JP3032025B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus used as information output means of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor, a personal computer, and an electronic typewriter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is used as an output means.
In particular, small-sized information processing apparatuses that do not require an installation place from the viewpoint of personal use and do not require much installation space are becoming widespread. These are so-called laptop types and also have portability. In such an information processing apparatus, an apparatus main body as an information processing unit, a disk device as an external storage device, a display device as an information display device including a liquid crystal display, a recording device as an information output device, and an information input device And operations,
Each device such as a keyboard device for inputting control commands is integrally provided.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a word processor as a conventional example of this type of apparatus. When using this device,
As is apparent from the figure, the upper cover 104 having the display unit 103 is opened and raised, so that an operator (not shown) located on the right side in the figure can see the display unit 103. When the upper cover 104 is opened, the keyboard 102 appears in front of the operator. On the rear side (left side in the figure) of the display unit 103 as a boundary, an apparatus main body 101 as an information processing unit is located. Printer 2) is provided. FIG.
The transport path of the recording paper 3 in the printer 2 shown in FIG.
The direction is reversed by the paper feed roller 214 and is formed almost vertically.

[0004] Smaller and thinner information processing apparatuses have been proposed which are more excellent in portability and installation properties than the above-mentioned laptop type information processing apparatuses. These are so-called note types or book types. Conventional examples of this type of personal computer are shown in FIGS.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the printer 2 is detachably provided at the rear of the apparatus main body 101. The printer 2 can perform a recording operation both in a state of being attached to the main body and in a state of being detached from the main body.
When the printer 2 is mounted on the main body 101, the recording paper transport path can be, as shown in the figure, a combination of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction having a bent portion at a substantially right angle, or a lower part of the printer 2. This is a vertical path using space. Further, when the printer 2 is used in a detached state, as shown in the figure, the transport path can be in the horizontal direction.

[0006] In the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the printer 2 is rotated about a predetermined axis as a rotation axis at the time of use, and is installed above the apparatus main body 101. In this configuration, the recording paper transport path is in the horizontal direction.

[0007]

However, there are several problems to be solved in the information processing apparatus incorporating the printer as described above.

First, there is a problem caused by the restriction of the recording paper transport path. For example, the printer 2 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which recording paper is wound around a paper feed roller and transported. For this reason, it is conceivable that thick paper such as postcards and envelopes is not conveyed favorably. Further, in consideration of the transportability of the thick paper, a configuration for increasing the space for transporting the recording paper, such as increasing the diameter of the paper feed roller, must be adopted. As a result, the proportion of the printer in the information processing apparatus increases, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by the restriction of the recording paper transport path, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the installation posture of the printer is changed according to the type of recording paper used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is changed. However, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to perform an operation such as disconnecting the printer 2 from the information processing apparatus main body according to the type of recording paper to be used. Therefore, the operation for that purpose becomes complicated, and the simplicity and compactness that the information processing apparatus such as a so-called laptop type should originally have are impaired. In addition, the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 has a configuration in which the installation posture is changed by rotating the printer 2, so that an exterior is also required on the lower surface of the printer 2. Requires a space in the depth direction, which may make it difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus.

As a second problem, FIG. 2 and FIG.
In the apparatus shown in (1), the recording direction of the recording head differs depending on the installation posture of the printer 2. For example, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, when the printer 2 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the recording direction of the recording head cartridge 212 by the recording head is horizontal as shown by an arrow A in the figure. The direction is vertically downward as indicated by arrow B in the figure. When the recording direction changes in this way, the direction of the force acting on the recording paper, the recording head, and the recording material such as ink used for recording changes accordingly, and the respective states of the recording paper and the like at the time of recording are delicate. Will be different. This is particularly remarkable in ink jet recording paper which performs recording by discharging ink onto the recording paper. For example, the recording head ejects ink in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. Therefore, when the recording paper is conveyed in the vertical direction, a part of the ink that has adhered to the recording paper due to the discharge slightly flows vertically downward until it is fixed. The recording result obtained by such a configuration,
A subtle difference in image quality or the like may be recognized from a recording result obtained by ejecting ink in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. Therefore, it can be said that it is desirable that the recording direction is always constant in order to stably obtain a recording result of good image quality.

