Recording device

Abstract

The objective is to suppress the increase in size of recording devices that include a recording unit and a reading unit. [Solution] The recording device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transport means for transporting a sheet; a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet transported in the transport direction by the transport means; a first discharge unit for discharging the sheet on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit; a second discharge unit for discharging the sheet on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit above the first discharge unit; a switching mechanism for switching the transport path to discharge the sheet from either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit; and a reading unit disposed in the transport path from the switching mechanism through the second discharge unit for reading a document.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a reading unit that reads a document and a recording unit that records an image on a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a recording apparatus including a recording unit that records an image on a sheet and a reading unit that reads a document. In this recording apparatus, a sheet conveyed on the conveyance path on the recording unit side is recorded by the recording unit and discharged to a tray. On the other hand, a document conveyed on the conveyance path on the reading unit side is read by the reading unit and discharged to the same tray as the sheet.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the conveyance path on the recording unit side for conveying a sheet and the conveyance path on the reading unit side for conveying a document are separate. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording apparatus becomes large-sized. An object of the present invention is to suppress an increase in size of a recording apparatus including a recording unit and a reading unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The recording device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a transport means for transporting a sheet; a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet transported in the transport direction by the transport means; a first discharge unit for discharging the sheet on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit; a second discharge unit for discharging the sheet on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit above the first discharge unit; a switching mechanism for switching the transport path to discharge the sheet from either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit; and a reading unit disposed in the transport path from the switching mechanism through the second discharge unit for reading a document. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This invention makes it possible to suppress the increase in size of the recording device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the recording device. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of a recording device when the sheet is discharged to the top. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the recording device when the sheet is ejected to the front. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a recording device when the sheet is ejected to the front. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the recording device when scanning a document using the reading unit. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the recording device. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the document transport route. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the document scanning process. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the document scanning process. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the document transport path in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates how to insert a document in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates how the document is drawn in according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates the document reading operation in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart of the document reading operation in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied, various conditions, etc., and this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

[0009] <First Embodiment> <Recording device> The recording device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the recording device 100. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the recording device when the sheet is ejected to the top. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the recording device when the sheet is ejected to the front. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the recording device when the sheet is ejected to the front. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the recording device 100 when the reading unit reads a document.

[0010] The recording device 100 comprises a sheet supply unit 200, a transport unit 300, a recording unit 400, and a discharge unit. The sheet supply unit 200 is located on the upper and lower front surfaces of the recording device 100. The sheet supply unit 200 supplies sheets S from a roll R around which the sheets S are wound to the transport unit 300. The transport unit 300 has transport rollers 14 and a transport path, and transports the sheets S supplied from the sheet supply unit 200 to the recording unit 400. The recording unit 400 records images on the sheets S transported by the transport unit 300. The sheets S on which images have been recorded are discharged from the discharge unit. The discharge unit has a front discharge unit 161 that discharges to the front of the recording device 100 and an upper discharge unit 500 that discharges to the upper surface of the recording device 100. The sheets S on which images have been recorded by the recording unit 400 are discharged from either the front discharge unit 161 or the upper discharge unit 500. When a sheet S is discharged from the top discharge section 500, the sheet S is discharged via the top transport path 28 to the tray 29 at the top of the housing. The selection between the front discharge section 161 and the top discharge section 500 is performed by a switching mechanism. The recording device 100 also includes a reading unit 600 for reading the original document D on the top transport path 28. That is, the reading unit 600 is located on the transport path from the switching mechanism through the top discharge section 500. The recording device 100 also includes an operation panel 2 for user operation located outside the top transport path 28 in the width direction of the sheet S. Therefore, the user can input settings such as the size of the sheet S, online / offline switching, and output destination settings using the touch panel and various switches on the operation panel 2.

