JP2004255724A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recorder in which the interval between a recording head and a platen can be set automatically with no error depending on various recording media. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a carriage 110 for scanning a recording medium reciprocally while mounting a recording head 102, a sheet feed roller 13 for carrying the recording medium onto a platen section 9, a switching member 150 for varying the interval between the recording head 102 and the platen section 9, and a means for detecting the current interval which has been set according to a thickness of the recording medium. The recorder further comprises a control means for operating the switching member 150 only when the information concerning the thickness of a recording medium set on a driver software being run in a computer connected with the recorder is different from the information concerning the thickness of a recording medium pertaining to setting of the current interval. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by discharging ink droplets from a recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head uses a non-contact recording method, and can record on various types of recording media. Something that reaches is also appearing. The types of recording media used include those classified according to the physical characteristics of the media itself, such as plain paper and special paper having an absorption capacity optimized for inkjet recording, and envelopes, postcards, and CDs of a standard size. Some are classified according to the shape itself (compact disc).
[0003]
Regardless of which recording medium is used for recording, it is preferable that the distance (inter-paper distance) between the ink ejection surface of the recording head that ejects ink droplets and the surface of the recording medium be kept at a desired constant distance. This is a request from the viewpoint of securing appropriate recording quality and protecting the recording head.For example, keep the distance between sheets constant in order to accurately and repeatedly define the appropriate landing point of the ink liquid, and as much as possible It is important to make the two close to each other to suppress the fluctuation of the landing point caused by the variation of the droplet ejection angle of the recording head.
[0004]
In addition, the recording medium is "wavy" after recording due to the influence of the water content of the ink and the humidity in the air. Then, the ink ejection surface of the recording head mounted on the carriage that scans the recording medium may rub against the top of the wavy recording medium. Therefore, from the viewpoint of protecting the recording head and improving the life of the apparatus, it is desirable that the recording head and the recording medium are separated as much as possible.
[0005]
Therefore, a rotatable switching member is provided on the carriage so that the inter-paper distance can be kept constant even when the recording medium is different, and the switching member is rotated to rotate the entire carriage about the guide shaft. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163873 proposes an ink jet recording apparatus configured to be able to change the distance between a recording head and a platen section by moving the recording head. This ink jet recording apparatus is designed such that when recording is performed by transporting various types of recording media as described above, the operator is required to determine whether the thickness of plain paper or the like and the thickness of envelopes or the like are relatively large. Can separately set the interval between the recording head and the platen, so that there is a demand for increasing the interval for one specific type of recording medium and a request for decreasing the interval for another specific type of recording medium. It is possible to meet conflicting demands.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-07-068902
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a configuration in which the operation of the switching member is arbitrarily entrusted to the operator, so that the operation is complicated for the operator. In particular, assuming that a recording device is connected to a personal computer or the like and a signal of a recorded image is transmitted from the computer to the recording device and recording is performed, the operator determines the type of recording medium to be recorded on the computer screen. In addition to the work selected above and the work of installing the recording medium on the recording device, the work of operating the switching member to properly set the interval between the recording head and the platen according to the type of the recording medium is also performed. Have to do it.
[0008]
In such a configuration in which the operation of the switching member is arbitrarily entrusted to the operator, there is a possibility that erroneous operation of the switching member, forgetting to set the above-mentioned interval, and the like may occur, and there are the following problems.
(1) If the interval between the recording head and the platen is incorrectly set, the distance between the sheets is too large, and the quality of the recorded image deteriorates.
(2) When the interval between the recording head and the platen is incorrectly set, the distance between the sheets is too small, and the recording head rubs against the recording medium.
(3) When the personal computer and the recording device are connected by a network connection, the personal computer and the recording device are often set apart from each other, and the operator switches to the installation location of the recording device. It is very complicated to operate the members.
