Recording device, media cutting method, and media cutting device

Abstract

It cuts the media with high precision and suppresses errors during the cutting process. [Solution] A recording device 1 comprising a media support section 6, a transport section 29, a head 5, a guide section 16, a cutting section 24, a friction support member 40, and a control section 20, wherein the control section 20 causes the transport section 29 and the cutting section 24 to perform a first operation in which, when cutting the media M with the cutting section 24, the transport section 20 transports a predetermined amount of media M in the transport direction A until the tip Ma of the media M is beyond the friction support member 40, and then transports the media M in the opposite direction to the transport direction A until the cutting position of the media M reaches the cutting section 24, thereby cutting the media M.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a medium cutting method, and a medium cutting apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various recording apparatuses have been used. Among them, there is a recording apparatus including a cutting unit that can record an image on a conveyed medium and cuts the medium while moving it in the width direction after the image has been recorded. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer including a round blade unit that can convey a medium and cuts the recorded medium while moving it in the width direction.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 describes a protruding member that is movably attached to a guide groove formed in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the medium on a paper discharge guide. Here, it is disclosed that the position of the protruding member may be set by the user manually moving the protruding member according to the width of the medium. Further, since the protruding member is in contact with the left end portion of the medium, in a configuration in which the medium is cut from the right side to the left side of the main body, it is described that media of various sizes can be cut linearly without the cutting edge being curved or the paper being torn near the end of the cutting edge.

[0004] Also, in a recording apparatus capable of recording on a conveyed medium, a friction support member may be provided to suppress skew conveyance associated with displacement of the support of the medium. For example, Patent Document 2 describes a support sliding portion that supports a recording medium with a friction coefficient with the medium higher than that of the medium support surface at a medium support portion and serves as a sliding portion of the recording medium when the recording medium is conveyed. Here, it is disclosed that the support sliding portion has an elastic member that forms a plurality of protruding portions arranged at regular intervals in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-268226 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-151976 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in recording devices equipped with a cutting unit that cuts a medium that is recordable on a transported medium while it is moving in the width direction, it can be difficult to cut the medium with high precision. For example, in the printer of Patent Document 1, when cutting the medium, the cutting medium corresponding to the leading edge of the medium in the transport direction, which is the side that is being cut by the cutting unit, may sag due to gravity, and there is a risk that the medium being cut may bend or warp. If the medium being cut is bent or warped, there is a risk that the cutting position of the medium will be shifted from the desired position relative to the cutting position of the cutting unit, or that the medium being cut may come into contact with the print head.

[0007] Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a support sliding part that supports the medium while causing friction, as disclosed in Patent Document 2. However, with such a configuration, the leading edge of the medium in the transport direction may catch on the support sliding part, changing the posture of the medium during cutting, which may cause the medium to bend or warp. In other words, even if the printer of Patent Document 1 is simply equipped with the support sliding part of Patent Document 2, the cutting position of the medium may deviate from the desired position relative to the cutting position of the cutting part, or the medium may come into contact with the head during cutting, making it difficult to cut the medium with high precision and to suppress errors during medium cutting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention, for solving the above problems, comprises a medium support section for supporting a medium, a transport section for transporting the medium in a transport direction, a head for discharging droplets onto the medium supported by the medium support section, a guide section provided downstream of the medium support section for guiding the medium from which the droplets have been discharged away from the medium support section in the transport direction, a cutting section provided downstream of the head for cutting the medium transported in the transport direction while moving in a width direction intersecting the transport direction, a friction support member provided on the guide section and formed from an elastic member for supporting the medium while rubbing its back surface opposite to the surface that received the droplets, and a control section for controlling the transport section and the cutting section, wherein the control section causes the transport section and the cutting section to perform a first operation, in which, when cutting the medium with the cutting section, the transport section and the cutting section transport a predetermined amount of the medium in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, and then transport the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, thereby cutting the medium.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a media cutting method for a recording device, comprising: a media support section for supporting a medium; a transport section for transporting the medium in a transport direction; a head for discharging droplets onto the medium supported by the media support section; a guide section provided downstream of the media support section for guiding the medium from which the droplets have been discharged away from the media support section in the transport direction; a cutting section provided downstream of the head for cutting the medium while it moves in a width direction intersecting the transport direction, and a friction support member provided on the guide section, formed from an elastic member for supporting the medium while rubbing its back surface opposite to the surface that received the droplets, wherein a first operation is performed when the medium is cut by the cutting section, and the first operation comprises: a first transport step of transporting a predetermined amount of the medium in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member; a second transport step of transporting the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section; and a cutting step of cutting the medium.

