Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device that is able to restrict an increase in size.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: an image recording unit 23 configured to record an image on a recording medium 36; a first accommodating unit 17 configured to accommodate the recording medium 36; a conveyance path 26 along which the recording medium 36 is conveyed; a switching unit configured to switch a path for conveying the recording medium 36; a detection unit 13 configured to detect a size of the recording medium 36; and a control unit 14. The conveyance path 26 includes: a first feed path 27, a first curved path 29, an inversion path 32, and a second curved path 33 that intersect at an intersection 54; and a merging path 30. The second curved path 33 is longer than the first curved path 29. The control unit 14 feeds the recording medium 36 with the size equal to or smaller than a threshold value to the first curved path 29 and feeds the recording medium 36 with the size larger than the threshold value to the second curved path 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, as in Patent Document 1, there is a recording apparatus that ejects a liquid from a recording head, which is an example of an image recording unit. The recording head performs recording on a medium, which is an example of a recording medium. The recording apparatus includes a medium tray, which is an example of a housing unit that houses the medium. The recording apparatus includes a first conveyance path, which is an example of a feeding path, a first curved path, a switchback path, which is an example of a reversal path, a second curved path, and a flap. The medium fed from the medium tray is sent to the recording head through the first conveyance path and the first curved path.

[0003] When recording is performed on both sides of the medium, the medium recorded on one side is sent to the switchback path. The flap sends the medium sent to the switchback path to the first curved path or the second curved path. Specifically, when the amount of liquid ejected onto the medium is less than a predetermined threshold value, the flap sends the medium to the first curved path. When the amount of liquid ejected onto the medium is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the flap sends the medium to the second curved path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to make the length of each of the path passing through the first curved path and the path passing through the second curved path longer than the length of the medium. However, when the path is lengthened, the recording apparatus becomes larger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The recording apparatus for solving the above problems includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, a housing unit that can accommodate the recording medium, a conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, a switching unit that switches the path through which the recording medium is conveyed, a detection unit that detects the size of the recording medium, and a control unit. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection, and a merging path. The feeding path is a path that feeds the recording medium fed from the housing unit to the first curved path. The first curved path and the second curved path are paths that feed the recording medium to the merging path. The merging path is a path that feeds the recording medium to the image recording unit. The reversing path is a path that feeds the recorded recording medium to the first curved path or the second curved path. The second curved path is longer than the first curved path. The control unit feeds the recording medium with a size less than or equal to a threshold value to the first curved path, and feeds the recording medium with a size greater than the threshold value to the second curved path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording apparatus is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects and prints ink, which is an example of a liquid, on a recording medium such as paper.

[0009] In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z-axis on the assumption that the recording device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X-axis and the Y-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X-axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction parallel to the Y-axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z-axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z.

[0010] <Recording device> As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 11 may include a housing 12, a detection unit 13, and a control unit 14. The recording device 11 may include a discharge tray 16, a first storage unit 17 which is an example of a storage unit, a first feeding unit 18, a second storage unit 19, and a second feeding unit 20. The recording device 11 may include a hand insertion unit 22, an image recording unit 23, and a conveyance unit 24.

[0011] The recording device 11 includes a conveyance path 26. In the drawings, the conveyance path 26 is indicated by a dashed line. The conveyance path 26 may include a first feeding path 27 which is an example of a feeding path, a second feeding path 28, a first bending path 29, a merging path 30, a hand insertion path 31, a reversing path 32, a second bending path 33, and a discharge path 34.

[0012] The housing 12 houses various components of the recording device 11. The detection unit 13 detects the size of the recording medium 36. The detection unit 13 may be configured to include, for example, a touch panel, a display, buttons, etc. for operating the recording device 11. The detection unit 13 of the present embodiment is provided on the front of the recording device 11. The detection unit 13 may detect the size of the recording medium 36 by acquiring the information of the recording medium 36 set by the user.

[0013] The detection unit 13 may detect the standard size of the recording medium 36. The standard size may be a size such as A version or B version standardized by JIS. The standard size may be a standard size such as postcards, envelopes, business cards, forms, etc.