[0009]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can automatically set the interval between a recording head and a platen without error according to various recording media.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is provided with a recording head supporting a recording head for discharging droplets from a discharge port and reciprocatingly scanning a recording medium, and forming a discharge port of the recording head. Transport means for transporting the recording medium onto a platen portion disposed at a position facing the surface, switching means for changing the interval between the discharge port forming surface of the recording head and the platen portion, Detecting means for detecting the thickness of the recording medium according to the thickness of the recording medium, wherein the inkjet apparatus is executed by a computer device connected to the inkjet recording apparatus, Information on the thickness of the recording medium set on the driver software for operating the recording apparatus, and the current information detected by the detection means. Comparing the information about the thickness of the recording medium according to the setting of the serial intervals, characterized in that both are provided with a control means for operating said switching means only if different.
[0011]
According to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, the switching unit operates in accordance with the recording medium set on the driver software by the operator, and the interval between the recording head and the platen unit is automatically changed. It is possible to eliminate the risk of erroneous operation of the switching member, forgetting to set the interval, and the like. Further, switching is performed only when the information on the recording medium set on the driver software and the information on the thickness of the recording medium relating to the current setting of the distance between the recording head and the platen portion detected by the detection unit are different. Since the means is configured to operate, the switching operation of the switching means is performed only to the minimum necessary, and the time from when the operator starts the recording operation to when the recording apparatus actually starts the recording operation is shortened. It is possible to do.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of a carriage in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a switching member in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the carriage shown in FIG.
[0014]
First, the overall configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0015]
The inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes, for example, ink tanks 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K each containing four color inks of yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M), cyan ink (C), and black ink (K). And a recording head 102 that discharges ink supplied from each of the ink tanks 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K in the form of droplets from a discharge port. It has a carriage 110 which is a recording head supporting means for reciprocating scanning. The carriage 110 includes a holder 101 that receives a recording head 102 to which four ink tanks 103Y to 103K are attached, and the recording head 102 and an ink discharge port forming surface 1021 of the recording head 102 (see FIG. 4). And a switching member 150 for switching an interval (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as an “interval”) between the recording medium and the platen unit 9 that is conveyed to a position facing the recording medium.
[0016]
The carriage 110 is guided and supported so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide shaft 21 and a guide plate 10 fixed to a chassis 11 of the recording apparatus 100, and has a belt 14 wound around two pulleys (not shown). Some have been fixed. Thus, the carriage 110 is reciprocated along the guide plate 10 and the guide shaft 21 by rotating one of the pulleys in the forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown).
[0017]
A plurality of recording media are placed on a paper supply unit 20 provided in the recording apparatus 100, and are fed one by one from the paper supply unit 20 to the recording apparatus 100. By a pair of a roller and a paper feed roller 13, the recording head 102 is conveyed to a position on the platen section 9 facing the ink discharge port forming surface 1021 (see FIG. 4). The recording medium on which recording has been performed by the recording head 102 is discharged out of the recording apparatus 100 by a pair of a spur 16 and a discharge roller 15 which constitute a discharge means. These transporting means and paper discharging means are provided on a chassis 11 which is a supporting member for supporting them.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, kicking members 61 and 62 as contact members, which will be described in detail later, are provided at predetermined positions near both ends of the guide plate 10 as a scanning guide member.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the holder 101 of the carriage 110 receives a recording head 102 to which four ink tanks 103Y to 103K are attached, and holds the recording head 102 at a fixed position. The holder 101 is provided with a shaft 105, and a switching member 150 is rotatably supported on the shaft 105. Further, on the surface of the holder 101 on which the shaft portion 105 is provided, a protrusion 106 arranged so as to sandwich the guide plate 10 together with the switching member 150, and a detent to prevent the switching member 150 from rotating more than necessary. And a projection 107 having the above function.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the switching member 150 has an inner surface 1505 in which the shaft portion 105 fits, and when the inner surface 1505 slides on the shaft portion 105, the switching member 150 is moved around the shaft portion 105. It is possible to rotate. Further, the switching member 150 has a first surface 1501 and a second surface 1502 which can be slidably contacted with the guide plate 10, and further has a third surface 1503 and a fourth surface which contact the kicking members 61 and 62, respectively. It has a surface 1504. Further, the switching member 150 has a knob 1506 so that the operator can easily perform the switching operation of the switching member 150.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, the guide shaft 12 is inserted into a bearing portion 104 provided on the holder 101 of the carriage 110, whereby the carriage 110 can rotate around the guide shaft 12 in the direction of arrow AB shown in the figure. Supported. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the first surface 1501 of the switching member 150 provided on the holder 101 abuts on the guide plate 10, so that the carriage 110 moves in the illustrated arrow B direction about the guide shaft 12. Further rotation is restricted, and the relative arrangement of the entire carriage 110 with respect to the platen section 9, that is, the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface 1021 of the recording head 102 and the platen section 9 is determined.
