Conveying device and printing device

Abstract

To solve a problem that a transport path cannot be opened and the size of a device may be increased in a structure in which parts of the transport path overlap in a device height direction.SOLUTION: A transport part 40 includes a device body 12, an upper guide part 42, and a lower guide part 62. In the device body 12, a descent path R2 and an ascent path R3 overlap in a Z direction. The upper guide part 42 is provided so as to be movable to the outer side relative to the device body 12 and located above the descent path R2 and the ascent path R3 in a stored state. The lower guide part 42 forms the descent path R2 and the ascent path R3 with the upper guide part 42. The lower guide part 42 has a first path formation member 64 and a second path formation member 82. The first path formation member 64 forms the descent path R2 and overlaps with a moving area S of the upper guide part 42 in a first position and does not overlap with the moving area S in a second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The inkjet recording device of Patent Document 1 shows a transport path along which a recording medium ascends from an upstream transport roller to a downstream transport roller in the transport direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-14253 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the inkjet recording device of Patent Document 1, a configuration for increasing the length of the transport path without increasing the size of the device can be considered by providing a descending path and an ascending path in part of the transport path so that part of the transport path overlaps in the height direction of the device. The transport path is composed of an inner member that remains in the device body and an outer member that can be opened and closed relative to the device body. However, in this configuration, since a downward path and an upward path exist in part of the conveying path, when the conveying path is opened, there is a risk that the members located on the outside and the members located on the inside will interfere with each other, making it impossible to open the conveying path. Furthermore, in this configuration, if one attempts to open the conveying path after removing the parts that make up the descending path and the ascending path, extra space will be required in the main body of the device to remove the parts that make up the descending path and the ascending path, which may result in the device becoming larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the conveying device of the present invention comprises a device main body in which a conveying path is formed in which a descending path along which a medium is conveyed downward in a device height direction and an ascending path along which the medium is conveyed upward in the device height direction overlap in the device height direction; an upper guide section that is provided movably outwardly with respect to the device main body and is located above each of the descending path and the ascending path in the device height direction when the medium is stored in the device main body; and a lower guide section that is provided on the device main body and is located below the upper guide section in the device height direction and forms the descending path and the ascending path together with the upper guide section, wherein the lower guide section has a first path forming member that forms the descending path, and a second path forming member that is disposed downstream of the first path forming member in the conveying direction of the medium and forms the ascending path, and the first path forming member is provided movably to a first position and a second position, and at the first position forms the descending path and overlaps with a movement area of ​​the upper guide section in the device height direction, and at the second position does not overlap with the movement area in the device height direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper transport path of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a paper transport path of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a transport path of a printer according to an embodiment is open. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a part of a transport path of a transport unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a perspective view showing a first path forming member, a second path forming member, and a paper width sensor according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a side view showing a state in which the first lower guide member moves from the first position to the second position in accordance with rotation of the lever member of the transport unit according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first path forming member, a second path forming member, and a paper width sensor of the transport section according to the embodiment, as viewed from the width direction. [Figure 8] 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a connecting portion between a first lower guide member and a second lower guide member in the transport section according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a connecting portion between a first lower guide member and a second lower guide member in the transport section according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the transport path is opened by opening the cover of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the second lower guide member is rotated in the transport section according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will now be briefly described. A conveying device according to a first aspect includes a device main body in which a conveying path is formed in which a descending path along which a medium is conveyed downward in a device height direction and an ascending path along which the medium is conveyed upward in the device height direction overlap in the device height direction; an upper guide section that is movably provided outwardly with respect to the device main body and that is located above each of the descending path and the ascending path in the device height direction when the device is stored in the device main body; and a lower guide section that is provided on the device main body and is located below the upper guide section in the device height direction and forms the descending path and the ascending path together with the upper guide section, wherein the lower guide section has a first path forming member that forms the descending path, and a second path forming member that is disposed downstream of the first path forming member in the conveying direction of the medium and forms the ascending path, and the first path forming member is movably provided to a first position and a second position, and at the first position forms the descending path and overlaps with a movement area of ​​the upper guide section in the device height direction, and at the second position does not overlap with the movement area in the device height direction. According to this aspect, by having the upward path and the downward path, the length of the transport path can be made longer than in a configuration in which the transport path is linear. Furthermore, by moving the first path forming member to the second position, the upper guide portion can be moved outward relative to the device main body, and the transport path is opened, making it easier to perform maintenance on the second path forming member. Furthermore, when the upper guide portion is moved outward relative to the device body, only the first path forming member needs to be retracted in the lower guide portion, so that the space into which the lower guide portion is retracted can be minimized.

[0008] The conveying device of the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, an axis portion is provided that rotatably supports the first path forming member toward one of the first position and the second position, and the axis portion is located below the connection position between the descending path and the ascending path in the device height direction and below the movement area. According to this aspect, since the first path forming member is moved to one of the first position and the second position by rotating around the shaft portion, the first path forming member can be moved with a simple configuration. Also, since the shaft portion is located below the movement area of ​​the upper guide portion, the shaft portion can be prevented from contacting the upper guide portion.

[0009] The conveying device according to a third aspect is the second aspect, characterized in that the second path forming member is detachably provided at a portion of the first path forming member to which the shaft portion is attached. According to this aspect, since the second path forming member can be attached and detached without removing the first path forming member, replacement and maintenance of the second path forming member can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the second path forming member is attached and detached to the first path forming member, it is easier to ensure positional accuracy of the second path forming member with respect to the first path forming member, compared to a configuration in which the second path forming member is attached and detached to a position different from that of the first path forming member.

[0010] A conveying device according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the second path forming member is rotatably mounted on the first path forming member around the shaft portion, and when mounted on the first path forming member, is movable between an opposing position facing the upper guide portion and a retracted position above the opposing position in the device height direction, and when the upper guide portion is positioned outward relative to the device main body, the second path forming member is detachable from the first path forming member in the retracted position. According to this aspect, the space opened up by retracting the upper guide portion can be utilized, which makes it easier to attach and detach the second path forming member.

