Recording device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a recording apparatus. When a post-processing apparatus is loaded, sometimes not only the stiffness imparting conditions are changed but also other operations are required. However, in a configuration where multiple operations are performed separately, a large amount of operation time is required. The recording apparatus includes: a recording unit that performs recording on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording apparatus, an optional device is loaded onto the apparatus main body, and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; a bending unit that bends the discharged medium; and a detection unit that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit and is located at a position where it interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded. The detection unit is integrally formed with the bending unit, and the detection unit and the bending unit are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that records on a medium. Background Art

[0002] In a recording apparatus typified by a printer, post-processing is sometimes performed on a recorded medium. In the post-processing, for example, a binding process using binding pins can be cited. In addition, a post-processing apparatus that performs such post-processing is sometimes retrospectively loaded as an optional apparatus onto the recording apparatus.

[0003] Although the post-processing apparatus is loaded onto a discharge unit that discharges the recorded medium in the recording apparatus, sometimes when the post-processing apparatus is loaded, there is a need to change the configuration on the recording apparatus side. For example, Patent Document 1 describes replacing a paper discharge roller in order to switch the stiffness imparting conditions when imparting stiffness to the medium before and after loading the post-processing apparatus.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-1879

[0005] When loading the post-processing apparatus, sometimes not only the stiffness imparting conditions are changed but also other operations are required. In particular, it is necessary to remove a component provided in the loading area of the post-processing apparatus.

[0006] However, in a configuration in which multiple operations are performed separately, a large amount of operation time is required. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A recording apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharge unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharge unit. In the recording apparatus, an optional apparatus is loaded onto the apparatus main body and the medium can be fed from the discharge unit to the optional apparatus. The discharge unit includes: a discharge roller that discharges the medium; a bending unit that bends the discharged medium; and a detection unit that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit and is located at a position that interferes with the optional apparatus when the optional apparatus is loaded. The detection unit is integrally formed with the bending unit, and the detection unit and the bending unit are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body.

[0008] In addition, a recording apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording apparatus, an optional device is loaded onto the apparatus main body, and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; and a bending unit that bends the discharged medium. At least a part of the medium receiving unit is a detachable part that can be detached and attached relative to the apparatus main body. The detachable part is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and the detachable part is integrally formed with the bending unit. The detachable part and the bending unit are integrated and can be detached and attached relative to the apparatus main body.

[0009] In addition, a recording apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording apparatus, an optional device is loaded onto the apparatus main body, and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; a bending unit that bends the discharged medium; and a detection unit that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit, is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and can be detached and attached relative to the apparatus main body. The bending unit can be switched between a first state in which the medium is bent and a second state in which the bending unit is separated from the medium starting from the first state. The detection unit is provided to engage with the bending unit. When the detection unit is removed, the bending unit is switched from the first state to the second state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a medium conveyance path of a printer in a state where a post-processing device is not loaded.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a medium conveyance path of a printer in a state where a post-processing device is loaded.

[0012] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the whole of a paper discharge unit.

[0013] Figure 4 It is a partial side cross-sectional view of the paper discharge unit.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a partial front view of the paper discharge unit.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a partial perspective view of the paper discharge unit.

[0016] Figure 7 A perspective view of a rear end restricting member as an example of a disassembling and assembling portion.

[0017] Figure 8 A perspective view of a rear end restricting member as an example of a disassembling and assembling portion.

[0018] Figure 9 A top view of a paper discharging portion schematically shown.

[0019] Figure 10 A partial side cross-sectional view of a paper discharging portion according to other embodiments.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals

[0021] 1... Inkjet printer, 2... Device main body, 2a... Front surface, 2b... Back surface, 2c... Bottom surface, 3... First medium cassette, 4... Second medium cassette, 5... Ink accommodating portion, 6... Conveying unit, 7... Conveyor belt, 8a, 8b... Pulley, 9, 10... Sheet feeding rollers, 11, 12... Feeding roller pair, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21... Conveying roller pair, 23... Baffle, 25... Head unit, 26... Line head, 30... Discharging portion, 31... Discharging roller pair, 32... Discharging driving roller, 33... Discharging driven roller, 34... Protective sheet, 35, 35A... First bent portion, 36... First holding member, 36a... Rotation shaft, 37... Driven roller, 40... Second bent portion, 41... Second holding member, 42... Driven roller, 45... Medium receiving portion, 46... Tray, 47, 47A... Rear end restricting member, 47a... Restricting wall, 47b... First side wall, 47c... Second side wall, 47d, 47e, 47f, 47g... Hole portion, 48... Displacement member, 50... First detection portion, 51... First light emitting portion, 52... First light receiving portion, 55... Second detection portion, 56... Second light emitting portion, 57... Second light receiving portion, 100... Post-processing device, 101... Guide roller pair, 102... Post-processing tray, P... Medium. Detailed embodiments

[0022] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described.

[0023] The recording apparatus according to the first aspect includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording apparatus, an optional device is loaded onto the apparatus main body and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; a bending unit that bends the discharged medium; and a detecting unit that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit and is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded. The detecting unit is integrally formed with the bending unit, and the detecting unit and the bending unit are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body.