A third problem is a problem with the operability of the printer. That is, in any of the apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the printer 2 is located on the opposite side of the display unit 103 from the operator. For this reason, when the operator performs an operation related to the printer, for example, inserting a recording paper, the display unit 10
3 may feel an obstacle. Further, the recording result on the recording paper is difficult to be seen by the operator. As a result, when operating the printer, the upper cover 104 incorporating the display unit 103 may be tilted down, and the usability of the information processing apparatus becomes extremely poor. In particular, in an information processing apparatus capable of performing a recording operation in a printer and an operation for other information processing in parallel, the above-described problem caused by the arrangement of the printer becomes more prominent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has the following two objects.
Recording areas and transport routes for each area
Accordingly, while it possible to perform the conveyance of any type of record media well be a device compact configuration, to further improve the usability of the device Rukoto
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head, a first recording area where recording is performed on a first recording medium, and a second recording medium which is located at a position separated from the first recording area. A second recording area on which recording is performed, a first transport path on which the first recording medium is transported through the first recording area, and a second recording medium passing through the second recording area. And a second conveyance path through which the first recording medium and the second recording medium are conveyed, and only one of the first recording area and the second recording area corresponding to the first recording medium and the second recording area, respectively. And a head holding member for holding the ink jet recording head, and holding the ink jet recording head on the head holding member, whereby the A printer unit capable of executing recording in a fixed inkjet recordable area corresponding to each of a recording area and the second recording area; and a printer capable of executing recording in the first recording area; A recording execution position in the two recording areas; and a moving mechanism for moving the recording area.

[0014]

[0015]

According to the above arrangement, the first recording area and the
And the second recording area at a position separated from the
By providing the first and second transport paths, respectively,
Set the type of recording medium used for each recording area
It becomes possible.

Further, in the above configuration, the printer unit
Holds the inkjet recording head and performs the first recording.
Moving between the area and the second recording area and according to each area
Printing can be performed in a certain inkjet printable area
Therefore, two recording areas that are distinguished by the transport path
Move the printer unit to record each
It can be executed with a simple configuration.

[0017]

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

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) as an information processing apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention. The personal computer 1 is connected to the device body 10
1, a keyboard 102, an upper cover 104 having a display unit 103, and a printer 2 and the like. The upper cover 104 is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 101 via hinges 104a provided at both ends of the rear edge. Accordingly, when the present device is used, the upper cover 104 is rotated by the rotation thereof to display the display unit 103.
Can be opened to a position where it is easy to see, and closed when not in use to function as a cover. Display unit 10
As the display element of No. 3, a liquid crystal display element is used because the display portion can be made thin.

Here, the upper cover 104 and the display unit 103 incorporated therein are not flush with each other. That is, since the upper cover 104 covers the electrical connection portion (not shown) of the display portion 103, a predetermined amount of level difference occurs between these surfaces. The slope 104h is
It is provided at a predetermined angle so as to connect the above-mentioned steps generated between the upper cover 104 and the display unit 103 with a smooth gradient. Thereby, as described later, the recording paper is displayed on the display unit 1.
When the sheet is conveyed on the top surface 03, the leading end can be prevented from being caught by the step. A latch plate 104c is attached to the upper edge of the cover 104 via a hinge (not shown) so that the latch plate 104c can be rotated by 90 °. When the apparatus is used, the latch plate 104c is flush with the surface of the upper cover 104 as shown in FIG. Open to A latch groove 104d is provided at the center of the latch plate 104c. In the above configuration relating to the upper cover 104, when the upper cover 104 is closed, the latch plate 10
4c, the concave portion 101 formed in the main body 101 is rotated.
b and the latch groove 104d
Is engaged with the protrusion 101a provided in the concave portion 101b. Thus, the upper cover 104 can be securely fixed to the main body 101.

A printer unit 2 using an ink jet recording head is disposed in front of the display unit 103. When the printer unit 2 is used, that is, when recording is performed, the printer unit 2 is slid up to
1 and is stored inside the main body 101 when not in use. The vertical movement of the printer unit 2 may be performed by an operator operating a lever, a dial, or the like, and converting these changes into a vertical movement by a known means. May automatically operate as part of the recording operation. Several examples of the configuration for that will be described later.

