Image recording device

Abstract

This suppresses various problems that can arise when using two trays. [Solution] The printer 1 is equipped with two paper trays 10 and 20 that overlap in the vertical direction D1. Rollers 13 and 23 are capable of feeding paper P (paper P unwound from a roll of paper R, or cut paper) contained in the paper trays 10 and 20 backward. Separating members 71 and 72 are positioned behind the rollers 13 and 23 and extend in a diagonal direction D3. The length L2 of the separating member 72 in the diagonal direction D3 is longer than the length L1 of the separating member 71 in the diagonal direction D3. When no cut paper is contained in the paper trays 10 and 20, the roller 23 is positioned in front of the roller 13. In addition, the paper tray 20 is capable of accommodating roll paper R, and the lengths A1 and A2 from the other end of the arms 14 and 24 that support the rollers 13 and 23 to the position where the rollers 13 and 23 contact the paper P are different for the paper tray 10 and the paper tray 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including two trays.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printer (image recording apparatus) including a first paper feed tray (first tray), and a second paper feed tray (second tray) overlapping the first paper feed tray in the vertical direction (first direction). In Patent Document 1, a first paper feed roller (first roller) provided for the first paper feed tray and a second paper feed roller (second roller) provided for the second paper feed tray are located at the same position as each other in the front-rear direction (second direction). Behind each paper feed roller, a slanted wall portion extending in a slanted direction (third direction) intersecting both the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is arranged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the modes of accommodating the sheet-like medium in the first tray and the second tray are different from each other, such as when the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in the first tray and the second tray is different from each other, various problems may occur.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of suppressing various problems that may occur when including two trays.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first tray, a second tray overlapping the first tray in a first direction, a first roller capable of feeding a sheet-like medium contained in the first tray from upstream to downstream in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a second roller capable of feeding a sheet-like medium contained in the second tray from upstream to downstream in a second direction, a first separating member positioned downstream of the first roller in the second direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions, the first separating member contacting the sheet-like medium fed from the first tray by the first roller and separating the sheet-like medium in contact with the first roller from the other sheet-like medium, and the second roller An image recording device is provided, comprising: a second separating member positioned downstream of a roller in the second direction and extending in the third direction, which contacts a sheet-like medium fed from the second tray by the second roller to separate the sheet-like medium in contact with the second roller from the other sheet-like medium; and a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like medium fed by the first roller or the second roller, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, and the second roller is positioned upstream of the first roller in the second direction when the first and second trays are not filled with sheet-like medium.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image recording device is provided comprising: a first tray; a second tray overlapping the first tray in a first direction; a first roller capable of feeding a sheet-like medium contained in the first tray from upstream to downstream in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a second roller capable of feeding a sheet-like medium contained in the second tray from upstream to downstream in a second direction; a first arm having one end and the other end that supports the first roller and is rotatable about the other end as a pivot point; a second arm having one end and the other end that supports the second roller and is rotatable about the other end as a pivot point; and a recording unit that records an image on the sheet-like medium fed by the first roller or the second roller, wherein the second tray is capable of accommodating a roll in which the sheet-like medium is wound into a roll shape, and the length from the other end of the first arm to the position where the first roller contacts the sheet-like medium and the length from the other end of the second arm to the position where the second roller contacts the sheet-like medium are different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the second separating member may have a longer length in the third direction than the first separating member, and the second tray may have a larger maximum capacity than the first tray. In this configuration, when the first and second trays are not filled with sheet-like media, the second roller is positioned upstream of the first roller in the second direction. In this case, for example, in order to suppress large variations in the separation performance of sheet-like media between the first and second trays, when the distance between the first roller and the first separating member in the second direction, and the distance between the second roller and the second separating member in the second direction are made the same, the upstream end of the second separating member in the second direction can be positioned upstream of the upstream end of the first separating member in the second direction compared to the case where the second roller is at the same position as the first roller in the second direction, or where the second roller is positioned downstream of the first roller in the second direction. This makes it possible to suppress the problem of the image recording device becoming larger in the second direction.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, since the second tray can accommodate a roll, the length of the second tray in the first direction may be greater than the length of the first tray in the first direction (i.e., the second tray may have a larger maximum capacity than the first tray). In this configuration, the length from the other end of the arm to the position where the roller contacts the sheet-like medium is different for the first tray and the second tray. In this case, unlike the case where the lengths are the same for the first and second trays, this length can mitigate the effect of gravity-directed forces due to the weight of the arm and roller acting on the sheet-like medium, thereby suppressing problems that may occur during feeding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a printer according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printer. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view corresponding to Figure 2, showing the printer in Figure 1 with the maximum number of cut sheets of paper stored in each paper tray. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Overall printer configuration> A printer 1 (image recording device) according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a housing 1a, paper feed trays 10 and 20 that are detachable from the housing 1a, and a paper output tray 30. Paper feed tray 10 corresponds to the "first tray" of the present invention, and paper feed tray 20 corresponds to the "second tray" of the present invention.

