been made to increase the number of spurs and to make the paper discharge receiving surface equal to the paper discharge height. However, such an attempt has a drawback that the cost is increased and the amount of the discharged stack is reduced.

[0006]

However, in the above prior art, a straight path is simply added for a recording medium having high rigidity. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in operability. For example, when an image is formed on a recording medium having high rigidity, there is a case where an installation space becomes large. Further, in many recording media having high rigidity, the support in the paper feeding unit and the paper discharging unit is not stable. Moreover,
The range in which an image can be actually formed was narrow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus which does not increase the occupied space even when forming an image on a recording medium having high rigidity and is excellent in operability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which the image forming quality is improved by keeping the recording medium flat.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and a first aspect of the present invention is a first aspect of the present invention, in which a first portion having a support portion for supporting a recording medium before image formation is provided. A supporting member, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium at a predetermined image forming position, a second supporting member for supporting the recording medium at the image forming position, and a receiving portion for supporting the recording medium. A third support member, and a linear transport path from the support section to the receiving section via the image forming position, and a recording medium is transferred between the support section and the receiving section through the transport path. And a transport unit for transporting the image.

[0010] It is preferable that the support section is located on the rear side of the image forming apparatus, and the receiving section is located on the front side of the image forming apparatus.

[0011] It is preferable that an operating section for receiving an instruction from a user be provided, the receiving section being located on the same side as the operating section, and the supporting section being located on the opposite side to the operating section. .

The transporting means transports the recording medium placed on the receiving portion to the support portion through the transport path once, and then returns the recording medium to the receiving portion again through the transport path. It is preferable that the forming unit forms an image on the recording medium when the conveying unit returns the recording medium from the support unit to the receiving unit.

It is preferable that the third support member also serves as at least a part of a housing of the image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus for forming an image by outputting a color material from a head, the image forming means includes a carriage on which the head is mounted, and the color material is supplied from the head mounted on the carriage. An image is formed by outputting the image, and it is preferable that the image forming apparatus further includes an adjusting unit that changes an interval between the transport path and the head mounted on the carriage in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium.

It is preferable that the adjusting means keeps the distance between the transport path and the head constant during image formation by the image forming means.

The adjusting means comprises: position changing means for changing the positions of the first support member, the second support member and the third support member; the first support member; and the second support. It is preferable to include a lock unit for locking the position of the member and the third support member, and a release unit for releasing the lock by the lock unit.

The image forming means forms an image by moving the carriage while outputting the colorant from the head, and the image forming means may also serve as the release means. In this case, the image forming unit may release the lock by the lock unit by moving the carriage to a predetermined position.

The operation will be described.

The conveying means conveys the recording medium between the supporting portion and the receiving portion through a straight conveying path. Since this transport path is straight, it can easily cope with a recording medium having high rigidity. If the third support member also functions as the housing of the image forming apparatus, the space occupied by the apparatus can be reduced.

If the receiving section is located on the front side (or the same side as the operation section) of the image forming apparatus, and the support section is located on the opposite side (or the rear side) of the operation section, the image forming apparatus will be ready for image formation. It is possible to set the recording medium and take out the recording medium after image formation on the front side of the apparatus. That is, the transporting means once transports the recording medium placed on the receiving portion to the support portion through a straight transport path, and then returns the recording medium to the receiving portion again through the transport path. The image forming unit forms an image when the conveying unit returns the recording medium from the support unit to the receiving unit. In this case, the distance between the transport path and the head is changed by the adjusting means according to the thickness of the recording medium. When the image forming means forms an image by outputting a colorant from the head, it is important that the distance between the transport path and the head is kept constant in order to obtain a high-quality image. is there. Therefore, during image formation, the adjustment unit keeps the distance between the transport path and the head constant so as not to change.

Such an adjusting means includes a position changing means,
It can be composed of a lock unit and a release unit. Of these, the release means can also serve as the image forming means. For example, the lock may be released by moving the carriage to a predetermined position.

[0022]

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

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a main structure of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view showing a structure of a main part. In addition,
Hereinafter, a recording medium having high rigidity is referred to as “cardboard”. The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a sheet feeding / conveying mechanism that feeds / conveys a recording medium, an image forming mechanism that forms an image on the conveyed recording medium, an operation unit 35, a control device 30, A housing (main body cover 1, front door 19) for accommodating these components is provided.

The image forming mechanism includes a head 2, a carriage 3, a rail 4, and a mechanism for driving these.

