JP6171488B2 - Recording device, medium feeding device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium.

Hereinafter, an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus will be described as an example. Some inkjet printers are configured to allow adjustment of the gap between the recording head and the paper (hereinafter simply referred to as “gap”). By adjusting the gap, appropriate recording can be performed regardless of the thickness of the paper. The result can be obtained.
Various adjustment mechanisms for adjusting the gap have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gap control member between a sliding portion in contact with a guide portion that guides the carriage in the movement direction and the carriage. A recording apparatus is disclosed in which a gap is adjusted by moving a member for controlling the gap and moving the distance control member.

JP 2010-23501 A

  A step-like cam surface that changes the thickness of the interval control member is formed in the interval control member in Patent Document 1 above, and the gap is changed by the action of the step-like cam surface. The interval control member can be engaged with a member called a switching unit, and the switching unit moves the interval control member via a movement operation of the carriage, and as a result, the gap changes.

  However, since this stepped cam surface receives the load of the carriage, when the engagement portion that engages with the stepped cam surface slides with the inclined surface constituting the stepped cam surface, that is, when the gap changes, The distance control member receives the load of the carriage, moves away from the switching unit, and instantaneously precedes itself (hereinafter this phenomenon is referred to as “self-slide” of the distance control member (“gap adjustment cam” in this specification)). The phenomenon occurs.

  When this phenomenon occurs, that is, when the interval control member self-slides, the engaging portion that engages the stepped cam surface collides with a flat surface ahead of the inclined surface constituting the stepped cam surface. This may give an irritating feel to the user.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus having a configuration in which a gap is adjusted by displacing a gap adjusting cam provided in a carriage. The aim is to reduce noise and reduce noise.

  In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a recording head that performs recording on a medium, the carriage that is movable in the scanning direction of the recording head, the recording head, and the medium A sliding member constituting the carriage, which is provided so as to be displaceable relative to a main body of the carriage constituting the carriage in a direction in which a gap between the carriage and the carriage changes, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage; A guide member extending in the scanning direction, which is in contact with the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member, and is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage main body. In response to the weight of the carriage, the gap is changed by being displaced relative to the sliding member and the main body of the carriage in the scanning direction. A gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage, a cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam, and the cam engaging portion is provided so as to be capable of advancing and retreating with respect to a moving region that moves as the carriage moves. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction through a movement operation of the carriage in a state where the moving portion moves into the moving region and engages with the cam engaging portion, and the gap adjusting cam The control means for controlling the moving operation of the carriage includes at least a main body of the carriage, comprising a stepped cam surface in which a first cam surface to be changed and a second cam surface that maintains the gap are alternately arranged. A cam engaging portion that engages with the stepped cam surface provided on a part of the sliding member or the sliding member passes through a connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface. The moving speed of the carriage when that, characterized in that said cam engaging portion is lower than the moving speed of the carriage when the slides with the first cam surface and said second cam surface.

  According to this aspect, since the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface is a portion whose shape changes greatly, the cam engaging portion is passed when the cam engaging portion passes through the connecting portion. The part is easy to jump, and there is a risk that the jump will cause noise. However, according to this aspect, when the cam engagement portion passes through the connection portion, the moving speed of the carriage is suppressed to be low, so that the cam engagement when the cam engagement portion passes through the connection portion. The jumping of the part can be suppressed or prevented, and as a result, noise can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the driving motor for driving the carriage is provided, and the cam engaging portion passes through a connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface. The moving speed of the carriage is accelerated by the driving force of the driving motor to the first speed, and after the carriage has reached the first speed, the driving force of the driving motor is cut off, thereby moving the carriage. The effective speed is lower than the first speed obtained by decelerating to a second speed and repeating the acceleration of the carriage to the first speed and then to the first speed again.

  According to this aspect, the first cam speed is lower than the first speed obtained by alternately repeating acceleration and deceleration between the first speed and the second speed of the cam engagement portion of the carriage. Since the connecting portion between the one cam surface and the second cam surface can be passed, the jumping of the cam surface engaging portion when the cam surface engaging portion passes through the connecting portion is suppressed or prevented. As a result, noise can be suppressed.

  Further, when the first speed is set to the slowest moving speed of the carriage, the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface at the cam engaging portion at a speed slower than the slowest moving speed. Therefore, noise can be further reduced. Further, it is not necessary to newly provide a mode for controlling the carriage at a speed slower than the first speed in the control unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head, and the carriage in a direction in which a gap between the recording head and the medium changes. And a sliding member that constitutes the carriage and that moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage, and the sliding member is in contact with the sliding member. A guide member extending in the scanning direction, which receives the weight of the carriage via the sliding member, and is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the main body of the carriage. A gap adjustment that constitutes the carriage is configured to change the gap by displacing the member and the carriage main body in the scanning direction. A cam, a cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam, and the cam engaging portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a moving region that moves as the carriage moves. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in a displacement direction through a movement operation of the carriage in a state of being engaged with a joint portion, and a relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage, the gap And a restricting means for restricting movement of the adjustment cam in a direction away from the engaging member.

  According to this aspect, in the configuration in which the gap is adjusted by displacing the gap adjustment cam relative to the main body of the carriage, the gap adjustment cam is prevented from separating from the engaging member that presses the gap adjustment cam in the displacement direction. Therefore, by regulating the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam, noise during gap adjustment can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the carriage exhibits a biasing force between the sliding member and the carriage main body in a direction in which the sliding member and the carriage main body are drawn together. It comprises the 1st energizing means which constitutes.

  According to this aspect, the first urging means constituting the carriage that exerts an urging force between the sliding member and the carriage main body in a direction in which the sliding member and the carriage main body are attracted. Therefore, when the carriage is driven, the carriage body can be prevented from floating from the gap adjusting cam, or the gap adjusting cam can be prevented from floating from the sliding member, that is, the carriage can be prevented from swinging, and a good recording result can be obtained. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the restricting means sandwiches the cam engaging portion provided on the engaging member on both sides in the moving direction of the gap adjusting cam. Or a cam engaging portion, and a sandwiching portion that sandwiches the engagement member on both sides of the gap adjusting cam in the moving direction, and the movement of the gap adjusting cam is regulated by the sandwiching portion. .
According to this aspect, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts, and self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, there is provided a power transmission switching means for switching a driving target driven by the driving source between one driving source and a plurality of driving targets. The engaging member constitutes the power transmission switching means, and moves forward with respect to the moving region of the cam engaging portion by swinging about a swing shaft extending along the moving direction of the carriage. It is possible to switch between the posture and the second posture retracted from the moving region, and the drive target is switched by sliding in the axial direction of the swing shaft, and the engaging member is configured to move the first posture and the second posture. In addition to the second posture, the slide regulating member can be switched to a third posture that can be engaged with the carriage, and includes a slide regulating member that regulates sliding of the engaging member in the axial direction. A slot that allows the engagement member to slide in the third posture of the engagement member, and a restricting portion that restricts the slide of the engagement member in the first posture of the engagement member. It is characterized by.

  According to this aspect, in the configuration in which the engagement member serves both as a function of pressing the gap adjustment cam and a function of switching the power transmission of the power transmission switching means, the first posture is a position when the gap adjustment cam is pushed. Since the sliding in the axial direction is restricted in the posture, the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the fifth or sixth aspect, opposite to the first direction, which is the displacement direction of the gap adjustment cam when the gap adjustment cam is displaced in the direction in which the gap is reduced. And a second urging means for urging the engaging member in a second direction.

  According to this aspect, since the second urging means for urging the engagement member in the second direction is provided, the urging force is applied to the cam engagement when the cam engagement portion is displaced in the first direction. Can act on the part. Thereby, the self-sliding phenomenon of the cam engaging portion and the gap adjusting cam can be suppressed or prevented.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the restricting means includes a gap adjusting cam and a part of the main body of the carriage, and the gap adjusting cam and the guide member. It is characterized by comprising grease interposed in at least one of the gaps, and the movement of the gap adjusting cam is regulated by the grease.
According to this aspect, since the restricting means is made of grease and self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam is suppressed or prevented by the viscosity of the grease, the restricting means can be easily obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the restricting means includes a cam pressing portion that applies a pressing force to the gap adjusting cam in a direction intersecting a displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam. And the movement of the gap adjusting cam is restricted by the cam pressing portion.
According to this aspect, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts, and self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the gap adjusting cam is provided with a convex pressed portion that is pressed by the cam pressing portion, and the pressed portion is the gap adjusting cam. In this displacement region, the gap adjusting cam is pressed by the cam pressing portion when changing the gap, and the gap adjusting cam is separated from the cam pressing portion when maintaining the gap.

  According to this aspect, only when the gap adjusting cam changes the gap, the cam pressing portion presses the pressed portion and the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam is restricted. Thus, the pressed portion is not pressed in the entire area, thereby preventing the drive load (the carriage drive load) for displacing the gap adjusting cam from rising uniformly over the entire displacement area. .

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the carriage includes a plurality of the sliding members and the gap adjusting cam, and the carriage is configured to change the gap at a plurality of locations. The plurality of gap adjustment cams are engageable with the engagement member, and are engaged with a first gap adjustment cam having a rack portion constituting a rack and pinion mechanism, and the rack portion of the first gap adjustment cam. And a second gap adjusting cam that is displaced in synchronism with the first gap adjusting cam, wherein the restricting means is a rotational resistance against a gear that constitutes the power transmitting portion. It is characterized by comprising a resistance imparting member for imparting resistance, and the movement of the gap adjusting cam is regulated by the resistance imparting member.

  According to this aspect, in the configuration provided with the plurality of gap adjustment cams, the movement of the gap adjustment cam is regulated by applying a rotational resistance to the gear constituting the power transmission unit that links the plurality of gap adjustment cams. The self-sliding can be regulated with a small number of parts for a plurality of gap adjustment cams.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the restriction means is a displacement direction of the gap adjustment cam when the gap adjustment cam is displaced in a direction in which the gap is reduced. Third biasing means for biasing the gap adjustment cam in a second direction opposite to one direction is provided, and movement of the gap adjustment cam is regulated by the third biasing means.
According to this aspect, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts, and self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam can be reliably suppressed or prevented.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head, and the carriage in a direction in which a gap between the recording head and the medium changes. And a sliding member that constitutes the carriage and that moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage, and the sliding member is in contact with the sliding member. A guide member extending in the scanning direction, which receives the weight of the carriage via the sliding member, and is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the main body of the carriage. A gap constituting the carriage, wherein the gap is changed by being displaced relative to the member and the carriage main body in the scanning direction. An adjustment cam, a cam engagement portion that is displaced together with the gap adjustment cam, and the cam engagement portion are provided so as to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to a movement region that moves as the carriage moves. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in a displacement direction through a movement operation of the carriage in an engaged state with the engagement portion, and the gap adjustment cam includes a first cam surface that changes the gap; And a stepped cam surface formed by alternately arranging the second cam surfaces for maintaining the gap on both the side facing the main body of the carriage and the side facing the sliding member. It is characterized by that.

  According to this aspect, the gap adjusting cam includes the stepped cam surface on both the side facing the main body of the carriage and the side facing the sliding member. Compared to a configuration in which the surface is provided only on the carriage side or the sliding member side, the step of the stepped cam surface can be reduced, thereby suppressing the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam. Noise during adjustment can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head, and the carriage in a direction in which a gap between the recording head and the medium changes. And a sliding member that constitutes the carriage and that moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage, and the sliding member is in contact with the sliding member. A guide member extending in the scanning direction, which receives the weight of the carriage via the sliding member, and is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the main body of the carriage. A gap constituting the carriage, wherein the gap is changed by being displaced relative to the member and the carriage main body in the scanning direction. An adjustment cam, a cam engagement portion that is displaced together with the gap adjustment cam, and the cam engagement portion are provided so as to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to a movement region that moves as the carriage moves. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in a displacement direction through a movement operation of the carriage in a state of being engaged with the engagement portion, and the carriage includes a plurality of the sliding member and the gap adjustment cam, The carriage has a configuration in which the gap is changed at a plurality of locations, and the plurality of gap adjustment cams include a first gap adjustment cam and a second gap adjustment cam, and the first gap adjustment cam and the The second gap adjusting cam is formed by alternately arranging a first cam surface that changes the gap and a second cam surface that maintains the gap. The stepped cam surface included in the first gap adjustment cam and the stepped cam surface included in the second gap adjustment cam are provided at different timings when the gap is changed to a predetermined state. It is characterized by making it.

