JPH054432A - Paper feeder and recording device with the same paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate misoperation at a time when a user charges recording paper by easily detecting the width and longitudinal-setting position of recording paper carried at the position of recording accurately by simple constitution. CONSTITUTION:The surface of a platen 6 is brought to a conductive state while a conductive member such as a conductive paper hold-down roller 10 brought into contact with the platen 6 is mounted onto a carriage 8 moved along recording paper, and conduction is interrupted within the range of recording paper when voltage is applied to a contacting section and the carriage 8 is shifted, thus detecting the width or setting position of recording paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device for feeding a recording medium to a recording section and a recording device equipped with the sheet feeding device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image is recorded on a recording medium (recording material) such as 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, etc., depending on the recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position and then along the recording medium. The image is recorded (main scanning) by the recording means mounted on the moving carriage, and after the recording for one line is completed, the paper is fed by a predetermined amount (pitch conveyance), and then the recording medium is stopped again. Then, by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row, the entire recording medium is recorded. On the other hand, in a line type printing apparatus that prints only by sub-scanning in the conveyance direction of the print medium, the print medium is set at a predetermined print position, one line of print is performed at a time, and then a predetermined amount of paper is printed. The entire recording medium is recorded by repeating the operation of feeding (pitch feeding) and then collectively recording the next row.

Among the above-mentioned recording apparatuses, the ink-jet recording apparatus (ink-jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording unit (recording head) onto a recording medium, and it is easy to make the recording unit compact. And
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without any special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method produces less noise and multicolor images. It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line type apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy
Is a high-density liquid channel arrangement (discharging) by forming the electrothermal converter, electrodes, liquid channel wall, top plate, etc. formed on the substrate through semiconductor manufacturing processes such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering. Those having an outlet arrangement) can be easily manufactured, and further downsizing can be achieved.
On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording medium, and in recent years, paper and resin thin plate (O
In addition to HP, etc., thin paper and processed paper (paper with punched holes for filing, paper with perforations, paper of arbitrary shape, etc.) have been required to be used.

[0006]

In the above recording apparatus or image reading apparatus, the recording medium (including the original) is used.
A sheet feeding device is provided for feeding the sheet to the recording unit.
In the paper feeding device, the setting position when setting the recording medium in the recording unit is fixed by the size of the recording medium.Each time the size of the recording medium is changed, the paper guide is moved to the center of the device or left or right. It is necessary to move to and set accurately. The reason for this is that if the set position goes wrong, the recording portion will stick out of the recording medium and normal recording will not be performed. However, such a method in which the user sets the recording medium at the reference position requires careful operation, and the set position may be incorrect due to an operation error or the like. Further, a means for mounting a reflection type sensor on the carriage and optically detecting the paper width and the set position is also used. However, such a configuration increases the cost, and when the recording medium is transparent, However, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect when the base of the recording medium is colored or patterned.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily and accurately detect the width and setting position of a recording medium with a simple structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feeding device and a recording device capable of eliminating any operational error when loading a recording medium.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in a paper feeding device for feeding a recording medium, the surface of the platen is made conductive, and a carriage moving along the recording medium is provided with a conductive member which comes into contact with the platen. The above object is achieved by adopting a configuration in which the width or set position of the recording medium is detected by cutting off the energization in the range of the recording medium when the carriage is moved by applying a voltage to the mounting and contact portions. It is a thing. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in a recording apparatus including a recording unit that records on a recording medium based on image information and a paper feeding apparatus that supplies the recording medium, the paper feeding apparatus makes the surface of the platen conductive. At the same time, a conductive member that comes into contact with the platen is attached to the carriage that moves along the recording medium, and when the carriage is moved by applying a voltage to the contact portion, energization is cut off in the range of the recording medium. The above object is achieved by adopting a configuration of detecting the width or the set position of the recording medium.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus provided with a sheet feeding device to which the invention is applied. The embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates the case of a serial recording device using an inkjet recording means (recording head). In FIG. 1, 1 is a recording medium (recording material) such as recording paper or a plastic thin plate, 2 is a paper feed drive motor, and 3 is one for feeding the recording media 1 loaded in a cassette or on a paper feed tray one by one. Paper feed rollers 4 are conveyance rollers 5 for conveying the supplied recording medium 1 along a predetermined path (paper feed).
Is a feed roller for applying a conveying force to the recording medium 1, 6 is a platen for guiding and supporting the recording medium 1 at a predetermined recording position, and 7 is a recording means for recording on the recording medium 1 (recording). Head), 8 are 2 installed in parallel
The carriage is movable along the guide rail 9 of the book in the width direction of the recording medium 1. The recording means 7 is mounted on a carriage 8, and the main scanning of the recording head 7 with respect to the recording medium 1 is performed by the movement of the carriage 8.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a pair of paper pressing rollers mounted on the carriage 8. In FIG. 1, 11 is a control circuit board for controlling the entire recording apparatus, 12 is a paper discharge roller (feeding roller) arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the paper discharge side of the transport roller 4, and 13 is the discharged recording. It is a paper discharge tray for accumulating the medium 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of paper pressing rollers 10 are rotatably supported around a vertical axis at predetermined positions on both sides of the recording head 7 while being pressed against the platen 6.