The head 2 is provided with a tank for storing ink and a number of nozzles for discharging the ink stored in the tank. The head 2 is configured to form an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from nozzles in accordance with an image signal input from the control device 30. The head 2 is mounted on a carriage 3.

The carriage 3 and the rail 4 are for causing the head 2 to scan in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. The carriage 3 on which the head 2 is mounted is configured to be able to repeat a reciprocating motion along a rail 4 installed on a chassis 5. In addition, the carriage 3 in the present embodiment also has a role of releasing the lock of the transport unit 12 described later by being moved to the position A shown in FIG. The movement of the carriage 3 is performed by a motor (not shown) controlled by the control device 30.

The paper feed / conveyance mechanism includes a paper feed tray 6, a paper discharge tray 16, and a conveyance path from the paper feed tray 6 to the paper discharge tray 16. Further, a separation mechanism (not shown), a stopper 9, a sensor 7, a transport roller 10, a pinch roller 11, a platen 12, and the like are arranged along the transport path.
a, a paper discharge roller 14, a spur 15, and the like. Further, in order to configure a conveyance path dedicated to the thick paper, the front door 19 is required.
And a cardboard tray 8.

The paper feed tray 6 is for stacking ordinary recording media (for example, plain paper).

The separation mechanism (not shown) is for separating only one of the recording media stacked on the paper feed tray 6.

The stopper 9 is a stopper when thick paper is inserted into the main body. The stopper 9 is pushed down by the transport unit 12 and retracted from the transport path when the transport unit 12 described later is raised.

The sensor 7 includes a stopper 9 and a transport roller 1.
This is for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium at a position between 0 and 0. The sensor 7 outputs the detection result to the control device 30.
Output to

Transport roller 10 and pinch roller 11
Is for transporting the recording medium to the platen 12a. The conveyance roller 10 conveys the recording medium by rotating while the recording medium is held between the pinch roller 11 and the pinch roller 11 mounted on the holder 17.
Further, at the time of forming an image on thick paper described later, the recording medium (thick paper in this case) is conveyed in a direction opposite to the normal direction, thereby playing a role of setting the thick paper on the thick paper tray 8. The transport roller 10 is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions by being driven by a motor (not shown) controlled by the control device 30.

The platen 12a is for keeping the recording medium at a predetermined position at the image forming position. The platen 12 a is disposed directly below the entire reciprocating path of the head 2.

The paper discharge roller 14 and the spur 15 are for discharging the recording medium after the image formation. The transport roller 10 is configured to discharge the recording medium by rotating while the recording medium is sandwiched between the spur 15 and the spur 15 provided on the holder 17. Further, at the time of forming an image on thick paper described later, the recording medium (thick paper in this case) is conveyed in a direction opposite to the normal direction, thereby playing a role of setting the thick paper on the thick paper tray 8. The paper discharge roller 14 is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions because of a structure (not shown) driven by the paper feed roller 10.

The above-described transport roller 10, platen 12a
The paper discharge rollers 14 are integrated as the transport unit 12. The transport unit 12 is configured to be able to change its position in the vertical direction in order to be able to handle thick paper.

The mechanism for changing the position includes side plates 12b,
Ratchet portion 12c, spring 13, lock levers 21 and
3, a connecting rod 22, a solenoid 24, and the like.

The side plate 12b supports both ends of the above-described transport roller 10 and the like. A ratchet portion 12c is provided on an outer surface of the side plate 12b.

The spring 13 is disposed below the transport unit 12 and constantly urges the transport unit 12 upward.

The solenoid 24 and the claw 24b are for lowering the position of the transport unit 12. The solenoids 24 generate a driving force for pulling down the transport unit 12, and are arranged one on each side of the transport unit 12. The claw 24b is a solenoid 24
The operating shaft 24a is provided at an end of the operating shaft 24a, and the end is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) provided on the side plate 12b. Therefore, the solenoid 24 is operated and the operating shaft 24 is operated.
a to lower the claw 24b so that the transport unit 12
Is reduced.

The lock levers 21 and 23 and the connecting rod 22 are for fixing the height position of the transport unit 12. The lock lever 21 is rotatable about a shaft 21a, and the lock lever 23 is rotatable about a shaft 23a. Also, both are connected rod 2
2 and are rotated in synchronization. Further, the lock lever 21 is urged by a spring 26 in a direction in which its tip engages with a ratchet portion 12c provided on the side plate 12b.