[0014] The control unit 14 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the recording apparatus 11. The control unit 14 controls various operations executed in the recording apparatus 11. The control unit 14 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program α, one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes β, or a combination thereof γ. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memories store program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0015] The discharge tray 16 receives the recorded recording medium 36. The discharge tray 16 may be provided at the front of the recording apparatus 11. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 can store the recording medium 36. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 are formed, for example, in a box shape with an open top. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 can store a plurality of recording media 36 in a stacked state. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 are each individually removable. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 are detachable in a state where they store the recording medium 36. The first storage unit 17 and the second storage unit 19 may be mounted by being pushed in the depth direction Y from the front of the recording apparatus 11.

[0016] The first feeding unit 18 feeds out the plurality of recording media 36 stored in the first storage unit 17 one by one to the first feeding path 27. The second feeding unit 20 feeds out the plurality of recording media 36 stored in the second storage unit 19 one by one to the second feeding path 28.

[0017] A plurality of recording media 36 can be set in the manual insertion unit 22. The recording media 36 are set in the manual insertion unit 22 in a state where a part thereof is exposed to the outside. The manual insertion unit 22 feeds out the plurality of set recording media 36 one by one to the manual insertion path 31.

[0018] The image recording unit 23 records an image on the recording medium 36. The image recording unit 23 may include a carriage 38 and a head 39. The carriage 38 of the present embodiment is configured to reciprocate in the width direction X. The head 39 is mounted on the carriage 38. The head 39 discharges liquid from a plurality of nozzles (not shown). The head 39 records on the recording medium 36 by discharging liquid toward the recording medium 36 while moving. The recording apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is configured as a serial type printer in which the head 39 moves. The recording apparatus 11 may be configured as a line type printer in which the head 39 is provided in a long shape in the width direction X.

[0019] <Carriage unit> The conveyance unit 24 conveys the recording medium 36 along the conveyance path 26. The direction in which the conveyance unit 24 conveys the recording medium 36 is referred to as the conveyance direction Dc. The conveyance direction Dc is a direction along the conveyance path 26. The conveyance unit 24 may include a first drive roller 41, a second drive roller 42, a plurality of driven units 43, a conveyance roller 44, and a discharge roller 45.

[0020] The first drive roller 41 is provided behind the image recording unit 23 in the depth direction Y. The first drive roller 41 forms a part of the first curved path 29 and a part of the merging path 30. The first drive roller 41 is rotatable about the first shaft 51. By rotating, the first drive roller 41 conveys the recording medium 36 in the first curved path 29 and the merging path 30. By rotating, the first drive roller 41 conveys the recording medium 36 in the inversion path 32.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the second drive roller 42 is provided behind the first drive roller 41 in the depth direction Y. The second drive roller 42 forms a part of the second curved path 33. The second drive roller 42 is rotatable about the second shaft 52. By rotating, the second drive roller 42 conveys the recording medium 36 in the second curved path 33.

[0022] The diameter of the second drive roller 42 may be smaller than the diameter of the first drive roller 41. That is, the curvature of the second curved path 33 is greater than the curvature of the first curved path 29. The second shaft 52 may be located below the first shaft 51. In the vertical direction Z, the lower end 42b of the second drive roller 42 may be located at substantially the same position as the lower end of the first drive roller 41.

[0023] The plurality of driven units 43 have the same configuration. When distinguishing the plurality of driven units 43, they are also referred to as the first driven unit 43a, the second driven unit 43b, the third driven unit 43c, and the fourth driven unit 43d. The driven unit 43 has a driven roller. In the present embodiment, the driven rollers respectively included in the first driven unit 43a to the fourth driven unit 43d are also referred to as the first driven roller 47a to the fourth driven roller 47d.

[0024] The first driven unit 43a and the second driven unit 43b sandwich the recording medium 36 between them and the first drive roller 41. The third driven unit 43c and the fourth driven unit 43d sandwich the recording medium 36 between them and the second drive roller 42.

[0025] Hereinafter, the first driven unit 43a will be described, and for the common configurations, the same reference numerals will be used and the overlapping descriptions will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the first driven unit 43a may include a case 48, a driven shaft 49, a spring (not shown), and a first driven roller 47a.

