JP2575349B2 - 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, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 59-101508 to 59-101512 by the present applicant. These apparatuses include a transport system that can be easily connected to and separated from each other, a recording unit having a liquid jet recording device, and a recovery unit that performs an ejection recovery process of the liquid jet recording device. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which work is easy and each part is appropriately positioned in a connected state to enable high-quality image formation.

In such an apparatus, it is strongly desired that the recording means and the recording medium face each other with an appropriate positional relationship.

[Purpose] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately positioning a recording unit and a recording medium and realizing high quality of a formed image.

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

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

1.2 Inside (1) Inside of Recording 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 unit 100.
In this configuration, for the control system including the recording head 110 and the cartridge tank 120, for example, an ink jet printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 58-244131 to 58-244138 by the present applicant can be used.

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

(3) Inside the Controller Unit FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of the internal configuration of the controller unit 200. FIG. 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 Feeding Unit FIG. 6 shows an example of a detailed configuration of the paper feeding 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, lower and upper paper feed mechanisms, their opening and closing mechanisms 34
0,370, the platen 392 and the like are exposed through the window 306A, and the surface 306B facing the unit 100 serves as a gap reference surface for the head unit 110 described later.

302A and 302B are portions having a rotation axis 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.

Also, 3000 is a motor unit for driving the rollers 320 and 350, 325 is a pulley G1 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 3000, and a transmission mechanism for the lower feed roller including a bearing and a retainer, and 355 is a pulley G2, a bearing and a retainer for the same. And a transmission mechanism of an upper feed roller including a slip plate 352.

(1) Paper Deck 310 FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the paper deck 310. Here, reference numeral 311 denotes a recording paper stacking portion, which is a first side plate 311A serving as a reference surface for regulating one side end of the recording paper upstream of the transport path, and also for opening and closing operations of the paper feeding unit 100. A bottom plate 31 provided with a convex portion 311B for obtaining a stable paper deposition state
1C, a second side plate 311G facing the side plate 311A, and the like. In this example, the bottom plate 311C is inclined toward the rear side surface 311D (the side opposite to the paper mounting side) so that the recording paper is hung on the rear 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.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 315 denotes a pressing plate as a movable side plate for pressing the other end of the recording paper. The spring hook portion 315C provided at the lower portion of the presser plate 315 is provided on the back surface of the bottom plate 311C through a hole 311E provided on the bottom plate 311C,
Spring support 319A screwed to bottom plate 311C and spring hook
A lower spring 314A is stretched between the lower spring 314A and 315C. Also,
The arm 315A provided on the upper part of the holding plate 315
It is screwed to the upper spring hook 319B through a key hole 311F provided in the upper part of the eleventh part. Bush 3151 is arm part
This bush is located between 315A and upper spring hook 319B.
The outer peripheral surface of 3151 can slide in the L direction on the inner surface of key hole 311F. The upper spring 314B is stretched between the spring hook 319B and the upper fixed position of the paper deck 310.

Reference numeral 318 denotes a screw that is screwed into the nut member 319C through the long hole 315D of the holding plate 315 and the circular hole 311H at a fixed position of the second side plate 311G. The long hole 315D extends along the direction of the arrow L, and allows the pressing plate 315 to slide along the same direction when the screw 318 is loosened.

Also, a spring 3 is applied to the recording paper set in the loading section 311.
After the holding plate 315 is pressed by 14A and 314B, the holding plate 315 is fixed by strongly screwing the screw 318 onto the nut member 319C.

With the above configuration, the holding plate 315 is urged toward the side plate 311A by the springs 314A and 314B in the upper portion and the lower portion, and stabilizes the recording paper with an appropriate pressing force when loading the recording paper on the bottom 311C. Position can be regulated. As a result, the recording paper is regulated to an appropriate position at the uppermost stream of the conveyance path, and thereafter, a stable recording paper conveyance state is obtained.

(2) Lower paper feed mechanism and lower roller opening / closing mechanism FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the lower paper feed mechanism and lower roller opening / closing mechanism.

