Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus in which positional deviation of a recording medium is prevented when a dividing unit divides the recording medium, and which is downsized.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus (1) comprises: conveying roller pairs (50, 51 and 52) which convey a sheet of paper (P); a dividing unit (10) which is arranged in a downstream side in a first conveying direction (D1), of the conveying roller pairs (50, 51 and 52), and which divides the sheet of paper (P) into a plurality of sheets of paper; and a control unit (100). The control unit (100) applies division processing (S9) to the sheet of paper (P) while at least two of the conveying rollers (50, 51 and 52) hold a portion in an upstream side of a center position in the first conveying direction (D1), of the sheet of paper (P).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus equipped with a cutting unit that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed. For example, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is cut into two equal parts by a sheet cutting unit provided downstream of the image forming unit in the sheet conveying direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-186448 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, a conveying roller is provided downstream of a sheet cutting unit in a sheet conveying direction, and the image forming apparatus is not miniaturized.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a printing device that prevents the position of the recording medium from shifting when the recording medium is divided by the dividing section, and that is compact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of transport units that transport a recording medium in a transport direction, an image recording unit that records an image on the recording medium, a division unit that is disposed downstream in the transport direction from the transport units and the image recording units and performs a division process to divide the recording medium into a plurality of pieces, and a control unit. The control unit performs the division process on the recording medium by bringing the division unit into contact with the recording medium while the upstream side of the recording medium relative to a central position in the transport direction is held by at least two or more of the plurality of transport units.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a printing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of conveying units that convey a recording medium in a conveying direction, an image recording unit that records an image on the recording medium, a processing unit that is arranged downstream in the conveying direction from the conveying units and the image recording units and performs one of the following processing processes on the recording medium: (i) cutting processing, (ii) perforation forming processing, and (iii) fold forming processing; and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs the processing process using the processing unit while the upstream side of the central position of the recording medium in the conveying direction is held by at least two or more of the plurality of conveying units. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing device that prevents the position of a recording medium from shifting when the recording medium is divided by a dividing section and that realizes a compact printing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a printing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a pair of transport rollers in a first transport path of the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]5 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a pair of transport rollers and a sheet when the sheet is divided in the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sheet of paper before it is divided and a first sheet of paper and a second sheet of paper after it is divided. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control by a control unit of the printing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a modified example of the cutting unit of the printing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] [Printing device configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a printing device 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) equipped with multiple functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a fax function. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction of the printing device 1 are defined as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1.

[0012] The printing device 1 has an inkjet printing function that records print data specified by a print job on paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, for example by ejecting ink. The image printed on the paper P may be capable of color printing, or may be exclusively for monochrome printing. Furthermore, the recording medium is not limited to paper media, and may also be other resin media such as overhead projector sheets.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 20 is formed in the front of the printing device 1. A feed tray 21, which is an example of a storage section, and a discharge tray 22, which is an example of a discharge section, are detachably arranged in the opening 20. The feed tray 21 is a tray for storing multiple sheets of paper P, and has an open top. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two feed trays 21 are arranged vertically. The upper feed tray 21 stores, for example, A4 size paper P. On the other hand, the lower feed tray 21 stores, for example, A3 size paper P.

[0014] As also shown in Fig. 2, the discharge tray 22 is disposed above the upper feed tray 21. The discharge tray 22 is a tray for storing the paper P, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 discharged by the transport roller 64, and has an open top. For ease of explanation, the lower feed tray 21 is omitted from the example shown in Fig. 2.

[0015] 1, a setting unit 122 having a display screen is provided on the front surface of the printing device 1. The setting unit 122 is, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to perform various settings related to printing by touching the panel. The setting unit 122 accepts settings such as the size of the paper P and whether or not to execute a cutting process for cutting the paper P. The information set by the setting unit 122 is output to the control unit 100 (see FIG. 5). The cutting process is an example of a division process, and will be described in detail later.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 includes a feed roller 23, a first conveying path R1, pairs of conveying rollers 50, 51, 52, and 53 which are an example of a conveying section, a first flap 46, a second flap 48, a second conveying path R2, and a cutting section 10 which is an example of a dividing section.

[0017] The transport roller pairs are composed of transport rollers 60, 62, 64, and 68 and driven rollers 61, 63, 65, and 69. At least two transport roller pairs are provided on the first transport path R1. The number of transport roller pairs provided on the second transport path R2 can be changed as appropriate.

