Discharging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a discharging device. In a configuration where only the roller is supported to be swingable, it may be difficult to manage the amount of deformation of the medium. The printer includes a guiding frame, a deforming portion, and a rod member. A conveying path is provided in the guiding frame. The deforming portion has a serrated roller, a supporting bracket, and a torsion spring, and deforms the paper. The serrated roller contacts the paper discharged from the conveying path. The supporting bracket is swingable between a first position when the serrated roller is located in the conveying path and a second position when the serrated roller is not located in the conveying path. The torsion spring presses the supporting bracket from the second position to the first position. The rod member can switch between a restricted state that restricts the swinging of the supporting bracket at the first position and the second position and an unrestricted state that does not restrict the swinging of the supporting bracket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharging device. Background Art

[0002] The bracket of the recording device in Patent Document 1 is mounted so as to be swingable relative to the frame. The bracket holds a toothed roller. A biasing force is applied to the free end of the bracket toward the conveying surface.

[0003] The bracket of the recording device in Patent Document 2 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the discharge port. The front end of the bracket is supported by a roller so as to be rotatable. By rotating the bracket, the contact position between the paper and the roller is displaced in the vertical direction.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-196182

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-166094

[0006] In the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the roller is only supported so as to be swingable, sometimes when it is desired to forcibly impart a shape to the medium, the roller retracts due to contact with the medium, or when it is desired to suppress the shape imparting to the medium, the retraction of the roller becomes insufficient, and it may be difficult to control the amount of deformation of the medium. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The discharging device of the present invention for solving the above problems is characterized by including: a device main body provided with a conveying path for conveying a sheet; a deforming unit having: a contact portion that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveying path; a holding portion having a free end portion that holds the contact portion and a base end portion that is held by the device main body and is swingable between a first position when the contact portion is located in the conveying path and a second position when the contact portion is not located in the conveying path; and a pressing portion that presses the holding portion from the second position to the first position, the deforming unit deforms the sheet by contacting the sheet with the contact portion; and a restricting unit that can switch between a restricting state of restricting the swing of the holding portion at the first position and the second position and a non-restricting state of not restricting the swing of the holding portion. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the deformed portion of the printer according to the embodiment, enlarged.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the state where the support bracket of the printer according to the embodiment is located on the conveying path.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the lever member of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a top view showing the lever member of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a bottom view showing the lever member of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the state where the swing of the support bracket is restricted by the lever member of the printer according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the state where the movement of the support bracket in the protruding state in the printer according to the embodiment is restricted by the lever member.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the state where the movement of the support bracket in the retracted state in the printer according to the embodiment is restricted by the lever member.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing the state where the movement of the support bracket in the retracted state in the printer according to the embodiment is restricted by the lever member.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a schematic view showing the paper discharge state when the deformed portion cooperates with the paper and the position is variable in the printer according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a schematic view showing the paper discharge state when a forced shape is imparted to a part of the paper based on the deformed portion in the printer according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a schematic view showing the paper discharge state when no shape is imparted to a part of the paper based on the deformed portion in the printer according to the embodiment.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals

[0024] 10: Printer; 12: Main body; 12A: Main body frame; 12B: Housing; 13: Discharge tray; 14: Paper cassette; 16: Pickup roller; 17: Pair of conveying rollers; 18: Pair of conveying rollers; 19: Manual tray; 22: Conveying unit; 23: Conveyor belt; 24: Pair of conveying rollers; 25: Baffle; 26: Pair of separating rollers; 27: Ink cartridge; 28: Line head; 30: Control unit; 34: Guide frame; 34A: Curved surface portion; 34B: Flat portion; 36: Guide frame; 37: Through hole; 38: Bottom wall; 38A: Contact surface; 38B: Paper guide surface; 39: Through hole; 44: Side wall; 45: Fastening hole; 46: Upper wall; 48: Opening; 48A: First opening portion; 48B: Second opening portion; 49: Restricting wall; 51: Mounting plate; 52: Discharge roller; 52A: Shaft portion; 52B: Elastic portion; 53A: Vertical wall; 53B: Vertical wall; 54: Serrated roller unit; 54A: Unit main body; 54B: Serrated roller; 55: Hooking portion; 55A: Longitudinal portion; 55B: Lateral portion; 55C: Extension portion; 56: Serrated roller unit; 56A: Unit main body; 56B: Serrated roller; 57: Driven roller; 58: Support roller; 60: Deformation portion; 62: Serrated roller; 64: Support bracket; 64A: Base end portion; 64B: Free end portion; 65: Rotating shaft portion; 66: Bottom plate portion; 66A: Slit; 67: Side plate portion; 67A: Inclined surface; 68: Side plate portion; 68A: Inclined surface; 69: Front wall; 69A: Upper surface; 71: Rear wall; 72: Flange; 73: Flange; 74: Rib; 76: Retreating portion; 82A: Winding portion; 82B: Arm portion; 84: Rod member; 86: Operating portion; 86A: Side surface; 88: Insertion portion; 88A: Bottom surface; 92: First extension portion; 93: Rib; 94: Guide surface; 96: Second extension portion; 97: Rib; 98: Depression portion; 99: Foot portion; 101: Vertical wall; 102: Third extension portion; 103: Foot portion; 105: Space portion; 106: Inclined portion; 107: Inclined surface; 108: Protrusion portion; 109: First protrusion portion; 111: Auxiliary inclined surface; 112: Resting surface; 113: Second protrusion portion; 114: Support surface; 116: Concave portion; 120: Guide portion; 122: Screw; 123: Head portion; 124: Shaft portion; 125: Long hole; 126: Edge portion; C: Swing center; K: Shaft; P: Paper; Q: Ink; T: Conveying path; T1: Main conveying channel; T2: Discharge channel; T3: Feeding path; T4: Return path; T5: Delivery path. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] Next, a general description of the present invention will be given.

[0026] The discharging device of the first mode is characterized by comprising: a device main body provided with a conveying path for conveying a sheet; a deforming part having: a contact part that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveying path; a holding part having a free end that holds the contact part and a base end held by the device main body, capable of swinging between a first position when the contact part is located in the conveying path and a second position when the contact part is not located in the conveying path; and a pressing part that presses the holding part from the second position to the first position, the deforming part contacts the sheet through the contact part to deform the sheet; and a restricting part capable of switching between a restricting state that restricts the swinging of the holding part at the first position and the second position and a non-restricting state that does not restrict the swinging of the holding part.

[0027] According to this mode, in the deforming part, when the contact part contacts the sheet, a pressing force is applied to the sheet through the contact part to impart a shape to the sheet.

[0028] In the non-restricting state, the holding part can swing in the deforming part, so that a shape can be imparted corresponding to the basis weight per unit area of the sheet.

