Media transport device and recording device

Abstract

This prevents foreign matter attached to the media from adhering to the conveyor rollers. [Solution] A media conveying device 7 comprising: a conveying path 9 through which a medium 3 is conveyed; a deflection forming member 21 capable of forming a deflection in the medium 3 by contacting the medium 3 at a contact portion 52 in the conveying path 9, the deflection forming member 21 being displaceable between an advanced state in which it advances into the conveying path 9 and a retracted state in which it retracts away from the conveying path 9; a conveying roller 13 located below the tip of the deflection forming member 21 on which the contact portion 52 is provided and conveying the medium 3; and a cover portion 100 covering the conveying roller 13 between the conveying roller 13 and its tip, wherein the cover portion 100 is capable of following the displacement of the deflection forming member 21.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveyance device and a recording device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various medium conveyance devices equipped with conveyance rollers for conveying a medium have been used in recording devices and the like. In such a conveyance device, jams may occur, and when a jam occurs, it is necessary to remove the medium that caused the jam. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medium conveyance device provided with a lever for facilitating the removal of the medium that caused the jam. The lever of the medium conveyance device of Patent Document 1 is a lever for pulling out the medium that has accumulated due to a jam between the pairs of conveyance rollers towards the front.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the medium conveyance device of Patent Document 1, since the medium that has accumulated due to a jam can be pulled out towards the front, it is easy for the user to touch the medium with a finger or the like, and it is easy to remove the medium. However, when removing the medium that caused the jam, there is a risk that foreign substances such as paper dust accumulated around the lever will fall and adhere to the pair of conveyance rollers provided below the lever when the lever is operated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A media transport device according to the present invention for solving the above problems comprises: a transport path through which a medium is transported; a deflection-forming member capable of forming a deflection in the medium by contacting the medium in the transport path at a contact portion, the deflection-forming member being displaceable between an advanced state in which it advances into the transport path and a retracted state in which it retracts from the transport path; a transport roller located below the tip of the deflection-forming member on which the contact portion is provided, and transporting the medium; and a cover portion covering the transport roller between the transport roller and the tip, wherein the cover portion is capable of following the displacement of the deflection-forming member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A front view showing the internal configuration of the recording device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the area around a flexible member in a media transport device having a flexible member with a configuration similar to that of the media transport device in the recording device of Figure 1, and illustrating the state in which a medium is being transported from the media storage section. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing the area around a deflection-forming member in a media transport device having a configuration similar to that of the media transport device in the recording device of Figure 1, and it shows the state in which a jam has occurred and the door has been opened. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the periphery of a deflection-forming member in a media transport device having a deflection-forming member with a configuration similar to that of the media transport device in the recording device of Figure 1, and it shows the deflection-forming member in the extended state from the retracted state shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the area around the deflection-forming member of the media transport device of the recording device, and depicts the deflection-forming member in a retracted state. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the area around the flexure-forming member of the media transport device of the recording device, and depicts the flexure-forming member in an extended state. [Figure 7] A side view showing the area around the flexing member of the media transport device of the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 8]A perspective view showing the area around the deflection-forming member of the media transport device of the recording device of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the diagram showing the deflection-forming member in a retracted state. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the area around the flexure-forming member of the media transport device of the recording device, illustrating the flexure-forming member in an extended state. [Figure 10] A front view showing the area around the flexure-forming member of the media transport device of the recording device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention will now be described in general terms. To solve the above problems, a media transport device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a transport path through which a medium is transported; a deflection-forming member capable of forming a deflection in the medium by contacting the medium in the transport path at a contact portion, and the deflection-forming member being displaceable between an advanced state in which it advances into the transport path and a retracted state in which it retracts from the transport path; a transport roller located below the tip of the deflection-forming member on which the contact portion is provided, and transporting the medium; and a cover portion covering the transport roller between the transport roller and the tip, wherein the cover portion is capable of following the displacement of the deflection-forming member.

[0008] According to this embodiment, a cover portion is provided that can follow the displacement of the deflection-forming member and covers the conveyor roller between the conveyor roller and the tip of the deflection-forming member. Therefore, with a cover portion configured in this way, even if foreign matter moves from the medium to the vicinity of the deflection-forming member, the foreign matter attached to the deflection-forming member can be prevented from moving to the conveyor roller even if the deflection-forming member is displaced. Thus, it is possible to prevent foreign matter attached to the medium from adhering to the conveyor roller.

