JP2001113797A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus which does not adversely affect the environment and is excellent in recyclability and productivity. A plurality of functional blocks that can be individually replaced with blocks having new functions, that is, control blocks (1) and (2).
It comprises a power supply block 2, a basic block 3, a carriage block 4, a recovery block 5, a basic cut sheet block 6, and a paper feed block 7. The control block 1 is configured to confirm the operation of its own block and recognize other coupled functional blocks when the apparatus is initially operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer for recording a desired image (including characters and symbols) on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or an image forming apparatus used as an output device of a multifunction machine or a workstation including a computer or a word processor, etc., is based on image information. Plastic sheets (sheets for OHP, etc.)
It is configured to form (record) an image (including characters and symbols) on a recording material (recording medium) such as. Such an image forming apparatus includes a serial type in which printing is performed while main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting with a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, and a line in which recording is performed only by sub-scanning in which the recording material is fed in the conveying direction. Broadly classified into types.

In a serial type image forming apparatus, after a recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, recording is performed by a head mounted on a carriage that moves along the recording material. The formation of images (including characters and symbols)
This is performed by synchronizing and executing recording for a predetermined width and paper feeding (sub-scanning) for a predetermined amount. On the other hand, in a line-type image forming apparatus, a recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed while performing image formation for one line continuously in a lump. An image is formed.

[0004] As a recording method of the image forming apparatus,
For example, there are an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a wire dot method, a thermal method, a thermal transfer method, a laser beam method, and the like. Hereinafter, the features of the inkjet type image forming apparatus will be briefly described.

[0005] An ink jet type image forming apparatus performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording material from an ink jet head as recording means. This ink jet type image forming apparatus can (1) easily make the head compact, (2) form a high-definition image at high speed, and (3) do not require special processing on plain paper. (4) Low running cost, (5) Low noise due to non-impact method, (6) Color image can be easily recorded using multi-color ink. , And so on. In particular, an image forming apparatus using a line type recording head having a large number of ejection ports arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up image formation.

[0006] In an ink jet type image forming apparatus for discharging ink using thermal energy,
Recording having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement) by forming an electrothermal transducer, electrodes, liquid path walls, a top plate, etc. on a substrate using a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, or sputtering. The head can be easily manufactured, and the size can be further reduced. In addition, by utilizing the advantages of IC technology and micromachining technology, it is possible to easily make the recording head longer and more planar (two-dimensional). The conversion can be easily performed.

Hereinafter, an ink jet printer according to a conventional ink jet type image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional ink jet printer cut along a recording medium conveying direction.
A recording medium 10 such as paper or film is
2, the recording medium 102 is conveyed to a platen roller 104 by a paper feed roller 103 driven by a paper feed motor (not shown). When the recording medium 102 reaches the platen roller 104, the drive to the paper feed roller 103 is stopped by a drive switching unit (not shown),
Thereafter, the recording medium 102 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 106 by the platen roller 104 and a pinch roller 105 described later.

The pinch roller 105 is provided in the conveyance path of the recording medium 102 and presses the recording medium 102 toward the platen roller 104. A paper discharge roller 108 and a spur 107 are further provided in the transport path of the recording medium 102, and the recording medium 102 is pinched by these to generate a transport force, and the platen roller 104 and the paper discharge roller 108 Recording medium 102 between
To prevent cockling and regulate the position. A platen 110 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and substantially the same width as the paper is arranged on a surface of the recording head 109 that ejects ink and opposes the recording medium 102.

Since the present printer employs an ink jet recording system, the distance between the ink ejection port of the recording head 109 and the recording surface of the recording medium 102 is relatively small. The distance must be strictly controlled to avoid contact. For this reason,
As described above, cockling of the recording medium 102 is prevented, and its position is regulated.

FIG. 16 shows a state where the exterior of the ink jet printer is removed. Guide shaft 11
Reference numerals 1 and 115 are arranged in parallel with the platen roller 104, and the carriage 112 reciprocates along the shaft in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow 114 in the figure). The carriage 112 is connected to a carriage motor 113 via a timing belt (not shown). The timing belt is stretched around pulleys (not shown) provided on both sides of the apparatus, and one of these pulleys is press-fitted into the end of the output shaft of the carriage motor 113. The carriage 112 has four ink tanks 116 and a recording head 109 mounted thereon. The print head 109 has a group of ink discharge ports formed of a plurality of ink discharge ports arranged in a predetermined array on a surface facing the print medium 102 at a predetermined interval (for example, 1.0 mm). A flying ink droplet is formed by driving an electrothermal transducer (heating element) at the ink ejection port. Recording is performed by attaching the ink droplets to the recording medium 102.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing the configuration of the recovery unit. In the recovery unit, a sealing cap 117 made of an elastic material such as rubber is applied to the ink ejection port of the recording head 109 at a position facing the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head 109 (see FIG. 15) at the home position. It is supported so that it can be connected / disconnected. At the time of non-printing, by closing the ink discharge port of the recording head 109 with the sealing cap 117, drying of the discharge port is prevented.

The recovery unit is provided with a suction cap 118 for performing a suction recovery process, in addition to the sealing cap 117. The suction recovery process is a process in which the ejection port of the recording head 109 is sealed with the suction cap 118, and the ink is forcibly ejected by applying a suction force to perform suction, thereby causing bubbles, dust, or thickening of the ink. This is a process for eliminating the cause of ejection failure such as ink that is no longer suitable for printing. Here, the suction cap 11
The suction recovery process is performed by generating a suction force by a pump (not shown) connected to 8. The waste ink sucked by the pump flows to a waste ink suction body (not shown).

Further, the recovery unit is provided with a convex portion 119 at a home position facing a concave portion (not shown) formed on the bottom of the carriage 112 (see FIG. 16). The protrusions 119 allow the carriage 11
2 with the sealing cap 117 pushed up to the upper limit position.
Is raised so that the ejection port of the recording head 109 is securely sealed.

The recovery unit is provided with a blade 120, a recovery motor 121, and a cam device 122 in addition to the above. The blade 120 is a rubber blade that removes ink attached near the ejection port of the recording head 109. The blade 120 protrudes toward the print head 109 during the movement of the print head 109 and performs a wiping operation between a first position where the blade 120 is retracted to a position where the blade 120 does not contact the ejection port of the print head 109. It is movably supported. The cam device 122 is connected to the recovery motor 12.
Pump, closed cap 1
17, the suction cap 118 and the blade 120 are respectively moved. A flag 123 is formed on the cam device 122, and the position of the flag 123 is detected by the photo interrupter 124.

[0016]

In recent years, global environmental issues have been widely taken up, and accordingly, the lifestyles of manufacturers and consumers have been changed from current multi-consuming lifestyles to energy-saving types and resources. It is shifting to a recycling type. For example, in the method of processing used products, in addition to the conventional mechanical grinding with a shredder for waste disposal and the recovery of iron and aluminum by magnetic separation, parts containing harmful substances and rare metals before shredding In addition, collection of reusable parts and the like is performed manually, and the collected parts and units are used for product repairs and new products.
As can be seen from this, one of the important issues for companies is how to provide easily recyclable products that do not adversely affect the environment.

However, the conventional image forming apparatus described above has the following problems because the above-mentioned problems relating to environmental problems are not considered.

