Recording apparatus, control method of recording apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a recording apparatus, a control method of the recording apparatus, and a program that cancel an overlapped state of ejected sheets to suppress deterioration in a paper ejection alignment property of the ejected sheets.SOLUTION: A proper distance Dp is set upon completion of separation. Then, in a separation operation, conveyance speed of a downstream side roller conveying a preceding recording medium 1P and conveyance speed of an upstream side roller conveying a subsequent recording medium 2P are adjusted to cancel an overlapped state of the recording medium 1P and the subsequent recording medium 2P, on the basis of the distance Dp. Thereafter, the conveyance speed of the downstream side roller is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method for a recording apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent recording devices, there is a need for high-speed processing to minimize the interval between sheets during conveyance and maximize the number of sheets on which images can be formed per unit time. To achieve high-speed image formation, a recording device is provided that continuously conveys sheets with the trailing edge of a preceding sheet and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet partially overlapping each other. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of increasing the conveyance speed of the preceding sheet and discharging the preceding sheet after separating it from the succeeding sheet in order to eliminate the overlapping state after image formation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-56299 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the sheets are discharged at high speed while being separated from each other, which may result in poor alignment of the discharged sheets on the discharge tray.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the alignment of discharged sheets in a recording device that transports continuous sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the recording device of the present invention is a recording device comprising a recording unit that records on a recording medium transported in a transport direction, a first transport means that transports the recording medium, a second transport means that is provided downstream of the first transport means in the transport direction and transports the recording medium recorded in the recording unit, and a control means that controls the first transport means and the second transport means to transport the first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium, wherein the control means transports the first recording medium at a first speed using the second transport means to separate the rear end of the first recording medium and the front end of the second recording medium, and then transports the first recording medium at a second speed slower than the first speed using the second transport means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus, a control method for a recording apparatus, and a program that can suppress deterioration of sheet alignment after discharge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a recording apparatus to which the present embodiment can be applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a recording device. [Diagram 3] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Diagram 5] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a separation operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a timing chart. [Figure 9]3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 10] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 11] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 12] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. [Figure 13] 3A to 3C are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying a recording medium in the recording apparatus in the order of steps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1(a) to 1(c) are side views showing the main parts of a recording device 200 to which this embodiment can be applied. The schematic configuration of the recording device 200 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1(a) to 1(c). In the recording device 200, a plurality of sheets (hereinafter, referred to as recording media) P are stacked on a paper stacking section 11. The pickup roller 2 contacts the topmost recording medium P stacked on the paper stacking section 11 to pick up the recording medium P. The feed roller 3 feeds the recording medium P picked up by the pickup roller 2 in the conveying direction along the first conveying path 100. The pickup roller 2 is a one-way roller, and stops after conveying the recording medium P to a position beyond the feed roller 3. Even if the pickup roller 2 is stopped, the conveying of the recording medium P can be continued by the feed roller 3. The feed driven roller 4 is urged toward the feed roller 3 and, together with the feed roller 3, sandwiches and feeds the recording medium P.

[0011] The first transport roller 5 transports the recording medium P, which has been fed by the feed roller 3 and the feed driven roller 4, to a position facing the recording head (recording unit) 7. The first transport driven roller 6 is urged toward the transport roller 5 and transports the recording medium P by pinching it together with the first transport roller 5. Between the feed nip portion formed by the feed roller 3 and the feed driven roller 4 and the transport nip portion formed by the transport roller 5 and the first transport driven roller 6, the recording medium P is guided by a guide within the first transport path 100. The recording medium detection sensor 16 detects the leading and trailing ends of the transported recording medium P. The recording medium detection sensor 16 is provided downstream of the feed roller 3 in the recording medium transport direction (see FIG. 1(a)).

[0012] The recording head 7 records on a first surface (front surface) of the recording medium P transported by the transport roller 5 and the first transport driven roller 6. In this embodiment, the recording head 7 is described as an inkjet type recording head that ejects ink to record on the recording medium P. The platen 8 supports a second surface (back surface) of the recording medium P at a position facing the recording head 7. The carriage 1 carries the recording head 7 and moves in a direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction. The second transport roller 10 transports the recording medium P on which recording has been performed by the recording head 7, in the transport direction. The second transport driven roller 12 is urged toward the second transport roller 10 and transports the recording medium P by clamping it together with the second transport roller 10 (see FIG. 1(b)).

[0013] The recording medium P conveyed by the second conveying roller 10 is conveyed along a guide in the paper discharge path 104. The paper discharge roller 22 discharges the recording medium P conveyed by the second conveying roller 10 to the paper discharge section 25. The paper discharge driven roller 23 is urged toward the paper discharge roller 22 and conveys the recording medium P by pinching it together with the paper discharge roller 22 (see FIG. 1(c)).

