Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that facilitates placement of a medium at a proper position on a manual feed unit.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a conveyance path T along which a medium M is conveyed; a conveyance unit 20 that conveys the medium M along the conveyance path T in a conveyance direction; a discharge head 11 that discharges liquid onto the medium M conveyed along the conveyance path T; a manual feed unit 8 that supplies the manually inserted medium M to the conveyance path T; a sheet discharge tray 6 that is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction relative to the conveyance path T and on which the medium M discharged from the conveyance path T is placed; and a regulation unit 40 that regulates movement of the medium M manually inserted to the manual feed unit 8 to the downstream side on the upstream side in the conveyance direction relative to the position facing the discharge head 11 in the conveyance path T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming device that includes a manual feed tray into which a medium such as thick paper is manually fed, an image forming section that forms an image on the medium, and a paper output tray into which the medium with the image formed is output. The manual feed tray and the paper output tray are provided on opposite sides of the device body. Therefore, the medium fed from the manual feed tray is transported to the paper output tray without bending. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-27159 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a configuration in which the medium is manually inserted, such as the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where the medium is inserted further than the position where it should be inserted, or where the medium is not inserted sufficiently. In such cases, the medium is not transported normally, and it becomes necessary to reinsert the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image forming device is characterized by comprising a transport path along which a medium is transported, a transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction along the transport path, an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium transported along the transport path, a manual feed unit that supplies the manually inserted medium to the transport path, an ejection tray that is positioned downstream of the transport path in the transport direction and on which the medium ejected from the transport path is placed, and a regulating unit that, upstream of a position on the transport path opposite the image forming unit, regulates the medium manually inserted into the manual feed unit from moving downstream. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the printer with the rear cover closed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the printer with the rear cover open. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified internal configuration of a housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration on the downstream side of a manual feeding unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a restriction portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the restriction portion according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the stopper is located at a restriction position. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the restriction portion according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the stopper is located at the retracted position. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a restricting portion according to a second embodiment, with the rear cover in a closed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the restricting portion of the second embodiment, with the rear cover in a closed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the restricting portion of the second embodiment with the rear cover open. [Figure 12]FIG. 13 is a side view showing the restricting portion of the second embodiment, illustrating a state in which the stopper has been displaced to a retracted position with the rear cover open. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a restricting portion according to a third embodiment, with the rear cover in a closed state. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the restricting portion of the third embodiment, with the rear cover in a closed state. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the restricting portion of the third embodiment, illustrating the state immediately after the rear cover is opened. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the restriction portion of the third embodiment, illustrating a state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rear cover was opened. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the rear side of a printer according to a modified example with the rear cover open. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a stopper of a printer according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a stopper of a printer according to a modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a stopper of a printer according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] 1. First embodiment The printer 1 of the first embodiment will be described below. Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views of the printer 1, with Figure 1 showing the front side of the printer 1 and Figures 2 and 3 showing the rear side of the printer 1. Also, Figure 2 shows the printer with the rear cover 7 closed, and Figure 3 shows the printer with the rear cover 7 open. The printer 1 is an inkjet printer that prints, i.e., forms an image, by ejecting a liquid, typically ink, onto a medium M (see FIG. 4), typically recording paper. The printer 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The printer 1 of this embodiment is a multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit on top.

[0008] Each figure shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that intersect with one another. In this embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The X-axis is parallel to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the width direction of the printer 1. The Y-axis is parallel to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 1. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the height direction of the printer 1.

[0009] Hereinafter, the +X direction parallel to the X axis is the left direction when facing the front of the printer 1. The -X direction parallel to the X axis is the opposite direction of the +X direction. The +Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the direction from the rear to the front of the printer 1. The -Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the opposite direction of the +Y direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the direction upward from the installation surface of the printer 1. The -Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the opposite direction of the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the ±Z directions are parallel to the vertical direction.

[0010] The printer 1 has a housing 2 that constitutes the exterior. A top cover 3 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 2 is disposed on the top surface of the housing 2. When the top cover 3 is opened, a document table of a scanner unit (not shown) is exposed. A user can place a document on the document table to have the scanner unit read the document.

[0011] A front cover 4 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 2 is disposed on the front of the printer 1. When the front cover 4 is opened, a medium storage cassette 5 (see FIG. 4) that stores unprinted medium M and a paper output tray 6 (see FIG. 4) on which printed medium M is placed are revealed.

[0012] A rear cover 7 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 2 is disposed on the rear of the housing 2. The rear cover 7 can rotate approximately 90° around a rotation axis along the X-axis. A user can open the rear cover 7 by rotating the rear cover 7 so as to tilt the upper part of the rear cover 7 in the -Y direction when the rear cover 7 is closed. When the rear cover 7 is opened, the manual feed unit 8 disposed on the rear side of the rear cover 7 appears. In other words, the rear cover 7 covers the manual feed unit 8 when closed. The manual feed unit 8 is used when printing on a type of medium M different from the medium M contained in the medium containing cassette 5. The manual feed unit 8 supplies the medium M manually inserted by the user to a transport path T (see FIG. 4) described later. The rear cover 7 is an example of an opening / closing unit.

