Aftertreatment Device

Abstract

To provide a post-processing device which can suppress that large consumption power generates momentarily in a driving source of a drive mechanism.SOLUTION: A post-processing device comprises: a processing tray 32 on which a medium recorded by a recording part is loaded; and a first paddle 45 as one example of a pull-in members which is provided above the processing tray 32, and rotates thereby pulling the medium upstream in a transport direction. Further, the post-processing device comprises: a roller 70 as one example of rotors which is provided above a rotary shaft 67 of the first paddle 45; and a paddle unit frame 40A as one example of upper surface members which is provided above the roller 70. The roller 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A are provided in a rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium such as paper on which data has been recorded. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing device that receives media such as paper discharged from an image forming device, stores them on an alignment tray, and performs stapling processing using a stapler. The post-processing device includes an alignment paddle (an example of a retracting member) and an alignment belt that feed the media fed onto the alignment tray one by one. The media are fed on the alignment tray until their edges hit a reference stopper, aligning the multiple media in the feed direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-40524 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the post-processing device described in Patent Document 1, a rotating alignment paddle is used as a pull-in member that pulls in the medium until the end of the medium hits the reference stopper, so it is necessary to secure a space for the rotation trajectory of the pull-in member such as the alignment paddle. In this case, there is a problem that the post-processing device becomes larger in the height direction. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to reduce the size of the post-processing device in the height direction, there is a problem that the pull-in member such as the alignment paddle slides against the upper surface member such as a frame that covers the upper side, and the pull-in member wears out. Therefore, there is a demand for a post-processing device that can reduce the size of the device in the height direction while suppressing wear caused by the pull-in member sliding against the upper surface member such as a frame located above it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A post-processing device that solves the above problem comprises a processing tray on which media recorded by a recording unit is loaded, a retraction member provided above the processing tray and rotating to retract the media upstream in the transport direction, a rotating body provided above the rotation axis of the retraction member, and a top surface member provided above the rotating body, and the rotating body and the top surface member are provided within the rotational trajectory of the retraction member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a recording system including a post-processing device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a main part of the post-treatment device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a paddle unit of the post-treatment device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a paddle unit of the post-treatment device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of the post-processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the relationship between a first paddle and a roller. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view illustrating a feeding operation of the first paddle. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view illustrating a feeding operation of the first paddle. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view illustrating a feeding operation of the first paddle. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of a post-processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of a post-processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of a post-processing device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of a post-processing device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a paddle unit of a post-processing device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] (First embodiment) A recording system including a post-processing device according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The recording system performs a recording operation for recording on a medium such as paper, and a post-processing operation for stacking a plurality of recorded media and performing post-processing on a stack of the stacked media.

[0008] In FIG. 1, the recording system 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and two mutually intersecting axes along a plane intersecting the Z axis are indicated by the X axis and the Y axis. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are preferably perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction of gravity parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z, and the direction perpendicular to the width direction X and along the conveying path 17 is referred to as the conveying direction Y0. The conveying direction Y0 is the direction in which the conveying roller pairs 19, 19A, and 31 convey the medium 12, and changes depending on the position of the medium 12 conveyed from the recording device 13 to the post-processing device 14.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording system 11 includes a recording device 13 that records on a medium 12, a post-processing device 14 that performs post-processing on the recorded medium 12, and an intermediate device 15 that is disposed between the recording device 13 and the post-processing device 14. The recording device 13 is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the medium 12 to record characters and images. The intermediate device 15 inverts the recorded medium 12 that is carried in from the recording device 13 inside the intermediate device 15 and then ejects it to the post-processing device 14. The post-processing device 14 performs post-processing on the recorded medium 12 that is carried in from the intermediate device 15. The post-processing is, for example, a stapling process that binds multiple media 12 together. Note that the post-processing may be a punching process, a saddle stitching process, a folding process, or the like, in addition to the stapling process. Here, the punching process is a process that punches holes in one or multiple media 12.

[0010] The recording system 11 is provided with a transport path 17, indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 1, which continues from the recording device 13 through the intermediate device 15 to the inside of the post-processing device 14. The recording device 13 includes one or more transport roller pairs 19 that transport the medium 12 along the transport path 17 by being driven by a transport motor 18. The intermediate device 15 also includes a reversing processing unit 200 that reverses the recorded medium 12. The intermediate device 15 includes a transport motor (not shown) that drives the one or more transport roller pairs 19 that constitute the reversing processing unit 200.

[0011] In addition, the post-recorded medium 12 that has been inverted by the intermediate device 15 is carried into the post-processing device 14. The post-processing device 14 includes a transport mechanism 30 that transports the medium 12. The transport mechanism 30 includes a pair of transport rollers 19A, 31, and a transport motor (not shown) that drives the pair of transport rollers 19A, 31. The post-processing device 14 includes a processing tray 32 that carries the medium 12 carried in from the pair of transport rollers 31, a post-processing mechanism 33 that performs post-processing on the medium bundle 12B loaded on the processing tray 32, a discharge mechanism 36 that discharges the post-processed medium bundle 12B from the processing tray 32, and a discharge stacker 35 on which the discharged medium bundle 12B is loaded. The post-processing device 14 may also include a guide member 37 above the discharge stacker 35 that guides the media bundle 12B discharged by the discharge mechanism 36 from above, and a medium support member 38 that temporarily supports the media bundle 12B in the process of being discharged and then drops it onto the discharge stacker 35. The post-processing device 14 may also include a lifting mechanism that lowers the discharge stacker 35 as the amount of media bundle 12B loaded on the discharge stacker 35 increases. The post-processing device 14 also includes a control unit 110. The control unit 110 controls the driving of the transport mechanism 30, the post-processing mechanism 33, the discharge mechanism 36, the guide member 37, the medium support member 38, etc.

[0012] Note that the medium bundle 12B refers to a bundle of media 12 in which multiple media 12 are stacked with the edges aligned. Also, post-processing is processing performed on one medium 12 or the medium bundle 12B, and is processing performed on a medium 12 or the medium bundle 12B that has been subjected to pre-processing such as recording or reversal after the pre-processing.

[0013] Next, a detailed configuration of the recording device 13 will be described. One or more cassettes 20 that store media 12 in a stacked state are removably provided in the recording device 13. The recording device 13 includes a pickup roller 21 that feeds out the topmost medium 12 among the media 12 stored in the cassette 20, and a separation roller 22 that separates the media 12 fed out by the pickup roller 21 and feeds out only one sheet of the medium 12. The fed sheet of medium 12 is transported along a transport path 17.

