Medium discharge device and control method thereof, post-processing device and recording system

Abstract

Provided are a medium discharge device and a control method thereof, a post-processing device, and a recording system. The device can suppress the disorder of the loading state on the loading tray and the balance of the upper and lower support trays clamping the medium on the loading tray, thereby performing more appropriate post-processing. The control unit that controls the opening and closing action of a pair of support parts and the displacement action of the loading tray in the loading direction can obtain curling information including information related to the curling degree of the medium, and based on the curling information, when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to the first position; when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is the second condition in which the medium is more easily curled than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to the second position lower than the first position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium discharge device for discharging a medium and a post-processing device equipped therewith. The present invention also relates to a recording system equipped with the post-processing device. The present invention also relates to a control method for a medium discharge device for discharging a medium. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling and punching on media such as sheets. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a device.

[0003] The post-processing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a jogger / stacker mechanism consisting of a pair of left and right joggers that support sheets discharged by a sheet conveyor mechanism. When the left and right joggers are opened, the sheet stack supported by the jogger / stacker mechanism drops onto a loading tray. This configuration reduces the chance of sheet stack misalignment compared to a configuration that discharges the sheet stack directly along the upper surface of a sheet stack already loaded on the loading tray.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-52937.

[0007] If the sheet stack loaded on the loading tray is curled, the jogger / stacker mechanism may collide with the curled sheet stack when closing. To avoid this problem, when the sheet stack is dropped from the jogger / stacker mechanism to the loading tray, the loading tray is preferably positioned as far below the jogger / stacker mechanism as possible.

[0008] However, when the sheet bundle is dropped from the jogger stacker mechanism onto the loading tray, the lower the loading tray is positioned, the more likely the loading state of the sheet bundle is to be disturbed when the sheet bundle drops onto the loading tray. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The medium discharge device of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned technical problems is characterized in that it comprises: a discharge portion for discharging recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support portions for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge portion and capable of opening and closing by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a loading tray for loading the medium dropped by the opening of the pair of support portions and capable of displacement in the loading direction, wherein a control portion for controlling the opening and closing action of the pair of support portions and the displacement action of the loading tray in the loading direction can obtain curl information including information related to the degree of curling of the medium, and based on the curl information, when the condition when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is set to a first position; when the condition when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is set to a second position lower than the first position.

[0010] In addition, the post-processing device of the present invention is characterized in that it is a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, and comprises: a processing tray that supports the medium to be post-processed; and the above-mentioned medium discharge device that discharges the medium to be post-processed from the processing tray.

[0011] Furthermore, the recording system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a recording device including a recording unit for recording on a medium; and the post-processing device for post-processing the medium recorded by the recording device.

[0012] In addition, the control method of the medium discharge device of the present invention is characterized in that it is a control method of the following medium discharge device, wherein the medium discharge device comprises: a discharge part that discharges the recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support parts that support the medium discharged by the discharge part and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a loading tray that loads the medium that falls when the pair of support parts are opened and closed and can be displaced in the loading direction, and the control method is based on curling information including information related to the curling degree of the medium, and when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to a first position; when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to a second position lower than the first position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1This is a front view of the recording system.

[0014] Figure 2 A diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a control system that partially controls the post-processing device.

[0016] Figure 4 A diagram showing the internal structure of a post-processing device.

[0017] Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Figure 5 (C) is a diagram showing the medium discharge device as viewed from the discharge direction, and is a diagram for explaining a technical problem when the lower support tray is closed.

[0018] Figure 6 (A) Figure 6 (B) Figure 6 (C) is a diagram showing the medium discharge device as viewed from the discharge direction.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the flow of control performed by the control unit.

[0020] Explanation of symbols

[0021] 1. Recording system; 10. Recording device; 12. Scanning unit; 14. Main body; 16. Media storage unit; 18. Line head; 20. Control unit; 22. Internal discharge unit; 24. Relay unit; 30. Post-processing device; 32. Device body; 33. Main tray; 34. Binding unit; 35. Guide member; 36. Pressing member; 36a. Shaft; 37. Stopper; 37a. Shaft; 38. Discharge roller; 39. Rear end alignment unit; 40. Media discharge Ejection device; 41, ejection driven roller; 42, processing tray; 42a, supporting surface; 44, pulling back portion; 46, conveying roller; 48, first paddle; 49, rotating shaft; 54, second paddle; 55, rotating shaft; 58, side indicator; 60, lower support tray; 60A, first movable tray; 60B, second movable tray; 63, ejection roller drive motor; 65, lower support tray drive motor; 67, main tray drive motor; P, medium; Pt, medium stack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is briefly described below.

