JPH0852870A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure an excellent recording quality all the time under optimum ink flying conditions by preparing plural kinds of recording means in correspondence with the kinds of materials for recording, and making it possible to use the recording means by alternately changing the recording means. CONSTITUTION:A length S1 (attaching reference dimension) of a head cartridge 2A for recording on ordinary paper P1 is selected so that an interval d1. between a discharge opening face and a platen 1 forms a proper ink flying distance f1 for the recording conditions onto the ordinary paper P1 by bringing the rear edge of the cartridge into a cartridge positioning part 11. The relation between the interval d1 and the ink flying distance f1 becomes d1=f1+t1, where t1 is the thickness of the ordinary paper P1. The length S1 of the head cartridge 2A has the relation of S1=L-d1. A length S2 of a head cartridge 2B for recording on an OHP sheet P2 is selected so that the proper ink flying distance f2 for the recording conditions onto the OHP sheet P2 is formed by bringing the rear edge of the cartridge into contact with the cartridge positioning part 11.

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 for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[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 multifunction machine or a workstation including a computer, a word processor, etc., is a sheet or a plastic thin plate based on image information. Images (including characters and symbols) on recording materials (recording media) such as (sheets for OHP)
Is configured to record. The recording device can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a heat sensitive type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording system of the recording means used.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a recording system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is set. An image (including characters, symbols, etc.) is recorded by a recording unit (recording head) mounted on a carriage that moves (main scanning) along, and after one line of recording is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (sub-scan). An image is recorded in a desired range of the recording material by repeating the operation of performing (scanning) and then recording (main scanning) the image of the next row. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records a recording material only in the sub-scanning direction in which the recording material is fed in the transport direction, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and one line of recording is continuously performed at one time. A predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed, and an image is recorded on the entire recording material.

Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) is a means for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material, and it is easy to make the recording means compact and high definition. Images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without requiring special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise and uses multicolor inks. Therefore, it has an advantage that it is easy to record a color image. Above all, a line type recording apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection ports 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 heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. Further, by utilizing the advantages of IC technology and micro processing technology, it is easy to make the recording means long and planar (two-dimensional), and it is also easy to make the recording means full-multi and high-density mounting. is there. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material, and in recent years, in addition to the ordinary recording material such as paper and resin thin plate, thin paper and processed paper (paper with punch holes for filing and perforation). Paper, paper of any shape, etc.)
It has been required to use such as.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
Since ink droplets are ejected from minute ejection ports to perform recording, it is necessary to maintain the ink droplet flight distance (paper distance) between the ejection port surface of the recording head and the surface of the recording material to an appropriate value. The optimum flight distance may differ depending on the material of the recording material. In addition, in order to maintain the optimum paper distance, even if the recording materials are the same material, if the thickness is different, the ejection port surface of the recording head and the platen surface that guides and supports the recording material. It is necessary to maintain the optimum (constant) interval by adjusting the distance between and.

Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus, for example, depending on whether the recording material is plain paper or an OHP sheet thicker than the recording material, the guide rail for guiding and supporting the carriage may be brought close to or away from the platen. Therefore, good recording quality is ensured. The position of the guide rail is adjusted, for example, by operating an adjusting handle.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, it is troublesome to carry out the adjustment work with the handle or the like when changing the recording material between the plain paper and the OHP sheet, and it is complicated. There is a problem in that a selection operation for optimally setting the ink flying distance depending on the type of recording material may be forgotten, and it is difficult to always ensure good recording quality under optimal ink flying conditions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform an optimal ink according to the type of recording material such as plain paper or OHP sheet by a simple replacement operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that can reliably maintain a flight distance and can always ensure good recording quality.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, in accordance with an appropriate distance between the recording means and the platen based on the type of the recording material. The above-mentioned object is achieved by preparing a plurality of types of recording means and by alternately replacing these recording means so that they can be used.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding portions. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a recording material P such as a recording paper or a plastic thin plate supplied to the recording apparatus is conveyed while being in close contact with the surface of the platen 1. The illustrated platen 1 is composed of a platen roller that also serves as a conveyance roller. The recording means (recording head) 2 is mounted on the carriage 3. In this embodiment, the recording means 2 is composed of a replaceable head cartridge in which a recording head section and an ink tank section are integrated.