[0026] The case 48 houses various components of the first driven unit 43a. The case 48 holds the driven shaft 49. The driven shaft 49 extends in the width direction X. The axial direction of the driven shaft 49 is parallel to the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52. The axial direction of the driven shaft 49 is parallel to the width direction X.

[0027] The spring (not shown) presses the first driven roller 47a against the first drive roller 41 by pressing the driven shaft 49. The first driven roller 47a is rotatably provided about the driven shaft 49. The first driven roller 47a sandwiches the recording medium 36 between it and the first driving roller 41. Similarly, the second driven roller 47b sandwiches the recording medium 36 between it and the first driving roller 41. The third driven roller 47c and the fourth driven roller 47d sandwich the recording medium 36 between them and the second driving roller 42. The first driven roller 47a to the fourth driven roller 47d rotate passively with respect to the conveyed recording medium 36.

[0028] The first driven unit 43a is provided behind the first driving roller 41 in the depth direction Y. The driven shaft 49 of the first driven unit 43a is provided between the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52 in the depth direction Y.

[0029] The driven shaft 49 of the first driven unit 43a may be aligned with the first shaft 51 of the first driving roller 41 in the depth direction Y. The driven shaft 49 of the first driven unit 43a may be located at the same position as the first shaft 51 in the vertical direction Z.

[0030] The first driven unit 43a overlaps the second driving roller 42 in the depth direction Y. In other words, the second driving roller 42 overlaps the first driven unit 43a in the depth direction Y. In the second driving roller 42 of the present embodiment, the front end 42f in the depth direction Y is located in front of the rear end 47r of the first driven roller 47a.

[0031] The second driving roller 42 overlaps the first driven unit 43a in the vertical direction Z. The first driven unit 43a is located between the upper end 42t and the lower end 42b of the second driving roller 42 in the vertical direction Z.

[0032] The second driving roller 42 overlaps the first driven unit 43a when viewed in the axial direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the second driving roller 42 is viewed in the axial direction, a part of the second driving roller 42 located behind the first driven unit 43a is hidden by the first driven unit 43a.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance roller 44 is rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. The conveyance roller 44 rotating in the forward direction conveys the recording medium 36 in the conveyance direction Dc from the confluence path 30 toward the discharge path 34. The conveyance roller 44 rotates in the forward direction in accordance with the movement of the image recording unit 23. The conveyance roller 44 conveys the recording medium 36 intermittently. The conveyance roller 44 rotates in the forward direction at the timing when the reciprocating image recording unit 23 turns back.

[0034] The discharge roller 45 may rotate in the forward and reverse directions in accordance with the drive of the conveyance roller 44. The discharge roller 45 rotating in the forward direction conveys the recording medium 36 toward the discharge tray 16. The discharge roller 45 discharges the recorded recording medium 36 to the discharge tray 16.

[0035] The conveyance roller 44 and the discharge roller 45 rotating in the reverse direction send the recording medium 36 to the inversion path 32. When recording is performed on both sides of the recording medium 36, the conveyance roller 44 and the discharge roller 45 send the recording medium 36 recorded on one side to the inversion path 32.

[0036] <Conveyance path> The conveyance path 26 is the path along which the recording medium 36 is conveyed. The conveyance path 26 of the present embodiment conveys the recording medium 36 fed from the first storage unit 17, the second storage unit 19, and the manual feed unit 22.

[0037] The first feed path 27, the first curved path 29, the inversion path 32, and the second curved path 33 intersect at the intersection 54. The intersection 54 is a space where the ends of a plurality of paths are located. The first feed path 27 is the path between the first feed unit 18 and the intersection 54. The first feed path 27 is the path that sends the recording medium 36 fed from the first storage unit 17 to the first curved path 29.

[0038] The second feed path 28 is the path between the second feed unit 20 and the intersection 54. The second feed path 28 is the path that sends the recording medium 36 fed from the second storage unit 19 to the first curved path 29.