[0010] Furthermore, the media cutting apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises: a media support section for supporting a medium; a transport section for transporting the medium in a transport direction; a guide section provided downstream of the media support section for guiding the medium from the media support section in the transport direction; a cutting section provided downstream of the media support section for cutting the medium while it moves in a width direction intersecting the transport direction, a friction support member provided on the guide section and formed from an elastic member for supporting the medium while causing friction on the back surface on which the medium is supported; and a control unit for controlling the transport section and the cutting section, wherein the control unit causes the transport section and the cutting section to perform a first operation when cutting the medium with the cutting section, which involves transporting a predetermined amount of the medium in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, transporting the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and cutting the medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the state of the recording device in Figure 1 immediately after the cutting of the media has begun. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing the state of the recording device in Figure 1 just before the cutting of the media is completed. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the area around the cutting section of the recording device. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates a problem in a reference example recording device, and is a perspective view showing the leading edge of the transported medium caught on a friction support member. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the challenges in the reference recording device, and is a perspective view showing the state after the media has been transported from the state shown in Figure 6 to the cutter. [Figure 8]This diagram illustrates the challenges in the reference example recording device, and is a perspective view showing the state after the cutting section has been moved to cut the media from the state shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the leading edge of the transported medium is caught on the friction support member in the recording device. [Figure 10] A side cross-sectional view showing the recording device in Figure 1 after the medium has been further transported from the state shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] This is a side cross-sectional view of the recording device in Figure 1, showing the state after the medium has been further transported from the state shown in Figure 10, which has resolved the issue of the leading edge of the medium getting caught on the friction support member. [Figure 12] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in the recording device of Figure 1, where the medium has been transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction from the state shown in Figure 11, thereby moving the cutting position of the medium to the cutter. [Figure 13] A flowchart illustrating an example of the process for cutting a medium using the recording device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] First, the present invention will be described in general terms. A recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a medium support unit that supports a medium, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium in a conveyance direction, a head that discharges droplets onto the medium supported by the medium support unit, a guide unit provided downstream of the medium support unit that guides the medium onto which the droplets have been discharged from the medium support unit in the conveyance direction, a cutting unit provided downstream of the head that cuts the medium while moving it in a width direction that intersects the conveyance direction as the medium is conveyed in the conveyance direction, a friction support member formed of an elastic member provided in the guide unit that supports the back surface of the medium, which is opposite to the surface that receives the droplets, while rubbing it, and a control unit that controls the conveyance unit and the cutting unit. The control unit, when cutting the medium by the cutting unit, conveys the medium a predetermined amount in the conveyance direction until the leading end of the medium exceeds the friction support member, conveys the medium in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting unit, and causes the conveyance unit and the cutting unit to perform a first operation of cutting the medium.

[0013] According to this aspect, when cutting the medium by the cutting unit, once the medium is conveyed a predetermined amount in the conveyance direction until the leading end of the medium exceeds the friction support member, and then, until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting unit, the medium is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and then, the medium is cut. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to cut the medium while supporting it with the friction support member, and it is possible to suppress the cutting operation from being executed in a state where the leading end of the medium is caught by the friction support member and the medium is bent. Therefore, it is possible to cut the medium with high precision and suppress clumsiness during medium cutting.

[0014] A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, in which the control unit can select and cause the conveyance unit and the cutting unit to perform a second operation different from the first operation, and when the length along the conveyance direction of the cut medium cut and separated by the cutting unit falls within a predetermined range, the conveyance unit and the cutting unit are caused to perform the first operation.

[0015] According to this aspect, when the length along the conveyance direction of the cutting medium is within a predetermined range, the first operation is performed. Therefore, when the length along the conveyance direction of the cutting medium is outside the predetermined range, and the medium can be cut with high precision and the clumsiness during medium cutting can be suppressed without performing the first operation, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0016] The recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the second aspect, wherein the second operation conveys the medium in the conveyance direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting portion, cuts the medium without conveying the medium in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and the control unit causes the conveyance unit and the cutting unit to perform the second operation when the length along the conveyance direction of the cutting medium is outside a predetermined range.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the length along the conveyance direction of the cutting medium is outside a predetermined range, a second operation is performed in which the medium is conveyed in the conveyance direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting portion, and then the medium is cut without conveying the medium in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction. Since the second operation can be executed in a shorter time than the first operation, when the medium can be cut with high precision and the clumsiness during medium cutting can be suppressed without performing the first operation, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0018] The recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the friction support member supports while frictionally contacting a part of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting portion.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the friction support member supports a portion of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting section by applying friction to it. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and causing bending or other damage to the medium during cutting can be effectively reduced.

