Medium conveying device and liquid ejecting device

Abstract

The medium conveying device of the present application improves the workability of various jobs in a structure in which the conveying unit can be attached to and detached from the device main body. The medium conveying device (30) includes: a device main body (12); a medium storage box (13) configured to be able to be drawn out with respect to the device main body (12); a conveying unit (20) including a part of a conveying path (T) that conveys a medium (M) stored in the medium storage box (13); a support tray (21) integrally provided with the conveying unit (20) and capable of supporting the medium (M); and an openable and closable cover (14) provided to be able to cover an opening portion (18), the cover (14) assuming a first attitude in which the opening portion (18) is covered, a second attitude in which feeding of the medium (M) from the support tray (21) is enabled, and a third attitude in which the conveying unit (20) is attachable to and detachable from the device main body (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a medium conveying device and a liquid ejection device. Background Technology

[0002] Various media delivery devices have been used in liquid ejection devices and the like. Among them, there are media delivery devices with structures that allow the media delivery unit to be attached and detached relative to the device body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a delivery unit, including a media support portion provided on the back of a recording device, is detachably mounted on the recording device. Furthermore, as a media delivery device, a structure is also disclosed that uses a cover to cover an opening provided on the device body. By covering the opening provided on the device body with a cover, the entry of foreign objects from the opening can be prevented. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which a processing cartridge provided inside the device body can be replaced by opening a rotatable front cover 90 degrees relative to the opening.

[0003] However, in conventional structures that allow loading and unloading of the transport unit relative to the main body of the device, covering the opening with a cover can sometimes impair the operability of various operations. For example, if the front cover of Patent Document 2 is used in the recording device of Patent Document 1, the front cover must always be opened at a 90-degree angle when loading and unloading the transport unit relative to the main body of the device. For instance, when simultaneously using manual media supply and media supply from a media-containing cartridge, it is difficult to access the cartridge when the front cover is open. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the operability of various operations in a structure that allows loading and unloading of the transport unit relative to the main body of the device.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-134854.

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-78687. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The media conveying apparatus of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized by comprising: a device body; a media storage box configured to be withdrawable in a withdrawal direction relative to the device body; a conveying unit having a portion of a conveying path for conveying media stored in the media storage box; a support tray integrally disposed with the conveying unit and capable of supporting the media; and a cover configured to cover an opening in the device body located downstream of the conveying unit in the withdrawal direction, and capable of opening and closing with the direction intersecting the withdrawal direction as the extension direction of the rotation axis, the cover taking into account a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture, wherein the first posture is the posture covering the opening, the second posture is the posture in which the rotating tip on the opposite side of the rotation axis is located downstream of the first posture in the withdrawal direction and is a posture in which feeding of media from the support tray is possible, and the third posture is the posture in which the rotating tip is located downstream of the second posture in the withdrawal direction and is a posture in which the conveying unit can be loaded and unloaded relative to the device body. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing the state in which the front cover is set in a first posture.

[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the liquid ejection device, showing the state in which the front cover is set to the second posture.

[0009] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a liquid ejection device, showing the liquid ejection from... Figure 2 The diagram shows the state in which the support tray is set to the media support position.

[0010] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the liquid ejection device, showing the state in which the front cover is set to the third position.

[0011] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a liquid ejection device, showing the liquid ejection from... Figure 4 The state of the flipped path unit is extracted from the diagram.

[0012] Figure 6 To and Figure 3 The corresponding state Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a liquid ejection device.

[0013] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a liquid ejection device, showing the liquid ejection from... Figure 5 The diagram shows the state where the flip path unit is further extracted and removed.

[0014] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the liquid ejection device, showing the liquid ejection device after the flipping path unit has been removed. Figure 7 The diagram shows the state in which the front cover is set to the second posture.

[0015] Figure 9 To indicate Figure 1 A diagram of the flipping path unit of the liquid ejection device.

[0016] Figure 10 To indicate Figure 1 A perspective view of the area surrounding the attitude maintenance section of the front cover of the liquid ejection device.

[0017] Figure 11 To indicate from and Figure 10 Observed from different angles Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view of the periphery of the attitude maintenance part of the front cover of the liquid ejection device.

[0018] Figure 12 To indicate Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the area surrounding the force-applying part of the front cover of the liquid ejection device. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in summary.

[0020] The media conveying device according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a device body; a media storage box configured to be withdrawable in a withdrawal direction relative to the device body; a conveying unit having a portion of a conveying path for conveying media stored in the media storage box; a support tray integrally disposed with the conveying unit and capable of supporting the media; and a cover configured to cover an opening in the device body located downstream of the conveying unit in the withdrawal direction, and capable of opening and closing with the direction intersecting the withdrawal direction as the extension direction of the rotation axis. The cover adopts a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture. The first posture is the posture covering the opening. The second posture is the posture in which the rotating tip on the side opposite to the rotation axis is located downstream of the first posture in the withdrawal direction and is a posture in which feeding of media from the support tray is possible. The third posture is the posture in which the rotating tip is located downstream of the second posture in the withdrawal direction and is a posture in which the conveying unit can be loaded and unloaded relative to the device body.

