Loading device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of miniaturizing a device.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a loading unit that expands and contracts in a conveyance direction of a recording medium to be conveyed and discharged, and is movable in a width direction of the recording medium that intersects the conveyance direction, and is capable of loading the recording medium to be discharged, and a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from a driving source to the loading unit, and the transmission unit transmits the driving force so that a timing at which the loading unit expands and contracts in the conveyance direction is different from a timing at which the loading unit moves in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a loading device for loading recording media. [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, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the stacking section is formed to a size that allows for stacking of recording media of various sizes, and most of the stacking section is installed so that it protrudes from the recording device, which results in an increased size of the recording device and requires a large space for installation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technique that makes it possible to miniaturize a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of a loading device according to the present disclosure has a loading means that expands and contracts in the transport direction of the recording medium being transported and discharged, and that is movable in a width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the transport direction, and is capable of loading the recording medium to be discharged, and a transmission means that transmits a driving force from a drive source to the loading means, and is characterized in that the transmission means transmits the driving force so that the timing at which the loading means expands and contracts in the transport direction differs from the timing at which the loading means moves in the width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the device. [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. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for supporting a loading section. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] Schematic diagram of a delay gear. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating movement of a second support member via a pinion. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a one-way clutch. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the movement of a reciprocating member due to the rotation of a cam. [Figure 21] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the movement of a reciprocating member due to the rotation of a cam. [Figure 22] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating transmission of driving force by a drive train. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of a mechanism for moving the loading unit in the X direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An example of an embodiment of a loading device will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the positions, shapes, and the like of components described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to only those.

[0010] In the following description, a recording apparatus equipped with a stacking device will be described as an example of a stacking device according to this embodiment. As a recording apparatus equipped with a stacking device according to this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral equipped with a recording function of ejecting ink as a recording material onto a recording medium using an inkjet method and a reading function of reading a document placed on a document table will be described as an example. Note that the recording method is not limited to the inkjet method, and various known methods such as an electrophotographic method may also 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 pair of discharge rollers 26 in the Y direction, that is, downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 26. In addition, 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)). The liquid storage unit 34 may be disposed so as to overlap with the pair of discharge rollers 26 in the Y direction. In this case, the recording device 1 can be made smaller in size in the Y direction.

[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 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 discharge roller pair 26, automatically expands when recording begins, expanding the area for supporting 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 user instructs the stacking unit 4 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. The stacking unit 4 may not contract until a user instructs the stacking unit 4 via the operation unit 8.

[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 (for example, a tray gear cover 435 described later) 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. This allows the support member 432 to move in the Y direction by the driving force transmitted from the drive train 431. Specifically, the drive train 431 is composed of a plurality of gears including the pinion 4311. The driving force transmitted from the drive source 44 is transmitted to the pinion 4311 via a predetermined gear in the drive train 431, and the support member 432 moves in the Y direction by the driving force transmitted to the pinion 4311. The movement of the support member 432 via the drive train 431 will be described in detail later.

[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 detailed configuration of the drive train 431 and the details of the drive transmission members that make up the drive train 431 will be described later. 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 rotates the cam portion 4312b 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)). Note that, as will be described in detail later, when the cam portion 4312b is further rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 10(b), the cam portion 4312b can move the reciprocating member 433 from one side to the other side in the X direction (+X direction). In this embodiment, the cam portion 4312b is rotated in the direction of arrow A using one driving source 44; however, the cam portion 4312b may be rotated in a direction other than the direction of arrow A using multiple driving sources (i.e., driving sources other than the driving source 44). In a configuration including multiple drive sources, it is assumed 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, as will be described in detail later, 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, the user may be notified via the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8 that printing is complete or may be prompted to remove the recording media from the stacker 4. Furthermore, if the user does not remove the recording media from the stacker 4, the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42 may be moved to an intermediate position between the first sorting position and the second sorting position. If it is determined in S1220 that the 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, whereby the first stacker 41 and the second stacker 42, which are located at the first sorting position, are moved 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, as will be described in detail later, 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. For this reason, 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] (Detailed configuration of the drive transmission unit 43) Next, the detailed configuration of the drive transmission unit 43 will be described. FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of the drive transmission unit 43, where (a) is an exploded perspective view seen from above and (b) is an exploded perspective view seen from below. The drive transmission unit 43 includes a first support member 434 fixedly provided to the housing 9 of the recording unit 10 and a second support member 432 that is movable in the Y direction relative to the first support member 434. Note that in the explanation using FIG. 8 above, the second support member 432 is described as the support member 432. The drive transmission unit 43 also includes a reciprocating member 433 that moves the first stacker 41 in the X direction, and a drive train 431 that transmits driving force to the reciprocating member 433 and the second support member 432.

[0073] More specifically, the reciprocating member 433 is supported on the first support member 434 so as to be movable in the X direction. Also, the first support member 434 is formed with an opening 434a into which the cam 4312 can be fitted. A cam portion 4312b (see FIG. 9) of the cam 4312 fitted in the opening 434a engages with an engaging portion 4333 of the reciprocating member 433 supported by the first support member 434. The first stacker 41 is fixedly supported on the reciprocating member 433. Therefore, the first stacker 41 is disposed so as to be movable in the X direction relative to the first support member 434 via the reciprocating member 433.

[0074] The second support member 432 is supported by the first support member 434 so as to be movable in the Y direction. The second support member 432 supports the second stacker 42 so as to be movable in the X direction. The second stacker 42 is supported by the first stacker 41 so as to be movable in the Y direction. Therefore, the second stacker 42 is arranged so as to be movable in the X direction relative to the first support member 434 via the first stacker 41 and so as to be movable in the Y direction via the second support member 432.

