Medium conveying device, corrugation unit, and recording device

Abstract

To allow a degree of formation freedom in wave shape to be higher, when forming the wave shape on a sheet.SOLUTION: A medium conveying device comprises a corrugation unit comprising a plurality of corrugation members each for applying a wave shape to a medium conveyed in a conveyance direction by coming into contact with the medium, and a conveyance passage through which the medium is conveyed. In a direction along a surface of the medium, with a direction crossing the conveyance direction as a width direction, and with a direction crossing the surface of the medium as a crossing direction, a position in the width direction of the corrugation members, and a position in the crossing direction can be adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device that transports a medium, a corrugation unit that imparts a corrugated shape to a medium, and a recording device that records on a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] The sheet discharge device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with the sheet to deform the sheet into a wavy shape in the width direction, thereby improving the straightness of the sheet. In the sheet discharge device described in Patent Document 1, some of the corrugation members are provided so as to be displaceable in the width direction, and the position at which they come into contact with the sheet can be changed according to the size of the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-100874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When forming a corrugated shape on a sheet, it is required to have a higher degree of freedom in forming the corrugated shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the media conveying device of the present invention is a media conveying device that includes a corrugation unit having a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with the media conveyed in the conveying direction and give the media a corrugated shape, and a conveying path for conveying the media, and is characterized in that the direction along the surface of the media and intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction intersecting the surface of the media is defined as the intersecting direction, and the position of the corrugation members in the width direction and the intersecting direction are adjustable.

[0006] The corrugation unit of the present invention is also characterized in that it is a corrugation unit having a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with a medium transported in a transport direction to impart a corrugated shape to the medium, and the direction along the surface of the medium that intersects with the transport direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction that intersects with the surface of the medium is defined as the cross direction, and the position of the corrugation members in the width direction and the cross direction are adjustable. A recording apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a recording section for recording on a medium, and the medium transport device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a media transport path of the printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a media transport path of the printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corrugation unit in an attached state. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting frame to which the corrugation unit is attached. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a front view of the corrugation unit in an installed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the discharge roller pair in FIG. 5 . [Figure 7] Cross section B-B of Figure 5. [Figure 8] Cross section AA of Figure 5. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10]1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating corrugations formed in a medium. [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating corrugations formed in a medium. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating corrugations formed in a medium. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the corrugation member is detachable. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a configuration for switching the height direction position of the corrugation member. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a configuration for switching the height direction position of the corrugation member. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a configuration for switching the height direction position of the corrugation member. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a configuration for switching the width direction position of the corrugation member. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a configuration for switching the width direction position of the corrugation member. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be briefly described below. The medium conveying device of the first aspect is a medium conveying device comprising a corrugation unit having a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with the medium conveyed in the conveying direction to impart a corrugated shape to the medium, and a conveying path for conveying the medium, characterized in that the direction along the surface of the medium and intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction intersecting the surface of the medium is defined as the intersecting direction, and the position of the corrugation members in the width direction and the intersecting direction are adjustable.

[0009] According to this aspect, since the position of the corrugation member in the width direction and the position in the transverse direction can be adjusted, the degree of freedom in forming a corrugated shape on the medium can be further increased, thereby enabling the medium to be transported more appropriately.

[0010] The second aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, and is characterized in that the corrugation unit comprises a member that supports the corrugation member, the member being movable in the width direction and the cross direction, and a fixing member that fixes the support member. According to this aspect, the support member and the fixing member can appropriately adjust and maintain the position of the corrugation member in the width direction and the transverse direction.

[0011] The third aspect is a dependent aspect of the second aspect, characterized in that the corrugation unit has an axis extending along the width direction and supporting the corrugation member together with the support member, and the corrugation member changes its position of contact with the medium by rotating around the axis.

[0012] According to this aspect, the corrugation member is configured to rotate about the shaft to change the position where it contacts the medium, and the shaft and the support member are configured to regulate the position, so the position where the corrugation member contacts the medium is stable, thereby making it possible to more appropriately form a corrugated shape on the medium.

[0013] The fourth aspect is a dependent aspect of the third aspect, characterized in that the corrugation member and the support member are engaged with each other by an engagement shaft provided on one side and an engagement groove provided on the other side, and there is play between the engagement shaft and the engagement groove.

[0014] According to this aspect, since a play is provided between the engagement shaft and the engagement groove, it is possible to prevent the engagement shaft from exerting a strong force on the engagement groove when the support member is displaced in the transverse direction, thereby suppressing deformation of the support member or the corrugation member.

[0015] A fifth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the corrugation unit includes a transport roller that is a roller driven by a drive source and transports the medium. In a configuration in which the corrugation member imparts a corrugated shape to the medium, transport resistance is generated in the medium. According to this aspect, the corrugation unit includes a transport roller that is a roller driven by a drive source and transports the medium, so that the medium can be transported appropriately even if transport resistance is generated in the medium by the corrugation member. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, but may be subordinate to any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0016] A sixth aspect is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, and is characterized in that the transport roller and the corrugation member overlap in the transport direction when viewed from the width direction.

[0017] According to this aspect, the transport roller and the corrugation member overlap in the transport direction when viewed from the width direction, so that the transport roller applies a transport force to the medium at a position close to the corrugation member, thereby enabling the medium to be transported appropriately even if transport resistance is generated in the medium by the corrugation member.

[0018] A seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on any of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the corrugation member is detachable from the corrugation unit. According to this aspect, the corrugation members are detachable from the corrugation unit, so the number of corrugation members can be adjusted, improving the degree of freedom in adjusting the waveform to be imparted to the medium.