[0021] According to this method, the cover adopts a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture. The first posture is one that covers the opening. The second posture is one where the rotating tip, on the opposite side of the rotation axis, is located downstream of the first posture in the extraction direction, and is a posture that allows feeding of the medium from the support tray. The third posture is one where the rotating tip is located downstream of the second posture in the extraction direction, and is a posture that allows loading and unloading of the conveying unit relative to the device body. In other words, in addition to the first posture covering the opening and the third posture allowing loading and unloading of the conveying unit relative to the device body, the cover can also adopt a second posture with an opening / closing degree between the first and third postures. Therefore, the opening / closing degree of the cover can be varied according to the work being performed, thereby improving the operability of various operations.

[0022] The medium conveying device involved in the second aspect of the present invention is a type subordinate to the first aspect, characterized in that the conveying unit is a flipping path unit constituting at least a part of the flipping path that flips the medium in the conveying path.

[0023] According to this method, the conveying unit is a reversing path unit that constitutes at least a portion of the reversing path that causes the medium to reverse. By configuring it in this way, for example, in the event of a paper jam in the reversing path, the jammed medium can be easily removed.

[0024] The media conveying device according to the third aspect of the present invention is a type subordinate to the first or second aspect, characterized in that the conveying unit includes a loading section and a hopper section, the loading section loading the media supported by the support tray, and the hopper section being able to switch the tilt angle of the loading section as observed from the extension direction of the rotation axis.

[0025] According to this method, the conveying unit includes a loading section and a hopper section. The loading section loads the medium supported by a support tray, and the hopper section is capable of switching the tilt angle of the loading section as viewed from the direction extending from the rotation axis. With this structure, the medium supported by the support tray can be conveyed appropriately.

[0026] The media conveying device involved in the fourth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the conveying unit includes a separation roller, which separates the media supported on the support tray.

[0027] According to this method, the conveying unit includes a separating roller that separates the medium supported on the support tray. By employing this structure, it is possible to convey the medium supported on the support tray while suppressing the occurrence of overlapping conveying, etc.

[0028] The media conveying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that the conveying unit includes a supply roller that supplies the media supported on the support tray.

[0029] According to this method, the conveying unit includes a supply roller that supplies media supported on a support tray. This configuration allows for the proper conveying of the media supported on the support tray.

[0030] The medium conveying device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the first to fifth aspects, characterized in that it includes a posture maintaining part of the cover, the posture maintaining part having a protrusion provided on one of the cover and the opening, and a hole provided on the other of the cover and the opening and engaging with the protrusion, the posture maintaining part being configured to maintain the cover in at least three postures, namely the first posture, the second posture and the third posture, by having at least one of the three protrusions and the hole, the posture maintaining part being able to maintain the cover in at least three postures, namely the first posture, the second posture and the third posture.

[0031] According to this method, the attitude maintaining part is configured to maintain the cover in at least three attitudes—a first attitude, a second attitude, and a third attitude—by having at least one of three protrusions and a hole. With this structure, the cover can be maintained in at least three attitudes—a first attitude, a second attitude, and a third attitude—with a simple device structure.

[0032] The medium conveying device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention belongs to any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that it includes a force-applying part that applies force in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the cover due to gravity.

[0033] According to this method, a force-applying part is provided, which applies force in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cover due to gravity. By adopting such a structure, the cover can be appropriately rotated in both cases: rotating in the direction of rotation due to gravity and rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation due to gravity.

[0034] The media conveying device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is a method belonging to any one of the first to seventh aspects, characterized in that it includes a support portion, which supports the conveying unit in the main body of the device by means of a support surface, and the cover is maintained in the third posture in such a way that there is no height difference between it and the support surface.

[0035] According to this method, the cover is maintained in the third posture with no height difference between it and the support surface of the support portion. By adopting such a structure, the conveying unit can be smoothly loaded and unloaded relative to the main body of the device.

[0036] The media conveying device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is a type belonging to any one of the first to eighth aspects, characterized in that it comprises: an operating part that is operated when loading and unloading the conveying unit relative to the device body; a through hole provided on the support tray and capable of approaching the operating part; and a cross-direction cover part provided on the cover, which, when the cover is in the first posture, covers a portion of the device body in a cross-direction that intersects both the extraction direction and the extension direction of the rotation axis, wherein the cross-direction cover part is provided at a position that does not overlap with the through hole when viewed from the direction along the extraction direction when the cover is in the third posture.

[0037] According to this method, a cross-directional cover portion is provided, and the cross-directional cover portion is positioned so that it does not overlap with the through hole when viewed from the direction along the extraction direction when the cover is in the third posture. By setting it in this way, the opening can be covered particularly appropriately, and in addition to not hindering access to the operating part, it can also prevent the conveying unit from falling down when it is pulled out to the necessary extent.

