JPH10337886A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a recording paper or a component from being stained due to residual ink on a recording section even when ink is ejected to a portion where a paper is not existing, to prevent sticking of the ink to a control section or the like which may cause malfunction or damage of this recorder, and to perform the recording having less or no margin on the recording paper. SOLUTION: In this ink jet recorder, an ink suction body 11 is provided on a rear face of a plate member 14 that guides a recording paper 20 at a recording section. An opening 22 extending to an extent covering a width of the recording paper 20 in the width direction is formed on a portion on the plate member 14 opposite a recording head 1. The ink ejected to a portion where the recording paper is not existing is received by the ink suction body 11 via the opening 22. The ink suction body 11 can be accommodated in a suction body holding vessel 12 and attached to the rear face of the plate member 14 with the suction body holding vessel 12 therebetween.

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 onto 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 a recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a computer or a word processor, or a workstation, records on the basis of recording information. The image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper 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 type recording apparatus that performs recording while performing main scanning in a direction intersecting with the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, an image is recorded (recording head) that moves along the recording medium. The main scanning) is performed, and after the recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feeding (pitch conveyance as sub-scanning) is performed, and then the image of the next line is recorded on the recording medium stopped again (main scanning). The recording operation is performed in a desired range of the recording medium by repeating the operation of (1). On the other hand, in a line-type printing apparatus that performs printing only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of the printing medium, the printing medium is set at a predetermined printing position, and a predetermined amount of printing is performed while printing one row continuously. Paper feeding (pitch feeding) is performed, and an image is recorded in a desired range of the recording medium.

Among them, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) to a recording medium. High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, and can be recorded on plain paper without requiring special processing.The running cost is low and the non-impact method reduces noise,
In addition, there is an advantage that it is easy to record a color image using various types of inks (for example, color inks).

[0005] 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. Further, by utilizing the advantages of the IC technology and the micromachining technology, it is easy to make the recording means longer and more planar (two-dimensional), and it is also easier to make the recording means full-multi and high-density mounting. .

There are various requirements for the material of the recording medium. In recent years, developments have been made to meet these requirements, and paper (including thin paper and processed paper) which is a general recording medium has been developed.
In addition to paper and resin thin plates (OHP and the like), recording devices using cloth, leather, nonwoven fabric, metal, or the like as a recording medium have come to be used.

In the ink jet recording apparatus,
It is necessary to maintain the gap between the recording medium (recording paper) and the recording head within a certain range. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a guide plate (plate-like platen) for guiding and supporting the recording paper in the recording unit from the back. Have been done. On the other hand, in the ink jet recording apparatus, for example, when the size of the recording paper is incorrect, or when paper feeding is defective due to a paper jam, there is a possibility that ink is ejected from the recording head without the recording paper in the recording unit. is there.

[0008]

However, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, there is no recording paper in the recording section (for example, when the size of the recording paper is wrong, or when paper feeding is defective due to paper jam, etc.). ), The ink adheres to the guide support surface (platen surface) of the guide plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a recording section of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus. In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, as shown in FIG.
When ink is ejected from the recording head 1 in a state where no ink exists, the ejected ink adheres to the surface of the guide plate 91. Since the material of the guide plate 91 is mainly an iron plate or plastic, the attached ink 92 is repelled by these plate materials and remains on the surface as it is. Therefore, when the recording paper 20 passes through the recording section, the remaining ink 92 adheres to the recording paper 20 and causes ink stains.

When the amount of the attached ink 92 is large,
The ink 93 flowing out of the guide plate 91 adheres to an electric system such as a control unit 94 of the printing apparatus, and may cause malfunction or destruction of the printing apparatus. Further, if the ink that has flowed out of the printing apparatus, the ink may adhere to objects placed around the apparatus. Further, since the above-mentioned trouble occurs when ink adheres to the guide plate 91, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, even when the recording paper 20 is present in the recording portion, the recording paper 20 is almost at both ends in the width direction of the recording paper. If you record to the position, the above-mentioned problem may occur,
Therefore, it is necessary to secure a sufficient margin on the recording paper, and there is a problem that the recording range is limited.

