JPH0829591B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a conveyance system for a recording medium having the form of continuous paper such as roll paper and fanfold paper, and collectively over the entire width of the recording medium. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a recording unit for forming an image and the like.

[Prior Art] As a conventional image forming apparatus of this type, Japanese Patent Application No. 59-101508 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-244747) to 59-1015 has been used by the present applicant.
There is one disclosed in JP-A No. 60-244752. These are equipped with a recording means having a transport system and a liquid ejection recording apparatus that are easily connected and separated from each other, and a cap means for protecting the liquid ejection recording apparatus and further performing a discharge recovery process. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that facilitates work and maintenance work of each part, and properly positions each part in a connected state to enable high-quality image formation.

However, since the cap means is exposed when the recording device is not protected, it is desirable to protect the cap means from dust and dryness.

JP-A-59-209150 discloses a recording head mounted on a sub-scanning table and scanned along a guide rod, a humidifying lid pressed against the recording head in a non-recording position, and a humidifying lid for recording. There is disclosed a serial type ink jet recording apparatus provided with a device for preventing clogging of an ink jet head having a sealing lid.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 227462/1984, a recording head mounted on a carriage and scanned along a guide rail, a box housing an absorber closely attached to the recording head during non-recording, and a recording head during recording are described. A serial type ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed, which has an opening facing the head of the box body and has a shutter plate that is retracted during non-recording. The shutter plate is held by a guide member so as to be movable in the scanning direction of the recording head along the guide rail.

In these conventional serial type ink jet recording apparatuses, a cap means such as a humidifying lid or a box containing an absorber is arranged at a non-recording position of the recording head, and the recording head faces the cap means during non-recording. It moves along the guide rail etc. to the position, then the cap means advances toward the recording head to perform capping,
During recording, when the recording head moves to the recording position, protective means such as a sealing lid or shutter plate moves toward the cap means, or the protective means (sealing lid) and the cap means approach each other. .

[Objective] An object of the present invention is to provide a protective member for the cap means, and when the cap means is not engaged with the recording means, the cap means is protected from drying, dust and the like by the simple structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a highly accurate and simple recovery mechanism in which the recording means is protected reliably and safely by the cap means at the time of engagement.

[Configuration of the Invention] The present invention that achieves the above-described object has a transporting unit for transporting a recording medium on which recording is performed, and a length capable of discharging the liquid and collectively recording over the entire width of the recording medium. However, a recording unit that is movable between a recording position for performing recording on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit and a retracted position retracted from the recording medium with respect to the recording position, and a length of the recording unit. The length of the cap means for joining the recording means to protect the recording means, and the length of the cap means corresponding to the length of the cap means. Is arranged adjacent to the recording means so as to be along the length direction of the recording means, and is urged along the direction from the recording means toward the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, Means to join the cap A protection means for protecting the means, wherein the cap means conveys the recording medium by the conveyance means between a position for joining the recording means and a position for joining the protection means. The cap means and the recording means are joined to each other so that the cap means moves to a position facing the recording means when the recording means is in the retracted position. Is performed by moving the recording means from the retracted position toward the recording position, and the cap means and the protection means are joined to each other against the force for biasing the protection means. Is carried out by moving to a position facing the protection means.

[Operation] In the full-line type inkjet image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording means and the protection means are arranged adjacent to each other so that their length directions are along each other, and a gap between them and the recording medium is provided. The cap unit moves along the conveying direction of the recording medium by the conveying unit.

Further, the joining / protection of the recording means by the cap means which requires high positioning accuracy is performed by moving the cap means to a position facing the recording means when the recording means is in the retracted position and retracting the cap means with respect to the cap means. This is done by moving the recording means from the position to the recording position. On the other hand, the joining / protection of the cap means by the protection means which does not require so high precision is performed by moving the cap means to a position facing the protection means against the force for urging the protection means. The present invention achieves a highly accurate and simple full-line type inkjet device recovery mechanism by properly using such a mechanism.

[Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1.1 Appearance FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This example is an image forming apparatus connectable to a host system that generates image information and control signals related to recording.

1.2 Internal (1) Internal of Recording System Unit FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the paper feeding unit 300 in an open state in order to show an example of the internal configuration of the recording system unit 100 which houses the recording means. In this structure, the control system including the recording head 110 and the cartridge tank 120 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 58-244131 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-137655).
No. 58-244138 (JP-A-60-137662) can be used.