[0011] A conveying device according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the third or fourth aspect, the second path forming member is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the first path forming member, the first path forming member is provided with an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, the engaging portion has an opening that opens in the radial direction of the shaft portion, and the engaged portion has an anisotropic shape that can pass through the opening when the second path forming member is in the retracted position, and cannot pass through the opening when the second path forming member is in the opposing position. According to this aspect, when the second path forming member is in the opposing position, the second path forming member is not separated from the first path forming member. In other words, when the medium is transported along the transport path, the second path forming member is prevented from shifting in position with respect to the first path forming member, so that the transport state of the medium in the upward path can be stabilized.

[0012] A conveying device according to a sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, characterized in that the device main body is provided with a detachable sensor unit capable of detecting the medium, the sensor unit faces the upward path downstream in the conveying direction from the second path forming member, and the sensor unit can be detached from the device main body by detaching the second path forming member. According to the present aspect, the sensor unit can be attached, detached, and maintained by detaching the second path forming member, making it easier to attach, detach, and maintain the sensor unit compared to a configuration in which the sensor unit can be maintained by removing all of the lower guide portion.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the transport device of the sixth aspect, and is characterized in that the second path forming member is attached to the sensor unit in a state where it is located at the opposing position. According to this aspect, it is possible to ensure the positional accuracy of the second path forming member with respect to the sensor unit.

[0014] The conveying device of the eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, characterized in that the second path forming member includes an widening portion that widens the space of the upward path in a cross direction that crosses both the width direction of the medium and the conveying direction, and a guide portion that guides the medium along the upward path, and the guide portion is displaceable between a protruding position that protrudes toward the upward path and a stored position that is stored in the second path forming member. According to this aspect, when the medium is transported in the upward path, the upward path is formed by placing the guide portion in the protruding position. On the other hand, when the medium is to be bent in the upward path to perform skew correction of the medium, for example, the guide portion is displaced to the storage position, so that the space of the upward path is expanded to the widening portion, thereby securing space for bending the medium. In this way, the space of the upward path can be used for different purposes.

[0015] A printing device according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that it comprises a conveying device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and a recording unit that performs recording on a medium transported by the conveying device. According to this aspect, the actions and effects of any one of the first to eighth aspects can be obtained.

[0016] The transport unit 40 as an example of a transport device and the printer 10 as an example of a printing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below. 1, the printer 10 is configured as an inkjet device that performs recording by ejecting ink Q, which is an example of a liquid, onto paper P, which is an example of a medium. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing is a Cartesian coordinate system. The X direction is the device width direction when seen by the operator of the printer 10, and is the horizontal direction. Within the X direction, the direction toward the left is defined as the +X direction, and the direction toward the right is defined as the -X direction. The Y direction is a horizontal direction that is a width direction and a depth direction of the device that intersects with the conveyance direction of the paper P. The direction toward the front of the Y direction is the +Y direction, and the direction toward the back is the -Y direction. The Z direction is an example of the device height direction, and is the vertical direction. The upward direction in the Z direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. In this embodiment, "upward" refers to a direction that includes an upward component in the Z direction. "Downward" refers to a direction that includes a downward component in the Z direction.

[0017] In the printer 10, the paper P is transported through a transport path T, which is indicated by a dashed line. Note that the transport direction in which the paper P is transported is a direction along the transport path T, and therefore differs at each portion of the transport path T. The printer 10 includes a device main body 12, a cover unit 31, a conveying unit 40 (described below), and a line head 28. The device body 12 includes a housing that serves as an outer shell. In the +Z direction from the center of the device body 12 in the Z direction, a discharge section 13 is formed, which includes a space into which the recorded paper P is discharged. The device body 12 is also provided with a plurality of paper cassettes 14. An opening 12A that opens in the X direction is formed at the end of the device body 12 in the -X direction. When the opening 12A is in an open state, a transport path T, which will be described later, is exposed. As an example, a part of the device body 12 also serves as the device body of a transport section 40, which will be described later.

[0018] 3, the cover part 31 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness. The cover part 31 is provided at the end of the -X direction of the device body 12 and at the end of the -Y direction of the opening 12A via a hinge part (not shown). This allows the cover part 31 to rotate around an axis (not shown) along the Z direction. The cover unit 31 opens or closes the opening 12A as it rotates, thereby opening or closing the conveying path T. In other words, the cover unit 31 is rotatable between an open position that exposes the conveying path T and a closed position that hides the conveying path T. Furthermore, as an example, a reversing path forming member 33 and an upper guide unit 42, which will be described later, are attached to the cover unit 31. The reversing path forming member 33 has an upper part 33A that forms the part above the center of the reversing path T4 (FIG. 1) in the Z direction, and a lower part 33B that includes the part below the center of the reversing path T4 in the Z direction. An upper guide part 42 is attached to the lower part 33B.

[0019] 1, a plurality of paper cassettes 14 store paper sheets P. The paper sheets P stored in the paper cassettes 14 are transported along a transport path T by a pick roller 16 and transport roller pairs 17 and 18. The transport path T is a junction of a transport path T1 along which the paper sheets P are transported from an external device (not shown) and a transport path T2 along which the paper sheets P are transported from a manual feed tray 19 provided in the device main body 12 via a feed roller pair 26. The area in the -X direction from the center in the X direction of the printer 10 is configured as a transport unit 40, which is an example of a transport device that transports paper P. Details of the transport unit 40 will be described later. As an example, the main body of the transport unit 40 is also used as the device main body 12.

