Conveying device and recording device

Abstract

To appropriately correct a skew and suppress conveying failures with a simple configuration, in a recording device in which a conveying path for a recording medium is partially curved.SOLUTION: A conveying path 3 having a curved portion 31 is provided with a pair of intermediate rollers 301 consisting of a drive roller and a driven roller, and an intermediate roller 302 consisting of a single drive roller provided in the curved portion 31 and facing an outer inner wall surface 306 with a gap therebetween. A recording medium P is conveyed by the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and 302 while a conveying roller 501 provided downstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301 is rotated in a reverse direction, thereby correcting a skew. When passing through the curved portion 31, rigidity of the recording medium P causes a contact between the recording medium P and the intermediate roller 302, and the recording medium P receives a conveying force not only from the pair of intermediate rollers 301 but also from the intermediate roller 302, thereby suppressing conveying failures. Since the means for nipping and transporting the recording medium P is the pair of intermediate rollers 301 alone, an operation of correcting the skew of the recording medium is not impeded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device that transports a recording sheet to a recording unit, and a recording apparatus that uses the transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] A recording device that records image data on a recording medium has a feeding device that separates the recording medium one by one from a storage section that stores and stacks the recording medium and sends it toward a recording section. The recording medium sent out from the storage section by the feeding device is transported to the recording section through a transport path by a transport device having a transport roller. In such a recording device, the device body can be made smaller by providing a storage section for the recording medium below the recording section. In a configuration in which the storage section is provided below the recording section, the transport path includes a curved section that is curved in a U shape in order to transport the recording medium sent out from the storage section toward the recording section. When a recording medium made of a material with high rigidity is used, the recording medium receives a strong reaction force from the transport path when passing through the curved section of the transport path, so if the transport force is weak, transport failures such as buckling or jamming of the recording medium may occur. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the recording medium is sandwiched between a transport roller and a pressure roller at multiple points in the curved section of the transport path to impart a transport force. This provides a large transport force, thereby suppressing transport failures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-145466 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a recording device that corrects the skew of a recording medium before performing a recording operation on the recording medium. In order to correct the skew, it is necessary to bend the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface. In a state in which the recording medium is sandwiched between a conveying roller and a pressure roller at multiple points, the movement of the recording medium may be hindered and the skew may not be corrected sufficiently. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a separation mechanism is provided on the conveying roller, and the recording medium is not sandwiched between the conveying roller and the pressure roller. By using the separation mechanism to not sandwich the recording medium between the conveying roller and the pressure roller during the skew correction operation, the rotation operation of the recording medium is not hindered and the skew correction operation can be performed suitably. However, there is a problem that the device becomes complicated by providing a separation mechanism, and the productivity of the recording device decreases due to the separation operation.

[0005] The present invention has an object to achieve both appropriate skew correction and suppression of conveyance failure with a simple configuration in a recording device in which a conveyance path for a recording medium is partially curved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention includes a feeding means for feeding a recording medium; A recording means for recording an image on a recording medium; a conveying path having a curved portion formed by an inner wall surface having a convex shape in a first direction and an outer wall surface having a concave shape that is away from the inner wall surface in the first direction, the conveying path guiding the recording medium fed by the feeding means to the recording means; a first conveying means provided in the conveying path and having a first driving roller driven by a driving source and a driven roller that holds the recording medium together with the first driving roller; A recording device comprising: The inner wall surface of the curved portion is provided upstream of the first driving roller in the conveying direction. a second drive roller driven by a drive source, the second drive roller facing the outer inner wall surface with a gap therebetween in the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, in a recording device in which a part of a conveying path for a recording medium is curved, it is possible to achieve both appropriate skew correction and suppression of conveying defects with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a feed section and a transport section of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 3] Cross-section of the conveying path [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the conveying path [Figure 5(a)] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a conveying path. [Figure 5(b)] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a conveying path. [Figure 5(c)] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a conveying path. [Figure 5(d)] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a conveying path. [Figure 5(e)] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a conveying path. [Figure 6(a)] A cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a double-sided conveying path. [Figure 6(b)] A cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a double-sided conveying path. [Figure 6(c)] A cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a double-sided conveying path. [Figure 6(d)] A cross-sectional view showing the behavior of a recording medium when it passes through a double-sided conveying path. [Figure 7(a)] Schematic diagram of the conveying path as seen from above the recording device [Figure 7(b)] Schematic diagram of the conveying path as seen from above the recording device [Figure 7(c)] Schematic diagram of the conveying path as seen from above the recording device [Figure 8] Functional block diagram of the recording device [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a recording device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] In this disclosure, "recording," "printing," and "printing" refer broadly to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, as well as the formation of images, patterns, and the like on a recording medium and the processing of a medium, regardless of whether the information is meaningful or insignificant, and regardless of whether it is visible to humans or not.

[0011] In addition, the terms "recording medium" and "paper" refer not only to the recording paper used in general image forming devices, but also broadly to transportable sheet-like media such as cloth, plastic film (transparency), metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather.

[0012] The recording apparatus of the present invention is used as an image forming apparatus having the functions of a printer, copier, facsimile, etc., or as an output device for image data in a multi-function electronic device or a workstation including a computer or word processor, etc.

