Medium conveying device and recording device

Abstract

This invention relates to a media conveying device and a recording device, which easily removes media that are difficult to convey within the conveying path. The media conveying device includes: a conveying path, a conveying medium, having a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a third conveying path formed by the merging of the first and second conveying paths at a confluence point; a door section capable of being displaced to a closed state constituting at least a portion of the first conveying path and an open state opening at least a portion of the first conveying path; and a switching section provided at the confluence point, capable of being displaced to a first state opening the second conveying path and a second state opening the first conveying path when the door section is in the closed state, and displaced to a third state opening at least a portion of the second conveying path when the door section is in the open state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a media conveying device and a recording device. Background Technology

[0002] Media transport devices of various configurations, such as recording devices represented by printers, are currently in use. Among these, there are media transport devices with multiple media transport paths. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having a first transport path and a second transport path, and an intermediate guide member at the confluence of the first and second transport paths.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-62333

[0004] However, in existing media conveying devices with multiple media conveying paths, there are situations where it is difficult to easily remove media that have become poorly conveyed within the conveying path. For example, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, when poor media conveying occurs within the conveying path, the operator, holding the grip part provided on the intermediate guide, must rotate the intermediate guide while holding the grip part to open the conveying path, making the media removal operation cumbersome for the operator. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The media conveying apparatus of the present invention for solving the aforementioned technical problem is characterized by comprising: a conveying path having a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a third conveying path formed by the merging of the first conveying path and the second conveying path at a merging point, and conveying a medium; a door section capable of being displaced to a closed state constituting at least a portion of the first conveying path and an open state opening at least a portion of the first conveying path; and a switching section disposed at the merging point, capable of being displaced to a first state opening the second conveying path and a second state opening the first conveying path when the door section is in the closed state, and capable of being displaced to a third state opening at least a portion of the second conveying path when the door section is in the open state. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A diagram showing the periphery of the printer's switching section, and a diagram showing the switching section in its first state.

[0008] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1A diagram showing the periphery of the printer's switching section, and a diagram showing the switching section in its second state.

[0009] Figure 4 It shows that Figure 1 The diagram shows the printer with the door open and the switch in the second state.

[0010] Figure 5 It shows that Figure 1 The diagram shows the printer with the door open, and also shows the state diagram where the switching section is in the third state.

[0011] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 4 The diagram shows the switching section and the configuration of the slider in the current state.

[0012] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows the switching section and the configuration of the slider in the current state.

[0013] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1 A diagram of the printer's switching section.

[0014] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0015] 1: Inkjet printer (media delivery device, recording device); 2: Main body of the device; 3: First media cartridge (media storage section); 4: Second media cartridge; 5: Third media cartridge; 6: Additional unit; 7: Operation panel; 8: Discharge tray; 8e: Lower surface; 11: Waste liquid storage section; 12: Supply tray; 13: Conveyor belt; 14: Pulley; 15: Pulley; 16: Housing section; 17: Door section; 19: Supply roller; 20: Separation roller; 21: Pick-up roller; 22: Pick-up roller; 23: Pick-up roller; 25: Feed roller pair; 26: Feed roller pair; 27: Feed roller pair; 28: Conveyor roller pair; 29: Conveyor roller pair; 31: Conveyor roller pair; 32: Conveyor roller pair; 33: Conveyor roller pair; 34: Conveyor roller pair; 35: Conveyor roller pair; 36: Conveyor roller pair; 37: Conveyor roller pair; 39: Reversing roller; 40: Driven roller; 41: Baffle; 50: Head unit; 51: Linear head (recording section); 61: Ink collection section; 62: Ink collection section; 63: Ink collection section; 64: Ink collection section; 70: Detection mechanism; 100: Switching section; 101: Switching section rotation shaft; 102: Front end; 103: Protrusion; 104: Surface; 105: Surface; 110: Sliding block (engaging part); 111: Recess; 112: End; 120: Spring (force application part); 170: Door leaf section rotation shaft; K1: Branch position; P: Medium; P1: Merging point; R1: Curved conveying path; T0: Feeding path (second conveying path); T1: Conveying path during recording (third conveying path); T2: Turnback path; T3: Reversing path (first conveying path). Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will now be briefly described.

[0017] The medium conveying device according to the first method includes: a conveying path having a first conveying path, a second conveying path, and a third conveying path formed by the merging of the first conveying path and the second conveying path at a merging point, and conveying a medium; a door section capable of being displaced to a closed state constituting at least a portion of the first conveying path and an open state opening at least a portion of the first conveying path; and a switching section disposed at the merging point, capable of being displaced to a first state opening the second conveying path and a second state opening the first conveying path when the door section is in the closed state, and capable of being displaced to a third state opening at least a portion of the second conveying path when the door section is in the open state.

