Recording device

Abstract

To solve the problem of damage such as a scratch possibly occurring on a medium when a jagged roller comes into contact with the medium.SOLUTION: A recording device 1 comprises: a recording unit 40 for performing recording on a medium P in recording processing to the medium P; a transport roller 24 for transporting the medium P; a jagged roller 51 which has a plurality of projections 51p on the outer periphery and is rotated in a first direction by coming into contact with the medium P transported by the transfer roller 24; and an air blowing unit 60 for rotating the jagged roller 51 in the first direction by blowing air toward the jagged roller 51. The jagged roller 51 comes into contact with the medium P transported first in the recording processing in a state where the jagged roller 51 is rotated in the first direction by the air blown by the air blowing unit 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that includes a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting ink, and a transport path that transports the recorded medium. It discloses that a knurled roller is provided on the side of the transport path that comes into contact with the recorded surface of the transported medium. The knurled roller has multiple teeth on its outer periphery and is provided on the transport path so that it can rotate rotatably in contact with the transported medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-81659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the recording device of Patent Document 1, depending on the manner in which the medium being conveyed comes into contact with the knurled roller, there is a risk that the edge of the medium may be damaged by the knurled roller coming into contact with the medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device includes a recording unit that records on a medium during a recording process on the medium, a transport roller that transports the medium, a knurled roller having multiple protrusions on its outer periphery that rotates in a first direction by coming into contact with the medium transported by the transport roller, and an air blowing unit that rotates the knurled roller in the first direction by blowing air toward the knurled roller, and the knurled roller comes into contact with the medium that is transported first during the recording process while rotated in the first direction by the air blown by the air blowing unit.

[0006] The recording device comprises a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport roller that transports the medium, a knurled roller having multiple protrusions on its outer periphery and that rotates in a first direction by coming into contact with the medium transported by the transport roller, a ventilation hole provided upstream of the knurled roller in the transport direction in which the medium is transported, and an air blowing unit that blows air toward the medium, and the air blowing unit blows air from the knurled roller side through the ventilation hole in a direction that intersects the width direction of the medium and the transport direction, away from the knurled roller. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of a recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of a recording apparatus according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of a recording apparatus according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of a recording apparatus according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of a recording apparatus according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of the discharge path of a recording apparatus according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a partial side view showing the vicinity of a discharge path of a recording apparatus according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the notched roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments. In each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In this specification, "the same," "the same," and "the same time" do not only mean being completely the same. In this specification, "the same," "the same," and "the same time" are intended to include cases where the components are the same, taking into account measurement errors. In this specification, "the same," "the same," and "the same time" are intended to include cases where the components are the same, taking into account manufacturing variations.

[0009] In this specification, the terms "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where the same is true to the extent that the functionality is not impaired. For example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of components, the difference in the dimensions of both is within ±5% of the other dimension, and more preferably within ±3%.

[0010] 1. Embodiment 1 The recording device 1 is, for example, an inkjet printer capable of recording on sheets of recording paper, which are an example of the medium P. The recording device 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three spatial axes that are orthogonal to one another. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. When specifying a direction, the positive direction is indicated by "+" and the negative direction by "-", and both positive and negative signs are used to indicate the direction, with the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure being the + direction and the direction opposite the arrow being the - direction.

[0012] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates the vertically upward direction, and the -Z direction indicates the vertically downward direction. The plane containing the X-axis and Y-axis is described as the XY plane, the plane containing the X-axis and Z-axis as the XZ plane, and the plane containing the Y-axis and Z-axis as the YZ plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane. The three spatial axes of X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, will be described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0013] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the recording device 1, and corresponds to the width direction of the medium P on which recording is performed and the transport path TR along which the medium P is transported. As seen from the operator positioned in front of the recording device 1, the +X direction is the right side and the -X direction is the left side.

[0014] The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the recording device 1 and is the direction along the transport direction of the medium P during recording. The +Y direction is the direction from the front to the back of the recording device 1, and the -Y direction is the direction from the back to the front of the recording device 1. Of the side surfaces that make up the periphery of the recording device 1 in this embodiment, the side surface in the -Y direction is the front surface of the recording device 1, and the side surface in the +Y direction is the back surface of the recording device 1.

[0015] Hereinafter, the direction in which the medium P is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream."

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 defines the outer periphery of the recording device 1. The housing 4 forms the front side, which is the side facing the -Y direction of the recording device 1, and the back side, which is the side facing the +Y direction. The housing 4 forms the right side, which is the side facing the +X direction of the recording device 1, and the left side, which is the side facing the -X direction. The housing 4 forms the top side, which is the side facing the +Z direction of the recording device 1, and the bottom side, which is the side facing the -Z direction. The housing 4 may be made up of multiple members.

[0017] The components of the recording apparatus 1 will be described below along the transport path TR provided in the recording apparatus 1. The transport path TR is made up of a feed path RF, a supply path RS, a discharge path RD, and a return path RR. The feed path RF, the supply path RS, the discharge path RD, and the return path RR are examples of the transport path TR.

[0018] 1, the recording device 1 has a cassette-type storage unit 2 on the bottom side inside the housing 4. The storage unit 2 stores a medium P. The storage unit 2 is provided detachably from the -Y direction side of the housing 4, which is the front side of the recording device 1.

[0019] The recording device 1 is provided with a pick roller 3 driven by a motor (not shown) on the +Z direction side of the storage unit 2. The pick roller 3 is capable of moving forward and backward relative to the medium P stored in the storage unit 2. The pick roller 3 rotates in contact with the medium P stored in the storage unit 2, thereby sending the medium P out of the storage unit 2 in the +Y direction.

[0020] The recording device 1 includes a feed roller 5 and a separation roller 6, to which a rotational torque is applied by a torque limiter (not shown), on a feed path RF downstream of the storage unit 2. The feed roller 5 is driven by a motor (not shown). The medium P sent out from the storage unit 2 is nipped between the feed roller 5 and the separation roller 6, whereby the medium P is separated, and is transported downstream of the feed roller 5 and the separation roller 6 on the feed path RF.

[0021] The recording device 1 includes an intermediate roller 8 located downstream of the feed roller 5 and separation roller 6 in the feed path RF. The intermediate roller 8 is driven by a motor (not shown). Nip rollers 9, 10, and 11 are provided around the intermediate roller 8. The nip rollers 9 and 10, together with the intermediate roller 8, constitute a part of the feed path RF. The nip roller 11, together with the intermediate roller 8, constitutes a part of the return path RR.

