JP2001191513A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder which can deal with a banner paper without increasing the size and can record images at high speed on both sides of a recording medium. SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a first platen 4A for supporting a recording medium carried by a first pair of carrying rollers 7A, and a second platen 4B for supporting a recording medium carried by a second pair of carrying rollers 7B disposed above the first platen 4A. Recording heads 5A, 5B are disposed oppositely to the platens 4A, 4B. On the downstream side of the first platen 4A in the carrying direction of recording medium, means 8, 9, 10 for carrying the recording medium upside down onto the second platen 4B while reversing the carrying direction are provided. Images are recorded on the surface and rear surface of the recording medium, respectively, on the first and second platens 4A, 4B.

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 an image on a recording medium by discharging ink droplets from nozzles of a recording head onto the recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording devices such as a thermal transfer printer, a laser beam printer, a dot impact printer, and an ink jet printer have been used as output devices for computer peripherals, copying machines, facsimile machines and the like. Among them, the ink jet recording apparatus is
It has features such as high definition image quality and low noise, and has been rapidly growing in the market in recent years.

In an ink jet recording apparatus, an image is recorded by scanning a recording head while ejecting ink from its nozzle in a direction (main scanning direction) intersecting with a conveying direction (sub scanning direction) of a recording medium. There is a so-called serial type. In such a serial type recording apparatus, the recording head is mounted on a carriage that moves in the main scanning direction, and the recording head is moved in the main scanning direction while ejecting ink from the recording head onto a recording medium, thereby moving the recording head for one line. An image is formed on the recording medium by repeatedly performing a recording operation of performing the recording of the above and a transport operation of moving the recording medium by a predetermined amount in the sub-scanning direction according to the recording width.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a typical conventional ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 4 performs image recording only on one side of a recording medium.

[0005] In the casing 120 of the recording apparatus, a single leaf recording medium placed on the stacker 121 is picked up by a pickup roller 122 which rotates when a recording start signal is sent from a control unit (not shown) of the recording apparatus. Are fed one by one. The fed recording medium is supplied to guides 123 and 124.
The recording medium is continuously conveyed to a predetermined position where the leading end of the recording medium faces the recording head 127 while being sandwiched between the platen roller 125 and the pinch roller 126 while being guided by the recording medium.

Next, a recording operation is performed in which the recording head 127 is moved along a guide shaft 128 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium while discharging ink from the recording head 127 onto the recording medium. An image is formed on the recording medium by repeatedly performing a conveyance operation of intermittently feeding the recording medium according to the recording width. The recording medium on which the image has been recorded in this manner is a discharge roller 1
29, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 130 provided outside the housing 120.

In this type of recording apparatus, various studies have been made to enable recording of images on both sides of a recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing double-sided recording. The conventional recording apparatus for double-sided recording shown in FIG. 5 includes a first recording head 227A for recording an image on the front surface of a recording medium and a second recording head 227 for recording an image on the back surface of the recording medium.
B and two recording heads.

In the recording apparatus shown in FIG.
The single-leaf recording medium placed on 1 is fed into the recording apparatus one by one by a pickup roller 222. The fed recording medium includes a guide 224 and a pinch roller 226A,
226B, the first recording head 227A is wound around the first platen roller 225A such that the surface of the recording medium faces outside, and is disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the first platen roller 225A. ,
Image recording is performed on the surface of the recording medium.

[0010] Next, the recording medium is a platen roller 22.
5A, 225B and pinch rollers 226A, 226B
The recording medium is further wound around the second platen roller 225B such that the back surface of the recording medium faces outward. Then, the second platen roller 2
The image is recorded on the back surface of the recording medium by the second recording head 227B arranged at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the recording medium 25B.

The recording medium on which the images are recorded on both sides in this way is discharged by a discharge roller 229 to a discharge tray 230.
Is discharged over

The image recording on the recording medium is performed by moving the recording heads 227A and 227B to the guide shafts 228A and 228A.
What is performed by repeatedly performing a recording operation of performing recording by moving the recording medium along the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium along 8B and a conveyance operation of intermittently feeding the recording medium according to the recording width. , As described with reference to FIG. When recording is performed only on one side of a recording medium by the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the second recording head 227 is used.
B is not activated.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of another conventional ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-138965 which enables double-sided recording. The recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6 has a configuration in which one recording head performs image recording on both sides of a recording medium.