[0038] The liquid ejection device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a liquid ejection section that ejects liquid; and a medium conveying device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0039] According to this method, the workability of various operations can be improved in liquid ejection devices that can spray liquid onto a medium to form images, etc.

[0040] The present invention will now be described in detail. First, referring to... Figures 1 to 6 The following is a summary description of the liquid ejection device, i.e., the recording device 11, of a medium conveying apparatus including an embodiment of the present invention. In the XYZ coordinate system shown in the figures, the X-axis direction represents the side direction of the device, i.e., the width direction; the Y-axis direction represents the front direction (near-front direction) and the back direction of the device; and the Z-axis direction represents the height direction and the direction of gravity of the device. Furthermore, the direction in which the medium M is conveyed is referred to as "downstream," and its opposite direction as "upstream." Additionally, in the figures, for ease of understanding of the internal structure, some structural components are sometimes shown in an abbreviated or simplified manner.

[0041] The recording device 11 is a device for recording on the medium M. For example... Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the recording device 11 includes a device body 12. (As indicated...) Figure 6 As shown, the recording device 11 includes a media storage box 13, a front cover 14, a media supply unit 15, and a stacker 17. The media storage box 13 and the media supply unit 15 are the supply sources for the media M. The recording device 11 records the media M supplied from the media storage box 13 or from the media supply unit 15. The recorded media M is discharged from the discharge port 16 and stacked on the stacker 17. The media supply unit 15 has a support tray 21 capable of supporting the media M. The support tray 21 is housed inside the front cover 14.

[0042] The front cover 14 is rotatable about a rotation axis 19 extending in the X-axis direction and is disposed on the front surface of the device body 12. For example... Figure 1As shown, the front cover 14 covers the retracted support tray 21 from the front. The front cover 14 is positioned above the media storage container 13. The recording device 11 includes a flip path unit 20. With the front cover 14 of the recording device 11 open, the flip path unit 20 is exposed. The flip path unit 20 is installed in an opening 18 provided at the front of the device body 12. The flip path unit 20 includes the support tray 21. Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the support tray 21 is exposed by setting the front cover 14 to the open state.

[0043] The flipping path unit 20 is configured to be loadable and detachable relative to the device body 12. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the recording device 11 includes a media transport device 30. The media transport device 30 includes a device body 12 and a reversible path unit 20 installed in the device body 12. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the flipping path unit 20 has an operating section 22 on its front surface. The flipping path unit 20... Figure 6 In the installed state shown, the flipping path unit 20 is locked relative to the device body 12. That is, the flipping path unit 20 is locked in the installed state. The operation unit 22 is operated to attach or detach the flipping path unit 20 relative to the device body 12. The operation unit 22 is operated to release the lock on the flipping path unit 20 relative to the device body 12. Figure 4 As shown, the flipping path unit 20 has two operation units 22.

[0044] The media storage box 13 is positioned below the flip path unit 20. The media storage box 13 is configured to be withdrawable in the -Y direction from the rear surface of the device body 12 toward the front surface. The media storage box 13 is installed in the device body 12 by moving in the +Y direction. The front cover 14 is capable of... Figure 1 The closed position shown is the first posture. Figure 2 The first open position shown is the second posture, and Figure 4 The second open position shown is the third posture. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the front cover 14 opens the opening 18 in a generally horizontal state in the third posture. The front cover 14 in the third posture is positioned below the flip path unit 20.

[0045] Specifically, the inner surface of the front cover 14 includes a flat surface 14A that is slightly wider than the width of the flip path unit 20 in the width direction (X-axis direction). At least the flat surface 14A of the inner surface of the front cover 14 in the third posture is disposed below the flip path unit 20. Furthermore, the front cover 14 has two extensions 14B that extend perpendicularly to the flat surface 14A on both sides in the X-axis direction, separated by the flat surface 14A. Further, the front cover 14 has an extension 14C that extends perpendicularly to the flat surface 14A at the end of the flat surface 14A on the side opposite to the rotation axis 19.

[0046] The front cover 14 can be opened and closed by rotating about the rotation axis 19. Although details will be described later, the front cover 14... Figure 1 The first posture shown Figure 2 The second posture shown Figure 4 In the third posture shown, movement in the rotational direction is restricted. Here, in the media conveying device 30 of this embodiment, the flipping path unit 20 can be attached to and detached relative to the device body 12. By removing the flipping path unit 20 from the device body 12, if a paper jam or the like occurs in the conveying path T of the medium M, the jammed medium M can be easily removed.

