Recording device

By integrating a conveyance path with overlapping rollers in the recording apparatus, the size increase due to multiple paths is mitigated, ensuring a more compact design.

JP2025101905APending Publication Date: 2025-07-08SEIKO EPSON CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023219003
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-26
Publication Date
2025-07-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The increasing number of paths in existing recording devices leads to an increase in size, making them larger and less space-efficient.

Method used

The recording apparatus incorporates a conveyance path with a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection, utilizing a first driving roller, a second driving roller, and a driven unit where the second driving roller overlaps with the driven unit in the depth direction, reducing the overall size by allowing closer placement and minimizing the occupied area.

Benefits of technology

This configuration effectively suppresses the increase in size of the recording apparatus by allowing the second driving roller to be positioned closer to the first driving roller, reducing the overall space required, thus maintaining a compact design.

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Abstract

To provide a recording device that is able to restrict an increase in size.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: an image recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium; an accommodating unit configured to accommodate the recording medium; a conveyance path along which the recording medium is conveyed; and a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium. The conveyance path includes a first feeding path 27, a first curved path 29, an inversion path 31, and a second curved path 32 that intersect at an intersection 59. The conveyance unit includes a first driving roller 41, a second driving roller 42, and a first driven unit 43a. The first driving roller 41 is provided behind the image recording unit in a depth direction Y to constitute a first curved path 29. The first driven unit 43a includes a first driven roller 57a that sandwiches the recording medium between the first driving roller 41 and this driven roller. The second driving roller 42 is provided behind the first driving roller 41 in the depth direction Y to constitute the second curved path 32 and overlaps the first driven unit 43a in the depth direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, as in Patent Document 1, there is a recording device 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 device includes a medium tray, which is an example of a housing unit that houses the medium. The recording device 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 reversing 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 medium sent to the switchback path is sent to the second curved path across the first conveyance path. The flap blocks the first conveyance path and guides the paper 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 device described in Patent Document 1, a second curved path is provided separately from the first curved path that sends the medium from the medium tray to the recording head. As the number of paths increases, the recording device 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, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first bending path, a reversing path, and a second bending path that intersect at an intersection. The feeding path is a path that sends the recording medium fed from the housing unit to the first bending path. The first bending 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 second bending path. The second bending path is a path that sends the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit. The conveyance unit includes a first driving roller, a second driving roller, and a driven unit. The first driving roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction and constitutes the first bending path. The driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium between the driven roller and the first driving roller. The second driving roller is provided behind the first driving roller in the depth direction and constitutes the second bending path, and overlaps with the driven unit in the depth direction.

[0007] 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, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection. 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 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 second curved path. The second curved path is a path that feeds the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit. The conveyance unit includes a first driving roller, a second driving roller, and a driven unit. The first driving roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction and constitutes the first curved path. The driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium between the driven roller and the first driving roller. The second driving roller is provided behind the first driving roller in the depth direction and constitutes the second curved path, and overlaps the driven unit when viewed in the axial direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [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.

[0010] In the drawings, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z-axis assuming 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.

[0011] <recording device> As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 11 may include a housing 12, an operation 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.

[0012] 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 curved path 29, a hand insertion path 30, a reversing path 31, a second curved path 32, and a discharge path 33.

[0013] The housing 12 houses various components of the recording device 11. The operation unit 13 is for operating the recording device 11. The operation unit 13 of the present embodiment is provided on the front surface of the recording device 11. The operation unit 13 is configured to include, for example, a touch panel, a display, buttons, and the like.

[0014] The control unit 14 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the recording device 11. The control unit 14 controls various operations executed in the recording device 11. The control unit 14 can be configured as a circuit including α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program, β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of the various processes, or γ: a combination thereof. 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, i.e., 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 in front of the recording device 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 of storing 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 device 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 hand insertion part 22. The recording media 36 are set in the hand insertion part 22 in a state where a part thereof is exposed to the outside. The hand insertion part 22 feeds out the plurality of set recording media 36 one by one to the hand insertion path 30. The hand insertion part 22 may be provided on the first curved path 29 and the second curved path 32.

