Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device that can suppress printing failures caused by forgetting to close the opening / closing cover. [Solution] A printing apparatus comprising a housing, a printing unit for printing an image onto a printing medium, a storage unit capable of accommodating the printing medium, a transport unit for transporting the printing medium stored in the storage unit, and an open / close cover that can change between an open state in which at least a portion of the transport path between the storage unit and the printing unit is exposed, and a closed state in which at least a portion of the path is not exposed, wherein the open / close cover is provided on the rear surface of the housing, and the printing apparatus changes to a state in which it can notify that the open / close cover is open in response to a change in state from the closed state to the open state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Research and development have been conducted on a printing apparatus that prints an image on a printing medium.

[0003] Regarding this, there is known a printing apparatus including a housing, a printing unit that prints an image on a printing medium, a conveyance unit that conveys the printing medium, and a curved inversion path that is configured to be detachable from the housing and guides the printing medium to the printing unit by curving and inverting the printing medium conveyed by the conveyance unit (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in the case where the curved inversion path of the printing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 is attached to the rear surface of the printing apparatus, there is a situation where the user does not notice that the curved inversion path is not attached to the printing apparatus, and the user may start printing while the curved inversion path is not attached to the printing apparatus. This leads to printing failures, which is not desirable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a printing apparatus comprising: a housing; a printing unit for printing an image onto a printing medium; a storage unit capable of accommodating the printing medium; a transport unit for transporting the printing medium accommodating the storage unit; and an open / close cover that can change between an open state in which at least a portion of the transport path between the storage unit and the printing unit is exposed, and a closed state in which at least a portion of the path is not exposed, wherein the open / close cover is provided on the rear surface of the housing, and the printing apparatus changes to a state in which it can notify that the open / close cover is open in response to a change in state from the closed state to the open state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, including the front surface. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1, including the rear view. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of the printing apparatus 1 when the opening / closing cover BD has its rear opening open. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus 1, which includes a paper feed tray TR and an opening / closing cover BD. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the first detection unit S1. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the first detection unit S1. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of the first member RC1 shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the state of the oscillating part RC when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the behavior of the oscillating part RC when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed position and the printing medium CP is located in a curved reversal path. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of printing device 1. [Figure 11]This diagram shows an example of the process flow for determining the status of the printing device 1. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged top view showing a part of the configuration of the opening / closing cover BD of the printing apparatus 1 according to a modified example 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the appearance of the contact area CN when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed position, as viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the appearance of the contact area CN when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position, as viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis. [Figure 15] This figure shows another example of the hardware configuration of printing device 1. [Figure 16] This diagram shows another example of the process flow for determining the status of printing device 1. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view showing another example of the appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, including the front. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1, including the rear view. [Figure 19] Figure 17 shows an example of the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position in the printing device 1. [Figure 20] This is a side cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1, showing an enlarged view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed position. [Figure 21] This is a side cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1, showing an enlarged view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position. [Figure 22] This is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1, showing a magnified view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <Embodiment> The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Overview of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment> First, the overview of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described.

[0010] The printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a housing, a printing unit, a storage unit, a conveyance unit, and an opening / closing cover. The printing unit prints an image on a printing medium. The storage unit is a member capable of storing the printing medium. The conveyance unit conveys the printing medium stored in the storage unit. The opening / closing cover is a cover that can change its state between an open state in which at least a part of the path from the storage unit to the printing unit in the conveyance path through which the conveyance unit conveys the printing medium is exposed, and a closed state in which at least a part of the path is not exposed. The opening / closing cover is provided on the rear surface of the housing. And, the printing apparatus changes to a state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover is open in response to the change of state from the closed state to the open state. Thereby, the printing apparatus can suppress the failure of printing due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover.

[0011] Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in detail.

[0012] <Configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment> Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment will be described by taking the printing apparatus 1 as an example.

[0013] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the user of the printing device 1 will be simply referred to as "user." In this specification, the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system that indicates the direction in a figure in which the three-dimensional coordinate system TC is drawn. In the following, for the sake of explanation, the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the X-axis. In the following, for the sake of explanation, the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Y-axis. In the following, for the sake of explanation, the Z-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system TC will be simply referred to as the Z-axis. In the following, as an example, the case in which the negative direction of the Z-axis coincides with the direction of gravity will be described. For this reason, in the following, for the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply "up," and the negative direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the downward direction or simply "down." In the following, for the sake of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as the forward direction or simply "forward," and the negative direction of the X-axis will be referred to as the backward direction or simply "backward."

[0014] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, in the following explanation, the surface of an object on the positive X-axis side will be referred to as the front surface of the object, and the surface of the object on the negative X-axis side will be referred to as the rear surface of the object.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, including the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1, including the rear.

[0016] The printing device 1 prints an image onto the printing medium CP. The printing medium CP can be any medium, such as cut printing paper or sticker backing paper, as long as it is a cut sheet-like medium.

[0017] The printing device 1 comprises a housing BX, an operating unit PNL, a printing unit PR, a paper feed tray TR, a transport unit CA, and an opening / closing cover BD. The printing device 1 may also include other components and devices in addition to the operating unit PNL, printing unit PR, paper feed tray TR, transport unit CA, and opening / closing cover BD. Furthermore, in Figure 1, for simplification, the printing unit PR and transport unit CA are depicted as rectangular parallelepipeds. Also, in Figure 1, the printing unit PR and transport unit CA are depicted in positions different from their actual locations for simplification. In Figure 2, for simplification, the printing unit PR and transport unit CA are omitted.

[0018] The enclosure BX is the enclosure for the printing device 1, and houses the printing unit PR and the transport unit CA inside.

[0019] The PNL (Phone Control Panel) is an input device that accepts user input. The PNL is, for example, a touch panel, but it may also be configured with hardware keys such as buttons, either in addition to or instead of a touch panel. As shown in Figure 1, in the printing device 1, the PNL is located on the front of the housing BX, i.e., on the front of the printing device 1, above the paper feed tray TR. The PNL may also be located at other positions on the front of the printing device 1.

[0020] The printing unit PR prints an image onto the printing medium CP, which is transported from the paper tray TR by the printing device 1.

[0021] The paper feed tray TR is a component capable of accommodating the printing medium CP. That is, the paper feed tray TR is a tray that can slide parallel to a predetermined pulling-out direction between predetermined mounting and pulling-out positions. Below, as an example, the case where the pulling-out direction coincides with the positive direction of the X-axis will be described. Note that the paper feed tray TR may be detachable from the housing BX of the printing device 1, or it may be in a configuration that does not allow for removal from the housing BX of the printing device 1. Details of the configuration of the paper feed tray TR will be described later.

[0022] The transport unit CA transports the printing medium CP contained in the paper feed tray TR. The transport unit CA is composed of multiple rollers, a rotating mechanism that rotates each of the multiple rollers, and actuators that drive each of the multiple rollers via the rotating mechanism.