[0019] An eighth aspect is a aspect dependent on any of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the plurality of corrugation members include a first corrugation member that contacts a first surface of the medium and a second corrugation member that contacts a second surface of the medium opposite the first surface.

[0020] According to this aspect, the multiple corrugation members include a first corrugation member that contacts a first surface of the medium and a second corrugation member that contacts a second surface of the medium opposite the first surface, thereby improving the freedom to adjust the waveform imparted to the medium. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to any of the above first to sixth aspects, and may be subordinate to the above seventh aspect.

[0021] A ninth aspect is an aspect dependent on the eighth aspect, characterized in that the corrugation member is detachable from the corrugation unit. According to this aspect, the corrugation members are detachable from the corrugation unit, so the number of corrugation members can be adjusted, further improving the degree of freedom in adjusting the waveform to be imparted to the medium.

[0022] A tenth aspect is a aspect dependent on any of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the multiple corrugation members include a right corrugation member located to the right of the center position of the width direction of the medium and a left corrugation member located to the left of the center position, and the right corrugation member and the left corrugation member are arranged so as to approach and move away from each other in the width direction.

[0023] According to this aspect, the right corrugation member and the left corrugation member are disposed so as to approach and separate from each other in the width direction, so that the right corrugation member and the left corrugation member can always be disposed in positions symmetrical with respect to the center position in the width direction, thereby enabling an appropriate corrugation to be imparted to the medium. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and may be subordinate to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

[0024] The 11th aspect is a dependent aspect of the 8th aspect, and is characterized in that at least one of the first corrugation members and the second corrugation members is provided in multiple numbers along the width direction, and its position in the cross direction changes in tandem.

[0025] According to this aspect, at least one of the first corrugation members and the second corrugation members is provided in multiple locations along the width direction, and the positions in the cross direction change in conjunction with each other, thereby allowing the medium to be appropriately given a corrugated shape. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the eighth aspect, but may be subordinate to the ninth or tenth aspect.

[0026] A twelfth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the device includes a frame that constitutes a base of the device, and the corrugation unit is detachable from the frame. According to this aspect, since the corrugation unit is detachable from the frame, the installation space of the device can be reduced by removing the corrugation unit when it is not required, thereby improving usability.

[0027] The corrugation unit of the 13th aspect is a corrugation unit having a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with a medium transported in a transport direction to impart a corrugated shape to the medium, and is characterized in that the direction along the surface of the medium and intersecting the transport direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction intersecting the surface of the medium is defined as the intersecting direction, and the position of the corrugation members in the width direction and the intersecting direction are adjustable.

[0028] According to this aspect, since the position of the corrugation member in the width direction and the position in the transverse direction can be adjusted, the degree of freedom in forming a corrugated shape on the medium can be further increased, thereby enabling the medium to be transported more appropriately.

[0029] The medium conveying device according to the fourteenth aspect is a medium conveying device having a conveying path for conveying a medium, and is characterized by having an attachment portion to which the corrugation unit according to the thirteenth aspect can be attached and detached. According to this aspect, by attaching the corrugation unit to the attachment portion, the effects of the thirteenth aspect described above can be obtained. In addition, since the corrugation unit is detachable from the attachment portion, the installation space of the device can be reduced by removing the corrugation unit when it is not needed, thereby improving usability.

[0030] A recording device according to a fifteenth aspect is characterized by including a recording section that records on a medium, and the medium transport device according to the first or fourteenth aspect. According to this aspect, in a recording device having a recording section that records on a medium, the effects of the first or fourteenth aspect described above can be obtained. The medium transport device provided in this aspect is not limited to the first or fourteenth aspect described above, but may be any of the second to twelfth aspects.

[0031] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, an inkjet printer 1 that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper will be described as an example of a recording device. In the following, the inkjet printer 1 will be abbreviated as printer 1. From the perspective of transporting media, the printer 1 can also be considered a medium transport device 50. In this case, the printer 1 is equipped with the medium transport device 50 and a line head 12, which is an example of a recording unit described below. However, the entire printer 1, including the line head 12, can also be considered the medium transport device 50.

[0032] The XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system, with the Y axis direction being the width direction of the medium and the depth direction of the device. In this embodiment, of the side surfaces that form the periphery of the device main body 2, the side surface in the +Y direction is the back surface, and the side surface in the -Y direction is the front surface. The X axis direction is the width direction of the device, and as seen by the operator of the printer 1, the +X direction is the left side and the -X direction is the right side. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, that is, the height direction of the device, with the +Z direction being the upward direction and the -Z direction being the downward direction. In the following, the direction in which the medium is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream." In Figure 1, the medium transport path is indicated by a dashed line. In the printer 1, the medium is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the dashed line.

[0033] The printer 1 includes a medium cassette 3 below a device main body 2 that includes a line head 12 (described later). The symbol P indicates the medium stored in the medium cassette 3. A pick roller 21 is provided for the medium cassette 3 to feed the stored medium in the -X direction. A feed roller pair 25 is also provided for the medium cassette 3 to feed the medium fed by the pick roller 21 further downstream. Note that a plurality of medium cassettes (not shown) are further provided below the medium cassette 3. A pick roller (not shown) and a feed roller pair (not shown) are also provided for each of the plurality of medium cassettes (not shown). In this specification, unless otherwise specified, a "roller pair" is defined as consisting of a drive roller driven by a power source such as a motor, and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller.

