Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device improved in access performance to an upstream side of a recording head.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a main body comprising a conveyance path through which a recording medium is conveyed to a recording head; and an attachment / detachment unit that forms a partial section of the conveyance path and can be detachably attached to the main body. The attachment / detachment unit comprises: a first path forming member; a second path forming member forming the section together with the first path forming member; and a lever member provided to turn from a first position protruding to the section to a second position where the member can avoid the recording medium, by coming into contact with the recording medium being conveyed in the section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 31

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a recording device that has a recording head mounted on a carriage and performs recording while moving the recording head. Patent Document 1 discloses a device that has a path that determines the front and back of a recording medium and returns it to the recording head, and is capable of double-sided recording on the recording medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7089667 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A recording medium being conveyed to a recording head may jam around the recording head. To clear such a jam, an operator needs to access the upstream side of the recording head in the conveying direction of the recording medium, but accessibility depends on the existence of internal structures of the recording device.

[0005] The present invention provides a printing apparatus that improves accessibility to the upstream side of a print head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a main body including a transport path for transporting a recording medium to a recording head; a detachable unit that forms a portion of the transport path and is detachable from the main body; A recording device comprising: The detachable unit includes: A first path forming member; A second path forming member that forms the section together with the first path forming member; a lever member that is provided to rotate from a first position protruding into the section to a second position avoiding the recording medium by contacting the recording medium being transported through the section, A recording device is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that improves accessibility to the upstream side of the recording head. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 3. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 with the opening / closing member in an open state. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 with an opening / closing member in an open state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device of FIG. 1 with the storage cassette removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording device of FIG. 1 with the storage cassette removed. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 with a detachable unit removed. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of line CC in Figure 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the opening portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing yet another configuration example of the opening portion. [Figure 15]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the sub-transport path. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a recording apparatus to which a feeding tray is added. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a recording apparatus to which a feeding tray is added. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an external view of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an external view of the recording apparatus of FIG. 18 with a plurality of optional devices attached. [Figure 20] 19 is a diagram showing an aspect of the recording apparatus of FIG. 18 with the storage cassette removed. [Figure 21] 19 is a diagram showing the state in which the detachable unit is removed from the recording apparatus in FIG. 18. [Figure 22] 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the opening / closing member is in an open state in the recording apparatus of FIG. 18. [Figure 23] 19 is a diagram showing a state in which the opening / closing member is in an open state in the recording apparatus of FIG. 18. [Figure 24] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device and the optional device shown in FIG. 19. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] Cross-sectional view of line DD in Figure 25. [Figure 27] 20 is a diagram showing the recording apparatus of FIG. 19 with the cover and the feed tray pulled out. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device shown in FIG. 27. [Figure 29] FIG. 20 is an external view of the recording apparatus 1A in FIG. 19 with the opening / closing member in an open state. [Diagram 30] 20 is a plan view of the recording apparatus 1A of FIG. 19 with the opening / closing member in an open state. [Diagram 31] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording apparatus of FIG. 18 with the detachable unit removed. [Diagram 32] FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the detachable unit. [Diagram 34] Cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Figure 32. [Diagram 35] Cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Figure 32. [Diagram 36] FIG. [Figure 37] FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. 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 attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment <Outline of the recording device> 1 is an external view of a recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a serial type inkjet recording apparatus will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to other types of recording apparatus.

[0011] In addition, "recording" includes not only the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also the formation of images, patterns, and the like on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be visually perceived by humans. In addition, although a sheet of paper is assumed as the "recording medium" in this embodiment, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0012] In each figure, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate mutually intersecting directions, arrows X and Y indicate mutually perpendicular horizontal directions, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. The X direction corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of recording device 1, and the Y direction corresponds to the front-rear direction (depth direction) of recording device 1. The Z direction corresponds to the height direction of recording device 1. In addition, when referring to the downstream side and the upstream side, the transport direction of the recording medium is used as the reference.

[0013] The recording device 1 includes a main body 100, a storage cassette 2 that is detachable from the main body 100, and a removable unit 40. The main body 100 includes a housing 101 that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and the housing 101 forms the outer wall of the recording device 1. A front surface 101a of the housing 101 that constitutes the front part of the recording device 1 has slots 111 and 112 that allow the storage cassette 2 that stores recording media and the removable unit 40 for maintenance to be detachable from the main body 100, respectively. The slot 111 opens on the front surface 101a and extends in the Y direction, and the storage cassette 2 is inserted into and removed from the slot 111 in the Y direction. The slot 112 also opens on the front surface 101a and extends in the Y direction, and the removable unit 40 is inserted into and removed from the slot 112 in the Y direction. The storage cassette 2 is located below the removable unit 40, making it easy to ensure the storage capacity of the recording media and the feeding path.

[0014] An opening 70 exposing the inside of the recording device 1 is formed on the top surface of the housing 101 forming the upper part of the main body 100. The opening 70 is opened and closed by an opening / closing member 17a. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing member 17a is a plate-shaped tray member constituting part of the discharge tray 17, and is a rotating member provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation center axis 17b in the X direction. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the opening / closing member 17a is in an open state and the opening 70 is open. When the opening / closing member 17a is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 2, the opening 70 is closed.

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 records on sheets SH, which are recording media before recording, that are loaded on a feed tray 2a in the storage cassette 2. The recording device 1 also discharges the recorded sheets SH to a discharge tray 17. The storage cassette 2 can be removed from the main body 100 of the recording device 1, and sheets SH can be set on the feed tray 2a of the removed storage cassette 2.

[0016] A main transport path RT1 that guides the transport of sheets SH is formed from the feed tray 2a to the discharge tray 17. The recording device 1 also has a sub-transport path RT2 that branches off from the main transport path RT1 at a branch point BP. The sub-transport path RT2 is a reversing path that turns over the sheet SH and returns the sheet SH to the main transport path RT1, and is used when performing double-sided recording on the sheet SH. Note that the recording device 1 may be configured not to have a double-sided recording function for sheets SH, in which case the sub-transport path RT2 and related components are not necessary.

[0017] The main transport path RT1 and the sub-transport path RT2 are formed by path forming members. As an example of the path forming members, an upper path forming member 40b and a lower path forming member 40a are illustrated in Fig. 2 in the section between the feeding unit 4 and the transport unit 5. The transport paths are defined by such path forming members.

[0018] The sheets SH on the feed tray 2a are introduced one by one into the main transport path RT1 by the feed unit 3. The feed unit 3 is a pickup mechanism that uses a feed motor 22 as a drive source and picks up the sheets SH from the feed tray 2a. The feed unit 3 includes a feed roller (pickup roller) 3a, a feed roller 3b, and a separation roller 3c.

[0019] The feed roller 3a comes into contact with the top surface of the sheets SH stacked on the feed tray 2a and rotates by the drive of the feed motor 22, and starts feeding the sheets SH. Downstream of the feed roller 3a are the feed roller 3b, which rotates by the drive of the feed motor 22, and the separation roller 3c, which forms a nip with the feed roller 3b. The separation roller 3c is a roller that has a torque limiter and has a rotation resistance. When two or more sheets SH enter the nip between the feed roller 3b and the separation roller 3c, the sheets SH are separated into one sheet by the rotation resistance of the separation roller 3c.

[0020] The recording device 1 includes a feeding unit 4 and a plurality of transport units 5 to 8. These are arranged in the order of feeding unit 4, transport unit 5, transport unit 6, transport unit 7, and transport unit 8 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of sheet SH on main transport path RT1. Transport units 61 and 62 are arranged along sub-transport path RT2, and are arranged in the order of transport unit 61, transport unit 62 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of sheet SH on sub-transport path RT2. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the leading edge and trailing edge of sheet SH refer to the downstream edge and upstream edge of sheet SH.

[0021] The feeding unit 4 conveys the sheet SH introduced into the main transport path RT1 by the feeding unit 3, or the sheet SH returned from the sub-transport path RT2 to the main transport path RT1, to the transport unit 5. The feeding unit 4 includes a feeding roller 4a and a driven roller 4b pressed against the feeding roller 4a by a spring or the like (not shown). The feeding roller 4a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the feeding motor 23, and the driven roller 4b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the feeding roller 4a.

[0022] The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the feeding roller 4a and the driven roller 4b, and is transported by the rotation of the feeding roller 4a and the driven roller 4b. Note that the feeding rollers 3a and 3b are one-way rollers, and once the sheet SH has been transported to a position beyond the nip portion of the feeding unit 4, the feeding unit 4 can continue to transport the sheet SH even if the driving of the feeding unit 3 is stopped.

[0023] Although the present embodiment includes the feeding unit 3 and the feeding unit 4, the configuration may include only the feeding unit 3 that feeds the sheets SH stacked on the feeding tray 2a.

[0024] The sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the passage of the leading edge and trailing edge of the sheet SH, and is, for example, an optical sensor. The detection position of the sensor 31 is set at a position downstream of the nip portion of the feeding unit 4. After detecting the passage of the leading edge of the sheet SH, the detection result of the sensor 31 can be used as a trigger for control, such as stopping the driving of the feeding unit 3 or increasing the conveying speed of the feeding unit 4.

[0025] The transport unit 5 is disposed upstream of the recording head 12, and the sheet SH is transported downstream between the recording head 12 and a platen 15 facing the recording head 12 by the transport unit 5. The transport unit 5 includes a transport roller 5a and a driven roller (pinch roller) 5b that is pressed against the transport roller 5a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 5a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 24, and the driven roller 5b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 5a. The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the transport roller 5a and the driven roller 5b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 5a and the driven roller 5b.