[0024] The bending of the medium by the bending unit is likely to cause poor conveyance in the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and it is necessary to make the bending unit non-functional when the optional device is loaded. In addition, since the detecting unit is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, it is necessary to remove the detecting unit when the optional device is loaded.

[0025] In such a configuration, since the detecting unit is integrally formed with the bending unit, removing one of them also removes the other. Compared with a configuration in which the detecting unit and the bending unit are separately removed, the operation time required for loading the optional device can be shortened.

[0026] In addition, the relative positional relationship between the detecting unit and the bending unit in the stacking direction of the medium in the medium receiving unit becomes important. For example, when using the detection information of the detecting unit to avoid the discharged medium from colliding with the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit, if the positions of the detecting unit and the bending unit in the stacking direction of the medium are closer than expected, the discharged medium is likely to collide with the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit.

[0027] However, since the detecting unit is integrally formed with the bending unit and the detecting unit and the bending unit are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body, the relative positional relationship between the detecting unit and the bending unit is maintained, and the occurrence of the above problems can be suppressed.

[0028] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, at least a part of the medium receiving unit is a detachable and attachable part that can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body, and the detecting unit and the bending unit are integrally formed via the detachable and attachable part.

[0029] According to this mode, the detection unit and the bending unit are integrally formed via the detachable part that constitutes the medium receiving unit. Therefore, there is no longer a need for a dedicated component for integrally forming the detection unit and the bending unit, and an increase in the cost of the device can be suppressed.

[0030] The third mode is characterized in that, in the second mode, the detachable part is located at a position that interferes with the option device when the option device is loaded.

[0031] According to this mode, since the detachable part is located at a position that interferes with the option device when the option device is loaded, when loading the option device, in addition to removing the detection unit and the bending unit, it is also necessary to remove the detachable part. However, since the detection unit, the bending unit, and the detachable part are integrally formed, there is no need to separately remove each of the detection unit, the bending unit, and the detachable part, and the operation time required for loading the option device can be shortened.

[0032] The fourth mode is characterized in that, in the third mode, the detachable part abuts against the rear end of the medium stacked in the medium receiving unit to define the position of the rear end.

[0033] According to this mode, in the configuration where the detachable part abuts against the rear end of the medium stacked in the medium receiving unit to define the position of the rear end, the effects of the above-described third mode can be obtained.

[0034] The fifth mode is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth modes, the detection unit includes: a light emitting unit that generates detection light toward the width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium; and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed at positions facing each other across the medium stacked in the medium receiving unit in the width direction.

[0035] According to this mode, in the configuration where the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed at positions facing each other across the medium stacked in the medium receiving unit in the width direction, it is a configuration that requires a space for setting the detection unit on both sides of the medium receiving unit in the width direction, and the device is prone to being large-sized.

[0036] However, since the detection unit, that is, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, are located at positions that interfere with the option device when the option device is loaded, there is no need to design the option device in a way that avoids the detection unit, and a further increase in the size of the device associated with loading the option device can be suppressed.

[0037] The sixth mode is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth modes, when the bending part integrally formed with the detection part is set as a first bending part that contacts the first surface of the medium, the discharging part has a second bending part that contacts the second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium and bends the medium together with the first bending part. The first bending part among the first bending part and the second bending part is integrally formed with the detection part, and the first bending part is located downstream of the second bending part in the discharging direction of the medium.

[0038] Since the first bending part is located downstream of the second bending part in the discharging direction of the medium, the first bending part has a greater influence on the discharging position of the medium in the medium stacking direction of the medium receiving part than the second bending part.

[0039] In such a configuration, since the first bending part is integrally formed with the detection part, and the detection part and the first bending part are integrated and can be disassembled and assembled relative to the device main body, the relative positional relationship between the detection part and the first bending part can be maintained. Thereby, the occurrence of the above problem, that is, the problem accompanied by the deviation of the relative positional relationship between the detection part and the first bending part, can be suppressed.

[0040] The recording device according to the seventh mode includes: a recording part that performs recording on a medium; a discharging part that discharges the medium that has been recorded by the recording part; and a medium receiving part that receives the medium discharged by the discharging part. In the recording device, an optional device is loaded on the device main body and the medium can be fed from the discharging part to the optional device. The discharging part includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; and a bending part that bends the discharged medium. At least a part of the medium receiving part is a disassembling and assembling part that can be disassembled and assembled relative to the device main body. The disassembling and assembling part is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and the disassembling and assembling part is integrally formed with the bending part and can be disassembled and assembled relative to the device main body.

[0041] The bending of the medium by the bending part is likely to cause poor conveyance in the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and it is necessary to make the bending part not function when the optional device is loaded. In addition, at least a part of the medium receiving part is a disassembling and assembling part that can be disassembled and assembled relative to the device main body. Since this disassembling and assembling part is located at a position that interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, it is necessary to remove the disassembling and assembling part when the optional device is loaded.