[0047] In this embodiment, the media conveying device 30 enables the loading and unloading of the flipping path unit 20 by configuring the front cover 14 in a third position. With the locking relative to the device body 12 released, the flipping path unit 20 is configured to be detachable along a path passing over the front cover 14 configured in the third position. Figure 5 As shown, the flipping path unit 20, which is installed at the front of the device body 12, is configured to be withdrawable in the -Y direction. Furthermore, the flipping path unit 20 withdrawn from the device body 12 is configured to... Figure 9 The structure shown. The flipping path unit 20 can be guided in the X-axis direction through a pair of left and right extensions 14B, while being drawn out in the -Y direction through a passage on the flat surface 14A.

[0048] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the support tray 21 includes a first tray 31, a second tray 32, and a third tray 33. The second tray 32 is configured to switch between a pulled-out state from the first tray 31 and a stored state within the first tray 31. Similarly, the third tray 33 is configured to switch between a pulled-out state from the second tray 32 and a stored state within the second tray 32. In other words, the support tray 21 includes three trays 31 to 33 that are slidably connected. Figure 3 The support tray 21 shown is used in the state where the medium M can be placed, for example, when the three trays 31 to 33 are pulled out.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the recording apparatus 11 includes a media conveying device 30 and a recording unit 25 for recording the media M conveyed by the media conveying device 30. The recording apparatus 11 has a conveying unit 40 and a recording unit 25 within the apparatus body 12. The conveying unit 40 conveys the media M. Additionally, the flipping path unit 20 includes a portion of the media supply unit 15 and a portion of the conveying unit 40. Furthermore, the recording apparatus 11 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the driving of each structural component of the recording apparatus 11.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the conveying unit 40 conveys the medium M along paths TP, RP, FP1, and FP2. The conveying path T of the medium M includes a first feed path FP1, a second feed path FP2, a main conveying path TP, and a reversing path RP. Figure 6 In the diagram, the main conveying path TP is represented by a thick line. The main conveying path TP is the path through which the conveying unit 40 conveys the medium M from the medium receiving box 13. The main conveying path TP includes a first feeding path FP1. The first feeding path FP1 is the path through which the medium M is supplied from the medium receiving box 13.

[0051] In addition, Figure 6 In the diagram, the flip path RP is represented by a thick dashed line. The flip path RP is the path that flips the medium M after recording the first side (surface) has finished during double-sided recording. Furthermore, in... Figure 6 In the diagram, the second feed path FP2 is indicated by a double-dotted line. The second feed path FP2 is the path by which the media supply unit 15 supplies the media M supported on the support tray 21. The second feed path FP2 merges with the main conveying path TP upstream of the recording position of the recording unit 25 in the conveying direction A. Furthermore, in the following text, the direction in which the media M is conveyed along the main conveying path TP towards the discharge port 16 is referred to as the first conveying direction A1. Additionally, the direction in which the media M is conveyed along the reversing path RP is referred to as the second conveying direction A2.

[0052] The media storage box 13 has a mounting plate 35 for holding media M. The mounting plate 35 can hold multiple media M in a stacked state. The media storage box 13 has edge guides 36 for positioning the multiple media M placed on the mounting plate 35. The mounting plate 35 is supported so that it can tilt when a force is applied upwards. When the media storage box 13 is installed in the device body 12, the mounting plate 35 tilts upwards under the applied force.

[0053] The conveying unit 40 has multiple rollers arranged along the main conveying path TP. Specifically, the conveying unit 40 includes a first feed roller 41, a separating roller pair 42, a reversing roller 43, a conveying roller pair 44, a discharge roller pair 45, and a discharge roller 46. Furthermore, the conveying unit 40 includes a conveying roller 47 that conveys the medium M along the reversing path RP. Further, the conveying unit 40 includes multiple guide rollers 48 and 49 arranged along the outer periphery of the reversing roller 43. The guide rollers 48 and 49 are driven rollers. Additionally, the conveying unit 40 includes multiple guide rollers 50 that guide the medium M along the main conveying path TP.

[0054] The first feed roller 41 is positioned above the downstream end of the media receiving box 13 in the media supply direction. The uppermost of the multiple media M sheets accumulated on the mounting plate 35 within the media receiving box 13 abuts against the first feed roller 41. Rotation of the first feed roller 41 feeds the uppermost media M out of the media receiving box 13. A separating roller pair 42 is positioned downstream of the first feed roller 41 in the feeding direction. The separating roller pair 42 separates the media M fed from the first feed roller 41 into a single sheet. This suppresses overlapping transport of the media M.

[0055] The flip roller 43 is positioned downstream of the separating roller pair 42 in the feeding direction. The flip roller 43 has a larger diameter than the first feed roller 41. A plurality of guide rollers 48 are arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the flip roller 43. The guide rollers 48, while holding the medium M between themselves and the outer circumferential surface of the flip roller 43, rotate in response to the rotation of the flip roller 43. The flip roller 43... Figure 6 The medium M rotates counterclockwise. While being held between the flip roller 43 and multiple guide rollers 48, the medium M is conveyed along a path along the outer periphery of the flip roller 43. As a result, while the medium M is flipped, its conveying direction A is changed to a direction substantially opposite to the feeding direction from the medium storage box 13. The medium M, fed out from the flip roller 43, is conveyed downstream of the conveying direction A toward the recording position of the recording unit 25.