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the recording device 200 of this embodiment. The MPU 201 controls the operation of each unit and data processing. The ROM 202 includes an image processing unit 2021 and stores programs and data executed by the MPU 201. The RAM 203 temporarily stores data processed by the MPU 201 and data received from a host computer 214. The recording head 7 is controlled by a recording head driver 220. The carriage motor 204 drives the carriage 1. The conveying motor 205 drives the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10. The first feeding motor 207 drives the pickup roller 2. The second feeding motor 208 drives the feeding roller. The paper discharge motor 215 drives the paper discharge roller 22. The motor driver 218 controls the various motors described above.

[0015] The host computer 214 is provided with a printer driver 2141 for collecting recording information such as the recorded image and the recorded image quality and communicating with the recording device when a user commands the execution of a recording operation. The MPU 201 exchanges recording image data and the like with the host computer 214 via the I / F unit 213.

[0016] In the recording device 200, the leading edge of the succeeding recording medium P is overlapped (partially overlapped) and transported on the trailing edge of the preceding recording medium P. If the sheets are discharged in a face-down manner (with the recording surface facing down) while being transported in this overlapping state, the order of the sheets may be changed during discharge, which may result in poor alignment of the discharged sheets.

[0017] In Patent Document 1, in order to eliminate the overlapping state and discharge the paper, the transport speed during discharge is made faster than during recording, and the paper is discharged after separating it from the succeeding recording medium. However, if the transport speed is made faster in the separating operation and the paper is discharged, there is a risk that the alignment of the discharged paper may deteriorate.

[0018] Therefore, in this embodiment, after the separating operation, the conveying speed at the time of discharging the preceding recording medium is reduced from the speed at the time of separating, thereby suppressing the deterioration of the alignment of the discharged recording medium.

[0019] In this embodiment, the recording head 7 performs a recording operation on the preceding recording medium P1 while the succeeding recording medium P overlaps the preceding recording medium P by a predetermined amount. After the recording operation on the recording medium P1 is completed, a separation operation for the recording medium P1 is started. 3(a) to (c) and 4(a) and (b) are a series of diagrams showing the transport process after the separating operation in the order of steps. The transport process after the separating operation in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0020] FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P in the transport direction reaches the second transport roller 10, and the preceding recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P overlap. In this embodiment, this point is the start point of the separation operation. The MPU 201 can recognize that the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P in the transport direction has reached the second transport roller 10 from the rotation amount of the first transport roller 5 and the length of the paper from the point when the recording medium detection sensor 16 detects the recording medium 1P. Thereafter, the paper discharge motor 215 continuously rotates the paper discharge roller 22 independently of the first transport roller 5 and the second transport roller 10 to perform the separation operation. At this time, the speed of the paper discharge roller 22 is controlled so that the overlap amount between the downstream side in the transport direction of the following recording medium 2P and the upstream side in the transport direction of the preceding recording medium 1P gradually decreases. Specifically, the MPU 201 drives the discharge motor 215 so that the conveying speed by the discharge roller 22 is faster than the conveying speed by the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10. As a result, the overlapping amount between the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P gradually decreases, and the two are eventually separated from each other.

[0021] The following description will be given with reference to Figs. 3(b) and (c). Fig. 3(b) shows the state when the preceding recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P are completely separated, and Fig. 3(c) shows the state when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P in the transport direction reaches the discharge roller 22. When the preceding recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P are completely separated, the MPU 201 reduces the transport speed of the discharge roller 22. Specifically, the MPU 201 drives the discharge motor 215 so that the transport speed of the discharge roller 22 is slower than the transport speed of the first and second transport rollers. Therefore, the distance between the preceding recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P becomes narrower from the time when the separation is completed as shown in Fig. 3(b) until the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P in the transport direction reaches the discharge roller 22 as shown in Fig. 3(c). Here, if the succeeding recording medium 2P catches up with the preceding recording medium 1P, there is a risk that the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P will collide with each other, causing a jam.

[0022] Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotation speed of the discharge rollers 22 is controlled so that the distance between the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P becomes greater than 0 when the upstream end in the conveying direction of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the discharge rollers 22. This makes it possible to reduce the conveying speed of the preceding recording medium 1P when it is discharged to an appropriate speed while eliminating the overlap between the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P.

[0023] 4(a), the recording medium 1P on which recording has been completed is discharged to the discharge tray 25 by the rotation of the discharge rollers 22. Then, when the image forming operation for the last line of the succeeding recording medium 2P is completed, in this example, recording is completed on the recording medium 2P, which is the last recording medium in one job. Here, the recording medium 2P is discharged to the discharge tray 25 by rotating the discharge rollers 22, the second conveyor rollers 10, and the first conveyor rollers 5 (see FIG. 4(b)).