[0042] In such a configuration, since the detachable portion and the bent portion are integrally formed, removing one of them also removes the other. Compared with a configuration in which the detachable portion and the bent portion are separately removed, the operation time required for loading the optional device can be shortened.

[0043] The recording device according to the eighth aspect includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording device, an optional device is loaded onto the device main body, and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; a bent portion that bends the discharged medium; and a detection unit that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit, is located at a position interfering with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and can be detached from and attached to the device main body. The bent portion can be switched between a first state in which the medium is bent and a second state in which the bent portion is separated from the medium. The detection unit is provided to engage with the bent portion, and when the detection unit is removed, the bent portion is switched from the first state to the second state.

[0044] Bending of the medium by the bent portion easily causes poor conveyance in the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and it is necessary to disable the bent portion when the optional device is loaded. In addition, since the detection unit is located at a position interfering with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, it is necessary to remove the detection unit when the optional device is loaded.

[0045] In such a configuration, the detection unit is provided to engage with the bent portion, and when the detection unit is removed, since the bent portion is switched from the first state to the second state, the operation time required for loading the optional device can be shortened compared with a configuration in which the removal of the detection unit and the state switching of the bent portion are separately performed.

[0046] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described.

[0047] Hereinafter, an inkjet printer 1 that ejects a liquid such as ink onto a medium such as recording paper for recording will be described as an example of the recording device. Hereinafter, the inkjet printer 1 is simply referred to as the printer 1.

[0048] The X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system. The Y-axis direction is the width direction that intersects with the conveyance direction of the medium, and is also the depth direction of the apparatus. The +Y direction, which is the direction in which the arrow in the Y-axis direction points, is the direction from the back surface of the apparatus toward the front surface of the apparatus, and the -Y direction, which is opposite to the +Y direction, is the direction from the front surface of the apparatus toward the back surface of the apparatus.

[0049] In addition, the X-axis direction is the width direction of the apparatus. When viewed from the operator of the printer 1, the +X direction, which is the direction in which the arrow points, is the left side, and the -X direction, which is opposite thereto, is the right side. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, i.e., the height direction of the apparatus. The +Z direction, which is the direction in which the arrow points, is upward, and the -Z direction, which is opposite thereto, is downward. Hereinafter, when the term "upper" is used, it means the +Z direction, and when the term "lower" is used, it means the -Z direction.

[0050] In addition, the G-axis direction is the normal direction of the line head 26 described later with respect to the ink ejection surface. The +G direction, which is the direction in which the arrow points, is the direction in which the head unit 25 described later separates from the conveyor belt 7, and the -G direction, which is opposite thereto, is the direction in which the head unit 25 approaches the conveyor belt 7.

[0051] In addition, the F-axis direction is the medium conveyance direction at the position facing the line head 26 in the direction parallel to the line head 26 and the ink ejection surface. The +F direction, which is the direction in which the arrow points, becomes the downstream of the conveyance direction, and the -F direction, which is opposite thereto, becomes the upstream of the conveyance direction. It should be noted that hereinafter, the direction in which the medium is conveyed will be referred to as "downstream", and sometimes the opposite direction will be referred to as "upstream".

[0052] In Figure 1 the medium conveyance path is shown by a dotted line. In the printer 1, the medium is conveyed through the medium conveyance path shown by the dotted line.

[0053] The apparatus main body 2 of the printer 1 includes a first medium cassette 3 and a second medium cassette 4 that accommodate the medium before feeding. The reference sign P indicates the medium accommodated in each medium cassette. The first medium cassette 3 and the second medium cassette 4 are configured to be detachable from the front side of the apparatus with respect to the apparatus main body 2.

[0054] A sheet feed roller 9 for feeding out the accommodated medium is provided for the first medium cassette 3, and a sheet feed roller 10 for feeding out the accommodated medium is provided for the second medium cassette 4.

[0055] In addition, a feed roller pair 11 for feeding the fed-out medium in an obliquely upward direction is provided for the first medium cassette 3. In addition, a feed roller pair 12 for feeding the fed-out medium in an obliquely upward direction and a conveyance roller pair 13 for conveying the medium upward are provided for the second medium cassette 4.

[0056] Note that, unless otherwise specified, the "roller pair" hereinafter refers to a component composed of a driving roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that contacts the driving roller and rotates in a driven manner.

[0057] The medium sent out from each medium cassette is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 14 and the conveying roller pair 15 to the conveying roller pair 16. The medium subjected to the conveying force from the conveying roller pair 16 is conveyed to a position between the line head 26 and the conveyor belt 7, that is, a position facing the line head 26.

[0058] The line head 26 is provided in the head unit 25 and performs recording by ejecting ink onto the surface of the medium. The line head 26 is an ink jet head configured such that nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink cover the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is an ink jet head configured to be able to perform recording over the entire width of the medium without accompanying movement in the width direction of the medium. The line head 26 is an example of a recording unit that performs recording on the medium.

[0059] Reference numeral 5 is an ink storage unit that stores ink. The ink ejected from the line head 26 is supplied from the ink storage unit 5 to the line head 26 via a pipe (not shown). The ink storage unit 5 is composed of a plurality of ink cartridges arranged along the X-axis direction.