[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 a liquid from a plurality of nozzles (not shown). The head 39 performs recording on the recording medium 36 by discharging the 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 to be long in the width direction X.

[0019] <Conveying Unit> The conveying unit 24 conveys the recording medium 36 along the conveyance path 26. The direction in which the conveying 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 conveying unit 24 may include a first driving roller 41, a second driving roller 42, a driven unit 43, a conveying roller 44, and a discharge roller 45. The conveying unit 24 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of driven units 43.

[0020] The first driving roller 41 is provided behind the image recording unit 23 in the depth direction Y. The first driving roller 41 is provided on the side opposite to the operation unit 13 and the discharge tray 16 with respect to the image recording unit 23. The first driving roller 41 constitutes a part of the first curved path 29. The first driving roller 41 is rotatable about a first axis 51 which is an example of an axis. The first axis 51 extends in the width direction X. That is, the axial direction of the first driving roller 41 is parallel to the width direction X. The first driving roller 41 conveys the recording medium 36 on the first curved path 29 by rotating. The first driving roller 41 conveys the recording medium 36 on the inversion path 31 by rotating.

[0021] 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 32. The second drive roller 42 is rotatable about a second shaft 52 which is an example of a shaft. The second shaft 52 is provided in parallel with the first shaft 51. The second shaft 52 extends in the width direction X. The axial direction of the second drive roller 42 is parallel to the width direction X. By rotating, the second drive roller 42 conveys the recording medium 36 along the second curved path 32.

[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 32 is larger 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 shown in FIG. 3 may be located at substantially the same position as the lower end of the first drive roller 41. In the vertical direction Z, the first drive roller 41 and the second drive roller 42 may be located below the hand insertion portion 22.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying unit 24 may include a plurality of second drive rollers 42. The plurality of second drive rollers 42 are arranged in the axial direction. The plurality of second drive rollers 42 are rotatable about the same second shaft 52. The plurality of second drive rollers 42 are provided with a shift in position from the first drive roller 41 in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, two second drive rollers 42 are provided on both sides of the first drive roller 41 in the axial direction. If the distances from the two second drive rollers 42 to the first drive roller 41 in the axial direction are made the same, skewing of the conveyed recording medium 36 can be reduced.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the configurations of the plurality of driven units 43 are the same. When distinguishing the plurality of driven units 43, they are also referred to as a first driven unit 43a, a second driven unit 43b, a third driven unit 43c, and a fourth driven unit 43d. The driven unit 43 has a driven roller. In the present embodiment, the driven rollers of the first driven unit 43a to the fourth driven unit 43d are also referred to as a first driven roller 57a to a fourth driven roller 57d, respectively.

[0025] The first driven unit 43a and the second driven unit 43b are provided at the same position as the first driving roller 41 in the width direction X. The first driven unit 43a and the second driven unit 43b sandwich the recording medium 36 therebetween with the first driving roller 41.

[0026] The conveying unit 24 may include a plurality of third driven units 43c and a plurality of fourth driven units 43d. The plurality of third driven units 43c and the plurality of fourth driven units 43d are respectively provided at the same position as the plurality of second driving rollers 42 in the width direction X. The third driven unit 43c and the fourth driven unit 43d sandwich the recording medium 36 therebetween with the corresponding second driving roller 42.

[0027] Hereinafter, the first driven unit 43a will be described, and duplicate descriptions of common configurations will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 2, the first driven unit 43a may include a case 54, a driven shaft 55, a plurality of springs 56, and a first driven roller 57a.

[0028] The case 54 houses various components of the first driven unit 43a. The case 54 holds the driven shaft 55. The driven shaft 55 extends in the width direction X. The axial direction of the driven shaft 55 is parallel to the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52. The axial direction of the driven shaft 55 is parallel to the width direction X.

[0029] The plurality of springs 56 push the driven shaft 55, thereby pressing the first driven roller 57a against the first driving roller 41. The first driven roller 57a is rotatably provided about the driven shaft 55. The first driven roller 57a sandwiches the recording medium 36 therebetween with the first driving roller 41. Similarly, the second driven roller 57b sandwiches the recording medium 36 therebetween with the first driving roller 41. The third driven roller 57c and the fourth driven roller 57d sandwich the recording medium 36 therebetween with the second driving roller 42. The first driven roller 57a to the fourth driven roller 57d rotate in a driven manner with respect to the conveyed recording medium 36.

