WO2001053177A1

WO2001053177A1 - Device and method for paper feeding and recording device

Info

Publication number: WO2001053177A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/000240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinichi Sakuma
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2000-01-20
Filing date: 2000-01-20
Publication date: 2001-07-26

Abstract

A device and a method for paper feeding capable of performing a stable feeding operation, and a recording device capable of performing a stable feeding operation and forming a high quality image, the paper feeding device comprising a cassette part capable of storing a plurality of recording paper sheets and being installed on a device (such as a printer main body) into which the recording paper sheets are introduced, a measuring part detecting the rigidity of the recording paper sheets, and an angle adjusting part adjusting a cassette part installation angle relative to the device, whereby a pressing force by an introduction part in the direction of introduction can be applied to the recording paper sheets, and the curling and wrinkling of the recording paper sheets can be corrected within a specified range.

Description

Description Paper feeder and method, and recording device

The present invention generally relates to the supply of articles to a machine, and more particularly to a paper feeder and a paper feeder for supplying a recording medium (recording paper, HP film, etc.) to a subsequent apparatus (printer, scanner, etc.). About the method. The paper feeder of the present invention is an automatic paper feeder (ADF: Au to D) that automatically separates and transports a single recording medium from a stack of recording mediums placed on a tray cassette. or a manual feeder (MDF: Manual Document Feeder) that requires the user to place the recording medium on a tray or the like one by one. ).

The present invention also relates to a recording device having the sheet feeding device. The recording apparatus of the present invention can be applied to various single printers (impact printing and non-impact printing), as well as a copying machine having a printing function, a facsimile machine, a convenience store system, a word processor, or a combination thereof. It can be widely applied to machines. The paper feeding device of the present invention can be widely applied to a device requiring a paper feeding device such as a reading device (such as a scanner). Background art

In recent years, due to the demand for high-quality image formation, ink jet printing, which prints by spraying ink from a nozzle onto recording paper, has attracted attention. Inkjet printing is expected to be more demanding in the future because it can form high-quality images at a relatively low price and generates less noise during printing.

Conventional inkjet printers generally have a paper feeder, a paper transport unit, and a head, and the paper feeder is fixed at a predetermined angle to (the transport path of) the paper transport unit. The recording paper introduced from the paper feeder into the paper transport section travels along the transport path defined by the paper transport section, and reciprocates in a direction (or sub-scan direction) perpendicular to the recording paper traveling direction (or main scanning direction). (This action is often called "slewing.") Is sprayed with ink. The gap between the head and the recording paper is adjusted in advance to the gap (gap) suitable for printing. Since the head reciprocates, the ink droplet flying from the head does not fly perpendicular to the recording paper but has a velocity component in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, if the gap between the head and the recording paper is not adjusted, the landing position of the ink droplet is shifted and the image quality is deteriorated. Thereafter, the recording paper is further advanced along the transport path and discharged to a discharge tray or the like. Disclosure of the invention

However, the conventional ink jet head has a problem in that the moisture absorption of the recording paper causes wrinkles and force on the recording paper, changes the gap between the head and the recording paper, and causes a jam and a printing defect. Was. In particular, a large curled recording paper could come into contact with the head and become unusable.

Accordingly, it is a general exemplary object of the present invention to provide a new and useful paper feeding device and method and a recording device that solve such conventional problems.

More specifically, it is an exemplary object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding device and a method capable of performing a stable transport operation, and a recording device capable of performing a stable transport operation and forming high image quality.

In order to achieve the above object, a paper feeding device as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cassette unit capable of storing a plurality of recording papers and being attachable to a device for introducing the recording papers; A measuring unit for detecting rigidity; and an angle adjusting unit for adjusting an attachment angle of the cassette unit to the device. According to such a sheet feeding device, the mounting angle of the cassette unit can be adjusted by the angle adjusting unit. This makes it possible to apply a pressing force to the recording paper in the introduction direction by the introduction section. The pressing force can correct the curl and wrinkles of the recording paper within a certain range.