[0013] The manual feed unit 8 has a mounting surface 8a that is approximately parallel to the XY plane when the rear cover 7 is open. The medium M to be printed is mounted on the mounting surface 8a. The manual feed unit 8 is equipped with an auxiliary plate 8b that can protrude in the -Y direction. The auxiliary plate 8b can be stored inside the manual feed unit 8, and is pulled out by the user when a relatively large medium M is to be mounted on the manual feed unit 8. When the auxiliary plate 8b is pulled out, the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 8b is considered to be part of the mounting surface 8a. In addition, a pair of side end regulation parts 8c that regulate the position of the medium M in the ±X directions are arranged on the mounting surface 8a.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified internal configuration of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, a medium storage cassette 5 capable of storing multiple media M is disposed on the underside of the housing 2. The medium storage cassette 5 is detachable from the housing 2. When storing media M in the medium storage cassette 5, the user removes the medium storage cassette 5 from the housing 2. Then, after storing the media M, the user attaches the medium storage cassette 5 to the housing 2. Inside the medium storage cassette 5, the multiple media M are stacked in a position approximately parallel to the XY plane.

[0015] The printer 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device such as a memory. The control unit 30 controls the operation of the printer 1 according to a program stored in the storage device.

[0016] The printer 1 includes a recording unit 10. The recording unit 10 has an ejection head 11 as an image forming unit, and a carriage 12. The ejection head 11 ejects liquid onto a medium M transported along a transport path T. The carriage 12 holds the ejection head 11, and is capable of reciprocating along the X axis by a movement mechanism (not shown). The ejection head 11 ejects liquid while moving along the X axis together with the carriage 12, thereby forming an image on the medium M. A platen 13 that supports the medium M from below is disposed on the -Z direction side of the ejection head 11. The ejection head 11 ejects liquid onto the medium M on the platen 13.

[0017] The printer 1 includes a transport unit 20. The transport unit 20 includes a feed roller 21, a first roller pair 22, a second roller pair 23, and a third roller pair 24. The transport unit 20 transports the medium M along the transport path T. Specifically, the transport unit 20 transports the medium M stored in the medium storage cassette 5 and the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8 to a position facing the ejection head 11, and transports the printed medium M toward the discharge tray 6. The first roller pair 22, the second roller pair 23, and the third roller pair 24 each include a pair of upper and lower rollers, and nip and transport the medium M with the two rollers. One of the pair of rollers is rotated by a drive device (not shown).

[0018] The printer 1 includes a transport path T, which is a path along which the medium M is transported. The transport path T is defined by a paper feed roller 21, a first roller pair 22, a second roller pair 23, a third roller pair 24, a platen 13, a guide member 26 (described later), and the like. In this embodiment, the transport path T includes a reversal path T1 along which the medium M contained in the medium storage cassette 5 is transported, and a common transport path T2 along which both the medium M contained in the medium storage cassette 5 and the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8 are transported. In the following description, the direction along which the medium M is transported along the transport path T is also referred to as the "transport direction". In the common transport path T2, the transport direction is the +Y direction. In addition, hereinafter, the downstream and upstream in the transport direction are also simply referred to as the "downstream" and "upstream".

[0019] The paper feed roller 21 rotates while in contact with the medium M stored in the medium storage cassette 5, thereby sending the uppermost medium M toward the first roller pair 22. The path from the medium storage cassette 5 to the first roller pair 22 is the reversing path T1. The reversing path T1 is a path that curves so as to be convex in the -Y direction, and on the reversing path T1, the medium M is reversed approximately 180°.

[0020] The first roller pair 22 is provided downstream of the paper feed roller 21 and downstream of the manual feed unit 8, i.e., on the +Y direction side of the manual feed unit 8. The first roller pair 22 transports the medium M transported from the medium storage cassette 5 and the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8 in the +Y direction toward the second roller pair 23. The first roller pair 22 is disposed upstream of a second detection unit 32, which will be described later. The first roller pair 22 is an example of a transport roller pair.

[0021] The second roller pair 23 is provided downstream of the first roller pair 22 and upstream of the discharge head 11. The second roller pair 23 transports the medium M in the +Y direction toward a position facing the discharge head 11. An image is formed on the transported medium M by the discharge head 11.

[0022] The third roller pair 24 is provided downstream of the ejection head 11. The third roller pair 24 transports the printed medium M towards the discharge tray 6. The path from the first roller pair 22 to the discharge tray 6 is the common transport path T2. The common transport path T2 is a path downstream of the reversal path T1. In other words, the discharge tray 6 is disposed downstream of the common transport path T2, i.e., downstream of the transport path T. The medium M discharged from the transport path T is placed on the discharge tray 6. The discharge tray 6 is an example of a discharge tray.

[0023] As described above, the reversing path T1 along which the medium M contained in the medium containing cassette 5 passes is curved, and therefore the medium M contained in the medium containing cassette 5 is relatively flexible and capable of passing through the reversing path T1. On the other hand, the common transport path T2 along which the medium M placed on the manual feed unit 8 is transported is linear, and therefore the manual feed unit 8 is used when printing on a medium M that is relatively less flexible, such as cardboard.

