JP4350783B2 - Consumable material storage container for printer, printer using the container, and digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a consumable material storage container for a printer, a printer using the container, and a digital camera.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital cameras, there has been an increasing demand for printing captured images without the intervention of a PC (personal computer). Conventionally, a polaroid camera has been known as a device in which a camera and a printer are integrated. In order to realize the same function as that of the polaroid camera in a digital camera, a digital camera that captures an image and a printer that prints the captured image are integrated into a printer-integrated camera. It is conceivable to configure. Such a printer-integrated camera can print a photographed image at any time without using another device.

  In a printer that is required to be reduced in size and weight, such as a printer integrated in such a digital camera, a consumable material storage container for a printer that stores a print medium or ink as a consumable material for the printer. However, when the printer consumable container is always attached, it is considered to be a cause of an increase in size, and it is desirable to attach the container to the printer as necessary. When such a container is used, the container can be removed at times other than during the printing operation to facilitate handling of the printer.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printer consumable material storage container suitable for a printer using ink, a printer using the container, and a digital camera.

Therefore, the present invention is a printer consumable material storage container that can be mounted on a printer that prints on a print medium using an inkjet head that discharges ink, and that stores the print medium to be supplied to the printer. And
A print medium supply port at least partially having a gap dimension less than the thickness of one print medium to be stored to be supplied;
Means for engaging a member provided on the printer side at the time of mounting to widen the gap of the print medium supply port and permitting the supply of the print medium;
It is characterized by comprising.

  Further, the printer of the present invention uses an ink jet head that prints by ejecting ink onto the print medium, wherein the consumable material storage container for the printer is detachable, and prints using the consumable material supplied from the container. It is characterized by comprising printing means for performing the above.

  Furthermore, the present invention resides in a digital camera characterized in that such a printer and an image pickup means are provided integrally.

  According to the present invention, the container for storing the consumable material of the printer is provided with the print medium supply port for supplying the printer with the print medium stored in the container, and when the container is mounted on the printer, the print medium supply port By adjusting the interval of the printing medium to a prescribed size, the interval of the printing medium supply port is reduced when the container is mounted on the printer without particularly increasing the dimensional accuracy of the interval of the printing medium supply port at the time of manufacturing the container. It can be regulated to the optimum dimension.

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

  In this specification, “printing” (sometimes referred to as “recording”) is not only for forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but also for being visually perceptible regardless of significance. Regardless of whether or not they are manifested, the case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a print medium, or the case where the print medium is processed is used.

  “Print media” refers not only to paper used in general printing equipment, but also to materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. In the following, it is also referred to as “paper” or simply “paper”.

  In this specification, “camera” refers to a device or device that optically captures an image and converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and is also referred to as an “imaging unit” in the following description.

  Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted widely as the definition of “print” above, and is applied to a print medium so that an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc. A liquid that is used for forming the image, processing the print medium, or processing the ink (for example, solidification or insolubilization of the coloring material in the ink applied to the print medium).

  The recording head to which the present invention is applied has a form in which bubbles are formed by causing film boiling in the liquid by using thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter, a form in which the liquid is discharged by the electromechanical converter, Alternatively, various forms proposed in ink jet recording such as a form in which droplets are formed and discharged using an air current are exemplified, but those utilizing an electrothermal converter are preferably used from the viewpoint of miniaturization.

"Schematic configuration of the entire device"
First, an overall schematic configuration of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The apparatus described in this example includes an imaging unit (hereinafter also referred to as a “camera unit”) that optically captures and converts the image into an electrical signal, and an image that records an image based on the electrical signal obtained by imaging. The information processing device includes a recording unit (hereinafter also referred to as a “printer unit”). Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus described in this example will be referred to as a “printer built-in camera”.

  In the apparatus main body A001, a printer section (recording apparatus section) B100 is integrally incorporated on the back side of the camera section A100. The printer unit B100 records an image using ink and a print medium supplied from a media pack (printer consumable material storage container) C100. In this configuration, as apparent from FIG. 4 when the exterior is removed from the apparatus main body A001, the media pack C100 is inserted on the right hand side of the apparatus main body A001 in the drawing, and the left hand of the apparatus main body A001 in the drawing is shown. The printer unit B100 is disposed on the side. When recording is performed by the printer unit B100, the posture of the apparatus main body A001 can be set such that a liquid crystal display unit A105 described later in the camera unit A100 is on the upper side and the lens A101 is on the lower side. In this recording posture, a later-described recording head B305 in the printer unit B100 is in a posture of ejecting ink downward. The recording posture can be the same as the posture in the shooting state by the camera unit A100, and is not limited to the above recording posture. From the viewpoint of the stability of the recording operation, a recording posture in which the above ink is discharged downward is preferable.

  In the following, the mechanical basic configuration of the apparatus of this example will be described by dividing it into 1 “camera unit”, 2 “media pack”, and 3 “printer unit”, and the basic control system including the signal processing system will be described. The configuration and operation will be described as 4 “control system”.

1 “Camera”
The camera unit A100 basically constitutes a general digital camera. When the camera unit A100 is integrally combined with the apparatus main body A001 together with a printer unit B100 described later, the appearance of the camera unit A100 is as shown in FIGS. Configure a digital camera with a built-in printer. 1 to 3, A101 is a lens, A102 is a finder, A102a is a finder window, A103 is a strobe, A104 is a release button, and A105 is a liquid crystal display (external display). As will be described later, the camera unit A100 processes data captured using a CCD, stores an image in a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory card (CF card) A107, displays an image, and communicates with the printer unit B100. Send and receive various data. A109 is a discharge unit that discharges the print medium C104 on which the image is recorded when the photographed image is recorded on the print medium C104 described later. A108 shown in FIG. 4 is a battery as a power source for the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100.

2 “Media Pack”
The media pack C100 is detachable from the apparatus main body A001. In this example, the media pack C100 is inserted into the insertion portion A002 (see FIG. 3) of the apparatus main body A001 from the direction of the arrow F1, as shown in FIG. Mounted on the apparatus main body A001. The insertion portion A002 is opened when the media pack C100 is loaded, and is closed as shown in FIG. 3 when it is pulled out in the direction of the arrow F2. The media pack C100 includes an ink storage unit, a print medium storage unit, a waste ink storage unit, and the like between the pack main body C101 and the cover C102. 5 is a perspective view of the media pack C100 viewed from the cover C102 side (front side), FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the media pack C100 viewed from the pack body C101 side (back side), and FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the media pack C100. FIG. 8 is a perspective view and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the pack body C101.

  Hereinafter, with respect to the media pack C100, 2-1 “ink storage unit”, 2-2 “waste ink storage unit”, 2-3 “print medium storage unit”, 2-4 “arrangement of openings”, 2- The explanation will be divided into 5 “other configurations”, 2-6 “assembly method”, 2-7 “recyclability”, and 2-8 “others”.

2-1 “Ink container”
Inside the pack body C101, an ink pack storage portion S1 that stores the ink pack C130 is formed. In this example, the ink pack C130 contains a total of three ink packs C130-Y, C130-M, and C130-C that individually contain Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) inks. Thus, three ink pack accommodating portions S1-Y, S1-M, and S1-C partitioned by the ribs C101A and C101B are formed. The ink packs C130-Y, C130-M, and C130-C may be integrally formed, and in that case, a partition described later is unnecessary. Further, when the ink packs C130-Y, C130-M, and C130-C are formed separately, the ink pack housing portions S1-Y and S1- are provided by the ribs C101A and C101B so that they are not displaced from each other. Position in M, S1-C.

  The ink pack C130 (ink packs C130-Y, C130-M, C130-C) is held by the ink pack holder C131. In the case of this example, the ink pack C130 is formed in a bag shape by a film having a restoring force with respect to the minute hole so as to seal the ink inside, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the outer surface of the folded portion C130A is bonded or welded to the curved surface C131A of the holder C131. The curved surface C131A restricts the folded portion C130A of the ink pack C130 from being crushed and maintains the curved state. The ink pack C130 is formed into a bag shape in which a sheet body is folded at a folded portion 130A and three sides are sealed by adhesion or welding, and the folded portion 130A is not sealed by adhesion or welding. Further, the holder C131 is formed with an opening C131B that exposes the folded portion C130A of the ink pack C130 to the left in FIGS. Further, the holder C131 is formed with coupling claws C131C and C131C that can be coupled to an ink pack joint C132 described later. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the formation positions of the coupling claws C131C and C131C are the left and right positions near the center of the holder C131, or the left and right positions near the end of the holder C131 as shown in FIGS. Any of the positions may be used. As described above, the holder C131 holding the ink pack C130 is positioned in the accommodating portion S2 (see FIG. 7) in the pack main body C101.

  C132 is an approximately flat T-shaped ink pack joint, and is accommodated in the pack body C101 so as to be slidable along the direction of the arrow F2. That is, the one end C132-1 and the other end C132-2 of the joint C132 are slidably housed in the directions of arrows F1 and F2 in the accommodating portions S3 and S4 of the pack body C101. In the pack main body C101, a storage portion S5 for storing a waste ink absorber described later is formed below the center portion C132-3 of the joint C132. One end C132-1 is provided with a total of three hollow needles C133 that face a total of three openings C131B of the holder C131, and these needles C133 pass through the ink flow paths L1, L2, and L3 and others. The ink supply ports P1, P2, and P3 of the end C132-2 are communicated. Further, the waste ink introduction port P4 formed in the other end portion C132-2 communicates with the waste ink discharge port P5 formed in the side portion of the central portion C132-3 through the ink flow path L4. A rubber stopper C134 is fitted to each of the ports P1, P2, P3, and P4, and needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 on the side of the apparatus main body A001 described later can be inserted and removed. These needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 enter the inside of the pack body C101 from the opening C101H formed in the pack body C101 when the media pack C100 is mounted on the apparatus body A001. When the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 are pulled out, the rubber plug C134 automatically closes the hole penetrated by the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 by an elastic restoring force. Further, the joint C132 is formed by connecting a plurality of constituent members positioned in the vertical direction in FIG. 7 so that the lower constituent members are connected to the ink flow paths L1, L2, L3, and L4 as shown in FIG. The ink flow paths L1, L2, L3, and L4 can be formed inside the joint C132 by forming a groove along the upper side and coupling the upper constituent member thereon.

  As will be described later, the coupling claws C131C and C131C of the holder C131 are coupled to the joint C132 when the joint C132 moves in the direction of the arrow F2 and approaches the holder C131. 7 and 10, when the coupling claws C131C and C131C are formed near the center of the holder C131, they are coupled to the edge of the opening C132A of the joint C132, and FIG. When the coupling claws C131C and C131C are formed at positions near the end of the holder C131 as shown in FIGS.

  When the media pack C100 having the ink containing portion configured as described above is not used once in the apparatus main body A001, the joint C132 is detached from the holder C131 as shown in FIG. The needle C133 on the joint C132 side is away from the ink pack C130 as shown in FIG. 10A. Before the media pack C100 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 10A, the tips of the coupling claws C131C and C131C come into contact with the joint C132 to restrict the coupling between the joint C132 and the holder C131. Therefore, the coupling claws C131C and C131C function as a regulating member that regulates the connection between the joint C132 and the ink pack C130 before the media pack C100 is mounted.

  When such an unused media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001 from the direction of the arrow F1, the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, B503 on the apparatus main body A001 side are connected to the rubber plug C134 of the ports P1, P2, P3, P4. While being inserted, the joint C132 is relatively moved in the arrow F2 direction, and the needle C133 on the joint C132 side is inserted into the folded portion C130A of the ink pack C130. 9B, when the media pack C100 is completely attached, the joint C132 is coupled to the holder C131 by the coupling claw C131C, and the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 on the apparatus main body A001 side. Passes through the rubber plug C134 of the ports P1, P2, P3, P4 and communicates with the ink flow paths L1, L2, L3, L4, and as shown in FIG. 10B, the needle C133 on the joint C132 side is connected to the ink pack. It communicates with the inside of C130. The coupling claws C131C and C131C function as engaging members that are engaged so as not to release the connection between the joint C132 and the ink pack C130 after the media pack C100 is mounted.

  As a result, the ink packs C130-Y, C130-M, and C130-C are connected to an ink supply path (to be described later) in the apparatus main body A001 through the ink flow paths L1, L2, and L3, so that ink can be supplied. . Since the ink pack is made of a film having a restoring force against the minute holes, the ink does not leak from the needle even if the needle is stabbed. The waste ink discharge port P5 is connected to a later-described waste ink discharge path in the apparatus main body A001 through the ink flow path L4, and the waste ink discharged from the waste ink discharge path is disposed on a later-described waste ink absorber C141. To discharge. As will be described later, the waste ink discharged from the waste ink discharge path is a relatively large amount of waste ink discharged into the cap by the suction recovery operation or preliminary discharge operation of the recording head, and is discharged by the pump. .

  Next, when the media pack C100 thus mounted is extracted from the apparatus main body A001 in the direction of the arrow F2, the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 on the apparatus main body A001 side are the rubbers of the ports P1, P2, P3, and P4. Exit from stopper C134. At this time, the rubber plug C134 automatically closes the ports P1, P2, P3, and P4 by its elastic restoring force. At this time, the coupling claw C131C maintains the coupling state of the holder C131 and the joint C132, and the needle C133 on the joint C132 side remains inserted into the ink pack C130. That is, the coupling claw C131C maintains the coupled state after the holder C131 and the joint C132 are coupled once.

  In this way, the needle C133 on the joint C132 side is inserted into the ink pack C130 only after the media pack C100 is first attached to the apparatus main body A001, and thereafter, the inserted state is maintained. When the media pack C100 has never been installed in the apparatus main body A001, the needle C133 on the joint C132 side is not inserted into the ink pack C130, and the ink pack C130 is used only as such. Thus, the ink is completely sealed. This is advantageous in the distribution of the media pack C100 and the manufacture of the ink pack C130.

  That is, when the unused media pack C100 is distributed, the needle C133 is not inserted into the ink pack C130, so that the ink can be reliably supplied only by the ink pack C130 without being affected by the environmental temperature such as the temperature during distribution. It can be sealed. In addition, when such a media pack C100 is distributed, the ink does not flow into the ink flow paths L1, L2, and L3, and therefore, these ink flow paths L1, L2, and L3 are generated by a synthetic resin material. The problem of fear, that is, the problem that the components of the ink evaporate through the constituent resin material can be basically eliminated. Further, since the ink can be sealed only by the ink pack C130, the ink pack C130 can be easily and inexpensively manufactured by forming the material of the ink pack C130 into a bag shape and filling the inside thereof with ink. Can do. Further, since the needle C133 is pierced in the longitudinal direction of the ink pack C130 from the bent portion C130A of the ink pack C130 fixed to the holder C131, the needle C133 can be sufficiently inserted into the ink pack C130. Incidentally, when the needle C133 is inserted into the upper or lower surface in FIG. 10 of the ink pack 130 from the vertical direction in FIG. 10, the thickness of the ink pack C130 in the vertical direction is small. It becomes difficult to ensure a sufficient insertion amount of the needle C133.

