Printing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of easily eliminating a jam in a recording device having a stacking means for sorting recording media in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording media.SOLUTION: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a recording apparatus including a housing, a transport unit that is accommodated in the housing and transports a recording medium, and a stacking unit that is attached to the housing and on which the recording medium transported by the transport unit is stacked, in which the stacking unit includes a first stacking portion that is movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording medium is transported, and a second stacking portion that is movable in the first direction with respect to the first stacking portion, extends in the first direction, and is detachable from the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In a recording device that ejects recorded recording media and stacks them on a stacking unit, there is known a technique for sorting the recording media into sets of a certain number of sheets by moving the stacking unit. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for sorting the recording media by moving the stacking unit diagonally relative to the transport direction, thereby ensuring an area where a stack of recording media to be sorted does not overlap with stacks of recording media that have already been sorted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-160715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not specifically disclose a structure for removing a jammed recording medium when a jam occurs. When a jam occurs, it is generally necessary to open a side cover and reach into the transport path at the back to remove the jammed recording medium, which is inconvenient for the user.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure has an object to easily resolve jams in a recording device having a stacking unit that sorts recording media in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a recording device comprising a housing, a transport means housed in the housing for transporting recording media, and a loading means attached to the housing on which the recording media transported by the transport means are loaded, wherein the loading means has a first loading section that is movable in a second direction that intersects a first direction in which the recording media is transported, and a second loading section that is movable in the first direction relative to the first loading section, and is extendable in the first direction and removable from the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily resolve jams in a recording device having a stacking unit that sorts recording media in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording media. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance system of a recording unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing a control system of a stacking unit in a recording unit. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a range of movement of the second stacker. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a sorting position of the stacking section. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the movement of a reciprocating member by a cam. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating driving of a loading unit according to the rotation direction of a driving source. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a recording process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state after the stacking unit is driven during the recording process. [Figure 14]FIG. [Figure 15] 3 is a perspective view showing the insertion direction and removal direction of the stacking unit, and the transport direction of the recording medium. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration for fixing the position of the loading unit. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration for detecting removal of a loading unit from a recording apparatus and attachment of a loading unit to a recording apparatus. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a configuration for determining the position of the loading unit in the device height direction. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration for determining the position of the loading unit in the height direction of the device. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording apparatus in which a paper path is configured above a stacking unit. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the recording apparatus when a paper jam is cleared. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart of a paper jam error recovery process. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user interface for jam handling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a recording device, a control method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the positions, shapes, and the like of components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to those.

[0010] In this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral having a recording function of ejecting ink as a recording material onto a recording medium using an inkjet method and a reading function of reading an original placed on a platen will be described as an example of the recording apparatus. Note that the recording method is not limited to the inkjet method, and various known methods such as electrophotography may be used. The recording material that can be ejected by the recording apparatus according to this embodiment is not limited to ink, and includes various known recording materials used for recording, such as a treatment liquid that performs a predetermined treatment on the ejected ink.

[0011] In this specification, when facing the side where the recorded recording medium is discharged, the direction from the left side to the right side of the recording device is referred to as the X direction, the direction from the back side (rear side) of the recording device to the front side (front side), and the direction from the bottom side to the top side of the recording device are referred to as the Z direction. As such, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are directions from one side to the other and are perpendicular to each other. In this specification, when a direction goes from one side to the other, a "+" (plus) is added, and when a direction goes from the other side to the one side, a "-" (minus) is added.

[0012] (Configuration of recording device) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the recording device. Fig. 2(a) is a front view of the recording unit, and Fig. 2(b) is a plan view of the recording unit. Note that in Fig. 1, some components are omitted for ease of understanding.

[0013] The recording device 1 is a multifunction device that includes a recording unit 10 that records on a recording medium, and a scanner unit (not shown) that reads documents and is placed above the recording unit 10. In the recording device 1, various processes related to the recording operation and the reading operation are performed by the recording unit 10 and the scanner unit individually or in conjunction with each other.

[0014] The scanner unit is equipped with an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS (flatbed scanner), and can read documents automatically fed by the ADF and documents placed on the platen of the FBS by the user. Note that, although in this embodiment, the recording device 1 is a multifunction device equipped with the recording unit 10 and a scanner unit, it may be configured without the scanner unit.

[0015] Recording unit 10 includes first paper feed unit 11, second paper feed unit 12, and third paper feed unit 13 that feed recording media (see FIG. 1). Recording unit 10 also includes a transport unit 2 that transports the recording media fed from each paper feed unit, a recording head 3 that ejects ink onto the recording medium transported by transport unit 2 to perform recording, and a stacking unit 4 that stacks the recorded recording media. Recording unit 10 also includes a maintenance unit 5 that performs maintenance on recording head 3, and a drive unit 6 that drives first paper feed unit 11, second paper feed unit 12, third paper feed unit 13, and maintenance unit 5.

[0016] The recording unit 10 includes a liquid storage unit 34 that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 3, and an ink discharge unit 51 that stores ink discharged from the maintenance unit 5 (see FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)). The recording unit 10 also includes a control unit 71 (see FIG. 4) that controls the overall operation of the recording device 1, such as driving control of the transport unit 2, recording head 3, stacking unit 4, and drive unit 6. The recording unit 10 also includes an operation unit 8 that can display input operations by the user and various information. The operation unit 8 is provided with operation buttons 81 for inputting operation information to the recording device 1, and a display panel 82 that displays the operation information. In the recording device 1, the above-mentioned components are fastened to a housing 9 to form the recording unit 10.

[0017] In the recording unit 10, the operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 are disposed above the stacking unit 4. More specifically, the operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 are each disposed in a position where a portion thereof overlaps with the stacking unit 4 in the XY plane (see FIG. 2(b)). The operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 are disposed at a distance from the stacking unit 4 in the Z direction (see FIG. 2(a)). In this embodiment, the operation unit 8 is disposed on one side (left side) in the X direction, and the liquid storage unit 34 is disposed on the other side (right side) in the X direction. The positions of the operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 in the X direction may be reversed.

[0018] In the recording unit 10, the operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 are disposed on the other side (front side) of the discharge roller pair 26 in the Y direction, that is, downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium discharged by the discharge roller pair 26. Furthermore, in the recording unit 10, the maintenance unit 5 is disposed within the movement area of ​​the recording head 3 and on the other side of the stacker 4 in the X direction. More specifically, the maintenance unit 5 is disposed at a position where a portion of it overlaps with the stacker 4 in the YZ plane (see FIG. 3(a)). Furthermore, in the recording unit 10, the ink discharge unit 51 is disposed below the stacker 4. More specifically, the ink discharge unit 51 is disposed at a position where a portion of it overlaps with the stacker 4 in the XY plane (see FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a)).

[0019] (Transport unit and paper feed unit) Next, we will explain the configuration of the transport system of the recording unit 10. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transport system of the recording unit 10, where (a) shows the state before the stacking unit 4 is extended, and (b) shows the state after the stacking unit 4 is extended.

[0020] <Transportation section> The conveying unit 2 includes a pair of conveying rollers 22 that convey the recording medium fed from each paper feeding unit to a recording position where recording can be performed by the recording head 3, and a pair of discharge rollers 26 that discharge the recording medium after recording by the recording head 3. The pair of conveying rollers 22 includes a conveying roller 22a driven by a conveying motor 21 (see FIG. 1) and a pinch roller 22b that presses against the conveying roller 22a and drives the conveying roller 22a. The pair of conveying rollers 22 nip the recording medium between the conveying roller 22a and the pinch roller 22b to convey the recording medium. The pair of discharge rollers 26 includes a discharge roller 26a driven by the conveying motor 21 and a spur 26b that presses against the discharge roller 26a. The pair of discharge rollers 26 nip the recording medium between the discharge roller 26a and the spur 26b to convey the recording medium.

