Recording device

Abstract

There is a risk of reduced accuracy in media transport by the transport unit, as well as the occurrence of wrinkles in the media. [Solution] The recording device 1 includes a transport unit 20 for transporting a medium M, a recording unit 24 for recording on the recording surface of the medium M, a winding roller 41 for winding up the transported medium M, a tension roller 43 positioned between the transport unit 20 and the winding roller 41 in the transport path on which the medium M is transported, which applies tension to the medium M by contacting it, an upstream guide member 81 positioned between the transport unit 20 and the tension roller 43 in the transport path on which the medium M is wound so that the opposite side of the recording surface contacts its outer surface, and an upstream guide roller 83 rotatably positioned between the transport unit 20 and the upstream guide member 81 in the transport path on which the medium M is wound so that the recording surface contacts its outer surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus including a conveyance unit, a printing unit, a winding unit, and a tension applying unit. The conveyance unit conveys a medium in a conveyance direction. The printing unit prints on the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit. The winding unit winds up the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit. The tension applying unit presses the medium between the conveyance unit and the winding unit to apply tension to the medium. Thereby, the winding unit winds up the medium in a state where tension is applied by the tension applying unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the tension applied to the medium by the tension applying unit is transmitted upstream in the conveyance direction, resulting in a decrease in conveyance accuracy in the conveyance unit and the generation of wrinkles in the medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The recording device comprises: a transport unit for transporting a medium; a recording unit for recording on the recording surface of the medium; a winding unit for winding up the transported medium; a tensioning unit movably positioned between the transport unit and the winding unit in the transport path on which the medium is transported, and for applying tension to the medium by contacting it; an upstream guide member positioned between the transport unit and the tensioning unit in the transport path, on which the medium is wound so that the opposite surface of the recording surface contacts its outer surface; and an upstream guide roller rotatably positioned between the transport unit and the upstream guide member in the transport path, on which the medium is wound so that the recording surface contacts its outer surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of the recording device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the functional block of the recording device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the winding device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure will be described below based on embodiments. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. As used herein, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" do not mean exactly the same.

[0008] For example, in this specification, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where measurement errors are taken into consideration. Also, for example, when "same," "identical," or "simultaneous" is used, it includes cases where manufacturing variations of the components are taken into consideration.

[0009] In this specification, the terms "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same to the extent that their function is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the components, the difference between the two dimensions is within ±5 percent of the dimension of one, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When specifying directions, a positive direction is denoted as "+" and a negative direction as "-", and positive and negative signs are used in the direction notation. In each figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow is described as the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0011] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates vertically upward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically downward. A plane containing the X and Y axes is described as the XY plane, a plane containing the X and Z axes is described as the XZ plane, and a plane containing the Y and Z axes is described as the YZ plane. The XY plane is the horizontal plane. The three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0012] The X-axis direction is horizontal along the installation surface, which is the horizontal plane on which the recording device 1 is installed. The X-axis direction is the width direction of the recording device 1. The Y-axis direction is horizontal along the installation surface on which the recording device 1 is installed. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the recording device 1 and is the width direction of the medium M that is transported in the recording device 1.

[0013] The Z-axis direction is the normal direction to the installation surface on which the recording device 1 is installed, and is the height direction of the recording device 1. In the following explanation, the +Z direction may be referred to as "vertically upward" and the -Z direction as "vertically downward".

[0014] In the following description, in recording device 1, the end of the transport direction of the medium M may be referred to as "downstream," and the side upstream of the transport direction may be referred to as "upstream." For illustrative purposes, the dimensions of each component may differ from those of the actual components.

[0015] The schematic configuration of the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 is configured as an inkjet printer and forms an image by discharging ink onto a long medium M. Ink is an example of a liquid.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10, a supply apparatus 30, and a take-up apparatus 40. The apparatus main body 10 includes a control unit 50, a conveyance unit 20, a recording unit 24, a carriage 25, and a drying unit 63.

[0017] The supply apparatus 30 feeds out the medium M toward the apparatus main body 10. The take-up apparatus 40 takes up the conveyed medium M.

[0018] The control unit 50 controls each part included in the recording apparatus 1. The control of each part included in the recording apparatus 1 by the control unit 50 includes, for example, conveyance control of the medium M by the conveyance unit 20, recording control on the medium M by the recording unit 24, and the like. The control unit 50 includes a control unit 51 (see FIG. 2) that controls the operations of each part included in the recording apparatus 1.