[0039] The first curved path 29 is the path straight ahead from the downstream ends of the first feeding path 27 and the second feeding path 28. The first curved path 29 of the present embodiment is located above the first feeding path 27 and the second feeding path 28 in the vertical direction Z. The first curved path 29 is the path between the intersection 54 and the confluence point 55. The first curved path 29 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 to the confluence path 30.

[0040] The confluence path 30 is the path between the confluence point 55 and the discharge roller 45. The confluence point 55 is the point where the first curved path 29 and the second curved path 33 merge. The confluence path 30 is the path where the first curved path 29 and the second curved path 33 merge. The confluence path 30 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 to the image recording unit 23.

[0041] The hand - feeding path 31 is the path between the hand - feeding unit 22 and the confluence path 30. The hand - feeding path 31 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 fed by the hand - feeding unit 22 to the confluence path 30. The discharge path 34 is the path downstream of the discharge roller 45 in the transport direction Dc.

[0042] The inversion path 32 is the path between the transport roller 44 and the intersection 54. The inversion path 32 is the path for sending the recorded recording medium 36 to the first curved path 29 or the second curved path 33.

[0043] The second curved path 33 is the path straight ahead from the downstream end of the inversion path 32. The second curved path 33 is the path between the intersection 54 and the confluence point 55. The downstream end of the second curved path 33 merges into the confluence path 30. The second curved path 33 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 to the confluence path 30. The second curved path 33 is longer than the first curved path 29.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the first curved path 29 may have a first guide surface 57. The first guide surface 57 receives the recording medium 36 passed from the first feeding path 27 and the second feeding path 28. The first guide surface 57 guides the recording medium 36.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the second curved path 33 may have a second guide surface 58. The second guide surface 58 receives the recording medium 36 passed from the inversion path 32. The second guide surface 58 guides the recording medium 36.

[0046] <Switching unit> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the recording apparatus 11 may include a switching unit 60 and a solenoid 61. The switching unit 60 switches the path for transporting the recording medium 36. The switching unit 60 switches the transport destination of the recording medium 36 transported through the inversion path 32 between the first curved path 29 and the second curved path 33.

[0047] The solenoid 61 moves the switching unit 60. The solenoid 61 moves the switching unit 60 to the first position P1 shown in FIG. 3 and the second position P2 shown in FIG. 4. The switching unit 60 may reciprocate in a direction intersecting the inversion path 32. The switching unit 60 may reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the inversion path 32. The switching unit 60 may reciprocate in a direction parallel to the first curved path 29. The switching unit 60 may reciprocate in the vertical direction Z.

[0048] The switching unit 60 may be provided across the width direction X. The switching unit 60 may have a first surface 63, a second surface 64, and a third surface 65. The first surface 63 is a plane facing the first guide surface 57. The first surface 63 forms a part of the first curved path 29. The first surface 63 guides the recording medium 36 sent from the first feeding path 27 and the second feeding path 28 to the first curved path 29.

[0049] The second surface 64 is a curved surface facing the first driving roller 41. The second surface 64 guides the recording medium 36 sent from the inversion path 32 to the first curved path 29. The third surface 65 forms a part of the inversion path 32. The third surface 65 is a plane. The third surface 65 guides the recording medium 36 sent from the inversion path 32 to the second curved path 33.

[0050] The control unit 14 may move the switching unit 60 to the first position P1 and the second position P2 by controlling the driving of the solenoid 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 14 guides the recording medium 36 on the reverse path 32 to the first curved path 29 by positioning the switching unit 60 at the first position P1. The switching unit 60 located at the first position P1 closes the reverse path 32. The switching unit 60 located at the first position P1 forms a path through which the recording medium 36 passes between the switching unit 60 and the first driving roller 41. The second surface 64 of the switching unit 60 located at the first position P1 intersects the reverse path 32. Therefore, the recording medium 36 conveyed on the reverse path 32 hits the second surface 64 and is conveyed along the second surface 64. The first driving roller 41 rotates to convey the recording medium 36 passing between the first driving roller 41 and the switching unit 60.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 14 guides the recording medium 36 on the reverse path 32 to the second curved path 33 by positioning the switching unit 60 at the second position P2. The switching unit 60 located at the second position P2 opens the reverse path 32. The recording medium 36 conveyed on the reverse path 32 passes through the switching unit 60 and is sent to the second curved path 33.

