Printing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving usability.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveyance unit configured to convey a recording medium in a first direction; a first stacking unit on which the recording medium conveyed and discharged by the conveyance unit is stacked, the first stacking unit being movable from a storage position in the first direction; and a control unit configured to control stacking of the recording medium on the first stacking unit, the control unit executes a first operation of stacking the recording medium on the first stacking unit at a first position, and a second operation of stacking the recording medium on the first stacking unit at a second position different from the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the loading section is moved at an angle, which may reduce usability, and further improvements are needed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can improve usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of a recording device according to the present disclosure comprises a conveying means for conveying a recording medium in a first direction, a first stacking section on which recording media conveyed by the conveying means and discharged are loaded and which is movable in the first direction from a storage position, and a control means for controlling the loading of recording media onto the first stacking section, wherein when the first stacking section has moved in the first direction from the storage position, the control means performs a first operation of loading the recording media onto the first stacking section at a first position, and a second operation of loading the recording media onto the first stacking section at a second position different from the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve usability. [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. 4 is a diagram illustrating a movement range of the front tray. [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] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the timing of a recording operation relative to the movement operation of a stacking unit. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating settings of functions for movement and extension of the loading unit. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another configuration for extending and contracting the loading section. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another configuration for moving the loading unit in the X direction. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for sorting recording media stacked on a stacking unit. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another configuration for sorting recording media stacked on a stacking section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

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

[0012] <<First Embodiment>> First, a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] (Configuration of recording device) The schematic configuration of a recording device according to this embodiment will be described. 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] In the recording unit 10, the operation unit 8 and the liquid storage unit 34 are disposed on the other side (front side) of the discharge roller pair 26 in the Y direction, that is, downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium discharged by the discharge roller pair 26. Furthermore, in the recording unit 10, the maintenance unit 5 is disposed within the movement area of ​​the recording head 3 and on the other side of the stacker 4 in the X direction. More specifically, the maintenance unit 5 is disposed at a position where a portion of it overlaps with the stacker 4 in the YZ plane (see FIG. 3(a)). Furthermore, in the recording unit 10, the ink discharge unit 51 is disposed below the stacker 4. More specifically, the ink discharge unit 51 is disposed at a position where a portion of it overlaps with the stacker 4 in the XY plane (see FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a)).

[0020] (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.

[0021] <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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] <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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] =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).

[0027] 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.

[0028] =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).

[0029] 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.

[0030] (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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, during recording, the stacking unit 4, which stacks recording media discharged via the pair of discharge rollers 26, automatically extends in the +Y direction (see FIG. 3(b)). As a result, the stacking unit 4, most of which was inside the housing 9 before extension, protrudes outside the housing 9, ensuring an area in which the discharged recording media can be stably stacked. The stacking unit 4 is detachable from the housing 9. By removing the stacking unit 4 from the housing 9, the user can insert their hand inside the housing 9 and remove recording media that have become stuck in the transport path.

[0034] (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 front tray 42 after the stacking unit 4 is contracted, and (b) shows the loading position of the front tray 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.

[0035] The stacking unit 4, which holds the recording media discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 26, automatically expands when recording begins, expanding the area that supports the discharged recording media. Furthermore, when a recording medium is removed from the stacking unit 4, the stacking unit 4 automatically contracts, reducing its area. Furthermore, the stacking unit 4 has the function of moving in a direction (X direction) that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the direction of expansion and contraction (Y direction) of the stacking unit 4 to sort the discharged recording media. In the recording unit 10, the stacking unit 4 automatically contracts not only when a recording medium is removed from the stacking unit 4, but also when a command is received from the user via the operation unit 8, when no recording operation has been performed for a predetermined period of time, when the recording unit 10 switches to low-power mode, and so on.

[0036] 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).

[0037] The control unit 71 completes the movement of the stacking unit 4 in the X direction and the extension 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 extended. When the stacking unit 4 is extended, the front tray 42 constituting the stacking unit 4 moves from a storage position (described later) to a stacking position (described later). When the stacking unit 4 is contracted, the front tray 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 the recording medium 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The stacking unit 4 includes a rear tray 41 and a front tray 42 (see FIG. 5). The rear tray 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 is discharged (the Y direction). The rear tray 41 is disposed inside the housing 9, and an end 41a on the other side in the Y direction is located rearward in the Y direction from the front surface 9a of the housing 9 (see FIG. 6(a)).

[0042] The front tray 42 is supported by the rear tray 41 and is configured to be able to move back and forth in the Y direction on the rear tray 41. This allows the front tray 42 to move back and forth in the X direction via the rear tray 41.

[0043] The front tray 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 front tray 42 overlaps with the rear tray 41 in the XY plane, and the front tray 42 is stored below the rear tray 41 (see FIG. 6(a)). In the stacking position, the front tray 42 is pulled out from the storage position, and the front tray 42 cooperates with the rear tray 41 to load recording media (see FIG. 6(b)). That is, when the stacking unit 4 extends, the front tray 42 moves from the storage position in the +Y direction to the stacking position. Also, when the stacking unit 4 contracts, the front tray 42 moves from the stacking position in the -Y direction to the storage position. Note that in this embodiment, when the front tray 42 is in the storage position, a portion of the area on the end 42a side protrudes in the Y direction beyond the front surface 9a of the housing 9. With this configuration, when the front tray 42 is in the storage position, most of the loading section 4 is located inside the housing 9, making it possible to reduce the installation space for the recording device 1.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The stacking unit 4 is configured to be movable between two sorting positions where the discharged recording media are sorted by moving the rear tray 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] (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.

[0048] The drive transmission unit 43 includes a drive train 431 configured with a plurality of drive transmission members that transmit the rotational drive from the drive source 44, and a support member 432 that can move in the Y direction by the drive force transmitted via the drive train 431 (see FIG. 8). The drive transmission unit 43 also includes a reciprocating member 433 that can move in the X direction by the drive force transmitted via the drive train 431, and a case (not shown) that holds the drive source 44 and the drive train 431.