[0024] A first detection unit 31 that detects medium M is disposed downstream of manual feed unit 8 and upstream of first roller pair 22. First detection unit 31 is configured, for example, with a contact-type sensor, and detects medium M placed on placement surface 8a of manual feed unit 8. The detection result of first detection unit 31 is output to control unit 30. Based on the detection result of first detection unit 31, control unit 30 determines whether medium M is placed in manual feed unit 8.

[0025] A second detection unit 32 for detecting the downstream end of the medium M is disposed downstream of the first roller pair 22 and upstream of the second roller pair 23. That is, the second detection unit 32 is disposed upstream of the position facing the ejection head 11 on the conveying path T. The second detection unit 32 is, for example, configured as a contact sensor, and detects the medium M conveyed by the first roller pair 22. The detection result of the second detection unit 32 is output to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 specifies the position of the downstream end of the medium M based on the timing when the second detection unit 32 detects the medium M. The control unit 30 can also specify the position of the upstream end of the medium M based on the timing when the second detection unit 32 stops detecting the medium M. The first detection unit 31 and the second detection unit 32 are not limited to contact sensors, and may be, for example, optical sensors. The second detection unit 32 is an example of a medium detection unit.

[0026] Between the first roller pair 22 and the second detection unit 32, that is, downstream of the first roller pair 22 and upstream of the second detection unit 32, a stopper 41 constituting the regulating unit 40 is disposed. The regulating unit 40 regulates the movement of the medium M manually inserted into the manual feed unit 8 downstream by the stopper 41, upstream of the position facing the ejection head 11 of the conveying path T. The stopper 41 is movable in the vertical direction, that is, in the ±Z direction. Specifically, the stopper 41 is displaceable between a regulating position on the +Z direction side and a retreat position on the -Z direction side. When the stopper 41 is in the regulating position, the upper end of the stopper 41 enters the common conveying path T2 and regulates the movement of the medium M. On the other hand, when the stopper 41 is in the retreat position, the upper end of the stopper 41 retreats from the common conveying path T2, and the medium M can be conveyed on the common conveying path T2. In this way, the regulating position is a position where downstream movement of the medium M is regulated, and the retracted position is a position where downstream movement of the medium M is not regulated. The regulating position is an example of a first position, and the retracted position is an example of a second position.

[0027] When placing the medium M on the manual feed unit 8, if the downstream end of the medium M is placed so that it is located upstream of the first roller pair 22, the medium M cannot be transported by the first roller pair 22. Furthermore, if the downstream end of the medium M is placed so that it is located downstream of the second detection unit 32, the control unit 30 cannot identify the position of the downstream end of the medium M, and printing cannot be performed in the correct position. For this reason, the user needs to place the medium M so that the downstream end of the medium M is located downstream of the first roller pair 22 and upstream of the second detection unit 32.

[0028] Therefore, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the regulating position before the medium M is placed in the manual feed unit 8. In this case, the user can place the medium M in an appropriate position by inserting the medium M until the downstream end of the medium M passes through the first roller pair 22 and abuts against the stopper 41. When printing on the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the retracted position before the first roller pair 22 transports the medium M. Also, when printing on the medium M stored in the medium storage cassette 5, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the retracted position.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration on the downstream side of the manual feed unit 8. As shown in FIG. 5, a guide member 26 that defines a transport path T is disposed downstream of the manual feed unit 8. In this embodiment, the guide member 26 rotatably supports the lower roller of the first roller pair 22. The guide member 26 is formed with a notch 26a that penetrates in the ±Z directions, and the stopper 41 can protrude upward through this notch 26a.

[0030] In order to improve the ease of removing the jammed medium M when a jam or the like occurs around the guide member 26, the guide member 26 is configured to be detachable from the housing 2. The notch 26a of the guide member 26 extends from the position where the stopper 41 is disposed to the end on the +Y direction side. Therefore, when removing the guide member 26, the guide member 26 can be pulled out in the -Y direction without being hindered by the stopper 41.

[0031] In addition, the stopper 41 is disposed at the center of the guide member 26 in the direction along the X-axis. As a result, when medium M is inserted from the manual feed unit 8 toward the stopper 41, the center portion in the width direction of the edge of medium M abuts against the stopper 41, preventing medium M from skewing when the abutment occurs. In addition, the guide member 26 can be easily pulled out relative to the stopper 41.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the restriction portion 40. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are side views showing the configuration of the restriction portion 40, Fig. 7 is a view showing a state in which the stopper 41 is located at the restriction position, and Fig. 8 is a view showing a state in which the stopper 41 is located at the retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the restriction portion 40 has a stopper 41, a lever portion 42, an eccentric cam 43, and a drive portion 44. The stopper 41 is rod-shaped and disposed along the Z axis. The stopper 41 is movable in the ±Z directions, but is restricted from moving in other directions by the guide member 26 or the like.