[0029] In the restricting state where the restricting part restricts the swinging of the holding part at the first position, the contact part in contact with the sheet does not retreat from the conveying path, so that a shape can be imparted to the sheet with a certain amount of deformation.

[0030] In the restricting state where the restricting part restricts the swinging of the holding part at the second position, the holding part and the contact part are not located in the conveying path, so that it is possible to prevent imparting a shape to the sheet. In addition, when using the sheet with high rigidity with respect to the force in the thickness direction, it is possible to prevent a large load from acting on the sheet being discharged.

[0031] Thus, in accordance with the type or state of the sheet, the shape imparting to the sheet by the deforming part is changed in three modes, so that the amount of deformation of the sheet can be easily managed.

[0032] The discharging device of the second mode is based on the first mode and is characterized in that the restricting part is arranged to be able to change its relative position with respect to the deforming part in a crossing direction crossing the swinging direction of the holding part.

[0033] According to this mode, by relatively changing the position of the restricting part with respect to the deforming part, the restricting state and the non-restricting state are switched, so that it is easy to maintain the restricting state based on the restricting part after the position is switched.

[0034] The discharge device of the third mode is based on the second mode, and is characterized in that the restricting portion moves in the axial direction along the axis passing through the swing center of the holding portion as the crossing direction.

[0035] According to this mode, compared with the configuration in which the restricting portion moves in the sheet discharge direction, the discharge device can be miniaturized in the sheet discharge direction.

[0036] The discharge device of the fourth mode is based on the third mode, and is characterized by including a guiding portion that guides the restricting portion in the axial direction.

[0037] According to this mode, by guiding the restricting portion in the axial direction by the guiding portion, the position of the restricting portion can be suppressed from shifting in the direction crossing the axial direction.

[0038] The discharge device of the fifth mode is based on the fourth mode, and is characterized in that the guiding portion has a screw having a head and a shaft portion, and an edge portion of a long hole that extends in the axial direction and through which the shaft portion is inserted, and the head is located downstream of the shaft portion in the sheet discharge direction.

[0039] According to this mode, by inserting the screw into the long hole and tightening it, the restricting portion can be guided, so that the mechanism of the guiding portion can be simplified. In addition, since the head of the screw is located downstream of the sheet discharge direction, it is easy to access the screw from the outside of the discharge device.

[0040] The discharge device of the sixth mode is based on any one of the second mode to the fifth mode, and is characterized in that an inclined portion is provided along a direction crossing the crossing direction, and the inclined portion changes the position of the swinging direction of the deformable portion relative to the restricting portion by relatively moving the restricting portion and the deformable portion in the crossing direction.

[0041] According to this mode, when the deformable portion comes into contact with the inclined portion, the position of the swinging direction of the deformable portion relative to the restricting portion changes. Thus, the deformable portion is guided by the inclined portion until the deformable portion becomes the restricted state, so that the restricted state can be obtained by a simple configuration.

[0042] The discharge device of the seventh mode is based on any one of the second mode to the sixth mode, and is characterized in that the holding portion has a flange, and the restricting portion restricts the swinging of the holding portion by restricting the movement of the flange, and the arrangement order of the flange and the restricting portion in the swinging direction is interchanged when the holding portion is in the first position and when the holding portion is in the second position.

[0043] According to this mode, by interchanging the positions of the flange and the swing direction of the restricting portion, the restricting state of the first position or the restricting state of the second position is obtained, and the mechanism for obtaining the restricting state can be simplified.

[0044] The discharging device of the eighth mode is based on the seventh mode, and is characterized in that, in the non-restricting state of the restricting portion, the flange contacts the device main body by receiving a pressing force from the pressing portion.

[0045] According to this mode, by the contact between the flange and the device main body, the swing of the holding portion in the deforming portion is restricted. Thereby, the excessive swing of the holding portion can be suppressed.

[0046] The discharging device of the ninth mode is based on the eighth mode, and is characterized in that the restricting portion restricts the movement of the flange by moving toward the flange in contact with the device main body.

[0047] According to this mode, by moving the restricting portion in a single direction toward the flange in contact with the device main body, the movement of the flange and the swing of the holding portion are restricted. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the restricting portion moves in multiple stages, the restriction of the swing of the holding portion can be simply performed.

[0048] The discharging device of the tenth mode is based on any one of the seventh mode to the ninth mode, and is characterized in that the restricting portion has a concave portion capable of accommodating at least a part of the flange.

[0049] According to this mode, since at least a part of the flange is accommodated in the concave portion, the degree of freedom of movement of the flange is reduced, and thus the restricting state can be maintained.

[0050] The discharging device of the eleventh mode is based on any one of the first mode to the tenth mode, and is characterized in that the device main body includes a path member having a bottom wall forming a part of the conveying path and a side wall erected downstream in the discharging direction of the sheet in the bottom wall, and the path member has an opening continuously formed in the bottom wall and the side wall and through which the deforming portion can pass.

[0051] According to this mode, since the opening is formed not only in the bottom wall but also in the side wall, it is possible to prevent the sheet deformed by the deforming portion from being caught on the path member.

[0052] The discharging device of the twelfth mode is based on the eleventh mode, and is characterized in that the restricting portion is continuously provided from the conveying path side of the path member to the side opposite to the conveying path side through the opening in the side wall.

[0053] According to this mode, the restricting portion can be operated on the conveyance path side, and the restricting portion restricts the swinging of the holding portion on the side opposite to the conveyance path side of the path member. Further, since a part of the opening formed in the side wall is located away from the conveyance path, and a part of the restricting portion passing through the opening is located away from the conveyance path, it is possible to suppress a part of the sheet material provided with the shape by the deforming portion from hooking on a part of the restricting portion.

[0054] The discharging device according to the thirteenth mode is characterized in that, based on the twelfth mode, the restricting portion has a guiding surface for guiding the sheet material downstream in the discharging direction.

[0055] According to this mode, when the sheet material comes into contact with the guiding surface, the sheet material is guided downstream in the discharging direction. Thus, even if the sheet material sometimes comes into contact with a part of the restricting portion, the sheet material is guided downstream in the discharging direction, and therefore it is possible to suppress the sheet material from hooking on the restricting portion.

[0056] The discharging device according to the fourteenth mode is characterized in that, based on any one of the first mode to the thirteenth mode, the device main body includes a discharging portion for discharging a liquid onto the sheet material.

[0057] According to this mode, it is possible to manage the amount of deformation of the sheet material onto which the liquid has been discharged.

[0058] Next, a printer 10, which is an example of the discharging device of the present invention, will be specifically described.

[0059] As Figure 1 shown, the printer 10 is configured as an inkjet recording device that performs recording by discharging ink Q onto a sheet of paper P. In addition, the X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system. The sheet of paper P is an example of the sheet material. The ink Q is an example of the liquid.