[0056] The recording unit 25 records on the medium M. The recording unit 25 records the medium M at a recording position on the main transport path TP. The recording unit 25 is positioned opposite the main transport path TP from above. The recording unit 25 includes a recording head 26 for recording the medium M. The recording head 26 can be a line-type recording head with a length equivalent to the maximum width of the medium M, or a serial recording head. In the serial recording mode, recording is performed by alternately performing a transport operation where the transport unit 40 transports the medium M to the next recording position, and a recording operation where the recording unit 25 moves in the X-axis direction (scanning direction) while recording one line (one cycle) on the medium M.

[0057] A support portion 27 is disposed opposite the recording unit 25, across the main transport path TP. The recording head 26 records on the medium M supported by the support portion 27. The support portion 27 supports the portion of the medium M in the recording position. The recording unit 25 records the portion of the medium M supported by the support portion 27.

[0058] The media supply unit 15 supplies media M supported by the support tray 21. The media supply unit 15 includes a loading section 52, a hopper section 53, a supply roller 54, a separating roller 55, a media detection section 56, and an edge guide 57. The loading section 52 is disposed between the support tray 21 and the supply roller 54. The loading section 52 loads the media M supported by the support tray 21. The loading section 52 loads the downstream portion of the media M supported by the support tray 21 in the supply direction. The loading section 52 is disposed at an angle that matches the tilt angle of the support tray 21 during use. The loading section 52 is supported so that it can tilt and move with its upper end as a fulcrum. Furthermore, the edge guide 57 is operated when positioning the media M placed on the loading section 52 in the X-axis direction.

[0059] A hopper section 53 is disposed below the loading section 52. The hopper section 53 switches the tilt angle of the loading section 52. The hopper section 53 is capable of feeding the loading section 52 from the loading section 52 during the feeding of the medium M. Figure 6 The function shown is to push the hopper 53 upward from the standby position to the feed position. The hopper section 53 is driven by a supply motor (not shown), which serves as the drive source for the supply roller 54, and via a cam (not shown). When the supply roller 54 begins to rotate, the cam releases the lock at the standby position of the mounting section 52. The force of the spring 66 constituting the hopper section 53 causes the mounting section 52 to move from the standby position to the feed position. The medium M on the mounting section 52, now in the feed position, is pressed and contacted by the supply roller 54.

[0060] In this state, the supply roller 54 moves towards Figure 6The feed roller 54 and the separating roller 55 rotate clockwise. By rotating while clamping the uppermost medium M supported by the support tray 21, the medium M is supplied one sheet at a time. The separating roller 55 separates the medium M supplied by the feed roller 54 into one sheet.

[0061] Before the supply roller 54 completes one revolution, the leading end of the medium M fed along the second feed path FP2 reaches the position held by the conveyor roller pair 44. When the supply roller 54 completes one revolution, the mounting section 52 returns from the feeding position to the standby position via the cam. The medium M that should be fed next on the mounting section 52 is separated from the supply roller 54. In this way, the medium M on the mounting section 52 is fed one sheet at a time by the rotation of the supply roller 54 and the drive of the hopper section 53 linked thereto. The conveyor roller pair 44 conveys the held medium M downstream in the conveying direction A toward the recording position of the recording section 25.

[0062] In addition, the media detection unit 56 detects the presence or absence of the medium M on the mounting unit 52. When the control unit 100 receives a recording execution instruction, if the media detection unit 56 detects the medium M on the mounting unit 52, it rotates the supply roller 54 by driving the supply motor. If the media detection unit 56 does not detect the medium M on the mounting unit 52, the control unit 100 does not rotate the supply roller 54.

[0063] Next, the conveying and recording of the medium M in the recording device 11 will be described. In the following description, single-sided recording and double-sided recording will be explained sequentially. First, single-sided recording will be described. The medium M is conveyed from the medium receiving box 13 along the main conveying path TP. The recording unit 25 records the medium M at a recording position midway along the main conveying path TP. The recorded medium M is conveyed along the main conveying path TP from the recording position and discharged from the discharge port 16. The recorded medium M discharged from the discharge port 16 is accumulated on the stacker 17. On the other hand, when the medium M is fed from the medium supply unit 15, the medium M supported on the support tray 21 is fed by the supply roller 54. The medium M fed along the second feed path FP2 reaches the main conveying path TP. Afterwards, the recording unit 25 records the medium M at the recording position on the main conveying path TP, and the recorded medium M is discharged from the discharge port 16. The discharged recorded medium M is accumulated on the stacker 17.