The mounting angle of the cassette part may be adjusted to accurately reflect the measurement result of the measurement part or disregard this. For example, the user can set a desired mounting angle through the angle adjustment unit while referring to the measurement result of the measurement unit. The angle adjusting section adjusts the mounting angle of the cassette section in at least two steps, preferably multiple steps. Adjust in stages. The stiffness (or stiffness or stiffness) of the recording paper may be measured directly or indirectly. For example, since the material of the recording paper is cellulose, the rigidity is generally proportional to the thickness of the recording paper. Therefore, the rigidity of the recording paper may be measured indirectly by measuring them.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet feeding device, comprising: a placement unit on which a recording medium can be placed; Angle adjustment unit. Such a paper feeding device can adjust the angle at which the recording medium is introduced into the conveyance path so as to press the recording medium against the conveyance path. With such a pressing force, curl and wrinkles of the recording medium can be corrected within a certain range.

A recording apparatus as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes any one of the above-described paper feeding devices that supplies a recording medium, and conveys the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding device along a conveyance path. A transport unit; and a printing unit that prints on the recording medium that travels along the transport path. Such a recording device also has the function of the above-described sheet feeding device. In addition, the recording apparatus may further include a measuring unit for selectively measuring the rigidity of the recording medium and a display unit for displaying Z or a measurement result of the measuring unit. The display unit may be provided on the main body of the recording device, or may be provided on the paper feeding device. With this display unit, the user can check the rigidity of the recording medium.

Further, the recording apparatus may further include a control unit for automatically controlling the angle adjusting unit selectively. As described above, when the measuring unit measures the weighing of the recording paper, the control unit sets the first angle (for example, when the weighing measured by the measuring unit is 105 to 157 g / m ² , 15 to 20 °), 50 to 81 g Zm ^2, a second angle larger than the first angle (for example, 40 to 45 °), 30 to 40 g Zm ² In this case, the angle adjusting unit can be controlled so as to adjust the mounting angle to a third angle (for example, 80 to 85.) larger than the second angle. As described above, by setting the inclination angle to be large for a recording medium having low rigidity, the control unit can achieve the above-described curl correction operation. However, when the user selects an angle, the control unit may control the angle adjustment unit based on this. In the case of a child, the display described above will be helpful for the user to set the angle. The input unit for the user to input an angle includes a paper feeding device, a main body of a recording device, It can be provided in a higher-level device (personal computer) connected to the device. A recording apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a sheet feeding apparatus that supplies a recording medium; a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding apparatus along a conveyance path; A printing unit that prints on the recording medium that travels along the transport path; and a holding unit that maintains an interval between the printing unit and the recording medium that is transported along the transport path. According to such a recording apparatus, the holding section holds the distance between the printing section and the recording medium, thereby preventing an adverse effect on printing due to curl of the recording medium. This recording device is particularly effective for inkjet printing. This is because, in the ink jet printing, in order for an ink droplet having a velocity component in the sub-scanning direction to land at a desired position and form a high-quality image, the printing unit (the head in this case) and the recording medium are connected. It is necessary to keep the interval constant.

The paper feeding method as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step of measuring a rigidity of a recording medium, and a step of adjusting an angle between the recording medium and a conveyance path according to a measurement result in the measuring step. Transporting the recording medium along the transport path. According to such a paper feeding method, the angle of introduction of the recording medium into the transport path can be adjusted so that the recording medium is pressed against the transport path. With such a pressing force, curl and wrinkles of the recording medium can be corrected within a certain range.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will become apparent in the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement of a sheet feeding device of the present invention and a head of an ink jet printer.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic rear view of the sheet feeding device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus having the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 1 inclined at a low angle.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a printer having the sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 1 inclined at an angle higher than the angle shown in FIG.

b l

Five

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the carrier provided in the pudding shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view for explaining an inclination mechanism of a sheet feeding device used in an ink jet printer as another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic rear view of the tilt mechanism of the sheet feeding device 100a shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control print board used in an ink jet printer as another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the CPU of the control print plate shown in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a sheet feeder 100 and an ink jet printer 200 having the sheet feeder 100 as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 ₍ here, Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing an arrangement of a sheet feeding device 100 and a head 220 of an inkjet printer 200. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged side view of the sheet feeding device 100. Fig. 3 is a partial schematic rear view of the sheet feeding device 100 shown in Fig. 2 viewed from the direction A.