[0060] The X direction is the device width direction when the operator observes the printer 10, and it is the horizontal direction. The direction toward the left in the X direction is set as the +X direction, and the direction toward the right is set as the -X direction.

[0061] The Y direction is the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet of paper P and is the device depth direction, and it is the horizontal direction. The direction toward the front side in the Y direction is set as the +Y direction, and the direction toward the inner side is set as the -Y direction.

[0062] The Z direction is an example of the device height direction and is the vertical direction. The upper side in the Z direction is set as the +Z direction, and the lower side is set as the -Z direction. In addition, when + and - are not distinguished, it is simply referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction.

[0063] In the printer 10, the sheet P is conveyed through a conveyance path T indicated by a dotted line. Further, the conveyance direction of the sheet P is along the direction of the conveyance path T and thus differs in each part of the conveyance path T.

[0064] As an example, the printer 10 includes a main body portion 12, a line head 28, a deformable portion 60, and a lever member 84. Further, the printer 10 includes a manual tray 19, a pair of separation rollers 26, an ink cartridge 27, and a control portion 30.

[0065] The main body portion 12 includes a main body frame 12A, guide frames 34, 36 ( Figure 2 ) to be described later, and a housing 12B that forms the outline of the printer 10. Further, as an example, the main body portion 12 includes the line head 28 to be described later.

[0066] A discharge tray 13 for discharging the recorded sheet P is provided in the +Z direction at the center in the Z direction with respect to the main body portion 12. Further, a plurality of paper cassettes 14 for housing the sheet P and a conveyance path T for conveying the sheet P from the paper cassette 14 to the discharge tray 13 are provided in the main body portion 12.

[0067] The following are disposed in the conveyance path T: a pickup roller 16 for separating the sheet P, a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers 17, 18 for conveying the sheet P, a conveyance portion 22, a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers 24, and a plurality of baffles 25 for switching the path for conveying the sheet P. The conveyance portion 22 conveys the sheet P by circumferentially moving a conveyor belt 23. Further, the conveyance portion 22 faces the line head 28. Specifically, the conveyance path T includes a main conveyance passage T1, a discharge passage T2, a feed path T3, a return path T4, and a delivery path T5, and is configured to enable recording on both sides of the sheet P.

[0068] A feed path TA for feeding the sheet P from an external device (not shown) and a manual path TB from the manual tray 19 via the pair of separation rollers 26 are also connected to the conveyance path T.

[0069] The line head 28 is an example of a discharging portion that ejects ink Q supplied from the ink cartridge 27 onto the sheet P. By ejecting the ink Q from the line head 28 onto the sheet P conveyed in the conveyance portion 22, recording is performed on the sheet P.

[0070] The control portion 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (ReadOnly Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage portion (not shown), and controls the conveyance and discharge of the sheet P in the printer 10 and the operations of each portion including the line head 28.

[0071] As shown Figure 2 in FIG. 1, a guide frame 34 and a guide frame 36 are disposed at the downstream end in the conveying path T.

[0072] The guide frame 34 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the conveying path T. When viewed from the Y direction, the guide frame 34 has a curved surface portion 34A and a flat portion 34B extending in the +X direction from the end portion in the +Z direction of the curved surface portion 34A. The flat portion 34B is located in the +Z direction with respect to the discharge tray 13 ( Figure 1 ).

[0073] The guide frame 36 is located at a position spaced apart in the +Z direction with respect to the guide frame 34. The guide frame 36 is included in an example of the apparatus main body provided with the conveying path T for conveying the paper P. In other words, the guide frame 36 forms a part of the conveying path T together with the guide frame 34. The guide frame 36 is an example of a path member.

[0074] As an example, the guide frame 36 has: a bottom wall 38 extending in an inclined direction toward the +X direction and the +Z direction; a side wall 44 standing upright from the bottom wall 38 in the +Z direction; and an upper wall 46 extending in the -X direction from the side wall 44.

[0075] In the following description, the direction in which the bottom wall 38 extends downstream in the conveying path T is defined as the +A direction, and the direction orthogonal to the +A direction and toward the discharge tray 13 is defined as the +B direction. Further, the direction opposite to the +A direction is defined as the -A direction, and the direction opposite to the +B direction is defined as the -B direction. When + and - are not distinguished, it is described as the A direction and the B direction.

[0076] As shown Figure 3 in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 38 is formed in a flat plate shape extending along the Y - A plane. The bottom wall 38 forms a part of the conveying path T. In the bottom wall 38, the surface of the end portion located in the -B direction is defined as the contact surface 38A, and the surface of the end portion located in the +B direction is defined as the paper guide surface 38B ( Figure 5 ).

[0077] The side wall 44 stands upright in the +Z direction at the end portion in the +A direction of the bottom wall 38. In other words, the side wall 44 is erected at the downstream in the +A direction which is the discharge direction of the paper P in the bottom wall 38. A fastening hole 45 for fastening a screw 122 ( Figure 5 ) described later is formed in the side wall 44.

[0078] The upper wall 46 extends in the -X direction from the end portion in the +Z direction of the side wall 44.

[0079] As an example, a mounting plate 51, a discharge roller 52, serrated roller units 54, 56, a driven roller 57, and a support roller 58 are provided on the guide frame 36 (Figure 13 )。

[0080] The mounting plate 51 is mounted on the side wall 44 and extends in the -Z direction.

[0081] The discharge roller 52 has a shaft portion 52A along the Y direction and an annular elastic portion 52B mounted on a part of the shaft portion 52A.

[0082] The serrated roller unit 54 has a unit main body 54A fixed to the mounting plate 51 and a serrated roller 54B supported by the unit main body 54A and rotating about a central axis along the Y direction. In a state where the paper P is clamped between the serrated roller 54B and the elastic portion 52B, the paper P is discharged by the rotation of the shaft portion 52A.

[0083] The serrated roller unit 56 has a unit main body 56A fixed to the bottom wall 38 and a serrated roller 56B supported by the unit main body 56A and capable of rotating about a central axis along the Y direction ( Figure 5 ). In addition, the serrated roller refers to a roller having a plurality of tooth portions on the outer periphery.

[0084] As Figure 13 shown, the driven roller 57 clamps the paper P together with the discharge roller 52, and discharges the paper P while rotating as the discharge roller 52 rotates.

[0085] As an example, the support rollers 58 are constituted by serrated rollers, and a plurality of them are provided on the outer side in the Y direction with respect to a later-described deformation portion 60. The support rollers 58 support both end portions of the paper P in the Y direction.

[0086] As Figure 3 shown, as an example, the guide frame 36 is formed with a through hole 37, a through hole 39, and an opening 48. The through hole 37, the through hole 39, and the opening 48 are all continuously formed in the bottom wall 38 and the side wall 44.

[0087] A plurality of through holes 37 are formed at intervals in the Y direction. The through hole 37 can be used as a working hole or for the installation of other units. The through hole 39 is a long hole extending in the Y direction.