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, and the nip amount with the roller 320 is obtained at that portion so that the recording paper P can be held in a sandwiched 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 on both sides thereof, and the side plate 342 is rotatable around a shaft 343.
Reference numeral 344 denotes a pinch roller arm having arms 344A and 344B, which is supported by a pin 345 protruding from the side plate 342 between the arms 344A and 344B, and is rotatable therearound. 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. The side plate 342 is provided with a skew preventing 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 prevention roller 338 into contact with the recording paper P, the weight of the recording paper P up to the paper deck 310 can be supported, and the wrap angle of the recording paper P around the roller 320 can be increased. 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 at one end thereof is provided a button 341A which is depressed when the operator releases the pinch roller 330 or the like from the feed roller 320. At the end, a claw portion 341B that engages with a lock pin provided on the base 302 is provided. Also lever
A spring 349 is stretched between the button 341 and the side plate 342 of the button 341A, so that the lever 341 is given a rotating 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 FIG.
Engage 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 Unit FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a main part of the recording surface forming unit 390 including the platen 392. Here, reference numeral 393 denotes a hole provided in the platen 392, through which the recording paper P is attracted to the platen surface by the fan 390F 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 denotes a sensor for detecting recording paper.

As described later, the recording unit 100 and the paper feeding unit 300
At the time of connection, the pins 132 provided on the front surface of the recording head unit 110 hit the panel 306 having the reference surface 306B, and at this time, the assembly 130 swings and the head unit 1
The ten nozzles and the reference plane are kept parallel. At the same time, the platen 392 has a projection 304 provided on the assembly 130 side by a spring 395.
Follow the swing of the assembly 130 through the nozzles, 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. In other words, the platen 392 is three-dimensionally displaced by following the four projections 132 of the recording head assembly 130 described below so as to follow the posture of the recording head assembly 130 as the recording means. Thus, a predetermined degree of parallelism is obtained between the recording means and the recording means. Therefore, platen 39
Reference numeral 2 is held so as to be freely displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the recording means side and to be swingable about a plurality of axes. Needless to say, the plurality of axes are axes serving as swing centers when the front surface of the platen 392 swings so as to sequentially contact the four protrusions 132.

(4) Motor unit FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the motor unit 3000. Here, reference numeral 3002 denotes a motor, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 3004 is controlled by the pulley 30.
06 and lower feed roller transmission mechanism 32 via belt 3008
5 to the associated pulley G20. 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 a configuration example of the upper feed roller 350 and its transmission mechanism 355. Here, 353 is the extension shaft 351 of the roller 350
Bearing that is provided at the
352A and 352B are slip plates provided on the pulley G2 and the shaft 351 respectively, and are fixed to the shaft 351 to slide with the ring 354 and the pulley G2, respectively. As a result, the rotational movement of the motor rotation shaft is controlled by the slip plate 352A and
352B to the roller 350, at which time the recording paper P
Is pulled up by the upper feed roller 350 in a state where an appropriate tension is applied.

(6) Upper Pinch Roller and Paper Guide FIG. 12 shows an example of a configuration around the upper pinch roller 360. 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 provided with a movement behavior in a direction in which the pinch roller 360 is constantly pressed toward the feed roller 350 by a spring 372 (see FIG. 6) of the upper roller opening / closing mechanism 370. To open the upper feed mechanism. These movements are also transmitted to the other member 362 by the connecting bar 364. In this state, the operator can perform the mounting operation of the recording paper P.

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

(7) Paper feed unit cover FIG. 13 shows an example of a configuration around the paper feed unit cover 308. Here, reference numerals 308A, 308B, and 308C denote an outlet for the recorded recording paper P (an opening for the flap 400), an opening for the display panel 500, and a handle lever 1400, respectively.
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. The stacker rail 710 is engaged with an 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.
One 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 rotatable around a shaft 432 provided on a base 430 fixed to the cover 308, and a lug 424A engageable with the bent portion 422A and a pin 424B engaged with the cam surface of the cam hole 422B. Having.

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.
Indicates that 08A is open.

Simultaneously, the flap 400 is rotated around the shaft 412 in the clockwise direction in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 2A, and when the flap 400 reaches the position shown in FIG. 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 sent.
Even if the operator accidentally presses the flap 400 or vibrates at the time of this sending, the flap 400 is locked, so that the delivery port 308A is not closed.

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 Mounting Operation FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding unit 300 viewed from below for explaining the mounting of the stacker 700. Here, 722 is a guide groove formed by the member 720, and 750 is a stacker 700.
This is the mounting part.

When mounting the stacker 700, the mounting section 750
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 directions F and B in the drawing, 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, when not in use, the stacker 700 can be stored below the paper feeding unit 300,
The volume of the device can be reduced.

(10) Structure of Stacker FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view when the stacker 700 attached below the paper feed unit 300 is used (when the stacker 700 projects forward).