[0024] By controlling the conveyance of the recording medium in this way, the recording medium can be discharged at an appropriate discharge speed without overlapping the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P, and without disturbing the discharge alignment. This makes it possible to prevent the discharge alignment from deteriorating.

[0025] The transport control of the recording medium in this embodiment will be described in more detail below. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the terms upstream and downstream used in the following description refer to upstream and downstream in the transport direction.

[0026] Figures 5(a) to (d) are a series of diagrams showing the process steps of the transporting operation of the recording medium P in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps. Figures 6(a) to (c) are a series of diagrams showing the process steps of the transporting operation after the recording medium P is separated in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps. For ease of understanding, the transport path of the recording medium is shown linearly. The transporting process in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0027] FIG. 5(a) shows a state at the time when the downstream end of the following recording medium 2P reaches the second conveying roller 10 after recording on the preceding recording medium 1P is completed. At this time, the operation of separating the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P (hereinafter simply referred to as the separating operation) has not yet started. After that, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10, and the nip by the second conveying roller is released, and the separating operation starts. Note that the start timing of the separating operation is not limited to immediately after the recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10, but may be any time after the recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10. The separating operation is performed until the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T (separating end point), which is an arbitrary predetermined position upstream of the paper discharge roller 22. In this embodiment, point T is set in the section between the second conveying roller 10 and the paper discharge roller 22.

[0028] Here, the area from the second conveying roller 10 to point T is defined as the separation area, and the distance therebetween is distance L. Furthermore, when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T, that is, immediately after the separation operation is completed (corresponding to FIG. 5(d)), the distance between the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P and the downstream end of the following recording medium 2P is defined as distance Dp. Furthermore, when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10 (corresponding to FIG. 5(b)), the distance from the second conveying roller 10 to the downstream end of the following recording medium 2P is defined as distance W. This distance W is also the amount of overlap (overlap) between the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P at the start of the separation operation.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5(c) and (d), the preceding recording medium 1P is transported at a separating speed V2 until the separating operation starts and the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where the separating ends. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6(a), a case will be described in which the transport speed of the discharge rollers 22 is reduced from V2 to V3 immediately after the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where the separating ends. Note that the timing for reducing the transport speed is not limited to immediately after the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T, but may be any time after the point is reached.

[0030] When the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where the separation ends and the conveying speed of the discharge rollers 22 is reduced, the distance between the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P shortens from distance Dp to distance Dp' as shown in Fig. 6(b). An appropriate distance Dp is secured at the completion of the separation operation in Fig. 5(d) so that a predetermined distance Dp2 is secured as the distance between the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the discharge rollers 22 as shown in Fig. 6(c).

[0031] On top of that, the MPU 201 controls the speed of the paper discharge roller 22 during the separation operation. Here, as for the relationship between the distance of the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P, 0 < Dp2 < Dp. Details of the method for calculating the distance Dp and the method for calculating the speed of the paper discharge roller 22 will be described with reference to the control flow of FIG. 7.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the separation operation in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the separation operation in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7. A series of processes shown in FIG. 7 are performed by the MPU 201 of the recording apparatus 200 expanding and executing the program code stored in the ROM 202 in the RAM 203. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 7 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. Note that the symbol "S" in the description of each process means that it is a step in the flowchart.

[0033] When the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the second conveyance roller 10 and the nip by the second conveyance roller 10 is released to start the separation operation, in S701, the MPU 201 acquires the stacking amount W. The stacking amount W is a fixed value determined in advance according to the type of the recording medium and the like. Then, in S702, the MPU 201 calculates the actual number of scans S performed during the separation operation while the upstream end of the recording medium 1P advances from the start (FIG. 5(b)) to the end (FIG. 5(d)) of the separation operation from the recording data to be recorded on the succeeding recording medium 2P. Next, in S703, the MPU 201 calculates the distance Dp between the upstream end of the recording medium 1P and the downstream end of the recording medium 2P, which is obtained when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the point T where the separation is completed and the separation is completed (corresponding to FIG. 5(d)).

[0034] Specifically, the conveying speed of the recording medium 2P during recording is V1, the distance from point T to the discharge rollers 22 is L1, and the conveying speed of the discharge rollers 22 during discharge (speed after deceleration) is V3. Furthermore, the number of scans from when the carriage 1 starts to decelerate until the upstream end of the recording medium 1P passes the discharge rollers 22 is S'. Furthermore, the time required for one scan is Ts, and the distance between the upstream end of the recording medium 1P and the downstream end of the recording medium 2P at the time when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the discharge rollers 22 is a predetermined distance Dp2. In this case, the distance Dp is, Dp = V1 (L1 / V3 - S'·Ts) - L1 + Dp2 It can be calculated as follows.