[0060] The conveyor belt 7, the pulleys 8a, and 8b constitute the conveying unit 6. The conveyor belt 7 is an endless belt wound around the pulley 8a and the pulley 8b arranged along the medium conveying direction. The conveyor belt 7 is rotated by being driven by a motor (not shown) through at least one of the pulley 8a and the pulley 8b.

[0061] The medium is conveyed while being adsorbed by the belt surface of the conveyor belt 7 at a position facing the line head 26. The adsorption of the conveyor belt 7 to the medium can adopt a known adsorption method such as an air suction method or an electrostatic adsorption method.

[0062] Here, the medium conveying path passing through the position facing the line head 26 is configured to convey the medium in an obliquely upward direction while intersecting both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. This obliquely upward conveying direction is a direction including Figure 1 the -X direction component and the +Z direction component in, and with such a configuration, the horizontal dimension of the printer 1 can be suppressed.

[0063] Note that, in the present embodiment, the medium conveying path passing through the position facing the line head 26 is set to an inclination angle in the range of 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, is set to an inclination angle of 60°.

[0064] The medium recorded on the first surface by the line head 26 is further conveyed in an obliquely upward direction by the conveying roller pair 17 located downstream of the conveyor belt 7.

[0065] A baffle 23 is provided downstream of the conveying roller pair 17, and the conveying direction of the medium is switched by this baffle 23. In the case of directly discharging the medium, the conveying path of the medium is switched by the baffle 23 to the upward conveying roller pair 20. A discharging roller pair 31 is also provided downstream of the conveying roller pair 20, and the medium is discharged by this discharging roller pair 31 to the medium receiving portion 45 or discharged to the post-processing device 100 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0066] The discharging roller pair 31 constitutes a discharging portion 30. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the medium discharging direction is an obliquely upward direction including a +X direction component and a +Z direction component.

[0067] In the case of recording on the second surface in addition to the first surface of the medium, the conveying direction of the medium is switched by the baffle 23 to an obliquely upward direction including a -X direction component and a +Z direction component, passes through the branch position K1, and is conveyed from the branch position K1 to the upper turning path. A conveying roller pair 21 is provided on this turning path, and the medium entering the turning path is conveyed upward by the conveying roller pair 21. Then, when the rear end of the medium passes through the branch position K1, the rotation direction of the conveying roller pair 21 is switched, and thus, the medium is conveyed downward.

[0068] The medium conveyed downward by the conveying roller pair 21 receives the conveying force from the conveying roller pair 18, the conveying roller pair 19, and the conveying roller pair 15 and reaches the conveying roller pair 16, and is conveyed again to the position facing the line head 26 by the conveying roller pair 16.

[0069] The second surface of the medium conveyed again to the position facing the line head 26, which is on the side opposite to the already recorded first surface, faces the line head 26. Thus, the second surface of the medium can be recorded by the line head 26. The medium recorded on the second surface is discharged to the medium receiving portion 45 or discharged to the post-processing device 100 by the discharging roller pair 31 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0070] Next, the discharging portion 30 and the medium receiving portion 45 will be further described. In addition to the above-described discharging roller pair 31, the discharging portion 30 also includes a first bending portion 35 and a second bending portion 40 as Figures 4 to 6 shown.

[0071] The discharging roller pair 31 includes a discharging drive roller 32 that contacts the upper surface of the medium and a discharging driven roller 33 that contacts the lower surface of the medium. In Figure 5 , the reference numeral P indicates the discharged medium. In the present embodiment, the discharging drive roller 32 is a rubber roller, and the discharging driven roller 33 is a spur gear.

[0072] The discharging roller pair 31 is centered with respect to the center position CL in the medium width direction (refer to Figure 5)There are two of them respectively arranged on the left and right, and in addition, they are arranged at positions that are line-symmetric with respect to the central position CL.

[0073] The first bending portion 35 is provided with a first holding member 36. Two driven rollers 37 are arranged along the medium conveying direction on the first holding member 36. The driven rollers 37 are in contact with the lower surface of the discharged medium.

[0074] The first bending portion 35 is with respect to the central position CL in the medium width direction (refer to Figure 5 )There are two of them respectively arranged on the left and right, and in addition, they are arranged at positions that are line-symmetric with respect to the central position CL.

[0075] The second bending portion 40 is provided with a second holding member 41. Two driven rollers 42 are arranged along the medium conveying direction on the second holding member 41. The driven rollers 42 are in contact with the upper surface of the discharged medium.

[0076] The second bending portion 40 is with respect to the central position CL in the medium width direction (refer to Figure 5 )There is one of them respectively arranged on the left and right, and in addition, they are arranged at positions that are line-symmetric with respect to the central position CL.

[0077] As Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, the first bending portion 35 and the second bending portion 40 are arranged to overlap in the Z-axis direction, thereby bending the discharged medium in a wavy manner along the medium width direction as Figure 5 shown. Through this bending, the rigidity of the medium along the medium discharge direction is improved, and the curling of the medium on the medium receiving portion 45, that is, the curling along the medium discharge direction, is suppressed.