As shown in FIG. 17, the stacker 700 has a support arm 701 rotatably supported on the upper portion of the stacker main body, and a guide member 702 attached to the support arm 701. The support arm 701 contacts the front surface of the paper feed unit 300 when using the stacker, and sets the guide member 702 at a predetermined position. That is, in this setting state, the guide member 702 is located inside the lower extension 703 of the inclined surface having the outlet 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 in the range of 10 to 25 mm. According to such a configuration, for example, a continuous recording paper such as a recorded fan-hold paper is sent out from the feeding port, first hits the curved portion of the guide member 702, and is guided while being reliably guided by this. It falls into the stacker 700 from the gap between the member 702 and the front surface of the paper feeding unit 300, and is deposited there.
The reason for limiting the distance d to a numerical value as described above is that the recording paper is extremely stable within this range, that is, the recording paper can be guided into the stacker without protruding outside the stacker. The guide member 702 can be turned down as shown in FIG. 17 so that it is not used.

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 correspond to axes 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.

1423 and 1433 are springs, respectively, rollers 1422
And 1432 are rotated in the direction of engagement. 1424 and 1434
Are pins provided between the shaft 1421 and the pawl 1422A and between the shaft 1431 and the pawl 1432A, respectively, and these pins are connected to the handle lever via wires 1425 and 1435, respectively.
Connect to 1400. That is, when the wires 1425 and 1435 are pulled downward and upward, respectively, in response to the operation of the handle lever 1400, the lock levers 1422 and 1435 are pulled.
32 rotates to release the locked state between the sheet feeding unit 300 and the recording unit 100.

(2) Handle lever FIGS. 20 and 21 show the handle lever 14 respectively.
00 and an example of the configuration of the transmission unit are shown. Where 1401
Is an operation handle, and a pin 14 connectable 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
To move the seal member 1404 to the hole 308C.
A spring 1406 for making close contact with the periphery of the 308C is a retaining ring for preventing each partial pin from falling off from the 1402.
That is, when the handle lever 1400 is mounted, the seal member 1404 ensures dustproofness near the mounting 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
It is a wire connection member fixed to 1412 and has pins 1416 and 1417 for connecting 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.

In this embodiment, the tube 826 is connected to the tube 820.However, all the ink collected by the cap 140 is guided onto the top plate 260, and the ink is guided from the hole 266 to the drain tank 800 via the tube. By doing 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 closed state and the opened state of the cap 140 with respect to the cap cover 15. Where 141A
And 141B are rails for guiding the vertical movement of the cap 140, and 142A is a holding member that holds the cap 140 so as to be rotatable about 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. Reference numeral 825 denotes a waste ink reservoir provided below the cap 140, to which a tube 820 is connected.

According to such a configuration, a sufficient work area is secured at the time of maintenance work of the cap 140 and the like, and such work becomes 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 the ink in the cap portion.

Further, in the drawing, reference numeral 145 denotes a cap back surface, and the back surface 145 can be engaged with the above-described pinch roller side plate 342B, and when the units 100 and 300 are connected with the pinch roller 330 opened, the cap 140 is closed. The lower paper feed mechanism is closed with the downward movement operation.

(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 FIG. 0 and an explanatory diagram showing an engagement relationship with a cap 140. Spring 1 for cap cover 150
51 gives the habit of always moving to the cap side. Also,
152 is a roller which can be engaged with the 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. Thus, the cap 140 can be protected from drying, dust, and the like.

When the cap 140 moves, the roller 152 rides on the portion 149, and the cover 150 retreats against the spring force.
The 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 of the cap,
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, the assembly 130 has 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 capable of fitting the cap 140 into the recess.
Is provided. 138 is the recording paper P by fan 390F
Is a fan for backing up the adsorption of the platen 392 to the platen 392.

The projection 132 is provided on the recording head assembly 130 as a recording unit, and forms a housing contact portion that comes into contact with a reference surface 306B of a panel 306 (see FIG. 6) as a housing that supports the platen 392. Further, the projection 134 forms a positioning portion that comes into contact with the front surface of the platen 392, and the portion of the front surface of the platen 392 that comes into contact with the projection 134 forms a positioning contact portion. In this example, four positioning portions and four positioning contact portions are provided in association with each other, but it is a matter of course that the platen 392 can be positioned by providing at least three of them in association with each other.
The above-mentioned spring 395 (see FIG. 9)
Acts as an elastic member that elastically presses the platen 392 toward the recording head assembly 130, and the pressing causes the positioning contact portion on the platen 392 side to contact the positioning portion on the recording head assembly 130 side, so that the platen 392 and the recording head assembly The distance between 130 and is regulated. As a result, platen 3
A recording sheet P supported by the recording medium supporting plane in a plane portion 92, that is, a recording medium supporting plane that supports a recording sheet P as a recording medium in a recording area, and ink on the recording means side, that is, the recording head assembly 130 side. The distance between the nozzle and the discharge port is accurately set.