[0012] When the paper feed trays 10 and 20 are mounted on the housing 1a, the paper feed tray 20 overlaps with the paper feed tray 10 in the vertical direction D1 (first direction) and is positioned below the paper feed tray 10. The paper feed trays 10 and 20 have a box shape with an opening at the top and are detachable from the housing 1a in the front-to-back direction D2 (second direction). The paper feed trays 10 and 20 are pulled out from the housing 1a by moving them forward relative to the housing 1a and mounted onto the housing 1a by moving them backward relative to the housing 1a.

[0013] The widths (horizontal length) of the paper feed trays 10, 20 and the paper output tray 30 are approximately the same. The height (vertical length D1) of the paper feed tray 20 is greater than the height of the paper feed tray 10.

[0014] Printer 1 further comprises a transport mechanism 3, a head 5, and a control unit 100, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The elements of the transport mechanism 3, excluding the rollers 51 and 52 described later, the head 5, and the control unit 100 are supported by the housing 1a.

[0015] The transport mechanism 3 is configured to selectively transport paper P from the paper feed trays 10 and 20, and includes rollers 51 and 52, rollers 13 and 23 and arms 14 and 24, roller pairs 3a to 3c, separating members 71 and 72, a pair of guide members 80, and a transport motor (not shown) for driving each of the rollers. Paper P in the paper feed trays 10 and 20 is transported by the transport mechanism 3 along a transport path T that passes between the pair of guide members 80 and under the head 5 toward the paper output tray 30.

[0016] Note that "paper P" refers collectively to the paper P unwound from the roll paper R described later, and the cut paper Pc, and corresponds to the "sheet-like medium" of the present invention. Cut paper Pc refers to paper P whose length along the transport path T is shorter than the paper P that makes up the roll paper R.

[0017] The paper feed tray 10 includes a cut paper storage section 12 that can store a plurality of cut papers Pc (see FIG. 3) in a stacked state in the vertical direction D1. The cut papers Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 12 are supported on the upper surface of a support plate 61 arranged along the bottom plate 19 of the paper feed tray 10.

[0018] The roller 13 (corresponding to the "first roller" of the present invention) is supported at one end 14a of an arm 14 (corresponding to the "first arm" of the present invention) and is rotatable about a shaft 13x along the left-right direction. The other end 14b of the arm 14 is supported by a housing 1a (see FIG. 1) via a shaft 14x along the left-right direction. The arm 14 is pivotable about the shaft 14x with the other end 14b as a fulcrum (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0019] Five gears 16 (corresponding to the "first gears" of the present invention) are attached to the arm 14 as a mechanism for transmitting the driving force of a conveyance motor to the roller 13. The five gears 16 are arranged from the other end 14b to the one end 14a of the arm 14 and are connected to each other. The gear 16 closest to the one end 14a of the arm 14 among the five gears 16 is connected to the roller 13.