[0075] On the lower surface of the first support member 434, that is, on the surface on which the reciprocating member 433 and the like are not arranged, the drive train 431 is arranged so that the cam 4312 fits into the opening 434a. Although not shown, the lower surface is provided with a pivotal support portion that pivotally supports each gear of the arranged drive train 431. The drive train 431 arranged on the lower surface of the first support member 434 is covered and protected by a tray gear cover 435.

[0076] (Detailed configuration of the drive train) Next, the configuration of the drive train 431 will be described in detail. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the drive train 431. The drive train 431 is broadly composed of two gear trains. Specifically, the drive train 431 includes a first drive train 4314, which is a gear train connected to a drive source 44 fixed to the recording unit 10, and a second drive train 4313, which transmits a driving force input from an output gear of the first drive train 4314 to a cam 4312. The second drive train 4313 includes a first tray gear 43131, a delay gear 43132, a pinion 4311, a second tray gear 43135, a one-way clutch 43136, and a cam 4312, to which a driving force is input from the output gear of the first drive train 4314.

[0077] The cam portion 4312b of the cam 4312 engages with the engaging portion 4333 of the reciprocating member 433, and as the cam 4312 rotates, the reciprocating member 433 moves in the X direction relative to the first support member 434. The operation of the gears of the second drive train when the reciprocating member 433 moves will be described later. Because the first stacker 41 is fixedly supported by the reciprocating member 433, movement of the reciprocating member 433 causes the first stacker 41 to move in the X direction relative to the first support member 434. The second support member 432 has a rack portion 4321 extending in the Y direction. As the pinion 4311 rotates due to the driving force transmitted from the delay gear 43132, the second support member 432 can move in the Y direction.

[0078] (Delay Gear) Next, the configuration of the delay gear 43132 will be described. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the delay gear 43132. FIG. 16(a) is an exploded view from one side. FIG. 16(b) is an exploded view from the other side. FIG. 16(c) is a diagram showing the contact state between the protrusions and the ribs when the second delay gear rotates in a predetermined direction. FIG. 16(d) is a diagram showing the contact state between the protrusions and the ribs when the second delay gear rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction. In FIGS. 16(c) and 16(d), for ease of understanding, the protrusions and ribs are shown with part of the configuration of the second delay gear transparent.

[0079] The delay gear 43132 includes a first delay gear 43133 that meshes with the first tray gear 43131, and a second delay gear 43134 that is disposed coaxially with the first delay gear 43133 and meshes with the pinion 4311 (see FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b)). The first delay gear 43133 has a protrusion 43133a formed on one surface 43133c that faces the second delay gear 43134. The second delay gear 43134 also has a recess 43134c that fits into the protrusion 43133a so that it can move circumferentially on the surface that faces the first delay gear 43133 (see FIG. 16(b)). Furthermore, the second delay gear 43134 has two ribs 43134a and 43134b formed in a recess 43134c, which come into contact with the moving protrusion 43133a (see FIG. 16(b)).

[0080] The driving force of the driving source 44 is transmitted to the first tray gear 43131 via the first drive train 4314, and then to the first delay gear 43133 meshing with the first tray gear 43131 (see FIG. 15). When the first delay gear 43133 rotates in a predetermined direction (see the arrow in FIG. 16(c)), the second delay gear 43134 does not rotate until the convex portion 43133a abuts against the rib 43134a. Then, when the first delay gear 43133 rotates in the predetermined direction from a state in which the convex portion 43133a abuts against the rib 43134a, the rib 43134a is pressed by the convex portion 43133a (see FIG. 16(c)). As a result, the second delay gear 43134 rotates in the predetermined direction together with the first delay gear 43133. Furthermore, when the first delay gear 43133 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (see the arrow in FIG. 16(d)), the second delay gear 43134 does not rotate until the convex portion 43133a abuts against the rib 43134b. Then, when the first delay gear 43133 rotates in the opposite direction from the state in which the convex portion 43133a abuts against the rib 43134b, the rib 43134b is pressed by the convex portion 43133a (see FIG. 16(d)). As a result, the second delay gear 43134 rotates in the opposite direction together with the first delay gear 43133.

[0081] (Movement of the second support member via the pinion) Next, the movement of the second support member 432 via the pinion 4311 will be described. Figure 17 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the second support member 432 via the pinion 4311. Figure 17(a) is a diagram illustrating the transmission of a driving force when the second support member 432 moves in the +Y direction. Figure 17(b) is a diagram illustrating the transmission of a driving force when the second support member 432 moves in the -Y direction.

[0082] When the drive source 44 rotates in the direction of arrow Aa, a drive force is transmitted to the first tray gear 43131 via the first drive train 4314, causing the first tray gear 43131 to rotate in the direction of arrow Ba (see FIG. 17(a)). Then, due to the rotation of the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of arrow Ba, the first delay gear 43133 rotates in the direction of arrow Ca. Thereafter, the convex portion 43133a comes into contact with the rib 43134b of the second delay gear 43134, and then the second delay gear 43134 rotates integrally with the first delay gear 43133 in the direction of arrow Da.

[0083] The second delay gear 43134 meshes with the pinion 4311, and the pinion 4311 meshes with the rack portion 4321. Therefore, when the second delay gear 43134 rotates in the direction of arrow Da, a driving force is transmitted to the pinion 4311, causing the pinion 4311 to rotate in the direction of arrow Ea. This rotation of the pinion 4311 in the direction of arrow Ea applies a force to the rack portion 4321 to move it in the +Y direction. Because the rack portion 4321 is provided on the second support member 432, the force applied to the rack portion 4321 causes the second support member 432 to move in the +Y direction. Note that the second stacker 42 is supported by the second support member 432, and therefore, movement of the second support member 432 in the +Y direction also causes the second stacker 42 to move in the +Y direction.