The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent ink from remaining in a recording section even when ink is ejected in a place where a recording medium is not present. It is possible to prevent ink contamination of the recording medium and the recording device, to prevent ink from adhering to a control unit or the like, which may cause malfunction or destruction of the recording device, and further to provide a margin for recording to the very edge of the recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of realizing recording without the need.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ink absorber is disposed on a back surface of a plate member having a guide surface for guiding and supporting a recording medium in a recording section. An opening having a predetermined length extending in the width direction of the recording medium is formed at a position of the member facing the ink ejection section of the recording means, and the ink ejected from the recording means in the absence of the recording medium passes through the opening to absorb the ink. It is characterized by being received by the body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the length of the opening is larger than the widthwise dimension of the recording medium, and the ink absorber is housed in an absorber holder. In a state where the absorber holder is attached to the back surface of the plate member via the absorber holder in a state where the absorber is held, or the absorber holder is slidably and detachably attached in the width direction of the recording medium. The above object is efficiently achieved.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG.
In FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, an ink cartridge 2 is removably mounted on a carrier 3, and the ink cartridge 2 has a structure in which a recording head (recording means) 1 and an unillustrated ink tank (ink storage section) are integrated. doing. In some cases, the ink cartridge 2 may be referred to as a recording unit or a recording head.

The carrier 3 on which the ink cartridge 2 is mounted is supported so as to be movable along a guide shaft 7 and a guide rail 10 installed parallel to each other in the left-right direction of the apparatus main body. The carrier 3 is connected to a part of an endless belt-shaped timing belt 4. The timing belt 4 is held at one end by a driving pulley (or driving gear) 5 and at the other end by a driven pulley (driven gear) 6, and is stretched in a slack-free state (usually a predetermined tension state). Has been established. The drive pulley 5 is fixed to an output shaft of a carrier drive motor (not shown). In this way, by controlling the rotation (forward / reverse rotation) of the carrier drive motor, the movement and the position (main scanning) of the carrier 3 (therefore, the recording head 1) in the double arrow X direction are controlled.

The recording head (recording means) 1 is an ink jet recording head that discharges ink from ink discharge ports to perform recording by applying energy according to a recording signal. The recording head 1 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 1 performs recording by discharging ink from a discharge port using a pressure change generated by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. It is.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording means (recording head) 1. FIG.
In the first embodiment, a plurality of discharge ports 82 are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port surface 81 facing a recording medium (recording paper) 20 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.3 to 2.0 mm). An electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor or the like) 85 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 84 that connects the common liquid chamber 83 and each discharge port 82. I have. The recording head 1 is mounted on the carrier 3 in such a manner that the ejection openings 82 are arranged in a direction crossing the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carrier 3. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 85 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 84 to boil, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port 82 by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means (recording head) 1
Is configured.

1 and 2, a recording paper (recording medium) 20 is conveyed (paper-fed) in the direction of arrow Y (FIG. 1) through the front of the discharge port surface 81 of the recording head 1. That is, a transport roller 8 is disposed upstream of the recording head 1 in the transport direction, and a discharge roller 9 that rotates synchronously with the transport roller 8 (linked with a gear or the like) is disposed downstream of the print head 1 in the transport direction. The conveyance roller 8 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown), so that the recording paper 20 is conveyed (paper feed, paper feed, paper discharge) in the arrow Y direction.

The recording section includes a discharge port surface 81 of the recording head 1.
Plate member (or base plate) placed opposite to
14 are provided. A guide surface 21 that guides and supports the recording paper 20 while maintaining a predetermined gap between the recording paper 20 and the ejection opening surface 81 is formed on the surface of the plate member 14 (the surface facing the recording head 1). In the illustrated example, the recording head 1 is mounted on the carrier 3 with the ejection port surface 81 facing downward, and therefore, the ejection direction (flying direction) of the ink droplet ejected from the ejection port 82 is indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. Direction (downward direction).

Therefore, the ink absorber 11 is disposed on the back surface of the plate member 14, and a position (conveying direction position) facing the discharge port surface 81 of the plate member 14 is in the width direction of the recording paper 20 (in the conveying direction). An opening 22 having a predetermined length extending in the direction of the arrow X) is formed, and the ink ejected from the recording head 1 is received by the ink absorber 11 through the opening 22 where there is no recording paper 20.
In this case, the length of the opening 22 (the length in the direction of the arrow X) is selected to be larger (longer) than the dimension of the recording paper 20 in the width direction (the size in the direction of the arrow X). Various materials can be used as the material of the ink absorber 11 as long as it absorbs liquid ink.
A sponge material, a porous material such as a resin foam, a nonwoven fiber material, or the like can be used.