[0023] The opening / closing cover BD is a cover for opening and closing an opening formed on the rear surface of the housing BX, that is, on the rear surface of the printing device 1. The rear surface of the printing device 1 is, for example, the surface of the printing device 1 opposite to the surface on which the operating section PNL is located. In this case, the front surface of the printing device 1 is the surface on which the operating section PNL is located. The opening / closing cover BD may also be called the rear cover of the printing device 1. For the sake of explanation, the opening will be referred to as the rear opening below. In the example shown in Figure 2, the opening / closing cover BD is closed over the rear opening. In this case, the user cannot see inside the housing BX through the rear opening. On the other hand, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the printing device 1 when the opening / closing cover BD is open over the rear opening. In this case, the user can see inside the housing BX through the rear opening. In the example shown in Figure 3, the opening / closing cover BD is provided at the lower end of the rear opening so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the Y-axis. However, it may also be provided at an end of the rear opening other than the lower end, or it may be provided so as to be rotatable around an axis other than the Y-axis. Furthermore, the opening / closing cover BD may be detachable from the housing BX.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 3, the user can expose at least a portion of the transport path between the paper feed tray TR and the printing unit PR, which is part of the transport path used by the transport unit CA to transport the printing medium CP, by opening the rear opening with the opening / closing cover BD. In the printing device 1, the printing medium CP is transported from the paper feed tray TR in the negative direction of the X-axis, then curved and reversed, and transported to the printing unit PR in the positive direction of the X-axis. After the image is printed on the printing medium CP by the printing unit PR, it is transported in the positive direction of the X-axis and discharged onto the paper output tray ET (not shown) of the printing device 1. Therefore, in the printing device 1, the user can expose the part of the transport path where the printing medium CP is curved and reversed by opening the rear opening with the opening / closing cover BD. For convenience of explanation, this path will be referred to as the curved and reversed path below. Details of the curved and reversed path will be described later.

[0025] As described above, the opening / closing cover BD is a cover that can change state between an open state, which exposes the curved reversal path by opening the rear opening, and a closed state, which does not expose the curved reversal path by closing the rear opening. The rear opening is used by the user to remove printing media CP that has accumulated on the curved reversal path due to, for example, a paper jam. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, the curved reversal path is visible from outside the housing BX through the rear opening, and when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state, it is not visible from outside the housing BX. This allows the user to easily see the curved reversal path by opening the rear opening with the opening / closing cover BD, and as a result, paper jams in the curved reversal path can be easily resolved. In addition, at least a portion of the path from the paper feed tray TR to the printing unit PR may include other paths between the paper feed tray TR and the printing unit PR, either in place of the curved reversal path or in addition to the curved reversal path.

[0026] <Configuration of the paper tray and opening / closing cover> The configuration of the paper feed tray TR and the opening / closing cover BD will be described below with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1, which includes the paper feed tray TR and the opening / closing cover BD. In Figure 4, the paper feed tray TR contains multiple stacked printing media CP.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 4, the paper feed tray TR is a box-shaped tray with an upward-opening recess. The shape of the paper feed tray TR may be other than that shown in Figure 4. The space SP within the recess of the paper feed tray TR is a space capable of accommodating the printing medium CP. In other words, as described above, the paper feed tray TR is a tray capable of accommodating the printing medium CP.

[0028] Furthermore, the paper feed tray TR is supported by the housing BX so as to be slidable parallel to the withdrawal direction between the mounting position and the withdrawal position. Here, the mounting position is the position within the housing BX in which the paper feed tray TR can slide, and in which the printing device 1 withdraws the printing medium CP from the paper feed tray TR. The withdrawal position is a position within the housing BX in which the paper feed tray TR can slide, and in which it is located at a predetermined distance from the mounting position in the withdrawal direction. The predetermined distance may be any distance. For example, the withdrawal position is the position within the housing BX in which the paper feed tray TR can slide, and in which it is located closest to the withdrawal direction. Furthermore, the paper feed tray TR may be removable from the housing BX or it may not be removable from the housing BX. Also, when the paper feed tray TR is mounted on the printing device 1, the front surface of the paper feed tray TR constitutes a part of the front surface of the printing device 1.

[0029] In the paper feed tray TR, the printing medium CP is pulled out in the negative direction of the X-axis by the paper feed roller R1 of the paper feed tray TR, and then transported along the pull-out path indicated by arrow PP1 in Figure 4. Thereafter, the sheets are separated one by one by the inclined surface of the paper feed tray TR and passed to the reversing roller R2 of the housing BX, where they pass through the curved reversing path formed in the housing BX. In Figure 4, the curved reversing path is indicated by arrow PP2. By passing through the curved reversing path, the printing medium CP is curved and reversed. That is, by passing through the curved reversing path, the printing medium CP pulled out in the negative direction of the X-axis in the paper feed tray TR is reversed and transported in the positive direction of the X-axis. After passing through the curved reversing path, the printing medium CP is gripped by the paper feed roller pair R3 of the housing BX and transported by the paper feed roller pair R3 along the transport path indicated by arrow PP3 in Figure 4 to the printing unit PR. The reversing roller R2 and the paper feed roller pair R3 are the rollers that make up the transport unit CA mentioned above. On the other hand, the paper feed roller R1 may be a roller that constitutes the transport section CA, or it may be a roller that does not constitute the transport section CA. Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be configured without a reversing roller R2.

[0030] In the example shown in Figure 4, the printing unit PR comprises a carriage C1, a print head C2, a platen C3, and a drive unit C4. The carriage C1 mounts the print head C2. The carriage C1 moves the print head C2 parallel to a predetermined scanning direction. In this example, the scanning direction is parallel to the Y-axis, but it may be a non-parallel direction. The scanning direction is an example of a first direction. The platen C3 faces the print head C2 and supports the printing medium CP on which the image is printed from below. The drive unit C4 is a component that drives the carriage C1, and is, for example, an actuator such as a servo motor. Therefore, in this example, the printing medium CP, held between the paper feed roller pair R3, passes between the print head C2 supported by the carriage C1 and the platen C3, thereby printing the image. After the image is printed by the printing unit PR, the printed medium CP is transferred from the paper feed roller pair R3 to one or more roller pairs (not shown) located downstream of the printing unit PR in the paper output path, and is then ejected onto the aforementioned paper output tray ET by these one or more roller pairs.

[0031] Here, the opening / closing cover BD has a first path member PM1 that forms a curved reversal path together with the outer circumferential surface of the reversal roller R2 described above. The first path member PM1 is provided on the opening / closing cover BD and is a member that moves together with the opening / closing cover BD in accordance with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover BD. Therefore, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state, the first path member PM1 forms a curved reversal path, and when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, it does not form a curved reversal path. The first path member PM1 is a member that is curved along the outer circumferential surface of the reversal roller R2 and guides the printing medium CP toward the printing unit PR so that the printing medium CP is transported along the curved reversal path. The first path member PM1 may be configured to be removable from the opening / closing cover BD, or it may be configured to be incompatible with the opening / closing cover BD.

[0032] <Method for detecting the state of the open / closed cover> The printing device 1 changes to a state where it can notify that the open / close cover BD is open, in response to a change in the state of the open / close cover BD from the closed state to the open state. To achieve this, the printing device 1 detects, for example, the state of the open / close cover BD. In this case, the state where it can notify that the open / close cover BD is open is, for example, the state in which the printing device 1 detects that the open / close cover BD is in the open state, or information indicating that the open / close cover BD is in the open state.

[0033] In the example shown in Figure 4, the printing apparatus 1 includes a first detection unit S1 that detects information indicating whether the open / closed cover BD is in an open state or a closed state. For the sake of explanation, the information indicating whether the open / closed cover BD is in an open state or a closed state will be referred to as state information below. Note that the first detection unit S1 may be configured to detect the state of the open / closed cover BD itself instead of state information.

[0034] Here, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the first detection unit S1. Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the first detection unit S1 shown in Figure 5. The first detection unit S1 comprises a detection member S11 and a swinging part RC.

