Image recording device
The image recording device addresses double feeding issues in trays with different capacities by using longer and movable/rotatable separating members and stoppers, ensuring effective suppression and cost efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BROTHER KOGYO KK
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing image recording devices with two trays of different maximum capacities face issues with double feeding suppression mechanisms, leading to increased costs and decreased functionality due to excessive or insufficient configurations.
The device incorporates trays with corresponding separating members and stoppers, where the second tray has a longer separating member and/or more stoppers than the first tray, and the second separating member is movable or rotatable to adjust resistance based on media load, while the first is fixed to maintain consistent resistance.
This configuration ensures effective double feeding suppression across varying tray capacities, reducing costs and maintaining functionality by optimizing the separating member's length, number, and mobility to adapt to media load changes.
Smart Images

Figure 2026095632000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having two trays. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Patent Document 1 discloses a printer (image recording apparatus) having a first paper feed tray (first tray) and a second paper feed tray (second tray). 【0003】 Patent Document 2 discloses a recording apparatus (image recording apparatus) in which a stopper member (stopper) is provided at the bottom of a guide member (separating member). The stopper member can be switched between a regulation state in which it abuts against the leading end of a medium housed in a tray to regulate the movement of the medium, and a regulation release state in which the regulation state is released and the medium housed in the tray can proceed along the guide slope of the guide member toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-054614 (FIG. 2) 【Patent Document 2】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-002315 (FIG. 2) 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0005】 Separation members and stoppers can suppress double feeding (the phenomenon of multiple media being transported while overlapping). However, in an image recording device equipped with a first tray and a second tray, if the maximum number of sheet media that can be stored in the first tray and the second tray are different, various problems may arise. For example, in the tray with a smaller maximum storage capacity, the configuration of the double feeding suppression mechanism (separation members and stoppers) may become excessive, leading to increased costs and a decrease in feeding functionality. Conversely, in the tray with a larger maximum storage capacity, the configuration of the double feeding suppression mechanism may become insufficient, potentially reducing the double feeding suppression function. 【0006】 The object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device that can suppress various problems that may arise when a double-feed suppression mechanism is provided for two trays with different maximum capacities. [Means for solving the problem] 【0007】 According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention comprises a housing, a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state, the tray being movable in a first direction relative to the housing, and having a mounting position where it is mounted on the housing and a withdrawal position upstream of the mounting position in the first direction, a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction along the support surface, a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism, a separating member disposed downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media, and the An image recording device is provided, comprising: an advance position for advancing into a transport path for a sheet-like medium along a separating member; and a retraction position for retracting from the transport path, wherein the stopper moves from the advance position to the retraction position when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the mounting position, the tray includes a first tray and a second tray, the separating member includes a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, the length of the second separating member in the third direction being longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, the stopper being provided for at least one of the first tray and the second tray, and the number of stoppers corresponding to the second tray being greater than the number of stoppers corresponding to the first tray. 【0008】 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention comprises a housing, a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state, the tray being movable in a first direction relative to the housing, and having a mounting position where it is mounted on the housing and a withdrawal position upstream of the mounting position in the first direction, a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction along the support surface, a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism, a separating member positioned downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media, and along the separating member An image recording device is provided, comprising a stopper capable of taking an advance position for advancing into a transport path for a sheet-like medium and a retraction position for retracting from the transport path, wherein the stopper moves from the advance position to the retraction position when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the mounting position, the tray includes a first tray and a second tray, the separating member includes a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, the length of the second separating member in the third direction being longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, and the stopper includes a first stopper corresponding to the first tray and a second stopper corresponding to the second tray, the amount of the second stopper advancing into the transport path at the advance position being greater than the amount of the first stopper advancing. 【0009】 According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention comprises a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state, a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction along the support surface, a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism, and a separating member disposed downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media, wherein the tray is An image recording device is provided, comprising a first tray and a second tray, wherein the feeding mechanism comprises a first feeding mechanism corresponding to the first tray and a second feeding mechanism corresponding to the second tray, and the separating member comprises a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, the first separating member is fixed, and the second separating member is movable downstream in the first direction against the biasing force of a biasing member by contacting a sheet-like medium fed by the second feeding mechanism. 