[0011] The recording unit 400 includes a recording head 18, a carriage that scans the recording head 18 in the width direction of the sheet S, and a platen that faces the recording head 18 and supports the sheet S. The recording head 18 records an image on the sheet S by ejecting ink. The recording head 18 is an electrothermal conversion element (heater) or a piezoelectric element, etc. The recording method is a serial method, but it may also be a full-line method. In the serial method, an image is recorded by alternately performing the transport operation of the sheet S and the ejection operation of ejecting ink while scanning the recording head 18. In the full-line method, an image is recorded while continuously transporting the sheet S using a long recording head 18 that extends in the width direction of the sheet S. In addition to the inkjet method, the recording unit 400 may also use an electrophotographic method.

[0012] The sheet S recorded by the recording unit 400 is conveyed in the conveyance direction F1 by the conveyance roller 14 of the conveyance unit 300. The nip roller 15 sandwiches the sheet S together with the conveyance roller 14 and rotates passively in accordance with the rotation of the conveyance roller 14. A cutter 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the recording head 18 in the conveyance direction F1. The sheet S on which an image is recorded by the recording unit 400 is cut by the cutter 21. A switching mechanism is disposed downstream of the cutter 21 in the conveyance direction F1. The switching mechanism is composed of a switching flap 22 that can rotate in the E1 and E2 directions and a switching flap 23 that can rotate in the S1 and S2 directions. The switching flap 22 switches the conveyance path of the sheet from the recording unit 400. The switching flap 23 guides the document D inserted from the front discharge unit 161 to the upper surface discharge unit 500. The switching flap 22 and the switching flap 23 switch their positions based on the control of the controller. By switching the positions of the switching flaps, the sheet S or the document D can be guided to an appropriate discharge unit. When discharging the sheet S on which an image is recorded to the upper surface, the switching flap 22 is positioned on the E1 side and the switching flap 23 is positioned on the S1 side. As a result, the sheet S guided by the switching mechanism is discharged to the tray 29 above the recording unit 400 via the upper surface conveyance path 28. On the other hand, when discharging the sheet S on which an image is recorded to the front, the switching flap 22 is positioned on the E2 side and the switching flap 23 is positioned on the S1 side. As a result, the sheet S guided by the switching mechanism is discharged to the front of the recording apparatus through the front discharge unit 161. The discharged sheet S falls by its own weight and is stored in the storage unit 30.

[0013] Here, the top discharge section 500 extends to the transport roller 25 downstream of the reading section 600, and the top transport path 28 serves as the transport path for the sheet S from the switching mechanism to the tray 29. Multiple transport rollers 25 and driven rollers 26 are arranged between the switching mechanism and the tray 29. In this case, the transport rollers 25 are located in three places: downstream of the switching mechanism, and upstream and downstream of the reading section 600. The transport rollers 25, together with the driven rollers 26, grip the sheet S on which the image has been recorded and discharge it in the discharge direction F2. The sheet S transported by the transport rollers 25 is loaded onto the tray 29. The reading section 600 is located inside the top transport path 28. The reading section 600 can read the image on the sheet S on which the image has been recorded by the recording section 400. On the other hand, when reading a document D on which an image has been recorded in advance, the document D is inserted from the front discharge section 161 provided on the front of the recording device 100. Subsequently, the original document D is transported by the transport roller 25. The original document D transported by the transport roller 25 is read by the reading unit 600. The original document D read by the reading unit 600 is transported by the transport roller 25 and discharged into the tray 29. In other words, the sheet S on which the image was recorded by the recording unit 400 and the original document D on which the image was read by the reading unit 600 are loaded into the same tray 29.