The front door 19 forms a part of the main body cover 1 of the image forming apparatus, and also serves as a tray on which a thick paper before image formation is placed when forming an image on the thick paper. The front door 19 supports a rotating shaft 19b (see FIG. 3) on a bearing (not shown) formed in the transport unit 12, and changes the posture around the rotating shaft 19b to thereby change the body cover 1. It can be opened and closed with respect to.
The pivot of the rotating shaft 19b is provided with play only in a specific direction (vertical direction in an open state). Thus, when the front door 19 is opened (illustrated by a solid line in the drawing), a stopper (not shown) of the front door 19 abuts on a predetermined portion of the transport unit 12.
The receiving surface 19a is kept at the same surface position as the platen. Further, it is configured to move up and down following the transport unit 12. On the other hand, in a closed state (illustrated by a dotted line in FIG. 1), the front door 19 engages with and integrates with each part of the main body cover 1 to form a housing of the image forming apparatus together with the main body cover 1. ing. In this state, the front door 19 does not move up and down following the transport unit 12 (it is fixed).

As shown in FIG. 3, the front door 19 has a receiving surface 19a, a rotating shaft 19b, and an image forming side surface reference end 19 on one side.
c, a cardboard guide 20 is provided. Also, the front door 19
Is provided with a sensor 18.

The receiving surface 19a is used for forming an image on thick paper.
This is for placing the thick paper S2. The receiving surface 19a
Is formed substantially at the center of the side constituting the inner side surface of the cover 1 when the front door 19 is closed.

The thick paper guide 20 and the image forming side reference end 19c are for regulating the position of the thick paper in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Image forming side surface reference end 19c
Is fixed, and the position on the receiving surface 19a is not changed. On the other hand, the thick paper guide 20 is configured to be able to change its position in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Accordingly, the thick paper guide 20 is appropriately moved so that the thick paper is placed near the image forming side surface reference end 19c.

The sensor 18 is for detecting that thick paper is set on the receiving surface 19a, and is installed at the image forming side surface reference end 19c. The detection result of the sensor 18 is output to the control device 30.

The thick paper tray 8 is for supporting a thick paper before an image is formed when forming an image on the thick paper. The cardboard tray 8 is arranged below the paper supply tray 6. The cardboard tray 8 is connected to the transport unit 12 and is configured to move up and down together with the transport unit 12. The tray surface 8a is set at the same height position as the platen 12a. Thereby, [tray surface 8a-platen 12a-receiving surface 19a]
, A thick paper conveyance path is formed.

The operation section 35 is for receiving a user's operation, and is installed on the upper front side of the main body cover 1. The operation unit 35 outputs the received operation to the control device 30.

The control device 30 controls and controls the entire image forming apparatus. Control device 3 of the present embodiment
0 has a dedicated operation mode (thick paper mode) for forming an image on thick paper. In the thick paper mode, a function is provided for automatically lowering and unlocking the transport unit 12 by operating the solenoid 24, the carriage 3 and the like when setting thick paper. The details of the cardboard mode will be described later in the operation description. The control device 30 specifically includes various control programs, a ROM storing control data, a RAM for storing image data, a processor that executes the control programs and controls the above-described units, and the like. I have.

The “first support member” in the present invention is:
In the present embodiment, it corresponds to the cardboard tray 8. The “support portion” corresponds to the tray surface 8a. The “second support member” corresponds to the platen 12a. The “third support member” corresponds to the front door 19. The “receiving portion” corresponds to the receiving surface 19a. The "transport path" corresponds to a transport path of [tray surface 8a-platen 12a-receiving surface 19a]. The “transporting unit” is realized by the transporting roller 1, the discharge roller 14, the control device 30, and the like.
The “operation unit” corresponds to the operation unit 35. The “colorant” corresponds to the ink ejected from the head in the present embodiment, which is an inkjet printer. The “adjusting means” is realized by the spring 13, the solenoid 24, the lock levers 21, 23, the carriage 4, the control device 30, and the like. In particular, the “position changing means” includes the spring 1
3, realized by the solenoid 24, the claw 24b, and the like. The “locking means” includes the spring 26, the lock lever 2
1, 23 and the connecting rod 22.
The "release means" is realized by the carriage 3, various mechanisms for driving the carriage 3, the control device 30, and the like.

The image forming operation will be described.

First, image formation on a normal recording medium will be described.