[0019] For example, based on the recording data acquired from an external computer or the like (not shown), the control unit 51 causes the medium M to be recorded by controlling the conveyance unit 20 and the recording unit 24. The control unit 50 may be composed of a plurality of units. Details of the control unit 50 will be described later.

[0020] The conveyance unit 20 conveys the medium M. The conveyance unit 20 includes a supply guide frame 21, a pair of conveyance rollers 22, a medium support part 23, a conveyance roller drive part 28, and a discharge guide frame 29.

[0021] The supply guide frame 21 guides the medium M sent out from the supply apparatus 30 to the pair of conveyance rollers 22. The supply guide frame 21 guides the medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component. The supply guide frame 21 may be composed of one member or a plurality of members.

[0022] The conveying roller pair 22 has a first conveying roller 22a and a second conveying roller 22b, and conveys the medium M. The first conveying roller 22a is arranged in the -Z direction with respect to the medium M, and the second conveying roller 22b is arranged in the +Z direction with respect to the medium M.

[0023] Either the first conveying roller 22a or the second conveying roller 22b is rotationally driven by the driving force from the conveying roller driving unit 28. The first conveying roller 22a and the second conveying roller 22b sandwich the medium M by being pressed against each other.

[0024] With the medium M sandwiched, when either the first conveying roller 22a or the second conveying roller 22b is rotationally driven, the medium M is conveyed in the +X direction where the recording unit 24 is located.

[0025] The medium support portion 23 is provided at a position on the -Z direction side with respect to the recording unit 24. The medium support portion 23 is a flat member that supports the medium M conveyed by the conveying roller pair 22.

[0026] A suction fan may be provided at a position on the -Z direction side with respect to the medium support portion 23. In this case, the medium support portion 23 is provided with through holes for allowing the air flow to pass through, and the medium M is attracted to the medium support portion 23 by the air flow of the suction fan.

[0027] The recording unit 24 forms, that is, records an image on the recording surface which is the +Z direction surface of the medium M supported by the medium support portion 23. The recording unit 24 of the present embodiment is an inkjet head in which a plurality of nozzles are formed. The recording unit 24 forms an image on the recording surface of the medium M by discharging ink from the nozzles to the medium M based on the driving signal output from the recording unit driving unit 61 (see FIG. 2).

[0028] The carriage 25 supports the recording unit 24. The carriage 25 is capable of reciprocating along the Y-axis by the carriage drive unit 62 (see Figure 2). As the carriage 25 moves along the Y-axis on the medium M, the recording unit 24 ejects ink onto the medium M, thereby forming an image along the Y-axis.

[0029] The above-described operation, in which an image is formed along the Y-axis, and the operation in which the transport unit 20 transports the medium M by a predetermined amount in the +X direction, are repeated alternately, thereby forming an image over a range of the medium M that spans both the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0030] The discharge guide frame 29 guides the medium M, which has been recorded by the recording unit 24, to the winding device 40. The discharge guide frame 29 guides the medium M in an oblique direction having a +X component and a -Z component. The discharge guide frame 29 may be composed of one member or multiple members.

[0031] The drying unit 63 promotes the fixation of the ejected ink onto the medium M by heating the medium M on the discharge guide frame 29. The drying unit 63 is positioned opposite the discharge guide frame 29 with the medium M in between. The drying unit 63 has, for example, a halogen heater. The control unit 51 adjusts the heating of the medium M by the drying unit 63 by controlling the drying unit adjustment unit 64 (see Figure 2).

[0032] The supply device 30 is positioned on the -X side of the main body 10 of the device. The supply device 30 comprises a supply roller 31, a supply roller drive unit 32, a supply guide member 33, and a supply bar member 34. A medium roll 60, in which a long medium M is wound into a roll shape, is mounted on the supply device 30.

[0033] The supply roller 31 extends along the Y-axis and supports the media roll 60. The supply roller 31 is rotatable about a rotation axis along the Y-axis. By rotating the supply roller 31 clockwise when viewed from the +Y direction, the supply roller 31 dispenses the media M from the media roll 60 toward the device body 10. The supply roller 31 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) or the like, which is located at the +Y end and the -Y end of the supply device 30.

