JP4564738B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a portable mobile ink jet recording apparatus.

In recent years, as computers have become smaller and lighter, opportunities to carry computers and use them outdoors and on the go have increased. Along with this, there has been a demand for outputting documents and images created by a computer outdoors or on the go, and a portable mobile recording device that has been reduced in size and weight has been provided. Furthermore, so-called digital cameras that record image data in a recent memory have become widespread, and recording apparatuses that send data directly from a digital camera to a recording apparatus and output an image have been developed. These mobile recording devices are supplied with power necessary for recording of the recording device in addition to information from the destination of information to be output of the recording device such as a notebook PC or digital camera through an interface or the like. In addition, there is a configuration that is driven by power supply means such as a rechargeable secondary battery or a primary battery, which enables outdoor use without an AC power source. An example of this is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-10-217578 (FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, since the recording apparatus that receives power supply from the outside of the recording apparatus uses the power source of the power supply side device, it places a burden on the power supply side device. That is, there is a problem that the operation time is shortened because power is supplied to the recording apparatus. As a countermeasure, it may be possible to carry a secondary battery that has been fully charged, or a replacement primary battery, or carry an AC adapter, but there is a problem that the number of items to carry and the weight increase and portability deteriorates. . This problem also arises for a recording apparatus equipped with a battery. Further, in the recording apparatus, load fluctuations occur depending on usage conditions. In other words, the inkjet recording apparatus is preferably used as a portable mobile recording apparatus from the viewpoint of low power consumption, although it is often used as a mobile recording apparatus that discharges a plurality of recording materials. When discharging ink all at once, a large current is instantaneously required. In order to cope with an instantaneous large current, the power supply capacity corresponding to the maximum value is required, so that the power supply circuit becomes large, the size of the entire apparatus increases, and the cost also increases. This point becomes more serious in small devices used for the purpose of carrying, and when the power source is constituted by a battery, the battery load increases in order to cope with the power load fluctuation, and the battery life, that is, The usable time of the entire device is shortened.

  On the other hand, a method using a fuel cell as a power source used for a portable mobile device has been proposed. This generates electricity and water by generating hydrogen from a fuel such as methanol and reacting it with oxygen, and has attracted attention in recent years as clean energy in which waste does not pollute the environment. However, the battery becomes larger in order to be able to supply an instantaneous large current, and in order to increase the capacity of the battery, it is necessary to mount a large amount of fuel, which is also a factor for the enlargement of the battery. Therefore, there is no advantage over the aforementioned secondary battery or the like.

  As described above, users of mobile recording devices must always be aware of power to secure the power required for recording, and can always get the image they want when they want it. Is not in place.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a portable mobile recording device that can output a desired image when a user wants without worrying about the remaining battery level. And