[0033] The lever portion 42 is rotatably supported by the structure 2a in the housing 2 on the -Z direction side of the stopper 41. A rotation shaft 42a is provided at one end of the lever portion 42, and the lever portion 42 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 42a. The lever portion 42 abuts against the stopper 41 at the other end. Specifically, the lever portion 42 abuts against the lower surface of the stopper 41 at its upper surface, and supports the stopper 41. Note that the position of the stopper 41 that the lever portion 42 abuts against is not limited to the lowest end of the stopper 41. For example, if a convex portion is formed at the middle position of the stopper 41 in the ±Z direction, the lever portion 42 may abut against the lower surface of this convex portion. In other words, the lever portion 42 may abut against the surface of the stopper 41 that faces downward.

[0034] The eccentric cam 43 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the lever portion 42. The eccentric cam 43 is attached to an axial camshaft 43a and can rotate together with the camshaft 43a, with the camshaft 43a as the rotation axis. The camshaft 43a is rotatably supported by a structure (not shown) in the housing 2. The outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 43 abuts against the lower surface of the lever portion 42. When viewed from the ±X direction, the distance from the central axis of the camshaft 43a to the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 43 changes depending on the position in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the eccentric cam 43 rotates, the lever portion 42 rotates within a predetermined angle range. This rotation of the lever portion 42, i.e., the change in the attitude of the lever portion 42, displaces the stopper 41 in the vertical direction.

[0035] The drive unit 44 is connected to the camshaft 43a of the eccentric cam 43. The drive unit 44 includes a drive device such as a motor (not shown) and gears or the like that transmit the drive force of the drive device, and rotates the eccentric cam 43. Note that the regulating unit 40 may be provided with a dedicated drive device, or the drive force of the drive device that drives the conveying unit 20 may be transmitted via a clutch mechanism or the like.

[0036] The rotation of the eccentric cam 43 by the drive unit 44 is controlled by the control unit 30. That is, the control unit 30 can switch the position of the stopper 41 between the restriction position and the retracted position by controlling the rotation of the eccentric cam 43. In other words, the drive unit 44 displaces the stopper 41 by rotating the eccentric cam 43 based on the control of the control unit 30. Specifically, the drive unit 44 rotates the eccentric cam 43 and rotates the lever unit 42 so that the stopper 41 rises, thereby displacing the stopper 41 to the restriction position. In addition, the drive unit 44 rotates the eccentric cam 43 and rotates the lever unit 42 so that the stopper 41 descends, thereby displacing the stopper 41 to the retracted position.

[0037] When the transport unit 20 is not transporting the medium M, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the regulating position. At this time, the user can place the medium M at an appropriate position in the manual feed unit 8 by inserting the medium M into the manual feed unit 8 until it abuts against the stopper 41. When printing on the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8 or the medium M contained in the medium containing cassette 5, the control unit 30 controls the drive unit 44 to displace the stopper 41 to the retracted position before the transport unit 20 starts transporting the medium M. Then, after the transport of the medium M is completed, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the regulating position again.

[0038] As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment has the following advantages.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the movement of medium M manually inserted into manual feed unit 8 is restricted by restriction unit 40. Therefore, by inserting medium M until it is restricted by restriction unit 40, the user can easily place medium M in an appropriate position, and there is no need to reposition medium M.

[0040] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movement of the medium M manually inserted into the manual feed unit 8 is restricted by the stopper 41 being displaced to the restricting position, making it easy to place the medium M in an appropriate position. Furthermore, the restriction is released by the stopper 41 being displaced to the retracted position, making it possible to transport the medium M to a position facing the ejection head 11.

[0041] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the position of the stopper 41 is displaced by the rotation of the eccentric cam 43, so that the position of the stopper 41 can be easily switched between the restricting position and the retracted position.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rotation of the eccentric cam 43 rotates the lever portion 42, and the rotation of the lever portion 42 moves the stopper 41 up and down. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately adjust the amount of displacement of the stopper 41 depending on the position where the lever portion 42 and the stopper 41 contact each other and the position where the lever portion 42 and the eccentric cam 43 contact each other.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the stopper 41 is disposed between the first roller pair 22 and the second detection unit 32, the downstream end of the medium M manually inserted into the manual feed unit 8 is located between the first roller pair 22 and the second detection unit 32. As a result, the first roller pair 22 is capable of transporting the manually inserted medium M, and the second detection unit 32 is capable of detecting the downstream end of the medium M during the process of transporting the manually inserted medium M.

[0044] The number of stoppers 41 may be two or more. In this case, for example, the stoppers 41 are arranged in parallel with a gap between them along the X-axis. Also, the stoppers 41 are configured to be displaceable between the regulating position and the retracted position in synchronization. In this way, when the user inserts the medium M toward the stoppers 41, the medium M is regulated with its edge abutting against the multiple stoppers 41, so that the medium M can be placed in an appropriate position with skew of the medium M suppressed.

[0045] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The printer 1 of this embodiment has a regulating unit 40A that is different from the regulating unit 40 of the first embodiment. The regulating unit 40A of this embodiment differs from the regulating unit 40 of the first embodiment in that the position of the stopper 41 changes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the rear cover 7. The configuration other than the regulating unit 40A is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the restricting portion 40A of this embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a side view showing the restricting portion 40A. These figures show a state in which the rear cover 7 is closed, and in addition to the restricting portion 40A, both figures also show the rear cover 7 and the manual feed portion 8.