The head cartridge 2 is a carriage 3
On the other hand, the cartridge is positioned and fixed at the optimum position for recording by the cartridge positioning 11. The head cartridge 2 is fixed by a cartridge holder (not shown) that can be engaged and disengaged. Carriage 3
Are guided and supported along a guide rail 4 and a slide shaft 5 that are installed parallel to the axis of the platen 1, and along a guide belt 4 via a drive belt 16 by a carriage drive motor (not shown). Move back and forth.

The sheet-shaped recording material P is conveyed (sub-scanning) along the platen 1 so as to face the head cartridge (recording head) 2. Then, by driving the head cartridge based on the recording information, ink droplets are ejected and ejected from the ejection ports, and the ejected ink droplets are attached to the surface of the recording material P that has been conveyed, whereby image recording is performed.

The head cartridge (recording head) 2
Is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, which is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 2 uses the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling generated by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter to eject ink from the ejection port for recording. Is.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the head cartridge 2. In FIG. 2, the ejection port surface 81 facing the recording material (recording paper or the like) P with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm) ejects a plurality of ejections at a predetermined pitch. An outlet 82 is formed, and an electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 85 for generating energy for ejecting ink is provided along the wall surface of each liquid passage 84 that connects the common liquid chamber 83 and each ejection port 82. It is arranged. The plurality of ejection openings 82 are arranged in a positional relationship such that they are arranged in a direction intersecting with the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the recording head 2. Thus, the corresponding electrothermal converter 85 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal.
Then, the head cartridge (recording means) 2 is configured to cause the film boiling of the ink in the liquid path 84 and to eject the ink from the ejection port 82 by the pressure generated at that time.

In FIG. 1, the shaft 18 of the platen 1 is rotatably supported by a chassis left side plate 19 and a chassis right side plate 20, and both ends of the guide rail 4 and the slide shaft 5 are also on the chassis left side plate 19 and the chassis right side plate. Supported by 20. A transport motor 17 is connected to the platen shaft 18. This transport motor 1
Reference numeral 7 is for intermittently rotating the platen shaft 18 and the platen 1 at a predetermined timing in order to convey (paper feed) the recording material P on the platen 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the structure of the essential part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 3, the head cartridge 2 has its rear end face abutted against the cartridge positioning member 11 to define a distance facing the platen 1, and is positioned and fixed on the carriage 3 by a cartridge pressing member 6.
In the illustrated example, the cartridge retainer 6 can swing about a pin 7 of a column 8 provided on the carriage 3 as a fulcrum, and the end of the opposite side (right side in the figure) is pushed down by the spring force of the compression spring 10. As a result, the head cartridge 2 is fixed on the carriage 3.

A button 9 is provided on the upper surface of the rear end portion (the left end portion in the drawing) of the cartridge retainer 6, and the tip of the cartridge retainer 6 is pushed by defeating the portion of the button 9 against the spring 10. The head cartridge 2 can be removed by separating it from the head cartridge 2. Here, the head cartridge 2 is held by the tip portion of the cartridge retainer 6, but this may have a structure in which it is held by being fixed from above, and further, a structure in which a protrusion is provided and fixed by utilizing a hooking force. But it's okay. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 12 and 13 denote paper feed rollers, and 14 denotes a paper guide roller.

The carriage 3 reciprocates along the guide rail 4 and the slide shaft 5 via the drive belt 16 by a carriage motor (not shown).
FIG. 4 shows the moving head cartridge 2 to the platen 1
6 is a schematic diagram showing that ink droplets (arrows) fly toward the surface of the upper recording material P. FIG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of heads having different mounting reference dimensions depending on the proper distance d between the ejection port surface 81 of the head cartridge (recording means) 2 and the surface of the platen 1 based on the type of the recording material P are used. The cartridge 2 is prepared in advance, and these head cartridges 2 are used depending on the type of the recording material P to be used.
By exchanging and using the inks, the optimum ink flight distance can always be secured and good recording can be performed.