[0018] According to this method, a door section is included, which can be displaced to a closed state constituting at least a portion of the first conveying path and to an open state that opens at least a portion of the first conveying path. Therefore, by opening the door section, the first conveying path can be opened, and media that are not being conveyed properly within the first conveying path can be easily removed. Furthermore, when the door section is in the open state, the switching unit can be displaced to a third state that opens the second conveying path. Therefore, by opening the door section and opening the second conveying path, media that are not being conveyed properly within the second conveying path can be easily removed.

[0019] The medium conveying device involved in the second method is characterized in that, in the first method, the switching unit has: a linkage unit that is movable in linkage with the displacement of the door section; and a switching unit rotation axis that is along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the medium in the conveying path. The linkage unit is movable by the displacement of the door section with the displacement of the closed state and the open state, and the switching unit rotates with the switching unit rotation axis as a reference by the movement of the linkage unit accompanying the displacement of the door section.

[0020] According to this method, the switching unit has a linkage part and a switching unit rotation shaft. The linkage part can move with the displacement of the door leaf in the closed and open states. By moving the linkage part with the displacement of the door leaf, the switching unit rotates with the switching unit rotation shaft as a reference. With this configuration, the switching unit can be rotated by moving the linkage part with the opening and closing of the door leaf, which simplifies the structure of the device.

[0021] The media conveying device involved in the third method is characterized in that, in the second method, it includes: a locking part that can be displaced when locked with the linkage part; and a force-applying part that applies force to the locking part in a manner that applies force to the switching part in the direction of displacement to the third state when the door part is in the closed state.

[0022] According to this method, it includes: an engaging part that can be displaced when engaged with the linkage part; and a force-applying part that applies force to the engaging part in a direction that moves the switching part to a third state when the door panel is in the closed state. Therefore, the switching part can be moved to the third state with only the simple configuration of the force-applying part, along with the displacement of the door panel from the closed state to the open state.

[0023] The media conveying device involved in the fourth method is characterized in that, in the third method, the engaging part can move linearly when engaged with the linkage part.

[0024] According to this method, the engaging part can move linearly while engaged with the linkage part. By configuring the engaging part to move linearly, the movement area can be reduced, and the size of the device can be prevented from increasing.

[0025] The media conveying device involved in the fifth method is characterized in that, in any of the second to fourth methods, it is configured such that, when the direction in which the switching part is displaced from the first state to the second state is set as the first direction, when the door part is in the closed state, a force based on its own weight is applied so that the switching part rotates toward the first direction side with reference to the rotation axis of the switching part.

[0026] When the door is in the closed state, and a force based on its own weight is applied by rotating the switching unit in the first direction relative to its rotation axis, it is difficult to open the second transport path when the door is in the open state. However, as described above, according to this method, when the door is in the open state, the switching unit moves in conjunction with the displacement of the door, allowing it to move to a third state where the second transport path is open. Therefore, by opening the door, the second transport path can be opened, and media that are difficult to transport within the second transport path can be easily removed.

[0027] The medium conveying device involved in the sixth method is characterized in that, in any of the second to fifth methods, the door leaf portion has a door leaf portion rotation axis in a direction intersecting the width direction.

[0028] According to this method, the door leaf section has a rotation axis that runs along a direction intersecting the width direction. That is, the rotation axes of the door leaf section and the switching section are in different directions. When the rotation axes of the door leaf section and the switching section are in different directions, it is usually difficult to move the door leaf section and the switching section as a whole. However, as described above, according to this method, the linkage section can move along with the displacement of the door leaf section, and rotates around the rotation axis of the switching section by moving the linkage section. Therefore, it is possible to move the door leaf section and the switching section as a whole.

[0029] The medium conveying device involved in the seventh method is characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth methods, when the door section is in the closed state, the door section constitutes at least a part of the first conveying path and at least a part of the conveying path other than the first conveying path.

[0030] According to this method, when the door leaf is in the closed state, the door leaf constitutes at least a part of the first conveying path and at least a part of a conveying path other than the first conveying path. Therefore, the number of components constituting the conveying path can be reduced, enabling the device to be cost-effective and miniaturized.

[0031] The medium conveying device involved in the eighth method is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh methods, the first conveying path and the second conveying path are arranged at a position where at least a portion of the gravity direction overlaps.

[0032] According to this method, the first and second conveying paths are arranged at least partially overlapping in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the device can be miniaturized. However, when the first and second conveying paths are arranged at least partially overlapping in the direction of gravity, the area covered by the switching unit on the second conveying path typically becomes larger, making it difficult to easily remove media that are difficult to convey in the second conveying path. But, as described above, according to this method, when the door is in the open state, the switching unit can be moved to a third state where the second conveying path is open. Therefore, by opening the door and opening the second conveying path, it is easy to remove media that are difficult to convey in the second conveying path.

[0033] The recording apparatus according to the ninth method is characterized by comprising: a medium transport device of any one of the first to eighth methods; and a recording unit for recording the medium.

[0034] According to this method, a recording unit is provided for recording the medium. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove media that become poorly transported during the transport path due to the recording of the medium.