[0078] Next, as Figure 3 shown, the medium receiving portion 45 includes a tray 46, a rear end restricting member 47, and a displacement member 48. The tray 46 is arranged to extend obliquely upward toward the +X direction.

[0079] The rear end restricting member 47 includes a restricting wall 47a that forms a wall surface along the Y-Z plane. The restricting wall 47a is in contact with the rear end of the medium stacked on the tray 46 to restrict the rear end position.

[0080] The displacement member 48 is arranged at the central portion of the tray 46 in the medium width direction, and is arranged to be able to switch between a state of protruding from the tray 46 and a state of not protruding by a driving mechanism (not shown). In the state where the displacement member 48 protrudes from the tray 46, the stacked medium is bent upward convexly along the medium width direction. Thereby, the rigidity of the medium along the medium discharge direction is improved, and the curling of the medium along the medium discharge direction on the tray 46 is suppressed.

[0081] AsFigure 7 , Figure 8 As shown in Figure 8 , the rear end restricting member 47 has a first side wall 47b that forms a wall surface along the X-Z plane at the +Y direction end. Further, the rear end restricting member 47 has a second side wall 47c that forms a wall surface along the X-Z plane at the -Y direction end.

[0082] A hole portion 47e is formed in the first side wall 47b, and a hole portion 47g is formed below the hole portion 47e. At a position corresponding to the hole portion 47e, a first light receiving portion 52 that constitutes the first detection portion 50 is provided on the wall surface in the +Y direction. Further, at a position corresponding to the hole portion 47g, a second light receiving portion 57 that constitutes the second detection portion 55 is provided on the wall surface in the +Y direction.

[0083] A hole portion 47d is formed in the second side wall 47c, and a hole portion 47f is formed below the hole portion 47d. At a position corresponding to the hole portion 47d, a first light emitting portion 51 that constitutes the first detection portion 50 is provided on the wall surface in the -Y direction. Further, at a position corresponding to the hole portion 47f, a second light emitting portion 56 that constitutes the second detection portion 55 is provided on the wall surface in the -Y direction.

[0084] The first light emitting portion 51 and the first light receiving portion 52 that constitute the first detection portion 50 are arranged to face each other across the stacked medium in the Y-axis direction, and the detection light emitted from the first light emitting portion 51 is configured to reach the first light receiving portion 52 via the hole portions 47d and 47e.

[0085] Similarly, the second light emitting portion 56 and the second light receiving portion 57 that constitute the second detection portion 55 are arranged to face each other across the stacked medium in the Y-axis direction, and the detection light emitted from the second light emitting portion 56 is configured to reach the second light receiving portion 57 via the hole portions 47f and 47g.

[0086] With the above-described configuration, the control unit (not shown) of the printer 1 can detect that the stacking height of the medium on the tray 46 has reached a specified value based on the detection signal transmitted from the second detection portion 55, and further can detect that the stacking height of the medium on the tray 46 has reached the upper limit value based on the detection signal transmitted from the first detection portion 50.

[0087] It should be noted that the first detection unit 50 and the second detection unit 55 involved in this embodiment are examples of detection units for detecting the stacking height of the medium in the medium receiving unit 45. In other words, they are examples of detection units for detecting that the stacking height of the medium in the medium receiving unit 45 has reached a specified height. However, the detection unit for detecting the stacking height of the medium in the medium receiving unit 45 is not limited to this, and it can also be a component that can detect the stacking height of the medium with a finer resolution. Additionally, or conversely, it can be a component that omits the second detection unit 55 and only has the first detection unit 50, and can only detect that the stacking height of the medium has reached the upper limit value.

[0088] The above-mentioned first detection unit 50 and second detection unit 55 are provided in the rear end restricting member 47, but the first bending portion 35 among the above-mentioned first bending portion 35 and second bending portion 40 is also provided in the rear end restricting member 47. The second bending portion 40 is provided in the frame 30a (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0089] The tray 46 that constitutes the medium receiving unit 45 is formed separately from the rear end restricting member 47, and is respectively configured to be detachable from and attachable to the apparatus main body 2. The tray 46, the displacement member 48, and a drive mechanism (not shown) that displaces the displacement member 48 are integrally formed. After removing them from the Figure 1 state, when the rear end restricting member 47 is removed, the medium receiving unit 45 becomes a state where it has been removed from the apparatus main body 2. Then, as shown in Figure 2 , the post-processing apparatus 100, which is an example of an optional device, can be loaded into the space formed by removing the medium receiving unit 45 from the apparatus main body 2. Then, the medium can be fed from the discharge roller pair 31 to the post-processing apparatus 100.