[0018] New functions have been developed one after another in response to the need for higher image quality and higher speed for printing out images and the like taken by a digital camera in a clearer and faster manner. Since the configuration is not replaceable every time, even if some functions are changed to new functions, it is necessary to replace the device itself with a new one in order to realize the new functions. As described above, in the conventional device, the appearance of a product having a more advanced function causes the function to become obsolete, and the product is discarded in a shorter life than the product originally has. There is.

Further, when a new function is provided, not only does the number of types of apparatuses increase, but also the types of parts handled on the production line increase, and there is a problem that parts management for storage and supply becomes difficult.

Further, there is a problem that the production efficiency is poor because the mounting structure of the parts differs depending on the model and the assembling process is different for each model.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide an image forming apparatus which does not adversely affect the environment and is excellent in recyclability and productivity.

[0022]

To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of functional blocks, each of which can be individually replaced with a block having a new function. Thus, at the time of initial operation, a predetermined function block is configured to check the operation of its own block and recognize another connected function block.

In the above case, at least one of the plurality of functional blocks includes a storage unit in which information capable of specifying the own block is stored in advance, and the predetermined functional block includes:
The function block may be recognized based on the storage content of the storage unit.

[0024] At least one of the plurality of functional blocks includes a motor driving means, and is capable of specifying its own block by the number of pulses of a signal for driving the motor driving means. But,
A block may be recognized based on the number of pulses of a signal for driving the motor driving unit.

In any of the above cases, one of the plurality of functional blocks may be a recording block provided with a recording head for discharging liquid. In that case, the recording head may be an inkjet head.

Further, the plurality of functional blocks include a control block, a transport block for transporting a recording medium, a recording block for recording an image on a recording medium transported by the transport block, the control block, and a transport block. And at least a power supply block for supplying power to the recording block, wherein the control block checks the operation of the own block at the time of initial operation, and includes the combined recording block, transport block and power supply block. You may comprise so that it may recognize.

In the above case, the recording block includes a carriage block including a carriage on which an ink-jet head and an ink cartridge are provided and a first storage unit in which predetermined information is stored in advance, and the carriage is moved. And a recovery motor for performing a recovery process of the inkjet head. The basic block includes a second storage unit in which predetermined information regarding the carriage motor and the type of the own block are stored in advance. A recovery block configured to be able to identify its own block based on the number of pulses of a signal for driving the recovery motor, wherein the control block is configured to control the carriage based on the contents stored in the first and second storage means. Recognize blocks and basic blocks,
The recovery block may be recognized based on the number of pulses of the drive signal of the recovery motor.

The transport block includes a paper feed motor for transporting the recording medium, and is configured to be able to identify its own block by the number of pulses of a signal for driving the paper feed motor. The transport block may be recognized based on the number of pulses of the drive signal of the paper feed motor.

(Operation) In the present invention as described above, since the function blocks can be replaced, it is possible, for example, to increase the speed of drive of the print head, increase the number of nozzles, and change the interface of the computer to which the printer is connected. In accordance with the difference in the print data transfer method, etc., it is possible to replace the function block with the required performance. Therefore, when some functions are changed to new functions, the functions can be realized only by replacing some blocks.
There is no need to replace the device itself as in the prior art.

Further, according to the present invention, the performance can be improved in units of blocks. Therefore, when a new function is provided, the number of models of the apparatus itself does not increase, and the types of parts handled on the production line increase. Not even. Therefore, parts management for storage and supply is also simplified.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the mounting structure of the new block is the same, the production efficiency is lower than that of the conventional block in which the mounting structure of parts and the assembling process are different for each model. Get better.

[0032]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the ink jet printer is disassembled for each functional block. It is. In FIG. 2, some of the functional blocks are illustrated as perspective views.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer main body 100 includes an electric block 100a, a recording block (main scanning section) 100b, and a transport block (sub scanning section) 10b.
0c. Electrical block 100a
Is composed of two functional blocks, a control block 1 and a power supply block 2, and the recording block 100b is a basic block 3,
The transport block 100c is composed of two functional blocks, a cut sheet basic block 6 and a paper feed block 7. Thus, the ink jet printer main body 100
Is composed of a total of seven functional blocks.

The seven functional blocks constituting the ink jet printer main body 100 have the form as shown in FIG. 2, and the ink jet printer main body can be formed by assembling the functional blocks. Hereinafter, the configuration of each functional block will be specifically described.

(Control Block) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the control block 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a part of the configuration is illustrated as a perspective view.

The connector 8 is connected to a printer cable (not shown), and the printer cable is connected to the control board 10 along a path indicated by an arrow 9. The control board 10 transfers print data from an external computer to a print head mounted on a carriage, controls the rotation of each of a carriage motor, a paper feed motor, and a recovery motor, and outputs signals from various sensors. Or to process. Power on / off, online,
An operation button 12 for performing various operations such as recovery is provided, and a panel substrate 11 on which electric components such as a tact switch and an LED are mounted is provided below the operation button 12. The control relay board 13 has connectors 13a and 13b mounted on the rear surface thereof so as to be exposed from the exterior of the control block 1, and the basic block 3 to be described later is connected via these connectors.
Are connected to the first and second relay boards. The control board 10, the panel board 11, and the control relay board 13 are fixed to the frame of the control block 1 by screws (not shown).

Locks 14 for fixing the control block 1 to adjacent functional blocks (carriage block 4 and basic block 3) are provided at predetermined three places on both side surfaces of the control block 1, respectively. Lock 14
The lock member 15 having an L-shaped distal end inside the outer cover is screwed via a spring washer (not shown). The lock 14 is provided with a groove 14. For example, a coin or the like is inserted into the groove 14 and rotated to rotate the lock member 15.

By rotating the lock 14 by 90 ° in the direction of arrow 16, the lock member 15 is integrally rotated, and the distal end of the lock member 15 is exposed from the lower part of the control block 1 and is located at a predetermined position in the adjacent functional block. Engage with. Thereby, the control block 1 can be fixed to the adjacent function block. When removing the control block 1, the lock 14 is rotated to the position 15a in the direction opposite to the rotation direction at the time of the fixing. Thereby, the lock by the lock 14 is released.

The control block 1 is provided with positioning pins (not shown) on the back surface thereof to accurately and reliably perform the above-described fixing. When the control block 1 is fixed on the adjacent carriage block 4, a positioning pin provided on the back surface is fitted into a positioning hole (not shown) provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the carriage block 4. The control block 1 can be set at a predetermined position on the carriage block 4. At the time of this positioning, the connectors 13a, 13b provided on the back surface of the control relay board 13 and the first and second relay boards of the basic block are fitted respectively. This connector connection also plays the role of auxiliary positioning. After the positioning and the connector connection are performed in this manner, the lock 14 described above is used.
To rotate the control block 1 to the carriage block 4
Fix on top. In the present embodiment, the control block 1 is fixed at three points by three locks 14.

The control block 1 can have various performances. The control block of each performance has a connection structure and a connector structure with other blocks (basic block 3 and carriage block 4). Are common, and can be exchanged between these control blocks. According to this configuration, the control block 1 locks the lock 1 even if the control board and the interface section change.
4. Since the positions and shapes of the positioning pins, connectors and the like do not change, they can be appropriately replaced with those having the required performance.

