Medium conveyance device, liquid discharge device, and medium conveyance method

Abstract

To provide a medium conveyance device including a document, etc., which prevents occurrence of paper discharge failure etc. due to differences in a conveyance condition depending on the storage environment and processing state of a medium.SOLUTION: A medium conveyance device includes: a paper feed tray on which a medium is placed; a conveyance part that conveys the medium placed on the paper feed tray; a paper ejection tray on which the medium conveyed by the conveyance part is placed, a braking member that brakes the medium conveyed to the paper ejection tray; a switching mechanism that switches a posture of the braking member; and an acquisition part that acquires an indication related to a state of the medium, the switching mechanism changes the posture of the braking member to a first posture for braking the medium or to a second posture different from the first posture based on the indication acquired by the acquisition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medium transport device, a liquid ejection device, and a medium transport method. [Background technology]

[0002] An image reading device provided with a discharge stopper is known. The image reading device described in Patent Document 1 has a scanner unit and an automatic document transport unit. The document transported by the automatic document transport unit is discharged to a discharge tray. The discharge stopper regulates the leading edge position of the document discharged to the discharge tray. The discharge stopper is attached to a rotatably provided shaft. The shaft rotates in one direction or the reverse direction by the torque of a motor. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the lower end of the discharge stopper moves in a direction away from the discharge tray. When the shaft rotates in the reverse direction, the lower end of the discharge stopper moves in a direction approaching the discharge tray. The rotation direction of the shaft is switched according to the type and amount of documents placed on the sheet. The image reading device suppresses document discharge failures by switching the support state of the discharge stopper according to the material and amount of documents placed on the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-22840 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The state in which media including documents are conveyed by a conveying device varies depending on the storage environment and processing state of the media, and paper discharge failures and the like may occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The medium transport device of the present disclosure comprises a paper feed tray on which a medium is placed, a transport unit that transports the medium placed on the paper feed tray, a paper output tray on which the medium transported by the transport unit is placed, a braking member that brakes the medium transported to the paper output tray, a switching mechanism that switches the posture of the braking member, and an acquisition unit that acquires an indicator related to the state of the medium, and the switching mechanism changes the posture of the braking member to a first posture that brakes the medium, or a second posture different from the first posture, based on the indicator acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0006] The liquid ejection device disclosed herein comprises a paper feed tray on which a medium is placed, a transport unit that transports the medium placed on the paper feed tray, a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid onto the medium based on print data, a paper output tray on which the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected by the liquid ejection unit is placed, a braking member that brakes the medium transported to the paper output tray, a switching mechanism that switches the position of the braking member, and an acquisition unit that acquires an indicator related to the state of the medium, and the switching mechanism switches the braking member to a first position for braking the medium, or a second position different from the first position, based on the indicator acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] The media transport method disclosed herein acquires an indicator related to the condition of the media, and based on the indicator, switches the attitude of a braking member that brakes the media being transported to an output tray to a first attitude that brakes the media or a second attitude different from the first attitude, and transports the media to the output tray. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a multifunction peripheral. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a scanner unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a scanner unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a scanner unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a determination table. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between environmental information and an environmental region. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control flow executed in the scanner unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a scanner unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a scanner unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document pressing bar. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 14] 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print duty value and the medium pressing bar posture. [Figure 15] 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print duty value and the medium pressing bar posture. [Figure 16] 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the print duty value and the medium pressing bar posture. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state determination table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1 shows the external configuration of a multifunction device 1. FIG 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 performs operations such as reading an original M, printing on a print medium P, and copying the original M. The multifunction device 1 includes a printer unit 2 and a scanner unit 3.

[0010] Several figures including FIG. 1 show an XYZ coordinate system. The X axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface of the multifunction device 1. The X axis is an axis parallel to the direction in which the medium storage cassette 4 is inserted and removed. The +X direction is the direction in which the medium storage cassette 4 is inserted into the printer unit 2. The -X direction is the direction in which the medium storage cassette 4 is removed. The Y axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface and perpendicular to the X axis. The +Y direction is the direction from right to left when the multifunction device 1 is viewed from the front. The front of the multifunction device 1 is the surface on which the medium storage cassette 4 can be operated. The -Y direction is the direction from left to right when the multifunction device 1 is viewed from the front. The Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the installation surface. The +Z direction is the direction from the installation surface toward the top. The -Z direction is the direction from above toward the installation surface.

[0011] The printer unit 2 is placed on an installation surface. The printer unit 2 prints on print media P. The printer unit 2 includes multiple medium storage cassettes 4, a medium loading section 5, an operation panel 6, an ejection section 7, and a front cover 8. The printer unit 2 corresponds to an example of a medium transport device.

[0012] The medium storage cassette 4 places and stores the printing medium P. The medium storage cassette 4 is disposed at a position in the -Z direction of the printer unit 2. Examples of the printing medium P include plain paper, thick paper, photo paper, etc. The printing medium P corresponds to one example of a medium. The medium storage cassette 4 is configured to be insertable and detachable into the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple medium storage cassettes 4, but is not limited to this. There may be only one medium storage cassette 4. If the printer unit 2 includes a medium feed tray (not shown), the medium storage cassette 4 does not need to be included. The medium storage cassette 4 and the medium feed tray correspond to one example of a feed tray.

[0013] The medium mounting unit 5 mounts the print medium P that has been printed on by the print head 110 of the printer unit 2. The print head 110 will be described later. The medium mounting unit 5 is provided at a position in the +Z direction of the medium containing cassette 4. The medium mounting unit 5 corresponds to an example of a paper output tray.

[0014] The operation panel 6 has a display means and an input means. The display means displays various information to be notified to the user. The input means accepts various input operations from the user. The operation panel 6 includes a display such as a liquid crystal panel. The operation panel 6 may have a plurality of operation buttons as the input means. If the display as the display means has a touch input function, the operation panel 6 does not need to have operation buttons. The multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the operation panel 6 on the front side of the printer unit 2, but is not limited to this. The operation panel 6 may be provided in the scanner unit 3.

[0015] The discharge unit 7 is an opening that discharges the printing medium P printed by the print head 110 to the medium loading unit 5. The discharge unit 7 is provided at a position in the +Z direction and at a position in the +Y direction of the medium loading unit 5. The printing medium P discharged from the discharge unit 7 is loaded onto the medium loading unit 5.

[0016] The front cover 8 is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the printer unit 2. When the front cover 8 is opened, the user can access the inside of the printer unit 2. As an example, the user can open the front cover 8 to remove a paper jam of the printing medium P that occurs inside the printer unit 2.

[0017] The scanner unit 3 reads the original M. The original M corresponds to an example of a medium. The scanner unit 3 reads the original M and generates read data. The scanner unit 3 has an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The scanner unit 3 transmits the read data to an external device or the printer unit 2. The scanner unit 3 is disposed at a position in the +Z direction of the printer unit 2. The scanner unit 3 corresponds to an example of a medium transport device.

[0018] First embodiment The first embodiment shows a scanner unit 3 that includes a document pressing bar 40. The scanner unit 3 constitutes a part of the multifunction device 1, but is not limited to this. The scanner unit 3 may be constituted as a standalone unit.

[0019] 2 shows a schematic configuration of the scanner unit 3. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a document transport path T of the scanner unit 3. The scanner unit 3 includes a scanner main body 11 and a document transport unit 12.

[0020] The scanner body 11 reads the original M. The scanner body 11 is disposed at a position in the −Z direction of the scanner unit 3. The scanner body 11 includes a document table 14 and a first reading section 16.

[0021] The document table 14 is configured so that the document M can be placed thereon. When the user rotates the document transport unit 12 about a rotation axis along the Y axis, the document M can be placed on the document table 14. The rotation axis is not shown. The document table 14 is made of a light-transmitting member such as glass.

[0022] The first reading unit 16 reads the first side of the document M. The first side of the document M is the side facing the first reading unit 16. The first reading unit 16 extends along the X-axis. The first reading unit 16 is disposed at a position in the -Z direction of the document table 14. The first reading unit 16 reads the document M transported by the document transport unit 12. The first reading unit 16 moves along the Y-axis by driving a reading unit drive mechanism (not shown). The first reading unit 16 reads the document M placed on the document table 14 by moving along the Y-axis. The first reading unit 16 is composed of an optical sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), for example.

[0023] The document transport unit 12 transports the document M to be read by the first reading section 16. The document transport unit 12 transports the document M along a document transport path T. The document transport unit 12 transports the document M from the document feed tray 20 toward the document discharge tray 29. The document transport unit 12 includes a document mat 15, the document feed tray 20, a document pickup roller 21, a document feed roller 22, a document separation roller 23, a plurality of document transport roller pairs 24, a second reading section 26, a document discharge roller pair 28, a document discharge tray 29, a document presser bar 40, and a document presser bar drive mechanism 45.

[0024] The document mat 15 comes into contact with the document table 14. When a user places the document M on the document table 14, the document mat 15 presses the document M toward the document table 14. The document mat 15 is attached to the surface of the document transport unit 12 in the -Z direction.

[0025] The document feed tray 20 holds the document M to be transported to the document transport path T. The document feed tray 20 is provided on the upper surface of the scanner unit 3. The document feed tray 20 may have an edge guide (not shown) or the like. The edge guide guides the side edges of the document M. The document feed tray 20 corresponds to an example of a paper feed tray.

[0026] The document pickup roller 21 picks up the document M placed on the document feed tray 20. The document pickup roller 21 is configured to be movable between a separation position where it is separated from the document M placed on the document feed tray 20 and a contact position where it is in contact with the document M. The document pickup roller 21 picks up the document M at the contact position and sends the document M to the document feed roller 22.

[0027] The document feed roller 22 feeds the document M sent by the document pickup roller 21 to the document transport path T. The document feed roller 22 feeds the document M by a driving force transmitted from a document transport mechanism 60, which will be described later.