[0034] Symbol T1 indicates the feeding path of the medium that is sent out from the medium cassette 3 and reaches the transport roller pair 34. The medium sent out from the medium cassette 3 receives a feeding force from the transport roller pairs 29 and 33 and is sent to the transport roller pair 34. The medium receiving the feeding force from the pair of transport rollers 34 is sent to a position between the line head 12 and the transport belt 53 , that is, a recording position facing the line head 12 .

[0035] The line head 12 performs recording by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium from nozzles 13 provided on a nozzle surface 12a. In this embodiment, the line head 12 is an ink ejection head in which a plurality of nozzles 13 that eject ink are arranged to cover the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is configured as an ink ejection head that can record across the entire width of the medium without moving in the width direction of the medium. However, the ink ejection head is not limited to this, and may be a type that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the width direction of the medium.

[0036] The line head 12 according to this embodiment employs a piezoelectric element, which is a piezoelectric element whose volume changes when a voltage is applied. By controlling the drive waveform of the piezoelectric element, the movement of the meniscus of the nozzle 13 can be controlled, thereby controlling the size and ejection speed of the ink droplets ejected. In this embodiment, the multiple nozzles 13 are composed of multiple nozzles 13 that eject yellow ink, multiple nozzles 13 that eject magenta ink, multiple nozzles 13 that eject cyan ink, and multiple nozzles 13 that eject magenta ink.

[0037] Next, the conveyor belt 53 is an endless belt that is wound around a first roller 54 that is a drive roller and a second roller 55 that is a driven roller, and is rotated by driving the first roller 54 by a motor (not shown). The medium is conveyed to a position facing the line head 12 while being attracted to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 53. The first roller 54, the second roller 55, and the conveyor belt 53 constitute a belt unit 52.

[0038] The medium on which recording has been performed by the line head 12 is sent toward either the transport roller pair 36 or the transport roller pair 40 by the transport roller pair 35 located downstream of the transport belt 53. A path switching flap (not shown) is provided near the downstream side of the transport roller pair 35, and the path switching flap sends the medium, which receives a feeding force from the transport roller pair 35, toward either the transport roller pair 36 or the transport roller pair 40.

[0039] When double-sided recording is not performed, the medium is fed from the transport roller pair 35 toward the transport roller pair 36 . The conveyance path branches into three discharge paths T4, T5, and T6 downstream of the conveyance roller pair 36. A flap (not shown) is provided downstream of the conveyance roller pair 36 to switch the destination of the medium.

[0040] When discharge path T4 is selected, the medium passes through discharge path T4 and is discharged toward discharge tray 8. A transport roller pair 38 and a transport roller pair 39 are provided on discharge path T4. When discharge path T5 is selected, the medium is discharged in the +X direction through discharge path T5. At this time, if a corrugation unit 60 (described later) is installed, the medium is discharged to the discharge tray 4 with a corrugated shape formed by the corrugation unit 60. Reference symbol T7 indicates the transport path in the corrugation unit 60. Note that a transport roller pair 44 is provided on discharge path T5. When discharge path T6 is selected, the medium is discharged in the +X direction through discharge path T6. At this time, if a corrugation unit 60 (described later) is installed as shown in FIG. 2, the medium is discharged to the discharge tray 4 with a corrugated shape formed by the corrugation unit 60. Note that a transport roller pair 45 is provided on discharge path T6.

[0041] A post-processing device (not shown) can be attached to the left side of the printer 1 in place of the corrugation unit 60. When this post-processing device is attached, the media is sent to the post-processing device via the discharge path T6. Examples of post-processing include stapling and punching.

[0042] When double-sided recording is performed, the medium is sent from the transport roller pair 35 toward the transport roller pair 40 and enters the switchback path T2. Then, the rotation direction of the transport roller pair 40 is switched, and the medium enters the reversing path T3 and is sent to the transport roller pair 34 by the transport roller pairs 41, 42, and 43.

[0043] Reference numeral 10 denotes an ink storage section serving as a liquid storage section that stores ink before ejection. Ink to be ejected from the line head 12 is supplied from the ink storage section 10 to the line head 12 via a tube (not shown). The ink storage section 10 stores, as an example, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks.

[0044] Next, the corrugation unit 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and subsequent figures. The corrugation unit 60 forms a corrugated shape in the medium to increase its rigidity and prevent curling or sagging when the medium is discharged, improving the stacking condition. In this embodiment, the corrugation unit 60 is detachable from the printer 1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the corrugation unit 60 has a base frame 61 as its base. The base frame 61 has side frame portions 61a and 61b spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and the side frame portions 61a and 61b form surfaces parallel to the XZ plane. The side frame portions 61a and 61b are provided with fixed portions 61e that form surfaces parallel to the YZ plane. The fixed portions 61e can be fixed to the mounting frame 57 with screws (not shown).

[0046] More specifically, the printer 1 includes a mounting frame 57 shown in Fig. 4. Mounting frame 57 has fixing portions 57a, which form surfaces parallel to the YZ plane, formed at intervals in the Y-axis direction. Fixing portions 57a have bosses 57c and screw holes 57d formed therein. 3, a plurality of holes 61g are formed at intervals along the Z-axis direction in the fixed portion 61e of the corrugation unit 60. A boss 57c of the mounting frame 57 can be fitted into one of the holes 61g. A screw (not shown) can be fitted into a screw hole 57d through one of the holes 61g. This allows the corrugation unit 60 to be fixed to the mounting frame 57.