[0021] The conveying unit 2 also includes a first intermediate roller pair 126 that conveys the recording medium fed from the second paper feed unit 12 and the third paper feed unit 13 to the conveying roller pair 22, and a second intermediate roller pair 136 that conveys the recording medium fed from the third paper feed unit 13 to the first intermediate roller pair 126. The first intermediate roller pair 126 includes a first intermediate roller 126a driven by the driving unit 6 and a first driven roller 126b that presses against and follows the first intermediate roller 126a. The first intermediate roller pair 126 conveys the recording medium by sandwiching it between the first intermediate roller 126a and the first driven roller 126b. The second intermediate roller pair 136 also includes a second intermediate roller 136a driven by the driving unit 6 and a second driven roller 136b that presses against and follows the second intermediate roller 136a. In the second intermediate roller pair 136, the recording medium is sandwiched between the second intermediate roller 136a and the second driven roller 136b and conveyed.

[0022] When the recording medium fed from each paper feed unit passes through the detection lever 24 located upstream in the conveying direction of the conveying roller pair 22, the left and right leading edges of the recording medium in the width direction are aligned with respect to the conveying direction by the conveying roller pair 22. In other words, the conveying roller pair 22 corrects any skew in the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0023] <Paper feed section> =1st paper feed section= The first paper feed unit 11 includes a pressure plate 111 on which a recording medium is placed, and a first paper feed roller unit 112 that feeds the recording medium placed on the pressure plate 111 to the pair of conveying rollers 22. The first paper feed roller unit 112 includes first paper feed rollers 112a and 112b that feed the recording medium to the pair of conveying rollers 22. The first paper feed roller unit 112 also includes a separation roller 113 that is disposed opposite the first paper feed roller 112b and applies resistance to the recording medium fed by the first paper feed roller 112b. The first paper feed rollers 112a and 112b are driven by the driving force of a drive motor 61 (see FIG. 1) of the drive unit 6.

[0024] In the first paper feed unit 11, feeding of the recording media P1 begins when the recording media P1 stacked on the pressure plate 111 comes into contact with the first paper feed roller 112a, which rotates as a result of being driven by the drive motor 61. The recording media P1 fed by the first paper feed roller 112a are then fed by the first paper feed roller 112b, which is positioned downstream of the first paper feed roller 112a in the paper feed direction. At this time, only the uppermost sheet of the recording media P1 fed by the first paper feed roller 112b is fed to the conveyance roller pair 22 by the separation roller 113, which is positioned opposite the first paper feed roller 112b.

[0025] =2nd paper feed section= The second paper feed unit 12 includes a cassette case 121 that accommodates recording media, a second paper feed roller 123 that feeds the recording media accommodated in the cassette case 121, and a separation unit 125 that applies resistance to the recording media fed by the second paper feed roller 123. The second paper feed roller 123 is driven by the driving force of a drive motor 62 (see FIG. 1) of the drive unit 6 transmitted via a gear train (not shown).

[0026] In the second paper feed unit 12, the second paper feed roller 123, which rotates in contact with the recording medium P2 housed in the cassette case 121 in response to the drive of the drive motor 62, begins feeding the recording medium P2 to the first intermediate roller pair 126. The separation unit 125 applies resistance to the feeding direction of the recording medium P2 fed by the second paper feed roller 123. As a result, even if multiple recording media P2 are fed by the second paper feed roller 123, the separation unit 125 feeds the uppermost one of the recording media P2 to the first intermediate roller pair 126. The recording medium P2 fed to the first intermediate roller pair 126 is transported to the transport roller pair 22 by the first intermediate roller pair 126.

[0027] =3rd paper feed section= The third paper feed unit 13 includes a cassette case 131 that stores recording media, a third paper feed roller 133 that feeds the recording media stored in the cassette case 131, and a separation unit 135 that applies resistance to the recording media fed by the third paper feed roller 133. The third paper feed roller 133 is driven by the driving force of a drive motor 62 (see FIG. 1) of the drive unit 6 transmitted via a gear train (not shown).

[0028] In the third paper feed unit 13, the third paper feed roller 133, which rotates in contact with the recording medium P3 housed in the cassette case 131 in response to the drive of the drive motor 62, begins feeding the recording medium P3 to the second intermediate roller pair 136. The separation unit 135 applies resistance to the feeding direction of the recording medium P3 fed by the third paper feed roller 133. As a result, even if multiple recording media P3 are fed by the third paper feed roller 133, the separation unit 135 feeds the uppermost one of the recording media P3 to the second intermediate roller pair 136. The recording medium P3 fed to the second intermediate roller pair 136 is transported to the transport roller pair 22 by the second intermediate roller pair 136 and the first intermediate roller pair 126.

[0029] (recording head) Next, the recording head 3 will be described. In the recording unit 10, the recording head 3 is slidably supported on a chassis 33 extending in the X direction and is mounted on a carriage 31 configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction (see FIGS. 2(b) and 3(a)). This allows the recording head 3 to move back and forth in the X direction via the carriage 31. The recording medium transported by the transport roller pair 22 is supported by a platen 25 provided at a position opposite the recording head 3. The recording head 3 ejects ink onto the recording medium supported by the platen 25 while moving in the X direction via the carriage 31, thereby performing recording.

[0030] When recording is performed on only one side of the recording medium, the recorded recording medium is discharged to the stacking unit 4 via the discharge roller pair 26. On the other hand, when recording is performed on both sides of the recording medium, the conveyance motor 21 is rotated in reverse from a state in which the trailing end of the recording medium after recording on one side has been completed is sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 26. As a result, the discharge roller pair 26 and the conveyance roller pair 22 rotate in the opposite direction to when conveying the recording medium in the conveyance direction, and the recording medium with its trailing end sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 26 is conveyed to the reverse conveyance path F. In this description, the trailing end of the recording medium means the trailing end of the recording medium in the conveyance direction (+Y direction), and the leading end of the recording medium means the leading end of the recording medium in the conveyance direction.

[0031] Then, when the leading edge of the recording medium transported to the reverse transport path F passes the transport roller pair 22, the transport motor 21 is switched to forward rotation. After that, when the recording medium is transported by the first intermediate roller pair 126 and passes the detection lever 24, skew correction is again performed by the transport roller pair 22. After this, the same operation as recording on one side of the recording medium is performed, and after recording on the other side of the recording medium, the recording medium with recording on both sides is discharged to the stacking unit 4 by the discharge roller pair 26.

[0032] In this embodiment, the stacking section 4, which holds the recording media discharged via the discharge roller pair 26, automatically extends in the +Y direction during recording (see FIG. 3(b)), as will be described in detail later. As a result, the stacking section 4, most of which was inside the housing 9 before extension, protrudes outside the housing 9, ensuring an area where the discharged recording media can be stably stacked.

[0033] (Loading area) Next, the stacking unit 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the recording device 1. In the following description, the stacking unit 4 will be mainly described, and therefore FIG. 4 mainly shows the control configuration for the stacking unit 4, and other configurations are omitted. FIG. 5 is a perspective configuration diagram of the stacking unit 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positions of the stacking unit 4 after extension and after contraction, where (a) shows the storage position of the second stacking unit 42 after the stacking unit 4 is contracted, and (b) shows the stacking position of the second stacking unit 42 after the stacking unit 4 is extended. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing two sorting positions of the stacking unit 4, where (a) shows the first sorting position and (b) shows the second sorting position.

[0034] The stacking unit 4, which holds the recording media discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 26, automatically expands when recording begins, expanding the area that supports the discharged recording media. Furthermore, when a recording medium is removed from the stacking unit 4, the stacking unit 4 automatically contracts, reducing its area. Furthermore, the stacking unit 4 has the function of moving in a direction (X direction) that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the direction of expansion and contraction (Y direction) of the stacking unit 4 to sort the discharged recording media. In the recording unit 10, the stacking unit 4 automatically contracts not only when a recording medium is removed from the stacking unit 4, but also when a command is received from the user via the operation unit 8, when no recording operation has been performed for a predetermined period of time, when the recording unit 10 switches to low-power mode, and so on.