In the recording apparatus shown in FIG.
The single-leaf recording medium placed on the sheet 9 is fed one by one by a pickup roller 322. The fed recording medium is
It is sent onto a platen 332 by a pair of conveying rollers 331,
Further, the recording medium is continuously fed to a predetermined position where the leading end of the recording medium faces the recording head 327.

Next, a recording operation in which the recording head 327 is moved along the guide shaft 328 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium while discharging ink onto the recording medium from the recording head 327 to perform recording. An image is formed on the surface of the recording medium by repeatedly performing a conveyance operation of intermittently feeding the recording medium according to the recording width.

Next, the recording medium on which the image is recorded on the surface is turned by the second conveying roller pair 333 to the reversing roller 33.
Sent to 4. The recording medium is conveyed with the surface on which the recording is performed wound around the reversing roller 334 by a pinch roller 326, and the second conveying roller pair 33.
By rotating 3 in the opposite direction to the above,
So that the back surface of the recording medium faces the recording head 327,
The sheet is conveyed onto the platen 322 again.

Subsequently, an image is formed on the back surface of the recording medium by repeatedly performing the recording operation and the transporting operation in the same manner as described above. The transport direction of the recording medium at this time is opposite to the above case.

The recording medium on which the images are recorded on both sides in this manner is discharged onto the discharge tray 330 by the first pair of conveying rollers 331.

[0019]

In recent years, with the spread of personal computers, ink jet recording apparatuses have become very popular as output terminals. As a result, the consumption of the recording medium is increasing, but it is desirable to use both the front and back sides of the recording medium from the viewpoint of resource saving and energy saving. A conventional inkjet recording apparatus has a low recording accuracy, and a conventional recording medium has various problems such as show-through of a recorded image, and is capable of recording images on both sides of the recording medium. There were some difficulties in realizing the technology. However, these problems are being solved by improving the performance of recording devices and recording media in recent years, and as described above, the realization concept of a recording device capable of recording an image on both sides of a recording medium has been in full swing. It is getting.

When considering the realization of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of recording an image on both sides of a recording medium, there are many problems that need to be solved.

In the prior art shown in FIG. 5, the greatest problem is the transport distance between the first recording head 227A and the second platen roller 225B. When the recording medium on which the recording has been performed on the surface by the first recording head 227A is immediately wound around the second platen roller 225B, the ink on the recording surface that has not dried causes the recorded image itself to be destroyed or the platen roller 225B to become dirty. Therefore, the image recorded on the recording medium conveyed next will be stained. On the other hand, if the transport distance between the first recording head 227A and the second platen roller 225B is increased to eliminate this defect, the size of the recording apparatus becomes large.

Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the first recording head 227A has a horizontal ink ejection direction,
In the second recording head 227B, the ink discharge direction is obliquely downward. Further, these recording heads 227
The ink ejection directions of A and 227B are almost opposite to each other. Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, using one recording head by alternately moving it between the position of the first recording head 227A and the position of the second recording head 227B means that the moving mechanism Difficult to complicate.

In the prior art shown in FIG.
The distance from below the recording head 327 to below the recording head 327 via the reversing roller 334 must be longer than the length of the recording medium to be used. For this reason, the recording apparatus has to be configured to be long in the transport direction of the recording medium, thereby increasing the size of the recording apparatus.

Further, although the configuration shown in FIG. 6 uses one recording head, since the recording medium feed path and the discharge path are common, recording is performed on both the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. Since it is necessary to perform the operation one by one, it is disadvantageous to increase the recording speed. Further, most of recent inkjet recording apparatuses are compatible with banner paper. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a configuration in which a paper supply path and a paper discharge path of a recording medium are common cannot support banner paper.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus capable of coping with banner paper without increasing the size and capable of recording images at high speed on both sides of a recording medium.

[0026]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus for performing image recording on both sides of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying means by using a recording means, A first platen that supports the recording medium when recording is performed on one surface of the recording medium by the recording unit; and a first platen that supports the recording medium when recording is performed on the other surface of the recording medium by the recording unit. A second platen disposed above the first platen, and the recording between the first platen and the second platen while reversing the front and back surfaces of the recording medium and the transport direction. And a reversing conveyance means for conveying the medium.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium conveyed on one of the first and second platens and having an image recorded on one surface by the recording means is turned over by the reverse conveying means. The sheet is conveyed onto the other platen with the conveyance direction reversed, and an image is recorded on the other surface by the recording means. In the above configuration, the transport distance of the recording medium between the first platen and the second platen does not need to be longer than the length of the recording medium to be used, so that the transport distance between the platens can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to record an image at high speed on both sides of the recording medium, and it is possible to reduce the size of the recording apparatus. Further, since the recording medium is conveyed in the conveyance path in only one direction, the recording apparatus of the present invention can handle banner paper.