The recording paper 3 is fed from the front side of the apparatus through a paper feed port 201f provided in the printer unit 2, and after the recording is performed in the printer unit 2, the upper cover 104 and the surface of the display unit 103 are formed. Is discharged along. Since the recording paper 3 slides on the surface of the display unit 103 during the discharge, it is desirable that the display unit 103 has a low friction coefficient and is excellent in wear resistance. For this reason, it is desirable that the surface of the display unit 103 is coated with a material such as a fluororesin.

A keyboard 102 having a conventionally known configuration can be incorporated. A control circuit and the like of the present apparatus are provided in the form of a substrate inside the apparatus main body 101. Further, a waste ink absorber for holding waste ink discharged from the printer unit 2 is disposed inside the main body 101 as described later. Louvers 101l are formed on the cover members on both side surfaces of the main body 101 in order to promote the evaporation of the ink in the waste ink absorber.

According to the above-described reference example , the transport path of the recording paper can be made substantially horizontal, so that thick paper can be transported well. Further, since the movement of the printer unit 2 is performed only in the vertical direction, the recording direction by the recording head can always be kept constant. further,
Since the printer unit 2 is disposed on the front side of the display unit 103, various operations in the printer can be easily performed without performing a troublesome operation such as closing the upper cover 104.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 4 excluding a part of the cover.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the printer unit 2 has been moved and installed above the apparatus main body, as viewed from the side.

The mechanism of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The printer unit 2 includes a front cover 222f.
The rear cover 222b, the lid 223, and the base 202 form a case member. The base 202 forms a structural member of the printer unit, has a substantially W-shaped cross-sectional shape, and extends together with other case members so as to cover a moving range of a recording head described later. Reference numeral 202a denotes a platen that forms a part of the base 202, and extends over the moving range of the print head so as to be able to face the discharge port of the print head at a predetermined interval. Thereby, at the time of the recording operation, the surface of the recording paper 3 from which the ink is ejected is regulated in accordance with the conveyance, and the flatness and the position of the recording paper 3 are maintained.

At the end of the base 202 on the home position side, there is provided a cutout portion 202b which is partially cut out, and the recovery unit 203 is housed in the cutout portion 202b. The recovery unit 203 includes a cap 203a, a drive motor (not shown), a suction pump (not shown), and an ink discharge tube 203.
b, etc., and can perform processing for maintaining good ejection performance of the recording head, such as elimination of clogging due to thickened ink generated at ejection ports of the recording head and prevention of drying of ink in the recording head. it can.

The waste ink absorber 204 is attached to the bottom inside the apparatus main body 101, and extends in substantially the same range as the platen 202a. The absorber 204 is formed of a porous material such as laminated paper or polyester cotton sponge,
The waste ink discharged from the recording head by the recovery unit 203 is taken in through the tube 203b and held. Since the ink evaporates into the atmosphere during this holding, the holding force of the absorber 204 hardly decreases,
It is also possible to use the absorber 204 semi-permanently.

The printer unit 2 is provided with a pair of guide shafts for guiding the movement of a recording head cartridge 212 described later. One guide shaft 205 is attached to each side plate (not shown) provided vertically at both ends of the base 202. On the upper surface of the guide shaft 205, a rack 205a is provided with a length corresponding to the moving range of the recording head cartridge 212, and a pinion of a carrier motor to be described later meshes with the rack 205a. In addition, concave portions are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on the lower surface of the guide shaft 205, and a pinch roller 206 is rotatably mounted in each of the concave portions. In addition,
The pinch roller 206 is urged downward by a spring (not shown). The other guide shaft 207 provided behind the guide shaft 205 is parallel to the guide shaft 205 and the base 2.
02 are similarly fixed to the side plates standing upright at both ends. Similarly to the guide shaft 205, concave portions are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on the lower surface thereof, and a paper pressing roller 208 is rotatably attached to each of the concave portions. The paper pressing roller 208 is formed in a spur or disk shape, and its circumferential end surface is coated with a water-repellent material such as a fluororesin. This makes it difficult for unfixed ink immediately after recording to adhere to the roller 208.