[0013] Example 1 An outline of the inkjet recording apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the scanning direction of the recording head is the X direction (second direction), the direction intersecting the X direction and the vertical direction is the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction. The X direction is also the width direction of the recording medium and the width direction of the recording apparatus, and the Y direction is also the width direction of the recording medium and the vertical direction. The direction is the depth direction of the recording device, and is also the horizontal component of the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0014] <Overall composition> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a recording device 1 of Example 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the X direction of a feed section 2, a transport path 3, and a transport section 5 of the recording device 1 of Fig. 1. The recording device 1 records on a recording medium P. The recording device 1 is a serial type inkjet recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto the recording medium P. The recording device 1 includes a feed section 2, a transport path 3, a transport section 5, a drive motor 6, a recording section 7, and a discharge section 8.

[0015] The feeding unit 2 and the transport unit 5 transport the recording medium P. The feeding unit 2 includes a cassette 200, a pickup roller 201, a separation unit 202, and a feeding flapper 205. The transport unit 5 includes a transport roller 501 and a discharge roller 502. The transport path 3 is located between the feeding unit 2 and the transport unit 5, and guides the recording medium P fed from the feeding unit 2 through the transport unit 5 to the recording unit 7. The transport path 3 includes a pair of intermediate rollers 301, an intermediate roller 302, an end detection lever 303, an end detection lever 304, and a double-sided flapper 311. The transport path 3 will be described in detail later.

[0016] The cassette 200 is a storage means capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording media P. The cassette 200 is provided at the bottom of the housing of the recording device 1. The pick-up roller 201 is a feeding means that sends out the recording media P stored in the cassette 200. The recording media P stacked in the cassette 200 is fed by the pick-up roller 201 of the feeding section 2, transported through the transport path 3, and transported to the recording section 7 by the intermediate roller 302, the pair of intermediate rollers 301, and the transport roller 501.

[0017] The recording unit 7 is a recording means for recording an image on the conveyed recording medium P. The recording unit 7 includes a recording head 701 capable of ejecting ink, and a carriage 702 that carries the recording head 701 and can move back and forth in a scanning direction (the width direction of the recording medium P that intersects with the conveying direction). By moving the recording head 701 in the scanning direction by the carriage 702, it is possible to perform recording at any position in the width direction of the recording medium P.

[0018] In the case of recording on only one side, the recording medium P on which recording has been performed in the recording unit 7 is discharged from the discharge unit 8. In the case of recording on both sides, the recording medium P on which recording has been performed in the recording unit 7 passes under the double-sided flapper 311 by the discharge rollers 502 and the transport rollers 501, passes through the double-sided transport path 4 and the transport path 3, and is then transported again to the transport unit 5. Thereafter, recording is performed on the back side in the recording unit 7, and the recording medium P is discharged from the discharge unit 8. The discharge unit 8 includes a discharge tray 801. The recording medium P on which recording has been performed in the recording unit 7 is discharged to the discharge tray 801 by the discharge rollers 502 of the transport unit 5.

[0019] <Transport path> 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the conveying path 3 taken along a cross section perpendicular to the X-direction. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the conveying path 3. The recording medium P loaded in the cassette 200 located below the recording unit 7 passes through the conveying path 3 and is then conveyed to the conveying unit 5. The conveying path 3 is a conveying path that guides the recording medium P from the cassette 200 installed horizontally at the bottom of the recording device 1 to the recording unit 7 located at the top of the recording device 1, and has a curved portion 31 that is curved in a substantially U-shape. By connecting the cassette 200 and the recording unit 7 via the conveying path 3 including the curved portion 31, the cassette 200 and the recording unit 7 can be arranged one above the other, which is effective in reducing the size of the recording device 1.

[0020] The curved portion 31 is formed by an inner wall surface 307 and an outer wall surface 306. The inner wall surface 307 has a convex shape in the -Y direction (first direction), and the outer wall surface 306 has a concave shape that moves away from the inner wall surface 307 in the -Y direction (first direction). During the passage, a part of the recording medium P contacts the outer inner wall surface 306 or the inner inner wall surface 307 of the curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3. The recording medium P comes into contact with the wall surface 307 and takes on a curved shape. A plurality of rotating bodies 308, which are second driven rollers that are not driven by the driving source, are provided downstream in the conveying direction from the position facing the intermediate roller 302 on the outer inner wall surface 306. When the recording medium P moves along the outer inner wall surface 306, the rotating bodies 308 rotate together with the recording medium P, thereby reducing the frictional force acting on the recording medium P.

[0021] The driving force of the driving motor 6 is transmitted to the conveying roller 501 , the discharge roller 502 , the pair of intermediate rollers 301 , the intermediate roller 302 , and the pickup roller 201 via a gear train 305 .

[0022] In the following, the feeding section 2 side is referred to as the upstream side in the transport direction, and the discharge section 8 side is referred to as the downstream side in the transport direction. The rotation of the drive motor 6 when the transport roller 501 rotates to transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction is referred to as forward rotation (forward rotation). The rotation of the drive motor 6 when the transport roller 501 rotates to transport the recording medium P upstream in the transport direction is referred to as reverse rotation (reverse rotation). The transport roller 501 and the discharge roller 502 are adapted to the rotation direction of the drive motor 6, and can transport the recording medium P either upstream or downstream in the transport direction. The pair of intermediate rollers 301 and 302 operate to transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction regardless of whether the drive motor 6 is driven in the forward or reverse direction, due to a mechanism inside the drive train (not shown).

