recording device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus in which when a trailing end region of a medium is released from suction by a conveyance belt after passing a position opposite to a head, the trailing end region is liable to be lifted to a head side. By the lifting of the trailing end region, the trailing end region strongly comes into contact with a guide member, and there is a possibility that ink transfer to the guide member occurs. The recording apparatus is provided with: a recording section that performs recording by ejecting a liquid toward a medium; a conveyance section that takes charge of conveyance of the medium at a position opposite to the recording section; a conveyance section downstream roller pair that is located downstream of the conveyance section in a medium conveyance direction and conveys the medium; a restriction roller that restricts movement of a trailing end region of the medium upstream of the conveyance section downstream roller pair to the recording section side in the medium conveyance path, and has a plurality of teeth along an outer periphery; and a guide member that supports the restriction roller and guides the medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording onto a medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the recording device described in Patent Document 1, a head is provided at a position opposite to the conveyor belt. A pair of conveyor rollers is provided downstream of the conveyor belt, and the downstream medium conveying path branches into a path for downward discharge and a reversing path for recording on both sides.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-121556

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the medium is oriented towards the reversing path, the medium bends in such a way that it protrudes towards the head side at the portion of the conveyor roller pair located downstream of the conveyor belt. Therefore, when the rear end region of the medium is released from the adsorption of the conveyor belt, this rear end region tends to tilt upwards towards the head side. Due to this tilting of the rear end region, the rear end region comes into strong contact with the guide member, and there is a possibility of ink transfer to the guide member.

[0005] Furthermore, although the tilting of the rear end region can be suppressed by making the downstream path of the conveyor rollers located downstream of the conveyor belt straight and extending its path length to stabilize the medium posture, this method results in a large-scale device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The recording apparatus of the present invention, which addresses the aforementioned problems, is characterized by comprising: a recording section for recording by spraying liquid onto a medium; a conveying section for conveying the medium at a position opposite to the recording section; a downstream roller pair of the conveying section located downstream of the conveying section in the medium conveying direction and conveying the medium; a limiting roller having a plurality of teeth along its outer periphery for limiting the movement of a media rear end region upstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section toward the recording section in the medium conveying direction; and a guiding member supporting the limiting roller and guiding the medium. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the media delivery path of the printer.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the media transport path of the printer. Figure 1 A portion of the image is enlarged.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the media transport path of the printer. Figure 2 A portion of the image is enlarged.

[0010] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0011] 1: Inkjet printer; 2: Device body; 3: First media cartridge; 4: Second media cartridge; 5: Ink collection section; 9, 10: Pick-up rollers; 11, 12: Feed roller pairs; 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22: Conveyor roller pairs; 17: Conveyor roller pair (downstream roller pair of the conveyor section); 17a: Drive roller; 17b: Driven roller; 17c: Shaft; 23, 24: Flaps; 25: Head unit; 26: Line head; 27: Discharge tray; 30: Belt unit; 31: Drive pulley; 32: Driven pulley; 33: Conveyor belt; 33a: Flat area; 35: Guide component; 35a: Clearance section; 36: Restriction roller; T1: Conveyor path during recording; T2: Discharge path facing down; T3: Reversal path; T4: Reverse path. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The present invention will now be described in brief.

[0013] The recording apparatus according to the first method is characterized by comprising: a recording section for recording by spraying liquid onto a medium; a conveying section for conveying the medium at a position opposite to the recording section; a downstream roller pair of the conveying section located downstream of the conveying section in the medium conveying direction and conveying the medium; a limiting roller having a plurality of teeth along its outer periphery for limiting the movement of the rear end region of the medium upstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section toward the recording section in the medium conveying direction; and a guiding member supporting the limiting roller and guiding the medium.

[0014] According to this method, even if the media rear end region is tilted towards the recording section from the upstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the liquid can still be prevented from transferring to the guide member by contacting the limiting roller through the media rear end region. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to extend the straight path used to stabilize the media posture from the downstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, thus preventing the device from becoming too large.

[0015] The second method is characterized in that, in the first method, the downstream roller pair of the conveying section includes: a driven roller that is in contact with the nearest recording surface of the medium and is driven to rotate; and a driving roller that is in contact with the opposite surface of the recording surface and is driven. Downstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the medium conveying path branches into a first medium conveying path and a second medium conveying path that bends downstream from the downstream roller pair of the conveying section toward the driving roller side.