[0034] The supply roller drive unit 32 rotates the supply roller 31 based on the control of the control unit 51. The supply roller drive unit 32 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the drive source to the supply roller 31, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 51.

[0035] The supply guide member 33 is positioned in the +X direction of the supply roller 31 and extends along the Y axis, similar to the supply roller 31. The medium M dispensed from the supply roller 31 is wound around the supply guide member 33. The medium M wound around the supply guide member 33 is conveyed in an oblique direction having a +X component and a -Z component.

[0036] The supply guide member 33 contacts the medium M directly or via a cover member (not shown). The supply guide member 33 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The supply guide member 33 is rotatably supported on a frame (not shown) of the supply device 30 and rotates in accordance with the transport of the medium M.

[0037] The supply bar member 34 is positioned in the +X direction of the supply guide member 33 and extends along the Y axis, similar to the supply roller 31. The medium M, which is conveyed via the supply guide member 33, is wrapped around the supply bar member 34, applying tension to the medium M.

[0038] The medium M wrapped around the supply bar member 34 is conveyed in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component toward the supply guide frame 21 that guides the medium M toward the transport roller pair 22. The supply bar member 34 is in contact with the medium M either directly or through a cover member (not shown).

[0039] The supply bar member 34 is pivotable by the drive of the supply bar drive unit 35 (see Figure 2), and its position in the Z-axis direction is displaced. The tension applied to the medium M is adjusted by the pivoting of the supply bar member 34. The shape of the supply bar member 34 is not limited as long as it is possible to apply tension to the medium M, but its shape is preferably cylindrical.

[0040] The winding device 40 is positioned on the +X side of the main body 10. The winding device 40 winds up the medium M that is transported downstream from the main body 10. The winding device 40 winds up the medium M that has been recorded by the recording unit 24 in the main body 10.

[0041] The winding device 40 includes a winding roller 41, a winding roller drive unit 42, a tension roller 43, a tension roller drive unit 44 (see Figure 2), an intermediate guide member 45, a first heating unit 46, and a heating unit adjustment unit 47. Furthermore, the winding device 40 includes an upstream guide member 81, a switching unit 82, an upstream guide roller 83, a downstream guide roller 84, a second heating unit 85, a displacement unit 86 (see Figure 2), and a frame 48.

[0042] The winding roller 41 winds up the conveyed medium M. The winding roller 41 is a cylindrical roller that extends along the Y axis. A roll core 71 on which the medium M is wound is mounted on the winding roller 41. The winding roller 41 is an example of a winding section that winds up the medium M.

[0043] The winding roller 41 is rotatable around a rotation axis along the Y axis. By rotating the winding roller 41 counterclockwise when viewed from the +Y direction, the medium M recorded by the recording unit 24 in the main body of the device 10 is wound onto the roll core 71.

[0044] The medium M wound onto the roll core 71 becomes a roll-shaped medium roll 70, and as winding progresses, the roll diameter, or diameter, of the medium roll 70 increases. The medium roll 70 shown by the dashed line in Figure 1 represents the state when the entire medium M has been wound.

[0045] The winding roller 41 is rotatably supported by frames 48 positioned at the +Y and -Y ends of the winding device 40. Note that the configuration is not limited to the medium M being wound onto the roll core 71; the medium M may also be wound directly onto the winding roller 41.

[0046] The winding roller drive unit 42 rotates the winding roller 41 based on the control of the control unit 51. The control unit 51 controls the winding roller drive unit 42 to wind the medium M onto the winding roller 41.

[0047] The winding roller drive unit 42 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the drive source to the winding roller 41, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 51.

[0048] The tension roller 43 is positioned between the winding roller 41 and the discharge guide frame 29 of the transport section 20 in the transport path through which the medium M is transported. The tension roller 43 is a rod-shaped member positioned in the -X direction of the winding roller 41, with its outer surface that contacts the medium M extending in the Y-axis direction.

[0049] The tension roller 43 in this embodiment is a cylindrical roller that can rotate around a central axis along the Y-axis. The shape of the tension roller 43 is not limited as long as it can apply tension to the medium M, but its shape is preferably cylindrical.

[0050] The medium M is wrapped around the tension roller 43 in a direction that contacts the recording surface of the medium M. The outer surface of the tension roller 43 may be made of a cover member that covers the tension roller 43.