[0022] In the feeding path RF, nip roller 10 is located downstream of nip roller 9. Medium P is nipped between intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 9, and then further nipped between intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 10, and transported downstream. The transport direction of medium P is reversed from the +Y direction to the -Y direction by intermediate roller 8, and medium P is transported downstream.

[0023] A pair of recording rollers 15 including a recording roller 16 driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 17 that can rotate when driven by the motor is provided downstream of the intermediate roller 8. The medium P is transported by the pair of recording rollers 15 to a position facing the recording unit 40.

[0024] In addition to the feeding path RF from the storage unit 2, the recording device 1 also has a feeding path RS from a feeding tray 12. The feeding tray 12 that constitutes the feeding path RS supports the medium P in an inclined position. The recording device 1 also has a feeding roller 13 and a separation roller 14 on the feeding path RS. The feeding roller 13 is driven by a motor (not shown).

[0025] A rotational torque is applied to the separation roller 14 by a torque limiter (not shown). The medium P supported on the supply tray 12 is transported downstream toward the feeding path RF by the supply roller 13 and the separation roller 14. The feeding path RS merges with the feeding path RF at a position between the nip portion formed by the intermediate roller 8 and the nip roller 10 and a pair of recording rollers 15 (described later).

[0026] The recording device 1 includes a medium support unit 18 located downstream of the recording roller pair 15. The medium support unit 18 supports the medium P transported by the recording roller pair 15. By supporting the medium P, the medium support unit 18 defines a gap between the medium P and an ejection surface 42 of a recording unit 40, which will be described later.

[0027] The recording device 1 includes a recording unit 40 at a position on the +Z direction side of the medium support unit 18. In a recording process on the medium P, the recording unit 40 performs recording by ejecting ink onto the medium P from a plurality of nozzles 44 provided on an ejection surface 42. Ink is an example of a liquid.

[0028] The recording unit 40 is a so-called line head in which a plurality of nozzles 44 that eject ink are arranged to cover the entire width of the medium P in the X-axis direction. The recording unit 40 is configured as a liquid ejection head that is long in the X-axis direction and can record across the entire width of the medium without moving in the X-axis direction.

[0029] The ejection surface 42 is a surface facing the medium P. The ejection surface 42 can also be called a liquid ejection surface or a nozzle surface. Ink ejected from the recording unit 40 is supplied to the recording unit 40 from a liquid container (not shown) provided inside the housing 4 via a supply tube 49. The liquid container may be contained inside the housing 4 so as to be detachable from the -Y direction side of the housing 4.

[0030] The recording device 1 is equipped with a cooling fan 81 that suppresses a temperature rise in the recording unit 40 due to the ink ejection operation. The cooling fan 81 suppresses a temperature rise in the recording unit 40 by sucking in air around the recording unit 40. The air sucked in by the cooling fan 81 is exhausted to the outside of the housing 4 via an exhaust duct 82. The cooling fan 81 is an example of a suction fan that sucks in air from inside the housing 4, which is an example of the inside of the device.

[0031] The recording device 1 is provided with a rearward feed roller pair 19 at a position downstream of the medium support unit 18. The rearward feed roller pair 19 includes a rearward feed roller 20 driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 21 that can rotate following the motor. The medium P on which recording has been performed is sent downstream by the rearward feed roller pair 19.

[0032] The recording device 1 is provided with a switching flap 31 downstream of the rear feed roller pair 19. The switching flap 31 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis along the X axis when an actuator (not shown) is driven. The switching flap 31 is provided so as to be movable between a discharge position shown in FIG. 1 and a return position (not shown). The return position is a position rotated a predetermined angle clockwise from the discharge position when viewed from the +X direction side.

[0033] The discharge position is a position when the medium P recorded by the recording unit 40 is transported to the downstream discharge path RD by the rotational drive of the subsequent feed roller 20. The return position is a position when the medium P transported to the discharge path RD is transported toward the return path RR. An electromagnetic solenoid, for example, can be used as the actuator that moves the switching flap 31 between the discharge position and the return position.

[0034] The recording device 1 includes a pair of transport rollers 23 on the discharge path RD located downstream of the switching flap 31. The pair of transport rollers 23 includes a transport roller 24 whose rotation shaft is driven by a discharge motor (not shown), and a driven roller 25 that can rotate following the movement of the transport roller 24.

[0035] The transfer roller 24 is configured, for example, with a rotation shaft extending across the width of the discharge path RD in the X-axis direction, and multiple rubber rollers provided on the rotation shaft at intervals in the X-axis direction. Multiple driven rollers 25 are provided at positions facing the rollers of the transfer roller 24 so that the medium P can be nipped by the rollers of the transfer roller 24. The driven rollers 25 may have a configuration similar to that of a notched roller 51, which will be described later, for example.

[0036] The recording device 1 includes a discharge roller pair 26 on the discharge path RD at a position downstream of the transport roller pair 23. The discharge roller pair 26 is composed of a discharge roller 27 whose rotation shaft is driven by a discharge motor (not shown), and a driven roller 28 that can be rotated by the discharge roller 27.

[0037] The discharge roller 27 is configured, for example, with a rotation shaft extending across the width dimension of the discharge path RD and multiple rubber rollers provided on the rotation shaft at intervals in the X-axis direction. Multiple driven rollers 28 are provided at positions facing the rollers of the discharge roller 27 so that the medium P can be nipped by the rollers of the discharge roller 27. The driven rollers 28 may have a configuration similar to that of the notched roller 51 described below, for example.

[0038] The transport roller pair 23 and the discharge roller pair 26 can rotate in one direction when the medium P is transported in the discharge direction and in the other direction when the medium P is transported in the return direction, by driving the transport roller 24 and the discharge roller 27 by the discharge motor.

[0039] When the transport roller pair 23 and the discharge roller pair 26 rotate in one direction, the medium P on the discharge path RD is transported in the discharge direction toward the discharge tray 29 provided downstream of the discharge path RD. The medium P that has been recorded on and transported in the discharge direction is discharged onto the discharge tray 29 by the discharge roller pair 26 with the nearest recorded surface facing downward, which is the surface in the -Z direction.

[0040] When the transport roller pair 23 and the discharge roller pair 26 rotate in the other direction, the medium P on the discharge path RD is transported in the return direction toward the return path RR.

[0041] The return path RR is a path along which the medium P is transported when performing double-sided recording, which records on both sides of the medium P. The return path RR connects the switching flap 31 and the nip portion formed by the intermediate roller 8 and the nip roller 9.