[0026] The sensor 32 is an optical sensor that detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH, similar to the sensor 31. The sensor 32 is disposed upstream in the vicinity of the conveying unit 5, and therefore the detection result can be used for the loop amount for registering the sheet SH and for managing the position of the leading end of the sheet SH.

[0027] The transport unit 6 is disposed downstream of the recording head 12, and transports the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 5 to the downstream transport unit 8. The transport unit 6 includes a transport roller 6a and a spur 6b that is pressed against the transport roller 6a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 6a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 24, and the spur 6b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 6a. In this embodiment, the transport unit 5 and the transport unit 6 share a driving source (the transport motor 24).

[0028] The sensor 33 is an optical sensor similar to the sensors 31 and 32, and is used to detect the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH.

[0029] The transport unit 7 is disposed downstream of the recording head 12 and the transport unit 6, and transports the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 6 downstream. The transport unit 7 includes a transport roller 7a and a driven roller 7b that is pressed against the transport roller 7a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 7a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 25, and the driven roller 7b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 7a. The sheet SH is held in a nip portion between the transport roller 7a and the driven roller 7b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 7a and the driven roller 7b.

[0030] The transport unit 8 is disposed downstream of the recording head 12 and the transport units 6 and 7, and is a discharge unit that discharges the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 7 onto the discharge tray 17. In the case of single-sided recording, the sheet SH discharged onto the discharge tray 17 is "face-down discharged" with the image recorded side facing downward. In the case of double-sided recording, the second recorded side faces downward. In the main transport path RT1, the path from the transport unit 6 to the transport unit 8 is sometimes called the "discharge transport path."

[0031] The transport unit 8 includes a transport roller 8a and a driven roller 8b that is pressed against the transport roller 8a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 8a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 25, and the driven roller 8b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 8a. The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the transport roller 8a and the driven roller 8b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 8a and the driven roller 8b.

[0032] In this embodiment, the drive source (the transport motor 25) is shared between the transport units 7 and 8. However, the transport motor 25 may be eliminated, and the transport motor 24, which is the drive source for the transport units 5 and 6, may be shared between the transport units 7 and 8.

[0033] The sensor 34 is an optical sensor similar to the sensors 31 to 33, and is used to detect the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH. In this embodiment, after the trailing end of the sheet SH is detected by the sensor 34, the sheet SH is discharged after a predetermined conveyance distance, and the detection result of the sensor 34 can also be used for discharge detection.

[0034] A flapper 16 is disposed at the branch point BP. The flapper 16 switches the path of the destination of the sheet SH between the main transport path RT1 and the sub-transport path RT2. When in the position shown in FIG. 2, the flapper 16 maintains the path of the destination of the sheet SH as the main transport path RT1, and the sheet SH is discharged onto a discharge tray 17 via a transport unit 8. The flapper 16 is provided rotatably, and is rotated by an actuator 27 such as an electromagnetic solenoid to switch the path.

[0035] The transport unit 61 is a reversing unit that transports the sheet SH that has entered the sub-transport path RT2 from the branch point BP. The sub-transport path RT2 has a reversing path RT21 that extends upward from the branch point BP via the branch point BP', and a return path RT22 that extends from the branch point BP' to the feeding unit 4, and constitutes a path that guides the sheet SH from the rear side to the front side of the recording device 1. The transport unit 61 is disposed on the reversing path RT21. The transport unit 61 includes a transport roller 61a and a driven roller 61b that is pressed against the transport roller 61a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 61a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 26, and the driven roller 61b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 61a.

[0036] The sheet SH that enters the sub-conveying path RT2 from the branch point BP moves along the reversing path RT21. The conveying rollers 61a are rotated in both directions, that is, in the R2 direction opposite to the R1 direction. As the conveying rollers 61a rotate in the R1 direction, the sheet SH is conveyed in the direction of the arrow F. When the rear end of the sheet SH passes the branch point BP', the rotation direction of the conveying rollers 61a is switched to the R2 direction. The sheet SH is conveyed in the reverse direction. The sheet SH is turned over and introduced into the return path RT22 from the branch point BP'.

[0037] The transport unit 62 is an intermediate unit disposed on the return path RT22. The transport unit 62 includes a transport roller 62a and a driven roller 62b that is pressed against the transport roller 62a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 62a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 26, and the driven roller 62b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 62a. The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the transport roller 62a and the driven roller 62b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 62a and the driven roller 62b. In this embodiment, the transport unit 61 and the transport unit 62 share a driving source (the transport motor 26).

[0038] Incidentally, the conveying roller 62a is a one-way roller, and once the sheet SH has been conveyed to a position beyond the nip portion of the feeding unit 4, the conveying by the feeding unit 4 can continue even if the driving of the conveying roller 62a is stopped.

[0039] <Recording unit> The recording unit 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 as well as Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the recording unit 10, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3. The recording unit 10 includes a recording head 12, a carriage 11, and a drive unit 14. The recording head 12 ejects liquid ink onto a sheet SH to record an image on the sheet SH. The lower surface of the recording head 12 forms an ejection surface in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are formed.

[0040] The ink supply method to the recording head 12 is, for example, a tube supply method in which ink is supplied through a tube from an ink tank disposed in a location separate from the carriage 11. However, the ink supply format may be any of the following methods, such as an independent ink cartridge method in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 11 together with the recording head 12, or a head cartridge method in which the ink cartridge and the recording head 12 are integrated.

[0041] The platen 15 is disposed between the transport unit 5 and the transport unit 6 so as to face the recording head 12 (particularly the ejection surface). The sheet SH is transported between the recording head 12 and the platen 15 in the direction of the arrow SD (Y direction), and an image is recorded by the recording head 12.

[0042] The recording head 12 is mounted on a carriage 11. The carriage 11 is reciprocated by a drive unit 14 in a direction intersecting the SD direction (the X direction in this embodiment).

[0043] The drive unit 14 includes a support member 20 extending in the X direction. The support member 20 is a base member that supports each component of the drive unit 14. The support member 20 is provided with a guide member 13 that engages with the carriage 11 to guide the movement of the carriage 11. In this embodiment, the guide member 13 includes a lower rail member 13a and an upper rail member 13b. The rail members 13a and 13b are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction, each extends in the X direction, and engage with the carriage 11 to guide the movement of the carriage 11. The guide member 13 may be a member in the form of a shaft.

[0044] The rail member 13a supports the carriage 11 in the height (Z) direction and the front-rear (Y) direction. By adjusting the height (Z) of the rail member 13a relative to the support member 20, the height (Z) of the recording head 12 relative to the platen 15 can be adjusted. The rail member 13b is located above the rail member 13a (in the +Z direction) and regulates the position of the carriage 11 around the X-axis. By adjusting the rail member 13b in the front-rear (Y) direction relative to the support member 20, the inclination of the recording head 12 around the X-axis relative to the platen 15 can be adjusted.

[0045] The drive unit 14 in this embodiment is a belt transmission mechanism that uses a carriage motor 21 as a drive source. However, the mechanism type of the drive unit 14 may be other than the belt transmission mechanism. The carriage motor 21 is disposed on the opposite side in the Y direction from the carriage 11, sandwiching the support member 20 therebetween. The drive unit 14 includes a drive pulley 18 and a driven pulley 19 that are spaced apart in the X direction, and an endless belt V wound around these pulleys, which are disposed between the rail members 13a and 13b in the Z direction.

[0046] The carriage 11 is fixed to an endless belt V. When the carriage motor 21 rotates the drive pulley 18, the endless belt V runs and the carriage 11 moves. A code strip 35 is supported on the support member 20. A sensor (not shown) that detects slits in the code strip 35 is provided on the carriage 11, and the position of the carriage 11 in the X direction can be identified from the detection result of the sensor.

[0047] The carriage 11 is provided with electrical contacts between the recording head 12 and a substrate (not shown). The substrate (not shown) may be disposed downstream of the recording head 12 and between the carriage 11 and the support member 20.

[0048] The image recording operation will now be described. An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head 12 onto the sheet SH during the movement of the carriage 11 in the X direction. This operation is called a recording scan. The recording operation is performed by alternately repeating a transport operation in which the transport unit 5 intermittently transports the sheet SH in the SD direction and a recording scan.

[0049] <Layout of the recording head periphery> Please refer to Figures 2 to 4. The sheet SH may jam around the recording head 12. The drive unit 14 is a structure that includes a support member 20 that is fixed to a wall shape in the XZ plane. When considering the accessibility of an operator to the location where the jam has occurred, the drive unit 14 of the carriage 11 is likely to become an obstacle.

[0050] In this embodiment, the drive unit 14 is disposed downstream of the recording head 12. The space upstream of the recording head 12 is wider, improving the worker's access to the upstream side of the recording head 12. Since a jam often occurs when the leading edge of the sheet SH gets stuck between the recording head 12 and the platen 15, it is easier for the worker to work from the upstream side of the recording head 12, and recovery work can be performed more smoothly.

[0051] When viewed from the front-to-rear direction (Y direction) of the recording device 1, the transport unit 5 is disposed in front of the recording head 12, and the drive unit 14 is disposed behind the recording head 12. In many cases, the installation location of the recording device 1 is wide in front of the recording device 1, and narrow in the rear due to the presence of a wall or the like. In this embodiment, the space in front of the recording head 12 is wider, so that in the event of a jam, an operator can easily perform recovery work from the front of the recording device 1.