5 and 6 are schematic views showing a state in which the recording means 2 and the platen 1 and the distance d are defined according to the type of the recording material P, and FIG. 5 is suitable for the recording conditions on plain paper. 6 shows a case where a proper ink flight distance is formed, and FIG. 6 shows a case where an ink flight distance suitable for recording conditions on an OHP sheet is formed. 5 and 6, the distance L between the cartridge positioning 11 on the carriage 3 and the platen 1 is a constant value specific to the printing apparatus.

In FIG. 5, the length (mounting reference dimension) S ₁ of the head cartridge 2A for recording on the plain paper P ₁ is set to the ejection port surface 81 by bringing the rear end surface into contact with the cartridge positioning 11. The distance d _{1 from the} platen 1 is selected so as to form an ink flight distance f ₁ that is appropriate for the recording conditions on the plain paper P ₁ . The relation between the distance d ₁ shown with the ink flying distance f _1, plain paper P ₁
Assuming that the thickness of T is t ₁ , then d ₁ = f ₁ + t ₁ . Further, the length S ₁ of the head cartridge 2A has a relationship of S ₁ = L−d ₁ as shown in the figure.

[0022] In Figure 6, the length of the head cartridge 2B for recording on an OHP sheet P ₂ (mounting reference dimension) S _2, the cartridge positioning 1 the rear end surface
1, the discharge port surface 81 and the platen 1 are brought into contact with each other.
And the distance d ₂ between them are selected so as to form an ink flight distance f ₂ that is appropriate for the recording conditions on the OHP sheet P ₂ .
The relationship between the illustrated distance d ₂ and the ink flight distance f ₂ is
Assuming that the thickness of the OHP sheet P ₂ is t ₂ , d ₂ = f ₂ +
There is t ₂ . In addition, the length S ₂ of the head cartridge 2B
Have a relationship of S ₂ = L−d ₂ as shown in the figure.

5 and 6, if the optimum ink flight distance f ₁ of the plain paper P _{1 and} the optimum ink flight distance f ₂ of the OHP sheet P ₂ are the same, then f ₁ = f ₂
Since the thickness t ₂ of the OHP sheet P ₂ is greater than the thickness t ₁ of the plain paper P _1, a t _2> t _1, therefore d _2> d ₁
Therefore, the length of the head cartridge is S ₁
> S ₂ . Experimentally, the value of S ₁ -S ₂ is about 0.2.
It will be about mm. By replacing the head cartridge 2 in this way, the optimum ink flight distance is set according to the type of the recording material P used for recording, and the recording quality can always be made good.

As described above, since the dedicated head cartridge 2 is used according to the type of the recording material P, it is easy to see the type of the recording material P which can obtain good recording quality on the upper surface of the head cartridge. Can be displayed with. Figure 7
Shows a state in which the display label 24 of "OHP" is adhered to the upper surface of the head cartridge 2B for the OHP sheet. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, a standing portion 22 for restricting the position of the head cartridge 2 is formed in a part of the carriage 2 adjacent to the ejection port surface 81 of the head cartridge 2. . Further, the head cartridge 2 has an elastic member (compression spring or the like) whose rear end face is not shown.
By pressing with, the abutting portion 22 is brought into contact with and positioned. According to the configuration of FIG. 7, the cartridge positioning 11 described above can be omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a head cartridge (recording means) 2
It is a typical perspective view showing other examples of. In the head cartridge 2 of FIG. 8, a discharge port protection surface 23 slightly protruding forward (toward the platen 1) from the discharge port surface is provided at a position outside the discharge port surface 81. That is, on the carriage 3, the head cartridge 2 for the OHP sheet is
The ejection port surface 81 of B is the head cartridge 2A for plain paper.
By utilizing the fact that the OHP sheet P ₂ is slightly retracted as compared with the case of,
The ejection port protection surface 23 for preventing the interference (contact) with the ejection port surface 1 of the head cartridge 2B.
It is provided in a position off. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the OHP sheet comes into contact with the ejection port surface 81 and damages the ejection port surface, and it is possible to improve the durability and reliability of the head cartridge 2B.

In still another embodiment, since the dedicated head cartridges 2 are used by exchanging each other according to the type of the recording material P, each head cartridge 2 is optimal for each recording material P. Can be filled with ink. For example, considering the fixability and color developability of ink, OHP mainly using a resin-based binder is used.
For the sheet P ₂ and the plain paper P ₁ , it is possible to expect better recording by changing the formulation of the ink components. In such a case, according to the present invention, since the dedicated recording means 2 is used, the optimum ink can be used for each recording means,
Good recording can be performed using an ink having optimum properties.