[0035] The recording apparatus according to the tenth method is characterized in that, in the ninth method, it includes a medium receiving section for receiving the medium, a first transport path for reversing the recorded medium recorded by the recording section and transporting it to the third transport path, a second transport path for supplying the medium received in the medium receiving section to the third transport path, and the third transport path includes a recording time transport path based on the recording position of the recording section.

[0036] According to this method, the media receiving unit includes a media receiving section, a first transport path that reverses the recorded media (which has been recorded by the recording unit) and transports it to a third transport path, a second transport path that supplies the media received in the media receiving section to the third transport path, and a third transport path that includes a recording transport path based on the recording position of the recording unit. Therefore, by opening the door section, the reverse path and the transport path are opened, making it easy to remove media that are experiencing transport problems from the reverse path and the transport path.

[0037] The recording device involved in the eleventh method is characterized in that, in the tenth method, the first transport path and the medium receiving part are arranged at a position where at least a portion of them overlap in the direction of gravity.

[0038] According to this method, the medium receiving section of the first conveying path is positioned at a location that overlaps at least partially in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the device can be miniaturized.

[0039] The present invention will now be described in detail. First, the inkjet printer 1, which serves as both a media transport device and a recording device according to the present invention, will be described. Hereinafter, the inkjet printer 1 will be simply referred to as printer 1. Furthermore, the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system. The Y-axis direction is the direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium P, i.e., the media width direction, and also the device depth direction. The +Y direction in the Y-axis direction is the direction from the front of the device toward the back of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the back of the device toward the front of the device.

[0040] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the device. From the operator's perspective of printer 1, the +X direction is the left and the -X direction is the right. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, i.e., the height direction of the device. The +Z direction is the upward direction and the -Z direction is the downward direction. Hereinafter, the direction of the conveyed medium P will be referred to as "downstream," and its opposite direction as "upstream." Furthermore, in each figure, the medium conveying path is shown as a dashed line. Medium P in printer 1 is conveyed through the medium conveying path shown by the dashed line.

[0041] Furthermore, the F-axis direction is the media conveying direction between the head unit 51 (described later) and the conveyor belt 13, i.e., in the recording area. The +F direction is downstream of the conveying direction, and the opposite -F direction is upstream of the conveying direction. Additionally, the V-axis direction is the moving direction of the head unit 50 (described later). The +V direction within the V-axis is the direction in which the head unit 50 moves away from the conveyor belt 13, and the -V direction is the direction in which the head unit 50 approaches the conveyor belt 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the +V direction is set as the media discharge direction. In this embodiment, the V-axis direction is also along the inclined direction of the discharge tray 8 (described later).

[0042] Printer 1 includes a housing portion 16 of the main body 2 and a door portion 17 that is rotatable relative to the housing portion 16 about the Z-axis. Furthermore, printer 1 is configured to include a first media cartridge 3 that houses media P at the lower part of the main body 2, and an extension unit 6 can be connected to the lower side of the main body 2. With the extension unit 6 connected, a second media cartridge 4 and a third media cartridge 5 are located below the first media cartridge 3. Media P dispensed from each media cartridge is transported within printer 1 along the media transport path shown by the dashed lines.

[0043] Each media cartridge is equipped with a pickup roller that feeds the stored media P in the -X direction. Pickup rollers 21, 22, and 23 are respectively provided in the first media cartridge 3, the second media cartridge 4, and the third media cartridge 5. Furthermore, each media cartridge is equipped with a pair of feed rollers that feed the media P fed in the -X direction in an upward oblique direction. Feed roller pairs 25, 26, and 27 are respectively provided in the first media cartridge 3, the second media cartridge 4, and the third media cartridge 5. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the "roller pair" below consists of a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in conjunction with the drive roller.

[0044] The medium P delivered from the third medium cartridge 5 is conveyed to the reverse roller 39 by the conveyor roller pair 29, 28. Furthermore, the medium P delivered from the second medium cartridge 4 is conveyed to the reverse roller 39 by the conveyor roller pair 28. The medium P is held by the reverse roller 39 and the driven roller 40 and conveyed to the conveyor roller pair 31. The medium P delivered from the first medium cartridge 3 is conveyed to the conveyor roller pair 31 without passing through the reverse roller 39. Additionally, the supply roller 19 and the separation roller 20, located near the reverse roller 39, are... Figure 4 The text is incomplete and contains numerous errors. A proper translation is not possible without the full context. Figure 1 The roller pair that delivers medium P from the supply tray 12 is omitted from the diagram.

[0045] The transport path of the medium P from the feed roller pair 25 to the transport roller pair 31 is curved in a downward convex shape. Additionally, the transport path of the medium P from the clamping position of the reverse roller 39 and the driven roller 40 to the transport roller pair 31 is also curved in a downward convex shape. Hereinafter, the transport path of the medium P from the feed roller pair 25 to the transport roller pair 31, and the transport path of the medium P from the clamping position of the reverse roller 39 and the driven roller 40 to the transport roller pair 31, will be referred to as the curved transport path R1.