[0028] When multiple documents M are sent from the document pickup roller 21, the document separation roller 23 separates the multiple documents M into one sheet. The document separation roller 23 comes into contact with the document feed roller 22 via the documents M to form a nip. The documents M are separated in the nip between the document feed roller 22 and the document separation roller 23.

[0029] The multiple document transport roller pairs 24 transport the document M along the document transport path T. The document transport path T shown in FIG. 2 is a curved inversion path. The multiple document transport roller pairs 24 transport the document M along the curved inversion path. The orientation of the document M transported along the curved inversion path is inverted. The multiple document transport roller pairs 24 include a first document transport roller pair 24a, a second document transport roller pair 24b, a third document transport roller pair 24c, and a fourth document transport roller pair 24d. The document transport unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 has four document transport roller pairs 24, but is not limited to this. The number of document transport roller pairs 24 is set appropriately.

[0030] The first document transport roller pair 24a supports the document M fed by the document feed roller 22. The first document transport roller pair 24a transports the document M toward the second document transport roller pair 24b.

[0031] The second document transport roller pair 24b supports the document M transported by the first document transport roller pair 24a. The second document transport roller pair 24b transports the document M toward the third document transport roller pair 24c.

[0032] The third document transport roller pair 24c supports the document M transported by the second document transport roller pair 24b. The third document transport roller pair 24c transports the document M toward the fourth document transport roller pair 24d.

[0033] The fourth document transport roller pair 24d supports the document M transported by the third document transport roller pair 24c. The fourth document transport roller pair 24d transports the document M toward the document discharge roller pair .

[0034] In the document transport path T between the third document transport roller pair 24c and the fourth document transport roller pair 24d, the first surface of the document M faces the first reading unit 16. The first surface of the document M is read by the first reading unit 16 at a position facing the first reading unit 16.

[0035] At least one of the multiple document transport roller pairs 24 receives a driving force from the document transport mechanism 60. The transmitted driving force rotates one of the two rollers constituting the document transport roller pair 24. The document transport roller pair 24 transports the document M by the rotation of the roller.

[0036] The second reading unit 26 is disposed along the document transport path T between the fourth document transport roller pair 24d and the document discharge roller pair 28. The second reading unit 26 is disposed at a position facing the second side of the document M. The second side of the document M is the side opposite to the first side. The second reading unit 26 is capable of reading the second side of the document M. The second reading unit 26 is composed of an optical sensor such as a CIS or a CCD.

[0037] The document discharge roller pair 28 discharges the document M transported from the fourth document transport roller pair 24d onto the document discharge tray 29. The document discharge roller pair 28 is disposed at a position in the +Z direction further from the end of the document discharge tray 29 in the +Y direction.

[0038] The document discharge tray 29 holds the document M transported by the document transport roller pair 24, the document discharge roller pair 28, etc. The document discharge tray 29 is disposed at a position in the -Z direction of the document feed tray 20. The document discharge tray 29 corresponds to an example of a paper discharge tray.

[0039] The document pressure bar 40 brakes the document M transported to the document discharge tray 29. The document pressure bar 40 comes into contact with the document M transported to the document discharge tray 29. The document pressure bar 40 reduces the transport speed of the document M by contacting the document M. The transport speed of the document M varies depending on the type and condition of the document. When the transport speed of the document M varies, the placement position of the document M on the document discharge tray 29 varies. By slowing down the document M, the document pressure bar 40 makes it possible to reduce the variation in the placement position of the document M placed on the document discharge tray 29.

[0040] The document pressure bar 40 is made of a metal material, a resin material, or the like. The document pressure bar 40 is preferably made of an elastic material. The document pressure bar 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a bent portion, but is not limited to this. The document pressure bar 40 may be made of a flat member, a curved member, or the like. The document pressure bar 40 is not limited in configuration as long as it is configured to be able to brake the document M transported to the document discharge tray 29. The document pressure bar 40 corresponds to an example of a braking member. The document pressure bar 40 has a support end 40a and an operating end 40b.

[0041] The supporting end 40a is supported by the document feed tray 20. The supporting end 40a may be supported so that the document presser bar 40 can be displaced by the document feed tray 20. The supporting end 40a is supported by a surface of the document feed tray 20 in the -Z direction, or a side surface of the document transport unit 12 in the +X direction or -X direction.

[0042] The working end 40b comes into contact with the document M on the document discharge tray 29. The working end 40b is a displaceable free end. The working end 40b may be configured in an R-shape. The working end 40b may be provided with a member that applies a load to the document M.

[0043] The document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 switches the position of the document pressure bar 40. The document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 corresponds to an example of a switching mechanism. The document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 has a document pressure bar drive cam 45a, a document pressure bar drive cam shaft 45b, and a cam drive motor 45c. The cam drive motor 45c will be described later.

[0044] The document pressure bar drive cam 45a changes the position of contact with the document pressure bar 40 by rotating. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a may move away from the document pressure bar 40 by rotating. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a rotates to displace the document pressure bar 40 to the operating position AP or the retracted position EP. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a is driven under the control of the document pressure bar control unit 75, which will be described later. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a corresponds to an example of a cam.

[0045] The document pressure bar drive cam shaft 45b rotatably supports the document pressure bar drive cam 45a. The document pressure bar drive cam shaft 45b is supported on a side surface of the document transport unit 12 or a surface in the -Z direction of the document feed tray 20. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a rotates around the document pressure bar drive cam shaft 45b as a rotation center.

[0046] 2 shows the document pressure bar 40 in the operating position AP. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the operating position AP, the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 is located at a position where it can come into contact with the document M on the document discharge tray 29. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the operating position AP, it is able to apply a brake to the document M. The operating position AP is a position in which the brake is applied to the document M. The operating position AP corresponds to an example of the first position.

[0047] The document pressure bar drive cam 45a shown in Fig. 2 is separated from the document pressure bar 40 when the document pressure bar 40 is in the operating position AP. The document pressure bar 40 takes the operating position AP due to its own weight. In Fig. 2, the document pressure bar drive cam 45a separates from the document pressure bar 40 to put the document pressure bar 40 in the operating position AP, but this is not limited to this. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a may take the document pressure bar 40 in the operating position AP by adjusting the position where it comes into contact with the document pressure bar 40.

[0048] The scanner unit 3 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 50. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 acquires environmental information of the document M placed on the multifunction device 1. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 measures at least one of the ambient temperature and ambient humidity of the multifunction device 1 as the environmental information. The ambient temperature and ambient humidity are an example of status data related to the status of the document M placed on the document feed tray 20. The status data corresponds to an example of an index. The environmental information including the ambient temperature and ambient humidity corresponds to an example of a placement environment. The scanner unit 3 shown in FIG. 2 includes the temperature and humidity sensor 50 in the scanner body 11, but is not limited to this. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 may be provided in the document transport unit 12 or the printer unit 2. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 corresponds to an example of an acquisition unit.

[0049] The scanner unit 3 may be provided with a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor instead of the temperature and humidity sensor 50. The temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature of the multifunction device 1. The humidity sensor measures the ambient humidity of the multifunction device 1.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the scanner unit 3. Fig. 3 shows the document presser bar 40 in the retracted position EP. Except for the position of the document presser bar 40, the configuration of the scanner unit 3 shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that shown in Fig. 2.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows the document pressure bar 40 in the retracted position EP. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 is located at a position where it does not come into contact with the document M on the document discharge tray 29, as shown in FIG. 3. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, it does not brake the document M. The retracted position EP is, as an example, a position where it does not brake the document M. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 may be located at a position where it comes into contact with the document M that has been curled by a predetermined amount or more. When in the retracted position EP, the document pressure bar 40 comes into contact with the document M that has been curled by a predetermined amount or more. The document pressure bar 40 functions as a member that suppresses curling of the document M. The retracted position EP is a position different from the operating position AP. The retracted position EP corresponds to an example of the second position.

[0052] The document pressure bar drive cam 45a shown in Fig. 3 comes into contact with the document pressure bar 40 when the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP. The document pressure bar drive cam 45a pushes up the document pressure bar 40 by rotating. The document pressure bar 40 is rotated around the support end 40a by the document pressure bar drive cam 45a and displaced to the retracted position EP. The rotation angle, etc. of the document pressure bar drive cam 45a are set appropriately.

[0053] 4 shows a block configuration of the scanner unit 3. The scanner unit 3 includes a first reading section 16, a second reading section 26, a document presser bar drive mechanism 45, a temperature and humidity sensor 50, a document transport mechanism 60, a reading control unit 70, a storage section 80, and a data communication interface 90.

[0054] The first reading unit 16 reads the original M and generates read data. As an example, the first reading unit 16 reads a first side of the original M transported in the original transport unit 12 and generates first side read data. The first side read data is an example of read data. The first reading unit 16 transmits the generated read data to the data communication interface 90 or the like.

[0055] The second reading unit 26 reads the original M and generates read data. The second reading unit 26 reads the second side of the original M transported in the original transport unit 12 and generates second side read data. The second side read data is an example of read data. The second reading unit 26 transmits the generated read data to the data communication interface 90 or the like.

[0056] The document presser bar drive mechanism 45 drives the document presser bar 40. In addition to the document presser bar drive cam 45a, the document presser bar drive mechanism 45 has a cam drive motor 45c and a transmission mechanism (not shown). The cam drive motor 45c generates a drive force. The transmission mechanism transmits the drive force to the document presser bar drive cam 45a. The document presser bar drive cam 45a rotates by the transmitted drive force. The cam drive motor 45c corresponds to an example of a drive source.

[0057] The temperature and humidity sensor 50 transmits at least one of the measured ambient temperature and ambient humidity to the reading control unit 70, etc. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 may transmit at least one of the measured ambient temperature and ambient humidity to the printer unit 2 via the data communication interface 90.