In order to achieve this object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that forms an image by attaching a recording material onto a recording material, and a detachable exchange that stores the recording material used by the recording unit. An ink jet recording apparatus having a consumable container that has a consumable container that contains the fuel of the fuel cell in the consumable container, and a hybrid battery that combines a fuel cell and a secondary battery as a power supply system. When the consumable container is attached to the inkjet recording apparatus, the power supply system stores the power generated by the fuel cell in the secondary battery while the fuel is consumed when the inkjet recording apparatus is not driven. It is characterized by doing.
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is detachable from the recording apparatus main body, and a cartridge for storing a sheet;
Conveying means for conveying a sheet stored in the cartridge;
A recording head holding means for holding a recording head for recording an image on a sheet conveyed by the conveying means;
A fuel cell for generating electric power for operating the recording device;
A storage unit provided in the cartridge for storing fuel for the fuel cell;
A secondary battery for storing electric power generated by the fuel cell;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, when a user starts recording, the recording material, the recording material, and the consumable container containing the fuel of the fuel cell are simply placed in the recording apparatus main body. Because the power is supplied, even when using outdoors or outdoors without AC power, the user has to prepare spare batteries for replacement for using the recording device, and the user has a hard time to dispose of it. A recording apparatus that can be used without being aware of the trouble of disposing of the primary battery becomes possible.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an ink jet recording apparatus as an application example of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 001 has a print head 002, and the print head 003 has a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting a recording material (ink) 010 and recording on the recording material 020. The print head is connected to the recording material holding mechanism 003, and the recording material holding mechanism 003 supplies the recording material 010 to the print head 001. Recording is realized by a method in which the print head 001 and the recording material 020 move or a method in which only the recording material 020 moves. Specifically, in the former case, a carriage 005 in which a recording material 020 is integrated with a conveyance mechanism 004 and a print head 002 and a recording material holding unit 003 is integrated in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material 020. Is provided with a carriage moving mechanism 006 that reciprocates in accordance with the size of the recording material 020. In the latter case, only the recording material transport mechanism 004 is provided, and the print head has a width direction of the recording material. The printer has a line printer head (not shown) that enables the recording of images. Hereinafter, the print head 002 and the carriage moving mechanism 006 and the recording material transport mechanism are collectively referred to as a drive unit 200 of the ink jet recording apparatus. Electric power for driving the driving unit 200 is supplied from the power supply circuit unit 040. The ink jet recording apparatus also includes an interface 007 for receiving image information and the like output from the ink jet recording apparatus from an external device. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus has a detachable consumable cartridge 100. In the consumable cartridge 100, the recording material 011, the recording material 021, and the fuel 031 of the fuel cell are stored separately by the partition wall 101. The material constituting the consumable cartridge 100 is made of a combustible material that does not generate a toxic gas such as dioxin even if it is burned. When the consumable cartridge 100 is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 001, the recording material 011 in the consumable cartridge is connected to the recording material holding mechanism 003 in the ink jet recording apparatus, and the recording material 011 in the consumable cartridge holds the recording material. The recording material 021 in the consumable cartridge can be conveyed to a recordable position in the ink jet recording apparatus, and the fuel 031 of the fuel cell in the consumable cartridge is supplied from the power source in the ink jet recording apparatus. The fuel cell 041 in the circuit unit 040 is connected, and the fuel 031 of the fuel cell in the consumable cartridge can be supplied to the fuel cell. The contents stored in the consumable cartridge may include a recording material and fuel for the fuel cell, and the user may insert the recording material when recording with the ink jet recording apparatus.

  FIG. 2 shows the consumable cartridge 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 001, and the stored recording medium 021 is fed into the recording apparatus 001 by a sheet feeding means to be described later, and recording is performed. To be discharged.

  The consumable cartridge 100 contains an ink pack 011 and a recording medium 021 inside. Further, the consumable cartridge 100 contains a fuel container 031 containing fuel for the fuel cell.

  The consumable cartridge has an ink connector and a fuel connector for sending the ink in the ink pack 011 and the fuel in the fuel container 31 to the recording apparatus 001. When the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted on the recording apparatus 001, the consumable cartridge 100 The connector is connected to the ink connector and the fuel connector on the recording apparatus side, and sends ink and fuel.

  Next, the ink jet recording apparatus will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entire inkjet recording apparatus 001.

  The recording material 021 stored in the consumable cartridge 100 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow B on the platen B103 while being sandwiched between the LF roller B101 and the LF pinch roller B102. B104 is a carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow A along the guide shaft B105 and the lead screw B106. An ink jet recording head 002 that can eject Y, M, and C inks and a sub tank 003 that stores ink supplied to the recording head 002 are mounted on the carriage B104. Ink is supplied from the ink pack 011 in the consumable cartridge 100 when the carriage B104 moves to the home position as shown in FIG.

  The carriage B104 moves with the recording head in the main scanning direction indicated by the arrow A, and ejects ink from the ink ejection port of the recording head in accordance with the image signal, whereby an image for one line is printed on the print medium on the platen B103. Record. By repeating such a recording operation for one line by the recording head and a predetermined amount of conveyance of the print medium in the sub-scanning direction indicated by an arrow B by the print medium conveyance system, which will be described later, images are sequentially displayed on the print medium. Record.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the components of the print medium conveyance system in the recording apparatus 001. In FIG. 5, B201 is a pair of paper discharge rollers, and the upper one paper discharge roller B201 in the figure is driven by a transport motor M002 via a paper discharge roller gear B202 and a relay gear B203. Similarly, the LF roller B101 described above is driven by the transport motor M002 via the LF roller gear B204 and the relay gear B203. The paper discharge roller B201 and the LF roller B101 convey the print medium C104 in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow B by the driving force during normal rotation of the conveyance motor M002.