[0047] 9 and 10, the restriction portion 40A of the present embodiment has a stopper 41, a lever portion 45, an eccentric cam 43, a drive portion 44, an interlocking cam 46, and a cam link 47. Among these, the stopper 41, the eccentric cam 43, and the drive portion 44 have the same configurations as those of the first embodiment.

[0048] When the rear cover 7 is closed, the interlocking cam 46 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the rear cover 7 and on the +X direction side of the rear cover 7. The interlocking cam 46 is fixed to the rear cover 7. Therefore, when the rear cover 7 is opened or closed, the interlocking cam 46 rotates around the rotation axis 7a of the rear cover 7 in conjunction with the opening or closing of the rear cover 7.

[0049] When the rear cover 7 is closed, the interlocking cam 46 extends in the -Z direction. The interlocking cam 46 also has an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface that is convex in the +Y direction. The outer peripheral surface is eccentric with respect to the rotation shaft 7a, and the distance from the rotation shaft 7a to the outer peripheral surface becomes longer in the -Z direction.

[0050] The cam link 47 is formed in a shape in which a rectangular columnar member is bent multiple times. One end of the cam link 47 abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the interlocking cam 46. In the process from this one end to the other end, the cam link 47 extends in the +Y direction, and then extends in the -Z direction, the -X direction, and the +Y direction in this order. The cam link 47 is movable in the ±Y direction, but movement in other directions is restricted by a structure (not shown) in the housing 2. In addition, the cam link 47 is biased in the -Y direction by a biasing means (not shown). In other words, one end of the cam link 47 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the interlocking cam 46. The cam link 47 is an example of a link member.

[0051] The lever portion 45 of this embodiment is attached to the other end side of the cam link 47. That is, the cam link 47 is interposed between the interlocking cam 46 and the lever portion 45. The lever portion 45 is a member extending along the Y axis, and is rotatably supported by the cam link 47 at the end on the -Y direction side. The lever portion 45 has an inclined surface 45a at the end on the +Y direction side, which descends toward the +Y direction, and this inclined surface 45a abuts against the lower surface of the stopper 41. When the rear cover 7 is closed, the lower surface of the stopper 41 abuts against the end on the +Y direction side of the lever portion 45, i.e., a relatively low portion of the inclined surface 45a. The +Y direction is an example of a first direction.

[0052] As with the lever portion 42 of the first embodiment, the lower surface of the lever portion 45 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 43. When the eccentric cam 43 rotates under the control of the control unit 30, the lever portion 45 rotates within a predetermined angle range. This rotation of the lever portion 45 displaces the stopper 41 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the control unit 30 abuts the lower surface of the stopper 41 at the highest position of the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 43 when the rear cover 7 is closed. However, when the rear cover 7 is closed, the lower surface of the stopper 41 abuts against a relatively low position of the inclined surface 45a of the lever portion 45, so that the stopper 41 does not reach the regulating position. In other words, the stopper 41 is in the retracted position.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the restriction portion 40A with the rear cover 7 open. As shown in FIG. 11, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 also rotates at the same time. As a result, the position of the interlocking cam 46 changes from a position extending in the -Z direction to a position extending in the +Y direction. Therefore, the cam link 47 is pressed in the +Y direction by the interlocking cam 46. When the cam link 47 is pressed by the interlocking cam 46 and moves in the +Y direction, the lever portion 45 also moves in the +Y direction together with the cam link 47. In other words, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 presses the lever portion 45 in the +Y direction via the cam link 47. Then, as the lever portion 45 moves in the +Y direction, the stopper 41 rises along the inclined surface 45a and is displaced to the regulating position. Thus, in this embodiment, the stopper 41 is displaced from the retracted position to the regulating position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the restricting portion 40A, and illustrates a state in which the stopper 41 has been displaced to the retracted position with the rear cover 7 open. 12, the control unit 30 controls the drive unit 44 to rotate the eccentric cam 43, thereby changing the attitude of the lever unit 45 and displacing the stopper 41 to the retracted position. In other words, the drive unit 44 rotates the eccentric cam 43 to rotate the lever unit 45 so that the stopper 41 descends, thereby displacing the stopper 41 to the retracted position. In this way, the control unit 30 can switch the position of the stopper 41 between the restricting position and the retracted position when the rear cover 7 is open.

[0055] That is, in this embodiment, when the user opens the rear cover 7, the stopper 41 is displaced to the restricting position. At this time, the user can place the medium M at an appropriate position in the manual feed unit 8 by inserting the medium M in the manual feed unit 8 until it abuts against the stopper 41. Furthermore, when printing is performed on the medium M placed in the manual feed unit 8 or the medium M contained in the medium containing cassette 5, the control unit 30 controls the drive unit 44 to displace the stopper 41 to the retracted position before the conveyance unit 20 starts conveying the medium M. Then, the control unit 30 displaces the stopper 41 to the restricting position again after the conveyance of the medium M is completed.