[0023] The medium discharge device according to the first aspect is characterized in that it comprises: a discharge portion that discharges the recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support portions that support the medium discharged by the discharge portion and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a loading tray that loads the medium that falls due to the opening of the pair of support portions and can be displaced in the loading direction, and a control portion that controls the opening and closing action of the pair of support portions and the displacement action of the loading tray in the loading direction can obtain curling information including information related to the degree of curling of the medium, and based on the curling information, when the condition when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is set to a first position; when the condition when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support portions are opened and closed is set to a second position lower than the first position.

[0024] According to this aspect, since the loading tray is closer to the pair of support portions under the first condition than under the second condition, the loading state of the media on the loading tray is less likely to be disturbed under the first condition.

[0025] Furthermore, since the loading tray is farther from the pair of supports under the second condition than under the first condition, it is possible to prevent the pair of supports from pinching the curled medium loaded on the loading tray when the pair of supports are closed.

[0026] By doing so, it is possible to achieve a balance between suppressing the disorder of the loading state on the loading tray and suppressing the lower support tray from clamping the medium on the loading tray, thereby enabling more appropriate post-processing.

[0027] A second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the curl information includes information of the medium.

[0028] According to this aspect, since the curl information includes information of the medium, the curling susceptibility of the medium can be appropriately grasped.

[0029] A third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the curl information includes recording information when recording is performed on a medium.

[0030] According to this aspect, since the curl information includes recording information when recording is performed on the medium, the curling susceptibility of the medium can be appropriately grasped.

[0031] A fourth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the curl information includes environmental information.

[0032] According to this aspect, since the curl information includes environmental information, the curling susceptibility of the medium can be appropriately grasped.

[0033] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit closes the pair of support portions after opening the pair of support portions and before lowering the loading tray.

[0034] According to this aspect, because the control unit closes the pair of support parts after opening the pair of support parts and before lowering the loading tray, the time that the pair of support parts are open can be suppressed, the pair of support parts can quickly start supporting the medium again, and the throughput of the entire processing can be improved.

[0035] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit is capable of selecting a first mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction based on the curling information and a second mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction without using the curling information.

[0036] According to this aspect, because the control unit can select a first mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is determined based on the curling information and a second mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is determined without using the curling information, the user's freedom of selection is improved, and the convenience of the user in using the device can be improved.

[0037] The post-processing device involved in the seventh aspect is characterized in that it is a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, and comprises: a processing tray that supports the medium to be post-processed; a post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on the medium supported by the processing tray; and a medium discharge device involved in any one of the first to sixth aspects, which discharges the medium to be post-processed from the processing tray.

[0038] According to this aspect, the post-processing device can obtain the effects of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0039] According to an eighth aspect, based on the seventh aspect, ends of the pair of support portions in the direction opposite to the discharge direction are located below an end of the processing tray in the discharge direction.

[0040] According to this aspect, because the ends of the pair of support portions in the direction opposite to the discharge direction are located lower than the ends of the processing tray in the discharge direction, when the media stack is discharged from the processing tray, it is possible to prevent the end of the media stack in the direction opposite to the discharge direction from remaining on the discharge portion and not falling.

[0041] A ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the second condition is satisfied when the length of the medium in the discharge direction is a length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while the medium is supported by the processing tray.

[0042] When the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that would protrude from the processing tray in the discharge direction while supported by the processing tray, the downstream region of the medium in the discharge direction droops downward and is bent. This bent portion acts to curl upward when discharged toward the support portion, and this curl remains even when supported by the loading tray. In this aspect, because the loading tray is positioned at the second position, which is lower than the first position, as a means of satisfying the second condition in this case, the pair of support portions can be prevented from pinching the curled medium loaded on the loading tray.

[0043] The recording system according to the tenth aspect is characterized by comprising: a recording device having a recording unit for recording on a medium; and a post-processing device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects for post-processing the medium recorded by the recording device.