In still another embodiment, since the dedicated head cartridges 2 are used by exchanging them depending on the type of the recording material P, when the head cartridges 2 are exchanged, mechanical contact with the carriage 3 is performed. Alternatively, by providing a mechanism that accompanies an electrical switching operation, it is possible to automatically change the dot ejection arrangement or the number of dot ejections of ink on the recording material P during recording. That is, it is possible to automatically adopt the optimum recording operation for each type of the recording material P by using the replacement of the head cartridge.

In the above embodiments, the case where the head cartridge 2 in which the recording head portion and the ink tank portion are integrated is used as the recording means has been described as an example, but the present invention is the recording head portion as the recording means. The same can be performed and the same effect can be achieved in an ink jet recording apparatus configured so that only the ink can be exchanged.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the case of the serial recording method in which the recording means (recording head) is moved in the main scanning direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is the whole width or a part of the recording material. The same can be applied to the case of the line recording method in which the line recording unit having a length covering the above is used to perform recording only in the sub-scan, and the same effect can be achieved. In addition to the inkjet recording apparatus that performs single-color recording, the present invention also provides a color inkjet recording apparatus that has one or a plurality of recording heads and records with inks of different colors, and gradations that use inks of the same color but different densities. The same can be applied to an inkjet recording apparatus, and further to an inkjet recording apparatus in which these are combined, and similar effects can be achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the replaceable head cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated is used, when the recording head and the ink tank are separate bodies, the recording head and the ink tank have various other types. The same can be applied to the case of taking the form, and the same action and effect can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among others, thermal energy is used. Then, an excellent effect is brought about in an ink jet recording apparatus which uses a recording means of a method of ejecting ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the recording means to the recording material, the recording based on the type of the recording material. A plurality of types of recording means are prepared in accordance with the proper distance between the means and the platen, and these recording means are alternately exchanged so that they can be used. Therefore, plain paper and OHP sheets can be easily exchanged. (EN) Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus capable of surely maintaining an optimum ink flight distance according to the type of recording material such as a sheet and always ensuring good recording quality.

According to the inventions of claims 2 and 3,
In addition to the configuration of claim 1, the plurality of types of recording means have different mounting reference dimensions, or the types of the recording material are plain paper and OHP trapene, so that a simple replacement operation is possible. As a result, an inkjet recording apparatus can be provided that can more efficiently maintain the optimum ink flight distance according to the type of recording material and can always ensure good recording quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing that ink droplets fly from the recording means for main scanning toward the surface of the recording material on the platen.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a recording unit and a platen when forming an ink flight distance suitable for recording conditions on plain paper.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of a recording unit and a platen when an ink flight distance appropriate for recording conditions on an OHP sheet is formed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a display label is attached to the upper surface of a head cartridge for an OHP sheet.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing still another embodiment of the head cartridge for the OHP sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Platen 2 Recording Means (Head Cartridge) 3 Carriage 4 Guide Rail 5 Slide Shaft 6 Cartridge Presser 10 Spring 11 Cartridge Positioning 16 Drive Belt 17 Conveyor Motor 18 Platen Shaft 22 Standing Part 23 Discharge Port Protection Surface 24 Display Label 81 Discharge Port Surface 82 Discharge port 83 Common liquid chamber 84 Liquid path 85 Electrothermal converter P Recording material P ₁ Plain paper P ₂ OHP sheet S ₁ Length of recording means for plain paper S ₂ Length of recording means for OHP sheet d ₁ Normal Proper distance between ejection port surface and platen in case of paper d ₂ Proper distance between ejection port surface and platen in case of OHP sheet L Distance between cartridge positioning and platen

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masakazu Ozawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Eiichi Jin, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kenji Kurita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inori Kensuke Morita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. In the company

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, wherein a plurality of types of recording means are prepared according to an appropriate distance between the recording means and the platen based on the type of the recording material. In addition, an ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that these recording means can be used by alternately exchanging them. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of recording means have different attachment reference dimensions. 3. The types of the recording material are plain paper and OHP.
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is a portable pen. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.