[0035] The detection member S11 changes state between a first state indicating that the open / closed cover BD is closed and a second state indicating that the open / closed cover BD is open, depending on the state of the open / closed cover BD. Therefore, the first detection unit S1 detects the state of the detection member S11 as state information. For example, the detection member S11 is configured to include a transmissive optical sensor that includes a light-emitting unit L1 that emits light and a light-receiving unit L2 that receives the light emitted by the light-emitting unit L1.

[0036] The oscillating part RC oscillates according to the state of the open / closed cover BD. In the example shown in Figure 6, the oscillating part RC oscillates according to the state of the open / closed cover BD, as well as according to whether or not the printing medium CP is being transported. In this case, the oscillating part RC has a first rotation axis AX1, a first member RC1, a second member RC2, a third member RC3, and a first biasing member SP1. Note that the oscillating part RC may also be configured to oscillate according to the state of the open / closed cover BD, but not according to whether or not the printing medium CP is being transported.

[0037] The first member RC1 is provided to rotate around a predetermined rotation axis, the first rotation axis AX1. The first rotation axis AX1 is a rotation axis that can swing the first member RC1 in accordance with the opening and closing of the opening / closing cover BD, and is, for example, a rotation axis parallel to the Y axis. The first rotation axis AX1 may be a rotation axis not parallel to the Y axis. In accordance with the rotation around the first rotation axis AX1, the first member RC1 changes state to either a shielding state that blocks light traveling from the light-emitting unit L1 to the light-receiving unit L2, or a transmitting state that transmits light traveling from the light-emitting unit L1 to the light-receiving unit L2. That is, in the shielding state, the first member RC1 shields light traveling from the light-emitting unit L1 to the light-receiving unit L2. In the transmitting state, the first member RC1 transmits light traveling from the light-emitting unit L1 to the light-receiving unit L2 without shielding it. The shielding state can be any state as long as it shields the light traveling from the light-emitting part L1 to the light-receiving part L2. The transmission state can be any state as long as it transmits the light traveling from the light-emitting part L1 to the light-receiving part L2. In the example shown in Figure 6, the light-emitting part L1 and the light-receiving part L2 are facing each other in a direction parallel to the Y-axis. That is, in this example, the light-emitting part L1 emits light parallel to the Y-axis. More specifically, in this example, the light-emitting part L1 emits light so as to pass through a virtual axis VAX between the light-emitting part L1 and the light-receiving part L2. In this case, the first member RC1 is a member having a shape in which two flat plates intersect in a V-shape when viewed in the negative direction of the Y-axis, for example, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the first member RC1 shown in Figure 6. In this case, when the axis VAX of the first member RC1 passes between these two flat plates, the light from the light-emitting part L1 to the light-receiving part L2 is transmitted without being blocked, so the state of the first member RC1 is a transmitting state. For example, the state of the first member RC1 shown in Figure 6 is a transmitting state. On the other hand, in this case, when the axis VAX of the first member RC1 intersects with either of these two flat plates, the light from the light-emitting part L1 to the light-receiving part L2 is blocked, so the state of the first member RC1 is a blocking state.

[0038] The second member RC2 is a member that comes into contact with the opening / closing cover BD during the process of the opening / closing cover BD changing from an open state to a closed state, and rotates the first member RC1 so that it becomes transparent when the opening / closing cover BD is in a closed state, and rotates the first member RC1 so that it becomes shielded when the opening / closing cover BD is in an open state. In the example shown in Figure 6, the second member RC2 is a member provided on the first member RC1 and is a curved lever-shaped member that comes into contact with the opening / closing cover BD during the process, but it is not limited to this.

[0039] The third member RC3 contacts the printing medium CP as it passes through the curved reversal path, and rotates the first member RC1 so that it is in a shielded state when the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path. In the example shown in Figure 6, the third member RC3 is a member provided on the first member RC1 together with the second member RC2, and is a lever-shaped member that extends linearly to contact the printing medium CP during the process, but is not limited to this. When the third member RC3 is not in contact with the printing medium CP, the first member RC1 changes state to either a shielded state or a transparent state via the second member RC2, depending on the state of the opening / closing cover BD. When the third member RC3 is in contact with the printing medium CP, the state of the first member RC1 is a shielded state, regardless of the state of the opening / closing cover BD.

[0040] The first biasing member SP1 is a member that biases the first member RC1. More specifically, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, the first biasing member SP1 is a member that biases the first member RC1 so that the first member RC1 rotates in the direction that the second member RC2 approaches the opening / closing cover BD. In other words, when the second member RC2 is not in contact with the opening / closing cover BD, the first biasing member SP1 biases the first member RC1 so that the second member RC2 approaches the opening / closing cover BD and the state of the first member RC1 becomes a shielding state. The first biasing member SP1 may be any member that can bias the first member RC1 so that the first member RC1 rotates in the said direction. In the example shown in Figure 6, the first biasing member SP1 is a torsion spring, but it is not limited to this.

[0041] Here, if the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state and the printing medium CP is not located in the curved reversal path, the first member RC1 does not intersect with the aforementioned axis VAX, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, in this case, the state of the first member RC1 is the transparent state. On the other hand, because the first biasing member SP1 biases the first member RC1, if the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, regardless of whether the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path or not, the first member RC1 intersects with the axis VAX, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the oscillating part RC when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state. That is, in this case, the state of the first member RC1 is the shielded state. Furthermore, even if the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state, if the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path, the first member RC1 intersects with the axis VAX, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the oscillating part RC when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state and the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path.

[0042] As described above, the oscillating part RC oscillates according to the state of the opening / closing cover BD and whether or not the printing medium CP is being transported. The detection member S11 also changes state according to the oscillating of the oscillating part RC. As a result, the printing device 1 can detect the state of the opening / closing cover BD by the first detection unit S1. That is, when the paper feed roller R1 is not driven, if the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the first member RC1 is transparent, the printing device 1 determines that the printing medium CP is not located in the curved reversal path and that the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state. In this case, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal. Also, when the paper feed roller R1 is not driven, if the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the first member RC1 is shielded, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the opening / closing cover BD is open or that the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path. In this case, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. This is because the printing device 1 cannot perform printing normally if the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state. Therefore, when the paper feed roller R1 is not driven, and the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the first member RC1 is in the shielded state, the abnormal state includes the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, and the state in which the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path despite the paper feed roller R1 not operating. As a result, the printing device 1 can notify that in this case the state of the printing device 1 is either the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, or the state in which the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path despite the paper feed roller R1 not operating. Furthermore, the printing device 1 can detect these two states with a single detection unit, the first detection unit S1, and can be miniaturized compared to the case in which these two states are detected by separate detection units. In addition, the fact that the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path when the paper feed roller R1 is not driven means that the printing medium CP is stagnating in the curved reversal path for some reason.Furthermore, when the paper feed roller R1 is driven, if the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the first member RC1 is transparent, the printing medium CP is not located in the curved reversal path and the state of the opening / closing cover BD is closed. In this case, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. This is because, although the paper feed roller R1, which is driven to transport the printing medium CP from the curved reversal path, is driven, the printing medium CP is not transported to the curved reversal path for some reason. Also, when the paper feed roller R1 is driven, if the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the first member RC1 is shielded, the printing device 1 determines that the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path and the state of the opening / closing cover BD is closed. In this case, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal. In this way, the printing device 1 can easily detect whether the state of the printing device 1 is normal or not with a simple configuration such as the first detection unit S1. In other words, the printing device 1 can easily detect whether the open / closed cover BD is in the closed state or not by a simple configuration such as the first detection unit S1. The paper feed roller R1 is an example of a roller. In addition, in the printing device 1, the determination based on whether or not the paper feed roller R1 is driven may be replaced with a determination based on whether or not the paper feed roller pair R3 is driven. In this case, the roller driven to transport the printing medium CP from the curved reversal path is the paper feed roller pair R3, not the paper feed roller R1. In this case, the paper feed roller pair R3 is an example of a roller.