[0020] When no cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 12 in a state where the paper feed tray 10 is attached to the housing 1a, the roller 13 contacts the upper surface of the support plate 61 (see FIG. 2). When a cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 12 in a state where the paper feed tray 10 is attached to the housing 1a, the roller 13 contacts the uppermost cut paper among the cut papers Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 12 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the conveyance motor is driven under the control of the control unit 100, and the roller 13 rotates by the transmission of the driving force via the five gears 16. As a result, the cut paper Pc is fed from the front (upstream side) to the rear (downstream side) in the front-rear direction D2.

[0021] The cut paper Pc fed from the paper feed tray 10 by the roller 13 contacts the separating member 71, moves along the separating member 71, and is guided between a pair of guide members 80.

[0022] The separating member 71 (which corresponds to the "first separating member" of the present invention) is disposed rearward (downstream side in the front-rear direction D2) with respect to the roller 13. The separating member 71 extends in an oblique direction D3 (third direction) that intersects both the vertical direction D1 and the front-rear direction D2. In other words, the separating member 71 is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes rearward. On the surface of the separating member 71 that defines the conveyance path T, fine irregularities are formed that repeat along the conveyance path T. These irregularities suppress double feeding (a phenomenon in which a plurality of cut papers Pc are conveyed in a stacked state). That is, the separating member 71 has a function of separating the cut paper Pc that contacts the roller 13 from the other cut papers Pc.

[0023] The paper feed tray 20 includes a roll paper storage section 21 capable of accommodating a roll paper R (see FIG. 2) and a cut paper storage section 22 capable of accommodating a plurality of cut papers Pc (see FIG. 3) stacked in the vertical direction D1. The cut papers Pc accommodated in the cut paper storage section 22 are supported on the upper surface of a support plate 62 disposed along the bottom plate 29 of the paper feed tray 20.

[0024] In the paper feed tray 20, when using the roll paper R, the cut papers Pc are removed from the cut paper storage section 22 (see FIG. 2), and when using the cut papers Pc, the roll paper R is removed from the roll paper storage section 21 (see FIG. 3). The cut paper storage section 22 is a space behind the roll paper storage section 21.

[0025] The number of cut papers Pc that can be accommodated in the cut paper storage section 22 is larger than the number of cut papers Pc that can be accommodated in the cut paper storage section 12.

[0026] The roller 23 (which corresponds to the "second roller" of the present invention) is supported at one end 24a of an arm 24 (which corresponds to the "second arm" of the present invention) and is rotatable about a shaft 23x along the left-right direction. The other end 24b of the arm 24 is supported by the housing 1a (see FIG. 1) via a shaft 24x along the left-right direction. The arm 24 is pivotable about the shaft 24x with the other end 24b as a fulcrum (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0027] The arm 24 is equipped with four gears 26 (corresponding to the "second gear" of the present invention), a pulley 27, and a transmission belt 28 as a mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the transport motor to the roller 23. The four gears 26 are arranged on one end 24a of the arm 24, from the other end 24b toward the first end 24a, and are connected to each other. The gear 26 closest to the first end 24a of the arm 24 is connected to the roller 23. The pulley 27 is located near the other end 24b of the arm 24 and rotates in conjunction with the drive of the transport motor. The transmission belt 28 is wound around the pulley 27 and one of the four gears 26 (the gear 26 closest to the other end 24b). When the pulley 27 rotates, the transmission belt 28 moves, and the rotational force of the pulley is transmitted to that one gear 26, which is then transmitted to the roller 23 via the remaining gears 26.

[0028] A coil spring S is wound around the shaft 24x. The coil spring S corresponds to the "biasing member" of the present invention and biases the arm 24 in a direction that moves the roller 23 away from the upper surface (media support surface) of the support plate 62 of the paper feed tray 20 (in the direction of upward movement). In Figure 2, the arm 24 is biased by the coil spring S to rotate counterclockwise.