[0088] The opening 48 is formed as a through hole in which a first opening portion 48A formed in the bottom wall 38 is connected to a second opening portion 48B formed in the side wall 44. The opening 48 has a size and shape through which at least a part of a later-described deformation portion 60 can pass.

[0089] When viewed in the +B direction, the first opening 48A is formed as a rectangle whose dimension in the +A direction is longer than its dimension in the Y direction. When viewed in the +X direction, the second opening 48B is formed as a rectangle whose dimension in the Y direction is longer than its dimension in the Z direction. The opening area of the first opening 48A is larger than that of the second opening 48B. A restricting wall 49 is formed at the edge portion of the first opening 48A in the -A direction.

[0090] The restricting wall 49 is a wall portion that protrudes from the edge portion of the first opening 48A in the -A direction toward the +X direction. The restricting wall 49 restricts a part of the sheet P being discharged from entering the first opening 48A.

[0091] As Figure 4 shown, vertical walls 53A and 53B are erected at a portion of the edge portion of the first opening 48A that is closer to the +A direction than the restricting wall 49 and at a portion in the -A direction with respect to the center of the first opening 48A in the +A direction.

[0092] The vertical wall 53A stands upright in the -B direction at the +Y direction edge portion of the first opening 48A. The vertical wall 53B stands upright in the -B direction at the -Y direction edge portion of the first opening 48A and is opposed to the vertical wall 53A in the Y direction.

[0093] Through holes (not shown) that penetrate in the Y direction are formed in the vertical walls 53A and 53B. Also, the vertical walls 53A and 53B support both end portions of a later-described rotary shaft portion 65 in the Y direction so as to be rotatable. A hooking portion 55 is provided at the +A direction end portion of the vertical wall 53A.

[0094] The hooking portion 55 has: a longitudinal portion 55A that stands upright in the -B direction; a lateral portion 55B that extends from the -B direction end portion of the longitudinal portion 55A toward the -Y direction; and an extension portion 55C that extends from the -Y direction end portion of the lateral portion 55B toward the +A direction. One end of a later-described torsion spring 82 is hooked to an L-shaped portion formed by the lateral portion 55B and the extension portion 55C.

[0095] As an example, the deforming portion 60 includes a plurality of serrated rollers 62, a support bracket 64, a rotary shaft portion 65, and a torsion spring 82.

[0096] As an example, two serrated rollers 62 are arranged in each of the +A direction and the +Y direction with respect to one support bracket 64, and a total of four serrated rollers 62 are provided. The serrated roller 62 is an example of a contact portion that contacts the sheet P discharged from the conveying path T ( Figure 2 )).

[0097] As Figure 5As shown, the support bracket 64 is a component that is long in the +A direction and is an example of a holding portion that holds the serrated roll 62. As an example, the support bracket 64 has: a bottom plate portion 66, side plate portions 67, 68, a front wall 69, a rear wall 71( Figure 4 ), flanges 72, 73, ribs 74, and a retraction portion 76( Figure 4 ), which are formed as an integrally formed component.

[0098] Regarding the arrangement of each part of the support bracket 64, the arrangement state in which a part of the support bracket 64 is located in the conveying path T will be described.

[0099] As Figure 2 shown, the Y direction is an example of a crossing direction that crosses the swing direction of the support bracket 64. In addition, when observing the support bracket 64 from a position in the +Y direction to a position in the -Y direction, the direction in which the support bracket 64 rotates clockwise is set as the +R direction, and the direction in which the support bracket 64 rotates counterclockwise is set as the -R direction. The +R direction and the -R direction are collectively referred to as the R direction. The R direction is an example of a swing direction.

[0100] As Figure 5 shown, the bottom plate portion 66 is a flat portion that constitutes the end portion in the +B direction of the support bracket 64. The end portion in the +A direction of the bottom plate portion 66 bends obliquely upward in a direction crossing the +A direction. In addition, two slits 66A are formed at intervals in the Y direction in the bottom plate portion 66.

[0101] The outer peripheral portions of the four serrated rolls 62 protrude in the +B direction through the two slits 66A. The paper P can contact the four serrated rolls 62, but it is not easy to contact the bottom plate portion 66.

[0102] The front wall 69 stands upright in the -B direction at the end portion in the +A direction of the bottom plate portion 66. The end face in the -B direction of the front wall 69 is used as the upper surface 69A( Figure 3 ).

[0103] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the side plate portion 67 stands upright in the -B direction from the end portion in the +Y direction of the bottom plate portion 66. The side plate portion 67 is located in the -Y direction with respect to the longitudinal wall 53A within the first opening portion 48A. An inclined surface 67A is formed at a position in the +A direction and in the -B direction with respect to the center of the side plate portion 67. The inclined surface 67A is an inclined surface that descends more in the +B direction as it faces the +A direction.

[0104] When the side plate portion 67 moves in the -B direction as the support bracket 64 rotates, the end portion of the side plate portion 67 in the -B direction contacts the transverse portion 55B, thereby restricting the movement in the +R direction. That is, the transverse portion 55B functions as a restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the support bracket 64.

[0105] The side plate portion 68 stands upright in the -B direction from the end portion in the -Y direction of the bottom plate portion 66. The side plate portion 68 is located in the +Y direction with respect to the longitudinal wall 53B within the first opening 48A. In addition, the side plate portion 68 is opposed to the side plate portion 67 with an interval in the Y direction. An inclined surface 68A is formed at a position in the +A direction with respect to the center and in the -B direction in the side plate portion 68. The inclined surface 68A is an inclined surface that descends in the +B direction as it faces the +A direction.

[0106] The rear wall 71 stands upright in the -B direction from the end portion in the -A direction of the bottom plate portion 66.

[0107] As Figure 4 shown, the flange 72 extends in the +Y direction from a portion located closer to the +A direction than the center in the A direction and in the -A direction with respect to the inclined surface 67A at the end portion in the -B direction of the side plate portion 67. Specifically, when viewed in the +B direction, the flange 72 extends in the +Y direction beyond the first opening 48A to a position overlapping the edge portion of the first opening 48A. The end portion of the flange 72 in the +Y direction is located in the -B direction with respect to the edge portion of the first opening 48A. That is, the flange 72 does not protrude into the conveying path T through the first opening 48A.

[0108] The flange 73 extends in the -Y direction from a portion located closer to the +A direction than the center in the +A direction and in the -A direction with respect to the inclined surface 68A at the end portion in the -B direction of the side plate portion 68. Specifically, when viewed in the +B direction, the flange 73 extends in the -Y direction beyond the first opening 48A to a position overlapping the edge portion of the first opening 48A. The end portion of the flange 73 in the -Y direction is located in the -B direction with respect to the edge portion of the first opening 48A. That is, the flange 73 does not protrude into the conveying path T through the first opening 48A.