(2) Inside of Paper Feeding Unit FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the paper feeding unit 300 in an open state in order to explain the internal structure of the paper feeding unit 300 that houses the conveying means.

(3) Inside of Controller Unit FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory views for explaining an example of the internal configuration of the controller unit 200. In this example, the controller unit 200 is connected to the recording unit 1
It is arranged below 00. In addition, the controller unit 200 is made independent of the recording unit 100 to facilitate maintenance work and the like.
Even when ink leaks inside 100, a blocking plate that blocks the leaked ink, a member that guides the ink to the drain tank 800, and the like are provided so that the controller unit 200 is protected from ink leak.

2.1 Details of Paper Feed Unit FIG. 6 shows an example of a detailed configuration of the paper feed unit 300. In the figure, reference numeral 302 denotes a mounting base, and each part of the inside of the paper feeding unit 300 can be assembled around the base 302. Reference numeral 306 denotes a panel opposed to the recording unit 100 in a state where the recording unit 100 is connected thereto.
0, the lower and upper paper feeding mechanisms as the conveying means, their opening / closing mechanisms 340, 370, the platen 392, etc. are exposed through the window 306A, and the facing surface 306B facing the unit 100 is a gap reference surface for the head unit 110 described later. Becomes

302A and 302B are portions having a rotation shaft for rotating the paper feeding unit 300 with respect to the recording system unit 100. Reference numeral 1450 denotes a sensor for detecting the connection with the recording system unit 100, and reference numeral 1420 denotes a lock mechanism for surely performing the connection.

Further, 3000 is a motor unit for driving the rollers 320 and 350, 325 is a lower feed roller transmission mechanism including a pulley G1, a bearing and a retainer for transmitting the rotation of the motor 3000, and 355 is a pulley G2, a bearing and a retainer. It is a transmission mechanism of an upper feed roller including a slip plate 35 in addition to the above.

(1) Paper Deck 310 FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the paper deck 310. Here, 311 is a stacking portion of recording paper as a recording medium, and the opening / closing operation of the first side plate 311A serving as a reference surface for regulating one side end of the recording paper upstream of the transport path and the paper feeding unit 100. Even with respect to the convex portion 31 to obtain a stable deposition state of the paper
Bottom plate 311C provided with 1B, second side plate 31 facing side plate 311A
With 1G etc. In this example, the bottom plate 311C is set to the back side surface 311D.
The recording paper is tilted toward (the opposite side of the paper mounting side) so that the recording paper hangs on the back side surface 311D. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the recording paper from dropping from the stacking unit 311 due to the occurrence of an impact due to the opening / closing operation of the paper feeding unit 300.

Further, in the figure, 315 is a pressing plate for recording paper, which is stretched between the stacking portion 315 and the spring 3 and is biased in the L direction in the figure.
The recording paper is pressed by 14 toward the side plate 311A. Also, 31
Reference numeral 8 is a screw for holding the position of the holding plate 315. As a result, the position of the recording paper is regulated in the uppermost stream of the conveying path, and a stable conveying state is obtained thereafter.

(2) Lower Paper Feeding Mechanism and Lower Roller Opening / Closing Mechanism FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the lower paper feeding mechanism and the lower roller opening / closing mechanism that constitute the conveying means.

The pinch roller 330 for pressing the recording paper P against the lower paper feed roller 320 has an elastic member 3 near its axial center.
32 is provided so that the nip amount with the roller 320 is obtained at that portion so that the recording paper P can be held in a nipped state. An open / close lever 341 is used to separate the pinch roller 330 from the feed roller 320.

Reference numeral 342 denotes a side plate for supporting the pinch roller 330 at both ends thereof, and the side plate 342 is rotatable around a shaft 343.
344 is a pinch roller arm having arm portions 344A and 344B, which is supported by a pin 345 protruding from the side plate 342 between the arm portions 344A and 344B and is rotatable around the pin 345. Thus, the pinch roller 330 is supported by the arm portion 344A of the arm 344, and the spring 346 is stretched between the other arm portion 344B and the rising portion 342A of the side plate 342. To obtain the pressing force. Further, the side plate 342 is provided with a skew feeding prevention roller 338 at a position immediately before the recording paper P is nipped by the lower paper feed roller 320 and the pinch roller 330. By bringing the skew feeding prevention roller 338 into contact with the recording paper P, it is possible to support the weight of the recording paper P up to the paper deck portion 310 and increase the wrap angle of the recording paper P with respect to the roller 320. Further, when the side plate 342 is rotated about the shaft 343 by operating the opening / closing lever 341, both the pinch roller 330 and the skew prevention roller 338 can be separated from the feed roller 320.