  Further, as a forming material of the ink pack C130, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the needle C133 is inserted, the material has a multilayer structure that is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the needle C133 and exhibits a sufficient sealing action. Is adopted. Specific examples of the material include a four-layer structure of 27 μm special nylon, 3 μm PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride), 50 μm special polyethylene, and 20 μm normal polyethylene. Other specific examples include a four-layer structure of 27 μm special nylon, 7 μm aluminum foil, 50 μm special polyethylene, and 20 μm normal polyethylene. As another specific example, a material made of the same material as that sold by Daiwa Gravure Co., Ltd. as a “cartridge pack” (trade name) into which a dispenser can be directly inserted can be used. The aluminum foil layer is used from the viewpoint of preventing evaporation of the ink contained therein, but the layer exhibiting such characteristics is not limited to the aluminum foil layer, and may be an aluminum vapor deposition layer or a silica coating. Various layers that exhibit an ink evaporation preventing effect such as a layer can be used.

2-2 “Waste ink container”
A waste ink absorber C141 is accommodated in the accommodating portion S5. In the case of this example, the two upper and lower waste ink absorbers C141-1 and C141-2 are accommodated in an overlapping manner. The absorber C141 (absorbers C141-1, C141-2) is formed with a slit C141A into which positioning protrusions C101C, C101D, C101E formed on the pack body C101 fit. Further, the absorbent body C141 is formed with a groove C141B into which a wall C101F formed in the pack body C101 is fitted. A gap C101G is formed between the peripheral wall C101X and the wall part C101F of the pack body C101 as shown in FIG. 11, and the accommodating part S5 is connected to the large accommodating part S5-1 and the small accommodating part via the gap C101G. It is divided into S5-2. Therefore, the absorber C141 is located on the large accommodating portion S5-1 side through the small width portion C141C corresponding to the gap C101G, and the first absorbing region C141-L having a relatively large amount of waste ink absorption is small. It is divided into a second absorption region C141-S that is located on the part S5-2 side and has a relatively small amount of waste ink absorption.

  The waste ink discharge port P5 opens toward the large storage portion S5-1 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, a relatively large amount of waste ink discharged from the waste ink discharge port P5 is reliably absorbed and held by the first absorption region C141-L of the absorber C141. When the holder C131 and the joint C132 are coupled by the coupling claw C131C, the waste ink discharge port P5 is substantially at the center of the large accommodating portion S5-1 as shown in FIG. 11, that is, the first absorption region C141 of the absorber C141. Located at approximately the center of L. Thereby, the first absorption area C141-L efficiently and reliably absorbs and holds a relatively large amount of waste ink.

  The small accommodating portion S5-2 is communicated with an opening C101H formed in the pack body C101. When the media pack C100 is inserted into the apparatus main body A001 from the direction of the arrow F1, an ink absorber B506 on the apparatus main body A001 side, which will be described later, enters the small container S5-2 from the hole C101H, and 2 is inserted into the absorption region C141-S. 12 to 15 are diagrams for mainly explaining the positional relationship between the ink absorber B506 and the absorber C141. In these drawings, the joint C132 in the pack body C101 is omitted, and the pack body C101 is also omitted in FIG. When the media pack C100 is inserted into the apparatus main body A001, the ink absorber B506 is inserted into the second absorption region C141-S of the absorber C141 as shown in FIG.

  As will be described later, ink droplets of the recording head ejected to a position outside the print medium C150 are guided to the ink absorber B506 on the apparatus main body A001 side by capillary action. A relatively small amount of ink is ejected to a position outside the print medium C150, and the relatively small amount of ink is guided to the ink absorber B506 as waste ink. The waste ink guided to the ink absorber B506 has a second absorption region C141 due to capillary action when the ink absorber B506 is inserted into the second absorption region C141-S of the absorber C141 on the media pack C100 side. Absorbed and retained by -S. In this way, a relatively small amount of waste ink guided to the ink absorber B506 is absorbed and held in the second absorption region C141-S of the absorber C141.

  The ink absorber B506 is formed of a relatively hard porous material, and the absorber C141 is formed of a relatively soft porous material. Therefore, when they come into contact with each other, only the contact portion of the absorber C141 on the media pack C100 side as a consumable is greatly deformed, and the deterioration of the ink absorber B506 on the apparatus main body A001 side is suppressed to a small extent. As a result, when the media pack C100 as a consumable is repeatedly attached to the apparatus main body A many times, it is possible to always ensure a good connection state between the ink absorber B506 and the absorber C141. Further, as a result of compressive deformation of the contact portion of the absorber C141, an appropriate capillary force is generated, and ink oozing from the ink absorber B506 can be improved.

  Further, the fact that the absorber C141 is divided into the first absorption region C141-L and the second absorption region C141-S by the wall portion C141B is to prevent leakage of waste ink from the opening C101J to the outside. Is effective. That is, when waste ink tries to move intensively from the entire absorber C141 toward the opening C101J, the movement of the waste ink is blocked by the wall C101F, and the wall C101F must be bypassed. I must. In this way, the waste ink bypasses the wall portion C101F, thereby avoiding a situation where the waste ink moves intensively from the entire absorber C141 toward the opening portion C101J, and waste ink from the opening portion C101J to the outside. Leakage can be prevented. In this example, since a relatively large amount of waste ink is absorbed and held in the first absorption region C141-L, it is effective that the relatively large amount of waste ink moves intensively toward the opening C101J. Can be prevented. The second absorption region C141-S only absorbs and holds a relatively small amount of waste ink introduced by capillary force from the ink absorber B506 on the apparatus main body A001 side, so that the waste ink is disposed in the vicinity of the opening C101J. It can be securely held without causing leakage to the outside.

2-3 “Print Medium Container”
In the pack main body C101, as shown in FIG. 7, a media slide sheet C151 that covers the upper part of the accommodating portions S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 is fitted and positioned. A print medium C170 is accommodated on the slide sheet C151. That is, a plurality of (for example, 20) sheet-like print media C150 are placed on the slide sheet C151, and further, the media press sheet C152 is placed thereon. A relatively hard media press plate C153 is attached to the press sheet C152. A media positioning spring C154 is elastically interposed between the press sheet C152 and the cover C102. The spring C154 is attached to the pack body C101 by having its both ends C154A and C154B elastically engaged with the inner surface fixed position of the peripheral wall C101X of the pack body C101. Legs C154C, C154D, C154E, and C154F of the spring C154 urge the press sheet C154 downward in FIG. A claw C102A that can be elastically engaged with the hole C101K of the peripheral wall C101X of the pack body C101 is formed on the one end C102-1 side of the cover C102. The other end C102-2 of the cover C102 is attached to the pack body C101 by a seal 103 as shown in FIGS.

  The peripheral wall C101X of the pack main body C101 is formed with an opening 101L for carrying out the print media C150 accommodated on the slide sheet C151 one by one in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 5). The print medium C150 is discharged by the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202 on the apparatus main body A001 side, as will be described later. When the media pack C100 is mounted on the apparatus main body A001, the pickup roller B201 enters the pack main body C101 from the opening C101M formed in the pack main body C101, and the slide roller C201 slides from the notch C151A of the slide sheet C151. It can be pressed against the lowest print medium C150 integrated on the sheet C151. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a shutter C155 is attached to the opening C101M so as to be freely opened and closed in the directions of arrows F1 and F2. The shutter C155 is closed by the shutter spring C156 in the direction of the arrow F1. Is always energized. The shutter C155 normally closes the opening C101M as shown in FIG. 6, and is opened in the direction of the arrow F2 to allow the pickup roller B201 to enter when the media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001. On the other hand, when the media pack C100 is mounted on the apparatus main body A001, the pressing plate 202 enters the pack main body C101 from the notches C101N and C102B formed in the pack main body C101 and the cover C102, and the press sheet C152 It can be pressed against the press plate C153.

  As described above, by mounting the media pack C100 to the apparatus main body A001, the print medium C150 in the media pack C100 is set to a standby position where the print medium C150 can be sandwiched between the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202. In this state, the ASF trigger, which will be described later, is released so that the print medium is sandwiched between them, and the lowermost print medium C150 on the slide sheet C151 is opened to the opening C101L by the rotation of the pickup roller B201 in a predetermined carry-out direction. Is carried out in the direction of arrow A. At that time, since the lowest print medium C150 is slid out of the slide sheet C151, the print medium C150 can be smoothly carried out by making the print medium C150 slip easily on the upper surface of the slide sheet C151. The slide sheet C151 preferably has a characteristic that allows the print medium C150 to be satisfactorily conveyed as described above, and the sheet may be formed using a material having a low friction coefficient, or The processing may be performed by reducing the friction coefficient of the contact surface with the print medium C150. As an example of the processing, it can be dealt with by performing fluorine processing or providing minute unevenness. Furthermore, in terms of improving the transportability, it is also effective to cope with static electricity that may occur between the slide sheet C151 and the print medium C150.

  Further, since the opening formed by the notches 101N and C102B and the opening C101M are formed at positions facing each other, the print medium C150 can be sandwiched between the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202. By sandwiching the print medium C150 between the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202, it is possible to apply an optimum conveying force from the pickup roller B201 to the print medium C150, and to reliably carry out the print medium C150. In the case of this example, since the pressing plate 202 is made smaller than the pickup roller B201 as will be described later, the opening formed by the notches 101N and C102B is formed smaller than the opening C101M. Yes. In this way, the rigidity of the media pack C100 can be increased by reducing the opening formed by the notches 101N and C102B. In the case of this example, the shutter C155 is provided for the relatively large opening C101M, and when the media pack C100 is not attached to the apparatus main body A001, the opening C101M is always closed. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering from the large opening C101M.

  Further, since the spring C154 biases the print medium C150 via the press sheet C152, the print medium C150 can be accurately pressed onto the slide sheet C151 over the entire area. In addition, the pressing plate 202 presses the front end portion of the print medium C150 located closer to the opening C101L more strongly by being pressed against the relatively hard press plate C153, so that the print medium C150 can be carried out more reliably. It can be. Further, the leg portion 154C of the spring C154 formed to be relatively large presses the portion on the opposite side of the press sheet C152 pressed by the pressing plate 202 more strongly by the relatively large biasing force. As a result, the front end portion of the print medium C150 located closer to the opening C101L can be pressed more uniformly, and the carry-out operation of the print medium C150 can be made more reliable. In this way, the print medium C150 is sandwiched between the slide sheet C151 and the press sheet C152, and is conveyed one by one from the lowest one.

  In addition, since the slide sheet C151 covers the upper part of the storage portions S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 in the media pack C100, it is possible to avoid the risk of contact between the ink and the print medium C150. In particular, by covering the storage portion S5, it is possible to avoid contact between the waste ink therein and the print medium C150. If the waste ink leaking from the storage unit S5 attempts to contact the print medium C150, the waste ink must wrap around the outer peripheral edge of the slide sheet C151. Contact with the print medium C150 can be avoided. Further, the volatile component of the waste ink generated from the storage unit S5 escapes from the outer peripheral edge of the slide sheet C151 to the outside through the mating surface of the pack body C101 and the cover C102. As described above, the slide sheet C151 has a function of ensuring the slidability of the print medium C150 and a function as a cover of the waste ink storage unit S5.

2-4 “Arrangement of openings”
Since the two openings C101H and C101J are formed in the media pack C100, as described above, the waste ink from the two waste ink paths of the apparatus main body A001 can be efficiently collected in the media pack C100. it can. That is, a relatively large amount of waste ink discharged by the suction recovery process or the preliminary discharge process of the recording head passes through the needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, B503 and the joint C132 that enter the opening C101H by the pump in the apparatus main body A001. Through the first absorption region C141-L having a relatively large capacity in the absorber C141, and is reliably absorbed and held in the first absorption region C141-L. On the other hand, a relatively small amount of waste ink ejected to a position off the print medium C150 from the absorber B506 entering the opening C101J due to a capillary phenomenon, the second absorption region C141 having a relatively small capacity in the absorber C141. Absorbed and retained by -S.

  Since these openings C101H and C101J are formed at the front end of the media pack C100, two types of waste ink on the apparatus main body A001 side can be obtained simply by inserting the media pack C100 into the apparatus main body A001 from the arrow F1 direction. The path can be connected to the media pack C100 side.

  Further, the opening C101M into which the pickup roller B201 enters and the opening C101J for collecting waste ink are formed at positions separated by the opening C101H. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waste ink from flowing from the opening C101J to the opening C101M and to prevent the print medium C150 located near the opening C101M from being contaminated by the waste ink.

  In addition, the ink supply ports P1, P2, and P3 and the waste ink introduction port P4 are formed in the joint C132 located inside the opening C101H, and ink flow paths L1, L2, L3, and L4 communicating with them are formed. Therefore, each of the four ink flow paths L1, L2, L3, and L4 can be reliably connected to the apparatus main body A001 side by one joint C132. Further, inside the opening C101H, the ports P1, P2, P3, and P4 are positioned so as to line up in a direction away from the opening C101M according to the order. That is, the waste ink introduction port P4 is farthest from the opening C101M than the other ink supply ports P1, P2, and P3. Therefore, if waste ink adheres to the waste ink introduction port P4, the waste ink is prevented from flowing into the opening C101M, and the print medium C150 located near the opening C101M is prevented from being contaminated by the waste ink. can do.

2-5 “Other components”
The media pack C100 is provided with an EEPROM (identification IC) to be described later, and the EEPROM stores identification data such as the type and remaining amount of ink and print medium C150 stored in the media pack C100. In the case of this example, the EEPROM is provided inside the pack body C101 located at the bottom of the storage unit S5-2. The EEPROM connector C161 is provided at the bottom of the pack body C101 located in the vicinity of the waste ink collection opening C101J as shown in FIG. The connector C161 is connected to a connector (not shown) on the apparatus main body A001 side when the media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001.

  Since the connector C161 is located in the vicinity of the waste ink collection opening C101J, it can be used to detect waste ink leakage. That is, if the waste ink leaked from the opening C101J wraps around the position of the connector C161 and a connection failure occurs between the connector C161 and the connector on the apparatus main body A001 side, the connection By detecting defects, it is possible to detect leakage of waste ink. For example, poor contact due to waste ink intervening between contacts between the connector C161 and the connector on the apparatus main body A001 side, electrical short circuit due to waste ink adhering between a plurality of contacts in the connector C161, or the device It is possible to detect an electrical short circuit caused by the waste ink adhering between a plurality of contacts in the connector on the main body A001 side, and to detect the leakage of the waste ink based on the detection result.