  According to this aspect, the stepped cam surface of the first gap adjusting cam and the stepped cam surface of the second gap adjusting cam are changed at different timings when the gap is changed to a predetermined state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated at the same time in a configuration including a plurality of gap adjustment cams, thereby suppressing noise during gap adjustment and achieving noise reduction.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head, and the carriage in a direction in which a gap between the recording head and the medium changes. And a sliding member that constitutes the carriage and that moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage, and the sliding member is in contact with the sliding member. A guide member extending in the scanning direction, which receives the weight of the carriage via the sliding member, and is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the main body of the carriage. A gap constituting the carriage, wherein the gap is changed by being displaced relative to the member and the carriage main body in the scanning direction. An adjustment cam, a cam engagement portion that is displaced together with the gap adjustment cam, and the cam engagement portion are provided so as to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to a movement region that moves as the carriage moves. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in a displacement direction through a movement operation of the carriage in an engaged state with the engagement portion, and the gap adjustment cam includes a first cam surface that changes the gap; And a second cam surface that maintains the gap, and a stepped cam surface that is alternately arranged, and the control means for controlling the movement of the carriage is at least a part of the carriage main body or the slide The moving speed of the carriage when the cam surface engaging portion that engages with the stepped cam surface provided on the member passes through the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface. Characterized by lower than the moving speed of the carriage when the cam surface engaging portion slides said first cam surface and said second cam surface.

  Since the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface is a portion whose shape changes greatly, the cam surface engaging portion easily jumps when the cam surface engaging portion passes through the connecting portion. The jumping may cause noise. However, according to this aspect, when the cam surface engaging portion passes through the connecting portion, the moving speed of the carriage is suppressed to be low, so that the cam when the cam surface engaging portion passes through the connecting portion. Jumping of the surface engaging portion can be suppressed or prevented, and as a result, noise can be suppressed.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a paper conveyance path of the printer according to the invention. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to the present invention. The perspective view of the carriage arrange | positioned on a guide rail. (A) is a perspective view seen from the front of the main body of the carriage, (B) is a perspective view seen from the rear of the main body of the carriage. The perspective view seen from the main body bottom side of a carriage. The perspective view of a gap adjustment means. (A) is a perspective view of the main gap adjustment means, (B) is a perspective view of the sliding member of the main gap adjustment means. (A) is a perspective view of the gap adjustment cam of the main gap adjustment means, (B) is a front view of the gap adjustment cam of the main gap adjustment means. The perspective view of the slide member of the main gap adjustment means. The perspective view of an engagement lever. (A) is explanatory drawing of the 1st attitude | position of the engagement member in the movement area | region of a cam engagement part, (B) is explanatory drawing of the 2nd attitude | position of the engagement member in the movement area | region of a cam engagement part. (A) is a side cross section which shows the state before gap adjustment, (B) is a sectional side view which shows the state which made the gap small. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of the cam engagement part and engagement lever which concern on 1st Example, (B) is the cam engagement part and engagement lever which concern on 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows an engagement state. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of the cam engaging part and engagement lever which concern on the modification of 1st Example, (B) is the cam engagement which concerns on the modification of 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of a joint part and an engagement lever. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of the cam engagement part and engagement lever which concern on 2nd Example, (B) is a sectional side view which shows each attitude | position of the engagement lever with respect to a cam engagement member Figure. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which the engagement lever in the 2nd Example slid and moved in the 3rd attitude | position. The perspective view of the power transmission switching means in a 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 4th Example. (A) is explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 5th Example, (B) is explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 5th Example. (A) is explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 6th Example, (B) is explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 6th Example. Explanatory drawing of the control means which concerns on a 7th Example. (A) is explanatory drawing of the cam shape of the gap adjustment cam which concerns on an 8th Example, (B) is explanatory drawing of the cam shape of the gap adjustment cam which concerns on an 8th Example. (A) is explanatory drawing of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam which concerns on a 9th Example, (B) is description of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam which concerns on a 9th Example. FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam according to the ninth embodiment, and FIG. 10D is a slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam according to the ninth embodiment. Explanatory drawing of an example. Explanatory drawing of the means which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the collision sound based on a 10th Example. Explanatory drawing of the means to suppress generation | occurrence | production of the collision sound based on a 12th Example. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a printer control unit according to the invention. Explanatory drawing of speed control in the means which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the collision sound based on a 12th Example. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a printer according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure in each Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and it demonstrates only in the first Example, The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted in a subsequent Example.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a paper conveyance path of a printer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage arranged on a guide rail. 4A is a perspective view as seen from the front of the main body of the carriage, FIG. 4B is a perspective view as seen from the rear of the main body of the carriage, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view as seen from the bottom of the main body of the carriage. It is.

  6 is a perspective view of the gap adjusting means, FIG. 7 (A) is a perspective view of the main gap adjusting means, FIG. 7 (B) is a perspective view of a sliding member of the main gap adjusting means, and FIG. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a gap adjusting cam of the main gap adjusting means, FIG. 8B is a front view of the gap adjusting cam of the main gap adjusting means, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slide member of the main gap adjusting means. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the engaging lever.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of the first posture of the engaging lever in the moving region of the cam engaging portion, and FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of the second posture of the engaging lever in the moving region of the cam engaging portion. FIG. 12A is a side cross-sectional view showing a state before the gap adjustment, FIG. 12B is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the gap is reduced, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of the cam engagement part and engagement lever which concern on an Example, FIG.13 (B) is the engagement state of the cam engagement part and engagement lever which concern on a 1st Example. FIG. 14A is an explanatory view showing an engaged state between the cam engaging portion and the engaging lever according to the modified example of the first embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the engagement state of the cam engaging part and engagement lever which concern on the example of a change of 1 Example.

  FIG. 15A is an explanatory view showing an engagement state between the cam engagement portion and the engagement lever according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating each posture of the engagement lever with respect to the cam engagement member. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the engaging lever in the second embodiment is slid in the third posture, and FIG. 17 is a power transmission switching means in the second embodiment. 18 is an explanatory view of the restricting means according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 19A is an explanatory view of the restricting means according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. These are explanatory drawings of the control means based on a 5th Example.

  FIG. 20A is an explanatory diagram of the regulating means according to the sixth embodiment, FIG. 20B is an explanatory diagram of the regulating means according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 21 is the seventh embodiment. 22A is an explanatory diagram of the cam shape of the gap adjustment cam according to the eighth embodiment, and FIG. 22B is a gap adjustment according to the eighth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the cam shape of a cam, FIG. 23 (A) is explanatory drawing of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam which concerns on 9th Example, FIG.23 (B) is 9th Example. FIG. 23C is an explanatory diagram of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjustment cam according to the ninth embodiment, and FIG. D) is an explanation of an example of the slope shape of the cam in the gap adjusting cam according to the ninth embodiment. It is a diagram.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 25 is an explanatory view of a means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound according to the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the control means of the printer according to the present invention, FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of speed control in the means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound according to the twelfth embodiment, and FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the printer concerned typically.

  Note that FIG. 1 illustrates the rollers arranged on the paper transport path of the printer 10 so that almost all the rollers are drawn on the same surface, but the position in the depth direction (the front and back direction of the paper in FIG. 1). Do not necessarily match (sometimes they match). In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction indicates the scanning direction of the recording head, the Y direction indicates the depth direction of the recording apparatus, and the Z direction indicates the direction in which the gap changes, that is, the apparatus height direction. In each figure, the -Y direction is the front side of the apparatus, and the + Y direction side is the back side of the apparatus.

■■■ Printer overview ■■■■■■■
Hereinafter, the components on the sheet conveyance path will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The apparatus main body 12 includes a lower tray 14 that stores sheets as “recording media” and an upper tray 16 that is positioned above the lower tray 14 and that stores sheets. A feeding unit 20, a conveying unit 22, a recording unit 24, and a discharging unit 26. The lower tray 14 and the upper tray 16 are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 12 from the front side of the apparatus.

  Further, the upper tray 16 is driven in the apparatus depth direction (FIG. 1, Y-axis direction) by a drive motor 27 (see FIG. 17) by a power transmission switching means to be described later, and a bumping position, that is, a feedable position (see FIG. 1). ) And a retracted position (not shown) displaced by a predetermined amount in the −Y direction from the abutting position. In FIG. 1, the paper accommodated in the lower tray 14 is indicated by the reference symbol P1, and the paper accommodated in the upper tray 16 is indicated by the reference symbol P2 (hereinafter referred to as “ Paper P)). Note that the paper P is an example of a transported medium.

  A pickup roller 28 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 27 (see FIG. 17) is provided above each tray. The pickup roller 28 is provided on a swing member 32 that swings about a swing shaft 30. When the upper tray 16 is in a feedable position, the pickup roller 28 rotates in contact with the uppermost sheet P2 stored in the upper tray 16 so that the uppermost sheet P2 is moved to the upper stage side. The paper is sent from the tray 16 to the feeding path.

  When the upper tray 16 is in the retracted position, the pickup roller 28 rotates in contact with the uppermost sheet P1 stored in the lower tray 14 so that the uppermost sheet P1 is moved to the lower tray 14. To the feeding route.

  Further, the paper P1 accommodated in the lower tray 14 or the paper P2 accommodated in the upper tray 16 by the pickup roller 28 is sent to the feeding means 20 arranged on the downstream side of the feeding path. The feeding unit 20 includes a feeding driving roller 34 that is driven by a driving motor 27 via a driving mechanism (not shown), a separation roller 36, and a feeding driven roller 38. The separation roller 36 is in contact with the feed driving roller 34 and separates the paper P, and reliably feeds only the uppermost paper P to the downstream side of the feed path.

  Further, on the downstream side of the separation roller 36, a feeding driven roller 38 that is driven to rotate while sandwiching the paper P with the feeding driving roller 34 is provided. Further, on the downstream side of the feeding path of the feeding driven roller 38, the conveying means 22 is provided with a conveying driving roller 40 driven by the drive motor 27 and a conveying driven roller 42 that is pressed against the conveying driving roller and rotated. Is provided. The sheet P is further sent to the downstream side by the conveying means 22.

  A recording unit 24 is provided on the downstream side of the conveying unit 22. The recording unit 24 includes a recording head 44 and a lower guide member 46 as a support surface that faces the recording head and supports the paper P. The recording head 44 is provided at the bottom of the carriage 48 and faces the paper P. The carriage 48 is driven so as to reciprocate in the main scanning direction (the front / back direction in FIG. 1, that is, the X-axis direction) by a carriage drive motor 47 as a “drive motor”.

  The lower guide member 46 supports the paper P and defines the distance between the lower guide member 46 and the recording head 44, that is, the gap PG. Further, on the downstream side of the lower guide member 46, there is provided a discharge means 26 that feeds the recorded paper P. The discharge means 26 includes a first roller 50 formed around a first roller shaft 49 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 27, and a second roller 52 that rotates in contact with the first roller.

  The paper P recorded by the recording means 24 is sandwiched between the first roller 50 and the second roller 52 and discharged to a paper discharge stacker 54 provided on the front side of the apparatus main body 12 (right side in FIG. 1). Is done. The paper discharge stacker 54 is displaced in a direction projecting to the outside of the apparatus main body 12 as the operation panel unit 56 rotates with respect to the apparatus main body 12, that is, pulled out along the Y-axis direction or drawn inside the apparatus main body 12. It is configured to be able to switch to a state of being displaced in the direction to be moved.

  Further, when recording is performed on both sides of the paper P in the printer 10, the recording is performed on the first surface of the paper P by the recording unit 24, and then the paper P is reversely fed by the conveying unit 22 and the discharging unit 26. The side that was the trailing edge of the sheet when recording is performed on the first surface becomes the leading edge and is returned to the upstream side of the conveying means 22. Further, the paper P is sent to the reverse path 58 by the reverse operation of the transport unit 22. The paper P sent into the reversing path 58 is sandwiched between the driving roller 34 and the reversing roller 60 and returned to the feeding path again.