[0009] Furthermore, a media transport device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the cover portion is provided over the entire width of the transport path in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the media.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the cover portion is provided across the entire width of the transport path in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the movement of foreign matter to the transport rollers across the entire width of the transport path, and thus it is also possible to suppress foreign matter from wrapping around from the outside in the width direction and adhering to the transport rollers.

[0011] Furthermore, a media transport device according to a third aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the cover portion is provided over the entire width of the transport roller in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the media.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the cover portion is provided across the entire width of the conveying roller in the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the medium. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the movement of foreign matter onto the conveying roller across the entire width of the conveying roller, thereby effectively suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter to the conveying roller.

[0013] Furthermore, the media transport device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that the cover portion is a flexible sheet member.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the cover portion is a flexible sheet material. This configuration makes the cover portion easy for the user to handle and also allows for miniaturization of the cover portion.

[0015] Furthermore, a media transport device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that the cover portion has one end in the direction of displacement of the deflection forming member attached to the deflection forming member and is capable of following the displacement of the deflection forming member.

[0016] According to this aspect, one end of the cover part in the displacement direction of the bending forming member is attached to the bending forming member and can follow the displacement of the bending forming member. By adopting such a configuration, the cover part can be easily made to follow the bending forming member.

[0017] Further, the medium conveyance device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the fifth aspect, and includes a frame member located above the conveyance roller, and the other end of the cover part in the displacement direction of the bending forming member is slidable with respect to the frame member.

[0018] According to this aspect, a frame member located above the conveyance roller is provided, and the other end of the cover part in the displacement direction of the bending forming member is slidable with respect to the frame member. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to configure the other end of the cover part to slide on the frame member, and it is possible to suppress the generation of a gap between the frame member and the bending forming member.

[0019] Further, the medium conveyance device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the fifth aspect, and includes a frame member located above the conveyance roller, and the other end of the cover part in the displacement direction of the bending forming member is attached to the frame member, and the cover part is stretchable.

[0020] According to this aspect, the other end of the cover part in the displacement direction of the bending forming member is attached to the frame member, and the cover part is stretchable. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to stretch and contract the cover part in a state where the other end of the cover part is fixed to the frame member, and it is possible to suppress the generation of a gap between the frame member and the cover part.

[0021] Further, the medium conveyance device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the sixth or seventh aspect, and the bending forming member in the retracted state abuts against the frame member.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the retracted deflection-forming member comes into contact with the frame member. This configuration makes it possible to position the deflection-forming member in its retracted state by bringing it into contact with the frame member.

[0023] Furthermore, a media transport device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, comprising: a guide portion for guiding a guided portion of the cover portion; and a cleaning portion for cleaning the cover portion by contacting the cover portion, wherein the guide portion has a first guide portion for guiding the guided portion when the deflection forming member is displaced from the retracted state to the extended state; and a second guide portion for guiding the guided portion when the deflection forming member is displaced from the extended state to the retracted state, wherein the first guide portion guides the guided portion so that the cover portion contacts the cleaning portion; and the second guide portion guides the guided portion so that the cover portion does not contact the cleaning portion.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the device comprises a guide section and a cleaning section. The guide section includes a first guide section that guides the guided section when the flexure-forming member is displaced from a retracted state to an extended state, and a second guide section that guides the guided section when the flexure-forming member is displaced from an extended state to a retracted state. The first guide section guides the guided section so that the cover section contacts the cleaning section, and the second guide section guides the guided section so that the cover section does not contact the cleaning section. Therefore, the cover section can be cleaned by the presence of the cleaning section. That is, when the flexure-forming member is in the extended state, the cleaning section and the cover section come into contact, allowing the cleaning section to collect foreign matter. Furthermore, by preventing the flexure-forming member from contacting the cleaning section when it is in the retracted state, the scattering of foreign matter by the cleaning section can be suppressed.

[0025] Furthermore, the media transport device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the first to ninth aspects, characterized in that the transport path includes a path that transports the medium in a direction that includes a vertical vector component.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the transport path includes a path that transports the medium in a direction that includes a vertical vector component. In a transport path that includes a vertical vector component, since there are no members constituting the transport path in the vertical direction, foreign matter is likely to adhere to the transport rollers due to gravity falling onto the lower transport rollers. However, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the transport rollers.

[0027] Furthermore, the media transport device according to the 11th aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on any one of the first to tenth aspects, and is characterized in that it comprises a pair of separation rollers for separating the media, wherein the transport roller is one of the rollers of the pair of separation rollers.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the system is equipped with a pair of separation rollers for separating the medium, and the conveying roller is one of the rollers of the separation roller pair. The rollers of the separation roller pair are more susceptible to conveying defects such as double feeding due to a decrease in frictional force caused by the adhesion of foreign matter compared to a typical conveying roller pair. However, with this configuration, the adhesion of foreign matter to the rollers of the separation roller pair can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of conveying defects.