[0046] A detection mechanism 70 for detecting the medium P and a switching unit 100 for switching the transport path of the medium P are provided in the curved transport path R1. The detection mechanism 70 detects the width of the medium P by detecting the presence or absence of the medium P being transported in the curved transport path R1 and by detecting the end of the medium P in the width direction. Details of the switching unit 100, which is a key component of the printer 1 in this embodiment, will be described later.

[0047] The medium P, which is subjected to conveying force from the conveyor roller pair 31, is conveyed between the line head 51 (which is an example of a recording unit) and the conveyor belt 13, that is, to the recording position opposite the line head 51. Furthermore, the medium conveying path from the conveyor roller pair 31 to the conveyor roller pair 32 will be referred to as the recording conveying path T1 below.

[0048] The line printhead 51 constitutes the printhead unit 50. The line printhead 51 performs recording by ejecting ink, such as a liquid, onto the surface of the medium P. The line printhead 51 is an ink printhead configured such that the nozzle ejecting ink covers the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is configured to record over the entire width of the medium without movement in the width direction. However, the ink printhead is not limited to this; it could also be a type that ejects ink while mounted on a carriage and moving in the width direction of the medium. Furthermore, as the recording unit, components other than ink printheads, such as thermal transfer recording units, can also be used.

[0049] Head unit 50 is configured to be able to move forward and backward relative to the recording transport path T1, and is configured to be able to move forward and backward. Figure 1 The solid line indicates the recording position, and Figure 1 The head unit 51 can be displaced between the most retracted positions of the conveyor belt 13, as indicated by the double-dotted line and the reference numeral 50-1. When the head unit 50 is in the retracted position, maintenance of the row head 51 is performed by a maintenance mechanism (not shown). In this embodiment, the displacement direction of the head unit 50 is along the inclined V-axis direction of the discharge tray 8. The head unit 50 is located upstream of the media discharge direction on the underside of the discharge tray 8 and displaces along the lower surface 8e of the discharge tray 8.

[0050] Printer 1 includes ink collection units 61, 62, 63, and 64, which serve as liquid collection units. Ink ejected from the line print head 51 is supplied to the line print head 51 from each ink collection unit via tubes (not shown). Each ink collection unit is designed to be removable. Additionally, printer 1 includes a waste liquid collection unit 11, which stores ink ejected from the line print head 51 towards a rinsing cap (not shown) for maintenance purposes.

[0051] The conveyor belt 13 is an annular belt hooked to pulleys 14 and 15, at least one of which is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The medium P is conveyed at a position opposite to the head 51 while being attracted to the surface of the conveyor belt 13. The attraction of the medium P to the conveyor belt 13 can be achieved using known attraction methods such as air suction or electrostatic attraction.

[0052] The recording path T1, positioned opposite the row head 51, is configured such that it conveys the medium P upwards at an angle relative to both the horizontal and vertical directions. This upward conveying direction is... Figure 1 The direction includes both -X and +Z components, and this configuration helps to suppress the horizontal dimension of the printer 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tilt angle of the transport path T1 relative to the horizontal direction during recording is set to a range of 65° to 85°, more specifically, to approximately 75°. However, it is not limited to this angle.

[0053] The medium P, recorded on the first side by the line head 51, is further conveyed upwards via the conveyor roller pair 32 located downstream of the conveyor belt 13. A baffle 41 is provided downstream of the conveyor roller pair 32, which switches the conveying direction of the medium P. In the case of direct discharge of the medium P, the conveying path of the medium P is switched by the baffle 41 in a manner toward the upward conveyor roller pair 35, and the medium P is discharged toward the discharge tray 8 via the conveyor roller pair 35.

[0054] In the case where recording is performed not only on the first surface of medium P, but also on the second surface opposite to the first surface, the conveying direction of medium P is towards the branch position K1 via the baffle 41. Thus, medium P passes through the branch position K1 and enters the return path T2. In this embodiment, the return path T2 is set as the upper medium conveying path from the branch position K1. A pair of conveying rollers 36 and 37 is provided in the return path T2. Medium P entering the return path T2 is conveyed upwards via the conveying rollers 36 and 37. Therefore, if the rear edge of medium P passes through the branch position K1, the rotation direction of the conveying rollers 36 and 37 is switched, thereby conveying medium P downwards. Furthermore, "upward direction" does not only mean the vertically upward direction, but also includes any vector component of the vertically upward direction; similarly, "downward direction" does not only mean the vertically downward direction, but also includes any vector component of the vertically downward direction.

[0055] A reversing path T3 is connected to the return path T2. In this embodiment, the reversing path T3 is set as a medium conveying path from the branch position K1 through the conveying roller pairs 33 and 34 and the reversing roller 39 to the confluence point P1. The medium P conveyed downward from the branch position K1 is conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 33 and 34 and reaches the reversing roller 39, where it is bent and reversed, and conveyed towards the conveying roller pair 31.