[0044] According to this aspect, the effects of any one of the seventh to ninth aspects can be obtained in the recording system.

[0045] The control method of the medium discharge device involved in the eleventh aspect is characterized in that it is a control method of the following medium discharge device, wherein the medium discharge device comprises: a discharge part that discharges the recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support parts that support the medium discharged by the discharge part and can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a loading tray that loads the medium that falls when the pair of support parts are opened and closed and can be displaced in the loading direction, and the control method is based on curling information including information related to the curling degree of the medium, and when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to a first position; when the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to a second position lower than the first position.

[0046] According to this aspect, under the first condition, the loading tray is closer to the pair of support portions than under the second condition. Therefore, under the first condition, the loading state of the media on the loading tray is unlikely to be disturbed.

[0047] Furthermore, since the loading tray is farther from the pair of supports under the second condition than under the first condition, the pair of supports can be prevented from pinching the curled medium loaded on the loading tray when the pair of supports are closed.

[0048] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0049] Hereinafter, a medium discharge device 40 , a post-processing device 30 , and a recording system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0050] In each figure, the X-axis direction represents the depth direction of the recording system 1. The direction indicated by the arrow in the X-axis direction, i.e., the +X direction, represents the direction from the back of the device toward the front, and the -X direction represents the direction from the front of the device toward the back. The X-axis direction is also an example of the width direction of the medium.

[0051] The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the recording system 1 . When viewed from the front of the device by a user, the direction indicated by the arrow in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the +Y direction, is leftward, and the −Y direction is rightward.

[0052] The Z-axis direction is the height direction of the recording system 1. The direction indicated by the vertical arrow, i.e., the +Z direction, is vertically upward, and the −Z direction is vertically downward. In the following description, the +Z direction may be simply referred to as upward, and the −Z direction may be simply referred to as downward.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the recording system 1 includes a recording device 10 and a post-processing device 30. The recording device 10 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium represented by recording paper, and includes a line head 18, an example of a recording unit. Furthermore, the recording device 10 is a so-called multifunction printer having a scanner unit 12 on the upper portion of the device.

[0054] The recording device 10 includes a main body 14, a medium storage portion 16 for storing a medium, a medium transport portion (not shown) for transporting the medium, a line head 18 for recording on the medium, an in-box discharge portion 22 for discharging the medium, a relay unit 24 for transporting the medium to the post-processing device 30, and a connection between the recording device 10, the post-processing device 30, and the medium discharge device 40 (see FIG. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 ) is controlled by the control unit 20. A conveying path TA for conveying a medium is provided inside the main body 14.

[0055] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 is provided in the recording device 10 , but may also be provided in the post-processing device 30 or the medium discharge device 40 described later.

[0056] The line head 18 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) arranged over the entire area of ​​the medium in the X-axis direction. The line head 18 records on the medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) from the plurality of nozzles toward the medium.

[0057] The control unit 20 includes a CPU (not shown) and a storage unit 20a. The storage unit 20a is composed of a storage medium such as a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 20a stores various programs and parameters for controlling the recording device 10, the media discharge device 40 (described later), the post-processing device 30, and the like. These programs also include programs for controlling the opening and closing of the lower support tray 60 and the displacement of the main tray 33 (described later).

[0058] The medium recorded in the recording device 10 is transported to the post-processing device 30 via the relay unit 24. The post-processing device 30 includes a device body 32, a processing tray 42 provided inside the device body 32, a stapler 34 as an example of a post-processing unit, and a tray 60 (see FIG. 1 ) for holding the post-processed medium downward. Figure 2 ) discharged medium discharge device 40 (refer to Figure 2 ) and a main tray 33 arranged on the outside of the device body 32.

[0059] The medium conveyed from the relay unit 24 to the apparatus main body 32 is conveyed through the conveyance path TB inside the apparatus main body 32 and is fed to the processing tray 42 .

[0060] Refer to the following Figure 2 The structure of the post-processing device 30 will be further described. Hereinafter, a medium is denoted by a symbol P and referred to as a medium P. Furthermore, a medium bundle consisting of a plurality of media P is denoted by a symbol Pt and referred to as a medium bundle Pt.