[0056] Thereafter, when the rear cover 7 is closed, the cam link 47 moves in the -Y direction together with the lever portion 45. When the lever portion 45 moves in the -Y direction, the stopper 41 moves down along the inclined surface 45a and is displaced to the retracted position. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the rear cover 7 is closed, the control unit 30 does not need to control the displacement of the stopper 41.

[0057] As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment has the following advantages.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the stopper 41 is displaced to the regulating position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7, so that when the rear cover 7 is opened and the medium M is manually inserted into the manual feed section 8, the movement of the medium M can be reliably regulated.

[0059] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The printer 1 of this embodiment includes a regulating unit 40B that is different from the regulating unit 40 of the first embodiment and the regulating unit 40A of the second embodiment. Like the regulating unit 40A of the second embodiment, the regulating unit 40B of this embodiment displaces the stopper 41 to the regulating position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7. However, it differs from the regulating unit 40A in that the stopper 41 switches from the regulating position to the retracted position without control by the control unit 30. The configuration other than the regulating unit 40B is the same as in the second embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the restricting portion 40B of this embodiment, and Fig. 14 is a side view showing the restricting portion 40B. These figures show a state in which the rear cover 7 is closed, and in addition to the restricting portion 40B, both figures also show the rear cover 7 and the manual feed portion 8.

[0061] 13 and 14, the restriction portion 40B of the present embodiment has a stopper 41, a lever portion 48, an interlocking cam 46, a cam link 49, a damper 50, and a lever support portion 51. The restriction portion 40B of the present embodiment does not include an eccentric cam 43 and a drive portion 44. Also, the stopper 41 and the interlocking cam 46 have the same configuration as in the second embodiment.

[0062] The cam link 49 has a similar configuration to the cam link 47 of the second embodiment, but differs from the cam link 47 of the second embodiment in that a damper 50 is fixed to the other end side. In other words, the cam link 49 is interposed between the interlocking cam 46 and the damper 50. The cam link 49 is an example of a link member.

[0063] The damper 50 is, for example, a rotary damper, and supports the lever portion 48 so that the lever portion 48 is rotatable.

[0064] Like lever portion 45 of the second embodiment, lever portion 48 is a member extending along the Y axis, and its end portion on the -Y direction side is rotatably supported by damper 50. Lever portion 48 has, at its end portion on the +Y direction side, an inclined surface 48a that descends toward the +Y direction, and this inclined surface 48a abuts against the lower surface of stopper 41. When rear cover 7 is in a closed state, the lower surface of stopper 41 abuts against the end portion on the +Y direction side of lever portion 48, i.e., a relatively low portion of inclined surface 48a.

[0065] A lever support part 51 is disposed below the lever part 48. The lever support part 51 is fixed to a structure (not shown) inside the housing 2, and movement in each direction is restricted. The lever support part 51 supports the lever part 48, and restricts the lever part 48 from rotating due to its own weight and the weight of the stopper 41. The lever support part 51 is an example of a support part.

[0066] Fig. 15 is a side view showing the restriction portion 40B, illustrating a state immediately after the rear cover 7 is opened, and Fig. 16 is a side view showing the restriction portion 40B, illustrating a state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rear cover 7 was opened. As shown in FIG. 15, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 also rotates at the same time. As a result, the position of the interlocking cam 46 changes from a position extending in the -Z direction to a position extending in the +Y direction. Therefore, the cam link 49 is pressed in the +Y direction by the interlocking cam 46. When the cam link 49 is pressed by the interlocking cam 46 and moves in the +Y direction, the damper 50 and the lever portion 48 also move in the +Y direction together with the cam link 49. In other words, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 presses the damper 50 in the +Y direction via the cam link 49, and moves the damper 50 and the lever portion 48 in the +Y direction. Then, the lever portion 48 moves in the +Y direction together with the damper 50, so that the stopper 41 rises along the inclined surface 48a and is displaced to the regulating position. In this way, in this embodiment, the stopper 41 is displaced to the regulating position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7.

[0067] On the other hand, when lever portion 48 moves in the +Y direction as described above, lever portion 48 is positioned so as not to overlap lever support portion 51 when viewed from the ±Z directions. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 16, by moving in the +Y direction, lever portion 48 is released from the restriction of lever support portion 51 and rotates due to its own weight and the weight of stopper 41. Here, the angle by which lever portion 48 rotates is restricted to a predetermined angle by a restricting means (not shown). Then, as lever portion 48 rotates by the predetermined angle, stopper 41 descends and is displaced to the retracted position.

[0068] Here, since the lever portion 48 is supported by the damper 50, it rotates slowly over time after it is released from the restriction of the lever support portion 51. In other words, the stopper 41 naturally moves to the retracted position after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rear cover 7 is opened and the stopper 41 moves to the restricted position. The predetermined time until the stopper 41 moves to the retracted position depends on the specifications of the damper 50, but it is desirable for the stopper 41 to remain in a position capable of restricting the movement of the medium M for, for example, about 5 seconds.