[0052] <Actions of the Embodiment> The actions of this embodiment will be described. The recording medium 36 fed from the first storage unit 17 to the first feeding path 27 is delivered to the first curved path 29. The recording medium 36 fed from the second storage unit 19 to the second feeding path 28 is delivered to the first curved path 29. At this time, the leading end of the recording medium 36 is guided by the first guide surface 57.

[0053] The recording medium 36 is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc along the first curved path 29 and the merging path 30. The image recording unit 23 performs recording on the recording medium 36 conveyed to a position facing the head 39. The image recording unit 23 performs recording on one side of the recording medium 36.

[0054] When recording is performed on one side of the recording medium 36, the control unit 14 discharges the recording medium 36 to the discharge tray 16. When recording is performed on both sides of the recording medium 36, the control unit 14 sends the recording medium 36 to the reverse path 32.

[0055] The control unit 14 switches the path for transporting the recording medium 36 according to the size of the recording medium 36. When the size of the recording medium 36 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit 14 positions the switching unit 60 at the first position P1. The control unit 14 sends the recording medium 36 with a size equal to or less than the threshold value to the first curved path 29. When the size of the recording medium 36 is greater than the threshold value, the control unit 14 positions the switching unit 60 at the second position P2. The control unit 14 sends the recording medium 36 with a size greater than the threshold value to the second curved path 33.

[0056] The size of the recording medium 36 may be the length in the conveyance direction Dc. The threshold value is set to a value equal to or less than the total length of the reverse path 32, the first curved path 29, and the merging path 30. The size of the recording medium 36 may be a standard size. The control unit 14 may switch the path for transporting the recording medium 36 according to the standard size of the recording medium 36. The control unit 14 may send the recording medium 36 with a standard size equal to or less than the predetermined size to the first curved path 29. The control unit 14 may send the recording medium 36 with a standard size greater than the predetermined size to the second curved path 33. The predetermined size is, for example, the A4 size.

[0057] The recording medium 36 sent to the first curved path 29 or the second curved path 33 is sent to the image recording unit 23 via the merging path 30. That is, the recording medium 36 recorded on one side is returned to the image recording unit 23. At this time, the back surface of the recording medium 36 opposite to the previously recorded surface faces the image recording unit 23. The image recording unit 23 performs recording on the back surface of the recording medium 36. The control unit 14 discharges the recording medium 36 recorded on both sides to the discharge tray 16.

[0058] <Effect of the Embodiment> The effect of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) The control unit 14 sends the recording medium 36 with a size equal to or smaller than the threshold value to the first curved path 29. The control unit 14 sends the recording medium 36 with a size larger than the threshold value to the second curved path 33. The second curved path 33 is longer than the first curved path 29. By sending the recording medium 36 with a large size along the longer path, the first curved path 29 can be shortened. Therefore, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0059] (1-2) Since the switching unit 60 reciprocates in a direction intersecting the reversing path 32, the path for conveying the recording medium 36 can be easily switched. (1-3) The solenoid 61 moves the switching unit 60. Therefore, the switching unit 60 can be easily reciprocated.

[0060] (1-4) The control unit 14 selects a path according to the standard size of the recording medium 36. Therefore, the control load can be reduced as compared with the case of detecting the size by measuring the length of the recording medium 36, for example.

[0061] (1-5) The switching unit 60 has a first surface 63, a second surface 64, and a third surface 65. Therefore, the recording medium 36 can be easily guided in three directions by one switching unit 60.

[0062] (1-6) The second driving roller 42 overlaps with the first driven unit 43a in the depth direction Y. Therefore, the second driving roller 42 can be provided at a position closer to the first driving roller 41. Therefore, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0063] (1-7) The second driving roller 42 overlaps with the first driven unit 43a when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, the area occupied by the conveying unit 24 can be made smaller as compared with the case where the second driving roller 42 is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the first driven unit 43a. Therefore, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0064] [Modified Example] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0065] · The recording device 11 may perform recording on both sides of the recording medium 36 set in the hand - insertion part 22. · The second feeding path 28 may merge with another path at a position different from the intersection 54. For example, the second feeding path 28 may merge with the second curved path 33.