Further, the reversing / conveying means has one end directed to the first platen and the other end directed to the second platen.
A semicircular guide rail directed to the platen of the present invention, and a guide rail along which the recording medium is conveyed along the inner peripheral surface.

Further, the recording medium is conveyed in order on the first platen, the reverse conveying means, and then on the second platen, so that the recording medium is guided by the reverse conveying means. When being conveyed along the rail, the inner peripheral surface of the guide rail comes into contact with the surface of the recording medium opposite to the surface on which the image is recorded on the first platen. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the recording medium from being stained when the recording medium is conveyed along the guide rail.

Further, the recording means may be arranged at a position facing the first platen and a position facing the second platen, respectively, or the recording means may be arranged at the first platen. It is good also as a structure provided movably between the position facing a platen and the position facing the said 2nd platen.

Further, the recording means may be an ink jet recording head for recording an image on the recording medium by discharging ink from a nozzle.

[0032]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment
The paper feed tray 3 has a feed tray 3 on which a recording medium such as a recording sheet on which an image is recorded is placed, and a pickup roller 2 which feeds the recording media one by one from the feed tray 3.

Feed tray 3 with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium
Further downstream, a first transport roller pair 7A as transport means for transporting the recording medium fed from the feed tray 3 onto the first platen 4A and a first transport roller pair 7A on the first platen 4A The transported recording medium is provided with a first recording head 5A as recording means for recording an image while moving along the first guide shaft 6A. The first conveying roller pair 7A intermittently conveys the recording medium for each recording width of the first recording head 5A when the first recording head 5A is performing the recording operation, and the first recording head 5A performs the recording operation. When it is not in the middle, the recording medium is conveyed continuously. A paper sensor S1 is disposed at a position downstream of the first recording head 5A in the transport direction and opposed to the first platen 4A. When the sensor S1 detects that the rear end of the recording medium has passed the position facing the sensor S1, the information is fed back to a control system (not shown) in the recording apparatus to cause the first conveying roller pair 7A to return. Driven to enable the recording medium to be continuously conveyed.

On the downstream side of the first platen 4A in the transport direction, a reversing guide rail 10 for transporting the recording medium onto the second platen 4B while reversing the front and back surfaces and the transport direction thereof, Reversing rollers 8A, 8B, 8
C and a reversing conveyance means including spurs 9A, 9B, and 9C are provided. The reversing guide rail 10 is formed in a semicircular shape, and is arranged with its lower end directed to the first platen 4A and its upper end directed to the second platen 4B.

Downstream of the reversing conveyance means (8; 9; 10) in the conveyance direction, a second conveyance roller pair 7B as conveyance means for conveying the recording medium onto the second platen 4B is provided. A second recording head 5B as recording means for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed on the second platen 4B while moving along the second guide shaft 6B.
Are provided. The second platen 4B is arranged above the first platen 4A. Second platen 4B
The recording medium conveyed to the first platen 4A is turned upside down with respect to the recording medium conveyed to the first platen 4A, and the conveyance direction of the recording medium conveyed on the second platen 4B is the first platen 4A. The direction of conveyance of the recording medium conveyed above is opposite to the direction of conveyance. The second transport roller pair 7B is configured in the same manner as the first transport roller pair 7A, and is further downstream in the transport direction than the second recording head 5B and is connected to the second platen 4B. A paper sensor S1 (not shown) similar to the one described above is also arranged at the opposing position.

Further, a recording medium on which images are recorded on both sides by both recording heads 5A and 5B is discharged and stacked above the feed tray 3 downstream of the second platen 4B in the transport direction. A discharge tray 11 is provided.