The opening / closing lever 341 is rotatable around a pin 342A protruding from the pinch roller side plate 342, and a button 341A that is pressed by the operator when the pinch roller 330 or the like is released from the feed roller 320 is provided at one end thereof. A claw portion 341B that engages with a lock pin provided on the base 302 is provided at the end. Also, the lever
A spring 349 is stretched between the button 341A of the 341 and the side plate 342, so that the lever 341 is provided with a rotation behavior in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and a stable engagement state is maintained. .

Further, the recording system unit side of the side plate 342 is a cam surface 342B that can be engaged with the cap 140, and the side plate 342 rotates clockwise in the drawing in response to the engagement and the feed roller 320 and the pinch roller 3 are engaged.
Allow engagement with 30. Thus, even if the operator forgets to close the lower paper feed mechanism after the work of loading the recording paper P, the lower paper feed mechanism is closed with the movement of the cap 140 described later. Jam and the like can be prevented beforehand.

(3) Recording Surface Forming Section FIG. 9 shows a structural example of a main part of the recording surface forming section 390 including the platen 392. Here, 393 is a hole provided in the platen 392, and the recording paper P is adsorbed to the platen surface by the fan 390F through this hole 393 to form a recording surface. 395 is a spring for swinging the platen with respect to the base 302 and the panel 306, 394 is a spring mounting portion provided on the platen 392,
Reference numeral 396 denotes a pin projecting from the base 302 and a guide hole 309 for the pin. Reference numeral 397 is a sensor that detects the recording paper.

As described below, the recording system unit 100 and the paper feeding unit 300
At the time of connection, the pins provided on the front surface of the recording head unit 110 hit the panel 306 having the reference surface, and at this time, the assembly 130 swings to keep the nozzle of the head unit 110 and the reference surface parallel. At the same time, the platen 392 follows the swing of the assembly 130 via the projection provided on the assembly side by the spring 395, so that the recording surface of the recording paper P regulated by the platen 392 and the nozzle face each other with an appropriate gap. Become.

(4) Motor Unit FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the motor unit 3000. Here, 3002 is a motor, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 3004 is controlled by the pulley 30.
Lower feed roller transmission mechanism 32 via 06 and belt 3008
Transfer to pulley G20 associated with 5. G3 is a pulley concentric with the pulley G20 and having a smaller diameter than the pulley G20, and transmits the rotation of the pulley G3 to the pulley G2 of the upper feed roller transmission mechanism 355 via the belt 3010.

Here, the ratio of the number of teeth of each pulley is appropriately selected so that the upper feed roller 350 is transmitted with a rotation speed that is higher by about 2 to 3% than that of the lower feed roller 320.

(5) Upper feed roller and its transmission mechanism FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the upper feed roller 350 and its transmission mechanism 355 which constitute the conveying means. Here, 353 is a bearing provided on the extension shaft 351 of the roller 350 to rotatably hold the pulley G2, and 352A and 352B are slip plates provided on the pulley G2 and the shaft 351, respectively. Sliding with the fixed ring 354 and pulley G2. As a result, the rotational motion of the motor rotation shaft is transmitted to the roller 350 via the slip plates 352A and 352B. At this time, the recording paper P is pulled up by the upper feed roller 350 while appropriately applying tension.

(6) Upper Pinch Roller and Paper Guide FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration around the upper pinch roller 360 which constitutes the conveying means. Reference numerals 362 ₁ and 362 ₂ denote members having a portion 362B for holding the pinch roller 360 at both ends thereof, a portion 362A for restricting the displacement of the recording paper P in the width direction when the recording paper P is mounted and at the start of conveyance. . One of the members is a spring 372 of the upper roller opening / closing mechanism 370.
(Refer to FIG. 6), the habit of constantly moving the pinch roller 360 toward the feed roller 350 is given,
The upper paper feed mechanism is opened according to the operation of the opening / closing lever 374. These movements are caused by the connecting bar 364 to the other member 362.
Is also transmitted to In this state, the operator can perform the mounting operation of the recording paper P.

At this time, the leading edge of the paper is guided and positioned by the guide 380 and the portion 362A at an appropriate position on the transport path.