[0014] The recording device 13 includes a support section 23 that is provided along the transport path 17 and supports the medium 12, and a recording section 24 that is provided at a position facing the support section 23 across the transport path 17. The recording section 24 includes a liquid ejection head 25 having a plurality of nozzles 26 capable of ejecting liquid. The liquid ejection head 25 ejects liquid such as ink from the nozzles 26 toward a portion of the medium 12 supported by the support section 23, thereby recording on the medium 12. The liquid ejection head 25 is, for example, a line head. The line head is capable of simultaneously ejecting liquid over the entire range of the width direction X of the medium 12 by a large number of nozzles 26 that are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch over the entire range of the width direction X of the medium 12. The recording section 24 may be of a serial recording type. In the case of the serial recording method, the recording unit 24 includes a carriage (not shown) that is movable in the width direction X, and a serial type liquid ejection head 25 provided on the carriage, and while moving together with the carriage in the width direction X, the liquid ejection head 25 ejects liquid from nozzles 26 toward the medium 12, thereby recording one scan (one line) at a time on the medium 12.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 13 includes a conveying section 100 that conveys the medium 12. The conveying section 100 includes, as part of the conveying path 17, a discharge path 101 through which the medium 12 is discharged, a switchback path 102 through which the medium 12 is conveyed in a switchback manner, and an inversion path 103 through which the front and back sides of the medium 12 are inverted. The switchback path 102 and the inversion path 103 are used when double-sided recording is performed. In double-sided recording, the medium 12 that has been recorded on its first side is conveyed in a switchback manner on the switchback path 102, and enters the inversion path 103 from the rear end of the medium 12, is inverted, and then is fed again toward the liquid ejection head 25. The liquid ejection head 25 records on the second side, which is the side opposite to the first side of the medium 12, thereby performing double-sided recording on the medium 12. The medium 12 that has been recorded on one side or both sides by the liquid ejection head 25 is discharged to the discharge section 104 through the discharge path 101, or is conveyed to the intermediate device 15.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate device 15 has the aforementioned reversing processing unit 200 that reverses the recorded medium 12 carried in from the recording device 13. The reversing processing unit 200 includes an introduction path 201, a first switchback path 202, a second switchback path 203, a first junction path 204, a second junction path 205, and an exit path 206. The reversing processing unit 200 has a plurality of transport roller pairs 19 (only one shown) that transport the medium 12 along each of the paths 201-206, and a flap (not shown) that guides the medium 12 to one of the transport destinations at the branch points of each of the paths 201-203. After passing through the introduction path 201, the transport destination of the medium 12 is alternately switched between the first switchback path 202 and the second switchback path 203 by the flap.

[0017] The medium 12 conveyed in a switchback manner on the first switchback path 202 is inverted on the first junction path 204 and then conveyed to the outlet path 206. Meanwhile, the medium 12 conveyed in a switchback manner on the second switchback path 203 is inverted on the second junction path 205 and then conveyed to the outlet path 206. The inverted medium 12 is sent from the intermediate device 15 to the post-processing device 14 through the outlet path 206 with the side that was most recently recorded on by the recording device 13 facing downward. In addition, the medium 12 dries during the process of being conveyed through the intermediate device 15, and the medium 12 is sent to the post-processing device 14 with curling and the like caused by moisture and the like in the ink adhering to the medium 12 suppressed.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the post-processing device 14 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Note that the discharge stacker 35 is omitted in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the medium 12 inverted by the intermediate device 15 is carried into the housing 14A of the post-processing device 14. The medium 12 carried into the housing 14A is transported by the above-mentioned transport mechanism 30 and then discharged almost horizontally into the space (processing area) above the processing tray 32. In other words, when viewed from the processing tray 32 side, the medium 12 is carried from the transport mechanism 30 into the space above the processing tray 32 almost horizontally. The transport mechanism 30 is provided with a sensor 34 that detects the presence or absence of the medium 12 at a position on the transport path between the transport roller pair 19A and the transport roller pair 31. The sensor 34 detects the leading and trailing ends of the medium 12 in the transport direction Y0. The control unit 110 detects the timing when the trailing end of the medium 12 leaves the transport roller pair 31 of the transport mechanism 30 from the detection position where the sensor 34 detects the trailing end of the medium 12. When the rear end of medium 12 separates from transport roller pair 31, control unit 110 starts alignment control to stack medium 12 on processing tray 32 in an aligned state.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 14 includes a transport mechanism 30 , a processing tray 32 , a receiving mechanism 41 , a feed mechanism 43 , an alignment mechanism 51 , a discharge mechanism 36 , a push-down mechanism 90 , a guide mechanism 95 , and a medium support mechanism 99 .

[0020] The transport mechanism 30 includes the aforementioned transport roller pair 31 at the downstream end in the transport direction Y0. The transport roller pair 31 includes a drive roller 31A and a driven roller 31B. The medium 12 is transported from the transport roller pair 31 to a processing area above the processing tray 32 substantially horizontally.

[0021] The post-processing device 14 includes a paddle unit 40 located above and an alignment unit 50 located below, with the transport path of the medium 12, which is carried in substantially horizontally from the transport mechanism 30, sandwiched in the vertical direction Z. The processing tray 32 is fixed at an angle to the upper end of the alignment unit 50.

[0022] Thus, the post-processing device 14 includes a processing tray 32 on which the medium 12 recorded by the recording unit 24 is stacked, and a first paddle 45 as an example of a drawing member that is provided above the processing tray 32 and rotates to draw the medium 12 upstream in the transport direction Y0. More specifically, a paddle unit 40 that rotatably supports the first paddle 45 is disposed above the processing tray 32.

[0023] 2, post-processing device 14 has discharge tray 14C onto which recorded media transported via a transport path other than transport path FT along which media 12 forming media bundle 12B are transported are discharged. Discharge tray 14C is located above paddle unit 40 and is arranged at a height that allows a user to easily pick up the media. For example, media 12 onto which an image received by recording device 13 via facsimile is recorded is discharged to discharge tray 14C. Increasing the height of paddle unit 40 increases the height position of discharge tray 14C and leads to an increase in the height of post-processing device 14.

