Recording device

Abstract

To achieve further miniaturization as compared with a prior art.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a carriage on which a recording head is mounted and which can reciprocate in a first direction; a motor which generates driving force; a drive shaft which is rotated and driven by the driving force and extends in the first direction; a plurality of drive sections which are driven by the driving force transmitted through the driving shaft; a switching section which interlocks with the drive shaft and switches a transmission destination of the driving force in the plurality of drive sections; and an abutting section which rotates around a shaft support section so as to have an abutting position where the abutting section abuts on the carriage or a non-abutting position where the abutting section does not abut on the carriage and moves together with the carriage at the abutting position. The switching section switches the transmission destination of the driving force by a moving section moving by the movement of the abutting section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device that records an image on a recording medium, and more particularly to an image recording device having a plurality of drive means and a drive transmission switching unit that selectively switches the drive. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known conventional image recording apparatus has one drive source and a plurality of drive means, and performs a switching operation to selectively drive one of the plurality of drive means.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an image recording device as shown in FIG. 11 of this specification. In this image recording device, a carriage comes into contact with a rotatable switching lever, and moves the switching lever in the axial direction. This allows a switching gear disposed at the rotation center of the switching lever to move to a position where it meshes with a gear that transmits driving force from among a plurality of driving means. Note that while an image is being recorded on a recording medium, the switching lever is in a retracted position relative to the carriage. Therefore, no impact is applied to the carriage, and recording operations are not hindered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-17993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, as the number of driving means increases, the width of the image recording device increases because the input gear needs to be arranged along the carriage movement direction. Therefore, it is necessary to move the switching gear, which is supported parallel to the carriage scanning direction, to a position where it meshes with the input gear of the driving force to which it is desired to transmit the driving force from among the multiple driving means.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure has an object to achieve a smaller size than conventional techniques in relation to a drive switching operation for selecting and driving one of a plurality of drive means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a recording device comprising: a carriage on which a recording head is mounted and which can move back and forth in a first direction; a motor that generates a driving force; a drive shaft that is driven to rotate by the driving force, the drive shaft extending in the first direction; a plurality of driving units that are driven by the driving force transmitted through the drive shaft; a switching unit that works in conjunction with the drive shaft to switch the destination of the driving force among the plurality of driving units; and a contact unit that rotates around a support part to be in a contact position where it contacts the carriage or in a non-contact position where it does not contact, and moves together with the carriage at the contact position, wherein the switching unit switches the destination of the driving force by a moving unit that moves in response to the movement of the contact unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a smaller size than the conventional technology with respect to the drive switching operation for selecting and driving one of a plurality of drive means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the conveyance of a recording medium inside an image recording device. [Diagram 3] Block diagram of an image recording device [Figure 4] A perspective view of a driving force transmission section [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a driving force transmission switching mechanism; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a locking position where the driving force transmission switching unit is held. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure around a contact portion in the contact mechanism; [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the driving direction of the conveying roller and the position of the contact portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the effects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a drive switching mechanism in a conventional image recording device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an image recording device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows a state in which a cover or case forming an exterior is removed. The image recording device M is a multifunction device equipped with a recording mechanism and a scanner mechanism (not shown) arranged on the upper part of the recording mechanism, and processes related to image recording and reading operations can be performed by the recording mechanism and the scanner mechanism individually or in conjunction with each other. The scanner mechanism is equipped with an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS (flatbed scanner), and can read a document automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) a document placed on the document table of the FBS by a user. Note that the image recording device of this embodiment is a multifunction device equipped with both a recording mechanism and a scanner mechanism, but may be in a form not equipped with a scanner mechanism.