[0029] Furthermore, a recording device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising a media transport device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, and a recording unit that performs recording on a medium transported by the media transport device.

[0030] According to this embodiment, the recording operation can be performed while suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter attached to the medium to the transport rollers.

[0031] [Example 1] The media transport device 7 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and the recording device 1 equipped with the media transport device 7 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal axes will be referred to as the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, as shown in each figure. The direction indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) is the + direction for each direction, and the opposite is the - direction. The Z axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, that is, the direction in which gravity acts, with the +Z direction indicating vertically upward and the -Z direction indicating vertically downward. The X axis direction and Y axis direction correspond to the horizontal direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the device, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the device. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the device, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the device.

[0032] First, an overview of the recording device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The recording device 1 in this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer. As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 comprises a recording unit 5 that ejects ink onto a medium 3 such as paper to perform recording, a medium transport device 7, and a medium storage unit 11. The recording operation of the recording unit 5 onto the medium 3 and the transport operation of the medium 3 by the medium transport device are performed by a control unit (not shown). Here, the control unit comprises a CPU, flash ROM, and RAM. The CPU performs various calculations according to the program stored in the flash ROM and controls the operation of the entire recording device 1. Flash ROM, an example of a storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written to. RAM, another example of a storage means, temporarily stores various information.

[0033] The recording unit 5 is a line head in this case, but it could also be a serial-type head that moves back and forth in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the medium 3. The platen that supports the medium 3 in the recording execution area 8 of the recording unit 5 is an endless conveyor belt 2 in this case. The conveyor belt 2 is wrapped between pulleys 4 and 6, and as both pulleys 4 and 6 rotate, the conveyor belt 2 rotates, thereby conveying the medium 3 in the conveying direction F. The conveyor belt 2 forms part of the conveying path 9 through which the medium 3 is conveyed.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 is provided with a door portion 17 that forms part of the device exterior 34. The door portion 17 has a structure that opens and closes by rotating horizontally. In Figure 1, the door portion 17 has a pivot axis extending in the Z-axis direction at the end in the -Y direction, and rotates around this pivot axis as the pivot point. When the door portion 17 is opened, at least a part of the transport path 9 is exposed, allowing the user to perform jam processing.

[0035] In the recording device 1 of this embodiment, the medium 3, such as paper, picked up by the pick roller 10 from the cassette-type medium storage unit 11 that houses the medium 3, is transported in the transport direction F along the first transport path 91 by the feed roller pair 13. In the following, "roller pair" refers to a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) unless otherwise specified, and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller. A second transport path 92 joins the first transport path 91 downstream of the feed roller pair 13. The transport path 9 located on the side of the recording unit 5 from the confluence point P of the first transport path 91 and the second transport path 92 will be described below as the third transport path 93.

[0036] A switching unit 19 is located at the merging point P. The switching unit 19 is configured to be displaceable between a first state in which the first transport path 91 is open and a second state in which the second transport path 92 is open. That is, when the medium 3 is transported along the first transport path 91 in the transport direction F, it takes a position that enables that transport, and when the medium 3 is transported along the second transport path 92 in the transport direction F, it takes a position that enables that transport. The switching unit 19 is configured to be displaceable between the first state and the second state when the door unit 17 is in the closed state.

[0037] Furthermore, a pair of transport rollers 15 is positioned between the merging point P and the recording unit 5. The medium 3 is transported in the transport direction F by the transport rollers 15 along the third transport path 93. In the case of single-sided recording on only the surface of the medium 3, recording is performed on the surface of the medium 3 in the recording execution area 8, and the medium 3 is discharged to the discharge tray 16 under the transport force of the transport rollers 12 and 14. In the case of double-sided recording, the medium 3 is guided to the switchback path 20 by a flap 18 downstream of the transport rollers 12. A pair of transport rollers 22 and 24 is positioned in the switchback path 20. The medium 3 guided to the switchback path 20 is guided to the second transport path 92, which becomes a reverse path, by a guide member (not shown) at the branching point K, by the transport rollers 22 and 24 being controlled to reverse direction. A pair of transport rollers 26 and 28, a reverse roller 30, and a pair of driven rollers 32 are positioned in the second transport path 92.