[0024] The processing tray 32 shown in FIG. 2 has a loading surface 32A on which the media 12 are loaded. The loading surface 32A is an inclined surface in which the upstream end is located lower in the vertical direction Z than the downstream end in the transport direction Y0. The processing tray 32 has a predetermined width dimension in the width direction X that is longer than the width of the maximum width of the media 12. Depending on the inclination of the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32, the transport direction Y0 in which the media stack 12B is discharged from the loading surface 32A is called the first transport direction Y1, and the direction opposite to the first transport direction Y1 is called the second transport direction Y2 (-Y0). In other words, the first transport direction Y1 is equal to the transport direction Y0 of the media 12 on the loading surface 32A, and the second transport direction Y2 is equal to the counter transport direction -Y0, which is the direction opposite to the transport direction Y0 of the media 12 on the loading surface 32A.

[0025] The paddle unit 40 has a receiving mechanism 41, a part of the feed mechanism 43, and a paddle unit frame 40A that supports these. The receiving mechanism 41 guides the path of the medium 12 downward so that the medium 12, which is carried in almost horizontally from the transport roller pair 31, can be received by the processing tray 32 that is inclined relative to the horizontal. The receiving mechanism 41 has a rotatable variable guide 42.

[0026] The feed mechanism 43 has a function of feeding the medium 12 guided by the receiving mechanism 41 to the processing tray 32 along the inclined loading surface 32A in the second transport direction Y2. The feed mechanism 43 has the above-mentioned large-diameter first paddle 45 and small-diameter second paddle 46 at a position above the processing tray 32. The large-diameter first paddle 45 is disposed above a position upstream of the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32 in the second transport direction Y2. The small-diameter second paddle 46 is disposed above a position downstream of the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32 in the second transport direction Y2. The first paddle 45 is assembled to the paddle unit 40. The second paddle 46 is rotatably supported by a frame separate from the paddle unit 40 at a position below the transport roller pair 31.

[0027] The variable guide 42 shown in FIG. 2 rotates within a predetermined angle range around the downstream end in the transport direction Y0. The variable guide 42 rotates between a standby position shown in FIG. 2 and an operating position (not shown) rotated a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in the same figure from the standby position. The tip of the variable guide 42 in the standby position is located near the upper side of the entrance of the transport roller pair 31. The variable guide 42 is also located in the width center of the paddle unit 40 (see FIG. 3). The variable guide 42 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 from the standby position to the operating position, thereby performing an operation of tapping downward the width center of the medium 12 shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, which is transported from the transport roller pair 31 substantially horizontally at a predetermined input speed. By the variable guide 42 tapping the medium 12 downward, the path of the medium 12 is changed to a direction along the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32, and the medium 12 is received in the processing tray 32. Note that a plurality of variable guides 42 may be provided at different positions in the width direction X.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the paddle unit 40 is configured by assembling the variable guide 42 and its drive mechanism 80 constituting the receiving mechanism 41, and the first paddle 45 and its drive mechanism 60 of the feed mechanism 43 to the paddle unit frame 40A. The first paddle 45 is rotationally driven by the drive mechanism 60. The variable guide 42 is rotationally displaced by the drive mechanism 80. The paddle unit frame 40A has an inverted U-shaped cross section with an opening that opens downward in the side view shown in FIG. 2 and the front view shown in FIG. 3. The drive mechanism 60 has an electric motor 61 that is the drive source of the first paddle 45. The drive mechanism 80 has an electric motor 81 that is the drive source of the variable guide 42.

[0029] The first paddle 45 is rotatably supported at the bottom of the paddle unit frame 40A. The upper part of the first paddle 45 is covered by the upper surface part 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. The paddle unit frame 40A has the upper surface part 40B that covers the upper part of the first paddle 45, which is an example of a pull-back member, and thus constitutes an upper surface member. The upper surface member is a member that has at least a part of the upper surface part 40B that covers the upper part of the first paddle 45. The upper surface part 40B does not necessarily have to be the uppermost surface part of the paddle unit frame 40A.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the drive mechanism 80 of the variable guide 42 includes an electric motor 81, a drive lever 82 driven by the power of the electric motor 81, and a driven part 83 that is displaced by being pressed downward by the drive lever 82. The driven part 83 is biased upward by a spring (not shown), and is displaced downward by being pressed by the drive lever 82. When the driven part 83 is displaced downward, the variable guide 42 rotates from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 to an operating position inclined downward by a predetermined angle. When the drive lever 82 returns to a position where it does not press the driven part 83, the biasing force of the spring causes the variable guide 42 to rotate from the operating position to the retracted position. This reciprocating rotation of the variable guide 42 knocks the medium 12 conveyed from the transport roller pair 31 downward.

[0031] Note that the control unit 110 drives the electric motor 81 when the drive roller 31A has completed rotating an amount equivalent to the rear end of the medium 12 passing through the nip position of the transport roller pair 31 after the sensor 34 (see FIG. 1) detects the rear end of the medium 12. This causes the variable guide 42 to rotate from the retracted position to the operating position at the timing when the rear end of the medium 12 leaves the transport roller pair 31. The medium 12 that has been transported almost horizontally into the processing area above the processing tray 32 is struck downward at the timing when the nip of the transport roller pair 31 at the rear end of the medium 12 is released, and the transport path of the medium 12 is changed to a direction along the processing tray 32.

[0032] The first paddle 45 starts rotating at the timing when the variable guide 42 hits the medium 12 downward. The medium 12 is guided to the processing tray 32 by the hitting action of the variable guide 42 and the rotating action of the first paddle 45. In other words, the first paddle 45 also has a function of receiving the medium 12 onto the stacking surface 32A together with the variable guide 42 by rotating. The first paddle 45 can pull the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2 by rotating around the rotation axis 67. The first paddle 45 and the second paddle 46 contact the medium 12 at different positions in the second transport direction Y2 while rotating, and pull the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2. The first paddle 45 and the second paddle 46 may feed the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2 at the same feed speed. A configuration may be adopted in which the first paddle 45 having a large diameter feeds the medium 12 at a large feed rate, and when the first paddle 45 finishes feeding, the second paddle 46 feeds the medium 12 at a small feed rate.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, an abutment portion 47 extends upward from the downstream end of the processing tray 32 in the second transport direction Y2. The abutment portion 47 extends upward in a predetermined shape from the end of the processing tray 32 and has a surface that is perpendicular to the stacking surface 32A in the side view of Fig. 2. The paddles 45, 46 feed the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 until it abuts against the abutment portion 47.