[0052] In this embodiment, the feeding unit 4 is disposed further forward than the transport unit 5. If a jam occurs between the feeding unit 4 and the transport unit 5, an operator can easily perform recovery work from the front side of the recording apparatus 1.

[0053] <Maintenance-related structure> <Maintenance around the recording head> The recording device 1 of this embodiment has a structure that facilitates maintenance (access) to the recording unit 10. This will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device 1 with the opening / closing member 17a in the open state, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the recording device 1 with the opening / closing member 17a in the open state.

[0054] Examples of maintenance for the recording unit 10 include recovery from the jam described above and replacement of the recording head 12. In a configuration in which an ink tank is mounted on the carriage 11, replacement of the ink tank can also be included.

[0055] The opening 70 is formed such that a portion upstream of the recording head 12 is more exposed from the opening 70 than a portion downstream. The opening / closing member 17a is disposed above the transport unit 5 (in the +Z direction). When the opening / closing member 17a is in the open state, the transport unit 5, the carriage 11, the recording head 12, the platen 15, etc. are exposed through the opening 70, and an operator can access these. In this embodiment, the drive unit 14 is disposed downstream of the recording head 12, so that the transport unit 5, the carriage 11, the recording head 12, the platen 15, etc. are easily accessible from the front side of the recording device 1.

[0056] 6, if the width of the opening 70 in the X direction is KW, the width KW is wider than the maximum width of the size of the sheet SH that is compatible with the recording device 1. Therefore, if a jam of the sheet SH occurs, it is easy to remove the sheet SH from the opening 70.

[0057] In this embodiment, the opening / closing member 17a is configured to rotate, but it may be configured to slide to open and close the opening 70.

[0058] <Maintenance around the storage cassette> Next, the maintenance that can be performed by removing and attaching the storage cassette 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device 1 with the storage cassette 2 removed, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the recording device 1 with the storage cassette 2 removed. A separation roller 3c of the feeding unit 3 and a path forming member 2b that forms part of the main transport path RT1 are attached to the storage cassette 2. When the storage cassette 2 is removed to the front side from the main body 100, these are also exposed. This makes it easier to recover from jams of sheets SH around the storage cassette 2.

[0059] Rails 80a, 80b that support the accommodating cassette 2 in the Z direction are installed in the slot 111 and guide the movement of the accommodating cassette 2 when the accommodating cassette 2 is attached to or detached from the main body 100. The rails 80a, 80b are provided on both sides of the slot 111 in the X direction.

[0060] A pressure plate cam 83 is provided above the rail 80a, which sets the position of a pressure plate 91, described later, to a horizontal position when removing the storage cassette 2 from the main body 100. In addition, a pressure plate release cam 84 for the pressure plate 91, described later, is provided at the tip of the rail 80a, which acts when attaching the storage cassette 2 to the main body 100. The pressure plate cam 83 and the pressure plate release cam 84 are also provided on both sides of the slot 111 in the X direction, so that the pressure plate 91 can be raised and lowered by the left and right cams (83, 84).

[0061] When the storage cassette 2 is removed from the main body 100, the feed rollers 3a and 3b remaining on the main body 100 side are exposed and can be accessed by an operator. The operator can, for example, replace the feed rollers 3a and 3b. The feed rollers 3a and 3b are supported by one holder (not shown), and by removing the holder, the feed rollers 3a and 3b can be replaced simultaneously. However, they do not necessarily have to be attached to one holder, and the feed rollers 3a and 3b may be configured to be removable individually.

[0062] Further description will be given of the storage cassette 2. The separation roller 3c is attached to a separation roller holder 95, and the separation roller 3c can be replaced by removing the separation roller holder 95 from the storage cassette 2. In the storage cassette 2, the sheets SH can be stacked on the feeding tray 2a and the pressure plate 91 and stored.

[0063] Depending on the size of the stored sheets SH, the side guides 85 and 86 can regulate the widthwise position of the sheets SH, while the end guide 89 can regulate the longitudinal (transport) position of the sheets SH. An end lock portion 90 equipped with a latch 90a is provided in the center of the end guide 89 to prevent the end guide 89 from shifting. Similarly, the side guide 85 also has a side lock portion 87 to again prevent the guide 85 from shifting.

[0064] The side guide 85 is connected to the side guide 86 by a rack and pinion (not shown) below the pressure plate 91, so that by operating the side guide 85, the side guide 86 also operates at the same time, and the position of the sheet SH in the width direction can be regulated. In addition, the side guide 86 is provided with a side biasing plate 88 that is biased in the X direction by a spring (not shown), so that the sheet SH loaded in the storage cassette 2 can be shifted to one side in the X direction.

[0065] The pressure plate 91 is biased upward in the Z direction by a spring (not shown) installed under the pressure plate 91, and can press the stacked sheets SH against the feed roller 3a. The pressure plate 91 shown in FIG. 9 is in a position when the storage cassette 2 is removed from the main body 100, and both ends of the pressure plate 91 in the X direction are held in the Z direction by the pressure plate holding portion 92, and the pressure plate 91 is approximately parallel to the feed tray 2a and approximately horizontal to the XY plane. This is because when the storage cassette 2 is removed from the main body 100, the pressure plate cam 83 presses down the end of the pressure plate 91, and the pressure plate holding portion 92 can hold the pressure plate 91 in the Z direction. When the storage cassette 2 is attached to the main body 100, the pressure plate release cam 84 releases the holding of the pressure plate holding portion 92. This returns the pressure plate 91 to the feed position (the position where the pressure plate 91 is pressed against the feed roller 3a by the spring bias).

[0066] <Maintenance around the detachable unit> 10 to 12, the maintenance of the periphery of the removable unit 40 will be described. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device 1 with the removable unit 40 removed, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the removable unit 40, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 11.

[0067] The detachable unit 40 is configured as a transport path unit that configures a portion including a path from the feeding unit 4 to the upstream part of the transport unit 5. Therefore, when the sheet SH fed from the feeding unit 3 jams on the main transport path RT1 upstream of the transport unit 5, the detachable unit 40 can be detached from the main body 100 to deal with the jam.

[0068] The front surface of the detachable unit 40 is formed with gripping portions 41, 42 that are gripped by an operator when removing the detachable unit 40 from the main body 100. A lock spring 44 is disposed between the left and right gripping portions 41, 42, and when the gripping portions 41, 42 are not being gripped, the gripping portions 41, 42 are biased in the left-right (X) direction. Bosses 41a, 41b are provided on the end of the biased gripping portion 41, which serve to position and lock it relative to the main body 100. The gripping portion 42 is also provided with a boss (not shown) on its end, which functions in the same way.

[0069] The attachment / detachment unit 40 is provided with a lever 31a for the sensor 31 located downstream of the feeding unit 4. The lever 31a is rotatable about an axis in the X direction, and its tip protrudes into the main transport path RT1. The other end of the lever 31a functions as a flag that blocks the optical axis of a photointerrupter serving as the sensor 31 disposed in the main body 100.

[0070] The removable unit 40 supports the feeding roller 4a and the driven roller 4b of the feeding unit 4. It also supports parts of the path forming members 40a and 40b. The path forming members 40a and 40b may be further separable. The path forming member 40a may not be provided in the removable unit 40, and the path forming member 40a remaining in the main body 100 may be removable when the removable unit 40 is removed.

[0071] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the opening 70 is formed in the upper surface of the housing 101, but the location where the opening is formed is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, as shown in the example of Fig. 13, an opening 71a may be formed in the front surface 101a of the housing 100. The opening 71a is opened and closed by an opening / closing member 17c. The opening / closing member 17c is a movable member that forms part of the front surface 101a. Even with this configuration, the operator can access the periphery of the recording head 12 through the opening 71a.

[0073] 14, the front surface 101a may have a recessed portion toward the rear in the Y direction, and an opening 71b may be formed therein, and the opening 71b may be opened and closed by an opening / closing member 17d. With this configuration, the operator can also access the periphery of the recording head 12 through the opening 71b.

[0074] <Third embodiment> The path for inverting the sheet SH and transporting it to the recording head 12 for double-sided recording is not limited to that in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows an example of a recording device 1 equipped with a sub-transport path RT3 of this embodiment instead of the sub-transport path RT2. In this embodiment, after the first side of the sheet SH is recorded by the recording head 12, the rollers of the transport units 5 to 8 are rotated in the reverse direction to guide the sheet SH to the sub-transport path RT3. The sheet SH is inverted on the sub-transport path RT3 and returned to the main transport path RT1 by the feeding unit 4. The second side of the sheet SH is then printed by the recording head 12, and the sheet SH is discharged.

[0075] <Fourth embodiment> A separate feeding tray for feeding the sheets SH may be provided. An example is shown in Figures 16 and 17. In this embodiment, a feeding tray 51 is provided on which the sheets SH can be set from the front surface 101a of the recording apparatus 1, and a front feeding unit 50 is provided corresponding to the feeding tray 51.

[0076] The front feeding unit 50 includes a feeding roller 50a that is pressed against the sheets SH stacked on the feeding tray 51. A transport roller 50b and a separation roller 50c are provided downstream of the feeding roller 50a. The feeding roller 50a and the transport roller 50b may have their own drive source, or the feeding motor 22 may be used as the drive source. The sheets SH set on the feeding tray 51 are picked up by the feeding roller 50a, separated into one sheet at a nip portion between the transport roller 50b and the separation roller 50c, and fed to the main transport path RT1. When the feeding tray 51 is not in use, it may be configured so as to be folded so as not to protrude from the main body 100.