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 base 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 drive mechanism 180 is positioned and fixed on the fixed base 160 so that the movable base 170 moves back and forth in a direction orthogonal to the recording surface (at the time of setting) in the paper feeding unit 300, and the guide mechanism is provided.
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 the rail coincides with the direction of movement 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 and rear sides 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.
Of the rear roller 172 at the front thereof.
Larger than the diameter of. Therefore, when the movable platform advances,
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 is possible to swing around 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. In addition, the swinging makes it possible to extremely easily and smoothly perform the positioning operation of the positioning front surface portion of the recording head assembly 130 fixed to the movable base 170 with respect to the paper feed unit side reference surface of the assembly 130.

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

In the connection state between the recording head unit 100 and the paper feeding unit, when the movable table advances, the positioning protrusion 132 on the front surface of the recording head assembly 130 is caused by the swinging effect of the movable table 170 as shown in FIG. Paper feed unit 30
It surely contacts the zero reference plane 306B. 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. Position is ensured.

[Effects] As described above, according to the present invention, the platen having the recording medium support plane is displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the recording means side and swingably around a plurality of axes. The platen is provided with a plurality of positioning abutments corresponding to at least three positionings provided on the recording means side, and the plurality of positioning abutments of the platen are moved by the plurality of elastic members to the positioning means on the recording means side. The platen is three-dimensionally displaced so as to follow the posture of the recording means by the contact at three or more places, and is positioned, so that the platen is brought into contact with the recording means. As a result, a predetermined parallelism can be obtained, and as a result, the interval between the recording medium supported on the recording medium supporting plane of the platen and the ink ejection port on the recording means side is assured as expected. Set, it is possible to further higher quality of an image formed. This is extremely effective particularly when recording is performed on a recording medium supported by a recording medium supporting surface having a large area.

In addition, since the platen is provided with a so-called flat plate having a recording medium supporting plane, the recording medium can be supported over a relatively large recording area by the recording medium supporting plane. In addition, a large-sized image forming apparatus that forms an image over a wide recording area can be employed, and high-quality image forming and high-speed recording can be realized.

Moreover, even if the weight difference between the platen and the recording means increases with the increase in the size of the recording means, the light weight platen is pressed against the heavy recording means. Compared with the case where the heavy recording means is pressed against the platen side, the configuration for pressing them can be reduced in size and simplified.

[Brief description of the 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 FIGS. 23 and 24 are views showing the closed state and the open state of the cap with respect to the cap cover, FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views showing an example of the configuration of the cap cover, respectively, 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. FIG. 29 is an example of a coupling state of a fixed table and a movable table. FIG. 100: Recording unit, 200: Controller unit, 300: Paper feed unit (conveyance unit), 400: Flap, 500: Display panel, 600: Viewing window, 700: Stacker, 800: Drain tank, 900, pocket, 1000, 1st optical fiber connector, 1100, 2nd optical fiber connector, 1200, power input connector, 1300, power output connector, 1400, handle lever 1500, power switch , 110B, 110C, 110M, 110Y ... print head unit, 120B, 120C, 120M, 120Y ... cartridge tank, 130 ... print 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 Organization, 380 ...... paper guide, 390 ...... recording surface forming portion, 210 ...... power supply, 220B, 220C, 220M, 220Y ...... V OP monitor terminal, 230 ...... V _OP monitor switch, 240 ...... card rack, 250 …… Overload ramp.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium supported on a recording medium supporting plane of a platen by using ink ejected from an ink ejection port on a recording means side, wherein at least Three or more positioning portions are provided, and the platen is held so as to be displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the recording means side and to be swingable about a plurality of axes, and corresponds to each of the positioning portions, and A plurality of positioning abutting portions that form an interval between a recording medium supported by the recording medium supporting plane and an ink ejection port on the recording unit side by abutting on a positioning portion; An image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of elastic members each of which elastically presses the recording member toward the recording unit. 2. An ink jet head having an ink ejection port for ejecting ink corresponding to the entire length in the width direction of a recording medium supported on the recording medium supporting plane is provided on the recording means side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.