[0034] The medium 12 sent in the second transport direction Y2 by the paddles 45, 46 has its rear end 12r abut against the abutment portion 47, and is aligned in the transport direction Y0 based on the abutment position. A plurality of abutment portions 47 are provided at intervals in the width direction X. The intervals between the plurality of abutment portions 47 are set to a length that allows a medium 12 with a minimum width to be abutted at multiple points.

[0035] The alignment mechanism 51 shown in FIG. 2 has a function of aligning the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 in the width direction X. The alignment mechanism 51 has a pair of alignment members 52 that are movable in the width direction X along the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32. The alignment mechanism 51 has two electric motors (not shown) that are drive sources that individually drive the pair of alignment members 52. The pair of alignment members 52 align the medium 12 in the width direction X by hitting both side edges of the medium 12 once or multiple times when the first paddle 45, which is in intermittent contact with the medium 12, leaves the medium 12. In this way, the medium 12 is aligned in two directions, the transport direction Y0 and the width direction X, on the processing tray 32.

[0036] The media 12 are sequentially stacked on the processing tray 32. A plurality of media 12 are aligned on the processing tray 32 with their edges aligned to form a media stack 12B. When the number of media 12 stacked on the processing tray 32 reaches a target number, a post-processing mechanism 33 performs post-processing on the media stack 12B on the processing tray 32. The post-processing mechanism 33 in this example is, for example, a stapling mechanism, and is movable in the width direction X. The post-processing mechanism 33 moves in the width direction X as necessary, and staples the end of the media stack 12B at one or more locations.

[0037] The discharge mechanism 36 shown in FIG. 2 is provided at the downstream end of the processing tray 32 in the transport direction Y0, and discharges the processed media bundle 12B from the processing tray 32 toward the discharge stacker 35. The discharge mechanism 36 employs, for example, a roller discharge system. The discharge mechanism 36 has a roller pair consisting of a drive roller 36A and a driven roller 36B that can hold the media bundle 12B on the processing tray 32. In this example, the driven roller 36B is supported by a shaft at the base end of the variable guide 42. The driven roller 36B moves between a separation position shown in FIG. 2 that is separated from the drive roller 36A, and a nip position (not shown) where the media bundle 12B can be nipped between the drive roller 36A and the nip position. The movement of the driven roller 36B between the nip position and the separation position is performed by the paddle unit 40 rotating about a rotation fulcrum (not shown) to change its posture. The driven roller 36B is biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction approaching the drive roller 36A. Note that the discharge mechanism 36 is not limited to the roller conveyance type, and may be a push-out type having a pusher that pushes the medium bundle 12B on the processing tray 32 out of the processing tray 32.

[0038] A guide mechanism 95 including a guide member 37 is provided above the discharge stacker 35 (see FIG. 1). The guide mechanism 95 uses the guide member 37 to guide the media bundle 12B discharged from the processing tray 32 by the discharge mechanism 36 so as not to shift upward. The guide mechanism 95 includes an electric motor 96 as a drive source, and a drive mechanism 97. Two output shafts of the drive mechanism 97 are connected to the guide member 37 via arms 98. Drive of the electric motor 96 adjusts the position of the guide member 37 in a direction that changes the distance between the medium support member 38 and the guide member 37. The position of the guide member 37 may be adjusted depending on the thickness of the media bundle 12B or the amount of curl of the media bundle 12B.

[0039] Further, the push-down mechanism 90 is provided at a position between the processing tray 32 and the guide member 37 in the transport direction Y0. The push-down mechanism 90 has a drive source (not shown), a pinion 91 that rotates by the power of the drive source, a rack member 92 that meshes with the pinion 91, and a pressing member 93 fixed to the lower end of the rack member 92. The push-down mechanism 90 prevents the rear end of the discharged media stack 12B from getting caught on a portion near the drive roller 36A and falling onto the discharge stacker 35 by the pressing member 93 pressing downward the rear end of the discharged media stack 12B.

[0040] The medium support mechanism 99 also has a pair of medium support members 38 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) disposed at a position between the guide member 37 and the discharge stacker 35 (see FIG. 1). The pair of medium support members 38 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) is located above the discharge stacker 35 (see FIG. 1) and is provided to be movable in the width direction X. The pair of medium support members 38 move in the width direction X between a holding position where the medium bundle 12B can be held on the pair of support surfaces 38A and a retracted position where the pair of medium support members 38 are separated in the width direction X to such an extent that the medium bundle 12B cannot be held on the pair of support surfaces 38A. The pair of medium support members 38 have a support surface 38A that supports the lower surface of the medium bundle 12B and a guide surface 38B that guides the side end of the medium bundle 12B. When the pair of medium support members 38 are positioned in the holding position, the leading end portion of the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 is supported by the pair of support surfaces 38A, and the side ends of the medium 12 are guided by the pair of guide surfaces 38B, so that the misalignment in the width direction X of the medium stack 12B is within the allowable range.

[0041] The pair of medium support members 38 temporarily support both ends in the width direction X of the media bundle 12B during the process of being discharged from the processing tray 32. The pair of medium support members 38 move away in the width direction X from a holding position where they can support the media bundle 12B, causing the media bundle 12B to fall onto the discharge stacker 35. The medium support mechanism 99 prevents the leading end of the media bundle 12B from drooping during discharge. This prevents the drooping leading end of the media bundle 12B from coming into contact with the discharge stacker 35 during the discharge process, being rolled in underneath, and being bent.

[0042] Next, a drive system for the first paddle 45 of the paddle unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 3, the drive mechanism 60 for the first paddles 45 includes a pair of electric motors 61 (see also Fig. 2) mounted on the upper surface of the paddle unit frame 40A. The first paddles 45 are provided in two sets, one pair adjacent to the other in the width direction X, at two positions separated in the width direction X by the unit center. In other words, the two sets of first paddles 45 are disposed at two positions separated in the width direction X by the unit center. The pair of electric motors 61 individually drive each of the two sets of first paddles 45, each pair consisting of a pair.

