printer

Abstract

To provide a printer which is miniaturized by devising the arrangement position of the standby position of a cutting part.SOLUTION: A printer (1) comprises: an ink cartridge (8); conveyance rollers (60, 66); an image recording part (3); a cutting part (10); and a control part. The control part moves the cutting part (10) to the outer side with respect to a platen (34) in the scan direction to cut paper (P). A standby position (SB) for making the cutting part (10) stand by is arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction to a cartridge case (80) on the outer side with respect to the platen (34) in the scan direction. A portion of the cutting part (10) at the standby position (SB) is arranged such that the position in the width direction of the printer (1) overlaps the ink cartridge (8) in the plan view from the front side of the printer (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are printing devices equipped with a cutting unit for cutting print media. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing device equipped with a printing unit that prints on large-sized roll paper and a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper. The printing device in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the printing unit is provided on the top of a support pillar that is erected on a base, and is a large printing device that is placed on the floor for use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-109307 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a printing device that is placed on a table, if a cutter unit is to be installed, there is a problem that it cannot be made large like the printing device of Patent Document 1.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a printing device that has been made compact by devising an innovative positioning of the standby position of the cutting unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a liquid storage unit that stores liquid, a transport unit that transports a recording medium along a transport direction, an image recording unit that supports the recording medium transported by the transport unit with a platen and records an image on the recording medium, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium, and a control unit. The control unit cuts the recording medium by moving the cutting unit outward of the platen in a scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction. Outside the platen in the scanning direction, a standby position for keeping the cutting unit on standby is arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the printing device with respect to the liquid storage unit. At least a portion of the cutting unit in the standby position is arranged so that its position in the width direction of the printing device overlaps with that of the liquid storage unit when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device.

[0007] In the printing device having the above-mentioned configuration, the standby position for holding the cutting unit on standby and the liquid storage unit are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the printing device. Furthermore, a part of the cutting unit in the standby position is arranged so that, when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device, the part is positioned so that the position of the standby position overlaps with the liquid storage unit in the width direction of the printing device. In this way, by devising the position of the standby position, it is possible to realize a miniaturized printing device. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, by optimizing the position of the standby position of the cutting unit, it is possible to realize a miniaturized printing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the periphery of an image recording unit of the printing device according to the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 4]5 is a front view showing the standby position of the cutting unit and the position of the cartridge case of the printing device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view showing the top surface of a printer unit in a printing device according to an embodiment with an image reading unit open; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a cutting unit of the printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a sheet of paper before cutting and a first sheet of paper and a second sheet of paper resulting from cutting; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a control flow during printing by the printing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow when replacing a cutting unit of the printing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. [Printing device configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to this embodiment. The printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a printer unit 11, an image reading unit 12, and the like. The printer unit 11 has an inkjet printing function of recording print data specified by a print job on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid. The image reading unit 12 is rotatably provided above the image recording unit 3 in the printing device 1, and has a scanner function of reading an image recorded on the paper P.

[0011] The printing method is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be an electrophotographic method. The image printed on the paper P may be capable of color printing, or may be exclusively for monochrome printing. For the sake of convenience, the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction of the printing device 1 are defined below as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, based on the position of the printing device 1 installed on a horizontal surface so that it can be used. Specifically, the front of the printing device 1 is the discharge direction of the paper P, and the rear of the printing device 1 is the opposite direction to the discharge direction of the paper P. The front of the printing device 1 may be the direction in which the setting unit 123 where the user sets various settings is located, or the direction in which a display device such as a liquid crystal panel that notifies the user of various information related to printing is located.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 20 is formed on the front side of the printing device 1. A feed tray 21 and a discharge tray 22 (an example of a discharge section) are arranged in the opening 20 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The feed tray 21 is a case for storing a plurality of sheets of paper P, and has an open top. The discharge tray 22 is arranged above the feed tray 21, and supports the sheets of paper P on which an image has been recorded, the first sheet of paper P1, and the second sheet of paper P2. The size of the sheets of paper P is, for example, A4 size. Note that the sheets of paper P are not limited to paper media, and may also be other resin media such as overhead projector sheets.

[0013] 1, a setting unit 123 having a display screen is provided on the front of the printing device 1. The setting unit 123 is, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow a user to perform touch operations to perform various settings related to printing by the printing device 1 and replacement of the cutting unit 10. When the size of the paper P, whether or not to perform cutting processing, replacement of the cutting unit 10, etc. are set by the setting unit 123, the set information is output to the control unit 100 (see FIG. 8).