[0061] It should be noted that the direction along the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42 is referred to as the A-axis direction. The +A direction of the A-axis direction represents the direction in which the media stack Pt is discharged from the processing tray 42. Furthermore, the -A direction represents the direction in which the media P on the processing tray 42 is pulled back toward the rear end alignment unit 39. In this embodiment, the A-axis direction includes both a +Z component and a -Y component. Furthermore, the direction orthogonal to the A-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction is referred to as the B-axis direction.

[0062] The guide member 35 constitutes a portion of the transport path TB and extends toward the processing tray 42. The medium P transported in the -Y direction along the guide member 35 is fed toward the processing tray 42 by a transport roller 46 driven by a motor (not shown).

[0063] The medium P fed to the processing tray 42 is pulled back in the −A direction toward the rear end alignment portion 39 by the pull-back portion 44 . The pull-back portion 44 includes a first paddle 48 and a second paddle 54 .

[0064] The first paddle 48 is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material and is rotatable about a rotation shaft 49 extending in the X-axis direction. The first paddle 48 is rotated by a motor (not shown). Figure 2 By driving the tray 42 in the clockwise direction, a conveying force in the −A direction is applied to the medium P fed to the processing tray 42 .

[0065] The second blade 54 is also made of an elastic material such as a rubber material, similar to the first blade 48, and is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation axis 55 extending in the X-axis direction. The second blade 54 is rotated by a motor (not shown) Figure 2 By driving the tray 42 in the clockwise direction, a conveying force in the −A direction is applied to the medium P fed to the processing tray 42 .

[0066] A rear end alignment portion 39 is provided in the -A direction relative to the processing tray 42. The rear end alignment portion 39 has an alignment surface 39a parallel to the B-axis direction and aligns the rear end Pe of the media stack Pt on the processing tray 42 by abutting against the alignment surface 39a.

[0067] The side indicators 58 are arranged to be movable in the X-axis direction by a driving source (not shown) and align the ends of the media stack Pt supported by the processing tray 42 by contacting the ends in the X-axis direction. It should be noted that the side indicators 58 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction, and the two side indicators 58 are arranged to approach or separate from each other. Figure 2 3 shows the side indicator 58 disposed in the −X direction among the two side indicators 58 .

[0068] The flapper 37 is arranged parallel to the rear end alignment portion 39 along the X-axis direction and is swingable about a shaft portion 37 a extending in the X-axis direction. The flapper 37 presses the medium stack Pt on the processing tray 42 downward near the rear end alignment portion 39 .

[0069] The pressing member 36 is configured to swing about a shaft portion 36a extending in the X-axis direction. The pressing member 36 is configured to be rotatable by a motor (not shown), and as it rotates, it knocks the medium P fed toward the processing tray 42 by the conveyor roller 46 toward the processing tray 42. As a result, the −A direction end of the medium P fed toward the processing tray 42 is appropriately guided to the rear end alignment portion 39.

[0070] A discharge roller 38 is provided in the +A direction relative to the processing tray 42 as an example of a discharge unit for discharging the medium bundle Pt supported by the processing tray 42 in the +A direction. Figure 3 As shown, the discharge roller 38 is driven by a discharge roller drive motor 63. The discharge roller drive motor 63 is controlled by the control section 20.

[0071] Furthermore, a driven discharge roller 41 is provided above the discharge roller 38 so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the discharge roller 38. The driven discharge roller 41 is separated from the discharge roller 38 except when the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42. When the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42, the driven discharge roller 41 is advanced toward the discharge roller 38 by a power source (not shown) and sandwiches the media bundle Pt between the driven discharge roller 41 and the discharge roller 38.

[0072] exist Figure 2 In the process, the discharge rollers 38 discharge the media stack Pt, which has been supported by the processing tray 42 and bound by the stapler 34, toward the lower support tray 60. It should be noted that in this embodiment, post-processing is performed by the stapler 34, but post-processing is not limited to this. Other options include perforation processing in which holes are punched in the media stack Pt, center-binding processing in which the media stack Pt is stapled in the middle, and shifted discharge processing in which the discharge position of the media stack Pt is staggered in the media width direction. Alternatively, the media stack Pt may be discharged without post-processing and accumulated in the same direction on the main tray 33.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, the lower support tray 60 is composed of a first movable tray 60A and a second movable tray 60B spaced apart in the X-axis direction, i.e., the width direction of the media. The lower support tray 60, namely the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B, is an example of a pair of supporting members. The first movable tray 60A is positioned in the +X direction relative to the media stack Pt, while the second movable tray 60B is positioned in the -X direction relative to the media stack Pt. Both the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B are shaped so as to sandwich the X-axis ends of the media stack Pt in the B-axis direction.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown, the first moving tray 60A and the second moving tray 60B are driven in the X-axis direction by a lower supporting tray driving motor 65 . The lower supporting tray driving motor 65 is controlled by the control unit 20 .