  The sheet P returned to the feeding path is sent again to the conveying means 22 on the downstream side of the feeding path by the driving roller 34 through the separation roller 36 and the driven roller 38. At this time, the first surface and the second surface of the paper P are curved and reversed, and the second surface faces the recording head 44. The paper P is sent to the recording unit 24 by the conveying unit 22. The sheet P on which the recording on the second surface is performed by the recording unit 24 is held by the discharge unit 26 and is discharged to a discharge stacker 54 provided on the front side of the apparatus.

  The printer 10 includes a control unit 61 (see FIG. 26) as “control means”. The control unit 61 is necessary to execute recording of the printer 10 such as conveyance and ejection of the paper P, movement and movement speed of the carriage 48 in the scanning direction, ink ejection operation in the recording head 44 in accordance with an input command from the operation panel unit 56. Is controlling the operation.

  The printer 10 includes an encoder and a linear scale (not shown). The control unit 61 calculates the position and speed of the carriage 48 based on the detection signal of the linear scale from the encoder, and controls the position and speed of the carriage 48 by the carriage drive motor 47.

  Further, the recording means 24 of the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the apparatus main body 12, a pair of guide rails 62 and 63 are provided as “guide members” extending in the scanning direction of the recording head 44 (X-axis direction in FIG. 2). Each of the pair of guide rails 62 and 63 is provided with a sliding surface 64 (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, the carriage 48 of the recording unit 24 is guided by the pair of guide rails 62 and 63 by the carriage drive motor 47 and a drive mechanism (not shown) and moves in the scanning direction.

  4A, 4B and 5, a carriage 48 according to the first embodiment is shown. The carriage 48 is provided on the main body 66, an upper portion of the main body 66, an ink cartridge storage portion 68 that stores a plurality of ink cartridges, and an opening provided in the lower portion of the main body 66 so as to face the lower guide member 46. The disposed recording head 44 and gap adjusting means 70 for adjusting the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the lower guide member 46 that supports the paper P are provided.

  On the front side (the −Y side in FIG. 4A) and the back side (the Y direction side in FIG. 4B) of the main body 66, the distance between the recording head 44 and the lower guide member 46, that is, the gap PG is adjusted. A gap adjusting means 70 is arranged. Although the gap adjusting means 70 will be described in detail later, a main gap adjusting means 72 as a “first gap adjusting means” is arranged on the back side (right side in FIG. 5) of the main body 66, and the front surface of the main body 66. On the side (left side in FIG. 5), sub-gap adjusting means 74 as “second gap adjusting means” is arranged.

  The main gap adjusting means 72 disposed on the back side of the main body 66 abuts against the sliding surface 64 (see FIG. 3) of the guide rail 62 on the back side of the apparatus (+ Y direction side in FIG. 3) and guides on the back side of the apparatus. It is supported by the rail 62. The sub-gap adjusting means 74 disposed on the front side of the main body 66 abuts on the sliding surface 64 (see FIG. 3) of the guide rail 63 on the front side of the apparatus (the −Y direction side in FIG. 3) and on the front side of the apparatus. It is supported by the guide rail 63. The carriage 48 can move in the scanning direction by sliding the main gap adjusting means 72 and the sub gap adjusting means 74 on the sliding surfaces 64 respectively.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the gap adjusting means 70 will be described in further detail. The gap adjusting means 70 includes a main gap adjusting means 72 disposed on the back side in the main body 66 of the carriage 48, a sub gap adjusting means 74 disposed on the front side of the main body 66 of the carriage 48, and a main gap adjusting means 72. And a power transmission unit 76 that transmits power to the sub-gap adjusting means 74.

  The main gap adjusting means 72 is provided with a rack portion 78 that extends in the scanning direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 6) and changes in the scanning direction, and the auxiliary gap adjusting means 74 also extends in the scanning direction and the scanning direction. A rack portion 80 is provided for shifting to the position.

  The power transmission portion 76 is engaged with the first transmission gear 82 that engages with the rack portion 78, the second transmission gear 84 that engages with the first transmission gear, and the second transmission gear. A pinion gear shaft 86 extending between 72 and the auxiliary gap adjusting means 74, a third transmission gear 88 engaged with the pinion gear shaft, and a fourth transmission gear 90 engaged with the third transmission gear and the rack portion 80. It is configured with.

  When the rack portion 78 is shifted in the scanning direction, the power transmission portion 76 converts the linear motion of the rack portion 78 into rotational motion by the first transmission gear 82, and the second transmission gear 84, the pinion gear shaft 86, and the third transmission. The rotational motion is transmitted as the linear motion to the rack portion 80 by the fourth transmission gear 90 via the gear 88. That is, the power transmission unit 76 transmits power from the main gap adjusting unit 72 to the sub gap adjusting unit 74, and moves the rack unit 80 in the same direction as the rack unit 78 moves.

  Referring to FIG. 7A, the main gap adjusting means 72 is shown. The main gap adjusting means 72 is in contact with the guide rail 62 and slides with respect to the guide rail 62, the first gap adjusting cam 94 engaged with the sliding member, and the first gap adjusting means. A slide member 96 that engages with the cam 94 is provided.

  The sliding member 92 extends in the X-axis direction as shown in FIG. Sliding portions 98 (see FIG. 6) that contact the sliding surfaces 64 of the guide rails 62 are provided at both ends in the X-axis direction of the lower surface of the sliding member 92 (−Z direction in FIG. 7B). . Further, at both ends in the X-axis direction of the sliding member 92, there are provided restriction portions 100 that abut the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and restrict the movement of the main gap adjusting means 72 in the X-axis direction with respect to the main body 66. It has been.

  The sliding member 92 is formed with an engaging portion 102 (on the + Y direction side in FIG. 7B) that engages with the first gap adjusting cam 94 on one side in the Y-axis direction. The engaging portion 102 is formed in a step shape corresponding to the shape of the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjusting cam 94 described later. Further, the slide member 92 is provided with a guide pin 105 for guiding the slide member 96 on the one side.

  In addition, a plurality of contact portions 108 as “cam surface engaging portions” that come into contact with a cam portion 104 of a first gap adjustment cam 94 described later are provided on the upper surface of the sliding member 92. Furthermore, hook portions 112 for hooking first urging means 110 described later are provided on both ends of the upper surface of the sliding member 92 in the X-axis direction.

  8A and 8B show the first gap adjustment cam 94. FIG. A rack portion 78 is formed on the upper surface of the first gap adjustment cam 94. Further, the upper surface of the first gap adjustment cam 94 abuts on the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and functions as a support surface 114 that supports the main body 66. On one side surface (see FIG. 8B) of the first gap adjustment cam 94 in the Y-axis direction, a first engagement pin 116 that engages with the engagement portion 102 of the sliding member 92 is provided. .

  Further, a stepped cam portion 104 as a “stepped cam surface” is provided on the one side surface of the first gap adjusting cam 94. The cam portion 104 has a first step portion 104a, a second step portion 104c, a third step portion 104e, a fourth step portion 104g as “second cam surfaces” for maintaining the gap PG, and a “second step” for changing the gap PG. It has a first inclined portion 104b, a second inclined portion 104d, and a third inclined portion 104f as “one cam surface”.

  Any one of the first step portion 104a, the second step portion 104c, the third step portion 104e, and the fourth step portion 104g is engaged with the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 to define the gap PG and to define the gap PG. maintain. The first inclined portion 104b, the second inclined portion 104d, and the third inclined portion 104f change the gap PG when the first gap adjusting cam 94 slides with respect to the sliding member 92.

  In the first gap adjustment cam 94, the step portions 104a, 104c, 104e, and 104g and the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f are alternately arranged in a step shape. Further, on the side adjacent to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f in the step portions 104c, 104e, 104g, raised portions 104h, 104j, 104k that protrude from the respective step portions 104c, 104e, 104g are provided on the respective steps, the inclined portions, Connecting portions, that is, “connecting portions between the first cam surface and the second cam surface”. The raised portions 104h, 104j, and 104k prevent the contact portion 108 from sliding down to the adjacent inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f in the step portions 104c, 104e, and 104g.

  A second engagement pin 118 that engages with the slide member 96 is formed on the other side surface (the + Y direction side in FIG. 8A) of the first gap adjustment cam 94 in the Y-axis direction. An engaging portion 120 that engages with the main body 66 of the carriage 48 is formed.

  FIG. 9 shows the slide member 96. The slide member 96 is formed as a plate member extending in the X-axis direction. The slide member 96 is provided with a guide groove 122 extending in the X-axis direction in which the slide member 96 is guided by the guide pin 105 when the guide pin 105 of the slide member 92 is loosely inserted. The slide member 96 is provided with a long hole 124 into which the second engagement pin 118 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 is loosely inserted.

  The elongated hole 124 extends in the Z-axis direction and also inclines in the X-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the long hole 124 is guided in the Z-axis direction, that is, the direction of change in the gap PG so that the second engagement pin 118 is guided in the direction to move in the long hole 124 as the slide member 96 slides. With a predetermined angle. In addition, the slide member 96 has a cam engagement portion 126 on the opposite side (the + Y direction side in FIG. 9) to the side (the −Y direction side in FIG. 9) that engages with the first gap adjustment cam 94 in the Y axis direction. Is provided.

  The cam engaging portion 126 protrudes from the opposite side to the Y direction side (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the cam engaging portion 126 is provided at the lower end portion in the Z-axis direction of the slide member 96 in order to reduce the swing radius of the engaging lever 128 as an “engaging member” described later. . The slide member 96 is configured to slide in the X-axis direction, that is, the scanning direction, and not slide in the Z-axis direction when sliding with respect to the slide member 92. For this reason, the cam engaging portion 126 is displaced in the X-axis direction but is not displaced in the Z-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, spring members 130 are provided at both ends of the sliding member 92 in the X-axis direction. The spring member 130 is disposed between the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48, and urges the sliding member 92 toward the apparatus main body 12 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the sliding member 92 can prevent rattling in the Y-axis direction when sliding in the scanning direction, that is, the X-axis direction with respect to the guide rail 62.

  One end of the first urging means 110 is hooked on the hook portion 112 of the sliding member 92, and the other end of the first urging means 110 is attached to the main body 66 of the carriage 48. For this reason, the first gap adjusting cam 94 is biased to the main body 66 by the biasing force of the first biasing means 110 via the sliding member 92. For this reason, the play in the Z-axis direction between the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the first biasing means 110 is configured as a spring member.

  Further, the first urging means 110 can prevent the main body 66 of the carriage 48 from floating from the gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 or the gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 from floating from the sliding members 92 and 136 when the carriage 48 is driven. . That is, the swing of the carriage 48 can be suppressed, and a good recording result can be obtained on the paper P.

  Next, the switching means of the main gap adjusting means 72 and the switching method of the gap PG will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows an engagement lever 128 as an “engagement member”. The engagement lever 128 is provided in the vicinity of one side end of the movable range of the carriage 48 in the X-axis direction. The guide rail 62 is provided with an opening 132 corresponding to the position where the engagement lever 128 is provided. The engagement lever 128 is attached to the swing shaft 134 and swings around the swing shaft 134 by a drive source (not shown).

  11A and 11B show the swinging state of the engagement lever 128. FIG. In FIG. 11A, the engaging lever 128 is swung counterclockwise around the swinging shaft 134, and the distal end portion 128 a of the engaging lever 128 is passed through the opening 132 to move the cam engaging portion 126. In this state, the engagement member is in the first posture. In this state, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 can be engaged with the cam engagement portion 126 of the slide member 96 of the main gap adjusting means 72 that moves in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 11B shows a state where the engaging lever 128 is swung clockwise around the center of the swinging shaft 134 and the distal end portion 128a of the engaging lever 128 is retracted from the moving region of the cam engaging portion 126, that is, the engagement. It is the 2nd attitude | position of a joint member. In this state, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 does not contact the cam engagement portion 126 of the slide member 96 of the main gap adjusting means 72 that moves in the X-axis direction.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an operation when adjusting the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the lower guide member 46 supporting the paper P will be described. FIG. 12A is before the gap PG is reduced. On the other hand, FIG. 12B shows the case where the gap PG is reduced. In the state where the paper P is not fed as shown in FIG. 12A, first, the carriage 48 is directed toward one end where the engagement lever 128 is provided in the X-axis direction (-X in FIG. 12A). Direction) to move.