[0109] The rib 74 stands upright in the -B direction from the bottom plate portion 66 ( Figure 5 ), and connects the bottom plate portion 66 and the side plate portions 67 and 68 respectively. The rib 74 functions as a reinforcing portion that improves the rigidity against the force acting from the outside of the support bracket 64.

[0110] The retraction portion 76 is a recessed portion formed by the upper surface 69A, the inclined surface 67A, and the inclined surface 68A. When the support bracket 64 is in the first position or the second position described later, by forming the retraction portion 76, the support bracket 64 does not contact the shaft portion 52A ( Figure 3)Contact.

[0111] The rotary shaft portion 65 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Y direction. Both end portions of the rotary shaft portion 65 in the Y direction are supported by the longitudinal wall 53A and the longitudinal wall 53B so as to be rotatable.

[0112] Regarding the -A direction end portion of the support bracket 64 as the base end portion 64A, and regarding the portion other than the base end portion 64A as the free end portion 64B. The base end portion 64A is attached to the rotary shaft portion 65. Thus, when viewed from the +Y direction, the base end portion 64A is swingably held by the guide frame 36. The free end portion 64B holds the serrated roller 62 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the Y direction.

[0113] As Figure 2 shown, the support bracket 64 is swingably held by the guide frame 36. The axis K passing through the swing center C of the support bracket 64 extends in the Y direction. That is, the Y direction is an example of the crossing direction and the axial direction.

[0114] Regarding the position of the support bracket 64 when the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are located on the conveyance path T as the first position. In addition, regarding the position of the support bracket 64 when the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are not located on the conveyance path T, that is, when the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are retracted from the conveyance path T in the -B direction, as the second position. The support bracket 64 can swing between the first position and the second position.

[0115] As Figure 4 shown, the torsion spring 82 is an example of a pressing portion that presses the support bracket 64 from the second position to the first position. The torsion spring 82 has a winding portion 82A and two arm portions 82B. In addition, the illustration of one arm portion 82B is omitted.

[0116] The winding portion 82A is a portion wound in a ring shape. The rotary shaft portion 65 is inserted into the winding portion 82A. One of the arm portions 82B engages with a part of the support bracket 64. The other of the arm portions 82B is hooked on the hooking portion 55.

[0117] When the free end portion 64B of the support bracket 64 rotates in the +R direction ( Figure 2 ), a pressing force in the -R direction acts on the support bracket 64 from the torsion spring 82. In the natural state where the torsion spring 82 is not deformed, the support bracket 64 is in a state of protruding from the guide frame 36 in the +B direction. Here, in the non-restricted state of the rod member 84 described later, the flanges 72 and 73 receive a pressing force from the torsion spring 82, and thereby come into contact with the contact surface 38A of the guide frame 36.

[0118] As described above, the plurality of serrated rollers 62 located on the conveying path T contact the paper P in the +B direction, and the deforming portion 60 deforms the paper P into a convex shape in the +B direction. In addition, deforming the paper P by the deforming portion 60 is referred to as imparting a shape to the paper P. The imparting of the shape of the paper P is not limited to making the paper P convex in the +B direction, but also includes making it convex in other directions.

[0119] As Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the rod member 84 is an example of a restricting portion that can switch between a restricting state in which the swinging of the support bracket 64 at the above-described first position and second position is restricted and a non-restricting state in which the swinging of the support bracket 64 is not restricted. In addition, the rod member 84 is guided in the +Y direction and -Y direction by a guiding portion 120 described later.

[0120] As an example, the rod member 84 is a member integrally formed with an operation portion 86, an insertion portion 88, a first extension portion 92, a second extension portion 96, a third extension portion 102, an inclined portion 106, a protrusion portion 108, and a recess portion 116. In addition, the arrangement of each part of the rod member 84 will be described using the direction in a state where the rod member 84 is slidably mounted on the guiding frame 36 ( Figure 3 ).

[0121] The operation portion 86 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the X direction. The operation portion 86 is formed in a rectangular shape with the dimension in the Y direction being longer than the dimension in the Z direction. The -X direction surface of the operation portion 86 is taken as the side surface 86A. A long hole 125 penetrating the operation portion 86 in the X direction is formed at the central portions of the operation portion 86 in the Y direction and Z direction. The long hole 125 will be described later.

[0122] The insertion portion 88 extends from the -Z direction end portion of the operation portion 86 in the -A direction. The insertion portion 88 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the +B direction. The width size of the insertion portion 88 in the Y direction is smaller than the width of the second opening portion 48B ( Figure 3 ). And, the insertion portion 88 is inserted into the second opening portion 48B. In other words, the rod member 84 is continuously provided from the conveying path T side of the guiding frame 36 through the opening 48 ( Figure 3 ) to the side opposite to the conveying path T. The +B direction end surface of the insertion portion 88 is taken as the bottom surface 88A. In addition, as an example, the insertion portion 88 is in a non-contact state where it does not contact the guiding frame 36.

[0123] The first extension portion 92 is a flat portion that includes the end portion of the insertion portion 88 in the -A direction and extends from the end portion of the insertion portion 88 in the -A direction toward the -Y direction. The first extension portion 92 is offset and arranged relative to the insertion portion 88 in the -B direction. A rib 93 and a guide surface 94 are formed on the first extension portion 92.

[0124] The rib 93 stands upright from the first extension portion 92 in the -B direction and is formed in a plate shape having a specified thickness in the +A direction.

[0125] As an example, the guide surface 94 is an inclined surface that extends from the end portion of the first extension portion 92 in the -A direction to a position in the +A direction and in the +B direction. The guide surface 94 is connected to the end portion of the bottom surface 88A in the -A direction. The guide surface 94 guides the paper P downstream in the +A direction. Thus, the rod member 84 has the guide surface 94.

[0126] The second extension portion 96 is a flat portion that extends from the end portion of the first extension portion 92 in the -Y direction toward the -A direction. Two ribs 97 that are arranged at intervals in the Y direction and stand upright in the -B direction are formed at the end portion of the second extension portion 96 in the -B direction. A recessed portion 98 that opens in the -B direction is formed in the two ribs 97. Due to the formation of the recessed portion 98, the shaft portion 52A ( Figure 3 ) does not contact the rod member 84.

[0127] A foot portion 99 that protrudes in the +B direction is formed at the portion of the second extension portion 96 that is the end portion in the +B direction and the -Y direction. The foot portion 99 supports the second extension portion 96. A longitudinal wall 101 that connects the two ribs 97 in the Y direction is formed at the end portion of the second extension portion 96 in the -A direction.

[0128] The third extension portion 102 is a plate-shaped portion that extends from the longitudinal wall 101 in the -A direction. A foot portion 103 that protrudes in the +B direction is formed on the third extension portion 102. The foot portion 103 is integrally formed with the foot portion 99 and supports the third extension portion 102.