[0058] The document transport mechanism 60 drives the document pickup roller 21, the document feed roller 22, the document separation roller 23, the multiple document transport roller pairs 24, and the document discharge roller pair 28. The document transport mechanism 60 has a drive source that generates a drive force. The document transport mechanism 60 transmits the drive force generated by the drive source to the document transport roller pair 24, etc. The document transport mechanism 60 drives the document transport roller pair 24, etc. by transmitting the drive force. The document transport mechanism 60 transports the document M placed on the document feed tray 20 toward the document discharge tray 29 by driving the document transport roller pair 24, etc. The document transport mechanism 60 corresponds to an example of a transport unit.

[0059] The reading control unit 70 is a controller circuit that controls the scanner unit 3. As an example, the reading control unit 70 is a processor having a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The reading control unit 70 is composed of one or more processors. The reading control unit 70 operates as a functional unit by executing a reading control program. The reading control unit 70 functions as a document transport control unit 71, a reading control unit 73, and a document hold bar control unit 75. The reading control unit 70 may function as a functional unit other than the document transport control unit 71, the reading control unit 73, and the document hold bar control unit 75.

[0060] The document transport control unit 71 controls the transport of the document M. The document transport control unit 71 controls the document transport mechanism 60 to transport the document M along the document transport path T. The document transport control unit 71 controls the timing to start transporting the document M, the transport speed of the document M, and the like.

[0061] The reading control unit 73 controls the reading of the original M by the first reading unit 16 and the second reading unit 26. The reading control unit 73 controls the first reading unit 16 to generate first side read data as read data. The reading control unit 73 controls the second reading unit 26 to generate second side read data as read data. The reading control unit 73 controls the reading timing, reading resolution, etc. of the first reading unit 16 and the second reading unit 26.

[0062] The document pressure bar control unit 75 controls the posture of the document pressure bar 40. The document pressure bar control unit 75 controls the document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 to drive the document pressure bar drive cam 45a. The document pressure bar control unit 75 drives the document pressure bar drive cam 45a to displace the document pressure bar 40 to the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP.

[0063] The document presser bar control unit 75 acquires environmental information including the ambient temperature and humidity from the temperature and humidity sensor 50. The document presser bar control unit 75 determines whether the document presser bar 40 should be in the operating position AP or the retracted position EP based on the acquired environmental information. The document presser bar drive mechanism 45 displaces the document presser bar 40 to the determined position under the control of the document presser bar control unit 75. The document presser bar drive mechanism 45 sets the document presser bar 40 in the operating position AP or the retracted position EP.

[0064] The document hold-down bar control unit 75, for example, uses a judgment table JT to determine whether the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 should be the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP. The document hold-down bar control unit 75 reads out the judgment table JT from the storage unit 80. The document hold-down bar control unit 75 compares the environmental information with the judgment table JT to determine the posture of the document hold-down bar 40.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows an example of the judgment table JT. The judgment table JT shown in Fig. 5 shows the correspondence between the environmental conditions and the document hold-down bar posture. The document hold-down bar posture indicates the posture of the document hold-down bar 40. The environmental conditions are divided into the following environmental regions: A region, B region, C region, D region, E region, F region, G region, H region, and I region.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows the relationship between environmental information and environmental regions. FIG. 6 shows a case where environmental conditions are divided by temperature and humidity. FIG. 6 shows A region, B region, C region, D region, E region, F region, G region, H region, and I region divided by temperature and humidity. The temperature range shown is from 10° C. to 35° C. The humidity range shown is from 15% to 85%. The temperature range and humidity range shown in FIG. 6 are based on the specifications of the usage environment of the multifunction device 1.

[0067] As an example, the temperature of area A is between 10°C and 18°C, and the humidity is between 45% and 85%. Areas B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I are set by temperature and humidity like area A. Each environmental area shown in FIG. 5 is set by the temperature and humidity shown in FIG. 6.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 5, the relationship between the environmental conditions and the document presser bar posture is determined by the judgment table JT. When the environmental condition is in any of the areas A, B, D, E, G, and H, the document presser bar posture is set to the operating posture AP. When the environmental condition is in the areas C, F, and I, the document presser bar posture is set to the retracted posture EP.

[0069] When the environmental conditions are in the C region, for example, where the temperature is between 25°C and 35°C and the humidity is between 45% and 85%, the moisture content of the document M placed on the document feed tray 20 increases. When the moisture content of the document M increases, the stiffness of the document M made of paper decreases. When the stiffness of the document M decreases, there is a possibility that wrinkles or the like will occur in the document M due to contact with the document presser bar 40. When the environmental conditions are in the C region, the document presser bar control unit 75 controls the document presser bar 40 to take the retracted position EP. When the document presser bar 40 takes the retracted position EP, the document presser bar 40 and the document M do not come into contact with each other. It is possible to prevent wrinkles or the like from occurring in the document M due to contact between the document presser bar 40 and the document M.

[0070] When the environmental conditions are, for example, in region D, where the temperature is between 10°C and 18°C ​​and the humidity is between 35% and 45%, the document M placed on document feed tray 20 has a low moisture content. When the moisture content of document M is low, the stiffness of document M made of paper is maintained. When the stiffness of document M is maintained, there is little possibility that wrinkles or the like will occur in document M due to contact with document hold-down bar 40. When the environmental conditions are in region D, document hold-down bar control unit 75 controls document hold-down bar 40 to take the operating position AP. When document hold-down bar 40 takes the operating position AP, document hold-down bar 40 and document M come into contact. By coming into contact with document M, document hold-down bar 40 can brake document M as it is being transported.

[0071] The judgment table JT shown in Fig. 5 shows the relationship between the environmental information including temperature and humidity and the document presser bar posture, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the judgment table JT may show the correspondence between humidity and the document presser bar posture. At this time, the temperature and humidity sensor 50 measures the ambient humidity. The document presser bar control unit 75 determines the posture of the document presser bar 40 using the judgment table JT showing the ambient humidity and the correspondence between humidity and the document presser bar posture.

[0072] The storage unit 80 shown in Fig. 4 stores various information. The storage unit 80 stores a reading control program executed by the reading control unit 70. The storage unit 80 stores a judgment table JT. The storage unit 80 may store read data and the like. The storage unit 80 is configured with a semiconductor memory such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM).

[0073] The data communication interface 90 is an interface circuit that is communicatively connected to the printer unit 2. The data communication interface 90 communicates with the printer unit 2 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The data communication interface 90 has a wired connector such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. The data communication interface 90 may be communicatively connected to an external device. The data communication interface 90 has various ports such as a Wi-Fi communication port and a Bluetooth communication port, and is communicatively connected to an external device. The data communication interface 90 transmits read data to the printer unit 2, etc. The data communication interface 90 receives input data input to the operation panel 6, etc. Here, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are registered trademarks.

[0074] The scanner unit 3 includes an original feed tray 20 on which an original M is placed, an original transport mechanism 60 which transports the original M placed on the original feed tray 20, an original discharge tray 29 on which the original M transported by the original transport mechanism 60 is placed, an original presser bar 40 which applies a brake to the original M transported to the original discharge tray 29, an original presser bar drive mechanism 45 which switches the position of the original presser bar 40, and a temperature and humidity sensor 50 which acquires status data relating to the status of the original M. Based on the status data acquired by the temperature and humidity sensor 50, the original presser bar drive mechanism 45 sets the position of the original presser bar 40 to an operating position AP which applies a brake to the original M, or a retracted position EP which is different from the operating position AP. The scanner unit 3 can reduce transport problems such as damage to the document M caused by the document pressing bar 40 by changing the position of the document pressing bar 40 based on the ambient temperature and humidity.

[0075] It is preferable that the temperature and humidity sensor 50 obtains environmental information about the document M as condition data. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 acquires environmental information including the ambient temperature and humidity, and the scanner unit 3 can adjust the attitude of the document pressing bar 40 based on the state of the document M.

[0076] The document presser bar drive mechanism 45 preferably includes a cam drive motor 45c and a document presser bar drive cam 45a that rotates by the drive force of the cam drive motor 45c. By using the cam drive motor 45c and the document presser bar drive cam 45a, the scanner unit 3 can easily switch the position of the document presser bar 40.

[0077] Fig. 7 shows a control flow executed by the scanner unit 3. Fig. 7 shows the control flow in a flowchart. The control flow shown in Fig. 7 is performed by the scanner unit 3 as the reading control unit 70 executes a reading control program. The control flow corresponds to an example of a medium conveying method.

[0078] In step S101, the reading control unit 70 acquires status data. The document hold down bar control unit 75 of the reading control unit 70 acquires the status data from the temperature and humidity sensor 50. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 measures environmental information including at least one of the ambient temperature and the ambient humidity. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 transmits the environmental information to the document hold down bar control unit 75. The document hold down bar control unit 75 receives the environmental information. The document hold down bar control unit 75 acquires the environmental information as the status data. The temperature and humidity sensor 50 may measure data on changes over time in the ambient temperature and ambient humidity as environmental information and transmit it to the document hold down bar control unit 75.

[0079] After acquiring the status data, the reading control unit 70 determines the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 in step S103. As an example, the document hold-down bar control unit 75 reads out a judgment table JT from the storage unit 80. The document hold-down bar control unit 75 determines the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 using environmental information including the ambient temperature and ambient humidity and the judgment table JT. The document hold-down bar control unit 75 determines the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 to be either the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP.

[0080] After determining the posture of document pressure bar 40, in step S105, reading control unit 70 switches the posture of document pressure bar 40 to the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP. Document pressure bar control unit 75 switches the posture of document pressure bar 40 to the determined posture by document pressure bar drive mechanism 45. Document pressure bar control unit 75 switches the posture of document pressure bar 40 to the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP. Document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 switches the posture of document pressure bar 40 to the operating posture AP or the retracted posture EP.

[0081] After the posture of the document pressure bar 40 has been switched, in step S107, the reading control unit 70 causes the document M to be transported along the document transport path T. The document transport control unit 71 causes the document transport mechanism 60 to transport the document M to the document transport path T. The document transport mechanism 60 transports the document M to the document discharge tray 29. The document discharge tray 29 places the transported document M. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the operating posture AP, it comes into contact with the document M transported to the document discharge tray 29 and applies a brake to the document M. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted posture EP, it does not come into contact with the document M transported to the document discharge tray 29 and does not apply a brake to the document M.