[0051] The medium M wrapped around the tension roller 43 is conveyed in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component toward the intermediate guide member 45 which is downstream in the conveying direction. The tension roller 43 is an example of a tension-applying unit that applies tension to the medium M by contacting it.

[0052] The tension roller 43 is supported by a support (not shown) of the tension roller drive unit 44 (see Figure 2) so that it can swing around the rotation axis of the winding roller 41, for example. The tension roller 43 swings when the tension roller drive unit 44 is driven, causing its position in the Z-axis direction to be displaced. The displacement of the tension roller 43 changes the tension applied to the medium M.

[0053] The tension roller drive unit 44 is driven and controlled by the control unit 51 to displace the tension roller 43. The control unit 51 adjusts the tension applied to the medium M by controlling the tension roller drive unit 44.

[0054] The tension roller drive unit 44 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the drive source to the support unit, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 51.

[0055] The intermediate guide member 45 is positioned between the winding roller 41 and the tension roller 43 in the transport path through which the medium M is transported. The intermediate guide member 45 is positioned in the +X direction of the tension roller 43 and in the -X direction of the winding roller 41. The intermediate guide member 45 is positioned in the +Z direction of both the winding roller 41 and the tension roller 43.

[0056] The intermediate guide member 45 is a cylindrical member formed from a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and extends along the Y-axis. The medium M, which passes through the tension roller 43, is wound around the intermediate guide member 45 before being wound onto the winding roller 41.

[0057] The medium M is wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 in a direction such that the opposite side of the medium M, which is the back surface of the recording surface, is in contact with its outer surface. The medium M wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 is conveyed in the -Z direction toward the downstream guide roller 84, which is downstream in the conveying direction.

[0058] Both ends of the intermediate guide member 45 in the Y-axis direction are supported by the frame 48. In this embodiment, the intermediate guide member 45 is non-rotatable, and the medium M wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 is transported by sliding along the outer surface of the intermediate guide member 45.

[0059] The first heating unit 46 heats the intermediate guide member 45. The first heating unit 46 is located inside the cylindrical intermediate guide member 45. The first heating unit 46 is a cylindrical heater having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the intermediate guide member 45, and extends along the Y-axis inside the intermediate guide member 45.

[0060] The first heating section 46 is supported at both ends in the Y-axis direction by the frame 48. The first heating section 46 generates heat under the control of the heating section adjustment section 47 (see Figure 2) and heats the intermediate guide member 45. The control unit 51 adjusts the heating of the intermediate guide member 45 by the first heating section 46 by controlling the heating section adjustment section 47.

[0061] The medium M is heated by being wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45, which is heated by the first heating unit 46. This prevents wrinkles from forming in the medium M when it is wound onto the winding roller 41.

[0062] The upstream guide member 81 is positioned between the tension roller 43 and the discharge guide frame 29 of the transport unit 20 in the transport path through which the medium M is transported. The upstream guide member 81 is positioned in the +Z direction of the tension roller 43.

[0063] The upstream guide member 81 is a cylindrical member that extends along the Y-axis. The medium M that passes through the discharge guide frame 29 is wrapped around the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81 before it comes into contact with the tension roller 43.

[0064] The load acting on the upstream guide member 81 when the medium M is wrapped around it is smaller than the load acting on the tension roller 43 when the medium M is wrapped around it. For this reason, the outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension roller 43.

[0065] The media M, located between the tension roller 43 and the conveying section 20 in the conveying path, is wrapped around the upstream guide member 81. This reduces the tension that is transmitted from the tension roller 43 to the upstream direction of conveying, out of the tension applied to the media M by the tension roller 43.

[0066] The media M is wrapped around the upstream guide member 81 in a direction such that the opposite side of the recording surface, which is the back surface of the media M, is in contact with its outer surface. The media M wrapped around the upstream guide member 81 is conveyed in an oblique direction having a -X component and a -Z component toward the tension roller 43 which is downstream in the conveying direction.

[0067] Both ends of the upstream guide member 81 in the Y-axis direction are supported by the frame 48 via a switching section 82. The switching section 82 can switch the upstream guide member 81 between a rotating state in which its outer surface can rotate and a fixed state in which its outer surface does not rotate.

[0068] The switching unit 82 includes, for example, a locking member (not shown) that restricts the rotation of the upstream guide member 81, a drive source that displaces the locking member, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 51. An actuator such as a motor or an electromagnetic solenoid can be used as the drive source.