(7) Paper Feed Unit Cover FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration around the paper feed unit cover 308. Here, 308A, 308B and 308C are respectively a delivery port for the recorded recording paper P (a mounting port for the flap 400), a mounting port for the display panel 500, and a handle lever 1400.
This is the mounting port.

Reference numeral 410 denotes a flap lever for rotating the flap 400 around the axis 412 to open and close the outlet 308A, and 420 denotes an opening / closing control mechanism for regulating the opening / closing thereof.

510 is an attachment member for attaching the display panel 500 to the attachment opening 308B.

Reference numeral 710 denotes a stacker rail provided on the lower surface of the cover 308, which engages with the abutting portion (described later) when the stacker 700 is moved and positioned in the F and B directions. Also, 72
Reference numeral 0 denotes a member for forming a groove for guiding the movement of the stacker 700.
(See below).

(8) Flap open / close operation FIGS. 14 (A) and (B) show the flap open / close control mechanism 42.
A configuration example of 0 is shown. Here, reference numeral 422 denotes a flap stay rotatable around a shaft 402 provided on the flap 400, and has a bent portion 422A and a cam hole 422B. Reference numeral 424 denotes a rotor that is rotatable around a shaft 432 provided on a base 430 fixed to the cover 308, and has a pin 424B that engages with the ear portion 424A that can engage with the bent portion 422A and the cam surface of the cam hole 422B. Have.

FIGS. 15 (A), (B) and (C) show a state where the outlet 308A is closed, a state where the flap 400 is rotated to a predetermined position, and a state where the flap 400 is locked and the outlet 3 is locked.
Shows the state where 08A is opened.

When the flap 400 is rotated around the shaft 412 in the clockwise direction in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 7A, the cam 422B and the pin 424B engage when the flap 400 reaches the position shown in FIG. Rotor 42
4 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 423 in the figure, and is in the state shown in FIG. 14A (however, FIG. 14 is opposite to FIG. 15). In this state, the flap 400 is rotated in the closing direction, and when it reaches the position shown in FIG.
The ear of 424 and the bent portion 422A of the flap stay 422 are engaged, and further engagement of the flap 400 (counterclockwise in the drawing) is prevented by this engagement. That is, at this time, the flap 400 is locked, the delivery port 308A is opened,
In this state, the recorded recording paper P can be delivered.
Even if the operator mistakenly presses the flap 400 or vibration is generated during this delivery, the flap 400 is locked, so the delivery port 308A is not blocked.

When closing the outlet 308A, the flap 400 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 15 (C) by the reverse procedure to the above, and is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 15 (B). The locked state is released, and the closed state as shown in FIG.

(9) Stacker Attaching Operation FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding unit 300 seen from below for explaining the attachment of the stacker 700. Here, 722 is a guide groove formed by the member 720, and 750 is a stacker 700.
It is a mounting part of.

When installing the stacker 700, attach the stacker 750 as shown.
Into the groove 722, and then rotate it 90 degrees so that the mounting portion 750 does not fall out of the groove 722, and the butting portion of the stacker 700 is engaged with the stacker rail 710.

In this state, the stacker 700 can move in the F and B directions in the figure, and the stacker 700 can be positioned on the F side and the B side when the apparatus is used and not used, respectively. Therefore, the stacker 700 when not in use
Since it can be stored under the paper feeding unit 300, the volume of the apparatus can be reduced.

(10) Structure of Stacker FIG. 17 shows a vertical cross section of the stacker 700 mounted below the paper feeding unit 300 when in use (when projecting forward).

As shown in FIG. 17, the stacker 700 has a support arm 701 rotatably supported on the top of the stacker body, and a guide member 702 attached to the support arm 701. The support arm 701 contacts the front surface of the paper feeding unit 300 when the stacker is used, and sets the guide member 702 at a predetermined position. That is, in this set state, the guide member 702 is on the inner side of the downward extension line 703 of the inclined surface having the delivery port of the paper feeding unit. The guide member 702 is formed to be curved. Further, the vertical front surface of the paper feeding unit 300 and the guide member 7
The horizontal distance d from 02 is within the range of 10 to 25 mm. With such a configuration, the continuous recording paper such as the recorded fan-hold paper is sent out from the delivery port, first hits the curved portion of the guide member 702, and while being surely guided by the curved portion, it is guided. It drops into the stacker 700 from the gap between the member 702 and the front surface of the paper feeding unit 300, and accumulates there.
The reason why the distance d is limited to the numerical values as described above is that the recording paper can be guided very stably within this range, that is, can be guided into the stacker without protruding outside the stacker. The guide member 702 can be turned down as shown in FIG.