[0047] Hook portions 57b are formed on the fixing portions 57a of the mounting frame 57. Bosses 61f are provided on the base frame 61 of the corrugation unit 60, and the bosses 61f can be hooked onto the hook portions 57b. That is, when fixing the corrugation unit 60 to the mounting frame 57, the corrugation unit 60 can first be temporarily fixed by hooking it onto the hook portions 57b, which makes it easy to install the corrugation unit 60. When the corrugation unit 60 is fixed at multiple height positions in the Z-axis direction as shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple sets of hook portions 57b, bosses 57c, and screw holes 57d are formed in the Z-axis direction.

[0048] 3, connecting frames 62, 75, and 76 extending in the Y-axis direction are fixed to the side frame portions 61a and 61b of the base frame 61. This increases the rigidity of the base frame 61. The connection frame 76 is provided with a roller support member 77. The roller support member 77 is provided with a drive roller 65a that constitutes the discharge roller pair 65.

[0049] The discharge roller pair 65 is a pair of rollers that discharges the medium from the corrugation unit 60, and is composed of a drive roller 65a that is driven by a power source and a driven roller 65b (see FIG. 6) that rotates following the drive roller 65a. Multiple discharge roller pairs 65 are provided at intervals along the medium width direction.

[0050] Next, the corrugation unit 60 is provided with multiple corrugation members 66 along the Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction. Note that the corrugation members are designated by capital letters 66 according to their placement position in the medium width direction. Reference symbol 66A is the corrugation member located innermost in the medium width direction. Reference symbol 66B is the corrugation member located outward in the medium width direction relative to corrugation member 66A. Reference symbol 66C is the corrugation member located outward in the medium width direction relative to corrugation member 66B. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between these multiple corrugation members, they will be collectively referred to as corrugation members 66.

[0051] In Figure 5, the symbol CL denotes the center line in the medium width direction, and the center line CL is the center position in the medium width direction regardless of the medium size. The corrugation members 66 are arranged on either side of the center line CL in the medium width direction. In particular, in Figure 5, the corrugation members 66 are arranged in positions that are line-symmetrical about the center line CL in the medium width direction. Similarly, the pair of discharge rollers 65 are arranged at positions that are line-symmetrical about the center line CL in the medium width direction. Similarly, the driven roller 71 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, is arranged at positions that are line-symmetrical about the center line CL in the medium width direction.

[0052] If the upper surface of the medium transported through the corrugation unit 60 is considered the first surface and the lower surface is considered the second surface, the corrugation member 66A faces the first surface of the medium, and the corrugation members 66B and 66C face the second surface of the medium. In this embodiment, the multiple corrugation members 66 have the same structure, and the structure of the corrugation members 66 will be described below using the corrugation member 66B shown in Figure 9 as a representative example. The corrugation member 66 has a shaft hole 66a and an engagement groove 66b formed therein. The shaft hole 66a is a hole through which the first shaft 63 (see Figures 3 and 4) or the second shaft 64 (see Figures 3 and 4) passes. By passing the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64 through the shaft hole 66a, the corrugation member 66 becomes rotatable within the XZ plane.

[0053] The first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64 extend along the Y-axis direction and are supported by the side frame portions 61a and 61b. The corrugation member 66 is guided by the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64 and is movable in the medium width direction.

[0054] The corrugation member 66 is provided with a plurality of driven rollers 69 that are exposed from the corrugation member 66. In this embodiment, the driven rollers 69 are toothed rollers that have a plurality of teeth along their outer periphery. In this embodiment, three driven rollers 69 are provided along the medium transport direction. The corrugation member 66 can come into contact with the medium via the plurality of driven rollers 69.

[0055] The engagement groove 66b is formed to extend radially from the axial center of the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64. An engagement shaft 67b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) provided on the support member 67 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is inserted into the engagement groove 66b. Because the engagement groove 66b is an elongated groove, the engagement shaft 67b is inserted into the engagement groove 66b with some play.

[0056] Of the multiple corrugation members 66, corrugation member 66A is rotatable about a first shaft 63 as shown in Fig. 3, and its rotation about the first shaft 63 is restricted by engaging with support member 67. Furthermore, of the multiple corrugation members 66, corrugation members 66B and 66C are rotatable about a second shaft 64 as shown in Fig. 3, and its rotation about the second shaft 64 is restricted by engaging with support member 67. As described above, the support member 67 regulates the position of the corrugation member 66 in the Z-axis direction, that is, the height position.

[0057] Hereinafter, the position of the components of the corrugation unit 60 in the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the height position. The Z-axis direction is the direction that intersects with the surface of the medium discharged in the +X direction by the corrugation unit 60. The Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction, is the direction along the surface of the medium and intersects with the +X direction.

[0058] 3, the support member 67 according to this embodiment has a shape that extends in the Z-axis direction. The support member 67 has an elongated hole 67a that extends in the Z-axis direction. For example, the support member 17 that supports the corrugation member 66A is fixed to the connection frame 62. The connection frame 62 has a guide hole 62d that extends in the medium width direction. The support member 17 is fixed to the connection frame 62 by passing a screw 68 through the elongated hole 67a and the guide hole 62d and fitting the screw 68 into a nut (not shown). This fixation includes fixation in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction, and fixation in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the height direction.