[0020] A recording device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, characterized in that the cutting portion moves from one side to the other in the width direction, and the friction support member is provided on the one side of the guide portion.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the cutting portion moves from one side to the other in the width direction, and the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and bending of the medium during cutting can be particularly effectively reduced.

[0022] A media cutting method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a media cutting method for a recording device, comprising: a media support section for supporting a medium; a transport section for transporting the medium in a transport direction; a head for discharging droplets onto the medium supported by the media support section; a guide section provided downstream of the media support section for guiding the medium from which the droplets have been discharged away from the media support section in the transport direction; a cutting section provided downstream of the head for cutting the medium while it moves in a width direction intersecting the transport direction as it is transported; and a friction support member provided on the guide section, formed from an elastic member for supporting the medium while rubbing its back surface opposite to the surface that received the droplets, wherein a first operation is performed when the medium is cut by the cutting section, and the first operation comprises: a first transport step of transporting a predetermined amount of the medium in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member; a second transport step of transporting the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section; and a cutting step of cutting the medium.

[0023] According to this embodiment, when cutting the medium with the cutting section, the medium is first transported a predetermined amount in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, then the medium is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and then the medium is cut. With this configuration, the medium can be cut while being supported by the friction support member, and the cutting operation can be prevented from being performed while the leading edge of the medium is caught on the friction support member and the medium is bent. Therefore, the medium can be cut with high precision, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed.

[0024] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a media cutting method that is dependent on the sixth aspect, wherein the recording device can select and perform a first operation and a second operation different from the first operation when cutting the medium with the cutting unit, and the first operation is performed when the length of the cut medium cut and separated by the cutting unit along the transport direction is within a predetermined range.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the first operation is performed when the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls within a predetermined range. Therefore, when the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls outside the predetermined range, and the medium can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0026] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a media cutting method that is dependent on the seventh aspect, wherein the second operation is characterized in that the media is transported in the transport direction until the cutting position of the media reaches the cutting portion, the media is cut without transporting the media in the opposite direction to the transport direction, and the second operation is performed when the length of the cut media along the transport direction is outside a predetermined range.

[0027] According to this embodiment, if the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range, a second operation is performed in which the medium is transported in the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and then the medium is cut without transporting the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction. Since the second operation can be performed in a shorter time than the first operation, the medium can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed. In such cases, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0028] A media cutting method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, characterized in that the friction support member supports a part of the back surface of the media being cut at the cutting portion while causing friction.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the friction support member supports a portion of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting section by applying friction to it. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and causing bending or other damage to the medium during cutting can be effectively reduced.

[0030] A media cutting method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the ninth aspect, characterized in that, in the cutting step, the cutting portion is moved from one side in the width direction to the other side, and the friction support member is provided on the one side of the guide portion.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the cutting portion moves from one side to the other in the width direction, and the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and bending of the medium during cutting can be particularly effectively reduced.

[0032] A media cutting apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises: a media support section for supporting a medium; a transport section for transporting the medium in a transport direction; a guide section provided downstream of the media support section for guiding the medium from the media support section in the transport direction; a cutting section provided downstream of the media support section for cutting the medium while it moves in a width direction intersecting the transport direction, a friction support member provided on the guide section and formed from an elastic member for supporting the medium while causing friction on the back surface on which the medium is supported; and a control section for controlling the transport section and the cutting section, wherein the control section causes the transport section and the cutting section to perform a first operation, in which, when cutting the medium with the cutting section, the transport section and the cutting section transport a predetermined amount of the medium in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, and then transport the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, thereby cutting the medium.

[0033] According to this embodiment, when cutting the medium with the cutting section, the medium is first transported a predetermined amount in the transport direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, then the medium is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and then the medium is cut. With this configuration, the medium can be cut while being supported by the friction support member, and the cutting operation can be prevented from being performed while the leading edge of the medium is caught on the friction support member and the medium is bent. Therefore, the medium can be cut with high precision, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed.

[0034] A media cutting apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the eleventh aspect, wherein the control unit can cause the transport unit and the cutting unit to selectively perform the first operation and a second operation different from the first operation, and the transport unit and the cutting unit are caused to perform the first operation when the length of the cutting medium cut and separated by the cutting unit along the transport direction is within a predetermined range.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the first operation is performed when the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls within a predetermined range. Therefore, when the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls outside the predetermined range, and the medium can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0036] A media cutting apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the twelfth aspect, wherein the second operation involves transporting the media in the transport direction until the cutting position of the media reaches the cutting section, cutting the media without transporting it in the opposite direction to the transport direction, and the control unit causes the transport section and the cutting section to perform the second operation if the length of the cut media along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range.