[0020] The transport path T includes two pulleys 21, a transport belt 22 wound around the two pulleys 21, a skew roller pair 23 that performs skew correction and the like for the paper P, a plurality of transport roller pairs 24 that transport the paper P, a plurality of flaps 25 that switch the route along which the paper P is transported, and a medium width sensor 30, which will be described later. Downstream of the transport belt 22 on the transport path T, a transport path T3 leading to the discharge unit 13 and a reversing path T4 for reversing the paper P are provided.

[0021] 2 and 4, the medium width sensor 30 is an example of a sensor unit capable of detecting paper P. The medium width sensor 30 is detachably provided on a frame (not shown) of the device body 12. Known attachment and detachment methods such as snap fitting can be used to make the medium width sensor 30 detachable from the frame. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of ensuring detection accuracy, the medium width sensor 30 is attached and detached using a screw (not shown). As an example, the medium width sensor 30 is disposed in the +X direction with respect to an upward path R3 described below, and faces the paper P moving on the upward path R3 with a gap therebetween. The medium width sensor 30 faces the upward path R3 downstream in the transport direction of the paper P from a second path forming member 82 described below, and can be removed from the device body 12 by removing the second path forming member 82.

[0022] 5, the medium width sensor 30, for example, is configured to include a main body 32 extending in the Y direction, a detection unit 34 provided on the main body 32 so as to be movable in the Y direction, and a motor 36 that moves the detection unit 34 in the Y direction. The medium width sensor 30 can detect the width of the paper P in the Y direction by detecting the presence or absence of paper P while the detection unit 34 is moved in the Y direction. One detection method is, for example, an optical method that detects the presence or absence of received reflected light. A side wall 38 is provided at the end in the -X direction of the main body 32. A side surface 39 in the -X direction of the side wall 38 is, for example, a flat surface along the YZ plane.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in the transport path T, a curved path R is formed upstream of the medium width sensor 30 . The curved path R is formed as a path having a pair of peaks and valleys. Specifically, the curved path R has an introduction path R1 that curves from the conveying roller pair 18 toward a position in the +X direction and the +Z direction, a descending path R2 that curves while descending from an end of the introduction path R1 in the +X direction toward a position in the +X direction and the -Z direction, and an ascending path R3 that curves while ascending from an end of the descending path R2 in the +X direction toward the +X direction and the +Z direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the device main body 12 is provided with an ink tank 27 that contains ink Q, a line head 28, and a control unit 29 that controls the operation of each part of the printer 10. The line head 28 is located downstream of the medium width sensor 30 in the transport direction of the paper P. The line head 28 is also an example of a recording unit, and performs recording by ejecting ink Q supplied from an ink tank 27 onto the paper P transported by the transport unit 40. The control unit 29 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage (not shown), and controls the transport of paper P in the printer 10 and the operation of each part including the line head 28 and the transport unit 40.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the conveying section 40 includes, for example, the device body 12, an upper guide section 42, and a lower guide section 62. As described above, the apparatus main body 12 is formed with the transport path T having the introduction path R1, the descending path R2, and the ascending path R3. The downward path R2 is a path along which the paper P is transported downward in the +Z direction. The upward path R3 is disposed downstream of the downward path R2 in the transport direction of the paper P. The upward path R3 is a path along which the paper P is transported upward in the Z direction. The descending path R2 and the ascending path R3 are formed by an upper guide portion 42 and a lower guide portion 62, which will be described later. The descending path R2 and the ascending path R3, which are included in the conveying path T, overlap in a range ZA in the Z direction.

[0026] As an example, the upper guide portion 42 is attached to the cover portion 31, and is provided so as to be movable outward with respect to the device body 12 together with the cover portion 31. Moreover, when the upper guide portion 42 is stored in the device body 12, the upper guide portion 42 is located above each of the descending path R2 and the ascending path R3 in the Z direction. Specifically, the upper guide portion 42 is provided at the end portion in the -Z direction of the cover portion 31. Furthermore, in a closed state in which the cover portion 31 closes the opening 12A, that is, the cover portion 31 closes the transport path T, the upper guide portion 42 forms an upward path R3 together with a second path forming member 82 described later, and forms a downward path R2 together with a first path forming member 64 described later. Note that in this embodiment, the upper guide portion 42 refers to a portion of the member provided on the cover portion 31 that forms the downward path R2 and the upward path R3.

[0027] When viewed from the Y direction, the area sandwiched between an imaginary line K1 that passes through the +Z direction end of the upper guide portion 42 and runs along the X direction, and an imaginary line K2 that passes through the -Z direction end of the upper guide portion 42 and runs along the X direction is referred to as the movement area S of the upper guide portion 42. The movement area S is an area through which the upper guide part 42 moves when the cover part 31 is opened or closed. In Fig. 4, the movement area S is shown as a shaded area.

[0028] Furthermore, the upper guide portion 42 is provided with, for example, a guide member 44, a second transport roller 52, an opposing roller 54, and a contacted portion 56 (FIG. 3). The guide member 44 has a bottom wall 46 located at the lower end in the -Z direction. The bottom wall 46 has a recessed portion 47 facing a first path forming member 64 (described later) in the Z direction, and a protruding portion 48 located downstream of the recessed portion 47 in the transport direction of the paper P. The recess 47 is a portion recessed in the +Z direction. The recess 47 has an inclined surface 47A extending toward a position in the +X direction and the +Z direction, and an inclined surface 47B extending toward a position in the +X direction and the -Z direction downstream of the inclined surface 47A. The inclined surface 47B faces an upper wall 64A (described later) in the Z direction. The protrusion 48 is a portion that protrudes in the -Z direction. The top of the protrusion 48 faces a first transport roller 68 (described later) in the Z direction. Here, the guide member 44 and the lower guide portion 62 are disposed opposite each other with a predetermined distance d therebetween, thereby forming a downward path R2.