  The opening C101L for carrying out the print medium can be provided with a gate part C162 that prevents passage of two or more print media C150 and allows passage of each one. The gate C162 restricts the width of the opening C101 to a size corresponding to the thickness of one print medium C150. Such a gate portion C162 can be provided over the entire region in the length direction of the opening C101L, or can be partially provided in a central portion or both side portions in the length direction. In this example, since the pack body C101 having the opening C101L is injection-molded with a resin material, it is strongly desirable to accurately regulate the width of the opening C101L in consideration of the distortion of the resin material.

  FIGS. 16A and 16B are explanatory diagrams of a configuration example for accurately regulating the width of the opening C101L in the pack body C101 that is injection-molded with a resin material in this way. In these drawings, only the front end portion of the pack body C101 is schematically shown.

  In these drawings, C162 is a gate part integrally formed at the upper edge of the center of the opening C101L, and restricts the width W of the opening C101L to a size through which one print medium C150 passes. In the case of this example, the gate C162 is slightly to the left of the center of the opening C101L so as to be positioned closer to the opening C101L for unloading a print medium (not shown) formed on the left side in FIG. It is formed to be shifted. Guide holes C163A, C163B and slits C164 are formed in the pack body C101. When the media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001 from the direction of the arrow F1, as shown in FIG. 16B, the guide pins GP1 and GP2 positioned on the apparatus main body A001 side are in the guide holes C163A and C163B. Relatively enter. Therefore, the distance between the guide holes C163A and C163B is corrected to the distance between the guide pins GP1 and GP2 with the elastic deformation of the pack body C100. As a result, the gate C162 accurately regulates the width W of the opening C101L to a size that allows one print medium C150 to pass. The slit C164 makes the pack body C100 easy to deform and absorbs the deformation. In the pack body C100, at least a portion where the opening C101L is formed may be a panel that is injection-molded with a resin material.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are explanatory views of another configuration example for accurately regulating the width of the opening C101L. In these drawings, only the front end portion of the pack body C101 is schematically shown.

  In the case of this example, when the media pack C100 is not attached to the apparatus main body A001, the gate C162 closes the opening C101L as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B and allows the print medium C150 to pass. Stop. When the media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001 from the direction of the arrow F1, the guide pins GP1 and GP2 positioned on the apparatus main body A001 side relatively enter the guide holes C163A and C163B. Therefore, the distance between the guide holes C163A and C163B is corrected to the distance between the guide pins GP1 and GP2 with the elastic deformation of the pack body C100. As a result, the gate C162 accurately regulates the width of the opening C101L to a size that allows one print medium C150 to pass. The slit C164 makes the pack body C100 easy to deform and absorbs the deformation.

  As described above, the gate part C162 of this example causes the print medium C150 to be inadvertently ejected from the media pack C100 together with a gate function that restricts the width of the opening C101L to a size through which one print medium C150 passes. It also has a function as a stopper to prevent this. The function as the latter stopper may be performed by a gate portion different from the gate portion C162. In that case, the gate portion closes the opening C101L when the media pack C100 is not attached to the apparatus main body A001, and when the media pack C100 is attached to the apparatus main body A001, the guide pin on the apparatus main body A001 side. And the width of the opening C101L may be expanded to a size larger than the size through which one print medium C150 passes.

  In the example of FIGS. 16 and 17, a convex portion as a guide pin is provided on the apparatus main body side, while a guide hole as a concave portion is provided on the media pack side, but the gap of the opening C101L is set according to the engagement. As long as it is expandable, the configuration of the engaging members may be any. For example, a concave portion may be provided on the apparatus main body side, and a convex portion that is guided and displaced by the concave portion may be provided on the media pack side.

2-6 “Assembly method”
When assembling the media pack C100, first, the absorber C141 and the joint C132 are sequentially accommodated from above in the pack body C101. The joint C132 is accommodated at a position not coupled to the holder C131 as shown in FIG. Then, before and after the housing, the combined body (see FIG. 7) of the ink pack C13 and the holder C131 is housed from above in the pack body C101. Thereafter, a slide sheet C151, a predetermined amount of print medium C150, a press sheet C152, and a positioning spring C154 are sequentially accommodated in the pack body C101 from above. Thereafter, the cover C102 is fitted into the upper opening of the pack body C101, and the claw C102A is engaged with the hole C101K. The claw portion C102A is temporarily elastically deformed by pressing the cover C102 downward, and is elastically restored at a position facing the hole C101K to engage with the hole C101K. Thereafter, a seal C103 is affixed between the cover C102 and the pack body C101. As described above, the contents in the pack main body C101 can be sequentially stored in the pack main body C101 with good workability from above, and similarly, the cover C102 can be easily attached from above.

  Parts such as the shutter C155, the spring C156, the connector C161, and the EEPROM are attached to the pack body C101 at least before attaching the cover C102.

2-7 “Recyclability”
When the media pack C100 is used and the print medium C150 or ink as a consumable material in the media pack C100 runs out, the used media pack C100 can be collected and recycled.

  First, the cover C102 is removed from the collected used media pack C100. Since the cover C102 is not directly welded or bonded to the pack body C101, the cover C102 can be easily lifted upward from the pack body C101 by removing the seal C103 and releasing the engagement between the claw portion C102A and the hole portion C101K. Can be removed. After that, the contents in the pack main body C101 can be sequentially removed upward, contrary to the assembly order of the media pack C100 described above. At that time, the holder C131 and the joint C132 can be uncoupled after being taken out upward while being coupled as shown in FIG. 9B.

  Then, if necessary, the absorber C141 and the ink pack C130 are replaced with new ones, the print medium C150 is replenished, or parts such as the holder C131 and the joint C132 are replaced with new ones. The media pack C100 is assembled according to the order as described above. At this time, the attachment strength of the cover C102 can be sufficiently secured by replacing the seal C103 with a new one.

  Further, the fact that the contents in the pack body C101 are not welded to the pack body C101 is advantageous in improving the assembly workability and recyclability of the media pack, and the ink absorbed in the absorber C141 is removed. This facilitates evaporation and is advantageous in maintaining the waste ink absorbing function of the absorber C141. As described above, since the volatile component of the waste ink is guided and released by the slide sheet C151 in the direction of the peripheral wall portion C101X of the pack body C101, adverse effects on the print medium C150 can be avoided.

2-8 “Others”
When the media pack C100 is used and the ink as a consumable material in the media pack C100 runs out or is about to run out, it is possible to replenish the ink without disassembling the media pack C100. That is, an ink refill container in the form of a syringe capable of discharging the ink sealed inside from the tip of the injection needle is prepared, and the tip of the injection needle is connected to the ink supply ports P1, P2, P2 through the opening C101K of the media pack C100. P3 is inserted into the rubber plug 134, and ink is press-fitted into the ink packs C130-C, 120-M, and 130-Y through the ink flow paths L1, L2, and L3. As the ink replenishing container, a container in which C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) inks are individually sealed is prepared, so that ink packs C130-C, 120-M, and 130- Ink can be replenished selectively in Y.

  Further, after disassembling the media pack C100, the ink pack C130-C, 120-M, 130-Y is pierced with the tip of the injection needle of the ink replenishing container as described above. It is also possible to replenish ink directly to 120-M and 130-Y. In that case, the holes of the ink packs C130-C, 120-M, and 130-Y formed by the piercing of the injection needle need to be closed after the injection needle is pulled out. As a countermeasure for that, for example, a method of adopting a material that automatically closes such holes as a molding material of ink packs C130-C, 120-M, and 130-Y, or such a hole is used. A method such as sealing with a seal or a valve is conceivable.

3 “Printer”
The printer unit (or printer main body) B100 of this embodiment uses an inkjet recording head, scans the recording head with respect to the printer medium, and conveys the printing medium by a predetermined amount in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction. By repeating this process, a so-called serial method is employed in which a captured image or the like is printed on a print medium.

  In the printer main body of the present embodiment, the ink supply from the ink pack in the loaded media pack C100 to the recording head mounted on the carriage is separated from the connection between the ink supply path and the recording head at least during recording. In this state, the ink supply path and the recording head are connected to each other at an appropriate time so that the ink can be supplied (hereinafter referred to as a pit-in method for convenience). That is, only a sub tank that stores an extremely small amount is mounted on the carriage. When the carriage reaches the ink supply position by the movement, a supply path is formed between the sub tank and the ink pack in the media pack C100 via a joint portion disposed at the ink supply position. Thus, ink is supplied into the sub tank. When supplying ink to the sub tank, a pump for introducing ink from the ink pack with a negative pressure in the sub tank is also provided.

  18 is a perspective view of the printer main body B100 as viewed from the mounting portion side of the media pack C100, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the main body as viewed from the side opposite to the mounting portion side. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a carriage and a mechanism for moving the carriage, and further a roller for conveying a print medium, and FIG. 20 is a side view of the main body B100 in a posture with the mounting portion of the media pack as a left side. It is sectional drawing seen from the direction.

  As shown in these drawings, the printer main body B100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a thin shape whose height is shorter than its vertical and horizontal lengths. The chassis B101 forms the structural member of the printer main body B100 and forms the outer shape of the rectangular parallelepiped. That is, the chassis B101 is assembled so as to cover almost all surfaces except the two surfaces shown in FIG. 18 among the six surfaces forming the rectangular parallelepiped. The opening surrounded by the sides of the rectangular parallelepiped and the height shown in FIG. 18 is an opening for mounting the media pack C100 as described above. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 18, only a part of the relatively wide surface surrounded by the vertical and horizontal sides is covered by the chassis B101, and the uncovered part is a carriage B301 on which the recording head is mounted. It extends in the range in which the carriage B301 moves with a width substantially equivalent to the width of the carriage B301.

  Elements constituting the printer main body B100 are fixed or pivotally supported by the chassis B101 to form each mechanism of the printer main body. That is, the printer main body B100 of the present embodiment roughly includes a paper feeding / conveying mechanism, a carriage moving mechanism, an ink supply / recovery mechanism, and a pack connecting mechanism inside the rectangular parallelepiped by the chassis B101.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the overall structure of the paper feed / conveyance mechanism is as follows. First, a pickup roller B201 and a print medium are applied to the left end portion of the figure where the media pack C100 is mounted with an appropriate pressure. A pressing plate B202 for pressing is provided. The pickup roller B201 is rotatably supported by a roller arm B203, and the arm B203 is rotatably supported by an ASF connect shaft B204 so that it can rotate within a predetermined angle range. ing. Similarly, the pressing plate B202 is also configured to be rotatable, so that the roller B201 and the pressing plate B202 directly enter the inside of the media pack C100 to be mounted (strictly speaking, the pressing plate does not support the sheet). Through the print media). As will be described later, the pickup roller B201 is driven by the driving force of an LF motor (not shown) transmitted through a gear train provided on the PF roller B205, roller arm B203, or ASF connect shaft B204 described below. The print medium is pressed against the roller by the pressing plate B202 with an appropriate pressing force, whereby the print medium is picked up one by one and fed into the printer main body B100.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the length in the longitudinal direction of the pickup roller B201 is shorter than the width of the print medium (see FIG. 7) in the media pack C100, and is near the end of the opening for mounting the media pack C100. Provided. Further, although not shown in FIG. 18, the width of the pressing plate B202 is further shorter than the width of the pickup roller B201. Therefore, when the pressing plate B202 is pressed, the print medium is pressed only against a part of the pickup roller B201. As described above, the paper feed mechanism of the printer engages with only a part of the print medium to be fed to feed the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 20, as the paper feeding / conveying mechanism, on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction by the pickup roller B 201 and the like (to the right in the figure), the movement range of the carriage B301 (the movement direction is the same). A pair of a PF roller B205 and a pinch roller B206 and a pair of a PF roller B207 and a pinch roller B208 are arranged at positions sandwiching the direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure), respectively. The rotational driving of these PF rollers B205 and B207 transmits the driving force of the LF motor disposed substantially diagonally to the site where the paper feed mechanism such as the pickup roller is provided in the main body of the printer. The end portion provided with the paper feed mechanism is performed by a gear train disposed on the chassis side surface of the opposite end portion with respect to the opening. As described above, the carriage B301 is mounted on the carriage B301 by the pair of the PF roller B205 and the pinch roller B206 and the pair of the PF roller B207 and the pinch roller B208 arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the print medium conveyance with respect to the movement range of the carriage B301. A predetermined amount of the print medium is conveyed along with the scanning of the recording head. When this operation is repeated and printing is completed, the paper is discharged out of the printer main body B100, that is, out of the apparatus main body A001 of the camera. In this print medium conveyance path, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, a platen B306 is disposed below the movement range of the carriage B301. As a result, the transported print medium is supported while the surface opposite to the surface on which the printing is performed is slid by the platen B306, and the flatness of the print medium is guaranteed.

  The upstream PF roller B205 and the above-described pressing plate B202 are coaxially supported, but the pressing plate B202 is frictionally applied to the arm spring so that the pressing force is appropriately adjusted as will be described later. It rotates through force. Similarly, the roller arm B203 that pivotally supports the pickup roller B201 is rotated through the frictional force of a roller spring (not shown) with respect to the rotation of the ASF connect shaft (not shown) that pivotally supports the pickup arm B201. With this, it becomes possible to apply an appropriate pressing force to the print medium during paper feeding, as with the pressing plate.

  Next, the carriage moving mechanism is a mechanism for moving the carriage B301, such as the carriage B301 and the lead screw B302 shown in FIGS.

  The lead screw B302 is provided so as to extend entirely along the lateral side of the rectangular parallelepiped forming the printer body, that is, along the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the guide shaft B303 (see FIG. 20) of the carriage B301 is connected to the lead screw B302. Provided in parallel. In addition, a carriage motor (CR motor; not shown) that generates a driving force for rotating the lead screw B302 is provided on the right side in FIG.

  In the carriage B301, a screw pin (not shown) provided on the carriage B301 is engaged with a single spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the lead screw B302, and the lead screw B302 is rotated by the driving force of the carriage motor. It can move along the guide axis B303.

  In the carriage B301, ink chambers B304Y, B304M, and B304C as sub-tanks are provided for each of the ink types yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) used for printing. As described above, each ink chamber has a capacity capable of storing a very small amount of ink that can be printed for one page of the print medium, for example. For this reason, it is necessary to supply ink from the ink pack of the media pack C100 at predetermined intervals. In addition, the recording heads B305Y, B305M, and B305C for each of the above-described types of ink are provided below the ink chambers. These recording heads are arranged in the scanning direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 20, and each recording head has a plurality of ink ejection ports (hereinafter, referred to as a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning direction). It is also called a nozzle.) In each recording head, a liquid path is formed in communication with each nozzle. The liquid path is provided with an electrothermal conversion element and an electrode wiring for supplying an electric signal thereto. Accordingly, the recording head can generate bubbles in the ink in the liquid path by using the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal conversion element, and can discharge the ink from the corresponding nozzles by the pressure of the bubbles. As the ink is ejected, ink is supplied to each of the liquid passages mainly by capillary force from the ink chamber through the common liquid chamber of the corresponding recording head.