  On the other hand, when the conveyance motor M002 rotates in the reverse direction, the pressure plate head B213 and a lock mechanism (not shown) are driven via the switching slider B211 and the switching cam B212, and the driving force is transmitted to the conveyance roller C110 on the consumable cartridge 100 side. Is done. That is, the pressure plate head B213 passes through the window portion C102A (see FIG. 2) of the shutter C102 of the consumable cartridge 100 by the driving force when the transport motor M002 rotates in the reverse direction, and is a print medium integrated in the consumable cartridge 100. 021 is pressed downward in FIG. As a result, the lowermost print medium 021 in FIG. 2 is pressed onto the transport roller C110 in the consumable cartridge 100. In addition, a lock mechanism (not shown) locks the consumable cartridge 100 with respect to the apparatus main body A001 and prohibits the removal of the consumable cartridge 100 by the driving force when the transport motor M002 is reversely rotated. In addition, the transport roller C110 provided in the consumable cartridge 100 transmits one print at the lowest position in FIG. 2 by transmitting the driving force when the transport motor M002 rotates in the reverse direction via the connecting portion C110a. The medium 021 is unloaded in the direction of arrow C.

  Thus, when the transport motor M002 is reversed, only one print medium C104 is taken out from the consumable cartridge 100 in the direction of the arrow C, and then when the transport motor M002 is rotated forward, the print medium 021 is moved to the arrow C direction. It is conveyed in the B direction.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the mobile inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mobile inkjet recording apparatus of the present embodiment. In the figure, a CPU 201 as a control means includes a ROM 202 containing a control program for controlling each functional block according to a predetermined program, a RAM 203 as a storage means for storing and holding print data, etc., and the ink jet recording apparatus. A drive unit 200, a power supply control unit 204 that controls the power supply circuit unit, and an interface control unit 205 are connected. The interface control unit 205 plays a role of converting the level and timing of signals such as image information recorded in the ink jet recording apparatus so as to match the processing in the ink jet recording apparatus. The form of the interface mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus is not particularly limited. By using a wireless interface such as IrDA or BLUETOOTH, it is not necessary to carry parts such as a connection cable. Of course, it can also be realized by a Centronics interface, a USB interface, and an IEEE1394 interface that require a cable. The CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, and power supply control unit 204 described above are mounted on the control board 210. As another form of the electrical configuration, there is no RAM, and a configuration in which printing is performed directly from a signal from a device on the host side of the ink jet recording apparatus is possible. Also, a device on the host side of the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink jet recording apparatus Can be connected directly with a contact or the like, and a configuration without an interface facility is also possible.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a power supply circuit unit 040 of an ink jet recording apparatus as an application example of the present invention. The power supply circuit is supplied by a small hybrid battery of a fuel cell 041 and a secondary battery 042. The secondary battery 042 can be charged from an AC power source (not shown). That is, when used outside the home, if an AC power source can be used, the ink jet recording apparatus can be driven by the AC power source and the secondary battery can be charged. When fuel 031 of the fuel cell is supplied from the consumable cartridge 100, the fuel cell 041 starts power generation and can supply power to the drive unit 200 of the ink jet recording apparatus, and the secondary battery. Charging to 042 is also possible. When the recording apparatus starts recording, a large current may be required instantaneously. Therefore, recording is performed using the power stored in the secondary battery 042 in order to secure the peak current. When the consumable cartridge 100 is mounted and the recording apparatus is not recording, the power generated by the fuel cell 041 is charged to the secondary battery 042 while the fuel 031 is consumed. Since the secondary battery has a capacity and performance that can secure power necessary for recording on the recording material held by one consumable cartridge, the fuel 031 contained in one consumable cartridge is sufficient. When the power is lost, recording can be performed with the power of the secondary battery. Note that when the ink jet recording apparatus uses an AC power supply, a configuration in which power generation of the fuel cell is stopped is also possible. As an example of the fuel cell, a direct methanol battery (DMFC) is used. Since this fuel cell does not require a reformer for extracting hydrogen from methanol, the complexity of the system is reduced, so that the weight and volume of the fuel cell system can be reduced. Fuel is a mixture of water and methanol, which is more convenient and safer than gasoline, high-pressure hydrogen, and hydride. Since oxygen in the air is used for a chemical reaction necessary for power generation, and only CO2 and H2O are discharged as waste after the chemical reaction, CO and NOx that are harmful gases are not discharged. Normally, H2O is released as water vapor, so that no recovery tank is required. Not only that, the discharged H 2 O is useful for the inkjet recording apparatus for the following reasons. Normally, the recording material uses water as a solvent, and water is a volatile substance, so if the recording material is not discharged from the discharge port for a long time, the volatile component of the recording material evaporates from the discharge port. A recording material inappropriate for recording is formed. H2O, which is a fuel cell discharge, has the effect of preventing moisture from evaporating from the discharge port, and the ink jet recording apparatus has the effect of maintaining a recording material suitable for recording. Furthermore, the advantage of using this DMFC in an ink jet recording apparatus is that methanol, which is the fuel used, has similar chemical properties to the glycols of the solvent contained in the recording material. When supplying with a consumable cartridge of the body type, the material for storing the recording material can be used as the material for storing the fuel of the fuel cell. The effect which can suppress the raise of manufacturing cost is mentioned.