[0038] In other words, the first transport path 91 is a transport path that supplies the medium 3 contained in the medium storage section 11 to the third transport path 93, the second transport path 92 is an inversion path that inverts the recorded medium 3, which has been recorded by the recording section 5, and transports it to the third transport path 93, and the third transport path 93 is a transport path during recording that includes the recording position by the recording section 5. As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of ink storage sections 36 as medium storage sections. Each ink storage section 36 is detachably mounted. Ink discharged from the recording section 5 is supplied to the recording section 5 from each ink storage section 36 via tubes (not shown). The recording device 1 of this embodiment is also equipped with a waste liquid storage section 38 and a detection section 42. The detection section 42 detects the presence or absence of medium 3 in the second transport path 92 and detects the width of the medium 3 by detecting the end of the medium 3 in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The recording device 1 of this embodiment is also equipped with other medium storage sections (not shown) below the medium storage section 11. The media 3 in the other media storage section are also picked up by the pick rollers and joined to the second transport path 92 upstream of the nip position of the reversing roller 30 by the transport roller pair 40.

[0039] Next, the media transport device 7 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 7. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the media transport device 7 includes a transport path 9 through which the media 3 is transported, and a deflection forming member 21 that forms a deflection in the media 3 by contacting it on the transport path 9. It also includes an operating mechanism 23 that can receive operations from the user, as shown in Figures 3 to 6. The deflection forming member 21 is displaceable between an extended state, which extends into the transport path 9 and contacts the media 3 on the transport path 9, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, and a retracted state, which retracts from the transport path 9, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5. The operating mechanism 23 can displace the deflection forming member 21 between the retracted state and the extended state when it receives an operation from the user.

[0040] Figure 2 shows the door section 17 in the "closed" state. When the door section 17 is closed, the switching section 19 can be displaced between a first state, which opens the first transport path 91, and a second state, which opens the second transport path 92. Specifically, with the pivot shaft 44 located at the bottom of the switching section 19 as the pivot point, the free end of the switching section 19 is pushed by the medium 3 being transported in the transport direction F, causing it to rotate slightly and thereby be displaced between the first and second states.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the door section 17 in the "open" state. When the door section 17 is open, the switching section 19 rotates significantly around the pivot shaft 44 as the pivot point, and can be displaced to a third state in which at least a part of the first transport path 91 is opened, as shown in Figure 3. In the media transport device 7, the deflection forming member 21 is provided on the first transport path 91 so as to constitute a part of the transport path 9 when it is in the retracted state shown in Figure 2. The deflection forming member 21 is configured such that when the door section 17 is open as shown in Figure 3 and the switching section 19 is further displaced to the third state, the user can move the operating mechanism 23 in the +X direction to displace it from the retracted state shown in Figure 3 to the extended state shown in Figure 4.

[0042] In the media transport device 7, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, a free-rotating rotating body 66 is provided at a position in front of the transport roller pair 15 in the transport direction F of the third transport path 93. This rotating body 66 is provided to prevent the medium 3 from getting caught on path components or other structural components when the deflection forming member 21 is displaced and the medium 3 is deflected, thereby preventing an increase in the pulling load.

[0043] The operating mechanism 23 is connected in such a way that, when grasped and operated by the user from the state shown in Figure 3, it can move in the +X direction as shown in Figure 4, and the flexure forming member 21 can be displaced to the extended state. Furthermore, the operating mechanism 23 is connected in such a way that the switching unit 19 can be displaced to the third state by moving in the +X direction. With this configuration, the media transport device 7 of this embodiment allows, in the event of a jam occurring when the media 3 is nipped by the feeding roller pair 13 and the transport roller pair 15, to remove the jammed media 3 by operating the operating mechanism 23 to displace the flexure forming member 21 to the extended state, thereby creating space for the user to place their fingers from the Y-axis direction.

[0044] In a media transport device 7 equipped with an operating mechanism 23 with such a configuration, continued use may cause paper dust as foreign matter T to accumulate at position P1 in the gap between the contact portion 52 that contacts the media 3 in the deflection forming member 21, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, and the frame 29. Here, the foreign matter T at position P1 in the gap between the contact portion 52 and the frame 29 includes the majority of which is on the frame 29, but also includes some that stick together and form clumps that reach the gap between the contact portion 52 and the frame 29. Such paper dust accumulates at position P1 when it falls off the media 3 by being nipped by the transport roller pair 15.