The carrier 209 includes guide shafts 205 and 2
07 is slidably mounted. The bearing portion of the carrier 209, which is a portion that engages with the guide shafts 205 and 207, has a shape in which a lower portion thereof is partially cut away. Thus, the portion of the carrier 209 that engages with the guide shafts 205 and 207 can be reduced so that the carrier 209 does not interfere with the recording paper being conveyed. On one side surface of the carrier 209, a motor mounting plate 209a is provided integrally with the carrier 209, and a carrier motor 210 is fixed to the mounting plate 209a. Carrier motor 210
The pinion gear 211 attached to the rotating shaft of the second gear meshes with the rack 205a of the guide shaft 205. In the configuration described above, the carrier 209 can reciprocate along the guide shafts 205 and 207 by rotating the motor 210 in the forward or reverse direction.

The recording head cartridge 212 has a recording head 212H and an ink tank 212T formed integrally with each other, and can be detachably mounted on the carrier 209. According to this configuration, when the ink tank runs out of ink, it can be replaced with a new print head cartridge, and at this time, the print head is also replaced. The recording head used in this embodiment is of a type that generates bubbles in the ink by using thermal energy and discharges the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. The ejection port of the recording head 212H is configured so that the ejection direction is downward, and as described above, the platen 202a
And at a predetermined interval.

The flexible cable 213 is connected to the carrier 2
09 is fixed at one end, and is electrically connected to the recording head 212 via a contact portion (not shown). Further, it is also electrically connected to the carrier motor 210. The flexible cable 213 has a loop formed at a predetermined position so as to follow the movement of the carrier 209 and the vertical movement of the entire printer unit 2, and the other end is connected to a control board 224 (FIG. 6) in the apparatus main body.

The paper feed roller 214 is disposed at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the guide shaft 205. The paper feed roller 214 is formed by forming a material having a high friction coefficient such as rubber on the outer periphery of the roller shaft 215 in a cylindrical shape. It is constituted by winding around. Instead of winding rubber or the like, a material having a high coefficient of friction such as urethane may be thinly and uniformly applied. Roller shaft 21
5 is rotatably supported by side plates at both ends of the base 202, similarly to the guide shafts 205 and 207. Discharge roller 2
Reference numeral 17 is provided at a predetermined interval in parallel with the guide shaft 207, and the configuration thereof is the same as that of the paper feed roller 214. The roller shaft 218 is also rotatably supported by the side plate of the base 202 similarly to the roller shaft 215.
The paper feed pulley 219 is fixed to an end of the roller shaft 215, and the discharge pulley 220 is fixed to an end of the roller shaft 218. A timing belt 221 is stretched between the pulleys 218 and 220. Further, the paper feed motor 216 is attached to the end of the base 202, and its power is transmitted to the paper feed roller shaft 215 via a transmission mechanism (not shown).

According to the above configuration, the paper feed motor 216
The rotation of the paper feed roller 214 caused by the driving of the paper discharge roller 2 via the pulleys 219 and 211 and the belt 221
17 is transmitted. Here, the outer diameter of the paper discharge roller 217 is slightly larger than that of the paper feed roller 214 so that the paper feed amount is several percent larger. By doing so, the recording paper is always pulled from the downstream side in the conveyance of the recording paper, so that the conveyance is stabilized.
Instead of changing the diameter of the roller, the diameter of the pulley may be set slightly larger on the downstream side. In addition, these rollers are set to have a slightly lower conveying force on the downstream side, and are provided for the purpose of removing the slack of the sheet and discharging the rear end of the sheet.

The front case 222f is provided with a paper feed port 201f for inserting the recording paper 3 for paper feeding, and a part of the front case 222f is attached to the base 202. Also, the front case 222f and the rear case 222b
Guide rails 222a for vertically moving the entire printer unit are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the vertical direction. The printer lid 223 is attached to the front case 222f via a hinge so as to be openable and closable. When replacing the recording head cartridge, the printer lid 223 can be opened and opened.