[0042] The recording device 1 is provided with a return roller pair 32 on the return path RR. For example, when performing double-sided recording on the medium P, the return roller pair 32 is driven by a return motor (not shown). The return roller pair 32 transports the medium P, which is transported from the discharge path RD to the return path RR, toward a nip portion that constitutes the return path RR and is formed by the nip roller 11 and the intermediate roller 8.

[0043] At this time, the medium P is transported by the return roller pair 32 with the previously recorded surface facing up, that is, the surface in the +Z direction. In the return path RR, the medium P transported by the return roller pair 32 is nipped by the rotating intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 11. The medium P nipped by the intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 11 is transported downstream toward the nip portion formed by the intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 9.

[0044] The medium P nipped by the rotating intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 9 is transported downstream of the nip formed by the intermediate roller 8 and nip roller 9. The medium P transported back to the feeding path RF is transported toward the medium support unit 18 by the intermediate roller 8, nip roller 10, and recording roller pair 15. At this time, the medium P is transported toward the medium support unit 18 with the previously recorded surface facing downward, which is the surface on the -Z direction side.

[0045] With the previously recorded side facing downward, the recording unit 40 performs recording on the medium P as it is transported to the medium support unit 18, thereby performing double-sided recording on the medium P. After double-sided recording has been performed on the medium P, it passes through the rear feed roller pair 19 and the switching flap 31 at the discharge position, and is transported to the discharge path RD.

[0046] The medium P transported to the discharge path RD is transported by the transfer roller pair 23 toward the discharge roller pair 26. The medium P on which double-sided recording has been performed is discharged by the discharge roller pair 26 onto the discharge tray 29 with the most recently recorded surface facing downward, which is the surface in the -Z direction.

[0047] The discharge path RD is curved when viewed from a direction along the X-axis direction, which is to the side of the discharge path RD. The discharge path RD is an example of a curved transport path that is curved when viewed from the side. The medium P on which recording has been performed is discharged onto the discharge tray 29 by the discharge roller pair 26 with the most recently recorded side facing down. The discharge path RD is an example of a transport path TR along which the medium P recorded by the recording unit 40 is transported. The discharge path RD is a so-called face-down discharge path.

[0048] The recording device 1 includes a notched roller 51 at a position on the discharge path RD downstream of the transport roller pair 23 and upstream of the discharge roller pair 26. The transport roller 24 constituting the transport roller pair 23 is an example of a transport roller that transports the medium P toward the notched roller 51.

[0049] A plurality of notched rollers 51 are provided on the discharge path RD along the transport direction in which the medium P is transported. Furthermore, a plurality of notched rollers 51 are provided on the discharge path RD at intervals in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium P.

[0050] The notched roller 51 is provided on the discharge path RD at a position facing the nearest recording surface of the medium P. The discharge path RD in this embodiment is a face-down discharge path that is curved when viewed from the side. For this reason, it can also be said that the notched roller 51 is provided on the inner side wall, which is the side wall on the +Y direction side, of the curved side walls of the discharge path RD.

[0051] The notched roller 51 is provided on a support member 52. The support member 52 constitutes an inner side wall, which is the side wall on the +Y direction side, of the side walls that form the discharge path RD. The support member 52 supports the notched roller 51 rotatably about an axis along the X-axis direction.

[0052] 1 and 14, the notched roller 51 is a roller having notched protrusions 51p on its outer periphery. The notched roller 51 is composed of a disk-shaped notched portion 51w having a plurality of protrusions 51p on its outer periphery, and a rotation shaft 51s.

[0053] The notched roller 51 can achieve point contact with the medium P because the protrusions 51p come into contact with the medium P. The notched portion 51w may be formed by arranging a plurality of metal, for example stainless steel, disks in the X-axis direction, each having a plurality of protrusions 51p on its outer periphery.

[0054] 1, the notched rollers 51 are provided with respect to the support member 52 such that the axis of the rotation shaft 51s is aligned with the X-axis direction. Each notched roller 51 provided on the discharge path RD is supported by the support member 52 so as to be individually rotatable. Each notched roller 51 provided at intervals along the X-axis direction on the discharge path RD is also supported by the support member 52 so as to be individually rotatable.

[0055] Therefore, the dimension of the rotation shaft 51s in the X-axis direction is smaller than the dimensions of the rotation shafts of the transfer roller 24, discharge roller 27, etc. In addition, the diameter of the rotation shaft 51s is smaller than the diameters of the rotation shafts of the transfer roller 24, discharge roller 27, etc. Therefore, the notched roller 51 is lighter than the transfer roller 24, discharge roller 27, etc.

[0056] As a result, for example, when the medium P being transported downstream by the transfer roller pair 23 comes into contact with the protrusions 51p of the notched roller 51, the notched roller 51 rotates clockwise when viewed from the +X direction side of the notched roller 51. For example, when the protrusions 51p receive air blown from the air blower 60 (described later), the notched roller 51 rotates clockwise when viewed from the +X direction side of the notched roller 51.

[0057] Hereinafter, the rotation of the notched roller 51 in the direction in which the transported medium P comes into contact with the notched roller 51 and rotates will be referred to as "the notched roller 51 rotating in the first direction."

[0058] The recording apparatus 1 includes a blower unit 60. The blower unit 60 includes a blower fan 61 and a duct 62 connected to the blower fan 61. The blower fan 61 is provided at a position where at least a portion of the blower fan 61 is vertically below the discharge path RD.

[0059] The duct 62 is provided with an air outlet 63 through which air blown from the blower fan 61 blows out. The portion of the duct 62 on the air outlet 63 side extends upward in the +Z direction. The air outlet 63 opens at a position on the discharge path RD that is upstream of the transfer roller pair 23 and the notched roller 51.

[0060] In this embodiment, the air outlet 63 opens into the outer side wall, which is the side wall on the -Y direction side, of the side walls that form the discharge path RD. The air outlet 63 opens into the outer side wall, which is the side wall on the -Y direction side, toward downstream in the conveyance direction of the discharge path RD. Note that the air outlet 63 may also be provided in the inner side wall, which is the side wall on the +Y direction side, of the side walls that form the discharge path RD, as long as it opens toward downstream in the conveyance direction of the discharge path RD.

[0061] Therefore, when the blower fan 61 is driven, air is blown from the blower fan 61 toward the plurality of notched rollers 51 from the upstream side of the notched rollers 51. In the discharge path RD, a protrusion 51p located on the -Y direction side of the rotation axis 51s of the notched roller 51 protrudes from the inner side wall, which is the side wall on the +Y direction side.