[0029] As an example, the second transport roller 52 is provided at the top of the convex portion 48. The second transport roller 52 has a rotation shaft 53 extending along the Y direction. The rotation shaft 53 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the guide member 44. The second transport roller 52 sandwiches the paper P together with a first transport roller 68 (described later), and transports the paper P while being rotated. When the cover section 31 is in the closed state, the first transport roller 68 and the second transport roller 52 form a nip portion N1 that sandwiches the paper P. When the cover section 31 is in the open state, the nip portion N1 is released.

[0030] As an example, the opposing roller 54 is provided at a position in the +X direction with respect to the deepest portion of the recess 47. The opposing roller 54 has a rotation shaft 55 extending along the Y direction. The rotation shaft 55 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the guide member 44. The opposing roller 54 faces a support roller 72 (described later) in the Z direction, and sandwiches the paper P together with the support roller 72, and conveys the paper P by being rotated. When a first path forming member 64, which will be described later, is disposed at a first position, the support roller 72 and the opposing roller 54 are nipped together to form a nip portion N2. When the cover portion 31 is opened and the first path forming member 64 is disposed at a second position, the nipped state between the support roller 72 and the opposing roller 54 is released.

[0031] 3, a contacted portion 56 is provided at the end of the guide member 44 in the +Y direction. The contacted portion 56 is included in the cover portion 31. The contacted portion 56 has, as an example, a contacted surface 57 along the YZ plane. The contacted surface 57 comes into contact with a contact portion 78C (FIG. 6) described later in the X direction during a closing operation in which the cover portion 31 is closed and in the closed state. When the contacted surface 57 comes into contact with the contact portion 78C, a pressing force in the +X direction is applied from the cover portion 31 to a lever portion 78 (FIG. 6) described later through the contacted surface 57 and the contact portion 78C. This causes the lever portion 78 to rotate, and the first path forming member 64 (FIG. 2) is disposed in the first position.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4, the lower guide portion 62 is provided in the device body 12, is located below the upper guide portion 42 in the Z direction, and forms a downward path R2 and an upward path R3 together with the upper guide portion 42. In addition, as an example, the lower guide portion 62 has a first path forming member 64 that forms the downward path R2, a moving portion 76 (Fig. 6) that moves the first path forming member 64, and a second path forming member 82 that is disposed downstream of the first path forming member 64 in the conveying direction of the paper P and forms an upward path R3. The movement here is not limited to a configuration in which the first path forming member 64 is moved by applying a force to it, but also includes a configuration in which the first path forming member 64 is moved by releasing support for it, and a configuration in which the first path forming member 64 is moved by moving it in a supported state.

[0033] The first path forming member 64 is provided to be movable between a first position, which is a position when the first path forming member 64 is in an inclined state intersecting with the X direction as viewed from the Y direction, and a second position, which is a position when the first path forming member 64 is in a state along the X direction. The first path forming member 64 forms a descending path R2 in the first position, and a portion of the first path forming member 64 overlaps with the movement area S of the upper guide part 42 in the Z direction, and does not overlap with the movement area S in the Z direction in the second position. In other words, the first path forming member 64 is separated from the movement area S in the second position.

[0034] As an example, the first path forming member 64 is provided with a shaft portion 66 that supports the first path forming member 64 rotatably in one of a first position and a second position. The shaft portion 66 is located below the connection position of the descending path R2 and the ascending path R3 in the Z direction and below the movement region S. In the +Z direction relative to the shaft portion 66, the second transport roller 52 is located. A portion of the first path forming member 64 in the −X direction from the center is located within the movement region S of the upper guide part 42 when the cover part 31 is in the closed state, that is, in the first position.

[0035] 5, the shaft portion 66 is formed into a cylindrical shape extending along the Y direction. Both ends of the shaft portion 66 in the Y direction are rotatably supported by bearings 67 provided on a frame (not shown) of the device body 12 (FIG. 1). A first transport roller 68 is provided in the center of the shaft portion 66 in the Y direction. The first transport roller 68 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shaft portion 66. The first transport roller 68 is capable of transporting the paper P. In the present embodiment, as an example, two first transport rollers 68 are provided at an interval in the Y direction.

[0036] The first path forming member 64 includes an upper wall 64A, a front wall 64B, a rear wall 64C (FIG. 8), two side walls 64D, and two arm portions 64E. Note that the arrangement of each component will be described below assuming that the first path forming member 64 is disposed in the second position, i.e., along the X direction. The upper wall 64A is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. The width of the upper wall 64A in the Y direction is greater than the width of the paper P in the Y direction. The front wall 64B extends in the -Z direction from the -X direction end of the top wall 64A. The connection portion between the top wall 64A and the front wall 64B is a rounded surface. The rear wall 64C extends in the -Z direction from the end of the upper wall 64A in the +X direction. The two side walls 64D extend in the -Z direction from both ends of the upper wall 64A in the Y direction.

[0037] A storage section 69 is formed in a portion of the upper wall 64A in the -X direction from the center in the X direction, the storage section 69 being recessed in the -Z direction from an upper surface 65 of the upper wall 64A. The storage section 69 is provided such that a support roller 72 is rotatable with the Y direction as its axial direction. The support roller 72 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A part of the outer peripheral surface 72A of the support roller 72 protrudes in the +Z direction from the upper surface 65. The support roller 72 is pressed in the +Z direction by a spring (not shown). The support roller 72 supports the paper P being transported and transports it downstream. The arm portion 64E extends in the +X direction from both ends of the side wall 64D in the +X direction. The arm portion 64E is in contact with and can slide on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 66. In other words, the first path forming member 64 is rotatable, i.e., swingable, around the shaft portion 66.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the arm portion 64E is provided with an engaged portion 71 that engages with an engaging portion 96 (FIG. 8) of the second path forming member 82, which will be described later. The engaged portion 71 protrudes from an inner portion in the Y direction of the arm portion 64E toward the center in the Y direction. As an example, the engaged portion 71 is formed in a C-shape whose cross section opens in the +X direction when viewed from the Y direction in a state in which the first path forming member 64 is disposed at the first position. Specifically, the engaged portion 71 has a main body portion 71A, a hole portion 71B, a notch portion 71C, and cut surfaces 71D and 71E.