[0064] Next, double-sided recording will be explained. In the case of double-sided recording, the recording of the first side of the medium M is performed in the same way as in the case of single-sided recording described above. The control unit 100 reverses the conveying direction by reversing the discharge roller 46 midway through the discharge of the medium M after the first side has been recorded from the discharge port 16. Specifically, the control unit 100 identifies the position of the medium M on the main conveying path TP. The control unit 100 identifies the position of the medium M on the main conveying path TP based on the detection result of a sensor that detects the medium M at a predetermined position on the main conveying path TP, and the amount of medium M conveyed from that detected position. When the rear end of the recorded medium M exceeds the branch position of the main conveying path TP and the reversing path RP on the downstream side of the conveying direction A, the control unit 100 switches the conveying direction of the medium M to the opposite direction.

[0065] The recording device 11 has a baffle 38 at the branch point of the main conveying path TP and the reversing path RP. The baffle 38 can select the path of the medium M at the branch point. The baffle 38 guides the medium M, which is being conveyed in the opposite direction to the first conveying direction A1, toward the reversing path RP. The reversing path RP is configured to pass under the main conveying path TP. The reversing path RP is a path that conveys the medium M along the second conveying direction A2 from the branch point to the inlet toward the reversing roller 43. The medium M guided to the reversing path RP is pushed to a position beyond the conveying roller 47 by the rotation of the discharge roller 46. The medium M, whose front end has left the discharge roller 46, is conveyed along the reversing path RP toward the second conveying direction A2 by the rotation of the conveying roller 47.

[0066] The rear end of the medium M, conveyed along the flipping path RP, is clamped by the flipping roller 43 and guide roller 49 upon reaching the inlet of the flipping roller 43. By rotating the flipping roller 43 in this state, the medium M is conveyed along the outer periphery of the flipping roller while merging with the first feed path FP1. Thus, the back of the medium M, having finished recording the first side, is flipped. The flipped medium M is then conveyed along the main conveying path TP in the first conveying direction A1. At a recording position midway along the main conveying path TP, the recording unit 25 records the second side of the medium M. Thus, recording is performed on both sides of the medium M. After being conveyed along the main conveying path TP, the medium M, recorded on both sides, is discharged from the outlet 16. The discharged double-sided recorded medium M is stacked on the stacker 17.

[0067] As described above, the media transport device 30 constituting the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment includes: a device body 12; a media storage box 13 configured to be withdrawable relative to the device body 12 in a withdrawal direction corresponding to the -Y direction; and a flipping path unit 20 as a transport unit, which includes a portion of a transport path T for transporting the media M stored in the media storage box 13. Further, the recording apparatus 11 includes a support tray 21 and a front cover 14. The support tray 21 is integrally disposed with the flipping path unit 20 and is capable of supporting the media M. The front cover 14 is disposed to cover an opening 18 in the device body 12 located downstream of the flipping path unit 20 in the withdrawal direction, and can be opened and closed with the X-axis direction intersecting the withdrawal direction as the extension direction of the rotation axis 19.

[0068] The details of the front hood 14 are described below. The front hood 14 is capable of adopting the following... Figure 1 The first posture of the cover opening 18 is shown. Furthermore, the front cover 14 can adopt a second posture, as shown below. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The rotating tip, i.e., the extension 14C, on the side opposite to the rotation axis 19, is positioned downstream of the first position in the extraction direction, and can be used to feed the medium M from the support tray 21. Furthermore, the front cover 14 can adopt a third position, which is as follows: Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The rotating top (extension 14C) shown is positioned downstream of the extraction direction compared to the second posture, and the flipping path unit 20 can be loaded and unloaded relative to the device body 12.

[0069] That is, in addition to being able to adopt a first posture covering the opening 18 and a third posture in which the flipping path unit 20 can be loaded and unloaded relative to the device body 12, the front cover 14 of this embodiment can also adopt a second posture that is an opening and closing degree between the first posture and the third posture. Therefore, the recording device 11 of this embodiment can make various changes to the opening and closing degree of the front cover 14 according to the content of the work, thereby improving the workability of various tasks.

[0070] in addition, Figure 7 The state indicates that when the front cover 14 is set to the third posture, from Figure 5 The state is such that the flip path unit 20 is further pulled out, thereby removing the flip path unit 20 from the device body 12. Even after the flip path unit 20 is removed from the device body 12, the recording device 11 of this embodiment can still operate as described above. Figure 8The front cover 14 can be set to the second posture as shown, and it is also possible to set the front cover 14 to the first posture. Figure 9 This indicates the flipping path unit 20 that has been removed from the main body 12 of the device.

[0071] From the perspective of a liquid ejection device, the recording device 11, which is the liquid ejection device of this embodiment, includes a recording unit 25, which is a liquid ejection unit that ejects ink as a liquid to form an image, and a medium transport device as described above. Therefore, the recording device 11 of this embodiment, among liquid ejection devices capable of ejecting liquid to a medium M to form an image, can improve the workability of various operations.

[0072] Here, the transport unit in the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment is a flipping path unit 20 that constitutes at least a part of the flipping path RP in the transport path T that flips the medium M. By providing this structure, the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment can easily remove the jammed medium M, for example, in the event of a paper jam in the flipping path RP.