[0084] Furthermore, when the drive source 44 rotates in the direction of arrow Ab, a drive force is transmitted to the first tray gear 43131 via the first drive train 4314, causing the first tray gear 43131 to rotate in the direction of arrow Bb (see FIG. 17(b)). Then, due to the rotation of the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of arrow Bb, the first delay gear 43133 rotates in the direction of arrow Cb. Thereafter, after the convex portion 43133a comes into contact with the rib 43134a of the second delay gear 43134, the second delay gear 43134 rotates integrally with the first delay gear 43133 in the direction of arrow Db.

[0085] When the second delay gear 43134 rotates in the direction of arrow Db, a driving force is transmitted to the pinion 4311, causing the pinion 4311 to rotate in the direction of arrow Eb. This rotation of the pinion 4311 in the direction of arrow Eb applies a force to the rack portion 4321 to move in the -Y direction. This force applied to the rack portion 4321 moves the second support member 432 on which the rack portion 4321 is provided in the -Y direction, and this movement of the second support member 432 in the -Y direction causes the second loading unit 42 supported by the second support member 432 to move in the -Y direction. In this way, in this embodiment, the pinion 4311 and the rack portion 4321 function as a transmission path for transmitting a driving force for extending or retracting the loading unit 4.

[0086] (One-way clutch) Next, the configuration of the one-way clutch 43136 will be described. Figure 18 is a diagram of the one-way clutch 43136. Figure 18(a) is an exploded view of the configuration as seen from one side. Figure 18(b) is an exploded view of the configuration as seen from the other side. Figure 18(c) is a cross-sectional view. Figure 18(d) is a diagram explaining idling at the idling portion of the planetary gear. Figure 18(e) is a diagram explaining locking at the locking portion of the planetary gear.

[0087] The one-way clutch 43136 is meshed with a gear portion 4312a of the cam 4312 (see FIG. 9). The drive train 431 is provided with two one-way clutches 43136, with one-way clutch 43136A disposed upstream in the direction of transmission of driving force and one-way clutch 43136B disposed downstream in the transmission direction (see FIG. 15). The one-way clutch 43136A is meshed with a first missing tooth gear 43121 (described later) of the gear portion 4312a, and the one-way clutch 43136B is meshed with a second missing tooth gear 43122 (described later) of the gear portion 4312a. The one-way clutches 43136A and 43136B have the same configuration.

[0088] The one-way clutch 43136 includes a first input gear 43137, a first output gear 43138, and a planetary gear 43139 (see FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b)). The first input gear 43137 includes a first input spur gear 43137a and a receiving portion 43137b that receives the planetary gear 43139.

[0089] The receiving portion 43137b includes an idling portion 43137c on which the received planetary gear 43139 rotates idly, and a locking portion 43137d that locks the planetary gear 43139. The receiving portion 43137b has a recessed shape that is recessed so as to open radially outward (see FIG. 18(b)). The idling portion 43137c has a shape that allows the rotating planetary gear 43139 to slide without meshing with the teeth of the planetary gear 43139 (see FIG. 18(d)). The locking portion 43137d has a shape that allows the teeth of the planetary gear 43139 to mesh with it, and restricts the rotation of the planetary gear 43139 (see FIG. 18(e)).

[0090] The first input gear 43137 has a claw portion 43137e for connecting with the first output gear 43138 (see FIGS. 18(a) and 18(c)). The claw portion 43137e engages with an engaging portion 43138c provided on the first output gear 43138, whereby the first input gear 43137 and the first output gear 43138 are connected so as to be rotatable coaxially and not spaced apart in the direction of the rotation axis.

[0091] The first output gear 43138 includes a first output spur gear 43138a and a first output internal gear 43138b that meshes with the planet gear 43139. When the planet gear 43139 rotates in a predetermined direction (see the arrow in FIG. 18(d)), the planet gear 43139 rotates idly at an idling portion 43137c, and the driving force is not transmitted to the first output gear 43138 that meshes with the planet gear 43139 at the first output internal gear 43138b.

[0092] On the other hand, when the planetary gear 43139 rotates in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (see the arrow in FIG. 18(e)), the teeth of the planetary gear 43139 mesh with the locking portion 43137d, whereby the planetary gear 43139 is locked to the locking portion 43137d. With the planetary gear 43139 locked to the locking portion 43137d, the driving force transmitted from the first input gear 43137 is transmitted to the first output gear 43138, and the first output gear 43138 rotates integrally with the first input gear 43137.

[0093] In this embodiment, one-way clutch 43136A and one-way clutch 43136B have the same configuration, but this is not limited to this and, for example, they may have different numbers of teeth, tooth widths, etc. Furthermore, the configuration of one-way clutch 43136 is not limited to the configuration described above and various known mechanisms that transmit power in only one direction, such as a spring clutch or a ratchet, may be used.

[0094] (Gear part) Next, the configuration of the gear portion 4312a (see FIG. 9) that meshes with the one-way clutch 43136 will be described. Figure 19 is a perspective configuration diagram of the gear portion 4312a of the cam 4312, where (a) is an exploded view seen from one side, (b) is an exploded view seen from the other side, and (c) is a diagram showing the contact state of the contact surfaces. Note that in Figure 19(c), for ease of understanding, part of the configuration of the first missing tooth gear 43121 is omitted.

[0095] The gear portion 4312a of the cam 4312 includes a first partially missing tooth gear 43121 and a second partially missing tooth gear 43122 (see FIG. 19(a)). The first partially missing tooth gear 43121 and the second partially missing tooth gear 43122 are formed by missing teeth in a portion of their circumference, and are configured so that they do not mesh with the corresponding gear (first output gear 43138), thereby preventing the transmission of driving force. The first partially missing tooth gear 43121 is provided with two abutment surfaces 43121c that intersect with the rotation direction (orthogonal in this embodiment) (see FIG. 19(b)). Furthermore, the second partially missing tooth gear 43122 is provided with two abutment surfaces 43122c that intersect with the rotation direction (see FIG. 19(a)).