[0045] In the state shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gap between the contact portion 52 and the frame 29 is narrow, causing paper dust to accumulate in clumps around position P1 across the gap. When the deflection forming member 21 is displaced from this state to move the position of the contact portion 52 to the state shown in Figure 4, the gap between the contact portion 52 and the frame 29 widens, causing the clumps of paper dust to break apart. Some of the clumps move to position P2, where they adhere to the contact portion 52 as shown in Figure 4, while another part moves to position P3, where it is on the medium 3 as shown in Figure 4 and in contact with the feed roller pair 13.

[0046] Furthermore, when the system is returned from the state shown in Figure 4 to the state shown in Figure 3, the paper dust that was at position P2 moves to position P4, which is near and above the feed roller pair 13. As a result, there is a risk that the paper dust at position P4 may move to position P3. In some cases, there is also a risk that the paper dust at position P4 may directly adhere to the feed roller pair 13. If paper dust adheres to the feed roller pair 13, the feeding capacity of the feed roller pair 13 will decrease, which may lead to paper feeding failures.

[0047] Thus, the media transport device 7 includes a transport path 9 through which the media 3 is transported, a deflection-forming member 21 that can create a deflection in the media 3 by contacting the media 3 at a contact portion 52 in the transport path 9, and a pair of feed rollers 13 that are located below the tip of the deflection-forming member 21 where the contact portion 52 is provided, and serve as transport rollers for transporting the media 3. The deflection-forming member 21 is displaceable between an advanced state, which is advanced into the transport path 9 as shown in Figure 4, and a retracted state, which is retracted from the transport path 9 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0048] On the other hand, in a media transport device 7 with such a configuration, there is a risk that foreign matter T, such as paper dust, may adhere to the feed roller pair 13. Therefore, in addition to the above configuration, the media transport device 7A of this embodiment of the media transport device 7 is equipped with a cover portion 100 that covers the feed roller pair 13 between the feed roller pair 13 and the contact portion 52, which is the tip of the flexure forming member 21, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. And, as can be seen by comparing Figure 5 and Figure 6, the cover portion 100 is configured to follow the displacement of the flexure forming member 21.

[0049] The media transport device 7A of this embodiment, by including a cover portion 100 with such a configuration, can, even if foreign matter T moves from the media 3 to the vicinity of the flexure forming member 21 as shown in Figure 5, keep the foreign matter T on the cover portion 100 when the flexure forming member 21 is displaced as shown in Figure 6, thereby preventing the foreign matter T attached to the flexure forming member 21 from moving to the feed roller pair 13 even when the flexure forming member 21 is displaced. Therefore, the media transport device 7A of this embodiment can prevent foreign matter attached to the media 3 from adhering to the feed roller pair 13.

[0050] In this embodiment, the medium conveying device 7A is located below the tip of the flexure forming member 21 and is a pair of supply rollers 13. More specifically, the pair of supply rollers 13 is a pair of separation rollers that separate the medium 3. Therefore, the medium conveying device 7A in this embodiment is equipped with a pair of separation rollers that separate the medium 3, and the conveying roller located below the tip of the flexure forming member 21 is one of the rollers of the separation roller pair.

[0051] The rollers of a separation roller pair are more susceptible to conveying defects such as double feeding due to a decrease in frictional force caused by the adhesion of foreign matter T compared to a general conveying roller pair. For this reason, it is particularly desirable to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter T to the rollers of the separation roller pair. However, the media conveying device 7A of this embodiment is configured to include the cover portion 100 described above, thereby suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter T to the rollers of the separation roller pair and suppressing the occurrence of conveying defects. For example, a separation roller pair is configured to separate a single sheet of media 3 being fed by a feeding roller that applies a conveying force in the conveying direction F to a single sheet of media 3 being fed, and a separation roller that applies a force that inhibits the movement of media 3 other than the single sheet of media 3 being fed in the conveying direction F. At this time, if foreign matter T adheres to the separation roller, the force inhibiting movement in the conveying direction F weakens, which may lead to conveying defects such as double feeding. However, the media conveying device 7A of this embodiment is configured to include the cover portion 100 described above, thereby suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter T to the separation roller and more effectively suppressing the occurrence of conveying defects.

[0052] However, the conveying rollers that suppress the adhesion of foreign matter T are not limited to the feed roller pair 13. They do not have to be a separation roller pair like the feed roller pair 13, nor do they have to be a roller pair that nip the medium 3. For example, they may be a single driven roller that is not part of a roller pair, and as a driven roller, for example, a so-called serrated roller with a pointed contact surface may be used.

[0053] From the perspective of the recording device, the recording device 1 of this embodiment comprises a media transport device 7A having the configuration described above, and a recording unit 5 that performs recording on the medium 3 transported by the media transport device 7A. With this configuration, the recording device 1 of this embodiment can perform the recording operation while suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter T attached to the medium 3 to the transport rollers (feed roller pair 13).