[0018] The feed roller 23 is a roller for feeding the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 to the transport start position V of the first transport path R1. The feed roller 23 is rotatably supported at the front end of the feed arm 24. The feed arm 24 is rotatably supported on a shaft 25 supported on the frame of the printing device 1. The feed roller 23 rotates forward when a feed motor 107 shown in FIG. 5 is driven. As the feed roller 23 rotates forward, the paper P stored in the feed tray 21 is fed one sheet at a time to the transport start position V of the first transport path R1.

[0019] The first transport path R1 is a path that extends upward from the rear end of the feed tray 21, curves in an area defined by guide members 41 and 42, passes through the position of the image recording unit 3, extends linearly in an area defined by a guide member 43, and reaches the discharge tray 22. In addition, in the first embodiment, the first transport direction D1 refers to the direction in which the paper P passes through the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10 when an image is recorded on the paper P by the image recording unit 3, that is, the direction from the image recording unit 3 to the cutting position X. The second transport direction D2 refers to the opposite direction to the first transport direction D1.

[0020] A transport roller 60 is disposed on the first transport path R1 upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1. A driven roller 61, which is a pinch roller, is disposed in a position facing the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 and the driven roller 61 constitute a transport roller pair 50.

[0021] The conveying roller 60 is driven by a conveying motor 108 shown in Fig. 5. The driven roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The conveying roller pair 50 is a main conveying section that conveys the paper P to the image recording section 3. As the conveying roller 60 and the driven roller 61 rotate forward, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 60 and the driven roller 61 and conveyed to the image recording section 3.

[0022] The image recording unit 3 is provided between the transport roller pair 50 and the transport roller pair 51 in the first transport path R1, and records an image on the paper P. The image recording unit 3 has a carriage 31, a recording head 32, nozzles 33, and a platen 34. The recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the lower surface of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the paper P is placed. In the process of the carriage 31 moving relative to the paper P supported by the platen 34, the nozzles 33 selectively eject ink droplets, thereby recording an image on the paper P.

[0023] 5 is transmitted to the carriage 31, which moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the first transport direction D1, i.e., in the width direction of the paper P. The control unit 100 records an image on the paper P by repeating a recording process in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 33 while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P while the transport of the paper P is stopped, and a line feed process in which the transport rollers 60, 62 are driven to transport the paper P by a predetermined line feed amount.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, a transport roller 62 is disposed downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A driven roller 63, which is a spur roller, is disposed in a position facing the upper part of the transport roller 62. Here, a spur roller refers to a roller having a plurality of projections and recesses formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller. The transport roller 62 and the driven roller 63 constitute a transport roller pair 51.

[0025] 5. The driven roller 63 rotates with the rotation of the conveying roller 62. As the conveying roller 62 and the driven roller 63 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 62 and the driven roller 63 and conveyed downstream in the first conveying direction D1.

[0026] Further, a conveying roller 64 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller pair 51 in the first conveying direction D1 on the first conveying path R1. A driven roller 65, which is a spur roller, is disposed in a position facing the upper part of the conveying roller 64. The conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 constitute the conveying roller pair 52. The conveying roller 64 is driven by a conveying motor 108. The driven roller 65 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the conveying roller 64.

[0027] As the conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 rotate forward, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 and conveyed toward the cutting section 10. Also, the paper P, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 are conveyed by the conveying roller 64 and discharged to the discharge tray 22. On the other hand, as the conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 rotate reversely, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 and conveyed along the lower surface of the first flap 46 to the second conveying path R2.

[0028] A first flap 46 is provided between the transport roller pair 50 and the transport roller pair 51 in the first transport path R1. The first flap 46 is disposed near a branch position Y facing the guide member 43. The first flap 46 is supported by the platen 34 so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state. In the first state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the first flap 46 abuts against the guide member 43 to block the first transport path R1. On the other hand, in the second state shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, the first flap 46 is located lower than in the first state and is separated from the guide member 43 to allow the paper P transported in the first transport direction D1 to pass through.

[0029] In addition, the first flap 46 is biased upward by a coil spring 47. One end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the first flap 46, and the other end is connected to the platen 34. The first flap 46 is biased by the coil spring 47 to enter the first state, and its front end abuts against the guide member 43.

[0030] The cutting unit 10 is a well-known cutter mechanism that has a pair of upper and lower blades and a cutter carriage, and cuts the paper P with the upper and lower blades. Specifically, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P in the width direction at a cutting position CL, which is an example of a dividing position, with the pair of upper and lower blades by moving the cutter carriage in the width direction of the paper P (see FIG. 6). The position where the paper P is cut by the upper and lower blades becomes the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10.