[0096] The second missing tooth gear 43122 is formed integrally with, for example, the plate portion 4312c, and the first missing tooth gear 43121 is fixed to the plate portion 4312c with two abutment surfaces 43121c abutting against two abutment surfaces 43122c of the second missing tooth gear 43122 (see FIG. 19(c)). Therefore, the first missing tooth gear 43121 and the second missing tooth gear 43122 can rotate integrally, and a driving force is transmitted to the cam 4312 via the first missing tooth gear or the second missing tooth gear, causing the cam 4312 to rotate.

[0097] In the present embodiment, in the circumferential direction of the gear portion 4312a, the region where the teeth 43121a of the first partially missing tooth gear 43121 are formed and the region where the teeth 43122a of the second partially missing tooth gear 43122 are formed do not overlap for the most part, but only partially. In the present embodiment, the second partially missing tooth gear 43122 is formed integrally with the plate portion 4312c, but this is not limited thereto, and the first partially missing tooth gear 43121 may be formed integrally with the plate portion 4312c.

[0098] Although the first missing tooth gear 43121 and the second missing tooth gear 43122 are configured as separate bodies, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first missing tooth gear 43121 and the second missing tooth gear 43122 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, the first missing tooth gear 43121 and the second missing tooth gear 43122 are configured to rotate integrally by arranging the abutment surfaces 43121c and 43122c in abutment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the first missing tooth gear 43121 and the second missing tooth gear 43122 may be configured to be fixed to each other using a pin or the like.

[0099] (Cam rotation) Next, a description will be given of the rotation of the cam 4312 via the one-way clutch 43136 and the movement of the reciprocating member 433 due to this rotation. Figures 20(a) to 20(h) and 21(a) to 21(h) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the reciprocating member 433 due to the rotation of the cam 4312.

[0100] Of the two one-way clutches 43136 in the drive train 431, one-way clutch 43136A is located upstream in the direction of transmission of the driving force, and has a first input gear 43137A meshing with the second tray gear 43135. In addition, in the one-way clutch 43136A, a first output gear 43138A provided coaxially with the first input gear 43137A can mesh with the first missing tooth gear 43121. Meanwhile, of the two one-way clutches 43136 in the drive train 431, one-way clutch 43136B is located downstream in the direction of transmission of the driving force, and has a first input gear 43137B meshing with the first input gear 43137A. In addition, in the one-way clutch 43136B, a first output gear 43138B provided coaxially with the first input gear 43137A can mesh with the second missing tooth gear 43122.

[0101] When the second tray gear 43135 rotates in the direction of arrow Fa, the first input gear 43137A meshing with the second tray gear 43135 rotates in the direction of arrow Ga (see FIG. 20(a)). Then, due to the rotation of the first input gear 43137A in the direction of arrow Ga, the planetary gear 43139 engages with the engaging portion 43137d (see FIG. 18(e)), and the first output gear 43138A rotates integrally with the first input gear 43137A in the direction of arrow Ga. In this embodiment, when the drive source 44 rotates in the direction of arrow Aa (see FIG. 17(a)), the second tray gear 43135 rotates in the direction of arrow Fa.

[0102] The rotation of the first output gear 43138A in the direction of arrow Ga causes the cam 4312 to rotate in the direction of arrow Ha via the first missing tooth gear 43121 meshing with the first output gear 43138A, causing the cam portion 4312b to rotate in the direction of arrow Ia (see FIG. 20(b)). Then, when the first missing tooth gear 43121 finishes meshing with the first output gear 43138A up to the tooth 43121b located at the end of the rotation direction, the rotation of the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ha stops, and the rotation of the cam portion 4312b in the direction of arrow Ia stops. The rotation of the cam portion 4312b in the direction of arrow Ia causes the cam portion 4312b to slide against the first sliding surface 4331 of the engagement portion 4333 and press the first sliding surface 4331 in the -X direction. As a result, the reciprocating member 433 moves in the -X direction, and in the X direction, the center of the reciprocating member 433 (second stacking section 42) is positioned to one side (left side) of the center position Om of the recording medium being ejected (see Figure 20(b)).

[0103] Furthermore, due to the rotation of the first input gear 43137A in the direction of arrow Ga, the first input gear 43137B meshing with the first input gear 43137A rotates in the direction of arrow Ja. At this time, in the one-way clutch 43136B, the planetary gear 43139 is positioned in the idling portion 43137c (see FIG. 18(d)), so the first input gear 43137B rotates idly relative to the first output gear 43138B. Therefore, the rotation of the first input gear 43137B is not transmitted to the first output gear 43138B, and therefore, the driving force is not transmitted to the second missing tooth gear 43122.

[0104] As the cam 4312 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow Ha, the second missing tooth gear 43122 meshes with the first output gear 43138B. Further rotation of the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ha causes the first output gear 43138B to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation of the first input gear 43137B via the second missing tooth gear 43122. At this time, the planetary gear 43139 of the one-way clutch 43136B is positioned in the idling portion 43137c. Therefore, the first output gear 43138B and the first input gear 43137B can rotate in the opposite directions without any hindrance.

[0105] By completing meshing up to the tooth 43121b, the cam portion 4312b can be stopped at the top dead center with respect to the first sliding surface 4331 of the reciprocating member 433 (see FIG. 20(b)). With this configuration, even if a force is applied to the stacker 4 in the X direction, a force that rotates the cam portion 4312b is unlikely to be generated, so the stacker 4 can be held in that position. In this embodiment, when the cam portion 4312b and the reciprocating member 433 are in the state shown in FIG. 20(b), the stacker 4 is positioned at the first sorting position. The operation described using FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b) is executed, for example, in the process of S1202 of the recording process.