By making the control block 1 replaceable as described above, the user can increase the speed of driving the print head, increase the number of nozzles, change the interface of the computer to which the printer is connected, and change the print data transfer method. The control block can be exchanged for one having the required performance according to the situation.

When the printer is purchased, the driving frequency is 10
If a print head with a drive frequency of 20 kHz is developed and a print head with a drive frequency of 20 kHz is developed several years later, the user purchases a control block having a print head with a drive frequency of 20 kHz and a corresponding control board. And just replace it with the one you have been using,
A printer capable of high-speed printing can be obtained.

Further, when purchasing the printer, the user can select a control block having an interface unit (connector, etc.) suitable for his / her own computer, thereby expanding the selection range of the printer model.

Further, even when the interface unit is changed by replacement of the computer, the printer currently used can be used as it is simply by purchasing and replacing a control block having an interface unit suitable for the replacement.

Here, although the configuration is such that the positioning pins are provided on the back surface of the control block 1, the positioning pins may not be provided. That is, the control block 1 only needs to securely fit the connector to the basic block 3 and is not a part requiring high positional accuracy.
It is only necessary to fit the a and 13b with the first and second relay boards and fix them with the lock.

(Basic Block) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the basic block 3 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a part of the configuration is illustrated as a perspective view.

The basic structure of the basic block 3 is as follows: first and second relay boards 17 and 18, a carriage motor 19 for driving a carriage, a sheet metal frame 20, an outer cover 88, a lock 14, a carriage sensor 125, a leading end detection sensor. 126, and a paper feed sensor 127.

The connectors 17a and 17b are mounted on the first relay board 17 at positions facing the openings of the basic block 3. The connector 17a is fitted with a connector 13a provided on the back surface of the control relay board 13 of the control block 1, and the connector 17b is connected to a carriage block 4 described later.
With a connector provided on the carriage relay board. Further, the first relay board 17 is provided with a storage unit in which block information such as the type of the basic block 3, the life of the motor constituting the block (total number of revolutions up to the present), and the corresponding drive speed is stored in advance. ing.

The connectors 18a and 18b are mounted on the second relay board 18 at positions facing the openings of the basic block 3. The connector 18a is fitted with a connector 13b provided on the back surface of the control relay board 13 of the control block 1, and the connector 18b is fitted with a connector provided on a cut paper relay board of the cut paper basic block 6, which will be described later. . The storage unit that stores the block information of the basic block 3 in advance may be provided in the second relay board 18.

The carriage motor 19 is connected to the sheet metal frame 2.
0 is screwed (not shown) to the output shaft 19a.
The drive transmission member 21 is press-fitted into the end of the drive transmission member 21. A drive transmission member is press-fitted to the other end of the shaft 23 in which a pulley is press-fitted to one end. By fitting these drive transmission members, the output of the carriage motor 19 is transmitted to the carriage of the carriage block 4 described later via a pulley and a timing belt. The structure of these drive transmission members is shown in FIG.
These are shown in (a) and (b), respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the drive transmitting member 21 has convex portions 21a and concave portions 21c formed alternately, and the drive transmitting member 22 has a convex portion as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The portions 22a and the concave portions 22c are formed alternately. The convex portion 21a and the concave portion 21c of the drive transmitting member 21 are fitted with the concave portion 22c and the convex portion 22a of the drive transmitting member 22, respectively. Inclined portions 21b and 22b are formed at the tips of the convex portions 21a and 22a, respectively, so that the convex portions 21a and 22a do not collide with each other when the drive transmission member is fitted.

In a state where the basic block 3 is connected to the carriage block 4, the sheet metal frame 20 uses a lot of bending and vibrates so that a large load is not applied to the drive transmission portions (drive transmission members 21 and 22) of the carriage motor 19. It has enough rigidity to withstand twisting. Instead of the sheet metal frame 20, an aluminum die-cast frame may be used.

On both sides of the basic block 3, locks 1 having the same structure as the lock mechanism of the control block 1 shown in FIG.
A lock member 15 is provided, and the basic block 3 can be fixed to a carriage block 4 described later by these two lock mechanisms. Further, an engagement hole 24a is provided in a part of the upper surface of the basic block 3, and the engagement hole 24a engages with the L-shaped portion at the tip of the lock member 15 of the control block 1 to control the control block. 1 can be fixed to the basic block 3.

On the side of the basic block 3 where the carriage motor 19 is provided, a first cable is connected via a cable (not shown).
A connector 25 connected to the relay board 17 is provided, and the connector 25 and a connector of the recovery block 5 described later are fitted.

The carriage sensor 125 is composed of a photocoupler provided at a position facing the carriage block 4, and detects the position of the carriage during operation. The carriage is moved by a predetermined distance from the position detected by the carriage sensor 125 by the carriage motor 19, whereby the printing position in the main scanning direction and the recovery operation position can be kept constant.

The leading edge detection sensor 126 detects the leading edge position of the recording medium 102 supplied from the paper supply block 7 during the recording operation via a flag (not shown), and detects the position facing the paper supply block 7. It is provided in.

The paper feed sensor 127 detects a paper feed roller flag provided on a paper feed roller of the paper feed block 7 described later, and is arranged on the paper feed block 7 side. The feed roller flag is detected by the feed sensor 127, and the phase of the pickup roller (crescent shape) is controlled.

As described above, the basic block 3 is a block serving as a base of the printer, and includes components such as the carriage motor 19 and the sheet metal frame 20 which are expensive and have a long life. The basic block 3 can continue to respond to the function change of the surrounding blocks unless the carriage motor 19 or the sheet metal frame 20 is broken or the carriage motor 19 is not changed. Conversely, when the basic block 3 is replaced with a new basic block, there is a high possibility that surrounding blocks also need to be replaced. For example, if all surrounding blocks do not correspond to the new basic block, it is necessary to replace all blocks.

(Carriage Block) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carriage block 4 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, a part of the configuration is illustrated as a perspective view.

The carriage 27 is composed of Bk (black), C
Four ink tanks 26 containing (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) inks, respectively, and a print head (not shown) that receives supply of ink from these ink tanks are mounted. The carriage 27 is supported by two guide shafts 29a and 29b, and moves in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow 28 in the figure) along these guide shafts.

A cutout portion is provided in a part of the exterior 32, and a cover 31 that is rotatable about a shaft 31a is provided in the cutout portion. By opening and closing the lid 31 (arrow 33 in the figure), the ink tank 26 and the print head can be detached. The exterior 32 has 2
The two engagement holes 24b are provided at predetermined positions, and the engagement holes 24b engage with the L-shaped portions at the tips of the lock members 15 provided on both sides of the control block 1 described above. I have. Further, the exterior 32 has two engagement holes (L) for engaging the L-shaped portions at the ends of the lock members 15 provided on both sides of the basic block 3 on the surface to which the basic block 3 is coupled. (Not shown).

The connector 30 is connected to the carriage relay board 30.
a, the connector 30a and the connector 17b of the first relay board 17 of the basic block 3 are fitted when coupled to the basic block 3. The carriage relay board 30 is connected to a carriage board provided on the carriage 27 via a flexible cable (not shown). Control signals to the carriage 27 and the print head are transmitted from the control board 10 of the control block 1 to the control relay board 13 and the first
Is transmitted via the relay board 17, the carriage relay board 30, and the flexible cable.