[0012] The recording mechanism generally includes a first paper feed unit 1 and a second paper feed unit 2 on which a user can load recording media, and a transport unit 3 that transports the recording media fed from these paper feed units. The recording mechanism also includes a recording unit 4 that records an image on the recording medium transported by the transport unit 3, and a paper discharge unit 8 that loads the recording medium discharged after the image is recorded. The paper discharge unit 8 includes a recording medium stacking unit 81 and an extension tray 82 that can be pulled out from the device M to support the recording medium when it is large. The recording mechanism further includes a maintenance unit 5 that performs maintenance to keep the ejection state of the recording head in the recording unit 4 good, and a driving force transmission unit 6. As will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent figures, the driving force transmission unit 6 uses the force of rotation of the transport motor 31 in the transport unit 3 as a driving force, and switches between the first paper feed unit 1, the second paper feed unit 2, and the maintenance unit 5 to transmit the driving force. All of the above units are fixed to a base 7 to form the recording mechanism.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image recording device shown in FIG. 1, showing the conveyance of a recording medium on which an image is recorded. In this embodiment, there are two ways for a user to set a recording medium when recording an image. The first method is to set the recording medium in the first paper feed section 1 by stacking the recording medium P1 on the pressure plate 11. The second method is to set the recording medium P2 in the second paper feed section 2 by stacking the recording medium P2 in a cassette case 21 that is detachable from the image recording device M. When an image recording instruction is input by a user via an operation unit (not shown) or the like, the conveying motor 31 rotates forward to feed paper. That is, when feeding paper from the first paper feed section 1, the driving force transmission unit 6 is connected to the driving mechanism of the first paper feed section 1 and transmits the driving force due to the rotation of the conveying motor 31. As a result, the first paper feed roller 12 of the first paper feed section 1 rotates and the pressure plate 11 comes into contact with it, thereby feeding paper. A separation roller 13 is disposed opposite the first paper feed roller 12 to provide resistance to the feeding direction of the recording medium, so that only the topmost sheet of recording media P1 loaded on the pressure plate 11 is fed to the conveying section as indicated by the arrow F1.

[0014] When the second paper feed unit 2 feeds the recording medium P2, the driving force transmission unit 6 is connected to the driving mechanism of the second paper feed unit 2 and transmits the driving force of the conveying motor 31. More specifically, the driving force of the conveying motor 31 is transmitted to the second paper feed shaft gear 23 of the second paper feed unit 2 via the driving force transmission unit 6. Then, the second paper feed roller 25 rotates from the second paper feed shaft gear 23 via a plurality of second paper feed idler gears 24, and only the topmost paper of the recording medium P2 loaded in the cassette case 21 is fed. That is, by providing a separation unit 26 that applies resistance to the fed recording medium in the paper feed direction, even if a plurality of recording media are fed, only the topmost paper in contact with the second paper feed roller 25 is fed by the separation unit 26. Furthermore, the driving force is transmitted to the intermediate gear 27 and the intermediate roller 28 via a gear drive train (not shown) of the driving force transmission unit 6. As a result, the recording medium fed from the second feed roller 25 is fed to the transport section 3 as shown by the arrow F2 in cooperation with the driven roller 29 disposed opposite the intermediate roller 28. When the recording medium fed from each of the above-mentioned feed sections passes the detection lever 14, the left and right leading ends of the recording medium in the width direction are aligned with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium by a transport roller pair consisting of a transport roller 32 and a pinch roller 33 driven by the transport roller 32. The transport direction (y direction) of the recording medium in the recording section is perpendicular to the scanning direction (x direction) of the recording head.

[0015] The recording unit 4 includes a recording head 42, a carriage 41 on which the recording head 42 is mounted, a chassis 44 that movably supports the carriage 41, and a chassis rail 46 as a sliding member. The carriage 41 is capable of reciprocating movement in a scanning direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the fed recording medium. As the recording medium conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers or the like passes over a platen 36 that biases the recording medium and is provided at a position facing this recording unit, ink is ejected from the recording head 42 during scanning of the recording head 42 by the movement of the carriage 41, and an image is recorded on the recording medium.

[0016] When an image is recorded on only one side of the recording medium, the recording medium is discharged to the discharge section 8 through the discharge roller pair of discharge roller 34 and spur 35 as shown by the arrow F3 in the figure. When an image is recorded on both sides of the recording medium, after the image is recorded on one side of the recording medium, the conveying motor 31 is rotated in the reverse direction while the trailing end of the recording medium is clamped. Then, the pair of discharge rollers and the pair of conveying rollers rotate in the reverse direction to the conveying direction in which the image is recorded, and the recording medium is conveyed to the reverse conveying path as shown by the arrow F4 in the figure. Then, when the trailing end of the recording medium in the conveying direction passes the pair of conveying rollers, the conveying motor 31 is switched to forward rotation, and the left and right leading ends of the recording medium in the width direction are aligned again by the pair of conveying rollers. After that, the same operation as that described for recording an image on one side of the recording medium is performed, and the recording medium on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the discharge section 8 through the discharge roller pair of discharge roller 34 and spur 35 as shown by the arrow F3 in the figure. A maintenance unit 5 is also provided, and when no image is recorded, the carriage 41 is positioned at a standby position above the maintenance unit 5 to perform a recovery operation for the recording head 42, etc.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to control of the image recording device of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The image recording device M of this embodiment executes a recording operation and the like according to image data and control signals received from the host computer 906 via an I / F unit 905, in accordance with a processing procedure by a printer driver 9061 of the host computer 906.