  The carriage B301 having the above configuration is moved according to various modes in the printer. That is, the operation of each mode is performed by causing the lead screw B302 to rotate a predetermined amount of one or both clockwise and counterclockwise with reference to the position of the carriage home position. For example, during a printing operation, the lead screw B302 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, so that the carriage B301 reciprocates in a predetermined range of the print area, thereby recording heads B305Y, B305M, and B305C mounted on the carriage B301. Can be scanned with respect to the print medium. Further, in the movement for wiping that wipes the surface on which the nozzle is disposed with a predetermined member as the recording head moves, the carriage B301 is wiped while reciprocating in a predetermined range near the home position. Wiping is performed by engaging with the surface of the recording head on which the nozzle is disposed. Further, in a so-called pit-in operation in which ink is supplied to each ink chamber of the recording head, the carriage B301 is moved to a joint member B401 disposed near the home position shown in FIG. 19 by a predetermined rotation of the lead screw B302. Moving. As a result, ink replenishing needles (not shown) for each ink provided in the carriage are inserted into the joints B402Y, B402M, and B402C for each ink of the joint member B401, and the movement of the series of carriages is similarly performed. By the operation, an air suction hole (not shown) provided in the carriage B301 is joined to an air suction cap B403 provided in the joint member B401. Thus, ink is supplied to the ink chambers B304Y, B304M, and B304C in the carriage B301 in accordance with the operation of the pump (not shown). Further, the surface on which the nozzles of the recording heads are disposed at the joint position with the joint member B401 is at a position facing the cap B405 shown in FIG. 19, and the cap B405 is lifted to cover the surface. be able to. This capping can reduce evaporation of ink solvent and the like through the nozzles when the printer does not perform a printing operation. Further, in this capping state, suction recovery processing for discharging ink or the like that may increase in viscosity from the liquid passage through each nozzle can be performed using the pump. Further, the carriage B301 moves to the position of the cap B405 at a predetermined timing by the predetermined rotation of the lead screw B302, and performs preliminary discharge by discharging ink from the nozzles of each recording head into the cap at this position.

  As shown in FIG. 18, one end of a flexible substrate B307 is fixed to a part of the carriage B301. As a result, it is possible to exchange print signals and the like between the control unit configured in a substrate form and the recording head in the printer. In this embodiment, a hole is formed in the central portion of the portion where the flexible substrate B307 is attached to the carriage B301 so as to lack a portion of the flexible substrate, and the light emitting element and the back side of the fixed portion of the carriage An encoder detection element comprising a light receiving element is provided. On the other hand, the scale on which the detected marks with equal intervals for the encoder are written extends upward in the posture of the printer main body B100 shown in FIG. 18 and on the back side of the panel forming the chassis B101. Accordingly, the encoder detection element can optically detect the detection mark of the scale through the hole as the carriage B301 moves. As the recording head scans, ink is ejected from each recording head at a timing based on the encoder signal based on this detection, whereby ink dots can be formed sequentially at predetermined positions on the print medium.

  Next, the ink supply / recovery mechanism is a mechanism for replenishing ink to the ink chambers of the carriage B301 via the joint member B401 and recovering the suction. Mainly, the negative pressure for transferring the ink is used. It is related with the pump which generate | occur | produces.

  As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the pump B408 is disposed at the substantially central portion of the end of the printer main body B100 opposite to the mounting portion of the media pack C100. As shown in FIG. 20, the piston (not shown) that slides inside the pump B <b> 408 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape. And according to this, the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder which comprises the case member also makes an elliptical shape.

  In parallel with the longitudinal direction of the pump B408, a lead screw B410 different from the carriage lead screw B302 is provided so as to extend in a range that substantially cuts through the printer main body B100. The lead screw B410 includes a cross-shaped double spiral groove B410a for operating the cylinder of the pump B408 and the wiper described above, and for operating an AFS trigger when feeding a print medium from the media pack. A single spiral groove B410b for operating the cap B405 and the joint member B401 is formed.

  As a constituent member of the pump B408, a pump drive arm B409 connected to the piston via a piston shaft is provided. The pump drive arm B409 has a portion extending in parallel with the lead screw B410, and a part of this portion is engaged with the spiral groove B410a of the lead screw B410, so that the pump drive arm, and hence the piston It is possible to move for the pump operation. In this movement, the guide shaft B413 engaged with a part of the pump drive arm B409 guides the movement.

  By this pump operation of the pump B410, when ink is replenished by the pit-in described above, air is sucked from each ink chamber of the carriage B301 to make each ink chamber have a negative pressure, and ink is replenished thereto. Air is sucked from the cap B405 in a state where the recording head is capped to create a negative pressure inside the cap B405, and the operation of sucking waste ink is performed accordingly. The waste ink discharged by this suction passes through the piston shaft and the pipe in the pump drive arm B409, passes through the waste ink connection tube B411, and the waste ink needle B503 held in the ink needle holder B501, and finally. Then, it is guided to an ink absorber provided in the media pack C100 to be mounted. The movement of the pump arm B409 engaged with the spiral groove B410a also enables the wiper operation and the AFS trigger operation applied to the print medium from the media pack C100.

  A part of the switching slider B412 is engaged with the other spiral groove B410b of the lead screw B410, whereby the cap B405 can be moved up and down via the cap lever arm B414.

  Finally, the pack connection mechanism is a mechanism related to connection with a media pack other than the above-described paper supply mechanism. Specifically, it mainly relates to the supply of ink from the media pack C100 and the introduction of ink discharged from the printer main body into the media pack C100.

  As shown in FIG. 18, elements that engage with the respective elements as the media pack C100 is mounted are disposed in the opening for mounting the media pack C100 of the printer main body B100.

  In addition to the above-described pickup roller B201 and pressing plate B202 (not shown in FIG. 18) for feeding the print medium, ink is supplied from each ink pack for each ink color in the media pack C100 to the corresponding ink chamber of the carriage B301. Ink supply needles B502C, B502M, and B502Y for introducing the ink are disposed. Further, a waste ink needle B503 for guiding the waste ink discharged into the cap by the recording head suction recovery process or preliminary discharge to the ink absorber in the media pack C100 is provided adjacent to these supply needles. As described above, these needles penetrate through and engage with the rubber plugs 134 of the respective ports P1 to P4 in the joint C132 in the media pack C100 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the ink supply needles B502C, B502M, and C502Y are the joint members described above via a path formed by a needle holder B501 that holds these needles and a groove formed in a member integral with the needle holder B501. It communicates with the corresponding joints B402C, B402M, and B402Y of B401. Similarly, the waste ink needle B503 communicates with a predetermined path inside the pump drive arm B409 of the pump B408 via a path formed by the groove formed in the holder B501 and the above-described waste ink connection tube B411.

  Each needle is covered with a needle cap B504 when the media pack is not attached. That is, when the pack is not attached, the cap B504 is urged forward of the needle by the return spring B505 provided on each needle, so that the tip of each needle is covered with the cap B505 when the pack is not attached. . On the other hand, when the pack is mounted, the cap B504 moves against the urging force of the return spring B505 by the pack mounting operation, and the tip of the needle appears to be inserted into the joint in the pack. Is done.

  A connector B507 is disposed in the opening. The connector B507 is joined to an EEPROM connector C161 provided in the media pack C100, and enables writing and reading to the EEPROM by the control unit of the printer main body.

  Further, an ink absorber B506 is provided between the needle and the connector as shown in FIG. 19 (FIG. 18 shows a state in which the absorber is removed). The ink absorber B506 is connected to a part of the ink absorber B508 that is developed on almost the entire lower surface of the platen B306 (see FIG. 20). On the other hand, when the media pack C100 is attached, Enters the opening C101L and contacts the ink absorber inside. Thereby, a part of the ink ejected from the recording head at the time of printing can be absorbed by the absorber B508, and the absorbed ink can be guided to the ink absorber in the media pack C100 via the absorber B506. . That is, of the ink discharged from the printer main body B100, the ink discharged by the suction recovery process or the preliminary discharge is received by the cap B405 as described above and is stored in the media pack via the waste ink needle B503. Guided to the ink absorber. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an image or the like is printed without having a margin on each side of a rectangular print medium when printing. For this reason, the ink is ejected to the outside of the print medium substantially beyond these sides, and the ink is received by the ink absorber B508. These absorbed inks reach the ink absorber B506 as the amount of the ink retained increases, and are finally guided to the ink absorber in the media pack.

  The ink absorber B506 disposed at the connection portion with the media pack is made of a sintered porous body and is made of a material harder than other ink absorbers. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the ink absorber B506 due to the mounting operation of the media pack C100 or the contact with the ink absorber.

  Next, the detailed configuration and the like of the paper feeding / conveying mechanism, carriage moving mechanism, ink supply / recovery mechanism, and pack connecting mechanism of the printer main body B100, whose outline has been described above, will be described.

3.1 “Feeding and Conveying Mechanism”
Next, the sheet feeding / conveying mechanism in this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.
The paper feeding / conveying mechanism in this embodiment includes a paper feeding system mechanism that introduces print media from the media pack C100 one by one into the printer main body B100, and a print medium introduced by the paper feeding system mechanism as a recording area. And a transport system mechanism for feeding to a paper discharge port formed by the printer main body B100 and an exterior material.

(Transport system mechanism)
First, the transport system mechanism will be described. As described above, the transport system mechanism includes a set of the PF roller B205 and the pinch roller B206 provided on the upstream side in the print medium transport direction, and a set of the PF roller B207 and the pinch roller B208 provided on the downstream side thereof. A drive transmission mechanism is provided.

  The PF rollers B205 and B207 are rotatably supported by bearing portions protruding from the chassis B101 by rotation shaft portions B211 and B212 provided at the ends. The pinch rollers B206 and B208 are rotatably supported by a predetermined bearing member, and are always urged so as to be pressed against the PF rollers B205 and B207 by a spring (not shown). The bearing portions of the rotation shafts B211 and B212 are provided inward from the left and right side surfaces of the chassis B101, and are configured to suppress the protrusion of the rotation shafts B211 and B212 to the outside of the chassis as much as possible. Here, the chassis B101 has a structure that prevents the pivot shaft from protruding from the right side plate B101a, and interference with the pivot shaft can be avoided even when a flat plate-shaped exterior member is fixed to the outer surface of the right side plate B101a. This structure contributes to the miniaturization of the entire apparatus.

  The PF rollers B205 and B207 are made of a high friction member, and the PF roller is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the pinch rollers 206 and B208 are formed in disc-shaped abutting portions at both ends. The driving force of a single driving source (LF motor) is transmitted to the PF rollers B205 and B207 by a driving force transmission mechanism as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 25, this driving force transmission mechanism applies the rotational driving force of the LF motor B210 disposed in the vicinity of the back surface (discharge side surface) of the left side plate B101b of the chassis B101 toward the insertion side of the chassis B101. It is comprised by the gear train which transmits sequentially. The gear train constituting this driving force transmission mechanism is composed of a transport system gear train and a paper feed system gear train described later. Here, the transport system gear train is composed of a total of six gears ranging from the motor gear B213 provided on the rotating shaft of the motor to the PF roller gear B218 fixed to the rotating shaft B211 of the upstream PF roller B205. It is constituted by a gear train.

  The gears B213 to B218 constituting the transport system gear train are pivotally attached to the outer surface side of the left side plate B101b, and the rotation shaft that supports the gears B214 to B218 is along a straight line parallel to the transport direction of the print medium. They are arranged in a line. For this reason, the mounting space in the vertical direction of the gear is minimized, which contributes to the reduction of the thickness width of the chassis B101 (the vertical width in FIG. 22). In the figure, gears B214 and B215 are coaxially fixed intermediate gears, B216 is a carry-out gear fixed to the rotating shaft B212 of the downstream PF roller B207, B217 is an intermediate gear, and B218 is the upstream PF roller B205. The paper feed gear is fixed to the rotation axis B211.

  According to the transport system mechanism configured as described above, when the LF motor B210 rotates in the CW direction, the driving force is shifted from the motor gear B213 to the gears B214, B215, B216, B217, B218 arranged in a substantially line. The PF roller B207 on the downstream side is rotated by the rotation of the carry-out gear B216, and the PF roller B205 on the upstream side is rotated in the normal rotation direction x1 by the rotation of the paper feed gear B218. Note that the rotation operation of both the PF rollers B205 and B207 is intermittently performed according to the movement of the carriage, and intermittently feeds one print medium fed by a paper feed system, which will be described later, in the normal transport direction X1. Carry to.

(Paper feed mechanism)
Next, the paper feed system mechanism will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 21 to 28, this paper feed system mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the opening on the upstream side in the transport direction of the chassis B101, and rotates the pressing plate B202 and the pickup roller B201, respectively, as described above. Thus, the media pack C100 mounted on the printer main body B100 is sandwiched, and the print medium is pulled out one by one by the rotation of the pickup roller B201. That is, the paper feed system mechanism includes a pressing plate B202 and its turning mechanism, and a pickup roller B201 and its turning mechanism and rotating mechanism.

  Among these, the pickup roller B201 is fixed to an ASF connect shaft 204 that is rotatably supported by a bearing formed on the chassis B101. As shown in FIG. 23, the ASF connect shaft 204 is supported at a position projecting obliquely downward toward the upstream side from the rotation shaft B211 of the upstream PF roller B205.

  Further, the rotation mechanism of the pickup roller B201 is configured as follows. One end of a pair of left and right roller arms B203 facing each other with a predetermined interval is rotatably inserted and supported on the ASF connect shaft B204, and the other ends of both roller arms B203 are A pickup roller B201 formed in a cylindrical shape by a high friction member is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft B224.

  Further, the rotational force of the paper feed gear B 218, that is, the rotational force of the LF motor B 210 is transmitted to the pickup roller B 201 via the paper feed side gear train linked to the paper feed gear B 218 of the transport system gear train. It has become. This paper feed system gear train has a total of five gears B219, B220 from the PF roller gear B219 fixed to the rotation shaft B211 of FIG. 29 to the pickup roller gear B223 fixed to the rotation shaft B215 of the pickup roller B201. , B221, B222 and B223. Here, B220 is an ASF large-diameter gear fixed to the ASF connect shaft B204 and meshes with the PF roller gear B219, B221 is an ASF small-diameter gear fixed to the ASF connect shaft B204, and B222 is the ASF small-diameter gear B221 and the pickup roller gear. It is an intermediate gear meshing with B223.