[0049] The support member 432 includes a rack portion 4321 extending in the Y direction. The rack portion 4321 is engaged with a pinion 4311, which is one of the drive transmission members constituting the drive train 431, and this allows the support member 432 to move in the Y direction by the drive force transmitted from the drive train 431. Specifically, the drive train 431 is composed of a plurality of gears including the pinion 4311. The drive force transmitted from the drive source 44 is transmitted to the pinion 4311 via a predetermined gear in the drive train 431, and the drive force transmitted to the pinion 4311 moves the support member 432 in the Y direction.

[0050] One end of the drive train 431 is connected to the drive source 44. A cam 4312 that engages with the reciprocating member 433 is located at the other end of the drive train 431. The cam 4312 includes a circular plate portion 4312c, a gear portion 4312a formed on one surface of the plate portion 4312c, and a cam portion 4312b formed on the other surface of the plate portion 4312c (see FIG. 9). When a driving force from the drive source 44 is transmitted to the gear portion 4312a, the cam 4312 rotates about an axis Oc that passes through the center of the plate portion 4312c and is parallel to the Z direction. In this embodiment, the cam portion 4312b has a substantially triangular cylindrical shape, and the sides connecting adjacent vertices of the triangle are gently curved so as to protrude outward (see FIG. 10(a)). The cam portion 4312b is formed eccentrically with respect to the center of rotation on the other surface of the plate portion 4312c so that a predetermined vertex P is positioned on the axis Oc.

[0051] 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).

[0052] For example, suppose that the rotation of the cam 4312 causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate from a predetermined position (the position shown in FIG. 10(a)) in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 10(b)). In this case, the cam portion 4312b slides on the first sliding surface 4331, moving the reciprocating member 433 from the other side to one side in the X direction (-X direction) (see FIG. 10(b)). Also, suppose that the rotation of the cam 4312 causes the cam portion 4312b to rotate from a predetermined position in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 10(c)). In this case, the cam portion 4312b slides on the second sliding surface 4332, moving the reciprocating member 433 from one side to the other side in the X direction (+X direction) (see FIG. 10(c)).

[0053] The support member 432 is connected to the front tray 42. Therefore, the front tray 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 rear tray 41. Therefore, the rear tray 41 moves in the X direction in conjunction with the movement of the reciprocating member 433 in the X direction, and the front tray 42 moves in the X direction via the rear tray 41. In this embodiment, the support member 432 is connected to the front tray 42, and the reciprocating member 433 is connected to the rear tray 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, a rack portion 4321 may be formed in the front tray 42, so that the front tray 42 has the function of the support member 432, or an engagement portion 4333 may be formed in the rear tray 41, so that the rear tray 41 has the function of the engagement portion 4333. In this way, in this embodiment, the drive transmission unit 43 and the drive source 44 function as a movement mechanism that moves the stacker 4 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0054] (Outline of rear and front tray movement) Next, an outline of the movement of the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 will be described. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the movement of the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42.

[0055] 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 front tray 42 in the Y direction after the rear tray 41 has completed moving in the X direction. More specifically, when the rotation direction of the drive source 44 is the first direction, the rear tray 41 is moved to the first sorting position, and the front tray 42 is also moved to the first sorting position via the rear tray 41. Thereafter, as the drive source 44 further rotates in the first direction, the front tray 42 extends relative to the rear tray 41, that is, the front tray 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 a second direction opposite to the first direction, the rear tray 41 is moved to the second sorting position, and the front tray 42 is also moved to the second sorting position via the rear tray 41. Thereafter, by further rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction, the front tray 42 is contracted relative to the rear tray 41, that is, the front tray 42 in the loading position is moved in the -Y direction to the storage position.

[0056] In the present embodiment, the drive transmission unit 43 moves the rear tray 41 in the X direction and then moves the front tray 42 in the Y direction, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the front tray 42 may be moved in the Y direction and then the rear tray 41 may be moved in the X direction. 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 rear tray 41 may be moved in the X direction and the front tray 42 may be moved in the Y direction using driving forces from different drive sources. The rear tray 41 may be moved in the X direction and the front tray 42 may be moved in the Y direction not only by the drive source 44 but also manually by a user.

[0057] (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 stacking unit 4 after recording. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing detailed processing content of the recording process in which recording is performed on recording media while the recording media are sorted in the stacking unit 4 after recording. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the state after the stacking unit 4 has moved. Fig. 14 is a diagram explaining the movement of the stacking unit 4 and the timing of the recording operation.

[0058] The series of processes shown in the flowchart of Fig. 12 are performed by the control unit 71 by expanding program code stored in a program memory (not shown) of the storage unit 72 into a data memory (not shown) of the storage unit 72 and executing the program code. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 12 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electric 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 where a batch of M recording media is defined as one copy, and the recording process is performed by the recording device 1 based on a job that executes recording to generate N copies of this batch of recording media.

[0059] When the recording process starts, first, in S1202, the control unit 71 moves the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 to the first sorting position. In S1202, the drive source 44 is rotated in a first direction to move the rear tray 41 and the front tray 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 front tray 42 from the storage position to the stacking position. In S1204, with the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 located in the first sorting position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the first direction to move the front tray 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. For this reason, in S1204, the loading position is determined based on the detection result of a sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects the position of the loading unit 4 after a predetermined operation. Specifically, for example, the front tray 42 is moved to a loading position that corresponds to the size of the recording media based on the detection result of a rotary encoder of the drive source 44. Alternatively, the front tray 42 may be configured to be moved to a loading position that corresponds to the size of the recording media based on the detection result of a mechanical switch, a photosensor, or the like.

[0060] Here, the drive transmission unit 43 is formed so that when the rear tray 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 rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 located at the first sorting position, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 do not move in the -X direction from the first sorting position.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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)).

[0063] In this embodiment, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are moved to the first sorting position, and the front tray 42 is moved to the stacking position, after which feeding of the first recording medium of the first set is started and recording is performed on that recording medium (see FIG. 14(a)). However, the timing of the movement of the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 and the execution of the recording operation on that recording medium is not limited to this.

[0064] For example, to improve productivity, the extension operation (movement operation to the stacking position) of the front tray 42 and the recording operation may be partially performed in parallel. Specifically, after the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are moved to the first sorting position, immediately after the front tray 42 starts moving to the stacking position, feeding of the first recording medium of the first set may be started and recording may be performed on that recording medium (see FIG. 14(b)). In other words, in this case, the movement of the front tray 42 to the stacking position and the recording operation (including the feeding operation) of the first recording medium of the first set are performed in parallel.