[0031] Both of the pair of upper and lower blades are circular blades. In this case, both of the pair of upper and lower circular blades are provided on the cutter carriage. Note that one of the pair of upper and lower blades may be a fixed blade, and the other of the pair of upper and lower blades may be a circular blade. In this case, the circular blade is provided on the cutter carriage, and the fixed blade is fixed to the frame of the printing device 1.

[0032] Also, the cutting unit 10 does not have to have a cutter carriage. In this case, the cutting unit 10 has fixed blades on the upper and lower sides of the first transport path R1, which extend in a direction intersecting the first transport direction D1. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P in the width direction at the cutting position CL by moving the upper fixed blade and the lower fixed blade so that the fixed blades approach each other. The cutting unit 10 may have a configuration having only one blade, either the upper or lower.

[0033] The cutting unit 10 is disposed above the discharge tray 22 in the height direction of the printing device 1, and closer to the discharge tray 22 than the transport roller pairs 50, 51, 52 in the first transport direction D1 of the printing device 1. In other words, no transport roller pair is provided downstream of the cutting unit 10 in the first transport direction D1. The cutting unit 10 is disposed between the discharge tray 22 and the transport roller pair 52 that discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 22. In addition, no guide member that forms the first transport path R1 is provided downstream of the cutting unit 10 in the first transport direction D1. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P that is being discharged to the discharge tray 22 by the transport roller pair 52.

[0034] The cutting unit 10 is disposed such that a distance LX in the first transport direction D1 from the position of the rotation axis of the transport roller 60 to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10 is shorter than half the length L in the first transport direction D1 of the feed tray 21. Here, the length L of the feed tray 21 in the first transport direction D1 refers to the length from the front inner wall surface of the feed tray 21 to the rear inner wall surface.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the paper before cutting and the first and second paper after cutting. As shown in Fig. 6, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P to separate the paper P into a first paper P1, which is a first recording medium, and a second paper P2, which is a second recording medium.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the second flap 48 is rotatably disposed at the joining position W of the first transport path R1 and the second transport path R2. Specifically, the second flap 48 is rotatable between a first state shown by a solid line in Fig. 2 and a second state shown by a dotted line in Fig. 2. When the second flap 48 is in the first state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 42 form a part of the second transport path R2. When the second flap 48 is in the second state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 41 form a part of the first transport path R1.

[0037] A registration sensor 120 is provided upstream of the conveying roller pair 50 in the first conveying path R1. The registration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects when the leading edge or trailing edge of the paper P passes through the contact position with the conveying roller 60. As the registration sensor 120, a sensor having an actuator that oscillates when the paper P comes into contact with it, an optical sensor, or the like can be used.

[0038] The registration sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper P passes the position of the registration sensor 120, and outputs an OFF signal when the paper P does not pass the position of the registration sensor 120. That is, the registration sensor 120 outputs an ON signal from the timing when the leading edge of the paper P reaches the position of the registration sensor 120 until the trailing edge of the paper P passes the position of the registration sensor 120, and outputs an OFF signal otherwise. The detection signal by the registration sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0039] The conveying roller 60 is also provided with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in response to the rotation of the conveying roller 60 (see FIG. 5). The rotary encoder 121 has an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates together with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk to generate a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0040] The second transport path R2 is a path defined by guide members 71, 72, and 73, the transport roller pair 53, etc. The transport roller 68 and the driven roller 69, which is a pinch roller, constitute the transport roller pair 53. The second transport path R2 branches off from a branch position Y on the first transport path R1, which is upstream of the transport roller pair 52, and is connected to a joining position W on the first transport path R1, which is upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1.

[0041] The control unit 100 reversely rotates the transport roller 64 and rotates the transport roller 68, so that the paper P, which has an image recorded on one side, can be transported in the second transport path R2 along the second transport direction D2, and then transported to the first transport path R1 in a state where the paper P is turned over once. This makes it possible for the image recording unit 3 to print on both sides of the paper P.