[0066] · The recording device 11 may be configured not to include the second storage part 19. The second storage part 19 and the second feeding part 20 may be detachably provided with respect to the housing 12. · The control part 14 may send the recording medium 36 with a size smaller than the threshold value to the second curved path 33. For example, when the discharge amount per unit area when the image recording part 23 discharges liquid onto the surface of the recording medium 36 is large, the control part 14 may send the recording medium 36 to the second curved path 33.

[0067] · The recording device 11 may be provided with a plurality of switching parts 60. The plurality of switching parts 60 may be arranged side by side in the width direction X. · The switching part 60 may have a second surface 64 and may not have at least one of the first surface 63 and the third surface 65. The switching part 60 having the second surface 64 sends the recording medium 36 from the inversion path 32 to the first curved path 29. The switching part 60 may not guide the recording medium 36 sent from the first feeding path 27 or the second feeding path 28 to the first curved path 29, and the recording medium 36 sent from the inversion path 32 to the second curved path 33.

[0068] · The switching part 60 may move, by rotating around an axis, between a position for sending the recording medium 36 to the first curved path 29 and a position for sending the recording medium 36 to the second curved path 33. · The recording device 11 may be provided with a motor for moving the switching part 60. The control part 14 may move the switching part 60 by controlling the drive of the motor.

[0069] · The detection unit 13 may detect the size of the recording medium 36 stored in the first storage unit 17 or the second storage unit 19. The recording apparatus 11 may include an edge guide for aligning the edges of the recording medium 36 in a state where the recording medium 36 is stored. The detection unit 13 may detect the size of the recording medium 36 by detecting the position of the edge guide.

[0070] · The detection unit 13 may be a sensor provided in the conveyance path 26. The detection unit 13 may detect the leading end and the trailing end of the conveyed recording medium 36. The detection unit 13 may detect the size of the recording medium 36 from the time from detecting the leading end of the recording medium 36 to detecting the trailing end of the recording medium 36 and the speed at which the recording medium 36 is conveyed.

[0071] · The recording apparatus 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be a laser printer, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, a digital printing machine, or the like. · The recording device may be a liquid ejection device that performs recording by ejecting or discharging a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected as minute droplets from the liquid ejection device shall include granular, teardrop-shaped, and those trailing in a filamentous form. The liquid herein may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be in a state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and shall include highly viscous or low-viscosity liquid bodies, sols, gels, water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, molten metals, and other fluid bodies. The liquid shall include not only the liquid as a state of a substance, but also those in which particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of the liquid include ink, liquid crystal, etc. as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink shall include general aqueous inks, oily inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device include, for example, a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, color filters, etc. in a dispersed or dissolved form. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects biological organisms used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that is used as a precision pipette and ejects a liquid serving as a sample, a printing device, a microdispenser, etc. The liquid ejection device may be a device that precisely ejects lubricating oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate to form a minute hemispherical lens, an optical lens, etc. used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or an alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0072] [Definition] As used herein, the expression "at least one" means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, as used herein, the expression "at least one" means "only one option" or "both of the two options" if the number of options is two. As another example, as used herein, the expression "at least one" means "only one option", "any combination of two options", or "any combination of three or more options" if the number of options is three or more.

[0073] [Appendix] The following describes the technical idea and its effects grasped from the above-described embodiments and modified examples.

[0074] (A) The recording apparatus includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, a housing unit that can accommodate the recording medium, a conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, a switching unit that switches the path for conveying the recording medium, a detection unit that detects the size of the recording medium, and a control unit. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection, and a merging path. The feeding path is a path that feeds the recording medium fed from the housing unit to the first curved path. The first curved path and the second curved path are paths that feed the recording medium to the merging path. The merging path is a path that feeds the recording medium to the image recording unit. The reversing path is a path that feeds the recorded recording medium to the first curved path or the second curved path. The second curved path is longer than the first curved path. The control unit feeds the recording medium having a size less than or equal to the threshold value to the first curved path, and feeds the recording medium having a size greater than the threshold value to the second curved path.