[0077] In this embodiment, an opening / closing member 17b', which replaces the opening / closing member 17b, is extended to the front surface 101a, and an opening 72, which replaces the opening 70, exposes the area from the recording head 12 to the front feeding unit 50. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the opening / closing member 17b' in a closed state, and Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the opening / closing member 17b' in an open state. When the opening / closing member 17b' is in an open state, maintenance can be performed around the recording head 12 as well as around the front feeding unit 50, and even if a jam of a sheet SH occurs near the front feeding unit 50, this can be dealt with.

[0078] In this embodiment, the feeding tray 2a may be omitted and the sheets SH may be fed only from the feeding tray 51.

[0079] <Fifth embodiment> The above-described embodiments may be combined with each other. For example, a configuration in which the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined may be adopted. Also, an embodiment in which some of the configurations of the above-described embodiments are deleted may be adopted.

[0080] Sixth Embodiment <Outline of the recording device> FIG. 18 is an external view of a recording device 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of optional devices can be attached to the recording device 1A. FIG. 19 shows an aspect in which optional devices 500A and 500B are attached to the recording device 1A. The optional devices 500A and 500B are devices of the same configuration, and when the optional devices 500A and 500B are collectively referred to or when they are not distinguished, they are simply called optional devices 500. The optional device 500 is provided with a storage cassette 501 for storing recording media, and by adding the optional device 500, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of recording media used for recording and the types of recording media used for recording. The storage cassette 501 is detachably attached to the main body of the optional device 500, and in this embodiment, it is provided on the front side of the optional device 500 so as to be insertable and removable in the Y direction from the main body.

[0081] In the example of Fig. 19, two tiers of optional devices 500 are provided below the recording device 1A. However, only one optional device 500 can be attached to the recording device 1A, or three or more tiers of optional devices 500 can be attached to the recording device 1A. Also, the recording device 1A can be used without any optional devices 500 attached.

[0082] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a serial type inkjet printing apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to printing apparatuses of other types.

[0083] In each of the drawings described in this embodiment, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate mutually intersecting directions, arrows X and Y indicate mutually orthogonal horizontal directions, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. The X direction corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of recording device 1A, and the Y direction corresponds to the front-rear direction (depth direction) of recording device 1A. The Z direction corresponds to the height direction of recording device 1A. In addition, the downstream side and the upstream side are based on the transport direction of the recording medium.

[0084] The recording device 1A includes a main body 100A, a removable unit 640 that is removable from the main body 100A, a storage cassette 602A, and a tank unit 665. The main body 100A includes a housing 601 that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the housing 601 forms the outer wall of the recording device 1A. The removable unit 640, the storage cassette 602A, and the tank unit 665 are attached to a front surface 601a of the housing 601 that constitutes the front part of the recording device 1A so as to be insertable and removable in the Y direction relative to the main body 100A. The front surface 601a is also provided with an openable cover 653 that covers the feeding unit 650 inside the main body 100A. The cover 653, the removable unit 640, the storage unit 602A, and the tank unit 665 are arranged in this order from the top in the Z direction.

[0085] 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the accommodating cassette 602A is pulled out in the -Y direction from the main body 100A. The main body 100A has a slot SL1 that opens in the front surface 601a, and the accommodating cassette 602A is stored in this slot SL1.

[0086] 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the detachable unit 640 is removed in the -Y direction from the main body 100A. The main body 100A has a slot SL2 that opens in the front surface 601a, and the detachable unit 640 is stored in this slot SL2.

[0087] Although not specifically shown, the tank unit 665 is also stored in a slot provided in the main body 100A, similar to the storage cassette 602A and the removable unit 640.

[0088] An upper surface of the main body 100A is provided with a discharge tray 617. Recording media on which data has been recorded are discharged to the discharge tray 617 and stacked on the discharge tray 617.

[0089] 19 and 22, an opening 670 formed on the upper surface of the housing 601 and exposing the inside of the main body 100A of the recording apparatus 1A will be described. The opening 670 is opened and closed by an opening / closing member 617a. In the present embodiment, the opening / closing member 617a is a plate-shaped tray member constituting a part of the discharge tray 617, and is a rotating member provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation center axis 617b in the X direction. FIG. 22 shows a state in which the opening / closing member 617a is in an open state and the opening 670 is open. When the opening / closing member 617a is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 19, the opening 670 is closed.

[0090] 19 and 23, the opening 672 formed on the upper surface of the housing 601 and exposing the inside of the main body 100A of the recording device 1A will be described. The opening 672 is located on the rear side in the Y direction with respect to the opening 670. The opening 672 is opened and closed by the opening / closing member 617c. In this embodiment, the opening / closing member 617c is a plate-shaped tray member that constitutes a part of the discharge tray 617 together with the opening / closing member 617a, and is configured to be pulled out toward the front. When pulling out the opening / closing member 617c, the operator can operate it by holding the grip 617e. FIG. 23 shows a state in which the opening / closing member 617c is in an open state and the opening 672 is open. When the opening / closing member 617c is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 19, the opening 672 is closed.

[0091] 24 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording apparatus 1A and the optional device 500. The recording apparatus 1A records on sheets SH, which are recording media before recording, that are loaded on a feed tray 602a in a storage cassette 602A. The recording apparatus 1A also discharges recorded sheets SH to a discharge tray 617. The storage cassette 602A can be removed from the main body 100A of the recording apparatus 1A, and sheets SH can be set on the feed tray 602 of the removed storage cassette 602A.

[0092] Furthermore, the recording apparatus 1A records on sheets SH, which are recording media before recording, that are loaded on a feed tray 502 in each optional device 500. Furthermore, the recording apparatus 1A discharges the recorded sheets SH to a discharge tray 617. The storage cassette 501 of the optional device 500 can be removed from the optional device 500, and sheets SH can be set on the feed tray 502 of the removed storage cassette 501.

[0093] <Transportation route> The transport path of the sheet SH will be described. The recording apparatus 1A has transport paths RT6A to RT6E that guide the transport of the sheet SH. The transport path RT6A is a main transport path formed from the junction JP1 to the discharge tray 617. The transport path RT6B is formed from the feed tray 602a to the junction JP1. When recording on the sheet SH stored in the storage cassette 602A, the sheet SH is transported in the order of the transport path RT6B → the transport path RT6A, and recording is performed during the transport process.

[0094] The transport paths RT6D and RT6E are transport paths for feeding the sheet SH from the optional device 500. The transport path RT6D is formed in the Z direction in front of the storage cassette 602A. By mounting the storage cassette 602A to the main body 100A, the transport path RT6D is formed from the midpoint JP2 to the junction point JP1. The transport path RT6E is formed in the Z direction in front of the tank unit 665. By mounting the tank unit 665 to the main body 100A, the transport path RT6E is formed from the midpoint JP3 to the midpoint JP2.

[0095] Each optional device 500 has transport paths RT7A and RT7B that guide the transport of the sheet SH. The transport path RT7A is formed from the feed tray 502 to the junction JP4 in the storage cassette 501, and is a transport path for feeding the sheet SH in the optional device 500. The transport path RT7B is formed in the front part of the storage cassette 501 from the midpoint JP5 to the junction JP4. The transport path RT7B is a transport path for passing the sheet SH fed from another optional device 500 located below the optional device 500. For example, in the example of FIG. 24, the transport path RT7B of the optional device 500A is a path for passing the sheet SH fed from the optional device 500B through the optional device 500A.

[0096] When recording is performed on a sheet SH accommodated in the option device 500A, the sheet SH is transported in the order of a transport path RT7A of the option device 500A, a transport path RT6E of the recording apparatus 1A, a transport path 6D, and a transport path RT6A, and recording is performed during the transport process.

[0097] When recording on a sheet SH stored in the optional device 500B, the sheet SH is transported in the following order: transport path RT7A of the optional device 500B → transport path RT7B of the optional device 500A → transport path RT6E of the recording device 1A → transport path 6D → transport path RT6A, and recording is performed during the transport process.

[0098] Next, a path for inverting the sheet SH and transporting it to the recording head 612 for double-sided recording will be described. In this embodiment, after the first side of the sheet SH is recorded by the recording head 612, the sheet SH can be transported to the transport path RT6C, whereby the sheet can be inverted. The transport path RT6C is a sub-transport path formed from the vicinity of the transport unit 605 to the junction JP1, which will be described later. The sheet SH, whose first side has been recorded, can be inverted via the transport path RT6C and introduced back into the transport path RT6A. Then, recording can be performed on the second side of the sheet SH.

[0099] The sheet SH is introduced into the transport path RT6C as follows. After the rear end of the sheet SH reaches the vicinity of the transport unit 605 described below, or after it leaves the transport unit 605, at least some of the rollers of the transport units 605-609 described below are rotated in reverse. This allows the sheet SH, on which the first side has been printed, to be introduced into the transport path RT6C. The sheet SH, on which the second side has been printed, is discharged to the discharge tray 617.

[0100] Each transport path is formed by a path forming member. As an example of the path forming member, a pair of path forming members 666 that form the transport path RT6E are illustrated in FIG. 24. The pair of path forming members 666 are disposed so as to face each other in the Y direction, and the transport path RT6E extending in the Z direction is formed therebetween. Each transport path is defined by such a path forming member.

[0101] <Transport mechanism> Next, a configuration for transporting the sheet SH will be described. The recording apparatus 1A includes a feeding unit 603, a feeding unit 604, and a plurality of transport units 605 to 609. The feeding unit 603, the feeding unit 604, and the transport units 605 to 609 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the sheet SH on the transport paths RT6B and RT6A. An image is formed (recorded) on the sheet SH by a recording unit 610 between the transport unit 605 and the transport unit 606.