[0029] When the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the housing 1a and no cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 22, the roller 23 contacts the upper surface of the support plate 62 (see Figure 2). When the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the housing 1a and cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 22, the roller 23 contacts the uppermost layer of cut paper Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 22 (see Figure 3). At this time, the transport motor is driven by the control unit 100, and the roller 23 rotates due to the transmission of driving force via the pulley 27, the transmission belt 28, and the four gears 26. As a result, the cut paper Pc is fed from the front (upstream) to the rear (downstream) in the front-rear direction D2.

[0030] The roll paper R is formed by winding a long sheet of paper P in a roll around the outer circumference of a cylindrical core member Rc, and corresponds to the "roll body" of the present invention. The roll paper R is housed in the roll paper storage section 21 with its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core member Rc) aligned in the left-right direction.

[0031] Rollers 51 and 52 are positioned at the bottom of the roll paper storage section 21. Rollers 51 and 52 are rotatable about an axis that runs in the left-right direction. When the roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage section 21, the outer surface of its lower portion is supported by rollers 51 and 52. When setting the roll paper R, the roll paper R is manually rotated in the direction of the arrow Q in Figure 2 to unwind the paper P from the roll paper R. Then the paper P is passed through the gap between the lower surface of the support plate 61 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 29, and the leading edge of the paper P is held between roller 23 and roller 25. In this state, the transport motor is driven by the control unit 100, and the rollers 51, 52, and 23 rotate, so that the paper P unwound from the roll paper R is fed from the front (upstream) to the back (downstream) in the front-back direction D2.

[0032] The paper P (paper P unwound from a roll of paper R stored in the roll paper storage section 21, or cut paper Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 22) fed from the paper tray 20 by the roller 23 comes into contact with the separating member 72, moves along the separating member 72, and is guided to the roller pair 3a.

[0033] The separating member 72 (corresponding to the "second separating member" of the present invention) is positioned behind the roller 23 (downstream in the front-rear direction D2). Like the separating member 71, the separating member 72 extends in the diagonal direction D3. In other words, the separating member 72 is inclined to be positioned upward as it moves towards the rear. The surface of the separating member 72 that defines the transport path T has fine irregularities that repeat along the transport path T. These irregularities suppress double feeding (the phenomenon in which multiple cut paper Pc are transported overlapping each other). That is, the separating member 72 has the function of separating the cut paper Pc that comes into contact with the roller 23 from the other cut paper Pc.

[0034] The head 5 (corresponding to the "recording unit" of the present invention) includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) formed on its lower surface and a driver IC. When the paper P transported by the transport mechanism 3 passes a position opposite the lower surface of the head 5, the driver IC is driven by the control unit 100, causing ink to be ejected from the nozzles, the ink to land on the paper P, and an image to be recorded on the paper P. The head 5 may be either a line type, which ejects ink from the nozzles while its position is fixed, or a serial type, which ejects ink from the nozzles while moving in the left-right direction.

[0035] The control unit 100 is connected to the transport motor and driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data for the CPU to perform various controls. The RAM temporarily stores data used by the CPU when executing programs.

[0036] <Configuration and Effects of This Embodiment> In the above configuration, the length L2 of the diagonal direction D3 of the separating member 72 is longer than the length L1 of the diagonal direction D3 of the separating member 71 (see Figure 2). In this case, the paper feed tray 20 may have a larger maximum capacity for cut paper Pc than the paper feed tray 10. In this configuration, when no cut paper Pc is stored in the paper feed trays 10 and 20, the roller 23 is positioned in front of the roller 13 (upstream in the front-to-back direction D2). In this case, for example, in order to suppress large variations in the separation performance of cut paper Pc between the paper feed tray 10 and the paper feed tray 20, when the distance X in the front-to-back direction D2 between the roller 13 and the front end 71a (upstream end in the front-to-back direction D2) of the separation member 71 and the distance X in the front-to-back direction D2 between the roller 23 and the front end 72a of the separation member 72 are made the same, the front end 72a of the separation member 72 can be positioned in front of the front end 71a of the separation member 71 (upstream in the front-to-back direction D2) compared to when the roller 23 is in the same position as the roller 13 in the front-to-back direction D2, or when the roller 23 is positioned behind the roller 13 (downstream in the front-to-back direction D2). This makes it possible to suppress the problem of the printer 1 becoming larger in the front-to-back direction D2.