The paper feeder 100 is composed of a cassette unit 110. Side plates 130 are attached to both sides of the cassette 110 (however, the side plate 130 on the right side is not shown in the figure). The printer includes a registration roller 112, a storage unit 120 for one or more recording papers P, and an optical sensor 160. Further, one or a plurality of pick rollers 202 provided in the printer 200 are configured to be able to protrude into the cassette 110.

The pick roller (or pull-in roller) 202 is connected to a housing 201 of the printer 200 described later via a not-shown shaft. The pick roller 202 is configured to be rotatable so as to come into contact with the uppermost recording paper P of the paper stack LP stored in the storage section 120 with a predetermined pressing force, and the stack LP decreases. It can be moved up and down in the cassette 110 so as to protrude into the storage 120 together with the thickness of the housing. Pick roller 202 rotates paperwise by rotating clockwise in FIG. One or more sheets of recording paper P on the top of the laminate LP are transported to the transport path FP. In the present embodiment, the rotation of the pick roller 202 is driven by a transport motor 270 schematically shown in FIG. It is controlled by a control print board 250 (CPU 25 2 in FIG. 9). Note that the present invention does not prevent the sheet feeding device 100 from having the pick roller 202.

The registration rollers 112 rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. 1 to convey the recording paper P from the cassette 110 to the conveyance path FP of the printer 200. The registration roller 112 is provided to face a roller 203 described later via a transport path FP in the cassette 110. The registration rollers 112 introduce the recording paper P into the transport path FP of the printer 200 in cooperation with the rollers 203. When a plurality of recording papers P are conveyed to the registration rollers 111, the uppermost or lowermost recording papers P are separated in cooperation with the rollers 203, and the registration rollers 112 are similarly printed. Can be introduced into the transport path FP. However, as will be described later, when the optical sensor 160 detects the thickness of the recording paper P, the thickness of each recording paper P is such that only one sheet of the recording paper P passes through the optical sensor 160. It is preferable for accurate measurement. Therefore, the force for appropriately separating one sheet of recording paper P using only the pick roller 202 and the provision of one or more separating rollers (not shown) before and after the pick roller 202 can be used for the optical sensor 160. It is preferable to introduce only one sheet of recording paper P into the printer.

The pick roller 202 and the registrar roller 112 are formed of a material having a large friction coefficient, such as rubber, for conveying the recording paper P by staking the frictional force between the paper laminates LP and the electrostatic force. Any configuration known in the art can be used.

The storage section 120 can store one or more sheets of recording paper P of any size and thickness. In the present embodiment, the storage section 120 is disposed inside the cassette section 110. This is a concept that includes the upper part of zero (for example, a manual feed part).

The side plate 130 is provided with three pins 144 to 146. In the present embodiment, the cassette section 110 has a force having the side plate 130 and whether or not the side plate 130 is provided is optional. Therefore, the pins 142 to 146 may be provided directly on the cassette 110. The pins 142 to 146 can respectively engage with recesses 154 to 158 provided in the angle adjusting bracket 150 fixed to the printer 200. i