[0023] The pickup roller 201 is connected to the drive motor 6 via a drive switching unit (not shown), and operates to transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction by the forward rotation of the drive motor 6 only when the drive switching unit connects the drive. As a result, the recording medium P loaded in the cassette 200 is not fed during operations other than the feeding operation. The drive switching operation is performed according to a combination of the operations of the carriage 702 and the drive motor 6. Note that, although an example has been shown in which the pickup roller 201 is driven by the drive motor 6, a configuration having a separate drive motor for driving the pickup roller 201 may also be used.

[0024] When the drive switching unit couples the drive to the pickup roller 201, the recording medium P loaded in the cassette 200 is fed by the pickup roller 201 toward the conveying path 3. A separation unit 202 is provided upstream of the conveying path 3. The curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3 is located above the cassette 200. The separation unit 202 has a separation slope 203 extending from the end of the cassette 200 on the -Y direction side toward the conveying path 3, and a separation resistor 204 provided on the separation slope 203. The separation slope 203 is a slope that connects the upstream end of the curved portion 31 and the cassette 200 and is inclined along the -Y direction. The separation resistor 204 applies a resistance force to the recording medium P passing through the separation slope 203. This prevents multiple sheets of recording media P from being fed simultaneously by the pickup roller 201 due to friction or adhesion between the recording media P, and allows only the topmost recording medium P loaded in the cassette 200 to be fed.

[0025] The conveying path 3 includes an intermediate roller pair 301, an intermediate roller 302, an end detection lever 303, and an end detection lever 304. The intermediate roller pair 301 includes a driving roller 301a, which is a first driving roller that rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving motor 6, which is a driving source, and a driven roller 301b that rotates in contact with the driving roller 301a and is not driven by the driving source. The driving roller 301a receives an elastic force from a compression spring (not shown) in the direction of the driven roller 301b. The intermediate roller pair 301 is a first conveying means provided downstream of a curved portion 31 in the conveying direction in the conveying path 3, and applies a conveying force by clamping the recording medium P. The intermediate roller pair 301 is located at the downstream end of the curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3, which is substantially U-shaped, and the portion of the conveying path 3 from the intermediate roller pair 301 to the conveying roller 501 is linear.

[0026] The intermediate roller 302 is a second drive roller that is provided on the inner wall surface 307 of the curved portion 31 upstream of the intermediate roller pair 301 in the conveying direction and is driven by the drive motor 6 that is the drive source. The intermediate roller 302 is spaced from the outer wall surface 306 in the first direction (Y direction). The intermediate roller 302 is a second conveying means that applies a conveying force by contacting with the recording medium. The intermediate roller 302 is a driving roller that rotates by receiving a driving force from the driving motor 6. There is no driven roller at a position facing the intermediate roller 302. When the recording medium P passes through the portion of the conveying path 3 where the intermediate roller 302 is provided, it is not sandwiched between the driving roller and the driven roller as when it passes through the pair of intermediate rollers 301. In addition, the intermediate roller 302 is provided on the inner inner wall surface 307 side of the curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3 so that a space is secured between the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302 and the outer inner wall surface 306. There is no member that applies an elastic force to the intermediate roller 302 toward the outer inner wall surface 306. Therefore, when the recording medium P passes through the intermediate roller 302, it is not sandwiched between the intermediate roller 302 and the outer inner wall surface 306. When the recording medium P passes through the intermediate roller 302, a space exists between the outer inner wall surface 306 and the opposite side of the intermediate roller 302 with the recording medium P sandwiched therebetween. The inner inner wall surface 307 and the outer inner wall surface 306 of the curved portion 31 are both convex in the -Y direction. The end 302a on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302 facing the outer inner wall surface 306 is located in the -Y direction (toward the outer inner wall surface 306) more in the -Y direction than the end 309 of the inner inner wall surface 307 in the -Y direction. The material constituting the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302 is a material with a large friction coefficient such as rubber. As a result, even if the normal force acting on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302 is small due to the rigidity of the recording medium P, a sufficient conveying force can be obtained by the friction force.

[0027] An end detection lever 303 that detects the end of the recording medium P is provided downstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301 in the transport direction. In addition, an end detection lever 304 is provided near the downstream end of the linear transport path that extends downstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301. The recording medium P rotates the end detection lever 303 and the end detection lever 304, thereby detecting the positions of the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium P. Note that the method of detecting the end of the recording medium P is not limited to a mechanical detection method such as the end detection lever 303 and the end detection lever 304, but may also be an optical detection method using a photosensor or the like.

[0028] The behavior of the recording medium P when it passes through the transport path 3 will be described below. Figures 5(a) to 5(e) are cross-sectional views taken along a cross section perpendicular to the X direction, showing the behavior of the recording medium P when it passes through the transport path 3.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5( a ), a recording medium P loaded in a cassette 200 is fed to a separation slope 203 of a separation section 202 by a pickup roller 201 .