[0075] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the lower support tray 60 is opened and closed by the first moving tray 60A and the second moving tray 60B moving in opposite directions. Specifically, the lower support tray 60 is opened by the first moving tray 60A and the second moving tray 60B separating from each other, and is closed by the first moving tray 60A and the second moving tray 60B approaching each other. Figure 6 In the figure, the straight line CL is parallel to the B-axis and passes through the center position of the medium in the width direction. In the X-axis direction, the distance between the first moving tray 60A and the straight line CL is always the same as the distance between the second moving tray 60B and the straight line CL.

[0076] It should be noted that closing the lower support tray 60 means that the interval between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction becomes such that the lower support tray 60 can be closed. Figure 6 The spacing of the supporting medium stack Pt is shown in (A). Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 5B , the lower support tray 60 is opened, which means that the interval between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction becomes an interval that does not support the medium bundle Pt and causes it to fall toward the main tray 33 .

[0077] The medium bundle Pt discharged by the discharge roller 38 is as follows: Figure 6 (A) is temporarily supported by the lower support tray 60 in the closed state. Then, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in (B), the lower support tray 60 is opened, and the medium stack Pt supported by the lower support tray 60 falls toward the main tray 33. After the medium stack Pt falls toward the main tray 33, as shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown in (C), the lower support tray 60 is closed. After the lower support tray 60 is closed, the main tray 33 moves downward to support the next medium bundle Pt.

[0078] By providing such a lower support tray 60 , the medium bundle Pt can be placed in a good state on the main tray 33 .

[0079] The main tray 33 is an example of a loading tray for loading the medium stack Pt dropped by the lower support tray 60. The main tray 33 is driven by the main tray drive motor 67 (see Figure 3 ) is driven in the loading direction, that is, the Z-axis direction. The main tray driving motor 67 is controlled by the control unit 20.

[0080] Next, the technical problems when the lower support tray 60 is closed are explained with reference to the following. Figure 2 As shown, the end 60c of the lower support tray 60 in the -A direction is located below the end 42b of the processing tray 42 in the +A direction. In other words, a step is provided between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. This prevents the rear end Pe of the media stack Pt from remaining resting on the discharge roller 38 and not falling when the media stack Pt is discharged from the processing tray 42 to the lower support tray 60.

[0081] Here, when the medium P is supported by the processing tray 42, and the length in the discharge direction is the length protruding from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction, a bent portion Su is generated in the medium stack Pt due to the step between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. Figure 2 In the figure, symbol R1 indicates the first area where the medium P is supported by the processing tray 42, and symbol R2 indicates the second area where the medium P is not supported by the processing tray 42. When the length of the medium P in the discharge direction is longer than the length of the first area R1, a bent portion Su is generated as described above. After the bent portion Su is discharged to the lower support tray 60, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The symbol Sr is the part that curls upward.

[0082] Figure 5 (A) is a state in which the medium stack Pt having the curled portion Sr is supported by the lower support tray 60. After the lower support tray 60 is opened from this state, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (B), the medium stack Pt falls toward the main tray 33. However, if the lower support tray 60 is closed in this state, Figure 5 As shown in (C), the lower support tray 60 clamps the curled portion Sr, causing damage to the medium bundle Pt. This is a technical problem when the lower support tray 60 is closed.

[0083] It should be noted that this technical problem is not limited to the configuration in which a step is provided between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. In other words, the curled portion Sr may be formed due to reasons other than the step, such as when recording on the medium P using liquid such as ink. In such cases, the curled portion Sr may be clamped by the lower support tray 60.

[0084] To avoid such technical problems, it is preferable to arrange the main tray 33 as low as possible. However, in this case, the loading state is easily disturbed when the medium bundle Pt falls from the lower support tray 60 to the main tray 33 .

[0085] In order to prevent the occurrence of the above technical problems, the control unit 20 performs Figure 7 Controls shown.