[0054] Furthermore, in the media transport device 7A of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, in the width direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the transport direction F of the media 3, the width L1 of the cover portion 100 is longer than the width L2 of the feed roller pair 13, and the cover portion 100 is provided over the entire width of the feed roller pair 13 in the width direction. With this configuration, the media transport device 7A of this embodiment can suppress the movement of foreign matter T to the feed roller pair 13 over the entire width of the feed roller pair 13, thereby effectively suppressing the adhesion of foreign matter T to the feed roller pair 13.

[0055] In this embodiment, the media transport device 7A consists of two opposing roller pairs 13. However, if the rollers are divided into multiple units in the width direction, each individual roller may be covered by an individual cover portion 100 over its entire width, or all rollers may be covered by a single cover portion 100 over its entire width.

[0056] However, the media transport device is not limited to the configuration of the media transport device 7A in this embodiment. For example, the cover portion 100 may be provided over the entire width of the transport path 9 in the width direction, as in the configuration where the cover portion 100 is provided over the area of ​​width L3 in Figure 5. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the movement of foreign matter T to the transport rollers (feed roller pair 13) over the entire width of the transport path 9, and thus it is also possible to suppress foreign matter T from wrapping around from the outside in the width direction and adhering to the transport rollers. For example, in a configuration that includes a gear train 25 and a solenoid 27, as in the media transport device 7A of this embodiment, there is a risk that performance will deteriorate due to foreign matter T such as paper dust adhering to the gear train 25 and solenoid 27. In such a configuration, the cover portion 100 may be provided over the entire width of the transport path 9 in the width direction, and together with the transport rollers, the gear train 25 and solenoid 27 may be covered. The width of the transport path 9 can be considered to include the gears and other components around it, or it can be considered to be the width of the largest usable medium 3.

[0057] In this embodiment, the media transport device 7A includes a transport path 9 that transports the media 3 in a direction that includes a vector component in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), as shown in Figures 1 to 4. In a transport path 9 that includes a vector component in the vertical direction, there are no members constituting the transport path 9 in the vertical direction; in other words, the members constituting the path cannot suppress the falling of foreign matter T. Therefore, foreign matter T tends to adhere to the transport rollers (feed roller pair 13) due to gravity falling onto the lower transport rollers (feed roller pair 13). However, by providing a cover portion 100 as described above, the adhesion of foreign matter T to the transport rollers (feed roller pair 13) can be suppressed. Note that the transport path 9 that includes a vector component in the vertical direction does not mean only a perfectly vertical path, but also includes diagonal vertical paths as in this embodiment.

[0058] Furthermore, in the media transport device 7A of this embodiment, the cover portion 100 is a flexible sheet material. This configuration makes the cover portion 100 easy for the user to handle and also allows for miniaturization of the cover portion 100.

[0059] More specifically, in this embodiment, one end of the cover portion 100 in the +X direction is attached to the contact portion 52, which is the tip of the deflection forming member 21, and both ends in the Y-axis direction are pressed down from above (+Z direction) by the rail 101, as shown in Figure 7 and other figures. The rail 101 is attached to the frame 29 by double-sided tape 102. In other words, in this embodiment, one end of the cover portion 100 in the X-axis direction, which is the displacement direction of the deflection forming member 21 (the end on the +X direction side), is attached to the deflection forming member 21, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, it can follow the displacement of the deflection forming member. With this configuration, the media transport device 7A in this embodiment can easily make the cover portion 100 follow the deflection forming member 21, and can suppress the area occupied by the cover portion 100 from increasing in the vertical direction.

[0060] In other words, the media transport device 7A of this embodiment includes a frame 29, which is a frame member located above the feed roller pair 13, and the cover portion 100 is configured to slide with respect to the frame 29 as a whole. From another perspective, the other end (the -X direction end) of the cover portion 100 in the X-axis direction, which is the displacement direction of the deflection forming member 21, is configured to slide with respect to the frame 29. With this configuration, the media transport device 7A of this embodiment can be configured so that the other end of the cover portion 100 slides on the frame 29, thereby suppressing the formation of a gap between the frame 29 and the deflection forming member 21. Therefore, it is also possible to suppress foreign objects from falling onto the frame 29.

[0061] In this embodiment, in the media transport device 7A, in the retracted state shown in Figure 5, a portion of the deflection forming member 21 is in contact with the frame 29. This configuration makes it possible to position the deflection forming member 21 in the retracted state by bringing it into contact with the frame 29. On the other hand, if the deflection forming member 21 collides with the frame 29, there is a risk that foreign matter T may be scattered by the impact. However, by providing a cover portion 100 as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter T to the transport rollers (feed roller pair 13).