[0039] The main body 71A is formed in a C-shaped plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Y direction. When viewed from the Y direction, the main body 71A has a circular outer shape except for the notch 71C and the cut surfaces 71D and 71E. The hole 71B is a circular hole that penetrates the main body 71A in the Y direction. The notch 71C is formed by removing a portion of the main body 71A in the circumferential direction, and communicates with the hole 71B. When viewed from the Y direction, the cut surface 71D is located opposite the notch 71C with respect to the center of the main body 71A. The cut surface 71D is a surface along a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the hole 71B. The opening direction of the notch 71C is, for example, aligned with the normal direction of the cut surface 71D.

[0040] When viewed from the Y direction, a width equivalent to the diameter of the outer periphery of the circular portion of main body 71A is defined as W1. When viewed from the Y direction, the cut surface 71E is located at the end of the notch 71C in the -X direction. The cut surface 71E is a surface along a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the hole 71B, and is arranged substantially parallel to the cut surface 71D, for example. The width in the X direction corresponding to the distance between the cut surface 71D and the cut surface 71E is defined as W2.

[0041] Here, the arm portion 64E and the engaged portion 71 are coupled to the shaft portion 66 so as to be relatively rotatable about the central axis of the shaft portion 66 by the shaft portion 66 being inserted into the hole portion 71B. 8 and 9 show a gap between the shaft portion 66 and the hole portion 71B, but at a position shifted in the Y direction, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 66 and the wall surface of the hole portion 71B are in contact with each other. When the first path forming member 64 is in the first position, the notch 71C is open in a direction that includes a component of the X direction. The cut surface 71D is located along the YZ plane.

[0042] When a second path forming member 82, which will be described later, is in the retracted position (FIG. 9), the engaged portion 71 can pass through an opening 96C, which will be described later. When the second path forming member 82 is in the opposing position (FIG. 8), the engaged portion 71 cannot pass through the opening 96C. In this way, the engaged portion 71 has an anisotropic shape that determines whether it can pass through the opening 96C or not, depending on the arrangement direction.

[0043] 6, the moving unit 76 moves the first path forming member 64 to one of the first and second positions described above in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the cover unit 31 (FIG. 2). Specifically, when the cover unit 31 is opened, the moving unit 76 moves the first path forming member 64 to the second position, and when the cover unit 31 is closed, the moving unit 76 moves the first path forming member 64 to the first position. In this embodiment, the moving unit 76 also functions as a holding unit that holds the first path forming member 64 at the first position.

[0044] The moving portion 76 includes, for example, a rotating shaft 77, a lever portion 78, and a support portion 79. The rotating shaft 77 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the first path forming member 64. Moreover, the rotating shaft 77 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the Y direction. Both ends of the rotating shaft 77 in the Y direction are rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) of the device body 12.

[0045] The lever portion 78 is fixed to an end portion of the rotating shaft 77 in the +Y direction. The lever portion 78 is disposed in the +Y direction with respect to the +Y sidewall 64D. The lever portion 78 comes into contact with a contacted surface 57 (FIG. 3) of the cover portion 31, thereby rotating the rotating shaft 77 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the cover portion 31. The lever portion 78 has an attachment portion 78A extending radially from the rotating shaft 77, an extension portion 78B extending from the end portion of the attachment portion 78A in a direction intersecting the radial direction, and a contact portion 78C formed at the tip of the extension portion 78B.

[0046] As one example, the support portion 79 is fixed to the rotation shaft 77 at a position different from the position of the attachment portion 78A. Furthermore, the support portion 79 supports the first path forming member 64 at the first position. The lever portion 78 comes into contact with the cover portion 31 when the cover portion 31 is in the closed state, and moves away from the cover portion 31 when the cover portion 31 is in the open state. Specifically, when the cover portion 31 is in the closed state, the contact portion 78C comes into contact with the contacted surface 57. In the state in which the lever portion 78 is in contact with the cover portion 31, the support portion 79 supports the first path forming member 64.

[0047] 5, the second path forming member 82 is located in the +X direction relative to the first path forming member 64. The second path forming member 82 is an elongated member that is long in the Y direction. The second path forming member 82 is attached to the medium width sensor 30 in a state in which it is located in an opposing position described below. Specifically, the second path forming member 82 is attached to the side wall 38 using three screws 83, as an example.

[0048] The second path forming member 82 is rotatably attached to the first path forming member 64 around the shaft portion 66. When attached to the first path forming member 64, the second path forming member 82 is movable between an opposing position where it faces the upper guide portion 42 (FIG. 4) in the Z direction and a retracted position above the opposing position in the Z direction. When the upper guide portion 42 is positioned outward relative to the device body 12 (Figure 2), in other words, when the cover portion 31 is in the open position, the second path forming member 82 can be attached and detached to the first path forming member 64 in the retracted position described below.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the second path forming member 82 includes, for example, a base portion 84, a widening portion 102, a guide surface 104, and a guide portion 106.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the base 84 includes, by way of example, an upper wall 85, a side wall 86, a vertical wall 88, a recessed portion 92, a roller storage portion 94, and an engagement portion 96 (FIG. 8). The upper wall 85 constitutes the +Z direction end of the base portion 84. Furthermore, the upper wall 85 is provided with a widening portion 102 and a guide portion 106, which will be described later. A part of the upper wall 85 in the +Z direction has an upper surface 85A along the XY plane.