[0037] According to this embodiment, if the length of the medium to be cut along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range, a second operation is performed in which the medium is transported in the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and then the medium is cut without transporting the medium in the opposite direction to the transport direction. Since the second operation can be performed in a shorter time than the first operation, the medium can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed. In such cases, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0038] A media cutting apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, characterized in that the friction support member supports a part of the back surface of the media being cut at the cutting section while causing friction.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the friction support member supports a portion of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting section by applying friction to it. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and causing bending or other damage to the medium during cutting can be effectively reduced.

[0040] A media cutting device according to a 15th aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the 14th aspect, characterized in that the cutting portion moves from one side to the other in the width direction, and the friction support member is provided on the one side of the guide portion.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the cutting portion moves from one side to the other in the width direction, and the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion. With this configuration, the risk of the cutting medium sagging due to gravity and bending of the medium during cutting can be particularly effectively reduced.

[0042] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a recording device 1, which is both a recording device and a media cutting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, will be described. In each figure, the X-axis direction is horizontal and is the width direction of the recording device 1, the Y-axis direction is horizontal and is the front-to-back direction of the recording device 1 and is perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is vertical. Furthermore, in the following, the direction in which the arrow points will be considered the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction in which the arrow points will be considered the - direction. For example, the vertically upward direction is the +Z direction, the vertically downward direction is the -Z direction, the front direction of the recording device 1 is the +Y direction, and the back direction of the recording device 1 is the -Y direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 100, and leg frames 7 are attached to the vicinity of both ends of the housing 100 in the X-axis direction. Casters 13 are provided below the leg frames 7, and the recording device 1 can be easily moved using the casters 13. The recording device 1 of this embodiment also includes a media supply unit (not shown) that holds a rolled medium M inside the housing 100. The media supply unit, together with the transport unit 29 shown in Figure 2, supplies the medium M to a position facing the ink ejection surface 5A of the head 5. Although not shown in Figure 1, the transport unit 29 of this embodiment is a pair of transport rollers that nip and transport the medium M. However, there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the transport unit 29.

[0044] The recording device 1 of this embodiment includes a head 5 having multiple nozzles on an ink ejection surface 5A from which liquid ink is ejected as droplets to form an image, and a carriage 4 on which the head 5 is mounted and which is capable of reciprocating movement in the width direction B. That is, the width direction B corresponds to the scanning direction of the carriage 4. A liquid supply passage (not shown), consisting of a tube or the like, is connected to the head 5, and ink is supplied to the head 5 from multiple ink cartridges mounted in an ink cartridge mounting section (not shown) via the liquid supply passage. In the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the transport direction A of the medium M at a position facing the ink ejection surface 5A is the +Y direction, the movement direction of the head 5, i.e., the scanning direction of the carriage 4, which is the width direction B, is along the X axis direction, and the ink ejection direction is the -Z direction.

[0045] With the above configuration, the head 5 can form an image by ejecting liquid ink from nozzles (not shown) onto the transported medium M while reciprocating in the width direction B, which is a direction intersecting the transport direction A of the medium M. The recording device 1 of this embodiment can form a desired image on the medium M by recording while performing intermittent transport, which involves transporting the medium M at a predetermined transport amount and then ejecting ink while moving the head 5 in the width direction B with the medium M stopped. However, the device is not limited to this configuration, and may also have a so-called line head in which nozzles that eject ink along the width direction B are arranged over the entire width of the medium M. Furthermore, it may also have a head with a configuration other than an inkjet head that ejects ink as droplets, such as a thermal transfer type head.

[0046] In the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the medium M is supported and transported from the medium supply unit by the medium support unit 6. Downstream of the medium support unit 6, a guide unit 16 is provided to guide the medium M, on which ink droplets have been ejected, from the medium support unit 6 in the transport direction A. In the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the medium support unit 6 and the guide unit 16, which both support the medium M transported in the transport direction A, are provided as separate components, but they may also be provided as an integrated component. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, a cutter 24 is provided downstream of the head 5 in the transport direction A, which is a cutting unit capable of cutting the medium M transported in the transport direction A while it moves in the width direction B.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1 and other figures, the guide portion 16 is provided with a friction support member 40 made of an elastic material that supports the media M by friction on the back surface opposite to the surface that receives the droplet. The friction support member 40 can suppress the media M from shifting position or deforming due to gravity.