[0014] 1, a cartridge cover 81 is rotatably provided on the right side of the front of the printing device 1. Inside the cartridge cover 81, an ink cartridge 8 attached to a cartridge case 80 is disposed as shown in FIG. 4. The ink cartridge 8 is an example of a liquid storage section.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the printing device 1 is provided with a feed roller 23, a first transport path R1, transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, an image recording unit 3, a cutting unit 10, and a second transport path R2. The feed roller 23 and the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 are an example of a transport unit that transports the paper P in a first transport direction D1 (transport direction).

[0016] The feed roller 23 is a roller for feeding the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 to the first transport path R1. The feed roller 23 is rotatably supported at the tip of a feed arm 24. The feed arm 24 is rotatably supported on a shaft 25 supported on the frame of the printing device 1. The feed arm 24 is urged to rotate toward the feed tray 21 by its own weight or by elastic force due to a spring or the like.

[0017] The feed roller 23 rotates forward when the feed motor 107 (see FIG. 8) is driven. When the feed roller 23 rotates forward, the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 is fed one sheet at a time to the first transport path R1. The paper P fed to the first transport path R1 is transported in the first transport direction D1, that is, from the rear to the front of the printing device 1.

[0018] The first transport path R1 refers to a space formed by the guide members 41, 42, 43, and 44, the image recording unit 3, etc. The first transport path R1 extends upward from the rear end of the feed tray 21, curves in an area defined by the guide members 41 and 42, passes through the position of the image recording unit 3, extends linearly in an area defined by the guide members 43 and 44, and reaches the discharge tray 22.

[0019] A transport roller 60 is disposed upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A pinch roller 61 is disposed at a position facing the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor 108 (see FIG. 8). The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and transported to the image recording unit 3.

[0020] 2, a transport roller 62 is disposed on the first transport path R1 downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1. A spur roller 63 is disposed in a position facing an upper portion of the transport roller 62. The transport roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 62. As the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 and transported downstream in the first transport direction D1.

[0021] Further, a conveying roller 64 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 62 in the first conveying direction D1 in the first conveying path R1. A spur roller 65 is disposed at a position facing the upper part of the conveying roller 64. The conveying roller 64 is driven by a conveying motor 108. The spur roller 65 rotates with the rotation of the conveying roller 64. When the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate forward, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and conveyed to the cutting section 10 side. On the other hand, when the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate reversely, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and conveyed to the second conveying path R2 along the lower surface of the first flap 46.

[0022] A first flap 46 is provided between the transport roller 62 and the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1. The first flap 46 is disposed near a branch position Y facing the guide member 43. The first flap 46 is supported by the platen 34 so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state. In the first state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the first flap 46 abuts against the guide member 43 to block the first transport path R1. On the other hand, in the second state shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, the first flap 46 is located lower than in the first state and is separated from the guide member 43 to allow the paper P transported in the first transport direction D1 to pass through.

[0023] In addition, the first flap 46 is biased upward by a coil spring 47. One end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the first flap 46, and the other end is connected to the platen 34. The first flap 46 is biased by the coil spring 47 to enter the first state, and its front end abuts against the guide member 43.

[0024] A transport roller 66 is disposed downstream of the cutting section 10 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A spur roller 67 is disposed in a position facing the upper part of the transport roller 66. The transport roller 66 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 67 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 66. As the transport roller 66 and the spur roller 67 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 are transported by the transport roller 66 and discharged to the discharge tray 22.

[0025] In the first conveying path R1, the cutting section 10 is disposed between the conveying roller 64 and the conveying roller 66. As shown in Fig. 6, the cutting section 10 has a cutter unit 10C, and cuts the paper P by moving a cutter carriage 10A in the scanning direction by the driving force of a cutter carriage motor 110 (see Fig. 8).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the second flap 48 is rotatably disposed at the joining position W of the first transport path R1 and the second transport path R2. Specifically, the second flap 48 is rotatable between a first state shown by a solid line in Fig. 2 and a second state shown by a dotted line in Fig. 2. When the second flap 48 is in the first state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 42 form a part of the second transport path R2. When the second flap 48 is in the second state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 41 form a part of the first transport path R1.

[0027] A registration sensor 120 is disposed upstream of the transport roller 60 in the first transport path R1. The registration sensor 120 is attached to the guide member 42, and is a sensor that detects when the front end or rear end of the paper P passes through the contact position with the transport roller 60. The registration sensor 120 may be a sensor having an actuator that swings when the paper P comes into contact with it, or an optical sensor. The registration sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper P passes through the contact position with the transport roller 60, and outputs an OFF signal when the paper P does not pass through the contact position with the transport roller 60. The detection signal by the registration sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0028] The conveying roller 60 is provided with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in response to the rotation of the conveying roller 60 (see FIG. 8). The rotary encoder 121 has an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates together with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk to generate a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0029] The second transport path R2 is a path defined by guide members 51, 52, and 53, a transport roller 68, a pinch roller 69, etc. The second transport path R2 branches off from a branching position Y on the upstream side of the transport roller 64 on the first transport path R1, and is connected to a joining position W on the upstream side of the image recording unit 3 on the first transport path R1 in the first transport direction D1. This makes it possible for the image recording unit 3 to print on both sides of the paper P.

[0030] [Image recording section configuration] 3 is a top view of the periphery of the image recording unit 3 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image recording unit 3 has a buffer tank 30, a head carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34, and is for recording an image on paper P.

[0031] The buffer tank 30 contains the ink L supplied from the ink cartridges 8 via supply tubes 82. A tube joint 83 is also integrally provided with the buffer tank 30. One ends of the four supply tubes 82 are detachably connected to the tube joint 83. The other ends of the four supply tubes 82 are connected to the four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, respectively.

[0032] 2, the image recording unit 3 is disposed in the first transport path R1 between a transport roller 60 and a transport roller 62. The recording head 32 is mounted on a head carriage 31. The lower surface of the recording head 32 is a nozzle surface 330 in which a plurality of nozzles 33 are formed.

[0033] The multiple nozzles 33 are in communication with the inside of the buffer tank 30. The recording head 32 ejects the ink L contained in the buffer tank 30 from the nozzles 33 toward the paper P by vibrating a vibration element such as a piezoelectric element. The nozzles 33 eject the ink L of three colors, yellow, cyan, and magenta, and black ink L.

[0034] The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the paper P is placed. During the process in which the head carriage 31 moves relative to the paper P supported by the platen 34, the recording head 32 selectively ejects ink droplets, thereby recording an image on the paper P.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, two guide rails 13, 14 extending parallel to the scanning direction (left-right direction in Fig. 3) are provided above the platen 34. The head carriage 31 is attached to the two guide rails 13, 14. The head carriage 31 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction along the two guide rails 13, 14 in an area facing the platen 34.

[0036] A drive belt 15 is also attached to the head carriage 31. The drive belt 15 is an endless belt wound around two pulleys 16 and 17. One of the pulleys, 16, is connected to a head carriage motor 109 (see FIG. 8). When the head carriage motor 109 is driven in the forward or reverse direction, the pulley 16 rotates and the drive belt 15 runs. This causes the head carriage 31 to reciprocate in the left and right directions. At this time, the image recording unit 3 mounted on the head carriage 31 also reciprocates in the left and right directions.

[0037] The head carriage 31 moves back and forth in the scanning direction by transmitting the driving force of the head carriage motor 109 (see FIG. 3). In recording an image on the paper P, the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 repeats a recording process in which ink is ejected from the recording head 32 while moving the head carriage 31 in the scanning direction while the transport of the paper P is stopped, thereby recording an image for one line on the paper P, and a line feed process in which the transport rollers 60 and 62 are driven to transport the paper P by a predetermined line feed amount. In this way, a desired image or the like is recorded on the paper P.

[0038] [Configuration of the suction unit] The suction unit 7 performs suction purging of the nozzle 33 as a maintenance operation for recovering the discharge state of the nozzle 33. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction unit 7 has a cap unit 70, a suction pump 71, and a waste liquid tank 72. Note that the configuration of the suction unit 7 shown in Fig. 3 is an example, and is not limited thereto.

[0039] The cap unit 70 is disposed to the right of the platen 34 in the scanning direction. During standby when the image recording unit 3 is not recording an image on the paper P, the head carriage 31 shown in Fig. 3 moves to a standby position HP where the nozzle surface 330 of the recording head 32 and the cap unit 70 face each other vertically. At the standby position HP, the cap unit 70 is attached to the recording head 32 and covers the nozzle surface 330 to seal the nozzles 33. This prevents the nozzles 33 from drying out.

[0040] The cap portion 70 is made of, for example, a rubber material. The cap portion 70 is configured to be displaceable so as to come into contact with and separate from the recording head 32 when driven by a cap displacement portion (not shown) at the standby position HP.

[0041] The cap portion 70 is made of, for example, a rubber material. The cap portion 70 is attached to the recording head 32 at the standby position HP to cover the nozzle surface 330, thereby sealing the nozzles 33. This prevents the nozzles 33 from drying out. The cap portion 70 is driven by a cap displacement portion (not shown), and is configured to be displaceable so as to come into contact with and separate from the recording head 32.

[0042] The suction pump 71 is, for example, a tube pump. The driving of the suction pump 71 is controlled by the control unit 100. When the suction pump 71 is driven, the gas and liquid inside the cap unit 70 are sucked. The suction pump 71 is connected to a waste liquid tank 72 via a tube 73. The waste liquid tank 72 stores the ink L discharged from the inside of the cap unit 70 by the suction pump 71.

[0043] [Ink cartridge configuration] Fig. 4 is a front view showing the standby position SB of the cutting unit 10 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment and the position of the cartridge case 80. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the cartridge case 80 for mounting the ink cartridge 8 is disposed on the right side of the printing device 1, forward of the standby position SB.

[0044] The ink cartridges 8 are generally rectangular parallelepiped containers for storing ink L, and four are provided. The four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K store ink L of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. The ink L is a pigment ink in which pigment particles are dispersed in a solvent.

[0045] 3, the four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are each connected to the image recording unit 3 via four supply tubes 82. The supply tubes 82 are made of a flexible member, and communicate between the inside of the ink cartridges 8 and the inside of the buffer tank 30 of the image recording unit 3. Although not shown, a flexible flat cable extends from the head carriage 31. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the control unit 100 and the recording head 32.

[0046] Opening 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the top surface of the printer unit 11 when the image reading unit 12 is opened in the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, a cover member 111 made of, for example, resin is disposed on the top surface of the printer unit 11. An opening 112 is formed in the cover member 111. The opening 112 communicates with the replacement position EX and is of a size that allows the cutter unit 10C to pass through. A user can replace the cutter unit 10C of the cutting unit 10 shown in FIG. 6 through the opening 112.

[0047] [Cutting section configuration] 6 is a diagram showing the appearance of the cutting unit 10 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the cutting unit 10 has a cutter unit 10C mounted on a cutter carriage 10A. The cutter unit 10C has a circular upper blade 10C1 and a lower blade 10C2. The cutter unit 10C is attached to the cutter carriage 10A by, for example, screws. When replacing the cutting unit 10, a user can remove the cutter unit 10C from the cutter carriage 10A by loosening the screws with a tool or the like.

[0048] The upper blade 10C1 is rotatably attached to the cutter carriage 10A via an O-ring or the like (not shown). The lower blade 10C2 is also rotatably attached to the cutter carriage 10A via an O-ring or the like, similar to the upper blade 10C1. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P at the cutting position X by rotating the upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 and bringing them into contact with each other. The paper P cut by the cutting unit 10 is separated into a first paper P1 and a second paper P2, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0049] The upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 may be fixed blades or a combination of a rotary blade and a fixed blade. The cutter unit 10C may include only one of the upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2. In this case, the cutting position X refers to the position where the upper blade 10C1 or the lower blade 10C2 contacts the paper P. The shape and size of the cutter unit 10C can be changed as appropriate.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 6, the cutting unit 10 is supported by a support rail 18 extending in the scanning direction so as to be movable in the scanning direction. An endless belt wound around a rotating shaft (not shown) is provided on the support rail 18. The endless belt is connected to a cutter carriage 10A. The rotating shaft is rotated by the driving force of a cutter carriage motor 110 (see Fig. 8) to rotate the endless belt, thereby moving the cutter carriage 10A in the scanning direction along the support rail 18.

[0051] [Relative position of the ink cartridge to the standby position and replacement position] 3, a standby position SB for keeping the cutting unit 10 on standby is provided on the outer right side of the platen 34 in the scanning direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3). The standby position SB is a space for keeping the cutting unit 10 on standby when the cutting unit 10 is in a standby state where it is not cutting paper.

[0052] The standby position SB is located behind the cartridge case 80 in which the ink cartridge 8 is attached. That is, the ink cartridge 8 is arranged next to the standby position SB in the front-to-rear direction of the printing device 1. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the cartridge case 80 is arranged next to the discharge tray 22 in the width direction of the printing device 1 (the left-to-right direction in Fig. 1).

[0053] 4, a portion of the cutting unit 10 that has moved to the standby position SB is arranged to overlap with the cartridge case 80 in the width direction and height direction of the printing device 1 when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device 1. In other words, a portion of the cutting unit 10 in the standby position SB is arranged to overlap with the ink cartridge 8 when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device 1.

[0054] 3, an exchange position EX for exchanging the cutter unit 10C is provided on the outer right side of the standby position SB in the scanning direction. That is, the standby position SB and the exchange position EX are located on the right side in the scanning direction. The standby position SB of the cutting part 10 is located behind the standby position HP where the cap part 70 is located.

[0055] 7 is a diagram showing the paper P before cutting and the first paper P1 and second paper P2 resulting from cutting. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P having a length A in the transport direction, dividing the paper P into two equal pieces, a first paper P1 having a length A1 in the transport direction and a second paper P2 having a length A2 in the transport direction. For example, when the paper P is A4 size, the first paper P1 and second paper P2 having A5 size are generated. In addition, the first paper P1 is transported before the second paper P2 in the first transport path R1.

[0056] [Electrical configuration of the printing device] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the printing device 1 includes a control unit 100 and a communication interface (I / F) 122 in addition to the above-mentioned units.

[0057] The control unit 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, an EEPROM 104 (registered trademark), and an ASIC 105, which are connected by an internal bus 106. The ROM 102 stores programs and the like for the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 101 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 104 stores setting information to be retained even after the power is turned off. The control unit 100 controls a feed motor 107, a conveying motor 108, a recording head 32, a suction pump 71, a head carriage motor 109, a cutter carriage motor 110, and the like based on the control program read from the ROM 102.

[0058] The ASIC 105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a head carriage motor 109, a recording head 32, a cutter carriage motor 110, a suction pump 71, a registration sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a communication I / F 122, and a setting unit 123.

[0059] The ASIC 75 supplies drive current to the feed motor 107, the carry motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110. The feed motor 107, the carry motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110 are DC motors whose rotation speed increases as the drive current supplied thereto increases, and whose rotation speed decreases as the drive current supplied thereto decreases. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the carry motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110, for example, by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0060] The control unit 100 also applies a drive voltage to the vibration elements of the recording head 32, thereby causing ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzles. The control unit 100 detects the amount of rotation of the transport roller 60 based on a pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 121. The control unit 100 detects that the paper P has passed the contact position with the transport roller 60 based on a detection signal output from the registration sensor 120. Then, after an on signal is output from the registration sensor 120, the control unit 100 estimates the transport amount of the paper P on the first transport path R1 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 121.

[0061] The communication I / F 122 is connected to a network such as a LAN, and enables connection to an external device incorporating a driver for the printing device 1. The printing device 1 can receive a print job including identification information for identifying the type of paper P via the communication I / F 122.

[0062] [Control flow by the control unit when printing] Next, the flow of control during printing by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control during printing by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0063] 9, first, when the control unit 100 receives a print job via the communication I / F 122, the control unit 100 drives the feed motor 107 to rotate the feed roller 23 in the forward direction, thereby removing the paper P from the feed tray 21 and starting the transport of the paper P (S1). Specifically, the paper P is transported from the feed tray 21 to the first transport path R1, and then the paper P is transported toward the image recording unit 3.

[0064] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the leading edge of the paper P has been detected by using the detection result of the registration sensor 120 (S2). If the control unit 100 has not detected the leading edge of the paper P (S2: NO), the process returns to S1. If the control unit 100 has detected the leading edge of the paper P (S2: YES), the control unit 100 controls the image recording unit 3 to start recording an image on the paper P (S3).

[0065] In S3, the control unit 100 executes an image recording process, which alternates between a line feed process and a recording process, described below, on the paper P transported to the image recording unit 3, thereby recording an image on the paper P. That is, in the line feed process, the control unit 100 rotates the transport motor 108 forward and drives the transport rollers 60, 62, and 64 to transport the paper P in the first transport direction D1 by a predetermined transport amount. Also, in the recording process, while the transport of the paper P is stopped, the control unit 100 drives the head carriage motor 109 to move the head carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33 of the recording head 32 onto the paper P, thereby recording an image for one line.

[0066] After S3, the control unit 100 determines whether the registration sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S4). If the registration sensor 120 has not detected the rear end of the paper P (S4: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S4, and if the registration sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S4: YES), the control unit 100 calculates the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 shown in FIG. 7 (S5).

[0067] Specifically, the control unit 100 calculates the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 based on the transport amount of the paper P detected by the rotary encoder 121 from the time the registration sensor 120 detects the leading end of the paper P to the time the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing end of the paper P.

[0068] Then, the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL of the paper P shown in Fig. 7 based on the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 calculated in S5 (S6). After S6, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X (see Fig. 2) where the cutting unit 10 is located based on the detection results of the registration sensor 120 and the rotary encoder 121 (S7).

[0069] If the paper P has not reached position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S7: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S7. On the other hand, if the paper P has reached position X where the cutting unit 10 is located (S7: YES), the control unit 100 cuts the paper P at the cutting position CL by moving the cutting unit 10 in the scanning direction while the paper P is sandwiched between the upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 (S8). As a result, a first paper P1 and a second paper P2 that are half the size of the paper P are generated, as shown in FIG. 7. It is assumed that the user sets whether or not to cut the paper P using the setting unit 123.

[0070] After S8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a next page (S9). If there is no next page (S9: NO), the control unit 100 discharges the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 to the discharge tray 22 and ends image recording on the sheet P (S10).

[0071] On the other hand, if there is a next page (S9: YES), the control unit 100 ends printing on the second sheet P2 by the image recording unit 3, and discharges the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 to the discharge tray 22, and then returns to S1, and thereafter performs the same processes as those in S2 to S9 described above. In this manner, the flow chart shown in FIG. 9 ends.

[0072] [Control flow by the control unit when replacing the cutter] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a control flow when replacing the cutting unit 10 of the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. In the flowchart shown in Fig. 10, first, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 has been received (S11).

[0073] When the user operates the setting unit 123 to cause the printing device 1 to receive an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 (S11: YES), the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the standby position SB to the replacement position EX along the scanning direction (S12). On the other hand, when the printing device 1 has not received an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 (S11: NO), the process returns to S11.

[0074] In S12, when the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the standby position SB to the replacement position EX, the control unit 10 moves the cutting unit 10 at a speed slower than the movement speed of the cutting unit 10 when cutting the paper P in S8. This makes it possible to reduce the impact applied to the cutting unit 10 when the cutting unit 10 is moved to the replacement position EX.

[0075] After moving the cutting section 10 from the standby position SB to the replacement position EX in the manner described above, the user can open the image reading section 12 as shown in FIG. 5, and replace the cutter unit 10C using a tool or the like through the opening 112 of the cover member 111.

[0076] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the printing device 1 of this embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 3, the standby position SB of the cutting unit 10 and the position of the ink cartridge 8 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the printing device 1, so that the size of the printing device 1 in the width direction can be reduced. Furthermore, as shown by the enclosed line in Fig. 4, a part of the cutting unit 10 at the standby position SB is arranged to overlap with the ink cartridge 8 when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device. In this way, by devising the position of the standby position SB, the printing device 1 can be made more compact.

[0077] 3, by arranging the ink cartridge 8 further forward in the printing device 1 than the standby position SB, the user can easily attach and detach the ink cartridge 8 from the printing device 1. And by arranging the standby position SB behind the printing device 1 with respect to the ink cartridge 8, the size of the printing device 1 in the width direction can be reduced.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, by arranging the ejection tray 22 and the cartridge case 80 in which the ink cartridge 8 is mounted side by side in the width direction of the printing device 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 1), the size of the printing device 1 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced, making the printing device 1 even more compact.

[0079] 3, the standby position SB and the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 are disposed on the same side (right side in FIG. 3) in the scanning direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) with respect to the position of the platen 34, and the standby position SB and the cap unit 70 are disposed side by side in the front-rear direction of the printing device 1. This allows the size of the printing device 1 in the width direction to be further reduced.

[0080] Furthermore, by positioning the replacement position EX of the cutting section 10 outside the standby position SB in the scanning direction as shown in FIG. 3, the user can more easily replace the cutter unit 10C of the cutting section 10 without being hindered by parts located near the center of the width of the printing device 1.

[0081] 10, the user can automatically move the cutting section 10 to the replacement position EX by operating the setting section 123. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can easily replace the cutter unit 10C with a tool or the like by accessing the opening 112 from the front of the printing device 1 after rotating the image reading section 12.

[0082] 9, by using the detection results of the leading and trailing ends of the paper P by the registration sensor 120, the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 is calculated (S5), and a cutting position CL of the paper P is set (S6), after which the paper P can be cut by the cutting unit 10 at the set cutting position CL (S8). This allows the cutting unit 10 to accurately cut the paper P to the desired size.

[0083] Other embodiments 3, the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 is located outside the standby position SB in the scanning direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 may be located at the same position as the standby position SB. Also, the standby position SB and the ink cartridge 8 may be positioned offset from each other in the vertical direction.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 is of a cartridge type in which the ink cartridge 8 is attached to the cartridge case 80, but is not limited to this. For example, the printing device may be of a tank type in which a bottle-type ink cartridge is directly connected to the connection port of the supply tube 82 to supply ink.

[0085] In addition, in the above embodiment, the number of ink cartridges 8 is four, but this is not limited to this, and may be, for example, six or eight. In addition, in the case of a monochrome printer, it is sufficient to have one ink cartridge 8 corresponding to black.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the registration sensor 120 detects the passage of the leading edge and trailing edge of the paper P, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image recording unit 3 may be provided with a media sensor that is a sensor for detecting whether or not the paper P is present on the platen 34, and the passage of the leading edge or trailing edge of the paper P may be detected by the media sensor.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P into halves, but this is not limiting, and the paper P may be cut into, for example, 1 / 3. The cutting position X of the paper P can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the print data.

[0088] The flowchart shown in Fig. 9 is an example, and is not limited thereto. For example, after S4 in Fig. 9, the paper P may be conveyed in the second conveying direction D2 in the second conveying path R2, and then cut by the cutting unit 10 in S8. Also, after S4, the paper P may be conveyed in the second conveying direction D2 in the second conveying path R2, and then cut by the cutting unit 10 in S8.

[0089] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the paper P is transported by the roller members, namely the feed roller 23 and the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68, but this is not limiting. Alternatively, a belt member or a drum member may be used as the transport unit.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Printing device 3 Image recording section 8, 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K Cartridge (liquid storage section) 10 Cut section 10C Cutter unit 11 Printer section 12 Image reading unit 23 Feeding roller (transport section) 34 Platen 60, 62, 64, 66 Conveyor rollers (conveyor section) 70 Cap section 80 Cartridge Case 100 Control section 111 Cover member 112 Opening 123 Settings P Paper (recording medium) EX exchange position SB standby position

Claims

1. a liquid storage section for storing liquid; A conveying unit that conveys the recording medium along a conveying direction; an image recording unit that supports the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit with a platen and records an image on the recording medium; a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium; A control unit; Equipped with the control unit cuts the recording medium by moving the cutting unit outward from the platen in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction; a standby position for causing the cutting unit to wait is disposed outside the platen in the scanning direction, the standby position being aligned with the liquid storage unit in the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus; A printing device characterized in that at least a portion of the cutting section in the standby position is arranged so that its widthwise position in the printing device overlaps with the liquid storage section when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device.

2. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cutting section in the standby position is positioned so as to overlap the liquid storage section when viewed in a plan view from the front of the printing device.

3. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage section is disposed forward of the standby position in the printing apparatus.

4. a discharge section for discharging the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section, The printing device according to claim 3 , wherein the discharge section is arranged next to the liquid storage section in a width direction of the printing device.

5. a replacement position for replacing the cutting unit is provided outside the platen in the scanning direction, 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby position and the exchange position are disposed on the same side in the scanning direction.

6. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the replacement position is disposed outside the standby position in the scanning direction.

7. A setting unit is provided on a front surface of the printing device, 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit, when an instruction to replace the cutting unit is accepted by the setting unit, moves the cutting unit to the replacement position along the scanning direction.

8. a recording head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting the liquid stored in the liquid storage section are formed; a cap portion that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head during a standby state in which the image recording portion is not recording an image on a recording medium, 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby position is arranged next to the position of the cap portion in the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus.

9. The image recording apparatus further includes an image reading unit that is rotatably provided above the image recording unit and that reads an image recorded on a recording medium, a replacement position for replacing the cutting unit is provided outside the platen in the scanning direction, 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement position is disposed below the image reading unit.

Images