[0043] Two pairs of pulleys 62, 63 are provided at different positions in the width direction X on the lower side of the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. One of the pulleys 62, 63 of each pair is a driving pulley 62 that is rotated by the power of an electric motor 61, and the other pulley 63 located at both ends of the paddle unit frame 40A in the width direction X is a driven pulley. A timing belt 64 is wound around each of the pulleys 62, 63 of each pair. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a movable member 65 is fixed to each of the pair of left and right timing belts 64. The pair of left and right movable members 65 are provided so as to be movable in approximately half of the area in the width direction X along a pair of left and right guide shafts 66. The two pairs of first paddles 45 are movable in the width direction X together with the movable member 65 within their respective movement ranges. When one of the two sets of first paddles 45 moves in the first direction X1, the other moves in the second direction X2, and when one moves in the second direction X2, the other moves in the first direction X1. Therefore, the two sets of first paddles 45 change their position in the width direction X according to the width size of the medium 12, and apply a feeding force that feeds the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2 to two appropriate positions according to the width size of the medium 12.

[0044] 3 and 4, the two sets of first paddles 45 are commonly attached to a single rotating shaft 67 extending in the width direction X. A gear 68 is fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 67 that protrudes outward from the side of the paddle unit frame 40A. An electric motor 69 that outputs power to rotate the gear 68 is disposed on the side of the paddle unit frame 40A. When the electric motor 69 is driven, the two sets of first paddles 45 rotate in a direction that allows the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 to be fed in the second transport direction Y2.

[0045] The two sets of first paddles 45 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are engaged with the rotating shaft 67 in a state in which they can move in the width direction X relative to the rotating shaft 67 and rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 67. The two sets of first paddles 45 can each be moved to a position that changes the distance between them while being spaced apart in the width direction X. The electric motors 61, 69 are driven and controlled by the control unit 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the paddle unit 40 includes a sensor 60S that detects the rotational position of the rotating shaft 67. The control unit 110 places the first paddles 45 in the standby position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 based on the detection signal of the sensor 60S. The standby position of the first paddles 45 is a rotation angle that the first paddles 45 take during a standby period that is a period other than a feeding operation period in which the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 is fed.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the paddle unit 40 includes a roller 70 as an example of a rotating body provided above the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45. The roller 70 is, for example, a roller. The roller 70 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 71 as an example of a shaft extending along the rotation axis of the roller 70. The axial direction of the support shaft 71 is parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45. The roller 70 is a driven roller that rotates when an external force is applied thereto.

[0047] Above the roller 70, the paddle unit frame 40A is disposed as an example of an upper surface member. More specifically, above the roller 70, the upper surface portion 40B, which is a part of the paddle unit frame 40A, is located. That is, the roller 70 is disposed below the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. The roller 70 is also disposed above the rotation axis 67 of the first paddle 45. As a result, the roller 70 is located between the rotation axis 67 and the upper surface portion 40B in the vertical direction Z. The roller 70 is disposed with a predetermined gap between it and the upper surface portion 40B. The roller 70 has a length in the width direction X that allows it to come into contact with the first paddle 45 even if the first paddle 45 moves in the width direction X. Therefore, the first paddle 45 comes into contact with the roller 70 when rotating, even if the position in the width direction X is changed according to the width size of the medium 12.

[0048] Next, a characteristic configuration of the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 will be described with reference to FIG. The first paddle 45 has a plurality of blades 45A with a length that reaches the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32. The plurality of blades 45A are arranged at equal intervals in a biased region of about ¼ (about 90 degrees) to about half (about 180 degrees) of one revolution (360 degrees) around the rotation shaft 67. The intervals between the plurality of blades 45A are a predetermined angle within a range of, for example, 10 to 90 degrees. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the number of blades 45A is three, and the three blades 45A are arranged at equal angular intervals of, for example, about 60 degrees in a region of about ⅔ (about 120 degrees) around the rotation shaft 67.

[0049] Therefore, depending on the rotation angle of the first paddle 45, the first paddle 45 can be switched between a feed position in which any of the blades 45A can perform a feed operation by contacting the loading surface 32A or the medium 12 on the loading surface 32A, and a non-feed position in which none of the blades 45A contacts the loading surface 32A or the medium 12 on the loading surface 32A. The standby position shown in Fig. 5 is a non-feed position having a rotation angle that is determined in advance for standby. In the example shown in Fig. 5, in the standby position, all of the blades 45A face upward from the horizontal, but it is sufficient that at least one of the blades 45A faces upward from the horizontal.

[0050] 5 indicates the rotation locus L1 of the tip of the blade 45A of the first paddle 45. However, this rotation locus L1 indicates the rotation locus when it is assumed that the roller 70 does not exist.

[0051] The roller 70 is provided within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the roller 70 is entirely disposed within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. It is sufficient that the roller 70 is provided at least partially within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45.

[0052] In addition, in a side view of the first paddle 45 seen from the axial direction of its rotation shaft 67, the roller 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A are at least partially provided within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. In the example of FIG. 5, the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A is not provided at all within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. In this case, it is possible to secure an arrangement space for arranging the components that constitute the drive mechanisms 60, 80 between the roller 70 and the upper surface portion 40B. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction.

[0053] As shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, a part of the upper surface portion 40B may be provided within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. In this case, too, a roller 70 is disposed between the rotation shaft 67 and the upper surface portion 40B. In this configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction. The height direction of the paddle unit 40 may be either the vertical direction Z or a direction perpendicular to the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32.

[0054] Incidentally, in a configuration in which a part of the paddle unit frame 40A is disposed within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45, which is an example of a retracting member, if the roller 70 is not present, the paddle unit 40 can be made smaller in height, but the blade 45A wears out because the first paddle 45 comes into contact with the paddle unit frame 40A every time it rotates. For this reason, it is conceivable to dispose the paddle unit frame 40A at a height position where the blade 45A does not come into contact with the upper surface portion 40B even when the first paddle 45 rotates. However, in this configuration, the paddle unit 40 becomes larger in height, which leads to an increase in the size of the post-processing device 14 in the height direction, although wear of the first paddle 45 can be avoided.

[0055] For this reason, in this embodiment, the roller 70 is disposed within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45, and the first paddle 45 comes into contact with the roller 70, thereby reducing wear on the blade 45A. Furthermore, when the roller 70 is disposed within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45, the blade 45A is bent in the process of coming into contact with the roller 70, so that the actual rotation locus of the first paddle 45 becomes smaller than the rotation locus L1 by the area above the roller 70. The upper area where the rotation locus is reduced can be used as an arrangement space for the components of the drive mechanisms 60 and 80 or to lower the arrangement position of the upper surface portion 40B. Either of these configurations can reduce the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the roller 70 is positioned above the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45. For this reason, the first paddle 45 makes contact with the roller 70 when the blade 45A is at a posture angle in which it faces upward from the horizontal during one rotation from the standby posture.