  And in the rotation mechanism which has the said structure, it rotates with rotation of the above-mentioned LF motor B210. That is, when the rotation shaft B211 is rotated by the conveyance system gear train by the rotation of the LF motor B210, the PF roller gear B219 is rotated integrally therewith, and the rotation is caused by the ASF large-diameter gear B220, the ASF small-diameter gear B221, and the intermediate gear. The pickup roller gear B223 rotates through B222, and the rotation shaft B224 rotates by the rotation, and the pickup roller B201 rotates with the rotation shaft B224.

  Further, the turning mechanism of the pickup roller B201 is configured as follows.

  The turning mechanism of the pickup roller B201 in this embodiment has a small and inexpensive structure that also serves as the structure of the turning mechanism. For this reason, description of the structure itself of a rotation mechanism is abbreviate | omitted here, and another related mechanism and the related structure of the additional mechanism and a rotation mechanism are demonstrated.

  As a member constituting the additional mechanism, first, there is a connection spring B225 that connects the ASF connection shaft B204 and the roller arm B203 in the rotation direction. The connection spring B225 is configured by a winding spring fitted along the outer periphery of the ASF connect shaft B204, and one end thereof is locked to one (right side in FIG. 22) roller arm B203. Further, the fitting portion B225a of the coupling spring B225 to the ASF connect shaft B204 is composed of a plurality of spiral wire rings having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ASF connect shaft B204 in a steady state where the ASF connect shaft B204 is not inserted. ing. For this reason, the mounting part B225a is always in pressure contact with the ASF connect shaft B204, and the mounting direction is that the roller arm B203 is fixed and the ASF connect shaft B204 is moved in the forward rotation direction (x1 direction). And the direction in which the diameter of each wire ring of the fitting part B225a expands, that is, the direction in which loosening occurs between the ASF connection shafts B204.

  According to the connecting spring B204, the ASF connect shaft B204 that is rotatably inserted into the roller arm B203 can be connected with a predetermined rotational torque in the rotational direction. That is, since a frictional force is generated between the ASF connect shaft B204 and the mounting portion B225a of the connecting spring B225 that is in pressure contact with the ASF connect shaft B204, when no load is applied to the roller arm B203, the friction is generated. Due to the force, the connection spring B225 is rotated together with the ASF connect shaft B204, and the roller arm B203 to which one end of the spring is locked is also rotated in the same direction.

  On the other hand, when a force is applied to the roller arm B203 in a direction that prevents its rotation, that is, in the direction in which the diameter of the fitting part B225a of the coupling spring B225 increases as described above (when a load is applied), the fitting part B225a. And the ASF connect shaft B204 decreases. When the load applied to the roller arm B203 exceeds the frictional force, the fitting portion B225a of the ASF connect shaft B204 and the coupling spring B225 slides and rotates with respect to the fitting portion B225a. Therefore, in a state where the rotation of the roller arm B203 is locked while the ASF connect shaft B204 is rotating, the rotational force always corresponding to the sliding friction force generated between the mounting portion B225a and the ASF connect shaft B204. (Torque) is added, and its value is substantially constant.

  As described above, the pickup roller B201 in this embodiment performs a rotation operation around the rotation axis B224, and the roller arm B203 rotates around the ASF connection axis B204. These operations are performed using the LF motor B210 as a drive source. Note that the range of the swivel movement is from the initial position (see FIG. 25) away from the lowest print medium stored in the media pack C100 mounted on the printer main body B100, and the paper feed pressed against the lowest print medium. Set to the operating position.

  On the other hand, the turning mechanism for driving the pressing plate B202 is configured as follows.

  That is, the pressing plate B202 includes a pressing plate support arm B226 that is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft B211 of the upstream PF roller B205, and a rotating direction of the pressing plate support arm B226 and the rotating shaft B211. And a connection spring B227 that enables the connection at.

  The pressing plate support arm B226 has a frame shape bent in a U-shape, and the shaft-attached portions formed at both ends of the pressing plate support arm B226 are inserted into the rotating shaft B211 so as to be rotatable on both sides of the PF roller B205. It is supported. The pressing plate support arm B226 is integrally formed with a pressing plate protruding upstream, and this is opposed to the central portion of the pickup roller B201. Further, the connecting spring B227 is configured by a winding spring fitted along the outer periphery of the rotation shaft B211, and one end thereof is a shaft attachment portion of one of the pressing plate support arms B266 (right side in FIG. 23). It is locked to. In addition, the continuous spring B227 is provided with a mounting portion B227a that is mounted on the rotation shaft B211. The outfitting portion B227a is composed of a plurality of spiral wire rings having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the rotation shaft B211 in a steady state where the rotation shaft B211 is not inserted. For this reason, the mounting portion B227a mounted on the rotation shaft B211 is always in pressure contact with the rotation shaft B204, and the mounting direction of the mounting portion B227a is fixed by fixing the pressing plate support arm B203. When the axis B204 is rotated in the forward direction (x1 direction), the diameter of each wire ring of the fitting part B225a is increased, that is, a direction that causes looseness between the rotation axis B211 and the rotation axis B211. ing.

  According to the turning mechanism configured as described above, the rotation shaft B211 that is rotatably inserted into the pressing plate support arm B226 and the pressing plate B202 can be connected in the rotation direction with a predetermined rotational torque. It is possible. That is, since a frictional force is generated between the rotating shaft B211 and the mounting part B227a of the connecting spring B227 that is in pressure contact with the rotating shaft B211, when a load applied to the pressing plate support arm B226 is not applied, With the frictional force, the connecting spring B227 is rotated together with the rotation shaft B211, and the pressing plate support arm B226 on which one end of the spring is locked is also rotated in the same direction.

  On the other hand, when a force is applied to the pressing plate B202 in a direction that prevents its rotation, that is, in the direction in which the diameter of the fitting part B227a of the coupling spring B227 increases as described above (when a load is applied), the fitting part B227a. The frictional force between the rotation axis B211 and the rotation axis B211 decreases. When the load applied to the pressing plate support arm B226 exceeds the frictional force, the mounting portion B227a of the rotation shaft B211 and the connecting spring B227 slides and rotates with respect to the rotation shaft B211. Therefore, in this sliding rotation state, the rotational force (torque) applied to the load by the pressing plate support arm B226 corresponds to the sliding frictional force generated between the fitting part B227a of the coupling spring B227 and the rotation shaft B211. Rotational force (torque), and its value is substantially constant regardless of the position of the pressing plate support arm B226.

  As described above, the pickup roller B201 in this embodiment performs a turning operation around the rotation axis B211. Even in this turning operation, the LF motor B210 is similar to the turning operation of the pickup roller B201. Is used as a drive source. The range of the swivel movement of the pressing plate B202 is a predetermined distance interval from the uppermost print medium stored in the media pack C100 mounted on the printer main body B100, unless a locking operation by a stopper mechanism described later is taken into consideration. From an initial position (see FIG. 25) that is spaced from the uppermost print medium stored in the media pack C100 at a predetermined distance interval to a paper feed operation position (see FIG. 27) that presses against the lowermost print medium. Is set to

  Further, in this embodiment, in order to increase the responsiveness of the paper feeding operation by the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate B202, that is, in order to be able to start the paper feeding operation quickly at the start of the paper feeding operation, the pickup roller B201 Is rotated even when paper is not fed, and the pressing plate B202 and the pickup roller B201 are made to wait at a standby position closer to the media pack C100 than the initial position. The locking operation of the pickup roller B201 and the media pack C100 at the standby position is performed by the following locking mechanism.

  That is, this locking mechanism includes a roller locking portion that locks the pickup roller B201 and a pressing plate locking portion that locks the rotation of the pressing plate B202. The roller locking portion includes a second locking claw B229 that protrudes integrally with the roller arm B203, and a first locking provided on an ASF trigger B209 that will be described later and that can be detached from the second locking claw B229. It is comprised with nail | claw B228. The pressing plate locking portion is formed on a third locking claw B230 that is integrally provided on the pressing plate support arm B226 and an ASF trigger B209 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the third locking claw B230. It is comprised with 4 latching claw B231. The first and fourth locking claws are integrally projected on an ASF trigger B209 slidably provided at the bottom of the chassis B101. The ASF trigger B209 is formed with two elongated holes B209a through which the guide pins B101P protruding from the chassis B101 are inserted. The ASF trigger B209 is moved in both directions a and b within the range of the elongated hole B209a. And can move. The ASF trigger B209 is always urged in the b direction by the urging force of the urging spring B103b, and protrudes from the ASF trigger B209 at the initial position (see FIG. 22) that has moved most in the b direction. The first locking claw B228 and the second locking claw B229, and the third locking claw B230 and the fourth locking claw B231 are engaged with each other.

  When the first locking claw B228 and the second locking claw B229 are in the locked state, the roller arm B203 has a locking position between the initial position and the paper feeding position (see FIG. 26). ) To prevent further movement toward the paper feed position. Further, when the third locking claw B230 and the fourth locking claw B231 are in the locked state, the pressing plate B202 is locked at the locking position between the above-mentioned initial position and the paper feeding position. The above movement to the paper feed position is prevented.

  Next, the operation of the paper feeding / conveying mechanism in this embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  When the media pack C100 is mounted on the printer main body B100, the shutter portion is opened by engagement with the printer main body B100, and the lowest print medium stored in the media pack C100 is exposed. . In the initial stage where the recording operation is not performed in the mounted state of the media pack C100, the ASF trigger B209 is urged to the arrow b side by the urging force of the urging spring BB209b and is held in the rightmost position. In this initial stage, the pressing plate B202 is held in the state of being most separated from the print medium at the top of the media pack (see FIG. 25), and the pickup roller B201 is most separated from the print medium at the bottom of the media pack. The state is maintained (see FIG. 25). Here, when the switching lead screw B410 provided in the supply / recovery system mechanism rotates and a pump slider B441 described later moves a predetermined distance in the direction a according to the rotation, the pump slider B441 comes into contact with the ASF trigger B209. Thereafter, when the pump slider B441 continues to move in the direction a, the ASF trigger B209 is pressed by the pump slider B441 and moves in the direction a against the biasing force of the biasing spring B209b as shown in FIG. .

  At the same time, since the LF motor B210 is driven in the CCW direction, the rotation shaft B211 rotates in the x1 direction (printing medium loading direction) together with the upstream PF roller B205, while the ASF connection shaft B204 is also PF. It rotates via roller gear B219 and ASF large diameter gear B220. As a result, the rotary plate B211 rotates with the pressing plate B202 connecting spring B227, and the roller arm B203 also rotates with the ASF connect shaft B204 via the connecting spring B225. However, immediately after the driving of the LF motor B210 is started, the ASF trigger B209 is at the initial position. In this state, the first locking claw B228 is in the second locking claw B229 and the third locking claw B230 is in the fourth locking. The pressing plate B202 is held at the standby position, and the pickup roller B201 is held at the initial position, respectively, with the claw B231 (see FIG. 26). Thus, in a state where the respective locking claws are locked to each other, the frictional force between the fitting part B227a of the coupling spring B227 and the rotation shaft B211 and the fitting part B225a of the coupling spring B225 and the ASF connect shaft The frictional force with B204 decreases, and the rotation shaft B211 and the ASF connection shaft B204 each slide and rotate. Accordingly, the pickup roller B201 is rotated together with the rotation shaft B224 by the paper feed system gear train.

  Here, when the ASF trigger B209 moves in the direction a along with the movement of the pump slider B441, first, the engagement between the third locking claw B230 and the fourth locking claw B231 is released, and the connection spring B227 and the rotation are rotated. Due to the sliding frictional force with the moving axis B211, the pressing plate support arm B226 performs a turning movement around the rotation axis B211. As a result, the pressing plate B202 is inserted into the pressing portion opening formed in the media pack C100 and presses the uppermost print medium stored therein. As a result, the lowermost print medium is pressed against the bottom of the media pack C100 with an appropriate pressing force, and is prevented from floating (see FIG. 28B).

  Further, when the ASF trigger B209 further moves in the direction a, the engagement between the first locking claw B228 and the second locking claw B229 is also released, and the roller arm B203 rotates around the ASF connect shaft B204. . As a result, the pickup roller B201 comes into contact with the back surface of the print medium in the lowest media pack C100 from the opening of the media pack C100. At this time, since the pressing force F1 applied to the print medium by the pressing plate B202 is set larger than the pressing force F2 applied by the pickup roller B201 (see FIG. 28B), the pickup roller B201 is applied to the print medium. When pressed, there is no inconvenience that the print medium is pushed upward. In this embodiment, the force applied to the print medium by the pressing plate B202 or the pickup roller B201 is a frictional force generated between the connection spring B225 and the ASF connection shaft B204, and the connection spring B227 and the rotation shaft B211. Therefore, a stable pressure can be constantly applied to the print medium regardless of the number (thickness) of the print medium accommodated in the media pack C100 and the like. The print medium can be fed.

  The leading edge position of the print medium fed from the media pack C100 can be detected by a paper edge detection sensor (PE sensor) (not shown), and the leading edge projects a predetermined amount from the position of the pickup roller B201 to the downstream side. By the way, the rotation of the LF motor B210 is stopped. Next, when the LF motor B210 is rotated in the CW direction, the pressing plate B202 and the pickup roller B201 are returned to the initial positions apart from the media pack C100 in conjunction with the rotation. The return to the initial position is performed by rotating the LF motor B210 in the reverse direction as indicated by the arrow x2 until the pressing plate support arm B226 and the roller arm B203 are locked to the predetermined initial position setting stopper. The rotation of the LF motor B107 is stopped when returning to the initial position.

  The print medium fed from the media pack C100 by the reverse rotation of the LF motor B210 in the returning operation to the initial position is reversely fed (feed in the x2 direction). The feeding amount of the printing medium at the time of feeding is set in advance so that the printing medium exists between the roller B205 and the pinch roller B206.

  This is because when the feeding amount is small, the print medium is removed from between the PF roller B205 and the pinch roller B206 by the reverse rotation operation, and the subsequent transport operation cannot be executed.

  Next, when the pump motor B104 further rotates and the pump slider B441 moves to the end of the switching lead screw B410, the switching lead screw B410 is a cross-type lead groove, so that the pump slider B441 moves. Change direction and move to the initial position. As a result, the ASF trigger B209 moves in the direction b shown in FIG. 21 by the urging force of the urging spring B209b, and returns to the initial position where the locking claws B228 and B229 and B230 and B231 can engage with each other. Thereafter, a recording operation is performed as the carriage B301 is scanned. At this time, both the roller arm B203 and the pressing plate support arm B226 are engaged with the first locking claw B228 and the second locking claw B229, and between the third locking claw B230 and the fourth locking claw B231. Therefore, the sheet feeding operation by the pickup roller B201 is not performed.