[0082] The control flow acquires status data relating to the state of the original M, and switches the position of the original pressing bar 40, which brakes the original M transported to the original discharge tray 29 based on the status data, to an operating position AP that brakes the original M or a retracted position EP that is different from the operating position AP, and transports the original M to the original discharge tray 29. The scanner unit 3 can reduce transport problems such as damage to the document M caused by the document pressing bar 40 by changing the position of the document pressing bar 40 based on the ambient temperature and humidity.

[0083] Second embodiment The second embodiment shows a scanner unit 3 equipped with a document pressure bar 40. The scanner unit 3 shown in the second embodiment is equipped with a drive mechanism for the document pressure bar 40 that is different from the document pressure bar drive mechanism 45 of the scanner unit 3 shown in the first embodiment. The scanner unit 3 constitutes a part of the multifunction device 1, but is not limited to this. The scanner unit 3 may be configured as a standalone unit.

[0084] Figures 8 and 9 show a schematic configuration of the scanner unit 3. The configuration of the scanner unit 3 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is the same as the configuration of the scanner unit 3 shown in Figures 2 and 3, except for the configuration of the document presser bar drive mechanism 45. The scanner unit 3 shown in Figures 8 and 9 has a lever drive mechanism 47 instead of the document presser bar drive mechanism 45. The lever drive mechanism 47 corresponds to an example of a switching mechanism.

[0085] 8 shows the document pressure bar 40 in the operating position AP. The document pressure bar 40 is configured to be switchable between the operating position AP and the retracted position EP by the drive of the lever drive mechanism 47. The support end 40a of the document pressure bar 40 is supported by the -Z direction surface of the document feed tray 20 or a side surface of the scanner unit 3. The operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 comes into contact with the document M placed on the document discharge tray 29 when the document pressure bar 40 is in the operating position AP. The document pressure bar 40 applies a brake to the document M being transported to the document discharge tray 29.

[0086] The lever drive mechanism 47 switches the position of the document presser bar 40. The lever drive mechanism 47 is disposed at a position in the +Z direction of the document presser bar 40. The lever drive mechanism 47 has a support spring 47a, a rotating lever 47b, a rotating lever support shaft 47c, and a lever rotating motor. The lever rotating motor is provided in place of the cam drive motor 45c shown in FIG. 4. The lever rotating motor is not shown.

[0087] The support spring 47a supports the document pressure bar 40 so that it can be displaced. The support spring 47a is supported on the -Z direction surface of the document feed tray 20. The support spring 47a applies tension in the +Z direction to the document pressure bar 40. The support spring 47a lifts the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 to a position where it does not come into contact with the document M placed on the document discharge tray 29. The support spring 47a uses the tension to switch the position of the document pressure bar 40 to the retracted position EP.

[0088] The rotating lever 47b rotates due to the driving force of the lever rotating motor. By rotating, the rotating lever 47b switches the position of the document presser bar 40 to the operating position AP or the retracted position EP. The rotating lever 47b shown in FIG. 8 rotates due to the driving force of the lever rotating motor and comes into contact with the document presser bar 40. The rotating lever 47b rotates the document presser bar 40 in the -Z direction, switching the position of the document presser bar 40 to the operating position AP. The rotating lever 47b applies a stress to the document presser bar 40 that resists the tension applied by the support spring 47a. By applying the stress, the rotating lever 47b rotates the document presser bar 40 in the -Z direction. The document presser bar 40 shown in FIG. 8 is switched to the operating position AP due to the stress of the rotating lever 47b on the document presser bar 40.

[0089] The rotating lever support shaft 47c rotatably supports the rotating lever 47b. The rotating lever support shaft 47c is supported on the -Z direction surface of the document feed tray 20 or a side surface of the scanner unit 3. The rotating lever 47b rotates around the rotating lever support shaft 47c.

[0090] Fig. 9 shows the document pressure bar 40 in the retracted position EP. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 is located at a position that does not contact the document M on the document discharge tray 29, as shown in Fig. 9. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, it does not brake the document M. When the document pressure bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40 may be located at a position that contacts the document M that has been curled by a predetermined amount or more. When in the retracted position EP, the document pressure bar 40 contacts the document M that has been curled by a predetermined amount or more. The document pressure bar 40 functions as a member that suppresses curling of the document M.

[0091] When the document hold-down bar 40 is in the retracted position EP, the rotating lever 47b rotates to a non-operating position where no stress is applied to the document hold-down bar 40. When the rotating lever 47b is in the non-operating position, it does not come into contact with the document hold-down bar 40, for example. When the rotating lever 47b rotates to the non-operating position, the support spring 47a uses its tension to pull the document hold-down bar 40 up in the +Z direction. The tension of the support spring 47a switches the document hold-down bar 40 to the retracted position EP.

[0092] The rotation angle of the rotating lever 47b is adjusted to change the position of the operating end 40b of the document pressure bar 40. The document pressure bar control section 75 switches the position of the document pressure bar 40 by adjusting the rotation angle of the rotating lever 47b.

[0093] Third embodiment The third embodiment shows an example of the configuration of the document pressure bar 40. The configuration of the document pressure bar 40 makes it possible to adjust the contact stress applied to the document M. The posture of the document pressure bar 40 may be adjusted depending on the configuration and operation of the document pressure bar 40.

[0094] Fig. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the document pressure bar 40. A support end 40a of the document pressure bar 40 is supported on the -Z direction surface of the document feed tray 20 or on a side surface of the scanner unit 3. An actuating end 40b is configured so as to be able to come into contact with the document M placed on the document discharge tray 29. The document pressure bar 40 shown in Fig. 10 has a base material 40c, an actuating member 40d, and a connecting spring 40e.

[0095] The base material 40c is configured to include the supporting end portion 40a of the document pressing bar 40. The base material 40c is supported on the -Z direction surface of the document feeding tray 20 or on the side surface of the scanner unit 3. The base material 40c corresponds to an example of a first braking portion.

[0096] The operating member 40d includes the operating end 40b of the document pressing bar 40. The operating member 40d is capable of contacting the document M placed on the document discharge tray 29. The operating member 40d shown in FIG. 10 has a bent portion, but is not limited thereto. The operating member 40d does not necessarily have to have a bent portion. The operating member 40d corresponds to an example of a second braking portion.

[0097] The joint spring 40e joins the base material 40c and the actuating member 40d. The joint spring 40e is, for example, a torsion spring. The joint spring 40e applies tension to and supports the base material 40c and the actuating member 40d. The joint spring 40e rotatably supports the actuating member 40d with respect to the base material 40c. By rotatably supporting the actuating member 40d, the joint spring 40e can adjust the contact stress when the actuating end 40b contacts the document M. By rotatably supporting the actuating member 40d, the joint spring 40e may switch the posture of the document presser bar 40 to an intermediate posture different from the actuating posture AP and the retracted posture EP. The joint spring 40e is supported by a joint spring support shaft 41. The joint spring 40e corresponds to an example of a support member.

[0098] The joint spring support shaft 41 supports the joint spring 40e. The joint spring support shaft 41 can apply a rotational stress to the joint spring 40e. When the joint spring support shaft 41 applies a rotational stress to the joint spring 40e, the position of the operating member 40d with respect to the base material 40c fluctuates. When the position of the operating member 40d fluctuates, the stress applied to the document M by the operating end 40b fluctuates. Alternatively, when the position of the operating member 40d fluctuates, the position of the operating end 40b with respect to the document M fluctuates, and the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 is displaced. The stress applied to the document M by the document hold-down bar 40 or the posture of the document hold-down bar 40 is adjusted.

[0099] The document presser bar 40 preferably includes a base member 40c, an actuating member 40d, and a connecting spring 40e that rotatably supports the actuating member 40d relative to the base member 40c. The stress that the document pressing bar 40 applies to the document M can be adjusted. Also, the attitude of the document pressing bar 40 can be adjusted.

[0100] Fourth embodiment The fourth embodiment shows a printer unit 2 that includes a medium pressing bar 140. The printer unit 2 constitutes a part of the multifunction device 1, but is not limited to this. The printer unit 2 may also be constituted as a standalone unit.

[0101] Fig. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the printer unit 2. Fig. 11 shows the internal configuration of the printer unit 2 included in the multifunction device 1. Fig. 11 shows a print head 110, a transport path 111, and a medium pressing bar 140. The printer unit 2 corresponds to an example of a liquid ejection device.

[0102] The print head 110 ejects ink onto the print medium P based on print data input from an external device or the like. The print head 110 prints an image or the like on the print medium P by ejecting ink onto the print medium P. As an example, the print head 110 is an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the print medium P. The ink corresponds to an example of liquid. The print head 110 corresponds to an example of a liquid ejection section.

[0103] The transport path 111 is a path that transports the printing medium P supplied from the medium storage cassette 4 toward the medium loading unit 5. The transport path 111 includes a feed path 112, a straight path 113, a face-down path 114, a switchback path 115, and a reversing path 116.

[0104] The feed path 112 is a path that transports the printing medium P from the medium storage cassette 4 toward the print head 110. The printing medium P picked up from the medium storage cassette 4 is transported along the feed path 112 toward the print head 110. A feed roller 117 and a separation roller pair 118 are arranged along the feed path 112.

[0105] The feed roller 117 picks up the print medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4. The feed roller 117 transports the print medium P placed at a position in the +Z direction, among the multiple print media P placed in the medium storage cassette 4, to the feed path 112. The feed roller 117 is rotationally driven by a medium transport mechanism 160, which will be described later.

[0106] When a plurality of printing media P are transported by the feed roller 117, the separation roller pair 118 separates the printing media P into one sheet of printing medium P. The separation roller pair 118 transports the separated sheet of printing medium P toward the print head 110. The separation roller pair 118 has a drive roller 118a and a driven roller 118b.