[0065] In this case, the movement of the front tray 42 to the stacking position, i.e., the extension operation of the front tray 42, is completed by the time the leading edge of the first sheet of recording media in the first set is ejected and abuts against the stacking unit 4 (see FIG. 14(c)). This prevents the stacking of recording media in the stacking unit 4 from becoming disordered, and usability is not impaired.

[0066] Alternatively, for example, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 may be moved to the first sorting position and the front tray 42 may be moved to the stacking position during the initial operation after starting up the recording device 1. Alternatively, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 may be moved to the first sorting position and the front tray 42 may be moved to the stacking position when the recording device 1 receives a job.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] If it is determined in S1218 that the number of copies n has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S1220, where the control unit 71 determines whether or not recording media have been removed from the stacker 4. In S1220, this determination is made based on the detection result of a sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects whether or not recording media are stacked on the stacker 4. If it is determined in S1220 that recording media have not been removed from the stacker 4, the process of S1220 is performed again. At this time, a notification urging the user to remove recording media from the stacker 4 may be displayed via the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8. Furthermore, if it is determined in S1220 that recording media have been removed from the stacker 4, the process proceeds to S1222, where the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are moved to the second sorting position. In S1222, the drive source 44 is rotated in the second direction to move the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 located at the first sorting position in the +X direction to the second sorting position, and the process proceeds to S1246 described later.

[0070] 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 rear tray 41 and the front tray 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)).

[0071] In this embodiment, after the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are moved to the second sorting position with the front tray 42 in the stacking position, feeding of the first recording medium of the predetermined number of copies is started in S1230, and recording is performed on that recording medium (see FIG. 14(a)). However, the timing of moving the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 to the second sorting position and the execution of the recording operation on that recording medium is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, to improve productivity, the movement operation of rear tray 41 and front tray 42 to the second sorting position and the recording operation may be performed partly in parallel. Specifically, immediately after rear tray 41 and front tray 42 start to move to the second sorting position, feeding of the first recording medium of the predetermined number of copies may be started and recording may be performed on that recording medium. In other words, in this case, the movement of rear tray 41 and front tray 42 to the second sorting position and the recording operation (including the feeding operation) of the first recording medium of the predetermined number of copies are performed in parallel.

[0073] In this case, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are set to have completed their movement to the second sorting position by the time the leading edge of the first sheet of recording media in the predetermined number of copies is ejected and comes into contact with the stacking unit 4. If necessary, for example, the timing at which paper feed starts may be adjusted or the recording operation may be temporarily stopped, so that the first sheet of recording media in the predetermined number of copies comes into contact with the stacking unit 4 when movement of the stacking unit 4 to the second sorting position is completed. This prevents the stacking of recording media in the stacking unit 4 from becoming disorganized, and usability is not impaired.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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 rear tray 41 and the front tray 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 rear tray 41 and the front tray 42, which are located at the second sorting position, are moved in the -X direction to the first sorting position.

[0076] In this embodiment, with the front tray 42 in the stacking position, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are moved to the first sorting position, and then the process returns to S1208, and in S1210, the first sheet of the predetermined number of recording media is fed and recorded (see FIG. 14(a)). However, the timing of the movement of the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 to the first sorting position and the execution of the recording operation on the recording media is not limited to this.

[0077] For example, to improve productivity, the movement operation of rear tray 41 and front tray 42 to the first sorting position and the recording operation may be performed partly in parallel. Specifically, immediately after rear tray 41 and front tray 42 start to move to the first sorting position, feeding of the first recording medium of the predetermined number of copies may be started and recording may be performed on that recording medium. In other words, in this case, the movement of rear tray 41 and front tray 42 to the first sorting position and the recording operation (including the feeding operation) of the first recording medium of the predetermined number of copies are performed in parallel.

[0078] In this case, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are set to have completed their movement to the first sorting position by the time the leading edge of the first sheet of recording media in the predetermined number of copies is ejected and comes into contact with the stacking unit 4 (see FIG. 14(c)). If necessary, for example, the timing at which paper feed starts may be adjusted or the recording operation may be temporarily stopped, so that the first sheet of recording media in the predetermined number of copies comes into contact with the stacking unit 4 when movement of the stacking unit 4 to the first sorting position is completed. This prevents the stacking of recording media in the stacking unit 4 from becoming disordered, and usability is not impaired.

[0079] 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 front tray 42 from the stacking position to the storage position, and ends this recording process. Note that, when ending the recording process, for example, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42, which is in the storage position, are moved to their initial positions (see FIG. 13(a)).

[0080] In S1246, with the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 positioned at the second sorting position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the second direction, thereby moving the front tray 42 in the -Y direction from the stacking position to the storage position. Here, the drive transmission unit 43 is formed so that, when the rear tray 41 is positioned at the second sorting position, the cam 4312 does not rotate any further even if the drive force caused by the rotation of the drive source 44 in the second direction is transmitted. Therefore, even if the drive source 44 rotates in the second direction with the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 positioned at the second sorting position in S1246, the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 do not move in the +X direction from the second sorting position.

[0081] In this manner, in this embodiment, the control unit 71, the drive source 44, and the drive transmission unit 43 function as a control unit that controls the movement of the stacking unit 4 including the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42.

[0082] (Shift sort function settings) Next, a description will be given of the settings of the shift sort function for making various settings for the movement (movement of the rear tray 41 in the X direction) and extension / contraction (movement of the front tray 42 in the Y direction) of the stacking unit 4. In the recording device 1, the user makes various settings for the movement and extension / contraction of the stacking unit 4 via a setting screen for the shift sort function displayed on the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8.

[0083] FIG. 15 shows an example of a setting screen displayed on the display panel 82 when setting the shift sorting function. FIG. 15(a) is a screen displaying setting items that can be set for the shift sorting function. FIG. 15(b) is a setting screen for enabling / disabling the sorting function. FIG. 15(c) is a setting screen for adjusting the tray extension / retraction amount. FIG. 15(d) is a setting screen for setting the tray storage timing. FIG. 15(e) is a setting screen for notifying whether paper is present on the tray.