[0048] Next, the electrical configuration of the recording device 1 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the recording device 1 in this embodiment. The control unit 20 is equipped with a CPU 21 that controls the entire recording device 1. The CPU 21 is connected via a system bus 22 to a storage unit 23 which has a ROM that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21 and a RAM that can temporarily store data. The CPU 21 is also connected via the system bus 22 to a head drive unit 25 for driving the head 5.

[0049] Furthermore, the CPU 21 is connected via the system bus 22 to a motor drive unit 32 for driving the carriage motor 26, the cutter drive motor 27, and the transport motor 28. Here, the carriage motor 26 is a motor for moving the carriage 4 on which the head 5 is mounted. The cutter drive motor 27 is a motor for moving the cutter 24 in the width direction B. The transport motor 28 is a motor for driving the transport unit 29 to move the medium M in the transport direction A and in the direction opposite to the transport direction A.

[0050] Furthermore, the CPU 21 is connected via the system bus 22 to a head drive unit 25 that drives the head 5 and ejects ink from the head 5. In addition, the CPU 21 is connected to an external computer 31 or the like for inputting recorded data, and is connected to an input / output unit 30 for sending and receiving data and signals.

[0051] In the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 20 controls the transport motor 28 and the cutter drive motor 27 to perform a first operation that enables high-precision cutting of the medium M and suppresses errors during medium cutting. Specifically, when the medium M is cut by the cutter 24, the control unit 20 first transports a predetermined amount of medium M in the transport direction A until the leading edge of the medium M exceeds the friction support member 40, then transports the medium M in the opposite direction to the transport direction A until the cutting position of the medium M reaches the cutting position CP by the cutter 24 shown in Figure 5, and then allows the cutter 24 to cut the medium M.

[0052] By performing this first operation, the medium M can be supported by the friction support member 40 while cutting, and the cutting operation can be prevented from occurring when the tip Ma of the medium M gets caught on the friction support member 40, causing the medium M to bend and bulge. Therefore, by performing the first operation, the medium M can be cut with high precision while suppressing misalignment of the medium M. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress cutting errors such as the medium M swelling on the medium support part 6, causing misalignment of the ink ejection position, contact between the medium M and the head 5, or jams occurring when moving the cutter 24, which can occur when the cutting operation is performed while the medium M is bent and bulging. Moreover, by handling this solely with medium M transport control, for example, the friction support member 40 can be kept out of the way in the normal state and moved to the support position of the medium M only when necessary, eliminating the need for a separate drive mechanism, which leads to space saving and cost saving.

[0053] In this embodiment, when cutting the medium M, the recording device 1 moves the medium M along the transport direction A until the cutting position CP of the medium M is reached by the cutter 24, as shown in Figure 3. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the cutter 24 is moved in the +X direction along the width direction B to cut the medium M so that the cutting direction is a straight line along the width direction B.

[0054] Here, we will explain the problem of cutting errors in the reference example recording device shown in Figures 6 to 8, which is that the first operation cannot be performed, using Figures 5 and 6 to 8. Note that Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the area around the cutter 24 in the recording device 1 of this embodiment, but the configuration of the cutter 24 is the same in the reference example recording device shown in Figures 6 to 8 as in the recording device 1 of this embodiment.

[0055] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the state immediately after the leading edge Ma of the medium M, which is being transported and having its image recorded by the head 5, comes into contact with the friction support member 40, that is, the state in which the leading edge Ma is caught on the friction support member 40. In this state, no bending or other deformation occurs in the medium M. The purpose of the friction support member 40 is to support the cut medium Me, which is on the leading edge Ma side in the transport direction A and corresponds to the portion of the medium M that is being cut, by frictional force when the medium M is cut.

[0056] Next, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the state after the medium M has been transported from the state shown in Figure 6 to the cutting position CP of the medium M by the cutter 24. In Figure 7, the state in which swelling Mb occurs in the medium M is shown as the medium M is transported further in the transport direction while the tip Ma remains caught on the friction support member 40. Due to the swelling Mb that occurs in the medium M, the desired position (cutting position) where the medium M is to be cut is shifted in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions from the cutting position CP by the cutter 24.

[0057] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the state after the cutter 24 has been moved along the width direction B to cut the medium M, from the state shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 5, the cutter 24 has a blade 24A that contacts the medium M when cutting the medium M, and a case portion 24B that supports the blade 24A. Figure 8 shows the state in which jamming has occurred because the medium M has come into contact with the case portion 24B, which is the part of the cutter 24 other than the blade 24A.