[0062] The plurality of notched rollers 51 rotate in the first direction as protrusions 51p protruding from the inner sidewall of the discharge path RD receive the air blown from the blower fan 61. The rotation of the notched rollers 51 in the first direction continues for a certain period of time corresponding to the volume of the air blown from the blower fan 61. The rotation speed of the notched rollers 51 in the first direction changes corresponding to the volume of the air blown from the blower fan 61.

[0063] The recording device 1 includes a detection unit 22 located upstream of the transport roller pair 23 and downstream of the switching flap 31. The detection unit 22 is provided so as to be able to detect whether the medium P has passed through a detection position PL located upstream of the transport roller pair 23.

[0064] A reflective photosensor, a transmissive photosensor, or the like that is arranged so as to be able to emit light toward the detection position PL can be used as the detection unit 22. For example, the control unit 90, which will be described later, can determine the timing of air blowing by the air blower 60 based on the detection information from the detection unit 22.

[0065] The recording device 1 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 controls the entire recording device 1. The control unit 90 may include a processor that executes various processes according to a program, a dedicated hardware circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit that executes at least some of the various processes, or a combination of these.

[0066] The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, that stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any readable media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0067] For example, when performing recording processing based on received recording data, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the pick roller 3, the feed roller 5, the intermediate roller 8, and the recording roller 16. As a result, the control unit 90 transports the medium P from the storage unit 2 toward the medium support unit 18 via the feed path RF.

[0068] The control unit 90 controls the driving of the recording unit 40, thereby ejecting ink from the nozzles 44 onto the medium P supported by the medium support unit 18. In this way, the control unit 90 performs recording on the medium P.

[0069] The control unit 90 drives and controls the rear feed roller 20 to transport the medium P toward the discharge path RD. The control unit 90 moves the switching flap 31 to the discharge position. The control unit 90 drives and controls the blower fan 61 based on the detection information of the detection unit 22, thereby blowing air from the blower unit 60 into the discharge path RD. This causes the toothed roller 51 to rotate in the first direction.

[0070] The control unit 90 drives and controls the transfer roller 24 to transport the medium P downstream. As a result, at least the medium P that is transported first in the recording process comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 that is rotating in the first direction by the air blown by the air blowing unit 60.

[0071] When one medium P is transported in the recording process, that medium P is the first medium P transported in the recording process. The process executed by the control unit 90 when multiple media P are transported successively along the discharge route RD in the recording process will be described later.

[0072] When recording on one side of the medium P is performed, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the discharge roller 27 to discharge the medium P onto the discharge tray 29 with the most recently recorded side facing downward.

[0073] When double-sided recording is performed on the medium P, the control unit 90 moves the switching flap 31 to the return position. The control unit 90 controls the driving of the discharge roller 27 and the transport roller 24 to transport the medium P, which has been recorded on one side, from the discharge path RD toward the return path RR.

[0074] The control unit 90 drives and controls the return roller pair 32 to transport the medium P toward the nip portion formed by the nip roller 11 and the intermediate roller 8. The control unit 90 drives and controls the intermediate roller 8 and the recording roller 16 to transport the medium P again to the medium support unit 18 via the feeding path RF.

[0075] The control unit 90 controls the driving of the recording unit 40 to perform recording on the medium P, which is transported to the medium support unit 18 with the previously recorded side facing downward. In this way, double-sided recording is performed on the medium P.

[0076] The control unit 90 drives and controls the rear feed roller 20 to transport the medium P toward the discharge path RD. The control unit 90 moves the switching flap 31 to the discharge position. The control unit 90 drives and controls the blower fan 61 based on the detection information of the detection unit 22, thereby blowing air from the blower unit 60 into the discharge path RD. This causes the toothed roller 51 to rotate in the first direction.

[0077] The control unit 90 drives and controls the transfer roller 24 to transport the medium P downstream. As a result, at least the medium P that is transported first in the recording process comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 that is rotating in the first direction by the air blown by the air blowing unit 60.

[0078] The control unit 90 controls the driving of the discharge roller 27 to discharge the medium P on which double-sided recording has been performed onto the discharge tray 29 with the most recently recorded side facing downward.

[0079] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, a process executed by the control unit 90 when a plurality of media P are continuously transported along the discharge route RD in the recording process will be described.

[0080] Of the media P transported in the recording process, the media P shown in Figures 2 to 4 is referred to as the previous media Pp. Of the media P transported in the recording process, the media P transported following the previous media Pp shown in Figures 5 and 6 is referred to as the next media Pn. In Figure 3, the air blown from the air blowing unit 60 is indicated by an outlined arrow. In Figures 3 to 6, the rotation of the transport roller pair 23, the knurled roller 51, and the discharge roller pair 26 is indicated by solid arrows.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 2, when the preceding medium Pp is the first medium P to be transported among the media P transported in the recording process, the notched rollers 51 are not rotating. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, when the detection unit 22 detects the leading edge of the preceding medium Pp, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the blower fan 61 to blow air from the blower unit 60 into the discharge path RD. This causes the multiple notched rollers 51 to rotate in the first direction.

[0082] The control unit 90 calculates the position of the leading edge of the transported medium P based on the time elapsed since the leading edge of the medium P reached the detection position PL and the transport speed of the medium P. The transport speed of the medium P is determined by the specifications of the medium P included in the recording data, the quality of recording on the medium P, etc.

[0083] As a result, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the blower fan 61 before the leading edge of the preceding medium Pp comes into contact with the most upstream notched roller 51, thereby blowing air from the blower unit 60 into the discharge route RD.

[0084] The control unit 90 controls the driving of the blower fan 61 to blow air into the discharge path RD from the blower unit 60 and stops the blowing of air before the leading edge of the previous medium Pp reaches the air outlet 63. Even after the blowing of air from the blower unit 60 is stopped, the rotation of the toothed roller 51 in the first direction continues.

[0085] 4, the control unit 90 transports the medium P downstream by controlling the drive of the transport roller 24. As a result, the first medium Pp, which is the medium P that is transported first in the recording process, comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 that is rotating in the first direction by the air blown by the air blowing unit 60.

[0086] As the notched roller 51 comes into contact with the preceding medium Pp being transported downstream, it continues to rotate in the first direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 90 controls the drive of the discharge roller 27 to discharge the preceding medium Pp onto the discharge tray 29. After the preceding medium Pp has passed, the notched roller 51 continues to rotate in the first direction.

[0087] The control unit 90 determines whether or not to blow air from the air blowing unit 60 into the discharge path RD before the leading edge of the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51. For example, the time gap between the trailing edge of the previous medium Pp being continuously transported and the leading edge of the next medium Pn is defined as gap T.