[0014] The image of the original document D or sheet S read by the reading unit 600 is displayed on the operation panel 2, which serves as the display unit. If the image of sheet S displayed on the operation panel 2 is not the desired result, the user can interrupt or cancel the recording operation by operating the operation panel 2. In the case of interruption, the recording of the image is resumed and completed. In the case of cancellation, the recording of the image is terminated, the upstream side of sheet S on which the image has been recorded is cut, and then sheet S is ejected. When reading sheet S recorded by the recording unit 400, the resolution may be reduced compared to when reading original document D. Reducing the resolution shortens the display time on the operation panel 2. It is also possible to read from the leading edge of sheet S up to a specified length. Furthermore, the operation panel 2 may display only a portion of the entire read image or a portion corresponding to a specified length.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the recording apparatus 100. The recording apparatus 100 incorporates a control board. The control board acquires signals from each sensor and controls a drive unit including a motor. The control board includes a recording unit control board 501 and an upper surface discharge unit control board 502. The controller A503 is mounted on the recording unit control board 501. The controller A503 is connected to each sensor such as a power supply unit A504, an IF unit 505, a memory 506, a motor driver A507, an operation panel 2, a reading unit 600, and a detection sensor 523. The power supply unit A504 is composed of a circuit that converts the power supplied from the outside into a voltage used for driving the recording unit control board 501, each sensor, and the drive unit. The IF unit 505 is composed of control circuits such as LAN and USB, and connects an external PC and the controller A503 to enable data communication. The memory 506 is used to store programs, required tables, and other fixed data controlled by the controller A503. Also, the memory 506 is used to provide areas for developing image data and working areas. The motor driver A507 outputs drive signals for driving a conveyance motor A508 that rotates a conveyance roller 14 and a cutter motor 509 that moves a cutter 21. The recording unit 400 drives a recording head 18 according to recording data and the like by a control signal from the controller A503 to perform an ink ejection operation. The reading unit 600 is a sheet feed method that reads a document D conveyed by a line sensor. The detection sensor 523 is arranged in the recording unit 400 to detect a sheet S. The operation panel 2 is composed of a touch panel, physical keys, etc., and is operated by the user to operate the recording apparatus 100. The touch panel also functions as a display unit on which menus and notifications are displayed. The user performs execution of each main operation and change of settings by operating the touch panel. The physical keys include a start key, a stop key, and a discharge key.

[0016] Controller B514 is mounted on the top discharge section control board 502 and is connected to the power supply unit B515, motor driver B516, and various sensors. The power supply unit B515 consists of a circuit that converts power supplied from an external source into voltage used to drive the top discharge section control board 502, various sensors, and various drive units. Motor driver B516 outputs drive signals to drive the transport motor B517 that rotates the transport roller 25 and the switching motor 524 of the switching mechanism. Sheet sensor 522 detects the sheet S inside the top discharge section 500. Switching sensor 525 detects the positions of the switching flappers 22 and 23, respectively, driven by the switching motor 524. The recording unit control board 501 and the top discharge section control board 502 are connected, and the recording unit control board 501 controls the top discharge section control board 502. By providing the upper discharge section control board 502 separately from the recording section control board 501, the upper discharge section can be controlled independently of the recording section. Alternatively, the control board configuration may include the recording section control board 501 and the recording section control board 502 as a single integrated unit.

[0017] <Reading operation> Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the reading operation by the reading unit 600 will be explained. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the document transport path. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the document reading operation. Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the reading operation. To guide the document D to the reading unit 600, the switching flapper 22 is located on the E2 side and the switching flapper 23 is located on the S2 side. The insertion opening for the document D is the front discharge opening 161. That is, the discharge opening for the sheet S recorded by the recording unit 400 becomes the insertion opening when reading the document D. The reading unit 600 reads the document D within the upper transport path 28. The read document D is loaded onto the tray 29 by the transport roller 25.

[0018] The reading operation by the reading unit 600 will now be explained using the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0019] In process S901, the user configures the reading settings on the control panel 2 as needed, and then presses the start button on the control panel 2.

[0020] In step S902, controller B514 sends a control signal to motor driver B516, and the switching motor 524 starts rotating. As a result, switching flapper 22 rotates to the E2 side and switching flapper 23 rotates to the S2 side. Switching sensor 525 detects whether switching flappers 22 and 23 have rotated to predetermined positions. When the switching flappers have rotated to predetermined positions, controller B514 causes controller A503 to display a prompt on the operation panel 2 to set the document D.