Here, the recording head 5 in the present embodiment
Reference numerals A and 5B denote four-color integrated recording heads in which nozzles for yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M), cyan ink (C), and black ink (Bk) are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. is there. The recording heads 5A and 5B are mounted on carriages (not shown) that reciprocate along the respective guide shafts 6A and 6B. The ink tanks storing the ink to be supplied to the recording heads 5A and 5B are not mounted on the carriage together with the recording heads, but are fixed at a suitable position in the housing 1 via the tubes. It is preferable to adopt a configuration for connecting to 5A and 5B. As a result, the carriage can be reduced in size as much as the ink tank is not mounted, and the size of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

Next, regarding the image recording operation of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, (1) When performing image recording on both sides of a single leaf recording medium (single leaf double side recording mode),
A description will be given of (2) a case where image recording is performed on one side of a single-leaf recording medium (single-sided single-sided recording mode) and (3) a case where image recording is performed on banner paper (banner paper recording mode). (1) Single-leaf double-sided printing mode First, when a double-sided printing mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the printing device, the control system of the printing device causes a double-sided printing execution sequence. State.

Next, when a recording start command signal is sent to the control system, the single recording paper placed on the feed tray 3 is sent by the pickup roller 2 one by one to the first conveying roller pair 7A. Can be The first transport roller pair 7A continuously transports the recording paper onto the first platen 4A with the surface thereof facing the first recording head 5A. When the recording sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position on the first platen 4A and supported there, the first recording head 5A is ejected onto the recording sheet while the first recording head 5A ejects ink onto the recording sheet. A recording operation in which recording is performed by moving the recording paper along a guide shaft 6A in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording paper, and a transport operation in which the first transport roller pair 7A intermittently transports the recording paper according to the recording width. Are repeated to form an image on the surface of the recording paper.

The recording paper having the image recorded on the surface thereof is guided by the reversing guide rail 10 while being turned over the reversing rollers 8A, 8A.
B, 8C and spurs 9A, 9B, 9C facing the reversing roller
And is transported above the first platen 4A with its front and back surfaces and the transport direction reversed. In addition,
At this time, the inner peripheral surface of the reversing guide rail 10 contacts the back surface on which the image of the recording paper has not been recorded yet, and only the spur contacts the recorded surface of the recording paper. There is no risk of soiling the image.

The recording paper conveyed by the reversing conveyance means (8; 9; 10) is transferred onto the second platen 4B by the second conveying roller pair 7B, and the back surface of the recording paper is moved to the second recording head. It is further transported continuously in a state facing 5B. When the recording sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position on the second platen 4B and is supported there, the second recording head 5B is moved to the second position while discharging ink from the second recording head 5B onto the recording sheet. A recording operation in which recording is performed by moving the recording paper along a guide shaft 6B in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording paper, and a transport operation in which the recording paper is intermittently fed by a second transport roller pair 7B according to the recording width. Are repeated to form an image on the back surface of the recording paper.

The recording paper having the images recorded on both sides in this manner is discharged onto the discharge tray 11.

First platen 4A and second platen 4B
The transport distance of the recording paper between varies depending on the maximum length of the recording paper that can be used in the recording device, the type of recording paper to be used, the type of ink, or the size of the recording head. High-speed recording can be performed on both sides of the recording sheet, and the size of the housing 1 of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

According to the configuration of the reversing conveyance means (8; 9; 10) provided between the first platen 4A and the second platen 4B in the recording medium conveyance path, the first platen 4A It is not necessary to set the transport distance of the recording medium to and from the second platen 4B longer than the length of the recording medium to be used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the platens 4A, 4A
Since the transport distance between B can be shortened, images can be recorded at high speed on both sides of the recording medium,
The size of the recording device can be reduced. (2) Single-leaf single-sided recording mode When a single-sided recording mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the recording device, the control system of the recording device enters a state of a single-sided recording execution sequence. .

Next, when a recording start command signal is sent to the control system, the single sheet recording paper placed on the feed tray 3 is sent by the pickup roller 2 one by one to the first conveying roller pair 7A. Can be The first transport roller pair 7A continuously transports the recording paper onto the first platen 4A with the surface thereof facing the first recording head 5A.

In the single-leaf single-side recording mode, image recording is not performed by the first recording head 5A, and the recording paper is guided by the reversing guide rail 10 while the reversing rollers 8A, 8B,
8C and the spurs 9A, 9B, 9C facing the reversing roller, and are conveyed above the first platen 4A with their front and back surfaces and the conveyance direction reversed.