[0022]
Here, “Pn” in FIG. 4 represents the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface 1021 of the recording head 102 and the platen portion 9, and “Xn” represents the contact surface of the guide plate 10 and the center of the shaft portion 105. Represents the distance between The suffix n in “Pn” and “Xn” indicates the surface of the switching member 150 that comes into contact with the guide plate 10, that is, when n = 1, the first surface 1501 comes into contact with the guide plate 10, and n When = 2, it indicates that the second surface 1502 is in contact with the guide plate 10.
[0023]
Next, the switching operation of the switching member 150 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
5 is a partially enlarged top view showing the positional relationship between the switching member and the guide plate, FIG. 6 is a top view schematically showing the position of the carriage with respect to the guide plate, and FIG. 7 is an operation for switching the position of the switching member. FIG. 8 is a top view showing another operation of switching the position of the switching member.
[0025]
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the first surface 1501 of the switching member 150 is in contact with the guide plate 10 as in FIG. 4, and the contact surface of the guide plate 10 and the shaft 105 at this time are shown. Distance to the center of ₁ , The distance between the recording head 102 and the platen 9 is P ₁ It is. Hereinafter, the position of the switching member 150 at this time is referred to as “L position 1”.
[0026]
On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a state where the second surface 1502 of the switching member 150 is in contact with the guide plate 10, and the contact surface of the guide plate 10 and the center of the shaft 105 at this time. Is X ₂ , The interval is P ₂ It is. Hereinafter, the position of the switching member 150 at this time is referred to as “L position 2”.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the distance X ₁ , X ₂ The size relationship is X ₁ <X ₂ The surfaces 1501 and 1502 of the switching member 150 are configured such that In this case, as can be clearly understood from FIG. 4, the distance P between the ink discharge port forming surface 1021 of the recording head 120 and the platen 9 is determined. ₁ , P ₂ The relationship is P ₁ <P ₂ The interval is larger in the L position 2 than in the L position 1.
[0028]
A torsion coil spring 17 having one end connected to the holder 101 (see FIG. 2 and the like) and the other end connected to the switching member 150 is stretched between the switching member 150 and the holder 101. Have been. The torsion coil spring 17 biases the switching member 150 so as to stably maintain the posture of the switching member 150 at each of the L positions 1 and 2.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the position of the carriage 110 and the position of the switching member 150 with respect to the guide plate 10 and the kicking members 61 and 62 provided in the vicinity of both ends thereof in order of operation.
[0030]
FIG. 6A shows a state where the carriage 110 is stopped at the CR position H (home position), and the current switching member 150 is set to the L position 1.
[0031]
FIG. 6B shows a state in which the carriage 110 has begun to move in the illustrated arrow Y direction from the state shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, one end surface (the fourth surface 1504 shown in FIG. 3) of the switching member 150 starts to contact the kicking member 62. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of each of the kicking members 61 and 62 protrudes downward from the guide plate 10, and when the carriage 110 reaches a predetermined position, the third member of the switching member 150 on the carriage 110 is moved. The surface 1503 or the fourth surface 1504 is configured to abut.
[0032]
FIG. 6C shows a state in which the carriage 110 is further moved in the illustrated arrow Y direction, and the carriage 110 is located at the CR position 2. When the carriage 110 moves to the CR position 2, the switching member 150 is pushed by the kicking member 62 and turns to switch to the L position 2.
[0033]
FIG. 6D shows that the carriage 110 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow Y in the state shown in FIG. 6C, and the other end of the switching member 150 (the third surface 1503 shown in FIG. 3) is a kicking member. 61 shows a state where it has begun to abut.