[0051] The side walls 86 extend in the −Z direction from both ends of the upper wall 85 in the Y direction. The vertical wall 88 extends outward in the Y direction from the end of the side wall 86 in the +X direction. In addition, the vertical wall 88 is in contact with the side wall 38 of the media width sensor 30 in an arrangement state along the YZ plane, and is attached to the side wall 38 by the screws 83. The recessed portions 92 are disposed on the upper wall 85 at intervals in the Y direction, and are portions recessed from the upper wall 85 in the -Z direction. The roller storage section 94 is a section recessed in the +X direction at the center in the Y direction at the -X direction end of the base section 84. The roller storage section 94 also stores a part of the first transport roller 68 in a rotatable manner.

[0052] 8 and 9, the engaging portion 96 engages with the engaged portion 71 of the first path forming member 64. In other words, the second path forming member 82 is detachably provided at the portion of the first path forming member 64 where the shaft portion 66 is attached. As an example, the engagement portion 96 is provided at both ends in the Y direction at the end in the -X direction of the base 84. The engagement portion 96 protrudes in the -X direction from the base 84. When the second path forming member 82 is in the opposing position, the engagement portion 96 is formed in a C-shape with a cross-sectional shape that opens in the -X direction when viewed from the Y direction. Specifically, the engagement portion 96 has a main body portion 96A, a hole portion 96B, and an opening portion 96C.

[0053] The main body 96A is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned in the Y direction, except for the opening 96C. The hole 96B is a circular hole that penetrates the main body 96A in the Y direction. The opening 96C is formed by removing a portion of the peripheral wall of the main body 96A, and communicates with the hole 96B. The opening 96C opens in the radial direction of the shaft 66. The width of the opening 96C when viewed from the extension direction of the shaft 66 is designated as W3 (FIG. 9). The width W3 is smaller than the width W1 and larger than the width W2.

[0054] The engaging portion 96 is detachable from the main body portion 71A in the +Z direction in an arrangement state in which the arc portion of the main body portion 71A in the -Z direction and the opening portion 96C are aligned in the Z direction. In other words, when the cut surface 71D and the cut surface 71E of the main body portion 71A are positioned along the removal direction of the main body portion 96A, the main body portion 96A is detachable from the main body portion 71A. In further other words, when an imaginary line (not shown) connecting the cut surface 71D and the cut surface 71E of the main body portion 71A is perpendicular to the removal direction of the main body portion 96A, the main body portion 96A is detachable from the main body portion 71A. The arrangement state in which the arc portion of the main body portion 71A in the -Z direction and the opening portion 96C are aligned in the Z direction (FIG. 9) is achieved when the second path forming member 82 is in the retracted position. Furthermore, in an arrangement state (FIG. 8) in which the -Z direction arc portion of the main body 71A and the opening 96C are not aligned in the Z direction, the engagement portion 96 is restricted from being removed in the +Z direction from the main body 71A. The arrangement state in which the -Z direction arc portion of the main body 71A and the opening 96C are not aligned in the Z direction occurs when the second path forming member 82 is in an opposing position.

[0055] 7, the widening portion 102 is provided at the end of the upper wall 85 in the +X direction and protrudes from the upper surface 85A in the +Z direction. When viewed from the +Y direction, the widening portion 102 is formed in the shape of a right triangle whose hypotenuse is located in the -X direction. That is, the widening portion 102 has a slope 103. The inclined surface 103 extends in the Y direction. Moreover, the inclined surface 103 is inclined so as to extend obliquely upward from the end of the upper surface 85A in the +X direction toward a position in both the +X direction and the +Z direction. As a result, the width increasing portion 102 increases the space of the upward path R3 in the +X direction, which is an example of a cross direction that crosses both the Y direction and the transport direction of the paper P.

[0056] When a guide portion 106, which will be described later, is stored in a recessed portion 92 (FIG. 5), no other members are placed in the space portion V surrounded by the upper surface 85A, the slope 103, and the upward path R3. Therefore, the space portion V can be used to bend the paper sheet P. When bending the paper sheet P, the rotation of the skew roller pair 23 (FIG. 1) is stopped and the leading edge of the paper sheet P is pressed against the skew roller pair 23, and then the paper sheet P is continued to be conveyed by the first conveyor roller 68 and the second conveyor roller 52 (FIG. 2). The guide surface 104 is formed in the −X direction with respect to the upper surface 85A. The guide surface 104 is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the Y direction, and forms a part of the upward movement path R3.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the recess 92 spans between the end of the upper surface 85A in the −X direction and the end of the guide surface 104 in the +X direction, for example. The guide portion 106 has, for example, a rotating shaft 107, a movable portion 108, a sheet member 109, and a tension spring 111. The guide portion 106 is displaceable between a protruding position where it protrudes toward the upward path R3 and a stored position where it is stored in the recessed portion 92. The guide portion 106 guides the paper P obliquely upward along the upward path R3.

[0058] The rotating shaft 107 is a columnar member that passes through the multiple recesses 92 in the Y direction. Both ends of the rotating shaft 107 in the Y direction are supported by part of the side walls 92A of the recesses 92. The movable portion 108 has a rectangular plate portion 108A having a predetermined thickness, and a hook portion 108B (FIG. 7) protruding in the -Z direction from the -Z direction end of the plate portion 108A. A part of the plate portion 108A is attached to the rotating shaft 107.

[0059] The sheet member 109 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the conveying direction of the paper P. The sheet member 109 is also flexible. For example, a resin film member such as Lumirror (registered trademark) can be used as the sheet member 109. The end of the sheet member 109 in the -Z direction is attached to the end of the plate portion 108A in the +Z direction. One end of the tension spring 111 is hooked on a claw portion (not shown) of the second path forming member 82, and the other end is hooked on a hook portion 108B (FIG. 7). As a result, the tension spring 111 applies an elastic force to the movable part 108 in a direction in which a part of the movable part 108 protrudes from the upper surface 85A and the guide surface 104 in the +Z direction.