  Then, the carriage 48 is moved to a position where the cam engagement portion 126 of the slide member 96 is located on the right side of the engagement lever 128 in FIG. Thereafter, the engaging lever 128 is swung to the first posture. That is, the distal end portion 128 a of the engagement lever 128 can be brought into contact with the cam engagement portion 126 of the slide member 96.

  Then, the carriage 48 is moved in the + X direction as shown in FIG. At this time, the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the slide member 96 try to move in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, but the tip end portion 128 a of the engagement lever 128 contacts the cam engagement portion 126 of the slide member 96. , Movement in the + X direction is hindered.

  As a result, the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the slide member 96 move relative to the carriage 48 in the −X direction as the “first direction”. Then, the contact position of the first gap adjustment cam 94 with the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 is changed from the fourth step portion 104g to any one of the third step portion 104e, the second step portion 104c, and the first step portion 104a. be able to. As an example, FIG. 12B shows a state where the first step portion 104a is changed.

  Then, after the carriage 48 is stopped, the engagement lever 128 is swung to the second posture in order to retract from the moving area of the cam engagement portion 126. As a result, the distance between the support surface 114 that supports the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and the contact portion 108 can be increased, and the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the lower guide member 46 that supports the paper P can be reduced. Can be small.

  Whether the fourth step 104g is changed to the third step 104e, the second step 104c, or the first step 104a is controlled by controlling the movement amount of the carriage 48. Further, as an example, the description has been given of changing from the fourth step portion 104g to the third step portion 104e, the second step portion 104c, or the first step portion 104a. However, the third step portion 104e to the second step portion 104c or the second step portion 104c is described. It may be changed to the first step portion 104a, or may be changed from the second step portion 104c to the first step portion 104a. In such a case, the operation is the same, and the description is omitted.

  In order to increase the gap PG, the carriage 48 is moved toward the one end side where the engagement lever 128 is provided in the X-axis direction (X direction in FIG. 19A). At this time, the engagement lever 128 is swung to the first posture. Then, the carriage 48 is moved in the X direction. Then, the distal end portion 128 a of the engagement lever 128 contacts the cam engagement portion 126.

  As a result, the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the slide member 96 move relative to the carriage 48 in the + X direction as the “second direction”. And the contact location with the contact part 108 of the sliding member 92 in the 1st gap adjustment cam 94 can be changed so that the gap PG may become large.

  The sub-gap adjusting means 74 includes a sliding member 136 that contacts the guide rail 63 and slides with respect to the guide rail 63, and a second gap adjusting cam 138 that engages with the sliding member. . The sub-gap adjusting unit 74 is different from the main gap adjusting unit 72 in that it does not include the slide member 96, but the other configuration is the same, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Here, the self-sliding phenomenon of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 will be described. When the gap PG of the carriage 48 is reduced, as an example, the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 is the third portion of the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 from the fourth step portion 104g through the third inclined portion 104f. Move to step 104e. At this time, the urging force of the carriage 48 on the main body 66 by the first urging means 110 and the weight of the carriage 48 act on the sliding member 92. That is, a force for reducing the gap PG acts on the sliding member 92.

  For this reason, when the contact part 108 moves the 3rd inclination part 104f, the contact part 108 is accelerated with respect to the 3rd inclination part 104f by the effect | action of the said force, and the moving speed of the contact part 108 becomes large. As a result, the cam engaging portion 126 pressed by the engaging lever 128 is separated from the engaging lever 128, and the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the slide member 96 move in advance toward the third step portion 104e. To do. That is, the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94 occurs. For this reason, the contact portion 108 is suddenly displaced from the fourth step portion 104g to the third step portion 104e, and the contact portion 108 collides with the third step portion 104e to generate a collision sound.

  Further, when increasing the gap PG of the carriage 48, for example, the contact portion 108 moves from the third step portion 104e to the fourth step portion 104g via the third inclined portion 104f. At this time, the contact portion 108 moves not only in the X-axis direction but also in the Z-axis direction by moving the third inclined portion 104f. At this time, the contact portion 108 may jump in the Z-axis direction at the connection portion between the third inclined portion 104f and the fourth step portion 104g, that is, the raised portion 104k, according to the moving speed.

  A collision sound is generated when the contact portion 108 that has jumped collides with the fourth step portion 104g. The magnitude of the collision sound when increasing the gap PG depends on the moving speed of the carriage 48, and the magnitude of the collision sound when decreasing the gap PG does not depend on the moving speed of the carriage 48.

  Hereinafter, in the first to twelfth embodiments, in the relative movement of the gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 with respect to the main body 66 of the carriage 48, the gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 move away from the engagement lever 128, that is, The regulation means for regulating the self-sliding phenomenon and the means for suppressing the generation of the collision sound that occurs when the gap PG changes will be described in order.

■■■ First Example ■■■■
With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the regulating means in the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 is composed of a pair of levers spaced in the scanning direction of the carriage 48, that is, the X-axis direction, and restricts the movement of the cam engagement portion 126 in the X-axis direction. It functions as a sandwiching section 140 as “regulating means”.

  The interval is set so that the cam engaging portion 126 can be received between the pair of levers in the X-axis direction. A second urging means 144 is provided between the engagement lever 128 and the apparatus main body 12. The second urging means 144 urges the engagement lever 128 in the + X direction. In the present embodiment, the second biasing means 144 is configured as a spring member. Further, the urging force of the second urging means 144 is set to such an extent that the rattling of the engagement lever 128 is suppressed.

  Specifically, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction (see the arrow in FIG. 13A) as the “second direction” in FIG. 13A, the cam engagement portion 126 is engaged in the first posture. The tip end portion 128a of the lever 128 contacts the lever 140a on the + X direction side. Further, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the cam engagement portion 126 is pressed by the lever 140a on the + X direction side of the distal end portion 128a. For this reason, the cam engagement portion 126 starts moving in the −X direction as the “first direction”. At this time, the cam engaging portion 126 is separated from the lever 140a on the + X direction side of the distal end portion 128a by the urging force of the first urging means 110 and the weight of the carriage 48, and itself moves ahead in the −X direction side. Attempts to cause a self-slide phenomenon.

  In FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 moves in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, and the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the slide member 96 (cam The engaging portion 126) moves in the −X direction.

  However, the cam engaging portion 126 separated from the lever 140a on the + X direction side of the distal end portion 128a comes into contact with the lever 140b on the −X direction side of the distal end portion 128a immediately after being separated as shown in FIG. It becomes. The cam engagement portion 126 presses the lever 140b on the −X direction side of the distal end portion 128a as it moves in the −X direction. However, since the engagement lever 128 is urged in the + X direction by the second urging means 144, the cam engagement portion 126 is connected to the engagement lever 128 by the clamping portion 140 of the engagement lever 128. It is restricted from moving away from 128 and moving in the X-axis direction in advance.

  Therefore, the self-sliding phenomenon of the cam engaging portion 126 and the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the front end portion 128a of the engaging lever 128 is configured as the sandwiching portion 140, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts.

  Further, since the second urging means 144 urges the engaging lever 128 located in the first posture toward the + X direction side, the urging force when the cam engaging portion 126 is displaced in the −X direction. Can act on the cam engaging portion 126. Thereby, the self-sliding phenomenon of the cam engaging portion 126 and the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 can be suppressed or prevented.

<<< Modification of First Embodiment >>>
(1) This modification is different from the first embodiment in that the sandwiching portion is formed not on the tip end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 but on the cam engagement portion 126. The cam engagement portion 126 in this modification is provided with a gap 126a for receiving the tip end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 in the X-axis direction. That is, the cam engaging portion 126 sandwiches the tip end portion 128 a of the engaging lever 128, and serves as a sandwiching portion 142 as “regulating means” that restricts the movement of the cam engaging portion 126 in the X-axis direction with respect to the engaging lever 128. Function.

  Referring to FIG. 14A, when the carriage 48 is moved in the + X direction (see the arrow in FIG. 14A) in a state where the engagement lever 128 positioned in the first posture is received in the gap 126a. A portion on the −X direction side of the cam engagement portion 126 abuts on the tip end portion 128 a of the engagement lever 128. Further, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the portion on the −X direction side of the cam engagement portion 126 is pressed by the distal end portion 128 a of the engagement lever 128. For this reason, the cam engagement portion 126 starts moving in the −X direction. At this time, the portion of the cam engaging portion 126 on the −X direction side is separated from the tip end portion 128a by the urging force of the first urging means 110 and the weight of the carriage 48, and itself moves ahead in the −X direction side. Attempts to cause a self-slide phenomenon.

  In FIGS. 14A and 14B, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 moves in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, and the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the slide member 96 (cam The engaging portion 126) moves in the −X direction.

  However, as shown in FIG. 14B, immediately after the cam engagement portion 126 is separated from the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 and the portion of the cam engagement portion 126 on the + X direction side. Will come into contact with each other. For this reason, the front-end | tip part 128a of the engagement lever 128 urges | biases the site | part on the + X direction side of the cam engagement part 126 to the + X direction side. As a result, the cam engagement portion 126 functions as a sandwiching portion 142 that sandwiches the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128, so that the cam engagement portion 126 moves away from the engagement lever 128 and precedes itself in the X axis. Restricted to move in the direction.

  Therefore, the self-sliding phenomenon of the cam engaging portion 126 and the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the sandwiching portion 142 can be configured simply by providing the cam engaging portion 126 with the gap 126a, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts.

(2) In the first embodiment and the modification, instead of the second urging means 144, highly viscous grease can be applied between the engagement lever 128 and the swing shaft 134.
(3) Further, the sandwiching portions 140 and 142 are provided in part of the engaging lever 128 and the cam engaging portion 126 to form an integral member. However, the sandwiching portions 140 and 142 are configured by a plurality of members. Also good.

■■■ Second Example ■■■■
With reference to FIG. 15 (A), FIG. 15 (B), FIG. 16, and FIG. 17, the regulating means in the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 15A, the opening 132 provided in the guide rail 62 functioning as a “slide restricting member” has an X-axis of the engaging lever 128 when the engaging lever 128 is in the first posture. A restriction portion 132a that restricts sliding in the direction, and a long hole 132b that allows the engagement lever 128 to slide in the X-axis direction in a third posture to be described later.

  Further, the cam engagement portion 126 in the present embodiment is provided with a gap 126a as in the modification of the first embodiment, and a sandwiching portion 142 as "regulating means" is configured. Further, the engagement lever 128 is urged in the + X direction by the second urging means 144.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15 (B), the engaging lever 128 has a third posture (FIG. 15 (B) solid line portion) that swings in the + Y direction side from the first posture in addition to the first posture and the second posture. Reference). In the third posture, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 is located in the elongated hole 132b of the opening portion 132 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 is slidable in the X-axis direction within the elongated hole 132b (see FIG. 16).

  Specifically, when the engagement lever 128 is positioned in the third posture, if the carriage 48 is moved to the −X direction side, the engagement lever 128 is pressed by the cam engagement portion 126 to be within the elongated hole 132b. Is moved in the −X direction against the urging force of the second urging means 144 in the + X direction.

  Here, the power transmission switching means 129 will be described with reference to FIG. An intermediate gear 135 is provided on the swing shaft 134 adjacent to the engagement lever 128. The intermediate gear 135 receives the driving force of the driving motor 27 via the first roller shaft 49 driven by the driving motor 27. The swing shaft 134 includes a power switching gear 137 configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the swing shaft 134 (X-axis direction in FIG. 17) together with the engaging lever 128.