[0057] The roller 70 is provided at a position between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A where the distance between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A is the shortest. In other words, the roller 70 is provided at a position where the roller 70 overlaps with an imaginary line L2 connecting two positions where the distance between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A is the shortest, in the side view shown in Fig. 5. Note that being provided at the shortest distance means that the roller 70 overlaps with the imaginary line L2 even a little.

[0058] The coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the support shaft 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the first paddle 45. The first paddle 45 in this example is made of rubber, for example, synthetic rubber. Also, at least the surface of the roller 70 is made of synthetic resin. In this example, the entire roller 70 is made of synthetic resin. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 and the inner peripheral surface through which the support shaft 71 of the roller 70 is inserted are made of synthetic resin. Furthermore, the support shaft 71 is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the support shaft 71 is the coefficient of friction between synthetic resins. Also, the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the first paddle 45 is the coefficient of friction between synthetic resin and rubber. The coefficient of friction between synthetic resin and rubber is larger than the coefficient of friction between synthetic resins. Therefore, in this embodiment, the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the support shaft 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the first paddle 45.

[0059] The second paddle 46 has a plurality of blades 46A with a length that reaches the stacking surface 32A. The second paddle 46 has a smaller diameter than the first paddle 45, but has almost the same shape as the first paddle 45. The second paddle 46 is fixed to a rotating shaft 49 that extends in the width direction X and is provided above the processing tray 32 and downstream of the rotating shaft 67 in the second transport direction Y2. The pair of second paddles 46 are arranged in the width direction X at a second interval that is narrower than the interval between the pair of first paddles 45. The pair of second paddles 46 are located at a position where they can contact the small-sized medium 12 at two points in the width direction X. The pair of second paddles 46 may be arranged to be movable in the width direction X according to the width size of the medium 12, similar to the first paddle 45. The two sets of first paddles 45 may be arranged to be unable to move in the width direction X and to be able to contact the small-sized medium 12 at two points in the width direction X.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows the movement trajectory of the blade 45A that comes into contact with the roller 70 when the first paddle 45 rotates. The first paddle 45 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6. Here, attention is given to one blade 45A among the multiple blades 45A that the first paddle 45 has. When the blade 45A is located at the first position P1, the blade 45A contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 in a straight extended state. When the blade 45A further moves to the second position P2, the blade 45A bends at the point where it contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70. Therefore, the tip of the blade 45A moves downward from the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. That is, compared to the position of the tip of the blade 45A that extends straight when the blade 45A is in the rotation posture of the second position P2 in a configuration without the roller 70, the tip of the blade 45A moves downward from the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. Furthermore, in the process of blade 45A moving to third position P3, blade 45A comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of roller 70 and deforms, passing under roller 70. After passing under roller 70, blade 45A extends straight by its own elastic force at third position P3. In the process of moving from first position P1 to third position P3, the tip of blade 45A describes a trajectory that passes below rotation trajectory L1 in the region above rotation trajectory L1 shown in FIG.

[0061] In this embodiment, the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the support shaft 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the roller 70 and the first paddle 45. Therefore, in the process in which the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 moves from the first position P1, where the blade 45A is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller 70, to the third position P3, the blade 45A passes under the roller 70 while bending as the roller 70 rotates while remaining in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller 70. In this process, no sliding occurs between the blade 45A and the outer circumferential surface of the roller 70, so that wear of the blade 45A is suppressed.

[0062] Next, the retraction operation of the first paddle 45 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Each time a media bundle 12B is formed on the processing tray 32, the first paddle 45 rotates to a standby position. In this standby position, all of the multiple blades 45A of the first paddle 45 are separated from the media bundle 12B. With the first paddle 45 in this standby position, the rollers 36A, 36B of the discharge mechanism 36 nip the media bundle 12B, and the rollers 36A, 36B rotate, causing the media bundle 12B to be discharged from the processing tray 32.

[0063] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the first medium 12 is received into the processing tray 32, the first paddle 45 starts to rotate and the first blade 45A contacts the medium 12 and pulls the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2.

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the second blade 45A contacts the medium 12 and pulls the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the third blade 45A contacts the medium 12 and draws the medium 12 in the second transport direction Y2. The posture of the first paddle 45 when drawing (sending) the medium 12 shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 is the drawing posture. The control unit 110 stops the first paddle 45 at the timing when the leading end of the medium 12 abuts against the abutting portion 47 or at a timing slightly later than this. The first paddle 45 may be stopped in the standby posture for each rotation, or the timing of stopping the first paddle 45 may be controlled in a state where the last blade 45A contacts and deforms the medium 12 on the processing tray 32. The blade 45A holds the medium 12 in a state where it contacts and deforms the medium 12. In this state where the first paddle 45 is stopped, the rear end 12r of the medium 12 on the processing tray 32 abuts against the abutting portion 47 and is aligned in the second transport direction Y2. The first paddle 45 may rotate multiple times during the retraction process.

[0065] When the first paddle 45 rotates to the standby position and stops, the blade 45A, the tip of which faces most upward among the plurality of blades 45A, stops in a bent state in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller 70.

[0066] Next, the operation of the recording system 11 will be described. The medium 12 recorded by the recording device 13 is inverted by the intermediate device 15 and then sent to the post-processing device 14. In the post-processing device 14, the medium 12 is transported into the transport mechanism 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the medium 12 passes through the transport mechanism 30 and is transported from the transport roller pair 31 to above the processing tray 32. At this time, the medium 12 shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 is knocked down by the variable guide 42 rotating from the standby position to the operating position. This changes the transport path of the medium 12 downward. Next, the first paddle 45 that has been waiting at the standby position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figures.