Each of the pins 142 to 146 can rotate around the roller 203 as a fulcrum. The angle adjustment bracket 150, the cassette 1110 (main body), the side plate 1 so that all the pins L42 to 146 can be engaged with the corresponding recesses 154 to 158. 130 and Z or pins 142 through 146 can be moved in the D direction shown in FIG. When the pins 14 2 engage the recesses 15 4, the inclination of the cassette 110 becomes minimum (for example, the inclination angle of 15 ° to 20 °), and the pins 14 6 the inclination of the cassette unit 1 1 0 When engagement is maximized (e.g., the inclination angle 8 0 ⁰ to 8 5 °). When the pin 144 engages with the concave portion 156, the inclination of the cassette portion 110 is in the middle (for example, an inclination angle of 40 ° to 45 °). FIG. 1 shows a state in which the bins 144 are locked in the concave portions 154, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the rollers 144 are locked in the concave portions 156. The materials, dimensions, shapes, numbers, and the like of the pins 144 to 146 are not limited as long as they have sufficient strength to support the cassette portion 100. The angle adjustment metal fitting 150 has a support part 15 1 and an upright part 15 2. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the support portion 151 is fixed to a pudding 200 (a frame (not shown)) so as to be movable or immovable in the D direction and has a substantially square shape. The support portion 152 has a substantially triangular shape having recesses 154 to 158. However, these shapes and structures of the angle adjusting bracket 150 are merely examples, and any material, dimensions, and any other materials can be used as long as the angle adjusting bracket 150 can support the force set 110 by engaging with the pins 142 to 1466. The shape, number, etc. are not limited. The optical sensor 160 is a transmission type optical sensor composed of a light emitting element 162 and a light receiving element 1664, and detects whether or not an optical path between the light emitting element 162 and the light receiving element 164 is blocked. This makes it possible to detect the leading edge of the recording paper 搬送 conveyed. Therefore, if the optical sensor 160 does not detect the recording paper しても even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the pick roller 202 is driven, the printer 200 (CPU 25 2, described later) stores the printing paper. It is possible to recognize 120 out of paper or jam. In addition, the optical sensor 160 can measure the thickness of the recording paper by utilizing the light transmittance. This function is particularly important in relation to the present invention. The output of the optical sensor 160 is, for example, in the range of 0.5 V to 2.0 V for general-purpose cellulose recording paper. The optical sensor 106 may be of any type such as a phototransistor, a photodiode, a photo IC :, a CclS cell, and a photocoupler. In the present invention, the optical sensor 160 is supplied. This does not prevent the paper device 100 from being provided outside. For example, there is a case where a user reads one sheet of recording paper P into the optical sensor 160 on a trial basis outside the paper feeding device 100.

As described above, the sheet feeding device 100 of the present invention can be tilted in multiple stages (in the present embodiment, three stages exemplarily) with the roller 203 as a fulcrum. However, as long as the cassette portion 110 can be inclined, it is not always necessary to rotate around the fixed fulcrum. The tilt angle of the cassette section 110 can be changed by the output of the optical sensor _{160.If the} optical sensor 160 detects thick paper, it uses the pin 144 and the concave section 154. Thus, the inclination angle of the force setting section 110 can be set to the minimum. If the optical sensor detects thin paper, the tilt angle of the cassette 110 can be set to the maximum using the pin 146 and the recess 158. If the optical sensor 160 detects medium-thickness paper, the tilt angle of the cassette section 110 can be set to medium using the pin 144 and the concave section 156. .

The greater the inclination angle of the cassette unit 110 is, the more the recording paper P is discharged to the transport path FP by the register roller 112 at a steep angle. Therefore, due to the rigidity (stiffness or stiffness) of the recording paper P, the portion of the recording paper P that has passed through the registrar roller 112 is subjected to a vertical downward force as shown in FIG. Works. Even if the recording paper P has a certain range of wrinkles and curls due to the force F, the recording paper P is urged vertically downward in the transport path FP, and the gap with the head 220 is maintained. Maintaining the interval between the recording paper P and the head 222 leads to prevention of jamming and formation of high image quality.

The user can always set the inclination angle of the cassette 110 to the maximum regardless of the thickness of the recording paper P. However, in such a case, the user is advised that the recording paper P having high rigidity (for example, a postcard) may not pass through the registration rollers 112 and may cause a jam. It should be noted that wrinkles and the like may be formed on the sharp angle change in 2 above.

Preferably, the output of the optical sensor 160 is displayed directly or indirectly for the user to refer to. The display of the output of the optical sensor 160 is indicated by the inclination of the cassette section 110. Even if it is performed dynamically, it is preferable for user confirmation. The display unit can be provided on a sheet feeding device 100, a printer 200, and Z, or a higher-level device (for example, a personal computer display) connected to the printer 200. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a liquid crystal display 290 is provided on the upper part of the housing 201 of the inkjet printer 200.

In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 160 was used to measure the stiffness of the recording paper P. However, the stiffness of the recording paper P was measured by a detector other than the optical sensor 160 (the pressure for measuring the weight of the recording paper P). A stiffness (or desired inclination angle) previously measured by a manufacturer on a recording paper wrapping paper corresponding to the printing apparatus 200 of the present invention described later, using a numerical value, a bar code, or the like. It may be written as a number or other ID information. The user can know the inclination angle of the cassette 110 directly from the ID information written on the wrapping paper. Alternatively, the user may use a bar code reader, a liquid crystal display 290 of the printer 200, or other input (eg, a personal computer keyboard connected to the printer 200, not shown). By inputting the ID information of the recording paper P into software such as a printer driver, the inclination angle of the force set unit 110 can be indirectly known. For example, when a transparent 〇HP film is used instead of the recording paper P, light is transmitted regardless of the thickness, and the use of the optical sensor 160 is not appropriate. It may be preferable to use the other means mentioned above. The same applies to other recording media (labels, card-like media, etc.) other than cellulose recording paper.