【0010】 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention comprises a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state, a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction along the support surface, a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism, and a separating member positioned downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media, wherein the tray includes a first tray and a second tray, the feeding mechanism includes a first feeding mechanism corresponding to the first tray and a second feeding mechanism corresponding to the second tray, and the separating member corresponds to the first tray An image recording device is provided, comprising a first separating member and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, the first separating member is slidable in the first direction and slides to move downstream in the first direction against the biasing force of the first biasing member by contacting a sheet-like medium fed by the first feeding mechanism, and the second separating member has one end with a pivot axis along a fourth direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions, and the other end opposite to the one end, is rotatable about the pivot axis, and rotates about the pivot axis so that the other end moves downstream in the first direction against the biasing force of the second biasing member by contacting a sheet-like medium fed by the second feeding mechanism. 【0011】 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the present invention comprises a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state, a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction along the support surface, a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism, and a separating member disposed downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media, wherein the tray includes a first tray and a second tray, and the feeding mechanism includes a first feeding mechanism corresponding to the first tray, The present invention provides an image recording device comprising a second feeding mechanism corresponding to the second tray, wherein the separating member comprises a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, the length of the second separating member in the third direction being longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction, the first separating member being movable downstream in the first direction against the biasing force of the first biasing member by contacting a sheet-like medium fed by the first feeding mechanism, the second separating member being movable downstream in the first direction against the biasing force of the second biasing member by contacting a sheet-like medium fed by the second feeding mechanism, and the biasing force of the second biasing member being greater than the biasing force of the first biasing member. 【0012】 According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a tray having a support surface for supporting a plurality of sheet-like media in a stacked state; a feeding mechanism capable of feeding the sheet-like media supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction along the support surface; a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism; a separating member positioned downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extending in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, the separating member contacting the sheet-like media fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like media from other sheet-like media; and the sheet-like media of the separating member in contact with An image recording device is provided, comprising: an uneven portion on a surface, provided in a region extending in the third direction, having repeating irregularities along the third direction; the tray includes a first tray and a second tray; the separating member includes a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction; the uneven portion is provided on at least one of the first separating member and the second separating member, and the number of the uneven portions corresponding to the second separating member is greater than the number of the uneven portions corresponding to the first separating member. [Effects of the Invention] 【0013】 According to a first aspect of the present invention, since the second separating member has a longer length in the third direction than the first separating member, the second tray has a larger maximum capacity than the first tray. Under this configuration, in the tray with a smaller maximum capacity (first tray), reducing the number of stoppers can suppress cost increases and a decrease in feeding function. In addition, in the tray with a larger maximum capacity (second tray), increasing the number of stoppers can suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0014】 According to a second aspect of the present invention, since the second separating member has a longer length in the third direction than the first separating member, the second tray has a larger maximum capacity than the first tray. Under this configuration, in the tray with a smaller maximum capacity (first tray), the reduction in the amount the stopper extends can suppress a decrease in the feeding function. Also, in the tray with a larger maximum capacity (second tray), the reduction in the amount the stopper extends can suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0015】 According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a configuration in which the separating member is fixed, the resistance that the separating member applies to the sheet-like media remains constant regardless of the number of sheet-like media contained in the tray. In this case, for example, when approximately half of the maximum number of sheet-like media are contained in the tray, the multiple sheet-like media conveyed in an overlapping state may be separated by the above resistance, thereby suppressing double feeding. However, when the maximum number of sheet-like media are contained in the tray or when only the minimum number of sheet-like media are contained, the multiple sheet-like media conveyed in an overlapping state may not be separated by the above resistance, and the problem of not being able to suppress double feeding may arise. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the separating member moves against a biasing force, the resistance applied to the sheet-like media changes according to the number of sheet-like media contained in the tray, and double feeding can be suppressed by this resistance. Therefore, in a third aspect of the present invention, by using a configuration in which the separating member is fixed in a tray with a small maximum capacity (first tray), the complexity of the mechanism can be avoided and cost increases can be suppressed. Furthermore, by using a configuration in which the separating member moves in a tray with a large maximum capacity (second tray), a decrease in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed. 【0016】 In a fourth aspect of the present invention, we consider a case where the position of the force acting on the separating member in the second direction changes during the process from when the tray contains the maximum number of sheet-like media to when it contains the minimum number of sheet-like media. In this case, in a configuration in which the separating member slides, if the maximum number of media that can be contained is large, the change in the position of the force in the second direction becomes large during the process from when the tray contains the maximum number of sheet-like media to when it contains the minimum number of sheet-like media, which can lead to the problem that double feeding cannot be suppressed. For example, when the tray contains about half of the maximum number of sheet-like media, the separating member may slide due to the force and double feeding can be suppressed, but when the tray contains the maximum number of sheet-like media or the minimum number of sheet-like media, the separating member may not slide due to the force, or even if the separating member slides due to the force, the amount of slide may be small and double feeding cannot be suppressed. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the separating member rotates, even if the force changes in the second direction, the separating member rotates and double feeding can be suppressed. Therefore, in this configuration, by having the separating member slide in the tray with a small maximum capacity (first tray), the complexity of the mechanism can be avoided and costs can be suppressed. In addition, by having the separating member rotate in the tray with a large maximum capacity (second tray), the deterioration of the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed. 【0017】 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the second separating member has a longer length in the third direction than the first separating member, the second tray has a larger maximum capacity than the first tray. Under this configuration, in the tray with a smaller maximum capacity (first tray), the biasing force of the biasing member can be reduced to suppress cost increases and a decrease in feeding function. In addition, in the tray with a larger maximum capacity (second tray), the biasing force of the biasing member can be increased to suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0018】 According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the second separation member is longer in the third direction than the first separation member, the second tray has a larger maximum accommodation number than the first tray. Under this configuration, in the tray with a smaller maximum accommodation number (the first tray), by reducing the number of concavo-convex portions, an increase in cost and a decrease in the feeding function can be suppressed. Further, in the tray with a larger maximum accommodation number (the second tray), by increasing the number of concavo-convex portions, a decrease in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0019】 [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a state in which the maximum number of cut papers are accommodated in each paper feed tray in the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a separation member and a stopper provided for the lower paper feed tray included in the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the lower paper feed tray included in the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5 showing two paper feed trays included in the printer of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 【Modes for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0020】 <First Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, the printer 1 (image recording device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 1a, paper feed trays 10 and 20 that are detachable from the housing 1a, and a paper output tray 30. Paper feed tray 10 corresponds to the "first tray" of the present invention, and paper feed tray 20 corresponds to the "second tray" of the present invention. 【0021】 The paper feed trays 10 and 20 have a box shape with an upward opening and are movable in the front-to-back direction D1 (first direction) relative to the housing 1a. The paper feed trays 10 and 20 are pulled out from the housing 1a by moving forward relative to the housing 1a (upstream side in the front-to-back direction D1) and mounted on the housing 1a by moving backward relative to the housing 1a (downstream side in the front-to-back direction D1). The paper feed trays 10 and 20 can be in a mounted position where they are mounted on the housing 1a (see Figure 1) and in a pulled-out position forward of the mounted position (upstream side in the front-to-back direction D1) (not shown). When the paper feed trays 10 and 20 are in the mounted position, the paper feed tray 20 overlaps with the paper feed tray 10 in the vertical direction D3 (second direction) and is positioned below the paper feed tray 10. 【0022】 The widths (length in the left-right direction D4 (fourth direction)) of the paper feed trays 10, 20 and the paper output tray 30 are approximately the same. The height of the paper feed tray 20 (length in the up-down direction D2) is greater than the height of the paper feed tray 10. 【0023】 Printer 1 further comprises a transport mechanism 3, a head 5, and a control unit 100, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The elements of the transport mechanism 3, excluding the rollers 51 and 52 described later, the head 5, and the control unit 100 are supported by the housing 1a. 【0024】 The transport mechanism 3 is configured to selectively transport paper P from the paper feed trays 10 and 20, and includes rollers 51 and 52, rollers 13 and 23 and arms 14 and 24, roller pairs 3a to 3c, separating members 71 and 72, a pair of guide members 80, and a transport motor (not shown) for driving each of the rollers. Paper P in the paper feed trays 10 and 20 is transported by the transport mechanism 3 along a transport path T that passes between the pair of guide members 80 and under the head 5 toward the paper output tray 30. 【0025】 Of the transport mechanism 3, the roller 13 and arm 14 constitute a feeding mechanism 41 capable of feeding paper P contained in the paper tray 10. Of the transport mechanism 3, the rollers 51, 52, roller 23 and arm 24 constitute a feeding mechanism 42 capable of feeding paper P contained in the paper tray 20. The feeding mechanism 41 corresponds to the "first feeding mechanism" of the present invention, and the feeding mechanism 42 corresponds to the "second feeding mechanism" of the present invention. 【0026】 Note that "paper P" refers collectively to the paper P unwound from the roll paper R described later, and the cut paper Pc, and corresponds to the "sheet-like medium" of the present invention. Cut paper Pc refers to paper P whose length along the transport path T is shorter than the paper P that makes up the roll paper R. 【0027】 The paper feed tray 10 includes a cut paper storage section 12 capable of accommodating multiple cut paper sheets Pc (see Figure 3) stacked vertically in a D2 direction. The cut paper sheets Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 12 are supported on the upper surface 61a (corresponding to the "support surface" of the present invention) of a support plate 61 arranged along the bottom plate 19 of the paper feed tray 10. 【0028】 The roller 13 (corresponding to the "first roller" of the present invention) is supported at one end 14a of the arm 14 (corresponding to the "first arm" of the present invention) and is rotatable about an axis 13x along the left-right direction D4. The other end 14b of the arm 14 is supported by the housing 1a (see Figure 1) via an axis 14x along the left-right direction D4. The arm 14 is rotatable about the axis 14x with the other end 14b as a pivot point (see Figures 2 and 3). 