[0107] The drive roller 118a transports the print medium P toward the print head 110. The drive roller 118a is disposed at a position across the feed path 112 from the driven roller 118b. The drive roller 118a is driven to rotate by the medium transport mechanism 160.

[0108] The driven roller 118b comes into contact with the drive roller 118a via the print medium P to form a nip. The print medium P is sandwiched in the nip between the drive roller 118a and the driven roller 118b. The driven roller 118b rotates in accordance with the rotational drive of the drive roller 118a.

[0109] The straight path 113 is a path along which the print medium P is printed by the print head 110. The straight path 113 is connected to the feeding path 112. The straight path 113 is disposed at a position in the -Z direction of the print head 110. Along the straight path 113, the print head 110, a first transport roller pair 120, a belt transport section 121, a second transport roller pair 122, a first medium sensor 123, and a second medium sensor 124 are disposed.

[0110] The print head 110 is disposed at a position in the +Z direction of the straight path 113. The print head 110 prints on the print medium P transported in the +Y direction along the straight path 113. The print head 110 is disposed at a position facing the belt transport unit 121 across the straight path 113.

[0111] The first transport roller pair 120 transports the print medium P transported along the feeding path 112 towards the belt transport unit 121. The first transport roller pair 120 is disposed at a position on the -Y side of the print head 110 and the belt transport unit 121.

[0112] The belt transport unit 121 supports the print medium P to be printed by the print head 110 and transports it in the +Y direction. The belt transport unit 121 is disposed in a position in the -Z direction of the straight path 113. The belt transport unit 121 is disposed in a position facing the print head 110 across the straight path 113.

[0113] The second transport roller pair 122 transports the print medium P printed by the print head 110 to the face-down path 114 or the switchback path 115. The second transport roller pair 122 is disposed at a position on the +Y side of the print head 110 and the belt transport section 121.

[0114] The first medium sensor 123 detects the presence or absence of the print medium P transported toward the first transport roller pair 120. The first medium sensor 123 is disposed at a position in the -Y direction of the first transport roller pair 120. The first medium sensor 123 is composed of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or the like.

[0115] The second medium sensor 124 detects the presence or absence of the print medium P transported by the second transport roller pair 122. The second medium sensor 124 is disposed at a position in the +Y direction of the second transport roller pair 122. The second medium sensor 124 is composed of an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, or the like.

[0116] The face-down path 114 is a path that transports the print medium P printed by the print head 110 to the discharge section 7. The face-down path 114 is connected to the straight path 113. The face-down path 114 is a path that discharges the print medium P printed by the print head 110 from the discharge section 7 with the printed surface facing in the -Z direction. A plurality of medium transport roller pairs 130 are arranged on the face-down path 114.

[0117] The plurality of media transport roller pairs 130 transport the print medium P along the face-down path 114. The plurality of media transport roller pairs 130 include a first media transport roller pair 130a, a second media transport roller pair 130b, a third media transport roller pair 130c, a fourth media transport roller pair 130d, a fifth media transport roller pair 130e, and a sixth media transport roller pair 130f. In order from the position of the second transport roller pair 122 in the +Y direction, the first media transport roller pair 130a, the second media transport roller pair 130b, the third media transport roller pair 130c, the fourth media transport roller pair 130d, the fifth media transport roller pair 130e, and the sixth media transport roller pair 130f are arranged along the face-down path 114. The plurality of media transport roller pairs 130 are not limited to six. The number of media transport roller pairs 130 is set appropriately.

[0118] The switchback path 115 is a path used when printing on both sides of the print medium P using the print head 110. The switchback path 115 is used when reversing the transport direction of the print medium P. The switchback path 115 connects to the straight path 113 at a position in the +Y direction of the print head 110 and the belt transport unit 121. The straight path 113 branches into a face-down path 114 and the switchback path 115.

[0119] The inversion path 116 is a path that inverts the front and back of the printing medium P. The inversion path 116 is used when printing on both sides of the printing medium P using the print head 110. The inversion path 116 is connected to the switchback path 115 and the straight path 113. The printing medium P transported along the inversion path 116 is transported into the straight path 113 at the -Y direction position of the first transport roller pair 120 and the first medium sensor 123. By using the switchback path 115 and the inversion path 116, the print head 110 can eject ink onto the front and back of the printing medium P. The printer unit 2 can perform double-sided printing on the printing medium P. The front side corresponds to an example of the first side. The back side corresponds to an example of the second side.

[0120] The medium pressing bar 140 brakes the document M being transported to the medium loading section 5. The medium pressing bar 140 comes into contact with the print medium P being transported to the medium loading section 5. The medium pressing bar 140 reduces the transport speed of the print medium P by contacting the print medium P. The transport speed of the print medium P varies depending on the type, condition, etc. of the print medium P. When the transport speed of the print medium P varies, the placement position of the print medium P on the medium loading section 5 varies. By slowing down the print medium P, the medium pressing bar 140 makes it possible to reduce the variation in the placement position of the print medium P placed on the medium loading section 5.

[0121] The medium pressing bar 140 is made of a metal material, a resin material, or the like. The medium pressing bar 140 is preferably made of an elastic material. The medium pressing bar 140 shown in FIG. 11 has a bent portion, but is not limited to this. The medium pressing bar 140 may be made of a flat plate member, a curved member, or the like. The configuration of the medium pressing bar 140 is not limited as long as it is configured to be able to brake the printing medium P transported to the medium loading section 5. The medium pressing bar 140 corresponds to an example of a braking member. The medium pressing bar 140 has a bar support end 140a and a bar operating end 140b.

[0122] The bar support end 140a is supported by the scanner unit 3 or the printer unit 2. The bar support end 140a may be supported so as to be able to displace the medium pressing bar 140. The bar support end 140a is supported by a surface of the scanner unit 3 in the -Z direction, or a side surface of the printer unit 2 in the +X direction or -X direction.

[0123] The bar working end 140b comes into contact with the printing medium P on the medium placement unit 5. The bar working end 140b is a displaceable free end. The bar working end 140b may be configured in an R-shape. The bar working end 140b may be provided with a member for applying a load to the printing medium P, or the like.

[0124] The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 switches the position of the medium presser bar 140. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 corresponds to an example of a switching mechanism. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 has a medium presser bar drive cam 145a, a medium presser bar drive cam shaft 145b, and a bar drive motor 145c. The bar drive motor 145c will be described later.

[0125] The media presser bar drive cam 145a changes the position of contact with the media presser bar 140 by rotating. The media presser bar drive cam 145a may move away from the media presser bar 140 by rotating. The media presser bar drive cam 145a rotates to displace the media presser bar 140 to the braking position BP or the standby position SP. The media presser bar drive cam 145a is driven based on the control of the media presser bar control unit 175, which will be described later. The media presser bar drive cam 145a corresponds to an example of a cam.

[0126] The medium presser bar drive cam shaft 145b rotatably supports the medium presser bar drive cam 145a. The medium presser bar drive cam shaft 145b is supported on a side surface of the printer unit 2 or a -Z direction surface of the scanner unit 3. The medium presser bar drive cam 145a rotates around the medium presser bar drive cam shaft 145b.

[0127] 11 shows the media pressure bar 140 in the braking position BP. When the media pressure bar 140 is in the braking position BP, the bar operating end 140b of the media pressure bar 140 is located at a position where it can come into contact with the print medium P on the medium loading section 5. When the media pressure bar 140 is in the braking position BP, it is able to brake the print medium P. The braking position BP is a position that brakes the print medium P. The braking position BP corresponds to an example of the first position.

[0128] The media presser bar 140 shown in Fig. 11 is in the braking position BP due to its own weight and the contact position with the media presser bar drive cam 145a. In Fig. 11, the media presser bar drive cam 145a is in contact with the media presser bar 140, but this is not limited to this. The media presser bar drive cam 145a may be separated from the media presser bar 140. The media presser bar 140 is displaced to the braking position BP due to its own weight.

[0129] Fig. 12 shows a schematic configuration of the printer unit 2. Fig. 12 shows the internal configuration of the printer unit 2 included in the multifunction device 1. Fig. 12 shows the medium pressing bar 140 in the standby position SP. Fig. 12 has the same configuration as the printer unit 2 shown in Fig. 11, except for the position of the medium pressing bar 140.

[0130] FIG. 12 shows the medium pressing bar 140 in the standby position SP. When the medium pressing bar 140 is in the standby position SP, the bar operating end 140b of the medium pressing bar 140 is located at a position where it does not come into contact with the printing medium P on the medium placement unit 5, as shown in FIG. 12. When the medium pressing bar 140 is in the standby position SP, it does not brake the printing medium P. The standby position SP is, as an example, a position where the printing medium P is not braked. When the medium pressing bar 140 is in the standby position SP, the bar operating end 140b of the medium pressing bar 140 may be located at a position where it comes into contact with the printing medium P that has curled a predetermined amount or more. When in the standby position SP, the medium pressing bar 140 comes into contact with the printing medium P that has curled a predetermined amount or more. The medium pressing bar 140 functions as a member that suppresses curling of the printing medium P. The standby position SP is a position different from the braking position BP. The standby position SP corresponds to an example of the second position.

[0131] 12 comes into contact with the media presser bar 140 when the media presser bar 140 is in the standby position SP. The media presser bar drive cam 145a pushes up the media presser bar 140 by rotating. The media presser bar drive cam 145a causes the media presser bar 140 to rotate about the bar support end 140a as a fulcrum, and displaces to the standby position SP. The rotation angle, etc. of the media presser bar drive cam 145a are set appropriately.

[0132] 13 shows a block configuration of the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 includes a print head 110, a medium presser bar drive mechanism 145, a medium transport mechanism 160, a print control unit 170, a print memory unit 180, and a communication interface 190.

[0133] The print head 110 ejects ink onto the print medium P based on print data input from an external device, etc. The print head 110 prints onto the print medium P by ejecting ink onto the print medium P based on the control of the print control unit 170.