[0129] A space portion 105 is formed in the +B direction with respect to the second extension portion 96 and the third extension portion 102, and in the +Y direction with respect to the foot portion 99 and the foot portion 103.

[0130] The length corresponding to the height of the space portion 105 in the -B direction is longer than the length corresponding to the thickness of the flange 73 ( Figure 4 ). That is, the end portion of the flange 73 in the -Y direction can enter the space portion 105.

[0131] As an example, an inclined portion 106 is formed at the end portion in the +Y direction of the third extension portion 102. The inclined portion 106 extends along a direction intersecting the Y direction. Specifically, the inclined portion 106 has an inclined surface 107.

[0132] The inclined surface 107 is an inclined surface that inclines from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction and whose end portion in the +Y direction is located in the -Z direction with respect to the end portion in the -Y direction. As an example, when observed in the +A direction, the angle formed by the inclined surface 107 and the Y direction is 45°.

[0133] The inclined portion 106 changes the position of the deformable portion 60 in the R direction with respect to the rod member 84 by relatively moving the rod member 84 and the deformable portion 60 ( Figure 3 ) in the Y direction.

[0134] The protrusion 108 is located in the -Y direction with respect to the inclined portion 106 in the third extension portion 102. The protrusion 108 protrudes from the third extension portion 102 in the -B direction. As an example, the protrusion 108 has a first protrusion 109 and a second protrusion 113 located in the -A direction with respect to the first protrusion 109. The first protrusion 109 and the second protrusion 113 are integrally formed.

[0135] The first protrusion 109 has an auxiliary inclined surface 111 and a resting surface 112.

[0136] The auxiliary inclined surface 111 has an inclination angle substantially the same as that of the inclined surface 107 and is continuous with a part of the inclined surface 107. The auxiliary inclined surface 111 extends to the resting surface 112.

[0137] As an example, the resting surface 112 is a plane along the Y - A plane. The resting surface 112 extends in the -Y direction from the end portion in the -Y direction of the auxiliary inclined surface 111.

[0138] The second protrusion 113 has a supporting surface 114. The supporting surface 114 is an inclined surface that inclines obliquely downward such that the height in the -B direction becomes lower as it goes more toward the -A direction from the end portion in the -A direction in the resting surface 112. As an example, when observed in the -Y direction, the angle formed by the supporting surface 114 and the +A direction is about 30°.

[0139] As Figure 8 shown, as an example, the recess 116 is a portion formed in the leg portion 103 and opening in the +Y direction. The inside of the recess 116 communicates with the space portion 105. When observed in the -B direction, the recess 116 is formed in a U shape. The width of the recess 116 in the Y direction is wider than the width of the flange 73 ( Figure 3 ) in the Y direction. Thus, the rod member 84 has the recess 116 that can accommodate the end portion in the -Y direction of the flange 73.

[0140] When the end portion in the -Y direction of the flange 73 is located on the bottom wall 38 ( Figure 3)When it is above and accommodated in the recess 116, the flange 73 is restricted from moving in the R direction and the A direction. In addition, the movement of the flange 73 in the Y direction has already been restricted.

[0141] As Figure 5 shown, the guide portion 120 guides the rod member 84 in the Y direction. As an example, the guide portion 120 has a screw 122 and an edge portion 126 of the long hole 125.

[0142] The screw 122 has a head 123 and a cylindrical shaft portion 124 extending in the -X direction from the head 123 ( Figure 3 ). External threads (not shown) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 124. The shaft portion 124 is fastened to the fastening hole 45 ( Figure 3 ).

[0143] The head 123 is located downstream in the +A direction with respect to the shaft portion 124.

[0144] The long hole 125 extends in the Y direction. The length of the long hole 125 in the Y direction is longer than the length corresponding to the amount of movement of the rod member 84 required in the Y direction. Thus, the rod member 84 can reach the limiting position when restricting the swing of the support bracket 64. In addition, the rod member 84 can also move to the retracted position away from the limiting position. The size of the long hole 125 is such that the shaft portion 124 can be inserted therethrough in the X direction.

[0145] Here, the movement of the rod member 84 in the Z direction is restricted by the edge portion 126 contacting the shaft portion 124 fastened to the side wall 44 in the Z direction. In addition, the rod member 84 is clamped between the head 123 and the side wall 44 in the X direction, whereby the movement of the rod member 84 in the X direction is restricted. Thus, the rod member 84 can move in the Y direction.

[0146] As described above, the rod member 84 is arranged so as to be able to change the relative position with respect to the deformation portion 60 in the Y direction intersecting the R direction of the support bracket 64.

[0147] In addition, the rod member 84 restricts the swing of the support bracket 64 by restricting the movement of the flanges 72, 73 ( Figure 4 ). The arrangement order of the flanges 72, 73 and the rod member 84 in the R direction is interchanged when the support bracket 64 is in the first position and when the support bracket 64 is in the second position.

[0148] In addition, the rod member 84 moves toward the flange 73 in contact with the guide frame 36, thereby restricting the movement of the flange 73.

[0149] Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described.

[0150] As a mode of presence or absence of swing restriction of the deformation part 60 using the rod member 84, the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode will be described. In addition, the reference numerals of the drawings showing the respective components may sometimes be omitted.

[0151] The first mode is a mode of imparting a shape to the sheet P in accordance with the rigidity against the force acting in the sheet P conveying direction. In other words, the first mode is a mode in which the support bracket 64 can swing. As an example of a case of using the first mode, there is a case of increasing the rigidity of the sheet P with low rigidity, or a case of reducing the load acting on the deformation part 60 when discharging the sheet P with high rigidity.

[0152] The second mode is a mode of forcibly imparting a shape to the sheet P. In other words, the second mode is a mode of temporarily fixing at the first position in a state where the support bracket 64 protrudes into the conveyance path T. As an example of a case of using the second mode, there is a case where, although the sheet P with high rigidity is used, in order to improve the stackability of a plurality of sheets P in the discharge tray 13, a shape is forcibly imparted to the sheet P. In addition, in the case of high recording density, since the amount of the ink Q attached to and penetrated into the sheet P increases, the rigidity of the sheet P may decrease. In this case as well, a shape can be forcibly imparted to the sheet P.

[0153] The third mode is a mode of prohibiting shape imparting to the sheet P. In other words, the third mode is a mode of temporarily fixing at the second position in a state where the support bracket 64 retracts from the conveyance path T. As an example of a case of using the third mode, there is a case where, since the discharged sheet P is processed by another processing device, if a shape is imparted to the sheet P, it will affect the processing.