[0086] When performing post-processing, the control unit 20 acquires post-processing conditions (step S101). Here, in this embodiment, the post-processing conditions include the following conditions.

[0087] Condition (1): Set to the first mode or the second mode?

[0088] Condition (2): Type of media (plain paper, special paper, etc.).

[0089] Condition (3): size, orientation, and grain direction of the medium.

[0090] Condition (4): Recording information (recording concentration, recording area, etc.).

[0091] Condition (5): Environmental information (temperature, humidity).

[0092] Condition (6): Post-processing content (binding position, number of binding positions, etc.).

[0093] Conditions (1), (2), (3), and (6) can be acquired based on user-set information via an operation panel (not shown) of the recording device 10 or a printer driver operating in a computer (not shown) that sends recording data to the recording device 10.

[0094] Furthermore, the condition (4) is based on the fact that the print data received by the recording device 10 can be obtained.

[0095] In addition, the condition (5) can be obtained from a temperature and humidity sensor (not shown). It should be noted that the temperature and humidity sensor may be provided in either the recording device 10 or the post-processing device 30 .

[0096] The above conditions (1) to (6) are examples, and conditions (1) to (5) other than condition (6) do not necessarily need to be acquired. For example, the first mode described below can be automatically selected without acquiring condition (1). The first mode is a mode in which the position of the main tray 33 is switched according to the degree to which the medium P is prone to curling.

[0097] In addition, conditions (2), (3), (4), and (5) can be used to determine the curling ease of the medium P. Specifically, Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The above-described ease of forming the curl portion Sr. That is, conditions (2), (3), (4), and (5) are examples of curl information including information related to the degree of curl of the medium.

[0098] For example, regarding condition (2), the less rigid the medium, the more likely it is to curl. For example, ordinary paper is more likely to curl than specialized paper. Depending on the type of medium, a flag of "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl" is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, the flag "easy to curl" is set for ordinary paper, and the flag "difficult to curl" is set for specialized paper.

[0099] Regarding condition (3), when the media length (length in the A-axis direction) protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a predetermined length or more, the media is prone to curling. Based on this viewpoint, a flag of either "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl" is set according to the media length, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, when the media length (length in the A-axis direction) protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a predetermined length or more, the "easy to curl" flag is set; otherwise, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.

[0100] Regarding condition (3), when the grain direction of the medium P is along the X-axis, the medium is prone to curling. Here, the grain direction of the medium P refers to the predetermined direction when the fibers of the paper are aligned. A flag, either "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl," is set based on the grain direction of the medium P, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. The "easy to curl" flag is set when the grain direction of the medium P is along the X-axis, and the "difficult to curl" flag is set when the grain direction of the medium P is not along the X-axis.

[0101] Regarding condition (4), the higher the recording density, the more likely the curling is. As an example, the recording density can be calculated by the ratio of the number of dots formed by ink per unit area to the maximum number of dots that can be formed per unit area. A flag of "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl" is set according to the recording density, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. As an example, when the recording density is above a predetermined concentration threshold, the "easy to curl" flag is set, and when the recording density is less than the predetermined concentration threshold, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.

[0102] In addition, regarding condition (4), the second region R2 (refer to Figure 2 ) indicates that the larger the recording area, the more likely it is to curl. A flag, either "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl," is set based on the recording area, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, when the recording area is greater than a predetermined area threshold, the "easy to curl" flag is set, and when the recording area is less than the predetermined area threshold, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.

[0103] Regarding condition (5), the lower the temperature and humidity, or the higher the temperature and humidity, the more likely the curling is. A flag, either "easy to curl" or "difficult to curl," is set based on environmental information, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, when the temperature and humidity are within a predetermined set range (high temperature and high humidity range, low temperature and low humidity range), the "easy to curl" flag is set, and when the temperature and humidity are outside the set range, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.

[0104] Next, the control unit 20 determines the position of the main tray 33 based on the acquired post-processing conditions (step S102). The position of the main tray 33 here refers to the position (Z-axis position) of the main tray 33 when the lower support tray 60, which supports the media stack Pt, is opened to allow the media stack Pt to fall toward the main tray 33. As will be described in detail later, the main tray 33 has a first position and a second position. The second position is located further down than the first position and is suitable for media P that are prone to curling.