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5( b ), when the leading edge of the recording medium P passes through the separation section 202 , it lifts the feeding flapper 205 and passes through, and reaches the outer inner wall surface 306 of the conveying path 3 at its tip.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5(c), the recording medium P advances along the conveying path 3 while curving along the outer inner wall surface 306, but does not become the same shape as the outer inner wall surface 306. Even if the recording medium P comes into contact with the outer inner wall surface 306 and receives a force from the outer inner wall surface 306, the recording medium P tries to maintain a straight state due to its rigidity. Therefore, as the leading end of the recording medium P advances along the outer inner wall surface 306 of the curved portion 31, the middle part of the recording medium P approaches the inner inner wall surface 307 of the conveying path 3, comes into contact with the intermediate roller 302, and exerts a normal force in the Y direction indicated by the arrow F on the intermediate roller 302. As a result, the recording medium P receives a conveying force from the intermediate roller 302 due to the frictional force received from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302. Therefore, the conveying force of the pickup roller 201 and the conveying force of the intermediate roller 302 act on the recording medium P. The recording medium P receives a resistance force from the outer inner wall surface 306 when the leading edge of the recording medium P comes into contact with the outer inner wall surface 306, but since the conveying force is obtained from the pickup roller 201 and the intermediate roller 302, it is possible to make the conveying force larger than the resistance force. Therefore, while the recording medium P bends and curves in the traveling direction due to the resistance force from the outer inner wall surface 306, it is possible to prevent the resistance force from becoming larger than the conveying force and causing a conveying failure.

[0032] 5(d), when the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the pair of intermediate rollers 301, the recording medium P is sandwiched and transported by the pair of intermediate rollers 301, and the leading edge is detected by end detection levers 303 and 304. The recording medium P is then transported to transport rollers 501. At this time, the double-sided flapper 311 is subjected to an upward elastic force by a spring (not shown), and the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the transport rollers 501 while pushing down the double-sided flapper 311. The transport rollers 501 are a third transport means provided downstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301, which is a first transport means in the transport path 3.

[0033] The intermediate roller 302 and the conveying path 3 will be described in detail. The intermediate roller 302 is located upstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301 in the conveying direction. During conveying by the pickup roller 201, the recording medium P receives a reaction force due to resistance from the separation slope 203 and the outer inner wall surface 306 of the curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3. The intermediate roller 302 is located upstream of the pair of intermediate rollers 301 in the conveying direction. Therefore, when the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the intermediate roller 302, the intermediate roller 302 can apply a conveying force to the recording medium P moving through an area where the resistance from the separation slope 203 and the outer inner wall surface 306 is large, so as to assist the pickup roller 201.

[0034] 5(b) and 5(c), a contact point A is between the tip P1 of the recording medium P and the outer inner wall surface 306, and a contact point B is between the middle part of the recording medium P and the start point 310 of the curved portion 31 (the boundary between the separating portion 202 and the curved portion 31). When the rigidity of the recording medium P is high, the shape of the recording medium P while being conveyed through the curved portion 31 tends to maintain a shape that connects the contact point A and the contact point B in a straight line. Here, since the intermediate roller 302 is located on the side of the inner inner wall surface 307 of the curved portion 31, when the recording medium P advances through the curved portion 31 while trying to maintain a shape that connects the contact point A and the contact point B in a straight line, the middle part of the recording medium P approaches the end 309 of the inner inner wall surface 307 of the curved portion 31. The intermediate roller 302 is provided at the end 309 in the -Y direction of the inner inner wall surface 307 of the curved portion 31. 3, end 302a on the -Y direction side of the outer circumferential surface of intermediate roller 302 is located closer to outer inner wall surface 306 than end 309 on the -Y direction side of inner inner wall surface 307. This allows the recording medium P to come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of intermediate roller 302, thereby obtaining a conveying force.

[0035] 3, the intermediate roller 302 is provided so as to intersect with a virtual plane V which is an imaginary extension of the separation slope 203 to the inside of the curved portion 31. In other words, at least a part of the intermediate roller 302 is on the outer inner wall surface 306 side of the virtual plane V. Here, the posture of the recording medium P passing through the conveying path 3 is generally shaped along the separation slope 203 immediately downstream of the downstream end of the separation slope 203 in the conveying direction. Therefore, when the intermediate roller 302 is positioned at a position intersecting the virtual plane V of the separation slope 203, the recording medium P comes into active contact with the intermediate roller 302, and a conveying force can be efficiently obtained.

[0036] In addition, the rotating body 308 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction relative to the intermediate roller 302. Since the conveying path 3 has a curved shape at the curved portion 31, the recording medium P can actively come into contact with the intermediate roller 302 when passing through the curved portion 31, but the recording medium P receives a large resistance force from the contact point with the inner wall surface of the conveying path 3. By disposing the rotating body 308 downstream of the intermediate roller 302 where the curvature becomes stronger, the resistance force that the recording medium P receives from the conveying path 3 can be reduced.

[0037] 3, the distance D1 between the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 302 and the outer inner wall surface 306 of the transport path 3 facing the intermediate roller is smaller than the distance D2 between the outer inner wall surface 306 and the inner inner wall surface 307 of the transport path 3. As a result, the curved recording medium P comes into contact with the intermediate roller 302 at more points and comes into contact with the outer inner wall surface 306 and the inner inner wall surface 307 at fewer points, thereby reducing the resistance force received from the transport path 3 and making it possible to efficiently obtain the transport force.

[0038] <Double-sided transport path> The behavior of the recording medium P when it passes through the double-sided transport path 4 will be described below. Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are cross-sectional views taken along a cross section perpendicular to the X direction, showing the behavior of the recording medium P when it passes through the double-sided transport path 4.