  Further, the swing shaft 134 is provided with a transmission gear 139 that fits with the power switching gear 137 when the power switching gear 137 slides in the −X direction in FIG. The transmission gear 139 transmits the rotational force of the swing shaft 134 to an upper tray drive gear 141 described later via a power switching gear 137 fitted with the transmission gear 139. The intermediate gear 135 supplies the driving force of the driving motor 27 to the pickup roller 28 by a toothed wheel train (not shown). Further, the upper tray 16 is provided with an upper tray drive gear 141 that can be engaged with a power switching gear 137 that is engaged with the transmission gear 139.

  Here, the power transmission switching operation will be described. In FIG. 17, when the drive motor 27 rotates, the pickup roller 28 is driven to rotate through the intermediate gear 135 and a toothed wheel train (not shown). When the engagement lever 128 is positioned in the first posture, if the cam engagement portion 126 is displaced in the −X direction, the engagement lever 128 also tries to move in the −X direction. Since the urging force of 144 in the + X direction acts and the distal end portion 128a of the engaging lever 128 is positioned at the restricting portion 132a, the sliding in the X-axis direction is restricted.

  For this reason, when the engagement lever 128 is positioned in the first posture, the gap PG is allowed to change in the X-axis direction of the carriage 48, but the engagement lever 128 does not slide in the X-axis direction. The drive target of is not switched.

  Next, when the engagement lever 128 is positioned in the third posture, the distal end portion 128a of the engagement lever 128 is positioned in the elongated hole 132b, so that the sliding movement of the engagement lever 128 in the X-axis direction is allowed. For this reason, when the cam engagement portion 126 is displaced in the −X direction, the engagement lever 128 also moves in the −X direction against the urging force of the second urging means 144. At this time, the gap PG of the carriage 48 also changes. As a result, the power switching gear 137 moves in the −X direction as the engagement lever 128 slides, and engages with the transmission gear 139. The power switching gear 137 engages with the upper tray drive gear 141 while being engaged with the transmission gear 139. As a result, the driving force of the driving motor 27 is supplied to the upper tray 16.

  Further, in order to stop the power supply to the upper tray 16, the engagement lever 128 is moved in the + X direction by moving the cam engagement portion 126 in the + X direction. As a result, the power switching gear 137 moves in the + X direction together with the engagement lever 128, and the engagement state with the transmission gear 139 is canceled and the engagement state with the upper tray drive gear 141 is also canceled. The power transmission switching operation is completed by returning the engagement lever 128 from the third posture to the first posture or the second posture. The gap PG of the carriage 48 that is displaced when the power is switched is adjusted to a desired gap PG amount by changing the engagement lever 128 to the first posture before the recording on the paper P is performed and displacing the carriage 48.

  In summary, when the engagement lever 128 moves in the −X direction together with the cam engagement portion 126, the drive force of the drive motor 27 as “one drive source” for rotating the pickup roller 28 is generated from the pickup roller 28. Switch to the upper tray 16. As a result, the upper tray 16 moves between the feedable position (see FIG. 1) and the retracted position. As a result, the engagement lever 128 transmits power to switch the drive target driven by the drive source between one drive source (drive motor 27) and a plurality of drive targets (the pickup roller 28 and the upper tray 16). The switching means 129 is caused to function.

  In this embodiment, the engagement lever 128 causes the power transmission switching means 129 to function by sliding in the X-axis direction. For this reason, the engagement lever 128 has both a function of pushing the first gap adjustment cam 94 and a function of switching the power transmission of the power transmission switching means 129. Thereby, the driving force to the pickup roller 28 and the upper tray 16 can be switched. Further, when the engaging lever 128 is positioned in the first posture, the sliding movement of the engaging lever 128 in the X-axis direction is restricted by the restricting portion 132a, so that the self-sliding of the first gap adjusting cam 94 is ensured. It can be suppressed or prevented.

■■■ Third Example ■■■■
The regulating means in the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the restricting means is grease that is interposed between the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 and a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and between the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 and the guide rail 62. It is configured.

  As an example, the grease is formed between the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 or between the second engagement pin 118 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the slide member 96. It is applied between the elongated holes 124. Further, the grease is supported between the support surface 114 and the engagement portion 120 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48, and between the engagement portion 102 of the sliding member 92 and the first gap adjustment cam 94. It can also be applied between the mating pins 116 and the like.

  That is, the grease functions as a restricting means by applying the grease to a portion that moves relatively between the main body 66 of the carriage 48, the sliding members 92 and 136, the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138, the slide member 96, and the guide rail 62. To do.

Moreover, the grease used in a present Example has kinematic viscosity of 100 mm < ² > / sec or more. Desirably, grease having a kinematic viscosity in the range of 100 mm ² / sec to 10000 mm ² / sec is preferably used as the regulating means.

  Since the restricting means is made of grease, a load is applied to the relative movement between the members due to the viscosity of the grease, and the movement of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 attempting to slide can be suppressed or prevented. .

<<< Modification of Third Embodiment >>>
Further, the grease is applied only between the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the carriage 48, only between the first gap adjusting cam 94 and the slide member 96, only the main gap adjusting means 72, or only the sub gap adjusting means 74. It can also be configured.

■■■ Fourth Example ■■■■
The restricting means in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the restricting means applies a pressing force to the first gap adjustment cam 94 in a direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 18) that intersects the displacement direction of the first gap adjustment cam 94 (X-axis direction in FIG. 18). The cam pressing portion 146 is configured.

  As an example, the cam pressing portion 146 is provided on the main body 66 of the carriage 48 or the guide rail 62 via a spring member 148. The cam pressing portion 146 presses the first gap adjustment cam 94 by the urging force from the spring member 148. Thereby, when the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves in the X-axis direction, a frictional force is generated between the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the cam pressing portion 146.

  In FIGS. 18A and 18B, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 and the cam pressing portion 146 move in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, and the first gap adjusting cam 94 and The slide member 96 (cam engagement portion 126) moves in the −X direction.

  With this frictional force, a load is applied to the movement of the first gap adjusting cam 94 in the X-axis direction, and the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the restricting means is constituted only by the cam pressing portion 146 and the spring member 148, the restricting means can be constituted by a small number of parts.

<<<< Modification Example of Fourth Embodiment >>>>
The cam pressing portion 146 can be provided on the second gap adjusting cam 138 of the sub gap adjusting means 74, and the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the third transmission gear 88 and the fourth transmission gear of the power transmission portion 76. It can also be set as the structure provided in at least one of 90.

■■■ Fifth Example ■■■■
The restricting means in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B). In this embodiment, the restricting means applies a pressing force to the gap adjusting cam 94 in a direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 19A) intersecting the displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam 94 (X-axis direction in FIG. 19A). The cam pressing portion 146 to be applied and the pressed portion 150 provided in the first gap adjusting cam 94 are configured.

  In this embodiment, the pressed portion 150 protrudes in the displacement direction of the first gap adjustment cam 94 in the first gap adjustment cam 94, that is, in the direction intersecting the X-axis direction in FIG. 19A (Y-axis direction). It is formed in a convex shape. The pressed portion 150 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f of the cam portion 104 in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, only one is shown for explanation.

  The restricting means of this embodiment functions when the cam pressing portion 146 and the pressed portion 150 come into contact with each other. Specifically, when the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves in the X-axis direction, the cam pressing portion 146 is the first gap adjustment cam 94 in a portion where the pressed portion 150 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 is not provided. The first gap adjusting cam 94 is allowed to move without coming into contact with. When the first gap adjustment cam 94 further moves in the X-axis direction, the cam pressing portion 146 and the pressed portion 150 come into contact with each other. Thereby, a frictional force is generated between the cam pressing portion 146 and the pressed portion 150.

  In FIGS. 19A and 19B, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 and the cam pressing portion 146 move in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, and the first gap adjusting cam 94, The pressed part 150 and the slide member 96 (cam engaging part 126) move in the −X direction.

  This frictional force is generated at a position corresponding to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f of the cam portion 104 where the pressed portion 150 is provided in the first gap adjustment cam 94. Therefore, the self-sliding phenomenon occurs in the first gap adjustment cam 94. Acts only on the part where As a result, the cam pressing portion 146 and the pressed portion 150 as the restricting means can suppress or prevent the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94.

  Further, only when the first gap adjusting cam 94 changes the gap PG, the cam pressing portion 146 presses the pressed portion 150 and restricts the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cam 94. As a result, the pressed portion 150 is not pressed over the entire displacement region of the first gap adjusting cam 94 in the X-axis direction, and thereby a driving load for displacing the first gap adjusting cam 94 (driving load of the carriage 48). Can be prevented from rising uniformly over the entire displacement region.

■■■ Sixth Example ■■■■
The regulating means in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 (A) and 20 (B). In this embodiment, the restricting means includes a resistance applying member 152 and a pressing force provided in at least one of the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the third transmission gear 88, and the fourth transmission gear 90 of the power transmission unit 76. The unit 154 is configured.

  As an example, the side surface 82 a of the first transmission gear 82 is provided with a resistance applying member 152 that protrudes from the side surface 82 a in the axial direction of the first transmission gear 82. The resistance applying member 152 is provided in a part of the first transmission gear 82 in the circumferential direction. The pressing portion 154 is provided on the main body 66 of the carriage 48. The pressing portion 154 is provided at a position in contact with the resistance applying member 152 in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 20A and is configured not to contact with the side surface 82a of the first transmission gear 82.

  Further, as an example, the resistance applying member 152 receives the driving force from the first gap adjusting cam 94 and rotates the first transmission gear 82, so that the first transmission gear is in contact with the resistance applying member 152 and the pressing portion 154. 82 is provided on the side surface 82a so as to correspond to at least one of the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f (see FIG. 12) in the first gap adjusting cam 94 engaged with the 82. In the example shown in the figure, the resistance applying member 152 has one configuration for the sake of explanation, but it can be provided at positions corresponding to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f in the circumferential direction of the first transmission gear 82, respectively.

  For this reason, when the carriage 48 moves in the X-axis direction and the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 contacts the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f, the resistance applying member 152 and the pressing portion corresponding to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f. 154 comes into contact. As a result, rotational resistance corresponding to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f of the first gap adjusting cam 94 is given to the first transmission gear 82. As a result, the rotational resistance in the first transmission gear 82 acts on the first gap adjustment cam 94 via the first transmission gear 82 and the rack portion 78.

  For this reason, a load is applied to the movement of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 in the X-axis direction via the power transmission unit 76, and the self-sliding phenomenon of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the restricting means is composed of only the resistance applying member 152 and the pressing portion 154, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts. As a result, the resistance applying member 152 and the pressing portion 154 that are the restricting means of the present embodiment can suppress or prevent the self-sliding phenomenon with a small number of parts with respect to the plurality of gap adjusting cams 94 and 138.

■■■ Seventh Example ■■■■
The regulating means in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the restricting means is configured as third urging means 155 that urges the first gap adjusting cam 94 in the second direction, that is, the + X direction in FIG. In the present embodiment, the third urging means 155 is configured as a spring member.

  In the third urging means 155, one end is attached to the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and the other end is attached to the first gap adjustment cam 94. As a result, the first gap adjusting cam 94 is urged in the + X direction in FIG. 21 by the third urging means 155. For this reason, a biasing force acts on the first gap adjustment cam 94 in the direction of self-sliding, that is, in the direction opposite to the −X direction.

  In FIG. 21, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 moves in the + X direction together with the carriage 48, and the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the slide member 96 (cam engaging portion 126) Move in the direction.

  Further, the spring force of the third urging means 155 is set so weak as to suppress the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94. Therefore, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction in FIG. 21, the first gap adjustment cam 94 can move in the −X direction. That is, the third urging means 155 does not hinder the movement of the first gap adjustment cam 94. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the first gap adjusting cam 94 can move in the X-axis direction together with the cam engaging portion 126 while suppressing the self-sliding phenomenon.

  Therefore, the third urging means 155 can suppress or prevent the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94. Further, since the restricting means is composed of only the third urging means 155, the restricting means can be composed of a small number of parts.

■■■ Eighth Example ■■■■
With reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B, description will be given of means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound that occurs when the gap PG changes in the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the means for suppressing the generation of the collision sound is constituted by two stepped cam portions provided on the first gap adjustment cam 94.