[0043] <Hardware configuration of the printing device> The hardware configuration of the printing device 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 1.

[0044] The printing device 1 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation unit PNL, a printing unit PR, a transport unit CA, and a first detection unit S1. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another. The printing device 1 also communicates with other devices such as information processing devices via the communication unit 13. Such information processing devices are, but are not limited to, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), desktop PCs, workstations, tablet PCs, multifunction mobile phone terminals (smartphones), PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), etc. Note that in Figure 10, some of the hardware configuration of the printing device 1, such as the actuator that drives the carriage C1, has been omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0045] The control unit 11 controls the entire printing device 1. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 11 executes various processes performed by the printing device 1 by, for example, executing various programs stored in the storage unit 12.

[0046] The storage unit 12 is a storage device that includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Alternatively, the storage unit 12 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), instead of being built into the printing device 1. The storage unit 12 stores various types of information, images, and programs processed by the printing device 1. In other words, all types of information stored by the printing device 1 are stored in the storage unit 12.

[0047] The communication unit 13 is a communication device that includes, for example, digital input / output ports such as USB, an Ethernet® port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0048] <Process for determining the status of the printing device> The process for determining the state of the printing device 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process for determining the state of the printing device 1. In the following, as an example, we will describe the case where the power to the printing device 1 is turned on before the process of step S110 shown in Figure 11 is performed. For example, while the power to the printing device 1 is turned on, the process of the flowchart shown in Figure 11 is repeatedly performed.

[0049] After the power to the printing device 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 acquires status information output from the first detection unit S1 (step S110). In Figure 11, the process of step S110 is shown as "acquisition of information from the first detection unit".

[0050] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the paper feed roller R1 is in a state where it is driven or a state where it is not driven (step S120). The method by which the control unit 11 determines the state of the paper feed roller R1 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In Figure 11, the process of step S120 is shown as "determination of the state of the paper feed roller pair".

[0051] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the state of the printing device 1 is normal or not based on the state information acquired in step S110 and the result of the determination in step S120 (step S130). Specifically, in step S130, if the state information indicates that the state of the first member RC1 is transparent and the control unit 11 determines in step S120 that the paper feed roller R1 is not driven, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal. Also, in step S130, if the state information indicates that the state of the first member RC1 is shielded and the control unit 11 determines in step S120 that the paper feed roller R1 is not driven, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. Here, as described above, this abnormal state includes the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is open and the state in which the printing medium CP is located in the curved inversion path despite the paper feed roller R1 not operating. In other words, the abnormal state is when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, or when the printing medium CP is positioned in the curved inversion path despite the paper feed roller R1 not being in operation. Furthermore, in step S130, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal if the state information indicates that the state of the first member RC1 is in a transparent state, and in step S120 it determines that the paper feed roller R1 is in a driven state. Here, the abnormal state is when the printing medium CP is not being transported despite the paper feed roller R1 being in operation. Furthermore, in step S130, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal if the state information indicates that the state of the first member RC1 is in a shielded state, and in step S120 it determines that the paper feed roller R1 is in a driven state. Note that in Figure 11, the process in step S130 is indicated by "Normal state?".

[0052] If the control unit 11 determines in step S130 that the state of the printing device 1 is normal (step S130-YES), it proceeds to step S110 and acquires the state information output from the first detection unit S1 again.

[0053] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in step S130 that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal (step S130-NO), it notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal (step S140). Here, the control unit 11 notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal by, for example, displaying an image on the operation unit PNL, which is a touch panel. The control unit 11 also notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal by, for example, transmitting information to other devices that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. Here, if the abnormal state includes the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is open and the state in which the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path despite the paper feed roller R1 not operating, the control unit 11 notifies that the state is either the state in which the opening / closing cover BD is open or the state in which the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path despite the paper feed roller R1 not operating. Furthermore, the control unit 11 will notify the printer that the paper feed roller R1 is operating but the printing medium CP is not being transported, if the abnormal state includes a state where the paper feed roller R1 is operating but the printing medium CP is not being transported, but the state where the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position is not included in the abnormal state. In this way, if the printer 1 determines that the state of the printer 1 is abnormal, it can notify the printer of what that abnormal state is. Note that the notification in step S140 may be performed by other methods. After the processing in step S140 is completed, the control unit 11 will terminate the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 11. After that, if the state of the printer 1 changes to a normal state, for example, the control unit 11 will restart the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 11. Note that in Figure 11, the processing in step S140 is shown as "abnormal state notification".

[0054] As described above, the printing device 1 changes to a state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open, in response to the change in the state of the opening / closing cover BD from the closed state to the open state. The printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal when the paper feed roller R1 is not operating and the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the detection member S11 is transparent. The printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal when the paper feed roller R1 is not operating and the first detection unit S1 detects that the state of the detection member S11 is shielded. The printing device 1 then notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. This prevents printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. For example, the printing device 1 can prevent the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also prevent the printing medium CP ejected from the rear opening from being bent.

[0055] <Modification 1 of the embodiment> The following describes Modification 1 of the Embodiment. In Modification 1 of the Embodiment, the first detection unit S1 does not include the third member RC3. In this case, the printing device 1 determines whether the state of the printing device 1 is normal or not based on the information output from the first detection unit S1. In this case, an abnormal state of the printing device 1 means that the open / close cover BD is in the open state. This is because, when the first detection unit S1 does not include the third member RC3, a transparent state of the detection member S11 means that the open / close cover BD is in the closed state. Also, in this case, a shielded state of the detection member S11 means that the open / close cover BD is in the open state. For these reasons, when the first detection unit S1 does not include the third member RC3, the printing device 1 can determine whether the state of the printing device 1 is normal or not based on the information output from the first detection unit S1. In this case, the printing device 1 omits step S120 in the flowchart shown in Figure 11. In this case, the printing device 1 also notifies that the state of the opening / closing cover BD is open, indicating that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. This also helps the printing device 1 to prevent printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. In other words, even in the modified embodiment 1, for example, the printing device 1 can prevent the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also prevent the printing medium CP ejected from the rear opening from being bent.

[0056] <Modified Example 2 of the Embodiment> The following describes a modified example 2 of the embodiment. In modified example 2 of the embodiment, the printing device 1 determines the state of the drive unit C4 and, according to the result of the determination, determines the state of the opening / closing cover BD. Here, the printing device 1 determines whether the state of the drive unit C4 is a non-excess state where the load on the drive unit C4 is not exceeded, or an excess state where the load on the drive unit C4 is exceeded. The non-excess state is the state of the drive unit C4 when the movement of the carriage C1 parallel to the scanning direction is not obstructed. That is, when the movement of the carriage C1 parallel to the scanning direction is not obstructed, the load on the drive unit C4 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold TH. On the other hand, when the movement of the carriage C1 parallel to the scanning direction is obstructed, the load on the drive unit C4 exceeds the threshold TH. Using this, in modified example 2 of the embodiment, the printing device 1 determines the state of the opening / closing cover BD. The threshold value TH is determined through prior experiments, simulations, etc., as a value that can distinguish between the load on the drive unit C4 when the movement of carriage C1 is inhibited and the load on the drive unit C4 when the movement of carriage C1 is not inhibited.