[0056] The second side of the medium P, which is opposite to the first side that has been recorded, is conveyed again by the conveyor roller pair 31 and then conveyed to the position opposite the line head 51. Thus, recording can be performed on the second side of the medium P based on the line head 51. Here, the medium conveying path from the first medium cartridge 3 to the switching unit 100 is called the supply path T0. Therefore, the switching unit 100 is provided at the confluence point P1 of the supply path T0 and the reversing path T3, so that the medium conveying path up to the conveyor roller pair 32, which is further downstream than the confluence point P1 of the supply path T0 and the reversing path T3, constitutes the recording supply path T1.

[0057] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 8The switching unit 100, a key component of the printer 1 in this embodiment, will be described in detail. The switching unit 100 functions to switch between the feed path T0 and the reverse path T3. Specifically, when feeding media P from the first media cartridge 3, as... Figure 2 As shown, the supply path T0 is opened and the reverse path T3 is closed. On the other hand, when recording is performed on the first side of medium P, and recording continues on the second side of medium P, when the added unit 6 is connected to the device body 2 and medium P is supplied from the second medium cartridge 4 or the third medium cartridge 5, etc., as... Figure 3 As shown, open the reverse path T3 and close the feed path T0.

[0058] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 8 As shown, when the Y-axis direction is set as the long side direction and the Z-axis direction is set as the short side direction, a switching unit rotation shaft 101 is formed on the -Z direction side, which is the short side direction, serving as a rotation axis extending along the Y-axis direction. The switching unit 100 can rotate about the switching unit rotation shaft 101. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In this configuration, the front end 102 of the switching unit 100, located on the +Z direction side (the other end in the shorter side direction), is positioned further towards the +X direction than the rotation axis 101 of the switching unit. Furthermore, the recess 111 has a relatively large gap relative to the protrusion 103. Therefore, the switching unit 100, by its own weight, [transfers / moves / adjusts / adjusts / etc.]. Figure 3 The second state shown is the basic posture. However, when medium P is supplied from the first medium cartridge 3, the front end of the supplied medium P in the supply direction contacts the switching unit 100, pressing the surface 105 of the switching unit 100 towards the -X direction side, thereby changing the switching unit 100 into a different position. Figure 2 The first state is shown.

[0059] Switching unit 100 Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, it is located at the confluence point P1 of the supply path T0 and the reversing path T3. Therefore, the rotation range of the switching unit 100 is from the position where the front end 102 contacts the +X direction side of the supply path T0 to the position where the front end 102 contacts the -X direction side of the reversing path T3. Furthermore, when closing one of the supply path T0 and the reversing path T3, it is not necessary to contact the path surface as long as the passage of the medium P is restricted. Here, when the interval between the surface facing the first side of the medium P and the surface facing the second side of the medium P in the supply path is defined as the supply path height, the supply path height at the confluence point P1 is approximately one amount of the supply path height of the supply path T0 and the reversing path T3. That is, it can be expressed that the rotation range of the switching unit 100 is approximately equivalent to one amount of the supply path height. However, Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The door section 17 is closed relative to the housing section 16, so the rotation range of the switching section 100 is approximately the range of the conveying path height, which is equivalent to a certain amount of the conveying path, in the closed state.

[0060] Here, Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The printer 1 of this embodiment is shown in a closed state, with the door 17 closed relative to the housing portion 16. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, it can be set to an open state where the door leaf section 17 is opened relative to the housing section 16. Furthermore, when the printer 1 of this embodiment is set to the open state where the door leaf section 17 is opened relative to the housing section 16, the switching unit 100 becomes... Figure 5 The third state is shown. Figure 4 This shows how the switching unit 100 of the second state behaves when it is set to the open state. In the printer 1 of this embodiment, it does not actually become such a state.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, when the printer 1 is in the open state with the door 17 open relative to the housing 16, the switching unit 100 changes from the second state to the third state. Specifically, compared Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 It can be seen that the switching unit 100 rotates in a manner that opens the supply path T0. Therefore, as follows, refer to Figures 6 to 8 This explains the configuration of the switching unit 100 changing from the second state to the third state when the door leaf section 17 changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0062] like Figure 8 As shown, the switching section 100 has a switching section rotation shaft 101 formed at both ends in the Y-axis direction (which is the long side) and in the -Z direction (which is the short side) of the Z-axis direction. Additionally, a protrusion 103 protruding in the -Y direction is formed near the switching section rotation shaft 101 in the -Y direction (which is the long side) of the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the -X direction side surface 104 of the switching unit 100 forms part of the reversing path T3, and the +Z direction side and +X direction side surface 105 of the switching unit 100 forms part of the feeding path T0. The protrusion 103 is an example of a linkage unit.