[0090] It should be noted that the post-processing device 100, which is an example of an optional device in this embodiment, is configured to be loaded into the space formed by removing the medium receiving portion 45 from the device main body 2. However, the loading location of the optional device is not limited to this. For example, it may also be configured to be loaded or disposed on the upper surface portion or side surface portion of the printer 1 (device main body 2). For example, as a configuration in which the optional device is disposed on the side surface portion, it may also be configured as a recording device that provides an intermediate device having a bridging path for receiving the medium discharged from the device main body 2 and transporting it to the optional device. The intermediate device includes a discharge portion and a medium receiving portion, and the optional device is loaded into the space formed by removing the medium receiving portion of the intermediate device. As another example of the configuration, it may also be configured as follows: the optional device is loaded in the same manner as the configuration exemplified above for a recording system including three or more devices such as the printer 1, the intermediate device, and the optional device. The recording systems constituted by these exemplified devices are all recording devices of the present invention. By configuring the recording systems exemplified above, the processing function can be expanded in a manner that does not hinder the functions of the recording device such as the recording performed by the printer 1 and the processing performed by the optional device in parallel.

[0091] The post-processing device 100 includes an inlet roller pair 101, and the medium discharged from the discharge roller pair 31 is introduced into the post-processing device 100 by the inlet roller pair 101. Although the specific configuration inside the post-processing device 100 is omitted from the illustration and description, in this embodiment, the post-processing device 100 includes a processing tray (not shown) and a binding portion (not shown) that performs binding processing on the medium placed on the processing tray using binding pins. Then, the bound medium is discharged to the post-processing tray 102.

[0092] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the post-processing device 100 performs binding processing, which is an example of post-processing, on the medium. However, the post-processing is not limited to this. For example, it may also be configured to perform perforation processing on the medium, or may be configured to perform folding processing.

[0093] As Figure 9 shown, the arrangement regions of the rear end restricting member 47, the first bending portion 35, the first detection portion 50, and the second detection portion 55 overlap with the loading region of the post-processing device 100, resulting in a positional relationship in which the components such as the rear end restricting member 47, the first bending portion 35, the first detection portion 50, and the second detection portion 55 need to be removed in order to load the post-processing device 100.

[0094] It should be noted that hereinafter, the first detection portion 50 and the second detection portion 55 may sometimes be collectively referred to as "detection portions 50, 55".

[0095] Also, in the printer 1, a first bending portion 35 that bends the discharged medium and detection portions 50 and 55 in the detection portion for detecting the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving portion 45, which are located at positions that interfere with the post-processing device 100 when the post-processing device 100 is loaded, are integrally formed via a rear end restricting member 47. Further, the detection portions 50 and 55 are integrated with the first bending portion 35 and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body 2.

[0096] As a result, the following operational effects are obtained. Bending of the medium by the first bending portion 35 is likely to cause poor conveyance in the post-processing device 100 when the post-processing device 100 is loaded, and it is necessary to disable the first bending portion 35 when the post-processing device 100 is loaded. Further, since the detection portions 50 and 55 are located at positions that interfere with the post-processing device 100 when the post-processing device 100 is loaded, it is necessary to remove the detection portions 50 and 55 when the post-processing device 100 is loaded.

[0097] In such a configuration, since the detection portions 50 and 55 are integrally formed with the first bending portion 35, the operation time required for loading the post-processing device 100 can be shortened as compared with a configuration in which the detection portions 50 and 55 and the first bending portion 35 are separately removed.

[0098] In addition, the relative positional relationship between the first detection portion 50 in the medium stacking direction in the medium receiving portion 45 and the first bending portion 35 becomes important. For example, in a case where the detection information of the first detection portion 50 is used to prevent the discharged medium from colliding with the medium stacked on the medium receiving portion 45, when the positions of the first detection portion 50 and the first bending portion 35 in the medium stacking direction are closer than expected, the discharged medium is likely to collide with the medium stacked on the medium receiving portion 45.

[0099] However, since the first detection portion 50 and the first bending portion 35 are integrally formed and the first detection portion 50 and the first bending portion 35 are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the apparatus main body 2, the relative positional relationship between the first detection portion 50 and the first bending portion 35 is maintained, and the occurrence of the above problem can be suppressed.

[0100] It should be noted that in this embodiment, a first connector (not shown) provided on a cable (not shown) extending from the slave detection units 50 and 55 is engaged with a second connector (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 2. Therefore, when the rear end restricting member 47, the detection units 50 and 55, and the first bent portion 35 are integrally removed from the apparatus main body 2, the user removes the first connector from the second connector. However, it may be configured such that when the rear end restricting member 47, the detection units 50 and 55, and the first bent portion 35 are removed from the apparatus main body 2, the first connector is disengaged from the second connector regardless of the user's operation. In this case, it may also be configured such that when the rear end restricting member 47, the detection units 50 and 55, and the first bent portion 35 are loaded onto the apparatus main body 2, the first connector is engaged with the second connector regardless of the user's operation.

[0101] In addition, in the printer 1, the rear end restricting member 47, which is at least a part of the medium receiving portion 45, is a detachable portion that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2, and the rear end restricting member 47 is located at a position where it interferes with the post-processing apparatus 100 when the post-processing apparatus 100 is loaded. Further, the rear end restricting member 47 and the first bent portion 35 are integrally formed, and the rear end restricting member 47 and the first bent portion 35 are integrated and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 2.