[0134] The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 drives the medium presser bar 140. In addition to the medium presser bar drive cam 145a, the medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 has a bar drive motor 145c and a drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The bar drive motor 145c generates a drive force. The drive transmission mechanism transmits the drive force to the medium presser bar drive cam 145a. The document presser bar drive cam 145a rotates by the transmitted drive force. The bar drive motor 145c corresponds to an example of a drive source.

[0135] The medium transport mechanism 160 drives the feed roller 117, the separation roller pair 118, the first transport roller pair 120, the belt transport section 121, the second transport roller pair 122, and the multiple medium transport roller pairs 130. The medium transport mechanism 160 has a drive source that generates a drive force. The medium transport mechanism 160 transmits the drive force generated by the drive source to the medium transport roller pair 130 and the like. The medium transport mechanism 160 drives the medium transport roller pair 130 and the like by transmitting the drive force. The medium transport mechanism 160 transports the print medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4 toward the medium loading section 5 by driving the medium transport roller pair 130 and the like. The medium transport mechanism 160 corresponds to an example of a transport section.

[0136] The print control unit 170 is a controller circuit that controls the printer unit 2. As an example, the print control unit 170 is a processor having a CPU. The print control unit 170 is composed of one or more processors. The print control unit 170 operates as a functional unit by executing a print control program. The print control unit 170 functions as a medium transport control unit 171, a print control unit 173, a medium presser bar control unit 175, and a data processing unit 177. The print control unit 170 may function as a medium type discrimination unit 179. The print control unit 170 may function as a functional unit other than the medium transport control unit 171, the print control unit 173, the medium presser bar control unit 175, and the data processing unit 177.

[0137] The medium transport control unit 171 controls the transport of the print medium P. The medium transport control unit 171 controls the medium transport mechanism 160 to transport the print medium P along the transport path 111. The medium transport control unit 171 controls the timing to start transporting the print medium P, the transport speed of the print medium P, the path along which the print medium P is transported, and the like.

[0138] The print control unit 173 controls printing by the print head 110 onto the print medium P. The print control unit 173 controls the print head 110 and causes the print head 110 to print onto the print medium P. The print control unit 173 controls the print timing of the print head 110, the amount of ink when the print head 110 ejects ink, the ink ejection position, and the like.

[0139] The medium presser bar control unit 175 controls the posture of the medium presser bar 140. The medium presser bar control unit 175 controls the medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 to drive the medium presser bar drive cam 145a. The medium presser bar control unit 175 drives the medium presser bar drive cam 145a to displace the medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP.

[0140] The medium presser bar control unit 175 acquires printing condition data such as a print duty value from the data processing unit 177. The medium presser bar control unit 175 determines whether the posture of the medium presser bar 140 should be the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP based on the acquired printing condition data. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 displaces the medium presser bar 140 to the determined posture under the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP.

[0141] As an example, the medium presser bar control unit 175 uses the evaluation value EV to determine whether the posture of the medium presser bar 140 should be the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP. The medium presser bar control unit 175 reads out the evaluation value EV from the print memory unit 180. The medium presser bar control unit 175 compares the printing condition data with the evaluation value EV to determine the posture of the medium presser bar 140.

[0142] FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture. FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture when the type of print medium P is standard paper and single-sided printing is performed. Standard paper indicates a paper with a predetermined paper thickness. Standard paper corresponds to an example of the first type. Duty shown in FIG. 14 indicates the print duty value, which is an example of print condition data. The media pressure bar posture indicates the posture of the media pressure bar 140. The relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 14 is determined in advance. The evaluation value EV is determined from the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 14 and stored in the print memory unit 180. The evaluation value EV determined based on FIG. 14 is, as an example, a single-sided evaluation value EV1. The single-sided evaluation value EV1 corresponds to an example of a discharge amount threshold.

[0143] The print duty value is determined by the number of dots of ink ejected onto the print medium P. The print duty value is calculated using the number D of dots of ink ejected onto the print medium P based on the print data and the maximum number Dmax of dots of ink that can be ejected onto the print medium P. The print duty value is calculated by the following formula (1). Print duty value (%) = D / Dmax × 100 (1)

[0144] In Fig. 14, when the print duty value is in the range below 60%, the media presser bar posture is the braking posture BP. When the print duty value is in the range of 60% or more, the media presser bar posture is the standby posture SP. From Fig. 14, a print duty value of 60% is determined as the evaluation value EV and stored in the print memory unit 180. The media presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the media presser bar 140 using the evaluation value EV stored in the print memory unit 180 and the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177.

[0145] The data processing unit 177 shown in FIG. 13 acquires printing condition data. The printing condition data corresponds to an example of an index related to the state of the medium. As an example, the data processing unit 177 calculates a printing duty value as the printing condition data. When the printer unit 2 prints on the printing medium P, the print control unit 170 receives printing data from an external device or the like. The data processing unit 177 acquires and analyzes the printing data. The data processing unit 177 calculates the number of ink dots D to be ejected onto the printing medium P. The data processing unit 177 divides the calculated number of ink dots D by the maximum number of ink dots Dmax that can be ejected onto the printing medium P to calculate the printing duty value. The maximum number of ink dots Dmax that can be ejected onto the printing medium P is stored in advance. The printing duty value corresponds to an example of the amount of liquid ejected. The data processing unit 177 acquires the printing condition data by calculating the printing duty value. The data processing unit 177 corresponds to an example of an acquisition unit.

[0146] Data processing unit 177 transmits the print duty value to medium presser bar control unit 175. Medium presser bar control unit 175 receives the print duty value from data processing unit 177. Medium presser bar control unit 175 acquires evaluation value EV from print memory unit 180. Medium presser bar control unit 175 compares the print duty value received from data processing unit 177 with evaluation value EV, and determines the attitude of medium presser bar 140.

[0147] As an example, the medium presser bar control unit 175 acquires an evaluation value EV with a print duty value of 60% from the print memory unit 180. When the print duty value received from the data processing unit 177 is less than 60%, the medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to be the braking posture BP. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP based on the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175. When the print duty value received from the data processing unit 177 is 60% or more, the medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to be the standby posture SP. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to the standby posture SP based on the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175.

[0148] The print storage unit 180 stores various information. The print storage unit 180 stores a print control program executed by the print control unit 170. The print storage unit 180 stores a plurality of evaluation values ​​EV. The print storage unit 180 may store print data, read data transmitted from the scanner unit 3, etc. The print storage unit 180 is configured with semiconductor memories such as ROM and RAM.

[0149] The multiple evaluation values ​​EV include a single-sided evaluation value EV1 and a double-sided evaluation value EV2. The single-sided evaluation value EV1 is used when the printer unit 2 performs single-sided printing by printing on either the front or back side of the printing medium P. The double-sided evaluation value EV2 is used when the printer unit 2 performs double-sided printing by printing on both the front and back sides of the printing medium P. The multiple evaluation values ​​EV may include a paper type evaluation value for each type of printing medium P. The multiple evaluation values ​​EV include, as an example, a thin paper evaluation value and a thick paper evaluation value. The thin paper evaluation value is an evaluation value EV used when thin paper that is thinner than standard paper is printed. The thick paper evaluation value is an evaluation value EV used when thick paper that is thicker than standard paper is printed.

[0150] FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture. The duty and media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 15 are the same as the duty and media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 14. The relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 15 is determined in advance. FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture when the printer unit 2 performs single-sided printing on the print medium P. FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture when the printer unit 2 performs double-sided printing on the print medium P. A single-sided evaluation value EV1 and a double-sided evaluation value EV2 are determined from the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 15 and are stored in the print memory unit 180.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 15, when the printer unit 2 performs single-sided printing, the media presser bar posture is the braking posture BP when the print duty value is in the range of less than 60%. When the print duty value is in the range of 60% or more, the media presser bar posture is the standby posture SP. From FIG. 15, the print duty value of 60% is determined as the single-sided evaluation value EV1 and stored in the print memory unit 180. When the printer unit 2 performs single-sided printing, the media presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the media presser bar 140 using the single-sided evaluation value EV1 stored in the print memory unit 180 and the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177. When the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177 is less than 60%, the media presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the media presser bar 140 to be the braking posture BP. The media presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the media presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP based on the control of the media presser bar control unit 175. When the print duty value calculated by data processing unit 177 is 60% or more, medium pressure bar control unit 175 determines the posture of medium pressure bar 140 to be the standby posture SP. Based on the control of medium pressure bar control unit 175, medium pressure bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of medium pressure bar 140 to the standby posture SP.

[0152] As shown in Fig. 15, when the printer unit 2 performs double-sided printing, when the print duty value is in the range of less than 50%, the medium pressing bar posture is the braking posture BP. When the print duty value is in the range of 50% or more, the medium pressing bar posture is the standby posture SP. From Fig. 15, a print duty value of 50% is determined as the double-sided evaluation value EV2 and stored in the print memory unit 180. The double-sided evaluation value EV2 corresponds to an example of a double-sided ejection amount threshold.

[0153] The medium pressing bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium pressing bar 140 using the double-sided evaluation value EV2 stored in the print memory unit 180 and the double-sided printing duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177. The double-sided printing duty value is a value calculated using the number of dots of ink ejected on both sides of the printing medium P when the printer unit 2 performs double-sided printing. The double-sided printing duty value is a value obtained by dividing the number of dots of ink ejected on both sides of the printing medium P by the maximum number of dots of ink that can be ejected on both sides of the printing medium P. The double-sided printing duty value corresponds to an example of the double-sided ejection amount of liquid. When the double-sided printing duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177 is less than 50%, the medium pressing bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium pressing bar 140 to be the braking posture BP. The medium pressing bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the medium pressing bar 140 to the braking posture BP based on the control of the medium pressing bar control unit 175. When the double-sided printing duty value calculated by data processing unit 177 is 50% or more, media pressure bar control unit 175 determines the posture of media pressure bar 140 to be the standby posture SP. Based on the control of media pressure bar control unit 175, media pressure bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of media pressure bar 140 to the standby posture SP.

