United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Matsufuji et al.
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`4,477,823
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Oct. 16, 1984
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS
`
`[56]
`
`Inventors: YohjiMatsufuji; Shigeo Togano;
`Hiroo Ichihashi, all of Tokyo, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo,
`Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 330,017
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 11, 1981
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`Dec. 27, 1980 [JP]
`Japan ................................ 55-188867
`Dec. 27, 1980 [JP]
`55-188868
`Dec. 27, 1980 [JP]
`55-188869
`Dec. 27, 1980 [JP]
`55-188870
`Dec. 27, 1980 [JP]
`Japan ................................ 55-188871
`
`Int. Cl.3 ........................................... .. G01D 15/18
`[51]
`[52] U.S. C]. ................................. .. 346/140 R; 346/75
`[58] Field of Search ............. .. 346/75, 140 U, 140 PD
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,211,088 10/1965 Naiman ............................... 101/114
`3,967,286
`6/1976 Andersson et a1.
`.... .. 346/140 PD
`4,187,511
`2/1980 Robinson .............. .. 346/1401! X
`4,385,304
`5/1983 Sniderrnan ................. .. 346/140 PD
`
`Primary Examiner———George H. Miller, Jr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fitzpatrick, Celia, Harper &
`Scinto
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`line multi-
`Ink jet recording apparatus having a full
`array orifice type ink jet head to perform the recording
`operation at its predetermined position, an ink storing
`tank to store ink for feeding to the ink jet head, and a
`common supporting member, on which the ink jet head
`and the ink storing tank are communicatively connected
`to each other in a manner not to cause relative posi-
`tional displacement between them.
`
`9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`
`HP 1007
`Page 1 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 1984
`
`HP 1007
`Page 2 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 1984
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`4,477,823
`
`HP 1007
`Page 3 of 9
`
`

`
`Oct. 16, 1984
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`4,477,823
`
`HP 1007
`Page 4 of 9
`
`

`
`U._S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 1934
`
`Sheet4 of5
`
`4,477,823
`
`HP 1007
`Page 5 of 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16,1984
`
`Sheet5of5
`
`'
`
`4,477,823
`
`HP 1007
`Page 6 of 9
`
`

`
`1
`
`INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS
`
`4,477,823
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to an ink jet recording appara-
`tus, and, more particularly, it is concerned with a re-
`cording apparatus provided with an ink jet head which
`is generally called “full line multi-array orifice type
`head”.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Of various recording systems which are known at
`present, the so-called “ink jet recording system” is re-
`garded as highly useful
`in realizing various types of
`recording apparatus, such as printer, word processor,
`reproduction device, etc., because it belongs to a non-
`impact recording system which produces the least noise
`at tlie time of recording, and is capable of recording at
`a high speed and on a plain paper without necessity for
`any special fixing treatment. So far, various proposals
`have been made for this ink jet recording system, some
`are already commercialized after many improvements,
`and others are still under way towards practical use.
`The ink jet recording system is to perform image
`recording by causing droplets of recording liquid
`(throughout the description in this specification, the
`liquid is called “ink”) to fly, on various operating princi-
`ples, onto the surface of a recording material such as
`paper, etc. An ink droplet producing device for use in
`such an ink jet recording system, i.e., an ink jet device,
`consists generally of an ink jet head to form the ink
`droplets and an ink feeding system to feed ink to the
`head.
`’
`As a type of the ink jet head, there is one that is gener-
`ally called “a single orifice type” or “a semi-multi-ori-
`fice type” head having one to ten, or so, of the ink
`discharging orifices. This type of head is relatively sim-
`ple in its construction, is easy to replace when the head
`is out of order or damaged, and is not so expensive as
`the other recording systems. In addition, since the ink
`feeding system for this type of ink jet head has a lesser
`number of ink discharge orifices, there is less‘consump-
`tion of ink. Thus, it can be constructed relatively simply
`by utilizing a simple cartridge tank or a single ink feed-
`ing pipe.
`-
`t
`‘
`However, when ‘using a different type of the ink jet
`head, generallycalled “full line multi-array orifice type
`head”, capable of printing a line on paper almost instan-
`taneously, the replacement work of the head is not easy
`thereby increasing possibility of trouble and’-damage
`occurring in some part of the head. Further,’ from the
`economic aspect, the replacement of the entire head is
`limited. Furthermore, when using the full line multi-
`array orifice type head, it is necessary to maintain con-
`stant a space interval between the head and the surface
`of the recording paper throughout its breadth during
`the recording operation. In order to attain this objec-
`tive, there have so far been required high mechanical
`precision and assembly precision as well as complicated
`accessory mechanisms and troublesome measures for
`preventing ink contamination of the head and for pro-
`tecting the head itself during stoppage of the recording
`apparatus.