  Specifically, the first gap adjusting cam 94 is provided on the side facing the main body 66 of the carriage 48 in addition to the stepped cam portion 104 provided on the side facing the sliding member 92 in the first embodiment. The stepped cam portion 156 is provided.

  The cam portion 156 includes a first step portion 156a, a second step portion 156c, a third step portion 156e, and a fourth step portion 156g as “second cam surfaces” for maintaining the gap PG, and a “first step portion for changing the gap PG. It has a first inclined portion 156b, a second inclined portion 156d, and a third inclined portion 156f as “one cam surface”.

  Any one of the first step portion 156a, the second step portion 156c, the third step portion 156e, and the fourth step portion 156g is engaged with the contact portion 66a (see FIG. 22A) of the main body 66 of the carriage 48. The gap PG is defined and the gap PG is maintained. The first inclined portion 156b, the second inclined portion 156d, and the third inclined portion 156f change the gap PG when the first gap adjusting cam 94 slides with respect to the main body 66 of the carriage 48.

  In the first gap adjusting cam 94, the step portions 156a, 156c, 156e, 156g and the inclined portions 156b, 156d, 156f are alternately arranged in a step shape (see FIG. 22A). Further, on the side adjacent to the inclined portions 156b, 156d, 156f in the step portions 156c, 156e, 156g, raised portions 156h, 156j, 156k that protrude from the respective step portions 156c, 156e, 156g are provided. The raised portions 156h, 156j, and 156k as “connecting portions that connect the first cam surface and the second cam” are the main bodies of the carriage 48 to the inclined portions 156b, 156d, and 156f adjacent at the step portions 156c, 156e, and 156g The contact portion 66a of 66 is prevented from sliding down.

  In this embodiment, the step portions 156a, 156c, 156e, and 156g of the cam portion 156, the inclined portions 156b, 156d, and 156f and the raised portions 156h, 156j, and 156k in the X-axis direction in FIG. Are provided corresponding to the positions where the stepped portions 104a, 104c, 104e, 104g, the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f and the raised portions 104h, 104j, 104k of the cam portion 104 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, when the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves together with the cam engaging portion 126, the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves relative to the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48. For this reason, in FIG. 22A, when the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves in the −X direction, the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 move in the + X direction. That is, the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 moves from the step portion 104g to the step portion 104a in the cam portion 104, and the contact portion 66a of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 changes from the step portion 156g to the step portion 156a in the cam portion 156. Moving. Thereby, the first gap adjusting cam 94 can change the gap PG.

  In the first gap adjustment cam 94, the cam portion 104 is provided on the side facing the sliding member 92, and the cam portion 156 is provided on the side facing the main body 66 of the carriage 48. Compared with the configuration in which the cam portion 104 is provided only on the side, the step of each step portion can be reduced. As a result, the inclination angle of each inclined portion can be reduced. For this reason, the acceleration in the inclined portion when the first gap adjustment cam 94 is moved can be reduced. For this reason, the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94 can be suppressed or prevented.

  Further, by reducing the step, the collision noise between the contact portion 108 and the contact portion 66a and the cam portions 104 and 156 at the time of gap adjustment is reduced, and noise at the time of gap adjustment can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved.

■■■ Ninth Example ■■■■
The restricting means in the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D. In the present embodiment, the restricting means is configured by forming the inclined surface of the first gap adjusting cam 94 in a shape that suppresses the self-sliding phenomenon in each of the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f of the cam portion 104.

  As an example of the shape of the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 23A, the inclined surface of the inclined portion 104b has a smooth inclined surface on the step portion on the side where the gap PG decreases (in the illustrated example, the step portion 104a side). It is connected. As another example of the shape of the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 23B, the inclined surface of each inclined portion 104b is provided with a step portion in the middle of the inclination. This step does not function as a step that defines the gap PG, and is not used for the recording operation of the recording head.

  As another example of the shape of the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 23C, the inclined surface of each inclined portion 104b is provided with a reverse step portion in the middle of the inclination. Further, as another example of the shape of the inclined surface, as shown in FIG. 23D, the inclined surface of each inclined portion 104b is provided with a protruding portion in the middle of the inclination.

  For example, when the first gap adjustment cam 94 is moved in the −X direction so that the gap PG becomes small in each inclined portion 104b shown in FIGS. 23 (A) to 23 (D), the second step portion 104c. The cam portion 104 moves from the second step portion 104c to the first step portion 104a via the inclined portion 104b with respect to the contact portion 108 that is in contact with the contact portion 108.

  At this time, each slope shape of the slope 104b shown in FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D is changed from the second step 104c to the first step 104a. Therefore, the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94 can be suppressed or prevented. Further, since the restricting means is formed by making the shape of the inclined portion the shape of the inclined surface that suppresses the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjusting cam 94, the restricting means can be configured with a small number of parts. it can.

  In the description, the inclined portion 104b has been described as an example. However, the inclined portion 104b is not limited to the inclined portion 104b, and can be applied to the other inclined portions 104d and 104f constituting the cam portion 104.

■■■ Tenth Example ■■■■
With reference to FIG. 24, description will be given of means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound that occurs when the gap PG changes in the tenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the means for suppressing the occurrence of collision noise is the phase of the cam part 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 of the main gap adjustment means 72 and the cam part 158 of the second gap adjustment cam 138 of the sub gap adjustment means 74. It is configured by shifting. Although not shown, the second gap adjustment cam 138 is also provided with a cam portion 158 similar to the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94.

  24, the profile of the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94 of the main gap adjustment means 72 is shown on the lower side of the paper surface, and the cam portion 158 of the second gap adjustment cam 138 of the auxiliary gap adjustment means 74 is shown on the upper side of the paper surface. The profile is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the cam portion 158 of the second gap adjustment cam 138 is arranged so that the phase of the cam portion 158 of the second gap adjustment cam 138 is shifted with respect to the cam portion 104 of the first gap adjustment cam 94. Specifically, the positions where the inclined portions 158b, 158d, 158f of the cam portion 158 are provided relative to the positions where the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f of the cam portion 104 are provided in the X-axis direction in FIG. Is shifted.

  In FIG. 24, the sliding members 92 and 136 move in the + X direction, and the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the second gap adjustment cam 138 move in the −X direction.

  Therefore, in the main gap adjusting means 72 and the sub gap adjusting means 74, when the carriage 48 is moved in the X-axis direction, the direction in which the gap PG of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 is changed, that is, the position in the Z-axis direction in FIG. The timing to change can be shifted. That is, the gap PG of the main gap adjusting means 72 and the sub gap adjusting means 74 is changed at different timings. For this reason, the front side (−Y direction side in FIG. 4 (A)) of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and the rear side (+ Y direction side in FIG. 4 (A)) are simultaneously displaced in the Z-axis direction. In addition, the main body 66 of the carriage 48 can be gently displaced in the Z-axis direction.

  For this reason, since the collision sound in the main gap adjusting means 72 and the collision sound in the sub gap adjusting means 74 do not occur simultaneously, the magnitude of the collision sound can be reduced. Thereby, by shifting the timing of changing the gap PG of the main gap adjusting means 72 and the sub gap adjusting means 74, it is possible to prevent the noise accompanying the change of the gap PG from being generated at the same time, and to suppress the noise during the gap adjustment. The noise reduction can be achieved.

<<< Modified Example of Tenth Embodiment >>>
(1) Instead of a configuration in which the phases of the cam portions 104 and 158 are shifted, an engaging lever that changes the gap PG of the sub-gap adjusting means 74 at a different timing independently of the change of the gap PG of the main gap adjusting means 72 is provided. It is good also as a structure provided in the subgap adjustment means 74 side. In this configuration, the position of the engaging lever that changes the main gap adjusting means 72 and the position of the engaging lever that changes the sub gap adjusting means 74 are shifted in the X-axis direction.

■■■ Eleventh Example ■■■■
In the eleventh embodiment, the restricting means is at least one of the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the third transmission gear 88, and the fourth transmission gear 90 of the power transmission unit 76 provided on the main body 66 of the carriage 48. A gear (not shown) that engages one.

  The gear is configured to transmit driving force to at least one of the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the third transmission gear 88, and the fourth transmission gear 90. For this reason, while the contact part 108 moves in the inclined part of the cam parts 104 and 158 in the 1st gap adjustment cam 94 and the 2nd gap adjustment cam 138, the 1st gap adjustment cam 94 and the 2nd gap adjustment cam 138 of FIG. The gear can be driven so as to be in the direction opposite to the moving direction.

  For this reason, since the moving speed of the inclined portion in the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the second gap adjustment cam 138 is suppressed, the self-sliding phenomenon of the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the second gap adjustment cam 138 is suppressed, or Can be prevented.

■■■ Twelfth Example ■■■■
With reference to FIG. 25, description will be given of means for suppressing the occurrence of a collision sound that occurs when the gap PG changes in the twelfth embodiment. In this embodiment, the means for suppressing the occurrence of the collision sound is to control the moving speed of the carriage 48. The moving speed of the carriage 48, that is, the moving speed in the X-axis direction in FIG. 25 is controlled by the control unit 61 (see FIG. 26). In FIG. 25, when the carriage 48 moves in the + X direction, the sliding member 92 moves in the + X direction, and the first gap adjustment cam 94 moves in the −X direction.

  In FIG. 25, sections S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 are provided in the cam portion 104. In the cam portion 104, the section S1 is a range from the first step portion 104a to the first inclined portion 104b, the section S2 is a range from the raised portion 104h to the intermediate position of the second step portion 104c, and the section S3 is This is a range from the intermediate position of the second step portion 104c to the second inclined portion 104d. The section S4 is a range from the raised portion 104j to the middle position of the third step portion 104e, the section S5 is a range from the middle position of the third step portion 104e to the third inclined portion 104f, and the section S6 is a raised shape. This is a range from the portion 104k to the intermediate position of the fourth step portion 104g.

  That is, the sections S2, S4, and S6 are the connecting portion between the first step portion 104a and the first inclined portion 104b in the cam portion 104, the connecting portion between the second step portion 104c and the second inclined portion 104d, and the third step portion. It includes a connecting portion between 104e and the third inclined portion 104f, in other words, a connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface, ie, raised portions 104h, 104j, and 104k.

  Here, when the control unit 61 moves the carriage 48 in the X-axis direction, the movement speed of the carriage 48 in the sections S2, S4, and S6 is lower than the movement speed of the carriage 48 in the sections S1, S3, and S5. To control.

  Here, the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface is a portion where the shape changes greatly, but when the contact portion 108 of the sliding member 92 moves relative to the connecting portion, that is, the sections S2, S4, and S6. Since the moving speed of the carriage 48 becomes low, it is possible to suppress or prevent the contact portion 108 from jumping at the connecting portion. For this reason, the noise at the time of adjustment of gap PG can be suppressed, and it can aim at silence.

<<< Movement Speed in Carriage Sections S2, S4, and S6 >>>
With reference to FIG. 27, the moving speed of the carriage 48 in the sections S2, S4 and S6 will be described. Here, the first speed V1 (see FIG. 27) is the slowest speed setting moving speed set in the carriage 48 controlled by the control unit 61. When the gap PG of the carriage 48 is reduced, the first speed V1 (see FIG. 27) This is the speed used when driving the power transmission switching means 129. In the present embodiment, the second speed V2 (see FIG. 27) is set as the speed 0. In addition, a minimum driving amount (see FIG. 27) for driving the carriage 48 is set for each movement speed mode of the carriage 48.

  When the carriage 48 moves in each of the sections S2, S4, and S6, the control unit 61 repeats the movement of the distance corresponding to the minimum drive amount set to the first speed V1, which is the slowest speed setting, a plurality of times. To move. When the control unit 61 moves the carriage 48 by a distance corresponding to the minimum driving amount, the carriage driving motor 47 is controlled to accelerate the carriage 48 to the first speed V1. Then, when the moving speed of the carriage 48 reaches the first speed V1, the control unit 61 stops the carriage drive motor 47.

  The carriage 48 is gradually decelerated from the first speed V1 due to friction with the guide rails 62, 63 and the like when the carriage drive motor 47 is stopped, and is decelerated to the second speed V2. That is, the controller 61 accelerates and decelerates the carriage 48 while the carriage 48 moves once a distance corresponding to the minimum driving amount of the carriage.