[0084] In this embodiment, the shift sort function can be set for four items: sorting function enable / disable, tray extension / contraction amount adjustment, tray storage timing, and notification of the presence or absence of paper on the tray. These settings are made on a setting screen 1902 for the shift sort function (see FIG. 15(a)).

[0085] When sorting function enable / disable is selected on setting screen 1902, setting screen 1904 for setting whether the sorting function is enabled or disabled is displayed on display panel 82 (see FIG. 15(b)). This setting screen 1904 allows the user to set whether the sorting function is enabled or disabled. In this embodiment, the sorting function is initially set to "enabled." Via sorting function enable / disable setting screen 1904, the user can change the sorting mechanism from "enabled" to "disabled" and from "disabled" to "enabled."

[0086] When tray extension / contraction amount adjustment is selected on the setting screen 1902, a setting screen 1906 for setting the tray extension / contraction amount adjustment is displayed on the display panel 82 (see FIG. 15(c)). On this setting screen 1906, the extension / contraction amount of the stacking unit 4 can be set to match the size of the recording media to be used. Recording media may vary in size during the manufacturing process, and may swell or shrink depending on the usage environment or recorded images. In order to improve the sorting mechanism in response to the characteristics of such recording media, the user can set the extension / contraction amount of the stacking unit 4 by inputting information on the setting screen 1906 for tray extension / contraction amount adjustment. For example, the movement amount (extension amount) of the front tray 42 in the Y direction can be adjusted in stages in predetermined length units (for example, millimeters) from the initial setting extension / contraction amount or the extension / contraction amount corresponding to a standard size.

[0087] When tray storage timing is selected on the setting screen 1902, a setting screen 1908 for setting the tray storage timing is displayed on the display panel 82 (see FIG. 15(d)). On this setting screen 1908, it is possible to set the timing for retracting the stacking unit 4, that is, the timing for moving the front tray 42 in the -Y direction and returning it to the storage position. In this embodiment, "immediately" is set as the initial setting, and the stacking unit 4 is set to retract immediately after the detection unit 73 detects that the recording media have been removed from the stacking unit 4.

[0088] Via the tray storage timing setting screen 1908, the user can set one of the following five options, for example: "Immediately", which causes the stacker 4 to shrink immediately after it is detected that the recording media have been removed from the stacker 4; "30 minutes later", which causes the stacker 4 to shrink 30 minutes after it is detected that the recording media have been removed from the stacker 4; "1 hour later", which causes the stacker 4 to shrink 1 hour after it is detected that the recording media have been removed from the stacker 4; "User setting", which causes the stacker 4 to shrink when a time set by the user has elapsed after it is detected that the recording media have been removed from the stacker 4; and "Do not store", which does not cause the stacker 4 to shrink even when it is detected that the recording media have been removed from the stacker 4. If "User setting" is selected, a setting screen (not shown) that allows the user to set any time is displayed on the display panel 82.

[0089] By contracting the stacking section 4, when the recording device 1 is not in use, most of the stacking section 4 is housed within the recording device 1, thereby reducing the footprint of the recording device 1. On the other hand, in an environment where the recording device 1 is used frequently, contracting the stacking section 4 every time a recording operation is completed can reduce productivity. For this reason, the recording device 1 is configured so that the contraction of the stacking section 4 can be freely set to suit the user's usage environment. This allows the recording device 1 to sort recording media without compromising productivity.

[0090] When notification of the presence or absence of paper on the tray is selected on the setting screen 1902, a setting screen 1910 for setting the notification of the presence or absence of paper on the tray is displayed on the display panel 82 (see FIG. 15(e)). On this setting screen 1910, it is possible to set whether to enable or disable the function for notifying whether recording media are loaded on the stacking unit 4 (that is, whether recording media have been removed from the stacking unit 4). The function for notifying the presence or absence of paper on the tray is set to enabled, for example, as the initial setting. The user can change the function for notifying the presence or absence of paper on the tray from enabled to disabled and from disabled to enabled by inputting information on the setting screen 1910 for notifying the presence or absence of paper on the tray.

[0091] By displaying the presence or absence of recording media in the loading section 4 on, for example, a computer connected to the recording device 1, it is possible to clearly see whether the recording process is being properly transmitted to the recording device 1 and whether the recording process is in progress or has been completed, even from a location far from the recording device 1. This also helps prevent recording media from being forgotten, improving usability.

[0092] (Action and effect) As described above, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4, which can hold recording media, is moved in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording media, until the first (first sheet) of the nth set of recording media is discharged, thereby sorting the recorded recording media. Furthermore, in the stacking unit 4, the front tray 42 is moved from the storage position to a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording media until the recording media recorded at the beginning of the recording process (i.e., the first sheet of the first set) is discharged to the stacking unit 4, thereby ensuring a stacking area corresponding to the size. Furthermore, when the recording media are removed from the stacking unit 4, the front tray 42 is moved from the stacking position to a storage position where it overlaps with the rear tray 41 in the XY plane, and is stored within the housing 9.

[0093] As a result, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4 can automatically extend from a storage position stored in the housing 9 to a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording medium in response to the discharge of the recording medium during recording, and move to the sorting position. Also, in the recording device 1, the stacking unit 4 can automatically contract from a stacking position corresponding to the size of the recording medium to a storage position stored in the housing 9 in response to the removal of the recording medium from the stacking position. Therefore, in the recording device 1, the user does not need to intervene to move the stacking unit 4, and the stacking unit 4 can be stored in the housing 9 when not in use, allowing the device to be made smaller without reducing usability.

[0094] <<Second embodiment>> Next, a recording device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment will be used for components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] In the second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the loading unit 4 of the first embodiment is configured to extend and retract in the Y direction via a drive mechanism provided on the side of the loading unit 4, and is not allowed to move in the X direction. The configuration of the drive mechanism of the loading unit 4 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0096] (Loading section drive mechanism) The drive mechanism of the loading unit 4 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the drive mechanism for extending and contracting the loading unit 4 in the Y direction according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration for extending and contracting the loading unit 4 in the Y direction includes a rack 1602 provided on the side of the loading unit 4 and a drive member 1608 equipped with a pinion that meshes with the rack.