  In the above description, the pressing plate B202 and the pickup roller B201 are held at the standby position by the locking mechanism, and when the ASF trigger B209 is driven, the pressing plate B202 and the pickup roller B201 are sequentially followed. Although the pressure contact is made to the pack C100, the pickup roller B201 and the ASF trigger B209 can be simultaneously pressed to the recording medium, or the pressure contact order can be reversed. Further, the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate B202 are not held at an intermediate position such as the above-described standby position, and the pickup roller B201 is moved from a predetermined initial position to a pressure contact position at a standby position in accordance with a paper feed start command or the like. You may make it move without stopping, and this invention is not specifically limited to the said embodiment.

3.2 “Carriage moving mechanism”
Since the carriage B301 in this embodiment is equipped with an ink chamber that can store only a small amount of ink of about one page, it is necessary to supply ink frequently from the media pack C100. The ability to properly execute the replenishment operation is an important factor in realizing the recording operation.

  In the ink replenishing operation, a coupling mechanism as shown in FIGS. 29 to 35 is used as a structure that can reliably transfer ink without leakage.

  The coupling mechanism shown here includes a joint member B401 provided in the vicinity of the home position of the carriage B310, and hollow ink supply needles B301Y, B301M protruding from the side surfaces of the ink chambers B304Y, B304M, and B304C of the carriage B301. B301C (see FIGS. 30, 31, and 36) and air suction hole B301H (see FIGS. 36 and 38) are provided. On the side surface of the joint member B401, the joints B402Y, 402M, and 402C through which the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C of the carriage B301 can be inserted while keeping a sealed state correspond to the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C. Is formed. The joints B402Y, 402M, and 402C form one end of a communication path that communicates with the ink pack C130 of the media pack C100 attached to the printer main body B100. The ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, With B301C inserted and air suction hole B301H sealed, the discharge surface of recording heads 305Y, 305M, and 305C is covered with cap B405 by the operation of a recovery system described later, and then pump motor B104 is sucked The replenishment operation can be performed by operating in the direction to generate a negative pressure in the air suction hole B301H and bringing the ink chamber of the carriage B301 into a negative pressure state through the porous film.

  Here, the joining operation of the ink supply needle B301 to the joint member B401 and the sealing operation of the air intake suction cap B403 and the air suction hole B301H will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 29 shows a state before the carriage B301 returns to the home position. In this state, the switching slider B412 is located farthest from the joints B402Y, 402M, and 402C, and at this time, the extraction lever B404 is in a rotatable state. When the carriage B301 moves toward the home position in this state, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, first, the three ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C are respectively connected to the corresponding joints B402Y, B402M, and B402C. Then, the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C are inserted into the joints B402Y, B402M, and B402C by further moving in the same direction (leftward in the figure) (see FIG. 32). Thus, at the stage where the ink replenishing needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C begin to be inserted, the formation surface of the air suction hole B301H is not yet in contact with the air suction cap B403, and there is a gap. Thereafter, when the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C are further inserted into the joints B402Y, B402M, and B402C, the formation surface of the air suction hole B301H comes into contact with the air suction cap B403, and the carriage B301 further moves. The air suction cap B403 is in close contact with the periphery of the air suction hole B301H while being bent, and the air suction hole B402H and the air suction cap B403 are joined in an airtight state.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the three ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, B301C and the joints B402Y, B402M, B402C are joined first, and then the air suction hole B402H and the air suction cap B403 are used. Since both the joints have a time difference, the load required for joining can be distributed compared to the case where both joints are performed simultaneously, and the CR motor B310 does not have a large driving torque. In both cases, the two junctions can be sufficiently performed. In addition, in this embodiment, since a larger load is applied to the joining of the ink replenishing needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C and the joints B402Y, B402M, and B402C, first, the ink replenishment is performed in a state where the inertia force of the carriage B301 can be sufficiently obtained. The needles B301Y, B301M, and B301C are joined to the joint joints B402Y, 402M, and 402C, and then the air suction hole B402H that can be joined with a relatively small torque and the air suction cap B403 are joined. ing. However, even if the air suction cap B403 and the air suction hole B402H are joined first, and then the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, B301C and the joints B402Y, B402M, B402C are joined, both joints are performed. It is possible and effective to distribute the load compared to the case.

  In this embodiment, the air supply cap B403 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, and functions as a buffer member that receives an inertial force when the carriage B301 is moved by the elastic force. Damage to B301 can be prevented.

  On the other hand, after the ink supply to the ink chamber mounted on the carriage B301 is completed, when the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, B301C are removed from the joints B402Y, B402M, B402C, this becomes a resistance. A large load is applied to the CR motor B310. In this embodiment, the driving force of the pump motor B104 is used to reduce the load related to the start of the CR motor B310.

  That is, when the carriage B301 is started, a pump motor B104 that drives a recovery system described later is driven, and the switching slider B412 is moved to the home position side (rightward in FIG. 35) of the carriage B301. In the moving path of the switching slider B412, there is a lower end portion of a pulling lever B404 (see FIGS. 34 and 35) that is pivotally mounted at a substantially central portion. Here, a contact portion B412a of the switching slider B412 By abutting, the pulling lever B404 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing centering on the central shaft mounting portion, and the upper end portion moves to the right in FIG. As a result, the upper end portion of the extraction lever B404 comes into contact with the end surface of the carriage B301 (see FIG. 35B), and when the switching slider B412 moves further to the right in the drawing, the extraction lever B404 further counterclockwise. When rotating in the direction, the upper end of the lever B404 presses the carriage B301 in a direction (leftward) in which the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, B301C are removed from the joints B402Y, B402M, B402C. This pressing force is applied to the driving force of the carriage B301 by the CR motor B310. Therefore, the carriage B301 can be started smoothly, and the ink supply needles B301Y, B301M, B301C can be reliably removed from the joints B402Y, B402M, B402C. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to increase the size of the CR motor B310, and an increase in cost and mounting space can be avoided.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as a detection means for detecting the movement position of the carriage B301, a device including an encoder detection element connected to a flexible substrate and a scale is used.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram specifically showing the position detection means of the carriage B301.

  The encoder detection element B309 has a light emitting part B312 and a light receiving part B311 in which the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface are arranged in parallel, and is fixed to the side surface of the carriage B301. One end portion of the flexible substrate B307 is fixed to the upper surface portion of the encoder detection element B309, and electrical connection between the light emitting portion B312 and the light receiving portion B311 is made. However, in the flexible substrate B307, a hole B307a is formed at a position facing the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the encoder detection element B309, and the light emitted from the light emitting part B312 of the encoder detection element B309 is the hole B307a. The light that is irradiated to the scale B308 disposed therethrough and reflected from the scale B308 is received by the light receiving unit B311 through the hole B307a. Since the scale B308 is intermittently formed with the light reflecting portion and the reflected portion, a pulse signal is intermittently sent from the encoder detecting element B309 that moves together with the carriage B301. Therefore, the movement position of the carriage B301 can be detected by counting this pulse signal in the control system. The count start position of the carriage B301 can be variously set. Here, a CR sensor B313 is provided as shown in FIGS. 36 and 38, and the home position of the carriage B301 is detected by the CR sensor B313. The home position is the count start position in one scan of the carriage B301.

  Further, the flexible substrate B307 is formed to be bent in a U-shape as shown in FIG. 38 in accordance with the movement of the carriage B301. This point is also the same as that of a normal printer in this embodiment. However, in a normal printer, the space S between the upper portion B307A and the lower portion B307B of the flexible substrate B307 bent in a U-shape is a space S in which the bent portion 307C of the flexible substrate B307 moves together with the carriage B301. Therefore, it was recognized as a space where members cannot be arranged. That is, the space S between the upper portion B307 and the lower portion B307 of the flexible substrate B307 is not used at all for members other than the flexible substrate B307. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the encoder detection element B309 that moves together with the carriage B301 and the bent portion B307C of the flexible substrate B307 is disposed, there is no interference with the bent portion B307C of the flexible substrate B307. As described above, in this embodiment, since a relatively large encoder detection element B309 can be arranged by effectively using the space that has been disabled so far, the mounting space is greatly increased compared to a normal recording apparatus. Can be reduced to

  In addition, in the present embodiment, in order to make the printer main body B100 thin, the upper surface of the carriage B301 is set slightly below the upper surface of the chassis B101, and a flat plate-like exterior material is fixed to the upper surface of the chassis B101. Even in such a case, the gap is hardly formed between the carriage B301 and the carriage B301. As described above, it is extremely effective in adopting an arrangement structure in which the encoder detection element B309 does not protrude upward from the carriage B301.

3.3 “Ink supply / recovery mechanism”
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the pump B408, which is the main component of such a mechanism, has an elliptical cross-sectional shape of a piston that slides in the cylinder of the pump. And according to it, the cross section of the cylinder used also as an outer case of pump B408 has a substantially elliptical shape.

  Since the cross section of the pump piston has such an elliptical shape, when the pump is arranged in the printer, its height can be suppressed, which can contribute to reducing the overall height of the printer. It becomes. For example, compared to the case of using a piston with the same height and circular cross-section, the cylinder can have a larger cross-sectional area in the case of an ellipse. The stroke can be shorter, which can reduce the height and longitudinal size of the pump. Thus, when the arrangement space of the pump in the printer has a certain margin in the long side direction of the ellipse, or when priority is given to suppressing the height of the printer by design, As in the present embodiment, it is effective to make the cross-sectional shape of the piston an ellipse and to make the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder an ellipse accordingly.

  In particular, in the case of a printer integrated with a camera as in this embodiment, the height of the printer is particularly effective because its size is limited. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, this printer main body B100 has a rectangular cross section because it is required to be integrated with the camera. The pump B408 and its driving mechanism are It is substantially necessary to be disposed below the print medium conveyance path (line connecting the pinch rollers B206 and B208), which is substantially the lower half of the print medium. Therefore, the height of the pump B408 is the lower side of the transport path, and in order to ensure the cross-sectional area of the cylinder inner surface for exerting an effective suction force with a limited stroke, the cross section of the present embodiment The shape is preferred.

  Further, when considering the airtightness of the piston to the cylinder, this elliptical shape is advantageous in applying a uniform pressure to the inner surface of the cylinder as compared with, for example, a cross-sectional shape including a straight portion.

  As is clear from the above description, the shape of the cross section of the piston is not necessarily an ellipse. If the shape is a flat shape and can be suppressed by setting one side as a height, the above-described predetermined function can be exhibited. Preferably, the shape does not include a straight line portion from the viewpoint of sealing performance with the cylinder.

  As will be described later, the pump B408 is a source of pressure related to ink replenishment to the ink chambers B304Y, B304M, and B304C of the carriage B301 and ink suction through the cap B405 in accordance with a predetermined rotation of the lead screw B410. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an internal structure of a pump B408 for that purpose.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the pump B408 includes a cylinder B431, a piston B421, and a piston shaft B422 as main elements. The cylinder B431 also constitutes a case that forms the outer shape of the pump B408 as described above, and is fixed to the printer. On the other hand, the above-described pump drive arm B409 is connected to the piston shaft B422, so that the piston can move in the cylinder according to the rotation of the lead screw B410.

  The piston B421 engages with the inner wall of the cylinder B431 through an O-ring provided at the end thereof. Thereby, the part divided by piston B421 of cylinder inside B431a can be made slidable with respect to the said inner wall, making it non-communicating and airtight.

  The piston shaft B422 has a valve B422A formed at one end thereof, and has a hollow portion B422B extending in the axial direction. The valve B422A can freely move in an internal space formed in the piston B421 in accordance with the movement of the piston shaft B422. Then, due to the movement, a seal portion formed of a flexible material such as rubber is in close contact with the inner upper surface B421a of the piston B421 forming the inner space so as to surround the opening of the hollow portion at the upper portion of the valve. Further, the hollow portion B422B of the piston shaft B422 and the cylinder interior B431a can be made airtight without being in communication with each other. On the other hand, when the valve B422A comes into contact with the inner lower surface B421b among the surfaces forming the inner space, the piston shaft hollow portion B422B and the inside of the cylinder are interposed via a groove (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the valve B422A. It becomes a communication state with B431a.

  An air inlet B432 is formed at the upper end (left side in the figure) of the cylinder B431. This introduction port B432 communicates with the air suction cap B403 of the joint member B401 shown in FIG. 19, so that air is sucked when ink is supplied from the media pack C100 to each ink chamber of the carriage B301. Can be done. A pressure regulating valve mechanism B425 is also provided at the upper end of the cylinder B431. This pressure regulating valve can adjust the pressing force by the spring, and when the negative pressure in the cylinder interior B431a between the cylinder B431 and the piston B421 becomes a magnitude corresponding to the adjusted pressing force (corresponding The valve opens, and as a result, its negative pressure is adjusted to a constant magnitude. Thereby, the air suction can be performed at a constant negative pressure.

  On the other hand, a seal member B424 is provided at the lower end of the cylinder B431. This seal member makes the cylinder interior B431a airtight with respect to the outside, and also allows the piston shaft B422B to slide in a similar airtight state. The seal member B424 is provided with an ink introduction port B423, and this introduction port communicates with the cap B405 shown in FIG. Thereby, the waste ink sucked through the cap B405 can be guided to the cylinder interior B431a. Note that a check valve (not shown) is provided in the communication path, thereby allowing the ink from the cap B405 to pass therethrough and conversely preventing the flow of ink discharged from the cylinder interior B431a. it can.

  In the above configuration, when ink is supplied from the ink pack of the media pack C100 to the ink chambers B304Y, B304M, and B304C of the carriage B301, the piston B421 is moved downward (arrow B in FIG. 39) by a predetermined rotation of the lead screw B410. ) To generate a negative pressure in the cylinder interior B431a. The negative pressure allows the air to be sucked from the ink chambers of the carriage B301 communicating with the interior B431a through the air suction cap B403 and the like to make the interior negative pressure, and thereby the ink pack. Ink is introduced into each ink chamber. At this time, only air passes through the gas-liquid separation film described above, and the passage of ink is blocked. When the introduced ink reaches the gas-liquid separation membrane, no further suction is performed due to pressure balance or the like.

  When the piston B421 moves downward in the cylinder B431, the waste ink that has been sucked through the cap B405 in the previous step and was in the cylinder B431a once passes through a groove formed on the lower surface of the valve B422A. It goes to the upper side of the valve B422A and is then discharged through the hollow portion B422B of the piston shaft. As described above, the discharged waste ink passes through the internal path of the pump arm B409 and finally reaches the ink absorber of the media pack C100.

  On the other hand, in the suction recovery operation, the piston B421 moves upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 39) in the cylinder by a predetermined rotation of the lead screw B410. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the cylinder interior B431a, and the interior of the cap B405 that communicates with this and covers the nozzle arrangement surface of the recording head can be set to a negative pressure. The negative pressure allows the ink discharged through the nozzles to be guided to the cylinder interior B431a. At this time, as described above, the valve B422A of the piston shaft is in close contact with the upper surface B421a of the internal space of the piston, and the cylinder interior B431a and the hollow portion B422B of the piston shaft are in an airtight state. Retained.