[0035] Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a timing chart of the operation of the carriage 1, the first conveying roller 5, the second conveying roller 10, and the paper discharge roller 22 after the separation operation. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the conveying speed or the driving speed of the carriage. Here, the case is shown where the number of scans S obtained in S702 is S=2. The time required for one scan Ts in the above formula is the time required for the scanning operation of the carriage 1 as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8. The time required for one scan Ts may include the waiting time before and after the operation and the acceleration and deceleration time. In addition, when the time required for the scanning operation of the carriage 1 differs for each scan, the time required for one scan Ts may be the average value. Note that Vc in FIG. 8 is the driving speed of the carriage 1. In the figure, V1 indicates the actual conveying speed by the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10. Meanwhile, V1' indicates the average conveying speed when the intermittent conveying of this embodiment is regarded as continuous conveying. In other words, V1' is a value obtained by averaging the conveying speed during the period when the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10 actually convey the recording medium at the conveying speed V1 and the stop time (Ts) during which the conveying speed at which the recording medium is stopped while the carriage is moving becomes 0.

[0036] 7, in S704, the MPU 201 calculates the separation time Tmax, which is the time required to complete separation of the preceding recording medium 1P from the succeeding recording medium 2P. This is calculated from the overlap amount W, the number of scans S, the time required for one scan Ts, the distance L of the separation area, the distance Dp between the sheets after the separation operation, and the conveying speed V1 of the succeeding recording medium 2P. The separation time Tmax is calculated from the overlap amount W, the number of scans S, the time required for one scan Ts, the distance L of the separation area, the distance Dp between the sheets after the separation operation, and the conveying speed V1 of the succeeding recording medium 2P. Tmax = (LW-Dp) / V1+S Ts It can be calculated as follows.

[0037] After that, in S705, the MPU 201 calculates the conveying speed V2 of the preceding recording medium P1 during the separating operation. The conveying speed V2 is calculated from the separating possible time Tmax and the distance L of the separating area as follows: V2=L / Tmax It can be calculated as follows.

[0038] Here, the conveying speed V2 is the conveying speed of continuous conveyance by the discharge rollers 22 as shown in the timing chart of Fig. 8. Then, in S706, it is determined whether the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P has reached the second conveying rollers 10. If it is determined that it has not reached (NO), the process of S706 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has reached (YES), the process proceeds to S707.

[0039] In S707, the discharge rollers 22 are rotated at a speed equal to or greater than the conveying speed V2. This operation separates the leading recording medium 1P from the trailing recording medium 2P, and the overlap amount W decreases to W', as shown in Fig. 5(b). At this time, by rotating at a speed equal to or greater than the conveying speed V2, it becomes possible to provide a paper interval of distance Dp or more before the upstream end of the leading recording medium 1P reaches point T where the separation ends, as shown in Fig. 5(d), and the overlapping state can be eliminated.

[0040] In S708, the MPU 201 judges whether or not the point T at which the separation of the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P ends has been reached. If it is judged that the point has not been reached (No), the process of S708 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is judged that the point has been reached (Yes), the process proceeds to S709.

[0041] In S709, the MPU 201 judges whether the print duty of the preceding print medium 1P is higher than a threshold (predetermined print duty). The print duty as the threshold is stored in advance in the ROM in association with the paper type and the environment. If it is judged that the print duty is lower than the threshold (No), this process ends. On the other hand, if it is judged that the print duty is higher than the threshold (Yes), the process proceeds to S710. Here, the print duty threshold is calculated from the print area on the entire paper surface or the ink ejection amount within a certain grid. When the print duty is high, the amount of moisture contained in the print medium increases and the print medium is in a state where it is easy to curl, so if a print medium with a high print duty is discharged at high speed, the discharge alignment will be poor. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the print duty of the print medium to be discharged is higher than the threshold, the conveying speed by the paper discharge roller is reduced from speed V2 to speed V3 and the paper is discharged.

[0042] 8, in this embodiment, the conveying speed V3 of the discharge rollers is slower than the conveying speed V1 of the first and second conveying rollers. However, this is not limited thereto, and the conveying speed V3 may be any speed slower than the conveying speed V2.

[0043] In S710, in this embodiment, the discharge rollers 22 are rotated at a conveying speed V3. Here, this is the conveying speed for continuous conveyance as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 8, and the start point of the discharge operation in FIG. 8 corresponds to the time when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the point T where the separation ends. This operation narrows the gap between the preceding recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P as shown in FIG. 6(b), and the distance Dp decreases to a distance Dp'. However, as shown in FIG. 6(c), since the distance Dp calculated at the time of separation completion in S703 is secured, when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the discharge rollers 22, the gap between the recording medium 1P and the following recording medium 2P is secured to a predetermined distance Dp2.