[0060] Next, the operation of the transport unit 40 and the printer 10 will be described. 2, in the closed state by the cover portion 31, the cover portion 31 closes the opening 12A. The first path forming member 64 is located at the first position. The second path forming member 82 is located at the opposing position. In this closed state, it is assumed that the cover portion 31 is opened.

[0061] 3, 4, 6, and 10, as the cover portion 31 moves in the -X direction, the contacted portion 56 moves away from the lever portion 78. This allows the lever portion 78 to rotate freely, and the force with which the support portion 79 supports the first path forming member 64 weakens. Here, when the −X direction portion of the first path forming member 64 moves down due to the action of its own weight, the support portion 79 rotates and the lever portion 78 also rotates. The first path forming member 64 is located at a second position along the X direction. In other words, the first path forming member 64 retreats in the -Z direction with respect to the movement region S of the upper guide part 42. By retracting the first path forming member 64 in the -Z direction, there is no member restricting the movement of the upper guide part 42 within the movement area S of the upper guide part 42. This allows the cover part 31 to perform an opening operation to a position where the opening part 12A and the transport path T are open.

[0062] 5, 9, and 11, in the open state, the screw 83 is removed, and the second path forming member 82 is rotated in a direction in which the base portion 84 stands up along the Z direction. Here, when the base 84 stands up in the Z direction, the arc portion of the main body 71A in the -Z direction and the opening 96C are aligned in the Z direction, so that the engagement portion 96 can be disengaged in the +Z direction. In other words, the second path forming member 82 can be removed in the +Z direction. Note that when the second path forming member 82 is to be attached, the procedure is reversed.

[0063] 2, 4, and 6, when the cover portion 31 is closed with the conveying path T open, the lever portion 78 comes into contact with the contacted portion 56, causing the lever portion 78 to rotate in the reverse direction. Then, as the lever portion 78 rotates in the reverse direction, the support portion 79 also rotates in the reverse direction, causing the first path forming member 64 to rotate in the reverse direction and to be located at the first position. At this time, the nip portion N1 and the nip portion N2 are formed. In this manner, the cover portion 31 closes the transport path T and the opening portion 12A.

[0064] As described above, according to the transport section 40, by having the upward path R3 and the downward path R2, the length of the transport path T can be made longer than in a configuration having a linear transport path T. Furthermore, by moving the first path forming member 64 to the second position, the upper guide portion 42 can be moved outward relative to the device body 12, and the conveying path T is opened, making it easier to perform maintenance of the second path forming member 82. Furthermore, when the upper guide portion 42 is moved outward relative to the device body 12, only the first path forming member 64 needs to be retracted in the lower guide portion 62, so the space in which the lower guide portion 62 is retracted can be minimized.

[0065] According to the conveying unit 40, the first path forming member 64 is moved to one of the first position and the second position by rotating about the shaft portion 66, so that it is possible to move the first path forming member 64 with a simple configuration. In addition, since the shaft portion 66 is located below the movement area S of the upper guide portion 42, it is possible to prevent the shaft portion 66 from coming into contact with the upper guide portion 42. According to the conveying section 40, the second path forming member 82 can be attached and detached without removing the first path forming member 64, which makes it easier to perform replacement and maintenance work of the second path forming member 82. Also, because the second path forming member 82 is attached and detached to the first path forming member 64, it is easier to ensure the positional accuracy of the second path forming member 82 with respect to the first path forming member 64, compared to a configuration in which the second path forming member 82 is attached and detached to a position different from the first path forming member 64.

[0066] According to the conveying section 40, the space opened by retracting the upper guide section 42 can be utilized, so that the second path forming member 82 can be easily attached and detached. According to the transport section 40, when the second path forming member 82 is in the opposing position, the second path forming member 82 is not separated from the first path forming member 64. In other words, when the paper sheet P is transported along the transport path T, the second path forming member 82 is prevented from shifting position relative to the first path forming member 64, so that the transport state of the paper sheet P in the upward path R3 can be stabilized.

[0067] According to the conveying section 40, the medium width sensor 30 can be attached, detached, and maintained by detaching the second path forming member 82, making it easier to attach, detach, and maintain the medium width sensor 30 compared to a configuration in which the medium width sensor 30 can be maintained by removing the entire lower guide section 62. According to the transport section 40, the positional accuracy of the second path forming member 82 relative to the medium width sensor 30 can be ensured.

[0068] According to the transport unit 40, when the paper P is transported on the upward path R3, the guide unit 106 is disposed in the protruding position, thereby forming the upward path R3. On the other hand, for example, when the paper P is to be bent in the upward path R3 to perform skew correction of the paper P, the guide portion 106 is displaced to the storage position, and the space of the upward path R3 is expanded to the widening portion 102. This makes it possible to secure space for bending the paper P. In this way, the space of the upward path R3 can be used differently depending on the purpose. According to the printer 10, the functions and effects of the transport section 40 can be obtained.