[0059] Similarly, the support member 17 that supports the corrugation members 66B and 61C is fixed to the standing wall portion 61c. The standing wall portion 61c is part of the base frame 61 and forms a surface parallel to the YZ plane. A guide hole 61d extending in the medium width direction is formed in the standing wall portion 61c. The support member 17 is fixed to the standing wall portion 61c by passing a screw 68 through the elongated hole 67a and the guide hole 61d and engaging the screw 68 with a nut (not shown). This fixation includes fixation in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the medium width direction, and fixation in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the height direction. Incidentally, minute irregularities are formed on the surface of the support member 67, which prevents the support member 17 from shifting in position in the height direction when it is fixed with the screws 68.

[0060] By using the above-described plurality of corrugation members 66, it is possible to form a wave shape along the medium width direction as shown in, for example, FIGS. The reference numeral 71 denotes a driven roller disposed between adjacent discharge roller pairs 65 in the medium width direction. The driven roller 71 is supported by a central corrugation member 70 as shown in FIG. 6. The central corrugation member 70 is fixed to a slider 72 by a screw 74.

[0061] The slider 72 is fixed to the connection frame 75 by screws 73. More specifically, a boss 75a is formed in the connection frame 75. The slider 72 is formed with oblong holes 72a and 72b that are long in the Z-axis direction. The oblong holes 72b are formed on both sides of the oblong hole 72a. The screws 73 fit into threaded holes (not shown) in the connection frame 75 through the oblong holes 72a. The bosses 75a of the connection frame 75 also fit into the oblong holes 72b. With this configuration, the slider 72 is slidable in the Z-axis direction, i.e., in the height direction, relative to the connection frame 75, and can be fixed at a predetermined height position by the screws 73.

[0062] The height position of the driven roller 71 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the slider 72 in the Z axis direction. The position where the driven roller 71 comes into contact with the medium can be set below the medium nip position created by the discharge roller pair 65. This allows the discharge roller pair 65 and the driven roller 71 to form a corrugated shape on the medium as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0063] FIG. 10 shows an example of forming corrugations on plain paper P1. In contrast, FIG. 11 shows an example of forming corrugations on thick paper P2. Thick paper P2 is thicker and more rigid than plain paper P1. Attempting to form strong corrugations on such media could damage the media and require a strong conveying force, potentially resulting in non-feeds. Therefore, in the case of thick paper P2, it is preferable to form corrugations that are relatively gentler than those on plain paper P1, or to form no corrugations at all. To make the corrugation gentler than in the case of Figure 10, or to prevent the corrugation from occurring at all, the height position of corrugation member 66A is increased and the height positions of corrugation members 66B and 66C are decreased. Also, the height position of driven roller 71 is increased. This allows a gentle corrugation to be formed on medium P2 as shown in Figure 11.

[0064] Next, Figure 12 shows the case where plain paper P3, which is smaller than plain paper P1, is discharged. For example, if the width of the medium becomes smaller when corrugation members 66B and 66C are in the position shown in Figure 10, the side edges of the medium in the width direction may not be properly supported, and proper corrugation may not be formed. The two-dot chain lines in Figure 12 indicate the positions of corrugation members 66B and 66C shown in Figure 10. Therefore, by moving corrugation member 66 in the width direction of the medium according to the width of the medium, it is possible to form an appropriate corrugation on the medium.

[0065] As described above, the corrugation unit 60 includes multiple corrugation members 66 that come into contact with the medium being transported in the +X direction, which is the transport direction, and impart a corrugation to the medium. The corrugation members 66 are adjustable in position in the width direction of the medium and in the height direction, which is an example of a direction intersecting the surface of the medium. This allows for greater freedom in forming the corrugation shape, allowing the medium to be transported more appropriately.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the corrugation unit 60 includes a support member 67 that is movable in the width and height directions of the medium, and a standing wall portion 61c and a connection frame 62 that are an example of a fixing member that fixes the support member 67. With this configuration, the position of the corrugation member 66 in the width and height directions of the medium can be appropriately adjusted and maintained.

[0067] In this embodiment, the corrugation unit 60 has a first shaft 63 and a second shaft 64 that extend in the width direction of the medium and support the corrugation member 66 together with a support member 67. The corrugation member 66 changes its contact position with the medium by rotating around the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64. This configuration stabilizes the contact position of the corrugation member 66 with the medium, allowing for more appropriate formation of a corrugated shape on the medium.

[0068] The corrugation member 66 and the support member 67 are engaged with each other by an engagement shaft 67b provided on the support member 67 and an engagement groove 66b provided on the corrugation member 66. A clearance is provided between the engagement shaft 67b and the engagement groove 66b, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This prevents the engagement shaft 67b from exerting a strong force on the engagement groove 66b when the support member 67 is displaced in the height direction. As a result, deformation of the support member 67 or the corrugation member 66 can be suppressed. As a modification of this embodiment, the engagement shaft 67b may be provided on the corrugation member 66, and the engagement groove 66b may be provided on the support member 67.

[0069] The corrugation unit 60 according to this embodiment also includes a drive roller 65a, which is a roller driven by a drive source and serves as a transport roller for transporting the medium. In a configuration in which the corrugation member 66 imparts a corrugated shape to the medium, transport resistance occurs in the medium, but as described above, the corrugation unit 60 is equipped with a drive roller 65a driven by a drive source, so the medium can be transported appropriately even if transport resistance occurs in the medium due to the corrugation member 66.

[0070] 7 and 8, the drive roller 65a and the corrugation member 66 overlap in the transport direction when viewed in the width direction of the medium. This allows the drive roller 65a to apply a transport force to the medium at a position close to the corrugation member 66, so the medium can be transported appropriately even if transport resistance is generated in the medium by the corrugation member 66.