[0034]
FIG. 6E shows a state in which the carriage 110 is further moved in the direction opposite to the arrow Y shown in the drawing, and the carriage 110 is located at the CR position 1. When the carriage 110 moves to the CR position 1, the switching member 150 is pushed by the kicking member 61 and turns to be switched to the L position 1.
[0035]
As described above, the surfaces 1501 and 1502 of the switching member 150 that comes into contact with the guide plate 10 can be switched by rotating the switching member 150. Distance X from center of rotation of switching member 150 to two surfaces 1501 and 1502 ₁ , X ₂ Are different from each other, and since the carriage 110 is rotatable about the guide shaft 12, the posture of the carriage 110, that is, the distance Pn between the recording head 120 and the platen unit 9 is switched by the switching contact with the guide plate 10. It can be changed by switching the surfaces 1501 and 1502 of the member 150.
[0036]
FIG. 7 shows an operation of disposing the carriage 110 at the CR position 1 and switching the position of the switching member 150 from the L position 2 (FIG. 7A) to the L position 1 (FIG. The operation of making the interval with the platen 9 relatively small is shown. On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows an operation of disposing the carriage 110 at the CR position 2 and switching the position of the switching member 150 from the L position 1 (FIG. 9A) to the L position 2 (FIG. 8B). The operation of making the interval relatively large is shown.
[0037]
As described above, by arranging the carriage 110 at the CR position 1, the recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can switch the switching member 150 to the L position 1 to make the above-mentioned interval relatively small. By disposing the switching member 150 in the CR position 2, the switching member 150 can be switched to the L position 2 to make the above-mentioned interval relatively large. As described above, in the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the interval between the print head 120 and the platen unit 9 can be set according to the stop position of the carriage 110. In the case of another specific type of recording medium, it is possible to meet conflicting demands such as a demand to reduce the interval. For example, when printing on a relatively thin recording medium such as plain paper, the switching member 150 is switched to the L position 1 to make the above-described interval relatively small, and recording is performed on a relatively thick recording medium such as an envelope. In the case of (1), the switching member 150 is switched to the L position 2 to make the above-mentioned interval relatively large.
[0038]
As for the moving speed of the carriage 110, the moving speed immediately before the switching member 150 comes into contact with the kicking members 61 and 62 is set to be lower than other moving speeds such as during the recording operation, so that the moving speed at the time of the contact is reduced. Impact noise can be reduced.
[0039]
Decreasing the moving speed of the carriage 110 in this way means reducing the rotation speed of the motor of the drive source for moving the carriage 110. Generally, when the voltage is constant, increasing the rotation speed of the motor causes the torque to decrease. Is reduced and the torque is increased when the rotation speed is reduced. Therefore, a larger torque can be obtained by reducing the rotation speed of the motor as described above. A certain force is required to rotate the switching member 150, and the motor requires more torque than when the carriage 110 is simply moved. However, as described above, the moving speed of the carriage 110 is reduced. By reducing the speed, the torque of the motor can be increased, and the required increase in torque can be covered.
[0040]
As described above, in the recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the moving speed of the carriage 110 immediately before the switching member 150 comes into contact with the kicking members 61 and 62 is set to be lower than other moving speeds such as during a recording operation. With such a configuration, the switching member 150 can be rotated comfortably even if the moving mechanism of the carriage 110 itself has the conventional simple and inexpensive configuration.
[0041]
Next, an actual recording operation in the present embodiment will be described.
[0042]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a connection between the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment and a host computer.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 9, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is connected to a host computer 200 via a communication cable. The host computer 200 includes a main body 201, a monitor 202 having a screen 205, a keyboard 203 for inputting information, and a mouse 204. Printer driver software for operating the inkjet recording apparatus 100 is installed in the host computer 200, and the operator operates the operation screen displayed on the screen 205 of the monitor 202 by the printer driver software running on the host computer 200. The user can operate the inkjet recording apparatus 100 through the.
[0044]
FIG. 10 is an operation screen of the printer driver software displayed on the monitor screen of the host computer shown in FIG.