[0097] More specifically, a rack 1602 is formed on the side surface of the stacker 4 on the other side (right side) in the X direction. The rack 1602 includes a first rack portion 1602a formed over substantially the entire surface of the right side surface of the rear tray 41, and a second rack portion 1602b formed over substantially the entire surface of the right side surface of the front tray 42. Note that a groove portion 1604 is formed in front of the first tooth of the first rack portion 1602a. In other words, an area without teeth is formed in part of the front side of the right side surface of the rear tray 41. Both the first rack portion 1602a and the second rack portion 1602b are formed with their tooth tips facing rightward. Furthermore, both the first rack portion 1602a and the second rack portion 1602b have the same tooth pitch.

[0098] A driving member 1608 including a gear 1606 that functions as a pinion meshing with the rack 1602 is fixedly provided to the housing 9. The gears 1606 are comprised of a gear 1606a and a gear 1606b that are concentric and stacked in the vertical direction (Z direction). The gears 1606a and 1606b have the same pitch and diameter. The gear 1606a located on the upper side meshes with the first rack portion 1602a, and the gear 1606b located on the lower side meshes with the second rack portion 1602b. When the loading unit 4 is in the storage position stored in the housing 9, the gear 1606b meshes with the second rack portion 1602b, but the tooth tip of the gear 1606a is positioned in the groove portion 1604, so it does not mesh with the first rack portion 1602a.

[0099] (Extension and contraction of loading area) In the above configuration, when the loading unit 4 extends in the Y direction, a drive motor (not shown) serving as a drive source provided in the drive member 1608 rotates forward, and the drive force generated by the drive motor is transmitted to the gear 1606 via multiple gears (not shown). This causes the gears 1606a and 1606b to rotate in the direction of arrow C. The drive member 1608 includes the drive motor as well as multiple gears that transmit the drive force generated by the drive motor to the gear 1606.

[0100] When the gears 1606a and 1606b rotate in the direction of arrow C, the second rack portion 1602b meshes with the gear 1606b, causing the front tray 42 to move in the +Y direction in the stacker unit 4 that is in the storage position. When the stacker unit 4 is in the storage position, the gear 1606b and the first rack portion 1602a are not meshed, and therefore the rear tray 41 does not move in the +Y direction.

[0101] Thereafter, when the front tray 42 moves a predetermined amount in the +Y direction, the rear tray 41 moves in the +Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the front tray 42. This movement of the rear tray 41 causes the first rack portion 1602a to mesh with the gear 1606a, and rotation of the gear 1606a in the direction of arrow C causes the rear tray 41 to move in the +Y direction via the first rack portion 1602a. Note that when the rear tray 41 moves in the +Y direction, the front tray 42 moves in the +Y direction together with the movement of the rear tray 41, so that the front tray 42 moves to a position where it does not overlap with the gear 1606 in the Y direction. As a result, the second rack portion 1602b and the gear 1606b no longer mesh with each other.

[0102] The amount of movement of the stacker 4 in the +Y direction, i.e., the amount of extension, varies depending on the size of the recording medium used. The amount of extension is controlled based on, for example, a sensor (not shown) that can detect the amount of rotation of a gear provided on the drive motor or drive member 1608.

[0103] Furthermore, when the stacker 4 contracts in the Y direction, the drive motor provided on the drive member 1608 rotates in the reverse direction, and the drive force generated by the drive motor is transmitted to the gear 1606 via multiple gears. This causes the gears 1606a and 1606b to rotate in the direction of arrow D. When the gears 1606a and 1606b rotate in the direction of arrow D, the rear tray 41 moves in the -Y direction due to the first rack portion 1602a meshing with the gear 1606a. At this time, the front tray 42 moves in the -Y direction in conjunction with the movement of the rear tray 41 in the -Y direction.

[0104] Thereafter, when the gear 1606a is positioned in the groove 1604, the movement of the rear tray 41 in the -Y direction stops, but the second rack 1602b meshes with the gear 1606b. Therefore, the rotation of the gear 1606b causes the front tray 42 to move in the -Y direction, and this movement of the front tray 42 in the -Y direction moves the front tray 42 and the rear tray 41 to the storage position. Note that in this embodiment, the steps of moving to the first sorting position and moving to the second sorting position in the recording process are omitted.

[0105] (Variation) Although not specifically mentioned in the above description, the loading unit 4 may be configured to be selectable between an automatic mode in which the above-described drive mechanism automatically extends and retracts the loading unit 4, and a manual mode in which the user manually extends and retracts the loading unit 4. In this case, in the manual mode, for example, the gear 1606 of the driving member 1608 is not engaged with the gear that transmits the driving force.

[0106] In the above description, the stacking unit 4 is configured not to move in the X direction, but this is not limiting, and the stacking unit 4 may be configured to move in the X direction using various known techniques. Also, in the above description, both the rear tray 41 and the front tray 42 are configured to be movable in the Y direction, but this is not limiting. The rear tray 41 may be configured not to move in the Y direction, and only the front tray 42 may be configured to move in the Y direction by the drive mechanism described above.

[0107] <<Third Embodiment>> Next, a recording device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment will be used for components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the loading unit 4 of the first embodiment is configured to move in the X direction by a drive mechanism and is not extended or contracted in the Y direction by the drive mechanism. The configuration of the drive mechanism of the loading unit 4 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0109] (Loading section drive mechanism) The drive mechanism of the stacker 4 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a drive mechanism for moving the stacker 4 in the X direction according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration for moving the stacker 4 in the X direction includes rollers 1702 that rotate the rear tray 41 so as to be able to move in the X direction, and a drive motor 1704 that drives the rollers. Note that in this embodiment, the front tray 42 is configured to be extendable and retractable only manually relative to the rear tray 41.

[0110] More specifically, a plurality of rollers 1702 that can move the rear tray 41 in the X direction in the housing 9 are provided on the bottom surface of the rear tray 41. In this embodiment, each roller 1702 is disposed on the bottom surface of the rear tray 41 at a position that does not restrict manual extension and contraction of the front tray 42. The rollers 1702 move, for example, on rails (not shown) that are provided on the housing 9 and extend in the X direction.