[0057] Figure 12 is an enlarged top view showing a part of the configuration of the opening / closing cover BD of the printing apparatus 1 according to a modified example 2 of the embodiment. The state of the opening / closing cover BD shown in Figure 12 is the open state. Figure 12 shows a portion of the opening / closing cover BD that includes the end portion of the opening / closing cover BD that is on the negative side of the Y-axis.

[0058] In the modified embodiment 2, the printing device 1 comprises a contact portion CN, a fourth member LK, and a second biasing member SP2. In the modified embodiment 2, the printing device 1 may be configured to include a first detection unit S1, or it may be configured not to include a first detection unit S1. Furthermore, in the modified embodiment 2, if the printing device 1 includes a first detection unit S1, the first detection unit S1 may be configured not to include a second member RC2. In this case, the printing device 1 determines whether the printing medium CP is located in the curved reversal path even though the paper feed roller R1 is not being driven, based on the information output from the first detection unit S1 and the state of the paper feed roller R1.

[0059] The contact portion CN is provided on the fourth member LK and is a member that can come into contact with the printed portion PR. In the example shown in Figure 12, the contact portion CN is a rectangular flat plate-shaped member overall, but it is not limited to this.

[0060] The fourth member LK is a member that rotates around the second rotation axis AX2 by contact with the opening / closing cover BD in response to the change in state of the opening / closing cover BD from an open state to a closed state. The fourth member LK has a first end that contacts the opening / closing cover BD and a second end on which a contact portion CN is provided. The fourth member LK moves the contact portion CN in a direction toward the guide axis GAX that guides the movement of the carriage C1, and in a direction toward the guide axis GAX, respectively, in response to the rotation around the second rotation axis AX2. In other words, the fourth member LK moves its second end in the direction toward and away from the guide axis GAX, respectively, in response to the rotation around the second rotation axis AX2. As a result, the printing device 1 can effectively hinder the movement of the carriage C1. In the following, as an example, the case in which the direction toward coincides with the positive direction of the X axis and the direction away from coincides with the negative direction of the X axis, as shown in Figure 12, will be described. Note that the approaching direction and the receding direction are examples of directions that intersect with the scanning direction, which is an example of the first direction.

[0061] The second biasing member SP2 is a member that biases the fourth member LK. More specifically, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, the second biasing member SP2 is a member that biases the fourth member LK so that the second end of the fourth member LK moves toward the opening / closing cover BD. In other words, when the fourth member LK is not in contact with the opening / closing cover BD, the second biasing member SP2 biases the fourth member LK so that the contact portion CN moves from a non-contact position to a contact position. Here, the non-contact position is a position where the contact portion CN does not come into contact with the printing portion PR regardless of how the print head C2 moves by the carriage C1. On the other hand, the contact position is a position where the contact portion CN comes into contact with the printing portion PR in accordance with the movement of the print head C2 by the carriage C1. The second biasing member SP2 may be any member that is capable of biasing the fourth member LK so that it rotates in the said direction. In the example shown in Figure 12, the second biasing member SP2 is a torsion spring, but it is not limited to this.

[0062] Here, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state, looking at the contact portion CN in the positive direction of the Y-axis, the contact portion CN does not overlap with the carriage C1, as shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 is an example of the appearance of the contact portion CN when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state and viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis. This means that the carriage C1 does not come into contact with the contact portion CN during the movement of the carriage C1. In other words, in this case, the contact portion CN does not obstruct the movement of the carriage C1. On the other hand, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, looking at the contact portion CN in the positive direction of the Y-axis, at least a part of the contact portion CN overlaps with at least a part of the carriage C1, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 is an example of the appearance of the contact portion CN when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state and viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis. This means that the carriage C1 comes into contact with the contact portion CN during the movement of the carriage C1. In other words, in this case, the contact portion CN obstructs the movement of the carriage C1.

[0063] If the movement of carriage C1 is obstructed, as mentioned above, the load on drive unit C4 exceeds the threshold TH. In other words, in this case, the state of drive unit C4 becomes an overload state. Therefore, the printing device 1 can determine the state of the open / close cover BD based on the load on drive unit C4 corresponding to the state of the open / close cover BD. Therefore, in this case as well, the state in which it is possible to notify that the open / close cover BD is open is, for example, the state in which the printing device 1 detects information indicating that the open / close cover BD is in an open state. The state of drive unit C4 is an example of such information. In this way, the printing device 1 can easily detect whether the open / close cover BD is in a closed state or not with a simple configuration. Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, the function of the control unit 11 that detects whether the state of drive unit C4 is in a non-overload state or an overload state will be referred to as the second detection unit S2. That is, the hardware configuration of the printing device 1 in the modified embodiment 2 is as shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a diagram showing another example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 1. The second detection unit S2 may be configured as part of the hardware of the printing device 1. In this case, the second detection unit S2 is separate from the control unit 11.

[0064] If the second detection unit S2 detects that the state of the drive unit C4 is not in an excessive state, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal. If the second detection unit S2 detects that the state of the drive unit C4 is in an excessive state, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal and notifies the user that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. This also helps the printing device 1 to prevent printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. In other words, in the modified embodiment 2, for example, the printing device 1 can prevent the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also prevent the printing medium CP ejected from the rear opening from being bent.

[0065] Figure 16 is a diagram showing another example of the process flow for determining the state of the printing device 1. Below, as an example, we will describe the case where the power to the printing device 1 is turned on at a time before the process of step S210 shown in Figure 16 is performed. For example, while the power to the printing device 1 is turned on, the printing device 1 repeatedly performs the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 16. In the case of the printing device 1 according to the modified embodiment 2, if the printing device 1 is equipped with a first detection unit S1, it may be configured to accept an operation from the user and select whether to use the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 11 or the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 16 as the process for determining the state of the printing device 1. In the case of the printing device 1 according to the modified embodiment 2, it may be configured not to perform the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 1. In the case of the printing device 1 according to the modified embodiment 2, it may be configured to notify that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal when it is determined that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal in at least one of the processes shown in the flowchart of Figure 11 or the flowchart of Figure 16.

[0066] After the power to the printer 1 is turned on, the control unit 11 determines whether the state of the printer 1 is normal or not (step S210). Specifically, in step S210, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printer 1 is normal if the second detection unit S2 detects that the state of the drive unit C4 is not in an excess state. On the other hand, in step S210, the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printer 1 is abnormal if the second detection unit S2 detects that the state of the drive unit C4 is in an excess state. In this case, the abnormal state includes the state of the opening / closing cover BD being in the open state. In Figure 16, the process in step S210 is indicated by "Normal state?".

[0067] If the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal (step S210-YES), it proceeds to step S210 and determines again whether the state of the printing device 1 is normal or not.

[0068] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal (step S210-NO), it notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal (step S220). Here, the control unit 11 notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal by, for example, displaying an image on the operation unit PNL, which is a touch panel. The control unit 11 also notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal by, for example, transmitting information to other devices that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. For example, in step S220, the control unit 11 notifies that the state of the opening / closing cover BD is open, as the state of the printing medium CP is abnormal. This allows the printer 1 to notify the user of the abnormal state if it determines that the printer 1 is in an abnormal state. As a result, the printer 1 can improve user convenience. Note that the notification in step S220 may be performed by other methods. After the processing in step S220 is completed, the control unit 11 terminates the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 16. Subsequently, if the state of the printer 1 changes to a normal state, for example, the control unit 11 restarts the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 16. Note that in Figure 16, the processing in step S220 is shown as "abnormal state notification".