The recording medium S 1 is stacked on the paper feed tray 6. The separation mechanism (not shown) separates only one of the recording media S1. The conveying roller 10 feeds and conveys the separated recording medium through a conveying path in which the sensor 7 is arranged, and sends the recording medium to the platen 12a. The platen 1
In 2a, the head 2 mounted on the carriage 3 forms an image on the recording medium. After the image formation, the discharge roller 1
4 and the spur 15 discharge the recording medium on which the image is formed to the discharge tray 16. During this time, the distance between the image forming surface of the recording medium S1 and the head 2 is kept constant.

In particular, when it is desired to form an image with high image quality (for example, photographic tone), the image is formed with the front door 19 opened. Even in this case, the recording medium is stacked on the paper feed tray 6 as usual. In this way, during image formation,
The recording medium in a partially discharged state can maintain its flatness until image formation is completed because the discharged portion is supported by the receiving surface 19a of the front door 19.

Next, image formation on thick paper will be described.

First, the front door 19 is opened. In this state, the front door 19 has its receiving surface 19a
It stops in a state where it is located on the same plane position as a (see FIG. 1).

Next, the cardboard S2 is placed on the receiving surface 19a of the front door. Then, the thick paper guide 20 biases the thick paper S2 to the image forming side surface reference end 19c. Then, the sensor 18 is turned on. The detection result of the sensor 18 is output to the control device 30. The control device 30 enters the cardboard mode according to the detection result.

In the thick paper mode, the control device 30 lowers the transport unit 12 by operating the solenoid 24. When the transport unit 12 is in the lowered position, the lock levers 21 and 23 are
It is locked by hanging on. In this state, the transport unit 12 is pushed down by a predetermined amount (about 4 mm in the present embodiment) from the normal position. Therefore, in this embodiment, a recording medium up to a thickness of about a floppy disk can be conveyed. In addition, with the lowering of the transport unit 12,
Stopper 9 emerges in the paper path.

Subsequently, the user presses the cardboard S2 by hand in a direction opposite to the normal recording medium conveyance direction, and the cardboard S2 is pressed.
Insert 2 into the main unit. The thick paper S2 is supplied to the discharge roller 1
4. The sheet passes through the platen 12a and the paper discharge roller 10 and enters a position where it hits the stopper 9. At this time, the sensor 7 detects the thick paper S2 and outputs an ON signal to the control device 30.
The control device 30 that has received the detection signal of the sensor 7 moves the carriage 3 to the position A (see FIG. 2). Then, the lock lever 23 is pushed rightward in the figure by the carriage 3, and as a result, the lock of the transport unit 12 by the lock lever 23 is released. Further, since the lock lever 21 is connected to the lock lever 23 through the connection rod 22, the lock lever 21 is also operated in the release direction at this time.

As a result, the transport unit 12 is
The cardboard S2 is moved upward by the urging force of the above, and pushes up the thick paper S2 to a position where it hits the lower portion of the pinch roller 11 and the spur 15. That is, the height position of the transport unit 12 is adjusted according to the thickness of the cardboard. When the transport unit 12 is raised, the stopper 9 is pulled in from the paper path.

Subsequently, the control device 30 controls the feed roller 10
By rotating the discharge roller 14 in the reverse direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1), the thick paper S2 is sent to the rear side of the image forming apparatus (the side of the thick paper tray 8).

After the end of the thick paper S2 (the right end in FIG. 1) has passed through the sensor 18, the control device 30 further feeds the thick paper S2 by a predetermined amount. Then, the conveyance is stopped at a position where the end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the thick paper S2 reaches the platen 12a. In this state, the thick paper S2
Are supported by the cardboard tray 8 for the most part.

Thereafter, the image forming apparatus waits for an image forming command from the host device. Then, when the command is received, the paper feed roller 10 and the transport roller 14 are rotated forward (clockwise in FIG. 1) to start transporting the thick paper S2 to the front side of the image forming apparatus. Further, by operating the head 2 and the carriage 3 in parallel with this, an image is formed on the thick paper S2 being conveyed. As the image formation proceeds, the thick paper S2 is discharged by the discharge rollers 14 and the like, and finally is placed on the front door receiving surface 19a.

In the course of this image formation, the transport path through which the thick paper S2 passes is arranged in a straight line [Tray surface 8
a-platen 12a-receiving surface 19a]. Therefore, the cardboard S2 does not deform when passing through the transport path. Also, no wasteful transport load is applied.