In the illustrated example, the ink absorber 11 is
The absorber holder 12 is housed in a container-like absorber holder 12 having an open top surface.
Fixed on the back. That is, the ink absorber 11 is attached to the back surface of the plate member 14 via the absorber holder 12 while being housed in the absorber holder 12. In this embodiment, the plate member 14 guides the recording paper 20,
It is used as a member for supporting a guide shaft 7 and a guide rail 10 of the carrier 3, a conveying roller 8, a paper discharging roller 9, a driving pulley 5 for holding the timing belt 4, a driven pulley 6, and the like.

According to the embodiment described above, the ink absorber 11 is arranged on the back surface of the plate member 14 having the guide surface 21 for guiding and supporting the recording medium 20 in the recording section, and the recording head 1 of the plate member 14 is provided. An elongated opening 22 is formed at a position opposed to the ink ejection section in the width direction of the recording medium 20 so as to extend over a distance longer than the width dimension of the recording medium 20, so that the ink ejected from the recording head 1 where there is no recording medium is provided. Since the ink is received by the ink absorber 11 through the opening 22, a paper jam occurs, the size of the recording paper is incorrect, and the like.
Even when the ink is ejected to a place where there is no recording paper, the ink is received by the ink absorber 11 so that the plate member 1 can be ejected.
4 can be prevented from adhering to the ink, and can be collected in the ink absorber 11, thereby preventing ink contamination of the recording paper or the recording apparatus and allowing ink to flow to an electric system such as a control unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction such as a malfunction or destruction of the recording apparatus due to the above.
Further, marginless recording in which recording is performed to the very edge of the recording paper can be easily realized without causing a problem due to the adhesion of ink to the plate member 14.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a side view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a recording unit of the recording apparatus of FIG. 3 to 5, in the present embodiment, an outer cover 15 for fixing and protecting the components of the recording apparatus around the recording apparatus and for preventing foreign substances from being mixed therein.
Is provided. The exterior 15 is provided with a recording paper supply port 18 for supplying the recording paper 20 to the recording section.

An opening 23 is formed on a side surface of the exterior 15, and a lid 16 for opening and closing the opening 23 is attached. In the present embodiment, the absorber holder 12 containing the ink absorber 11 is slidably supported along the plate member 14 in the direction of arrow X (the moving direction of the carrier 3). It can be taken out to the outside through the opening 23 on the side surface.
In the example shown in the drawing, guide grooves 24 having a U-shaped cross section facing each other are formed at the front end and the rear end of the back surface (back surface) of the plate member 14 in the recording paper transport direction, and both sides of the absorber holder 12 are formed. The flange 25 formed in the guide groove 2
4, the absorber holder 12 is slidably attached to the plate member 14 in the direction of the arrow X (the moving direction of the carrier 3).

The leading end of the absorber holder 12 in the sliding direction (the left end in FIG. 3) is provided with a tape 1 for pulling out.
7 is attached, and the absorber retainer 12 is
The tape 17 is compressed inside the cover 16 and the absorber retainer 12 by being attached to the inside (use position on the back surface of the plate member 14) so that the tape 17 is compressed inside the exterior 15. It is stored, whereby the absorber holder 12 is fixed at a predetermined position in the outer casing 15.

At the time of use, the ink absorber 11 can be taken out through the opening 23 by opening the lid 16 and picking and pulling out the tape 17 for pulling out. The absorber holder containing the ink absorber 11 can be taken out. 12 from the opening 23 and the plate member 14
Slide inward along the guide groove 24 of the
Is closed, a new ink absorber 11 can be set. That is, in the present embodiment, the opening 23
The ink absorber 11 can be easily replaced by taking it in and out, and the ink absorption capacity of the ink absorber 11 can be limited to a certain value or less.

The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the points described above, but has substantially the same configuration in other points. Therefore, FIGS.
Here, the same or corresponding portions as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of common portions is omitted.