[0088] In other words, in the recording process, multiple media P are transported successively with a time gap T between them. The time during which the toothed roller 51 continues to rotate in the first direction after the rear end of the previous medium Pp has passed due to contact with the next medium Pp being transported is set to the threshold value SH.

[0089] The threshold value SH varies depending on the transport speed of the medium P that comes into contact with the notched roller 51. The threshold value SH corresponding to the transport speed of the medium P is stored, for example, in the memory of the processor. The control unit 90 compares the gap T with the threshold value SH corresponding to the transport speed of the medium P determined from the recording data, to determine whether or not to blow air from the blower unit 60.

[0090] If the gap T is the same as or shorter than the threshold value SH, when the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51, the rotation of the notched roller 51 in the first direction continues due to the contact of the medium Pp being transported thereto. Therefore, if the gap T is the same as or shorter than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 does not blow air from the blower 60 into the discharge path RD after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 and before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0091] On the other hand, if the gap T is longer than the threshold value SH, the notched roller 51 is not rotating when the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51. Therefore, if the gap T is longer than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 causes the air blowing unit 60 to blow air into the discharge path RD after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 but before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0092] In other words, when the gap T is longer than the threshold SH, the control unit 90 causes the blower 60 to blow air toward the notched roller 51 when the notched roller 51 and the air outlet 63 are located between the media P in the transport direction.

[0093] When recording on the medium P in the recording process is single-sided recording, the gap T is likely to be shorter than the threshold value SH. When recording on the medium P in the recording process is double-sided recording, the gap T is likely to be longer than the threshold value SH.

[0094] After the above-described process based on the determination of whether or not to blow air from the air blower 60, the control unit 90 transports the next medium Pn downstream by controlling the drive of the transfer roller 24. As a result, the next medium Pn, which is the medium P transported consecutively after the previous medium Pp in the recording process, comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 rotating in the first direction.

[0095] As described above, the recording device 1 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0096] The recording device 1 includes a recording unit 40 that records on the medium P during a recording process on the medium P. The recording device 1 includes a transport roller 24 that transports the medium P. The recording device 1 includes a knurled roller 51 that has a plurality of protrusions 51p on its outer periphery and rotates in a first direction by contacting the medium P transported by the transport roller 24. The recording device 1 includes an air blower 60 that blows air toward the knurled roller 51 to rotate the knurled roller 51 in the first direction. The knurled roller 51 comes into contact with the medium P that is transported first during the recording process while rotated in the first direction by the air blown by the air blower 60.

[0097] This can reduce the impact when the medium P comes into contact with the notched roller 51, thereby preventing damage such as scratches from occurring to the leading edge of the medium P.

[0098] The blower 60 includes a blower fan 61 and a duct 62. The notched roller 51 is provided on the discharge path RD, which is curved when viewed from above in the X-axis direction. When the discharge path RD is viewed vertically from above, at least a portion of the blower fan 61 is provided at a position overlapping with the discharge path RD.

[0099] According to this, by disposing the blower fan 61 in the space created by providing the curved discharge path RD inside the housing 4, it is easy to make the recording apparatus 1 smaller.

[0100] The recording device 1 further includes a control unit 90 capable of controlling the air blowing unit 60. Assume that the medium P is continuously transported in the transport direction during the recording process. In this case, when the notched roller 51 is positioned between the media P in the transport direction, the control unit 90 causes the air blowing unit 60 to blow air toward the notched roller 51.

[0101] This can prevent poor transport of the medium P due to the air blown from the air blowing section 60, while also preventing damage to the leading edge of the medium P being continuously transported.

[0102] The recording device 1 further includes a control unit 90 capable of controlling the air blowing unit 60. Assume that during the recording process, the medium P is continuously transported with a time gap T therebetween. If the gap T is longer than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 causes the air blowing unit 60 to blow air toward the notched roller 51. If the gap T is the same as or shorter than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 does not cause the air blowing unit 60 to blow air.

[0103] This reduces noise generated by the recording device 1 compared to when the air blowing unit 60 blows air toward the notched roller 51 that is rotating in the first direction due to contact with the medium P being transported first.

[0104] This also reduces the power consumption of the recording device 1. As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 7, "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

[0105] A plurality of notched rollers 51 are provided along the transport direction in which the medium P is transported. The air blowing unit 60 blows air toward the plurality of notched rollers 51. This makes it possible to rotate the plurality of notched rollers 51 without providing a plurality of air blowing units 60.

[0106] The notched roller 51 is provided on the discharge path RD along which the medium P recorded by the recording unit 40 is transported. This prevents the medium P from being damaged when the medium P, which has been deformed, such as warped, by the recording unit 40, comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0107] 2. Embodiment 2 7, the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment blows air from the air blowing unit 60 into the discharge path RD through the ventilation holes 53h of the ventilation unit 53. Other configurations of the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same numbers, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0108] In this embodiment, a plurality of ventilation sections 53 are provided on the support member 52 corresponding to each of the notched rollers 51 provided on the support member 52. The ventilation sections 53 extend in the Y-axis direction and have a tubular shape through which air can flow.

[0109] Of the two ends of ventilation section 53 in the Y-axis direction, ventilation hole 53h at the end in the -Y direction opens from the support member 52 side toward discharge path RD. Each ventilation hole 53h is provided at a position upstream of the corresponding notched roller 51 in the transport direction in which medium P is transported. Each ventilation hole 53h is provided at the same position as the corresponding notched roller 51 in the X-axis direction.

[0110] Of the two ends of the ventilation section 53 in the Y-axis direction, the end in the +Y direction is connected to an air outlet 63 of a duct 62 in the air blowing section 60. The duct 62 in this embodiment extends from the blower fan 61 to the +Y direction side of the support member 52, which is inside the exhaust path RD. A plurality of air outlets 63 of the duct 62 are provided corresponding to each ventilation section 53.

[0111] When the blower fan 61 is driven, air from the blower section 60 is blown into the discharge path RD through the ventilation holes 53h in the -Y direction from a position upstream of each jagged roller 51 on the inner side wall forming the discharge path RD.

[0112] In other words, the air blower 60 blows air from the notched roller 51 side through the ventilation holes 53h in a direction away from the notched roller 51 in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium P, and the transport direction.

[0113] When the medium P is transported along the discharge path RD while the blower fan 61 is driven, the medium P receives air blown from the ventilation holes 53h on the +Y direction side, which is the most recently recorded side of the medium P. In this case, the leading edge of the medium P moves to a position on the -Y direction side of the discharge path RD compared to when the blower fan 61 is not driven.