[0016] According to this method, downstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the media conveying path branches into a first media conveying path and a second media conveying path that bends downstream toward the drive roller side from the downstream roller pair of the conveying section. Therefore, although it is easy for the media to tilt toward the recording section side of the guide member when it is conveyed along the second media conveying path, according to the first method described above, it is possible to suppress the transfer of liquid to the guide member and to suppress the enlargement of the device.

[0017] The third method is characterized in that, in the second method, the conveying unit includes a first pulley, a second pulley located downstream of the first pulley in the medium conveying direction, and a conveyor belt wound around the first pulley and the second pulley, through which the medium is adsorbed and conveyed.

[0018] According to this method, in the configuration where the conveying section absorbs and conveys the medium via the conveyor belt, the effects of the second method described above can be obtained.

[0019] The fourth method is characterized in that, in the third method, the limiting roller is in contact with the rear end region of the medium between the downstream end of the flat area opposite the recording section of the conveyor belt and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section in the medium conveying direction.

[0020] According to this method, in the medium conveying direction, between the downstream end of the flat area opposite the conveyor belt and the recording section and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the limiting roller is in contact with the rear end area of ​​the medium, so that the contact between the rear end area of ​​the medium released from the adsorption of the conveyor belt and the guiding member can be well suppressed.

[0021] The fifth method is characterized in that, in the third or fourth method, a portion of the limiting roller overlaps with the second pulley in the medium conveying direction.

[0022] According to this method, a portion of the limiting roller overlaps with the second pulley in the medium conveying direction, so that the position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section can be close to the second pulley, i.e., the conveyor belt, thereby enabling the miniaturization of the device.

[0023] The sixth method is characterized in that, in any of the third to fifth methods, when viewed from the width direction intersecting the medium conveying direction, the limiting roller is located on the side closer to the recording section compared to the straight line, which is a straight line connecting the downstream end of the flat area opposite the recording section of the conveyor belt and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section.

[0024] According to this method, viewed from the width direction intersecting the medium conveying direction, the limiting roller is positioned closer to the recording section than the straight line, which connects the downstream end of the flat area opposite the recording section of the conveyor belt and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section. Therefore, this configuration makes it difficult for the leading edge of the medium to contact the limiting roller when it passes through this position. Since the leading edge of the medium does not contact the limiting roller when it passes through this position, the leading edge of the medium can pass smoothly through the limiting roller.

[0025] The seventh method is characterized in that, in any of the second to sixth methods, the guide member supports the driven roller and the limiting roller.

[0026] According to this method, the guide member supports the driven roller and the limiting roller, so compared with the configuration in which the driven roller and the limiting roller are supported by different components, the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0027] The eighth method is characterized in that, in any of the second to seventh methods, the guiding member has a clearance portion upstream in the medium conveying direction to avoid contact with the rear end of the medium.

[0028] According to this method, the guiding member has a clearance portion upstream in the medium conveying direction to avoid contact with the rear end of the medium, so that when the rear end region of the medium tilts towards the recording part side, the rear end is difficult to abut against the guiding member, thereby better suppressing the transfer of liquid to the guiding member.

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail.

[0030] Hereinafter, inkjet printer 1 will be described as an example of a recording device. Inkjet printer 1 records by ejecting liquid represented by ink onto a medium represented by recording paper. Hereinafter, inkjet printer 1 will be simply referred to as printer 1.

[0031] The XYZ coordinate system shown in the accompanying figures is an orthogonal coordinate system. The Y-axis direction represents the width direction of the medium intersecting the medium conveying direction, and is also the depth direction of the device. Furthermore, the +Y direction along the Y-axis is considered the direction from the front of the device towards the back, and the -Y direction is considered the direction from the back of the device towards the front.

[0032] Furthermore, the X-axis direction represents the width of the device. From the operator's perspective, the direction the arrow points, i.e., the +X direction, is the left, and its opposite, the -X direction, is the right. The Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction, i.e., the height of the device. The direction the arrow points, i.e., the +Z direction, is the top, and its opposite, the -Z direction, is the bottom.

[0033] Furthermore, the F-axis direction represents the direction parallel to the ink ejection surface 26a, and is the media transport direction at the position opposite to the ink ejection surface 26a. The direction the arrow points, i.e., the +F direction, is the downstream transport direction, and its opposite, the -F direction, is the upstream transport direction. Additionally, the direction in which the media is transported is sometimes referred to as "downstream," and its opposite as "upstream." Furthermore, the G-axis direction represents the normal direction of the header 26 relative to the ink ejection surface 26a, and is orthogonal to the F-axis direction.