[0102] (Feeding unit 603) The sheets SH on the feed tray 602a are introduced one by one into the transport paths RT6B and RT6A by the feed unit 603. The feed unit 603 is a pickup mechanism that uses a feed motor 622A as a drive source and picks up the sheets SH from the feed tray 602a. The feed unit 603 includes a feed roller (pickup roller) 603a, a feed roller 603b, a separation roller 603c, a feed roller 603d, and a driven roller 603e that forms a nip with the feed roller 603d.

[0103] The feed roller 603a comes into contact with the top surface of the sheets SH stacked on the feed tray 602a and rotates by the driving force of the feed motor 622A to start feeding the sheets SH. Downstream of the feed roller 603a are arranged a feed roller 603b that rotates by the driving force of the feed motor 622A and a separation roller 603c that forms a nip with the feed roller 603b. The separation roller 603c is a roller that is equipped with a torque limiter and has a rotation resistance. When two or more sheets SH enter the nip between the feed roller 603b and the separation roller 603c, the sheets SH are separated into one sheet by the rotation resistance of the separation roller 603c.

[0104] The separated sheet SH is conveyed to a downstream feed roller 603d and a driven roller 603e. The feed roller 603d is driven by a feed motor 622A.

[0105] (Feeding unit 604) The feeding unit 604 conveys the sheet SH introduced from the junction JP1 to the conveying path RT6A to the conveying unit 605. The feeding unit 604 includes feeding rollers 604a and 604c. The feeding rollers 604a and 604c are rotating bodies rotated by the driving force of a feeding motor 623. The feeding rollers 604a and 604c are in pressure contact with the corresponding driven rollers 604b and 604d to form a nip portion. The driven rollers 604b and 604d are rotating bodies that are driven by the rotation of the feeding rollers 604a and 604c.

[0106] The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the feed roller 604a and the driven roller 604b and in a nip portion between the feed roller 604c and the driven roller 604d, and is transported by the rotation of these rollers.

[0107] The feed rollers 603a, 603b, and 603d are one-way rollers. Therefore, after the leading edge of the sheet SH is conveyed to a position beyond the nip portion of the feed unit 604a, the sheet SH can be continued to be conveyed by the feed unit 604 even if the driving of the feed unit 603 is stopped.

[0108] The sensor 631 is a sensor that detects the sheet SH, and detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH. The detection position of the sensor 631 is set at a position downstream of the nip portion of the feeding unit 604a. After detecting the passage of the leading end of the sheet SH, the detection result of the sensor 631 can be used as a trigger for conveyance control, such as stopping the driving of the feeding unit 603 or increasing the conveyance speed of the feeding unit 604.

[0109] In addition, the size of the sheet SH can be detected from the drive amounts of the motors 623 and 624 from the detection of the leading edge to the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet SH using the sensor 631, and subsequent transport control can be switched.

[0110] (Transport unit 605) The transport unit 605 is disposed upstream of the recording head 612. The transport unit 605 transports the sheet SH downstream between the recording head 612 and a platen 615 facing the recording head 612. The transport unit 605 includes a transport roller 605a and a driven roller (pinch roller) 605b that is pressed against the transport roller 605a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 605a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 624, and the driven roller 605b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 605a. The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the transport roller 605a and the driven roller 605b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 605a and the driven roller 605b.

[0111] The sensor 632 is a sensor that detects the sheet SH like the sensor 631, and detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH, and is, for example, an optical sensor. Since the sensor 632 is disposed upstream in the vicinity of the conveying unit 605, the detection result can be used for managing the loop amount for registering the sheet SH and the positions of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH.

[0112] (Transport unit 606) The transport unit 606 is disposed downstream of the recording head 612, and transports the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 605 to a transport unit 609 on the downstream side. The transport unit 606 includes a transport roller 606a and a spur 606b that is pressed against the transport roller 606a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 606a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 624, and the spur 606b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 606a. In this embodiment, the transport unit 605 and the transport unit 606 share a driving source (the transport motor 624).

[0113] (Transport unit 607) The transport unit 607 is disposed downstream of the recording head 612 and the transport unit 606, and transports the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 606 downstream. The transport unit 607 includes a transport roller 607a and a spur 607b that is pressed against the transport roller 607a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 607a is also a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 624 described above, and the spur 607b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 607a. The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the transport roller 607a and the driven roller 607b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 607a and the spur 607b.

[0114] The sensor 633 is, for example, an optical sensor that detects the sheet SH, similar to the sensors 631 and 632. The sensor 633 can be used to detect the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH, and can also be used to detect the presence or absence of the sheet SH in the conveying path when a jam or the like of the sheet SH occurs in the conveying path.

[0115] (Transport units 608 and 609) The transport units 608 and 609 are disposed downstream of the recording head 612 and the transport units 606 and 607. The transport units 608 and 609 are discharge units that discharge the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 607 onto a discharge tray 617. In the case of single-sided recording, the sheet SH discharged onto the discharge tray 617 is discharged with the image recorded side facing downward, i.e., so-called "face-down discharge." In the case of double-sided recording, the second side faces downward.

[0116] The conveying unit 608 includes a conveying roller 608a and a spur 608b that is pressed against the conveying roller 608a by a spring or the like (not shown). The conveying roller 608a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a conveying motor 625, and the spur 608b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the conveying roller 608a. The sheet SH is held in a nip portion between the conveying roller 608a and the spur 608b, and is conveyed by the rotation of the conveying roller 608a and the spur 608b.

[0117] The transport unit 609 includes a transport roller 609a and a spur 609b that is pressed against the transport roller 609a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 609a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a transport motor 625, which is the same as that of the transport unit 608 described above, and the spur 609b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the transport roller 609a. The sheet SH is held in a nip portion between the transport roller 609a and the spur 609b, and is transported by the rotation of the transport roller 609a and the spur 609b.

[0118] In this embodiment, the drive source (transport motor 625) is shared between the transport units 608 and 609. However, the motor 625 may be eliminated, and the transport motor 624, which is the drive source for the transport units 605 to 607, may be shared between the transport units 608 and 609.

[0119] In this embodiment, four transport units (transport units 606 to 609) are used downstream of the recording head 612, but this number can be reduced depending on the size of the recording medium compatible with the recording apparatus 1A in the transport direction. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which only transport units 606 and 609 are used, and the sheet SH is discharged to the paper discharge tray 617 by transport unit 609.

[0120] The sensor 634 is a sensor that detects the sheet SH in the same manner as the sensors 631 to 633, and detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of the sheet SH, and is, for example, an optical sensor. In this embodiment, after the sensor 634 detects the trailing end of the sheet SH, the sheet SH is discharged (the trailing end of the sheet SH reaches the discharge tray 617) after a predetermined conveyance distance. Therefore, the detection result of the sensor 634 can be used to detect the discharge of the sheet SH.

[0121] Next, a description will be given of a conveying mechanism for sheets SH provided in the option device 500. The sheets SH set in the feed tray 502 are separated one by one by a feed unit 510 in the option device 500 and fed to a conveying path RT7A. The feed unit 510 is a pickup mechanism that uses a feed motor 522 as a drive source and picks up sheets SH from the feed tray 502. The feed unit 510 includes a feed roller (pickup roller) 510a, a feed roller 510b, and a separation roller 510c.

[0122] The feeding unit 511 is located downstream of the feeding unit 510, and includes a feeding roller 511a and a driven roller 511b. The feeding roller 511a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of a feeding motor 522, and the driven roller 511b is a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the feeding roller 511a.

[0123] The sheet SH is sandwiched in a nip portion between the feed roller 511a and the driven roller 511b, and is transported by the rotation of the feed roller 511a and the driven roller 511b.

[0124] The sheet SH conveyed by the feeding unit 511 of the optional device 500A passes through an exit on the top surface side of the optional device 500A and an intermediate point JP3, which is a conveying path entrance on the bottom surface of the recording apparatus 1A, and enters a conveying path RT6E. The sheet SH is further conveyed to a junction point JP1 through a conveying path RT6D.

[0125] The sheet SH transported by the feeding unit 511 of the optional device 500B enters the transport path RT7B through the top exit of the optional device 500B and the intermediate point JP5 which is the transport path entrance on the bottom of the optional device 500A. The sheet SH further passes through the transport path RT7B of the optional device 500A and is transported by the feeding unit 511 of the optional device 500A through the transport path RT6D to the junction JP1.

[0126] <Recording unit> A recording unit 610 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 25 and Fig. 26 in addition to Fig. 24. Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the recording unit 610, and Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 24. The recording unit 610 includes a recording head 612, a carriage 611, and a drive unit 614. The recording head 612 ejects liquid ink onto a sheet SH to record an image on the sheet SH. The lower surface of the recording head 612 forms an ejection surface in which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are formed.

[0127] The ink supplied to the recording head 612 is stored in an ink tank 664 of a tank unit 665. The ink stored in the ink tank 664 is supplied to the recording head 612 via a tube (not shown) (tube supply system). Note that the ink may be supplied in any system, such as an independent ink cartridge system in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 611 together with the recording head 612, or a head cartridge system in which the ink cartridge and the recording head 612 are integrated.

[0128] The platen 615 is disposed between the transport unit 605 and the transport unit 606 so as to face the recording head 612 (particularly the ejection surface). The sheet SH is transported between the recording head 612 and the platen 615 in the direction of the arrow SD (+Y direction), and an image is recorded by the recording head 612.