[0114] In other words, the leading edge of the medium P moves to a position farther away from the notched roller 51 in the X-axis direction and the direction intersecting the transport direction than when no air is blown from the ventilation holes 53h. As a result, the force that the medium P receives when it comes into contact with the notched roller 51 is smaller than when no air is blown from the ventilation holes 53h. Furthermore, the notched roller 51 is more likely to rotate in the first direction when the medium P comes into contact with it as it is being transported than when no air is blown from the ventilation holes 53h.

[0115] Next, a process executed by the control unit 90 when a plurality of media P are continuously transported along the discharge route RD in the recording process in this embodiment will be described.

[0116] 7, when the preceding medium Pp is the first medium P to be transported among the media P transported in the recording process, the notched roller 51 is not rotating. When the detection unit 22 detects the leading edge of the preceding medium Pp, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the blower fan 61 to blow air from each ventilation hole 53h into the discharge path RD.

[0117] As in the first embodiment, the control unit 90 controls and drives the blower fan 61 before the leading edge of the previous medium Pp comes into contact with the most upstream notched roller 51. This causes air to be blown into the discharge route RD through the ventilation holes 53h.

[0118] The control unit 90 drives and controls the transfer roller 24 to transport the medium P downstream. As a result, the first medium Pp to be transported in the recording process comes into contact with the notched roller 51 while receiving air from the ventilation holes 53h. At this time, the leading edge of the medium P moves to a position on the -Y direction side of the discharge path RD compared to when the air blower fan 61 is not driven.

[0119] The notched rollers 51 rotate in the first direction by coming into contact with the preceding medium Pp being transported downstream. The control unit 90 stops driving the blower fan 61 when the preceding medium Pp passes the most downstream notched roller 51. The control unit 90 controls the driving of the discharge rollers 27 to discharge the preceding medium Pp onto the discharge tray 29. After the preceding medium Pp has passed, the notched rollers 51 continue to rotate in the first direction.

[0120] As in embodiment 1, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to blow air from the blowing unit 60 into the discharge path RD before the tip of the next medium Pn comes into contact with the serrated roller 51 by comparing the threshold value SH with the gap T.

[0121] When the gap T is equal to or shorter than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 does not blow air from the ventilation hole 53h into the discharge path RD after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 and before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0122] If the gap T is longer than the threshold SH, the control unit 90 blows air into the discharge route RD from the ventilation holes 53h after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 and before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0123] After the above-described process based on the determination of whether or not to blow air from the air blower 60, the control unit 90 transports the next medium Pn downstream by controlling the drive of the transfer roller 24. As a result, the next medium Pn, which is the medium P transported consecutively after the previous medium Pp in the recording process, comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 rotating in the first direction.

[0124] In this embodiment, when the blower fan 61 is driven, air is blown into the discharge path RD from all of the multiple ventilation holes 53h, but when the medium P is transported through the discharge path RD, air does not have to be blown into the discharge path RD from all of the multiple ventilation holes 53h.

[0125] For example, when the medium P is transported within the discharge path RD, the blower 60 may blow air into the discharge path RD from one of the multiple ventilation holes 53h that corresponds to the position of the tip of the medium P being transported in the transport direction.

[0126] 8 to 12, the blower 60 may have a movement mechanism 64 that moves the position of the air outlet 63. The movement mechanism 64 is composed of a box body 65, an endless belt 66, a rotating roller 67, and a movement motor (not shown) that rotates the rotating roller 67.

[0127] The box body 65 is provided on the +Y direction side of the ventilation section 53 and has a box shape with the −Y direction side open toward the ventilation section 53.

[0128] The endless belt 66 is wound around four rotating rollers 67 that can rotate about a rotation axis along the X axis. The +Y direction surface of the portion of the endless belt 66 that is wound around the two rotating rollers 67 located on the -Y direction side covers the opening of the box body 65. As a result, an air chamber is formed at a position adjacent to the +Y direction opening of the ventilation section 53.

[0129] The blower fan 61 is connected to the box body 65 so that air is sent from the blower fan 61 to this air chamber. The blower fan 61 is provided on the +Y direction side, which is to the side of the discharge path RD and the support member 52.

[0130] The -Y direction surface of the portion of endless belt 66 that is wound around two rotating rollers 67 located on the -Y direction side covers the opening on the +Y direction side of ventilation section 53. Endless belt 66 is provided with air outlets 63 that are holes that pass through endless belt 66. When the movement motor is driven to rotate rotating rollers 67 as shown by the arrows in Figures 10 to 12, endless belt 66 rotates as shown by the arrows.

[0131] Rotating the endless belt 66 moves the position of the air outlet 63. By moving the air outlet 63 to a position corresponding to the opening on the +Y direction side of the desired ventilation section 53, the desired ventilation section 53 and the air chamber are connected. When the blower fan 61 is driven in this state, air is blown into the exhaust path RD from the ventilation holes 53h of the desired ventilation section 53.

[0132] Next, a process executed by the control unit 90 when a plurality of media P are continuously transported along the discharge route RD in the recording process in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described.

[0133] 8, when the previous medium Pp is the first medium P to be transported among the media P transported in the recording process, the notched roller 51 is not rotating. The air outlet 63 is moved to a position corresponding to the ventilation hole 53h located upstream of the most upstream notched roller 51 by driving and controlling the movement mechanism 64.

[0134] The position of the air outlet 63 corresponding to the selected ventilation hole 53h is the position corresponding to the opening of the selected ventilation hole 53h on the +Y direction side of the ventilation section 53. This allows the air outlet 63 to communicate with the selected ventilation hole 53h.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 9, when the detector 22 detects the leading edge of the preceding medium Pp, the controller 90 controls the driving of the blower fan 61 to blow air from the selected ventilation hole 53h into the discharge route RD.

[0136] As in the first embodiment, the control unit 90 controls the drive of the blower fan 61 before the leading edge of the preceding medium Pp comes into contact with the most upstream notched roller 51. As a result, air is blown into the discharge route RD from the ventilation holes 53h located upstream of the most upstream notched roller 51.

[0137] 10, the control unit 90 drives and controls the transfer roller 24 to transport the medium P downstream. As a result, the leading medium Pp, which is the first medium P to be transported in the recording process, comes into contact with the most upstream knurled roller 51 while receiving air from the ventilation holes 53h. At this time, the leading edge of the leading medium Pp moves to a position on the -Y direction side of the discharge path RD compared to when the air blower fan 61 is not driven.