The portion of the cardboard S2 on which an image has already been formed and discharged is also supported by the front door receiving surface 19a. Further, since the transport unit 12 is locked by the lock lever 21 or the like, even after the end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the thick paper S2 passes through the pinch roller 11,
The distance between the image forming surface of the thick paper S2 and the head 2 is kept the same as before. Therefore, an image can be formed up to the rearmost area of the thick paper S2.

After the completion of the image formation, the control device 30 moves the carriage 3 again to the position A (see FIG. 2) to release the lock of the transport unit 12. As a result, the transport unit 12 returns to the position at the time of forming an image on a normal recording medium (in a state in contact with the pinch roller 11).

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

1. It is possible to form an image on thick paper (in the above-described embodiment, up to a thickness of about 4 mm).

2. Since the thick paper can be set and removed from the front of the image forming apparatus, the operability is excellent.

3. The occupied space is almost the same as when an image is formed on plain paper.

4. Since the recording medium ejected during image formation does not buckle due to its own weight, and the flatness of the recording medium can be maintained, a high-quality image can be formed.

5. Since the release of the lock of the transport unit 12 is performed using the carriage 3, the number of components and the like can be reduced, and the cost can be easily reduced. This point is even more remarkable in the modified examples (FIGS. 4 and 5) described later.

In the above embodiment, the transport unit 12
Was lowered by the solenoid 24. However, the specific configuration for the lowering is not limited at all. For example, the operation may be manually performed by the user. Such an example is shown in FIGS. In this example, before the cardboard is set on the front door 19, the user can operate the press-down lever 40 to lower the transport unit 12. When such a configuration is adopted, when applying the present invention, a solenoid,
There is no need to add any driving parts such as a motor. Therefore, it is possible to minimize an increase in the price of the apparatus when the present invention is applied.

The cardboard tray 8 may also serve as a part (rear part) of the main body cover 1 like the front door 19.

The present invention is applicable to an ink jet printer.

[0075]

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can form an image on a recording medium having high rigidity and a recording medium having a large thickness. In addition, the occupied space when forming an image on a recording medium having high operability and high rigidity is almost the same as that for forming an image on plain paper.
Further, since the flatness of the recording medium at the time of paper ejection can be kept high, high-quality image formation is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a front door portion.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part of a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cover 3 Carriage 4 Rail 7 Sensor 8 Cardboard tray 8a Tray surface 9 Stopper 10 Transport roller 11 Pinch roller 12 Transport unit 12a Platen 12c Ratchet part 13 Spring 14 Discharge roller 15 Spur 19 Front door 19a Receiving surface 20 Thick paper guide 21 23 Lock Lever 22 Connecting Rod 24 Solenoid 24a Operating Shaft 24b Claw 26 Spring 30 Control Device 35 Operation Unit 40 Push-Down Lever

Claims (10)

[Claims] A first support member provided with a support portion for supporting a recording medium before image formation; an image forming means for forming an image on the recording medium at a predetermined image formation position; and recording at the image formation position. A second support member for supporting a medium, a third support member including a receiving portion for supporting a recording medium, and a linear transport path from the supporting portion to the receiving portion via the image forming position. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey a recording medium between the support unit and the receiving unit through the conveyance path. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support section is located on a rear side of the image forming apparatus, and the receiving section is located on a front side of the image forming apparatus. apparatus. 3. An operation unit for receiving an instruction from a user, wherein the receiving unit is located on the same side as the operation unit, and the support unit is located on a side opposite to the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The transporting means transports the recording medium placed on the receiving portion to the support portion once through the transporting path, and then returns the recording medium to the receiving portion again through the transporting path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium when the transport unit returns the recording medium from the support unit to the receiving unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third support member also serves as at least a part of a housing of the image forming apparatus. 6. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by outputting a color material from a head, wherein said image forming means includes a carriage on which said head is mounted, and said color is output from said head mounted on said carriage. An image forming unit that outputs an image forming agent, and an adjusting unit that changes an interval between the transport path and a head mounted on the carriage in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjusting unit keeps a constant distance between the transport path and the head during image formation by the image forming unit. 8. The adjusting means comprises: position changing means for changing positions of the first support member, the second support member, and the third support member; and the first support member, the second support member, and the second support member. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a lock unit configured to lock the positions of the support member and the third support member, and a release unit configured to release the lock by the lock unit. 9. apparatus. 9. The image forming means for forming an image by moving the carriage while outputting the color material from the head, wherein the image forming means also serves as the releasing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming unit releases the lock by the locking unit by moving the carriage to a predetermined position.