[0111] Also, provided on the bottom surface of the rear tray 41 are a drive motor 1704 that is driven under the control of the control unit 71, and a transmission unit 1706 that transmits the drive force generated by the drive motor 1704 to the rollers 1702. The drive motor 1704 and the transmission unit 1706 are also disposed on the bottom surface of the rear tray 41 at positions that do not restrict manual extension and retraction of the front tray 42.

[0112] (Moving the loading section) The drive motor 1704 rotates based on a drive signal from the control unit 71, which rotates the drive gear 1708, transmitting the drive force to the drive transmission gear 1710. The rotation of the drive transmission gear 1710 is then transmitted via a drive transmission belt 1712 to a gear 1716 coupled to a shaft 1714 that connects the rollers 1702. This causes the shaft 1714 to rotate, and the rollers 1702 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 1714. The rotation of the rollers 1702 then moves the rear tray 41 in the +X direction and the -X direction. The movement direction of the rear tray 41 changes depending on the rotation direction of the drive motor 1704. For example, when the drive motor 1704 rotates in the forward direction, the rear tray 41 moves in the +X direction, and when the drive motor 1704 rotates in the reverse direction, the rear tray 41 moves in the -X direction.

[0113] In this embodiment, in the step of the recording process in which the process of moving the front tray 42 to the stacking position or the storage position is executed, for example, a notification is displayed on the display panel 82 of the operation unit 8 to prompt the user to move the front tray 42 to the stacking position or the storage position. The front tray 42 may also have a sensor that detects whether it is in the stacking position or the storage position. The front tray 42 may be manually pulled out by the user. With the front tray 42 moved from the storage position to the stacking position, the rear tray 41 is moved in the X direction to sort the recording media.

[0114] (Variation) In the above description, the transmission unit 1706, which is configured with the roller 1702, the drive motor 1707, the drive transmission gear 1710, etc., is provided on the bottom surface of the rear tray 41, but this is not limiting. For example, a moving unit configured to be movable in the X direction using these components may be provided, and the rear tray 41 may be fixedly disposed on the moving unit.

[0115] In the above description, the loading section 4 is configured not to automatically expand and contract in the Y direction, but this is not limited to this, and the loading section 4 may be configured to automatically expand and contract using various known technologies.

[0116] <<Fourth Embodiment>> Next, a recording device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment will be used for components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that the discharged recording media are sorted by a configuration separate from the stacking unit 4. The configuration for sorting the discharged recording media will be described in detail below.

[0118] (Configuration for sorting ejected recording media) Figure 18 is a diagram illustrating an alignment member as an example of a configuration for sorting discharged recording media. Figure 18(a) is a diagram illustrating the alignment member when sorting the first batch of recording media. Figure 18(b) is a diagram illustrating the alignment member when sorting the second batch of recording media. Figure 18(c) is a diagram illustrating the alignment member when sorting the third batch of recording media.

[0119] In this embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 includes an alignment member 1802 that can align the X-direction edges of the recording medium discharged from the discharge roller pair 26. The alignment member 1802 includes a pair of alignment members 1802a and 1802b, which are arranged to face each other and whose distance in the X direction can be changed.

[0120] The aligning members 1802a and 1802b are made of plate-like bodies. An aligning section 1804a is provided below the aligning member 1802a for aligning the recording media discharged to the stacking section 4, and an aligning section 1804b is provided below the aligning member 1802b for aligning the recording media in cooperation with the aligning section 1804a. The aligning sections 1804a and 1804b have flat surfaces facing each other. The aligning sections 1804a and 1804b press the edges of the multiple recording media stacked on the stacking section 4 in the X direction, aligning their positions in the X direction.

[0121] Alignment member 1802a is provided with a recess 1806a above aligning portion 1804a, which is located on one side of aligning portion 1804a in the X direction. Alignment member 1802b is provided with a recess 1806b above aligning portion 1804b, which is located on the other side of aligning portion 1804b in the X direction. This results in a wider spacing between recesses 1806a and 1806b in the X direction than the spacing between aligning portions 1804a and 1804b. Recesses 1806a and 1806b narrow in width in the X direction downward from a predetermined position, and are connected to aligning portions 1804a and 1804b, respectively, at their lower ends. As a result, in the aligning member 1802, the recording medium discharged between the relief portions 1806a and 1806b is easily guided between the aligning portions 1804a and 1804b.

[0122] The alignment member 1802 is arranged in the housing 9 so as to be able to perform various operations described below. The operation of the alignment member 1802 is controlled by the control unit 71. The alignment member 1802 may be configured to be detachable or non-detachable.

[0123] A recess 1808a, into which the tip of the alignment member 1802a can enter, is provided on one side in the X direction on the top surface of the stacking unit 4 on which the recording media are stacked. Also, a recess 1808b, into which the tip of the alignment member 1802b can enter, is provided on the other side in the X direction on the top surface, extending in the X direction. In this embodiment, the recesses 1808a and 1808b are provided on the rear tray 41.

[0124] When recording is performed on the first copy of the recording medium in the recording process, the alignment members 1802a and 1802b wait at the first receiving position, where the alignment sections 1804a and 1804b are spaced apart by a predetermined distance longer than the width (length in the X direction) of the recording medium. At this time, the front tray 42 is positioned at the stacking position. Also, at this time, the leading ends of the alignment members 1802a and 1802b are inserted into the recesses 1808a and 1808b, respectively (see FIG. 18(a)).

[0125] The recording medium discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 26 enters between the recesses 1806a and 1806b of the aligning members 1802a and 1802b, which are waiting at the first receiving position, and is discharged by its own weight onto the top surface of the stacking unit 4. At this time, the aligning members 1802a and 1802b accept the discharged recording medium with some degree of variation in the X direction in the recesses 1806a and 1806b, which have a wide gap in the X direction, and guide the recording medium between the aligning units 1804a and 1804b. After that, when the recording of the first copy is completed, the aligning members 1802a and 1802b move the aligning member 1802a in the +X direction to narrow the gap between the aligning units 1804a and 1804b, and press the stack of recording media stacked on the stacking unit 4 in the +X direction to align it.