[0042] [Configuration of the conveyor roller pair] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a pair of transport rollers in the first transport path R1 of the printer 1 according to the embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the pair of transport rollers and the paper when the paper is cut by the printer 1 according to the embodiment 1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the first conveying path R1 is provided with eight conveying roller pairs 50, eight conveying roller pairs 51, and six conveying roller pairs 52. The conveying roller pairs 50, 51, and 52 each have a plurality of roller pairs arranged along the width direction of the paper P. The plurality of roller pairs provided in each of the conveying roller pairs 50, 51, and 52 are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to the center position in the width direction of the paper P. The rotation shafts of the conveying rollers 60, 62, and 64 extend in the width direction of the paper P. The conveying roller pair 50, which is the main conveying section, has the largest number of roller pairs. This is because the conveying roller pair 50 requires the largest conveying force. The number of roller pairs in each of the conveying roller pairs 50, 51, and 52 can be changed as appropriate.

[0044] The driven rollers 61, 63, 65 are biased toward the transport rollers 60, 62, 64 by a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring. When cutting the paper P, the eight transport roller pairs 50 shown in Fig. 4 each hold the paper P with a load of 4.0 [N]. The eight transport roller pairs 51 each hold the paper P with a load of 0.7 [N]. The six transport roller pairs 52 each hold the paper P with a load of 0.4 [N]. Note that the loads that the transport roller pairs 50, 51, 52 hold the paper P with are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] 4, when cutting the paper P, the paper P is cut by the cutting unit 10 while being held by the transport roller pairs 50, 51, and 52. The cutting position CL of the paper P is at a position corresponding to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10. At this time, the transport roller pairs 50, 51, and 52 hold a portion of the paper P that corresponds to the second paper P2.

[0046] Here, when the distance from the center of the rotation axis of the conveyance roller 60 to the rear end of the sheet P in the first conveyance direction D1 is A1, and the distance from the center of the rotation axis of the conveyance roller 60 to the cutting position CL of the sheet P is A2, the conveyance roller pair 50 holds the sheet P such that A1 < A2. The conveyance roller pair 50 holds the upstream side of the central position C1 in the first conveyance direction D1 of the portion corresponding to the second sheet P2 of the sheet P. That is, the conveyance roller pair 50 holds a position close to the rear end of the sheet P.

[0047] The conveyance roller pair 52 holds the downstream side of the central position C1 in the first conveyance direction D1 of the portion corresponding to the second sheet P2 of the sheet P. That is, the conveyance roller pair 52 holds a position close to the cutting position CL of the sheet P. The conveyance roller pair 51 holds the vicinity of the central position C1 in the first conveyance direction D1 of the portion corresponding to the second sheet P2 of the sheet P.

[0048] [Electrical Configuration of the Printing Device] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the above-described respective parts, the printing device 1 includes a feeding motor 107, a conveyance motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a control unit 100, a USB interface (I / F) 110, a LAN interface (I / F) 111, and a communication interface (I / F) 112.

[0049] The control unit 100 has a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, an EEPROM 104 (registered trademark), and an ASIC 105, which are connected by an internal bus 106. The ROM 102 stores programs and the like for the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 101 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 104 stores setting information to be retained even after the power is turned off. The control unit 100 controls a feed motor 107, a conveying motor 108, a carriage motor 109, the recording head 32, the cutting unit 10, and the like based on the control program read from the ROM 102.

[0050] The ASIC 105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a conveying motor 108, a carriage motor 109, a recording head 32, a cutting unit 10, a USB interface (I / F) 110, a LAN interface (I / F) 111, a communication interface (I / F) 112, a registration sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, and a setting unit 122. The ASIC 105 supplies driving currents to the feed motor 107, the conveying motor 108, and the carriage motor 109. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the conveying motor 108, and the carriage motor 109, for example, by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0051] The control unit 100 also applies a drive voltage to the vibration elements of the recording head 32, thereby causing ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzles 33. A registration sensor 120 and a rotary encoder 121 are also connected to the ASIC 105. The control unit 100 then detects the state of the printing device 1 based on signals output from the registration sensor 120 and the rotary encoder 121.

[0052] Specifically, the control unit 100 detects that the paper P has passed the contact position with the conveyance roller 60 based on a detection signal output from the registration sensor 120. The control unit 100 detects the amount of rotation of the conveyance roller 60 based on a pulse signal output from a rotary encoder 121. The control unit 100 also estimates the conveyance amount of the paper P in the first conveyance path R1 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 121 after the registration sensor 120 outputs an on signal.

[0053] A USB memory, a USB cable, etc. are connected to the USB interface (I / F) 110. A PC is connected via a LAN cable to the LAN interface 111. When the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111, it controls each unit of the printing device 1 to record print data specified by the print job on paper P.