[0073] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, in the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment, the flipping path unit 20 includes a loading section 52 for loading the medium M supported by the support tray 21, and a hopper section 53 capable of switching the tilt angle of the loading section 52 as viewed in the X-axis direction extending from the rotation axis 19. By adopting this structure, the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment can appropriately convey the medium M supported by the support tray 21.

[0074] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment includes a separation roller 55 in the flipping path unit 20. The separation roller 55 is a separation roller that separates the medium M supported by the support tray 21. By providing a structure with a separation roller 55, as in the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment, it is possible to transport the medium M supported by the support tray 21 while suppressing overlapping transport and the like.

[0075] In addition, such as Figure 9 As shown, the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment includes a supply roller 54 in the flip path unit 20. The supply roller 54 is a roller for supplying the medium M supported on the support tray 21 to the main transport path TP. By configuring the recording apparatus 11 of this embodiment with a supply roller 54, the medium M supported on the support tray 21 can be properly transported.

[0076] Here, the attitude maintenance unit 60, which changes the front cover 14 to a first attitude, a second attitude, and a third attitude and maintains them, will be described. Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 As shown, the attitude maintenance section 60 is composed of holes 141, 142, and 143 and a protrusion 62. The holes 141, 142, and 143 are formed on a fan-shaped portion 14D provided on the extension 14B on the -X direction side of the front cover 14. The protrusion 62 is provided in the opening 18 of the device body 12 at a position opposite to the fan-shaped portion 14D in the X-axis direction. In this way, the recording device 11 of this embodiment includes an attitude maintenance section 60, which has three holes 141, 142, and 143 provided on the front cover 14 and a protrusion 62 provided on the device body 12.

[0077] Preferably, the posture maintaining part 60 includes a front cover 14, wherein the posture maintaining part 60 has a protrusion provided on one of the front cover 14 and the opening 18, and a hole provided on the other of the front cover 14 and the opening 18 and engaging with the protrusion. Further, as in the posture maintaining part 60 of this embodiment, it is preferably configured such that by having at least one of the three protrusions and the hole, the front cover 14 can be maintained in at least three postures: a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture. Additionally, as... Figure 11 As shown, the attitude maintenance unit 60 of this embodiment includes a compression spring 65 that presses the protrusion 62 in the +X direction. Due to this structure, the protrusion 62 easily engages with the holes 141, 142, and 143. Furthermore, the pressing force of the compression spring 65 that presses the protrusion 62 in the +X direction corresponds to the locking force of the attitude maintenance unit 60.

[0078] This is because, by designing it in this way, the front cover 14 can be maintained in at least three postures—a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture—through a simple device structure. Furthermore, Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 This indicates that the protrusion 62 engages with the hole 142 in the three holes 141, 142, and 143 to maintain the state of the front cover 14 in a second posture. Figure 7 This indicates that the protrusion 62 engages with the hole 143 to maintain the front cover 14 in a third posture. When the protrusion 62 engages with the hole 141, the front cover 14 is maintained in a first posture.

[0079] In addition, such as Figure 7 as well as Figure 12As shown, the recording device 11 of this embodiment includes a torsion spring 63 that is fitted into the rotation axis 19 of the front cover 14. The torsion spring 63 functions as a force-applying part that applies force in the closing direction, which is opposite to the opening direction of the rotation of the front cover 14 due to gravity. By providing such a structure, the recording device 11 of this embodiment can appropriately rotate the front cover 14 in both cases where the front cover 14 is rotated in the opening direction due to gravity and when the front cover 14 is rotated in the closing direction, which is opposite to the rotation direction due to gravity. Furthermore, by providing such a structure, the locking force (pressing force of the compression spring 65) of the protrusion 62 and the holes 141, 142, and 143 in the posture holding part 60 can be reduced.

[0080] In addition, such as Figure 7 as well as Figure 12 As shown, the recording device 11 of this embodiment includes a support portion 61, which supports the flipping path unit 20 in the device body 12 via a support surface 61A. The front cover 14 is configured such that its flat surface 14A is maintained relative to the support surface 61A in a posture without any height difference in the third posture. By providing such a structure, the recording device 11 of this embodiment allows the flipping path unit 20 to be smoothly attached and detached from the device body 12.

[0081] Furthermore, as described above, the recording device 11 of this embodiment includes an operation unit 22 that operates when attaching or detaching the flipping path unit 20 from the device body 12. Here, as... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, a through hole 64 is provided on the support tray 21 to allow the operating part 22 to access it. Furthermore, the front cover 14 of this embodiment, as described above, has an extension 14C, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the extension 14C functions as a cross-direction cover. When the front cover 14 is in the first posture, the cross-direction cover covers a portion of the device body 12 in the cross-direction Z-axis direction, which intersects both the Y-axis direction corresponding to the extraction direction and the X-axis direction corresponding to the extension direction of the rotation axis 19. Here, as... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the extension 14C of the cross-direction cover is provided at a position that does not overlap with the through hole 64 when viewed from the Y-axis direction along the extraction direction when the front cover 14 is in the third posture.