  During the upward movement of the piston B421, simultaneously, the air that has been above the piston is discharged toward the air suction cap B403 of the joint member B401 through the air inlet. At this time, since the joint state of the joint member B401 with the carriage B301 is released, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the discharged air reaches the ink chamber of the carriage and pressurizes the recording head from the inside.

  According to the configuration of the pump B408 described above, since the hollow portion of the piston shaft is used as the ink discharge path, there is no need to provide a switching valve in the cylinder unlike the pump used in the conventional suction recovery process. It is not necessary to consider the stroke of the piston for adjusting the position of the valve and the piston, and as a result, the stroke of the piston can be reduced. Further, since the pressure adjusting mechanism is provided outside the cylinder, when the pump is manufactured, the assembly or incorporation process is facilitated.

  As described above, the lead screw B410 performs power transmission and timing setting for various operations in the printer main body B100, including the ink supply operation from the media pack to the ink chamber of the carriage and the suction recovery operation via the cap. It fulfills the functions of As shown in FIG. 19, the lead screw B410 has two spiral grooves B410a and a single spiral groove B410b formed at a predetermined interval therebetween. A part of the pump slider B441 engages with the spiral groove B410a to move the pump drive arm B409. On the other hand, a part of the switching slider B412 is engaged with the spiral groove B410b, whereby the switching slider B412 can be moved.

  As described above, the operations performed by the movement of the pump slider B441 are the operation of the ASF trigger B209, ink supply to the ink chambers B304Y, 304M, and 304C, suction recovery, and wiping. On the other hand, the operation performed by the movement of the switching slider B412 is related to the capping operation of the cap B405 with respect to the recording head and the separation operation of the joint member B401 and the carriage B301.

  FIG. 40 (a) is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the lead screw B410 and the driving force transmission mechanism of the pump motor B104 that generates the driving force for rotating the lead screw B410 and the above-described operations by the lead screw. This figure also shows the LF motor B210 for feeding and transporting the print medium and its driving force transmission mechanism. FIG. 40B is a diagram for explaining the carriage (CR) motor for moving the carriage and the movement of the carriage B301 driven thereby via the lead screw B302. In this printer main body B100, FIG. The overall configuration shown in FIG. 6B is compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 6A so that the CR motor B310 shown in FIG. 40 is arranged on the left side of the pump B 408 shown in FIG. Are arranged so as to overlap (see FIG. 20).

  Hereinafter, with reference to the operation positions of the pump drive arm B409 and the switching slider B412 shown in FIG. 40A and FIGS. 41 to 45, power transmission and timing setting of various operations by the lead screw B410 will be described.

  FIG. 41 shows the positions of the pump slider B441 and the switching slider B412 when the wiper and cap B405 are in the raised position. At this time, the pump slider B441 is positioned at the left end with respect to the spiral groove B410a of the lead screw B410, and the wiper pressing portion B441a of the pump slider B441 moves by moving to the left end. Then, as shown in FIG. 42, the wiper pressing portion B441a pushes up the portion of the receiving portion B442b of the wiper base B442 in the form of a leaf spring whose one end B442a is supported by a predetermined member, as shown in FIG. Thereby, wiper B443 will be in the state where it stood up. At the same time, the release valve arm B441b connected to the tip of the wiper pressing portion B441a pushes the release lever B444a, and as shown in FIG. 45 (c), this lever and the release valve plate B444b interlocked with this lever are connected to the cap B405. The atmosphere release valve B445 (FIGS. 44B and 44C) is set to the atmosphere release position. Further, the suction recovery process described above can be performed by the movement to the left end.

  At this time, the other switching slider B412 is located at the right end with respect to the spiral groove B410b of the lead screw B410, and as a result, the cap lever arm B414 raises the cap B405 (not shown in the figure) (cap closing). In the capping state). That is, a part of the switching slider B412 is connected to the cap lever arm B414, and by rotating the cap lever arm B414 by moving the switching slider B412 to the right, the part B414a is moved upward. Cap B405 can be in the raised position.

  FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a state of the positions of the pump slider B441 and the switching slider B412 with respect to the spiral grooves shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 according to other positions. This figure shows a state where the pump slider B441 is at the right end with respect to the spiral groove B410a, and the switching slider B412 is at an intermediate portion of the spiral groove B410b.

  At this time, the wiper pressing portion B441a is in a position retracted from the push-up position of the wiper base B442, and thereby the wiper B443 is retracted from the moving range of the carriage B301. Further, when the joint portion B401 is in a state of being joined to each ink supply needle of the carriage, the ink supply to the ink chamber by the pit-in described above can be performed by the movement to the right end. Furthermore, at this time, the open valve arm B441b of the pump slider B441 is in the state shown in FIG. 45 (a), and the air release valve B445 of the cap B405 is in the closed state as shown in FIG. 44 (c). It is in.

  On the other hand, when the switching slider B412 moves to the left, the cap lever arm B414 is rotated, whereby a part B414a is pushed down to open the cap B405.

  As described above, the state described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 45 is a basic example of the positions taken by the pump drive arm and the switching slider in accordance with the rotation of the lead screw B410. That is, the spiral groove B410a and the spiral groove B410b are formed by appropriately determining the range or length in which they are formed and the density of the stripes by clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) of the lead screw B410. The above-described basic operations are possible, and combinations thereof enable various processes using the pump motor B104 as a drive source, which will be described later with reference to FIG. For example, in the above description, the cap B405 is lifted and the wiper B443 is raised at the same time. However, only the wiper can be raised.

3.4 "Pack connection mechanism"
The ink supply needles B502C, 502M, and 502Y and the waste ink needle B503 in the pack connection mechanism are integrally held by an ink needle holder B501. Thereby, when the media pack is attached, the needle can be integrally joined with the ink pack joint C132. According to this configuration, in particular, the force acting when the joint C132 is slid and joined can be concentrated on the slide. On the other hand, if the needles of the respective colors are held individually, the force is dispersed and the above-described slide cannot be performed properly.

4 "Control system"
4-1 “Control System Configuration”
FIG. 46 is a schematic block diagram of the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100.

  In the camera unit A100, 101 is a CCD as an image sensor, 102 is a microphone for voice input, 103 is an ASIC that performs hardware processing, 104 is a first memory that temporarily stores image data, and 105 is a captured image. Is a CF card (corresponding to “CF card A107”), 106 is an LCD (corresponding to “liquid crystal display unit A105”) that displays a captured image or a reproduced image, and 120 is a first CPU that controls the camera unit A100. is there.

  In the printer unit B100, 210 is an interface between the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100, 201 is an image processing unit (including a binarization processing unit that binarizes an image), and 202 is for performing image processing. Second memory to be used, 203 is a band memory control unit, 204 is a band memory, 205 is a mask memory, 206 is a head control unit, 207 is a recording head (corresponding to “recording head B305”), 208 is an encoder (“encoder detection”) 209 is an encoder counter, 220 is a second CPU for controlling the printer unit B100, 221 is a motor driver, 222 is a motor (corresponding to “pump motor, LF motor, carriage motor”), and 223 is a sensor ( (Including “CR sensor B313”) 224 is included in the media pack C100. And has EEPROM, 230 audio encoder unit is 250 (corresponding to the "battery A108") power supply unit for supplying power to the entire device, it is.

  FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the camera unit A100. In the photographing mode, an image captured by the CCD 101 through the lens 107 is subjected to signal processing (CCD signal processing) by the ASIC 103 and converted into a YUV luminance two-color difference signal. Further, the image is resized to a predetermined resolution, JPEG compressed, and recorded on the CF card 105. In addition, audio is input from the microphone 102 and stored in the CF card 105 via the ASIC 103. The recording of the sound can be stored at the same time as shooting or after recording after shooting. In the playback mode, a JPEG image is read from the CF card 105, JPEG decompressed by the ASIC 103, further resized to a display resolution, and displayed on the LCD 106.

  FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram of signal processing in the printer unit B100.

  An image reproduced on the camera unit A100 side, that is, an image read from the CF card 105 is JPEG-decompressed by the ASIC 103 and resized to a resolution suitable for the printing resolution as shown in FIG. The resized image data (YUV) is sent to the printer unit B100 via the interface unit 210. As shown in FIG. 48, the printer unit B100 performs image processing on the image data sent from the camera unit A100 by the image processing unit 201, converts the image data into RGB signals, corrects input γ according to camera characteristics, looks Color correction and color conversion using an up table (LUT), and conversion to a binary signal for printing. In the binarization process, the second memory 202 is used as an error memory in order to perform an error diffusion (ED) process. In this example, the binarization processing unit in the image processing unit 201 performs error diffusion processing, but other processing such as binarization processing using a dither pattern can also be performed. The binarized print data is temporarily stored in the band memory 204 by the band memory control unit 203. The encoder counter 209 of the printer unit B100 receives an encoder pulse from the encoder 208 every time the carriage B104 on which the recording head 207 and the encoder 208 are mounted moves a certain distance. In synchronization with the encoder pulse, print data is read from the band memory 204 and the mask memory 205, and the head control unit 206 controls the recording head 207 to perform recording based on the print data.

  The band memory control in FIG. 48 will be described as follows.

  The plurality of nozzles in the recording head 207 are formed in a row so as to have a density of 1200 dpi, for example. In order to record an image using such a recording head 207, when the carriage is scanned once, in the sub-scanning direction (hereinafter, also referred to as “vertical (Y direction)”), the main scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as “the number of nozzles”). , “Also referred to as horizontal (X direction)”), it is necessary to prepare in advance the recording data for the recording area (recording data for one scan). The recording data is created by the image processing unit 201 and then temporarily stored in the band memory 204 by the band memory control unit 203. After the recording data for one scan is stored in the band memory 204, the carriage is scanned in the main scanning direction. At that time, the encoder pulse input from the encoder 208 is counted by the encoder counter 209, and the recording data is read from the band memory 204 in accordance with the encoder pulse, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 207 based on the image data. The When a bidirectional recording method in which an image is recorded during forward scanning and backward scanning of the recording head 207 (forward recording and backward recording) is adopted, image data is received from the band memory 204 according to the scanning direction of the recording head 207. Read out. For example, the image data address read from the band memory 204 is sequentially incremented during forward recording, and the image data address read from the band memory 204 is sequentially decremented during backward recording.

  Actually, when the image data (C, M, Y) created by the image processing unit 201 is written in the band memory 204 and image data for one band is prepared, the recording head 207 can be scanned. Become. Then, the recording head 207 is scanned, image data is read from the band memory 204, and the recording head 207 records an image based on the image data. During the recording operation, image data to be recorded next is created by the image processing unit 201, and the image data is written in an area of the band memory 204 corresponding to the recording position.

  As described above, the band memory control is performed in accordance with the operation of writing the recording data (C, M, Y) created by the image processing unit 201 into the band memory 204 and the scanning operation of the carriage. , Y) is performed while switching between the reading operation for sending to the head control unit 206.

  The mask memory control in FIG. 48 will be described as follows.

  This mask memory control is necessary when the multi-pass printing method is adopted. In the case of the multi-pass recording method, a recording image for one line having a width corresponding to the length of the nozzle row of the recording head 207 is recorded by being divided into a plurality of scans of the recording head 207. That is, the transport amount of the print medium that is intermittently transported in the sub-scanning direction is 1 / N of the length of the nozzle row. For example, when N = 2, the recorded image for one row is scanned twice. When N = 4, the recorded image for one row is recorded in four scans (4-pass recording). Similarly, when N = 8, 8-pass printing is performed, and when N = 16, 16-pass printing is performed. Therefore, the recorded image for one line is completed by scanning the recording head 207 a plurality of times.

  Actually, mask data for allocating image data to a plurality of scans of the recording head 207 is stored in the mask memory 205, and recording is performed based on the logical product (AND) data of the mask data and the image data. The head 207 discharges ink and records an image.

  In FIG. 48, the audio data stored in the CF card 105 is sent by the ASIC 102 to the printer unit B100 via the interface 210 in the same manner as the image data. The audio data sent to the printer unit B100 is encoded (encoded) by the audio encoder 230 and recorded as code data in an image to be printed. When it is not necessary to put audio data in the print image or when an image without audio data is printed, naturally the encoded audio data is not printed and only the image is printed.

  The present embodiment has been described as a camera with a built-in printer in which the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100 are integrated. However, the same function can be realized by configuring the camera unit A100 and the printer unit B100 as separate devices and connecting them through the interface 210 in the same manner.

4-2 “Operation Summary”
The operation of the embodiment described above performed by the control system of FIGS. 46 to 48 will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50.

  First, FIG. 49 shows an example of a processing procedure when the power is turned on. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the apparatus power is turned on by the operator operating the power switch. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S3. If the determination is negative, the standby state is continued.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not the media pack C100 is loaded in the insertion portion A002 by the operator. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4. If the determination is negative, loading is waited. At this time, display processing that prompts loading of the media pack may be performed.

  When the media pack C100 is mounted, the apparatus body side needles B502C, B502M, B502Y, and B503 enter the pack side rubber plug C134 in accordance with the mounting operation, and the ink flow path to the apparatus body and A waste ink flow path to the pack is formed. Further, the ink absorber B506 made of a relatively hard porous material on the apparatus main body abuts in a state where the relatively soft porous material absorber C141 on the pack side is compressed and deformed. Further, when an unused pack is mounted, the joint C132 moves in accordance with the mounting operation, and the needle 133 enters the ink pack C130 to enable ink supply for the first time.

  Further, along with the mounting operation, the guide pins GP1 and GP2 on the apparatus main body side enter the guide holes C163A and C163B on the pack side, and widen the opening C101L to allow passage of one print medium. Furthermore, the print medium stored in the pack can be held between the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate B202.

  Furthermore, an electrical connection related to the EEPROM 224 and the like is performed in accordance with the mounting operation. For example, in the case where ink leakage occurs from the opening C101J for collecting waste ink due to this electrical connection, the apparatus main body side detects the electrical abnormality and performs processing for detecting or notifying the ink leakage. It can be carried out. Such detection may be performed in a timely manner by interrupt processing for the control system program, and when there is an ink leak, that fact may be displayed on the LCD 106, and the lamp is turned on in the event of a short circuit regardless of the control system program. An electric circuit such as the above may be configured separately.

  In step S4, mode determination is performed to determine whether the shooting mode is set or the print mode is set. If the shooting mode is set, an operation as a digital camera is performed. In other words, determining exposure control values, determining distance measurement information, setting flash exposure, etc., setting various conditions necessary for exposure operation, driving lens for focusing, shutter speed control, aperture aperture control If necessary, a series of exposure operations such as strobe light emission are performed. In this procedure, it is possible to branch to the shooting mode and print mode after detecting the insertion of the media pack, but the device of this example is simply used as a camera without mounting the media pack, that is, without assuming printing. For this reason, a process for forcibly shifting to the shooting mode may be added.