[0154] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, in the case of the first mode, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened, and the rod member 84 moves in the -Y direction. As a result, the swing of the deformation part 60 is not restricted by the rod member 84. In addition, when the support bracket 64 rotates in the -R direction, the contact between the flanges 72 and 73 and the bottom wall 38 restricts the deformation part 60 from protruding excessively into the conveyance path T. Further, when the support bracket 64 rotates in the +R direction, the contact between the support bracket 64 and the lateral part 55B restricts the deformation part 60 from entering excessively inside the guide frame 36.

[0155] As Figure 13 shown, in the first mode, when discharging the sheet P with low rigidity, due to the support bracket 64 being biased by the torsion spring 82 ( Figure 4)Press in the +B direction, and the multiple serrated rollers 62 come into contact with the paper P, imparting a shape to a part of the paper P in the Y direction. As a result, the rigidity of the paper P against the force acting in the -A direction is increased, and thus the discharged paper P is not easily bent in the +B direction.

[0156] On the other hand, in the first mode, when discharging the paper P with high rigidity, the torsion spring 82 contracts due to the reaction force received from the paper P by the support bracket 64, and the support bracket 64 retracts in the -B direction. As a result, the paper P is discharged in a state with a small amount of deformation caused by shape imparting. In addition, since the paper P with high rigidity is discharged in a state with a small amount of deformation, the load acting on the paper P when discharging the paper P can be reduced.

[0157] As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, in the case of the second mode, in the state where the flanges 72, 73 are in contact with the bottom wall 38, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened, and the rod member 84 moves in the +Y direction. And, by the -Y direction end portion of the flange 73 being received in the recess 116 ( Figure 6 ), the swinging of the deformation part 60 in the +R direction and -R direction is restricted. In this state, the screw 122 is fastened to the side wall 44 again. The support bracket 64 and the multiple serrated rollers 62 are held in a state of protruding into the conveying path T ( Figure 2 ). That is, the deformation part 60 is held at the first position.

[0158] As Figure 14 shown, in the second mode, when discharging the paper P with high rigidity, the support bracket 64 is pressed in the +B direction by the torsion spring 82 ( Figure 9 ), the multiple serrated rollers 62 come into contact with the paper P, and a shape is imparted to a part of the paper P in the Y direction. And, when there are multiple sheets of paper P stacked in the discharge tray 13 ( Figure 1 ), by imparting a shape to the paper P, for example, the paper P is not easily displaced in the Y direction, and the stacking property can be improved.

[0159] As Figure 11 and Figure 12 shown, in the case of the third mode, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened. In addition, the support bracket 64 rotates in the +R direction. At this time, the rotation in the +R direction continues until the flange 73 is located in the -B direction with respect to the protrusion 108. Then, the rod member 84 moves in the +Y direction. And, by the -Y direction end portion of the flange 73 being supported by the protrusion 108, the rotation of the deformation part 60 in the -R direction is restricted. In this state, the screw 122 is fastened to the side wall 44 again. The support bracket 64 and the multiple serrated rollers 62 are held in a state of retracting from the conveying path T. That is, the deformation part 60 is held at the second position.

[0160] As Figure 15 shown, in the third mode, when discharging the low-rigidity paper P, the deforming portion 60 does not contact the paper P. That is, the shape is not imparted to the paper P based on the shape of the deforming portion 60. Thus, the paper P is discharged in a substantially natural state under the action of its own weight, and thus it is easy to perform processing in other processing devices.

[0161] As described above, according to the printer 10, in the deforming portion 60, when the serrated roller 62 contacts the paper P, a pressing force is applied to the paper P by the serrated roller 62, and the shape is imparted to the paper P.

[0162] In the non-restricted state, since the support bracket 64 can swing in the deforming portion 60, the shape can be imparted corresponding to the unit area weight of the paper P.

[0163] In the restricted state where the rod member 84 restricts the swing of the support bracket 64 at the first position, the serrated roller 62 in contact with the paper P does not retract from the conveying path T, so that the shape can be imparted to the paper P with a certain amount of deformation.

[0164] In the restricted state where the rod member 84 restricts the swing of the support bracket 64 at the second position, the support bracket 64 and the serrated roller 62 are not located in the conveying path T, so that the shape can be prevented from being imparted to the paper P. In addition, when using the paper P with high rigidity with respect to the force in the +B direction, a large load can be prevented from acting on the discharging paper P.

[0165] Thus, in accordance with the type of the paper P or the state of the paper P, the shape imparting to the paper P based on the deforming portion 60 is changed in three modes, so that the amount of deformation of the paper P can be easily managed.

[0166] According to the printer 10, by relatively changing the position of the rod member 84 with respect to the deforming portion 60, the restricted state and the non-restricted state are switched, so that it is easy to maintain the restricted state of the rod member 84 after the position is changed.

[0167] According to the printer 10, compared with the configuration in which the rod member 84 moves in the discharging direction of the paper P, the printer 10 can be miniaturized in the discharging direction of the paper P.

[0168] According to the printer 10, by guiding the rod member 84 in the Y direction by the guiding portion 120, the position of the rod member 84 can be suppressed from shifting in the direction intersecting the Y direction.

[0169] According to the printer 10, by inserting the screw 122 into the long hole 125 and fastening it to the side wall 44, the rod member 84 can be guided in the Y direction, so that the mechanism of the guide portion 120 can be simplified. In addition, since the head 123 of the screw 122 is located downstream in the discharge direction of the paper P, it is easy to access the screw 122 from the outside of the printer 10.

[0170] According to the printer 10, when the deformation portion 60 contacts the inclined portion 106, the position of the deformation portion 60 in the R direction with respect to the rod member 84 changes. Thus, the deformation portion 60 is guided by the inclined portion 106 until the deformation portion 60 becomes a restricted state, so that a restricted state can be obtained with a simple configuration.

[0171] According to the printer 10, by swapping the positions of the flange 73 and the rod member 84 in the R direction, the restricted state of the deformation portion 60 at the first position or the restricted state of the deformation portion 60 at the second position can be obtained, so that the mechanism for obtaining the restricted state can be simplified.

[0172] According to the printer 10, by the flanges 72 and 73 contacting the bottom wall 38 of the guide frame 36, the swinging of the support bracket 64 in the deformation portion 60 is restricted. Thereby, the excessive swinging of the support bracket 64 can be suppressed.

[0173] According to the printer 10, by moving the rod member 84 in one direction toward the flange 73 that contacts the guide frame 36, the movement of the flange 73 and the swinging of the support bracket 64 are restricted. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the rod member 84 moves in multiple stages, the swinging of the support bracket 64 can be simply restricted.

[0174] According to the printer 10, since at least a part of the flange 73 is received in the recess 116, the degree of freedom of movement of the flange 73 is reduced, so that the restricted state can be maintained.

[0175] According to the printer 10, since the opening 48 is formed not only in the bottom wall 38 but also in the side wall 44, it is possible to prevent the paper P deformed by the deformation portion 60 from being hooked on the guide frame 36.