[0035] The recording unit 10 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a detection unit 73, an operation unit 8, a loading unit 4, a drive transmission unit 43, and a drive source 44 (see FIG. 4).

[0036] The control unit 71 completes the movement of the stacking unit 4 in the X direction and the expansion in the Y direction from the time the recording medium is conveyed after receiving the recording command until it is discharged to the stacking unit 4. Furthermore, when the recording medium is removed from the stacking unit 4, the control unit 71 starts the movement of the stacking unit 4 in the X direction and the contraction in the Y direction. As will be described in detail later, the stacking unit 4 moves in the X direction to a first sorting position (described later) and then is expanded. In expanding the stacking unit 4, the second stacking unit 42 constituting the stacking unit 4 moves from a storage position (described later) to a stacking position (described later). In addition, the stacking unit 4 moves in the X direction to a second sorting position (described later) different from the first sorting position and then is contracted. In contracting the stacking unit 4, the second stacking unit 42 constituting the stacking unit 4 moves from the stacking position to the storage position. This control makes it possible to reduce the effect of external forces caused by the movement of the stacking unit 4 on the recording medium while it is being discharged. That is, the alignment of the discharged and stacked recording media can be prevented from deteriorating, and the sorted recording media can be easily recognized when sorting them. Furthermore, because the stacking unit 4 automatically expands and contracts, it places no burden on the user and improves usability. Details of the drive control of the control unit 71, such as the movement and extension of the stacking unit 4, will be described later.

[0037] The operation unit 8 is equipped with operation buttons 81 and a display panel 82 (see FIG. 1). By operating the operation unit 8, the user can select whether or not to sort the recording media and can instruct the stacker 4 to move. Note that in the recording unit 10, sorting of the recording media and movement of the stacker 4 can also be performed based on information set in a job, for example. The memory unit 72 stores various programs for operating the stacker 4. In response to input from the operation unit 8 by the user, the control unit 71 reads a program corresponding to the input result and controls the driving of the stacker 4. The memory unit 72 also stores the detection results of the detection unit 73.

[0038] The detection unit 73 includes a plurality of sensors. Specifically, the detection unit 73 includes a sensor that detects the rotation of the drive source 44 (see FIG. 2(a)) that drives the loading unit 4. The sensor is configured as a rotary encoder and is installed on the rotation axis of the drive source 44 that generates the rotational drive. The sensor converts the rotation angle of the drive source 44 into a number of steps and transmits the number to the control unit 71. The control unit 71 reads the number of steps required for a predetermined operation of the loading unit 4 from the memory unit 72. When the number of steps transmitted from the sensor reaches a predetermined number of steps, the control unit 71 determines that the predetermined operation of the loading unit 4 has been completed and stops the drive source 44. In this embodiment, the sensor is configured as an encoder provided on the rotation axis of the drive source 44, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor may be provided on the rotation axis of a predetermined transmission member that constitutes the drive transmission unit 43 (see FIG. 2(a)) that transmits the driving force of the drive source 44 to the loading unit 4.

[0039] The detection unit 73 also includes a sensor that detects the position of the stacker 4 after a predetermined operation. The sensor can be, for example, a mechanical switch, a photosensor, or a rotary encoder of the drive source 44. The detection unit 73 also includes a sensor that detects whether or not recording media are loaded on the stacker 4. The sensor can detect the timing to retract the stacker 4.

[0040] The stacking unit 4 includes a first stacking unit 41 and a second stacking unit 42 (see FIG. 5). The first stacking unit 41 is configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction, which intersects with the direction in which the recording media are discharged (the Y direction). The first stacking unit 41 is disposed inside the housing 9, and an end 41a on the other side in the Y direction is located behind the front surface 9a of the housing 9 in the Y direction (see FIG. 6(a)).

[0041] The second stacking section 42 is supported by the first stacking section 41 and is configured to be able to move back and forth in the Y direction on the first stacking section 41. This allows the second stacking section 42 to move back and forth in the X direction via the first stacking section 41.

[0042] The second stacking unit 42 is configured to be movable between a storage position and a stacking position (see FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)). In the storage position, most of the second stacking unit 42 overlaps with the first stacking unit 41 in the XY plane, and the second stacking unit 42 is stored below the first stacking unit 41 (see FIG. 6(a)). In the stacking position, the second stacking unit 42 is pulled out from the storage position, and the second stacking unit 42 cooperates with the first stacking unit 41 to load recording media (see FIG. 6(b)). That is, when the stacking unit 4 extends, the second stacking unit 42 moves from the storage position in the +Y direction to the stacking position. When the stacking unit 4 contracts, the second stacking unit 42 moves from the stacking position in the -Y direction to the storage position. In this embodiment, when the second stacking unit 42 is in the storage position, a portion of the area on the end 42a side protrudes in the Y direction from the front surface 9a of the housing 9. With this configuration, when the second stacking section 42 is in the storage position, most of the stacking section 4 is located inside the housing 9, making it possible to reduce the installation space for the recording device 1.

[0043] The stacking position can take multiple different positions in the Y direction depending on the size of the recording medium. In this embodiment, the stacking position can take four positions corresponding to A4, A5, B5, and LETTER sizes, respectively. However, the positions that the stacking position can take are not limited to these.

[0044] The stacking unit 4 is configured to be movable between two sorting positions where the discharged recording media are sorted by moving the first stacking unit 41 in the X direction. That is, the stacking unit 4 is movable in the X direction between a first sorting position (see FIG. 7(a)) where the center position Os of the stacking unit 4 is located on one side of the center position Om of the discharged recording media, and a second sorting position (see FIG. 7(b)) where the center position Os of the stacking unit 4 is located on the other side of the center position Om. The stacking unit 4 is configured to stack recording media at the first sorting position and at the second sorting position, so that the discharged recording media can be sorted at positions shifted in the X direction. That is, the first sorting position and the second sorting position are located a predetermined distance apart in the X direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, the distance from the center position Os to the center position Om at the first sorting position may be the same as the distance from the center position Os to the center position Om at the second sorting position. Alternatively, the distance from the center position Os to the center position Om at the first sorting position may be different from the distance from the center position Os to the center position Om at the second sorting position. The distance required for sorting, i.e., the distance between the first sorting position and the second sorting position, is, for example, 30 mm or more and 50 mm or less. The positions at which the stacking unit 4 can stay are not limited to the first sorting position and the second sorting position. For example, the stacking unit 4 may be configured to be located at the center position Om when sorting of recording media is not performed during the recording process or when recording is not performed.

[0046] (Drive transmission part) Next, the drive transmission unit 43 will be described. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the drive transmission unit 43. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cam which is a component of the drive transmission unit 43. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining movement of the loading unit 4 in the X direction by the cam.

[0047] The drive transmission unit 43 includes a drive train 431 configured with a plurality of drive transmission members that transmit the rotational drive from the drive source 44, and a support member 432 that can move in the Y direction by the drive force transmitted via the drive train 431 (see FIG. 8). The drive transmission unit 43 also includes a reciprocating member 433 that can move in the X direction by the drive force transmitted via the drive train 431, and a case (not shown) that holds the drive source 44 and the drive train 431.

[0048] The support member 432 includes a rack portion 4321 extending in the Y direction. The rack portion 4321 is engaged with a pinion 4311, which is one of the drive transmission members constituting the drive train 431, and this allows the support member 432 to move in the Y direction by the drive force transmitted from the drive train 431. Specifically, the drive train 431 is composed of a plurality of gears including the pinion 4311. The drive force transmitted from the drive source 44 is transmitted to the pinion 4311 via a predetermined gear in the drive train 431, and the drive force transmitted to the pinion 4311 moves the support member 432 in the Y direction.