[0045]
When the host computer 200 is operated to start the printer driver software in order to start the printing operation by the printing apparatus 100, the operation screen shown in FIG. 10 appears on the screen 205 of the monitor 202, and the operator performs desired settings. Becomes possible. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the operator is selecting “paper type”, and the color tone of that portion has been changed to indicate that “envelope” has been selected. In this way, the operator can select a desired recording medium from several types of recording media displayed on the screen of the monitor. Information on the type of recording medium selected by this operation is transmitted from the host computer 200 to the recording device 100 via a communication cable.
[0046]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0047]
The inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 302 for controlling the operation of each unit and data processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 303 for storing data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as storage means. An access memory 304 is mounted on the controller 301. The controller 301 includes an electric board. In the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the controller 301 performs printing operation such as operation of a carriage unit and rotation driving of a conveyance roller based on a print command and print data transferred from a host computer 200 such as a personal computer. Perform necessary processing.
[0048]
The controller 301 receives print data corresponding to each pixel of the print image from the host computer 200 via an I / F (interface) 305, converts the print data into dot data corresponding to each nozzle of the print heads 307 to 310 for each color, The dot data is stored in the buffer of the RAM 304 every one main scan of the print head (one reciprocation of the carriage). When the stored dot data is transferred to the head drive system 306 at a predetermined timing accompanying the main scanning of the print head, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles of the print heads 307 to 310. Further, data defining the type of storage medium is also transferred from the host computer 200, and this data is also temporarily stored in the RAM 304 and used in a later recording operation.
[0049]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a printing operation of the ink jet printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a sequence from acquisition of print data and sheet information to setting of a position of a carriage and starting a printing operation. Hereinafter, the recording operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0050]
When the recording apparatus 100 receives the control command and the recording data from the host computer 200 (S101, S102), the controller 301 uses the obtained control command and the recording data to obtain information about the recording sheet newly set by the operator (this time). For example, paper type and size) are extracted, and information A on the paper thickness is obtained (S103). Information about the sheet thickness is stored in the ROM 303 in advance as “Setting 1” for relatively thin paper such as plain paper, and “Setting 2” for relatively thick paper such as an envelope. The step (S103) of acquiring the information relating to the recording paper is performed by the CPU 302 calling the setting corresponding to the recording paper selected this time from the ROM 303.
[0051]
Further, information B relating to the thickness of the recording paper previously set by the operator is stored in the RAM 304, and the CPU 301 calls up the information B from the RAM 304 following the above-mentioned acquisition step (S103), so that the controller 301 Is acquired (S104).
[0052]
Subsequently, the controller 301 determines whether or not the acquired information A and information B are the same, that is, whether or not the previously set recording paper thickness is the same as the currently set recording paper thickness (S105). ).
[0053]
If it is determined that the current paper information A and the previous paper information B are the same (Y), it is not necessary to change the distance between the recording head and the platen (that is, the position of the carriage). After the current paper information (setting 1 or setting 2) is overwritten on the previous paper information and stored in the RAM 304 for use in the next printing operation (S111), the printing operation is immediately started (S112).
[0054]
On the other hand, if it is determined in the above determination step (S105) that the current paper information A is different from the previous paper information B (N), the interval between the recording head and the platen is changed. Since it is necessary, the determination of the position of the carriage is started (S106, S107).
[0055]
If it is determined in the determination step (S107) that the current paper is a relatively thick paper (setting 2) such as an envelope (N), an operation of moving the carriage to the CR position 2 is started (S108). After the setting 2 which is the paper information of the current paper is stored in the RAM 304 (S109), the recording operation is started (S110).
[0056]
On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination step (S107) that the current paper is relatively thin paper (setting 1) such as plain paper (Y), the operation of moving the carriage to the CR position 1 is started ( S113) After setting 1 which is the sheet information of the current sheet is stored in the RAM 304 (S114), the recording operation is started (S115).
[0057]
In any case, the controller 301 moves the carriage so as to complete the switching operation of the CR position (that is, the switching operation of the switching member 150) before performing the recording operation on the newly set recording sheet. Then, the switching member 150 is operated.
[0058]
FIG. 13 is a list of the switching operation sequence in the inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, and summarizes the description so far.