The recording paper conveyed by the reversing conveyance means (8; 9; 10) is placed on the second platen 4B by the second conveyance roller pair 7B, and the back surface of the recording paper is moved to the second recording head. It is further transported continuously in a state facing 5B. When the recording paper is conveyed to a predetermined position on the second platen 4B, the second recording head 5B is moved to the second guide shaft 6B while discharging ink from the second recording head 5B onto the recording paper. The recording operation of moving the recording paper along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording paper along the recording operation and the conveyance operation of intermittently feeding the recording paper by the second conveying roller pair 7B according to the recording width are repeatedly performed. Thus, an image is formed on the back surface of the recording paper.

The recording paper having the image recorded on only one side in this way is discharged onto the discharge tray 11. (3) In the case of the banner paper recording mode The recording operation on the long-strip banner paper is basically the same as the single-sheet double-side recording mode in (1) in the case of double-sided recording, and in the case of single-sided recording. This is the same as the single-leaf single-sided recording mode of (2).

First, when a banner paper recording mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the recording device, the control system of the recording device enters a banner paper recording execution sequence state. . Thereafter, when a print start command signal is sent to the control system, the same operation as in the single-sheet double-sided printing mode (1) is performed for double-sided printing, and the single-sheet single-sided printing described in (2) is performed for single-sided printing The same operation as in the recording mode is performed.

When the paper sensor S1 detects that the trailing edge of the banner paper has passed, a print end command signal is output to the control system, and the image recording operation ends.

(Modification) In the above description, the recording medium is placed on the lower first platen 4A, and the reverse conveying means (8; 9; 1).
0), and an example in which the sheet is sequentially conveyed onto the upper second platen 4B. However, conversely, when the recording medium is placed on the upper second platen 4B, the reverse conveying means (8;
9; 10), and then may be sequentially conveyed onto the lower second platen 4B. At this time, the feed tray 3 and the discharge tray 11 are arranged opposite to each other.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, 2
Although the example in which one recording head is provided is shown, the second
As in the embodiment, only one recording head that can move between a position facing the lower first platen and a position facing the upper second platen may be provided. .

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. Here, the case 21, the pickup roller 22, the feed tray 23, the first pair of conveying rollers 27A, the first platen 2 shown in FIG.
4A, paper sensor S1, reversing rollers 28A, 28
B, 28C, spurs 29A, 29B, 29C, reversing guide rail 30, second conveying roller pair 27B, second platen 24B, and discharge tray 31
Since it is the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, detailed description is omitted.

In the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, a position facing the lower first platen 24A,
One recording head 25 is provided that can move between a position facing the upper second platen 24B. The recording head 25 is moved by a recording head moving mechanism described with reference to FIG. The recording head 2
5 is arranged at a position facing the first platen 24A in the initial state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a recording head moving mechanism provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

The recording head moving mechanism is provided near one end of both guide shafts 26A and 26B. The recording head moving mechanism includes a connecting rod B1 inserted into a connecting rod receiving hole 25a formed in the recording head 25, and a connecting rod B.
1 and a rack H2 with which the gear H1 is engaged. The rack H2 is configured to extend vertically in the recording apparatus. The connecting rod B1 connected to the gear H1 is such that the gear H1 is a rack H
2 and the vicinity of the end of the first guide shaft 26A and the second guide shaft 26A.
B moves between near the end.

In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the second platen 24B is disposed above the first platen 24A, and the platens 24A and 24B are parallel to each other.
Therefore, even with a simple configuration such as the above-described recording head moving mechanism, the recording head 25 can be alternately moved between predetermined positions.

Next, regarding the image recording operation of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, (1) When performing image recording on both sides of a single leaf recording medium (single leaf double side recording mode),
A description will be given of (2) a case where image recording is performed on one side of a single-leaf recording medium (single-sided single-sided recording mode) and (3) a case where image recording is performed on banner paper (banner paper recording mode). (1) Single-leaf double-sided printing mode First, when a double-sided printing mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the printing device, the control system of the printing device causes a double-sided printing execution sequence. State.

Next, when a recording start command signal is sent to the control system, the single sheet recording paper placed on the feed tray 23 is sent one by one to the first pair of conveying rollers 27A by the pickup roller 22. Can be First transport roller pair 27A
Transports the recording paper onto the first platen 24A continuously with the surface thereof facing the first recording head 25A. When the recording paper is conveyed to a predetermined position on the first platen 24A and is supported there, the recording head 25 ejects ink onto the recording paper while discharging the ink onto the recording paper.
Is performed along the first guide shaft 26A in a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the recording paper to perform recording, and the first conveying roller pair 27A is operated in accordance with the recording width.
The conveyance operation for intermittently feeding the recording paper is repeated, and an image is formed on the surface of the recording paper.