[0049] One end of the drive train 431 is connected to the drive source 44. A cam 4312 that engages with the reciprocating member 433 is located at the other end of the drive train 431. The cam 4312 includes a circular plate portion 4312c, a gear portion 4312a formed on one surface of the plate portion 4312c, and a cam portion 4312b formed on the other surface of the plate portion 4312c (see FIG. 9). When a driving force from the drive source 44 is transmitted to the gear portion 4312a, the cam 4312 rotates about an axis Oc that passes through the center of the plate portion 4312c and is parallel to the Z direction. In this embodiment, the cam portion 4312b has a substantially triangular cylindrical shape, and the sides connecting adjacent vertices of the triangle are gently curved so as to protrude outward (see FIG. 10(a)). The cam portion 4312b is formed eccentrically with respect to the center of rotation on the other surface of the plate portion 4312c so that a predetermined vertex P is positioned on the axis Oc.

[0050] The reciprocating member 433 is formed with an engaging portion 4333 with which the cam portion 4312b engages. The engaging portion 4333 is slidable by the engaging cam portion 4312b, and is formed with a first sliding surface 4331 and a second sliding surface 4332 that face each other with a predetermined interval in the X direction. The predetermined interval corresponds to the length of the cam portion 4312b in the X direction. The first sliding surface 4331 and the second sliding surface 4332 are formed parallel to the Y direction. As described above, the cam portion 4312b is eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the cam 4312. Therefore, when the cam 4312 rotates, the cam portion 4312b slides against the first sliding surface 4331 or the second sliding surface 4332, moving the reciprocating member 433 in the +X direction or the -X direction (see FIG. 10).

[0051] For example, suppose that the rotation of the cam 4312 causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate from a predetermined position (the position shown in FIG. 10(a)) in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 10(b)). In this case, the cam portion 4312b slides on the first sliding surface 4331, moving the reciprocating member 433 from the other side to one side in the X direction (-X direction) (see FIG. 10(b)). Also, suppose that the rotation of the cam 4312 causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate from a predetermined position in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 10(c)). In this case, the cam portion 4312b slides on the second sliding surface 4332, moving the reciprocating member 433 from one side to the other side in the X direction (+X direction) (see FIG. 10(c)).

[0052] The support member 432 is connected to the second stacker 42. Therefore, the second stacker 42 moves in the Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the support member 432 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the reciprocating member 433 is connected to the first stacker 41. Therefore, the first stacker 41 moves in the X direction in conjunction with the movement of the reciprocating member 433 in the X direction, and the second stacker 42 moves in the X direction via the first stacker 41. In this embodiment, the support member 432 is connected to the second stacker 42, and the reciprocating member 433 is connected to the first stacker 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, a rack portion 4321 may be formed in the second stacker 42, and the function of the support member 432 may be provided in the second stacker 42. Alternatively, an engagement portion 4333 may be formed in the first stacker 41, and the function of the engagement portion 4333 may be provided in the first stacker 41.

[0053] (Outline of movement of the first loading section and the second loading section) Next, an outline of the movement of the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 will be described. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the movement of the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42.

[0054] The drive train 431 has a delay section in its drive transmission path in the Y direction. Specifically, the drive train 431 is configured to start moving the second stacker 42 in the Y direction after the first stacker 41 has completed moving in the X direction. More specifically, when the rotation direction of the drive source 44 is the first direction, the first stacker 41 is moved to the first sorting position, and the second stacker 42 is also moved to the first sorting position via the first stacker 41. Thereafter, as the drive source 44 further rotates in the first direction, the second stacker 42 extends relative to the first stacker 41. In other words, the second stacker 42, which is in the storage position, is moved in the +Y direction to the stacking position. When the rotation direction of the drive source 44 is the second direction opposite to the first direction, the first stacker 41 is moved to the second sorting position, and the second stacker 42 is also moved to the second sorting position via the first stacker 41. Thereafter, by further rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction, the second stacking section 42 contracts relative to the first stacking section 41, i.e., the second stacking section 42, which is in the stacking position, is moved in the -Y direction to the storage position.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the drive transmission unit 43 moves the first stacker 41 in the X direction and then moves the second stacker 42 in the Y direction, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the second stacker 42 may be moved in the Y direction and then the first stacker 41 may be moved in the X direction. Furthermore, various known transmission mechanisms, such as a link mechanism, may be used to transmit the driving force of the drive source 44. Furthermore, the recording unit 10 may be provided with multiple drive sources, and the movement of the first stacker 41 in the X direction and the movement of the second stacker 42 in the Y direction may be performed by drive forces from different drive sources. The movement of the first stacker 41 in the X direction and the movement of the second stacker 42 in the Y direction may not be performed solely by the drive source 44, but may also be performed manually by a user.

[0056] (Recording Processing) Next, a recording process will be described in which recording is performed on recording media while the recording media are sorted in the stacker 4 after recording. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of the recording process in which recording is performed on recording media while the recording media are sorted in the stacker 4 after recording. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of the stacker 4 after movement. The series of processing shown in the flowchart in FIG. 12 is performed by the control unit 71 expanding program code stored in the program memory (not shown) of the storage unit 72 into the data memory (not shown) of the storage unit 72 and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 12 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electrical circuit. In this specification, the symbol S in the description of each process in the flowchart indicates a step in that flowchart. Note that the description of the recording process using FIG. 12 will be based on a case in which the recording device 1 performs the recording process based on a job that executes recording to generate N copies of a batch of M recording media, where one copy is a batch of M recording media.

[0057] When the recording process starts, first, in S1202, the control unit 71 moves the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 to the first sorting position. In S1202, the drive source 44 is rotated in a first direction to move the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42, which are located in the initial position (see FIG. 13(a)), in the -X direction to the first sorting position (see FIG. 13(b)). Next, in S1204, the control unit 71 moves the second stacker 42 from the storage position to the stacking position. In S1204, with the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 located in the first sorting position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the first direction to move the second stacker 42 in the +Y direction from the storage position to the stacking position (see FIG. 13(c)). In this embodiment, the stacking position changes depending on the size of the recording media. That is, in this embodiment, the extension amount of the stacking unit 4 differs depending on the size of the recording media. Therefore, in S1204, the stacking position is determined based on the detection result of a sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects the position of the stacking unit 4 after a predetermined operation. Specifically, for example, based on the detection result of a rotary encoder of the drive source 44, the second stacking unit 42 is moved to a stacking position that corresponds to the size of the recording media. Alternatively, the second stacking unit 42 may be configured to be moved to a stacking position that corresponds to the size of the recording media based on the detection result of a mechanical switch, a photosensor, or the like.

[0058] Here, the drive transmission unit 43 is formed so that when the first stacking unit 41 is located at the first sorting position, the cam 4312 does not rotate any further even if the drive force caused by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the first direction is transmitted. Therefore, in S1204, even if the drive source 44 rotates in the first direction with the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 located at the first sorting position, the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 do not move in the -X direction from the first sorting position.

[0059] Next, in S1206, the control unit 71 sets a variable n, which indicates the number of copies representing the stack of recording media to be sorted, to “1.” Also, in S1208, the control unit 71 sets a variable m, which indicates the number of sheets of recording media to be recorded, to “1.” Thereafter, in S1210, the control unit 71 performs recording on the mth sheet of the nth copy. The recording unit 10 performs a recording operation by ejecting ink while moving the recording head 3 in the X direction onto a predetermined area of ​​the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit 2 and supported by the platen 25. Next, the conveyance unit 2 performs a transport operation to transport the recording medium a predetermined distance corresponding to the length of the predetermined area in the Y direction, and then performs a recording operation again. In this way, the recording unit 10 records on the recording medium by alternately and repeatedly performing the recording operation and the transport operation. Therefore, the recording medium being recorded on is transported in the +Y direction as recording progresses, and when recording is completed, it is ejected, extended, and stacked on the stacker 4 at the first sorting position.

[0060] Then, in S1212, the control unit 71 determines whether the recording media have been ejected. In S1212, for example, the determination is made based on the detection result of a sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects the ejection of recording media, and the number of ejected recording media is counted. The ejected recording media are stacked on the stacking unit 4 located at the first sorting position (see FIG. 13(d)).