[0030] The first driven unit 43a is provided behind the first drive roller 41 in the depth direction Y. The driven shaft 55 of the first driven unit 43a is provided between the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52 in the depth direction Y.

[0031] The driven shaft 55 of the first driven unit 43a may be aligned with the first shaft 51 of the first drive roller 41 in the depth direction Y. The driven shaft 55 of the first driven unit 43a may be located at the same position as the first shaft 51 in the vertical direction Z.

[0032] The first driven unit 43a overlaps with the second drive roller 42 in the depth direction Y. In other words, the second drive roller 42 overlaps with the first driven unit 43a in the depth direction Y. The front end 42f of the second drive roller 42 in the present embodiment is located in front of the rear end 57r of the first driven roller 57a in the depth direction Y.

[0033] The second drive roller 42 overlaps with 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 drive roller 42 in the vertical direction Z.

[0034] The second drive roller 42 overlaps with the first driven unit 43a when viewed in the axial direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second drive roller 42 is viewed in the axial direction, a part of the second drive roller 42 located behind the first driven unit 43a is hidden by the first driven unit 43a. When the second drive roller 42 located in front of the first driven unit 43a is viewed in the axial direction, the second drive roller 42 hides a part of the first driven unit 43a.

[0035] 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 first curved path 29 toward the discharge path 33. The conveyance roller 44 rotates forward 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 forward at the timing when the reciprocating image recording unit 23 turns back.

[0036] The discharge roller 45 may rotate in the forward and reverse directions in accordance with the driving 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.

[0037] The conveyance roller 44 and the discharge roller 45 rotating in the reverse direction send the recording medium 36 to the inversion path 31. 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 31.

[0038] <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.

[0039] The first feed path 27, the first curved path 29, the inversion path 31, and the second curved path 32 intersect at the intersection 59. The intersection 59 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 59. The first feed path 27 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 fed from the first storage unit 17 to the first curved path 29.

[0040] The second feed path 28 is the path between the second feed unit 20 and the intersection 59. The second feed path 28 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 fed from the second storage unit 19 to the first curved path 29.

[0041] 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 59 and the discharge roller 45. The first curved path 29 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 to the image recording unit 23.

[0042] The manual feed path 30 is the path between the manual feed unit 22 and the first curved path 29. The manual feed path 30 is the path for sending the recording medium 36 fed by the manual feed unit 22 to the first curved path 29. The discharge path 33 is the path downstream of the discharge roller 45 in the conveyance direction Dc.

[0043] The inversion path 31 is the path between the conveyance roller 44 and the intersection 59. The inversion path 31 is the path for sending the recorded recording medium 36 to the second curved path 32. The second curved path 32 is the path straight ahead from the downstream end of the inversion path 31. The downstream end of the second curved path 32 merges with the first curved path 29. The second curved path 32 is the path between the intersection 59 and the first curved path 29. The second curved path 32 is the path for sending the recorded recording medium 36 to the image recording unit 23. The recording medium 36 with one side recorded returns to the image recording unit 23 via the inversion path 31, the second curved path 32, and the first curved path 29.

[0044] <Actions of the Embodiment> The actions of the present 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.

[0045] The recording medium 36 is conveyed in the conveyance direction Dc along the first curved path 29. The image recording unit 23 performs recording on the recording medium 36 conveyed to the position facing the head 39. The image recording unit 23 performs recording on one side of the recording medium 36.

[0046] 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 inversion path 31. The recording medium 36 sent to the inversion path 31 is delivered to the second curved path 32.

[0047] After the recording medium 36 merges from the second curved path 32 into the first curved path 29, it is sent to the image recording unit 23. That is, the recording medium 36 recorded on one side is returned to the image recording unit 23 through the inversion path 31, the second curved path 32, and the first curved path 29. 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.