2.2 Paper Feed Unit Lock Mechanism and Handle Lever (1) Lock Mechanism FIGS. 18 and 19 show the paper feed unit 300, respectively.
Are lock mechanisms 1420 and 1430 provided on the upper side and the lower side. 1422 and 1432 are shafts 1421 and 1431 respectively
Is a lock lever having pawls 1422A and 1432A that are rotatable around and engage with a locking member provided on the recording system unit 100 side.

Reference numerals 1423 and 1433 are springs, and rotate the lock levers 1422 and 1432 in the engaging direction, respectively. 1424 and 1434 are between shaft 1421 and pawl 1422A and shaft 1
These pins are provided between the 431 and the claw 1432A, and these pins are connected to the handle lever 1400 via wires 1425 and 1435, respectively. That is, the handle lever 1400
In response to the operation, wires 1425 and 1435, respectively,
When pulled down and upward, the lock levers 1422 and 1432 rotate to rotate the paper feed unit 300 and the recording unit 1
The locked state with 00 is released.

(2) Handle lever FIGS. 20 and 21 show the handle lever 14 respectively.
00 and an example of the structure of its transmission part are shown. Where 1401
Is an operating handle and is a pin 14 that can be connected to the transmission shaft 1412.
02. 1403 is a member having a mounting portion 1403A to the handle lever mounting hole 308C and a flange portion 1403B, 1404 is a seal member provided on the flange portion 1403B, 1405 is a member 1403
The sealing member 1404 to the hole
A spring 1406 for making close contact with the peripheral edge of the 308C is a retaining ring for preventing these partial pins from falling off from the 1402. That is, when the handle lever 1400 is attached, the seal member 1404 ensures the dustproof property in the vicinity of the attachment hole 308C.

The transmission shaft 1412 is supported by a bearing member 1414, and is rotatable in response to operation of the handle lever 1400. 1415 is the transmission shaft
A wire connection member secured to 1412, having pins 1416 and 1417 that connect to wires 1425 and 1435, respectively.

2.3 Controller Unit FIG. 22 shows a configuration example of the controller unit 200. In this example, the top plate 260 of the controller unit is used.
The guide portion 264 is formed by raising the peripheral portion of the opening 262 for ventilation and wiring so that ink does not flow into the controller unit 200 even if ink is leaked from the recording unit 100. . Also, a hole 266 is provided for removing the leaked and stored ink, and a tube is inserted into the hole 266.
Connect 826. The tube 826 is exposed to the outside from the side plate 270 and connected to the tube 820 so that the ink flowing out to the top plate 260 is guided to the drain tank 800. Thereby, the inside of the controller unit 200 is protected against ink leakage from the recording system unit 100.

Although the tube 826 is connected to the tube 820 in this example, all the ink collected by the cap 140 is guided to the top plate 260, and the ink is guided from the hole 266 to the drain tank 800 through the tube. If so, the configuration of the tube system can be made extremely simple.

2.4 Recovery system (1) Cap opening / closing mechanism FIGS. 23 and 24 show the cap 140 with respect to the cap cover 150 as a protection means for protecting the cap 140.
Shows the closed and open states of. Where 141A and 141B
Is a rail for guiding the vertical movement of the cap 140, 142
A is a holding member that holds the cap 140 rotatably around a vertical axis and is slidable along the rail 141A. 143B is a member for connecting and separating with a sliding member provided on the rail 141B. 825 is a waste ink reservoir provided below the cap 140, to which a tube 820 is connected.

With this configuration, a sufficient work area is secured during maintenance work of the cap 140, and the work is extremely easy. Further, according to this example, since the cap 140 is rotatable about the vertical axis, it is possible to prevent the nozzles of the head from being contaminated by the color mixture of ink in the cap portion.

Further, in the figure, 145 is a cap back surface, and this back surface 145 can be engaged with the cam surface 342B of the pinch roller side plate 342 described above, and when the units 100 and 300 are connected while the pinch roller 330 is opened. First, the lower paper feeding mechanism is closed as the cap 140 moves downward.