[0106] Next, when the second tray gear 43135 is rotated in the direction of arrow Fb from the state shown in FIG. 20(a), the first input gear 43137A rotates in the direction of arrow Gb (see FIG. 20(c)). At this time, in the one-way clutch 43136A, the planetary gear 43139 is positioned in the idling portion 43137c, so the first input gear 43137A rotates idly relative to the first output gear 43138A. Therefore, the rotation of the first input gear 43137A is not transmitted to the first output gear 43138A, and therefore, the driving force is not transmitted to the first missing tooth gear 43121. Note that in this embodiment, when the drive source 44 rotates in the direction of arrow Ab (see FIG. 17(b)), the second tray gear 43135 rotates in the direction of arrow Fb.

[0107] Furthermore, due to the rotation of the first input gear 43137A in the direction of arrow Gb, the first input gear 43137B meshing with the first input gear 43137A rotates in the direction of arrow Jb. At this time, due to the rotation of the first input gear 43137B in the direction of arrow Jb, the planetary gear 43139 of the one-way clutch 43136B is locked with the locking portion 43137d. Then, due to further rotation of the first input gear 43137B in the direction of arrow Jb, the first output gear 43138B rotates integrally with the first input gear 43137B in the direction of arrow Jb.

[0108] Rotation of the first output gear 43138B in the direction of arrow Jb rotates the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ha via the second missing-tooth gear 43122 meshing with the first output gear 43138B, causing the cam portion 4312b to rotate in the direction of arrow Ia (see FIG. 20(d)). When the cam portion 4312b rotates in the direction of arrow Ia from the state shown in FIG. 20(b), the cam portion 4312b slides against the second sliding surface 4332 of the engaging portion 4333 and presses the second sliding surface 4332 in the +X direction. This causes the reciprocating member 433 to move in the +X direction (see FIG. 20(d)).

[0109] 20(c), the second tray gear 43135 further rotates in the direction of arrow Fb, causing the first output gear 43138B to further rotate in the direction of arrow Jb (see FIG. 20(e)). As a result, the cam portion 4312b rotates in the direction of arrow Ia, moving the reciprocating member 433 in the +X direction, so that the center of the reciprocating member 433 (second stacker 42) coincides with the center position Om in the X direction (see FIG. 20(f)).

[0110] Furthermore, from the state shown in FIG. 20(e), further rotation of the second tray gear 43135 in the direction of arrow Fb causes the first output gear 43138B to further rotate in the direction of arrow Jb (see FIG. 20(g)). This causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate in the direction of arrow Ia, and the reciprocating member 433 to further move in the +X direction (see FIG. 20(h)). Thereafter, when the second missing-tooth gear 43122 finishes meshing with the first output gear 43138B up to the tooth 43122b located at the end of the rotation direction (see FIG. 21(a)), the rotation of the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ha stops. This causes the rotation of the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ia to stop, and the movement of the reciprocating member 433 in the +X direction to stop (see FIG. 21(b)).

[0111] When the second partly-tooth gear 43122 completes meshing with the first output gear 43138B up to the tooth 43122b, even if the second tray gear 43135 rotates in the direction of arrow Fb, no driving force is transmitted to the cam 4312 via the one-way clutch 43136A. Meanwhile, as the second partly-tooth gear 43122 rotates the cam 4312 in the direction of arrow Ha, the first partly-tooth gear 43121 meshes with the first output gear 43138A (see FIG. 21(a)). At this time, in the one-way clutch 43136A, the planet gear 43139 is located in the idling portion 43137c, so the first output gear 43138A does not hinder the rotation of the first input gear 43137A.

[0112] When the second missing-tooth gear 43122 completes meshing with the first output gear 43138B up to the tooth 43122b, the cam portion 4312b can be stopped at the top dead center with respect to the second sliding surface 4332 of the reciprocating member 433 (see FIG. 21(b)). With this configuration, even if a force is applied to the stacker 4 in the X direction, a force that rotates the cam portion 4312b is unlikely to be generated, and the stacker 4 can be held in that position. In this embodiment, when the cam portion 4312b and the reciprocating member 433 are in the state shown in FIG. 21(b), the stacker 4 is positioned at the second sorting position. The operations described using FIGS. 20(c) to 21(b) are executed, for example, in the processes of S1222 and S1224 of the recording process.

[0113] Thereafter, when the second tray gear 43135 is rotated in the direction of arrow Fa from the state shown in FIG. 21(a), the first output gear 43138A rotates integrally with the first input gear 43137A in the direction of arrow Ga (see FIG. 21(c)). The rotation of the first output gear 43138A in the direction of arrow Ga causes the cam 4312 to rotate in the direction of arrow Ha via the first missing-tooth gear 43121, thereby rotating the cam portion 4312b in the direction of arrow Ia (see FIG. 21(d)). This rotation of the cam portion 4312b in the direction of arrow Ia causes the cam portion 4312b to slide against the first sliding surface 4331 and press the first sliding surface 4331 in the −X direction. This causes the reciprocating member 433 to move in the −X direction.

[0114] Further rotation of the second tray gear 43135 in the direction of arrow Fa from the state shown in FIG. 21(c) causes the first output gear 43138A to further rotate in the direction of arrow Ga (see FIG. 21(e)). This causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate in the direction of arrow Ia, moving the reciprocating member 433 in the -X direction, so that the center of the reciprocating member 433 (second stacker 42) coincides with the center position Om in the X direction (see FIG. 21(f)). Thereafter, further rotation of the second tray gear 43135 in the direction of arrow Fa from the state shown in FIG. 21(e) causes the first output gear 43138A to further rotate in the direction of arrow Ga, transitioning to the state shown in FIG. 20(a) via the state shown in FIG. 21(g). This causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate in the direction of arrow Ia, transitioning to the state shown in FIG. 20(b) via the state shown in FIG. 21(h). The operations described with reference to FIGS. 21(c) to 20(a) are executed, for example, in the process of S1242 of the recording process.

[0115] In this manner, in this embodiment, the second tray gear 43135, the one-way clutches 43136A and 43136B, and the cam 4312 function as a transmission path for transmitting the driving force for moving the loading unit 4 in the X direction.