【0029】 When the paper feed tray 10 is mounted on the housing 1a and no cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 12, the roller 13 contacts the upper surface 61a of the support plate 61 (see Figure 2). When the paper feed tray 10 is mounted on the housing 1a and cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 12, the roller 13 contacts the uppermost layer of cut paper Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 12 (see Figure 3). At this time, the transport motor is driven by the control unit 100, and the roller 13 rotates, feeding the cut paper Pc from the front (upstream) to the back (downstream) in the front-rear direction D1. 【0030】 The cut paper Pc, fed from the paper tray 10 by the roller 13, comes into contact with the separating member 71, moves along the separating member 71, and is guided between the pair of guide members 80. 【0031】 The separating member 71 (corresponding to the "first separating member" of the present invention) is positioned behind the roller 13 (downstream in the front-rear direction D1). The separating member 71 extends in a diagonal direction D3 (third direction) that intersects both the front-rear direction D1 and the up-down direction D2. In other words, the separating member 71 is inclined to be positioned upward as it moves towards the rear. The surface of the separating member 71 that defines the transport path T (i.e., the surface in contact with the paper P) is provided with a surface 71p consisting of fine irregularities that repeat along the diagonal direction D3. The surface 71p suppresses double feeding (the phenomenon in which multiple cut paper Pc are transported overlapping each other). That is, the separating member 71 has the function of separating the cut paper Pc that is in contact with the roller 13 from the other cut paper Pc. 【0032】 The uneven portion 71p is provided in a region extending diagonally in direction D3 on the surface of the separating member 71, similar to the uneven portion 72p (see Figure 4) provided on the surface of the separating member 72, which will be described later. However, the separating member 72 has two uneven portions 72p, while the separating member 71 has one uneven portion 71p. Also, the uneven portion 71p is made of metal, while the uneven portion 72p is made of resin. That is, the uneven portion 71p has protrusions made of metal, while the uneven portion 72p has protrusions made of resin and does not have protrusions made of metal. 【0033】 The paper feed tray 20 includes a roll paper storage section 21 capable of accommodating a roll of paper R (see Figure 2) and a cut paper storage section 22 capable of accommodating multiple cut sheets Pc (see Figure 3) stacked vertically in the D2 direction. The cut sheets Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 22 are supported on the upper surface 62a (corresponding to the "support surface" of the present invention) of a support plate 62 arranged along the bottom plate 29 of the paper feed tray 20. 【0034】 In the paper feed tray 20, when using roll paper R, the cut paper Pc is removed from the cut paper storage section 22 (see Figure 2), and when using cut paper Pc, the roll paper R is removed from the roll paper storage section 21 (see Figure 3). The cut paper storage section 22 is the space behind the roll paper storage section 21. 【0035】 The number of cut paper sheets Pc that can be stored in the cut paper storage section 22 is greater than the number of cut paper sheets Pc that can be stored in the cut paper storage section 12. 【0036】 The roller 23 (corresponding to the "second roller" of the present invention) is supported at one end 24a of the arm 24 (corresponding to the "second arm" of the present invention) and is rotatable about an axis 23x along the left-right direction D4. The other end 24b of the arm 24 is supported by the housing 1a (see Figure 1) via an axis 24x along the left-right direction D4. The arm 24 is rotatable about the axis 24x with the other end 24b as a pivot point (see Figures 2 and 3). 【0037】 Here, the length of arm 24 (length from the other end 24b to the first end 24a) is longer than the length of arm 14 (length from the other end 14b to the first end 14a), and the length A2 from the other end 24b of arm 24 to the position where roller 23 contacts paper P is longer than the length A1 from the other end 14b of arm 14 to the position where roller 13 contacts paper P (see Figure 2). 【0038】 When the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the housing 1a and no cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 22, the roller 23 contacts the upper surface 62a of the support plate 62 (see Figure 2). When the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the housing 1a and cut paper Pc is stored in the cut paper storage section 22, the roller 23 contacts the uppermost layer of cut paper Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 22 (see Figure 3). At this time, the transport motor is driven by the control unit 100, and the roller 23 rotates, feeding the cut paper Pc from the front (upstream) to the back (downstream) in the front-to-back direction D1. 【0039】 The roll paper R is formed by winding a long sheet of paper P in a roll around the outer circumference of a cylindrical core member Rc, and corresponds to the "roll body" of the present invention. The roll paper R is housed in the roll paper storage section 21 with its rotation axis Rx (the central axis of the core member Rc) aligned with the left-right direction D4. 【0040】 Rollers 51 and 52 are positioned at the bottom of the roll paper storage section 21. Rollers 51 and 52 are rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction D4. When the roll paper R is stored in the roll paper storage section 21, the outer surface of its lower portion is supported by rollers 51 and 52. When setting the roll paper R, the roll paper R is manually rotated in the direction of the arrow Q in Figure 2 to unwind the paper P from the roll paper R. Then the paper P is passed through the gap between the lower surface of the support plate 61 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 29, and the leading edge of the paper P is held between roller 23 and roller 25. In this state, the transport motor is driven by the control unit 100, and the rollers 51, 52, and 23 rotate, so that the paper P unwound from the roll paper R is fed from the front (upstream) to the back (downstream) in the front-back direction D1. 【0041】 The paper P (paper P unwound from a roll of paper R stored in the roll paper storage section 21, or cut paper Pc stored in the cut paper storage section 22) fed from the paper tray 20 by the roller 23 comes into contact with the separating member 72, moves along the separating member 72, and is guided to the roller pair 3a. 【0042】 The separating member 72 (corresponding to the "second separating member" of the present invention) is positioned behind the roller 23 (downstream in the front-rear direction D1). Like the separating member 71, the separating member 72 extends in the diagonal direction D3. In other words, the separating member 72 is inclined to be positioned upward as it moves towards the rear. The surface of the separating member 72 that defines the transport path T (i.e., the surface in contact with the paper P) is provided with a surface 72p consisting of fine irregularities that repeat along the diagonal direction D3. The surface 72p suppresses double feeding (the phenomenon in which multiple cut paper Pc are transported overlapping each other). That is, the separating member 72 has the function of separating the cut paper Pc that is in contact with the roller 23 from the other cut paper Pc. 