[0034] Furthermore, in Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the diagram, dashed lines represent the media transport path. In printer 1, the media is transported through the media transport path represented by dashed lines.

[0035] exist Figure 1 In this printer, the device body 2 includes a first media cartridge 3 and a second media cartridge 4 for storing media to be fed to the device. The symbol P indicates the media stored in each media cartridge. The first media cartridge 3 and the second media cartridge 4 are configured to be detachable from the front side of the device body 2.

[0036] The first media box 3 is provided with a pickup roller 9 for sending out the stored media, and the second media box 4 is provided with a pickup roller 10 for sending out the stored media.

[0037] Furthermore, the first medium box 3 is provided with a pair of feed rollers 11 that feeds the delivered medium obliquely upward. Furthermore, the second medium box 4 is provided with a pair of feed rollers 12 that feeds the delivered medium obliquely upward, and a pair of conveying rollers 13 that transports the medium upward.

[0038] In addition, unless otherwise specified, the term "roller pair" as used below refers to a roller pair consisting of a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in response to the drive roller and is grounded.

[0039] The media delivered from each media cartridge is conveyed to the conveyor roller pair 16 via the conveyor roller pair 14 and the conveyor roller pair 15. The media receiving conveying force from the conveyor roller pair 16 is conveyed to the position between the head 26 (which is an example of a recording unit) and the conveyor belt 33, that is, opposite to the head 26. In addition, the media conveying path from the conveyor roller pair 16 to the conveyor roller pair 17 will be referred to as the "recording conveying path T1" below.

[0040] The printhead 26 ejects ink onto the surface of the medium to perform recording. The printhead 26 is an ink printhead configured such that the nozzle (not shown) ejecting ink covers the entire width of the medium, and is configured to record across the entire width of the medium without accompanying movement in the width direction.

[0041] However, ink printheads can also be of the type that record while moving along the width of the medium.

[0042] Mark 5 indicates the ink collection section for storing ink. Ink ejected from the print head 26 is supplied to the print head 26 from the ink collection section 5 via a tube (not shown). The ink collection section 5 consists of multiple ink cartridges arranged along the X-axis.

[0043] The conveyor belt 33, drive pulley 31, and driven pulley 32 constitute the belt unit 30. The belt unit 30 functions as a conveying section that conveys the medium at a position opposite to the head 26. The drive pulley 31 is an example of a first pulley, and the driven pulley 32 is an example of a second pulley located downstream of the drive pulley 31 in the medium conveying direction.

[0044] The conveyor belt 33 is an annular belt wound around a drive pulley 31 and a driven pulley 32. The conveyor belt 33 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) via the drive pulley 31.

[0045] The conveyor belt 33 is an annular belt formed by containing conductive material in a substrate such as polyurethane or rubber to adjust the resistance value as needed. It is charged by applying voltage to a charged roller (not shown), thereby electrostatically adsorbing the medium.

[0046] Here, the recording position opposite to the head 26 shows that the conveying path T1 is configured to convey the medium obliquely upwards, intersecting both the horizontal and vertical directions. This obliquely upward conveying direction... Figure 1 The direction in the middle includes both the -X and +Z directions. Based on this configuration, the horizontal dimension of printer 1 can be suppressed.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, the transport path T1 during recording is set to an inclination angle of 50° to 70° relative to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, it is set to an inclination angle of 60°.

[0048] The medium, which was recorded on the first side via the head 26, continues to be conveyed obliquely upward via the conveyor roller pair 17 located near the downstream end of the conveyor belt 33. Furthermore, the conveyor roller pair 17 will henceforth be referred to as the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section.

[0049] A baffle 23 is provided downstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section, through which the conveying direction of the medium is switched. That is, downstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section, the medium conveying path is branched into two. One is a downward discharge path T2, and the other is a reversal path T3.

[0050] In the case where the recorded medium is discharged directly, the medium conveying path is switched by baffle 23 to a downward discharge path T2 for the upward-facing conveying roller pair 20. The downward discharge path T2 is the path downstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section.

[0051] A baffle 24 is provided downstream of the conveyor roller pair 20, through which the conveying path is switched to either downward discharge from discharge position A1 or conveying towards the conveyor roller pair 21 located more vertically above. When the medium is conveyed towards the conveyor roller pair 21, it is discharged downward from discharge position A2.

[0052] The medium discharged from discharge position A1 is received by an upwardly inclined discharge tray 27 containing components in the +X and +Z directions. The medium discharged from discharge position A2 is received by a selection tray (not shown).