Next, the ink jet printing apparatus 200 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are partial schematic cross-sectional views of a printer 200 having a sheet feeding device 100 inclined at different angles, respectively. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the carrier 210 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.

The printer 200 has a housing 201, a paper feeder 100, rollers 203 to 206, a discharge tray 207, a carrier 210, and a support shaft 21. 2, a head 220, an ink tank 230, guides 242 and 244, a control print plate 250, and a liquid crystal display 290.

In addition, the ink print 200 of this embodiment is stored in the ink tank 230. Force for supplying stored ink to head 220 via ink tube 232 The type of ink pudding to which the present invention can be applied is not limited. In addition, the paper feeding device 100 of the present invention includes other printers including ink jet printers (laser printers, impact printers, etc.), readers (scanners), and other multifunction devices (copiers, facsimile machines). It will be understood that the present invention can also be applied to devices, word processors, etc.).

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the user can manually set the tilt angle of the sheet feeding device 100 in multiple stages (in this embodiment, three stages) freely. In the sheet feeding device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the pin 14 2 is locked in the recess 15 4, and in the sheet feeding device 100 shown in FIG. 5, the pin 14 2 is locked in the recess 15 4 . As described above, the paper feeding device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is suitable for recording paper P having high rigidity (ie, thick), and the paper feeding device 100 shown in FIG. Thin) Suitable for recording paper P.

The roller 203 conveys the recording paper P to the conveyance path FP in cooperation with the register roller 112. In the present embodiment, for example, the roller 203 is the driven side and the registration roller 112 is the driven side. The transport roller 204 is disposed between the guides 242 and 244 and transports the recording paper P after printing. The knurled roller 205 and the discharge roller 206 discharge the recording paper P to the paper tray 207. In the present embodiment, for example, the knurled roller 20δ is on the driven side, and the discharge roller 206 is on the driven side. The discharge tray 207 places the discharged recording paper Ρ. In addition, one or a plurality of motors 270 for driving the various transport rollers 203 to 206 are provided on the pudding 200.The force is omitted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The transfer mode 270 is shown as a block in FIG.

The carrier 210 has one or a plurality of heads 220 in a reciprocating manner, is fixed to the housing 201 via a support shaft 212, and faces the guide 240. It is arranged. 4 and 5 show two heads 220, while FIG. 6 shows only one head 220 for convenience of drawing.

Referring to FIG. 6, the carrier 210 has a guide rod 215, a slewing pad 215, and an endless belt 216. The head 220 has a nozzle plate 221, and a carriage 222. Head 220 is used for other piezoelectric elements. A head driver 2 23 for controlling the energization is provided), which is omitted in FIG. 6 and is shown as a block in FIG. 9 described later. The guide rods 214 extend in the sub-scanning direction of the carrier 210, and the carriages 222 are slidably connected to the guide openings 214. As a result, the carriage 222 and the nozzle plate 222 connected thereto can reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction. The carriage 203 is attached to the endless drive belt 216, and the endless drive belt 216 is driven by the through ring 215, so that the carriage 203 is located along the guide opening 232. To reciprocate (scan).

The nozzle plate 222 is connected to an ink tube 232 via a carriage 222 and is supplied with ink. The nozzle plate 222 has one or more nozzle holes (not shown) on the lower surface in FIG. 6, and is connected to a pressure chamber plate (not shown). The pressure chamber plate is connected to a not-shown piezoelectric element (including a piezoelectric block or the like). The piezoelectric element is driven by a head driver 223 described later, and when the pressure chamber in the pressure chamber plate is compressed by the piezoelectric element, an ink is ejected from the nozzle hole of the nozzle plate 221 onto the opposite recording paper P. . For the structure and operation of an ink jet head using a piezoelectric element, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 363030 filed on February 8, 2001 by the present applicant. thing. Alternatively, the head 220 may be composed of a so-called film boiling type (bubble type) ink jet.