[0069] In addition, the printing device 1 may, instead of determining whether the state of the printing device 1 is in a normal state in step S210, determine whether the state of the opening / closing cover BD is in a closed state. In this case, the printing device 1 will notify in step S220 that the state of the opening / closing cover BD is in an open state. This also allows the printing device 1 to prevent printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. That is, for example, the printing device 1 can prevent the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also prevent the printing medium CP ejected from the rear opening from being bent.

[0070] As described above, the printing device 1 changes to a state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open, in response to the change in the state of the opening / closing cover BD from the closed state to the open state. When the second detection unit S2 determines that the state of the drive unit C4 is not in an excessive state, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is normal. When the second detection unit S2 determines that the state of the drive unit C4 is in an excessive state, the printing device 1 determines that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal and notifies that the state of the printing device 1 is abnormal. In this way, the printing device 1 can suppress printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. For example, the printing device 1 can suppress the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also suppress the printing medium CP being bent when ejected from the rear opening.

[0071] <Modification 3 of the embodiment> The following describes Modification 3 of the Embodiment. In the printing apparatus 1 according to Modification 3 of the Embodiment, the opening / closing cover BD may have a configuration in which a member constitutes a part of the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1 when it is in the closed state, and does not constitute a part of it when it is in the open state. This member moves together with the opening / closing cover BD. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether the state of the opening / closing cover BD is closed or not by whether or not this member is located on the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1. This means that the printing apparatus 1 changes to a state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open, in response to a change in the state of the opening / closing cover BD from the closed state to the open state. In this case, the state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open is the state in which the member is located on the upper surface of the printing apparatus 1. For the sake of explanation, this member will be referred to as the upper surface component MM below. In Modification 3 of the Embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 may have a configuration in which at least one of the first detection unit S1 and the second detection unit S2 is not provided. That is, Modification 3 of the Embodiment may be combined with at least one of Modification 1 of the Embodiment and Modification 2 of the Embodiment.

[0072] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing another example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, including the front. Figure 18 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 17, including the rear. However, in the examples shown in Figures 17 and 18, the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state. Note that in Figure 17, for the sake of simplification, the printing unit PR and the transport unit CA are each depicted as rectangular parallelepiped-shaped objects. Also, in Figure 17, the printing unit PR and the transport unit CA are each depicted in a different position than their actual location for the sake of simplification. Also, in Figure 18, the printing unit PR and the transport unit CA are each omitted for the sake of simplification.

[0073] As shown in Figure 17, the opening / closing cover BD has the aforementioned upper surface component MM. The upper surface component MM is, for example, two rectangular flat plate-shaped members that extend from the upper end of the closed opening / closing cover BD toward the front of the printing device 1, but is not limited to this. Because the opening / closing cover BD has the upper surface component MM, the user can easily determine the state of the opening / closing cover BD by looking at the top surface of the printing device 1. This is because, as shown in Figure 19, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, the upper surface component MM is not located on the top surface of the printing device 1. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the opening / closing cover BD in the open state in the printing device 1 shown in Figure 17. As a result, the printing device 1 can prevent printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. For example, the printing device 1 can prevent the printing medium CP from being discharged from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also prevent the printing medium CP discharged from the rear opening from bending.

[0074] In addition, in the modified embodiment 3, the color of the top component MM may be different from the color of the top surface of the housing BX. In this case, the user can more easily determine whether or not the top component MM is located on the top surface of the printing device 1.

[0075] As described above, the printing device 1 changes to a state that can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open, in response to the state change of the opening / closing cover BD from the closed state to the open state. That is, the printing device 1 has an upper surface component MM that constitutes a part of the upper surface of the printing device 1 when it is in the closed state, but does not constitute that part when it is in the open state. This also allows the printing device 1 to suppress printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. That is, for example, the printing device 1 can suppress the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed, and as a result, it can also suppress the printing medium CP being bent when ejected from the rear opening.

[0076] <Modification 4 of the embodiment> The following describes a modification 4 of the embodiment. In the printing apparatus 1 according to modification 4 of the embodiment, the housing BX has a second path member PM2 that, together with the first path member PM1, constitutes a curved reversal path. In this case, the first path member PM1 forms the upper part of the curved reversal path. The second path member PM2 forms the lower part of the curved reversal path. Here, the upper part of the curved reversal path is the upper path of the two paths obtained by dividing the curved reversal path. The lower part of the curved reversal path is the lower path of the two paths obtained by dividing the curved reversal path. There can be any method for dividing the curved reversal path into two. That is, the length of the upper part of the curved reversal path in the direction of gravity may be different from the length of the lower part of the curved reversal path in the direction of gravity, or it may be the same as the length of the lower part of the curved reversal path in the direction of gravity. Also, the length along the upper part of the curved reversal path may be different from the length along the lower part of the curved reversal path, or it may be the same as the length along the lower part of the curved reversal path.

[0077] Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1, showing an enlarged view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state. Figure 21 is a side cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1, showing an enlarged view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1, showing an enlarged view of the portion including the first path member PM1 and the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state.

[0078] The lower part of the curved inversion path, i.e., the second path member PM2, is located at the lower end of the rear opening and in front of the opening / closing cover BD. The second path member PM2 guides the printing medium CP so that the direction in which the printing medium CP is transported from the paper feed tray TR by the paper feed roller R1 moves upward from the direction toward the rear of the housing BX. In the examples shown in Figures 20 and 21, the second path member PM2 guides the printing medium CP so that the direction in which the printing medium CP is transported from the paper feed tray TR by the paper feed roller R1 changes from that direction toward upward and backward. For the sake of explanation, the direction in which the printing medium CP is guided by the second path member PM2 will be referred to as the first guidance direction below.

[0079] On the other hand, the upper part of the curved inversion path, i.e., the first path member PM1, guides the printing medium CP, which is guided by the second path member PM2, so that the direction in which the printing medium CP is transported approaches the direction from the rear to the front of the housing BX. For the sake of explanation, in the following, the direction in which the printing medium CP is guided by the first path member PM1 will be referred to as the second guidance direction.

[0080] Here, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position, the printing medium CP guided by the second path member PM2 is discharged upwards to the outside of the housing BX because the first path member PM1 is not positioned to contact the printing medium CP guided by the second path member PM2. For example, in this case, the printing medium CP guided by the second path member PM2 is discharged upwards to the outside of the housing BX along the arrow PP4 shown in Figure 21. As a result, if a user accidentally starts printing when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position, they can easily identify that the opening / closing cover BD is in the open position by visually observing the printing medium CP being discharged above the top surface of the printing device 1. Therefore, in this case, the state in which it is possible to notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open is when the opening / closing cover BD is open. Furthermore, with this configuration, even if the space behind the printing device 1 is narrow, the printing medium CP discharged from the rear opening can be prevented from bending. Furthermore, because the second path member PM2 is provided at the lower end of the rear opening of the printing device 1, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, it is possible to prevent the printing medium CP from being discharged from the rear opening toward the rear of the printing device 1.

[0081] As described above, the printing device 1 changes to a state that can notify that the opening / closing cover BD is open, in response to the state change of the opening / closing cover BD from the closed state to the open state. That is, when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, the printing medium CP is guided toward the upper outside of the housing BX. This allows the printing device 1 to suppress printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. In other words, for example, the printing device 1 can suppress the printing medium CP from being ejected from the rear opening without being printed on, and as a result, it can also suppress the printing medium CP being bent or folded after being ejected from the rear opening.

[0082] In the modified embodiment 4, the housing BX may be configured to include a third path member PM3, as shown in Figures 20 to 22. The third path member PM3, together with the second path member PM2, guides the printing medium CP toward the outside and upward of the housing BX when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state.