[0018] In the image recording device M, an MPU 901 controls the operation of each unit of the device and data processing. A ROM 902 stores programs and data executed by the MPU 901. A RAM 903 temporarily stores processing data executed by the MPU 901 and data received from a host computer 906. A printhead driver 942 controls the ink ejection operation of the printhead 42 under the control of the MPU 901. A carriage motor driver 943 controls the drive of the carriage motor 43 under the control of the MPU 901 to move the carriage 41. A transport motor driver 931 controls the rotation drive of the transport motor 31 under the control of the MPU 901 to rotate the transport rollers 32 and the paper discharge rollers 34. The MPU 901 displays the status of the image recording device M on an operation display unit 904.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration related to the driving force transmission of the driving force transmission unit based on the driving force of the transport roller in the image recording device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of this configuration seen from the scanning range side of the recording head 42, and Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of this configuration seen from the end side outside the scanning range. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a driving force transmission switching mechanism configured in the driving force transmission unit 6. Fig. 5(a) shows the driving force transmission switching mechanism after assembly, and Fig. 5(b) shows the driving force transmission switching mechanism before assembly.

[0020] The driving force of a conveying motor 31 (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) serving as a driving source rotates the conveying roller 32. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), the rotational driving force of the conveying roller 32 is transmitted to the driving force transmission unit 6 via a conveying roller output gear 37 that rotates integrally with the conveying roller 32. Correspondingly, the driving force transmission unit 6 includes a drive input gear 614 that meshes with the conveying roller output gear 37, and a sun gear A 631 to which the rotation of the drive input gear 614 is transmitted via a number of gears. The driving force transmission unit 6 also includes a positioning unit 663, the details of which will be described later.

[0021] 5(a) and 5(b) show the driving force transmission unit 6, excluding the drive cover 612 among the drive base 611 and the drive cover 612 that constitute the exterior of the driving force transmission unit 6. The sun gear A 631 and the sun gear B 632 arranged inside the drive base 611 are respectively fitted to the drive shaft 635 in a D-cut shape, and thus rotate integrally with the drive shaft 635. This drive shaft 635 is rotatably supported by the drive base 611 and the drive cover 612. The drive shaft 635 is arranged so as to be parallel to the moving direction (so-called main scanning direction) of the carriage 41, and extends in the moving direction. A planetary arm 634 that holds a planetary gear 633 is supported on the drive shaft 635 so as to be movable along the drive shaft 635. Moreover, the planetary arm 634 has a protrusion 634A, and comb teeth are formed on the inside of this protrusion, while the drive shaft gear 643 at the end of the drive shaft 635 has a protrusion 643A, and comb teeth are formed on its outer surface. With these comb tooth configurations, the comb teeth of the protrusion 634A and the comb teeth of the protrusion 643A mesh with each other at a predetermined position as the planetary arm 634 moves, and the planetary arm 634 can rotate with the rotation of the drive shaft 635. With the above configuration of the planetary arm 634 and the planetary gear 633, the planetary gear 633 meshes with the sun gear B 632, and can function as a planetary gear mechanism.

[0022] Further, the drive shaft 635 supports a trigger holder (also called a moving part) 641 and a trigger holder spring 642 so as to be movable along the drive shaft. As a result, as described later, the trigger holder spring 642 exerts a biasing force against the movement of the trigger holder 641 and the planetary arm 634 along the drive shaft 635 due to the movement of the carriage 41. Furthermore, a drive shaft gear 643 is supported at the end of the drive shaft 635 opposite to the end supporting the sun gear A 631 and the sun gear B 632 so as to be rotatable integrally with the drive shaft 635. The sun gear B 632, the planetary gear 633, the planetary arm 634, and the trigger holder 641 described above interact with each other in the driving force transmission switching operation described later in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, and in this respect constitute a driving force transmission switching part. In this driving force transmission switching part, the trigger holder spring 642 constantly biases the trigger holder 641 in the -x direction in the figure.