【0043】 The length L2 of the separation member 72 in the diagonal direction D3 is longer than the length L1 of the separation member 71 in the diagonal direction D3 (see Figure 2). In addition, while the separation member 71 is fixed, the separation member 72 is rotatable. Specifically, the separation member 72 is rotatable around a pivot axis 72x provided at its lower end 72a (one end) along the left-right direction D4. A coil spring S2 (corresponding to the "biasing member" of the present invention) is provided on the back surface (the surface opposite to the front surface) of the upper end 72b of the separation member 72. The separation member 72 rotates around the pivot axis 72x so that the upper end 72b moves backward (downstream in the front-back direction D1) against the biasing force of the coil spring S2 by contacting the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 42. 【0044】 A stopper 92 is provided for the paper feed tray 20. The stopper 92 is supported by the housing 1a (see Figure 1) together with the separating member 72. The stopper 92 is rotatable about a pivot axis 72x and can take on an extended position (shown by a solid line in Figure 2) where it extends into the transport path T, and a retracted position (shown by a dashed line in Figure 2) where it retracts from the transport path T, depending on whether the paper feed tray 20 is attached to or detached from the housing 1a. Specifically, the stopper 92 is in the extended position when the paper feed tray 20 is pulled out from the housing 1a (i.e., when the paper feed tray 20 is in the pulled-out position). Then, when the paper feed tray 20 moves from the pulled-out position to the attached position (see Figures 1 to 3), it moves from the extended position to the retracted position. Subsequently, when the paper P is transported by the transport mechanism 3 during image recording, the stopper 92 is held in the retracted position. 【0045】 Without the stopper 92, when the paper feed tray 20 reaches its mounting position and stops, the cut paper Pc (see Figure 3) inside the paper feed tray 20 may move backward due to inertia and end up on the separation member 72. If the cut paper Pc is transported in this state, the separation function of the separation member 72 may not function properly, and double feeding may occur. In contrast, in this embodiment, by providing the stopper 92, the cut paper Pc moving backward due to inertia comes into contact with the stopper 92, preventing the cut paper Pc from riding up on the separation member 72 (and thus preventing double feeding). 【0046】 As shown in Figure 4, there are two stoppers 92. The two stoppers 92 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line A passing through the center of the separating member 72 in the left-right direction D4, and sandwich the uneven portion 72p in the left-right direction D4. The uneven portion 72p is located near the virtual straight line A. 【0047】 There is no stopper provided for the paper feed tray 10. 【0048】 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the opening V2 at the rear end of the paper feed tray 20 has a greater width (length D4 in the left-right direction) than the opening V1 at the rear end of the paper feed tray 10. Opening V1 is the space where the separating member 71 is placed when the paper feed tray 10 is in the mounting position, and is defined by the rear plate 18 and the bottom plate 19 of the paper feed tray 10. Opening V2 is the space where the separating member 72 is placed when the paper feed tray 20 is in the mounting position, and is defined by the rear plate 28 and the bottom plate 29 of the paper feed tray 20. By increasing the width of the opening V2 in the paper feed tray 20, which has a larger maximum capacity, it is possible to easily load a large amount of cut paper Pc into the cut paper storage section 12 from the rear of the paper feed tray 20. 【0049】 The head 5 (corresponding to the "recording unit" of the present invention) includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) formed on its lower surface and a driver IC. When the paper P transported by the transport mechanism 3 passes a position facing the lower surface of the head 5, the driver IC is driven by the control unit 100, causing ink to be ejected from the nozzles, the ink to land on the paper P, and an image to be recorded on the paper P. The head 5 may be either a line type that ejects ink from nozzles while its position is fixed, or a serial type that ejects ink from nozzles while moving in the left-right direction D4. 【0050】 The control unit 100 is connected to the transport motor and driver IC via an internal bus (not shown). The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores programs and data for the CPU to perform various controls. The RAM temporarily stores data used by the CPU when executing programs. 【0051】 As described above, according to this embodiment, since the length of the diagonal direction D3 is longer for the separating member 72 than for the separating member 72, the paper feed tray 20 has a larger maximum capacity than the paper feed tray 10 (see Figures 2 and 3). Under this configuration, the number of stoppers 92 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20 (2) is greater than the number of stoppers corresponding to the paper feed tray 10 (zero) (see Figures 2 to 4). In this case, reducing the number of stoppers in the tray with a smaller maximum capacity (paper feed tray 10) can suppress cost increases and a decrease in feeding function. Also, increasing the number of stoppers 92 in the tray with a larger maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20) can suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0052】 A stopper is not provided for the paper feed tray 10 (see Figures 2 and 3). In this case, cost increases can be more reliably suppressed. 【0053】 The stopper 92 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20 is positioned symmetrically with respect to a virtual straight line A passing through the center of the separation member 72 in the left-right direction D4 (see Figure 4). In this case, the deterioration of the double-feed suppression function can be more reliably suppressed in the tray with the largest maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20). 【0054】 While the separating member 71 is fixed, the separating member 72 is movable at its upper end 72b backward (downstream in the front-to-back direction D1) against the biasing force of the coil spring S2 by contacting the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 42 (see Figures 2 and 3). In a configuration where the separating member is fixed, the resistance applied by the separating member to the cut paper Pc remains constant regardless of the number of cut paper Pc sheets that are stored. In this case, for example, when approximately half the maximum number of cut paper Pc sheets are stored in the paper tray, even if multiple cut paper Pc sheets that are transported in an overlapping state are separated by the above resistance and double feeding can be suppressed, when the maximum number of cut paper Pc sheets or a number of cut paper Pc sheets close to the minimum number are stored in the paper tray, multiple cut paper Pc sheets that are transported in an overlapping state may not be separated by the above resistance, and double feeding cannot be suppressed. On the other hand, in a configuration where the