[0044] The condition that the predetermined distance Dp2 must satisfy is Dp2>0, and if this condition is satisfied, it is possible to prevent the succeeding recording medium 2P from catching up with the preceding recording medium 1P.

[0045] In order to eliminate the overlapping state, the conveying speed V2 of the downstream roller (the discharge roller 22 in this embodiment) used in the separation operation is set to be faster than the average conveying speed V1' of the roller (the second conveying roller 10, etc.) upstream of the separation area. However, depending on the calculation result of the conveying speed V2 and the recording situation on the subsequent recording medium 2P, the conveying speed V2 does not necessarily have to be faster than the conveying speed V1, and may be the same or slower. For example, even if the second conveying roller 10 and the discharge roller 22 convey the recording medium at the same conveying speed V1, the second conveying roller 10 does not convey the recording medium 2P during recording (during the carriage scan), so an intermittent conveying operation is performed. In contrast, since the discharge roller 22 conveys the recording medium 1P continuously, even if the discharge roller 22 conveys the recording medium 1P at the same conveying speed V1 as the second conveying roller 10, the conveying amount of the recording medium 1P by the discharge roller 22 may be substantially greater. In addition, depending on the printing conditions for the recording medium 2P, such as when the printing duty of the subsequent recording medium 2P is high, it may be possible to separate the recording medium 1P from the subsequent recording medium 2P even if the conveying speed V2 is slower than the conveying speed V1.

[0046] Moreover, the separation operation may be performed by changing (lowering) the conveying speed of the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10 without changing the conveying speed of the paper discharge roller 22.

[0047] Furthermore, the downstream roller used for the separating operation (the discharge roller 22 in this embodiment) does not need to be driven continuously at a constant speed equal to or greater than the conveying speed V2, and may be controlled, for example, so that the average speed, including stopping and acceleration / deceleration, is equal to or greater than the conveying speed V2.

[0048] In this embodiment, a serial type recording device that alternates between a recording operation by the recording head 7 mounted on the carriage 1 and a transport operation to transport the recording medium has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a full-line type recording device that performs recording by transporting the recording medium without moving the recording head. In that case, the number of scans S' and the time required for one scan Ts in calculating the distance Dp can be calculated as 0.

[0049] In the present embodiment, whether or not to change the conveying speed of the discharge rollers 22 from conveying speed V2 to conveying speed V3 is determined according to the recording duty, but the present invention is not limited to this. The conveying speed of the discharge rollers 22 may be changed from conveying speed V2 to conveying speed V3 according to predetermined conditions that contribute to the state of the recording medium after recording, such as the recording area to be recorded on the recording medium, the amount of ink discharged onto the recording medium, the paper type of the recording medium, and the usage environment of the recording device. In addition, a plurality of conditions, such as the recording duty, the recording area to be recorded on the recording medium, the amount of ink applied to the recording medium, the paper type of the recording medium, and the usage environment of the recording device, may be appropriately combined and used. Of course, the conveying speed may be changed from V2 to V3 for all recording media without setting any conditions. In the above, in order to simplify the explanation, an example was given in which recording is completed on two recording media, but it is of course possible to record on three or more recording media. When recording on a third recording medium, the second recording medium is treated as the preceding recording medium 1P, and the third recording medium is treated as recording medium 2P, and transport control is performed in the same manner as above.

[0050] In this way, an appropriate distance Dp is set when the separation is completed. Then, based on the distance Dp during the separation operation, the conveying speed of the downstream rollers conveying the preceding recording medium 1P and the conveying speed of the upstream rollers conveying the succeeding recording medium 2P are adjusted to eliminate the overlapping state of the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P. After that, the conveying speed of the downstream rollers is decelerated. This makes it possible to improve the alignment of the discharged sheets in a recording device that performs overlapping conveyance.

[0051] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, the following will describe its characteristic configuration.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the case where the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P are separated using two rollers, the second conveying roller 10 and the discharge roller 22, was described, but a roller may be present between the second conveying roller 10 and the discharge roller 22.