[0176] According to the printer 10, the rod member 84 can be operated on the conveyance path T side, and the rod member 84 restricts the swinging of the support bracket 64 on the side opposite to the conveyance path T side of the guide frame 36. In addition, since the part of the opening 48 formed in the side wall 44 is located at a position away from the conveyance path T, a part of the rod member 84 passing through the opening 48 is located at a position away from the conveyance path T. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a part of the paper P shaped by the deformation portion 60 from being hooked on a part of the rod member 84.

[0177] According to the printer 10, when the sheet P is in contact with the guide surface 94, the sheet P is guided downstream in the discharge direction. Thus, even if the sheet P sometimes comes into contact with a part of the lever member 84, the sheet P is guided downstream in the discharge direction, so that the sheet P can be prevented from hooking on the lever member 84.

[0178] According to the printer 10, the amount of deformation of the sheet P ejected with the ink Q can be managed.

[0179] The printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on having the above-described configuration. However, of course, partial configuration changes or omissions can be made without departing from the gist of the invention of the present application.

[0180] In the printer 10, the lever member 84 may also move in the A direction or the B direction. The lever member 84 may not move in a direction crossing the axial direction of the axis K passing through the swing center C of the support bracket 64. The guide portion 120 is not limited to a configuration that guides the lever member 84 in the Y direction, and may also be a configuration that guides in a direction different from the Y direction. The guide portion 120 is not limited to being constituted by the screw 122 and the edge portion 126 of the long hole 125, and may also be a guide rail provided on the guide frame 36. The inclined portion 106 is not limited to being formed on the lever member 84, and may also be formed on the flange 73. Or the inclined portion 106 may be formed on both the lever member 84 and the flange 73.

[0181] In the printer 10, the support bracket 64 may not have the flanges 72 and 73, and other parts of the support bracket 64 may be restricted by the lever member 84. The flanges 72 and 73 may also directly receive the pressing force from the pressing portion. The lever member 84 is not limited to moving in only one direction toward the flange 73, and may also move while switching the moving direction in multiple stages. The lever member 84 may not have the concave portion 116, and may also only restrict the movement of the flange 73 in the R direction. The moving method of the lever member 84 is not limited to the method of manual movement by the operator, and may also be automatically moved using a motor or a solenoid.

[0182] In the printer 10, the opening 48 may not have the second opening portion 48B. The lever member 84 may also be accommodated on the side opposite to the conveying path T side and be operated through the opening 48. The lever member 84 may not form the guide surface 94.

[0183] In the printer 10, it may also be configured as a discharge device that removes the line head 28 and only discharges the sheet P.

[0184] A plurality of deformation portions 60 may also be connected in the Y direction so that each deformation portion 60 swings substantially simultaneously. In addition, it may also be a selective configuration in which a part of the plurality of deformation portions 60 swings simultaneously and the remaining portions swing independently.

[0185] The contact part is not limited to the plurality of serrated rollers 62, and may also be a rib protruding from the support bracket 64 in the +B direction. In addition, the contact part may also be a belt member that rotates using a pulley. The plurality of serrated rollers 62 may also be driven by a motor.

[0186] The pressing part is not limited to the torsion spring 82, and may also be configured to utilize the elastic deformation of the support bracket 64. That is, the support bracket 64 may also serve as both a holding part and a pressing part. The pressing part is not limited to the configuration using elastic force, and may also be a configuration that presses using the repulsive force generated by magnets of the same polarity.

[0187] The restricting part may be composed of components that are respectively provided to restrict the swing in the +R direction and the second restricting part that restricts the swing in the -R direction, or may be a configuration in which one component restricts the swing in the +R direction and the -R direction. In addition, the restriction of the deforming part is not limited to the restriction based on contact, and may also be a non-contact state restriction using magnetic force. The restricting part may also be movably provided on the deforming part.

[0188] The guiding part may be provided on the restricting part or may be provided on the device main body.

[0189] It may be that the flange on one end side in the Y direction is used to restrict the first swing (+R direction rotation) of the deforming part, and the flange on the other end side is used to restrict the second swing (-R direction rotation) of the deforming part. In addition, the restricting part may also be provided on both sides in the axial direction with respect to the deforming part.

Claims

1. A discharging device, characterized in that: The discharging device includes: A device main body provided with a conveying path for conveying a sheet; A deforming part having: a contact part that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveying path; a holding part having a free end that holds the contact part and a base end that is held by the device main body, and capable of swinging between a first position where the contact part is located on the conveying path and a second position where the contact part is not located on the conveying path; and a pressing part that presses the holding part from the second position to the first position, wherein the deforming part contacts the sheet through the contact part to deform the sheet; and A restricting part capable of switching between a restricting state and a non-restricting state, the restricting state being a state of restricting the swinging of the holding part at the first position and the second position, and the non-restricting state being a state of not restricting the swinging of the holding part, The restricting part is arranged to be able to change its relative position with respect to the deforming part in a crossing direction that crosses the swinging direction of the holding part, and moves along an axial direction of an axis passing through the swinging center of the holding part as the crossing direction.

2. The discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharging device includes: a guiding part that guides the restricting part in the axial direction.

3. The discharging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guiding part has: a screw having a head and a shaft part; and an edge part of a long hole that extends in the axial direction and through which the shaft part is inserted, The head is located downstream of the shaft part in the sheet discharging direction.

4. The discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The discharging device is provided with: an inclined part along a direction that crosses the crossing direction, The inclined part changes the position of the deforming part with respect to the restricting part in the swinging direction by relatively moving the restricting part and the deforming part in the crossing direction.

5. The discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The holding part has a flange, The restricting part restricts the swinging of the holding part by restricting the movement of the flange, The arrangement order of the flange and the restricting part in the swinging direction is interchanged when the holding part is in the first position and when the holding part is in the second position.

6. The discharging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flange contacts the device main body by receiving a pressing force from the pressing part in the non-restricting state of the restricting part.

7. The discharging device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The restricting part restricts the movement of the flange by moving towards the flange that contacts the device main body.

8. The discharging device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The restricting part has: a concave part capable of accommodating at least a part of the flange.

9. The discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device main body is provided with a path member, and the path member has: a bottom wall that forms a part of the conveyance path; and side walls that are erected downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet in the bottom wall. The path member has: an opening that is continuously formed in the bottom wall and the side walls and through which the deformation part can pass.

10. The discharge device according to claim 9, wherein: The restricting part is continuously provided from the conveyance path side of the path member through the opening in the side wall to the side opposite to the conveyance path side.

11. The discharge device according to claim 10, wherein: The restricting part has: a guiding surface that guides the sheet downstream in the discharge direction.

12. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein: The device main body is provided with: a spraying part that sprays liquid onto the sheet.

Images