separating member moves against the biasing force, the resistance that the separating member applies to the cut paper Pc changes depending on the number of cut paper Pc sheets that can be stored, and this resistance can suppress double feeding. Therefore, in this embodiment, in trays with a small maximum capacity (paper feed tray 10), the separating member 71 is fixed, which avoids complexity of the mechanism and suppresses cost increases. In trays with a large maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20), the separation member 72 moves against the biasing force, which suppresses a decrease in the double feeding suppression function. Furthermore, in a configuration where the separating member 71 is fixed, the resistance that the separating member 71 applies to the cut paper Pc is constant regardless of the stiffness of the cut paper Pc (which can change depending on the thickness and ambient humidity), so double feeding may occur depending on the stiffness. In contrast, in a configuration where the separating member 72 moves against the biasing force, the resistance that the separating member 72 applies to the cut paper Pc changes according to the biasing force corresponding to the stiffness (a large biasing force if the paper is stiff, and a small biasing force if the paper is not stiff), making double feeding less likely. 【0055】 The number of protrusions 72p corresponding to the separating member 72 (2) is greater than the number of protrusions 71p corresponding to the separating member 71 (1). In this case, in a tray with a small maximum capacity (paper feed tray 10), reducing the number of protrusions 72p can suppress cost increases and a decrease in feeding function. Also, in a tray with a large maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20), increasing the number of protrusions 72p can suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0056】 The uneven portion 71p corresponding to the separating member 71 has protrusions made of metal, while the uneven portion 72p corresponding to the separating member 72 has protrusions made of resin and does not have protrusions made of metal. Since there are many uneven portions 72p corresponding to the separating member 72, even if there are no protrusions made of metal, the reduction in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed as long as there are protrusions made of resin. Furthermore, by making the protrusions out of resin instead of metal, the increase in cost can be further suppressed. 【0057】 The feeding mechanisms 41 and 42 are arm feeding systems that involve the rotation of arms 14 and 24 (see Figures 2 and 3). For example, if the feeding mechanism is a pressure plate lifting system (a system in which a pressure plate supporting the cut paper Pc is biased upward by a biasing member, and the pressure plate lifts up and down according to the number of cut paper Pc stored), the position of the vertical D2 of the force from the cut paper Pc acting on the separating members 71 and 72 remains constant during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the paper tray to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc is stored. In contrast, if the feeding mechanisms 41 and 42 are arm feeding systems as in this embodiment, the position of the vertical D2 of the force from the cut paper Pc acting on the separating members 71 and 72 changes during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the paper tray 10 and 20 to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc is stored. In this case, depending on the position of the vertical force D2 from the cut paper Pc, the separation function by the separation members 71 and 72 may not function properly, and the double-feed suppression function may be reduced. In particular, in the paper feed tray 20, which has a large maximum capacity of cut paper Pc, the change in this position becomes larger, and this problem may become more pronounced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reduction in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed by providing a stopper 92 to the paper feed tray 20, making the separation member 72 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20 movable, or increasing the number of protrusions 72p on the separation member 72 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20. 【0058】 The separating member 72 is not configured to slide in the front-to-back direction D1, but rather to rotate around a pivot axis 72x along the left-to-right direction D4. As described above, because the feeding mechanisms 41 and 42 are arm feeding type, when the position of the force acting on the separating members 371 and 72 from the cut paper Pc changes in the vertical direction D2 during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc are stored in the paper trays 10 and 20 to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc are stored, if the separating member is configured to slide, when the maximum number of paper to be stored is large, the change in the position of the force in the second direction becomes large during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc are stored in the paper tray to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc are stored, which can lead to the problem that double feeding cannot be suppressed. For example, when the paper tray is filled with approximately half the maximum number of cut sheets Pc, the separating member may slide due to the aforementioned force, suppressing double feeding. However, when the paper tray is filled with the maximum number of cut sheets Pc or the minimum number of cut sheets Pc, the separating member may not slide due to the aforementioned force, or even if it does slide due to the aforementioned force, the amount of slide may be small, making it impossible to suppress double feeding. On the other hand, in a configuration where the separating member rotates, even if the aforementioned force changes in a second direction, the separating member rotates, suppressing double feeding. 【0059】 The paper trays 10 and 20 overlap in the vertical direction D2 (see Figures 2 and 3). In this case, the increase in size of the printer 1 as viewed from the vertical direction D2 can be suppressed. 【0060】 <Second Embodiment> As shown in Figure 7, the printer 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is equipped not only with a stopper 92 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20, but also with a stopper 91 corresponding to the paper feed tray 10. The stopper 91 corresponds to the "first stopper" of the present invention, and the stopper 92 corresponds to the "second stopper" of the present invention. 【0061】 The stopper 91 is supported by the housing 1a (see Figure 1) together with the separation member 71. The stopper 91 is rotatable, similar to the stopper 92, and can take on an extended position (shown in Figure 7) where it extends into the transport path T, and a retracted position (not shown) where it retracts from the transport path T, depending on the attachment and detachment of the paper feed tray 10 to the housing 1a. Specifically, the stopper 91 is in the extended position when the paper feed tray 10 is pulled out from the housing 1a (i.e., when the paper feed tray 10 is in the pulled-out position). Then, when the paper feed tray 10 moves from the pulled-out position to the attached position (see Figures 1 to 3), it moves from the extended position to the retracted position. Subsequently, when the paper P is transported by the transport mechanism 3 during image recording, the stopper 91 is held in the retracted position. 