In addition to the above configuration, the carriage block 4
A pinch roller facing the platen roller when combined with a cut sheet basic block 6 described later, a timing belt and a pulley for transmitting drive to the carriage 27,
It has a frame for supporting both ends of the guide shaft.

In the above-mentioned carriage block 4, the method of replacing the ink tank 26 and the operations of the carriage 27 and the pinch roller are the same as those of the conventional one. Also, the material and the wiring method of the flexible cable connecting the carriage relay board 30 and the carriage board can be known. The two guide shafts 29a and 29b supporting the carriage 27 are adjusted in parallelism and the like so that the carriage 27 moves smoothly and horizontally during assembly.

The carriage block 4 is provided with positioning pins (not shown) on the rear surface thereof so as to accurately and reliably connect the carriage block 4 to the adjacent basic block 3. When connecting the carriage block 4 and the basic block 3, the positioning pins formed on the back surface of the carriage block 4 are fitted into positioning holes (not shown) formed on the connecting surface of the basic block 3, and Connector 30a of the carriage relay board 30 of the first embodiment and connector 17b of the first relay board 17 of the basic block 3
And the drive transmission member 2 shown in FIG.
1, 22 are fitted. The connection between these connectors and the drive transmission member also plays a role of auxiliary positioning. After this connection, the lock 14 of the basic block 3 is rotated to fix the carriage block 4 to the basic block 3.

The carriage block 4 can have various performances, similarly to the control block 1 described above. The carriage block of each performance has a common connection structure and connector structure with other blocks (cut paper basic block 6), and can be exchanged between these carriage blocks. According to this configuration, even if the ink cartridge and the carriage size are changed, the positions and shapes of the lock of the block, the positioning pins, the connector, and the carriage motor 19 are unified, so that the new carriage block 4 Can be exchanged. The carriage block 4 also has the same reference nozzle position of the print head, and is configured to be able to handle cartridges of different sizes by shifting the position of the carriage. Also, the print start position in the sub-scanning direction does not change. Therefore, the printable area is the same.

Since the carriage block 4 is configured to be exchangeable as described above, it is possible to deal with a difference in the capacity of the ink tank 26 and a difference in the size of the ink cartridge due to the number of colors (three, four, six). And carriage block 4
Can be appropriately replaced with one having the required performance. For example, if four color ink cartridges of Bk, C, M, and Y are used at the time of purchasing the printer, and if the ink cartridge is to be replaced with an ink cartridge using six colors of dark and light inks, the user needs six colors. Along with the ink cartridge, a carriage block having a carriage size corresponding to the ink cartridge and a control block having a control board are purchased and replaced with those used so far. This allows the user to perform printing using six colors of ink.

The ink cartridge is provided with a storage means (for example, a ROM) in which information such as the total number of discharge ports of each head and the type (BK or color) is stored in advance, and the information stored in the storage means when the printer is operating. May be configured to automatically recognize the specifications of the installed ink cartridge based on the information.

(Recovery Block) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the recovery block 5 shown in FIG. The recovery block 5 includes a suction cap 34, a sealing cap 35,
8. It has a connector 39. The structures and operations of the suction cap 34, the sealing cap 35, and the blades, recovery motors, recovery pumps, and the like (both not shown) associated therewith are the same as in the conventional recovery system. For example,
When not in use, the nozzle of the print head is sealed with the sealing cap 35 to prevent drying, air bubbles in the head are removed by the suction recovery operation by the suction cap 34 and the recovery pump, and ink attached to the nozzle surface is removed by the blade. A recovery operation such as dropping is possible.

Since the recovery block 5 needs to be disposed immediately below the print head (nozzle portion), it is positioned by a positioning pin of the cut paper basic block 6 described later, and the concave portion 38 and a predetermined portion of the cut paper basic block 6 are formed. Is fixed by engaging with a fixing claw provided on the base. Although only one recess 38 is shown in FIG. 7A, a similar recess is also formed on the surface on the opposite side of the exterior, and another recess provided on the cut paper basic block 6 is provided. The two fixed claws engage with each other. The connector 39 is fitted with the connector 25 of the basic block 3 in a state where the recovery block 5 is connected to the basic block 3.
Thereby, the voltage and the drive signal to the recovery motor are supplied to the recovery block 5 via the control relay board 13 of the control block 1, the first relay board 17 of the basic block 3, and the connector 25.

The recovery block 5 can also have various performances, similarly to the control block 1 described above. The recovery block of each performance has a common connection structure and connector structure with other blocks (cut paper basic block 6), and can be exchanged between these blocks. According to this configuration, for example, when the carriage block 4 is replaced with one having a different ink tank capacity and color number and the number of heads, the size, and the nozzle pitch between the colors change, the recovery block 5 is changed accordingly. Can be replaced.

(Power Supply Block) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the power supply block 2 shown in FIG. The power supply block 2 includes a power supply board (not shown) provided therein, a power cord for supplying power to the power supply board, a connector 2a for supplying a voltage from the power supply board to another block, It has a concave portion 38 provided at the lower part of both side surfaces.

The power supply block 2 is slid in the direction of the arrow 58a in the figure to fit the connector 2a and a connector (not shown) of the cut paper basic block 6 described later, and to connect the recesses 38 and the cut paper basic block 6 to each other. The cut paper basic block 6 is fixed to the rear part by engaging a groove provided opposite to the rear part.

The power supply block 2 is replaced with the cut paper basic block 6
At the time of fixing, the lock provided at the rear portion of the cut sheet basic block 6 described later elastically deforms downward, the power supply block 2 is slid to a predetermined fixing position, and the connector 2a is mated with the connector of the cut sheet basic block. In the state where
The convex portion at the end of the lock engages with a concave portion (not shown) formed at the rear portion of the power supply block 2. This prevents the power block 2 once fixed from being accidentally pulled out.

When the power supply block 2 is fixed, voltage is applied from the power supply board to the cut paper relay board of the cut paper basic block 6, the second relay board 18 of the basic block 3, the control relay board 13 of the control block 1, and the control board 1. Through the substrate 10, it is supplied to the paper feed motor of the cut paper basic block 6, the carriage motor 19 of the carriage block 4, the recovery motor of the recovery block 5, various sensors, and the like.

The power supply block 2 can have various performances similarly to the control block 1 described above. The power supply block for each performance is cut sheet basic block 6.
The connection structure and the connector structure between the blocks are common, and the blocks can be exchanged. As a result, the user can appropriately replace the power supply block 2 with a power supply block having desired performance. For example, in the event of failure or the end of life, the power supply block with the same specifications should be purchased and replaced. If the drive voltage of each component (motors, sensors, etc.) has changed due to replacement of surrounding blocks, , Buy and replace a new power block for it. In addition, when using the printer owned by the user overseas, it is possible to use the printer simply by purchasing and replacing a power supply block conforming to the standard of the country. In that case, other blocks can be used as they are.

(Cut Paper Basic Block) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cut sheet basic block 6 shown in FIG. 2.
The cut sheet basic block 6 has the same function as the sub-scanning section of the conventional printer, and its main configuration is as follows.
Paper feed motor 40, platen roller 41, platen 42,
A paper ejection spur 43, a paper ejection roller (not shown) arranged opposite to the paper ejection spur 43, a sheet metal frame 44 for holding these components, an exterior 45, and a paper ejection tray slidably held at the bottom of the exterior 45. 46, a cut paper relay board 47, a lock 14, and a lock member 15.