[0023] 5(a) and (b), the drive base 611 is provided with a support shaft 501, a support shaft 502, and a support shaft 503 that respectively protrude toward the inside of the driving force transmission unit 6. These support shafts 501, 502, and 503 correspond to the maintenance unit 5, the second paper feed unit 2, and the first paper feed unit 1, and the inner diameter portion of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 engages with these shafts. This makes it possible to transmit the driving force to each (switch the transmission destination of the driving force). In detail, the planetary arm 634 that holds the planetary gear 633 can rotate around the driving shaft 635 as a central axis, and the support shafts 501, 502, and 503 are respectively arranged on the rotation locus of the planetary gear 633 during this rotation. The fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 has a shaft hole for inserting the same shaft, and the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 rotates to a position facing each support shaft, and the support shaft can be inserted. When the support shaft 501 is inserted into the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634, the planetary gear 633 meshes with the maintenance input gear 651. Similarly, when the support shaft 502 is inserted into the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634, it meshes with the second paper feed input gear 621, and when the support shaft 503 is inserted, it meshes with the first paper feed input gear 15, respectively, to transmit the drive. Note that FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the planetary gear 633 meshes with the maintenance input gear 651 (transmission of drive force to the maintenance unit).

[0024] The operation of the driving force transmission unit 6 with the above configuration is as follows. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the rotation of the transport roller 32 (see FIG. 4) rotates the driving shaft 635 via the sun gear A 631 and the like. The rotation of the driving shaft 635 rotates the sun gear B 632, which rotates the planetary gear 633 meshing therewith. This rotation rotates the maintenance input gear 651, the second paper feed input gear 621, or the first paper feed input gear 15 corresponding to each support shaft, thereby transmitting the driving force to the corresponding drive unit. In addition, in the driving force transmission switching operation (support shaft changing operation), the planetary arm 634 rotates together with the rotation of the above-mentioned driving shaft 635, and the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 is aligned with each support shaft. With this alignment, the trigger holder 641 biased by the trigger holder spring 642 can cause the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 to be inserted into the aligned support shaft.

[0025] 6(a), (b), and (c) are side views for explaining three meshing or non-meshing positions of the planetary gears accompanying the movement of the driving force transmission switching unit in this embodiment. Also, FIG. 6(d), (e), and (f) are views particularly showing a positioning portion 663 provided in the driving force transmission unit 6. The holding positions shown in FIG. 6(d), (e), and (f) correspond to the positions shown in FIG. 6(a), (b), and (c). The positioning portion 663 is in the form of a clutch 6632, and engages with a locking portion 6412 provided in a trigger holder 641 constituting the driving force transmission switching unit. The locking portion 6412 is located in a recess in the clutch 6632 and can move along a slope as the trigger holder 641 moves. Further, the positioning portion 663 includes a clutch spring 6633 held by a clutch holder 6631, and the clutch spring 6633 biases the clutch 6632 so that the engagement between the clutch 6632 and the locking portion 6412 of the trigger holder 641 engaged therewith is not released.

[0026] As shown in Figures 6(a) and (d), when the locking portion 6412 is locked by the first locking portion 6632a provided on the clutch 6632, the driving force transmission switching portion is held at the first locking position (A). When the locking portion 6412 is locked by the first locking portion 6632a, as shown in Figure 6(a), the locking portion 6412 is pressed against the sawtooth side portion by the biasing force of the trigger holder spring 642. This maintains the position of the driving force transmission switching portion. This is also true when the positions shown in Figures 6(b) and (e) are maintained as described below.

[0027] 6(a) and (d), the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 is inserted through one of the support shafts 1 to 3, and the driving force can be transmitted to or disconnected from the driving unit corresponding to the inserted support shaft. In this embodiment, in this position, the maintenance unit 5 can be driven to perform maintenance on the recording head, or the feeding of the recording medium by the first paper feed unit 1 or the second paper feed unit 2 can be stopped.