(2) Cap cover FIGS. 25 and 26 show the cap cover 15 respectively.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of 0 and an explanatory view showing an engagement relationship with a cap 140. Spring 1 on cap cover 150
The habit of always moving to the cap side is given by 51. That is, the cap 140 as the cap means is the first
As is clear from FIG. 4, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, etc., the cap cover 150 is located between the head unit 110 and the cap cover 150 and the surface of the recording paper as the recording medium. The head unit 110 as a recording unit is urged along a direction toward a recording sheet as a recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit. Also, 152 is
A roller that can be engaged with a portion 149 on the front surface of the cap 140.

The roller 152 and the portion 149 are disengaged when the cap 140 is located at a position facing the cap cover 150, and the spring 150 moves the cover 150 toward the cap 140 to cover the cap 140. Become. This makes it possible to protect the cap 140 from drying and dust.

Further, when the cap 140 moves, the roller 152 rides on the portion 149 and the cap 140 moves against the force for urging the cap cover 150, but the cap cover 150 moves backward against the spring force. The cap cover 150 does not hinder the movement of the cap 140.

(3) Capping of the head unit In order to obtain an appropriate and reliable cap engagement state at the cap position of the head unit 110, in this example, the cap unit 26
As shown in the figure, a recess 146 is provided on the front surface of the cap, while
As shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, a convex portion 136 that can be fitted into the concave portion 146 is provided on the head unit 110 side. In addition, since the head assembly 130 is given a habit of moving to the cap side as described later, when the cap 140 faces the head unit 110 by the processing described later, the protrusion 136 is formed.
Fits into the concave portion 146, the cap 140 is prevented from moving at this position, and a state where the cap 140 is accurately and reliably positioned with respect to the head unit 110 can be obtained, and an appropriate recovery process can be performed. Becomes

2.5 Recording Head Assembly FIG. 27 shows an example of the configuration of the recording head assembly 130. As shown in the drawing, the assembly 130 includes a protrusion 132 engageable with the reference surface 306B, a protrusion 134 engageable with the front surface of the platen 392, and a protrusion 136 engageable with a recess of the cap 140.
Is provided. Further, 138 is a recording paper P by the fan 390F.
Is a fan for backing up the adsorption of the platen 392 to the platen 392.

The head assembly 130 is mounted on a movable base shown in FIG.

2.6 Supporting Structure of Recording Head Assembly 130 in Recording System Unit FIG. 28 shows an exploded state of the supporting structure of the recording head assembly 130 in the recording system unit 100. 160 is a fixed base, 170
Denotes a movable table provided on the fixed table 160 so as to be movable. The recording head assembly 130 is fixed on the movable table 170.

A drive mechanism 180 including a motor (pulse motor) for driving the movable base 170 is fixed to the lower surface of the fixed base 160. Drive mechanism 180
A screw is fixed to the tip of the motor shaft via a universal joint, and a guide mechanism 181 that converts motor rotation into linear motion is coupled to the screw. This guide mechanism 181
Protrudes upward from an opening 161 formed substantially at the center of the fixed base 160, and a part thereof is attached to the lower side of the movable base 170. Therefore, the movable table 170 is moved by the drive mechanism 180 via the guide mechanism 181.

The movable base 170 moves back and forth in a direction orthogonal to the recording surface (when set) in the paper feeding unit 300.
The drive mechanism 180 is positioned and fixed to the fixed base 160, and the guide mechanism 181 is attached to the movable base 170.

On the upper surface of the fixing base 160, the guide rails 162 and 163 are fixed before and after the opening 161. The direction of this rail coincides with the moving direction of the movable base 170. On the other hand, movable table 1
On the lower surface of 70, guide rollers 171 and 172 whose axes are perpendicular to the front side and the rear side are mounted. Front guide roller
171 is located inside the front guide rail 162, and the rear guide roller 172 is located inside the rear guide rail 163.Therefore, the movable base 170 is regulated by these guide rails and guide rollers, and moves on a predetermined road. I do.