[0138] The upstream-most notched roller 51 rotates in the first direction by coming into contact with the medium Pp being transported downstream. The control unit 90 calculates the position of the leading edge of the medium Pp being transported based on the elapsed time since the detection unit 22 detected the leading edge of the medium Pp and the transport speed of the medium P, which is the transport speed of the medium P.

[0139] The control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 64 based on the position of the destination medium Pp being transported downstream. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the air outlet 63 moves to a position corresponding to the ventilation hole 53h located downstream from the position of the leading edge of the destination medium Pp. This ventilation hole 53h is provided upstream of the notched roller 51 located downstream from the position of the leading edge of the destination medium Pp. The leading edge of the destination medium Pp being transported downstream moves to a position on the -Y direction side of the discharge path RD compared to when the blower fan 61 is not driven.

[0140] The control unit 90 stops driving the blower fan 61 when the previous medium Pp has passed the most downstream notched roller 51. As shown in FIG. 12 , the control unit 90 controls the driving of the discharge roller 27 to discharge the previous medium Pp onto the discharge tray 29. The control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 64 to move the air outlet 63 to a position corresponding to the ventilation hole 53h located upstream of the most upstream notched roller 51. After the previous medium Pp has passed, the notched roller 51 continues to rotate in the first direction.

[0141] As in embodiment 1, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to blow air from the blowing unit 60 into the discharge path RD before the tip of the next medium Pn comes into contact with the serrated roller 51 by comparing the threshold value SH with the gap T.

[0142] When the gap T is equal to or shorter than the threshold value SH, the control unit 90 does not blow air from the ventilation hole 53h into the discharge path RD after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 and before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0143] If the gap T is longer than the threshold SH, the control unit 90 blows air into the discharge route RD from the ventilation holes 53h after the previous medium Pp leaves the notched roller 51 and before the next medium Pn comes into contact with the notched roller 51.

[0144] After the above-described process based on the determination of whether or not to blow air from the air blower 60, the control unit 90 transports the next medium Pn downstream by controlling the drive of the transfer roller 24. As a result, the next medium Pn, which is the medium P transported consecutively after the previous medium Pp in the recording process, comes into contact with the toothed roller 51 rotating in the first direction.

[0145] As described above, the recording device 1 according to the second embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0146] The recording device 1 includes a recording unit 40 that records on a medium P. The recording device 1 includes a transport roller 24 that transports the medium P. The recording device 1 includes a knurled roller 51 that has a plurality of protrusions 51p on its outer periphery and rotates in a first direction by coming into contact with the medium P transported by the transport roller 24. The recording device 1 includes ventilation holes 53h that are provided upstream of the knurled roller 51 in the transport direction in which the medium P is transported. The recording device 1 includes an air blower 60 that blows air toward the medium P. The air blower 60 blows air from the knurled roller 51 side through the ventilation holes 53h in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction and the transport direction, away from the knurled roller 51.

[0147] According to this, the leading edge of the medium P being transported is displaced in a direction away from the notched roller 51, thereby preventing the medium P from colliding at an angle with the notched roller 51. Therefore, the impact when the medium P comes into contact with the notched roller 51 can be alleviated, and damage such as scratches to the leading edge of the medium P can be prevented.

[0148] The recording device 1 further includes a moving mechanism 64 that moves the position of the air outlet 63 through which air is blown out from the air blowing unit 60, a detection unit 22 that detects the position of the leading edge of the medium P, and a control unit 90. The control unit 90 causes the moving mechanism 64 to move the position of the air outlet 63 based on the detection result of the detection unit 22.

[0149] This allows the amount of air blown from the blower 60 when the blower 60 is driven to be reduced compared to when the moving mechanism 64 is not provided.

[0150] The recording device 1 according to the above embodiment of the present disclosure is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The above embodiment and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the control unit 90 may change the volume of air blown from the blower unit 60 based on the recording data including the specifications of the medium P, the specifications for recording on the medium P, and the like.

[0152] For example, in the first embodiment, the controller 90 reduces the volume of air blown from the blower 60 as the transport speed of the medium P transported through the discharge path RD decreases.

[0153] For example, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the medium P transported through the discharge path RD is plain paper, which is thinner than photo paper. In this case, the control unit 90 reduces the volume of air blown from the air blowing unit 60 compared to when the medium P is photo paper. In other words, the thinner the medium P transported through the discharge path RD, the less the volume of air blown from the air blowing unit 60 is.

[0154] For example, in the second embodiment described above, it is assumed that the recording specifications for the medium P transported through the discharge path RD are text recording, which requires a smaller amount of ink to be ejected onto the medium P than photographic recording. In this case, the control unit 90 reduces the volume of air blown from the air blowing unit 60 compared to when the recording specifications are photographic recording. In other words, the smaller the amount of ink to be ejected onto the medium P transported through the discharge path RD, the more the control unit 90 reduces the volume of air blown from the air blowing unit 60.

[0155] As described above, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0156] The volume of air blown from the blower 60 is changed based on at least one of the specifications of the medium P and the specifications of recording on the medium P. This makes it possible to suppress unnecessary air blowing from the blower 60 based on at least one of the specifications of the medium P and the specifications of recording on the medium P. Therefore, the noise generated by the recording device 1 can be reduced.

[0157] This also reduces the power consumption of the recording device 1. As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 7, "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

[0158] In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 may be provided with a suction fan for cooling a circuit in which the control unit 90, power supply unit, etc. are provided. The recording apparatus 1 may be provided with a suction fan for collecting mist generated by ink ejection from the recording unit 40. The recording apparatus 1 may be provided with a suction fan for collecting paper dust, which is an example of powdery foreign matter generated from the medium P.

[0159] The above-mentioned suction fan is an example of a suction fan that sucks air inside the housing 4. In this case, the recording apparatus 1 may send exhaust air from either the cooling fan 81 or the above-mentioned suction fan into the discharge path RD through the air outlet 63 of the air blower 60. In this case, the air blower 60 does not need to be equipped with the air blower fan 61.

[0160] As described above, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0161] The recording device 1 further includes a suction fan that sucks in air from inside the housing 4, and the exhaust air from the suction fan is blown out from the blower unit 60. By using the exhaust air from the suction fan, it is possible to eliminate the need for the blower fan 61 of the blower unit 60. This allows the noise generated by the recording device 1 to be reduced.

[0162] This also reduces the power consumption of the recording device 1. As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 7, "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." As a result, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Goal 13, "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

[0163] In the above embodiment, the notched roller 51 does not have to be provided on the discharge path RD. For example, one notched roller 51 may be provided on the feed path RF. In this case, the notched roller 51 may be provided on the transport path TR along which the medium P is transported before being recorded by the recording unit 40. In this case, the support member 52 that supports the notched roller 51 may constitute the outer side wall, which is the side wall on the +Y direction side, of the side walls that form the feed path RF.