[0129] The recording head 612 is mounted on a carriage 611. The carriage 611 is reciprocated by a drive unit 614 in a direction intersecting the SD direction (the X-axis direction in this embodiment).

[0130] The drive unit 614 includes a support member 620 extending in the X-axis direction. The support member 620 is a base member that supports each component of the drive unit 614. The support member 620 is provided with a guide member 613 that engages with the carriage 611 to guide the movement of the carriage 611. In this embodiment, the guide member 613 includes a lower rail member 613a and an upper rail member 613b. The rail members 613a and 613b are spaced from each other in the Z-axis direction and each extends in the X-axis direction. The rail members 613a and 613b engage with the carriage 611 to guide the movement of the carriage 611. The guide member 613 may be an axis-shaped member.

[0131] The rail member 613a supports the carriage 611 in the height (Z) direction and the front-rear (Y) direction. By adjusting the height (Z) of the rail member 613a relative to the support member 620, it is possible to adjust the height (Z position) of the recording head 612 (particularly the ejection surface) relative to the platen 615. The rail member 613b is located above the rail member 613a (in the +Z direction), and regulates the position of the carriage 611 around the X axis. By adjusting the rail member 613b in the front-rear (Y) direction relative to the support member 620, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the recording head 612 around the X axis relative to the platen 615.

[0132] The drive unit 614 in this embodiment is a belt transmission mechanism using a carriage motor 621 as a drive source. However, the mechanism type of the drive unit 614 may be other than the belt transmission mechanism. The carriage motor 621 is disposed on the opposite side in the front-rear (Y) direction from the carriage 611 with the support member 620 in between. The drive unit 614 includes a drive pulley 618 and a driven pulley 619 spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and an endless belt 616 wound around these pulleys, which are disposed between the rail members 613a and 613b in the height (Z) direction.

[0133] The carriage 611 is fixed to an endless belt 616. When a carriage motor 621 rotates a drive pulley 618, the endless belt 616 runs and the carriage 611 moves. A code strip 635 is supported on a support member 620. A sensor (not shown) that detects a slit in the code strip 635 is provided on the carriage 611, and the position of the carriage 611 in the X-axis direction can be identified and the speed can be adjusted based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0134] An electrical contact between the recording head 612 and a substrate (not shown) is provided on the carriage 611. The substrate (not shown) may be disposed downstream of the recording head 612 in the transport direction (+Y direction) and between the carriage 611 and the support member 620.

[0135] Next, the image recording operation will be described. An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head 612 onto the sheet SH during the reciprocating movement of the carriage 611 in the X-axis direction. This operation is called a recording scan. The recording operation is performed by alternately repeating a transport operation in which the transport unit 605 intermittently transports the sheet SH in the SD direction (+Y direction) and a recording scan.

[0136] <Front feeding mechanism> The front feed mechanism of the recording apparatus 1A will be described with reference to Figures 27 and 28. The front feed mechanism allows the sheet SH to be manually fed from the front side of the recording apparatus 1A. Figure 27 is a diagram showing a state in which the cover 653 and the feed tray 651 have been pulled out from the state shown in Figure 19. Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording apparatus 1A, showing a state in which the cover 653 and the feed tray 651 have been pulled out.

[0137] In this embodiment, in addition to the storage cassette 602A already described, a feeding unit 650 is disposed above the storage cassette 602A and the attachment / detachment unit 640 in the Z direction (+Z direction) and on the front surface 601a side of the recording apparatus 1A. Fig. 19 shows a state in which the stacking tray 651 is closed, and Fig. 27 shows a state in which the stacking tray 651 is open. When the stacking tray 651 is closed, multiple trays are folded and stored inside. When the stacking tray 651 is open, the folded multiple trays are unfolded and become long enough to hold the stacked sheets SH so that they do not fall.

[0138] Behind the open stacking tray 651, there is a feed tray 652, which holds sheets SH stacked on both the stacking tray 651 and the feed tray 652. A sensor 636 is provided to detect whether or not sheets SH are stacked on the feed tray 652.

[0139] The sensor 636 is a sensor that detects the sheet SH, and is, for example, an optical sensor. The sensor 636 detects the presence or absence of the sheet SH in the feed tray 652, and can be, for example, a reflective sensor. Side guides 656a, 656b for supporting the stacked sheets SH in the width direction are attached to the left and right of the feed tray 652. The left and right side guides 656a, 656b are connected by a rack and pinion (not shown). When the user operates one of the side guides, the opposite side guide also moves in conjunction with it, and the left and right ends of the sheet SH can be supported.

[0140] Next, the arrangement of the feeding unit 650 and the transport path RT6F will be described. The feeding unit 650 includes a feeding roller 650a that is pressed against the sheets SH stacked on the feeding tray 652. A transport roller 650b and a separation roller 650c are provided downstream of the feeding roller 650a. The feeding roller 650a and the transport roller 650b are driven by a feeding motor 623 as a drive source. The sheets SH set on the feeding tray 652 are picked up by the feeding roller 650a, separated one by one at a nip portion between the transport roller 650b and the separation roller 650c, and fed to the transport path RT6A. The sheets SH fed from the feeding unit 650 merge with the transport path RT6A at a junction JP6 and are transported to the transport unit 605. Thereafter, an image is recorded by the recording head 612 while being transported by the transport unit 605.

[0141] <Layout of the recording head periphery> 25 and 26. The sheet SH may jam around the recording head 612. The drive unit 614 is a structure that includes a support member 620 that is fixed to the XZ plane like a wall. Depending on the location of the drive unit 614, the drive unit 614 of the carriage 611 may easily become an obstacle in terms of the accessibility of the worker to the location where the jam has occurred.

[0142] In this embodiment, the drive unit 614 is disposed downstream (+Y direction) in the transport direction (SD direction) with respect to the recording head 612. The space on the upstream side of the recording head 612 is wider, improving the worker's access to the upstream side of the recording head 612. As jams often occur when the leading edge of the sheet SH gets stuck between the recording head 612 and the platen 615, it is easier for the worker to work from the upstream side of the recording head 612, so recovery work can be performed more smoothly.

[0143] When viewed in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction) of the recording apparatus 1A, the transport unit 605 is disposed in front of the recording head 612 (-Y direction side), and the drive unit 614 is disposed behind the recording head 612 (+Y direction side). In many cases, the installation location of the recording apparatus 1A is wide in front of the recording apparatus 1A and narrow in the rear due to the presence of a wall or the like. In this embodiment, the space in front of the recording head 612 is wider, so that if a jam occurs, an operator can easily perform recovery work from the front of the recording apparatus 1A.

[0144] In this embodiment, the feeding unit 604 is disposed further forward than the transport unit 605. If a jam occurs between the feeding unit 604 and the transport unit 605, an operator can easily perform recovery work from the front side 601a of the recording apparatus 1A.

[0145] <Maintenance-related structure> <Maintenance around the recording head> The recording device 1A of this embodiment has a structure that facilitates maintenance (access) to the recording unit 610. Description will be given with reference to Figures 22, 23, 29, and 30. Figure 29 is an external view of the recording device 1A with the opening / closing member 617a in the open state, and Figure 30 is a plan view of the recording device 1A with the opening / closing member 617a in the open state.

[0146] Examples of maintenance for the recording unit 610 include recovery from the jam described above, replacement of the recording head 612, and the like.

[0147] The opening 670 is formed so that a portion upstream (-Y direction side) of the recording head 612 in the transport direction (SD direction) is more exposed than a portion downstream (+Y direction side). The opening / closing member 617a is disposed above (+Z direction) the transport unit 605. When the opening / closing member 617a is in the open state, the transport unit 605, the carriage 611, the recording head 612, the platen 615, and the like are exposed through the opening 670, and an operator can access these. In this embodiment, the drive unit 614 is disposed downstream (+Y direction side) of the recording head 612 in the transport direction, so that the transport unit 605, the carriage 611, the recording head 612, the platen 615, and the like can be easily accessed from the front side of the recording apparatus 1A.

[0148] 30, if the width of the opening 670 in the X direction is KW, the width KW is wider than the maximum width of the size of the sheet SH that the recording apparatus 1A can accommodate. Therefore, if a jam occurs in the sheet SH, the sheet SH can be easily removed from the opening 670.

[0149] <Detachable unit structure and maintenance of its surroundings> The structure of the removable unit 640 and the maintenance of its surroundings will be described. Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the recording device 1A with the removable unit 640 removed. Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the removable unit 640. Fig. 33 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the removable unit 640, showing a part of the configuration in a see-through state and illustrating a part of the configuration on the main body 100A side. Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in Fig. 32.

[0150] The removable unit 640 is configured as a transport path unit that configures a portion including a path from the feeding unit 604 to the upstream part of the transport unit 605. Therefore, when the sheet SH fed from the feeding unit 603 jams on the transport path RT6A upstream of the transport unit 605, it is possible to deal with the jam by removing the removable unit 640 from the main body 100A, as illustrated in Fig. 31. By removing the removable unit 640, it is possible to improve accessibility to the upstream side of the recording head 612.

[0151] The removable unit 640 includes a base portion 641, and slide members 642R and 642L arranged on the left and right are supported on the front portion of the base portion 641 so as to be slidable in the X direction. The slide members 642R and 642L are operation portions (handling portions) that are operated by an operator when removing the removable unit 640 from the main body 100A.