On the upper surface of the fixing base 160, an upper portion of a first receiving roller 164 fixed to the lower surface side projects through an opening 165. The axis of the roller 164 coincides with the moving direction of the movable base 170. On the other hand, when the movable platform advances (when the robot advances to the recordable position)
In, the second receiving roller 173 is fixed on the lower surface of the movable base 170 so as to face the first receiving roller 164. The axis of the roller 173 is orthogonal to the axis of the first receiving roller 164. Further, the width of the front guide rail 162 is approximately equal to the diameter of the front roller 171 at the front thereof. The width of the rear guide rail 163 is adjusted at the rear by the rear roller 172.
Is approximately equal to the diameter of the rear roller 172
Larger than the diameter of. Therefore, when moving the movable table forward,
Since the front roller 171 is restrained and fixed by the front of the front guide rail 162 and the rear roller 172 is located at the front of the rear guide rail 163, the movable base 170 is
It becomes possible to swing about the 171 in the horizontal plane. At this time, since the second receiving roller 173 on the movable base is placed on the first receiving roller 164 on the fixed base, the swinging is more smoothly performed by these. Further, due to this swinging, the positioning work of the fixed front surface portion of the recording head assembly 130 of the movable base 170 with respect to the reference surface of the sheet feeding unit side of the assembly 130 can be performed extremely easily and smoothly.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29, a lock mechanism 183 for fixing the movable base 170 to the fixed base 160 when the movable base retreats is fixed to the lower surface side of the fixed base 160. The lock mechanism 183 includes a solenoid 184 and a lock lever 185 that is driven by the solenoid and rotates in a vertical plane. The lock lever 185 forms a groove 185A on the upper end of the rotation end.
The lock lever 185 projects to the upper surface side of the fixed base 160 through an opening 166 formed in the fixed base 160. An engagement pin 174 is fixed to the lower surface side of the movable base 170. This engaging pin 174 is a movable base.
The lock lever 185 is positioned so as to reach just above the pivoting tip when retreating 170. Therefore, when the movable table 170 is retracted, by operating the solenoid 184, the engagement pin on the movable table 170 side is engaged with the groove 185A at the turning tip of the lock lever 185. As a result, the movable base 170 (and thus the recording head assembly 130) is securely fixed and supported by the fixed base 160 (for example, the recording head assembly 130 is surely fixed to the recording head unit when the apparatus is transported).

In the connected state of the recording head unit 100 and the paper feeding unit, when the movable table is advanced, the positioning projection 132 on the front surface of the recording head assembly 130 as shown in FIG. Paper feeding unit 30
It surely contacts the reference plane 306B of 0. Further, in this state, the platen 392 is pressed by another spring 134 for positioning on the front surface of the recording head assembly 130 by spring force, whereby the recording surface of the recording paper P regulated by the platen 392 is moved to the nozzle of the assembly 130 by the nozzle. Is reliably positioned with respect to.

3. Configuration of Control System FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the entire image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In this figure, HC is a host computer that sends image information to be recorded via an optical fiber.

MD is a modulator / demodulator that performs mutual conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal.

CC is a communication controller, which extracts only image data (image data) from the data signal obtained from the host computer HC to create an image memory.
Performs the function of sending to IMM and IMS.

The MP is a main processor including a CPU and performs various controls of the entire device.

MC is a mechanical controller including a CPU, which communicates with a mechanism for head assembly, which will be described later, and a pulse motor M1 for sending fanfold recording paper.
・ Rotation control of DC motor M2 for moving the cap up and down and pulse motor M3 for moving the head assembly back and forth horizontally.

Recording head unit has 4 recording heads (Y, M, C, B)
And has an image memory IMM, and performs image formation on recording paper (fanfold paper) based on image data obtained from the IMS. At this time, ink supply / recovery processing to each part of the head is performed under the control of the head assembly mechanism AM.

In the present embodiment, each of the above blocks is incorporated on a separate printed board. Further, the image memory has a storage capacity of 1 megabyte for both the master and the slave.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of this apparatus at the start of normal printing.

First, when the power is turned on (step S1), the recording head assembly is retracted to the home position (step S1).
S2), then lower the cap (step S3). After that, the recording head assembly is advanced by the pulse motor and stopped at the print position corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses (step S4).

Then, head control for printing is performed (step S5).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for covering the cap on the front surface of the recording head assembly.

First, the recording head assembly is retracted to the home position. When the assembly reaches the home position, a predetermined output is obtained from the home position sensor (step S10).

Next, + 24V is applied to the DC motor for driving the cap to raise the cap (step S11).

When the cap rises and reaches a predetermined cap position, a sensor output indicating that fact is obtained, so the voltage applied to the DC motor is changed to + 5V at that time (step S1
2). This causes the cap to balance the DC motor torque and stop.

After that, a predetermined pulse number is supplied to the pulse motor for driving the recording head assembly, and thereby the assembly is moved to the cap position (step S13).

Since the tip of the recording head assembly has already protruded to the inside of the cap, the DC motor for driving the cap is disconnected from the power supply (step S14). Thus, the cap is lowered by its own weight and engages the printhead assembly. With the above, the cap operation is completed.