The recording paper having an image recorded on its surface is guided by a reversing guide rail 30 while the reversing rollers 28A,
28B, 28C and spurs 29A, 2 facing the reversing roller
9B and 29C, and is conveyed above the first platen 24A with its front and back surfaces and the conveyance direction reversed. At this time, the back side of the recording guide sheet on which the image has not yet been recorded contacts the inner peripheral surface of the reversing guide rail 30, and only the spurs contact the recorded front side of the recording sheet. There is no possibility that the image is stained by the above.

Next, the recording head 25 is sent to one end of the first guide shaft 26A and is connected to the connecting rod receiving hole 25.
a connecting rod B1 is inserted into the first guide shaft 2
6A to the recording head moving mechanism. Recording head 2
5 is mounted on the gear H along the rack H2.
1 rises, the first guide shaft 26
Move to the vicinity of the end of B. Subsequently, the recording head 25 is moved from the connecting rod B1 to the second guide shaft 26B. As a result, the recording head 25 moves to the second platen 24
B is disposed at a position opposite to B. The movement of the recording head 25 between the upper and lower stages is performed by the paper sensor S1.
When it is detected that the rear end of the recording paper has passed the position facing the sensor S1 and the detection signal is sent to the control unit,
Be executed.

The recording paper conveyed by the reversing conveyance means (28; 29; 30) is placed on the second platen 24B by the second conveyance roller pair 27B, and the back surface of the recording paper faces the recording head 25. It is further transported continuously in the state where it is located. When the recording sheet is conveyed to a predetermined position on the second platen 24B and is supported there, the recording head 2 discharges ink from the recording head 25 onto the recording sheet.
5 is moved along the second guide shaft 26B in a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance of the recording paper to perform recording, and the second conveying roller pair 27 is moved in accordance with the recording width.
The transport operation for intermittently feeding the recording paper by B is repeatedly performed, and an image is formed on the back surface of the recording paper.

The recording paper on which the images are recorded on both sides in this way is discharged onto the discharge tray 31. After that, the recording head 25 is moved to the first guide shaft 26A again by the recording head moving mechanism and is arranged at a position facing the first platen 24A, and the next image recording operation is subsequently started.

When two recording heads are provided as in the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously drive the two recording heads and simultaneously perform image recording on both sides. However, when only one recording head is provided as in the present embodiment, taking into account the moving time between the upper and lower stages of the recording head, for example, the recording head is moved up and down every time one line of image is recorded. It is more advantageous to perform image recording on the other side after completely completing image recording on one side, rather than moving between the two sides. Therefore, in order to be able to perform image recording on the other side after completely completing image recording on one side,
In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the transport distance of the recording paper between the first transport roller pair 27A and the second transport roller pair 27B be longer than the maximum vertical length of the recording paper that can be used in the recording apparatus. .

In the case where the recording head moves between the upper and lower stages as in the present embodiment, if the recording head and the ink tank are connected by a supply tube as in the first embodiment, Since the supply tube may be entangled in the recording apparatus when the recording head 25 is moved between the upper and lower stages, the ink tank is preferably mounted on a carriage (not shown) together with the recording head.

Further, in the configuration having only one recording head as in this embodiment, double-sided recording cannot be performed at a higher speed than in the first embodiment. Since only one recovery system needs to be provided, the configuration of the recording apparatus can be simplified. (2) Single-leaf single-sided recording mode When a single-sided recording mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the recording device, the control system of the recording device enters a state of a single-sided recording execution sequence. . Then, the recording head 25 is moved by the recording head moving mechanism to the upper position, that is, the position facing the second platen 24B.

Next, when a recording start command signal is sent to the control system, the single-sheet recording paper placed on the feed tray 23 is sent by the pickup roller 22 one by one to the first conveying roller pair 27A. Can be First transport roller pair 27A
Transports the recording paper onto the first platen 24A continuously with its surface facing upward.

In the single-leaf single-sided recording mode, no image is recorded on the first platen 24A, and the recording paper is guided by the reversing guide rail 30 while the reversing rollers 28A, 28A are being driven.
B, 28C and spurs 29A, 29 facing the reversing roller
B, 29C, and is transported above the first platen 24A with its front and back surfaces and the transport direction reversed.