[0083] The third path member PM3 is a member provided near the entrance of the path leading to the printing unit PR, which is guided by the first path member PM1 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the closed state. The third path member PM3 can prevent the printing medium CP, which is guided by the first path member PM1 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state, from entering the entrance toward the printing unit PR. In addition, in this case, the third path member PM3 can ensure that the printing medium CP, which is guided by the second path member PM2, is discharged more reliably to the outside and upward of the housing BX. As a result, the printing device 1 can more reliably prevent printing failures due to forgetting to close the opening / closing cover BD. The configuration of the third path member PM3 can be any configuration as long as it is capable of guiding the printing medium CP toward the outside and upward of the housing BX together with the second path member PM2 when the opening / closing cover BD is in the open state.

[0084] Furthermore, the matters described above may be combined in any way.

[0085] <Note> [1] A printing apparatus comprising: a housing; a printing unit for printing an image onto a printing medium; a storage unit capable of accommodating the printing medium; a transport unit for transporting the printing medium stored in the storage unit; and an open / close cover that can change between an open state, exposing at least a portion of the transport path between the storage unit and the printing unit, and a closed state, where at least a portion of the path is not exposed, wherein the open / close cover is provided on the rear surface of the housing, and the printing apparatus changes to a state that can notify that the open / close cover is open in response to a change in state from the closed state to the open state. [2] The printing apparatus according to [1], comprising a first detection unit that detects information indicating whether the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state or the closed state, wherein the state in which the opening / closing cover is open is the state in which the information indicating that the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state is detected. [3] The printing apparatus according to [2], wherein the first detection unit includes a detection member that changes state between a first state indicating that the open / closed cover is in the closed state and a second state indicating that the open / closed cover is in the open state, and the state of the detection member is detected as the information. [4] The printing apparatus according to [3], comprising a control unit, wherein the transport unit is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport path and has rollers for transporting the printing medium, and the control unit determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the closed state when the rollers are not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the first state, and determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state when the rollers are not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the second state, and notifies that the opening / closing cover is open. [5] The printing apparatus according to [3], comprising a control unit, wherein the transport unit is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport path and has rollers for transporting the printing medium, and the control unit determines that the state of the printing apparatus is normal when the rollers are not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is in the first state, and determines that the state of the printing apparatus is abnormal when the rollers are not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is in the second state, and notifies that the state of the printing apparatus is abnormal. [6] The printing apparatus according to [5], wherein the abnormal condition includes a state in which the opening / closing cover is in the open state, and a state in which the printing medium is located in at least a portion of the path despite the roller not being in operation. [7] The control unit determines that the state of the printing apparatus is the normal state when the roller is operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the second state, and determines that the state of the printing apparatus is the abnormal state when the roller is operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the first state, and notifies that the state of the printing apparatus is the abnormal state, wherein the abnormal state includes a state in which the printing medium is not being transported despite the roller being in operation, as described in [5]. [8] A printing apparatus according to any one of [3] to [7], comprising a swinging part that swings according to the state of the open / closed cover and whether or not the printing medium is being transported, wherein the detection member changes state according to the swinging of the swinging part. [9] The detection member includes a transmissive optical sensor comprising a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives light emitted by the light-emitting unit, the oscillating unit is provided to rotate around a first rotation axis, and changes state in accordance with rotation around the first rotation axis to either a shielding state that shields light from the light-emitting unit toward the light-receiving unit or a transmitting state that transmits light toward the light-receiving unit, and is provided on the first member, which contacts the opening / closing cover in the process of the opening / closing cover changing state from the open state to the closed state, and rotates the first member so that the state of the first member becomes the transmitting state when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state, and the state of the opening / closing cover The printing apparatus according to [8], comprising: a second member for rotating the first member such that the state of the first member becomes the shielded state when the state is the open state; a third member provided on the first member together with the second member, which contacts the printing medium as the printing medium passes through at least a part of the path, and rotates the first member such that the state of the first member becomes the shielded state when the printing medium is located in at least a part of the path; and a first biasing member for biasing the first member such that the second member approaches the open / close cover and the state of the first member becomes the shielded state when the second member is not in contact with the open / close cover.

[10] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the opening / closing cover has a first path member that forms at least a portion of the path, and the first path member forms at least a portion of the path when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state, and does not form at least a portion of the path when the opening / closing cover is in the open state.

[11] A printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[10] , comprising a control unit, wherein the printing unit has a carriage on which a print head is mounted and which is capable of moving the print head parallel to a first direction, and a drive unit for driving the carriage, and a second detection unit for detecting whether the state of the drive unit is an underload state where the load on the drive unit is not exceeded, or an overload state where the load on the drive unit is exceeded, and the control unit determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the closed state when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the underload state, and determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the overload state, and notifies that the opening / closing cover is open.

[12] Equipped with a control unit, The printing unit comprises a carriage on which a print head is mounted and which is capable of moving the print head parallel to a first direction, and a drive unit for driving the carriage, and includes a second detection unit for detecting whether the state of the drive unit is an underload state in which the load of the drive unit is not exceeded, or an overload state in which the load of the drive unit is exceeded, and the control unit determines that the state of the printing device is normal when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the underload state, and determines that the state of the printing device is abnormal when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the overload state, and notifies that the state of the printing device is abnormal, and the abnormal state includes the state of the opening / closing cover being in the open state, according to any one of [1] to

[10] .

[13] The printing apparatus according to

[12] , comprising: a contact portion that can contact the printing portion; a fourth member that rotates around a second rotation axis by contact with the opening / closing cover in accordance with the change in state of the opening / closing cover from an open state to a closed state; and a second biasing member that biases the fourth member, wherein the contact portion is provided on the fourth member and moves between a contact position in contact with the printing portion and a non-contact position in accordance with the rotation of the fourth member around the second rotation axis, and the second biasing member biases the fourth member such that the contact portion moves from the contact position to the non-contact position when the fourth member is not in contact with the opening / closing cover.

[14] The printing apparatus according to

[13] , wherein the contact portion moves parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction.

[15] A printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the opening / closing cover has a first path member that forms the upper part of at least a portion of the path, the housing has a second path member that forms the lower part of at least a portion of the path, the lower part guides the printing medium so that the direction in which the printing medium is transported from the housing by the transport unit approaches upward from a second direction toward the rear of the housing, the upper part guides the printing medium so that the direction in which the printing medium guided by the lower part approaches a third direction opposite to the second direction, the first path member forms the upper part when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state, and does not form the upper part when the opening / closing cover is in the open state, and the second path member guides the printing medium toward the upper outside of the housing when the opening / closing cover is in the open state.

[16] The printing apparatus according to

[15] , wherein the housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover, and the second path member is provided at the lower end of the opening.

[17] The printing apparatus according to

[15] or

[16] , further comprising a third path member that guides the printing medium toward the outside and upward of the housing together with the second path member when the opening / closing cover is in the open state.

[18] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover, and at least a portion of the path includes a curved reversal path that curves and reverses the printing medium, the curved reversal path is visible from outside the housing through the opening when the opening and closing cover is in the open state, and is not visible from outside the housing when the opening and closing cover is in the closed state.

[19] The printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[18] , wherein the housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening / closing cover, and the opening / closing cover opens and closes the opening by rotating with the lower end of the opening as its base.

[0086] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified, replaced, or deleted as long as it does not deviate from the gist of this disclosure. For example, in the flowcharts shown in Figures 9, 10, and 12, the order of processing may be changed or some processing may be omitted as long as it does not contradict the technical aspects.

[0087] Furthermore, a program to realize the function of any component in the device described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, the device is, for example, a printing device 1. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD (Compact Disk)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time.