[0039] The position of the front surface rear end P2 of the recording medium P when the recording operation on the front surface is completed varies depending on the size of the recording medium P and the size of the image in the recording operation. If the front surface rear end P2 of the recording medium P is located within the transport path 3 (upstream of the transport rollers 501) when the recording operation is completed, the transport rollers 501 are rotated forward. On the other hand, if the front surface rear end P2 of the recording medium P is located within the transport section 5 (downstream of the transport rollers 501) when the recording operation is completed, the discharge rollers 502 are rotated in the reverse direction. As a result, the recording medium P is transported in the reverse direction until the front surface rear end P2 of the recording medium P reaches a position where it is clamped by the transport rollers 501, as shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0040] Thereafter, the conveying roller 501 is reversed to draw the recording medium P into the double-sided conveying path 4. The double-sided conveying path 4 is a second conveying path that conveys the recording medium P for recording on the back side of the recording medium P whose front side has been recorded in the recording unit 7. The double-sided conveying path 4 is connected to the upstream end of the curved section 31. The front side rear end (back side leading end) P2 of the recording medium P is guided by the lower surface of the double-sided flapper 311 and conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 4. Since the double-sided flapper 311 receives the elastic force of a spring (not shown) in the upward direction (+Z direction), when the front side rear end P2 of the recording medium P whose front side has been recorded reaches the clamping position of the conveying roller 501, it rotates in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 6(a), and the recording medium P can be guided to the double-sided conveying path 4.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the rear end P2 of the front surface (front end P2 of the back surface) of the recording medium P reaches the feeding flapper 205, the recording medium P is guided by the upper surface of the feeding flapper 205 and conveyed to the conveying path 3.

[0042] 6(c), the recording medium P that has reached the conveying path 3 is conveyed to the pair of intermediate rollers 301 while being guided by the outer inner wall surface 306 of the conveying path 3. Until it reaches the pair of intermediate rollers 301, the recording medium P curved at the curved portion 31 can obtain a conveying force by contacting the intermediate roller 302 due to the rigidity of the recording medium P, similar to the feeding operation of the front side. Therefore, even when conveying both sides of the recording medium P with high rigidity, the problem of non-feeding is unlikely to occur.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6(d), the recording medium P that has been transported to the pair of intermediate rollers 301 is thereafter transported along the transport path 3 mainly by the transport force of the pair of intermediate rollers 301. After the back surface leading edge (front surface trailing edge) P2 of the recording medium P passes the end detection lever 304, the drive direction of the drive motor 6 is reversed from reverse to forward rotation before it reaches the transport roller 501. The timing of this reversal occurs after the end detection lever 304 causes the back surface trailing edge (front surface leading edge) P1 of the recording medium P to pass the transport roller 501. Thereafter, the back surface leading edge P2 of the recording medium P reaches the transport roller 501 while pushing down the double-sided flapper 311, and the recording operation is performed on the back surface by the recording unit 7.

[0044] <Skewing correction operation> 7(a) to 7(c) are views of the area from the intermediate roller 302 to the transport roller 501 of the transport path 3 as viewed from above (+Z direction). When the recording medium P reaches the transport roller 501, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P may be slanted relative to the transport roller 501. Such slanting occurs due to the posture of the recording medium P when it is set in the cassette 200, the difference in resistance between the left and right sides in the transport path 3, the difference in diameter between the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and the intermediate roller 302, etc. If a recording operation is performed by the recording unit 7 in this state, the image recorded by the recording unit 7 will be shifted relative to the recording medium P in the direction of rotation around an axis perpendicular to the recording surface of the recording medium P. In order to prevent this, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P is tilted relative to the transport roller 501 before the recording operation is performed. The skew correction operation is performed to make the sheet not skewed.

[0045] An example of the skew correction operation will be described. Fig. 7(a) shows the state where the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P passes over the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and before it reaches the end detection lever 304. After the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P reaches the pair of intermediate rollers 301, the recording medium P is mainly transported by the transport force of the pair of intermediate rollers 301. When the drive motor 6 is reversed, the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and the intermediate roller 302 rotate so as to transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction (indicated by arrow Rn), while the transport roller 501 rotates so as to transport the recording medium P upstream in the transport direction (indicated by arrow Ri).

[0046] First, the driving motor 6 rotates in the reverse direction, and the recording medium P is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the pair of intermediate rollers 301. When the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P reaches the end detection lever 304, the control unit 802 (see FIG. 8) acquires information on the position of the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P.

[0047] When the drive motor 6 continues to rotate in the reverse direction, the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the transport roller 501, as shown in Fig. 7(b). Because the transport roller 501 rotates in a direction transporting the recording medium P upstream in the transport direction, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P does not pass the transport roller 501. In other words, the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and the intermediate roller 302 are driven to transport the recording medium toward the recording unit 7. The transport roller 501 is driven to transport the recording medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction when the recording medium is transported toward the recording unit 7.

[0048] When the drive motor 6 continues to rotate in the reverse direction, the recording medium P is pressed against the conveying roller 501 by the intermediate roller pair 301. At this time, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P rotates to follow the conveying roller 501 according to the amount of conveyance pushed in, and the skew of the recording medium P with respect to the conveying roller 501 is corrected. At this time, the intermediate roller pair 301 is the only roller that holds the recording medium P, and the intermediate roller 302 only touches the recording medium P. Therefore, the skew correction operation is performed so that the recording medium P rotates around the center Pc of the recording medium P located at the position of the intermediate roller pair 301, and the intermediate roller 302 rarely interferes with the movement of the recording medium P. The intermediate roller 302, the intermediate roller pair 301, the conveying roller 501, and the control unit 802 that controls them to drive as described above correct the skew by rotating (moving) the recording medium P around an axis perpendicular to the recording surface (bending it in the perpendicular direction).