[0037] The rear end 72b of the separation member 72 (the downstream end in the front-rear direction D2) is at the same position in the front-rear direction D2 as the rear end 71b of the separation member 71. In other words, the separation member 72 does not protrude further rearward than the separation member 71. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the problem of the printer 1 becoming larger in the front-rear direction D2.

[0038] The length A2 from the other end 24b of arm 24 to the position where roller 23 contacts paper P is longer than the length A1 from the other end 14b of arm 14 to the position where roller 13 contacts paper P (see Figure 2). If this length is short in a tray with a large maximum capacity of cut paper Pc, the change in the angle of the arm will be large from the state where the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the tray (see Figure 3) to the state where there are no cut paper Pc in the tray (see Figure 2). As a result, the change in the force in the direction of gravity due to the weight of the arm and roller acting on the cut paper Pc will be large as the number of cut paper Pc decreases, which may cause problems in feeding. In this embodiment, however, since the length A2 is long in the paper feed tray 20 which has a large maximum capacity, the change in the angle of arm 24 will be small from the state where the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the paper feed tray 20 (see Figure 3) to the state where there are no cut paper Pc in the paper feed tray 20 (see Figure 2). This suppresses the change in force in the direction of gravity caused by the weight of the arms and rollers acting on the cut paper Pc as the number of cut paper Pc sheets decreases, thereby preventing problems that may occur during feeding.

[0039] The length of arm 24 from one end 24b to the other end 24a is longer than the length of arm 14 from the other end 14b to the other end 14a (see Figure 2). To make lengths A1 and A2 different, it is conceivable to make the diameters of rollers 13 and 23 different. However, in this case, in order to make the transport speeds of rollers 13 and 23 the same, it would be necessary to adjust the configuration of the gear train connecting the transport motor and rollers 13 and 23, and the rotational speed of the transport motor, which could complicate the configuration. In this embodiment, however, by making the lengths of arms 14 and 24 different to make lengths A1 and A2 different, the above-mentioned complexity of the configuration can be suppressed.

[0040] The paper feed tray 20 can accommodate roll paper R (see Figure 2). Therefore, the vertical length D1 of the paper feed tray 20 may be greater than the vertical length D1 of the paper feed tray 10 (see Figures 1 to 3). In other words, the maximum number of cut sheets Pc that can be accommodated by the paper feed tray 20 may be greater than that of the paper feed tray 10. In this configuration, the length A1 from the other end 14b of the arm 14 to the position where the roller 13 contacts the paper P and the length A2 from the other end 24b of the arm 24 to the position where the roller 23 contacts the paper P are different from each other. If the lengths of the paper feed trays 10 and 20 are the same, when the maximum number of cut paper sheets Pc are stored in each tray 10 and 20, the angles of the arms 14 and 24 with respect to the horizontal plane will be different. Consequently, the gravitational force acting on the cut paper sheets Pc stored in the paper feed tray 10 due to the weight of the arms 14 and rollers 13 will be different from the gravitational force acting on the cut paper sheets Pc stored in the paper feed tray 20 due to the weight of the arms 24 and rollers 23. In this case, a difference in the feeding accuracy of the cut paper sheets Pc will occur between the paper feed trays 10 and 20, and a feeding malfunction may occur in one of the trays, for example. In this embodiment, however, since the lengths A1 and A2 are different between the paper feed trays 10 and 20, the influence of the gravitational force acting on the cut paper sheets Pc due to the weight of the arms and rollers can be mitigated by these lengths, thereby suppressing the problem of feeding malfunctions.