[0061] In this embodiment, recording on the first sheet of recording medium of the first copy is started after the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 are moved to the first sorting position and the second stacking unit 42 is moved to the stacking position, but this is not limited to this. The above-described movement of the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 only needs to be completed by the time the first sheet of recording medium of the first copy is discharged to the stacking unit 4, and this movement and recording on the first sheet of recording medium of the first copy may be performed in parallel. Note that "until the first sheet of recording medium of the first copy is discharged to the stacking unit 4" means, for example, until the first sheet of recording medium of the first copy is discharged and placed on the stacking unit 4.

[0062] Thereafter, in S1214, it is determined whether the number of ejected recording media has reached a predetermined number. In S1214, it is determined whether the count of the ejected recording media has reached a predetermined number set in advance. Alternatively, in S1214, it may be determined whether the number m has reached the predetermined number. In this case, in S1212, the number of ejected recording media is not counted. The predetermined number is set, for example, based on information set in the job. That is, in this embodiment, the predetermined number is "M," and in S1214, it is determined whether m=M.

[0063] If it is determined in S1214 that the number of ejected recording media has not reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1216, where the control unit 71 increments m, and returns to S1210. If it is determined in S1214 that the number of ejected recording media has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1218, where the control unit 71 determines whether the number of copies n has reached the predetermined number. The predetermined number of copies is set, for example, based on information set in the job. That is, in this embodiment, the predetermined number of copies is "N," and in S1218, it is determined whether n=N.

[0064] If it is determined in S1218 that the number of copies n has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1220, where the control unit 71 determines whether or not recording media have been removed from the stacker 4. In S1220, this determination is made based on the detection result of a sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects whether or not recording media are stacked on the stacker 4. If it is determined in S1220 that recording media have not been removed from the stacker 4, the process of S1220 is performed again. At this time, a notification urging the user to remove recording media from the stacker 4 may be displayed via the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1220 that recording media have been removed from the stacker 4, the process proceeds to S1222, where the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 are moved to the second sorting position. In S1222, the drive source 44 is rotated in the second direction to move the first stacking section 41 and the second stacking section 42 located at the first sorting position in the +X direction to the second sorting position, and the process proceeds to S1246, which will be described later.

[0065] Furthermore, if it is determined in S1218 that the number of copies n has not reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1224, where the control unit 71 moves the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 to the second sorting position (see FIG. 13(e)). The specific processing content of S1224 is the same as that of S1222 described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S1226, the control unit 71 increments the variable n. Also, in S1228, the control unit 71 sets the variable m to "1." Thereafter, in S1230, the control unit 71 performs recording on the mth recording medium for the nth copy. The recording medium being recorded on is transported in the +Y direction as recording progresses, and when recording is completed, the recording medium is ejected, extended, and stacked on the stacker 4 at the second sorting position. Then, in S1232, the control unit 71 determines whether the recording medium has been ejected. The recording media ejected here are stacked on top of the recording media stacked on the stacking section 4 at the first sorting position, and are stacked at a position offset in the X direction relative to the recording media stacked at the first sorting position (see Figure 13(f)).

[0066] In this embodiment, recording is performed on the first sheet of recording medium of the nth copy after the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 are moved to the second sorting position, but this is not limited to this. The movement of the first stacking unit 41 and the second stacking unit 42 to the second sorting position only needs to be completed by the time at least the first sheet of recording medium of the nth copy is discharged to the stacking unit 4, and this movement and recording on the first sheet of recording medium of the nth copy may be performed in parallel. Note that "until the first sheet of recording medium of the nth copy is discharged to the stacking unit 4" means, for example, until the first sheet of recording medium of the nth copy is discharged and placed on the recording media stacked on the stacking unit 4.

[0067] Thereafter, in S1234, it is determined whether the number of ejected recording media has reached a predetermined number. If it is determined in S1234 that the number of ejected recording media has not reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1236, where the control unit 71 increments m, and returns to S1230. If it is determined in S1234 that the number of ejected recording media has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1238, where the control unit 71 determines whether the number of copies n has reached the predetermined number. Note that the specific processing content of S1232 to S1238 described above is the same as that of S1212 to S1218 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] If it is determined in S1238 that the number of copies n has not reached the predetermined number of copies, the process proceeds to S1240, where the control unit 71 increments n. Then, in S1242, the control unit 71 moves the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 to the first sorting position, and the process returns to S1208. In S1242, the drive source 44 is rotated in the first direction, and the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42, which are located at the second sorting position, are moved in the -X direction to the first sorting position.

[0069] In this embodiment, after the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 are moved to the first sorting position in S1242, the process returns to S1208 and recording is performed on the first recording medium of the nth copy, but this is not limited to this. The movement of the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 to the first sorting position in S1242 only needs to be completed by the time at least the first recording medium of the nth copy is ejected to the stacker 4, and this movement and recording on the first recording medium of the nth copy may be performed in parallel.

[0070] Furthermore, if it is determined in S1238 that the number of copies n has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1244, where the control unit 71 determines whether or not a recording medium has been removed from the stacker 4. The specific processing content of S1244 is the same as that of S1220 described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. If it is determined in S1244 that a recording medium has not been removed from the stacker 4, the process of S1244 is performed again. At this time, a notification urging the user to remove the recording medium from the stacker 4 may be displayed via the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8. If it is determined in S1244 that a recording medium has been removed from the stacker 4, the process proceeds to S1246, where the control unit 71 moves the second stacker 42 from the stacking position to the storage position, and ends this recording process. Note that, when ending the recording process, for example, the first stacker and the second stacker 42 in the storage position are moved to their initial positions (see FIG. 13(a)).

[0071] In S1246, with the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 positioned at the second sorting position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the second direction, thereby moving the second stacker 42 in the -Y direction from the stacking position to the storage position. Here, the drive transmission unit 43 is formed so that, when the first stacker 41 is positioned at the second sorting position, the cam 4312 does not rotate any further even if the drive force caused by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction is transmitted. Therefore, even if the drive source 44 rotates in the second direction with the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 positioned at the second sorting position in S1246, the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 do not move in the +X direction from the second sorting position.

[0072] In this manner, in this embodiment, the control unit 71, the drive source 44, and the drive transmission unit 43 function as a control means for controlling the movement of the loading unit 4, which has the first loading unit 41 and the second loading unit 42.

[0073] (Action and effect) As described above, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4, which can hold recording media, is moved in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the transport direction of the recording media, until the first (first sheet) of the nth set of recording media is discharged, thereby sorting the recorded recording media. Furthermore, in the stacking unit 4, the second stacking unit 42 is moved from the storage position to a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording media, ensuring a stacking area corresponding to the size, until the recording media recorded at the beginning of the recording process (i.e., the first sheet of the first set) is discharged to the stacking unit 4, thereby ensuring a stacking area corresponding to the size. Furthermore, when the recording media are removed from the stacking unit 4, the stacking unit 4 moves the second stacking unit 42 from the stacking position to a storage position where it overlaps with the first stacking unit 41 in the XY plane, and is stored within the housing 9.

[0074] As a result, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4 can automatically extend from a storage position stored in the housing 9 to a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording medium in response to the discharge of the recording medium during recording, and move to the sorting position. Also, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4 can automatically contract from a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording medium to a storage position stored in the housing 9 in response to the removal of the recording medium from the stacking position. Therefore, in the recording device 1, the user does not need to intervene to move the stacking unit 4, and the stacking unit 4 can be stored in the housing 9 when not in use, allowing the device to be made smaller without reducing usability.

[0075] [First embodiment] 14A and 14B are perspective configuration diagrams of the loading unit 4 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14A, the loading unit 4 is made up of a second support member 432 that moves in the conveyance direction, a reciprocating member 433 that moves in the width direction, and a first support member 434 that has a sliding fit shape (not shown) that allows the second support member 432 and the reciprocating member 433 to move.

[0076] Figure 14(b) shows the loading unit 4 in Figure 14(a) turned upside down. As shown in Figure 14(b), the first support member 434 holds a drive train 4313 which is a plurality of drive transmission members for transmitting the driving force transmitted from the drive source 44 (see Figure 15).

