JP2005297514A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning tool which enables users to clean the position scale suitably so as to ensure the problem of smudging on the scale surface to be solved and the position detection with a high resolution and high precision to be performed. <P>SOLUTION: For an ink-jet type recorder which is equipped with a carriage in which a recording head performing a scan-movement to a recording medium is mounted, the position scale arranged along the scan-movement direction and a position detecting means using an optical linear encoder which detects the scan-position of the carriage, the cleaning tool cleans the surface smudging of the position scale. Using the cleaning tool, operators can easily attach or detach the tool on or detach it from the guide rail of the recorder and wipe off the mist adhered to the scale by holding the position scale with the cleaning member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes a carriage on which a recording head that scans and moves with respect to a recording medium, a position scale that is disposed along the carriage scanning movement direction, and a carriage that faces the position scale. Position detecting means using an optical linear encoder for detecting the scanning position of the recording medium, and control means for controlling the recording operation on the recording medium based on the inputted recording image information and the carriage position information read by the position detecting means. And a cleaning tool for cleaning dirt on the surface of the position scale.

  Various types of linear encoders have been used as position detection means each time the position of a carriage that reciprocates in an image recording apparatus is detected with high accuracy. Among them, the optical encoder is capable of detecting the position scale without contact with the position scale, has excellent durability, is resistant to disturbances such as magnetic field changes, is inexpensive, and is suitable for position detection with high accuracy and high resolution. It has become mainstream in high performance recording devices.

  However, recently, along with the demand for higher performance of the apparatus, optical linear encoders are required to have higher precision and higher resolution, and the following drawbacks are regarded as problems.

  The inside of the recording apparatus often causes dirt such as ink, paper dust, and toner, and if this adheres to the surface of the position scale, the transmitted light is reduced and the signal output of the linear encoder is lowered.

  In particular, in an ink jet recording apparatus, a phenomenon in which a minute amount of ink is scattered in a space in the form of a mist when ink is ejected from a recording head (hereinafter referred to as mist) is likely to adhere to the components inside the apparatus. , Easy to adhere to the position scale surface.

  In addition, in optical linear encoders, a method of detecting with high resolution and high accuracy using a combination of optical phenomena such as reflection and refraction has appeared, compared to a method in which the number of light and dark slits is simply counted by a light receiving element. However, in such a system, since the transmitted light of the scale deviates from the normal optical path with respect to the dirt that changes the curvature of the position scale surface with transparency such as water droplets, an error signal that cannot be corrected by gain adjustment occurs. .

  The error due to the error signal described above, for example, affects the printing performance of a recording apparatus using a linear encoder, but the error accumulation due to the error signal may cause the stop position to go wrong, and in the worst case, other than the carriage driven at high speed. Mechanical damage, runaway, etc. occur due to collision with parts, leading to problems that lead to deterioration in reliability and durability.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-189574 shows an example in which an absorber is mounted on a carriage for the purpose of removing these stains. In this case, the position scale and the absorber are always in frictional contact. In many of the position scales, the scale is printed on a resin film, and there is a concern about the generation of an erroneous signal due to the deterioration of printing, or the output signal.
JP 09-189574

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning tool that allows a user to appropriately clean a position scale so as to solve the above-described contamination of the scale surface and perform position detection with high resolution and high accuracy.

  In order to solve the above problem, a carriage mounted with a recording head that scans and moves with respect to the recording medium, a guide member that slidably engages the carriage and scans and moves along the moving direction of the carriage. In an image recording apparatus comprising a position scale provided and a position detecting means provided on a portion of the carriage facing the position scale for detecting the position of the carriage in the scanning direction, the image recording apparatus is detachably engaged with the guide means, The scale cleaning tool includes a cleaning member that is in close contact with the front and back of the position scale.

  The position scale cleaning tool may be slidably engaged with the guide member.

  Further, the cleaning member may be a position scale cleaning tool characterized in that the cleaning member is detachable from the position scale.

  Further, the position scale cleaning tool may be characterized in that the position member is pressurized with a certain force.

Furthermore, the cleaning member may be a cleaning tool that slides relative to the position scale.

  According to the present invention, a complicated and expensive structure is provided in the apparatus main body by a user using the above-described position scale cleaning tool in an apparatus provided with position detecting means using an optical linear encoder for detecting the scanning position of the carriage. In addition, it is possible to obtain an output signal with high accuracy and high resolution, which makes it possible to deteriorate the image quality and maintain the performance of the apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets, the carriage 9 that is mounted with the recording head that moves relative to the recording medium shown in FIG. A linear encoder unit 6 is configured. Further, the apparatus main body includes a guide member 4 and a guide shaft 5 that support the carriage and guide in the main scanning direction, and a position scale 7 that is positioned in parallel with the guide is stretched. The position scale 7 is printed with a line maintained at a constant interval on a transparent film.