[0069] As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment has the following advantages.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the stopper 41 is displaced to the restricting position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7, so that when the rear cover 7 is opened and the medium M is manually inserted into the manual feed unit 8, the movement of the medium M can be reliably restricted. In addition, when the stopper 41 is displaced to the restricting position, the lever portion 48 that abuts against the lower surface of the stopper 41 is released from the restriction of the lever support portion 51 and rotates, so that the stopper 41 is naturally displaced to the retracted position. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a drive portion to displace the stopper 41 to the retracted position. Here, since the lever portion 48 is supported by the damper 50, the stopper 41 is prevented from descending to the retracted position immediately after being displaced to the restricting position. Therefore, when the medium M is manually inserted into the manual feed unit 8, the movement of the medium M can be restricted.

[0071] This embodiment is based on the above configuration, but it is possible to partially change or omit the configuration without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, this embodiment and the modified examples described below can be combined with each other within a technically compatible range. The modified examples are described below.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 17, in each of the above embodiments, it is desirable to display an auxiliary line L specifying the position where the medium M should be placed on the placement surface 8a including the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 8b according to the size of the medium M that is frequently used. The auxiliary line L may include, for example, a first auxiliary line L1 indicating the position of the upstream end of the medium M when the medium M is placed in an appropriate position, and a second auxiliary line L2 indicating the position of the upstream end of the medium M when the medium M is placed in the upstream limit position where the medium M can be normally transported. The auxiliary line L may also include a third auxiliary line indicating the position of the upstream end of the medium M when the medium M is placed in the downstream limit position where the medium M can be normally transported. According to this configuration, since the auxiliary line L specifying the position where the medium M should be placed is displayed on the placement surface 8a of the manual feed unit 8, the user can visually recognize whether the medium M is placed in the appropriate position of the manual feed unit 8 in addition to the restriction by the restriction unit 40.

[0073] In the configuration in which the stopper 41 is displaced to the restricting position in conjunction with the opening of the rear cover 7 as in the second and third embodiments described above, when the rear cover 7 is opened while the medium M supplied from the medium storage cassette 5 is being transported, the medium M may interfere with the stopper 41. For this reason, it is preferable that the printer 1 includes an opening restricting unit that restricts the rear cover 7 from opening when the rear cover 7 is closed. According to this configuration, the rear cover 7 does not open while the medium M supplied from the medium storage cassette 5 is being transported, so that the medium M can be prevented from interfering with the stopper 41. The opening restricting unit may be, for example, a locking mechanism that switches between a locked state in which the rear cover 7 is restricted from being opened and an unlocked state in which the rear cover 7 can be opened based on the control of the control unit 30. In this case, the control unit 30 may lock the rear cover 7 when the medium M supplied from the medium storage cassette 5 is being transported, and unlock the rear cover 7 after the transport of the medium M is completed or when the upstream end of the medium M is detected by the second detection unit 32.

[0074] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, at least when the medium M supplied from the medium storage cassette 5 is in the middle of being transported, the control unit 30 may rotate the eccentric cam 43 to rotate the lever unit 45 so that the stopper 41 descends. In this case, even if the rear cover 7 is opened while the medium M is being transported and the stopper 41 ascends, the stopper 41 does not reach the regulating position, and therefore the medium M does not interfere with the stopper 41.

[0075] In the above first and second embodiments, the drive unit 44 rotates the eccentric cam 43, which then rotates the lever units 42, 45 to displace the stopper 41 in the up-down direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the stopper 41 may be disposed on the eccentric cam 43, and the eccentric cam 43 may directly displace the stopper 41 in the up-down direction without using the lever units 42, 45.

[0076] In the above-described restriction unit 40A of the second embodiment, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 presses the lever portion 42 in the +Y direction via the cam link 47. In addition, in the above-described restriction unit 40B of the third embodiment, when the rear cover 7 is opened, the interlocking cam 46 presses the damper 50 in the +Y direction via the cam link 49. However, the configuration of the restriction units 40A and 40B is not limited to this configuration, and the interlocking cam 46 may directly press the lever portion 42 or the damper 50 without passing through the cam links 47 and 49.

[0077] In each of the above-described embodiments, the manual feed unit 8 is disposed behind the rear cover 7, but the configuration of the manual feed unit 8 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the manual feed unit 8 may be accommodated inside the housing 2 when the rear cover 7 is closed, and may be pulled out in the -Y direction after the rear cover 7 is opened. Alternatively, the manual feed unit 8 may be configured to always protrude in the -Y direction, and the placement surface 8a may be covered by an openable and closable cover member. The manual feed unit 8 may be configured to be usable by opening the cover member. In this case, the cover member corresponds to the opening and closing unit. In other words, the opening and closing unit may be configured such that the manual feed unit 8 cannot be used when it is closed, and the manual feed unit 8 can be used when it is open.

[0078] In the above-described embodiments, the stopper 41 that can move in the vertical direction is raised to restrict the movement of the medium M, but the form of the stopper 41 is not limited to the above. For example, the stopper 41 may be lowered from a retracted position above the transport path T to restrict the movement of the medium M. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, a configuration may be used in which a stopper 41A that can move in the ±X direction is provided on at least one of the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the transport path T. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, a configuration may be used in which a stopper 41B that can rotate around a rotation axis along the Z axis is provided on at least one of the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the transport path T, or as shown in FIG. 20, a configuration may be used in which a stopper 41C that can rotate around a rotation axis along the X axis is disposed above or below the transport path T. Also, although not shown, a configuration may be used in which a stopper that can rotate around a rotation axis along the Y axis is disposed above or below the transport path T.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the printer 1 is a device that forms an image on a medium M, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, etc. The printing method is not limited to the inkjet type, and may be a thermal type, a dot impact type, a laser type, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1... printer, 2... housing, 2a... structure, 3... top cover, 4... front cover, 5... media storage cassette, 6... paper output tray, 7... rear cover, 7a... rotation shaft, 8... manual feed section, 8a... placement surface, 8b... auxiliary plate, 8c... side edge regulating section, 10... recording section, 11... ejection head, 12... carriage, 13... platen, 20... transport section, 21... paper feed roller, 22... first roller pair, 23... second roller pair, 24... third roller pair, 26... guide member, 30... control section, 31 ...first detection unit, 32...second detection unit, 40, 40A, 40B...regulating unit, 41, 41A, 41B, 41C...stopper, 42, 45, 48...lever unit, 42a...rotating shaft, 43...eccentric cam, 43a...camshaft, 44...driving unit, 45a, 48a...inclined surface, 46...interlocking cam, 47, 49...cam link, 50...damper, 51...lever support unit, L...auxiliary line, L1...first auxiliary line, L2...second auxiliary line, M...medium, T...conveying path, T1...reversing path, T2...common conveying path.

Claims

1. a transport path along which the medium is transported; a transport unit that transports the medium in a transport direction along the transport path; an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium transported along the transport path; a manual feeding unit that feeds the manually-fed medium to the transport path; a discharge tray disposed downstream of the transport path in the transport direction, on which the medium discharged from the transport path is placed; an image forming apparatus comprising: a regulating section that regulates the medium manually inserted into the manual feed section from moving downstream, the regulating section being located upstream in the conveying direction of the conveying path from a position opposite the image forming section.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the regulating portion has a stopper that is displaceable between a first position where the movement of the medium toward the downstream side is regulated and a second position where the movement of the medium toward the downstream side is not regulated.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, The regulating portion is An eccentric cam; a drive unit that rotates the eccentric cam, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit rotates the eccentric cam to displace the stopper.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, the restricting portion has a lever portion that is rotatable and comes into contact with a lower surface of the stopper, The eccentric cam abuts against a lower surface of the lever portion, The drive unit is The eccentric cam is rotated to rotate the lever portion so that the stopper is raised, thereby displacing the stopper to the first position; an eccentric cam that is rotated to rotate the lever portion so that the stopper is lowered, thereby displacing the stopper to the second position;

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, an opening / closing section that is openable and closable relative to an exterior of the image forming apparatus and that covers the manual feed section when closed; The stopper is displaced from the second position to the first position in conjunction with the opening of the opening / closing portion.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The regulating portion is a lever portion that is rotatable and has an inclined surface at an end portion on a first direction side intersecting with a vertical direction, the inclined surface descending toward the first direction, the inclined surface abutting against a lower surface of the stopper; an eccentric cam that contacts the lower surface of the lever portion; A drive unit that rotates the eccentric cam; and a linking cam that rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit, When the opening / closing part is opened, the interlocking cam rotates to press the lever part in the first direction, and the lever part moves in the first direction, whereby the stopper rises along the inclined surface and is displaced to the first position, an actuator for rotating the eccentric cam and the lever portion so as to lower the stopper, thereby displacing the stopper to the second position;

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, the restricting portion has a link member interposed between the interlocking cam and the lever portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking cam presses the lever portion via the link member when the opening / closing portion is opened.

8. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The regulating portion is a lever portion having an inclined surface at an end portion on a first direction side intersecting with a vertical direction, the inclined surface contacting a lower surface of the stopper, the lever portion having an inclined surface that descends toward the first direction; a damper that rotatably supports the lever portion; a support portion that supports the lever portion and restricts rotation of the lever portion; and a linking cam that rotates in conjunction with the opening and closing of the opening / closing unit, When the opening / closing part is opened, the interlocking cam rotates to press the damper in the first direction, and the lever part moves in the first direction together with the damper, whereby the stopper rises along the inclined surface and is displaced to the first position, an image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the lever portion moves in the first direction, it is released from the restriction of the support portion and rotates under its own weight, and the stopper is lowered by the rotation of the lever portion and displaced to the second position.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, The regulating portion has a link member interposed between the interlocking cam and the damper, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking cam presses the damper via the link member when the opening / closing portion is opened.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising an opening restriction section that restricts the opening and closing section from opening when the opening and closing section is in a closed state.

11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, a medium detection unit that is disposed upstream of a position facing the image forming unit on the transport path and detects an end of the medium on the downstream side; the transport unit includes a transport roller pair that is disposed upstream of the medium detection unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is disposed between the pair of transport rollers and the medium detection unit.

12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the manual feed unit has a placement surface on which the medium is placed, An image forming apparatus, characterized in that an auxiliary line for designating a position where the medium should be placed is displayed on the placement surface.

Images