[0062] [Example 2] Next, the media transport device 7B of Example 2 will be described using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 5 in the media transport device 7A of Example 1, and Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 6 in the media transport device 7A of Example 1. In Figures 8 and 9, components common to Example 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Here, the media transport device 7B of this example has the same configuration as the media transport device 7A of Example 1, except for the configuration of the cover portion 100 which will be described below. Therefore, with respect to parts other than those described below, the media transport device 7B of this example has the same characteristics as the media transport device 7A of Example 1.

[0063] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the media transport device 7B of this embodiment, the cover portion 100 has a bellows shape. In other words, in the media transport device 7B of this embodiment, one end of the cover portion 100 in the X-axis direction, which is the displacement direction of the flexure forming member 21 (the end on the +X direction side), is attached to the flexure forming member 21, and the other end of the cover portion 100 in the X-axis direction, which is the displacement direction of the flexure forming member 21 (the end on the -X direction side), is attached to the frame 29, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cover portion 100 is expandable and contractible.

[0064] In this embodiment, the media transport device 7B has such a configuration that the cover portion 100 can be extended and retracted while the other end of the cover portion 100 is fixed to the frame 29, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the frame 29 and the cover portion 100. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent foreign objects from falling onto the frame 29. Furthermore, since a sliding mechanism between the cover portion 100 and the frame 29 is not required, the device can be simplified. In addition to the bellows-shaped configuration of the cover portion 100 in this embodiment, other configurations that allow the cover portion 100 to be extended and retracted while the other end of the cover portion 100 is fixed to the frame 29 may also be used, for example, by forming the cover portion 100 with an expandable rubber material.

[0065] [Example 3] Next, the media transport device 7C of Example 3 will be described with reference to Figure 10. In Figure 10, components common to Examples 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations will be omitted. Here, the media transport device 7C of this example has the same configuration as the media transport devices 7 of Examples 1 and 2, except for the configuration of the cover portion 100 which will be described below. Therefore, with respect to parts other than those described below, the media transport device 7C of this example has the same characteristics as the media transport devices 7 of Examples 1 and 2.

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, the media transport device 7C of this embodiment is equipped with a heart cam 104, and the cover portion 100 moves in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 along the extension path 104a and retraction path 104b provided on the heart cam 104 as the user operates the operating mechanism 23. In detail, the movement of the cover portion 100 is guided by fitting into groove-shaped extension path 104a and retraction path 104b provided at positions opposite to the projections 100c on both sides 100b of the cover portion 100 in the width direction. In addition, a blade 103 capable of scraping off foreign matter T accumulated on the upper surface 100a of the cover portion 100 is provided at a position where the cover portion 100 contacts the upper surface 100a of the cover portion 100 when the cover portion 100 moves along the extension path 104a.

[0067] In other words, the media transport device 7C of this embodiment includes a heart cam 104 as a guide part that guides the projection 100c on the side surface 100b, which is the guided part of the cover part 100, and a blade 103 as a cleaning part that cleans the cover part 100 by contacting the cover part 100. The heart cam 104 has an extension path 104a as a first guide part that guides the projection 100c when the deflection forming member 21 is displaced from a retracted state to an extended state, and a retraction path 104b as a second guide part that guides the projection 100c when the deflection forming member 21 is displaced from an extended state to a retracted state. Here, the extension path 104a guides the projection 100c so that the cover part 100 contacts the blade 103, and the retraction path 104b guides the projection 100c so that the cover part 100 does not contact the blade 103.

[0068] In this embodiment, the media transport device 7C has a blade 103 as a cleaning unit, which allows the cover portion 100 to be cleaned. When the flexure forming member 21 is in the extended state, the blade 103 and the cover portion 100 come into contact, allowing the blade 103 to collect foreign matter T. When the flexure forming member 21 is in the retracted state, the blade 103 and the cover portion 100 do not come into contact, which prevents the foreign matter T from being scattered by the blade 103. In this embodiment, the other end of the cover portion 100, which is the end on the -X direction, is slidable relative to the frame 29. However, the cover portion 100 may also be retractable and the other end, which is the end on the -X direction, is fixed relative to the frame 29.