[0053] When recording is performed on the second side in addition to the first side of the medium, the medium transport path is conveyed to the return path T3 via the baffle 23. In this embodiment, the return path T3 refers to the path downstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the transport section.

[0054] A pair of conveying rollers 22 is provided in the reversal path T3. The medium entering the reversal path T3 is conveyed upward by the pair of conveying rollers 22. When the rear end of the medium passes the branch position K1, the rotation direction of the pair of conveying rollers 22 is switched, thereby the medium is conveyed downward and enters the reversal path T4.

[0055] In the reversal path T3, a reverse path T4 is connected at the branch position K1. In this embodiment, the reverse path T4 is a media conveying path from the branch position K1 through conveyor roller pairs 18, 19, and 15 to the conveyor roller pair 16.

[0056] The medium entering the reverse path T4 receives conveying force from conveyor roller pair 18, conveyor roller pair 19 and conveyor roller pair 15 and reaches conveyor roller pair 16, and is then sent to conveyor belt 33 again through conveyor roller pair 16.

[0057] Regarding the medium that is again sent to the position opposite to line head 26, the second side, opposite to the first side that has already been recorded, is opposite to line head 26. Therefore, recording based on line head 26 can be performed on the second side of the medium. The medium with the second side recorded is discharged from either discharge position A1 or discharge position A2 as described above.

[0058] Next, refer to Figure 2 The configuration of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveyor section is explained.

[0059] The downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section is configured to include a drive roller 17a driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 17b that rotates passively. The drive roller 17a is a rubber roller arranged at appropriate intervals along the axial direction of a shaft 17c extending in the width direction of the medium, and is in contact with a surface opposite to the nearest recording surface of the medium. The driven roller 17b is a toothed roller with multiple teeth along its outer periphery, and is configured to be opposite the drive roller 17a in the width direction of the medium, and rotates passively in contact with the nearest recording surface of the medium.

[0060] Furthermore, when only the first side of the medium is recorded, the nearest recording surface of the medium refers to the first side; when the first side of the medium is recorded and then the second side, which is opposite to the first side, is recorded, the nearest recording surface of the medium refers to the second side.

[0061] In addition, the downward discharge path T2 is an example of the first medium conveying path, and the reversal path T3 is an example of the second medium conveying path that bends from the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section toward the downstream drive roller 17a.

[0062] The driven roller 17b is pivotally supported by the guide member 35. The guide member 35 extends along the width of the medium. The guide member 35 is formed of resin material or metal material, preferably a material that is difficult for ink to transfer or has a surface finish.

[0063] The guide member 35 guides the medium along the medium direction in the transport path T1 during recording. In particular, a clearance portion 35a is formed upstream of the guide member 35, thereby suppressing the impact of the medium tip on the guide member 35 when the medium tip passes under the guide member 35.

[0064] A limiting roller 36 is provided upstream of the driven roller 17b in the guide member 35. The limiting roller 36 is a toothed roller with multiple teeth along its outer periphery and is configured to rotate passively in contact with the medium. Multiple limiting rollers 36 are provided at appropriate intervals along the width direction of the medium. In this embodiment, the position of the limiting roller 36 in the width direction of the medium coincides with the position of the driven roller 17b. However, the position of the limiting roller 36 in the width direction of the medium can also be between two driven rollers 17b.

[0065] In addition, Figure 1 The guide component 35 and the limiting roller 36 are not shown in the figure.

[0066] The following is for reference Figure 3 A more detailed description of the limiting roller 36 is provided. The limiting roller 36 is a roller that restricts the movement of the media rear end region Pe upstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section towards the head 26 (in the +G direction). The limiting roller 36 protrudes in the -G direction from the guide member 35.

[0067] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, P indicates the medium traveling along the reversal path T3. The reversal path T3 bends downstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveyor section towards the drive roller 17a, so the rear end region Pe of the medium is prone to tilting towards the head 26 side when released from the conveyor belt 33. When the rear end region Pe tilts towards the head 26 side, there is a possibility that the rear end region Pe of the medium may contact the guide member 35, resulting in ink transfer.

[0068] Furthermore, although the tilting of the media rear end region Pe can be suppressed by making the path downstream of the conveying section downstream roller pair 17 straight and extending its path length to stabilize the media posture, this would result in a larger device.

[0069] However, as described above, a limiting roller 36 is provided upstream of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section to restrict the movement of the media rear end region Pe towards the head 26 (in the +G direction). Furthermore, this limiting roller 36 is a toothed roller with multiple teeth along its outer periphery, thus suppressing ink transfer to the guide member 35. Moreover, it eliminates the need to extend the straight path used to stabilize the media posture downstream from the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section, preventing the device from becoming too large.