【0062】 Here, the angle θ2 that the stopper 92 in the extended position makes with the separating member 72 is greater than the angle θ1 that the stopper 91 in the extended position makes with the separating member 71. Also, the amount of extension B2 of the stopper 92 into the transport path T at the extended position is greater than the amount of extension B1 of the stopper 91 into the transport path T at the extended position. The amount of extension is the distance from the transport path T to the surface of the stopper 92 that contacts the paper P, along a direction perpendicular to the transport path T. 【0063】 As described above, according to this embodiment, in a tray with a large maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20), the reduction in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed by increasing the extension amount B2 of the stopper 92. 【0064】 <Third Embodiment> In the printer 301 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 8, the separating member 371 corresponding to the paper feed tray 10 is slidable in the front-rear direction D1. 【0065】 On the back surface of the separating member 371, coil springs S1 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the separating member 371. The separating member 371 slides so that it moves downstream in the front-rear direction D1 against the biasing force of the coil springs S1 by coming into contact with the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 41. The coil spring S1 corresponds to the "first biasing member" of the present invention, and the coil spring S2 corresponds to the "second biasing member" of the present invention. 【0066】 Note that the stopper 92 is not shown in Figure 8. 【0067】 For example, if the feeding mechanisms 41 and 42 are of the arm feeding type, consider a case where the position of the vertical D2 force acting on the separating members 371 and 72 from the cut paper Pc changes during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the paper trays 10 and 20 to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc is stored. In this case, if the separating member slides, when the maximum number of paper Pc is large, the change in the position of the force in the second direction becomes large during the process from when the maximum number of cut paper Pc is stored in the paper tray to when the minimum number of cut paper Pc is stored, which can lead to the problem that double feeding cannot be suppressed. For example, when the paper tray is filled with about half the maximum number of cut paper Pc, the separating member may slide due to the force and double feeding may be suppressed, but when the paper tray is filled with the maximum number of cut paper Pc or the minimum number of cut paper Pc, the separating member may not slide due to the force, or even if the separating member slides due to the force, the amount of slide may be small and double feeding cannot be suppressed. On the other hand, in a configuration where the separating member rotates, even if the above force changes in the second direction, the separating member rotates, and double feeding can be suppressed. 【0068】 Therefore, in this embodiment, by configuring the separation member 371 to slide in the tray with a small maximum capacity (paper feed tray 10), the complexity of the mechanism can be avoided and cost increases can be suppressed. In addition, by configuring the separation member 72 to rotate in the tray with a large maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20), a decrease in the double-feed suppression function can be suppressed. 【0069】 <Fourth Embodiment> In the printer 401 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 9, both the separating member 471 corresponding to the paper feed tray 10 and the separating member 472 corresponding to the paper feed tray 20 are slidable in the front-rear direction D1. 【0070】 The separation member 471 has the same configuration as the separation member 371 of the third embodiment (see Figure 8). On the back surface of the separation member 471, coil springs S41 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the separation member 471. The separation member 471 slides so that it moves downstream in the front-rear direction D1 against the biasing force of the coil springs S41 by coming into contact with the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 41. 【0071】 The separation member 472 has substantially the same configuration as the separation members 371 and 471. On the back side of the separation member 472, coil springs S42 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the separation member 472. The separation member 472 slides so that it moves downstream in the front-rear direction D1 against the biasing force of the coil springs S42 when it comes into contact with the paper P fed by the feeding mechanism 42. 【0072】 Coil spring S41 corresponds to the "first biasing member" of the present invention, and coil spring S42 corresponds to the "second biasing member" of the present invention. The biasing force of coil spring S42 is greater than the biasing force of coil spring S41. 【0073】 Note that the stopper 92 is not shown in Figure 9. 【0074】 As described above, according to this embodiment, in trays with a small maximum capacity (paper feed tray 10), reducing the biasing force of the coil spring S41 can suppress cost increases and a decrease in feeding function. In trays with a large maximum capacity (paper feed tray 20), increasing the biasing force of the coil spring S42 can suppress a decrease in the double-feed suppression function. 【0075】 <Variation> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims. 【0076】 In the first embodiment (see Figures 2 and 3), the separating member 71 is fixed and the separating member 72 is rotatable. However, the separating member 71 may be fixed and the separating member 72 may be slidable in the front-rear direction D1, as with the separating member 472 in the fourth embodiment (see Figure 9). 【0077】 In the first embodiment (see Figure 4), two stoppers 92 are provided, but one stopper 92 may also be provided. 【0078】 In the first embodiment (see Figures 2 and 3), no stoppers are provided for the paper feed tray 10. However, n (n: a natural number) stoppers may be provided for the paper feed tray 10, or n+1 or more stoppers may be provided for the paper feed tray. 【0079】 In the embodiments described above (see Figures 2 and 3), the stopper is rotatable, but it may also be configured to slide in the first direction. 【0080】 The number of protrusions and indentations corresponding to the first separating member may be zero. 【0081】 The first and second rollers are not limited to being supported by the housing, but may also be supported by each tray. 【0082】 Similarly, the first and second separating members are not limited to being supported by the housing, but may also be supported by each tray. 【0083】 In the above embodiment, the feeding mechanism is an arm feeding system involving the rotation of an arm, but it is not limited to this, and may also be a pressure plate lifting system (a system in which a pressure plate supporting a sheet-like medium is biased upward by a biasing member, and the pressure plate lifts up or down according to the number of sheet-like mediums to be accommodated). 