The sheet metal frame 44 has left and right bearings 44a and 44b for supporting both ends of the two guide shafts 29a and 29b of the carriage block 4, respectively. These bearings 44a and 44b are formed so that the right and left heights are within a predetermined accuracy.
The height of the platen roller 41 is configured to be within a predetermined allowable value with reference to the upper surfaces of the 4a and 44b (surfaces on which the guide shafts 29a and 29b abut). Thereby, the cut paper basic block 6 and the carriage block 4
And two guide shafts 29a, 2
9b are bearings 44a, 44b while maintaining the parallelism.
And the parallelism between the nozzle surface of the print head of the carriage, which moves along these guide shafts 29a and 29b, and the platen roller 41 are within a predetermined accuracy. I have. Therefore, a printer using this cut sheet basic block 6
It is possible to achieve the same paper-to-paper distance accuracy as that of a conventional printer, and to achieve high printing accuracy.

The exterior 45 has left and right positioning pins 45a,
45b, and these positioning pins 45a,
By inserting 45b into a positioning hole (not shown) provided in the frame of the carriage block 4, the position of the cut sheet basic block 6 in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions is regulated. Further, the position of the sheet metal frame 44 is regulated by a positioning pin (not shown) provided inside the exterior 45, whereby the position of the bearing portions 44 a and 44 b and the positioning pins 45 a and 45 b is adjusted. The relationship is also maintained with high precision. The positioning pins 45 a and 45 b formed on the exterior 45 may be formed on the sheet metal frame 44 by embossing.

The lock 14 and the lock member 15 have the same structure as that described in the above-described control block, and are provided two on each side surface of the cut paper basic block 6. The positions of the locks 14 and the lock members 15 are the same on both the left and right sides. When the carriage block 4 is locked, stress is applied to the guide shafts 29a and 29b supported by the bearings 44a and 44b, and the torsion may occur. No bending occurs.

The lock 59 for fixing the power supply block 2 is provided at the rear of the cut paper basic block 6 as described above. The lock 59 is configured to be elastically deformed downward, and has a protrusion 59a at its end that engages with a recess (not shown) formed at the rear of the power supply block 2. Further, at the rear of the cut sheet basic block 6, a groove 56 that engages with each recess 38 of the power supply block 2 is formed.

Further, a transmission gear 41a is press-fitted into the end of the platen roller 41, and the drive is transmitted to a later-described paper feed roller of the paper feed block 7 via the transmission gear 41a.

(Sheet Feeding Block) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sheet feeding block 7 shown in FIG. This paper feed block 7
It includes a paper feed tray 48, a paper feed roller 49 having a rubber pickup roller 49a, a paper width adjustment lever 50, a paper thickness switching lever 51, and positioning pins 53a and 53b. The paper feed tray 48, the paper width adjustment lever 50, and the paper thickness switching lever 51 have the same function and configuration as those of a conventional printer, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The positioning pins 53a and 53b are provided at predetermined positions on both side surfaces of the exterior. When the paper supply block 7 is attached to the cut paper basic block 6, the positioning pins 53a and 53b are connected to the recess 5 of the cut paper basic block 6.
4a and 54b, and the lower surface of the paper feed block 7 is abutted against the frame of the cut paper basic block 6.
Thereby, the paper feed block 7 can be fixed at a predetermined position.

The paper feed roller 49 has a paper feed roller gear 49b press-fitted at one end thereof, and a transmission gear 41a provided at an end of the platen roller 41 of the cut paper basic block 6.
Feed roller gear 49 through gears 52a-52c, etc.
The drive is transmitted to b. A part of the gear 52a is exposed from the exterior, and meshes with a swing gear (not shown) of the recovery block 5 in a state where the paper feed block 7 is attached to the cut paper basic block 6. Transmission gear 41
The rotation of a causes the swing gear and the gear 52 a to mesh with each other, and the drive is transmitted to the paper feed roller 49. Paper feed roller 4
9 is provided with a paper feed roller flag 128, and the paper feed roller flag 128 is detected by the paper feed sensor 127 of the basic block 3 described above.

In the paper feed block 7, when the paper feed roller 49 rotates, the recording paper on the paper feed tray 48 is conveyed one by one in the direction of the platen roller 41. This paper feed block 7
Is the ASF (auto sheet feeder) of the conventional printer
A plurality of recording papers placed on a paper feed tray 48 are fed from a top by a paper feed roller 49
Sheets are fed to the platen roller 41 one by one.

The paper feed block 7 can have various performances similarly to the control block 1 described above. The feed block of each performance has a common connection structure and connector structure with the cut paper basic block 6,
Exchange between these blocks is possible. Thus, the user can appropriately replace the paper feed block 7 according to the difference in the paper feed method. For example, if cassette paper feeding is required, the cassette paper feeding block 201 (see FIG. 1) capable of cassette paper feeding is replaced. If roll paper feeding is required, a roll paper feeding block capable of roll paper feeding is used. Replace with 202 (see FIG. 1).

When the seven functional blocks described above (control block 1, power supply block 2, basic block 3, carriage block 4, recovery block 5, cut sheet basic block 6, and paper feed block 7) are assembled, one printer It becomes the main body. Hereinafter, the assembling order will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the power supply block 2 and the recovery block 5 are fixed to the cut sheet basic block 6, respectively (arrow 58).
a, 58b), the paper feed block 7 is slid from above to be fixed to the cut paper basic block 6 (arrow 58c).
Next, the basic block 3 is fixed to the carriage book 4 (arrow 58d), and the carriage book 4 is further fixed to the cut paper basic block 6 (arrow 58e). Finally, the control block 1 is fixed to the carriage book 4 fixed on the cut sheet basic block 6 (arrow 58f).
FIG. 9 shows a state where seven functional blocks are assembled.
The method of connecting to an external computer, the method of setting recording paper, and the like are the same as those of a conventional apparatus, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

In the ink jet printer main body 100 described above, a thick paper corresponding block 60 (see FIG. 1) can be used instead of the cassette paper basic block 6 and the paper feed block 7 of the transport block 100c. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the cardboard block 60.

The cardboard block 60 is configured to be attachable to the carriage block 4 and the lower part of the cardboard block 3 in place of the cut paper cardboard block 6 described above. It comprises a frame 62, an exterior 63, a transport belt 64, an operation panel 65, a transport motor 66, a rack and pinion mechanism 68, a lifting motor 69, a lock 14, and a lock member 15.

A connector 61a that fits with the connector 18b (see FIG. 4) of the second relay board 18 of the basic block 3 is mounted on the cardboard relay board 61. Frame 62
The two guide shafts 29 of the carriage block 4
a, 29b are provided for bearings 62a, 62b. These bearings 62a and 62b are formed at the same position as the cut paper basic block 6 with the same accuracy.
Nozzle surface of print head of carriage and platen roller 4
The distance (inter-paper distance) and the degree of parallelism between the two are within predetermined accuracy.

The lock 14 and the lock member 15 have the same configuration as the lock mechanism of the control block 1 shown in FIG. 3, and are provided two on each side of the exterior 63.
In the vicinity of these lock mechanisms, positioning pins 70a, 70
b are provided, and these positioning pins 70a, 70
The positioning of the carriage block 4 is performed by b, and the carriage block 4 is securely fixed by the lock 14 and the lock member 15.