[0053] Figures 9(a) to (c) and Figures 10(a) and (b) are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying the recording medium P in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps after the separation operation of the recording medium P. Figures 11(a) to (c) and Figures 12(a) to (c) are a series of diagrams showing the process of conveying the recording medium P in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps after the separation operation of the recording medium P, and for ease of understanding, the conveying path of the recording medium is shown linearly. The conveying process in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0054] The third conveying roller 21 is provided between the second conveying roller 10 and the paper discharge roller 22, and is driven by a conveying motor 205 (see FIG. 2) as a driving source. In this embodiment, the reduction ratio of the third conveying roller 21 to the conveying motor 205 is configured to be an acceleration system with respect to the second conveying roller 10. Specifically, the reduction ratio is adjusted in advance so that when the second conveying roller 10 rotates at a conveying speed V1, the third conveying roller 21 rotates at a conveying speed V2 (V2>V1). In addition, the third conveying roller 21 is a one-way roller and can rotate idly in the conveying direction. According to this embodiment, even if the conveying motor 205 continues to drive in the same manner, the conveying speed of the recording medium is switched from V1 to V2 at the timing when the recording medium leaves the nip portion of the second conveying roller. The third conveying driven roller 21 is urged toward the third conveying roller 20 and conveys the recording medium P by nipping it together with the third conveying driven roller 21.

[0055] The following description will be made with reference to Fig. 9(a). Fig. 9(a) shows the state when the separating operation described in Fig. 7 is started. As in the first embodiment, the separating operation is started when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P passes through the nip portion of the second conveying roller 10. The preceding recording medium 1P that has passed through the nip portion of the second conveying roller 10 is conveyed by the third conveying roller 21 toward the paper discharge roller 22. The following recording medium 2P is fed from the paper stacking unit 11 and conveyed by the first conveying roller 5 and the second conveying roller 10.

[0056] The following description will be given with reference to Fig. 9(b). Fig. 9(b) shows a state in which the separation is completed and the distance Dp between the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P is secured. At this time, the preceding recording medium 1P is nipped between the third conveying roller 20 and the paper discharge roller 22, and is conveyed at a conveying speed V2.

[0057] The description will be made with reference to Figs. 9(b) and (c). Fig. 9(b) shows the timing when the separation is completed and the conveying speed of the discharge roller 22 starts to decrease from speed V2 to speed V3. When the conveying speed of the discharge roller 22 starts to decrease, the preceding recording medium 1P is conveyed at the decelerated speed V3. At this time, the third conveying roller 20 is a one-way roller and is rotated by the discharge roller 22. In other words, the preceding recording medium 1P can be conveyed at the speed V3 without receiving a large load. After that, when the preceding recording medium 1P passes the third conveying roller 20, the third conveying roller 20 starts rotating again at the speed V2. After that, the preceding recording medium 1P is conveyed by the discharge roller 22 at the conveying speed V3 as shown in Fig. 10(a) and is discharged to the tray 25 as shown in Fig. 10(b).

[0058] This eliminates overlapping between the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P and the downstream end of the succeeding recording medium 2P, and prevents the succeeding recording medium 2P from catching up with the recording medium 1P, so that the sheets can be discharged to the tray 25 at a reduced paper discharge speed without changing the order of the sheets.

[0059] Figures 11(a) to (c) are a series of diagrams showing the process steps of the transporting operation of the recording medium P in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps. Figures 12(a) to (c) are a series of diagrams showing the process steps of the transporting operation after the recording medium P is separated in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment in the order of steps. For ease of understanding, the transport path of the recording medium is shown linearly. The transporting process in the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0060] FIG. 11(a) shows a state at the time when recording on the preceding recording medium 1P is completed and the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10. At this time, the operation of separating the recording medium 1P from the recording medium 2P (hereinafter, simply referred to as the separating operation) has not yet started. When the nip at the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P is released, the preceding recording medium 1P is conveyed by the third conveying roller 20 at a speed V2 and the separating operation starts. In other words, when the nip is released, the third conveying roller 20 is no longer in an idling state, and the preceding recording medium 1P is conveyed by the third conveying roller 20 at a speed V2. The separating operation is performed until the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T (separating end point), which is an arbitrary predetermined position upstream of the third conveying roller 20. In this embodiment, point T is set in the section between the second conveying roller 10 and the third conveying roller 20.

[0061] Here, the area from the second conveying roller 10 to point T is defined as the separation area, and the distance therebetween is defined as distance L. Also, when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T, that is, immediately after the separation operation is completed, the distance between the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P and the downstream end of the following recording medium 2P is defined as distance Dp (see FIG. 11(c)). Also, when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the second conveying roller 10 (corresponding to FIG. 11(a)), the distance from the second conveying roller 10 to the downstream end of the following recording medium 2P is defined as distance W. This distance W is also the amount of overlap (overlap) between the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P at the start of the separation operation.

[0062] As shown in Figs. 11(a) and 11(b), the separation operation is started, and until the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where separation ends, the preceding recording medium 1P is transported by the third transport roller 20 at a separation speed V2. As shown in Fig. 11(c), when separation ends, the preceding recording medium 1P is nipped between the third transport roller 20 and the discharge roller 22, and is transported at the transport speed V2 up to this point. Then, as shown in Fig. 12(a), immediately after the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where separation ends, the transport speed of the discharge roller 22 is reduced from V2 to V3. The timing of decelerating the transport speed is not limited to immediately after the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T, but may be any time after it has reached point T.