[0049] Thereafter, the drive motor 6 rotates forward, causing the conveying roller 501 and the pair of intermediate rollers 301 to convey the recording medium P downstream in the conveying direction, so that the recording medium P is conveyed to the recording section 7 with the skew corrected, as shown in FIG. 7(c).

[0050] If the recording medium P is long and the trailing end P2 of the recording medium P is in the feeding section 2 when the leading end P1 of the recording medium reaches the conveying roller 501 and the skew correction operation is performed, the skew correction operation is performed in the state shown in Fig. 5(d). At this time, the recording medium P is in contact with the intermediate roller 302 due to its rigidity, and therefore receives resistance to rotation during the skew correction operation from the intermediate roller 302. However, since there is no other portion of the recording medium P that is sandwiched by a roller pair with nip pressure other than the intermediate roller pair 301, the resistance to rotation during the skew correction operation is small.

[0051] If the length of the recording medium P is short and the trailing end P2 of the recording medium P is not in the feeding section 2 when the leading end P1 of the recording medium reaches the conveying roller 501 and the skew correction operation is performed, the skew correction operation is performed in the state shown in Fig. 5(e). At this time, the trailing end P2 of the recording medium P is oriented along the outer inner wall surface 306 of the conveying path 3 due to the rigidity of the recording medium P. In this case, the recording medium P is separated from the intermediate roller 302, so it does not receive resistance force from the intermediate roller 302 against the rotation of the skew correction operation.

[0052] The skew correction operation is not limited to the above-mentioned method of pressing the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P against the conveying roller 501 rotating in the reverse direction. For example, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P may be pressed against the conveying roller 501 in a stopped state. Also, the driving motor 6 may be rotated forward to convey the recording medium P until the leading edge P1 passes the conveying roller 501, and then the driving motor 6 may be rotated in the reverse direction. This allows the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P to be pulled up to the conveying roller 501, so that the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P follows the conveying roller 501.

[0053] <Control configuration> FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the recording device 1. The control unit 802 controls the recording device 1 overall. The control unit 802 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 803 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM stores various programs. The RAM provides a system work memory for the CPU to operate, and is also used to temporarily store various data. The CPU reads out the programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing various functions of the recording device 1. The non-volatile storage unit 804 is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various programs, data, etc.

[0054] The operation unit 805 accepts operation input by the user. The operation unit 805 may include a touch panel and a keyboard. The control unit 802 controls the operation of the recording device 1 according to the operation content of the operation unit 805 by the user, i.e., the instruction content. The control unit 802 can accept instructions related to the operation of the recording device 1 from an input device 807 such as a PC or a smartphone. Furthermore, the display unit 806 displays various information.

[0055] The control unit 802 acquires the detection results of the end detection levers 303 and 304 and the encoder 813, and controls the drive motor 6 and the recording unit 7 based on these detection results, etc. Furthermore, the operation of the drive motor 6 is controlled by the control unit 802, thereby driving various rollers and the like included in the feeding unit 2 and the conveying unit 5. Furthermore, the encoder 813 detects the drive amount of the drive motor 6. The drive amount of the drive motor 6 is detected by the encoder 813, and various controls such as PID control are performed to control the speed and drive amount of the drive motor 6.

[0056] <Outline of feeding and skew correction operations> FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the feeding and skew correction operation in the recording apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

[0057] In step S101, the control unit 802 receives a recording instruction from the user via the operation unit 805 or the input device 807.

[0058] In step S102, the control unit 802 performs a drive switching operation. The control unit 802 controls a drive switching unit (not shown) to couple the drive of the drive motor 6 to the pickup roller 201.

[0059] In step S103, the control unit 802 rotates the drive motor 6 in the forward direction. This drives the pickup roller 201, the pair of intermediate rollers 301, and the intermediate roller 302 to convey the recording medium P downstream in the conveying direction. The uppermost recording medium P among the recording media P stacked in the cassette 200 is fed to the conveying path 3.

[0060] In step S104, the control unit 802 determines whether the edge detection lever 303 detects the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P. If it has been detected (step S104: YES), the control unit 802 executes step S105. If it has not been detected (step S104: NO), the control unit 802 executes step S106.

[0061] In step S105, the control unit 802 continues the forward rotation of the drive motor 6 for a predetermined amount, and then stops the drive motor 6. The predetermined amount of forward rotation of the drive motor 6 is determined based on the transport amount required for the leading end P1 of the recording medium P to be securely sandwiched between the pair of intermediate rollers 301. This allows the recording medium P to be transported by only driving the pair of intermediate rollers 301 even if the pickup roller 201 is stopped. Note that if the forward rotation amount of the drive motor 6 after detection by the end detection lever 303 is too large, depending on the length of the recording medium P, the trailing end P2 of the recording medium P will leave the pickup roller 201, and the next recording medium loaded in the cassette 200 will be fed. Therefore, the forward rotation amount of the drive motor 6 after detection by the end detection lever 303 is set to an appropriate drive amount that is not too large. Following step S105, the control unit 802 executes step S119.