The transport belt 64 feeds the recording medium to a printing start position, is driven by a transport motor 66, and is configured to perform intermittent feeding during printing.
The transport belt 64 is provided with a rack and pinion mechanism 68 and an elevating motor 69 at four locations, so that the transport belt 64 can be raised and lowered in the direction of arrow 67. The operation panel 65 drives the transport belt 64,
Operation buttons for raising and lowering are provided, and the user can arbitrarily drive and control the transport belt 64 by operating these operation buttons.

The above-described power supply block 2, carriage block 4, and recovery block 5 can be similarly positioned and fixed to the thick paper block 60 as well. For example, the power supply block 2 is slid in the direction of the arrow 71 so that the connector 2a and the corresponding thick paper block 6 are connected.
No. 0 connector is fitted, and each recess 38 is fixed by engaging a groove provided opposite to the rear part of the thick paper corresponding block 60. Further, the thick paper block 60 is provided with a mechanism similar to the lock 56 of the cut paper basic block 6 described above, thereby preventing the power supply block 2 once fixed from being accidentally pulled out. The configuration shown in FIG. 10A is a state where the recovery block 5 is already fixed.

When assembling the functional blocks, first, the power supply block 2 and the recovery block 5 are fixed to the cardboard block 60, and then the carriage block 4 to which the basic block 3 is fixed from above is fixed at a predetermined position.

In the printer body in which each functional block is fixed to the above-described thick paper corresponding block 60, the transport belt 6
When a recording medium is placed on the recording medium 4 and print data is transferred from an external computer, first, the conveyor belt 64 is raised by a lifting motor 69 and a rack and pinion mechanism 68, and the recording surface of the recording medium is moved a predetermined distance from the recording head. It stops when it reaches a predetermined position. Next, the transport belt 64 moves in the direction of the arrow 72 to transport the recording medium and print on the recording medium. Here, the switching between the lifting and lowering of the transport belt 64 and the transport is controlled by a drive switching unit (not shown). Further, the same motor as the feed motor 40 of the cut sheet basic block 6 is used for the transport motor 66 and the elevating motor 69, and the control of those motors is the same as that of the cut sheet basic block 6. Therefore, there is no need to replace the control block 1 when the thick paper block 60 is used.

By using the thick paper block 60 described above, it is possible to print on various recording media such as wood, plastic, and other thick plates, and jigsaw puzzles, in addition to OHP sheets.

Next, automatic recognition at the time of operation of the printer, which is performed in the printers of the above-described embodiments, will be described. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the flow of automatic recognition when the printer is operating.

Software such as a driver for operating the printer is installed in a computer to which the printer body is connected in advance. When a soft power-on command is output from the computer to the control board 10 via the connector 8 of the control block 1,
In the control block 1, a ROM in which a series of operation contents (flow) is stored in advance is read, and an operation check of the own block is performed (S10). If an unreadable error due to chip breakage, data loss, or the like is detected, the fact is sent from the control block 1 to the computer, and "control block error" is displayed on the computer monitor (S11). . If the reading of the ROM is normally performed, the recognition operation at the time of the initial operation is subsequently executed according to the contents (flow) of the read ROM.

The control block 1 recognizes the combination of each block constituting the printer main body as follows (S12 to S23). FIG. 12 shows an example of a combination of blocks. In the configuration table shown in FIG. 12, the control block A can perform control only in a form including the basic block A, the carriage block A, and the recovery block A,
The control block B can perform control in a form in which any of the blocks is combined. These control blocks A,
The difference in the form B is a difference in the specifications of the substrate, such as a motor driver and a memory. These differences in the specifications ultimately appear as differences in cost, in that low-functioning ones are inexpensive, while high-functioning ones are expensive. As described above, by enabling the combination of blocks reflecting the difference in specifications, it is possible to easily configure a printer having a form that meets the intention of each user.

First, hard power-on is performed. The printer is not normally used because the printer has received a soft power-on command via an I / F (interface) from a computer (the power cable is connected, but the printer is turned off). In this case, 5 V is always supplied to the control board 10. Therefore, the motor drive power supply (24V, 18V
Etc.), power can be supplied to the image processing circuit formed in the control board 10 in accordance with an instruction. In recent years, a USB (a type of interface) has a signal and a power supply line in the I / F cable, so that power can be supplied from the I / F cable.

When a hard power-on command is received, a signal is exchanged between the control board 10 and the power supply block 2, the supply switch in the power supply block 2 is turned on from off, and all of the motor drive power supply and the like are turned on. Power is supplied to the circuit. The supplied power is once supplied to the control board 10 in the control block 1 via the basic block 3, and the control board 10 checks the voltage and current capacity of the supplied power, and The type of the connected power supply block 2 is recognized (S12). If an abnormality is found in the voltage and the current capacity, "an abnormality in the power supply block" is displayed on the monitor of the computer (S13). In the conventional power supply block, the specifications of the power supply block differ for each country (100 V,
120V, 240V, etc.) For this purpose, power supply blocks of various specifications have been used, but power supply blocks of these specifications can be used with specifications such as output 5V, 24V, and maximum output 30W. Therefore, in the present embodiment, each of the power supply blocks A and B has an output of 5 V and 24 V and a maximum output of 30 V.
W is used to reduce the number of types of power supply blocks. These power supply blocks A and B have an input power supply of Japanese specification (100V) and European specification (240V).
However, the output power supply has sufficient specifications to drive the carriage blocks A and B, the cut sheet feed block, the thick paper block, and the like.

Next, the control block 1 is provided with a storage means (RO) which is arranged on the first relay board 17 of the basic block 3 and stores information on the basic block 3 in advance.
M) is read. Data such as the type of the basic block 3, the type of the carriage motor, the total use time up to the present, and the like are read, and it is determined by the control block 1 whether or not control is possible (S14). If it is determined that the control is impossible, "abnormal basic block" is displayed on the monitor of the computer (S15). For example, as the basic block 3, 4 PPM (1
In this case, a basic block A having a carriage motor driven at a speed of 4 minutes per minute is mounted, and the power supply voltage of the power supply block is 19.8 V and the current capacity is 20 W. If so, it is determined that control is impossible. It should be noted that the shape of the connector that is connected between the basic block 3 and the carriage block 4 is changed for each motor (for example, a 24 V motor (8 pins), a 19.8 V motor (6 pins)), and a connectable combination is provided. Can be restricted. However, since it is difficult to set such a connector shape in advance in product development, it is desirable to recognize all connector shapes in an evolving printer.

When it is determined that the basic block 3 is controllable, the control block 1 recognizes the carriage block 4 (S16). In recognizing the carriage block 4, first, a ROM mounted on an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage and preliminarily storing information (type, total ink ejection amount, etc.) of the ink cartridge is read. Next, based on the read information, it is determined whether or not the mounted head is of a predetermined shape.
The types such as K ink, color ink (BK, Y, M, C), fat ink and the like are determined. In addition, it is also determined whether the total discharge amount up to now is equal to or less than the life total discharge amount. If one of the determination results is "No", "Carriage block error" is displayed on the monitor of the computer (S17). For example, in FIG.
Is 360 dpi, BK / color / photo, etc., and if any other type is recognized, an abnormal display is performed. In the case of the control block B, up to 720 dpi can be handled, but a photo cannot be handled. Therefore, when a photo is recognized, an abnormal display is performed. The recognition based on the information of the ink cartridge is a conventionally performed technique, and is a known technique. When it is determined that the carriage block 4 is applicable, the control book 1 subsequently recognizes the recovery block 5 (S18). In the recognition of the recovery block 5, the following determination is made in correspondence with the information of the ink cartridge. Since the function and operation of the recovery block 5 are the same as those of the conventional printer, they will be described here with reference to FIG.