[0059]
The table shown in FIG. 13 shows, in order from the left column, the current information A, the previous information B, the current lever position, the switching operation, the storage information, and the final lever position of the recording paper for each case. . Here, the “lever position” means a set position of the switching member 150 (“L position 1” or “L position 2”).
[0060]
As described above, in the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the controller 301 as the control means compares the current information A and the previous information B, and moves and switches the carriage to a predetermined position only when the two are different. The CR position is automatically switched by changing the set position of the member 150. Therefore, when the two pieces of information A and B match, the CR position switching operation is not performed, so that the CR position switching operation is performed only to the minimum necessary. It is possible to shorten the time from the start of the operation until the printing apparatus 100 actually starts the printing operation. For example, when recording is continuously performed on plain paper (setting 1), which is usually used most frequently, the CR position switching operation is not performed, so that the time until the recording operation is actually started is shortened. .
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the CPU 302 is configured to call up the previous information B stored in the RAM 304, so that the current interval between the recording head 102 and the platen unit 9 is adjusted according to the thickness of the recording medium. It detects whether it is set. That is, in the present embodiment, the CPU 302 or the RAM 304 of the controller 301 detects the current space between the print head 102 and the platen unit 9 by detecting the thickness of the print medium. Is also composed.
[0062]
However, the means for detecting the setting is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the carriage is moved to a predetermined position when the switching member 150 is at the L position 1, the switching member 150 contacts the electrical contact 350 (FIG. 14A), and the switching member 150 When the carriage is moved to the predetermined position when the carriage is at the L position 2, the switching member 150 is disposed so that the switching member 150 does not come into contact with the electric contact 350 ((b) in the drawing). The current setting of the position of the switching member 150, that is, the interval between the recording head and the platen unit, can be detected based on whether or not 350 is in an energized state.
[0063]
In the present embodiment, when a paper jam (paper jam) occurs during conveyance of the recording medium, the operator manually operates the switching member 150 to separate the recording head from the platen to separate the recording head. The example in which the knob 1506 is provided on the switching member 150 so that the recovery processing can be performed is described. However, even if the knob 1506 is not provided on the switching member 150, the switching operation of the switching member 150 described above is automatically performed. It is clear that this can be done in a targeted manner.
[0064]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where two sliding surfaces 1501 and 1502 are formed on the switching member 150 has been described, but the number of sliding surfaces that can be formed on the switching member 150 is not limited to two. For example, if a third sliding surface is formed on the switching member 150 and the setting of the CR position is further added, it is possible to switch the three CR positions in total. In this way, by configuring the switching member 150 so that the interval between the recording head and the platen portion can be changed in two or more stages, it is possible to cope with several types of recording media having different thicknesses. In addition, the function of the recording apparatus 100 can be easily developed.
[0065]
As described above, the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment determines whether the current paper information A and the previous paper information B are the same before starting the printing operation, and switches the CR position only when the two are different. Is automatically performed, so that the paper distance between the print head and the print medium can be automatically set to an appropriate setting with a minimum required operation time.
[0066]
Further, in the present embodiment, when selecting the type of recording paper on the screen of the host computer, for example, ordinary plain paper having a paper thickness of about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm or special paper for photographic image quality is used. Is set as a relatively thin recording paper (setting 1), and a recording medium such as an envelope or a postcard of a fixed size, which is thicker than the above-described plain paper or dedicated paper, is set as a relatively thick recording paper. (Setting 2). For example, based on the interval between the recording head 102 and the platen unit 9 in the case of the setting 1, when changing from the setting 1 to the setting 2, the recording head 102 and the platen unit 9 in the case of the setting 2 The distance between the print head 102 and the print medium (paper distance) is moved by moving the print head 102 in a direction to separate the print head 102 from the platen unit 9 by the difference between the space between the print head 102 and those spaces in the case of the setting 1. Is maintained at an appropriate distance, an image of good recording quality is recorded on the recording medium, and the recording head is prevented from rubbing against the recording medium, thereby protecting the recording head.
[0067]
In addition, if the recording medium conveyance unit of the recording apparatus 100 is configured to be able to convey the recording medium in a flat manner without bending the recording medium, in addition to the plain paper and the envelope, the thickness such as a CD may be further increased. It is also possible to perform recording on a recording medium made of a material that is thick and cannot be bent, so that the versatility of the recording apparatus can be further improved.