[0063] When the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches point T where the separation ends and the conveying speed of the discharge rollers 22 is reduced to V3, the distance between the preceding recording medium 1P and the succeeding recording medium 2P shortens from distance Dp to distance Dp' as shown in Fig. 12(b). As shown in Fig. 12(c), an appropriate distance Dp is secured when the separating operation in Fig. 11(c) is completed so that a predetermined distance Dp2 is secured as the distance between the recording medium 1P and the recording medium 2P when the upstream end of the preceding recording medium 1P reaches the discharge rollers 22. In this way, in a recording device that performs overlapping transport, the alignment of the discharged sheets can be improved by disposing a drive roller between the second transport roller 10 and the discharge roller 22, whose rotational speed can follow that of these rollers.

[0064] (Third embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, the following will describe its characteristic configuration.

[0065] 13(a) to 13(c) are a series of diagrams showing the order of the conveying process of the recording medium P in the recording device 200 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, a branch is provided between the third conveying roller 20 and the paper discharge roller 22. The end of the branch can be, for example, a double-sided reversing path for reversing the front and back sides of the conveyed recording medium.

[0066] The preceding recording medium 1P can be conveyed to the discharge path 104 in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. 13(b) and discharged, or can be conveyed from the flapper 24 in the direction of arrow F to the third conveying path 102 as shown in FIG. 13(c). When the branched path is a double-sided reversing path, the recording medium conveyed to the third conveying path 102 moves along a conveying path (not shown) and then returns to the platen 8 with the side on which no recording is being performed facing the recording head 7. In the case of the path shown in FIG. 13(c), there is a risk of a jam occurring when the recording medium 1P is conveyed to the third conveying path 102. Therefore, in this embodiment, the conveying speed is reduced before the leading edge of the preceding recording medium 1P is conveyed to the flapper 24. In this embodiment, the branch is used as a double-sided reversal path, but the purpose of the branch is not particularly limited. The branch may be used for selectively discharging the sheets into a plurality of prepared trays.

[0067] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the 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. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more of the functions.

[0068] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0069] (Configuration 1) a recording unit that records on a recording medium conveyed in a conveying direction; A first conveying means for conveying a recording medium; a second conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying direction and configured to convey the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a control means for controlling the first transport means and the second transport means to transport a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium; A recording device comprising: The recording device is characterized in that the control means transports the first recording medium at a first speed using the second transport means to separate the rear end of the first recording medium from the front end of the second recording medium, and then transports the first recording medium at a second speed slower than the first speed using the second transport means. (Configuration 2) 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying means conveys the first recording medium with the rear end and the front end of the second recording medium overlapping each other in advance. (Configuration 3) 3. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the first transport means nips and transports the recording medium using a first roller provided downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction. (Configuration 4) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that after the rear end of the first recording medium passes through the first transport means, the first recording medium is transported by the second transport means at the first speed, thereby separating the first recording medium from the second recording medium, and the first speed is faster than the transport speed of the second recording medium by the first transport means. (Configuration 5) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means changes the transport speed of the first recording medium by the second transport means from the first speed to the second speed when the rear end of the first recording medium reaches a predetermined position upstream of the second transport means. (Configuration 6) The recording device described in configuration 5, wherein the control means switches whether or not to change the conveying speed of the second conveying means to be slower than the first speed depending on predetermined conditions that contribute to the state of the first recording medium after recording. (Configuration 7) 7. The recording apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is a recording duty. (Configuration 8) 8. The recording apparatus according to configuration 6 or 7, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after the recording is a recording area on the first recording medium. (Configuration 9) 9. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 6 to 8, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is an amount of ink applied to the first recording medium. (Configuration 10) 10. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 6 to 9, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after the recording is a paper type of the first recording medium. (Configuration 11) 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 6 to 10, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after the recording is a usage environment. (Configuration 12) the second conveying means nip the recording medium using a second roller provided downstream of the first roller in the conveying direction to convey and discharge the recording medium; The recording device described in configuration 3, characterized in that when the upstream end of the first recording medium reaches the nip portion of the second roller, the upstream end of the first recording medium is located downstream in the transport direction than the downstream end of the second recording medium. (Configuration 13) The recording device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the transport speed when the first recording medium is discharged is slower than the transport speed of the first recording medium and the second recording medium using the first transport means when the recording unit records on the first recording medium. (Configuration 14) the recording device is a serial type recording device in which the recording unit alternately performs an operation of scanning the recording medium in a direction intersecting the transport direction while recording on the recording medium, and a transport operation of transporting the recording medium in the transport direction, The recording device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the transport speed when the recording unit records on the first recording medium is an average transport speed when the transport operation performed intermittently is regarded as continuous transport. (Configuration 15) 14. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the recording apparatus is a full-line type recording apparatus in which the recording unit performs recording on a recording medium that is continuously transported at a predetermined transport speed. (Configuration 16) The recording device described in configuration 12, characterized in that the first conveying means includes the first roller, a third roller disposed downstream of the first roller and upstream of the second roller in the conveying direction, and a drive source that drives both the first roller and the third roller, and the third roller is capable of conveying the recording medium at a speed faster than that of the first roller. (Configuration 17) 17. The recording apparatus according to configuration 16, wherein a branch of the transport path is provided between the second roller and the third roller. (Method 1) a recording step of recording on a recording medium conveyed in a conveying direction; a first conveying step of conveying the recording medium by a first conveying means; a second conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium recorded in the recording step; a control step of controlling the first transport means and the second transport means to transport a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: A method for controlling a recording device, characterized in that in the control process, the second conveying means conveys the first recording medium at a first speed to separate the rear end of the first recording medium from the front end of the second recording medium, and then the second conveying means conveys the first recording medium at a second speed slower than the first speed. (Program 1) 18. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Carriage 5 First conveyor roller 7 Recording head 10 Second conveyor roller 20 Third conveyor roller 22 Paper ejection roller 200 Recording device 1P Recording medium 2P Recording medium