  The optical linear encoder unit is configured in a U shape, and an optical signal generating element and a light receiving element are provided on opposing surfaces, and a position scale is sandwiched inside the U shape together with the carriage. Reciprocates in the main scanning direction.

  As the carriage scans, light emitted from the optical signal generating element of the optical linear encoder is intermittently transmitted to the light receiving side through the position scale. The precise position of the carriage is read by the pulse signal.

  However, if the position scale is contaminated by ink mist, paper dust, dust from the outside air, etc. generated from the apparatus, the pulse signal is cut off and the accurate carriage position cannot be detected. This greatly affects the control of the apparatus if the image quality deteriorates.

  According to the above-described invention, the cleaning member is mounted on the carriage to solve this problem. However, always contacting with the position scale is a major factor for reducing the durability.

  The present invention proposes to provide a cleaning tool that can be easily used by the user, rather than constituting such a cleaning member in the apparatus itself.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the cleaning tool 1 according to the present invention is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus using the tool of the present invention. The apparatus includes a guide member 4 and a guide rail 5, and a carriage 9 (not shown) on which a recording head 8 that scans and moves with respect to the recording medium is mounted, and a position that is disposed along the carriage scanning movement direction. A position detector using an optical linear encoder 6 that is provided on the carriage so as to face the scale 7 and the position scale and detects the scanning position of the carriage is installed.

  1 to 3 are schematic views of a position scale cleaning tool 1 according to the present invention for cleaning dirt on the position scale.

  The cleaning members 21 and 22 are installed by light press-fitting into the rib-like protrusions of the position scale cleaning tool 1. With this configuration, the user can easily attach and detach (replace) the cleaning members 21 and 22. Further, the cleaning members 21 and 22 are pressurized by the pressure spring 3 at a constant pressure. In other words, it is possible to sandwich the position scale with a constant pressure, and the cleaning ability of the position scale is consistent and always constant.

  In the figure, reference numerals 12 and 13 denote guide portions for guiding the cleaning tool in the main scanning direction. By providing this, the positional relationship between the position scale 7 and the cleaning members 21 and 22 can always be kept constant.

  Here, the procedure for using the position scale cleaning tool of the present invention will be briefly described.

  First, the cleaning members 21 and 22 are inserted into the protruding ribs of the cleaning tool 1. The cleaning tool 1 is provided with a knob portion 11, and the cleaning members 21 and 22 are separated by pulling the knob portion. In this state, a cleaning tool is set in the apparatus from diagonally above the position scale disposed in the ink jet recording apparatus. The position scale 7 is sandwiched between the cleaning members 21 and 22 by releasing the knob portion 11. Thereafter, the user can easily and stably clean the position scale only by moving along the guide portions 12 and 13 in parallel with the position scale 7.

  As is apparent from the above description, by using the position scale cleaning tool configured in accordance with the present invention, the user does not accidentally damage the position scale 7 during cleaning. There is no possibility of injury, such as cutting your finger during cleaning. And it became possible to clean a position scale reliably with the stable wiping power.

One Example of Position Scale Cleaning Tool in the Present Invention Perspective view when the cleaning tool is set on the guide member Sectional view when setting the cleaning tool on the guide member Device carriage schematic Schematic of the entire apparatus equipped with the cleaning tool of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1 Position Scale Cleaning Tool 3 Pressure Spring 4 Guide Rail 5 Guide Rail 6 Optical Linear Encoder 7 Position Scale 8 Head 9 Carriage 11 Cleaning Tool Knob 12 Guide 1
13 Guide part 2
21 Cleaning member 1
22 Cleaning member 2

Claims (5)

A carriage mounted with a recording head that scans and moves with respect to the recording medium;
A guide member that is slidably engaged with the carriage and moved by scanning, a position scale disposed along the moving direction of the carriage, and a position on the carriage facing the position scale in the scanning direction of the carriage In an image recording apparatus provided with a position detection means for detecting
A scale cleaning tool comprising a cleaning member that is detachably engaged with the guide means and is in close contact with the front and back of the position scale. The position scale cleaning tool according to claim 1 slidably engaged with the guide member. The position scale cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is detachable from the position scale. The position scale cleaning tool of Claim 1 which pressurizes the said cleaning member to the said position scale with fixed force. 6. The position scale cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member slides relative to the position scale.

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