[0102] Therefore, by removing the rear end restricting member 47, the first bent portion 35 is also removed, and compared with a configuration in which the rear end restricting member 47 and the first bent portion 35 are separately removed, the operation time required for loading the post-processing apparatus 100 can be shortened.

[0103] In addition, in this embodiment, the detection units 50 and 55 and the first bent portion 35 are integrally formed via the rear end restricting member 47, so that dedicated components for integrally forming the detection units 50 and 55 and the first bent portion 35 are no longer required, and an increase in the cost of the apparatus can be suppressed.

[0104] In addition, the first light emitting portion 51 and the first light receiving portion 52 constituting the first detection unit 50 are arranged to face each other with the stacked medium interposed therebetween in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction. Similarly, the second light emitting portion 56 and the second light receiving portion 57 constituting the second detection unit 55 are arranged to face each other with the stacked medium interposed therebetween in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction. Therefore, in a configuration where the first detection unit 50 and the second detection unit 55 are required to be provided on both sides of the medium receiving portion 45 in the medium width direction, the apparatus is likely to be enlarged.

[0105] However, since the first detection unit 50 and the second detection unit 55 are located at positions where they interfere with the post-treatment device 100 when the post-treatment device 100 is loaded, it is not necessary to design the post-treatment device 100 in a way that avoids the first detection unit 50 and the second detection unit 55, and it is possible to suppress a further increase in the size of the device associated with loading the post-treatment device 100.

[0106] In addition, the discharge unit 30 includes a first bending portion 35 and a second bending portion 40 that bends the medium together with the first bending portion 35. Among the first bending portion 35 and the second bending portion 40, the first bending portion 35 is integrally formed with the detection units 50 and 55, and the first bending portion 35 is located downstream of the second bending portion 40 in the discharge direction of the medium. Thus, the following effects can be obtained.

[0107] Since the first bending portion 35 is located downstream of the second bending portion 40 in the discharge direction of the medium, the first bending portion 35 has a greater influence on the discharge position in the stacking direction of the medium than the second bending portion 40.

[0108] In such a configuration, since the first bending portion 35 is integrally formed with the first detection unit 50, and the first detection unit 50 is integrated with the first bending portion 35 and can be detached from and attached to the device main body 2, the relative positional relationship between the first detection unit 50 and the first bending portion 35 can be maintained. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems associated with the deviation of the relative positional relationship between the first detection unit 50 and the first bending portion 35. An example of the problems associated with the deviation of the relative positional relationship between the first detection unit 50 and the first bending portion 35 is, for example, that the discharged medium is likely to collide with the already stacked medium because the positions of the first detection unit 50 and the first bending portion 35 in the stacking direction of the medium are closer than expected.

[0109] Next, Figure 10 the first bending portion 35A and the rear end restricting member 47A according to other embodiments will be described. It should be noted that in the embodiments described below, other configurations than those specifically described are the same as those of the above embodiments.

[0110] The first bending portion 35A is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 36a parallel to the Y-axis direction. As Figure 10 (A) of FIG. shows, in a state where the rear end restricting member 47A is loaded on the device main body 2, the first bending portion 35A is supported by the restricting wall 47a, and the first bending portion 35A is in a first state of bending the medium. It should be noted that the first bending portion 35A according to the present embodiment is not integrally provided with the rear end restricting member 47A.

[0111] When the rear end restricting member 47A is removed from this state, as Figure 10As shown in (B), the support of the first bent portion 35A by the rear end restricting member 47A is released, and the first bent portion 35A rotates downward to become a second state in which the medium is not bent. It should be noted that the downward rotation of the first bent portion 35A is stopped in the posture shown in (B) of Figure 10 by a restricting portion (not shown). Figure 10 in the posture shown in (B).

[0112] In this way, the first bent portion 35A can switch between a first state in which the medium is bent ( Figure 10 (A) of FIG. Figure 10 ) and a second state in which it is separated from the medium from the first state ( (B) of FIG. ). The detection units 50 and 55 are provided to be engaged with the first bent portion 35A via the rear end restricting member 47A. When the rear end restricting member 47A, that is, the detection units 50 and 55, are removed, the first bent portion 35A switches from the first state to the second state. Thus, compared with a configuration in which the removal of the detection units 50 and 55 and the state switching of the first bent portion 35A are performed separately, the operation time required for loading the post-processing device 100 can be shortened.

[0113] The embodiments described above can also be modified as follows.

[0114] (1) In the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Figures 1 to 9 , the first bent portion 35 and the detection units 50 and 55 are integrally formed via the rear end restricting member 47. However, the first bent portion 35 and the rear end restricting member 47 may be integrally formed, and when the rear end restricting member 47 is removed, the detection units 50 and 55 may remain in the device main body 2.

[0115] In this case, it may be configured such that when the rear end restricting member 47 is removed, the detection units 50 and 55 are retracted from a position interfering with the post-processing device 100. Further, in this case, it is preferably configured such that when the removed rear end restricting member 47 is reloaded, it returns from the retracted position to the original position.

[0116] (2) In the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Figures 1 to 9 or the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. Figure 10 , the second bent portion 40 may also be configured to be able to switch between a first state in which the medium is bent and a second state in which it is not bent.