[0062] In step S106, the control unit 802 determines whether the drive motor 6 has been driven a predetermined amount. If the drive amount of the drive motor 6 has reached the predetermined amount (step S106: YES), the control unit 802 executes step S108, and if the drive amount has not reached the predetermined amount (step S107: NO), the control unit 802 executes step S107.

[0063] In step S107, the control unit 802 continues driving the drive motor 6 in the forward direction, and performs the determination in step S104.

[0064] In step S108, the control unit 802 stops the operation of the drive motor 6 and displays an error on the display unit 806. Examples of the error displayed include an out-of-paper error and a paper jam error.

[0065] In step S109, the control unit 802 performs a drive switching operation to release the drive connection between the drive motor 6 and the pickup roller 201. As a result, the recording medium P loaded in the cassette 200 is not fed in the subsequent feeding operation or recording operation. The drive switching operation may be performed simultaneously with the skew correction operation.

[0066] In step S110, the control unit 802 drives the drive motor 6 in the reverse direction, so that the pair of intermediate rollers 301 and 302 transport the recording medium P downstream in the transport direction, and the transport roller 501 transports the recording medium P upstream in the transport direction.

[0067] In step S111, the control unit 802 determines whether the edge detection lever 304 has detected the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P. If it has been detected (step S111: YES), the control unit 802 executes step S112, and if it has not been detected (step S111: NO), the control unit 802 executes step S113.

[0068] In step S112, the control unit 802 continues to reverse the drive motor 6 for a predetermined amount, and then stops the drive motor 6. As a result, the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P, which is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the intermediate roller pair 301, is pushed toward the conveying roller 501, which is driven in the reverse direction, and the skew correction operation is performed. The predetermined amount by which the drive motor 6 is reversed is determined based on the sum of the driving amount required for the leading edge P1 of the recording medium P to reach the conveying roller 501 and the driving amount required to properly correct the skew by pushing the recording medium P toward the conveying roller 501. If the amount pushed toward the conveying roller 501 is too small, the skew correction operation cannot be performed sufficiently. If the amount pushed toward the conveying roller 501 is too large, the recording medium P may be wrinkled or the leading edge P1 may be damaged. The pushing amount required for the skew correction operation is set according to conditions such as the type of recording medium P and the usage environment of the recording device 1.

[0069] In step S113, the control unit 802 determines whether the drive motor 6 has been driven a predetermined amount. If the drive amount of the drive motor 6 has reached the predetermined amount (step S113: YES), the control unit 802 executes step S115, and if the drive amount has not reached the predetermined amount (step S113: NO), the control unit 802 executes step S114.

[0070] In step S114, the control unit 802 continues driving the drive motor 6 in the reverse direction, and performs the determination in step S111.

[0071] In step S115, the control unit 802 stops the operation of the drive motor 6 and displays an error on the display unit 806. Examples of the error displayed include an out-of-paper error and a paper jam error.

[0072] In step S116, the control unit 802 performs a recording operation by the recording unit 7 on the recording medium P on which the skew correction operation has been performed. While the recording head 71 moves in the width direction of the recording medium P, a recording operation for one pass is performed.

[0073] In step S117, the control unit 802 performs a discharge operation. The control unit 802 drives the discharge roller 502 by the drive motor 6 to discharge the recording medium P after recording onto the discharge tray 801. After that, the control unit 802 ends the recording operation.

[0074] 9 shows the flow of the printing operation for one recording medium P. When a printing job includes printing on multiple recording media P, the control unit 802 repeatedly executes this flowchart until printing on all recording media P is completed.

[0075] 9, if the control unit 802 detects any abnormality using the edge detection lever 303, the edge detection lever 304, the encoder 813, or the like, it stops driving the drive motor 6 and displays an error message or instructions for the user on the display unit 806. Examples of the content of the error include a paper jam error, an out-of-paper error, an out-of-ink error, and the like.

[0076] According to the recording device 1 of the first embodiment, when the recording medium P is conveyed in the curved portion 31 of the conveying path 3, the conveying force by the intermediate roller pair 301 and the conveying force by the intermediate roller 302 provide a conveying force sufficient to suppress conveying failures even for the recording medium P made of a highly rigid material. The conveying force by the intermediate roller 302 is not obtained by nipping the recording medium P between the intermediate roller 302 and some member facing it, but by the recording medium P contacting the intermediate roller 302 alone. Therefore, the recording medium P is nipped and conveying force is applied only at one point of the intermediate roller pair 301, and the skew correction operation is not easily hindered. In this way, according to the recording device 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to achieve both appropriate skew correction and suppression of conveying failures with a simple configuration.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the intermediate roller pair 301 is provided downstream of the curved portion 31, but depending on the configuration of the conveying path 3, the intermediate roller pair may be provided upstream of the curved portion 31. The first embodiment can also be regarded as a conveying device that includes the conveying path 3 having the curved portion 31, and conveys the recording medium P by applying a conveying force to the recording medium P by the intermediate roller pair 301, the intermediate roller 302, and the conveying roller 501, and corrects skew of the recording medium P.