[0075] According to this configuration, the control unit feeds the recording medium having a size less than or equal to the threshold value to the first curved path. The control unit 14 feeds the recording medium having a size greater than the threshold value to the second curved path. The second curved path is longer than the first curved path. By feeding the recording medium having a large size to the long path, the first curved path can be shortened. Therefore, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus can be suppressed.

[0076] (B) In the recording apparatus, the switching unit may reciprocate in a direction intersecting the inversion path. According to this configuration, since the switching unit reciprocates in a direction intersecting the inversion path, the path for transporting the recording medium can be easily switched.

[0077] (C) The recording apparatus may include a solenoid that moves the switching unit. According to this configuration, the solenoid moves the switching unit. Therefore, the switching unit can be easily reciprocated.

[0078] (D) In the recording apparatus, the detection unit detects the standard size of the recording medium, and the control unit may send the recording medium having a standard size equal to or less than a predetermined size to the first curved path.

[0079] According to this configuration, the control unit selects a path according to the standard size of the recording medium. Therefore, the control load can be reduced compared to the case where, for example, the size is detected by measuring the length of the recording medium.

[0080] (E) In the recording apparatus, the switching unit has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first surface guides the recording medium sent from the feeding path to the first curved path, the second surface guides the recording medium sent from the inversion path to the first curved path, and the third surface may guide the recording medium sent from the inversion path to the second curved path.

[0081] According to this configuration, the switching unit has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. Therefore, with one switching unit, the recording medium can be easily guided in three directions.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 11…Recording device, 12…Housing, 13…Detection unit, 14…Control unit, 16…Discharge tray, 17…First storage unit which is an example of the storage unit, 18…First feeding unit, 19…Second storage unit, 20…Second feeding unit, 22…Insertion part, 23…Image recording unit, 24…Conveying unit, 26…Conveying path, 27…First feeding path which is an example of the feeding path, 28…Second feeding path, 29…First bending path, 30…Confluence path, 31…Insertion path, 32…Inversion path, 33…Second bending path, 34…Discharge path, 36…Recording medium, 38…Carriage, 39…Head, 41…First driving roller, 42…Second driving roller, 42b…Lower end, 42f…Front end, 42t…Upper end, 43…Driven unit, 44…Conveying roller, 45…Discharge roller, 47a…First driven roller, 47b…Second driven roller, 47c…Third driven roller, 47d…Fourth driven roller, 47r…Rear end, 48…Case, 49…Driven shaft, 51…First shaft, 52…Second shaft, 54…Intersection, 55…Confluence point, 57…First guide surface, 58…Second guide surface, 60…Switching part, 61…Solenoid, 63…First surface, 64…Second surface, 65…Third surface, Dc…Conveying direction, P1…First position, P2…Second position, X…Width direction, Y…Depth direction, Z…Vertical direction.

Claims

1. An image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, A housing unit that can accommodate the recording medium, A conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, A switching unit that switches the path through which the recording medium is conveyed, A detection unit that detects the size of the recording medium, A control unit, Comprising, The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection, and a merging path, The feeding path is a path that sends the recording medium fed from the housing unit to the first curved path, The first curved path and the second curved path are paths that send the recording medium to the merging path, The merging path is a path that sends the recording medium to the image recording unit, The reversing path is a path that sends the recorded recording medium to the first curved path or the second curved path, The second curved path is longer than the first curved path, The control unit sends the recording medium with a size equal to or less than a threshold value to the first curved path, and sends the recording medium with a size greater than the threshold value to the second curved path. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

2. The switching unit reciprocates in a direction intersecting the reversing path. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a solenoid that moves the switching unit.

4. The detection unit detects the standard size of the recording medium, The control unit sends the recording medium with a standard size equal to or less than a predetermined size to the first curved path. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by this.

5. The switching unit has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, The first surface guides the recording medium sent from the feeding path to the first curved path, The second surface guides the recording medium sent from the reversing path to the first curved path, The third surface guides the recording medium sent from the reversing path to the second curved path. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by this.

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