【0084】 The paper feed tray 20 may be positioned above the paper feed tray 10. Furthermore, the first and second trays are not limited to overlapping in the second direction, but may overlap in the first direction, for example. 【0085】 The sheet-like medium is not limited to paper; it may also be cloth or plastic film. In other words, the sheet-like medium may be made of any material as long as it is in sheet form. 【0086】 The recording unit may dispense liquids other than ink (for example, processing liquids that cause components in the ink to coagulate or precipitate). Furthermore, the recording unit is not limited to a liquid dispensing method, but may also use a laser method, a thermal transfer method, or the like. 【0087】 This invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction devices, and the like. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0088】 1;201;301;401 Printer (image recording device) 1a Enclosure 5. Head (recording unit) 10. Paper feed tray (Tray 1) 13. Laura (Laura 1) 14 Arms (First Arm) 20 Paper feed tray (second tray) 23 Laura (Laura 2) 24 Arm (2nd Arm) 41 Feeding mechanism (First feeding mechanism) 42 Feeding mechanism (Second feeding mechanism) 61a, 62a Top surface (support surface) 71;371;471 Separation member (first separation member) 71p Uneven part 72;472 Separation member (second separation member) 72a Lower end (one end) 72b Upper end (other end) 72x pivot axis 72p Uneven part 91 Stopper (First Stopper) 92 Stopper (Second Stopper) D1 Anteroposterior direction (first direction) D2 Vertical direction (second direction) D3 Diagonal direction (third direction) D4 Left / right direction (4th direction) P paper (sheet-type media) R Roll paper (roll) S1 Coil spring (first biasing member) S2 Coil spring (biasing member, second biasing member) S41 Coil spring (first biasing member) S42 Coil spring (second biasing member)
Claims
[Claim 1] The casing and A tray having a support surface for supporting multiple sheet-like media in a stacked state, the tray being movable in a first direction relative to the housing, and capable of taking a mounting position where it is mounted on the housing and a pull-out position upstream of the mounting position in the first direction, A feeding mechanism capable of feeding a sheet-like medium supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction, A recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like medium fed by the feeding mechanism, A separating member is positioned downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extends in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, and the separating member contacts the sheet-like medium fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like medium from other sheet-like medium, A stopper capable of taking an advance position in which it advances into the transport path of the sheet-like medium along the separating member, and a retraction position in which it retracts from the transport path, wherein the stopper moves from the advance position to the retraction position when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the mounting position, The tray includes a first tray and a second tray. The separating member includes a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction. The stopper is provided for at least one of the first tray and the second tray, and the number of stoppers corresponding to the second tray is greater than the number of stoppers corresponding to the first tray, characterized in that the image recording device is provided for at least one of the first tray and the second tray. [Claim 2] The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper is not provided with respect to the first tray. [Claim 3] The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of stoppers corresponding to the second tray are arranged symmetrically with respect to a virtual line passing through the center of the second separating member in a fourth direction that is orthogonal to both the first and second directions. [Claim 4] The casing and A tray having a support surface for supporting multiple sheet-like media in a stacked state, the tray being movable in a first direction relative to the housing, and capable of taking a mounting position where it is mounted on the housing and a pull-out position upstream of the mounting position in the first direction, A feeding mechanism capable of feeding a sheet-like medium supported on the support surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in a first direction along the support surface, A recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like medium fed by the feeding mechanism, A separating member is positioned downstream of the support surface in the first direction and extends in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the support surface, and the separating member contacts the sheet-like medium fed by the feeding mechanism to separate the sheet-like medium from other sheet-like medium, A stopper capable of taking an advance position in which it advances into the transport path of the sheet-like medium along the separating member, and a retraction position in which it retracts from the transport path, wherein the stopper moves from the advance position to the retraction position when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the mounting position, The tray includes a first tray and a second tray. The separating member includes a first separating member corresponding to the first tray and a second separating member corresponding to the second tray, wherein the length of the second separating member in the third direction is longer than the length of the first separating member in the third direction. The image recording device is characterized in that the stopper includes a first stopper corresponding to the first tray and a second stopper corresponding to the second tray, wherein the amount of the second stopper extending into the transport path at the extension position is greater than the amount of the first stopper extending. [Claim 5] The sheet-like medium of the separating member further comprises an uneven portion consisting of repeating irregularities along the third direction, provided in a region extending in the third direction on the surface in which it comes into contact with the separating member, The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the uneven portion is provided on at least one of the first separating member and the second separating member, and the number of uneven portions corresponding to the second separating member is greater than the number of uneven portions corresponding to the first separating member. [Claim 6] The aforementioned feeding mechanism is A first arm having one end and the other end, and rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, A first roller supported at one end of the first arm, which contacts the uppermost sheet-like medium among a plurality of sheet-like mediums contained in the first tray and is capable of feeding the sheet-like medium, A second arm having one end and the other end, and rotatable with the other end as a pivot point, The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a second roller supported at one end of the second arm, the second roller being capable of feeding the sheet-like medium in the uppermost layer of a plurality of sheet-like media contained in the second tray. [Claim 7] The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first tray and the second tray overlap in the second direction.