[0116] (Transmission of driving force to the pinion) Next, the transmission of driving force to the pinion 4311 will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the transmission of driving force by the drive train 431. FIG. 22(a) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the convex portion 43133a and the rib 43134a of the delay gear 43132 when the first output gear 43138A has finished meshing with the tooth 43121b of the first missing tooth gear 43121. FIG. 22(b) is a diagram illustrating a state during the transition from FIG. 22(a) to FIG. 22(c). FIG. 22(c) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the convex portion 43133a and the rib 43134b of the delay gear 43132 when the first output gear 43138B has finished meshing with the tooth 43122b of the second missing tooth gear 43122.

[0117] When the drive source 44 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction to move the reciprocating member 433 in the -X direction, the first tray gear 43131 rotates in the direction of arrow Ka, causing the cam 4312 to rotate in the direction of arrow La. At this time, the first delay gear 43133 meshing with the first tray gear 43131 rotates in the direction of arrow Na. Due to this rotation of the first delay gear 43133, the convex portion 43133a moves toward the rib 43134a of the second delay gear 43134.

[0118] When the first output gear 43138A of the one-way clutch 43136A has finished meshing with the teeth 43121b of the first partially toothed gear 43121, the protrusion 43133a and the rib 43134a are separated. At this time, the angle formed between the contact surface of the protrusion 43133a with the rib 43134a and the contact surface of the rib 43134a with the protrusion 43133a is angle θ1 (see FIG. 22(a)). In this embodiment, angle θ1 is an acute angle.

[0119] As described above, in this embodiment, the convex portion 43133a does not contact the ribs 43134a and 43134b while the reciprocating member 433 is moving in the -X direction or at the end of its movement. In other words, the driving force is not transmitted from the first delay gear 43133 to the second delay gear 43134, and the driving force is not transmitted to the rack portion 4321 via the pinion 4311. Note that the above-mentioned phrase "during movement in the -X direction and at the end of movement" refers to "during movement in the -X direction and when the cam portion 4312b stops at the top dead center due to the movement." Therefore, the extension operation of the stacker 4, i.e., the movement of the second stacker 42 in the +Y direction, does not occur while the reciprocating member 433 is moving in the -X direction or at the end of its movement.

[0120] 22(a), the drive source 44 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction, causing the first tray gear 43131 to rotate in the direction of the arrow Ka, thereby bringing the protrusion 43133a and the rib 43134a into contact with each other. At this time, the first missing-tooth gear 43121 of the gear portion 4312a is not meshed with the first output gear 43138A. Furthermore, the first input gear 43137B rotates freely relative to the first output gear 43138B, which meshes with the second missing-tooth gear 43122. Therefore, even if the first tray gear 43131 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow Ka from the state shown in FIG. 22(a), the cam 4312 does not rotate. Further rotation of the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of the arrow Ka causes the second delay gear 43134 to rotate integrally with the first delay gear 43133. As a result, a driving force is transmitted to the pinion 4311 meshing with the second delay gear 43134, causing the pinion 4311 to rotate in the direction of arrow Ma. Then, the rotation of the pinion 4311 in the direction of arrow Ma applies a force to the rack portion 4321 to move in the +Y direction, causing the second support member 432 to move in the +Y direction, and the second stacker 42 supported by the second support member 432 to move in the +Y direction. Subsequent operations, including an operation of further rotating the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of arrow Ka from the state shown in FIG. 22(a), are executed, for example, in the process of S1204 of the recording process. Furthermore, the period from the state shown in FIG. 22(a) until the first tray gear 43131 is further rotated and the second stacker 42 starts moving in the +Y direction, corresponds to the delay section described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0121] Next, the rotation direction of the drive source 44 is reversed, causing the cam 4312 to rotate in the direction of arrow La via the gears of the drive train 431 (see FIG. 22(b)). This rotation of the cam 4312 causes the reciprocating member 433 to move in the +X direction. At this time, the rotation direction of the gears of the drive train 431 is reversed, but the two one-way clutches 43136, the first missing tooth gear 43121, and the second missing tooth gear 43122 apply a force to the cam 4312 to rotate in the direction of arrow La, the same as before the reversal of the drive source 44. Also, at this time, the convex portion 43133a is not in contact with the ribs 43134a and 43134b, and therefore the drive force transmitted to the first delay gear 43133 is not transmitted to the second delay gear 43134, the pinion 4311, or the rack portion 4321.

[0122] Thereafter, even after the first output gear 43138B of the one-way clutch 43136B has finished meshing with the tooth 43122b of the second partially-toothed gear 43122, the protrusion 43133a of the first delay gear 43133 and the rib 43134b of the second delay gear 43134 remain separated. At this time, the angle formed between the contact surface of the protrusion 43133a with the rib 43134b and the contact surface of the rib 43134b with the protrusion 43133a is angle θ2 (see FIG. 22(c)). In this embodiment, angle θ2 is an acute angle.

[0123] As described above, in this embodiment, the convex portion 43133a does not contact the ribs 43134a and 43134b while the reciprocating member 433 is moving in the +X direction or at the completion of its movement. In other words, the driving force is not transmitted from the first delay gear 43133 to the second delay gear 43134, and the driving force is not transmitted to the rack portion 4321 via the pinion 4311. Note that the above-mentioned phrase "during movement in the +X direction and at the completion of movement" refers to "during movement in the +X direction and when the cam portion 4312b stops at the top dead center due to the movement." Therefore, the contraction operation of the stacker 4, i.e., the movement of the second stacker 42 in the -Y direction, does not occur while the reciprocating member 433 is moving in the +X direction or at the completion of its movement.