[0028] 6(b) and (e), the movement of the carriage 41 causes the driving force transmission switching unit to move a predetermined amount in the axial direction, and when the locking unit 6412 locks with the second locking unit 6632b of the clutch 6632, the driving force transmission switching unit is held at the second locking position (B). At this position, the shaft holes of the planetary gear 633 and the planetary arm 634 are inserted through any one of the support shafts 1 to 3, and the driving force can be transmitted to the driving unit corresponding to the inserted support shaft. In this embodiment, at this position, paper can be fed by the first paper feed unit 1 or the second paper feed unit 2.

[0029] 6(c) and (f), when the locking portion 6412 reaches the drive switching position 6632c of the clutch 6632, the shaft hole of the fitting shaft 634B of the planetary arm 634 is in a position where it is disengaged from all of the support shafts 1 to 3. In this position, the planetary arm 634 is able to rotate, and a drive force transmission switching operation for moving to another support shaft becomes possible.

[0030] When the carriage 41 moves in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned pushing movement, the driving force transmission switching part moves in the -x direction due to the biasing force of the trigger holder spring 642. With this movement, the locking part 6412 passes through the inclined surface adjacent to the driving switching position 6632c and the convex part 6632d consisting of multiple curved surfaces, and the locking part 6412 returns to the first locking part 6632a (first locking position).

[0031] Hereinafter, switching of the transmission destination of the driving force accompanying the abutment of the carriage (called drive switching) will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the abutment mechanism for abutting the carriage 41 in the switching operation by the driving force transmission unit 6 described above, and shows a perspective view of the abutment mechanism. The carriage 41 abuts against the abutment portion 648 of the abutment mechanism as it moves (pushed toward the home position), thereby determining the position of the planetary arm 634 (and therefore the planetary gear 633) of the driving force transmission unit 6 along the drive shaft 635. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure around the abutment portion 648. In detail, FIGS. 8(a) and (c) are perspective views before assembly as seen from different directions, and FIGS. 8(b) and (d) are perspective views after assembly as seen from different directions.

[0032] The driving force of the conveying motor 31 is transmitted to the drive shaft gear 643. Next, this force is transmitted by the drive of the drive shaft gear 643 to a shaft support gear 645 via a drive shaft idler gear 644 that is supported on a shaft provided in a drive gear cover 662 (not shown).

[0033] The shaft support gear 645 and the shaft support 646 are fitted together in a D-cut shape and rotate together. A shaft 646c of the shaft support 646 is supported by a drive gear cover 662 (not shown), while a shaft 646d on the opposite side is supported by a drive gear base 661 (not shown), so that the shaft support 646 is disposed parallel to the scanning direction of the carriage 41. The shaft support 646 further supports an urging portion 647 and a contact portion 648. In this embodiment, a spring is used as the urging portion 647.

[0034] The biasing force of the biasing portion 647 biases the pivot portion 646 and the drive switching abutment portion 648 toward a drive gear base 661 (not shown), and biases the pivot portion gear 645 toward a drive gear cover 662. When the biasing portion 647 biases a surface 648c of the abutment portion 648, the abutment portion 648 is driven to rotate in the same direction as the pivot portion 646 due to frictional force generated between a surface 646a of the pivot portion 646 that is driven to rotate and a surface 648d of the abutment portion 648.

[0035] The abutment portion 648 is provided with a first abutment surface 648a that abuts against the carriage 41, and a second abutment surface 648b that abuts against the abutment surface 6411 of the trigger holder 641 as the carriage 41 moves further in the axial direction (+X direction) to press the abutment portion 648. With this configuration, the driving force transmission switching portion is moved to a first locking position, a second locking position, a drive switching position, etc., as shown in Fig. 6, depending on the amount of movement (push-in amount) of the carriage 41. A hook shape such as a protrusion may be provided to prevent the carriage 41 from releasing the push of the first abutment surface 648a while the carriage 41 is in contact with the first abutment surface 648a. When the carriage 41 is not pressing the contact portion 648, the contact portion 648 is not in contact with the driving force transmission switching portion, and therefore a constant biasing force is always applied to the driving force transmission switching portion by the biasing portion 647. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the amount of drive for rotating the contact portion 648 depending on the position of the driving force transmission switching portion.