[0067] The two left and right pairs of first paddles 45 are adjusted to a distance that corresponds to the width size of the medium 12 to be post-processed. That is, when the first medium 12 has a first width size, the two left and right pairs of first paddles 45 are adjusted to a first position that is closer to the center in the width direction X shown in Figures 3 and 4. When the second medium 12 has a second width size that is larger than the first size, the two left and right pairs of first paddles 45 are adjusted to a second position that is wider than the first position that is closer to the center in the width direction X shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0068] Until the first paddle 45 starts to rotate, it is placed in a standby position in which at least one of the blades 45A faces upward from the horizontal, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. At this time, at least one of the blades 45A constituting the first paddle 45 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller 70 and is in a slightly bent state (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0069] 7 to 9, the first paddle 45 rotates, and the medium 12 is pulled in the second transport direction Y2 toward the abutment portion 47 on the stacking surface 32A of the processing tray 32. Then, the rear end 12r of the medium 12 sent in the second transport direction Y2 by the first paddle 45 hits the abutment portion 47, so that the medium 12 is aligned in the second transport direction Y2. Just before the rear end 12r of the medium 12 hits the abutment portion 47, the medium 12 is sent in the second transport direction Y2 by a second paddle 46 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) having a smaller diameter than the first paddle 45.

[0070] The medium 12 is fed at high speed by the first paddle 45 having a large diameter, and fed at a slower speed than the first paddle 45 by the second paddle 46 having a small diameter. For example, the first paddle 45 feeds the medium 12 at high speed until the rear end 12r of the medium 12 hits the abutment portion 47, and the second paddle 46 feeds the medium 12 at low speed from the middle until the rear end 12r of the medium 12 hits the abutment portion 47. For this reason, alignment errors due to rebound when the rear end 12r of the medium 12 hits the abutment portion 47 are unlikely to occur. Therefore, the medium 12 is aligned without deviation in the conveying direction Y0. In addition, the pair of alignment members 52 hit both side ends of the medium 12 while the medium 12 is being fed by the paddles 45 and 46, so that the medium 12 is also aligned in the width direction X.

[0071] In the process of the rotation of the first paddle 45, the blades 45A contact the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 in order and bend. In this example, the frictional resistance between the blades 45A and the roller 70 is greater than the sliding resistance between the roller 70 and the support shaft 71. Therefore, the blades 45A in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 (first position P1 in FIG. 6) pass under the roller 70 while bending (second position P2 in FIG. 6) as the roller 70 rotates while keeping the contact point with the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 without sliding with the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70. During this passing process, there is almost no slippage between the blades 45A and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70. Therefore, the roller 70 rotates. Then, when the blades 45A pass under the roller 70, the blades 45A return from the bent state to a state extended straight in the radial direction by their own elastic restoring force (third position P3 in FIG. 6).

[0072] Subsequently, the same process is performed for the next medium 12. That is, the path of the medium 12 carried in from the transport roller pair 31 is changed, the first paddle 45 performs a feeding operation, the second paddle 46 performs a feeding operation, and the alignment member 52 performs an alignment operation in the width direction X. The second and subsequent medium 12 are fed in the second transport direction Y2 by the first paddle 45 and the second paddle 46 along the upper surface of the medium 12 previously loaded on the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32. Then, the rear end 12r of the medium 12 hits the abutment portion 47, so that the medium 12 is aligned in the transport direction Y0. In this way, the medium 12 is aligned one by one in the transport direction Y0 and the width direction X and loaded on the processing tray 32.

[0073] Then, when the number of media 12 stacked on the processing tray 32 reaches a target number, the post-processing mechanism 33 moves in the width direction X relative to the processing tray 32 and staples the media bundle 12B on the processing tray 32 at a predetermined position at the rear end 12r of the media bundle 12B on the processing tray 32. When the specified number of staples have been stapled at the specified positions, the media bundle 12B on the processing tray 32 is nipped between the drive roller 36A and the driven roller 36B. Then, the drive roller 36A is driven in this nipped state, and the media bundle 12B is discharged from the processing tray 32.

[0074] During this discharge process, the media bundle 12B is temporarily supported by the medium support members 38 while being prevented from shifting upward by the pressing member 93 and guide member 37 in the standby position. This prevents the leading end of the media bundle 12B from drooping. This makes it possible to prevent the leading end from bending, which is likely to occur when the leading end of the media bundle 12B is discharged while it is drooping. Then, the pair of medium support members 38 widen the gap in the width direction X, causing the media bundle 12B, which had been temporarily supported up until then, to fall onto the discharge stacker 35.

[0075] In the paddle unit 40 of this embodiment, the blade 45A bends to pass under the roller 70 in the process of taking the first position P1 to the third position P3, thereby ensuring a spatial area above the roller 70 that is not part of the path of the blade 45A. In this example, as shown in Fig. 5, the components of the drive mechanisms 60, 80 are disposed in the spatial area between the roller 70 and the upper surface part 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. As a result, the number of components that are mounted above the upper surface part 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A is reduced, and the paddle unit 40 can be made smaller in size in the height direction.

[0076] Also, the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A may be lowered to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, and the upper surface portion 40B shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5 may be disposed within the rotation trajectory L1 of the blade 45A. In this configuration, the height position of the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A is lowered, and accordingly, the paddle unit 40 can be made smaller in size in the height direction. Furthermore, by making the paddle unit 40 smaller in size in the height direction, the post-processing device 14 can be made smaller in size in the height direction.

[0077] As described above in detail, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The post-processing device 14 includes a processing tray 32 on which the medium 12 recorded by the recording unit 24 is loaded, and a first paddle 45 as an example of a drawing member that is provided above the processing tray 32 and rotates to draw the medium 12 upstream in the transport direction. The post-processing device 14 further includes a roller 70 as an example of a rotating body provided above the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45, and a paddle unit frame 40A as an example of an upper surface member provided above the roller 70. The roller 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A are provided within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. Note that it is sufficient that the paddle unit frame 40A and the roller 70 are at least partially within the rotation trajectory L1. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the post-processing device 14 while suppressing wear of the first paddle 45.

[0078] (2) The first paddle 45 draws in the medium 12 by rotating about the rotation axis 67. The roller 70 is provided at a position between the rotation axis 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A where the distance between the rotation axis 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A is the shortest. "Location at the shortest distance" means that the roller 70 is located between them, even if only slightly. Therefore, by providing the roller 70 at a position where the first paddle 45 deforms the most, friction between the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 can be reduced. In other words, when a member is provided at a position where the first paddle 45 deforms the most when rotated, the member can be the roller 70 to reduce friction between the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 (member).

[0079] (3) The coefficient of friction between roller 70 and support shaft 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between roller 70 and first paddle 45. Therefore, when first paddle 45 comes into contact with roller 70, roller 70 rotates, and sliding between first paddle 45 and roller 70 is suppressed. As a result, wear of first paddle 45 due to contact with roller 70 can be suppressed.