[0041] The paper feed tray 20 is equipped with a coil spring S that biases the arm 24 so that the roller 23 moves away from the upper surface (media support surface) of the support plate 62 of the paper feed tray 20 (see Figure 2). The arm 24 and roller 23 of the paper feed tray 20 can be heavy due to their long length A2. In this case, the gravitational force acting on the cut paper Pc contained in the paper feed tray 20 due to the weight of the arm 24 and roller 23 may become excessive, potentially causing problems with paper feeding. In this embodiment, however, the inclusion of the coil spring S reduces the gravitational force and suppresses the problem of problems with paper feeding.

[0042] The length of arm 24 from the other end 24b to the first end 24a is longer than the length of arm 14 from the other end 14b to the first end 14a (see Figure 2). If the gears 26 are arranged from the other end 24b to the first end 24a of arm 24, the number of gears 26 will increase due to the longer length of arm 24, and the overall weight of arm 24, including the gears 26, may increase. In this case, as described above, the gravitational force acting on the cut paper Pc contained in the paper feed tray 20 due to the weight of arm 24 and roller 23 may become excessive, potentially causing problems with paper feeding. In this embodiment, in addition to the gears 26, a transmission belt 28 is provided with respect to arm 24. This reduces the number of gears 26, suppresses the overall weight of arm 24, including the gears 26, and consequently prevents problems with paper feeding.

[0043] The paper feed tray 20 is positioned below the paper feed tray 10 (see Figures 1 to 3). By positioning the paper feed tray 20, which has a large maximum capacity and can be heavy, at the bottom, the overall stability of the printer 1 is improved. Furthermore, if the heavy paper feed tray 20 were located at the top, when attaching or detaching the paper feed tray 20, if it were to fall, the impact from the fall would be significant, potentially injuring the user. In this embodiment, however, since the paper feed tray 20 is located at the bottom, even if the paper feed tray 20 falls, the impact from the fall is small, thus reducing the risk of injury to the user.

[0044] <Variation> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims.

[0045] The paper feed tray 20 may be positioned above the paper feed tray 10.

[0046] To make lengths A1 and A2 different, the diameters of rollers 13 and 23 may be made different.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment (see Figure 2), the rear end 72b of the separating member 72 is in the same position in the front-rear direction as the rear end 71b of the separating member 71, but it may also be located in front of the rear end 71b of the separating member 71 (upstream in the front-rear direction D2).

[0048] The first and second rollers are not limited to being supported by the housing, but may also be supported by each tray.

[0049] Similarly, the first and second separating members are not limited to being supported by the housing, but may also be supported by each tray.

[0050] The sheet-like medium is not limited to paper; it may also be cloth or plastic film. In other words, the sheet-like medium may be made of any material as long as it is in sheet form.

[0051] The recording unit may dispense liquids other than ink (for example, processing liquids that cause components in the ink to coagulate or precipitate). Furthermore, the recording unit is not limited to a liquid dispensing method, but may also use a laser method, a thermal transfer method, or the like.

[0052] This invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction devices, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Printer (image recording device) 5. Head (recording unit) 10. Paper feed tray (first tray) 13. Laura (Laura 1) 14 Arms (First Arm) 16. Gear (1st gear) 20 Paper feed tray (second tray) 23 Laura (Laura 2) 24 Arm (2nd Arm) 26. Gear (2nd gear) 28 Transmission belt 71 Separation member (first separation member) 71b Rear end (downstream end) 72 Separation member (second separation member) 72b Rear end (downstream end) D1 Vertical direction (first direction) D2 Anteroposterior direction (second direction) D3 Diagonal direction (third direction) P paper (sheet-type media) R Roll paper (roll) S Coil spring (biasing member)