[0078] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A feeding means for feeding a recording medium; A recording means for recording an image on a recording medium; An inner wall surface having a convex shape in a first direction and a concave shape that is spaced apart from the inner wall surface in the first direction a conveying path having a curved portion formed by an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface of the conveying path, the conveying path guiding the recording medium fed by the feeding means to the recording means; a first conveying means provided in the conveying path and having a first driving roller driven by a driving source and a driven roller that holds the recording medium together with the first driving roller; A recording device comprising: a second drive roller provided on the inner wall surface of the curved portion upstream of the first drive roller in the transport direction and driven by a drive source, the second drive roller facing the outer wall surface with a gap in between in the first direction. (Configuration 2) 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second driving roller is provided at an end of the inner wall surface in the first direction. (Configuration 3) 3. The recording device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein an end in the first direction of the outer circumferential surface of the second driving roller is closer to the outer inner wall surface than an end in the first direction of the inner inner wall surface. (Configuration 4) A storage means for storing a recording medium is provided, The curved portion is located above the receiving means, an upstream end of the curved portion in the conveying direction and the storage means are connected by an inclined surface that is inclined along the first direction, The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the second drive roller is on the outer inner wall surface side with respect to a virtual surface that is an imaginary extension of the inclined surface to the inside of the curved portion. (Configuration 5) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein at least one second driven roller that is not driven by a drive source is provided downstream in the transport direction from a position facing the second drive roller on the outer inner wall surface. (Configuration 6) 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the first transport means is provided downstream of the curved portion in the transport direction. (Configuration 7) a third conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying path, A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, which corrects skew of the recording medium by driving the first conveying means and the second drive roller to convey the recording medium in the conveying direction, and stopping the third conveying means, or driving the third conveying means to convey the recording medium in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. (Configuration 8) a second transport path for transporting the recording medium in order to perform recording on the back side of the recording medium on which recording on the front side has been completed by the recording means; The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the second transport path is connected to an upstream end of the curved portion. (Configuration 9) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the second drive roller and the outer inner wall surface at a position facing the second drive roller is smaller than the distance between the inner inner wall surface and the outer inner wall surface. (Configuration 10) A conveying device that conveys a recording medium, a conveying path having a curved portion formed by an inner wall surface that is convex in a first direction and an outer wall surface that is concave and moves away from the inner wall surface in the first direction, the conveying path guiding a recording medium; a first conveying means provided in the conveying path and having a first driving roller driven by a driving source and a driven roller that holds the recording medium together with the first driving roller; A conveying device comprising: a second drive roller provided on the inner wall surface of the curved portion upstream of the first drive roller in the conveying direction and driven by a drive source, the second drive roller facing the outer wall surface with a gap in between in the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1: recording device, 3: conveying path, 31: curved portion, 201: pickup roller, 306: outer inner wall surface, 307: inner inner wall surface, 301a: driving roller, 301: intermediate roller pair, 302: intermediate roller, P: recording medium

Claims

1. A feeding means for feeding a recording medium; A recording means for recording an image on a recording medium; a conveying path having a curved portion formed by an inner wall surface having a convex shape in a first direction and an outer wall surface having a concave shape moving away from the inner wall surface in the first direction, the conveying path guiding the recording medium fed by the feeding means to the recording means; a first conveying means provided in the conveying path and having a first driving roller driven by a driving source and a driven roller for pinching a recording medium together with the first driving roller; A recording device comprising: a second drive roller provided on the inner wall surface of the curved portion upstream of the first drive roller in the transport direction and driven by a drive source, the second drive roller facing the outer wall surface with a gap in between in the first direction.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second drive roller is provided at an end of the inner wall surface in the first direction.

3. 3 . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an end portion in the first direction of the outer circumferential surface of the second drive roller is closer to the outer inner wall surface than an end portion in the first direction of the inner inner wall surface.

4. A storage means for storing a recording medium is provided, The curved portion is located above the receiving means, an upstream end of the curved portion in the conveying direction and the storage means are connected by a slope that is inclined along the first direction, 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second drive roller is on the outer inner wall surface side with respect to a virtual surface that is an imaginary extension of the inclined surface to the inside of the curved portion.

5. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second driven roller that is not driven by a drive source, disposed downstream in the transport direction from a position facing the second drive roller on the outer inner wall surface.

6. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transport means is provided downstream of the curved portion in the transport direction.

7. a third conveying means provided downstream of the first conveying means in the conveying path, 3. A recording device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the skew of the recording medium is corrected by driving the first transport means and the second drive roller to transport the recording medium in the transport direction, and stopping the third transport means, or by driving the third transport means to transport the recording medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction.

8. a second transport path for transporting the recording medium in order to perform recording on the back side of the recording medium on which recording on the front side has been completed by the recording means; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport path is connected to an upstream end of the curved portion.

9. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between an outer peripheral surface of the second drive roller and the outer inner wall surface at a position facing the second drive roller is smaller than a distance between the inner inner wall surface and the outer inner wall surface.

10. A conveying device that conveys a recording medium, An inner wall surface having a convex shape in a first direction and a concave shape that is spaced apart from the inner wall surface in the first direction a conveying path having a curved portion formed by an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface of the conveying path, the conveying path guiding a recording medium; a first conveying means provided in the conveying path and having a first driving roller driven by a driving source and a driven roller for pinching a recording medium together with the first driving roller; A conveying device comprising: A conveying device characterized in that it comprises a second drive roller provided on the inner wall surface of the curved portion upstream of the first drive roller in the conveying direction and driven by a drive source, the second drive roller facing the outer inner wall surface with a gap in between in the first direction.

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