[0152] When an operator slides the slide members 642R and 642L inward in the X direction (D1R and D1L directions in FIG. 32), the engagement parts 642a connected to the slide members 642R and 642L are displaced inward in the X direction. In FIG. 32, the engagement part 642a connected to the slide member 642R is illustrated, and the engagement part 642a connected to the slide member 642L is not illustrated. Each engagement part 642a is located on each side of the attachment / detachment unit 640 in the left-right direction.

[0153] When the detachable unit 640 is attached to the main body 100A, the engagement portion 642a engages with the engagement portion 601b of the slot SL2 shown in Fig. 21. Fig. 21 shows the engagement portion 601b that engages with the engagement portion 642a of the slide member 642L. The engagement portions 601b are formed on the left and right inner walls of the slot SL2. When the operator slides the slide members 642R and 642L inward in the X direction, the engagement between the engagement portions 642a and 601b is released, and the detachable unit 640 can be removed from the main body 100A.

[0154] 34, a lock spring 644 is interposed between the left and right slide members 642R and 642L. The lock spring 644 biases the slide members 642R and 642L outward in the X direction. When the detachable unit 640 is inserted into the slot SL2 and the operator releases the slide members 642R and 642L, the bias of the lock spring 644 causes the engagement portion 642a to engage with the engagement portion 601b. The detachable unit 640 is locked to the main body 100A.

[0155] The base portion 641 is integrally provided with path forming members 640a and 640b that form a transport path RT6a, which is a section of the transport path RT6A. The path forming members 640a and 640b are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction and each is an arc-shaped member extending in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 34, the transport path RT6a is formed between the path forming members 640a and 640b, extending in an arc shape in the Z direction as viewed in the X direction. The upper and lower ends of the transport path RT6a are open. The base portion 641 is also integrally provided with a path forming member 640c that continues downstream from the path forming member 640a. The path forming member 640c forms the lower surface of a portion of the transport path RT6A.

[0156] The removable unit 640 includes a feed roller 604a and a driven roller 604b facing the transport roller 604a. The driven roller 604b is rotatably supported by a base portion 641, and the feed roller 640a is rotatably supported by a support member 643a.

[0157] The support member 643a is supported by the base portion 641 via a shaft 604e extending in the X direction, and is rotatable about the shaft 604e. The support member 643a is biased in the D2 direction by an elastic member 643c mounted between the support member 643a and the base portion 641. Therefore, the feed roller 604a, which rotates integrally with the support member 643a, is pressed against the driven roller 604b by the bias of the elastic member 643c. In this embodiment, the elastic member 643c is a tension spring.

[0158] A driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 604a via rotors 6406 and 6407. In this embodiment, the rotors 6406 and 6407 are gear devices. The rotor 6406 is a spur gear provided coaxially with the feed roller 604a and rotates together with the feed roller 604a. The rotor 6407 is a spur gear provided coaxially with the shaft 604e and rotates around the shaft 604e.

[0159] When the feed roller 604a is driven to convey the sheet SH, a revolving force is added to the support member 643a around the shaft 604e relative to the driven roller 604b, and the pressure contact force of the feed roller 604a against the driven roller 604b increases. Therefore, even if the biasing force of the elastic member 643c is small, sufficient nip pressure can be obtained between the feed roller 604a and the driven roller 604b during driving.

[0160] On the other hand, when the feeding roller 604a is not driven, only the nip pressure due to the biasing force of the elastic member 643c acts. When the removable unit 640 is removed from the main body 100A to deal with a jam, even if the sheet SH is nipped between the feeding roller 604a and the driven roller 604, the worker can more easily remove the sheet SH.

[0161] The removable unit 640 is also provided with a feed roller 604c. The main body 100A is provided with a driven roller 604d at a position facing the feed roller 604c. The driven roller 604d is also shown in FIG.

[0162] The feed roller 604c is rotatably supported by a support member 643b. The support member 643b is supported by the base portion 641 via a shaft 604f extending in the X direction, and is rotatable around the X axis centered on the shaft 604f. The support member 643b is biased in the D3 direction by an elastic member 643d mounted between the support member 643b and the base portion 641. Therefore, the feed roller 604c, which rotates integrally with the support member 643b, is pressed against the driven roller 604d by the bias of the elastic member 643d. In this embodiment, the elastic member 643d is a tension spring.

[0163] The driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 604ca via the rotors 6405 and 6408. In this embodiment, the rotors 6405 and 6408 are gear devices. The rotor 6408 is a spur gear provided coaxially with the feed roller 604c and rotates together with the feed roller 604c. The rotor 6405 is a spur gear provided coaxially with the shaft 604f and rotates around the shaft 604f.

[0164] When the feed roller 604c is driven to convey the sheet SH, a revolving force is added to the support member 643b about the shaft 604f relative to the driven roller 604d, and the pressure contact force of the feed roller 604c against the driven roller 604d increases. Therefore, even if the biasing force of the elastic member 643d is small, sufficient nip pressure can be obtained between the feed roller 604c and the driven roller 604d during driving.

[0165] On the other hand, when the feed roller 604c is not driven, only the nip pressure due to the bias of the tension spring 643d acts. When the detachable unit 640 is removed from the main body 100A, the resistance caused by the nip between the feed roller 604c and the driven roller 604d can be reduced.

[0166] In the removable unit 640 of this embodiment, the drive source for the feed rollers 604a and 604c is a feed motor 623 provided in the main body 100A. By disposing the drive source externally, electrical wiring work can be eliminated when the removable unit 640 is attached or detached.

[0167] For this reason, the removable unit 640 is provided with a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the feed motor 623. Referring to FIG. 33, the transmission mechanism includes an input portion 6401, a drive shaft 6403, and a gear device 6402 between the input portion 6401 and the drive shaft 6403. In this embodiment, the input portion 6401 is a gear that rotates around an axis in the X direction, and is disposed on one side of the removable unit 640 in the X direction. When the removable unit 640 is attached to the main body 100A, the input portion 6401 meshes with an output gear 601c provided on the main body 100A. The output gear 601c rotates by the driving force of the feed motor 623. When the removable unit 640 is detached from the main body 100A, the input portion 6401 and the output gear 601c are separated, and the drive transmission is interrupted.

[0168] The driving force input to the input unit 6401 is transmitted to a driving shaft 6403 via a gear device 6402. The driving force is transmitted to the feed rollers 604a and 604c from the driving shaft 6403. For example, the driving force is transmitted to the feed roller 604c via a rotating body (gear) 6404 (FIG. 34) provided on the driving shaft 6403 and the rotating body 6405 already described. The driving force is also transmitted to the feed roller 604a by a similar mechanism.

[0169] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the sensor 631. The sensor 631 includes a light blocking piece 631a, a lever member 631b, a connecting shaft 631c, and a photointerrupter 631d. The photointerrupter 631d is provided on the main body 100A, and is also shown in FIG.

[0170] The connecting shaft 631c extends in the X direction and is supported by the base portion 641 so as to be rotatable about the X axis. The lever member 631b is attached to one end of the connecting shaft 631c and is rotatable together with the connecting shaft 631c around an axis in the X axis direction.

[0171] As shown in Fig. 34, the tip of the lever member 631b extends in the radial direction of the connecting shaft 631c and protrudes into the transport path RT6a. The tip of the lever member 631b is located in the area between the path forming members 640a and 640b. Therefore, even if the detachable unit 640 is detached from the main body 100A, the periphery of the tip of the lever member 631b is surrounded by the path forming members 640a and 640b, making it difficult for an operator to touch it. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the lever member 631b.

[0172] The light blocking piece 631a is attached to the other end of the connecting shaft 631c with respect to the lever member 631b, and is rotatable around an axis in the X-axis direction together with the connecting shaft 631c. The light blocking piece 631a is a fan-shaped, plate-like member extending in the radial direction of the connecting shaft 631c. The light blocking piece 631a is disposed on one side of the detachable unit 640 in the X-direction. The light blocking piece 631a and the input section 6401 are located on the opposite sides of the detachable unit 640, either on the left or right side.

[0173] The photointerrupter 646 is an optical sensor having a light-emitting unit EL and a light-receiving unit RL. The slit between the light-emitting unit EL and the light-receiving unit RL is open toward the front side of the main body 100A. When the removable unit 640 is attached to the main body 100A, the light-shielding piece 631a is located in the slit between the light-emitting unit EL and the light-receiving unit RL. Since the slit is open toward the front side of the main body 100A, the light-shielding piece 631a and the photointerrupter 646 do not come into contact with each other when the removable unit 640 is attached or detached. By disposing the photointerrupter 646 in the main body 100A, it is possible to eliminate the need for electrical wiring work when attaching or detaching the removable unit 640.

[0174] As shown in Fig. 34, when there is no sheet SH on the transport path RT6a, the lever member 631b is biased by the elastic member 631e so that its tip is in a position protruding into the transport path RT6a as described above. At this time, the light blocking piece 631a blocks the optical axis between the light emitting element EL and the light receiving element RL of the photointerrupter 646 as shown in Fig. 36. In this embodiment, the elastic member 631e is a torsion coil spring.

[0175] 35, when the sheet SH passes through the transport path RT6a, the lever member 631b comes into contact with the sheet SH and rotates in the direction of arrow D4 to a position that avoids the sheet SH. More specifically, the leading edge of the sheet SH comes into contact with the lever member 631b, and the lever member 631b is pushed up to rotate. The lever member 631b is located at a position where it protrudes little from the transport path RT6a or is retracted from the transport path RT6a.

[0176] At this time, the light blocking piece 631a is in a state where it does not block the optical axis between the light emitting part EL and the light receiving part RL of the photointerrupter 646 (a state where the light receiving part RL receives light from the light emitting part EL) as shown in Fig. 37. Therefore, by monitoring the detection result of the photointerrupter 646, the position of the sheet SH can be recognized.