Claims

1. a recording unit that records on a recording medium conveyed in a conveying direction; A first conveying means for conveying a recording medium; a second conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying direction and configured to convey the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a control means for controlling the first transport means and the second transport means to transport a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium; A recording device comprising: The recording device is characterized in that the control means transports the first recording medium at a first speed using the second transport means to separate the rear end of the first recording medium from the front end of the second recording medium, and then transports the first recording medium at a second speed slower than the first speed using the second transport means.

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transport means transports the first recording medium with the rear end of the first recording medium and the front end of the second recording medium overlapping each other in advance.

3. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transport means nips and transports the recording medium using a first roller provided downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction.

4. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that after the rear end of the first recording medium passes through the first transport means, the first recording medium is transported by the second transport means at the first speed, thereby separating the first recording medium from the second recording medium, and the first speed is faster than the transport speed of the second recording medium by the first transport means.

5. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means changes the transport speed of the first recording medium by the second transport means from the first speed to the second speed when the rear end of the first recording medium reaches a predetermined position upstream of the second transport means.

6. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means switches whether or not to change the conveying speed of the second conveying means to be slower than the first speed depending on predetermined conditions that contribute to the state of the first recording medium after recording.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is a recording duty.

8. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after the recording is a recording area of ​​the first recording medium.

9. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is an amount of ink applied to the first recording medium.

10. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is a paper type of the first recording medium.

11. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition that contributes to the state of the first recording medium after recording is a usage environment.

12. the second conveying means conveys and discharges the recording medium by nipping the recording medium using a second roller provided downstream of the first roller in the conveying direction; A recording device as described in claim 3, characterized in that when the upstream end of the first recording medium reaches the nip portion of the second roller, the upstream end of the first recording medium is located downstream in the transport direction than the downstream end of the second recording medium.

13. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport speed when the first recording medium is ejected is slower than the transport speed of the first recording medium and the second recording medium using the first transport means when the recording unit records on the first recording medium.

14. the recording device is a serial type recording device in which the recording unit alternately performs an operation of scanning the recording medium in a direction intersecting the transport direction while recording on the recording medium, and a transport operation of transporting the recording medium in the transport direction, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transport speed when the recording unit records on the first recording medium is an average transport speed when the intermittent transport operation is regarded as continuous transport.

15. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a full-line type recording apparatus in which the recording unit performs recording on a recording medium that is continuously transported at a predetermined transport speed.

16. The recording device described in claim 12, characterized in that the first transport means has the first roller, a third roller arranged downstream of the first roller and upstream of the second roller in the transport direction, and a drive source that drives both the first roller and the third roller, and the third roller is capable of transporting the recording medium at a speed faster than the first roller.

17. 17. The recording apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a branch of the transport path is provided between the second roller and the third roller.

18. a recording step of recording on a recording medium conveyed in a conveying direction; a first conveying step of conveying the recording medium by a first conveying means; a second conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying direction, for conveying the recording medium recorded in the recording step; a control step of controlling the first transport means and the second transport means to transport a first recording medium and a second recording medium following the first recording medium; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: A control method for a recording device, characterized in that in the control process, the second conveying means conveys the first recording medium at a first speed to separate the rear end of the first recording medium from the front end of the second recording medium, and then the second conveying means conveys the first recording medium at a second speed slower than the first speed.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the recording device according to claim 1.

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