[0036] By increasing the biasing force of the biasing portion 647, the driving force of the abutment portion 648 can be increased. This can reduce a delay in driving due to stick-slip between the biasing portion 647 and the abutment surface of the drive switching abutment portion 648. In addition, it is desirable to arrange the biasing portion 647 so that the journal gear 645 and the abutment portion 648 rotate simultaneously. In this regard, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 according to this embodiment, the biasing portion 647 and the abutment portion 648 start to rotate integrally when the driving force is transmitted. Therefore, as a driving force for driving the abutment portion 648, a driving force based on the static friction coefficient and biasing force between the two parts (i.e., the biasing portion 647 and the abutment portion 648) is generated. In general, the static friction coefficient is larger than the dynamic friction coefficient. Therefore, by adopting the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the driving force of the abutment portion 648 can be increased without increasing the biasing force of the biasing portion 647. The journal gear 645 is provided with a standing wall 645a. The standing wall 645a serves to prevent the biasing portion 647 from shifting out of position even at the drive switching position where it is most compressed, and also serves to suppress loss of the biasing force.

[0037] 9(a) and 9(b) are simplified diagrams showing the driving direction of the transport roller 32 and the position of the contact portion 648. FIG. 9(c) is a perspective view of the periphery of the contact portion 648, including the chassis 44 and the chassis rail 46.

[0038] FIG. 9(a) shows a state in which an image is recorded on a recording medium fed from the first feed unit 1 or the second feed unit 2, that is, a state in which the conveying roller 32 rotates in a predetermined driving direction (called a forward direction) when feeding a recording medium from the feed unit to the recording unit. When the conveying roller 32 rotates counterclockwise, the abutment portion 648 also rotates counterclockwise. By providing the notch portion 44a in the chassis 44 and the notch portion 46a in the chassis rail 46, it is possible to arrange the abutment portion 648 near the belt scanned by the carriage 41. The movement of the abutment portion 648 is restricted (held) in a state where it is completely withdrawn from the carriage 41, that is, in a position where it cannot come into contact with the carriage 41, by a regulating member (not shown). The height of this non-contact position is equal to or less than the height of the notch portion 44a, and it is preferable that it is equal to or less than the height of the notch portion 46a.

[0039] As a result, even when the carriage 41 is scanning to record an image on the recording medium, the abutment portion 648 will not collide with the carriage 41. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the abutment portion 648 within the range of the scanning area of ​​the carriage 41. In addition, since the abutment portion 648 is frictionally driven by the biasing portion 647, the conveying motor 31 will not lock even when the abutment portion 648 is on a contact surface (not shown).

[0040] FIG. 9B shows a state in which the driving direction of the conveying roller 32 is opposite to that shown in FIG. 9A, that is, the conveying roller 32 rotates in a predetermined driving direction (reverse to the forward direction described above, so called the reverse direction) when feeding a recording medium from the recording unit to the paper feed unit. When the conveying roller 32 rotates clockwise, the contact portion 648 also rotates clockwise. The contact portion 648 contacts the contact surface 46b of the chassis rail 46, and is held in a position where it can contact the carriage 41. In this state, the carriage 41 moves the contact portion 648 along the axial direction, and the driving force transmission switching portion can be moved. In this embodiment, the contact portion 648 contacts the carriage 41, so that the contact portion 648 is less susceptible to the accuracy of parts, that is, the contact portion 648 contacts the chassis rail 46 that slides with the carriage 41. However, the contact portion 648 may contact the chassis 44 or other parts. In addition, when the abutment portion 648 is moved by the carriage 41, in order to suppress the effects of misalignment (rolling, etc.) of the carriage 41 caused by resistance from the biasing portion 647, etc., it is desirable to set the abutment position near the belt that scans the carriage 41.

[0041] <Effects of this embodiment> Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the effect of this embodiment. In detail, Fig. 10(a) shows an image recording device having a rotatable contact portion 648 of this embodiment as a contact portion for driving switching, while Fig. 10(b) shows an image recording device having a non-rotatable contact portion 648' of the prior art.