[0077] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the insertion direction (-Y direction) and removal direction (+Y direction) of the stacker 4, as well as the transport direction (+Y direction) of the recording medium. The recording device 1 is equipped with a guide member 96 that determines the position of the stacker 4 in the device width direction (X direction) and the device height direction (Z direction). The recording device 1 also includes a compression spring 971 that applies a load in the device width direction to the stacker 4, and a stacker stopper 97 with a sloped tip shape to divide the load of the compression spring 971 between the load in the device width direction (X direction, specifically the -X direction) and the removal direction (+Y direction) of the stacker 4. The stacker stopper 97 is provided on the housing 9 of the recording device 1 (see FIG. 19). The recording device 1 also includes a drive train 4314 that connects the drive source 44 with a drive train 4313 (see FIG. 14(b)) held in the stacking unit 4, and the drive train 4313 and the drive train 4314 mesh together when the stacking unit 4 is attached to the recording device 1. Hereinafter, the removal direction (+Y direction) and insertion direction (-Y direction) of the stacking unit 4 will be simply referred to as the "removal direction" and "insertion direction".

[0078] 16 is a perspective view of the guide member 96. The guide member 96 includes a rough guide rail 961 that roughly determines the position of the loading unit 4 in the device width direction, a positioning guide rail 962 that precisely determines the position in the device width direction, and a surface rib 963 that determines the position of the loading unit 4 in the device height direction. The positioning guide rail 962 has a surface 9621 against which the loading unit 4 abuts in the device width direction (X direction).

[0079] FIG. 17 shows a configuration for fixing the position of the stacker 4, and a configuration for fixing the position in the device width direction (X direction) and the conveyance direction (Y direction). FIG. 17(a) shows a state just before the stacker 4 is attached to the recording device 1, and the recording device 1 has a drive train 4313 provided on the stacker 4 side and a drive train 4314 provided on the housing side. In the state shown in FIG. 17(a), the drive train 4313 and the drive train 4314 are not meshed. FIG. 17(b) shows a state after the stacker 4 is attached to the recording device 1, and the drive train 4313 on the stacker 4 side and the drive train 4314 on the housing side are meshed. The portion where these drive trains mesh is called a drive train meshing portion 4315.

[0080] (Positioning of the loading section in the device width direction) 17(a), the loading unit 4 is held so that its position in the device width direction is roughly determined by a device width direction rough guide rib 4341 provided on the loading unit 4 and a rough guide rail 961 provided on the guide member 96. Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the device width direction position of the loading unit 4 is precisely determined by a width direction positioning rib 4342 provided on the loading unit 4 and a positioning guide rail 962 provided on the guide member 96.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 17(b), the loading section stopper 97 is provided on the opposite side of the drive train toothing portion 4315 and the guide rail 962. The first support member 434 is provided with a rib 4343 that receives the pressing force of the loading section stopper 97. The loading section 4 is positioned in a state where it is pressed in the device width direction (specifically, the −X direction) by the pressing force of the loading section stopper 97, that is, where the width-direction positioning rib 4342 of the loading section 4 is in contact with the surface 9621 of the guide member 96. With respect to the loading section 4, the width-direction positioning rib 434 abuts in the −X direction (specifically, against the positioning guide rail 962), eliminating backlash in the X direction, thereby reducing inter-axis variation at the drive train toothing portion 4315 between the drive trains 4313 and 4314. This reduces the amount of tooth engagement and suppresses tooth skipping.

[0082] (Positioning of the loading section in the device transport direction) 17(b) from the state of FIG. 17(a), the rib 4343 of the first support member moves in the insertion direction (-Y direction) and passes the Y-direction position of the loading section stopper 97. At this time, the rib 4343 of the first support member receives a pressing force in the insertion direction (-Y direction) from the loading section stopper 97, and is positioned with the abutment portion 4344 abutting against the housing 91.

[0083] The second support member 432 (see FIG. 14(a)), which moves in the conveying direction, has a rack portion and is extended or shortened (i.e., expands and contracts) by a pinion (not shown). To prevent the loading unit 4 from coming off when the second support member 432 extends, the load of the compression spring 971 is set based on the force in the removal direction that is applied to the loading unit 4 when it is extended, and the force in the removal direction when it hits the loading unit 4 when it is fully extended. However, if the load of the compression spring 971 is set too large, the operating force required from the user when inserting or removing the loading unit 4 tends to be large, so the load needs to be set appropriately.

[0084] (Detection of the presence or absence of a loading area) 18 is a diagram showing a configuration for detecting the removal of the loading unit 4 from the recording apparatus 1 (specifically, the housing) and the attachment of the loading unit 4 to the recording apparatus 1 (housing). In this embodiment, a leaf switch sensor 46 is provided as a configuration for detecting the presence or absence of the loading unit 4. To prevent the user from directly touching the leaf switch sensor 46 and to suppress the effects of static electricity, a coupling member 461 is provided to ensure a distance from the leaf switch sensor 46. The coupling member 461 is rotatable, and the first support member 434 has a convex shape 4345 for pressing this coupling member 461.

[0085] When the loading unit 4 is attached to the recording device 1, the joint member 461 is pushed by the convex shape 4345, causing the joint member 461 to rotate, and the signal of the leaf switch sensor 46 is turned ON via the rotating joint member 461, so that it is possible to detect that the loading unit 4 has been attached. On the other hand, when the loading unit 4 is removed from the recording device 1, the joint member 461 is returned to its initial position by the pushing force of the tip switch portion of the leaf switch sensor 46, and the signal of the leaf switch sensor 46 is turned OFF. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the loading unit 4 has been removed.

[0086] The configuration for detecting the presence or absence of the loading unit 4 is not limited to that described above. For example, the first support member may have a flag shape and a photointerrupter sensor may detect the flag shape, or a linear scale may be attached to the first support member and an optical sensor may detect its position. Another example is to operate the drive source 44 and use a PWM signal to detect the difference in load between when the drive train 4313 and the drive train 4314 are engaged and when they are not engaged. Specifically, if the value of the acquired PWM signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the loading unit 4 is present, whereas if it does not exceed the threshold, it is determined that the loading unit 4 is not present.

[0087] In the present embodiment, unlike a finisher that is installed as an option, the stacking section 4 is installed in the recording device 1 to ensure the printing operation of the recording device 1, so a configuration for detecting the presence or absence of the stacking section 4 is essential.

[0088] (Positioning of the loading section in the device height direction) The positioning of the stacker 4 in the device height direction will be described below with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing a configuration for determining the position of the stacker 4 in the device height direction. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration for determining the position of the stacker 4 in the device height direction.

[0089] 19(a) and 19(b) show the housing to which the stacking unit 4 attached to the recording device 1 is attached, and Fig. 19(a) shows location 91L on the left side when viewed from the front of the recording device 1, as the location for determining the position of the stacking unit 4 in the device height direction. In contrast, Fig. 19(b) shows location 92R on the right side when viewed from the front of the recording device 1, as the location for determining the position of the stacking unit 4 in the device height direction. Fig. 20(a) shows a cross-sectional view of location 91L, and Fig. 20(b) shows a cross-sectional view of location 92R.

[0090] In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the first support member 434 is sandwiched from above and below by the shape of the housing or the like to determine the position of the stacker 4 in the height direction of the device. On the left side of the device, the height direction positioning rib 4346 contacts the surface rib 963 of the guide member 96, and the upper side of the first support member 434 is sandwiched by the housing 93. On the right side of the device, the height direction positioning rib 4347 contacts the housing 94, and the upper side of the first support member 434 is sandwiched by the housing 95. Note that the guide member 96, the housing 93, the housing 94, and the housing 95 may be integrated into the housing of the recording device 1, or may be configured as separate bodies.

[0091] (Removing paper jams that occur during double-sided printing) Figure 21 is a diagram showing a recording device 1 according to this embodiment in which a recording medium transport path (herein referred to as a paper path) is realized above the stacking unit 4. In detail, Figure 21(a) shows a front view of the recording device 1, and Figure 21(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the recording device 1. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the paper path is indicated by an arrow in Figure 21(b).