[0058] On the other hand, as described above, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is configured to suppress such errors during cutting. Therefore, an example of a media cutting method using the recording device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 12 and using the flowchart in Figure 13. Here, the media cutting method of this embodiment is performed when recording a nozzle check pattern to confirm whether or not ink is ejected from the nozzle that ejects ink from the head 5, or an adjustment pattern to adjust the amount of media M transported per cycle during intermittent transport. However, it may also be used when recording normal images.

[0059] When the media cutting method of this embodiment is started, the control unit 20 first determines in step S110 whether or not to perform the first operation described above. The control unit 20 may automatically determine whether or not to perform the first operation based on, for example, the type of media M to be used, the length and area of ​​the cut media Me in the transport direction A when media M is cut, the recording mode, etc., but it may also be determined based on instructions from the user input from an external computer 31 or the like via the input / output unit 30.

[0060] If it is determined in step S110 to perform the first operation, the process proceeds to step S120. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S120 not to perform the first operation, the process proceeds to step S140. In step S120, a predetermined amount of medium M is transported. This predetermined amount is the distance at which the leading edge Ma of medium M is no longer caught on the friction support member 40, and the leading edge Ma of medium M is no longer caught on the friction support member 40.

[0061] Here, Figure 9 shows the state immediately after the tip Ma of the medium M catches on the friction support member 40. Then, Figure 10 shows the state in which the medium M is further transported in the transport direction A from the state in Figure 9, but the tip Ma of the medium M remains caught on the friction support member 40. Finally, Figure 11 shows the state in which the tip Ma of the medium M is no longer caught on the friction support member 40. In step S120, the medium M is transported in the transport direction A until it reaches the state shown in Figure 11.

[0062] After step S120 is completed, in step S130, the medium M is moved in the opposite direction to the transport direction A until the desired cutting position of the medium M coincides with the cutting position CP made by the cutter 24. Here, Figure 12 shows the state in which the medium M has been moved in the opposite direction to the transport direction A from the state shown in Figure 11, and the desired cutting position of the medium M coincides with the cutting position CP made by the cutter 24. As shown in Figure 12, by aligning the desired cutting position of the medium M with the cutting position CP made by the cutter 24 in this way, it is possible to suppress bending and other deformations of the medium M.

[0063] Then, after step S130 is completed, in step S150, the cutter 24 is moved in the width direction B to cut the medium M. If it is decided in step S120 not to perform the first operation, the process proceeds to step S140, in which step S140 the medium M is moved in the transport direction A until the desired cutting position of the medium M coincides with the cutting position CP of the cutter 24.

[0064] The flow that proceeds to step S140 corresponds to the second operation. The second operation can be used, for example, when errors during cutting are unlikely to occur even without performing the first operation, depending on the type of medium M used, the length and area of ​​the cut medium Me in the transport direction A when medium M is cut, the recording mode, etc. Furthermore, since the operation of the device is simpler in the second operation compared to the first operation, the operation time of the second operation can be shortened compared to the first operation.

[0065] After step S140 is completed, the process proceeds to step S150. Then, as in the first operation, in step S150, the cutter 24 is moved in the width direction B to cut the medium M. With the completion of step S150, the medium cutting method of this embodiment is terminated.

[0066] Thus, using the recording device 1 of this embodiment, a media cutting method can be performed in which the first operation is carried out when cutting the medium M with the cutter 24. In the media cutting method of this claim, the first operation includes a first transport step S120 in which a predetermined amount of medium M is transported in the transport direction A until the leading edge of the medium M exceeds the friction support member 40. It also includes a second transport step S130 in which the medium M is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction A until the cutting position of the medium M reaches the cutting position CP of the cutter 24. And it includes a cutting step S150 in which the medium M is cut.

[0067] By implementing this media cutting method, the media M can be supported by the friction support member 40 while being cut, and the cutting operation can be prevented from occurring when the tip Ma of the media M gets caught on the friction support member 40, causing the media M to bend. Therefore, by implementing this media cutting method, the media M can be cut with high precision, and errors during media cutting can be suppressed.

[0068] In the media cutting method described above, a first operation including steps S120 and S130, and a second operation including step S140 can be selected and performed. In other words, the recording device 1 of this embodiment can be controlled by the control unit 20 to cause the transport unit 29 and the cutter 24 to select and perform a first operation and a second operation different from the first operation. The control unit 20 can then cause the transport unit 29 and the cutter 24 to perform the first operation when the length of the cutting medium Me that is cut and separated by the cutter 24 along the transport direction A falls within a predetermined range, which will be described later.