[0164] In this case, the blower fan 61 may be provided at a position where at least a portion of the blower fan 61 is vertically below the feed path RF. In this case, the air blown from the blower unit 60 is sent into the feed path RF through the air outlet 63. In this case, the feed roller 5 is an example of a transport roller that transports the medium P toward the notched roller 51.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the rotation shaft 51s of the notched roller 51 may extend across the width, which is the dimension in the X-axis direction, of the transport path TR on which the notched roller 51 is provided. In this case, the notched roller 51 may be provided with a plurality of notched portions 51w on the rotation shaft 51s, spaced apart in the X-axis direction.

[0166] In the second embodiment, the ventilation holes 53h provided upstream of the corresponding notched rollers 51 may be provided at positions different from the positions of the corresponding notched rollers 51 in the X-axis direction.

[0167] In the second embodiment, the air blower 60 may rotate the notched roller 51 in the first direction by blowing air through the ventilation holes 53h. For example, in this embodiment, the ventilation holes 53h are provided at the same positions in the X-axis direction as the corresponding notched roller 51. In this embodiment, the upstream ends of the ventilation holes 53h are located upstream of the corresponding notched roller 51 in the transport direction of the medium P, similar to the second embodiment.

[0168] 13, the downstream end of the ventilation hole 53h in this embodiment is provided at a position overlapping the corresponding notched roller 51 in the transport direction of the medium P. The downstream end of this ventilation hole 53h is located upstream of the rotation axis 51s of the corresponding notched roller 51 in the transport direction of the medium P. The downstream end of this ventilation hole 53h is located on the +Y direction side of the corresponding notched roller 51.

[0169] With these configurations, when the blower fan 61 is driven in this embodiment, air is blown into the discharge path RD through the ventilation holes 53h, and the air blown from the ventilation holes 53h rotates the toothed roller 51 in the first direction.

[0170] Therefore, when the medium P is transported along the discharge path RD while the blower fan 61 is driven, the leading edge of the medium Pp moves to a position on the -Y direction side of the discharge path RD compared to when the blower fan 61 is not driven. Then, the leading edge of the medium P comes into contact with the notched roller 51 rotating in the first direction.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the notched roller 51 may include a plurality of blades 51f extending radially from the rotation shaft 51s, as shown in Fig. 15. This allows the blades 51f, together with the protrusions 51p of the notched portion 51w, to receive the air blown by the air blower 60, making it easier for the notched roller 51 to rotate in the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 1...recording device, 2...accommodation section, 3...pick roller, 4...casing, 5...feed roller, 6...separation roller, 8...intermediate roller, 9, 10, 11...nip roller, 12...supply tray, 13...supply roller, 14...separation roller, 15...recording roller pair, 16...recording roller, 17, 21, 25, 28...driven roller, 18...medium support section, 19...rear feed roller pair, 20...rear feed roller, 22...detection section, 23...transport roller pair, 24...transport roller, 26...discharge roller pair, 27...discharge roller, 29...discharge tray, 31...switching flap, 32...return roller pair, 4 0...recording unit, 42...discharge surface, 44...nozzle, 49...supply tube, 51...serrated roller, 51f...blade, 51p...protrusion, 51s...rotating shaft, 51w...serrated portion, 52...support member, 53...ventilation unit, 53h...ventilation hole, 60...blower unit, 61...blower fan, 62...duct, 63...air outlet, 64...movement mechanism, 65...box body, 66...endless belt, 67...rotating roller, 81...cooling fan, 82...exhaust duct, 90...control unit, P, Pn, Pp...medium, PL...detection position, RD...exhaust path, RF...feed path, RR...return path, RS...supply path, SH...threshold value, T...gap, TR...conveying path.

Claims

1. a recording unit that records on the medium in a recording process on the medium; a transport roller for transporting the medium; a knurled roller having a plurality of protrusions on its outer periphery, the knurled roller rotating in a first direction by contacting the medium being transported by the transport roller; an air blowing unit that blows air toward the notched roller to rotate the notched roller in the first direction; Equipped with the knurled roller comes into contact with the medium that is transported first in the recording process while being rotated in the first direction by the air blowing from the air blowing unit; A recording device characterized by:

2. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, The blower unit includes a blower fan and a duct, The knurled roller is provided on a curved conveying path that is curved when viewed from the side, When the curved conveying path is viewed vertically from above, at least a portion of the blower fan is provided at a position overlapping the curved conveying path. A recording device characterized by:

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, Further, a control unit capable of controlling the blower unit is provided, When the medium is continuously transported in the transport direction during the recording process, When the notched roller is positioned between the media in the transport direction, the control unit causes the blower unit to blow air toward the notched roller. A recording device characterized by:

4. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, Further, a control unit capable of controlling the blower unit is provided, When the medium is transported continuously with a time gap in the recording process, When the gap is longer than a threshold value, the control unit controls the blower unit to blow air toward the notched roller, When the gap is equal to or shorter than the threshold value, the control unit does not cause the blower unit to blow air. A recording device characterized by:

5. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, a plurality of the knurled rollers are provided along a transport direction in which the medium is transported; The air blowing unit blows air toward the plurality of toothed rollers. A recording device characterized by:

6. a recording unit that records on the medium; a transport roller for transporting the medium; a knurled roller having a plurality of protrusions on its outer periphery, the knurled roller rotating in a first direction by contacting the medium being transported by the transport roller; a ventilation hole provided upstream of the knurled roller in a transport direction in which the medium is transported; a blower that blows air toward the medium; Equipped with the air blowing unit blows air from the notched roller side in a direction intersecting the width direction of the medium and the transport direction, via the ventilation holes, in a direction away from the notched roller. A recording device characterized by:

7. 7. The recording device according to claim 6, a movement mechanism for moving a position of an air outlet through which air is blown from the air blowing unit; a detection unit that detects the position of the leading edge of the medium; A control unit; Further provided with The control unit causes the movement mechanism to move the position of the air outlet based on the detection result of the detection unit. A recording device characterized by:

8. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the knurled roller is provided in a transport path along which the medium recorded by the recording unit is transported; A recording device characterized by:

9. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The volume of air blown from the blower is changed based on at least one of the specifications of the medium and the specifications of recording on the medium. A recording device characterized by:

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The device further includes a suction fan that draws air from inside the device, The exhaust air from the suction fan is blown from the blower. A recording device characterized by:

Images