[0048] <Actions of the Embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) 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. Thus, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0049] (1-2) The second driving roller 42 overlaps with the first driven unit 43a when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, the area occupied by the conveyance unit 24 can be made smaller compared to the case where the second driving roller 42 is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the first driven unit 43a. Thus, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0050] (1-3) The first driven roller 57a and the first driving roller 41 have their axes aligned in the depth direction Y. The second driving roller 42 is provided behind the first driving roller 41 in the depth direction Y. When the first driving roller 41, the first driven roller 57a, and the second driving roller 42 are arranged apart from each other in the depth direction Y, the area occupied by the conveying unit 24 tends to become large. In this regard, by providing the second driving roller 42 so as to overlap the first driven unit 43a, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus 11 can be suppressed.

[0051] (1-4) The plurality of second driving rollers 42 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. Therefore, the plurality of second driving rollers 42 can be easily provided while avoiding the first driven unit 43a.

[0052] (1-5) The second shaft 52 of the second driving roller 42 is located below the first shaft 51 of the first driving roller 41. Therefore, it is possible to easily secure a space above the second driving roller 42.

[0053] (1-6) The diameter of the second driving roller 42 is smaller than the diameter of the first driving roller 41. Therefore, the area occupied by the conveying unit 24 can be made smaller than in the case where the diameter of the second driving roller 42 is the same as the diameter of the first driving roller 41.

[0054] [Modification 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.

[0055] · The second feeding path 28 may merge with another path at a position different from the intersection 59. For example, the second feeding path 28 may merge with the second curved path 32. · The recording apparatus 11 may be configured not to include the second housing portion 19. The second housing portion 19 and the second feeding portion 20 may be detachably provided with respect to the housing 12.

[0056] · The upper end of the first driven unit 43a may be located above the upper end 42t of the second driving roller 42 in the vertical direction Z. The upper end of the first driven roller 57a may be located above the upper end 42t of the second driving roller 42.

[0057] · The lower end of the first driven unit 43a may be located below the lower end 42b of the second driving roller 42 in the vertical direction Z. The lower end of the first driven roller 57a may be located below the lower end 42b of the second driving roller 42.

[0058] · The diameter of the second driving roller 42 may be equal to or greater than the diameter of the first driving roller 41. · In the vertical direction Z, the first shaft 51 and the second shaft 52 may be located at the same position. In the vertical direction Z, the second shaft 52 may be located above the first shaft 51.

[0059] · The second driving roller 42 provided in the recording device 11 may be one. · The recording device 11 may include a plurality of first driving rollers 41 rotatable about the first shaft 51. For example, two first driving rollers 41 may be provided on both sides of one second driving roller 42 in the axial direction. The recording device 11 may include a plurality of first driven units 43a. The recording device 11 may include a plurality of second driven units 43b.

[0060] · The driven shaft 55 of the first driven unit 43a may be located below or above the first shaft 51 in the vertical direction Z. · The recording device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may also be a laser printer, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, a digital printing machine, or the like.

[0061] · The recording device may be a liquid injection device that performs recording by injecting or discharging a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid discharged as minute droplets from the liquid injection device shall include those with a granular, teardrop-like, or filamentous trailing shape. The liquid herein may be any material that can be injected from the liquid injection 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 liquids, sols, gels, water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, molten metals, and other fluid substances. The liquid shall include not only liquids as a state of matter 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 and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink shall include general aqueous inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid injection device include, for example, a device that injects 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 injection device may be a device that injects biological organisms used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that injects a liquid serving as a sample and is used as a precision pipette, a printing device, a microdispenser, etc. The liquid injection device may be a device that precisely injects lubricating oil into precision machines such as watches and cameras, or a device that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens, an optical lens, etc. used in optical communication elements. The liquid injection device may be a device that injects an etching liquid such as an acid or an alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0062] [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.

[0063] [Appendix] The following describes the technical idea and its effects grasped from the above-described embodiments and modification examples.

[0064] (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, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection. 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 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 second curved path. The second curved path is a path that feeds the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit. The conveyance unit includes a first driving roller, a second driving roller, and a driven unit. The first driving roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction and constitutes the first curved path. The driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium with the first driving roller. The second driving roller is provided behind the first driving roller in the depth direction and constitutes the second curved path, and overlaps the driven unit in the depth direction.