[Effect] As described above, according to the present invention, the storage means and the protection means are arranged adjacent to each other so that their lengthwise directions are along each other, and the gap between the storage means and the protection medium is conveyed by the conveying means. The cap means is moved along the transport direction of the recording medium by the cap means, and the cap means is moved to a position facing the recording means when the recording means is in the retracted position. However, the recording means is moved from the retracted position toward the recording position with respect to the cap means. On the other hand, the joining / protection of the cap means by the protection means resists the force for urging the protection means. The cap means is moved by moving the cap means to a position facing the protection means. A highly accurate and simple full-line inkjet image forming device recovery mechanism is achieved by properly using the two mechanisms of joining / protection of the recording means and joining / protection of the cap means by a protection means that does not require high precision. To be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B are perspective views showing an example of a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the paper feed unit with the unit opened, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the paper feed unit with the unit open, and FIGS. 5 (A) to (C) are internal views of the controller unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a paper feeding unit, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a paper deck unit, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mechanism and a lower roller opening / closing mechanism, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part of a recording surface forming unit including a platen, FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an upper feed roller and its transmission mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration around a pinch roller, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration around a paper feeding unit cover, and FIGS. 14 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of a configuration of a flap opening / closing control mechanism. FIGS. 15 (A), (B) and (C) show a state in which the outlet is closed, a state in which the flap is rotated to a predetermined position, and a state in which the flap is locked and the outlet is opened, respectively. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the paper feed unit viewed from below for explaining the mounting of the stacker. FIG. 17 is a view showing a vertical cross section when the stacker mounted below the paper feed unit is used. And FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a lock mechanism provided on the upper side and the lower side of the paper feeding unit, respectively. FIGS. 20 and 21 are diagrams respectively showing an example of a configuration of a handle lever and a transmission unit thereof, and FIG. Example of controller unit configuration FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are views showing a closed state and an open state of the cap with respect to the cap cover, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the cap cover, and FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a recording head assembly, FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an exploded state of a support structure of the recording head assembly in a recording system unit, and FIG. 29 is an example of a connection state of a fixed base and a movable base. FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the entire image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 31 and 32 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation according to the present invention. 100 …… Recording system unit, 200 …… Controller unit, 300 …… Paper feeding unit (conveyance system unit), 400 …… Flap, 500 …… Display panel, 600 …… Peep window, 700 …… Stacker, 800 …… Drain tank, 900 ... Pocket, 1000 ... First optical fiber connector, 1100 ... Second optical fiber connector, 1200 ... Power input connector, 1300 ... Power output connector, 1400 ... Handle lever 1500 ... Power switch , 110B, 110C, 110M, 110Y …… Record head unit, 120B, 120C, 120M, 120Y …… Cartridge tank, 130 …… Record head assembly, 140 …… Cap, 150 …… Cap cover, 310 …… Paper deck , 320 ... lower feed roller, 330 ... lower pinch roller, 340 ... lower roller opening / closing mechanism, 350 ... upper feed roller, 360 ... upper pinch roller, 370 ... upper roller opener Structure: 380: Paper guide, 390: Recording surface forming unit, 210: Power supply device, 220B, 220C, 220M, 220Y: Vop monitor terminal, 230: Vop monitor switch, 240: Card rack, 250 ... … Overload lamp.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Makoto Takemura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-59-209150 (JP, A) JP-A-59 -227462 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for transporting a recording medium on which recording is performed, and a length for discharging the liquid to collectively print over the entire width of the recording medium, and the transporting means transports the recording medium. The recording medium is movable between a recording position for recording on the recording medium and a retracted position retracted from the recording medium from the recording position, and has a length corresponding to the length of the recording means. A cap unit joined to the recording unit to protect the recording unit; and a length corresponding to the length of the cap unit, the length direction being the length direction of the recording unit. Is disposed adjacent to the recording means so as to be along with, and is urged along the direction from the recording means toward the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, and is joined to the cap means to connect the cap means. Protective measures to protect The cap means is movable along a transport direction of the recording medium by the transport means between a position for joining the recording means and a position for joining the protection means, The cap means and the recording means are joined to each other by moving the cap means to a position facing the recording means when the recording means is at the retracted position, and moving the cap means from the retracted position to the recording position. Is made by moving the recording means toward, and the joining of the cap means and the protection means moves to a position where the cap means opposes the protection means against the force for urging the protection means. An image forming apparatus characterized by being carried out.