[0054] [Control flow by the control unit] Next, the flow of control by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of control by the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0055] First, when the control unit 100 receives a print job via the communication I / F 112, it drives the feed motor 107 to rotate the feed roller 23 in the forward direction, thereby removing the paper P from the feed tray 21 and starting the transport of the paper P (S1). Specifically, it transports the paper P from the feed tray 21 to the first transport path R1.

[0056] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the leading edge of the paper P has been detected by using the detection result of the registration sensor 120 (S2). If the control unit 100 has not detected the leading edge of the paper P (S2: NO), it returns to S1, and if the control unit 100 has detected the leading edge of the paper P (S2: YES), it transports the paper P to the image recording unit 3 (S3). The control unit 100 controls the image recording unit 3, and the image recording unit 3 starts image recording on the paper P transported to the image recording unit 3 (S4).

[0057] In S4, the control unit 100 executes an image recording process, which alternates between a line feed process and a recording process, described below, on the paper P transported to the image recording unit 3, thereby recording an image on the paper P. That is, in the line feed process, the control unit 100 rotates the transport motor 108 in the forward direction and drives the transport rollers 60, 62, and 64 to transport the paper P by a predetermined transport amount in the first transport direction D1. In addition, in the recording process, while the transport of the paper P is stopped, the control unit 100 drives the carriage motor 109 to move the carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33 of the recording head 32 onto the paper P, thereby recording an image for one line.

[0058] After S4, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a setting for executing a cutting process has been made by the setting unit 122 (S5). If a setting for executing a cutting process has been made (S5: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the rear end of the paper P has been detected (S6). On the other hand, if a setting for executing a cutting process has not been made (S5: NO), the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a next page in the print job (S7). If there is no next page (S7: NO), the control unit 100 discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 22 (S11), and if there is a next page (S7: YES), the control unit 100 returns to S3.

[0059] In S6, the control unit 100 determines whether the registration sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S6). If the registration sensor 120 has not detected the rear end of the paper P (S6: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S3, and if the registration sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S6: YES), the control unit 100 calculates the length of the paper P and sets the return amount of the paper P according to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10 (S8).

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 100 calculates the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 based on the transport amount of the paper P detected by the rotary encoder 121 from when the registration sensor 120 detects the leading edge of the paper P until when the registration sensor 120 detects the trailing edge of the paper P. Then, the control unit 100 calculates the cutting position CL of the paper P shown in FIG. 6 based on the calculated length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1, and sets the transport amount in the second transport direction D2 from the cutting position CL of the paper P to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10. After S8, the control unit 100 conveys the paper P in the second conveying direction based on the conveying amount of the paper P in the second conveying direction set in S8, and cuts the paper P in the cutting unit 10 (S9).

[0061] Next, the control unit 100 judges whether or not there is a next page in the print job (S10). If there is no next page (S10: NO), the control unit 100 discharges the paper P to the discharge tray 22 (S11), and if there is a next page (S10: YES), the control unit 100 returns to S3. In this manner, the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 is ended.

[0062] According to the printing device 1 of the first embodiment described above, when the cutting process (S9) is performed on the paper P by the cutting unit 10, the paper P can be prevented from shifting position by holding the upstream side of the center position of the paper P in the first transport direction D1, i.e., the portion that will become the second paper P2, by two or more transport roller pairs 50, 51, 52. Furthermore, since no transport roller pair is provided downstream of the cutting unit 10 in the first transport direction D1, the printing device 1 can be made more compact.

[0063] Furthermore, when performing the cutting process (S9), the paper P is held by the transport roller pair 52 including the driven roller 65, which is a spur roller having multiple projections and recesses formed on its outer circumferential surface, on the side closest to the cutting section 10. In this way, by holding the paper P by the driven roller 65, which has a large frictional resistance, it is possible to effectively prevent the paper P from shifting position (lateral shift) during the cutting process (S9). Furthermore, by reducing the contact area between the driven roller 65 and the paper P, it is possible to prevent ink from adhering to the paper P and to prevent deterioration of print quality.

[0064] In addition, by making the load of the conveying roller pair 50, which is the main conveying section, holding the paper P the largest, the rotation moment generated in the paper P due to the movement of the cutting section 10 can be effectively received and canceled by the conveying roller pair 50. This can reliably prevent the paper P from shifting out of position.

[0065] Furthermore, since the conveying roller pair 50 is composed of multiple roller pairs arranged along the width direction of the paper P, it is possible to stably hold the paper P. Furthermore, by providing the conveying roller pair 50, which is the main conveying section, with more roller pairs than the other conveying roller pairs 51, 52, it is possible to effectively prevent the position of the paper P from shifting due to a large rotational moment acting on the paper P during the cutting process (S9).