While the carriage 2 222 reciprocates along the guide opening 2 14, the nozzle plate 2 2 1 is connected to the printer 200 and the image data obtained from a higher-level device (such as a personal computer) connected to the printer 200. A predetermined image is recorded on the recording paper P based on. When the recording operation is stopped, the carriage 222 is returned to the home position, and a nozzle maintenance mechanism (backup unit) (not shown) is provided at the home position. The nozzle maintenance mechanism includes a movable suction cap (not shown) and a suction pump (not shown) connected to the movable suction cap. When the carriage 222 returns to the home position, the suction cap is sucked into the nozzle hole of the nozzle plate 222, and the nozzle hole is sucked by driving the suction pump. In this way, clogging of the nozzle hole is prevented.

Returning to FIGS. 4 and 5, only one ink tank 230 can be used. If set to 0, it normally contains black ink. In addition, the pedestal provided with the plurality of ink tanks 230 contains inks of different colors (for example, black ink, yellow ink, cyan ink, and / or magenta ink). The ink tank 230 supplies ink via the ink tube 232 when the piezoelectric element in the head 220 returns. The ink tank 230 includes an ink cartridge and other names. If the ink cartridge is directly connected to the head 220, the ink tube 232 can be omitted.

Guides 242 and 244 are metal top plates made of stainless steel or the like, which partially define the transport path FP and assist the transport of the recording paper P. Guides 242 and 244 have irregularities in the transport direction as required. Guides 24 and 24 have a notch inside the force shorter than the length of the recording paper P so that the conveyance of the recording paper P does not stop, and the drive roller is fitted in the notch. Have.

The control printed circuit board 250 is composed of a printed circuit board, and includes control units such as a CPU and MPU, memories such as RAM and ROM, buses, communication units with higher-level devices connected to the printer 200, and various other components. Has an in-face. The control printed circuit board 250 receives the measurement result of the optical sensor 160, displays the result on the liquid crystal display 290, communicates with a host device, and picks up the pick-up roller 202 and the head. Controls the operation of each part including 220. Also, the control blind board 250 notifies the ink tank 230 of replacement, displays an error such as a jam on the liquid crystal display 290, turns on a lamp (not shown), and turns on a buzzer (not shown). You can make them ring. The control print plate 250 can also control the tilting operation of the sheet feeding device 100.

Also, inside the printer 200, there are provided various sensors 260 for detecting the conveyance of the recording paper P, jam, etc.The force is omitted in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the block diagram is shown in FIG. It is shown as

Hereinafter, an ink-jet printer 200a (not shown) which is another embodiment of the present invention that automatically controls the tilting operation of the control printed board 2δ0 force paper feeder 100a will be described. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 denote the same components. However, duplicate description is omitted. Here, FIG. 7 is a schematic side view for explaining the tilting mechanism of the sheet feeding device 100a used in the inkjet printer 200a. FIG. 8 is a schematic rear view of the tilt mechanism of the sheet feeding device 100a shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control print board 250a used for the ink print board 200a. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the inkjet printing apparatus 200a according to the present invention.

The paper feeder 100a differs from the paper feeder 100 only in the tilting mechanism. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the tilting mechanism of the sheet feeding device 100a includes gears 170 and 172 and a motor 174. As shown in FIG. 7, the gear 170 is fixed to the shaft 176 so as not to rotate, and the shaft 176 is non-rotatably connected to the side surface 130 of the cassette 110. The gear 172 is fixed to the motor shaft 173 of the motor 174 so as not to rotate, and rotates according to the rotation of the motor shaft 173. Gear 17 2 can move with gear 17 4 in combination with gear 17 0. Specifically, when the motor shaft 173 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6, the gear 172 moves so as to go under the gear 170, and consequently, the paper feeder 100 The inclination angle of a increases. Conversely, when the motor shaft 1 73 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the gear 17 2 moves upward from the right side of the gear 17 0, and as a result, the paper feeder 100 a The inclination angle of is reduced. The motor 174 is controlled by a CPU 252 of a control print board 250a described later.