[0071] As a modified example of the corrugation member 66, it is also preferable to configure the corrugation member 66 to be detachable from the corrugation unit 60. The corrugation member 66-1 shown in FIG. 13 is an example of a detachable corrugation member, and has an opening 66f that receives the second shaft 64. The opening width of the opening 66f is smaller than the shaft diameter of the second shaft 64. The corrugation member 66 is formed from a resin material, for example. When the shaft hole 66a fits onto the second shaft 64, the opening 66f expands due to elastic deformation of the corrugation member 66-2, allowing the shaft hole 66a to fit onto the second shaft 64. When the corrugation member 66-1 is to be removed from the second shaft 64, the opening 66f expands due to elastic deformation of the corrugation member 66-2, allowing the corrugation member 66-1 to be removed from the second shaft 64. With this configuration, the number of corrugation members 66 can be adjusted, improving the degree of freedom in adjusting the corrugation to be imparted to the medium. Furthermore, when attaching and detaching the corrugation member 66 to the corrugation unit 60, instead of configuring the corrugation member 66 to be detachable from the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64, the first shaft 63 or the second shaft 64 may be configured to be detachable from the corrugation unit 60.

[0072] In this embodiment, the multiple corrugation members 66 include a first corrugation member 66A that contacts a first surface of the medium, and second corrugation members 66B and 66C that contact a second surface of the medium opposite the first surface, thereby improving the degree of freedom in adjusting the corrugation shape imparted to the medium.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printer 1 includes a mounting frame 57 that forms the base of the device, and the corrugation unit 60 is detachable from the mounting frame 57. The mounting frame 57 is an example of an attachment portion to which the corrugation unit 60 can be detachably attached. This allows the corrugation unit 60 to be removed when it is not needed, thereby reducing the installation space of the device and improving usability.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the height position of the corrugation member 66 is adjusted by raising and lowering the support member 17, but this is not limiting. For example, the corrugation member 66-2 shown in FIG. 14 has a plurality of teeth 66e around the second shaft 64. A plunger 100 is provided at a position facing the teeth 66e. The plunger 100 has a body 101 and a pin 102 that can elastically advance and retract relative to the body 101. The pin 102 engages with the teeth 66e, thereby restricting the height position of the corrugation member 66-2. As shown by the change between state ST1 and state ST2, the position at which the pin 102 engages with the teeth 66e changes, thereby changing the height position of the corrugation member 66-2. It goes without saying that such a configuration may be applied to the first shaft 63 and the corrugation members 66 supported by the first shaft 63. Furthermore, such a configuration may be applied to all of the multiple corrugation members 66, or to only some of them.

[0075] In the configuration shown in Figure 15, the height direction position of the corrugation member 66 is regulated by a cam 106. The cam 106 is a so-called eccentric cam, and is provided on a camshaft 105. The cam 106 supports the corrugation member 66. The camshaft 105 is driven by a motor (not shown). When the cam 106 rotates due to the rotation of the camshaft 105, the height direction position of the corrugation member 66 switches, as shown by the change between state ST1 and state ST2. It goes without saying that such a configuration may be applied to the first shaft 63 and the corrugation members 66 supported by the first shaft 63. Furthermore, such a configuration may be applied to all of the multiple corrugation members 66, or to only some of them.

[0076] The configuration shown in FIG. 16 uses a second shaft 64-1 instead of the second shaft 64 described above. The second shaft 64-1 has a D-cut shape, and the shaft hole 64a1 of the corrugation member 66-3 has a shape corresponding to the D-cut shape. The second shaft 64-1 is driven by a motor (not shown). When the second shaft 64-1 rotates, the height position of the corrugation member 66-3 changes, as shown by the change between state ST1 and state ST2. The corrugation member 66-3 is slidable in the axial direction relative to the second shaft 64-1. It goes without saying that such a configuration may be applied to the first shaft 63 and the corrugation members 66 supported by the first shaft 63. Furthermore, such a configuration may be applied to all of the multiple corrugation members 66, or to only some of them.

[0077] 15 and 16, the height positions of the multiple corrugation members 66 provided along the medium width direction can be changed in unison. For example, the height positions of two corrugation members 66A can be changed in unison. This allows the medium to be appropriately corrugated. In a configuration including corrugation member 66A, i.e., the first corrugation member in contact with the first surface of the medium, and corrugation members 66B and 66C, i.e., the second corrugation members in contact with the second surface of the medium, the following configurations are possible: Only one of the first corrugation member and the second corrugation member may be able to change its height position in conjunction with each other, or both may be able to change their height positions in conjunction with each other.

[0078] Next, the structure in which the corrugation members 66 are interlocked will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the multiple corrugation members 66 include right corrugation members (reference numerals 66A1, 66B1, 66C1 in Figures 10 to 12) located to the right (-Y direction) of the center position in the width direction of the medium, and left corrugation members (reference numerals 66A2, 66B2, 66C2 in Figures 10 to 12) located to the left (+Y direction) of the center position. In this case, "right" and "left" are used for convenience, and may be reversed if the viewing direction changes.