[0069] The control unit 51 switches between the rotational state and the fixed state of the upstream guide member 81 by controlling the switching unit 82. The control unit 51 switches between the rotational state and the fixed state of the upstream guide member 81 based on the specifications of the medium M being used. The specifications of the medium M are estimated from the type of medium M used for recording.

[0070] For example, when the coefficient of friction between the medium M and the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81, which is determined by the specifications of the medium M used, is less than or equal to a set value, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 to fix the upstream guide member 81 in place.

[0071] On the other hand, when the coefficient of friction between the medium M and the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81, which is determined by the specifications of the medium M used, is greater than a set value, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 to put the upstream guide member 81 into a rotating state.

[0072] The upstream guide roller 83 is positioned between the upstream guide member 81 and the discharge guide frame 29 of the conveying section 20 in the conveying path through which the medium M is transported. The upstream guide roller 83 is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the upstream guide member 81 and the discharge guide frame 29.

[0073] The upstream guide roller 83 is a cylindrical roller that can rotate around a central axis along the Y-axis. The upstream guide roller 83 is supported by the frame 48 so as to be rotatable around its central axis.

[0074] The outer surface of the upstream guide roller 83 is covered with the medium M before it passes through the discharge guide frame 29 and is wrapped around the upstream guide member 81.

[0075] The load acting on the upstream guide roller 83 due to the winding of the medium M is smaller than the load acting on the tension roller 43 due to the winding of the medium M. For this reason, the outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide roller 83 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension roller 43.

[0076] The recording surface of the medium M is wrapped around the upstream guide roller 83 in a direction that contacts its outer surface. The medium M wrapped around the upstream guide roller 83 is conveyed in an oblique direction having a +X component and a +Z component toward the upstream guide member 81, which is downstream in the conveying direction.

[0077] The downstream guide roller 84 is positioned between the winding roller 41 and the intermediate guide member 45 in the transport path through which the medium M is transported. The downstream guide roller 84 is positioned in the -X direction of the winding roller 41. The downstream guide roller 84 is positioned in the -Z direction of the intermediate guide member 45.

[0078] The downstream guide roller 84 is a cylindrical member formed from a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and extends along the Y-axis. The downstream guide roller 84 is rotatable about a central axis along the Y-axis. The medium M, which passes through the intermediate guide member 45, is wound onto the outer surface of the downstream guide roller 84 before being wound onto the winding roller 41.

[0079] The recording surface of the medium M is wrapped around the downstream guide roller 84 in a direction that contacts its outer surface. The medium M wrapped around the downstream guide roller 84 is then transported toward the outer surface of the medium roll 70, which is downstream in the transport direction.

[0080] The second heating unit 85 heats the downstream guide roller 84. The second heating unit 85 is located inside the cylindrical downstream guide roller 84. The second heating unit 85 is a cylindrical heater having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the downstream guide roller 84, and extends along the Y-axis inside the downstream guide roller 84.

[0081] The second heating unit 85 generates heat under the control of the heating unit adjustment unit 47 (see Figure 2), heating the downstream guide roller 84. The control unit 51 adjusts the heating of the downstream guide roller 84 by the second heating unit 85 by controlling the heating unit adjustment unit 47.

[0082] The medium M is heated by being wound onto the downstream guide roller 84, which is heated by the second heating section 85. In addition to heating by the intermediate guide member 45, the heating of the medium M by the downstream guide roller 84 further suppresses the formation of wrinkles in the medium M when it is wound onto the winding roller 41.

[0083] The downstream guide roller 84 and the second heating section 85 are supported by a support section (not shown) of a displacement section 86 (see Figure 2) so as to be able to swing around the rotation axis of the winding roller 41. The displacement section 86 displaces the position of the downstream guide roller 84 relative to the intermediate guide member 45.

[0084] The displacement unit 86 includes a drive source such as a motor (not shown), a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the drive source to the support unit, and a control circuit that operates the drive source based on a control signal from the control unit 51.

[0085] When the displacement unit 86 is driven, the downstream guide roller 84 swings, changing the position of the downstream guide roller 84 relative to the intermediate guide member 45. When the position of the downstream guide roller 84 relative to the intermediate guide member 45 changes, the wrapping angle θ (see Figure 3) of the medium M wrapped around the outer surface of the intermediate guide member 45 changes.