[0124] 22(c), the driving source 44 is further driven to rotate the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of the arrow Kb, thereby bringing the protrusion 43133a and the rib 43134b into contact with each other. At this time, the second missing-tooth gear 43122 of the gear portion 4312a is not engaged with the first output gear 43138B. Furthermore, the first input gear 43137A rotates freely relative to the first output gear 43138A, which is engaged with the first missing-tooth gear 43121. Therefore, even if the first tray gear 43131 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow Kb from the state shown in FIG. 22(c), the cam 4312 does not rotate. Further rotation of the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of the arrow Kb causes the second delay gear 43134 to rotate integrally with the first delay gear 43133. As a result, the pinion 4311 meshing with the second delay gear 43134 rotates in the direction of arrow Mb. Then, the rotation of the pinion 4311 in the direction of arrow Mb applies a force to the rack portion 4321 to move in the -Y direction, which moves the second support member 432 in the -Y direction, and the second stacker 42 supported by the second support member 432 in the -Y direction. Subsequent operations, including an operation of further rotating the first tray gear 43131 in the direction of arrow Kb from the state shown in FIG. 22(c), are executed, for example, in the process of S1246 of the recording process. Furthermore, the period from the state shown in FIG. 22(c) until the first tray gear 43131 is further rotated and the second stacker 42 starts moving in the -Y direction, corresponds to the delay section described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0125] In this manner, in this embodiment, the drive train 431 functions as a transmission unit that transmits the driving force from the drive source 44 to the reciprocating member 433 that moves the loading unit 4 and the second support member 432 that extends and retracts the loading unit 4.

[0126] (Action and effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the timing at which the drive force is transmitted to move the loading unit in the X direction is different from the timing at which the drive force is transmitted to extend or retract the loading unit in the Y direction. Specifically, in the drive train, a delay gear is used to transmit the drive force so that the movement of the second loading unit in the Y direction occurs a predetermined period after the movement of the first loading unit in the width direction. This allows the drive train, which is composed of multiple gears, to move the loading unit in the X direction and then extend or retract the loading unit in the Y direction, making it possible to control the movement of the loading unit in both the X and Y directions using a single drive source.

[0127] In this embodiment, a delay gear, two one-way clutches, and two missing-tooth gears are used to move the loading unit in the X direction and expand and contract in the Y direction with a single drive source. This allows the recording unit 10 to be made smaller, which contributes to the miniaturization of the recording device 1.

[0128] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (8).

[0129] (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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] (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.

[0132] (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.

[0133] (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.

[0134] (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.

[0135] (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.

[0136] (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.

[0137] (8) In the above embodiment, the loading unit 4 is moved in the X direction by using the cam 4312 to move the reciprocating member 433 in the X direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 23 , the loading unit 4 may be moved in the X direction by using a link to move the reciprocating member 433 in the X direction. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a modified example of a mechanism for moving the loading unit 4 in the X direction, and shows an example using a link.

[0138] Specifically, link 471 and a gear train 481 for transmitting driving force to link 471 are supported by first support member 434. A sliding portion 471a provided on link 471 passes through a guide hole 472a provided in first support member 434 and is fitted into a sliding surface 473a provided on reciprocating member 433. When gear 821a fixed to link 471 rotates, link 471 performs translational and rotational motion, and causes reciprocating member 433 to reciprocate in the X direction via sliding portion 471a and sliding surface 473a.

[0139] (9) Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is not limited to recording devices. For example, it can be applied to various devices, such as a stacking device or a conveying device, that includes a stacking unit for stacking sheets that are conveyed and discharged after undergoing a predetermined process.

[0140] (10) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) to (9) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0141] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) a stacking unit that is expandable and contractable in a conveying direction of the recording medium to be conveyed and discharged, and that is movable in a width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the conveying direction, and that is capable of stacking the recording medium to be discharged; a transmission means for transmitting a driving force from a driving source to the loading means, The loading device, wherein the transmission means transmits the driving force so that the timing at which the loading means expands and contracts in the transport direction differs from the timing at which the loading means moves in the width direction. (Configuration 2) 2. The loading device according to configuration 1, wherein the transmission means transmits a driving force so that the loading means expands and contracts in the conveying direction after the loading means has moved in the width direction. (Configuration 3) The loading means is a first stacking section that is movable in the width direction; a second stacking unit that is movable in the conveying direction relative to the first stacking unit, 3. The loading device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits a driving force so that the loading means expands and contracts in accordance with the movement of the second loading section in the transport direction. (Configuration 4) The transmission means is a first transmission path that transmits a driving force for moving the first stacking unit in the width direction; a second transmission path that transmits a driving force for moving the second stacker in the conveying direction; and a delay gear that transmits driving force to the second transmission path so that the movement of the second stacking unit in the conveying direction occurs a predetermined period after the movement of the first stacking unit in the width direction. (Configuration 5) The delay gear is a first gear having two ribs and transmitting a driving force to the second transmission path; a second gear having a convex portion formed on a surface facing the first gear and transmitting a driving force to the first transmission path, The loading device according to configuration 4, wherein the first gear rotates integrally with the second gear when the convex portion of the second gear abuts against one of the two ribs. (Configuration 6) When the driving source rotates in a first direction, the convex portion of the second gear abuts against one of the two ribs, and moves the second loading unit in a direction in which the loading means extends via the second transmission path, The loading device described in configuration 5, characterized in that when the driving source rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the convex portion of the second gear abuts against the other of the two ribs, moving the second loading section in a direction in which the loading means contracts via the second transmission path. (Configuration 7) The first transmission path is a first one-way clutch located upstream in a driving force transmission direction, which transmits driving force when the driving source rotates in a first direction; a second one-way clutch located downstream in the transmission direction and configured to transmit a driving force when the driving source rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a cam that is rotated by the first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch to move the first loading unit in the width direction, the cam includes a gear portion including a first missing tooth gear that meshes with the first one-way clutch and a second missing tooth gear that meshes with the second one-way clutch, The loading device according to any one of configurations 4 to 6, wherein the first missing tooth gear and the second missing tooth gear overlap in the circumferential direction of the gear portion in areas where teeth are formed. (Configuration 8) When the driving source rotates in the first direction, the cam is rotated by the first missing tooth gear so that the loading means moves from the other side to one side in the width direction, A loading device according to configuration 7, characterized in that when the driving source rotates in the second direction, the cam rotates by the second missing tooth gear so that the loading means moves from one side to the other side in the width direction. (Configuration 9) the cam includes a cam portion disposed eccentrically with respect to a rotation center, 8. The loading device according to configuration 7, wherein the first loading section engages with the cam section and moves in the width direction via the cam section. (Configuration 10) When the first one-way clutch has finished meshing with the first missing tooth gear, the protrusion and the one rib do not come into contact with each other, The loading device according to configuration 8, wherein when the second one-way clutch has finished meshing with the second missing tooth gear, the convex portion and the other rib do not come into contact with each other. (Configuration 11) The loading device described in configuration 4, wherein the first loading section moves in the width direction via a link that performs translational and rotational motion by the driving force transmitted by the second transmission path. (Configuration 12) The first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch are an input gear having an idle portion that idles the planetary gear received therein and a locking portion that locks the planetary gear; an output gear having internal teeth with which the planetary gear received in the first gear meshes, and meshing with the missing tooth gear of the cam; 11. The loading device according to any one of configurations 7 to 10, wherein the output gear rotates integrally with the input gear when the planetary gear is locked to the locking portion. (Configuration 13) a recording means for recording on a recording medium; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium to a recording position by the recording means and discharging the recording medium after recording; 13. The stacking device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, further comprising: a control unit that controls the driving of the driving source in accordance with the ejection of the recording medium by the conveying unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 4 Loading section 43 Drive transmission unit 44 Drive source