[0066] In addition, by holding the downstream side of the second paper P2 in the first transport direction D1 using the transport roller pair 50, which is the main transport section, the rotational moment and twist of the paper P that occur during the cutting process (S9) can be effectively received and counteracted by the transport roller pair 50.

[0067] Furthermore, the distance LX in the first transport direction D1 from the position of the transport rollers 60 to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10 is shorter than half the length L in the first transport direction D1 of the feed tray 21. By shortening the distance between the transport roller pair 50 and the cutting unit 10 in this manner, the size of the printing device 1 in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced, thereby making the printing device 1 more compact.

[0068] Furthermore, the pair of transport rollers 50, which is the main transport unit arranged closest to the image recording unit 3 upstream in the first transport direction D1, is set to have a large transport force, and therefore has a large holding force for the paper P. By holding the paper P using the pair of transport rollers 50 with a large holding force, it is possible to more reliably prevent the paper P from shifting position.

[0069] [Variation 1] In the above description, the printing device 1 is described as dividing the paper P into multiple pieces by cutting the paper P with the cutting unit 10, but this is not limited to this. The printing device 1 may be provided with a processing unit that performs perforation processing on the paper P as an example of a dividing unit, instead of the cutting unit 10. In this case, the control unit 100 performs processing processing on the paper P by the processing unit to form perforations at a processing position that is an example of a dividing position of the paper P. The processing position is the same position as the cutting position CL.

[0070] Specifically, the processing unit has a perforation cutter with blades formed at equal intervals on the circumference of a disk, and the cutter carriage described above. The processing unit forms perforations in the paper P by moving the cutter carriage in the width direction of the paper P and forming multiple slits at intervals along the processing position of the paper P with the perforation cutter.

[0071] [Variation 2] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of processing units 10A, 10B which are modified examples of the cutting unit of the printing device according to embodiment 1. The printing device 1 may be provided with a processing unit 10A which performs fold forming processing on the paper P as an example of a dividing unit, instead of the cutting unit 10, as shown in Fig. 8(A). In this case, the control unit 100 performs processing to cause the processing unit 10A to perform fold forming processing on the paper P at a processing position CL1 of the paper P.

[0072] The processing unit 7A has a cutter carriage 81, a blade 82, and a clamping member 83. The blade 82 is a round blade, and is provided on the cutter carriage 81. The blade 82 is formed so as not to cut the paper sheet P even when it comes into contact with the paper sheet P. A recess 84 is formed in the clamping member 83, and the recess 84 is disposed at a position facing the blade 82. The processing unit 10A moves the cutter carriage 81 in the width direction of the paper sheet P, thereby pressing the paper sheet P against the recess 84 with the blade 82. As a result, a fold is formed in the paper sheet P along the processing position CL1.

[0073] Furthermore, the printing device 1 may be provided with a processing unit 10B shown in FIG. 8B as an example of a dividing unit, instead of the cutting unit 10. The processing unit 10B has a clamping member 83 and a push-out member 85. The push-out member 85 is for pushing the paper sheet P downward from the printing device 1 at the processing position CL1, and is, for example, a rectangular blade that extends in the left-right direction of the printing device 1 and is formed so as not to cut the paper sheet P even when it comes into contact with the paper sheet P. A recess 84 formed in the clamping member 83 is disposed at a position opposite the push-out member 85.

[0074] Processing unit 10B moves push-out member 85 downwardly of printing device 1, thereby abutting push-out member 85 along processing position CL1 of paper sheet P, and pushing paper sheet P downwardly of printing device 1 at processing position CL1. Processing unit 10B also clamps paper sheet P pushed out by push-out member 85 with recessed portion 84 of clamping member 83, thereby forming a fold on paper sheet P at processing position CL1.

[0075] [Embodiment 2] Next, a printing device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment above, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0076] [Printing device configuration] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing device 1A according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the printing device 1A of embodiment 2 differs from the printing device 1 of embodiment 1 in that the first conveying path R1 does not include a conveying roller pair 52, and the second conveying path R2 is not included. In other words, the printing device 1A of embodiment 2 does not perform double-sided printing like the printing device 1 of embodiment 1.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, the printing apparatus 1A includes a feed tray 21, a discharge tray 22, a feed roller 23, a first transport path R1, a pair of transport rollers 50 and 51, an image recording unit 3, and a cutting unit 10.