  Next, when the carriage 48 is decelerated to the second speed V2, the control unit 61 drives the carriage drive motor 47 to move the carriage 48 again by the distance corresponding to the minimum drive amount, and again moves the carriage 48 to the first speed. Accelerate to speed. Then, when the carriage 48 is again accelerated to the first speed V1, the controller 61 stops the carriage drive motor 47 again. Thereafter, the control unit 61 repeatedly accelerates and decelerates for each minimum driving amount while repeatedly moving the carriage 48 a distance corresponding to the minimum driving amount until the carriage 48 passes through each of the sections S2, S4, and S6. Make it.

  Thus, when the moving speed of the carriage 48 changes between the first speed V1 and the second speed V2 in a short time, the carriage 48 is an effective speed that is a speed between the first speed V1 and the second speed V2. It will move at V3. That is, the carriage 48 moves in the sections S2, S4, and S6 at the effective speed V3 that is slower than the first speed V1 by repeatedly moving in the slowest moving speed mode and with the minimum driving amount.

  As a result, the controller 61 can move the carriage 48 at an effective speed V3 that is slower than the first speed V1 set as the slowest speed of the carriage 48. Therefore, since the moving speed of the carriage 48 in the sections S2, S4, and S6 can be made slower, noise during the adjustment of the gap PG can be suppressed, and further noise reduction can be achieved. Further, it is not necessary to newly provide the control unit 61 with a mode for controlling the carriage 48 at a speed slower than the first speed V1.

  In the present embodiment, the first speed V1 is the moving speed set at the slowest speed of the carriage 48. However, the speed is not limited to this, and may be a higher speed. In the present embodiment, the second speed V2 is set to the speed 0. However, the speed is not limited to this, and may be a higher speed.

  In the description of the first to twelfth embodiments, the application of the restricting means and the means for suppressing the generation of the collision sound to the first gap adjusting cam 94 has been mainly described. It is not limited to 94, but includes application to the second gap adjustment cam 138.

  In addition, the invention described in this specification includes at least one of the regulating means in the first to seventh embodiments, the ninth embodiment, and the eleventh embodiment. In the configuration in which the gap PG is adjusted by displacing the cams 94, 138 relative to the main body 66 of the carriage 48, the gap adjusting cams 94, 138 from the engagement lever 128 that pushes the gap adjusting cams 94, 138 in the displacement direction. Regulates the separation. For this reason, the restricting means in the first to seventh, ninth, and eleventh embodiments regulates the self-sliding of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138, thereby adjusting the gap. Noise can be suppressed and noise reduction can be achieved.

  Further, the supply source of the ink that is the liquid ejected from the recording head may be an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage, or an ink container provided outside the carriage. The ink container outside the carriage may be provided inside the casing constituting the appearance of the recording apparatus, or may be provided outside the casing. If the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage, the ink capacity in the cartridge is limited. However, by providing an ink container outside the carriage, the ink capacity can be increased and recording can be performed more times. Is possible.

  When ink is supplied from the outside of the housing to the recording head, it is necessary to draw an ink supply tube for supplying ink inside the housing. Therefore, it is preferable that a hole or a notch is provided in the housing and the ink supply tube is passed through the hole or the notch. Alternatively, a boss or the like is set up so that the scanner unit or cover that can be opened and closed in the housing does not completely close to the housing, and the tube is placed inside the housing using the gap formed by the boss. You may be drawn around. By doing so, it is possible to ensure the supply of ink in the flow path of the ink supply tube.

  FIG. 28 is an example thereof, and is a perspective view schematically showing a printer according to another embodiment. In FIG. 28, reference numeral 160 is an ink jet printer, reference numeral 162 is a recording unit, reference numeral 164 is a scanner unit that can be opened and closed with respect to the recording unit 162, reference numeral 166 is an operation unit (on the front side of the apparatus), reference numeral 168 is an ink container, Reference numeral 170 denotes an ink supply tube that supplies ink from the ink container 168 to a recording head (not shown in FIG. 17). A boss (projection) 172 is provided on the top of the recording unit 162, and the boss 172 causes the scanner unit 164 to not be completely closed with respect to the recording unit 162, but to form a gap 174. .

  The ink supply tube 170 enters the inside of the printer through the gap 174, so that the scanner unit 164 is configured not to block the ink flow path of the ink supply tube 170. By using the ink container 168 provided outside the carriage in this way, the ink capacity is increased, and a larger number of recordings can be performed.

  A carriage 48 provided with a recording head 44 for recording on the paper P, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head 44 (X-axis direction), and the direction in which the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the paper P changes ( In the Z-axis direction), sliding members 92 and 136 constituting the carriage 48 are provided so as to be displaceable relative to the main body 66 of the carriage 48 constituting the carriage 48 and move together with the carriage in the scanning direction (X-axis direction). And guide rails 62 and 63 extending in the scanning direction (X-axis direction) that are in contact with the sliding members 92 and 136 and receive the weight of the carriage 48 via the sliding members 92 and 136, and a sliding member 92, 136 and a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48, receiving the weight of the carriage 48, and the sliding members 92, 136 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48. On the other hand, the gap PG is changed by relatively displacing in the scanning direction (X-axis direction), and the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 constituting the carriage 48 and the cam engaging portion 126 that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 are arranged. The cam engaging portion 126 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a moving region that moves as the carriage 48 moves, and the carriage 48 moves in the state where the cam engaging portion 126 advances into the moving region and engages with the cam engaging portion 126. And an engagement lever 128 that pushes the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 in the displacement direction. The gap adjusting cam 94 includes a stepped cam portion 104 in which inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f that change the gap PG and step portions 104a, 104c, 104e, and 104g that maintain the gap are alternately arranged. Prepare. The controller 61 that controls the movement operation of the carriage 48 includes an inclined portion 104b, a contact portion 108 that is provided on at least a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 or the sliding member 92 and engages with the stepped cam portion 104. 104d and 104f are connected to the step portions 104a, 104c, 104e and 104g, that is, the moving speed of the carriage 48 when passing through the sections S2, S4 and S6, and the contact portion 108 is inclined to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f and the step. The moving speed of the carriage 48 when sliding with the parts 104a, 104c, 104e, 104g is set to be lower.

  The printer 10 includes a carriage drive motor 47 that drives the carriage 48, and the contact portion 108 is connected to the inclined portions 104b, 104d, and 104f and the step portions 104a, 104c, 104e, and 104g, that is, the sections S2, S4, and S6. The moving speed of the carriage 48 when passing is accelerated by the driving force of the carriage driving motor 47 to the first speed V1, and the driving force of the carriage driving motor 47 is cut after the carriage 48 reaches the first speed V1. Thus, the carriage 48 is decelerated to the second speed V2, and the carriage 48 is decelerated to the second speed V2 and then accelerated again to the first speed V1 at an effective speed V3 that is lower than the first speed V1 obtained. is there.

  In summary, the recording apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes the recording head 44 that records on the paper P, the carriage 48 that is movable in the scanning direction (X-axis direction) of the recording head 44, and the recording head 44. In the direction in which the gap PG between the paper and the paper P changes (Z-axis direction), the relative position of the carriage 48 constituting the carriage 48 with respect to the main body 66 is displaceable. The scanning members 92 and 136 constituting the carriage 48 and the sliding members 92 and 136 are in contact with each other and receive the weight of the carriage 48 through the sliding members 92 and 136. Are interposed between the guide rails 62, 63 extending to the sliding member 92, the sliding members 92, 136 and a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48, and receives the weight of the carriage 48. Gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 constituting the carriage 48 that change the gap PG by being displaced relative to the sliding members 92 and 136 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 in the scanning direction (X-axis direction), and the gap The cam engagement portion 126 that is displaced together with the adjustment cams 94 and 138, and the cam engagement portion 126 are provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the movement region that moves as the carriage 48 moves. The engagement lever 128 that pushes the gap adjustment cams 94, 138 in the displacement direction through the movement operation of the carriage 48 in the state of being engaged with 126, and the relative movement of the gap adjustment cams 94, 138 with respect to the main body 66 of the carriage 48. In the first embodiment, the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 are restricted from moving away from the engagement lever 128. Seventh embodiment from, and at least one regulating means in the ninth embodiment and the eleventh embodiment.

  First urging means 110 constituting the carriage 48 is provided which exerts an urging force between the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 in a direction in which the sliding member 92 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 are attracted.

  The restricting means includes a gap 140 that is provided on the engagement lever 128 and that sandwiches the cam engagement portion 126 on both sides in the moving direction of the gap adjusting cam 94 or the engagement lever 128 provided on the cam engagement portion 126. A sandwiching portion 142 is sandwiched on both sides of the adjustment cam 94 in the moving direction. The movement of the gap adjusting cam 94 is restricted by the sandwiching portions 140 and 142.

  The printer 10 includes a power transmission switching unit 129 that switches a driving target driven by the driving motor 27 between the driving motor 27 and a plurality of driving targets (the pickup roller 28 and the upper tray 16). The engaging lever 128 constitutes a power transmission switching means 129, and moves forward with respect to the moving region of the cam engaging portion 126 by swinging about a swinging shaft 134 extending along the moving direction of the carriage 48. It is possible to switch between one posture and the second posture retracted from the moving area, and the drive target is switched by sliding in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the swing shaft 134. The engagement lever 128 can be switched to a third posture that can be engaged with the carriage 48 in addition to the first posture and the second posture, and the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the engagement lever 128 can be changed. An opening 132 of the guide rail 62 that restricts sliding is provided. The opening 132 includes a slot 132b that allows the engagement member to slide in the third posture of the engagement lever, and a restriction portion that restricts the slide of the engagement lever 128 in the first posture of the engagement lever 128. 132a.

  The engagement lever 128 in the second direction (+ X direction) opposite to the first direction (−X direction), which is the displacement direction of the gap adjustment cam when the gap adjustment cam is displaced in the direction in which the gap PG decreases. Second urging means 144 for urging.

  The restricting means includes grease that is interposed between at least one of the gap adjusting cam 94 and a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and between the gap adjusting cam 94 and the guide rail 62. The movement of the gap adjusting cam 94 is restricted by the grease.

  The restricting means includes a cam pressing portion 146 that applies a pressing force to the gap adjusting cam 94 in a direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the displacement direction (X-axis direction) of the gap adjusting cam 94. The movement of the gap adjusting cam 94 is restricted by the cam pressing portion 146.

The gap adjusting cam 94 is provided with a convex pressed portion 150 that is pressed by the cam pressing portion 146.
The pressed portion 150 is pressed by the cam pressing portion 146 when the gap adjusting cam 94 changes the gap PG in the displacement region of the gap adjusting cam 94, and the cam pressing portion when the gap adjusting cam 94 maintains the gap PG. Separate from 146.

The carriage 48 includes a plurality of sliding members 92 and gap adjustment cams 94 and 138, and has a configuration in which the gap PG is changed at a plurality of locations in the carriage 48. The plurality of gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 are engageable with the engagement lever 128 and have a first gap adjustment cam 94 having a rack portion 78 constituting a rack and pinion mechanism, and a rack portion of the first gap adjustment cam 94. Power is transmitted from the power transmission unit 76 engaged with 78, and a second gap adjustment cam 138 that is displaced in synchronization with the first gap adjustment cam 94 is provided.
The restricting means includes a resistance applying member 152 that gives rotational resistance to the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the third transmission gear 88, and the fourth transmission gear 90 that constitute the power transmission unit 76, and The movement of the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 is restricted by the resistance applying member 152.

  The restricting means is a second direction (+ X direction) opposite to the first direction (−X direction) that is the displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam 94 when the gap adjusting cam 94 is displaced in the direction in which the gap PG decreases. The third biasing means 155 for biasing the gap adjusting cam 94 is provided. The movement of the gap adjusting cam is restricted by the third urging means 155.