[0092] 21(a), the recording device 1 has an operation unit 8, which has a display panel 82 for displaying information such as the status of the recording device 1, and operation buttons 81 for selecting and executing content displayed on the display panel 82. The recording device 1 also has a liquid storage unit 34.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 21(b), the transport unit 2 that transports the recording medium includes a transport roller 22, a first paper discharge roller 26, and a second paper discharge roller 261. When performing double-sided printing on a short recording medium, the short-size double-sided path F5, indicated by the dashed arrow, is used as a path for retracting the transport roller 22 by reversing (rotating clockwise in the figure). On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing on a long-size recording medium, the long-size double-sided path F6, indicated by the solid arrow, is used as a path for retracting the second paper discharge roller 261 by reversing (rotating clockwise in the figure). If a paper jam occurs in the short-size double-sided path F5, the user can clear the paper jam by removing the cover F51 on the back of the device and removing the recording medium from the short-size double-sided path F5. However, if a paper jam occurs in the long-size double-sided path F6, the lack of an appropriate opening makes it difficult to clear the jam, and manual removal of the jammed recording medium is often required. The configuration of the loading section 4 of this embodiment can solve this problem, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0094] Figure 22 shows the recording device 1 when clearing a paper jam in the paper path above the stacking section 4, where Figure 22(a) shows a front view of the recording device 1 when a paper jam has occurred, and Figure 22(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the recording device 1.

[0095] As shown in Figure 22(b), the stacking unit 4 is removable from the recording device 1. Therefore, if a paper jam occurs in the long sheet double-sided path F6, the user can simply remove the stacking unit 4 and open the rotatable long sheet double-sided path cover F61. This exposes the transport unit 2 (transport path) through the opening, making it easier for the user to access the jammed recording medium, and the user can remove the recording medium and clear the paper jam.

[0096] (Paper jam error recovery process) The paper jam error recovery process in this embodiment, that is, the process from a paper jam state to a return to a normal state, will be described below with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flowchart of the paper jam error recovery process.

[0097] In S2301, the control unit 71 performs paper jam detection. As an example of this paper jam detection, if the paper detection sensor detects the presence of paper even though the transport amount (specifically, the number of rotations) of the transport roller 22 exceeds a predetermined threshold expected until the recording medium is discharged, the control unit determines that a paper jam has occurred. The paper detection sensor is a sensor provided inside the recording device 1, and is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a recording medium.

[0098] In S2302, the control unit 71 displays a screen indicating that a paper jam error has occurred on the display panel 82. Figure 24(a) shows a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) that notifies the user that a paper jam has occurred, as an example of the screen displayed in this step. Upon viewing this UI, the user can instruct the recording device 1 to perform a recovery operation by pressing the "Recovery button" that constitutes the UI, or by pressing the operation button 81.

[0099] In S2303, the control unit 71 accepts a button press by the user, specifically, pressing the "Restore button" shown in Fig. 24(a) or pressing the operation button 81. As described above, in order to clear the paper jam, it is necessary to remove the stacking unit 4 and expose the conveying unit 2, so the user needs to remove the stacking unit 4 from the recording device 1 after S2303.

[0100] In S2304, the control unit 71 detects the presence or absence of the stacker 4 described above, and determines whether the stacker 4 has been removed. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2306. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S2305.

[0101] In S2305, the control unit 71 displays a screen (loader unremoved error screen) on the display panel 82 to prompt the user to remove the unremoved stacker 4, thereby prompting the user to remove the stacker 4. FIG. 24(b) shows, as an example of a screen displayed in this step, a UI including a message prompting the user to remove the stacker 4, "Please remove the stacker and clear the jam."

[0102] In S2306, the control unit 71 displays a UI on the display panel 82 that presents a method for clearing the paper jam. The UI displayed in this step may, for example, be a UI that displays an illustration or video of opening the long sheet duplex path cover F61 and clearing the jammed paper. The user who sees the UI displayed in this step follows the displayed content to clear the jammed recording medium from the paper path. After that, the user who determines that the paper jam clearance is complete presses the operation button 81 to notify the recording device 1 of the completion.

[0103] In S2307, the control unit 71 accepts the user's pressing of the operation button 81 after determining that the paper jam removal process has been completed. Note that, although the embodiment in which the paper jam removal process is determined to be completed when the user presses the operation button 81 has been shown, the paper jam removal process may be determined to be completed when a paper detection sensor in the recording device 1 determines that there is no paper.

[0104] In S2308, the control unit 71 detects the presence or absence of the stacker 4 described above, and thereby determines whether the stacker 4 is attached. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S2310. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process proceeds to S2309.

[0105] In S2309, the control unit 71 displays a screen indicating that the loading unit 4 is not attached (loading unit not attached error screen) on the display panel 82. Figure 24(c) shows an example of a screen displayed in this step, which is a UI including a message "Please attach the loading unit" that prompts the user to attach the loading unit 4.

[0106] In S2310, the control unit 71 performs paper jam detection. The paper jam detection in this step is the same process as in S2301, and is performed to confirm whether the paper jam has been properly cleared. If a paper jam is detected in this step, the process returns to S2308. On the other hand, if a paper jam cannot be detected in this step, the paper jam error recovery process is complete.

[0107] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the recording device of this embodiment has a configuration in which the loading means (loading unit) that is expandable in the recording medium transport direction (Y direction) and reciprocable in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction (X direction) can be removed from the recording device. This configuration makes it easy to remove the jammed recording medium from the transport path when a jam occurs inside the recording device, thereby contributing to improved usability.

[0108] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (8).

[0109] (1) Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the recording device 1 allows the user to select, by input from the operation unit 8 or the like, a recording process in which recording is performed on the recording medium while sorting the recorded recording medium (see FIG. 12), or a recording process in which sorting is not performed. In the case of a recording process in which sorting is not performed, for example, after moving to the first sorting position, the second stacking unit 42 is moved to the stacking position, and the recorded recording medium continues to be discharged. Also, in the case of a recording process in which sorting is not performed, for example, if it is determined in S1218 that the number of copies n has not reached the predetermined number of copies, the process proceeds to S1240. Furthermore, in the case of a recording process in which sorting is not performed, for example, S1202 and S1222 may be omitted.

[0110] In the above embodiment, a case where an instruction to "sort M sheets into N sections" is input by a job or the operation unit 8 has been described using the flowchart in FIG. 12. However, in an actual recording operation, even if M and N are known, it may be specified that sorting not be performed. In such a case, a configuration for switching whether or not to transmit the driving force of the drive source 44 to the engagement unit 4333 may be provided in advance, and when sorting is not to be performed, the stacking unit 4 may not move between the first sorting position and the second sorting position.

[0111] (2) In the above embodiment, the drive transmission unit 43 is configured to prevent further rotation of the cam 4312 even when the drive force generated by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the first direction is transmitted when the first stacker 41 is located at the first sorting position. However, the drive transmission unit 43 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive transmission unit 43 may be configured to prevent further rotation of the cam 4312 even when the drive force generated by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the first direction is transmitted when the first stacker 41 is located at a predetermined position on one side of the first sorting position in the X direction. In this case, in the recording process of FIG. 12 , after the first stacker 41 is moved to the predetermined position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the first direction to move the second stacker 42 from the storage position to the stacking position. Thereafter, the drive source 44 is rotated in the second direction to move the first stacker 41 in the +X direction to the first sorting position. At this time, the position of the first stacker 41 is based on the detection result of the sensor in the detector 73 that detects the position of the stacker 4 after the predetermined operation.

[0112] (3) In the above embodiment, the drive transmission unit 43 is configured to prevent the cam 4312 from rotating any further even if the drive force generated by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction is transmitted to the drive transmission unit 43 when the first stacker 41 is located at the second sorting position. However, the drive transmission unit 43 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive transmission unit 43 may be configured to prevent the cam 4312 from rotating any further even if the drive force generated by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction is transmitted to the drive transmission unit 43 when the first stacker 41 is located at a predetermined position on the other side of the second sorting position in the X direction.