In FIG. 6, a circuit board 224 has a CPU for executing control processing and the like of the apparatus, peripheral ICs, memory elements, driver ICs, etc. mounted on its surface and housed in the apparatus main body 101. . A thin guide plate 101G is provided in a part of the apparatus main body 101. The guide plate 101G has an R-shaped end surface so that the recording paper 3 discharged after recording can be guided to the display unit surface. I have. Upper cover 10
4 when the guide plate 101G and the upper cover 10 are closed.
A slit is provided in a portion of the upper cover 104 corresponding to the upper cover 104 so as not to interfere therewith. The guide plate 10
1G may be configured to fall in accordance with the operation of the upper cover 104, or may be configured to fall in conjunction with the lowering of the printer unit 2.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the printer unit 2 is housed in the apparatus main body 101. In this state, the base 2
The ink absorber 204 is housed in the recessed portion 02. Also, as described above, the vertical movement of the printer unit 2
This is performed by a lever or a transmission mechanism (not shown) provided at an end of the unit 2.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same elements as those described in the reference example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

FIG. 6A shows a case where thick recording paper such as an envelope or a postcard and a relatively short recording paper are used.
At this time, the printer unit 2 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 101, and the first paper feed port 10
1c, the recording paper is inserted into the first paper outlet 10 at the rear of the apparatus.
1e. At this time, the first paper feed port 101c
Can also serve as a guide for positioning the recording paper in the left-right direction, so that the recording paper can be set smoothly.

As described above, when a postcard having a relatively short length in the transport direction is used as a recording sheet, the recording operation is performed because the keyboard is not covered even when the recording sheet is set. During this time, operations using keys and the like can be performed simultaneously. Further, since the recording paper transport path can be made straight, the transport of thick paper can also be performed satisfactorily.

FIG. 8B shows a case where thin and long recording paper such as normal A4 size or letter paper is used. In this case, the recording paper 3 is provided at the bottom of the keyboard 102. The sheet is inserted from the second paper feed port 101d, is conveyed in a conveyance path passing through the inside of the main body through the upper part of the substrate 224 inside the apparatus, and is discharged from the second paper discharge port 101f behind the apparatus. Also in this case, the keyboard 102 and the display unit 10
Since there is no recording paper on the recording paper 3, various operations using the keyboard and the display unit are possible even during the recording operation.

FIGS. 9 and 10 correspond to FIGS.
It is sectional drawing respectively corresponding to the state shown to (B).

When the printer unit 2 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 101 as shown in FIG. 8A, the recording paper transport path is, as shown in FIG. Paper feed port 201f and its paper discharge port 201
b and a paper discharge port 101e provided at the rear of the apparatus. Further, the printer unit 2 is connected to the apparatus main body 10.
1, the recording paper transport path is as shown in FIG.
As shown at 0, the paper feed port 101d is connected to the paper feed port 201f of the printer unit 2, its paper discharge port 201b, and the paper discharge port 101f provided at the rear of the apparatus. that's all
In the configuration shown in FIG.
As described above, the recording head and the carrier
Provided, the carrier moves,
In the inkjet recording area corresponding to the printer unit 2.
Perform recording.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit which is different from the above-described mechanism. That is, in this example, the printer unit 2 moves up and down in conjunction with opening and closing of the upper cover 104. Therefore, the drive gear 104e is fixed to the upper cover 104 coaxially with the axis of the hinge 104a of the upper cover 104, and an idle gear 104f and a pinion gear 104g are provided on the apparatus main body 101 to transmit the rotation of the drive gear 104e. Then, the pinion gear 104g is engaged with the rack 223b provided in the printer unit 2. This allows the printer unit 2 to move up and down in response to opening and closing of the upper cover 104.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show still another example of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

In the present embodiment, the printer unit 2 includes a spring 22
3s, the unit 2 is locked by a lock lever 224 that can rotate in only one direction when the unit 2 is housed in the main body 101, and is prevented from moving upward. To move the printer unit 2 upward, the lock lever 224 is rotated by depressing the button 225 to release the lock. As a result, the printer unit 2 has the spring 223s.
Move upwards with the force of. At this time, the idle gear 10
4k is divided into two parts by a one-way clutch, and the drive gear 104e does not rotate. Also, the upper cover 104
When the drive gear 104e is closed, the drive gear 104e is rotated by the idle gear 104k and the pinion gear 104g.
23b, whereby the printer unit 2 descends.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show still another example of the printer unit moving mechanism. In this embodiment, a motor 227 and a pinion gear 226 are provided.
The printer unit is moved up and down by electric power.