[0086] In other words, when the position of the downstream guide roller 84 relative to the intermediate guide member 45 changes, the amount of media M wrapped around the outer surface of the intermediate guide member 45 changes. When the amount of media M wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 changes, the magnitude of the tension acting on the media M when it is wound onto the winding roller 41 changes.

[0087] The control unit 51 displaces the tension roller 43 by controlling the displacement unit 86. The control unit 51 also changes the distance between the intermediate guide member 45 and the downstream guide roller 84 by controlling the displacement unit 86.

[0088] Furthermore, the control unit 51 can adjust the winding angle θ of the medium M wound around the intermediate guide member 45 by controlling the displacement unit 86. This adjusts the magnitude of the tension acting on the medium M when it is wound onto the winding roller 41.

[0089] For example, when the recording device 1 is in standby mode and not recording on the medium M, the control unit 51 positions the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3, the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position is shown by a dashed line.

[0090] When the recording device 1 is in recording mode to record onto the medium M, the control unit 51 positions the downstream guide roller 84 at the recording position shown by the solid line in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the downstream guide roller 84 at the recording position is located in the +Z direction more than the downstream guide roller 84 at the standby position.

[0091] The downstream guide roller 84 in the recording position is closer to the intermediate guide member 45 than the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position. The distance between the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position and the intermediate guide member 45 is wider than the distance between the downstream guide roller 84 in the recording position and the intermediate guide member 45.

[0092] In other words, the control unit 51 widens the gap between the downstream guide roller 84 and the intermediate guide member 45 when recording is not taking place compared to when recording is in progress. This makes it easier for the operator to set the medium M onto the winding device 40, for example, when the recording device 1 is in standby mode. Setting the medium M onto the winding device 40 includes winding the medium M onto the intermediate guide member 45 and the downstream guide roller 84, and fixing the medium M onto the roll core 71.

[0093] Furthermore, the winding angle θ of the medium M wrapped around the outer surface of the intermediate guide member 45 is greater when the downstream guide roller 84 is in the recording position than when it is in the standby position. The amount of medium M wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 is greater when the downstream guide roller 84 is in the recording position than when it is in the standby position.

[0094] In this case, the amount of tension acting on the medium M when it is wound onto the winding roller 41 is greater when the downstream guide roller 84 is in the recording position than when it is in the standby position.

[0095] In other words, the control unit 51 increases the wrapping angle θ of the medium M wrapped around the outer surface of the intermediate guide member 45 when recording is taking place compared to when recording is not taking place.

[0096] Next, the details of the control unit 50 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 50 comprises a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an interface unit 53, an operation unit 54, and a notification unit 55. The storage unit 52 and the interface unit 53 are connected to the control unit 51.

[0097] The control unit 51 has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 51 controls various operations of the recording device 1 by operating according to a control program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 52.

[0098] The memory unit 52 includes semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), or storage such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). In addition to the control program described above, the memory unit 52 stores various types of information.

[0099] The interface section 53 is connected to various drive units and other components of the recording device 1. Specifically, the interface section 53 is connected to the transport roller drive unit 28, the recording unit drive unit 61, the carriage drive unit 62, and the drying unit adjustment unit 64 of the main unit 10 of the device.

[0100] The interface unit 53 is connected to the supply roller drive unit 32 and the supply bar drive unit 35 of the supply device 30. Furthermore, the winding roller drive unit 42, tension roller drive unit 44, heating unit adjustment unit 47, switching unit 82, and displacement unit 86 of the winding device 40 are connected to the interface unit 53. The control unit 51 transmits control signals to each of these components via the interface unit 53 and controls the operation of each component.

[0101] Furthermore, the interface unit 53 is connected to the operation unit 54 and the notification unit 55. The operation unit 54 consists of operation buttons and the like, and receives input operations performed by the operator and transmits information corresponding to the input operations to the control unit 51. The operation unit 54 may be configured as an integral part of the display device of the notification unit 55, such as a touch panel.

[0102] The notification unit 55 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and notifies information based on the control of the control unit 51 in the form of characters or images.