  The power supply is composed of a fuel cell and a secondary battery, and the consumables and the fuel cell fuel are housed in an integrated cartridge that can be removed and replaced. When the user starts the recording by driving the recording device, the recording material and the recording material necessary for recording as well as the fuel necessary for power generation of the fuel cell are supplied to the user. It is possible to output images desired by the user without being conscious of securing the power supply, and the fuel cell waste is simply discharged as gas from the fuel used for power generation. It is possible to provide a recording apparatus that simplifies the operations necessary for recording by the user, such as no waste that is not easy to dispose of, such as dry batteries, with use.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a consumable cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a state in which a consumable cartridge is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overall perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an entire conveyance device of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a power supply circuit unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

001 Inkjet recording apparatus 002 Print head 003 Recording material holding mechanism 004 Recording material conveyance mechanism 005 Carriage 006 Carriage moving mechanism 007 Interface 010 Recording material 011 Recording material in consumable cartridge 020 Recording material 021 Recording material in consumable cartridge 030 Fuel Cell Fuel 031 Fuel Cell Fuel in Consumable Cartridge 040 Power Supply Circuit Unit 041 Small Fuel Cell 042 Secondary Battery 100 Consumable Cartridge 101 Consumable Cartridge Partition Wall 200 Drive Unit 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 power control unit 205 interface control unit 210 control board

Claims (7)

An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that forms an image by attaching a recording material on a recording material; and a detachable and replaceable consumable container that stores the recording material used by the recording unit. A consumable that contains the fuel of the fuel cell and a hybrid battery that combines a fuel cell and a secondary battery as a power supply system, and when the consumable container is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the power supply The system stores the electric power generated by the fuel cell in the secondary battery while the fuel is consumed when the inkjet recording apparatus is not driven.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable container is a container that has the recording material, the recording material, and fuel of the fuel cell, and integrally stores them.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising information transmission means for receiving image information for image formation by the recording means from an external device, wherein the information transmission means is a wireless interface. .   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). A cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus main body and stores a sheet;
Conveying means for conveying a sheet stored in the cartridge;
A recording head holding means for holding a recording head for recording an image on a sheet conveyed by the conveying means;
A fuel cell for generating electric power for operating the recording device;
A storage unit provided in the cartridge for storing fuel for the fuel cell;
A secondary battery for storing electric power generated by the fuel cell;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein water generated during power generation by the fuel cell is discharged into the ink jet recording apparatus.

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