FIG. 17 shows another example of the configuration of the printer unit. In the printer unit of this example, the upper half of the unit can be opened and closed. The unit for opening and closing is divided into a paper feed port 201f and a paper output port 201b.
It is performed in. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily perform processing at the time of paper jam, cleaning of the platen surface, and the like.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, a switching plate 228 is provided in the recording paper transporting path connected to the paper feed port 101d, and the direction of discharging the recording paper can be arbitrarily selected by raising or lowering the switching plate 228. According to this, for example, the display unit 10
When the user does not perform an operation while viewing the recording sheet 3, the recording paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 101g to the display unit side, so that no space is required for discharging the recording paper, and the recording result can be easily checked. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus integrally including the printer and the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the components may be detachable, and when they are integrally mounted to constitute an information processing apparatus similar to the above, they may be held together with a predetermined force and carried together.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each part. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. And this
The recording head configured as shown in FIG.
When mounted on the data unit, the length corresponding to the above maximum width
Executes recording in the inkjet recordable area corresponding to
can do.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection to the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body when mounted on the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to the recording head having only one corresponding to a single color ink, it corresponds to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the first recording area and the position of the first recording area separated from the first recording area are determined.
The second recording area and the first and
By providing two transport paths, each recording area
It is possible to set the type of recording medium used
You.

In the above configuration, the printer unit
Holds the inkjet recording head and performs the first recording.
Moving between the area and the second recording area and according to each area
Printing can be performed in a certain inkjet printable area
Therefore, two recording areas that are distinguished by the transport path
Move the printer unit to record each
It can be executed with a simple configuration.

As a result, depending on the type of recording medium used,
Recording can be performed appropriately, and these recording media
Recording for each body can be performed with a simple configuration .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a conventional example of an information processing device incorporating a recording device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a word processor showing a reference example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the printer unit is installed above the apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state in which the printer unit is housed in the apparatus in FIG.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a word processor showing two usage examples in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a state in which the printer unit is housed in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing another state of the printer unit in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vertical movement mechanism of the printer unit.

16 is a sectional view showing another state of the printer unit in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the printer unit.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a word processor showing another modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the word processor shown in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Printer unit 3 Recording paper 101 Main unit 101c, 101d Paper feed port 101e, 101f Paper discharge port 102 Keyboard 103 Display unit 104 Top cover 104e Drive gear 104f, 104k Idler gear 104g Pinion gear 201f Paper feed port 201b Paper discharge port 209 Carrier 212 Recording head cartridge 214 Paper feed roller 217 Paper discharge roller 202 Base 203 Rotary unit 223b Rack 224 Lock lever 226 Pinion gear 227 Motor 228 Switching plate

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hirofumi Hirano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshihiko 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Hagiwara 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) Reference Document JP-A-63-1565 (JP, A) JP-A-63-98465 (JP, A) JP-A-1-160522 (JP, U) JP-A-1-55046 (JP, U) JP-A 63-98465 23052 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 29/00 B41J 3/36 G06F 1/16 G06F 3/12

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet recording head, comprising: a first recording area where recording is performed on a first recording medium; and a first recording area separated from the first recording area. A second recording area where recording is performed on a second recording medium, a first transport path through which the first recording medium is transported through the first recording area, and a second transport area through which the first recording medium is transported. A second transport path through which the second recording medium is transported,
A recording medium transport mechanism for transporting the first recording medium and the second recording medium via only one of the first recording area and the second recording area, respectively, A head holding member for holding a recording head, and holding the ink jet recording head on the head holding member, so that a fixed ink jet recording corresponding to each of the first recording area and the second recording area is performed. A printer unit capable of performing printing in a printable area, and a moving mechanism for moving the printer unit to a printable position in the first printable area and a printable position in the second printable area. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transport path and the second transport path can be selected according to a type of a recording medium. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head holding member is a carriage that reciprocates in a main scanning direction, and can perform recording in the ink jet recordable area by reciprocating the carriage. Inkjet recording device. 4. The ink jet recording head is a full tine type having a length corresponding to a maximum width of a recording medium, and is capable of executing recording in the ink jet recordable area corresponding to the length. Claim 1
Or the inkjet recording apparatus according to 2. 5. The inkjet recording head is a full line type having a length corresponding to a maximum width of a recording medium by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, and performs recording in the inkjet recordable area corresponding to the length. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus can perform the following. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet recording head discharges ink using thermal energy generated by an electrothermal transducer.