[0088] Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. In addition, the above program may be one that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file or differential program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1...Printing device, 11...Control unit, 12...Storage unit, 13...Communication unit, AX1...First rotating shaft, AX2...Second rotating shaft, BD...Opening / closing cover, BX...Housing, C1...Carriage, C2...Print head, C3...Platen, C4...Drive unit, CA...Transport unit, CN...Contact unit, CP...Printing medium, ET...Paper output tray, GAX...Guide shaft, L1...Light-emitting unit, L2...Light-receiving unit, LK...Fourth member, MM...Upper surface component, PM1...First path member, PM2…Second path member, PM3…Third path member, PNL…Operation unit, PR…Printing unit, R1…Paper feed roller, R2…Reversing roller, R3…Roller pair, RC…Oscillating unit, RC1…First member, RC2…Second member, RC3…Third member, S1…First detection unit, S2…Second detection unit, S11…Detection member, SP…Space, SP1…First biasing member, SP2…Second biasing member, TC…Three-dimensional coordinate system, TR…Paper feed tray, VAX…Axis

Claims

1. The casing and The printing section prints images onto print media, A storage section capable of accommodating the aforementioned printing medium, A transport unit for transporting the printing medium stored in the storage unit, The transport unit has an open / closed cover that can change between an open state, which exposes at least a portion of the transport path between the storage unit and the printing unit, and a closed state, which does not expose at least a portion of the transport path, A printing apparatus comprising, The opening and closing cover is provided on the rear surface of the housing, The printing apparatus changes to a state in which it can notify that the opening / closing cover is open, in response to a change in state from the closed state to the open state. Printing device.

2. The system includes a first detection unit that detects information indicating whether the open / closed cover is in the open state or the closed state. The state in which it is possible to notify that the opening / closing cover is open is the state in which the information indicating that the opening / closing cover is in the open state is detected. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first detection unit includes a detection member that changes state between a first state indicating that the open / closed cover is in the closed state and a second state indicating that the open / closed cover is in the open state, and detects the state of the detection member as the information. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Equipped with a control unit, The transport unit is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport path and has rollers for transporting the printing medium. The control unit determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the closed state when the roller is not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the first state, and determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state when the roller is not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the second state, and notifies that the opening / closing cover is open. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. Equipped with a control unit, The transport unit is located upstream of the printing unit in the transport path and has rollers for transporting the printing medium. The control unit determines that the state of the printing device is normal if the roller is not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is in the first state, and determines that the state of the printing device is abnormal if the roller is not operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is in the second state, and notifies that the state of the printing device is abnormal. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned abnormal condition is, The state of the opening / closing cover is the open state, A state in which the printing medium is located in at least a portion of the path, even though the roller is not operating. including, The printing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The control unit determines that the state of the printing device is the normal state when the roller is operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the second state, and determines that the state of the printing device is the abnormal state when the roller is operating and the first detection unit detects that the state of the detection member is the first state, and notifies that the state of the printing device is the abnormal state. The aforementioned abnormal condition includes a state in which the roller is operating but the printing medium is not being transported. The printing apparatus according to claim 5.

8. The system includes a swinging part that swings according to the state of the open / closed cover and whether or not the printing medium is being transported, The detection member changes state in accordance with the oscillation of the oscillation part. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.

9. The detection member includes a transmissive optical sensor comprising a light-emitting unit that emits light and a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. The aforementioned swinging part is, A first member is provided so as to rotate around a first rotation axis, and changes state in accordance with the rotation around the first rotation axis between a shielding state in which light is blocked from the light-emitting part toward the light-receiving part, and a transmitting state in which light is transmitted toward the light-emitting part toward the light-receiving part. A second member is provided on the first member and contacts the opening / closing cover during the process in which the state of the opening / closing cover changes from the open state to the closed state, and rotates the first member so that when the state of the opening / closing cover is the closed state, the state of the first member becomes the transparent state, and rotates the first member so that when the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state, A third member is provided on the first member together with the second member, and comes into contact with the printing medium as the printing medium passes through at least a portion of the path, and rotates the first member such that the state of the first member becomes the shielding state when the printing medium is located in at least a portion of the path, A first biasing member biases the first member such that, when the second member is not in contact with the opening / closing cover, the second member moves closer to the opening / closing cover, and the state of the first member becomes the shielded state. Having, The printing apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The opening and closing cover has a first path member that forms at least a part of the path, The first path member forms at least a portion of the path when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state, and does not form at least a portion of the path when the opening / closing cover is in the open state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

11. Equipped with a control unit, The printing unit includes a carriage on which a print head is mounted and which is capable of moving the print head parallel to the first direction, and a drive unit that drives the carriage. The drive unit is equipped with a second detection unit that detects whether the state of the drive unit is in an underload state where the load on the drive unit is not exceeded, or in an overload state where the load on the drive unit is exceeded. The control unit determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the closed state when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the excess state, and determines that the state of the opening / closing cover is the open state when the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is the excess state, and notifies that the opening / closing cover is open. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

12. Equipped with a control unit, The printing unit includes a carriage that mounts a print head and is capable of moving the print head parallel to a first direction, and a drive unit that drives the carriage. The drive unit is equipped with a second detection unit that detects whether the state of the drive unit is in an underload state where the load on the drive unit is not exceeded, or in an overload state where the load on the drive unit is exceeded. The control unit determines that the state of the printing device is normal if the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is in the non-exceeding state, and determines that the state of the printing device is abnormal if the second detection unit detects that the state of the drive unit is in the exceeding state, and notifies that the state of the printing device is abnormal. The aforementioned abnormal state includes the state in which the opening / closing cover is in the open state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

13. A contact portion that can come into contact with the printing portion, A fourth member that rotates around a second rotation axis by contact with the opening / closing cover in response to the change in the state of the opening / closing cover from the open state to the closed state, A second biasing member that biases the fourth member, Equipped with, The contact portion is provided on the fourth member and moves between a contact position in contact with the printing portion and a non-contact position in response to the rotation of the fourth member around the second rotation axis, The second biasing member biases the fourth member such that the contact portion moves from the contact position to the non-contact position when the fourth member is not in contact with the opening / closing cover. The printing apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The contact portion moves parallel to the direction intersecting the first direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The opening and closing cover has a first path member that forms the upper part of at least a portion of the path, The housing has a second path member that forms the lower part of at least a portion of the path, The lower part guides the printing medium so that it approaches upward from a second direction, from the front to the rear of the housing, as it is transported from the storage section by the transport section. The upper part guides the printing medium, which is guided by the lower part, so that the direction in which the printing medium is transported approaches the third direction opposite to the second direction. The first path member has an upper part when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state, and does not have an upper part when the opening / closing cover is in the open state. The second path member guides the printing medium toward the outside and upward of the housing when the opening / closing cover is in the open state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

16. The housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover, The second path member is provided at the lower end of the opening, The printing apparatus according to claim 15.

17. When the opening / closing cover is in the open state, a third path member is provided that guides the printing medium toward the outside and upward of the housing together with the second path member. The printing apparatus according to claim 15.

18. The housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover, At least a portion of the aforementioned path includes a curved inversion path that curves and inverts the printing medium, The curved inversion path is visible from outside the housing through the opening when the opening / closing cover is in the open state, and is not visible from outside the housing when the opening / closing cover is in the closed state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

19. The housing has an opening that is opened and closed by the opening and closing cover, The opening / closing cover opens and closes the opening by rotating with the lower end of the opening as its base. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images