[0069] By implementing such a media cutting method, if the length of the cutting medium Me along the transport direction A falls outside a predetermined range, and the medium M can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during media cutting can be suppressed, then the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed. In other words, by performing transport control only in specific cases where errors during media cutting are likely to occur, it is possible to avoid a decrease in throughput and suppress a decrease in productivity.

[0070] In detail, in step S140 of the second operation, the control unit 20 controls the transport direction A to transport the medium M until the cutting position of the medium M reaches the cutting position CP of the cutter 24. Then, in step S150, the medium M is cut without being transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction A. Here, the control unit 20 can cause the transport unit 29 and the cutter 24 to perform the second operation if the length of the cut medium Me along the transport direction A is outside a predetermined range described later. To reiterate, since the second operation can be performed in a shorter time than the first operation, by implementing this medium cutting method, the medium M can be cut with high precision without performing the first operation, and errors during medium cutting can be suppressed. In such cases, the decrease in throughput associated with performing the first operation can be suppressed, and the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

[0071] Here, a predetermined range for the length of the cutting medium Me along the transport direction A will be explained. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 can cause the transport unit 29 and the cutter 24 to perform a first operation when the length of the cutting medium Me along the transport direction A, corresponding to the distance L1 from the cutting position CP of the cutter 24 to the tip Ma of the medium M shown in Figure 5, is in the range of 99 mm to 128 mm, and can cause the transport unit 29 and the cutter 24 to perform a second operation when it is outside the range of 99 mm to 128 mm. This is because the length from the cutting position CP of the cutter 24 to the position where the tip Ma of the transported medium M contacts the friction support member 40 is 99 mm, and the length obtained by adding the assumed length of 29 mm when curl occurs in the medium M is 129 mm.

[0072] As shown in Figure 1 and other figures, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with four friction support members 40, arranged in order from the -X direction to the +X direction: friction support member 40A, friction support member 40B, friction support member 40C, and friction support member 40D. All of these have the same configuration, and each friction support member 40 is configured to support a portion of the back surface of the medium M being cut by the cutter 24 while causing friction. By configuring the friction support members 40 to support a portion of the back surface of the medium M being cut by the cutter 24 while causing friction, the risk of the cutting medium Me on the side that is being cut by the cutter 24 sagging due to gravity and causing bending or other damage to the medium M during cutting can be effectively reduced.

[0073] There are no particular limitations on the arrangement or number of friction support members 40. However, in the case where the cutter 24 moves from one side (-X direction side) to the other side (+X direction side) in the width direction B, it is preferable that at least one of the friction support members 40 is provided on one side (-X direction side) of the guide portion 16, as is the case with friction support member 40A in this embodiment. This configuration is particularly effective in reducing the risk of the cutting medium Me on the side that is first cut by the cutter 24 sagging due to gravity and causing bending or other issues in the medium M during cutting. Here, "provided on one side" means that it is sufficient if it is provided on one side of the center of the width direction B in the transport path of the medium M.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1...Recording device (media cutting device), 4...Carriage, 5...Head, 5A...Ink ejection surface, 6...Media support section, 7...Leg frame, 13...Caster, 16...Guide section, 20...Control section, 21...CPU, 22...System bus, 23...Storage section, 24...Cutter (cutting section), 24A...Blade, 24B...Case section, 25...Head drive section, 26...Carriage motor, 27...Cutter drive motor, 28...Transport motor, 29...Transport section, 30...Input / output section, 31...Computer, 40...Friction support member, 40A...Friction support member, 40B...Friction support member, 40C...Friction support member, 40D...Friction support member, 100...Housing, CP...Cutting position, L1...Distance, M...Media, Ma...Tip, Mb...Bulge, Me...Cutting media

Claims

1. A media support section that supports the media, A conveying unit that conveys the aforementioned medium in the conveying direction, A head for dispensing droplets onto the medium supported by the medium support section, A guide unit is provided downstream of the media support unit and guides the medium from which the droplets have been discharged away from the media support unit in the transport direction, A cutting unit is provided downstream of the head and cuts the medium that has been conveyed in the conveying direction while moving in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction, A friction support member is provided in the guide portion and is formed from an elastic member that supports the medium while rubbing its back surface, which is opposite to the surface that receives the droplet, A control unit that controls the transport unit and the cutting unit, Equipped with, When the control unit cuts the medium with the cutting unit, The medium is transported in the transport direction by a predetermined amount until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member. The medium is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting portion. To cut the aforementioned medium, The first action is, A recording device characterized by having the transport unit and the cutting unit perform the operation.