Claims

1. The first tray and The first tray and the second tray overlapping in the first direction, A first roller capable of feeding the sheet-like medium contained in the first tray from the upstream side to the downstream side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A second roller capable of feeding the sheet-like medium contained in the second tray from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second direction, A first separating member is positioned downstream of the first roller in the second direction and extends in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions, and contacts the sheet-like medium fed from the first tray by the first roller to separate the sheet-like medium in contact with the first roller from the other sheet-like medium, A second separating member is positioned downstream of the second roller in the second direction and extends in the third direction, and contacts the sheet-like medium fed from the second tray by the second roller to separate the sheet-like medium that is in contact with the second roller from the other sheet-like medium, The system comprises a recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like medium fed by the first roller or the second roller, The length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction. When no sheet-like media is contained in the first tray and the second tray, the second roller is positioned upstream of the first roller in the second direction. An image recording device characterized in that the downstream end of the second separating member in the second direction is located either upstream of the downstream end of the first separating member in the second direction, or at the same position in the second direction as the downstream end of the first separating member in the second direction.

2. The first tray and The first tray and the second tray overlapping in the first direction, A first roller capable of feeding the sheet-like medium contained in the first tray from the upstream side to the downstream side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A second roller capable of feeding the sheet-like medium contained in the second tray from the upstream side to the downstream side in the second direction, A first separating member is positioned downstream of the first roller in the second direction and extends in a third direction intersecting both the first and second directions, and contacts the sheet-like medium fed from the first tray by the first roller to separate the sheet-like medium in contact with the first roller from the other sheet-like medium, A second separating member is positioned downstream of the second roller in the second direction and extends in the third direction, and contacts the sheet-like medium fed from the second tray by the second roller to separate the sheet-like medium that is in contact with the second roller from the other sheet-like medium, The system comprises a recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like medium fed by the first roller or the second roller, The length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction. When no sheet-like media is contained in the first tray and the second tray, the second roller is positioned upstream of the first roller in the second direction. A first arm having one end supporting the first roller and the other end, and rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, The device further comprises a second arm having one end supporting the second roller and the other end, and being rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, An image recording device characterized in that the length from the other end of the second arm to the position where the second roller contacts the sheet-like medium is longer than the length from the other end of the first arm to the position where the first roller contacts the sheet-like medium.

3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the length of the second arm from the other end to the one end is longer than the length of the first arm from the other end to the one end.

4. A first arm having one end supporting the first roller and the other end, and rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, The device further comprises a second arm having one end supporting the second roller and the other end, and being rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, The second tray is capable of accommodating a roll in which a sheet-like medium is wound into a roll shape, The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length from the other end of the first arm to the position where the first roller contacts the sheet-like medium and the length from the other end of the second arm to the position where the second roller contacts the sheet-like medium are different from each other.

5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the length from the other end of the second arm to the position where the second roller contacts the sheet-like medium is longer than the length from the other end of the first arm to the position where the first roller contacts the sheet-like medium.

6. The image recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the length of the second arm from the other end to the one end is longer than the length of the first arm from the other end to the one end.

7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 6, further comprising a biasing member that biases the second arm in a direction away from the media support surface of the second tray by the second roller.

8. A plurality of first gears arranged from the other end of the first arm toward the one end and connected to one another, wherein the first gear closest to the one end of the first arm is connected to the first roller, A plurality of second gears arranged from the other end of the second arm toward the one end and connected to one another, wherein the second gear closest to the one end of the second arm is connected to the second roller, A power transmission belt is wound around one of the aforementioned multiple second gears and transmits power to that one second gear. The image recording device according to claim 3 or 6, characterized by comprising the following:

9. The first direction is the up and down direction. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second tray is positioned below the first tray.

10. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the second roller overlaps the first tray in a first direction.

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