[0069] The transport unit 40 and printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention are basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0070] In the printer 10, the entire first path forming member 64 may be located in the movement area S. The descending path R2 and the ascending path R3 may be arranged inversely in the X direction, that is, a part of the transport path T may be mountain-shaped in the +Z direction. The medium is not limited to paper P, but may be film. The recording unit is not limited to the line head 28, but may be configured to have a serial head that moves back and forth in the width direction of the paper P. The device height direction may be a direction that intersects with the vertical direction. The printer 10 does not necessarily have to be provided with the first transport roller 68 and the second transport roller 52. Furthermore, the support roller 72 and the opposing roller 54 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0071] In the printer 10, the second path forming member 82 may be unable to be detached from the portion of the first path forming member 64 where the shaft portion 66 is attached. The second path forming member 82 may also be attached so as to be slidable relative to the shaft portion 66. The opening 96C may not be formed in the engaging portion 96. For example, the engaging portion and the engaged portion may be configured to be engageable with each other on the shaft portion 66 in the Y direction. Instead of the medium width sensor 30, a paper sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper P may be provided. The second path forming member 82 may be attached to a member different from the medium width sensor 30 when in the opposing position. The second path forming member 82 does not have to have the widened portion 102. The guide portion 106 may be fixed to the second path forming member 82. The device body 12 of the printer 10 does not have to double as the device body of the transport unit 40. In other words, in the printer 10, the transport unit 40 may be configured as a unit separate from the device body 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10: printer; 12: device body; 12A: opening; 13: discharge section; 14: paper cassette; 16: pick roller; 17: conveyor roller pair; 18: conveyor roller pair, 19: manual feed tray, 21: pulley, 22: conveyor belt, 23...skew roller pair, 24...conveyor roller pair, 25...flap, 26: feed roller pair, 27: ink tank, 28: line head, 29: control unit, 30: medium width sensor; 31: cover portion; 32: main body portion; 33: reversing path forming member; 33A...upper portion, 33B...lower portion, 34...detection portion, 36...motor, 38...side wall, 39...side surface, 40...conveying portion, 42...upper guide portion, 44...guide member, 46...bottom wall, 47...recess, 47A...inclined surface, 47B...inclined surface, 48...protruding portion, 52...second conveying roller, 53...rotating shaft, 54... Opposing roller, 55... Rotating shaft, 56... Contacted part, 57... Contacted surface, 62: Lower guide portion; 64: First path forming member; 64A: Upper wall; 64B: Front wall; 64C...Rear wall, 64D...Side wall, 64E...Arm part, 65...Top surface, 66...Shaft part, 67: bearing; 68: first conveying roller; 69: storage portion; 71: engaged portion; 71A: main body portion, 71B: hole portion, 71C: notch portion, 71D: cut surface, 71E: cut surface, 72...support roller, 72A...outer circumferential surface, 76...moving portion, 77...rotating shaft, 78...lever portion, 78A...Mounting part, 78B...Extension part, 78C...Contact part, 79...Support part, 82: second path forming member; 84: base; 85: upper wall; 85A: upper surface; 86: side wall; 88: vertical wall, 92: recessed portion, 92A: side wall, 94: roller storage portion, 96: engagement portion, 96A: main body portion, 96B: hole portion, 96C: opening portion, 102: widening portion, 103: inclined surface, 104... guide surface, 106... guide portion, 107... rotating shaft, 108... movable portion, 108A... plate portion, 108B: hook portion, 109: sheet member, K1: virtual line, K2: virtual line, N1: nip portion, N2: nip portion, Q: ink, R: curved path, R1: introduction path, R2: descent path, R3: Ascending path, T: Conveying path, T1: Conveying path, T2: Conveying path, T3: Conveying path, T4…reversal path, W1…width, W2…width, W3…width

Claims

1. a device body in which a conveying path is formed in which a downward path along which the medium is conveyed downward in a device height direction and an upward path along which the medium is conveyed upward in the device height direction overlap in the device height direction; an upper guide portion that is provided so as to be movable outward relative to the device body and that is located above each of the downward path and the upward path in the device height direction when the device is stored in the device body; a lower guide portion that is provided on the device body, that is located below the upper guide portion in the device height direction, and that forms the lowering path and the ascending path together with the upper guide portion, the lower guide portion includes a first path forming member that forms the downward path, and a second path forming member that is disposed downstream of the first path forming member in a transport direction of the medium and forms the upward path, the first path forming member is provided to be movable between a first position and a second position, and at the first position, the first path forming member forms the downward path and at least a portion of the first path forming member overlaps with a movement area of ​​the upper guide portion in the device height direction, and at the second position, the first path forming member does not overlap with the movement area in the device height direction. A conveying device characterized by the above.

2. 2. The conveying device according to claim 1, a shaft portion is provided to rotatably support the first path forming member toward one of the first position and the second position, The shaft portion is located below a connection position between the descending path and the ascending path in the device height direction and below the movement area. A conveying device characterized by the above.

3. 3. The conveying device according to claim 2, The second path forming member is detachably provided to a portion of the first path forming member to which the shaft portion is attached. A conveying device characterized by the above.

4. 4. The conveying device according to claim 3, the second path forming member is rotatably attached to the first path forming member around the shaft portion, and in a state where the second path forming member is attached to the first path forming member, is movable between an opposing position opposing the upper guide portion and a retracted position above the opposing position in the device height direction, When the upper guide portion is located outside the apparatus body, the second path forming member is detachable from the first path forming member at the retracted position. A conveying device characterized by the above.

5. In the conveying device according to claim 4, The second path forming member is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the first path forming member, The first path forming member is provided with an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, The engagement portion has an opening portion that opens in a radial direction of the shaft portion, the engaged portion has an anisotropic shape that is capable of passing through the opening when the second path forming member is in the retracted position and is unable to pass through the opening when the second path forming member is in the opposing position. A conveying device characterized by the above.

6. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a sensor unit capable of detecting the medium is detachably provided in the device body; the sensor unit faces the ascending path downstream of the second path forming member in the transport direction, and is capable of being detached from the device body by detaching the second path forming member. A conveying device characterized by the above.

7. In the conveying device according to claim 5, a sensor unit capable of detecting the medium is detachably provided in the device body; the sensor unit faces the ascending path downstream of the second path forming member in the transport direction, and the sensor unit can be detached from the device body by detaching the second path forming member; The second path forming member is attached to the sensor unit in a state where the second path forming member is located at the opposing position. A conveying device characterized by the above.

8. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The second path forming member is a width expanding section that expands a space of the upward path in a direction intersecting both the width direction of the medium and the transport direction; a guide portion that guides the medium along the ascending path, The guide portion is displaceable between a protruding position where the guide portion protrudes toward the upward path and a stored position where the guide portion is stored in the second path forming member. A conveying device characterized by the above.

9. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a recording unit that records on the medium transported by the transport device; A printing device comprising:

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