`In addition, the ink feeding system for this type of the
`ink jet head necessitates a large number of ink feeding
`pipes and an ink tank of a large capacity for uniform ink
`feeding to the entire head, because the ink discharging
`orifices should be provided in an extremely large num-
`
`2
`ber in this type of the ink jet head, which causes the ink
`consumption through the entire head to be much higher
`than inthe aforementioned case. As the consequence of
`this, the overall construction of the device becomes
`inconveniently complex and large in size.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`provide an ink jet recording apparatus, from which all
`the disadvantages inherent in the conventional device
`have been removed.
`It is another object of the present invention to pro-
`vide the so-called “full line multi-array orifice type” ink
`jet recording apparatus capable of forming, at the ink
`discharge orifices, ink droplets faithful to input signals
`and of performing substantially perfect and favorable
`recording as the result of such droplet formation.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ,
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer ap-
`pearance of the ink jet recording apparatus according to
`the present invention;
`FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B are perspective views for ex-
`plaining further details of the main part of the apparatus
`shown in FIG. 1; and
`FIGS. 4, 5, 6A and 6B show, in various views, an-
`other embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the following, the present invention will be ex-
`plained in detail with reference to preferred embodi-
`ments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawing.
`Referring first to FIG. 1 showing a perspective view
`of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the pres-
`ent invention, reference numerals 101, 101’ designate
`upper and lower ink jet heads, respectively, of the mul-
`ti-array orifice type, in the lateral end face of which a
`multitude of ink discharge orifices are disposed rectilin-
`early (on one line, for example). A numeral 102 refers to
`a flexible printed plate to electrically connect the heads
`101, 101' and a semiconductor installing base plate 106.
`A numeral 103 refers to a conduit pipe to feed ink to the
`heads 101, 101’ from an ink tank 108 through a connec-
`tor 109. A reference numeral‘104 designates a common
`pad to collect a plurality of lead wires which transmit
`electrical signals to the heads 10], 101’. The pad 104 is
`further connected to a signal output section (not shown)
`provided in the main body, where the ink jet recording
`apparatus, as illustrated,
`is mounted, through a lead
`wire 105, a lead terminal 130, a lead terminal fitting
`plate 123, and a drive circuit connecting line 129. The
`other lead wires necessary for driving the heads 101,
`101’ are connected to the printed plate .102, after which
`they are wired in matrix form on a multi-layered wiring
`base plate 107 through the semiconductor installing
`base plate 106, and further connected to the signal out-
`put section (not shown) through a connector 127 and
`another drive circuit connecting line 128. A numeral
`110 refers to a common base plate to mount thereon the
`ink jet heads 101, 101', the semiconductor installing base
`plate 106, the multi-layered wiring base plate 107, and
`other elements associated with the heads. The common
`base plate 110 fixedly secures on both surfaces thereof
`the upper and lower heads 101, 101’ with a plurality of
`fixing pawls arranged on one lateral side thereof. This
`common base plate 110 is also connected with an ink
`
`HP 1007
`Page 7 of 9
`
`

`
`4,477,823
`
`10
`
`40
`
`3
`tank holding plate 124 at a connecting section 125. A
`reference numeral 112 designates a cap common to all
`of the ink jet heads 101, 101’, and a numeral 113 refers
`to a contact pressure adjusting plate between the cap
`112 and the heads 101, 101’. A numeral 114 refers to a
`spring. A numeral 115 denotes a fixing block to set the
`ink jet recording apparatus on the main body (not
`shown). A motor 119 functions as the power source for
`a driving screw rod 120 and a housing 121, which
`causes the head mounting base plate 110 connected to
`the housing 121 to reciprocate in the axial direction of
`the driving screw rod 120 as it rotates. A stopping posi-
`tion of the reciprocating base plate 110 is determined by
`detecting a position of a reference leaf 116 moving with
`the housing 121 through a backward stoppage sensor
`117 and a forward stoppage sensor 118. Incidentally, a
`numeral 122 refers to a guide rail for the reciprocating
`movement of the housing 121 as mentioned above, and
`131 a stopper for the housing. Further, the head mount-
`ing base plate 110 and the fixing block 115 are joined
`together with screws 132. Furthermore, another motor
`126, though not indispensable for the present invention,
`functions as a power source for oscillating the cap 112
`contacted with the heads 101, 101', depending on neces-
`sity. Although FIG.
`1
`illustrates an embodiment,
`wherein a plurality of pre-divided ink jet heads 101, 101’
`are juxtaposed on both surfaces of the base plate 110, it \
`is also feasible to use a single, elongated head having a
`group of full line multi-array orifices to extend over the
`span of the recording medium.
`FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the fixing block
`115, in the main, as seen from the side of the ink tank 108
`after removal of the heads and the ink tank in FIG. 1. In
`FIG. 2, the same parts in FIG. 1 are designated by the
`same reference numerals, and the explanations for them
`are dispensed with.
`FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate, respectively, examples of
`a unit consisting of the head mounting base plate 110
`and the ink tank holding plate 124 according to the
`present
`invention. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment,
`wherein the head mounting base plate 110 and the ink
`tank- holding plate 124 are separately constructed to be
`joined together, in assemblage, with screws, etc., at the
`connecting section 125. This unit of the base plate 110
`and the holding plate 124 is screw-connected with the
`fixing block 115 shown in FIG. 2 at its connecting sec-
`tion 132. After the unit is fitted onto the fixing block,
`the ink jet heads 101, 101' are mounted on the base plate
`110, and the ink tanks 108 on the holding plate 124, at
`their predetermined positions and in a freely mountable
`and dismountable manner. Incidentally, the base plate
`110 and the holding plate 124 may be made, for exam-
`ple, of a metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel,
`etc., or an organic plastic material such as polyacetal
`resin, acryl resin, and others. FIG. 3B illustrates another
`embodiment, in which the base plate 110 and the hold-
`ing plate 124 are integrally formed. Such an integral
`unit can be readily formed by for example, aluminum
`die-casting technique, and is advantageous in that the
`joining step of the base plate and the holding plate can
`be dispensed with.
`in part, showing, as
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view,
`another embodiment of the present invention, the de-
`tails of the driving system mounted on the fixing block
`115 after removing the head mounting base plate 110.
`FIG. 5 is a front view, partly in longitudinal cross-sec-
`tion, of the main part of the housing 121 shown in FIG.
`
`4
`1 to be connected with the head mounting base plate
`and to cause the same to move.
`Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the movements
`(both forward and backward) of the housing will be
`explained in further detail. In a state of the non-record-
`ing operation, when a switch (not shown) is turned on,
`the head mounting base plate (not shown) arranged at
`its predetermined position relative to the surface of the
`recording paper (not shown) advances towards the
`surface of the recording paper PP due to advance-
`movement on and along the guide rail 203 of the hous-
`ing 204, to which the head mounting base plate is con-
`nected, and which is subject to driving force from the
`motor 201 and the driving screw rod 202. The housing
`204 is advanced by the driving screw rod 202 rotating
`by rotational force from the motor 201 through gears
`(not shown). In practice, however,
`it
`is pushed for
`movement by a nut 305 moving on and along a driving
`screw rod 304 as shown in FIG. 5. A housing 301 has a
`recess in its lower part with projections 308, 308' on
`both end parts thereof, the abovementioned nut 305 and
`a spring 306 as well as a washer 307 being accommo-
`dated in the recess. The spring 306 is compressed to a
`certain extent so as to urge the projection 308’ through
`the washer 307.
`In the case of the recording system utilizing the full
`line multi-array orifice type ink jet head, the space gap
`between the surface of the recording paper and the
`distal end of the ink jet head should be defined very
`precisely, as mentioned in the foregoing. For this pur-
`pose, the ink jet head as advanced must stop accurately
`at a predetermined position against force of inertia.
`The stoppage of the housing 204 coupled with the
`head mounting base plate (not shown) is performed by
`the forward stoppage sensor 206. When the reference
`leaf 205 passes by the sensor 206, a stoppage signal is
`emitted and the motor 201 stops its motion. However,
`since the motor does not stop its rotation instanta-
`neously due to inertia, the housing 204 and the head
`mounting base plate (not shown) coupled therewith
`would actually stop at an irregular position before the
`predetermined one (i.e., a position closer to the surface
`of the recording paper PP), where the intended object
`cannot be attained. In order to solve this problem, the
`present invention provides a stopper 303 against the
`forward movement of the housing 301, as shown in
`FIG. 5,
`in such a manner that a timing for the stop
`sensor 206 in FIG. 4 to actuate may correspond to a
`timing for the housing 301 in FIG. 5 to be in contact
`with the stopper 303. Further, excessive rotation of the
`motor 201 can be absorbed by compression of the spring
`306 in FIG. 5. The backward movement of the housing
`204 (in the direction opposite to the arrow mark in the
`illustration) can be done in the same manner as in the
`forward movement by reversing the motor rotation. As
`it is considered that a slight difference in the stopping
`position becomes least problematical, provision of the
`backward stopping sensor 207 alone will suffice. If it is,
`however, necessary to do so, the backward stopping
`position can be regulated by the stopper.
`FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a state, wherein the head
`mounting base plate is joined with the housing. In the
`drawing, FIG. 6A is a plan view, and FIG. 6B is a side
`view of FIG. 6A when it is seen from the arrowed
`direction. (It should be noted that the group of head
`units are all omitted from the base plate for the sake of
`convenience in explanation.) A reference numeral 401
`designates the head mounting base plate, and 403 refers
`
`HP 1007
`Page 8 of 9
`
`

`
`4,477,823
`
`5
`to the housing same as mentioned above. A bearing 407
`is provided for maintaining the group of head units (not
`shown) fixed on the base plate 401 in parallel with the
`fixing block 402, and for smoothly moving the base
`plate 401 in parallel with the surface of the fixing block
`402.
`
`A numeral 404 refers to a cover for the bearing 407,
`405 a connecting plate, 406 a supporting shaft for the
`bearing, and 409 tightening screws. The cover 404 is for
`preventing the group of head units from being fanned,
`when they are subjected to vibrations and jamming,
`hence the head units should be longer in the longitudi-
`nal direction thereof than the moving distance of the
`housing 403. A notched portion 408 is of a size that
`permits passage of the bearing 407 therethrough, so that
`mounting and dismounting of the head mounting base
`plate onto and from the housing 403 can be done at this
`position.
`The ink jet recording apparatus according to the
`7 present invention, which has so far been detailed in the
`foregoing, has a plurality of separately constructed ink
`jet heads, and the drive circuit and ink feeding system
`associated with the heads, which are integrally united
`on the common supporting member. On account of this,
`it can be readily equipped on the main body of the
`apparatus employing such recording device at its output
`section. Further, as there occurs no relative positional
`displacement between the ink jet heads and the ink
`feeding system during the recording operation, no ir-
`regularity takes place in the ink feeding pressure and the
`ink can be uniformly fed to all of the ink jet heads,
`whereby stable ink jet recording operation can be
`achieved.
`
`Furthermore, as has already been explained in refer-
`ence to FIGS. 4, 6A and 6B, the present invention
`makes it possible to automatically and precisely position
`the group of full line multi-array orifice type ink jet
`heads and accessories such as ink feeding device, etc.,
`relative to the surface of the recording paper, while
`maintaining good integrity among these component
`elements. Moreover, during ‘stoppage, all of ink jet
`heads can be sufficiently set apart from the surface of
`the recording paper, so that it can be well protected
`from unexpected stain due to ink splash and the ink jet
`head per se can be kept off the recording paper,_ and so
`on.
`
`In addition, since the present invention constructs the
`ink jet heads and the ink feeding system in a unit, re-
`placement and repair of the component parts are facili-
`
`6
`tated. Further advantages in maintenance of the appara-
`tus can be attributed to this unit construction.
`What we claim is:
`
`5
`
`10
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`1. Ink jet recording apparatus of the full line type
`which comprises: a plurality of ink jet head units each
`comprising:
`a multi-array orifice ink jet head for effecting record-
`ing at a predetermined position;
`semiconductor means for driving said ink jet head to
`project a liquid droplet on demand from each ori-
`fice; and
`multi-layered wiring means for supplying electric
`signals to said semiconductor means;
`a plurality of reservoirs for storing ink to be fed to
`said ink jet heads, each said reservoir being for
`feeding ink to a respective one of said ink jet head
`units; and
`_
`a common supporting member for supporting said ink
`jet head units and said reservoirs, said ink jet head
`units and reservoirs each being disposed on said
`common supporting member so that the relative
`position between them is maintained during opera-
`tion of said apparatus.
`2. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`1, wherein said ink jet head has a plurality of ink dis-
`charge orifices arranged in a predetermined form.
`3. An ink Jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`1, wherein each said ink jet head unit and the respective
`said ink reservoir are communicatively connected by a
`conduit tube.
`4. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`1, wherein said common supporting member is disposed
`on a base table to support the same in a manner to be
`movable in parallel with said base table.
`5. Ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1,
`further comprising a driving system for moving said
`supporting member along a predetermined pathway.
`6. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`5, further comprising a drive control system, associated
`with said driving system, for controlling movement of
`said supporting member.
`‘
`’
`7. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`5, wherein said driving system is provided with posi-
`tioning means for regulating a stopping position of said
`supporting member.
`8. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`5, wherein said supporting member and said driving
`system are mutually connected at one part thereof.
`9. An ink jet recording apparatus as set forth in claim
`5, wherein said ink jet head has a plurality of ink dis-
`charge orifices arranged in a predetermined form.
`t
`t
`K
`I
`*
`
`HP 1007
`Page 9 of 9