The tilt mechanism used by the sheet feeding device 100a of this embodiment is merely an example. For example, a rack (not shown) which is connected to the rear of the And a driving device (not shown) for rotating the pinion (for example, a motor, a gear fixed to a motor shaft and engaged with the pinion, etc.). In this case, the rack moves up and down due to the rotation of the pinion, and the inclination angle of the sheet feeding device 100a changes. Therefore, it is possible to control the inclination angle of the sheet feeding device 100a by controlling the rotation of the pinion. it can. Those skilled in the art will recognize from the present disclosure that various tilting devices are applicable to the paper feeder 100a of the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the control print plate 250a is composed of CP 252a and A / 'D converter 254 and R ΑιΜ 2 5 6. The control blind board 250a includes an RO-M for storing other operation programs, but is not shown in FIG. The control print board 250a has an optical sensor 160, a motor 174, various sensors 260, a head driver 223, a transport motor 264, and a liquid crystal. Connected to display 290.

As described above, the sensor 260 may include a humidity sensor in addition to the sensor that detects the conveyance of the recording paper P. In this case, the CPU 252 can simulate that the recording paper P has no wrinkles or curls if the humidity in the cassette 110 is below a certain level.The output of the sensor 260 can also be converted to AZD. It is transmitted to the CPU 252 via the device and the RAM, but such members are omitted in FIG.

Hereinafter, a tilt control method of the sheet feeding device 100a executed by the CPU 252 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 252 uses the optical sensors 160 and Z or the sensor 260 to determine whether or not the paper stack LP has been set in the storage section 120 (step 1002). The sensor 260 includes, for example, a transmission type optical sensor disposed above and below the storage unit 120 in the cassette 咅 110, and the optical path of the optical sensor is interrupted by the paper stack LΡ. Is detected, it is possible to detect whether or not the paper stack L # is set in the storage section 120. The sensor 260 may have another optical sensor or another sensor near the registration roller 112 to detect whether or not the cassette 110 is mounted on the housing 201.

Next, the C page 250 controls the transport mode 270 to drive the pick roller 202 to start the transport operation (step 1004). Preferably, one sheet of recording paper is conveyed to the optical sensor 160, and the optical sensor 160 detects the amount of light transmitted through the recording paper. The optical sensor 160 transmits the detection result to the A / D converter 254 of the control printed circuit board 250, and the AZD converter δ4 changes the analog signal of the optical sensor into a digital signal.

The A / D converter 254 temporarily stores the converted digital value in the RAM 256, and the CPU 252 obtains the digit value from R Α λ 1 256 (step 1006). ).

The CPU 252 understands that the output value of the optical sensor 160 is 0.5 to 0.9 V (step 1008), and the weighing of the recording paper 1 is 105 to 15 7 GZm recognizes when is ² (step 1 0 1 0), the attachment of the motor evening 1 7 4 controlled to the sheet feeding apparatus 1 0 0 a The angle is set to 15 or 2 (T is set to T (Step 10) 2). In response, the motor 1774 moves the paper feeder 100a vertically by Step Y ( Stets

1 0 1 4). In this case, since the recording paper P is thick paper, the inclination angle of the paper feeding device 100a is set to the minimum.

The CPU 2 52 understands that the output value of the optical sensor 160 is 1.0 to 1.5 V (step 10 16), and the weighing of the recording paper P is 50 to 81 g / It recognizes m ^:: (step 10 18), and controls the motor 1 74 to set the mounting angle of the paper feeder 100 a to 40 ° to 45 ° (step 10 0). 2 0). In response, the module 174 moves the paper feeder 100a in the vertical direction by a step (Yx2) (step 1022). In this case, since the thickness of the recording paper 中 is medium,

The 0a tilt angle is set to medium.

The CPU 252 understands that the output value of the optical sensor 160 is 1.5 to 2.0 V (step 1024), and the weighing of the recording paper P is 30 to 40 g /. It recognizes that it is n ^ (Step 10 26), and sets the mounting angle of the paper feeder 100 a to 80 ° to 85 ° by controlling the mode 1 74 (Step 10). 2 8). In response, the motor 174 moves the paper feeder 100a vertically by a step (Yx3) (step 130). At this stage, the recording paper P is a thin paper, so the inclination angle of the paper feeding device 100a is set to the maximum.

Steps 1010, 1018 and 1026 may be omitted.

Next, the CPU 252 controls the liquid crystal display 290 to display the rigidity (hard, soft, etc.) or the thickness (thick, thin, etc.) of the recording paper P (step).