[0079] The right corrugation member 66A1 is provided on a first rack member 121. The left corrugation member 66A2 is provided on a second rack member 122. A rack portion 121a is formed on the first rack member 121, and a rack portion 122a is formed on the second rack member 122. A pinion 117 meshes with the rack portion 121a and the rack portion 122a to form a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0080] The right corrugation members 66B1 and 66C1 are provided on a third rack member 123. The left corrugation members 66B2 and 66C2 are provided on a fourth rack member 124. The third rack member 123 and the fourth rack member 124 are formed with rack portions (not shown), and a pinion 118 meshes with these rack portions to form a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0081] A pulley 114 is integrally provided on the pinion 117. A pulley 113 is provided on the shaft 111, and an endless belt 109 is wound around the pulleys 113 and 114. Similarly, a pulley 116 is integrally provided on the pinion 118. A pulley 115 is provided on the shaft 111, and an endless belt 110 is wound around the pulleys 115 and 116.

[0082] The shaft 111 is rotatable and is provided with a gear 112. The power of the movement motor 89 (see FIG. 19) is transmitted to the gear 112, and when the shaft 111 rotates, the endless belts 109 and 110 rotate. For example, when the shaft 111 rotates clockwise in Fig. 18, the first rack member 121, i.e., the right corrugation member 66A1, and the third rack member 123, i.e., the right corrugation members 66B1 and 66C1, move in the +Y direction. When the shaft 111 rotates clockwise in Fig. 18, the second rack member 122, i.e., the left corrugation member 66A2, and the fourth rack member 124, i.e., the left corrugation members 66B2 and 66C2, move in the -Y direction. 18, the first rack member 121, i.e., the right corrugation member 66A1, and the third rack member 123, i.e., the right corrugation members 66B1 and 66C1, move in the -Y direction. When the shaft 111 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 18, the second rack member 122, i.e., the left corrugation member 66A2, and the fourth rack member 124, i.e., the left corrugation members 66B2 and 66C2, move in the +Y direction.

[0083] As described above, the right corrugation members (66A1, 66B1, 66C1 in FIGS. 10 to 12) and the left corrugation members (66A2, 66B2, 66C2 in FIGS. 10 to 12) are disposed so as to approach and separate from each other in the medium width direction. This allows the right and left corrugation members to be always positioned symmetrically about the center position in the width direction of the medium, thereby allowing the medium to be appropriately corrugated.

[0084] In this embodiment, the height position of the corrugation member 66 can be adjusted by rotating the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 19, a first-shaft drive motor 90 is the drive source for the first shaft 63, and a second-shaft drive motor 91 is the drive source for the second shaft 64. The first-shaft drive motor 90 rotates the first shaft 63 via a power transmission means (not shown). The second-shaft drive motor 91 rotates the second shaft 64 via a power transmission means (not shown). In a configuration in which the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64 are rotated, it is preferable to interpose a worm gear mechanism or the like in the power transmission means so that the height position of the corrugation member 66 does not fluctuate due to external forces received from the medium.

[0085] As described above, the position of the corrugation member 66 in the medium width direction and the position in the direction intersecting the surface of the medium can be adjusted by the movement means. The movement means can be composed of width direction movement means for adjusting the position of the corrugation member 66 in the medium width direction, and cross direction movement means for adjusting the position in the direction intersecting the surface of the medium. In the above-described embodiment, the width direction moving means is configured as a rack and pinion mechanism, but for example, the corrugation member 66 may be moved directly in the medium width direction by an endless belt, a ball screw, etc. Also, for example, the corrugation member 66 may be moved in the medium width direction by the user rotating the shaft 111 without using the power of a motor. In the above-described embodiment, the intersecting direction moving means is configured to rotate the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64, but the corrugation member 66 may be moved in a direction intersecting with the surface of the medium by a cam mechanism as described with reference to Fig. 15. The intersecting direction moving means may be configured so that the first shaft 63 and the second shaft 64 are rotated by the user, for example, without relying on the power of a motor.

[0086] Here, the control unit 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 80 performs various controls, including recording control, in the printer 1. Note that Fig. 19 shows only the components necessary for explaining this embodiment, and other components are omitted from the illustration. The control unit 80 controls the discharge motor 88, the movement motor 89, the first axis drive motor 90, and the second axis drive motor 91. Each of these motors is, for example, a DC motor. Each of these motors is provided with a rotary encoder (not shown), and the control unit 80 can detect the rotation direction, rotation amount, and rotation speed of each of the above motors using this rotary encoder. In other words, the control unit 80 can detect the drive direction, drive amount, and drive speed of each drive object.

[0087] The discharge motor 88 is the drive source for the drive roller 65a that constitutes the discharge roller pair 65. The discharge motor 88 may be provided in the printer 1 main body, or may be provided in the corrugation unit 60. When the discharge motor 88 is provided in the printer 1 main body, the corrugation unit 60 obtains power for the discharge motor 88 from the printer 1 main body via a power connection unit (not shown). When the discharge motor 88 is provided in the corrugation unit 60, the corrugation unit 60 obtains power from the printer 1 main body via a connection unit (not shown). Similarly, the first shaft drive motor 90 and the second shaft drive motor 91 may be provided in the printer 1 body or in the corrugation unit 60 .

[0088] The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81 that executes a computer program, in other words, software, a volatile memory 82, and a nonvolatile memory 83. The CPU 81 performs various calculations required to execute a program 84 stored in the nonvolatile memory 83. The volatile memory 82 is used as a temporary data storage area. The nonvolatile memory 83 stores the program 84 and control parameters 85 required to execute the program 84. The various processes described below are realized by the control unit 80 executing the program 84.