The recording means (recording head) 7 is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy. Further, the recording means 7 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Is.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording means (recording head) 7.
In FIG. 3, a plurality of ejection openings 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening forming surface 51 that faces the recording material 1 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). Each liquid path 5 that connects the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52
An electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is disposed along the wall surface of No. 4. In this example, the recording head 7 is mounted on the carriage 8 in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 52 are arranged in a direction intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage 8. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal converter 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 54 to film-boil, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 52. The recording head 7 is configured.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the platen 6 is
The surface of the platen, that is, the platen surface to which the recording medium 1 adheres,
Applying conductive paint, joining conductive sheets,
Alternatively, the platen itself has conductivity by a method such as molding the platen itself with a conductive material. Also, the peripheral surface of the paper pressing roller 10 has conductivity by applying a conductive paint, bonding a conductive sheet, or molding the platen itself with a conductive material. . Regarding the paper pressing roller 10, only one of the two right and left rollers may be made conductive. Therefore, when the platen 6 and the paper pressing roller 10 are energized, the recording medium 1 does not exist between them, or when the paper pressing roller 10 is located in an area outside the recording medium 1, the energized state is established. However, when the recording medium 1 is present and the paper pressing roller 10 is located inside both ends of the recording medium 1, the energization is cut off.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the essential parts of the electric circuit of the recording apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 4, wiring is provided between the conductive paper pressing roller 10 and the platen 6 from the port of the CPU 14 of the control circuit board 11, and a voltage is applied between the platen 6 and the paper pressing roller 10. Energization and its energization status (energization or interruption)
Is detected by the CPU 14.
The platen 6 is electrically grounded.

In the above recording apparatus, the recording medium 1 is fed by the specified amount prior to the recording, and the recording medium 1 is moved to the recording head 7.
After being conveyed to a recording position opposite to, the platen 6 and the paper pressing roller 10 are energized (voltage applied) to move the carriage 8 in the paper width direction. A conductive paper pressing roller 10 is mounted on the carriage 8.
The carriage 8 is at a standby position (for example,
Move from home position). Therefore, in the initial stage of carriage movement, the paper pressing roller 10 comes into contact with the platen 6 to be in an energized state. It is energized. In that case,
The movement of the paper pressing roller 10 corresponds to the movement of the carriage 8, and the position of the paper pressing roller 10 is always the CPU 1
Monitored by 4. Therefore, the carriage 8
The left end position of the recording medium 1 is detected by the movement from the standby position to the occurrence of the cutoff state, and the right end position of the recording medium 1 is detected by the next generation of the energized state. In this way, the lateral position of the recording medium 1 and the paper width can be accurately detected only by moving the carriage 8 one way.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, in the paper feed mechanism unit, when the paper feed drive motor 2 drives the paper feed roller 3, one recording medium 1 is sent out, and the recording medium 1 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 4
Between the feed roller 5 and the feed roller 5, and the rollers 4 and 5 convey them to the recording position on the platen 6. The paper pressing roller 10 brings the recording medium 1 into contact with or catches on the recording head 7 by bringing the recording medium 1 into close contact with the platen 6 at the time of conveyance, recording, or carriage movement to maintain a constant gap with the recording head 7. It also has the function of preventing damage or damage.

When the paper is fed, the carriage 8 stands by at the home position. When the specified amount of paper is fed, the carriage 8 is driven by a carriage motor (not shown), and the guide rail 9 installed parallel to the platen 6
The CPU 14 on the control circuit board counts the number of dots by moving one dot in the recording direction from the home position along the line 9. When the paper pressing roller 10 reaches the recording medium 1, the energization state between the paper pressing roller 10 and the platen 6 is cut off.

At this time, the VCC voltage (applied voltage) is input to the signal line connected to the reading port of the CPU 14, and the moving amount of the carriage 8 from the home position at this time is the number of pulses counted by the CPU 14. Immediately, the left end of the recording medium 1 is detected. Further, the position at which the carriage 8 further moves and then changes from the cutoff state to the energized state is the right end of the recording medium 1, and this is also immediately detected. The carriage movement in the blocking section corresponds to the paper width of the recording medium 1, which is also immediately detected.