1 0 3 2). After that, the CPU 252 controls the transfer mode 270 to drive the various rollers 2-2 to 206 to start the transfer operation (step 1034). In addition, the CPU 252 controls the sliding mode 215 and the head driver 223 to start the printing operation (step 11036), and reaches the printing area on the guide 242. The image data obtained from the host device (not shown) is printed on the recording paper P. The paper feeder 100a tilts to introduce the recording paper P into the transport path FP, and presses the recording paper P against the transport path FP using its rigidity. This pressing force can correct the curl and wrinkles of the recording paper P within a certain range, and the distance between the head 220 and the recording paper P is constant or Maintained within acceptable limits. As a result, the printing apparatus 200a of the present invention can form a high-quality image and can provide a stable conveyance operation while preventing a jam due to the warpage of the recording paper P. The CPU 252 displays on the liquid crystal display 290 other necessary displays such as a jam or a broken ink. When all the necessary recording papers P have been printed, the printing operation ends (step 1038).

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed within the scope of the gist. For example, the CPU 252 shown in FIG. 9 may preferentially adopt the inclination angle input from the user regardless of the measurement result from the optical sensor 160. Industrial applicability

As described above, the paper feeding device, the paper feeding method, and the recording device of the present invention press the recording medium including the recording paper against the transport path with a simple configuration using the rigidity thereof. With such a pressing force, curl and wrinkles of the recording medium can be corrected within a certain range, and a stable transport operation can be provided. In addition, since the distance between the printing unit and the recording medium can be maintained, a high-quality image can be formed.

Claims

5 冃

1. A cassette unit capable of storing a plurality of recording sheets and attachable to an apparatus for introducing the recording sheets;

An introduction unit that introduces the recording paper into the apparatus;

A measuring unit for detecting the rigidity of the recording paper;

A sheet feeder having an angle adjustment unit that adjusts an attachment angle of the cassette unit to the device.

Request

2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjusting unit adjusts a mounting angle of the cassette unit in multiple stages.

3. The measuring unit measures the thickness of the recording paper to thereby make the measurement area constant.

2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the paper feeding is measured indirectly.

4. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit indirectly measures the stiffness of the recording paper by measuring a weighing of the recording paper.

5. A mounting portion on which the recording medium can be mounted,

A sheet feeder having an angle adjustment unit that adjusts an angle of the placement unit with respect to a conveyance path into which the recording medium is introduced.

6. A paper feeder for supplying the recording medium;

A conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding device along a conveyance path;

A printing unit that prints on the recording medium that travels along the transport path,

The paper feeding device,

A mounting portion on which the recording medium can be mounted,

An angle adjusting unit that adjusts an angle of the placing unit with respect to the transport path.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a measuring unit for measuring the rigidity of the recording medium.

The recording according to claim 6, further comprising a display unit that displays a measurement result of the measurement unit.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit that controls the angle adjustment unit. 10. It further has a control unit for controlling the angle adjustment unit,

The measuring unit indirectly measures the rigidity of the recording paper by measuring the weighing of the recording paper,

The control unit includes:

抨量said measuring unit is measured, 1 0 5 to 1 5 7 first angular degree in the case of g / m ^2, greater in the case of 5 0 to 8 1 g Zm ² than the first angle a The angle according to claim 7, wherein the angle adjusting unit is controlled to adjust the mounting angle to a third angle larger than the second angle when the angle is ² or 30 to 40 g Zm2.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first angle is 15 to 20 degrees.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second angle is 40 to 45.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the third angle is 80 to 85 °.

1 4. An input unit for the user to input a desired angle,

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the angle adjusting unit based on an input by the user.

1 5. A paper feeder for supplying the recording medium,

A transport unit that transports the recording medium supplied from the paper feeding device along a transport path \

A printing unit that prints on the recording medium that advances along the transport path,

A recording apparatus comprising: a holding unit configured to hold an interval between the printing unit and the recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path.

16. The recording device according to claim 15, wherein the recording device is an ink jet printing device.

1 7. measuring the rigidity of the recording medium;

Adjusting an angle between the recording medium and a conveyance path according to a measurement result in the measurement step;

Transporting the recording medium along the transport path.