[0105] If at least one of the above-mentioned conditions indicates "easy to curl," the control unit 20 of this embodiment sets the main tray 33 to the second position as a position that satisfies the second condition. If all of the above-mentioned conditions indicate "difficult to curl," the control unit 20 sets the main tray 33 to the first position as a position that satisfies the first condition.

[0106] However, this is just an example, and for example, when a predetermined number of conditions are "easy to curl" flags, the second condition is satisfied, and otherwise, the first condition is satisfied.

[0107] Alternatively, or alternatively, due to reference Figure 4 The curled portion Sr described is produced when the medium length protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a length exceeding the specified length in condition (3). Therefore, when the "difficult to curl" mark is shown in condition (3) in view of the medium length, the first condition is satisfied regardless of other marks. When the "easy to curl" mark is shown in condition (3) in view of the medium length, whether it is the first condition or the second condition is determined based on other marks.

[0108] When the first condition is considered to be satisfied, the main tray 33 is positioned at a first position described below. When the second condition is considered to be satisfied, the main tray 33 is positioned at a second position described below.

[0109] In addition, in this embodiment, all of the above conditions (2) to (5) are used to determine the first condition and the second condition, but the first condition and the second condition may be determined by only one of the above conditions (2) to (5).

[0110] Here, the first position and the second position of the main tray 33 are described in detail. Figure 4 In the first position of the main tray 33, the gap Dt1 is set between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33 or the uppermost medium stack Pt loaded on the main tray 33. In addition, the second position of the main tray 33 is set between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33 or the uppermost medium stack Pt loaded on the main tray 33 and the gap Dt2 is set. The gap Dt2 is larger than the gap Dt1 to avoid the gap between the main tray 33 and the uppermost medium stack Pt loaded on the main tray 33. Figure 5 (C) illustrates the collision interval between the lower support tray 60 and the curled portion Sr. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , reference numeral 33 - 1 shows the main tray 33 at the first position, and reference numeral 33 - 2 shows the main tray 33 at the second position.

[0111] It should be noted that when no media stack Pt is loaded on the main tray 33, the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 are the intervals between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33. When a media stack Pt is loaded on the main tray 33, the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 are the intervals between the lower support tray 60 and the uppermost media stack Pt loaded on the main tray 33.

[0112] It should be noted that the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 are not limited to constant values. Specifically, the control unit 20 determines the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 based on the thickness of the discharged media stack Pt. Specifically, the intervals are set so that the media stack Pt falling toward the main tray 33 is not caught by the lower support tray 60 when the lower support tray 60 is opened and then closed. The thickness of the media stack Pt can be determined based on the number of sheets of media P and the thickness of the media P. Furthermore, the height of the curled portion Sr (height in the B-axis direction) is estimated based on the curling tendency of the media P, and the interval Dt2 also takes this height into account.

[0113] In addition, the control section 20 controls the height position of the main tray 33 based on the number of medium bundles Pt that have been discharged to the main tray 33 .

[0114] return Figure 7The control unit 20 then loads the media P onto the processing tray 42, performs post-processing on the media stack Pt upon completion of loading (step S103), and moves the main tray 33 to the first position or the second position (step S104). It should be noted that steps S103 and S104 can be performed in parallel. Furthermore, when the second mode is selected, the main tray 33 is always positioned in the second position, regardless of the curl information. However, if priority is given to suppressing a disordered loading state on the main tray 33, the main tray 33 may be always positioned in the first position, regardless of the curl information, when the second mode is selected.

[0115] Next, the control unit 20 ejects the media stack Pt from the processing tray 42 to the lower support tray 60 (step S105). Next, the control unit 20 opens the lower support tray 60 to allow the media stack Pt to drop toward the main tray 33 (step S106). Next, the control unit 20 closes the lower support tray 60 (step S107).

[0116] Then, if there is a next post-processing (yes in step S108), the process returns to step S101. If there is no next post-processing (no in step S108), the process ends. It should be noted that step S101 can also be omitted when post-processing under the same conditions is performed continuously.