[0113] (4) In the above embodiment, a portion of the second stacking unit 42 on the end 42a side protrudes forward from the housing 9 in the Y direction when in the storage position (see FIG. 6(a)), but this is not limited to this. The second stacking unit 42 may be configured not to protrude forward from the housing 9 when in the storage position. That is, in this case, the second stacking unit 42 is completely housed within the housing 9 when in the storage position. Also, in the above embodiment, the stacking unit 4 sorts the discharged recording media by stacking them at two positions, the first sorting position and the second sorting position, but the number of sorting positions is not limited to two. For example, the discharged recording media may be sorted at three or more different positions in the X direction.

[0114] (5) In the above embodiment, the recording device 1 is a so-called serial scan type recording device that ejects ink onto a conveyed recording medium while moving the recording head 3 in the X direction, but is not limited to this. A recording device to which the present disclosure can be applied may also be a so-called line type recording device that prints onto a recording medium conveyed in the Y direction using a recording head that can eject ink in the X direction within a range corresponding to the size of the printable recording medium.

[0115] (6) In the above embodiment, the first sorting position is such that the center position Os of the stacking unit 4 in the X direction is located on one side of the center position Om of the recording media to be discharged in the X direction, and the second sorting position is such that the center position Os is located on the other side of the center position Om in the X direction. However, the first sorting position and the second sorting position are not limited to this. For example, the center position Os of either the first sorting position or the second sorting position may be aligned with the center position Om. Also, in the above embodiment, the initial position, which is located during non-recording, is such that the center position Os of the stacking unit 4 and the center position Os of the recording media to be discharged are aligned, but this is not limited to this. The initial position may be the first sorting position, the second sorting position, or a predetermined position other than the first sorting position or the second sorting position.

[0116] (7) In the above embodiment, a case where an instruction to "sort M sheets into N batches" is set in a job has been described. However, the job may be in a form in which a command to change the sorting position is interposed between the image data of a predetermined page and the image data of the next page. In this case, the control unit 71 may sequentially execute operations in accordance with the received command, such as recording and ejecting according to the image data of the predetermined page, changing the sorting position, and recording and ejecting according to the image data of the next page.

[0117] (8) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) to (7) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0118] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0119] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A recording device comprising: a housing; a transport means housed in the housing for transporting a recording medium; and a loading means attached to the housing on which the recording medium transported by the transport means is loaded, wherein the loading means has a first loading section movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording medium is transported, and a second loading section movable in the first direction relative to the first loading section, and is extendable in the first direction and removable from the housing. (Configuration 2) The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means, wherein the control means executes movement of the first stacking unit in the second direction and movement of the second stacking unit in the first direction. (Configuration 3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a detection means for detecting whether the loading means is attached to the housing or detached from the housing. (Configuration 4) A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an operation unit for user operation, the operation unit comprising a display panel for displaying information based on the results detected by the detection means, and operation buttons for selecting and executing content displayed on the display panel. (Configuration 5) A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further has a judgment means for judging whether the stacking means has been removed based on the detection result of the detection means when a jam occurs, and if the judgment means judges that the stacking means has not been removed, the control means displays a user interface on the display panel that prompts the user to remove the stacking means. (Configuration 6) The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the determination means determines that the stacking means has been removed, the control means displays a user interface on the display panel that shows how to clear the jam. (Configuration 7) The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a transport path for recording media to be printed on both sides exists above the stacking means. (Configuration 8) The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, when the loading means is removed from the housing, the transport path is exposed. (Configuration 9) In the stacking means, the first stacking section moves in the second direction, so that the recording media can be sorted into different positions in the second direction. 9. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is a recording medium. (Configuration 10) A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the loading means has a first drive train for transmitting a drive force to move the first loading section in the second direction, the housing has a drive source and a second drive train, and when the loading means is attached to the housing, the first drive train and the second drive train engage with each other. (Configuration 11) A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a pressing means for positioning the loading means on the housing, wherein when the loading means is attached to the housing, the loading means receives a force from the pressing means in a direction that presses the first drive train against the second drive train. (Configuration 12) A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a drive train meshing portion where the first drive train and the second drive train mesh is located on one side of the housing in the second direction, and the pressing means is located on the other side of the housing in the second direction. (Configuration 13) The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, when the loading means is attached to the housing, the loading means receives a force from the pressing means in a direction opposite to the first direction. (Configuration 14) The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a recording means housed in the housing for recording an image on a recording medium transported by the transport means. (Control method) A control method for a recording device having a housing, a transport means housed in the housing for transporting recording media, and a loading means on which the recording media transported by the transport means are loaded, the loading means having a first loading section movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording media is transported, and a second loading section movable in the first direction relative to the first loading section, the loading means extending in the first direction and removable from the housing, the control method comprising the steps of: executing movement of the first loading section in the second direction; and executing movement of the second loading section in the first direction. (Program) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a recording device having a housing, a transport means housed in the housing for transporting recording media, and a loading means on which recording media transported by the transport means are loaded, the loading means having a first loading section movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording media are transported, and a second loading section movable in the first direction relative to the first loading section, the loading means being extendable in the first direction and removable from the housing, the program comprising the steps of: moving the first loading section in the second direction; and moving the second loading section in the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1. Recording device 4 Loading section 41 First Loading Section 42 Second loading section 91 Case

Claims

1. The housing and a conveying means housed in the housing for conveying a recording medium; a stacking unit attached to the housing and configured to stack the recording media conveyed by the conveying unit; and The loading means is a first stacking unit that is movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording medium is transported, and a second stacking unit that is movable in the first direction relative to the first stacking unit; extendable in the first direction and removable from the housing; A recording device characterized by:

2. Further comprising control means, the control means executes the movement of the first stacker in the second direction and the movement of the second stacker in the first direction.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The loading device further includes a detection means for detecting whether the loading device is attached to or detached from the housing.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. further comprising an operation unit for a user to operate; the operation unit has a display panel for displaying information based on the result of detection by the detection means, and operation buttons for selecting or executing content displayed on the display panel.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The apparatus further includes a determining means for determining whether the stacking means has been removed based on the detection result of the detecting means when a jam occurs, When the determination means determines that the loading means has not been removed, the control means displays a user interface on the display panel to prompt the user to remove the loading means.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the determining means determines that the stacking means has been removed, the control means displays a user interface showing a method for clearing the jam on the display panel.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. A conveyance path for recording media to be printed on both sides is provided above the stacking means.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6.

8. When the loading means is removed from the housing, the transport path is exposed.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7,

9. In the stacking unit, the first stacking unit moves in the second direction, thereby sorting the recording media into different positions in the second direction.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8.

10. the loading means has a first drive train for transmitting a driving force for moving the first loading section in the second direction, the housing has a drive source and a second drive train; When the loading means is attached to the housing, the first drive train and the second drive train are engaged with each other.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

11. Further, the loading device has a pressing means for positioning the loading means on the housing, When the loading means is attached to the housing, the loading means receives a force from the pressing means in a direction in which the first drive train is pressed against the second drive train.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10.

12. a drive train meshing portion where the first drive train and the second drive train mesh with each other is located on one side of the housing in the second direction, and the pressing means is located on the other side of the housing in the second direction; 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11.

13. When the loading means is attached to the housing, the loading means receives a force from the pressing means in a direction opposite to the first direction.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The image forming apparatus further includes a recording unit housed in the housing and configured to record an image on the recording medium transported by the transport unit.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The housing and a conveying means housed in the housing for conveying a recording medium; a stacking means on which the recording media conveyed by the conveying means are stacked, the stacking means having a first stacking section movable in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the recording media are conveyed, and a second stacking section movable in the first direction relative to the first stacking section, the stacking means extending in the first direction, and removable from the housing; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: moving the first stacker in the second direction; performing a movement of the second stacker in the first direction; having A control method comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 15.

Images