[0078] The first conveying path R1 extends upward from the rear end of the feed tray 21, curves in the area defined by guide members 41 and 42, passes through the position of the image recording unit 3, extends in a straight line in the area defined by guide members 44 and 45, and reaches the discharge tray 22.

[0079] A transport roller 60 is disposed upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A driven roller 61 is disposed in a position facing the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 and the driven roller 61 constitute a transport roller pair 50. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor 108 (see FIG. 5). The driven roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and the driven roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the transport roller 60 and the driven roller 61 and transported to the image recording unit 3.

[0080] A transport roller 62 is disposed downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 on the first transport path R1. A driven roller 63 is disposed in a position facing the upper part of the transport roller 62. The transport roller 62 and the driven roller 63 constitute a transport roller pair 51. The transport roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 108 (see FIG. 5). The driven roller 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 62.

[0081] As the conveying roller 62 and the driven roller 63 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 64 and the driven roller 65 and conveyed toward the cutting section 10. In addition, the paper P, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 are conveyed by the conveying roller 64 and discharged to the discharge tray 22.

[0082] The cutting unit 10 is disposed downstream in the first transport direction D1 of the transport roller pairs 50, 51. In other words, no transport roller pairs are provided downstream in the first transport direction D1 of the cutting unit 10. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P discharged to the discharge tray 22 by the transport roller pair 51.

[0083] The cutting unit 10 is disposed such that a distance LX in the first transport direction D1 from the position of the rotation axis of the transport roller 60 to the cutting position X of the cutting unit 10 is shorter than half the length L in the first transport direction D1 of the feed tray 21. Here, the length L of the feed tray 21 in the first transport direction D1 refers to the length from the front inner wall surface of the feed tray 21 to the rear inner wall surface.

[0084] In the printer 1A of the second embodiment described above, when cutting the paper P, it is sufficient to hold the paper P with the transport roller pairs 50 and 51, so there is no need to provide the transport roller pair 52 as in the printer 1 of the first embodiment. This makes it possible to provide a printer that has a simpler configuration, prevents the position of the recording medium from shifting when the recording medium is cut by the cutting unit, and achieves a compact size.

[0085] Other embodiments In the printing devices 1 and 1A of the above-described embodiments 1 and 2, the type of recording medium on which an image is to be recorded may be selected by a user operation, and the load for holding the recording medium in the conveying section may be changed depending on the selected type of recording medium.

[0086] For example, when the control unit 100 receives a print job via the communication I / F 112, which is a receiving unit, it determines whether or not special paper, which is an example of a special recording medium, has been selected. If special paper has been selected, the control unit 100 increases the load of the conveying roller pairs 50, 51, and 52 that holds the special paper compared to when holding regular paper. Here, special paper refers to cardboard that is different in thickness from regular paper, glossy paper that has different characteristics, etc. In this way, by changing the load that holds the recording medium in the conveying unit depending on the type of recording medium, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from shifting in position during cutting processing, regardless of the type of recording medium.

[0087] Furthermore, the conveying roller pairs 50, 51, 52 may be configured to hold the paper P with different holding loads depending on the characteristics of the paper P. For example, when the two feed trays 21 contain normal paper (normal recording medium) and special paper (special recording medium) with characteristics different from those of the normal paper as the paper P, the holding load for the special paper may be made larger than the holding load for the normal paper. Specifically, when the paper P is thick paper, which is an example of special paper, the biasing force of the springs biasing the driven rollers 61, 63, 65 toward the conveying rollers 60, 62, 64, respectively, may be made larger.

[0088] The printing apparatuses 1 and 1A in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments are serial inkjet printers, but are not limited to this and may be, for example, line inkjet printers. Also, the printing method is not limited to the inkjet method and may be an electrophotographic method.

[0089] In the printing apparatus 1, 1A of the first and second embodiments described above, two feed trays 21 are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be arranged, for example, with one feed tray 21. Also, the paper P is transported by using the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 68 which are roller members, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a drum member may be used.

[0090] Furthermore, the control unit 100 receives a print job via the USB interface 110 or the LAN interface 111, but is not limited thereto, and may receive a print job using wireless communication.

[0091] In the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments described above, the control unit 100 cuts the paper P in the width direction by the cutting unit 10 while the paper P is stopped, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the paper P may be cut while being conveyed at a speed slower than normal.