  On the other hand, if the print mode is set, the following processing is performed. Here, the print mode is set when the user selects an image shot in the shooting mode or an image stored in the CF card 105 and operates the print button to desire the print. It can be.

  FIG. 50 shows an example of the processing procedure in the print mode.

  When this procedure is activated, an ink supply process is first performed in step S10. The ink replenishment process includes an operation of setting a piston at a predetermined position in the cylinder of the pump B408 to apply a suction force to the ink chamber B304 (pump initialization; step S11), a needle and a suction port on the recording head side, The operation of retracting the cap lever arm B414 to the return lever B404 (cap arm lever return; step S12) prior to the connection of the joints (B402Y, B402M, B402C) and the suction cap B403 on the side of the apparatus (step S12), the connection position The operation of setting the carriage B301 at a predetermined position separated from the carriage (carriage position initialization; step S13), the carriage B301 is moved from the position toward the coupling position, and the carriage B301 has a sufficient and stable speed. age The operation of connecting the needle and suction port on the recording head side with the joint and suction cap on the apparatus side (joint connection; step S14), and operating the pump B408 to apply the suction force to the ink chamber B304. This includes the operation of introducing ink for one print medium into the ink chamber (ink replenishment operation; step S15). In joint connection, the connection between the needle on the recording head side and the joint is started first.

  When the ink replenishment operation is completed, a process of detaching the carriage B301 from the joint coupling position (joint detachment; step S20) is performed. This process is performed by moving the carriage B301 from the coupling position to the home position by driving the carriage motor. At this time, the driving force of the pump B408 is transmitted via the cap arm lever, and the return lever B404 is moved to the carriage B408. By energizing in the home position direction, the separation can be performed smoothly.

  Next, a recovery process is performed in step S30. This recovery process is an operation of forcibly discharging ink by joining the cap B405 to the ejection port forming surface of the head (cap closing), and operating the pump to suck the inside of the cap (suction recovery; step S31), the cap This includes an operation of separating B405 from the discharge port forming surface (cap opening; step S32), an operation of projecting the wiper and moving the carriage, and wiping the discharge port forming surface with the wiper (wiping: step S33). .

  Next, in step S40, a paper feed process is performed. This paper feed processing is an operation of holding the print medium stored in the pack by the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202 by releasing the ASF trigger B209 (step S41), and the print medium is rotated by the rotation of the paper feed roller. (Step S42), the operation of moving the pickup roller B201 and the pressing plate 202 to the holding standby position again by the ASF trigger B209 when the feeding is started (step S43), and the printing medium front end portion is printed. This includes a cueing operation (step S44) for setting the position.

  After the above process is completed, a print process is performed based on the image data (step S50). That is, the designated image forming operation is performed while alternately scanning the recording head and transporting the print medium, and then the print medium is discharged out of the apparatus.

  After the printing process, an end operation is performed in step S60. The end processing includes an operation of causing the wiper to protrude and moving the carriage B301 to wipe the discharge port forming surface with the wiper (wiping: step S61), and thereafter an operation of retracting the wiper (step S62), and the cap B405. Including an operation (cap closing; step S63) for joining the nozzle to the ejection port forming surface of the head.

5 “Effects of the embodiment”
According to the embodiment described above, a plurality of introduction portions for introducing ink discharged from the printer are provided in the container for storing the consumable material of the printer, so that the ink discharged from various parts of the printer can be obtained. It can be introduced and accepted properly according to the discharge amount and discharge form.

  In addition, the storage unit and the printer are provided with an introduction unit for introducing the ink discharged from the printer into a container for storing the consumable material of the printer, and a storage unit such as an EEPROM located in the vicinity of the introduction unit. The leakage of ink can be detected by utilizing the fact that the ink leaked from the introduction portion enters the electrical connection portion.

  In addition, an introduction part for introducing the ink discharged from the printer and a receiving part that allows the connection of the print medium feeding means of the printer are separated from each other in a container for storing the consumable material of the printer. As a result, it is possible to prevent the print medium from being contaminated by the ink leaking from the introduction portion.

  Further, the container for storing the consumable material of the printer is provided with an absorber that can absorb the ink introduced from the plurality of introduction portions, and bypasses the ink infiltration path between the portions of the absorber corresponding to the plurality of introduction portions. By doing so, it is possible to hold the waste ink absorbed by the absorber discharged from the recording head by the recovery operation in a manner that is difficult to leak to the outside.

  Further, by providing a sheet-like member for smoothly supplying the print medium in the container for storing the consumable material of the printer, the print medium can be reliably supplied to the printer.

  In addition, the container for storing the consumable material of the printer includes a receiving portion for receiving the connection of the print medium feeding means of the printer, and a receiving portion for receiving the connection of the printing medium urging means of the printer. By making the receiving portions face each other with the print medium in the container interposed therebetween, the print medium can be reliably supplied to the printer by using the print medium feeding means and the print medium biasing means received by the receiving portions. it can.

  In addition, the container for storing the consumable material of the printer is provided with an ink storage portion for storing ink, and an ink communication member that enters the ink storage portion and performs ink communication when the container is mounted on the printer. Thus, before the container is mounted on the printer, the ink storage portion can store the ink hermetically independently from the outside. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink leakage during the circulation of the container, and to easily manufacture and assemble an ink storage portion such as a bag shape that independently stores and stores the ink.

  In addition, a container for allowing consumables of the printer to be coupled to the print medium feeding means of the printer, and a plurality of ink supply connection portions capable of supplying a plurality of colors of ink stored in the container to the printer And an introduction part for introducing the ink discharged from the printer so as to be arranged in that order, it is possible to prevent contamination of the print medium by the ink leaking from the introduction part. Furthermore, a plurality of ink supply connection portions and an introduction portion for introducing ink discharged from the printer are integrated to prepare for mounting.

  Also, the container for storing the consumables for the printer is provided with a print medium supply port for supplying the printer with the print medium stored in the container, and the interval between the print medium supply ports is specified when the container is mounted on the printer. By adjusting the size of the container, the distance between the print medium supply ports when the container is mounted on the printer is optimized without particularly increasing the dimensional accuracy of the distance between the print medium supply ports when the container is manufactured. Can be regulated.

It is a front view of a camera with a built-in printer to which the present invention can be applied. It is a perspective view from the diagonal front of the camera of FIG. It is a perspective view from diagonally backward of the camera of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the main structure parts inside the camera of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the media pack in FIG. 1 from the surface side. It is the perspective view which looked at the media pack of FIG. 5 from the back side. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the media pack of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pack body in the media pack of FIG. 5. (A) is a top view of the principal part for demonstrating the unbonded state of the holder and joint in the media pack of FIG. 5, (b) is the principal part for demonstrating the joint state of those holders and joints. It is a top view. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a non-connected state of the holder and the ink pack in the media pack of FIG. 5, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the connected state. is there. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining a mounting state of the media pack of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining a state before and after the media pack of FIG. 5 is mounted. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part for explaining a state before and after the media pack of FIG. 5 is mounted. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part for explaining a state when the media pack of FIG. 5 is mounted. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part for explaining a discharge path of waste ink formed when the media pack of FIG. 5 is mounted. (A) is a front view for demonstrating the structural example of the opening part for the printing medium carrying out in the media pack of FIG. 5, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the XVI-XVI line of (a). (A) is a front view for demonstrating the other structural example of the opening part for the printing medium carrying out in the media pack of FIG. 5, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the XVII-XVII line of (a). . 1 is a perspective view showing a printer main body according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the said printer main body except a part of chassis. It is sectional drawing seen from the side of the said printer main body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state after the pack is mounted in a mechanism for feeding paper at a joint portion of the printer main body, particularly with a media pack. It is a perspective view which shows the state before mounting | wearing of the said pack in the mechanism for the said paper feed. It is a figure which shows one operating position of the ASF trigger especially in the mechanism for the said paper feeding. It is a figure which shows the other operation position in the mechanism for the said paper feeding especially the ASF trigger. It is a figure which shows the initial position of the pick-up roller and press plate in the mechanism for the said paper feeding. It is a figure which shows the stand-by position of the pick-up roller and press plate in the mechanism for the said paper feed. It is a figure which shows the state which pinched | interposed the print medium with the pick-up roller and press plate in the mechanism for the said paper feeding. (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams for explaining an operation of feeding print media stacked in the pack one by one by a pickup roller and a pressing plate in the paper feeding mechanism. is there. It is a figure which shows the joint member for connecting with a carriage in the said printer main body and performing ink replenishment to the ink chamber on a carriage especially. It is a perspective view which shows the state before the ink supply needle | hook of a carriage is inserted in the said joint member. It is a top view of the state shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the carriage further moves from the state illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31 and an ink supply needle of the carriage is inserted. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a state where the carriage is further moved from the state illustrated in FIG. 32 and the air suction hole of the carriage is in contact with the air suction cap of the joint member. It is a figure which shows the structure which a carriage leaves | separates joining after joining of the said carriage and a joint member. (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the pull-out lever in particular in the configuration in which the carriage leaves the joint. It is a perspective view which shows the structure regarding the encoder detection element especially integrated with the carriage in the said printer main body. It is a figure which shows the light emitting element and light receiving element which comprise the said encoder detection element. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flexible substrate connected to the said encoder and encoder scale, and a carriage. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the pump used with the printer main body of this embodiment. (a) And (b) is a figure explaining operation | movement by each of two lead screws used with the printer main body of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the printer main body for demonstrating various operation | movement according to the position which the pump drive arm and switching slider which move with the lead screw driven by a pump motor among the two said lead screws take. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the same state shown in FIG. 41 with another element added. It is a perspective view of the printer main body for demonstrating various operation | movement according to the other position which the said pump drive arm and the switching slider take. (a), (b) and (c) is a figure explaining the state of the atmospheric | air-release valve | bulb of a cap in each state shown by FIG.41, FIG.42 and FIG.43. (a), (b) and (c) is a figure explaining the state of the mechanism which operates the atmospheric | air release valve | bulb of a cap in each state shown by FIG.41, FIG.42 and FIG.43. FIG. 2 is a schematic block configuration diagram of a camera unit and a printer unit in the camera of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the signal processing in the camera part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the signal processing in the printer part of FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure when the power is turned on with the configuration of FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a print mode having the configuration of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A001 Device main body A002 Insertion section A100 Camera section A101 Lens A102 Viewfinder A102a Viewfinder window A103 Strobe A104 Release button A105 Liquid crystal display section (external display section)
A107 Compact flash memory card (CF card)
A108 Battery A109 Discharge unit B100 Printer unit (recording device unit)
B101 Chassis B201 Pickup roller B202 Press plate B203 Roller arm B204 ASF connect shaft B205, B207 PF roller B206, B208 Pinch roller B209 ASF trigger B225 Connection spring B301 Carriage B301Y, B301M, B301C Ink supply needle B302 C Lead screw B304Y Ink chamber B305Y, B305M, B305C Recording head B306 Platen B307 Flexible substrate B308 Encoder scale B309 Encoder detection element B401 Joint member B402Y, B402M, B402C Joint B403 Air suction cap B404 Return lever (extraction lever)
B405 Cap B408 Pump B409 Pump drive arm B410 Lead screw B412 Switching slider B414 Cap lever arm B441a Wiper pressing part B441b Opening valve arm B442 Wiper base B443 Wiper B444a Opening valve lever B444b Opening valve plate B445 BOpening valve plate B445 B Ink supply needle B503 Waste ink needle B504 Needle cap B506 Ink absorber B507 Connector C100 Media pack (consumable material storage container for printer)
C101 Pack body C101A, 101B, 101C Rib C101D, C101D, C101E Protrusion C101F Wall C101G Clearance C101H, C101J, C101L, C101M Opening C101K Hole C101N Notch C101X Circumferential wall S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 (S5 -1, S5-2) Housing C102 Cover C102-1
C102A Claw part C102B Notch part C103 Seal C130 (C130-C, C130-M, C130-Y) Ink pack C130A Folded part C131 Ink pack joint C131A Curved surface C131B Opening part C131C Joint claw C132 Ink pack joint C132-1 One end part C132-2 Other end C132-3 Center P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 Ports L1, L2, L3, L4 Ink flow path C133 Needle C141 (C141-1, C141-2) Ink absorber C141A Slit C141B Groove C141C Narrow part C141-L 1st absorption area C141-S 2nd absorption area C150 Print medium C151 Slide sheet C151A Notch C152 Press sheet C153 Press plate C15 Positioning spring C154A, C154B both ends C154C, C154D, C154E, C154F legs C155 shutter C155 shutter spring 101 CCD
102 microphone 103 ASIC
104 First memory 105 CF card (corresponding to “CF card A107”)
106 LCD (equivalent to “Liquid Crystal Display A105”)
107 Lens 120 1st CPU
201 Image Processing Unit 202 Second Memory 203 Band Memory Control Unit 204 Band Memory 205 Mask Memory 206 Head Control Unit 207 Recording Head 208 Encoder 209 Encoder Counter 210 Interface 220 Second CPU
221 Motor driver 222 Motor 223 Sensor 224 EEPROM
230 Voice encoder unit 250 Power supply unit

Claims (8)

A consumable material storage container for a printer that can be attached to a printer that prints on a print medium using an inkjet head that discharges ink, and that stores the print medium to be supplied to the printer,
A print medium supply port at least partially having a gap dimension less than the thickness of one print medium to be stored to be supplied;
Means for engaging a member provided on the printer side at the time of mounting to widen the gap of the print medium supply port and permitting the supply of the print medium;
A consumable material storage container for a printer, comprising:   2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the expansion is performed so that at least a part of the print medium supply port has a gap dimension less than a thickness of the two print media according to the engagement. Consumable container.   The means includes a member that is provided on both sides of the gap of the print medium supply port and is displaced in a direction of expanding the gap in accordance with the engagement with the corresponding member on the printer side. The consumable material storage container for a printer according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The printer consumable container according to claim 3, wherein the means has a slit opened in parallel with the print medium supply port.   5. The ink supply connecting portion according to claim 1, further comprising an ink supply connection portion that stores ink to be supplied to the inkjet head and can supply the stored ink to the printer when the ink jet head is mounted. A consumable container for a printer according to any one of the above.   6. A consumable material supplied from the container using an ink jet head, wherein the consumable material container for printer according to claim 1 is detachable, and prints by ejecting ink onto the print medium. A printer characterized by comprising printing means for performing printing using a printer.   The printer according to claim 6, wherein the inkjet head includes an element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the ink as energy used to eject the ink.   8. A digital camera comprising the printer according to claim 6 or 7 and an image pickup means integrally.

Images