Claims

1. a stacking unit that is expandable and contractable in a conveying direction of the recording medium to be conveyed and discharged, and that is movable in a width direction of the recording medium that intersects with the conveying direction, and that is capable of stacking the recording medium to be discharged; a transmission means for transmitting a driving force from a driving source to the loading means, The loading device, wherein the transmission means transmits the driving force so that the timing at which the loading means expands and contracts in the transport direction differs from the timing at which the loading means moves in the width direction.

2. 2. The loading device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits the driving force so that the loading means expands or contracts in the conveying direction after the loading means has moved in the width direction.

3. The loading means is a first stacking unit that is movable in the width direction; a second stacking unit that is movable in the conveying direction relative to the first stacking unit, 2. The loading device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits the driving force so that the loading means expands and contracts in accordance with the movement of the second loading section in the transport direction.

4. The transmission means is a first transmission path that transmits a driving force for moving the first stacking unit in the width direction; a second transmission path that transmits a driving force for moving the second stacking unit in the conveying direction; The loading device according to claim 3, further comprising a delay gear that transmits driving force to the second transmission path so that the movement of the second loading section in the conveying direction occurs a predetermined period after the movement of the first loading section in the width direction.

5. The delay gear is a first gear having two ribs and transmitting a driving force to the second transmission path; a second gear having a convex portion formed on a surface facing the first gear and transmitting a driving force to the first transmission path, 5. The loading device according to claim 4, wherein the first gear rotates integrally with the second gear in a state where the convex portion of the second gear abuts against one of the two ribs.

6. When the driving source rotates in a first direction, the convex portion of the second gear abuts against one of the two ribs, and moves the second loading unit in a direction in which the loading means extends via the second transmission path, The loading device described in claim 5, characterized in that when the driving source rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the convex portion of the second gear abuts against the other of the two ribs, moving the second loading section in a direction in which the loading means contracts via the second transmission path.

7. The first transmission path is a first one-way clutch located upstream in a driving force transmission direction, which transmits driving force when the driving source rotates in a first direction; a second one-way clutch located downstream in the transmission direction and configured to transmit a driving force when the driving source rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a cam that is rotated by the first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch to move the first loading unit in the width direction, the cam includes a gear portion including a first missing-tooth gear that meshes with the first one-way clutch and a second missing-tooth gear that meshes with the second one-way clutch, 7. The loading device according to claim 6, wherein the first missing tooth gear and the second missing tooth gear have toothed regions that partially overlap in the circumferential direction of the gear portions.

8. When the driving source rotates in the first direction, the cam rotates by the first missing tooth gear so that the loading means moves from the other side to one side in the width direction, The loading device according to claim 7, characterized in that when the drive source rotates in the second direction, the second missing tooth gear causes the cam to rotate so that the loading means moves from one side to the other side in the width direction.

9. the cam includes a cam portion disposed eccentrically with respect to a rotation center, 8. The loading device according to claim 7, wherein the first loading section engages with the cam section and moves in the width direction via the cam section.

10. When the first one-way clutch has finished meshing with the first missing tooth gear, the protrusion and the one rib do not come into contact with each other, 9. The loading device according to claim 8, wherein when the second one-way clutch has finished meshing with the second gear with missing teeth, the protrusion and the other rib do not come into contact with each other.

11. 5. The loading device according to claim 4, wherein the first loading section moves in the width direction via a link that performs translational and rotational motion by the driving force transmitted by the second transmission path.

12. The first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch are an input gear having an idle portion that idles the planetary gear received therein and a locking portion that locks the planetary gear; an output gear having internal teeth with which the planetary gear received in the first gear meshes, and meshing with the missing tooth gear of the cam; 8. The loading device according to claim 7, wherein the output gear rotates integrally with the input gear in a state in which the planetary gear is locked to the locking portion.

13. a recording means for recording on a recording medium; a conveying means for conveying the recording medium to a recording position by the recording means and discharging the recording medium after recording; 13. The stacking device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the driving of the driving source in response to the ejection of the recording medium by the conveying unit.

Images