[0063] like Figure 7 As shown, printer 1 is provided with a spring 120 and a sliding block 110 that applies force in the -X direction by the spring 120. The sliding block 110 is disposed such that its end 112 on the -X direction side abuts against the door leaf 17 in the closed state. Figure 6The position shown is such that, in the open state when the door leaf 17 is open, as Figure 7 The structure shown protrudes towards the -X direction. For example... Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, a recess 111 is formed in the sliding block 110 for the protrusion 103 of the switching part 100 to engage with it. The switching part 100 protrudes laterally in the -X direction along with the sliding block 110. Figure 6 The state shown is shifted to Figure 7 The state shown is as follows. Furthermore, the protrusion 103 is provided on the free end side of the switching unit 100 relative to the rotation axis 101 of the switching unit, thereby enabling the displacement of the sliding block 110 to be linked with the displacement of the switching unit 100. Here, it is preferable to provide the protrusion 103 at a position closer to the rotation axis 101 of the switching unit than half the length of the switching unit 100. This is because the closer it is to the rotation axis 101 of the switching unit, the shorter the displacement distance of the sliding block 110 can be. Figure 6 The state shown corresponds to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The state shown corresponds to the second state. On the other hand, Figure 7 The state shown corresponds to Figure 5 The state shown corresponds to the third state. Furthermore, as the door leaf portion 17 moves from the open state to the closed state, the sliding block 110 is pressed through the door leaf portion 17, with its end 112 pressed towards the +X direction. The switching unit 100 rotates about the switching unit rotation axis 101, moving from... Figure 7 The third state shown Figure 6 The second state displacement is shown.

[0064] To summarize, the printer 1 of this embodiment has a media transport path, which includes a reversing path T3 as an example of a first transport path, a feeding path T0 as an example of a second transport path, and a recording transport path T1 as an example of a third transport path formed by the confluence of the reversing path T3 and the feeding path T0 at a confluence point P1. Additionally, it includes a door panel 17, which is movable to... Figures 1 to 3 The closed state that constitutes part of the reverse path T3 is shown. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The open state of a portion of the open reversal path T3 is shown. Additionally, a conveyor path switching unit 100 is provided, which can be displaced to a position when the door leaf section 17 is in the closed state. Figure 2 The first state shown is when the reverse path T3 is closed and the feed path T0 is opened. Figure 3 The second state, shown, is characterized by closing the supply path T0 and opening the reverse path T3, and is set at the merging point P1. Then, as... Figure 5As shown, when the door leaf section 17 is in the open state, the switching unit 100 can be displaced to a third state in which at least a portion of the open supply path T0 is opened.

[0065] As in the printer 1 of this embodiment, a door section 17 is provided that can be displaced to a closed state constituting at least a portion of the first transport path and to an open state that opens at least a portion of the first transport path. By opening the door section 17, the first transport path can be opened, making it easy to remove media P that is not being transported properly within the first transport path. In this embodiment, the door section 17 constitutes part of the reversing path T3 in the closed state, but it may also constitute the entire reversing path T3 in the closed state. Furthermore, the confluence point of the first transport path and the second transport path where the switching section 100 is provided is the confluence point P1 of the reversing path T3 and the feed path T0, but this configuration is not limited to this. The first transport path may not be the reversing path T3, and the second transport path may not be the feed path T0. The confluence point of the first transport path and the second transport path may not be the confluence point of the reversing path T3 and the feed path T0. For example, the feed path from the paper tray 4 or 5 (the media transport path that transports media from the paper tray 4 or 5 to the confluence point P1 via the reversing roller 39 and the driven roller 40) may also be considered the first transport path. Alternatively, it could be a branch point instead of a merging point. Furthermore, the media transport path that merges at the merging point P1 is the first transport path, so the manual insertion path and the supply path from the paper feed box 4 or 5 can also be considered as the first transport path.

[0066] In conventional printers, it is difficult to remove media P that is experiencing poor delivery within the feed path T0. However, as described above, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, when the door section 17 is in the open state, the switching unit 100 can be moved to a third state where the feed path T0 is open. Therefore, by opening the door section 17 and thus opening the feed path T0, the printer 1 of this embodiment can easily remove media P that is experiencing poor delivery within the feed path T0.

[0067] Furthermore, the switching unit 100 is configured to be able to move to a first state where the reverse path T3 is closed and the supply path T0 is open, and a second state where the supply path T0 is closed and the reverse path T3 is open, when the door section 17 is in the closed state. That is, the displacement range of the switching unit 100 when the door section 17 is in the closed state can be reduced, thereby achieving device miniaturization. This is because, as described above, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment, the displacement range of the switching unit 100 can be set to a range of one of the reverse path T3 and the supply path T0. In other words, the height of the converging conveying path can be set to a range of one of the reverse path T3 and the supply path T0. Furthermore, in existing general devices, components such as baffles formed at the confluence point P1 of the reversing path T3 and the supply path T0 are typically configured to guide the medium P under the reversing path T3 and the supply path T0 in a fixed state, rather than being displaced according to the supply state of the medium P. Therefore, the height of the conveying path after the confluence is often within the range of the sum of the heights of the reversing path T3 and the supply path T0.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The direction of the door leaf rotation axis 170 shown is the vertical direction corresponding to the Z-axis, and the direction of the switching unit rotation axis 101 is the horizontal direction corresponding to the X-axis. However, this configuration is not limited. The directions of the door leaf rotation axis 170 and the switching unit rotation axis 101 are not particularly limited, and they can also be the same direction.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the timing for the start of the transition from the closed state to the open state of the door leaf 17 is the same as the timing for the start of the displacement of the switching unit 100 to the third state. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, if the switching unit 100 is displaced to the third state shortly after the door leaf 17 has transitioned from the closed state to the open state, the timing for the start and end of the transition from the closed state to the open state of the door leaf 17 may differ from the timing for the start and end of the displacement of the switching unit 100 to the third state. Alternatively, the displacement of the door leaf 17 from the closed state to the open state may be carried out by the weight of the switching unit 100 itself.