[0082] The recording device 11 of this embodiment is configured in such a way that it can cover the opening 18 appropriately without hindering access to the operation unit 22. Furthermore, on this basis, when the flipping path unit 20 is pulled out, it is also possible to prevent it from being pulled out beyond the extension 14C into the -Y direction and to prevent the flipping path unit 20 from being pulled out to a degree necessary and falling down.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments or modifications described above, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims, and these modifications are obviously also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, although in the posture holding part 60 of this embodiment, the front cover 14 can be maintained in three postures—a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture—by having three holes that engage with the protrusions, it is also possible to provide a structure with four or more protrusions and at least one of the holes, and to provide a structure that can maintain the front cover 14 in four or more postures.

[0084] Symbol Explanation 11…Recording device (liquid ejection device), 12…Device body, 13…Media storage box, 14…Front cover (cover), 14A…Flat surface, 14B…Extension, 14C…Extension (rotating top, cross-direction cover), 14D…Fan-shaped part, 15…Media supply part, 16…Discharge port, 17…Stacker, 18…Opening, 19…Rotating shaft, 20…Tilting path unit (conveying unit), 21…Support tray, 22…Operating part, 25…Recording part (liquid ejection part), 26…Recording head, 27…Support part, 30…Media conveying device, 31…First tray, 32…Second tray, 33…Third tray, 35…Plate, 36…Edge guide, 38…Baffle, 40…Conveying part, 4 1…First feed roller, 42…Separation roller pair, 43…Tilting roller, 44…Conveying roller pair, 45…Discharge roller pair, 46…Discharge roller, 47…Conveying roller, 48…Guide roller, 49…Guide roller, 50…Guide roller, 52…Loading section, 53…Hopper section, 54…Supply roller, 55…Separation roller, 56…Media detection section, 57…Edge guide, 60…Attitude maintenance section, 61…Support section, 61A…Support surface, 62…Protrusion, 63…Torsion spring (force application section), 64…Through hole, 100…Control section, 141…Hole section, 142…Hole section, 143…Hole section, M…Media, FP1…First feed path, FP2…Second supply path, RP…Tilting path, T…Conveying path, TP…Main conveying path.

Claims

1. A medium conveying device, characterized in that, have: Main body of the device; A media storage box is configured to be able to be pulled out in a pulling direction relative to the main body of the device; A conveying unit having a portion of a conveying path for conveying media stored in the media storage box; A support tray, which is integrally formed with the conveying unit and is capable of supporting the medium; A cover is configured to cover an opening in the device body located downstream of the conveying unit in the extraction direction, and to be openable and closed with the direction intersecting the extraction direction as the extension direction of the rotation axis. The cover adopts a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture. The first posture is the posture that covers the opening. The second posture is the posture in which the rotating tip on the opposite side of the rotating axis is located downstream of the extraction direction compared to the first posture, and is the posture in which the feeding of the medium from the support tray can be carried out. The third posture is the posture in which the rotating tip is located downstream of the extraction direction compared to the second posture, and is the posture in which the conveying unit can be loaded and unloaded relative to the device body.

2. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying unit is a reversing path unit that constitutes at least a part of the reversing path that causes the medium to reverse in the conveying path.

3. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conveying unit includes a loading section and a hopper section. The loading section loads the medium supported by the support tray, and the hopper section can switch the tilt angle of the loading section as viewed from the extension direction of the rotation axis.

4. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conveying unit includes a separating roller that separates the medium supported on the support tray.

5. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conveying unit includes a supply roller that supplies the medium supported on the support tray.

6. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device includes a posture-maintaining portion with the cover, the posture-maintaining portion having a protrusion provided on one of the cover and the opening, and a hole provided on the other of the cover and the opening and engaging with the protrusion. The posture maintaining part is configured to maintain the cover in at least three postures, namely the first posture, the second posture, and the third posture, by having at least one of the three protrusions and the hole.

7. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It has a force-applying part that applies force in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cover due to gravity.

8. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device includes a support portion that supports the conveying unit within the main body using a support surface. The cover is maintained in the third posture in a manner in which there is no height difference between it and the support surface.

9. The medium conveying device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, have: An operating unit that operates when loading and unloading the conveying unit relative to the main body of the device; A through hole is provided on the support tray, which allows for access relative to the operating part; A cross-directional cover portion is disposed on the cover, and when the cover is in the first posture, covers a portion of the device body in a cross-directional direction that intersects both the extraction direction and the extension direction of the rotation axis. The cross-directional cover is positioned so that it does not overlap with the through hole when viewed from the direction along the extraction direction when the cover is in the third posture.

10. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, have: The liquid ejection section ejects liquid. The medium conveying device according to claim 1.

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