[0177] When the sheet SH passes through the transport path RT6a, the lever member 631b is returned to the position shown in Fig. 34 by the urging force of the elastic member 631e, and the light blocking piece 631a blocks the optical axis between the light emitting unit EL and the light receiving unit RL of the photointerrupter 646 as shown in Fig. 36. In this embodiment, the urging force of the elastic member 631e is used to return the lever member 631b to the position shown in Fig. 34, but its own weight may also be used.

[0178] Even when the removable unit 640 is detached from the main body 100A, the light-shielding piece 631a does not block the optical axis between the light-emitting unit EL and the light-receiving unit RL of the photointerrupter 646 (the light-receiving unit RL receives light from the light-emitting unit EL) as shown in Fig. 38. When the transport of the sheet SH is stopped, if it is detected that the light-receiving unit RL is receiving light from the light-emitting unit EL, it can be determined that the removable unit 640 has been detached from the main body 100A.

[0179] Seventh Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, the lever member 631b is a part of the sensor 631 that detects the sheet SH, but the lever member 631b can be used for purposes other than as a sensor. For example, the lever member 631b may be used as a posture guide for shifting the position of the sheet SH to one side in the transport path RT6a.

[0180] <Summary of the embodiment> The above embodiment discloses the following recording device.

[0181] Item 1. A conveying means for conveying a recording medium to a recording head; a carriage on which the recording head is mounted; a driving means for moving the carriage in a direction intersecting a direction in which the recording medium is conveyed by the conveying means; A recording device comprising: the driving means is disposed downstream of the recording head in the transport direction; A recording device comprising:

[0182] Item 2. Item 1. The recording device according to item 1, In the front-rear direction of the recording device, the conveying means is disposed in front of the recording head, The driving means is disposed on the rear side of the recording head. A recording device comprising:

[0183] Item 3. Item 2. The recording device according to claim 1, a feeding means for feeding a recording medium to the conveying means, the feeding means is disposed in front of the conveying means in the front-rear direction of the recording device, A recording device comprising:

[0184] Item 4. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, a detachable unit that is detachable from a main body of the recording device; The feeding means is provided in the attachment / detachment unit. A recording device comprising:

[0185] Item 5. Item 5. The recording device according to item 4, a path forming member that forms a transport path for the recording medium between the feeding means and the transport means, A part of the path forming member is provided on the detachable unit. A recording device comprising:

[0186] Item 6. Item 4 or 5. The recording device according to item 4 or 5, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, A recording device comprising:

[0187] Item 7. Item 7. The recording device according to item 6, A storage cassette is provided in which unrecorded recording media are loaded, the storage cassette is located below the mounting / removal unit and is mountable / detachable from the front surface of the main body in the front-rear direction of the recording apparatus. A recording device comprising:

[0188] Item 8. Item 3. The recording device according to item 3, a reversing path for reversing the recording medium that has passed the recording head and conveying it to the feeding means; A recording device comprising:

[0189] Item 9. Item 9. The recording device according to item 8, the inversion path is a path that guides the recording medium from the rear side to the front side of the recording device in the front-rear direction; A recording device comprising:

[0190] Item 10. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 9, an opening provided in an upper portion of a housing of the recording device to expose an inside of the recording device; the opening is formed such that a portion of the recording head on the upstream side in the transport direction is more exposed than a portion of the recording head on the downstream side in the transport direction. A recording device comprising:

[0191] Item 11. Item 11. The recording device according to item 10, The opening has a width greater than a width of the recording medium. A recording device comprising:

[0192] Item 12. Item 12. The recording device according to item 10 or 11, a platen facing the recording head; The platen is exposed from the opening. A recording device comprising:

[0193] Item 13. Item 13. The recording device according to any one of items 10 to 12, An opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening is provided, The opening and closing member forms a discharge tray into which a recorded recording medium is discharged. A recording device comprising:

[0194] Item 14. Item 14. The recording device according to item 13, The opening / closing member is a rotating member having a rotation center axis in a direction intersecting the conveying direction. A recording device comprising:

[0195] Item 15. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The driving means is a guide member extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction and configured to guide the movement of the carriage; a drive pulley and a driven pulley spaced apart in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; an endless belt that is wound between the driving pulley and the driven pulley and to which the carriage is fixed; A motor that rotates the drive pulley. A recording device comprising:

[0196] Item 16. A recording device according to any one of items 1 to 15, The recording head ejects ink onto a recording medium. A recording device comprising:

[0197] Item 21. a main body including a transport path for transporting a recording medium to a recording head; a detachable unit that forms a portion of the transport path and is detachable from the main body; A recording device comprising: The detachable unit includes: A first path forming member; A second path forming member that forms the section together with the first path forming member; a lever member that is provided to rotate from a first position protruding into the section to a second position avoiding the recording medium by contacting the recording medium being transported through the section, A recording device comprising:

[0198] Item 22. 22. The recording device according to item 21, In the first position, the lever member protrudes into a region between the first path forming member and the second path forming member. A recording device comprising:

[0199] Item 23. 22. The recording device according to item 21, The main body includes a detection means for detecting the position of the lever member. A recording device comprising:

[0200] Item 24. Item 24. The recording device according to item 23, the detection means is an optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, a light blocking piece that rotates together with the lever member and blocks light from the light emitting unit toward the light receiving unit; When the detachable unit is detached from the main body, the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. A recording device comprising:

[0201] Item 25. 25. The recording device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, A recording device comprising:

[0202] Item 26. 25. The recording device according to item 24, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, the light blocking piece is disposed on one side of the removable unit in the left-right direction of the recording device, A recording device comprising:

[0203] Item 27. a main body including a transport path for transporting a recording medium to a recording head; a detachable unit that forms a portion of the transport path and is detachable from the main body; A recording device comprising: The detachable unit includes: A first path forming member; A second path forming member that forms the section together with the first path forming member; a first roller and a second roller that transport the recording medium in the section, the first roller is supported rotatably between a position where it is in pressure contact with the second roller and a position where it is spaced apart from the second roller; A recording device comprising:

[0204] Item 28. Item 28. The recording device according to item 27, the first roller is a drive roller to which a driving force is transmitted from a rotor provided coaxially with a rotation axis of the first roller, a rotational force is generated in a direction in which the first roller is in pressure contact with the second roller by the rotation of the rotating body; A recording device comprising:

[0205] Item 29. Item 27 or 28. The recording device according to item 27 or 28, The detachable unit includes: a third roller for transporting the recording medium, the third roller being disposed downstream of the first roller and the second roller in a transport direction of the recording medium; A recording device comprising:

[0206] Item 30. 29. The recording device according to any one of claims 27 to 28, the main body includes a drive source for the first roller, the mounting unit includes a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the driving source to the first roller; A recording device comprising:

[0207] Item 31. Item 31. The recording device according to item 30, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, the transmission mechanism is disposed on one side of the mounting unit in the left-right direction of the recording device, and includes an input unit to which the driving force is input. A recording device comprising:

[0208] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0209] 1 Recording device, 1A Recording device

Claims

1. a main body including a transport path for transporting a recording medium to a recording head; a detachable unit that forms a portion of the transport path and is detachable from the main body; A recording device comprising: The detachable unit includes: A first path forming member; A second path forming member that forms the section together with the first path forming member; a lever member that is provided to rotate from a first position protruding into the section to a second position avoiding the recording medium by contacting the recording medium being transported through the section, A recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, In the first position, the lever member protrudes into a region between the first path forming member and the second path forming member. A recording apparatus comprising:

3. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, The main body includes a detection means for detecting the position of the lever member. A recording apparatus comprising:

4. 4. The recording device according to claim 3, the detection means is an optical sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, a light blocking piece that rotates together with the lever member and blocks light from the light emitting unit toward the light receiving unit; When the detachable unit is detached from the main body, the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. A recording apparatus comprising:

5. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, A recording apparatus comprising:

6. 5. The recording device according to claim 4, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, the light blocking piece is disposed on one side of the removable unit in the left-right direction of the recording device, A recording apparatus comprising:

7. a main body including a transport path for transporting a recording medium to a recording head; a detachable unit that forms a portion of the transport path and is detachable from the main body; A recording device comprising: The detachable unit includes: A first path forming member; A second path forming member that forms the section together with the first path forming member; a first roller and a second roller that transport the recording medium in the section, the first roller is supported rotatably between a position where it is in pressure contact with the second roller and a position where it is spaced apart from the second roller; A recording apparatus comprising:

8. 8. The recording device according to claim 7, the first roller is a drive roller to which a driving force is transmitted from a rotor provided coaxially with a rotation axis of the first roller, a rotational force is generated in a direction in which the first roller is in pressure contact with the second roller by the rotation of the rotating body; A recording apparatus comprising:

9. 8. The recording device according to claim 7, The detachable unit includes: a third roller for transporting the recording medium, the third roller being disposed downstream of the first roller and the second roller in a transport direction of the recording medium; A recording apparatus comprising:

10. 8. The recording device according to claim 7, the main body includes a drive source for the first roller, the mounting unit includes a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force of the driving source to the first roller; A recording apparatus comprising:

11. 11. The recording device according to claim 10, the detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the main body from a front surface of the main body in a front-rear direction of the recording device, the transmission mechanism is disposed on one side of the mounting unit in the left-right direction of the recording device, and includes an input unit to which the driving force is input. A recording apparatus comprising:

Images