[0068]
(Other embodiments)
As another embodiment of the present invention, an example is shown in which a means for switching the sheet interval is provided on a chassis which is a support member for supporting a transporting means.
[0069]
FIG. 15 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a switching unit in an ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a top view of the switching unit in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the same components as those in the above-described inkjet recording apparatus are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0070]
In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, the guide shaft 12 is fixed at a position eccentric from the center C of the eccentric plate 40 at both ends of the chassis 11 (both eccentric plates 40 are provided symmetrically with each other). However, FIGS. 15 and 16 show only one eccentric plate 40). Each eccentric plate 40 has a gear portion on the outer periphery, and is rotatably supported on the chassis 11 about a fulcrum C. Further, a pendulum arm 21 supporting the planetary gears 22 and 23 on each of the two arms is rotatably supported on the chassis 11 about a rotation fulcrum D. Further, a sun gear 29 is provided so as to engage with each of the planetary gears 22 and 23 with the fulcrum D as a center of rotation. A gear of a paper feed motor M is engaged with the sun gear 29, and the rotational driving force of the paper feed motor M can be transmitted to each of the planetary gears 22 and 23 via the sun gear 29.
[0071]
An elongated hole 27 is formed at an end of the arm supporting the planetary gear 22 of the pendulum arm 21, and a pin provided at one end of the anchor member 24 is formed in the elongated hole 27. The part 26 is fitted. The anchor member 24 is supported on the chassis 11 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 24a. At the other end of the anchor member 24, a pin portion 25 is provided so as to be able to abut on the holder 101 of the carriage 110. The anchor member 24 is normally urged by a spring 28 to a position where the pin portion 26 engages with the elongated hole 27 (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 16).
[0072]
The solid line in FIG. 15 shows a state in which the pendulum arm 21 is in a neutral state, and the sun gear 29 and the planetary gears 22 and 23 run idle with the rotation of the paper feed motor M. The solid line in FIG. 16 shows the same state.
[0073]
When the carriage 110 is moved to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in the direction of arrow X shown in FIG. 16, the anchor member 24 is also shown by the two-dot chain line against the spring 28 when the pin portion 25 is pressed by the holder 101. Rotate to the position. Then, since the pin portion 26 comes out of the elongated hole 27 of the pendulum arm 21, the rotation regulation of the pendulum arm 21 is released. Here, when the paper feed motor M is rotated in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 15, the pendulum arm 21 starts rotating in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise) about the fulcrum D. Then, the outer periphery of the planetary gear 22 abuts the outer periphery of the eccentric plate 40 so that the gears are engaged with each other, thereby applying a driving force to the eccentric plate 40 in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure.
[0074]
The eccentric plate 40 is provided with a latch portion 41 having a projection on the back side in the figure, and the projection of the latch portion 41 is engaged with a first hole 51 provided on the chassis 11 to be eccentric with respect to the chassis 11. The relative position of the plate 40 in the rotation direction is maintained. As the driving force in the direction A shown in the figure is transmitted from the motor M to the eccentric plate 40, the latch portion 41 is elastically deformed, the projection comes off the hole 51, and the eccentric plate 40 starts rotating in the A direction. Thereafter, when the projection of the latch portion 41 engages with the second hole 52, the paper feed motor M is stopped.
[0075]
As the eccentric plate 40 rotates in the direction A in the drawing, the center of the guide shaft 12 moves in the arrow Y direction in the drawing. The difference ΔP in the distance before and after the movement of the guide shaft 12 in the Y direction corresponds to a change in the distance between the recording head and the platen. The solid line in FIG. 15 shows a state in which the interval between the recording head and the platen is relatively long, and the recording head is set to perform recording on a relatively thick recording medium such as an envelope. It shows a state in which the interval between the platen and the platen is relatively short and recording is performed on a relatively thin recording medium such as plain paper.