The recording paper conveyed by the reversing conveyance means (28; 29; 30) is placed on the second platen 24B by the second conveyance roller pair 27B, and the back surface of the recording paper faces the recording head 25. It is further transported continuously in the state where it is located. When the recording paper is transported to a predetermined position on the second platen 24B, the recording head 25 is transported along the second guide shaft 26B while ejecting ink from the recording head 25 onto the recording paper. The recording operation of moving the recording paper in a direction perpendicular to the recording direction and the conveyance operation of intermittently feeding the recording paper by the second pair of conveyance rollers 27B according to the recording width are repeatedly performed. An image is formed on the image.

The recording paper on which the image is recorded on only one side in this manner is discharged onto the discharge tray 31. (3) In the case of banner paper recording mode First, when a banner paper recording mode command signal is sent from a host device (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor to the recording device, the control system of the recording device performs banner paper recording. The state becomes the execution sequence.

Thereafter, when a print start command signal is sent to the control system, in the case of double-sided recording, the recording head 2 disposed at a position (lower side) facing the first platen 24A.
5 and the intermittent conveyance operation of the recording paper of the recording width by the conveyance roller pairs 27A and 27B, and the recording head 25 is moved to the second platen 24B.
Is moved to a position (upper side) opposite to the above, and the image recording operation for one line by the recording head 25 arranged on the upper side and the intermittent conveyance operation of the recording paper for the recording width by the conveying roller pairs 27A and 27B are performed. Then, the recording head 25 is moved to a position (lower side) facing the first platen 24A.
Is repeatedly performed.

In the case of single-sided printing, the same operation as in the single-leaf single-sided printing mode (2) is performed.

When the paper sensor S1 detects that the trailing edge of the banner paper has passed, a print end command signal is output to the control system, and the image recording operation ends.

[0076]

As described above, according to the recording apparatus of the present invention, the first platen supporting the recording medium when recording is performed on one surface of the recording medium by the recording means, and the other surface of the recording medium. A second platen disposed above the first platen, which supports the recording medium when recording is performed by the recording means, and a gap between the first platen and the second platen.
Since it has a reversing conveyance means for conveying the recording medium while reversing the front and back surfaces of the recording medium and the conveyance direction, the conveyance distance between the platens can be shortened, and images can be recorded on both sides of the recording medium at high speed. And the size of the recording apparatus can be reduced. Further, since the recording medium is conveyed in the conveyance path in only one direction, the recording apparatus of the present invention can handle banner paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a recording head moving mechanism provided in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional typical inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus that enables double-sided recording.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of another conventional inkjet recording apparatus that enables double-sided recording.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 21 housing 2, 22 pickup roller 3, 23 feed tray 4A, 24A first platen 4B, 24B second platen 5A, 25A first recording head 5B, 25B second recording head 6A, 26A 1 guide shaft 6B, 26B 2nd guide shaft 7A, 27A 1st conveyance roller pair 7B, 27B 2nd conveyance roller pair 8A, 8B, 8C, 28A, 28B, 28C Reverse roller 9A, 9B, 9C, 29A , 29B, 29C Spur 10, 30 Reversing guide rail 11, 31, Discharge tray 25 Recording head 25a Connecting rod receiving hole B1 Connecting rod H1 Vertical movement gear H2 Rack S1 Paper sensor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for recording an image on both sides of a recording medium conveyed by a conveying unit using a recording unit, wherein the recording is performed when recording is performed on one surface of the recording medium by the recording unit. A first platen that supports a medium, and a second platen that is disposed above the first platen and that supports the recording medium when recording is performed on the other surface of the recording medium by the recording unit. And a reversing conveyance unit for conveying the recording medium between the first platen and the second platen while reversing the front and back surfaces and the conveyance direction of the recording medium. 2. The semi-circular guide rail, one end of which is directed to the first platen and the other end of which is directed to the second platen, wherein the reverse conveying means has an inner periphery. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a guide rail on which the recording medium is conveyed along a surface. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is on the first platen,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to be sequentially conveyed onto the reverse conveyance unit and then onto the second platen. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is disposed at a position facing the first platen and at a position facing the second platen. . 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is provided so as to be movable between a position facing the first platen and a position facing the second platen. The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an ink jet recording head that discharges ink from a nozzle to record an image on the recording medium.