[0154] The single-sided evaluation value EV1 and double-sided evaluation value EV2, which are determined based on the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in FIG. 15, are different values. The amount of ink ejected onto the print medium P differs between single-sided printing and double-sided printing. When the amount of ink ejected onto the print medium P increases, the stiffness of the print medium P decreases. When the stiffness of the print medium P decreases, the possibility of the print medium P being damaged by the media pressure bar 140 increases. A print medium P that is printed on both sides is more likely to be damaged by the media pressure bar 140 than a print medium P that is printed on one side with the same print duty value. Therefore, it is preferable that the double-sided evaluation value EV2 is smaller than the single-sided evaluation value EV1.

[0155] 13 determines the type of print medium P. The type of print medium P is classified by the thickness, basis weight, material, size, etc. of the print medium P. The medium type determination unit 179 determines the type of print medium P based on data input to the operation panel 6 or the detection results of a paper thickness sensor or the like provided on the transport path 111. The medium type determination unit 179 transmits information on the determined type of print medium P to the medium presser bar control unit 175.

[0156] FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media presser bar posture. The duty and the media presser bar posture shown in FIG. 16 are the same as the duty and the media presser bar posture shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The relationship between the print duty value and the media presser bar posture shown in FIG. 16 is determined in advance. FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media presser bar posture when the printer unit 2 prints on thin paper, which is a paper type thinner than standard paper, as the print medium P. A paper type thinner than standard paper corresponds to an example of the second type. FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the print duty value and the media presser bar posture when the printer unit 2 prints on thick paper, which is a paper type thicker than standard paper, as the print medium P. A paper type thicker than standard paper corresponds to an example of the second type. The thin paper evaluation value and the thick paper evaluation value are determined from the relationship between the print duty value and the media presser bar posture shown in FIG. 16 and are stored in the print memory unit 180. The thin paper evaluation value and the thick paper evaluation value are included in the evaluation value EV. The thin paper evaluation value and the thick paper evaluation value correspond to an example of a second discharge amount threshold value.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 16, when the printer unit 2 prints thin paper, the media presser bar posture is the braking posture BP when the print duty value is less than 40%. When the print duty value is 40% or more, the media presser bar posture is the standby posture SP. From FIG. 16, the print duty value of 40% is determined as the thin paper evaluation value and stored in the print memory unit 180. The media presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the media presser bar 140 using the thin paper evaluation value stored in the print memory unit 180 and the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177. When the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177 is less than 40%, the media presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the media presser bar 140 to be the braking posture BP. The media presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the media presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP based on the control of the media presser bar control unit 175. When the print duty value calculated by data processing unit 177 is 40% or more, medium pressure bar control unit 175 determines the posture of medium pressure bar 140 to be the standby posture SP. Based on the control of medium pressure bar control unit 175, medium pressure bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of medium pressure bar 140 to the standby posture SP.

[0158] As shown in Fig. 16, when the printer unit 2 prints on thick paper, when the print duty value is in the range of less than 70%, the medium pressing bar posture is the braking posture BP. When the print duty value is in the range of 70% or more, the medium pressing bar posture is the standby posture SP. From Fig. 16, a print duty value of 70% is determined as the thick paper evaluation value and is stored in the print memory unit 180.

[0159] The medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 using the cardboard evaluation value stored in the print memory unit 180 and the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177. When the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177 is less than 70%, the medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to be the braking posture BP. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP based on the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175. When the print duty value calculated by the data processing unit 177 is 70% or more, the medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to be the standby posture SP. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to the standby posture SP based on the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175.

[0160] The thin paper evaluation value and thick paper evaluation value, which are determined based on the relationship between the print duty value and the media pressure bar posture shown in Figure 16, are different values. Thin paper and thick paper have different stiffness. Thin paper is weaker than thick paper. For the same print duty value, thin paper is more likely to be damaged by the media pressure bar 140 than thick paper. Therefore, it is preferable that the thin paper evaluation value is smaller than the thick paper evaluation value.

[0161] The print memory unit 180 shown in Fig. 13 stores a plurality of evaluation values ​​EV. The medium presser bar control unit 175 uses the evaluation values ​​EV to determine the posture of the medium presser bar 140. The print memory unit 180 may store the tables shown in Figs. 14, 15, and 16 as evaluation tables instead of the plurality of evaluation values ​​EV. The medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium presser bar 140 using the evaluation table.

[0162] The communication interface 190 is an interface circuit that communicatively connects to the scanner unit 3 and an external device. The communication interface 190 communicates with the scanner unit 3 and the like in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The communication interface 190 has a wired connector such as a USB connector. The communication interface 190 may have a wireless communication port that communicatively connects to an external device. The communication interface 190 has various wireless ports such as a Wi-Fi communication port and a Bluetooth communication port, and communicatively connects to an external device. The communication interface 190 receives read data from the scanner unit 3 as print data. The communication interface 190 receives print data from the external device. The communication interface 190 transmits print results and the like to the external device.

[0163] The printer unit 2 includes a medium storage cassette 4 on which the printing medium P is placed, a medium transport mechanism 160 that transports the printing medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4, a print head 110 that ejects ink onto the printing medium P based on print data, a medium loading section 5 on which the printing medium P onto which the print head 110 ejects ink is placed, a medium presser bar 140 that applies a brake to the printing medium P transported to the medium loading section 5, a medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 that switches the position of the medium presser bar 140, and a data processing section 177 that acquires printing condition data. Based on the printing condition data acquired by the data processing section 177, the medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the medium presser bar 140 to a braking position BP that brakes the printing medium P, or a standby position SP that is different from the braking position BP. The printer unit 2 can reduce transport problems such as damage to the print medium P caused by the medium pressing bar 140 by changing the position of the medium pressing bar 140 based on the printing condition data.

[0164] It is preferable that the data processing unit 177 obtains, as printing condition data, a print duty value for ejecting ink onto the printing medium P based on the print data. The print duty value corresponds to the state of the print medium P. Depending on the state of the print medium P, the printer unit 2 can put the medium presser bar 140 into the braking position BP or the standby position SP.

[0165] When the printing duty value acquired by the data processing unit 177 is smaller than a predetermined single-sided evaluation value EV1, the media pressing bar drive mechanism 145 sets the media pressing bar 140 to a braking position BP, and when the printing duty value acquired by the data processing unit 177 is larger than the single-sided evaluation value EV1, the media pressing bar drive mechanism 145 sets the media pressing bar 140 to a standby position SP. When the printing medium P is in a state where it is likely to be damaged by the medium pressing bar 140, the printer unit 2 is in the standby position SP, so that problems with the transportation of the printing medium P can be reduced.

[0166] The print head 110 is capable of ejecting ink onto the front and back surfaces of the print medium P. When the print head 110 ejects ink onto the front and back surfaces of the print medium P, the data processing unit 177 acquires, as printing condition data, a double-sided printing duty value of the ink ejected onto the front and back surfaces of the print medium P. When the double-sided printing duty value acquired by the data processing unit 177 is smaller than a double-sided evaluation value EV2 that is different from the single-sided evaluation value EV1, the medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the medium presser bar 140 to the braking position BP. When the double-sided printing duty value acquired by the data processing unit 177 is larger than the double-sided evaluation value EV2, the medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets the medium presser bar 140 to the standby position SP. The printer unit 2 adjusts the position of the medium pressing bar 140 using different evaluation values ​​EV during single-sided printing and double-sided printing. The printer unit 2 can adjust the position of the medium pressing bar 140 depending on the state of the print medium P during double-sided printing.

[0167] Data processing unit 177 acquires the type of printing medium P. When the type of printing medium P acquired by data processing unit 177 is standard paper and the print duty value acquired by data processing unit 177 is smaller than single-sided evaluation value EV1, medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP. When the type of printing medium P acquired by data processing unit 177 is thin paper which is different from standard paper and the print duty value acquired by data processing unit 177 is smaller than the thin paper evaluation value which is different from single-sided evaluation value EV1, medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 sets medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP. The printer unit 2 can adjust the position of the medium pressing bar 140 according to the type and condition of the print medium P, thereby reducing transport problems.

[0168] Fifth embodiment The fifth embodiment shows a printer unit 2 that includes a medium pressing bar 140. The printer unit 2 constitutes a part of the multifunction device 1, but is not limited to this. The printer unit 2 may also be constituted as a standalone unit.

[0169] Fig. 17 shows a schematic configuration of the printer unit 2. Fig. 17 shows a schematic configuration of the printer unit 2 of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 17 shows the internal configuration of the printer unit 2 included in the multifunction device 1. Fig. 17 shows the print head 110, the transport path 111, and the media presser bar 140. Fig. 17 shows the media presser bar 140 in the braking position BP. The configuration of the printer unit 2 shown in Fig. 17 is the same as the configuration of the printer unit 2 shown in Fig. 11, except that it is equipped with an internal temperature and humidity sensor 250.

[0170] The in-machine temperature and humidity sensor 250 acquires environmental data of the printing medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4 of the printer unit 2. The in-machine temperature and humidity sensor 250 measures at least one of the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity inside the printer unit 2 as environmental data. The in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity are examples of data related to the state of the printing medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4. The environmental data corresponds to an example of an index. The environmental data including the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity corresponds to an example of a placement environment. The in-machine temperature and humidity sensor 250 is an example of an acquisition unit and corresponds to an example of a sensor. The in-machine temperature and humidity sensor 250 transmits at least one of the measured in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity to the print control unit 170.

[0171] The printer unit 2 may be equipped with an internal temperature sensor or an internal humidity sensor instead of the internal temperature and humidity sensor 250. The internal temperature sensor measures the internal temperature of the printer unit 2. The internal humidity sensor measures the internal humidity of the printer unit 2.