According to the embodiment described above, the platen 6
And the paper pressing roller 10 on the carriage 8 are made electrically conductive so that electricity is passed between both rollers, and the CPU 14 port reads the electricity state between the rollers (energization or interruption). Since this is made possible, the width of the recording medium 1 and the horizontal position (recording start position) can be measured only by detecting the energized state by the CPU 14 while scanning the carriage 8 for a maximum of one line in the recording direction prior to recording. This makes it possible for the user to eliminate any operational error when loading the recording medium at the reference position.
Further, since the platen 6 is electrically grounded, it is possible to prevent the recording medium 1 from being attracted to or caught in the platen 6 due to static electricity generated when the recording medium 1 is fed. Could be solved at the same time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the recording apparatus provided with the paper feeding device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electric circuit of the recording apparatus of FIG. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the flat platen 6 having a flat surface is used because of the inkjet recording method. However, in this embodiment, instead of the flat platen 6,
The platen roller 15 is used. The platen roller 15 also has the same function as the transport roller 4 in the above-described embodiment. This platen roller 15
The peripheral surface of is conductive by a method such as applying a conductive paint, bonding a conductive sheet, or molding the platen itself with a conductive material. The other parts of this embodiment have substantially the same structure as those of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. With the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing still another embodiment of the recording apparatus provided with the paper feeding device to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the platen roller 15 is used and the paper guide plate 16 that is pressed against the platen roller is used. The paper guide plate 16 is formed of a conductive (metal) elastic plate having a length (length in the paper width direction) substantially equal to the entire length of the platen roller 15. The paper pressing roller 10 on the carriage is connected to the paper guide plate 1.
6 is arranged so as to move while being pressed against the platen roller 15. That is, the present embodiment is configured to detect the energization state (energization or interruption) between the paper pressing roller 10 and the platen roller 15 via the paper guide plate 16. Reference numeral 17 in FIG. 7 is
3 shows a paper guide member arranged in a conveyance path between the feed roller 5 and the paper guide plate 16.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different from the above-described embodiments in the points described above, and has the same structure as the above-mentioned embodiments in other parts, and the corresponding parts are the same. Reference numerals are used, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Therefore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

As can be understood from the above, the present invention is
Any configuration may be used as long as the electrically conductive state between the conductive member on the carriage 8 and the conductive platens 6 and 15 is detected as the carriage 8 moves when the insulating recording medium 1 is fed. Instead of the paper pressing roller 10, another contact brush or the like may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of recording with one recording means 7 is illustrated, but the present invention is a color recording apparatus having a plurality of recording means for recording with different colors, or the same color. The same application can be achieved regardless of the number of recording means (recording heads), such as a recording device for gradation recording using a plurality of recording means for performing recording with different densities, and to achieve the same effect. I will get it. As the recording means, a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank or the like are integrated, or a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank or the like are separately provided, other recording heads and ink tanks The same can be applied to the recording apparatus having the above configuration form, and the same effect can be obtained.

When the recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention can be applied to a recording means (recording head) 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 type that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a structure in which the discharge section is associated with the discharge section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, it is possible to electrically connect to the device body and supply ink from the device body by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the device body or the device body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the recording apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

Regarding the type or number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode only for mainstream colors such as black,
The recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of a mixed color of different colors or a full color by mixing colors.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies when left standing for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink that has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one that has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is held as a liquid or a solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, besides the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. And the like may be used.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the paper feeding device for feeding the recording medium, the surface of the platen is made conductive, and the platen is attached to the carriage moving along the recording medium. Since a conductive member that comes into contact with the recording medium is attached, and when the carriage is moved by applying a voltage to the contact portion, energization is cut off within the range of the recording medium, the width or set position of the recording medium is detected. Provided is a paper feeding device that has a simple configuration and can easily and accurately detect the width and setting position of a recording medium, and can eliminate any operational error when a user loads a recording medium. It According to another aspect of the present invention, in a recording device including a recording unit that records on a recording medium based on image information and a paper feeding device that supplies the recording medium, the paper feeding device is configured such that the surface of the platen is electrically conductive. As well as sex
A conductive member that comes into contact with the platen is attached to a carriage that moves along the recording medium, and when a voltage is applied to the contact portion to move the carriage, energization is cut off within the range of the recording medium. Since the width or set position is detected, the width and set position of the recording medium can be easily and accurately detected with a simple structure, and there is no operation error when the user loads the recording medium. There is provided a recording device capable of doing the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a recording apparatus including a sheet feeding device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram showing a main part of a control circuit of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of a recording apparatus including a paper feeding device to which the present invention is applied.

6 is a wiring diagram showing a main part of a control circuit of the recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of a recording apparatus including a paper feeding device to which the present invention has been applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 recording medium 2 Paper feed drive motor (conveyor motor) 3 paper feed rollers 4 Conveyor rollers 5 Feed roller 6 Platen (conductive) 7 Recording means (recording head) 8 carriage 10 Paper pressing roller (conductive member) 11 Control circuit board 14 CPU 15 Platen roller (conductive) 16 Paper guide member (conductive) 51 Discharge port forming surface 52 Discharge port 55 Electrothermal converter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a paper feeding device for feeding a recording medium, the surface of a platen is made electrically conductive, and a conductive member in contact with the platen is attached to a carriage moving along the recording medium, and a voltage is applied to the contact portion. A sheet feeding device characterized by detecting a width or a set position of a recording medium by cutting off energization within a range of the recording medium when the carriage is applied to move the carriage. 2. A recording apparatus comprising a recording means for recording on a recording medium based on image information and a paper feeding device for feeding the recording medium, wherein the paper feeding device makes the surface of the platen conductive and A conductive member that comes into contact with the platen is attached to a carriage that moves along a recording medium,
A recording apparatus, which detects a width or a set position of a recording medium by cutting off energization in a range of the recording medium when a voltage is applied to a contact portion to move a carriage. 3. The ink jet recording means, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink.
Recording device. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. .