[0076]
In the above description, the interval between the recording head and the platen unit is relatively long, and the recording head is set to perform recording on a relatively thick recording medium such as an envelope (state indicated by a solid line). The operation of switching to a state (a state shown by a two-dot chain line) in which the interval between the platen and the platen section is relatively short and set to perform recording on a relatively thin recording medium such as plain paper has been described. The operation of switching in the opposite direction can be similarly performed by rotating the paper feed motor M in the opposite direction.
[0077]
As described above, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the switching means for switching the interval between the recording head and the platen section is constituted by the eccentric plate 40, the pendulum arm 21, the respective gears 22, 23, 29, and the motor M. These components are provided on a chassis 11 which is a support member for supporting the transporting means. In this respect, the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in which the switching means including the switching member 150 is provided on the carriage 110 (see FIG. 2 and the like).
[0078]
In the present embodiment, an example in which a round shaft having a circular cross section is used as the guide shaft 12 has been described, but the guide shaft 12 may have a function of guiding and supporting the carriage 110 on a straight line. A square shaft having a rectangular cross section may be used as the guide shaft 12. Further, as a material of the guide shaft 12, a sheet metal member or a member made of a resin material and extending in the longitudinal direction can be used in addition to a solid member made of metal.
[0079]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the paper feed motor M provided for the purpose of driving the transport means is used as a drive source of the switching means. A configuration in which a dedicated motor for the purpose is provided may be adopted.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is capable of setting the information on the thickness of the recording medium set on the driver software and the setting of the current interval between the recording head and the platen unit detected by the detecting means. Only when the information related to the thickness of the recording medium according to the present invention is different, control means for operating the switching means for changing the distance is provided, so that the distance between the recording head and the platen can be adjusted without error according to various recording media. Can be set automatically.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of a carriage in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a switching member in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the carriage shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged top view showing a positional relationship between a switching member and a guide plate.
FIG. 6 is a top view schematically showing a position of a carriage with respect to a guide plate.
FIG. 7 is a top view showing the operation of switching the position of the switching member.
FIG. 8 is a top view showing another operation of switching the position of the switching member.
9 is a perspective view illustrating a connection between the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and a host computer.
10 is an operation screen of the printer driver software displayed on the monitor screen of the host computer shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a recording operation of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a list of a switching operation sequence in the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another means for detecting the current setting of the interval between the recording head and the platen unit.
FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a switching unit in an ink jet recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a top view of a switching unit in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
9 Platen section
10 Guide plate
11 Chassis
12 Guide shaft
13 Paper feed roller
14 belt
15 Discharge roller
16 spurs
17 Torsion coil spring
20 Paper feed unit
21 Pendulum arm
22,23 Meteor Gear
24 anchor members
24a axis
25, 26 pin section
27 Slot
28 spring
29 sun gear
40 eccentric plate
41 Latch section
51 1st hole
52 Second Hole
61, 62 Kicking parts
100 inkjet recording device
101 Holder
102 Recording head
1021 Ink ejection port formation surface
103Y, 103M, 103C, 103K Ink tank
104 bearing
105 Shaft
106, 107 protrusion
110 carriage
150 Switching member
1501 First surface
1502 Second surface
1503 Third surface (arm)
1504 4th surface (arm)
1505 inside
1506 Knob
200 Host computer
201 body
202 monitor
203 keyboard
204 mouse
205 screen
301 Controller
302 CPU
303 ROM (Read Only Memory)
304 RAM (random access memory)
305 I / F (interface)
306 Head drive system / sensor system
307, 308, 309, 310 head
350 electrical contacts
M paper feed motor

Claims (1)

A print head supporting means for mounting a print head for discharging liquid droplets from the discharge ports, and reciprocally scanning the print medium;
Conveying means for conveying the recording medium onto a platen portion disposed at a position facing the ejection port forming surface of the recording head,
Switching means for changing an interval between the ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the platen portion,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects whether the current interval is set according to a recording medium having any thickness.
Information about the thickness of the recording medium set on driver software that is executed by a computer device connected to the inkjet recording apparatus and operates the inkjet recording apparatus, and the current setting of the interval detected by the detection unit An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a control unit that compares the information on the thickness of the recording medium according to (1) and operates the switching unit only when the two are different.

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