[0070] Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment is a media transport device having the features described above, and it is also a recording device having both a media transport device having the features described above and a line head 51 as a recording section for recording on the medium P. Therefore, the printer 1 of this embodiment can easily remove media P that has become poorly transported along the transport path during recording on the medium P.

[0071] In addition, such as Figure 8As shown, the switching unit 100 has a protrusion 103 and a switching unit rotation shaft 101 in the Y-axis direction, which corresponds to the width direction of the conveying path that intersects the conveying direction of the medium P. Additionally, as... Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the door leaf portion 17 moves along the X-axis direction with the displacement of the door leaf portion 17 in both the closed and open states. The switching portion 100 rotates about the switching portion rotation axis 101 based on the movement of the protrusion 103, which moves with the displacement of the door leaf portion 17. By configuring the printer 1 of this embodiment such that the protrusion 103 moves with the opening and closing of the door leaf portion 17, thereby enabling the switching portion 100 to rotate, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0072] Furthermore, the printer 1 in this embodiment is configured such that the sliding block 110, which engages with the protrusion 103, moves linearly along the X-axis direction as the door panel 17 opens and closes, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be configured such that the door panel 17 moves directly to the protrusion 103 without passing through other components as the door panel 17 opens and closes. Alternatively, instead of the linearly moving sliding block 110, it may be configured to have a component that rotates the protrusion 103 as the door panel 17 opens and closes.

[0073] Alternatively, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a sliding block 110, which is a movable engaging portion when engaged with the protrusion 103. Furthermore, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a spring 120, which applies force to the sliding block 110 in a direction that moves the switching portion 100 to a third state when the door 17 is in the closed state. Therefore, the printer 1 of this embodiment can move the switching portion 100 to the third state with only a simple configuration of the applying force portion, accompanying the displacement from the closed state to the open state of the door 17.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, the engaging part is the sliding block 110, which can move linearly when engaged with the protrusion 103, thereby reducing the movement area of ​​the engaging part. Thus, by configuring it in this way, the enlargement of the device can be suppressed.

[0075] Furthermore, as described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment... Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In this configuration, the front end 102 of the switching unit 100, located on the +Z direction side (the other end in the shorter side), is positioned further in the +X direction than the rotation axis 101 of the switching unit. Therefore, the switching unit 100, by its own weight, [transfers / adjust ... Figure 3The second state shown is set as the basic posture. If other postures are set, the printer 1 in this embodiment is configured such that when the direction in which the switching part 100 is moved from the first state to the second state is set as the first direction, when the door part 17 is in the closed state, the switching part 100 is subjected to a force generated by its own weight, so that it rotates toward the first direction side with the switching part rotation axis 101 as a reference.

[0076] When the door section 17 is in the closed state, and the switching unit 100 is configured to apply a force based on its own weight by rotating in the first direction relative to the switching unit rotation axis 101, the supply path T0 is difficult to open when the door section 17 is in the open state. However, with the configuration described above, the switching unit 100 can be moved to a third state where the supply path T0 is open, in conjunction with the displacement of the door section when the door section 17 is in the open state. Therefore, by opening the door section 17, the supply path T0 can be opened, and the medium P that is not being properly conveyed within the supply path T0 can be easily removed.

[0077] Furthermore, as described above, the door panel 17 of the printer 1 in this embodiment has a door panel rotation axis 170 along the Z-axis direction, which intersects the width direction. That is, the door panel rotation axis 170 and the switching section rotation axis 101 have different directions. When the door panel rotation axis 170 and the switching section rotation axis 101 have different directions, it is generally difficult to move the door panel 17 and the switching section 100 as a single unit. In a configuration where the door panel rotation axis 170 and the switching section rotation axis 101 have the same direction, when the door panel 17 is closed, the door panel 17 can abut at the same timing throughout the width direction of the switching section 100. In contrast, in a configuration where the door panel rotation axis 170 and the switching section rotation axis 101 have different directions, the side of the switching section 100 contacts the door panel 17. However, as described above, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the protrusion 103 can move along with the displacement of the door leaf portion 17, and the switching portion 100 can rotate with reference to the switching portion rotation axis 101 due to the movement of the protrusion 103, so that the door leaf portion 17 and the switching portion 100 can be moved together.