The recovery motor 121 is rotated in the CW direction to rotate the flag 123 formed on the cam device 122. The flag 123 is detected by the photo-interrupter 124 arranged at a predetermined position, and the flag 123 is detected from the detected position by a predetermined value. It is moved to a home position where the recovery operation is performed, which is separated by a distance. Then, set the recovery motor to CCW
By rotating (reverse rotation), the flag 123 is moved to a position detected by the photo interrupter 124. At this time, the photo interrupter 124 detects the flag 123 and counts the number of pulses of the signal for driving the recovery motor from the home position until the flag 123 is detected. The recovery block is designed in advance so that the number of pulses during the movement from the home position until the flag 123 is detected by the photo interrupter 124 differs depending on the type of the recovery block. The recovery block can be determined based on the recovery block. For example, in FIG. 12, the recovery block A rotates the CCW and sets the flag 1 with 120 pulses.
23 is detected by the photo interrupter 124, and the recovery block B
The flag 123 is detected by the photo interrupter 124 with a 0 pulse. Therefore, if the number of pulses counted during the movement is 120 pulses, it is possible to determine that the recovery block is A, and if the number of count pulses is 160, it is possible to determine the recovery block B. If the recovery block determined in this way corresponds to the above-described information of the ink cartridge, the process proceeds to the recognition of the following transport block. If not, the “recovery block” is displayed on the monitor of the computer. Is displayed (S1
9). When it is determined that the recovery block corresponds to the information of the ink cartridge, the control block 1 subsequently recognizes the transport block (S20). The recognition of the transport block can also be performed based on the number of pulses of the drive signal of the paper feed motor. When the cut paper basic block 6 is mounted as a transport block, the paper feed motor is driven to detect the flag 128 formed on the paper feed roller 49 by the paper feed sensor 127 located on the back of the basic block 3. From the detected position, the number of pulses required to make one rotation of the paper feed roller 49 is counted. The cut paper basic block 6 is designed in advance so that the number of pulses required for one rotation is different depending on the type thereof, thereby enabling identification.

The roll paper feed block and the cassette paper feed block are also similar to the cut paper basic block 6 described above.
The identification can be made by setting the number of rotations of the paper feed roller different in advance.

In the case of a block corresponding to thick paper, recognition is performed as follows. Upon receiving the transport command, first, the elevation motor 69 is driven to raise the transport belt 64. When it is detected that the state of the paper feed sensor has been changed from on to off, the lifting of the transport belt 64 is stopped, and the paper feed motor is rotated to move the transport belt 64. A recess 129 (FIG. 10) provided at a predetermined position on the conveyor belt 64
(See (b)), when the belt detection lever 130 is lowered by a certain amount, it is detected by the feed sensor 1 provided in the basic block 3.
27, and counts the number of pulses of the driving signal of the sheet feeding motor required until the belt makes one rotation from the detected position. The thick paper block is designed in advance so that the number of pulses of the drive signal per one rotation of the belt is different depending on the type, so that the thick paper block can be identified based on the counted number of pulses. If it is recognized that the identification is impossible or the control is impossible, “abnormality of the transport block” is displayed on the monitor of the computer.

As described above, in the case of a transport block, since various transport blocks such as a cut paper basic block and a cardboard block are provided with electrical components such as a transport motor, each block data is transferred to each transport block. It is also possible to provide a storage means (for example, a ROM) stored in advance, and to read the storage data during operation to recognize the block.

As described above, by recognizing each functional block, the current configuration of the printer is recognized, whether or not the printer is operable is determined, and a series of operations such as printing and recovery are performed. Can be optimized.

Also, the current configuration of the printer is notified to the computer via an I / F cable, and the software installed in the computer in advance
It is also possible to set print speed, image quality, recording medium, and the like that can be set with the current configuration.

(Other Embodiment 1) In the embodiment described above, the control block 1 is configured to include the control board 10, the panel board 11, and the connector 8 for connection to a computer. The parts may be individual interface blocks. In FIG.
One embodiment is shown.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a printer control block, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of an interface block. In the figure, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, a part of the configuration is illustrated as a perspective view.

A printer control block 77 shown in FIG. 13A controls a rotation of a carriage motor, a paper feed motor and a recovery motor, processes a signal from various sensors, and turns on / off a power supply. Operation buttons 12 for performing operations such as online, recovery, etc.
And a panel substrate 11 on which electric components such as an operation panel, a tact switch, and an LED are mounted.
And a connector 80 connected to the connector mounted on the F relay board.

An I / F block 78 shown in FIG.
A connector 8 for connection to a computer, a connector 81 connected to the connector 80 of the printer control block 77, an I / F relay board 82 provided inside,
And a lock 14 provided on both sides of the exterior.

When connecting the printer control block 77 and the I / F block 78, the connectors 80 and 81 are connected and fixed by the lock 14. As the I / F block 78, an I / F block for IrDA, an I / F block for IEEE1284, and another type of I / F block can be used. These I / F blocks for IrDA, IE
The I / F block for EE1284 and other types of I / F blocks are the type and position of the connector 81 to be fitted with the connector 80 of the printer control block 77, and the lock 1
4 are the same and are replaceable.

The printer control block 77 and the I / F
When recognizing the block 78, for example, a storage unit (RO) in which information capable of specifying the own block is stored in advance in each of the printer control block 77 and the I / F block 78
M) is provided, and at the time of initial operation, the control block 1 reads the stored contents and recognizes the block.

As in the present embodiment, the printer control block 77
When the I / F block 78 and the I / F block 78 are configured to be exchangeable independently, the interface of the computer connected to the printer may be, for example, from IEEE 1284 (cable connection) to I
When changing to rDA (infrared communication), the user can
A DA I / F block may be purchased and replaced. Further, since the data format transferred from the IrDA I / F block to the control block 77 is the same even if the I / F block 78 changes, the user only needs to exchange the I / F block 78 to exchange the I / F block 78. Can respond to change.

(Other Embodiment 2) In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which a block for transporting a recording medium, such as the cut paper basic block 6 and the paper feed block 7, or the thick paper block 60, is used. It is also possible to use a self-propelled block as the transport block and move the entire printer with respect to the recording medium to perform printing. FIG.
Shows an example of a self-propelled block. In the figure, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Further, a part of the configuration is illustrated as a perspective view.

In FIG. 14, the main components of the self-propelled block 83 are a self-propelled means (not shown) and a connector 18a fitted to the connector 18b (see FIG. 4) of the second relay board 18.
And the connector 2a of the power supply block 2 (see FIG. 7B).
And a self-propelled relay board 84 connected to the connector (not shown) via a cable.

The self-propelled block 83 is configured so that the power supply block 2 can be mounted on the upper part thereof. The power supply block 2 includes the grooves 56a and 56b and the lock 5
9 ensures that it is securely fixed and that it does not come off. The grooves 56a and 56b and the lock 59 are the same as those of the above-described cut sheet basic block 6.