[0021] In step S903, the user manually inserts the document D from the front ejection section 161. When the sheet sensor 522 detects the leading edge of the document D, the controller B514 sends a control signal to the motor driver B516, and the transport motor B517 starts rotating. As a result, the transport roller 25 rotates, and a predetermined amount of the document D is drawn in from the front ejection section 161. Note that the document D may have already been drawn in before the start of the scanning operation. In that case, the operation of step S903 is omitted.

[0022] In step S904, controller B514 transmits a control signal to motor driver B516, and the transport motor B517 starts rotating. As the transport roller 25 rotates, the document D is transported in the discharge direction F2. At this time, the document D reaches the reading unit 600 without passing through the recording unit 400 from the front discharge unit 161. When the document D reaches the top transport path 28, controller A503 starts reading the document D by the reading unit 600. The arrival of the document D in the top transport path 28 is determined from the amount of transport by the transport roller 25 after the detection of the leading edge of the document D.

[0023] In step S905, the controller A503 continues to read the document D using the reading unit 600 until the trailing edge of the document D passes through the reading unit 600. During this time, the document D is transported by the transport roller 25, and the image of the document D is read by the line sensor. The image of the document D is displayed on the operation panel 2.

[0024] In step S906, when the trailing edge of the original document D passes through the reading unit 600, the controller A503 terminates the reading of the original document D by the reading unit 600.

[0025] In step S907, after the document D has finished being scanned, the controller B514 rotates the transport roller 25 for a predetermined time to discharge the document D into the tray 29.

[0026] In this way, by rotating the switching flapper 22 to the E2 side and the switching flapper 23 to the S2 side, the original document D is guided to the upper transport path 28, and the reading unit 600 can read the original document D. In other words, by making the discharge port for ejecting the sheet during recording and the insertion port for inserting the original document during reading the same, the recording device can be made smaller.

[0027] <Second Embodiment> The recording device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 14. In the recording device of the second embodiment, after the original document D is drawn into the transport unit 300, the original document D is transported in the transport direction and read by the reading unit 600. In this embodiment, the switching flapper 23 may be omitted.

[0028] Figure 10 shows the document transport path in the second embodiment. Figure 11 illustrates the insertion of a document in the second embodiment. Figure 12 illustrates the retraction of a document in the second embodiment. Figure 13 illustrates the document reading operation in the second embodiment. Figure 14 is a flowchart of the document reading operation in the second embodiment.

[0029] The insertion slot for inserting the document D is the front discharge section 161. First, since the switching flapper 22 is rotated to the E2 side, the document D is transported in the F3 direction, which is opposite to the sheet transport direction during recording (Figure 11). The document D can be pulled up to the sheet supply section 200. Alternatively, a separate transport path may be provided to pull in the document D. Next, the entire document D is pulled up to the transport section 300 (Figure 12). Furthermore, the switching flapper 22 is rotated to the E1 side, and the document D is transported in the transport direction F1. The document D is guided by the switching flapper 22 to reach the reading section 600 (Figure 13).

[0030] The reading operation by the reading unit 600 will now be explained using the flowchart in Figure 12.

[0031] In step S1201, the user configures the reading settings on the control panel 2 as needed, and then presses the start reading button on the control panel 2.

[0032] In step S1202, controller B514 sends a control signal to motor driver B516, and the switching motor 524 starts rotating. As a result, the switching flapper 22 rotates to the E2 side. The switching sensor 525 detects whether the switching flapper 22 has rotated to a predetermined position. When the switching flapper 22 has rotated to the predetermined position, controller B514 causes controller A503 to display a prompt on the operation panel 2 to set the document D.

[0033] In step S1203, the user manually inserts the document D from the front discharge section 161. At this time, the nip of the transport roller 14 and the nip roller 15 is released (Figure 11). The user inserts the document D up to the position of the transport roller 14. After that, the document D is held between the transport roller 14 and the nip roller 15.