  A carriage 48 having a recording head 44 for recording on the paper P and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head 44 and the carriage 48 are configured in a direction in which the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the paper P changes. A sliding member 92, 136 constituting the carriage 48, which is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and moves in the scanning direction (X-axis direction) together with the carriage 48, and the sliding members 92, 136 The guide rails 62 and 63 extending in the scanning direction (X-axis direction), the sliding members 92 and 136, and the main body 66 of the carriage 48. Between the sliding member 92 and 136 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 in the scanning direction (X The gap adjustment cams 94 and 138 constituting the carriage 48, the cam engagement portion 126 displaced together with the gap adjustment cams 94 and 138, and the cam engagement portion 126. Is provided so as to be capable of advancing and retreating with respect to a moving region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage 48. The gap adjusting cam 94, And an engaging lever 128 that pushes 138 in the displacement direction. The gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 are inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f, 156b, 156d, and 156f that change the gap PG, and step portions 104a, 104c, 104e, 104g, 156a, 156c, 156e, and 156g that maintain the gap. Are provided on both the side facing the part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and the side facing the sliding member 92.

  A carriage 48 provided with a recording head 44 for recording on the paper P, movable in the scanning direction of the recording head 44 (X-axis direction), and the direction in which the gap PG between the recording head 44 and the paper P changes. Sliding members 92 and 136 constituting the carriage 48, which are provided so as to be displaceable relative to the main body 66 of the carriage 48 constituting the carriage 48 and move in the scanning direction (X-axis direction) together with the carriage 48, and the slides. Guide rails 62, 63 extending in the scanning direction (X-axis direction), which are in contact with the moving members 92, 136 and receive the weight of the carriage 48 through the sliding members 92, 136, and the sliding members 92, 136, The self-weight of the carriage 48 is interposed between a part of the main body 66 of the carriage 48 and the sliding members 92 and 136 and the main body 66 of the carriage 48 are received. Gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 constituting the carriage 48 that change the gap PG by being relatively displaced in the inspection direction (X-axis direction), and a cam engaging portion 126 that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138. The cam engaging portion 126 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a moving area that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage 48, and moves through the moving area and engages with the cam engaging portion 126 via the moving operation of the carriage 48. And an engagement lever 128 that pushes the gap adjusting cams 94 and 138 in the displacement direction. The carriage 48 includes a plurality of sliding members 92 and 136 and gap adjustment cams 94 and 138, and has a configuration in which the gap PG is changed at a plurality of locations in the carriage 48. The plurality of gap adjustment cams 94, 138 includes a first gap adjustment cam 94 and a second gap adjustment cam 138. The first gap adjusting cam 94 and the second gap adjusting cam 138 include inclined portions 104b, 104d, 104f, 158b, 158d, 158f for changing the gap PG, and step portions 104a, 104c, 104e, 104g for maintaining the gap. 158a, 158c, 158e, and 158g are provided with stepped cam portions 104 and 158 that are alternately arranged. The stepped cam portion 104 included in the first gap adjustment cam 94 and the stepped cam portion 158 included in the second gap adjustment cam 138 are changed at different timings when the gap PG is changed to a predetermined state.

  In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the restricting means according to the present invention and the means for suppressing the occurrence of the collision sound generated when the gap PG changes are applied to the ink jet printer as an example of the recording apparatus, but the invention is also applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses in general. It is also possible.

  Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus uses an ink jet recording head, and is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine that discharges ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. And a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the ink jet recording head to an ejected medium corresponding to the recording medium, and attaching the liquid to the ejected medium.

  In addition to the recording head, as a liquid ejecting head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED) Examples thereof include an ejection head, a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and a sample ejection head as a precision pipette.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 Printer, 12 Device body, 14 Lower tray, 16 Upper tray,
18 feeding unit, 20 feeding unit, 22 conveying unit, 24 recording unit, 26 discharging unit,
27 drive motor, 28 pickup roller, 30, 134 swing shaft,
32 oscillating members, 34 feeding drive rollers, 34 drive rollers, 36 separation rollers,
38 feed driven roller, 38 driven roller, 40 transport drive roller,
42 conveying driven roller, 44 recording head, 46 lower guide member,
47 carriage drive motor, 48 carriage, 49 first roller shaft,
50 First roller, 52 Second roller, 54 Discharge stacker, 56 Operation panel section, 58 Reverse path, 60 Reverse roller, 61 Control section, 62, 63 Guide rail,
64 sliding surface, 66 main body, 66a contact portion, 68 ink cartridge housing portion,
70 Gap adjusting means, 72 Main gap adjusting means, 74 Sub gap adjusting means,
76 Power transmission part, 78, 80 Rack part, 82 1st transmission gear, 82a Side surface,
84 Second transmission gear, 86 Pinion gear shaft, 88 Third transmission gear, 90 Fourth transmission gear, 92, 136 Slide member, 94 First gap adjusting cam, 96 Slide member,
98 sliding portion, 100 regulating portion, 102 engaging portion, 104 cam portion,
104a, 156a, 158a First step portion, 104b, 156b, 158b First inclined portion, 104c, 156c, 158c Second step portion, 104d, 156d, 158d Second inclined portion, 104e, 156e, 158e Third step portion, 104f, 156f third inclined portion,
104g, 156g 4th step, 104h, 156h, 158h Raised portion,
104j, 156j, 158j ridge, 104k, 156k ridge,
105 guide pins, 108 contact portions, 110 first biasing means, 112 hook portions,
114 support surface, 116 first engagement pin, 118 second engagement pin, 120 engagement portion, 122 guide groove, 124 slot, 126 cam engagement portion, 126a gap,
128 engaging lever, 128a tip, 129 power transmission switching means,
130, 148 spring member, 132 opening, 132a regulating portion, 132b oblong hole,
135 intermediate gear, 137 power switching gear, 138 second gap adjustment cam,
139 transmission gear, 140 clamping part, 140a, 140b lever,
141 upper tray drive gear, 142 sandwiching portion, 144 second urging means,
146 cam pressing part, 150 pressed part, 152 resistance applying member, 154 pressing part,
155 3rd biasing means, 156, 158 cam part, 160 inkjet printer,
162 recording unit, 164 scanner unit, 166 operation unit, 168 ink container,
170 Ink supply tube, 172 boss, 174 gap, P, P1, P2 paper,
PG gap, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 section, V1 first speed,
V2 2nd speed, V3 effective speed

Claims (12)

A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in the displacement direction,
The gap adjustment cam includes a stepped cam surface in which a first cam surface that changes the gap and a second cam surface that maintains the gap are alternately arranged,
The control means for controlling the movement operation of the carriage includes a cam engagement portion that is provided on at least a part of the main body of the carriage or the sliding member and that engages with the stepped cam surface. The moving speed of the carriage when passing through the connecting portion with the second cam surface is determined by the moving speed of the carriage when the cam engaging portion slides with the first cam surface and the second cam surface. make low,
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive motor that drives the carriage,
The moving speed of the carriage when the cam engaging portion passes through the connecting portion between the first cam surface and the second cam surface is accelerated by the driving force of the drive motor to the first speed, The carriage is decelerated to the second speed by cutting the driving force of the drive motor after the carriage reaches the first speed, and the carriage decelerates to the second speed and then accelerates to the first speed again. An effective speed that is slower than the first speed obtained by repeating
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction;
Restriction means for restricting movement of the gap adjustment cam in a direction away from the engagement member, relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage;
With
The restricting means includes the engaging member provided in the engaging member, provided in the sandwiching portion that sandwiches the cam engaging portion on both sides in the movement direction of the gap adjusting cam, or the engaging member provided in the cam engaging portion. A pinching portion sandwiched on both sides of the adjustment cam in the moving direction, and the movement of the gap adjustment cam is regulated by the pinching portion;
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction;
Restriction means for restricting movement of the gap adjustment cam in a direction away from the engagement member, relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage;
Power transmission switching means for switching a drive object driven by the drive source between one drive source and a plurality of drive objects ;
With
The engaging member constitutes the power transmission switching means, and moves forward with respect to the moving region of the cam engaging portion by swinging about a swing shaft extending along the moving direction of the carriage. It is possible to switch between the posture and the second posture retracted from the moving area, and the drive target is switched by sliding in the axial direction of the swing shaft,
In addition to the first posture and the second posture, the engagement member can be switched to a third posture that can be engaged with the carriage.
A slide restricting member for restricting sliding of the engaging member in the axial direction;
The slide restricting member includes an elongated hole that allows the engaging member to slide in the third posture of the engaging member;
A restricting portion that restricts sliding of the engaging member in the first posture of the engaging member,
A recording apparatus. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a second direction opposite to a first direction that is a displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam when the gap adjusting cam is displaced in a direction in which the gap is reduced. Second urging means for urging the engaging member to
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction;
Restriction means for restricting movement of the gap adjustment cam in a direction away from the engagement member, relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage;
With
The restricting means includes a cam pressing portion that applies a pressing force to the gap adjusting cam in a direction intersecting the displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam, and restricts the movement of the gap adjusting cam by the cam pressing portion.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the gap adjusting cam is provided with a convex pressed portion that is pressed by the cam pressing portion,
The pressed portion is pressed by the cam pressing portion when the gap adjusting cam changes the gap in the displacement region of the gap adjusting cam, and the cam pressing portion is maintained when the gap adjusting cam maintains the gap. Apart from the part,
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction;
Restriction means for restricting movement of the gap adjustment cam in a direction away from the engagement member, relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage;
With
The carriage includes a plurality of the sliding member and the gap adjusting cam, and includes a configuration in which the gap is changed at a plurality of positions in the carriage.
The plurality of gap adjustment cams are engageable with the engagement member, and have a first gap adjustment cam having a rack portion constituting a rack and pinion mechanism;
Motive power is transmitted from a power transmission portion that engages with the rack portion of the first gap adjustment cam, and a second gap adjustment cam that is displaced in synchronization with the first gap adjustment cam,
The restricting means includes a resistance applying member that gives a rotational resistance to the gear that constitutes the power transmission unit, and restricts the movement of the gap adjusting cam by the resistance applying member.
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engaging member that pushes the gap adjusting cam in a displacement direction;
Restriction means for restricting movement of the gap adjustment cam in a direction away from the engagement member, relative movement of the gap adjustment cam with respect to a main body of the carriage;
With
The restricting means biases the gap adjusting cam in a second direction opposite to a first direction that is a displacement direction of the gap adjusting cam when the gap adjusting cam is displaced in a direction in which the gap is reduced. Comprising a third biasing means, and restricting the movement of the gap adjusting cam by the third biasing means;
A recording apparatus. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a biasing force is exerted between the sliding member and the carriage main body in a direction in which the sliding member and the carriage main body are attracted to each other. A first urging means constituting the carriage,
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in the displacement direction,
The gap adjusting cam has a stepped cam surface in which a first cam surface for changing the gap and a second cam surface for maintaining the gap are alternately arranged on a part of the main body of the carriage. And on both the side facing the sliding member,
A recording apparatus. A carriage having a recording head for recording on a medium and movable in the scanning direction of the recording head;
The carriage is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the gap between the recording head and the medium changes, and to move relative to the carriage main body constituting the carriage, and moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage. A sliding member;
A guide member extending in the scanning direction that contacts the sliding member and receives the weight of the carriage through the sliding member;
The gap is interposed between the sliding member and a part of the carriage body, receives the weight of the carriage, and is displaced relative to the sliding member and the carriage body in the scanning direction. Changing the gap adjusting cam constituting the carriage;
A cam engaging portion that is displaced together with the gap adjusting cam;
The cam engagement portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to a movement region that moves in accordance with the movement of the carriage, and moves through the movement region and engages with the cam engagement portion via the movement operation of the carriage. An engagement member that pushes the gap adjustment cam in the displacement direction,
The carriage includes a plurality of the sliding member and the gap adjusting cam, and includes a configuration in which the gap is changed at a plurality of positions in the carriage.
The plurality of gap adjustment cams include a first gap adjustment cam and a second gap adjustment cam,
The first gap adjusting cam and the second gap adjusting cam include a stepped cam surface in which a first cam surface that changes the gap and a second cam surface that maintains the gap are alternately arranged. ,
The stepped cam surface of the first gap adjustment cam and the stepped cam surface of the second gap adjustment cam are changed at different timings when the gap is changed to a predetermined state.
A recording apparatus.

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