[0092] In addition, in the printing apparatuses 1 and 1A of the first and second embodiments described above, the paper P is held by the pair of conveying rollers when cutting the paper P, but this is not limited to this. The paper P may be held by a conveying roller and a guide member.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1, 1A printing device 3. Image Recording Section 10 Cut section 21 Feeding tray 22 Output tray 23 Feeding roller 24 Feeding arm 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 71, 72, 73 Guide members 50, 51, 52, 53 Conveyor roller pairs 60, 62, 64, 68 Conveyor rollers 61, 63, 65, 69 Driven rollers 100 Control section 122 Setting section D1 First conveying direction D2 Second conveying direction P1 1st page P2 2nd sheet R1 First conveyor path R2 Second transport path

Claims

1. A plurality of conveying units that convey the recording medium in a conveying direction; an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; a division unit that is disposed downstream of the conveyance unit and the image recording unit in the conveyance direction and performs a division process to divide the recording medium into a plurality of pieces; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is A printing device characterized in that the dividing process is performed on the recording medium by abutting the dividing section against the recording medium while the recording medium is clamped on the upstream side of the center position in the transport direction by at least two or more of the multiple transport sections.

2. The image recording apparatus further includes a discharge section for discharging the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the dividing section is disposed in the transport direction between the discharge section and the transport section that discharges the recording medium to the discharge section.

3. The printing device according to claim 2 , wherein the dividing section is disposed above the discharge section in the height direction of the printing device and on the discharge section side of the transport section in the transport direction of the printing device.

4. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs the division process on the recording medium discharged to the discharge unit by the transport unit.

5. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the dividing process on the recording medium by moving the dividing unit in a width direction of the recording medium.

6. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, among the plurality of transport sections, the transport section located closest to the dividing section in the transport direction includes at least one roller having a plurality of projections and recesses formed on its outer peripheral surface.

7. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the transport unit among the multiple transport units is the transport unit that clamps the recording medium when the division process is performed by the division unit and is located at a distance furthest from the division unit in the transport direction, the main transport unit clamps the recording medium with a greater load than the other transport units included in the multiple transport units.

8. the conveying section is provided along the width direction of the recording medium and has a plurality of roller pairs facing each other; 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the number of the roller pairs in the main transport section is equal to or greater than the number of the roller pairs in the other transport sections.

9. The recording medium is divided by the dividing unit into a first recording medium and a second recording medium, The main transport unit includes: A printing device as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that when the division position, which is the position at which the recording medium is divided by the division section, is at a position corresponding to the division section, the printing device is positioned upstream of the center position of the second recording medium in the transport direction.

10. Further comprising a storage unit for storing a recording medium, 10. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein a distance in the transport direction between the main transport section and the dividing section is equal to or less than half a length of the storage section in the transport direction.

11. 11. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the main transport unit is disposed upstream of the image recording unit in the transport direction and closest to the image recording unit in the transport direction.

12. A plurality of conveying units that convey the recording medium in a conveying direction; an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; a processing unit that is disposed downstream of the conveying unit and the image recording unit in the conveying direction and performs one of the following processing steps on the recording medium: (i) cutting, (ii) perforation, and (iii) crease formation; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is A printing device characterized in that the processing is performed by the processing unit while the recording medium is clamped by at least two of the multiple transport units on an upstream side of a center position in the transport direction.

13. A plurality of conveying units that convey the recording medium in a conveying direction; an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; a division unit that is disposed downstream of the conveyance unit and the image recording unit in the conveyance direction and performs a division process to divide the recording medium into a plurality of pieces; a discharge section to which the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the image recording section is discharged; A control unit; Equipped with the dividing unit is disposed between the discharge unit and the conveying unit that discharges the recording medium to the discharge unit in the conveying direction, The control unit is A printing device characterized in that the recording medium being discharged to the discharge section by the conveying section is held upstream of the center position of the recording medium in the conveying direction by at least two or more of the multiple conveying sections, and the dividing section is brought into contact with the recording medium to perform the dividing process.

14. A plurality of conveying units that convey the recording medium in a conveying direction; an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium; a division unit that is disposed downstream of the conveyance unit and the image recording unit in the conveyance direction and performs a division process to divide the recording medium into a plurality of pieces; A control unit; Equipped with The plurality of transport units include a first transport unit and a second transport unit located farther from the dividing unit than the first transport unit, The control unit is A printing device characterized in that the dividing process is performed on the recording medium by abutting the dividing section against the recording medium while the recording medium is held upstream of the center position in the transport direction by at least the first transport section and the second transport section, which holds the recording medium with a load greater than that of the first transport section.

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