[0172] Figure 18 shows a block configuration of the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 includes a print head 110, a medium presser bar drive mechanism 145, a medium transport mechanism 160, a print control unit 170, a print memory unit 180, a communication interface 190, and an internal temperature and humidity sensor 250. The print head 110, medium presser bar drive mechanism 145, medium transport mechanism 160, and communication interface 190 shown in Figure 18 have the same configurations as the print head 110, medium presser bar drive mechanism 145, medium transport mechanism 160, and communication interface 190 shown in Figure 13.

[0173] The print control unit 170 functions as a medium transport control unit 171, a print control unit 173, a medium presser bar control unit 175, and a medium type discrimination unit 179. The function of each functional unit is the same as the function of each functional unit shown in FIG.

[0174] The print storage unit 180 stores a state determination table ST. The state determination table ST is used in place of the evaluation value EV shown in Fig. 13. The medium presser bar control unit 175 determines the attitude of the medium presser bar 140 using the state determination table ST.

[0175] Fig. 19 shows an example of the state determination table ST. The state determination table ST shown in Fig. 19 shows the correspondence between the environmental conditions and the medium pressing bar posture. The medium pressing bar posture indicates the posture of the medium pressing bar 140. The environmental conditions are shown divided into each of the environmental areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. The environmental conditions are divided based on the relationship between the environmental data and the environmental areas shown in Fig. 6.

[0176] The state determination table ST associates the relationship between the environmental conditions and the media pressing bar posture. When the environmental condition is in any of the areas A, B, D, E, G, and H, the media pressing bar posture is set to the braking posture BP. When the environmental condition is in the areas C, F, and I, the media pressing bar posture is set to the standby posture SP.

[0177] When the environmental conditions are in the C region, for example, where the temperature inside the machine is between 25°C and 35°C and the humidity inside the machine is between 45% and 85%, the moisture content of the printing medium P placed in the medium storage cassette 4 increases. When the moisture content of the printing medium P increases, the stiffness of the printing medium P made of paper decreases. When the stiffness of the printing medium P decreases, there is a possibility that wrinkles and the like will occur in the printing medium P due to contact with the media presser bar 140. When the environmental conditions are in the C region, the media presser bar control unit 175 controls the media presser bar 140 to the standby position SP. When the media presser bar 140 is in the standby position SP, there is no contact between the media presser bar 140 and the printing medium P. It is possible to prevent wrinkles and the like from occurring in the printing medium P due to contact between the media presser bar 140 and the printing medium P.

[0178] When the environmental conditions are in the D region, for example, where the temperature inside the machine is between 10°C and 18°C, and the humidity inside the machine is between 35% and 45%, the moisture content of the printing medium P placed in the medium accommodation cassette 4 is low. When the moisture content of the printing medium P is low, the stiffness of the printing medium P made of paper is maintained. When the stiffness of the printing medium P is maintained, there is little possibility that the printing medium P will develop wrinkles due to contact with the media presser bar 140. When the environmental conditions are in the D region, the media presser bar control unit 175 controls the media presser bar 140 to the braking position BP. When the media presser bar 140 is in the braking position BP, the media presser bar 140 and the printing medium P come into contact. By contacting the printing medium P, the media presser bar 140 can brake the printing medium P being transported.

[0179] The state determination table ST shown in FIG. 19 indicates the relationship between the environmental conditions and the medium pressing bar posture, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the state determination table ST may indicate the correspondence between humidity and the medium pressing bar posture. At this time, the internal temperature and humidity sensor 250 measures the internal humidity. The medium pressing bar control unit 175 determines the posture of the medium pressing bar 140 using the internal humidity and the state determination table ST indicating the correspondence between humidity and the medium pressing bar posture.

[0180] The medium presser bar control unit 175 uses the state determination table ST and at least one of the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity to determine whether the posture of the medium presser bar 140 should be the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP. The medium presser bar control unit 175 reads out the state determination table ST from the print memory unit 180. The medium presser bar control unit 175 receives at least one of the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity from the in-machine temperature and humidity sensor 250. The medium presser bar control unit 175 compares at least one of the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity with the state determination table ST to determine the posture of the medium presser bar 140. The medium presser bar drive mechanism 145 displaces the posture of the medium presser bar 140 to the braking posture BP or the standby posture SP based on the control of the medium presser bar control unit 175.

[0181] The internal temperature and humidity sensor 250 preferably acquires environmental data about the print medium P. The internal temperature and humidity sensor 250 acquires environmental data including the internal temperature and humidity, and the printer unit 2 can adjust the position of the medium pressing bar 140 based on the state of the print medium P. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 1...multifunction device, 2...printer unit, 3...scanner unit, 4...media storage cassette, 5...media placement section, 6...operation panel, 7...output section, 8...front cover, 11...scanner body, 12...document transport unit, 14...document table, 15...document mat, 16...first reading section, 20...document feed tray, 21...document pickup roller, 22...document feed roller, 23...document separation roller, 24...document transport roller pair, 24a...first document transport roller pair, 24b...second document transport roller pair, 24c...third document transport roller pair, 24d...fourth document transport roller pair, 26 ...second reading unit, 28...pair of document discharge rollers, 29...document discharge tray, 40...document pressure bar, 40a...support end, 40b...operating end, 40c...base material, 40d...operating member, 40e...connecting spring, 41...connecting spring support shaft, 45...document pressure bar drive mechanism, 45a...document pressure bar drive cam, 45b...document pressure bar drive cam shaft, 45c...cam drive motor, 47...lever drive mechanism, 47a...support spring, 47b...rotating lever, 47c...rotating lever support shaft, 50...temperature and humidity sensor, 60...document transport mechanism, 70...reading control unit, 71...document transport control unit, 73...reading control unit, 75... document presser bar control section, 80... memory section, 90... data communication interface, 110... print head, 111... transport path, 112... feed path, 113... straight path, 114... face-down path, 115... switchback path, 116... reversal path, 117... feed roller, 118... separation roller pair, 118a... drive roller, 118b... driven roller, 120... first transport roller pair, 121... belt transport section, 122... second transport roller pair, 123... first media sensor, 124... second media sensor, 130... media transport roller pair, 130a... first media Transport roller pair, 130b...second media transport roller pair, 130c...third media transport roller pair, 130d...fourth media transport roller pair, 130e...fifth media transport roller pair, 130f...sixth media transport roller pair, 140...media pressure bar, 140a...bar support end, 140b...bar operating end, 145...media pressure bar drive mechanism, 145a...media pressure bar drive cam, 145b...media pressure bar drive cam shaft, 145c...bar drive motor, 160...media transport mechanism, 170...print control unit, 171...media transport control unit, 173...print control unit, 175...media pressure bar control unit,177: data processing unit, 179: media type discrimination unit, 180: print memory unit, 190: communication interface, 250: internal temperature and humidity sensor, AP: operating position, BP: braking position, EP: evacuation position, EV: evaluation value, EV1: single-sided evaluation value, EV2: double-sided evaluation value, JT: judgment table, M: original, P: print medium, SP: standby position, ST: status judgment table, T: original transport path.

Claims

1. A paper feed tray on which the medium is placed; a conveying unit that conveys the medium placed on the paper feed tray; a paper output tray on which the medium conveyed by the conveying unit is placed; a braking member that brakes the medium being transported to the paper discharge tray; A switching mechanism that switches the attitude of the braking member; an acquisition unit that acquires an index relating to a state of the medium, The switching mechanism changes the attitude of the braking member to a first attitude for braking the medium or a second attitude different from the first attitude, based on the indicator acquired by the acquisition unit. Media handling device.

2. The acquisition unit acquires a placement environment of the medium as the index. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. The switching mechanism includes a drive source and a cam that rotates by a drive force of the drive source. The media transport device of claim 1 .

4. The braking member includes a first braking portion, a second braking portion, and a support member that supports the second braking portion rotatably relative to the first braking portion. The media transport device of claim 1 .

5. A paper feed tray on which the medium is placed; a conveying unit that conveys the medium placed on the paper feed tray; a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid onto the medium based on print data; an output tray for placing the medium onto which the liquid has been ejected by the liquid ejection unit; a braking member that brakes the medium being transported to the paper discharge tray; A switching mechanism that switches the attitude of the braking member; an acquisition unit that acquires an index relating to a state of the medium, The switching mechanism switches the braking member to a first position for braking the medium or a second position different from the first position, based on the indicator acquired by the acquisition unit. Liquid discharge device.

6. the acquisition unit acquires, as the index, an ejection amount of the liquid ejected onto the medium based on the print data; The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 .

7. When the discharge amount acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than a predetermined discharge amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the first position, When the discharge amount acquired by the acquisition unit is greater than the discharge amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the second position. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 .

8. the liquid ejection unit is capable of ejecting the liquid onto a first surface and a second surface of the medium; When the liquid ejection unit ejects the liquid onto the first surface and the second surface of the medium, the acquisition unit acquires, as the index, a double-sided ejection amount of the liquid ejected onto the first surface and the second surface of the medium; When the double-sided ejection amount acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than a double-sided ejection amount threshold different from the ejection amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the first position, When the double-sided ejection amount acquired by the acquisition unit is greater than the double-sided ejection amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the second position. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7.

9. The acquisition unit acquires a type of the medium, When the type of the medium acquired by the acquisition unit is a first type and the ejection amount acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than a ejection amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the first position, when the type of the medium acquired by the acquisition unit is a second type different from the first type, and the ejection amount acquired by the acquisition unit is smaller than a second ejection amount threshold different from the ejection amount threshold, the switching mechanism sets the brake member to the first position. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 .

10. The acquisition unit is a sensor that acquires an environment in which the medium is placed as the index. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 .

11. Acquire indicators related to the condition of the media, switching a posture of a braking member that brakes the medium transported to a paper output tray based on the index to a first posture that brakes the medium or a second posture that is different from the first posture; transporting the medium to the output tray; Media transport method.

Images