[0034] In step S1204, controller A503 transmits a control signal to motor driver A507, and the transport roller 14 transports the original document D in the F3 direction, which is the opposite of the transport direction during recording (Figure 12).

[0035] In step S1205, controller A503 transports the document D in the F3 direction, which is opposite to the transport direction, until detection sensor 523 detects the trailing end of the document D.

[0036] In step S1206, when the trailing end of the original document D is detected, the controller A503 stops transporting the original document D. When pulling the document up to the position of the roll R of the sheet supply unit 200, priority is given to pulling the document D from the side where the roll R is not installed.

[0037] In step S1207, controller B514 sends a control signal to motor driver B516, and the switching motor 524 starts rotating. As a result, the switching flapper 22 rotates towards E1 (Figure 13).

[0038] In step S1208, controller A503 sends a control signal to motor driver A507 to rotate the transport roller 14, and controller B514 sends a control signal to motor driver B516 to rotate the transport roller 25. As a result, the document D is transported in the transport direction F1.

[0039] In step S1209, when the document D reaches the upper transport path 28, the controller A503 starts reading the document D using the reading unit 600.

[0040] In step S1210, the controller A503 continues to read the document D using the reading unit 600 until the trailing edge of the document D passes through the reading unit 600. During this time, the document D is transported by the transport rollers 25, and the image of the document D is read by the line sensor on the document D. The image of the document D is displayed on the operation panel 2.

[0041] In step S1211, when the trailing edge of the original document D passes through the reading unit 600, the controller A503 terminates the reading of the original document D in the reading unit 600.

[0042] In step S1212, after the document D has finished being scanned, the controller B514 rotates the transport roller 25 for a predetermined time to discharge the document D into the tray 29.

[0043] In this way, the switching flapper 22 is rotated to the E2 side, the entire document D is pulled into the sheet transport unit 300, and then the document D is transported to the tray 29 side, where the document D can be read by the reading unit 600. In other words, by making the discharge port for ejecting the sheet during recording and the insertion port for inserting the document during reading the same, the recording device can be made smaller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 14 Conveyor rollers 22 Switching Flapper 23 Switching Flapper 161 Front discharge section 400 Records Section 500 Top discharge section 600 Reading Unit

Claims

1. A conveying means for transporting sheets, A recording unit that records an image on a sheet that has been transported in the transport direction by the transport means, A first discharge unit discharges a sheet on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit, A second discharge unit discharges the sheet on which the image has been recorded by the recording unit upward from the first discharge unit, A switching mechanism that switches the transport path so that the sheet is discharged from either the first discharge section or the second discharge section, A recording device characterized by comprising a reading unit that is arranged in a transport path from the switching mechanism through the second discharge unit and reads a document.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that a document inserted from the first discharge unit is read by the reading unit and discharged from the second discharge unit.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that the document inserted from the first discharge unit is transported in the transport direction without passing through the recording unit and read by the reading unit.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the document inserted from the first discharge unit is transported toward the recording unit in the opposite direction to the transport direction, and then transported from the recording unit toward the transport direction to be read by the reading unit.

5. The switching mechanism includes a first flapper that switches the transport path of the sheet from the recording unit, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second flapper for guiding a document inserted from the first discharge unit to the second discharge unit.

6. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the recording unit discharges the sheet on which the image is recorded from the second discharge unit, the reading unit reads the sheet on which the image is recorded.

7. The recording device according to claim 6, further comprising a display unit for displaying the image read by the reading unit.

8. The recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that the resolution when reading a document inserted from the first ejection unit with the reading unit is higher than the resolution when reading a sheet on which an image is recorded with the reading unit.

9. The recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that the reading unit reads from the leading edge of the sheet on which the image is recorded up to a specified length.

10. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that, after displaying an image on the display unit, recording by the recording unit is interrupted by user operation.

Images