[0103] The notification unit 55 may be composed of a voice generator instead of a display device. In this case, the notification unit 55 notifies information based on the control unit 51 by voice. The notification unit 55 may be composed of a communication device. In this case, the notification unit 55 transmits information based on the control unit 51 to a terminal device or the like held by the user.

[0104] The control unit 50 is not limited to being provided in the main body of the device 10, but may also be provided in the supply device 30 or the winding device 40. The control unit 50 may also be configured independently of the main body of the device 10, the supply device 30, and the winding device 40.

[0105] As described above, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0106] The recording device 1 includes a transport unit 20 for transporting a medium M, a recording unit 24 for recording on the recording surface of the medium M, and a winding roller 41 for winding up the transported medium M. The recording device 1 includes a tension roller 43 that is movably positioned between the transport unit 20 and the winding roller 41 in the transport path on which the medium M is transported, and which applies tension to the medium M by contacting it. The recording device 1 includes an upstream guide member 81 that is positioned between the transport unit 20 and the tension roller 43 in the transport path, and on which the medium M is wound so that the opposite side of the recording surface contacts its outer surface. The recording device 1 includes an upstream guide roller 83 that is rotatably positioned between the transport unit 20 and the upstream guide member 81 in the transport path, and on which the medium M is wound so that the recording surface contacts its outer surface.

[0107] According to this, of the tension applied to the medium M by the tension roller 43, the tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction is attenuated. Therefore, a decrease in the conveying accuracy of the medium M by the conveying unit 20, or the occurrence of wrinkles in the medium M, can be suppressed.

[0108] Furthermore, since the upstream guide roller 83, around which the medium M is wrapped so that the recording surface contacts the outer surface, is rotatable, a decrease in the quality of the image recorded on the recording surface of the medium M can be suppressed.

[0109] The upstream guide member 81 can be switched between a fixed state in which its outer surface does not rotate and a rotating state in which its outer surface can rotate. By switching the upstream guide member 81 between the fixed state and the rotating state, the amount of tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction can be adjusted.

[0110] The recording device 1 further comprises a switching unit 82 that switches the upstream guide member 81 between a fixed state and a rotating state, and a control unit 51, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 based on the specifications of the medium M.

[0111] According to this, even if the specifications of the medium M are different, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 to adjust the tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction to an appropriate size.

[0112] When the friction coefficient between the medium M and the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81, as determined by the specifications of the medium M, is less than or equal to a set value, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 to fix the upstream guide member 81 in place. When the friction coefficient is greater than the set value, the control unit 51 controls the switching unit 82 to rotate the upstream guide member 81.

[0113] According to this, even if the specifications of the medium M are different, the tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction can be adjusted to an appropriate size by switching the upstream guide member 81 between a fixed state and a rotating state.

[0114] The tension roller 43 is a rod-shaped member whose outer surface in contact with the medium M extends in the Y-axis direction, and the outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension roller 43.

[0115] According to this, it is easier to miniaturize the configuration for adjusting the amount of tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction.

[0116] The outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide roller 83 is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension roller 43. This makes it easier to miniaturize the configuration for adjusting the amount of tension transmitted from the tension roller 43 upstream in the conveying direction.

[0117] The recording device 1 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. The above embodiment and the other embodiments described below can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that they do not contradict the technical context. Other embodiments are described below.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the switching unit 82 does not need to be equipped with a drive source for displacing the locking member. In this case, the operator may switch between the rotational state and the fixed state of the upstream guide member 81 by operating the locking member of the switching unit 82.

[0119] In this case, for example, the locking member may be a fixing screw, and the upstream guide member 81 may be fixed when the fixing screw is tightened, and rotated when the fixing screw is loosened or removed.

[0120] In this case, based on the specifications of the recording medium M, the control unit 51 may use the notification unit 55 to notify the operator to switch between the fixed state and the rotating state of the upstream guide member 81.

[0121] For example, suppose the operator operates the control unit 54 to input the type of medium M to be used for recording. If the coefficient of friction between the medium M, determined by the type of medium M, and the outer surface of the upstream guide member 81 is less than or equal to a set value, the control unit 51 notifies the operator via the notification unit 55 to fix the upstream guide member 81 in place.

[0122] When the coefficient of friction is greater than a set value, the control unit 51 notifies the operator via the notification unit 55 to rotate the upstream guide member 81. Based on the notification from the notification unit 55, the operator sets the upstream guide member 81 to either a rotating or fixed state.