[0042] When an image is recorded on a recording medium, the carriage 41 must be scanned at a constant speed equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and therefore a run-up distance equal to or greater than a predetermined value must be provided. In addition, the recording head must be periodically moved onto the cap 52 to perform maintenance operations on the recording head. Therefore, when an image is recorded, the length of the scanning area of ​​the carriage 41 in the scanning direction must be greater than the maximum width of the recording medium on which the image can be recorded. In the case of the conventional contact portion 648', if the contact portion 648' is arranged at a position overlapping with the scanning area of ​​the carriage 41 during recording, there is a risk that the carriage 41 and the contact portion 648' will come into contact with each other during the recording operation, causing a drive switching operation. Therefore, it was necessary to arrange the contact portion 648' outside the scanning area of ​​the carriage 41 during recording.

[0043] However, in the image recording device having a rotatable contact portion 648 like this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10(a), the contact portion 648 can be retracted so as not to come into contact with the carriage 41 during image recording. Therefore, even if the contact portion 648 is provided within the range of the scanning area of ​​the carriage 41 (within the range of the movement area in which the carriage 41 moves back and forth), no hindrance occurs to the recording operation. Therefore, the length of the carriage 41 in the scanning direction can be shortened, and the image recording device can be made smaller, improving convenience for the user when installing it.

[0044] Furthermore, in a conventional image recording device, when the planetary gear 633 and the input gears of each drive unit are arranged parallel to the axial direction of the drive shaft 635, the width of the image recording device increases as the number of drive units increases. However, as in this embodiment, the input gears of the drive units are arranged on the trajectory along which the planetary gear 633 and the planetary arm 634 rotate, thereby preventing the image recording device from becoming larger. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the drive units and the like increases, making it possible to provide a compact image recording device.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, with regard to the drive switching operation in which one of a plurality of driving means is selected and driven, it is possible to realize a stable switching operation that is not dependent on the position of the drive force transmission switching unit in a device that is smaller than the conventional technology.

[0046] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the urging portion 647 urges the abutment portion 648 in one direction, and generates a frictional force between the urging portion 647 and the pivot support portion 646 that is driven to rotate, thereby driving the abutment portion 648. In the first embodiment, a spring is used as the urging portion 647 shown in Fig. 7, but an elastic member such as rubber having a higher friction coefficient than a spring may be used. In order to increase the frictional force while reducing the reaction force of the urging portion 647 when the carriage 41 is pushed in, the surfaces where the pivot support portion gear 645 and the abutment portion 648 are in contact with each other may be made of a composite material made of a rubber member, with a sponge material such as foamed urethane.

[0047] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, an image recording device has been described as an example, but the concept of the present disclosure can be applied to any device having the above-mentioned drive mechanism.

[0048] The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0049] [Technical Features of the Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0050] (Configuration 1) A recording device comprising: a carriage on which a recording head is mounted and which can move back and forth in a first direction; a motor which generates a driving force; a drive shaft which is rotationally driven by the driving force, the drive shaft extending in the first direction; a plurality of driving units which are driven by the driving force transmitted via the drive shaft; a switching unit which works in conjunction with the drive shaft and switches the destination of the driving force among the plurality of driving units; and a contact unit which rotates around a support part to be in a contact position where it contacts the carriage or in a non-contact position where it does not contact, and which moves together with the carriage at the contact position, wherein the switching unit switches the destination of the driving force by a moving unit which moves in response to the movement of the contact unit.

[0051] (Configuration 2) The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein the switching unit includes a planetary gear and a planetary arm, and the planetary gear rotates around the drive shaft by the planetary arm.

[0052] (Configuration 3) The recording device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a support shaft corresponding to each of the plurality of drive units, the planetary gear engaging with each of the plurality of support shafts and transmitting a drive force to the drive unit corresponding to the engaged support shaft.

[0053] (Configuration 4) In the recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, the switching unit further includes a sun gear.

[0054] (Configuration 5) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the planetary gear and the planetary arm each have a shaft hole for inserting an identical shaft, and any one of the plurality of support shafts is inserted into the shaft hole.

[0055] (Configuration 6) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the abutment portion is attached to the switching portion and is provided within a range of the movement area of ​​the carriage while the recording head records an image in the first direction.

[0056] (Configuration 7) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the shaft support portion supports the contact portion, extends in the first direction, and is rotatable by the driving force.

[0057] (Configuration 8) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the carriage moves while in contact with the abutment portion, causing the abutment portion to move in the first direction, and the movement of the abutment portion causes a locking portion provided on the moving portion to move.