[0065] According to this configuration, the second driving roller overlaps the driven unit in the depth direction. Therefore, the second driving roller can be provided at a position close to the first driving roller. Thus, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus can be suppressed.

[0066] (B) 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, and a conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium. The conveyance path includes a feeding path, a first curved path, a reversing path, and a second curved path that intersect at an intersection. 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 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 second curved path. The second curved path is a path that sends the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit. The conveyance unit includes a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a driven unit. The first drive roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction and constitutes the first curved path. The driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium with the first drive roller. The second drive roller is provided behind the first drive roller in the depth direction and constitutes the second curved path, and overlaps with the driven unit when viewed in the axial direction.

[0067] According to this configuration, the second drive roller overlaps with the driven unit when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, the area occupied by the conveyance unit can be made smaller than when the second drive roller is provided at a position where it does not overlap with the driven unit. Accordingly, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus can be suppressed.

[0068] (C) In the recording apparatus, the axis of the driven roller may be arranged in parallel with the axis of the first drive roller in the depth direction. According to this configuration, the axes of the driven roller and the first drive roller are arranged in parallel with each other in the depth direction. The second drive roller is provided behind the first drive roller in the depth direction. When the first drive roller, the driven roller, and the second drive roller are arranged apart from each other in the depth direction, the area occupied by the conveyance unit tends to be large. In that regard, by providing the second drive roller so as to overlap with the driven unit, an increase in the size of the recording apparatus can be suppressed.

[0069] (D) The recording device may include a plurality of the second drive rollers arranged in the axial direction. According to this configuration, the plurality of second drive rollers are provided side by side in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide a plurality of second drive rollers while avoiding the driven unit.

[0070] (E) In the recording device, the axis of the second drive roller may be located below the axis of the first drive roller. According to this configuration, the axis of the second drive roller is located below the axis of the first drive roller. Therefore, it is possible to easily secure a space above the second drive roller.

[0071] (F) In the recording device, the diameter of the second drive roller may be smaller than the diameter of the first drive roller. According to this configuration, the diameter of the second drive roller is smaller than the diameter of the first drive roller. Therefore, the area occupied by the conveying unit can be reduced as compared with the case where the diameter of the second drive roller is the same as the diameter of the first drive roller.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0072] 11…Recording device, 12…Housing, 13…Operation unit, 14…Control unit, 16…Discharge tray, 17…First storage unit as 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 as an example of the feeding path, 28…Second feeding path, 29…First bending path, 30…Insertion path, 31…Inversion path, 32…Second bending path, 33…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, 43a…First driven unit, 43b…Second driven unit, 43c…Third driven unit, 43d…Fourth driven unit, 44…Conveying roller, 45…Discharge roller, 51…First axis as an example of the axis, 52…Second axis as an example of the axis, 54…Case, 55…Driven shaft, 56…Spring, 57a…First driven roller, 57b…Second driven roller, 57c…Third driven roller, 57d…Fourth driven roller, 57r…Rear end, 59…Intersection, Dc…Conveying direction, 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 conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium, and 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, 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 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 second curved path, the second curved path is a path that sends the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit, the conveyance unit includes a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a driven unit, the first drive roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction to form the first curved path, the driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium between the driven unit and the first drive roller, the second drive roller is provided behind the first drive roller in the depth direction to form the second curved path, and overlaps with the driven unit in the depth direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

2. 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 conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium, and 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, 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 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 second curved path, the second curved path is a path that sends the recorded recording medium to the image recording unit, the conveyance unit includes a first drive roller, a second drive roller, and a driven unit, the first drive roller is provided behind the image recording unit in the depth direction to form the first curved path, the driven unit has a driven roller that sandwiches the recording medium between the driven unit and the first drive roller, the second drive roller is provided behind the first drive roller in the depth direction to form the second curved path, and overlaps with the driven unit when viewed in the axial direction. A recording apparatus characterized by this.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the axis of the driven roller is aligned with the axis of the first driving roller in the depth direction.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a plurality of the second driving rollers aligned in the axial direction.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the axis of the second driving roller is located below the axis of the first driving roller.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the second driving roller is smaller than the diameter of the first driving roller.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Recording device

    JP2019099293A