[0123] In the above embodiment, if the winding angle θ of the medium M wound around the intermediate guide member 45 can be adjusted, the downstream guide roller 84 does not need to oscillate around the rotation axis of the winding roller 41.

[0124] For example, the downstream guide roller 84 and the second heating unit 85 may be supported by the displacement unit 86 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction. In this case, for example, similar to the above embodiment, the downstream guide roller 84 and the second heating unit 85 are arranged on the -Z side of the intermediate guide member 45. In this case, similar to the above embodiment, the downstream guide roller 84 in the recording position is located in the +Z direction more than the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position.

[0125] Alternatively, if the winding angle θ of the medium M wrapped around the intermediate guide member 45 is adjustable, the downstream guide roller 84 and the second heating section 85 may be supported on the displacement section 86 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

[0126] In this case, for example, the downstream guide roller 84 and the second heating unit 85 are positioned on the -Z side of the intermediate guide member 45. In this case, the downstream guide roller 84 in the recording position is positioned in the -X direction more than the downstream guide roller 84 in the standby position.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the winding device 40 does not need to include a second heating unit 85 for heating the downstream guide roller 84.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the downstream guide roller 84 does not need to be displaced relative to the intermediate guide member 45, as long as a predetermined winding angle θ of the medium M wound around the intermediate guide member 45 can be secured. In this case, the downstream guide roller 84 may be rotatably supported by the frame 48. In this case, the winding device 40 does not need to be equipped with a displacement part 86. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1...Recording device, 10...Device body, 20...Conveying unit, 21...Supply guide frame, 22...Conveying roller pair, 22a...First conveying roller, 22b...Second conveying roller, 23...Media support unit, 24...Recording unit, 25...Carriage, 28...Conveying roller drive unit, 29...Discharge guide frame, 30...Supply device, 31...Supply roller, 32...Supply roller drive unit, 33...Supply guide member, 34...Supply bar member, 35...Supply bar drive unit, 40...Winding device, 41...Winding roller, 42...Winding roller drive unit, 43...Tension roller, 44...Tension 45...Intermediate guide member, 46...First heating unit, 47...Heating unit adjustment unit, 48...Frame, 50...Control unit, 51...Control unit, 52...Storage unit, 53...Interface unit, 54...Operation unit, 55...Notification unit, 60...Media roll, 61...Recording unit drive unit, 62...Carriage drive unit, 63...Drying unit, 64...Drying unit adjustment unit, 70...Media roll, 71...Roll core, 81...Upstream guide member, 82...Switching unit, 83...Upstream guide roller, 84...Downstream guide roller, 85...Second heating unit, 86...Displacement unit, M...Media, θ...Wrapping angle.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the media, A recording unit that records on the recording surface of the aforementioned medium, A winding unit for winding up the medium being transported, A tensioning unit is movably positioned between the transport unit and the winding unit in the transport path through which the medium is transported, and applies tension to the medium by contacting it. An upstream guide member is positioned in the transport path between the transport section and the tensioning section, and the medium is wrapped around it in a direction such that the opposite side of the recording surface is in contact with its outer surface. An upstream guide roller is rotatably positioned in the transport path between the transport section and the upstream guide member, and the medium is wrapped around it in a direction that contacts the recording surface with its outer surface, Equipped with, A recording device characterized by the following features.

2. The upstream guide member is switchable between a fixed state in which the outer surface does not rotate and a rotating state in which the outer surface can rotate. The recording device according to feature 1.

3. The upstream guide member is provided with a switching unit that switches between the fixed state and the rotating state, Control unit and Furthermore, The control unit controls the switching unit based on the specifications of the medium. The recording device according to feature 2.

4. The control unit, When the coefficient of friction between the medium and the outer surface of the upstream guide member, determined from the specifications of the medium, is less than or equal to a set value, the switching unit is controlled to fix the upstream guide member in place. When the coefficient of friction is greater than the set value, the switching unit is controlled to bring the upstream guide member into the rotational state. The recording device according to feature 3.

5. The tension-applying portion is a rod-shaped member whose outer surface in contact with the medium extends in the width direction of the medium. The outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide member is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension-applying portion. The recording device according to feature 1.

6. The outer diameter of the outer surface of the upstream guide roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer surface of the tension-applying portion. The recording device according to feature 5.

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