[0058] (Configuration 9) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the engaging portion is positioned at a first engaging position where it is connected to one of the plurality of driving portions, or at a second engaging position where it is connected to another driving portion of the plurality of driving portions other than the one driving portion.

[0059] (Configuration 10) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising a biasing portion that biases the contact portion in one predetermined direction.

[0060] (Configuration 11) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, further comprising a transport roller that transports the recording medium along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when the transport roller rotates in a forward direction that sends the recording medium from a paper feed unit to a recording unit including the recording head, the abutment portion is held in a first position that cannot contact the carriage.

[0061] (Configuration 12) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that when the conveying roller rotates in a direction opposite to the forward direction, the abutment portion is held in a second position where it can contact the carriage.

[0062] (Configuration 13) A recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, further comprising a sliding member along which the carriage slides, the sliding member having a cutout portion through which the contact portion protrudes and a regulating member that holds the contact portion at the first position, the height of the first position being equal to or less than the height of the cutout portion.

[0063] (Configuration 14) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of drive units are a maintenance unit that performs maintenance and a supply unit that supplies the recording medium.

[0064] (Configuration 15) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the biasing portion is made of an elastic member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] M Image recording device 4 Recording section 5. Maintenance Department 6. Driving force transmission section 31 Transport motor 32 Transport roller 37 Conveyor roller output gear 41 Carriage 42 Recording head 44 Chassis 46 Chassis rail 631 Sun Gear A 632 Sun Gear B 633 Planetary Gear 634 Planetary Arm 635 Drive shaft 641 Trigger Holder 642 Trigger holder spring 643 Drive shaft gear 644 Drive shaft idler gear 645 Axle support gear 646 Axial branch 647 Pressurizing part 648 Contact part

Claims

1. A carriage on which a recording head is mounted and which is reciprocally movable in a first direction, a motor that generates a driving force, a drive shaft that is rotationally driven by the driving force and extends in the first direction, a plurality of drive units that are driven by the driving force transmitted through the drive shaft, a switching unit that is interlocked with the drive shaft and switches the transmission destination of the driving force among the plurality of drive units, a contact portion that rotates around a shaft support portion so as to be in a contact position where it contacts the carriage or a non-contact position where it does not contact the carriage, and moves together with the carriage at the contact position, comprising: The switching unit includes a planetary gear and a planetary arm, and switches the transmission destination of the driving force by a moving portion that moves by the movement of the contact portion. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The planetary gear rotates around the drive shaft as a central axis by the planetary arm. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Comprising support shafts corresponding to each of the plurality of drive units, The planetary gear engages with each of the plurality of support shafts and transmits the driving force to the drive unit corresponding to the engaged support shaft. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The switching unit further includes a sun gear. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

5. Shaft holes for inserting the same shaft are formed in each of the planetary gear and the planetary arm, Any one of the plurality of support shafts is inserted into the shaft hole. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

6. The contact portion is attached to the switching unit and is provided within the range of the movement region of the carriage while the recording head records an image in the first direction. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

7. The shaft support portion supports the contact portion, extends in the first direction, and is rotatable by the driving force. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. As the carriage moves while contacting the contact portion, the contact portion moves in the first direction. Due to the movement of the contact portion, a locking portion provided on the moving portion moves. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

9. The locking portion is positioned at a first locking position connected to one of the plurality of driving portions, or at a second locking position connected to another one of the plurality of driving portions that is not the one driving portion. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The recording apparatus further includes a biasing portion that biases the contact portion in a predetermined one direction. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

11. The recording apparatus further includes a conveyance roller that conveys the recording medium along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. When the conveyance roller rotates in a forward direction in which the recording medium is sent from a paper feeding portion to a recording portion including the recording head, the contact portion is held at a first position where it cannot contact the carriage. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. When the conveyance roller rotates in a direction opposite to the forward direction, the contact portion is held at a second position where it can contact the carriage. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that.

13. The carriage further includes a sliding member on which the carriage slides. The sliding member has a notch portion for the contact portion to protrude and a regulating member for holding the contact portion at the first position. The height of the first position is equal to or less than the height of the notch portion. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The plurality of driving portions include a maintenance portion for performing maintenance and a supply portion for supplying the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that.

15. The biasing portion is composed of an elastic member. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that.

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