[0078] Furthermore, as described above, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, when the door panel 17 is in the closed state, the door panel 17 constitutes at least a portion of the reversing path T3. Alternatively, the door panel 17 may constitute at least a portion of the reversing path T3 and at least a portion of the transport path other than the reversing path T3. Specifically, in this embodiment, the door panel 17 constitutes a portion of the reversing path T3 and a portion of the return path T2 and the manual insertion path. By adopting such a configuration, the components of the transport path can be reduced, enabling cost reduction and miniaturization of the device. However, the transport path other than the reversing path T3 is not limited to the return path T2 and the manual insertion path.

[0079] In addition, such as Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the reversing path T3 and the feed path T0 are positioned where at least a portion overlaps in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the direction of gravity. Therefore, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the device can be miniaturized. However, when the reversing path T3 and the feed path T0 are positioned where at least a portion overlaps in the direction of gravity, the area covered by the switching unit 100 on the feed path T0 normally becomes larger, making it difficult to easily remove the medium P that is poorly conveyed within the feed path T0. However, as described above, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the switching unit 100 can be moved to a third state where the feed path T0 is open when the door section 17 is in the open state. Therefore, by opening the door section 17, the feed path T0 can be opened, making it easier to remove the medium P that is poorly conveyed within the feed path T0. Furthermore, "at least a portion overlaps in the direction of gravity" means, in other words, at least a portion overlaps when viewed from the horizontal direction. For example, in... Figure 2 In the middle, at least a portion of the range S1 overlaps.

[0080] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a first media cartridge 3 as a media storage section for storing media P. The first transport path is a reversal path T3 that reverses the recorded media being recorded by the line head 51 and transports it via the recording transport path T1. The second transport path is a supply path T0 that supplies the media P stored in the first media cartridge 3 to the recording transport path T1. The third transport path is the recording transport path T1 based on the line head 51, including the recording position. Therefore, by opening the door section 17, the printer 1 of this embodiment can open the reversal path T3 and the supply path T0, making it easy to remove media P that has become poorly transported within the reversal path T3 and the supply path T0.

[0081] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the reversing path T3 and the first media cartridge 3 are arranged at a position where at least a portion of them overlap in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the printer 1 of this embodiment enables the miniaturization of the device.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Obviously, various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, as long as it has a transport path with a merging point P1 as described above and a door section 17, it is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to media transport devices in scanners, intermediate units provided between various devices, trimmers, etc.

Claims

1. A medium conveying device, characterized in that, The medium conveying device includes: The conveying path and the conveying medium have a first conveying path, a second conveying path and a third conveying path, wherein the third conveying path is formed by the confluence of the first conveying path and the second conveying path at a confluence point; The door panel is movable to a closed state and an open state, wherein the closed state is a state in which the door panel constitutes at least a portion of the first conveying path, and the open state is a state in which at least a portion of the first conveying path is open; and A switching unit is disposed at the merging point and is movable to a first state and a second state when the door is in the closed state. The first state is the state in which the second conveying path is open, and the second state is the state in which the first conveying path is open. In conjunction with the displacement of the door section towards the open state, the switching section is displaced from the second state to the third state, which is a state in which at least a portion of the second conveying path is open.

2. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching unit includes: a linkage unit capable of moving in conjunction with the displacement of the door leaf; and a rotating shaft for the switching unit along the width direction of the conveying path that intersects the conveying direction of the medium. The linkage part can move along with the displacement of the door leaf in the closed state and the open state. The switching unit rotates around the rotation axis of the switching unit and moves to the third state by moving the linkage unit along with the displacement of the door leaf part.

3. The medium conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The medium conveying device includes: The engaging part, when engaged with the linkage part, is capable of displacement; and The force-applying part applies force to the engaging part in a manner that applies force in the direction that the switching part is displaced to the third state when the door leaf part is in the closed state.

4. The medium conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The engaging part can move in a straight line when engaged with the linkage part.

5. The medium conveying device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The medium conveying device is configured such that, when the direction in which the switching part is displaced from the first state to the second state is set as the first direction, when the door leaf part is in the closed state, a force based on its own weight is applied so that the switching part rotates toward the first direction side with the switching part rotation axis as a reference.

6. The medium conveying device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The door leaf section has a door leaf section rotation axis in a direction intersecting the width direction.

7. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the door section is in the closed state, the door section constitutes at least a part of the first conveying path and at least a part of the conveying path other than the first conveying path.

8. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first conveying path and the second conveying path are configured to overlap at least partially in the direction of gravity.

9. A recording device, characterized in that, The recording device includes: The medium conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and A recording unit that records the medium.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The recording device includes a media storage section for storing the media. The first transport path is a reversal path that reverses the recorded medium, which has been recorded by the recording unit, and transports it to the third transport path. The second conveying path is a conveying path that supplies the medium housed in the medium receiving section to the third conveying path. The third transport path is a recording transport path that includes the recording position of the recording unit.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first conveying path and the medium receiving part are arranged at a position where at least a portion of them overlap in the direction of gravity.

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