2. In the recording device described in claim 1, The control unit, The transport unit and the cutting unit can be made to perform the first operation and a second operation different from the first operation, A recording device characterized in that, when the length of the cutting medium cut and separated by the cutting unit along the transport direction falls within a predetermined range, the transport unit and the cutting unit are instructed to perform the first operation.

3. In the recording device described in claim 2, The second operation involves transporting the medium in the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and cutting the medium without transporting it in the opposite direction to the transport direction. The recording device is characterized in that the control unit causes the transport unit and the cutting unit to perform the second operation when the length of the cutting medium along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range.

4. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The recording device is characterized in that the friction support member supports a part of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting portion while causing friction.

5. In the recording device described in claim 4, The cutting portion moves from one side in the width direction to the other side. The recording device is characterized in that the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion.

6. A media support section that supports the media, A conveying unit that conveys the aforementioned medium in the conveying direction, A head for dispensing droplets onto the medium supported by the medium support section, A guide unit is provided downstream of the media support unit and guides the medium from which the droplets have been discharged away from the media support unit in the transport direction, A cutting unit is provided downstream of the head and cuts the medium that has been conveyed in the conveying direction while moving in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction, A friction support member is provided in the guide portion and is formed from an elastic member that supports the medium while rubbing its back surface, which is opposite to the surface that receives the droplet, A method for cutting the media of a recording device, comprising: The first operation is performed when the medium is cut at the cutting section. The first operation is, A first conveying step involves conveying a predetermined amount of the medium in the conveying direction until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member, A second conveying step involves conveying the medium in the opposite direction to the conveying direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting portion, A cutting step for cutting the aforementioned medium, A method for cutting a medium, characterized by having the following features.

7. In the media cutting method described in claim 6, The recording device is capable of selecting and performing a first operation and a second operation different from the first operation when cutting the medium with the cutting section. A method for cutting a medium, characterized in that the first operation is performed when the length of the cutting medium cut and separated by the cutting section along the transport direction falls within a predetermined range.

8. In the media cutting method described in claim 7, The second operation involves transporting the medium in the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and cutting the medium without transporting it in the opposite direction to the transport direction. A method for cutting a medium, characterized in that the second operation is performed when the length of the cutting medium along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range.

9. In a media cutting method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, A method for cutting a medium, characterized in that the friction support member supports a part of the back surface of the medium being cut at the cutting portion while causing friction.

10. In the media cutting method described in claim 9, In the cutting process, the cutting portion is moved from one side in the width direction to the other side. A method for cutting a medium, characterized in that the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion.

11. A media support section that supports the media, A conveying unit that conveys the aforementioned medium in the conveying direction, A guide section is provided downstream of the media support section and guides the media away from the media support section in the transport direction, A cutting unit is provided downstream of the media support unit and cuts the media that has been conveyed in the conveying direction while moving in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction, A friction support member is provided in the guide portion and is formed from an elastic member that supports the back surface on which the medium is supported by friction, A control unit that controls the transport unit and the cutting unit, Equipped with, When the control unit cuts the medium with the cutting unit, The medium is transported in the transport direction by a predetermined amount until the leading edge of the medium exceeds the friction support member. The medium is transported in the opposite direction to the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting portion. To cut the aforementioned medium, The first action is, A media cutting apparatus characterized by performing the transport and cutting operations on the transport and cutting sections.

12. In the media cutting apparatus described in claim 11, The control unit, The transport unit and the cutting unit can be made to perform the first operation and a second operation different from the first operation, A media cutting device characterized in that, when the length of the cutting medium cut and separated by the cutting unit along the transport direction falls within a predetermined range, the transport unit and the cutting unit are instructed to perform the first operation.

13. In the media cutting apparatus described in claim 12, The second operation involves transporting the medium in the transport direction until the cutting position of the medium reaches the cutting section, and cutting the medium without transporting it in the opposite direction to the transport direction. The media cutting apparatus is characterized in that the control unit causes the transport unit and the cutting unit to perform the second operation when the length of the cutting medium along the transport direction falls outside a predetermined range.

14. In a media cutting device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, The media cutting device is characterized in that the friction support member supports a part of the back surface of the media being cut at the cutting portion while causing friction.

15. In the media cutting apparatus described in claim 14, The cutting portion moves from one side in the width direction to the other side. The media cutting device is characterized in that the friction support member is provided on one side of the guide portion.

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