[0126] Next, when transitioning to recording the second copy, alignment members 1802a and 1802b are moved to a second receiving position that is shifted a predetermined amount in the +X direction from the first receiving position for the first copy. At this time, alignment member 1802a is positioned so that its leading edge is on the recording medium for the first copy, and alignment member 1802b is positioned so that its leading edge is inserted into recess 1808b (see FIG. 18(b)). Then, the recording medium discharged from discharge roller pair 26 enters between relief portions 1806a and 1806b of alignment members 1802a and 1802b, which are waiting at the second receiving position, and is discharged by its own weight onto the stack of recording media for the first copy. After that, when the recording of the second copy is completed, the alignment members 1802a and 1802b move the alignment member 1802b in the -X direction so as to narrow the gap between the alignment members 1804a and 1804b, and press the stack of recording media stacked on top of the stack of recording media for the first copy in the -X direction to align them.

[0127] Furthermore, when transitioning to recording the third copy, alignment members 1802a and 1802b are moved to the first receiving position. At this time, alignment member 1802b is positioned so that its leading edge is on the second copy of the recording medium, and alignment member 1802a is positioned so that its leading edge is inserted into recess 1808a (see FIG. 18(c)). Then, the recording medium discharged from discharge roller pair 26 enters between recesses 1806a and 1806b of alignment members 1802a and 1802b waiting at the first receiving position, and is discharged by its own weight onto the stack of recording media for the second copy. Thereafter, when recording of the third copy is completed, alignment members 1802a and 1802b move alignment member 1802a in the +X direction to narrow the gap between alignment portions 1804a and 1804b, and press the stack of recording media stacked on top of the stack of recording media for the second copy in the +X direction to align it. In this way, the recording device 1 can sort a stack of recording media according to the number of copies.

[0128] (Another configuration for sorting ejected recording media) Furthermore, the configuration for sorting the discharged recording media is not limited to the above-described alignment member 1802. For example, the pair of discharge rollers 26 may be configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the recording media, so that the recording media can be sorted by shifting their positions to at least two positions when discharged onto the stacker 4 (see FIG. 19). FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another configuration for sorting the discharged recording media, where (a) is a diagram illustrating discharge at a first position, and (b) is a diagram illustrating discharge at a second position.

[0129] Specifically, the discharge roller pair 26 is configured to be movable in the X direction. When discharging an odd-numbered copy of recording medium M1, the discharge roller pair 26 moves to, for example, a first position located relatively to the right while discharging the recording medium M1, and discharges the recording medium M1 onto the stacking unit 4. As a result, the discharged recording medium M1 is discharged to a position in the stacking unit 4 corresponding to the first position (see FIG. 19(a)). When discharging an even-numbered copy of recording medium M2, the discharge roller pair 26 moves to, for example, a second position located relatively to the left while discharging the recording medium M2, and discharges the recording medium M2 onto the stacking unit 4. As a result, the discharged recording medium M2 is discharged to a position in the stacking unit 4 corresponding to the second position (see FIG. 19(b)). Note that a specific configuration for moving the pair of paper discharge rollers 26 to different positions when discharging recording media depending on the number of copies can use various known techniques, and therefore detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0130] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (9).

[0131] (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 data is recorded on the recording media and the recording media are sorted after recording (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 front tray 42 is moved to the stacking position and the recorded recording media continues to be discharged. 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] (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 rear tray 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 rear tray 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 rear tray 41 is moved to the predetermined position, the drive source 44 is further rotated in the first direction to move the front tray 42 from the storage position to the stacking position. Thereafter, the drive source 44 is rotated in the second direction to move the rear tray 41 in the +X direction to the first sorting position. At this time, the position of the rear tray 41 is based on the detection result of the sensor in the detection unit 73 that detects the position of the stacker 4 after the predetermined operation.

[0134] (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 rear tray 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 rear tray 41 is located at a predetermined position on the other side of the second sorting position in the X direction.

[0135] (4) In the above embodiment, a portion of the front tray 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 front tray 42 may be configured not to protrude forward from the housing 9 when in the storage position. That is, in this case, the front tray 42 is completely stored within the housing 9 when in the storage position. Also, in the above embodiment, the stacking unit 4 sorts the discharged recording media by loading 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.

[0136] (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.

[0137] (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.

[0138] (7) In the above embodiment, when recording media are removed from the stacking unit 4, the stacking unit 4 is moved in the +X direction to move the front tray 42 from the stacking position to the storage position. However, this is not limited to this. After removing the recording media from the stacking unit 4, the user may manually move the front tray 42 from the stacking position to the storage position. In this case, the user must manually move the front tray 42 after removing the recording media. However, since this step involves the user simply pushing the front tray 42 in, the burden on the user is relatively small and does not significantly reduce usability.

[0139] (8) 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.