[0070] Furthermore, the media rear end region Pe is a region that includes the rear end (upstream end) of the media and extends downstream for a predetermined length. As an example, the length of the media rear end region Pe in the conveying direction can be set to the length from the rear end of the media to the clamping position F2 of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section at a time when the media P is released from the suction of the conveyor belt 33 and leaves the conveyor belt 33. Alternatively, the length of the media rear end region Pe in the conveying direction can be set to the length from the downstream end position F1 of the flat region 33a of the conveyor belt 33 to the clamping position F2 of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the limiting roller 36 is configured to contact the media rear end region Pe between the downstream end position F1 of the flat region 33a of the conveyor belt 33 and the clamping position F2 of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section. In this way, the contact between the media rear end region Pe, which is adsorbed and released from the conveyor belt 33, and the guide member 35 can be effectively suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, a portion of the limiting roller 36 overlaps with the driven pulley 32 in the media conveying direction. The extent to which the portion of the limiting roller 36 overlaps with the driven pulley 32 in the media conveying direction is indicated by the symbol Fv. With this configuration, the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section can be positioned close to the driven pulley 32, i.e., the conveyor belt 33, enabling miniaturization of the device.

[0073] Furthermore, viewed from the width direction intersecting the media conveying direction, the limiting roller 36 is positioned closer to the head 26 than the straight line L1, which is a straight line connecting the downstream end Q1 of the flat area 33a opposite the head 26 of the conveyor belt 33 and the clamping position Q2 of the downstream roller pair 17 of the conveying section. This configuration makes it difficult for the leading edge of the medium P to come into contact with the limiting roller 36 when it passes its position, allowing the leading edge of the medium P to pass smoothly through the limiting roller 36.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide member 35 supports the driven roller 17b and the limiting roller 36, so compared with the configuration that uses different members to support the driven roller 17b and the limiting roller 36, the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, the guide member 35 has a clearance portion 35a upstream in the media transport direction. Therefore, when the media rear end region Pe tilts upwards towards the head 26 side, the media rear end region Pe is less likely to come into contact with the guide member 35, thereby more effectively suppressing ink transfer to the guide member 35. Additionally, in this embodiment, the clearance portion 35a is formed as a C-surface, but it could also be formed as an R-surface.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, all of which are included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A recording device, characterized in that, The recording device includes: The recording unit records data by spraying liquid onto a medium. The conveying unit is responsible for conveying the medium at the position opposite to the recording unit; The downstream roller pair of the conveying section is located downstream of the conveying section in the medium conveying direction and conveys the medium; A limiting roller, which restricts the movement of the media rear end region upstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section toward the recording section in the media conveying direction, has a plurality of teeth along its outer periphery; and The guiding component supports the limiting roller and guides the medium. The limiting roller is positioned at a raised position in the rear end region of the medium, the raised position being created by the medium being conveyed to a first medium conveying path, the first medium conveying path curving downstream from the downstream roller pair of the conveying section.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The downstream roller pair of the conveying section includes: a driven roller, which is in contact with the nearest recording surface of the medium and is driven to rotate; and a driving roller, which is in contact with the opposite surface of the recording surface and is driven to rotate. Downstream of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the media conveying path branches into a second media conveying path and a first media conveying path that bends downstream from the downstream roller pair of the conveying section toward the drive roller side.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying unit includes: First pulley; The second pulley is located downstream of the first pulley in the medium conveying direction; and The conveyor belt is wound around the first pulley and the second pulley. The medium is adsorbed and transported by the conveyor belt.

4. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the medium conveying direction, between the downstream end of the flat area opposite the conveyor belt and the recording section and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section, the limiting roller is in contact with the rear end area of ​​the medium.

5. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A portion of the limiting roller overlaps with the second pulley in the media conveying direction.

6. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Viewed from the width direction intersecting the medium conveying direction, the limiting roller is located on the side closer to the recording section compared to the straight line, which is a straight line connecting the downstream end of the flat area opposite the recording section of the conveyor belt and the clamping position of the downstream roller pair of the conveying section.

7. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The guide component supports the driven roller and the limiting roller.

8. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The guiding component has a clearance portion upstream in the medium conveying direction, the clearance portion avoiding contact with the uplift of the rear end region of the medium caused by the medium being conveyed to the first medium conveying path.

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