Further, the self-propelled block 83 is provided with positioning pins 87a and 87b at predetermined positions, and the carriage block 4 and the basic block 3 are positioned by these pins. These positioning pins 87
The positions of a and 87b are the same as the positioning pins of the cut paper basic block 6 described above. The carriage block 4 and the basic block 3 arranged at predetermined positions on the self-propelled block 83 are locked with the lock 1 similarly to the above-described embodiment.
4 and the lock member 15.

When recognizing the self-propelled block 83, for example, the self-propelled block 83 is provided with a storage means (ROM) in which information capable of specifying the self-block is stored in advance.
At the time of initial operation, the control block 1 reads the stored contents and recognizes the block.

In the case of using the self-propelled block 83 as in this embodiment, printing can be performed not only on recording media of a fixed size such as A4 and A5, but also on a recording media of a large size several meters in length. .

In each of the embodiments described above, the image forming apparatus adopting the ink jet recording method has been described. However, the image forming apparatus adopting other recording methods can be replaced by blocks so as to reduce the environmental impact. It goes without saying that a similar effect is exerted on the problem.
In this case, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functional blocks that can be combined, and the plurality of functional blocks are individually configured to be interchangeable with functional blocks having a new performance. The plurality of functional blocks are configured such that at least one functional block recognizes the combined functional block when the image forming apparatus is initially operated. Further, at least one of the plurality of functional blocks may include a storage unit in which information capable of specifying the own block is stored in advance, and the function block may be recognized based on the storage content of the storage unit. Further, at least one of the plurality of functional blocks includes a motor driving unit, and the own block can be specified by the number of pulses of a signal for driving the motor driving unit. Recognition may be performed.

[0127]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide new functions simply by replacing some blocks without replacing the equipment itself, so it is possible to prevent the obsolescence of functions due to the appearance of products with more advanced functions, It can greatly contribute to environmental issues.

In addition, according to the present invention, the management of parts for storage and supply is easy, and the production efficiency is higher than the conventional one, so that an image forming apparatus with excellent productivity is provided. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 1 is disassembled for each functional block.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a control block shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a basic block shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a drive transmission member that transmits an output of a carriage motor.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carriage block shown in FIG.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the recovery block shown in FIG. 2,
3B is a perspective view of the power supply block shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the cut sheet basic block shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sheet supply block shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an external view of the ink jet printer in a state where functional blocks are assembled.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a cardboard block, and FIG.
Is an enlarged view of a part thereof.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of a flow of automatic recognition when the printer is operating.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of blocks.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a printer control block, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of an interface block.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a mode using a self-propelled block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional inkjet printer cut along a transport direction of a recording medium.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an exterior of a conventional inkjet printer is removed.

FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating a configuration of a recovery unit of a conventional inkjet printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control block 2 Power supply block 3 Basic block 4 Carriage block 5 Recovery block 6 Cut paper basic block 7 Paper feed block 8, 13a, 13b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18
b, 25, 30a, 39, 47a, 61a, 80, 81
Connector 10, 79 Control board 11 Panel board 12 Operation button 13 Control relay board 14, 59 Lock 15 Lock member 17, 18 Relay board 19, 113 Carriage motor 19a Output shaft 20, 44 Sheet metal frame 21, 22 Drive transmission member 21a, 57 , 119 convex portion 21b inclined portion 21c, 38, 54a, 54b concave portion 23 shaft 24a, 24b engaging hole 26, 116 ink tank 27, 112 carriage 29a, 29b, 111, 115 guide shaft 30 carriage relay board 31 lid 31a shaft portion 32, 45, 63 Exterior 34, 118 Suction cap 35, 117 Sealing cap 36a, 36b, 45a, 45b, 53a, 53b, 7
0a, 70b, 87a, 87b Positioning pin 37 Fixing claw 40 Feed motor 41, 104 Platen roller 41a Transmission gear 42 Platen 43 Discharge spur 46 Discharge tray 47 Cut paper relay board 48 Feed tray 49, 103 Feed roller 49a Pickup roller 49b Paper feed roller gear 50 Paper width adjustment lever 51 Paper thickness switching lever 52a, 52b, 52c Gear 55 Power cord 56a, 56b Groove 60 Thick paper block 61 Thick paper relay board 62 Frame 64 Transport belt 65 Operation panel 66 Transport motor 68 Rack and Pinion mechanism 69 Elevating motor 77 Printer control block 78 I / F block 82 I / F board 83 Self-propelled block 84 Self-propelled relay board 101 Paper feed tray 102 Recording medium 105 Pinch roller 107 Spur 108 Paper ejection roller 109 Recording head 110 Platen 120 Blade 121 Recovery motor 122 Cam device 123 Flag 124 Photo interrupter 201 Cassette paper feed block 202 Roll paper feed block 100 Inkjet printer main body 100a Electrical block 100b Recording block 100c Transport block

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Juntoshi Saotome 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2C056 EA19 EA22 EB02 EB06 EB11 EB12 EB29 EB44 EB45 EC02 EC26 FA10 FB01 FB02 HA28 HA38 HA60 KD10 2C061 AQ05 AR01 AS02 AS11 AS13 BB30 BB37 CD17 CF01 CF02 CF06 CF11 CF12 HJ03 HJ05 HJ10 HK08 HK23 HN05 HN21 HV01 HV17 HV32 5C062 AA05 AB00 AB22 AB32 AB42 AB49 AC21 AE13 BA00

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of function blocks, each of which can be individually replaced with a block having a new function, and at the time of initial operation, a predetermined function block checks the operation of its own block. And an image forming apparatus configured to recognize another functional block coupled thereto. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of function blocks includes a storage unit in which information capable of identifying a self-block is stored in advance, and the predetermined function block is An image forming apparatus for recognizing a functional block based on the content stored in the storage unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of functional blocks includes a motor driving unit, and specifies the own block based on the number of pulses of a signal for driving the motor driving unit. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the predetermined function block recognizes the block based on the number of pulses of a signal for driving the motor driving unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functional blocks are: a control block; a transport block that transports a recording medium; and an image that is recorded on a recording medium transported by the transport block. And a power supply block that supplies power to the control block, the transport block, and the recording block. The control block confirms the operation of its own block at the time of initial operation, and is coupled. An image forming apparatus configured to recognize the recording block, the transport block, and the power supply block. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording block includes an inkjet head including a first storage unit in which predetermined information is stored in advance, and a carriage on which an ink cartridge is mounted. A carriage block; a basic block including a carriage motor for moving the carriage; and a second block including a second storage unit in which predetermined information regarding the carriage motor and a type of the own block are stored in advance. A recovery block for performing a process, the recovery block being configured to be able to identify its own block by the number of pulses of a signal for driving the recovery motor; and the control block is configured to store the first and second memories. Recognition of the carriage block and the basic block based on the storage contents of the means. Utotomoni, image forming apparatus and performing recognition of the recovery block based on the number of pulses of the drive signal of the recovery motor. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transport block includes a paper feed motor for transporting a recording medium, and identifies the own block based on the number of pulses of a signal for driving the paper feed motor. An image forming apparatus, wherein the control block recognizes the transport block based on the number of pulses of a driving signal of the paper feed motor. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of functional blocks is a recording block including a recording head that discharges a liquid. Image forming device. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recording head is an ink jet head.