[0140] (9) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) to (8) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0141] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a first direction; a first stacking section on which recording media to be conveyed and discharged by the conveying means are stacked and which is movable in the first direction from a storage position; a control unit that controls the stacking of recording media on the first stacking unit, When the first stacking unit has moved from the storage position in the first direction, the control unit a first operation of loading recording media onto the first loading unit at a first position; a second operation of loading the recording medium onto the first loading section at a second position different from the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction. (Configuration 2) Further provided is a second stacking section on which recording media are stacked, 2. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the first stacking unit moves in the first direction relative to the second stacking unit. (Configuration 3) a movement mechanism for moving the second loading unit in the second direction, 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement mechanism moves the first stacking unit together with the second stacking unit. (Configuration 4) The recording apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein the control unit controls the movement of the first stacking unit in the first direction and the movement of the second stacking unit in the second direction by the movement mechanism. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, further comprising a movement mechanism for moving the first stacking unit in the second direction. (Configuration 6) 3. The recording apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the control means executes the second operation following the first operation while maintaining the position of the first stacking unit. (Configuration 7) The recording device according to configuration 4, wherein when no recording media are loaded on the first stacking section and the second stacking section, the control means moves the second stacking section in the second direction in response to the ejection of the recording media, and then moves the first stacking section in the first direction. (Configuration 8) 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the first stacking section is supported by the second stacking section. (Configuration 9) The control means The second loading unit is moved between the first position and the second position spaced a predetermined distance from the first position in the second direction; The recording device according to configuration 4, characterized in that the first stacking unit is moved to the storage position where it is stored overlapping with the second stacking unit, and to a loading position where it can load recording media in cooperation with the second stacking unit. (Configuration 10) The recording device according to configuration 9, wherein the control means moves the second stacking unit to the first position and moves the first stacking unit from the storage position to the stacking position between the start of recording on the first recording medium and the completion of ejection of the recording medium. (Configuration 11) The recording device according to configuration 9, wherein the control means moves the second stacking unit to the first position and moves the first stacking unit from the storage position to the stacking position during an initial operation at the start of the recording device. (Configuration 12) The recording apparatus according to configuration 9, wherein the control unit, upon receiving a job, moves the second stacking unit to the first position and moves the first stacking unit from the storage position to the stacking position. (Configuration 13) The recording device according to any one of configurations 10 to 12, characterized in that when the recording media loaded on the first stacking section and the second stacking section are removed, the control means moves the second stacking section to the second position and moves the first stacking section from the loading position to the storage position. (Configuration 14) the first position is such that a center position of the first stacking unit in the second direction is located on one side in the second direction of a center position of the recording medium to be discharged in the second direction; The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the second position is such that the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction is located on the other side of the center position of the recording medium being ejected in the second direction. (Configuration 15) 14. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein, at the first position or the second position, the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction coincides with the center position of the recording medium being ejected in the second direction. (Configuration 16) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, characterized in that the position of the first stacking section during non-recording time is such that the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction coincides with the center position of the recording medium being ejected in the second direction. (Configuration 17) The recording apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein the second stacking section is movably disposed within the housing of the recording apparatus. (Configuration 18) 18. The recording apparatus according to configuration 17, wherein the first stacking section partially protrudes from the housing when in the storage position. (Configuration 19) 14. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 9 to 13, wherein the stacking position varies depending on the size of the recording medium to be discharged. (Configuration 20) 2. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the first stacking unit does not move in the second direction. (Configuration 21) 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first stacking unit is pulled out by a user. (Configuration 22) A control method for a recording device including a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a first direction, and a first stacking unit that is movable in the first direction from a storage position and that has a stack of recording media that are conveyed by the conveying unit and discharged, the method comprising: A control method characterized by performing a first operation of loading recording media at a first position relative to the first stacking unit while the first stacking unit has moved from the storage position in the first direction, and a second operation of loading recording media at a second position different from the first position relative to the first stacking unit in a second direction intersecting the first direction. (Configuration 23) 23. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1. Recording device 42 Front tray 43 Drive transmission unit 44 Drive source 71 Control Unit

Claims

1. a conveying means for conveying the recording medium in a first direction; a first stacking section on which recording media to be conveyed and discharged by the conveying means are stacked and which is movable in the first direction from a storage position; a control unit that controls the stacking of recording media on the first stacking unit, When the first stacking unit has moved from the storage position in the first direction, the control unit a first operation of loading recording media onto the first loading unit at a first position; a second operation of loading recording media onto the first loading section at a second position different from the first position in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

2. Further provided is a second stacking section on which the recording medium is stacked, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first stacking unit moves in the first direction relative to the second stacking unit.

3. a movement mechanism for moving the second loading unit in the second direction, 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the movement mechanism moves the first stacking unit together with the second stacking unit.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the movement of the first stacking unit in the first direction and the movement of the second stacking unit in the second direction by the movement mechanism.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a movement mechanism for moving the first stacking unit in the second direction.

6. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means executes the second operation following the first operation while maintaining the position of the first stacking unit.

7. 5. The recording device according to claim 4, wherein when no recording media are loaded on the first stacking section and the second stacking section, the control means moves the second stacking section in the second direction in response to the ejection of the recording media, and then moves the first stacking section in the first direction.

8. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first stacking section is supported by the second stacking section.

9. The control means The second stacking unit is moved between the first position and the second position spaced a predetermined distance from the first position in the second direction; 5. The recording device according to claim 4, wherein the first stacking section is moved to a storage position where the first stacking section is stored in a stacked state with the second stacking section, and a loading position where the first stacking section can cooperate with the second stacking section to load recording media.

10. The recording device according to claim 9, wherein the control means moves the second stacking section to the first position and moves the first stacking section from the storage position to the stacking position between the start of recording on the first recording medium and the completion of ejection of the recording medium.

11. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit moves the second stacking unit to the first position and moves the first stacking unit from the storage position to the stacking position during an initial operation at the time of startup of the recording apparatus.

12. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit, upon receiving a job, moves the second stacking unit to the first position and moves the first stacking unit from the storage position to the stacking position.

13. 13. The recording device according to claim 10, wherein the control means, when the recording media loaded on the first stacking section and the second stacking section are removed, moves the second stacking section to the second position and moves the first stacking section from the loading position to the storage position.

14. the first position is such that a center position of the first stacking unit in the second direction is located on one side in the second direction of a center position of the recording medium to be discharged, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second position is such that the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction is located on the other side of the center position of the recording medium being ejected in the second direction.

15. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, at the first position or the second position, the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction coincides with the center position of the recording medium to be discharged in the second direction.

16. 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the first stacking section during non-recording time is such that the center position of the first stacking section in the second direction coincides with the center position of the recording medium being ejected in the second direction.

17. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second stacking section is movably disposed within a housing of the recording apparatus.

18. 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first stacking section partially protrudes from the housing when in the storage position.

19. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the stacking position varies depending on the size of the recording medium to be discharged.

20. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first stacking unit does not move in the second direction.

21. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first stacking section is pulled out by a user.

22. A control method for a recording device including a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in a first direction, and a first stacking unit that is movable in the first direction from a storage position and that has a stack of recording media that are conveyed by the conveying unit and discharged, the method comprising: A control method characterized by performing a first operation of loading recording media at a first position relative to the first stacking unit while the first stacking unit has moved from the storage position in the first direction, and a second operation of loading recording media at a second position different from the first position relative to the first stacking unit in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

23. A program causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 22.

Images