[0117] As described above, the media discharge device 40 includes the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33. The control unit 20, which controls the opening and closing of the lower support tray 60 and the displacement of the main tray 33 in the loading direction, can obtain curl information including information related to the degree of curl of the media P. Based on the curl information, when the lower support tray 60 is opened and closed under a first condition, the main tray 33 is positioned in the loading direction when the lower support tray 60 is opened and closed. When the lower support tray 60 is opened and closed under a second condition, in which the media is more likely to curl than under the first condition, the main tray 33 is positioned in the loading direction when the lower support tray 60 is opened and closed. Therefore, because the main tray 33 is closer to the lower support tray 60 under the first condition than under the second condition, the loading state of the media stack Pt on the main tray 33 is less likely to be disturbed under the first condition.

[0118] Furthermore, since the main tray 33 is farther from the lower support tray 60 under the second condition than under the first condition, the lower support tray 60 can be prevented from pinching the curled medium stack Pt loaded on the main tray 33 when the lower support tray 60 is closed.

[0119] As described above, a balance can be achieved between suppressing the disorder of the loading state on the main tray 33 and suppressing the upper and lower support trays 60 of the main tray 33 from sandwiching the medium bundle Pt, thereby enabling more appropriate post-processing.

[0120] In addition, in this embodiment, the curl information includes information of the medium P (condition (2)).

[0121] In addition, in this embodiment, the curl information includes recording information when recording is performed on the medium P (condition (4)).

[0122] In addition, in this embodiment, the curl information includes environmental information (condition (5)).

[0123] Based on the above, the curling susceptibility of the medium P can be appropriately grasped.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 closes the lower support tray 60 (step S107) after opening the lower support tray 60 (step S106) and before lowering the main tray 33 (step S104). This reduces the time the lower support tray 60 remains open, allowing the lower support tray 60 to quickly resume supporting the medium P, thereby improving overall processing throughput.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 can select between a first mode in which the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction is determined based on curl information, and a second mode in which the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction is determined without using curl information. This increases the user's freedom of choice and improves the user's convenience in using the device.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second condition is satisfied when the length of the medium P in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the discharge direction (+A direction) while supported by the processing tray 42. This prevents the lower support tray 60 from pinching the curled medium bundle Pt loaded on the main tray 33.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it is understood that these modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medium discharge device, characterized in that: have: a discharge unit for discharging the recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support portions that support the medium discharged from the discharge portion and are openable and closable by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; as well as A loading tray is provided for loading the medium dropped by the pair of support parts when the support parts are opened, and is displaceable in the loading direction. The control unit that controls the opening and closing actions of the pair of support portions and the displacement action of the loading tray in the loading direction can acquire curl information including information related to the curl degree of the medium, and based on the curl information, When the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to the first position, When the pair of support parts are opened and closed under a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is set to a second position lower than the first position when the pair of support parts are opened and closed.

2. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curl information includes information of the medium.

3. The medium discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The curl information includes information recorded when recording is performed on the medium.

4. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curl information includes environment information.

5. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit closes the pair of support parts after opening the pair of support parts and before lowering the loading tray.

6. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit can select a first mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is determined based on the curl information, and a second mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is determined without using the curl information.

7. A post-processing device, characterized in that: Post-processing is performed on a medium recorded by a recording device, wherein the post-processing device comprises: a processing tray supporting the medium to be post-processed; a post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on the medium supported by the processing tray; and The medium discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 discharges the medium subjected to the post-processing from the processing tray.

8. The post-processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Ends of the pair of support portions in a direction opposite to the discharge direction are located below an end of the processing tray in the discharge direction.

9. The post-processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second condition is satisfied when the length of the medium in the discharge direction is a length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while the medium is supported by the processing tray.

10. A recording system, characterized in that: have: a recording device including a recording unit for recording on a medium; and The post-processing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9 performs post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device.

11. The recording system according to claim 10, wherein: The recording device performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium.

12. A method for controlling a medium discharge device, characterized in that: The medium discharge device comprises: a discharge unit for discharging the recorded medium in a discharge direction; a pair of support portions that support the medium discharged from the discharge portion and are openable and closable by moving in opposite directions in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; as well as A loading tray is provided for loading the medium dropped by the pair of support parts when the support parts are opened, and is displaceable in the loading direction. The control method is based on curl information including information related to the degree of curl of the medium, When the condition when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when the pair of support parts are opened and closed is set to the first position, When the pair of support parts are opened and closed under a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is set to a second position lower than the first position when the pair of support parts are opened and closed.

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