According to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, as in the case of the first embodiment, the ink is applied to the back surface of the plate member 14 having the guide surface 21 for guiding and supporting the recording medium 20 in the recording section. Along with disposing the absorber 11, an elongated opening 22 is formed at a position of the plate member 14 facing the ink ejection portion of the recording head 1 and extends in the width direction of the recording medium 20 over a distance longer than the width dimension of the recording medium 20. The ink ejected from the recording head 1 where there is no recording medium is supplied through the opening 22 to the ink absorber 11.
The ink is received by the ink absorber 11 even when the ink is ejected to a place where there is no recording paper due to a paper jam or an erroneous recording paper size. The ink can be prevented from adhering to the plate member 14 and the like, and can be collected in the ink absorber 11, thereby preventing the recording paper and the recording apparatus from being contaminated with ink. It is possible to prevent a malfunction such as a malfunction or destruction of the recording device caused by the wraparound. Further, marginless recording in which recording is performed to the very edge of the recording paper can be easily realized without causing a problem due to the adhesion of ink to the plate member 14. Further, in the second embodiment, the ink absorber 11 is made
3, the ink absorber 11 can be easily and frequently replaced, and the ink absorption capacity of the ink absorber 11 can be limited.

In the above embodiment, the serial recording type ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording while moving the recording means relative to the recording medium has been described as an example. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line recording type ink jet recording apparatus in which recording is performed only by sub-scanning using a line type recording unit having a length covering a part, and a similar effect can be achieved. is there.

The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus for recording with one recording means, a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording means for recording with inks of different colors, or a plurality of recording means for recording the same color at different densities. A tone recording device using
Furthermore, in the case of a recording device combining these,
It can be applied similarly and can achieve the same effect.

Further, the present invention provides a configuration using a replaceable ink cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are separated, and the space between them is connected by an ink supply tube or the like. The present invention can be similarly applied to any arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to, for example, an apparatus using a recording means using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means of a discharge type. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording unit guides and supports a recording medium in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a recording unit to a recording medium. An ink absorber is arranged on the back surface of a plate member having a guide surface, and an opening of a predetermined length extending in the width direction of the recording medium is formed at a position of the plate member facing the ink ejection portion of the recording means, and recording is performed. Since the ink ejected from the recording unit is received by the ink absorber through the opening in the absence of the medium, it is possible to prevent the ink from remaining in the recording unit even when the ink is ejected in the absence of the recording medium. In addition, it is possible to prevent ink contamination of the recording medium and the recording apparatus, and to prevent ink from adhering to a control unit or the like that may cause malfunction or destruction of the recording apparatus. Can, inkjet recording apparatus is provided which can realize a margin-less printing for recording to the edge marginal further recording medium.

According to the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the length of the opening is larger than the width dimension of the recording medium, and the ink absorber is provided in the absorber holder. Since it is configured to be attached to the back surface of the plate member via the absorber retainer in the housed state, or to be configured to attach the absorber retainer slidably and detachably in the width direction of the recording medium, An ink jet recording apparatus capable of achieving the above effects more efficiently is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view as viewed from an arrow line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a recording section of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a structure of an ink ejection unit of the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a recording unit of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording means (recording head) 2 Ink cartridge 3 Carrier 4 Timing belt 7 Guide shaft 8 Conveyance roller 9 Discharge roller 10 Guide rail 11 Ink absorber 12 Absorber holder 14 Plate member 15 Exterior 16 Cover 20 Recording medium (recording paper) 21) Guide surface 22 Opening 23 Opening 24 Guide groove 25 Flange part 81 Discharge port face 82 Discharge port 83 Common liquid chamber 85 Electrothermal converter

Claims (6)

[Claims] In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means to a recording medium, an ink absorber is arranged on a back surface of a plate member having a guide surface for guiding and supporting the recording medium in a recording section, An opening of a predetermined length extending in the width direction of the recording medium is formed at a position of the plate member facing the ink ejection section of the recording means, and ink ejected from the recording means at a position where there is no recording medium is supplied with the ink through the opening. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by receiving by an absorber. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a length of the opening is larger than a width direction dimension of the recording medium. 3. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber is attached to a back surface of the plate member via the absorber holder while being housed in the absorber holder. Recording device. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the absorber retainer is slidably and detachably attached in a width direction of the recording medium. 5. The ink jet recording means according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means having an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .