Recording device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which there is the risk of a recording device having a medium storage part, an inversion part, and a feeding part, increasing in size in the device height direction, the recording device.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes a sheet cassette part 16, a line head 40, an inversion part 50, and a feeding part 60. The inversion part 50 has an inversion passage R, and inverts the surface / rear surface of a recorded sheet P. The inversion passage R includes a curve path R4 which is convex downward in the Z direction, and is connected to an upstream portion and a downstream portion with respect to the line head 40 in a conveyance path T. The feeding part 60 has a feeding passage K connected to the conveyance path T, and feeds the sheet P to the conveyance path T. When viewed from the Y direction, at least part of the feeding part 60, at least part of the curve path R4 and at least part of the sheet cassette part 16 are overlapped in the Z direction respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the second conveyance path, the confluence portion of the third conveyance path and the re-conveyance path, and the paper feed cassette are at different positions in the apparatus height direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the second conveyance path as the feeding unit, the re-conveyance path as the reversing unit, and the paper feed cassette as the medium storage unit are at different positions in the apparatus height direction. For this reason, the image forming apparatus has been enlarged in the apparatus height direction. Thus, in a recording apparatus having a medium storage unit, a reversing unit, and a feeding unit, there is a risk that the recording apparatus will be enlarged in the apparatus height direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one medium storage unit that stores a medium, a recording unit that is located above the medium storage unit in the apparatus height direction and records on the medium that is conveyed along a conveyance path from the medium storage unit, and a reversing path that includes a curved path that is convex downward in the apparatus height direction and is connected to an upstream part and a downstream part of the conveyance path with respect to the recording unit, and that reverses the front and back of the medium recorded by the recording unit, and a feeding path that is connected to an upstream part of the conveyance path with respect to the recording unit, and a feeding unit that feeds the medium from the feeding path to the conveyance path, and when viewed from the apparatus width direction that intersects the apparatus height direction, at least a part of the feeding unit, at least a part of the curved path, and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the apparatus height direction, respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. The recording apparatus according to the first aspect includes at least one medium storage unit that stores a medium, a recording unit that is located above the medium storage unit in the apparatus height direction and performs recording on the medium conveyed along a conveyance path from the medium storage unit, and a reversing path that includes a curved path convex downward in the apparatus height direction and is connected to an upstream part and a downstream part of the conveyance path with respect to the recording unit, and that reverses the front and back of the medium recorded by the recording unit, and a feeding path that is connected to an upstream part of the conveyance path with respect to the recording unit, and a feeding unit that feeds the medium from the feeding path to the conveyance path, and when viewed from the apparatus width direction intersecting the apparatus height direction, at least a part of the feeding unit, at least a part of the curved path, and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the apparatus height direction, respectively. According to this aspect, when viewed from the apparatus width direction, at least a part of the feeding unit, at least a part of the curved path, and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the apparatus height direction, respectively. As a result, in the apparatus height direction, the space required for arranging the feeding unit, the curved path, and the medium storage unit becomes smaller than the space in a configuration where the feeding unit, the curved path, and the medium storage unit do not overlap, so the height of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

[0008] The recording apparatus according to the second aspect is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the medium storage unit includes a first storage unit having a first length in the apparatus width direction, and a second storage unit that is located below the first storage unit in the apparatus height direction and has a second length longer than the first length in the apparatus width direction, and at least one of at least a part of the curved path and at least a part of the feeding unit is located in a region outside the first storage unit in the apparatus width direction and above the second storage unit in the apparatus height direction. According to this aspect, compared with a configuration in which at least a part of the curved path or at least a part of the feeding unit is not located within the region outside the first storage unit in the device width direction and above the second storage unit in the device height direction, the space required for arranging the feeding unit or the curved path can be reduced, so that the height of the recording device can be lowered.

[0009] The recording device according to the third aspect is, in the second aspect, characterized in that a path extending from the second storage unit to the curved path is used as a supply path, and the feeding path and the supply path are connected together to the curved path after merging. According to this aspect, since a part of the feeding path and a part of the supply path are shared, the number of members provided in the transport path through which the medium is transported can be reduced compared with a configuration in which the feeding path and the supply path are separately connected to the curved path.

[0010] The recording device according to the fourth aspect is, in the third aspect, characterized in that a merging portion where the feeding path and the supply path merge overlaps a part of the first storage unit in the device height direction when viewed from the device width direction. According to this aspect, in the device height direction, the space required for arranging the merging portion and the first storage unit is smaller than the space of a configuration in which the merging portion and the first storage unit do not overlap, so that the height of the recording device can be lowered.

[0011] The recording device according to the fifth aspect is, in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, characterized in that the feeding unit includes a feeding roller that feeds the medium to the transport path, and when viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the feeding roller, at least a part of the curved path, and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the device height direction respectively. According to this aspect, when viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the feeding roller, at least a part of the curved path, and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the device height direction. Thereby, in the device height direction, the space required for arranging the feeding roller, the curved path, and the medium storage unit is smaller than the space in a configuration where the feeding roller, the curved path, and the medium storage unit do not overlap, so the height of the recording device can be reduced.

[0012] The recording device according to the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, when viewed from the device width direction, the entire part of the feeding roller in the device height direction overlaps with the medium storage unit in the device height direction. According to this aspect, the height of the recording device can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which the feeding roller and the medium storage unit do not overlap in the device height direction when viewed from the device width direction.

[0013] The recording device according to the seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, the feeding unit includes a feeding tray on which a plurality of the media can be placed, and a separation roller that separates one of the plurality of the media placed on the feeding tray, and when viewed from the device width direction, the separation roller and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the device height direction. According to this aspect, when viewed from the device width direction, the separation roller and at least a part of the medium storage unit overlap in the device height direction. Thereby, in the device height direction, the space required for arranging the separation roller and the medium storage unit is smaller than the space in a configuration where the separation roller and the medium storage unit do not overlap, so the height of the recording device can be reduced.

[0014] In the recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, the reversing unit further has an upstream path located upstream of the curved path in the conveyance direction of the medium, the upstream path has an inclined portion inclined along an intersecting direction intersecting the apparatus height direction, and when viewed from the apparatus height direction, at least a part of the inclined portion and at least a part of the feeding unit overlap in the apparatus width direction. According to this aspect, since at least a part of the feeding unit is arranged in the space secured by the upstream path having the inclined portion, the width of the recording apparatus can be made smaller than a configuration in which a part of the upstream path extends in the apparatus width direction.

[0015] In the recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, the curved path includes a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the medium, and when viewed from the apparatus width direction, at least a part of the feeding unit and at least a part of the pair of conveyance rollers overlap in the apparatus height direction. According to this aspect, since the curved path includes a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the medium, the medium can be appropriately conveyed along the curved path as compared with a configuration not having the pair of conveyance rollers. Further, when viewed from the apparatus width direction, at least a part of the feeding unit and at least a part of the pair of conveyance rollers overlap in the apparatus height direction, so that the height of the recording apparatus can be reduced.

[0016] Hereinafter, a printer 10 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is configured as an example of a recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink Q onto a sheet P. Note that the X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is a rectangular coordinate system. The sheet P is an example of a medium. The ink Q is an example of a liquid.

[0017] The X direction is the horizontal direction. The base end side of the arrow indicating the X direction is the - X direction, and the tip end side of the arrow indicating the X direction is the + X direction. Also, the X direction is the width direction of the sheet P. The Y direction is an example of the apparatus width direction, and is the depth direction and the horizontal direction of the printer 10. The tip side of the arrow indicating the Y direction is the +Y direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the Y direction is the -Y direction. The Z direction is an example of the apparatus height direction, and is a direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Y direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the Z direction is the +Z direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the Z direction is the -Z direction. In the following description, the +Z direction may be referred to as upward and the -Z direction may be referred to as downward.

[0018] The A direction is a direction that intersects the Y direction when viewed from the X direction, and is an oblique direction in which the position in the -Y direction is lower in the -Z direction with respect to the position in the +Y direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the A direction is the +A direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the A direction is the -A direction. The +A direction is the direction in which the line head 40 described later approaches the conveyance belt 31. The -A direction is the direction in which the line head 40 retreats from the conveyance belt 31. The B direction is a direction orthogonal to the A direction when viewed from the X direction. The tip side of the arrow indicating the B direction is the +B direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the B direction is the -B direction. The +B direction is the conveyance direction of the sheet P in the recording area between the line head 40 and the conveyance belt 31.

[0019] In the printer 10, the sheet P is conveyed through the conveyance path T represented by the broken line. Note that since the conveyance direction in which the sheet P is conveyed is the direction along the conveyance path T, it is different for each part of the conveyance path T. The direction in which the sheet P is conveyed may be referred to as "downstream", and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream". Note that in the printer 10, as examples of the sheet P, sheets PA and PB having different lengths in the conveyance direction can be used. The length of the sheet PA in the conveyance direction is shorter than the length of the sheet PB in the conveyance direction.

[0020] The printer 10 has, as an example, a main body unit 12 and an additional unit 13 disposed below the main body unit 12. Specifically, the printer 10 includes a paper cassette unit 16, a line head 40, a reversing unit 50, and a feeding unit 60. Further, the printer 10 includes an ink supply unit 30, a cap unit 32, a wiper unit 34, a waste liquid tank 38, and a control unit (not shown).

[0021] The main body unit 12 includes a housing that serves as an outer shell. A discharge tray 17 is provided at a portion in the +Z direction from the center of the main body unit 12 in the Z direction. The paper cassette unit 16 is provided in the main body unit 12 and the additional unit 13. An opening 14 that opens in the Y direction is formed at an end of the main body unit 12 in the -Y direction. The conveyance path T described later can be exposed when the opening 14 is in an open state.

[0022] The additional unit 13 includes a housing that serves as an outer shell. The additional unit 13 is detachable from the main body unit 12. The upper end portion in the +Z direction of the additional unit 13 is connected to the lower end portion in the -Z direction of the main body unit 12. Thereby, it is possible to convey the paper P from the additional unit 13 to the main body unit 12. The discharge tray 17 is a portion where the paper P recorded by the line head 40 is discharged. The discharge tray 17 extends along the A direction as an example. In the discharge tray 17, the +A direction ends of the plurality of papers P placed thereon are aligned along the B direction.

[0023] The paper cassette unit 16 is an example of at least one medium storage unit that stores the paper P. The paper cassette unit 16 has, as an example, a first cassette 22 provided in the main body unit 12, and a second cassette 24 and a third cassette 26 provided in the additional unit 13. The first cassette 22 is an example of a first storage unit that houses the paper PA. The first cassette 22 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that opens in the +Z direction. The first cassette 22 has a first length L1 [mm] in the Y direction. The paper P housed in the first cassette 22 is fed into the conveyance path T by rotating the pickup roller 19A and the roller pair 19B.

[0024] The second cassette 24 is an example of a second storage unit that houses the paper PB. The second cassette 24 is located below the first cassette 22 in the Z direction. The second cassette 24 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that opens in the +Z direction. The second cassette 24 has a second length L2 [mm] in the Y direction. The second length L2 is longer than the first length L1. Note that the length of the second cassette 24 in the X direction is longer than the length of the first cassette 22 in the X direction. The paper P housed in the second cassette 24 is fed into the conveyance path T through the path T2 by rotating the pickup roller 19A and the roller pair 19B. The third cassette 26 is located below the second cassette 24 in the Z direction within the additional unit 13. Note that the third cassette 26 has, as an example, the same configuration as the second cassette 24, except for the arrangement. For this reason, the description of the third cassette 26 is omitted.

[0025] The ink supply unit 30 supplies the ink Q to the line head 40 described later. The cap unit 32 is configured in the shape of a box that opens in the -A direction. The cap unit 32 is driven by a drive mechanism unit (not shown) to be capable of reciprocating movement along the B direction. When performing maintenance on the line head 40, the cap unit 32 moves in the +B direction to cover the discharge unit 42 described later and suck the ink Q. When recording is performed by the line head 40, the cap unit 32 retracts in the -B direction.

[0026] The wiper unit 34 includes a unit main body 36 capable of accommodating the ink Q, and a wiper blade 37 provided on the unit main body 36 for wiping off the ink Q adhering to the discharge portion 42. The wiper unit 34 can reciprocate along the X direction by being driven by a drive mechanism portion (not shown). When performing maintenance on the line head 40, the wiper unit 34 moves in the +X direction while wiping the surface of the discharge portion 42 to recover the ink Q. When recording is performed by the line head 40, the wiper unit 34 retracts to the home position in the -X direction.

[0027] The waste liquid tank 38 is provided in a replaceable manner at substantially the central portion in the Y direction and the Z direction of the main body unit 12. The waste liquid tank 38 accommodates the ink Q recovered in the cap unit 32 and the ink Q recovered in the wiper unit 34. A control unit (not shown) includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage (not shown), and controls the conveyance of the paper P in the printer 10 and the operations of each part including the line head 40.

[0028] When in the state of being located at the home position before operation, the line head 40 is located above the paper cassette portion 16 and the waste liquid tank 38 in the Z direction. The line head 40 is an example of a recording unit that performs recording on the paper P conveyed along a conveyance path T (described later) from the paper cassette portion 16. The line head 40 can move in the +A direction and the -A direction by being driven by a movement mechanism portion 44 (described later). Specifically, the line head 40 includes a carriage 41 driven by the movement mechanism portion 44, and a discharge portion 42 supported by the carriage 41. The discharge portion 42 discharges the ink Q supplied from the ink supply portion 30 toward the paper P.

[0029] The moving mechanism unit 44 is configured to include, as an example, a rack portion 46, a pinion 48, and a motor (not shown). The rack portion 46 is attached to the bottom portion of the carriage 41 in the -Z direction. The rack portion 46 has a plurality of tooth portions (not shown). The pinion 48 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction by a motor. A plurality of tooth portions (not shown) that mesh with the plurality of tooth portions of the rack portion 46 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pinion 48.

[0030] The conveyance path T extends from the paper cassette unit 16 to the discharge tray 17 and is a path along which the paper P is conveyed. In the conveyance path T, a pickup roller 19A, roller pairs 19B, receiving roller pair 21, roller pairs 23, 25, a conveyance belt 31, a driving roller 33, a driven roller 35, a roller pair 27, and a discharge roller pair 29 are arranged. Each roller pair is rotated about an axis along the X direction. The driving roller 33 and the driven roller 35 are arranged at intervals in the B direction and are rotatable about an axis along the X direction.

[0031] The receiving roller pair 21 is rotatably provided at the lower end portion in the Z direction in the main body unit 12. The receiving roller pair 21 is an example of a receiving member that receives the paper P conveyed from the additional unit 13. When viewed from the Y direction, a part of the receiving roller pair 21 and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap in the Z direction. The overlapping range of a part of the receiving roller pair 21 and a part of the first cassette 22 is a range H7 [mm] in the Z direction (FIG. 3). The range H7 is, as an example, wider than a range H1 (FIG. 4) described later and narrower than a range H4 (FIG. 3).

[0032] The conveyance belt 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is wound around the driving roller 33 and the driven roller 35. Further, the conveyance belt 31 is positioned in the +A direction with respect to the line head 40. The conveyance belt 31 is circulated by the driving roller 33 being rotated by a motor (not shown). The paper P is conveyed in the +B direction when the conveyance belt 31 is circulated while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance belt 31.

[0033] Specifically, as an example, the conveyance path T has paths T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. Path T1 extends from the -Y direction end position in the third cassette 26 to the nip center position N1 in the roller pair 23. Path T2 is an example of a supply path that extends from the -Y direction end position in the second cassette 24 toward a later-described curved path R4 and merges at a position upstream of the receiving roller pair 21 in path T1.

[0034] Path T3 extends from the nip center position N1 to the nip center position N2 in the roller pair 25. Note that the central position in the conveyance direction in path T3 is position B (FIG. 2). Path T4 extends from the -Y direction end position in the first cassette 22 and merges with path T3. Path T5 extends from the nip center position N2 to the nip center position N3 in the discharge roller pair 29 via the conveyance belt 31 and the roller pair 27.

[0035] The reversing unit 50 has, as an example, a reversing path R, four roller pairs 52, and a motor (not shown). Then, the reversing unit 50 reverses the front and back of the sheet P recorded by the line head 40 and then feeds the sheet P back into the conveyance path T. The reversing path R includes the curved path R4 and is a path connected to the upstream and downstream parts with respect to the line head 40 in the conveyance path T. The reversing path R has, as an example, a branch path R1, a switchback path R2, an upstream path R3, and a curved path R4. The branch path R1 branches from path T5 at a +Z direction position with respect to the roller pair 27 and extends toward a -Y direction and +Z direction position. The switchback path R2 extends from the +Z direction end of the branch path R1 toward a +Y direction and +Z direction position.

[0036] The upstream path R3 is located upstream of the curved path R4 and downstream of the switchback path R2 in the paper P conveyance direction. As an example, the upstream path R3 has a vertical path portion R3A and an inclined portion R3B. The vertical path portion R3A extends linearly in the -Z direction from the confluence position of the branch path R1 and the switchback path R2.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the inclined portion R3B extends linearly from a position E which is the -Z direction end position of the vertical path portion R3A, toward a position in the +Y direction and -Z direction. In other words, the inclined portion R3B is inclined along an intersection direction intersecting the Z direction. In FIG. 2, the intersection direction is indicated by an arrow D. When viewed from the X direction, let the acute angle formed by the inclined portion R3B and the Y direction be the angle θ [°]. As an example, the angle θ is 75°. The angle θ is preferably set to be 60° or more and less than 90°. Note that the space located in the -Y direction with respect to the inversion path R within the main body unit 12 is widened in the Y direction at the portion where the inclined portion R3B is formed.

[0038] The curved path R4 is located downstream of the upstream path R3 in the paper P conveyance direction. Specifically, the upstream end of the curved path R4 is connected to the -Z direction lower end of the inclined portion R3B. Let the position where the inclined portion R3B and the curved path R4 are connected be the position A. The curved path R4 is a path curved so as to be convex downward in the Z direction when viewed from the X direction. Also, the curved path R4 merges into the path T3 at the nip center position N1 of the roller pair 23. In this embodiment, as an example, the portion of the path T3 from the nip center position N1 to the position B is included in the curved path R4. The roller pair 23 is an example of the conveyance roller pair provided in the curved path R4. The roller pair 23 conveys the paper P as it rotates.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the feeding unit 60 includes a feeding tray 62, a feeding roller 64, and a separating roller 66. Thus, the feeding unit 60 has a feeding path K in which the feeding roller 64 and the separating roller 66 are arranged. Then, the feeding unit 60 feeds the paper P from the feeding tray 62 to the conveyance path T via the feeding path K. The feeding path K extends from the feeding tray 62 to the conveyance path T and is connected to an upstream portion of the line head 40 (FIG. 1) in the conveyance path T, and is the path through which the paper P is fed.

[0040] The feeding tray 62 is rotatably provided at a portion below the center in the Z direction on the -Y direction side of the main body unit 12. The feeding tray 62 can place a plurality of papers P in a state of being tilted with respect to the main body unit 12. Further, the feeding tray 62 can be stored in the main body unit 12. Note that a lift-up mechanism portion (not shown) for pushing up the paper P upward is provided between the feeding tray 62 and the separating roller 66.

[0041] The feeding roller 64 is downstream of the feeding tray 62 in the feeding direction of the paper P in the feeding path K and is disposed above the feeding path K. The feeding roller 64 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to feed the paper P to the conveyance path T while rotating. The separating roller 66 is downstream of the feeding tray 62 in the feeding direction of the paper P in the feeding path K and is disposed below the feeding path K. The separating roller 66 is rotated in a direction opposite to that of the feeding roller 64 by a motor (not shown). Thereby, one sheet of the paper P is separated and fed from the plurality of papers P placed on the feeding tray 62.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, an arrangement region S is defined as an outer region in the -Y direction with respect to the first cassette 22 in the Y direction and an upper region with respect to the second cassette 24 in the Z direction. Here, a part of the curved path R4 is located within the arrangement region S. The paper feed path K and the path T2 merge at a position C upstream of the curved path R4 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P and are connected to the curved path R4. In other words, the paper feed path K and the path T2 are both connected to the curved path R4 after merging.

[0043] A part of the conveyance path T, and a part where the paper feed path K and the path T2 merge is defined as the merging portion TA. The merging portion TA is a path portion including the peripheral portion of the position C. Here, when viewed from the Y direction, the merging portion TA overlaps a part of the first cassette 22 in the Z direction. The range in which the merging portion TA and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap in the Z direction is, as an example, a range H1 [mm] in the Z direction. Note that a part of the first cassette 22 means a part of the sheet cassette portion 16.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the Y direction, the entire Z direction of the paper feed roller 64 overlaps a part of the first cassette 22 in the Z direction. The range in which the paper feed roller 64 and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap is a range H2 [mm] in the Z direction. The range H2 is, as an example, wider than the range H1 (FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, "when viewed from the Y direction" means viewing the object in the Y direction in a state facing the -Y direction at the +Y direction position with respect to the printer 10. Also, "when viewed from the Y direction" can also mean viewing the printer 10 from the side, that is, in a side view, from the +Y direction toward the -Y direction or from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the Y direction, a part of the paper feed roller 64, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap in the Z direction respectively. The range in which a part of the paper feed roller 64, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap is a range H3 [mm] in the Z direction. The range H3 is, as an example, wider than the range H1 (FIG. 4) and narrower than the range H2 (FIG. 5).

[0046] When viewed from the Y direction, the separation roller 66 and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap in the Z direction. The overlapping range of the separation roller 66 and a part of the first cassette 22 is a range H4 [mm] in the Z direction. As an example, the range H4 is wider than the range H1 (FIG. 4) and narrower than the range H3.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the Z direction, the inclined portion R3B and the feed roller 64 which is a part of the feeding unit 60 overlap in the Y direction. The overlapping range of the inclined portion R3B and the feed roller 64 is a range W1 [mm] in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the Z direction means viewing the object in the Z direction in a state facing the -Z direction at the +Z direction position with respect to the printer 10. Also, when viewed from the Z direction can also mean viewing the printer 10 from above, that is, viewing from above, from the +Z direction toward the -Z direction.

[0048] When viewed from the Y direction, a part of the feed roller 64 which is a part of the feeding unit 60 and a part of the separation roller 66 overlap with the roller pair 23 in the Z direction. The overlapping range of a part of the feed roller 64 and a part of the separation roller 66 and the roller pair 23 is a range H5 [mm] in the Z direction. The range H5 is wider than the range H2 (FIG. 5).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the Y direction, a part of the feeding unit 60, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the first cassette 22 overlap in the Z direction respectively. The overlapping range of a part of the feeding unit 60, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the first cassette 22 is a range H6 [mm] in the Z direction. The range H6 is wider than the range H5 (FIG. 2).

[0050] Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described. Regarding the configuration of each part of the printer 10, FIGS. 1 to 5 will be referred to, and the description of individual figure numbers will be omitted. According to the printer 10, when viewed from the Y direction, a part of the paper feeding unit 60, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the paper cassette unit 16 overlap in the Z direction. As a result, in the Z direction, the space required for arranging the paper feeding unit 60, the curved path R4, and the paper cassette unit 16 becomes smaller than the space in a configuration where the paper feeding unit 60, the curved path R4, and the paper cassette unit 16 do not overlap. Therefore, the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced.

[0051] According to the printer 10, compared with a configuration in which a part of the curved path R4 is not located within the arrangement region S that is outside in the Y direction with respect to the first cassette 22 and above in the Z direction with respect to the second cassette 24, the space required for arranging the curved path R4 can be reduced. Therefore, the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced. According to the printer 10, since a part of the paper feeding path K and a part of the path T2 are shared, the number of members provided in the conveyance path T through which the paper P is conveyed can be reduced compared with a configuration in which the paper feeding path K and the path T2 are separately connected to the curved path R4.

[0052] According to the printer 10, in the Z direction, the space required for arranging the confluence portion TA and the first cassette 22 becomes smaller than the space in a configuration where the confluence portion TA and the first cassette 22 do not overlap. Therefore, the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced. According to the printer 10, when viewed from the Y direction, a part of the paper feeding roller 64, a part of the curved path R4, and a part of the paper cassette unit 16 overlap in the Z direction. As a result, in the Z direction, the space required for arranging the paper feeding roller 64, the curved path R4, and the paper cassette unit 16 becomes smaller than the space in a configuration where the paper feeding roller 64, the curved path R4, and the paper cassette unit 16 do not overlap. Therefore, the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced.

[0053] According to the printer 10, the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced compared with a configuration in which the paper feeding roller 64 and the paper cassette unit 16 do not overlap in the Z direction when viewed from the Y direction. According to the printer 10, when viewed from the Y direction, the separation roller 66 and a part of the paper cassette unit 16 overlap in the Z direction. As a result, in the Z direction, the space required for arranging the separation roller 66 and the paper cassette unit 16 is smaller than the space in a configuration where the separation roller 66 and the paper cassette unit 16 do not overlap, so the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced.

[0054] According to the printer 10, since a part of the feeding unit 60 is arranged in the space secured by the upstream path R3 having the inclined portion R3B, the width of the printer 10 in the Y direction can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a part of the upstream path R3 extends in the Y direction. According to the printer 10, since the curved path R4 includes the roller pair 23 for transporting the paper P, the paper P can be appropriately transported along the curved path R4 compared to a configuration without the roller pair 23. Further, when viewed from the Y direction, a part of the feeding unit 60 and the roller pair 23 overlap in the Z direction, so the height of the printer 10 in the Z direction can be reduced.

[0055] The printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0056] In the printer 10, when viewed from the Y direction, the entire feeding unit 60, the entire curved path R4, and the entire paper cassette unit 16 may overlap in the Z direction, respectively. Located within the arrangement region S is not limited to a part of the curved path R4, but may be the entire curved path R4. Also, located within the arrangement region S may be at least a part of the feeding unit 60. Further, located within the arrangement region S may be at least a part of the curved path R4 and at least a part of the feeding unit 60.

[0057] In the printer 10, the feeding path K and the path T2 may be separately connected to the curved path R4. The confluence portion TA does not have to overlap the first cassette 22 in the Z direction when viewed from the Y direction. When viewed from the Y direction, at least a part of the paper feed roller 64, at least a part of the curved path R4, and at least a part of the paper cassette section 16 may overlap each other in the Z direction. Further, the paper feed roller 64 may not overlap with at least a part of the curved path R4 and at least a part of the paper cassette section 16 in the Z direction. When viewed from the Y direction, only a part of the paper feed roller 64 in the Z direction may overlap with a part of the paper cassette section 16 in the Z direction.

[0058] In the printer 10, the paper feed section 60 may not have the paper feed tray 62 and the separation roller 66. For example, the paper P conveyed from the outside of the printer 10 may be fed to the conveyance path T by the rotation of the paper feed roller 64 in the paper feed path K. The upstream path R3 may not have the inclined section R3B. Further, when viewed from the Z direction, a part of the inclined section R3B and at least a part of the paper feed section 60 may overlap in the Y direction. The curved path R4 may not be provided with the roller pair 23. For example, a curved guide member may be provided, and the paper P may be guided by the contact between the guide member and the paper P. Further, when viewed from the Y direction, at least a part of the paper feed section 60 and the entire roller pair 23 may overlap in the Z direction.

[0059] In the printer 10, the moving direction of the line head 40 is not limited to the A direction and may be along the Y direction. The configuration of the paper cassette section 16 may be a configuration having only the first cassette 22 or a configuration without the third cassette 26.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 10... Printer, 12... Main body unit, 13... Expansion unit, 14... Opening, 16... Paper cassette section, 17... Discharge tray, 19A... Pickup roller, 19B... Roller pair, 21... Receiving roller pair, 22... First cassette, 23... Roller pair, 24... Second cassette, 25... Roller pair, 26... Third cassette, 27... Roller pair, 29… discharge roller pair, 30… ink supply unit, 31… conveyance belt, 32… cap unit, 33… drive roller, 34… wiper unit, 35… driven roller, 36… unit body, 37… wiper blade, 38… waste liquid tank, 40… line head, 41… carriage, 42… discharge part, 44… movement mechanism part, 46… rack part, 48… pinion, 50… inversion part, 52… roller pair, 60… feeding part, 62… feeding tray, 64… feeding roller, 66… separation roller, A… position, B… position, C… position, E… position, H1… range, H2… range, H3… range, H4… range, H5… range, H6… range, H7… range, K… feeding path, L1… first length, L2… second length, N1… nip center position, N2… nip center position, N3… nip center position, P… paper, PA… paper, PB… paper, R1… branch path, R2… switchback path, R3… upstream path, R3A… vertical path part, R3B… inclined part, R4… curved path, S… arrangement area, T… conveyance path, T1… path, T2… path, T3… path, T4… path, T5… path, W1… range, θ… angle

Claims

1. At least one medium storage unit for storing a medium; A recording unit located above the medium storage unit in the device height direction and performing recording on the medium conveyed from the medium storage unit along a conveyance path; An inversion path including a curved path convex downward in the device height direction, having the inversion path connected to an upstream part and a downstream part with respect to the recording unit in the conveyance path, and inverting the front and back of the medium recorded by the recording unit; A feeding path connected to an upstream part with respect to the recording unit in the conveyance path, and a feeding unit for feeding the medium from the feeding path to the conveyance path; A housing constituting an outer shell of a main body unit including the recording unit, the inversion unit, and the feeding unit; Comprising; The entire inversion path is formed inside the housing of the main body unit; In the device height direction, the lowermost part of the inversion unit is constituted by the lowermost part of the curved path convex downward in the device height direction; The medium storage unit is; A first storage unit having a first length in the device width direction intersecting the device height direction; A second storage unit located below the first storage unit in the device height direction and having a second length longer than the first length in the device width direction; Comprising; The feeding unit includes a feeding roller for feeding the medium to the conveyance path; The lowermost part of the curved path and at least a part of the feeding roller are located outside the first storage unit in the device width direction and within a region above the second storage unit in the device height direction; A part of the curved path is located outside the first storage unit in the device width direction and within a region directly above the second storage unit in the device height direction; When viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the feeding roller, the lowermost part of the curved path, and at least a part of the first storage unit overlap in the device height direction; The inversion unit further has an upstream path located upstream of the curved path in the conveyance direction of the medium; The upstream path has an inclined part inclined along an intersection direction intersecting the device height direction; When viewed from the device height direction, at least a part of the inclined part and at least a part of the feeding roller overlap in the device width direction; A recording device characterized by the above.

2. In the recording device according to Claim 1, The angle formed by the inclined portion and the horizontal direction is 60° or more and less than 90°. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

3. In the recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The feeding unit includes A feeding tray on which a plurality of the media can be placed, A roller disposed opposite to the feeding roller, and a separating roller that separates one of the media from the plurality of the media placed on the feeding tray, And is provided with When viewed from the apparatus height direction, at least a part of the inclined portion and at least a part of the separating roller overlap in the apparatus width direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

4. In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The conveyance path facing the recording unit is formed by a rotating conveyance belt and is inclined in the same direction as the inclined portion, The conveyance belt is disposed in a region between the conveyance path facing the recording unit and the upstream path in the crossing direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

5. In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An additional unit that is detachable from the lower part of the main body unit is provided, The first storage unit is provided in the main body unit, The second storage unit is provided in the additional unit. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

6. In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Using the path extending from the second storage unit to the curved path as a supply path, The feeding path and the supply path are connected together to the curved path after merging. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

7. In the recording apparatus according to claim 6, When viewed from the apparatus width direction, a part of the first storage unit overlaps with the confluence portion where the feeding path and the supply path merge in the apparatus height direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

8. In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, When viewed from the apparatus width direction, the entire apparatus height direction of the feeding roller overlaps with the first storage unit in the apparatus height direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

9. In the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The feeding unit includes A feeding tray on which a plurality of the media can be placed, A separating roller that separates one of the media from the plurality of the media placed on the feeding tray, and is provided with. When viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the separation roller and at least a part of the first accommodating portion overlap in the device height direction. A recording device characterized by the above.

10. In the recording device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the curved path includes a pair of conveying rollers for conveying the medium, when viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the feeding portion and at least a part of the pair of conveying rollers overlap in the device height direction. A recording device characterized by the above.

11. In the recording device according to Claim 1, a pair of conveying rollers for conveying the medium is provided in the curved path, the feeding portion includes a feeding tray on which a plurality of the media can be placed, the feeding tray is in a tilted state with respect to the housing, and the base end portion is located inside the housing, at least a part of the base end portion and at least a part of the pair of conveying rollers are located in a region outside the first accommodating portion in the device width direction and above the second accommodating portion in the device height direction, when viewed from the device width direction, at least a part of the base end portion, at least a part of the pair of conveying rollers, and at least a part of the first accommodating portion overlap in the device height direction. A recording device characterized by the above.

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