[0089] The control unit 80 drives each motor based on the medium type and medium size information included in the recording data to adjust the width and height positions of the corrugation member 66 as described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. If the corrugation strength is too strong for the thickness of the medium, the transport load on the discharge roller pair 65 increases. Therefore, the control unit 80 can control each motor to weaken the corrugation strength when the drive current value of the discharge motor 88 exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, if the drive current value of the discharge motor 88 exceeds a predetermined threshold in the state shown in FIG. 10, the position of the corrugation member 66 can be changed as shown in FIG. 11.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...inkjet printer, 2...device body, 3...media cassette, 4...ejection tray, 8...ejection tray, 10...ink storage section, 12...line head, 12a...nozzle surface, 13...nozzle, 21...pick roller, 25...feed roller pair, 29-45...transport roller pair, 50...media transport device, 52...belt unit, 53...transport belt, 54...first roller, 55...second roller, 57...mounting frame, 57a...fixing section, 57b...hook section, 57c...boss, 57d...screw hole, 60...corrugation Unit, 61... base frame, 61a, 61b... side frame portion, 61c... standing wall portion, 61d... guide hole, 61e... fixed portion, 61f... boss, 61g... hole, 62... connecting frame, 62d... guide hole, 63... first shaft, 64... second shaft, 65... discharge roller pair, 65a... drive roller, 65b... driven roller, 66, 66A, 66B, 66C... corrugation member, 66a... shaft hole, 66b... engagement groove, 66e... tooth portion, 66f... opening, 67... support member, 67a... elongated hole, 67b... engagement shaft, 68... screw, 6 9...Driven roller, 70...Central corrugation member, 71...Driven roller, 72...Slider, 72a, 72b...Slotted hole, 73, 74...Screw, 75...Connecting frame, 75a...Boss, 76...Connecting frame, 77...Roller support member, 80...Control unit, 81...CPU, 82...Volatile memory, 83...Non-volatile memory, 84...Program, 85...Control parameters, 88...Ejection motor, 89...Transfer motor, 90...First axis drive motor, 91...Second axis drive motor, 100...Plunger, 101...Main Body, 102...pin, 105...camshaft, 106...cam, 109, 110...endless belt, 111...shaft, 112...gear, 113, 114, 115, 116...pulley, 117, 118...pinion, 121...first rack member, 121a...rack portion, 122...second rack member, 122a...rack portion, 123...third rack member, 123a...rack portion, 124...fourth rack member, 124a...rack portion, T1...feed path, T2...switchback path, T3...reversal path, T4, T5, T6...discharge path, T7...conveyance path

Claims

1. a corrugation unit including a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with the medium being conveyed in the conveyance direction to impart a corrugated shape to the medium; a transport path for transporting the medium; A medium transport device comprising: The direction along the surface of the medium and intersecting the transport direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction intersecting the surface of the medium is defined as the cross direction. The position of the corrugation member in the width direction and the position in the cross direction are adjustable. A medium transport device characterized by:

2. 2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The corrugation unit comprises: a support member for supporting the corrugation member, the support member being movable in the width direction and the cross direction; a fixing member that fixes the support member; Equipped with A medium transport device characterized by:

3. 3. The medium transport device according to claim 2, The corrugation unit comprises: a shaft extending along the width direction and supporting the corrugation member together with the support member; The corrugation member rotates around the axis to change the position where it comes into contact with the medium. A medium transport device characterized by:

4. 4. The medium transport device according to claim 3, The corrugation member and the support member are engaged with each other by an engagement shaft provided on one side and an engagement groove provided on the other side, A play is provided between the engagement shaft and the engagement groove. A medium transport device characterized by:

5. 2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, the corrugation unit includes a transport roller that is a roller driven by a drive source and transports the medium; A medium transport device characterized by:

6. 6. The medium transport device according to claim 5, When viewed from the width direction, the transport roller and the corrugation member overlap in the transport direction. A medium transport device characterized by:

7. 7. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The corrugation member is detachable from the corrugation unit. A medium transport device characterized by:

8. 7. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The plurality of corrugation members include a first corrugation member in contact with a first surface of the medium; a second corrugation member contacting a second surface of the medium opposite the first surface; Including, A medium transport device characterized by:

9. 9. The medium transport device according to claim 8, The corrugation member is detachable from the corrugation unit. A medium transport device characterized by:

10. 7. The medium transport device according to claim 1, The plurality of corrugation members include a right corrugation member located on the right side of the center position in the width direction of the medium; a left corrugation member located on the left side of the center position; Including, The right corrugation member and the left corrugation member are disposed so as to approach and separate from each other in the width direction. A medium transport device characterized by:

11. 9. The medium transport device according to claim 8, At least one of the first corrugation members and the second corrugation members is provided in plurality along the width direction, and the positions of the first corrugation members and the second corrugation members in the cross direction change in conjunction with each other. A medium transport device characterized by:

12. 2. The medium transport device according to claim 1, a frame that forms a base of the device; The corrugation unit is detachable from the frame. A medium transport device characterized by:

13. A corrugation unit including a plurality of corrugation members that come into contact with a medium conveyed in a conveyance direction to impart a corrugated shape to the medium, The direction along the surface of the medium and intersecting the transport direction is defined as the width direction, and the direction intersecting the surface of the medium is defined as the cross direction. The position of the corrugation member in the width direction and the position in the cross direction are adjustable. A corrugation unit characterized by:

14. A medium transport device having a transport path for transporting a medium, A mounting portion to which the corrugation unit according to claim 13 can be detachably attached is provided. A medium transport device characterized by:

15. a recording unit that records on the medium; a medium transport device according to claim 1 or claim 14; A recording device comprising:

Images