[0069] The media transport device 7 and the recording device 1 equipped with the media transport device 7 according to the present invention are based on having the configuration of the embodiments described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the cover portion 100 may be tilted so that the side opposite to the feed roller pair 13 is on the bottom, thereby causing foreign matter T to fall to the -X direction side of the frame 29. In such a configuration, for example, the destination of the foreign matter T can be made such that even if foreign matter T adheres to the media storage portion 11, it will not be a problem. Alternatively, a paper dust box or the like may be provided above the media storage portion 11, which is the destination of the foreign matter T, and the foreign matter T may be collected in the paper dust box.

[0070] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an inkjet printer as being equipped with a media transport device 7, other devices may also be used. In other words, it is applicable to other devices that have a transport path 9 for transporting the media 3 and have a structure in which jams occur in the transport path 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1...Recording device, 2...Conveyor belt, 3...Media, 4...Pulley, 5...Recording unit, 6...Pulley, 7...Media conveying device, 7A...Media conveying device, 7B...Media conveying device, 7C...Media conveying device, 8...Recording execution area, 9...Conveying path, 10...Pick roller, 11...Media storage unit, 12...Conveying roller pair, 13...Feeding roller pair (conveying roller), 14...Conveying roller pair, 15...Conveying roller pair, 16...Discharge tray, 17...Door unit, 18...Flap, 19...Switching unit, 20...Switchback path, 21...Flexing forming member, 22...Conveying roller pair, 23...Operating mechanism unit, 24...Conveying roller pair, 25...Gear train, 26...Conveying roller pair, 27...Solenoid, 28...Conveying 29...Roller pair, 30...Frame (frame member), 32...Reversing roller, 34...Driven roller, 36...Ink storage section, 38...Waste liquid storage section, 40...Conveyor roller pair, 42...Detection section, 44...Rotating shaft, 52...Contact section (tip), 66...Rotating body, 91...First transport path, 92...Second transport path, 93...Third transport path, 100...Cover section, 100a...Top surface, 100b...Side surface, 100c...Protrusion (guided section), 101...Rail, 102...Double-sided tape, 103...Blade (cleaning section), 104...Heart cam, 104a...Advance path (first guide section), 104b...Retraction path (second guide section), F...Transportation direction, K...Branching point, P...Merging point, T...Foreign matter

Claims

1. The transport route through which the medium is transported, A deflection-forming member capable of forming a deflection in a medium by contacting the medium at a contact portion in the transport path, the deflection-forming member being displaceable between an advanced state in which it moves forward into the transport path and a retracted state in which it moves away from the transport path, A conveying roller for transporting a medium is located below the tip of the bending-forming member on which the contact portion is provided, Between the conveying roller and the tip, there is a cover portion that covers the conveying roller, Equipped with, The cover portion is capable of following the displacement of the deflection forming member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

2. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The cover portion is provided over the entire width of the transport path in the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

3. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The cover portion is provided across the entire width of the transport roller in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

4. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The cover portion is a flexible sheet material. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

5. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The cover portion has one end attached to the deflection forming member in the direction of displacement of the deflection forming member, and is capable of following the displacement of the deflection forming member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

6. In the media transport device according to claim 5, It includes a frame member located above the aforementioned conveyor roller, The other end of the deflection-forming member of the cover portion in the displacement direction is slidable relative to the frame member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

7. In the media transport device according to claim 5, It includes a frame member located above the aforementioned conveyor roller, The other end of the deflection forming member of the cover portion in the direction of displacement is attached to the frame member. The cover portion is expandable, A media transport device characterized by the following features.

8. In the media transport device according to claim 6, The retracted state of the deflection-forming member contacts the frame member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

9. In the media transport device according to claim 7, The retracted state of the deflection-forming member contacts the frame member. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

10. In a media transport device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, The device comprises a guide portion that guides the guided portion of the cover portion, and a cleaning portion that cleans the cover portion by contacting it, The guide portion includes a first guide portion that guides the guided portion when the deflection-forming member is displaced from the retracted state to the extended state, and a second guide portion that guides the guided portion when the deflection-forming member is displaced from the extended state to the retracted state. The first guide portion guides the guided portion so that the cover portion comes into contact with the cleaning portion. The media transport device is characterized in that the second guide portion guides the guided portion so that the cover portion does not come into contact with the cleaning portion.

11. In the media transport device according to claim 1, The transport path includes a path that transports the medium in a direction that includes a vertical vector component. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

12. In the media transport device according to claim 1, Equipped with a pair of separation rollers for separating the media, The transport roller is one of the rollers of the separation roller pair. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

13. A media transport device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, and 11 and 12, A recording unit that records on a medium transported by the aforementioned medium transport device, A recording device characterized by comprising the following features.

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