[0117] In this case, in the configuration described with reference to FIG. Figures 1 to 9 , it may also be configured such that when the rear end restricting member 47 is removed from the device main body 2, the first bent portion 35 and the detection units 50 and 55 are removed, and the second bent portion 40 switches from the first state to the second state. It should be noted that, in this case, it is preferably configured such that when the rear end restricting member 47 is loaded onto the device main body 2, the second bent portion 40 returns from the second state to the first state.

[0118] In addition, in the configuration described with reference to Figure 10 it can also be configured that when the rear-end restricting member 47A is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the first bent portion 35A switches between a first state in which the medium is bent and a second state in which it is not bent. In addition to this, the second bent portion 40 also switches from the first state to the second state. It should be noted that in this case, it is preferable that when the rear-end restricting member 47A is loaded onto the apparatus main body 2, the second bent portion 40 returns from the second state to the first state.

[0119] (3) In the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 the rear-end restricting member 47 and the first bent portion 35 are integrally formed, and when the rear-end restricting member 47 and the first bent portion 35 are removed from the apparatus main body 2, the second bent portion 40 remains in the apparatus main body 2. However, the rear-end restricting member 47, the first bent portion 35, and the second bent portion 40 can also be integrally formed. Thus, when the rear-end restricting member 47 is removed, the first bent portion 35, the second bent portion 40, and the detection units 50 and 55 can be integrally removed.

[0120] Alternatively, it can also be configured that the rear-end restricting member 47 and the second bent portion 40 are integrally formed, and when the rear-end restricting member 47 and the second bent portion 40 are removed, the first bent portion 35 remains in the apparatus main body 2.

[0121] (4) In the second embodiment described with reference to Figure 10 the first bent portion 35A switches its state as the rear-end restricting member 47A is attached and detached. However, it can also be configured that as the rear-end restricting member 47A is attached and detached, the fixing of the first bent portion 35A ( Figure 10 the fixing in the state shown in (A) of

[0122] (5) The discharging unit 30 is provided with a protective sheet 34 downstream of the discharging roller pair 31 as Figure 6 shown. The protective sheet 34 inhibits the user from contacting the discharging roller pair 31. It can also be configured that the protective sheet 34 is integrally formed with the rear-end restricting member 47, and when the rear-end restricting member 47 is removed, the protective sheet 34 is also removed.

[0123] (6)In each of the above-described embodiments, the tray 46 and the rear end restricting member 47 are configured separately, but the tray 46 and the rear end restricting member 47 may also be integrally formed.

[0124] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Of course, these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, it comprises: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit, in the recording device, a selection device is loaded onto the device main body and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the selection device, the discharging unit comprises: discharging rollers that discharge the medium; a bending part that bends the discharged medium; and a detection part that detects the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit and is located at a position interfering with the selection device when the selection device is loaded, the detection part is integrally formed with the bending part, and the detection part and the bending part are integrated and can be detached from and attached to the device main body.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least a part of the medium receiving unit is a detachable part that can be detached from and attached to the device main body, the detection part is integrally formed with the bending part via the detachable part.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, the detachable part is located at a position interfering with the selection device when the selection device is loaded.

4. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the detachable part abuts against the rear end of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit to define the position of the rear end.

5. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the detection part comprises: a light emitting part that generates detection light in the width direction intersecting with the discharging direction of the medium; and a light receiving part that receives the detection light, the light emitting part and the light receiving part are arranged in the width direction at positions facing each other with the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit therebetween.

6. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the bending part integrally formed with the detection part is set as a first bending part that contacts the first surface of the medium, the discharging unit comprises a second bending part that contacts the second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium and bends the medium together with the first bending part, the first bending part among the first bending part and the second bending part is integrally formed with the detection part, the first bending part is located downstream of the second bending part in the discharging direction of the medium.

7. A recording device, characterized in that, it comprises: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit, in the recording device, a selection device is loaded onto the device main body and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the selection device, the discharging unit comprises: discharging rollers that discharge the medium; and a bending part that bends the discharged medium, at least a part of the medium receiving unit is a detachable part that can be detached from and attached to the device main body, the detachable part is located at a position interfering with the selection device when the selection device is loaded, The detachable part is integrally formed with the bent part, and the detachable part is integrated with the bent part and can be detached from and attached to the device main body.

8. A recording device characterized in that it includes: a recording unit that records on a medium; a discharging unit that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a medium receiving unit that receives the medium discharged by the discharging unit. In the recording device, an optional device is loaded onto the device main body, and the medium can be fed from the discharging unit to the optional device. The discharging unit includes: a discharging roller that discharges the medium; a bent part that bends the discharged medium; and a detection unit that is used to detect the stacking height of the medium stacked on the medium receiving unit, is located at a position where it interferes with the optional device when the optional device is loaded, and the detection unit can be detached from and attached to the device main body. The bent part can be switched between a first state in which the medium is bent and a second state in which it is separated from the medium starting from the first state. The detection unit is arranged to engage with the bent part, and when the detection unit is removed, the bent part is switched from the first state to the second state.

Images