[0080] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The configuration of the rotating body constituting the paddle unit 40 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the other configurations of the paddle unit 40, the recording system 11, and the post-processing device 14 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the configuration of the paddle unit 40 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, rollers 72, which are an example of a rotating body, are provided between the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45 and the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A in the paddle unit 40. The rollers 72 are supported in a state in which they can rotate around a support shaft 73, which is an example of a shaft. In the side view shown in FIG. 10, the rollers 72 are arranged so as to draw an arc shape around the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45. The second diameter, which is the diameter of the roller 72, is smaller than the first diameter, which is the diameter of the roller 70 in the first embodiment. The rollers 72 are also arranged within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45.

[0082] At least one roller 72 is provided at a position between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A where the distance between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A is the shortest. In other words, at least one roller 72 is provided at a position where one roller 72 overlaps with an imaginary line L2 connecting two positions where the distance between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A is the shortest, in the side view shown in Fig. 10. Note that being provided at the shortest distance means that the roller 72 overlaps with the imaginary line L2 even a little.

[0083] Compared to the rollers 70 of the first embodiment, the rollers 72 of the second embodiment have a smaller diameter, so the size of the rollers 72 in the height direction is relatively small by the amount of the smaller diameter. Therefore, in the side view of Fig. 10, the space between the roller row in which the rollers 72 are arranged in an arc shape and the upper surface part 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A is wider in the height direction than in the configuration of the first embodiment. Therefore, by arranging the components of the drive mechanisms 60 and 80 in this space, it becomes possible to effectively use the space inside the paddle unit frame 40A as a space for arranging the components.

[0084] Also, instead of arranging the components in the above-mentioned space, the height position of the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A may be shifted downward. That is, the position of the upper surface portion 40B may be shifted in a direction (downward) closer to the rotation axis 67 of the first paddle 45 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 by the amount of space that is created where the blade 45A is not located. With this configuration, the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction can be relatively reduced by shifting the height position of the upper surface portion 40B downward. With this configuration, a part of the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A is arranged within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45.

[0085] The coefficient of friction between the roller 72, which is an example of a rotating body, and the support shaft 73 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the roller 72 and the first paddle 45. The first paddle 45 in this example is made of rubber, for example, synthetic rubber. At least the surface of the roller 72 is made of synthetic resin. The inner peripheral surface of the roller 72 through which the support shaft 73 is inserted is made of synthetic resin. The support shaft 73 is made of synthetic resin. Therefore, the coefficient of friction between the roller 72 and the support shaft 73 is the coefficient of friction between synthetic resins. The coefficient of friction between the roller 72 and the first paddle 45 is the coefficient of friction between synthetic resin and rubber. The coefficient of friction between synthetic resin and rubber is larger than the coefficient of friction between synthetic resins. Therefore, in this embodiment, the coefficient of friction between the roller 72 and the support shaft 73 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the roller 72 and the first paddle 45.

[0086] As described above in detail, the second embodiment includes roller 72 as an example of a rotating body, and therefore, in addition to the effects (1) to (3) described above being obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment including roller 70, the second embodiment also provides the following effects.

[0087] (4) Since multiple rollers 72 are arranged, the diameter of the rollers 72 can be reduced. Therefore, the space in the height direction occupied by the rollers 72 can be reduced. As a result, a large free space in the height direction can be secured between the rollers 72 and the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A, which is an example of an upper surface member. If components are arranged in this free space, the paddle unit 40 can be made smaller in the height direction. On the other hand, if this free space is used to lower the arrangement position of the upper surface portion 40B, the paddle unit 40 can be made smaller in the height direction. By making the paddle unit 40 smaller in the height direction, the post-processing device 14 can be made smaller in the height direction.

[0088] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The configuration of the rotating body constituting the paddle unit 40 is different from that of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, but the other configurations of the paddle unit 40, the recording system 11, and the post-processing device 14 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the configuration of the paddle unit 40 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, in the paddle unit 40, in this embodiment, between the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45, which is an example of a pull-back member, and the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A, rollers 70, which are an example of a plurality of rotating bodies, are provided. In this embodiment, two rollers 70 are provided at intervals in the rotation direction of the first paddle 45. The rollers 70 are the same as the rollers 70 in the first embodiment, but the number and arrangement of the rollers 70 are different from those in the first embodiment. The two rollers 70 are located within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. In addition, the upper surface portion 40B is not located within the rotation locus L1, but a part of the paddle unit frame 40A is located within the rotation locus L1 in the side view shown in FIG. 11. It is also possible to configure the upper surface portion 40B to be partly located within the rotation locus L1. In this case, when the first paddle 45 rotates, the tip of the blade 45A comes into contact with the upper surface portion 40B, but the period during which the blade 45A slides due to this contact is limited to when the blade 45A is positioned between the two rollers 70, thereby reducing wear on the blade 45A.

[0090] When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the two rollers 70 are disposed at positions on both sides of the blade 45A whose tip is located at the highest position in the rotation direction. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the middle (second) blade 45A of the three blades 45A extends upward. In addition, all three blades 45A are in a state of facing upward from the horizontal plane. One roller 70 is disposed between the first blade 45A and the second blade 45A, and another roller 70 is disposed between the second blade 45A and the third blade 45A. Therefore, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is in a non-contact state with the roller 70. In the first and second embodiments, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is held in a bent shape by contacting the roller 70 of the first embodiment or the roller 72 of the second embodiment, so that there is a possibility that a bending tendency is formed in the blade 45A. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is in a non-contact state with the roller 70, and therefore the occurrence of a bending tendency in the blade 45A is suppressed.

[0091] The rollers 70 are supported in a rotatable state around a support shaft 71. In the side view shown in FIG. 11, the rollers 70 are disposed at positions equidistant from the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45.

[0092] When the first paddle 45 rotates, the blade 45A contacts the rollers 70 in sequence, and the blade 45A is bent by this contact. A space is secured on the outer periphery side of the rollers 70 with respect to the rotation axis 67 of the first paddle 45, where the blade 45A is not located, because the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 contacts the outer periphery of the rollers 70 and bends. Therefore, this space can be effectively used as an arrangement space for components of the drive mechanisms 60 and 80. In this embodiment, a part of the paddle unit frame 40A is arranged within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45 in the side view shown in FIG. 11.

[0093] The first paddle 45, which is an example of a retracting member, can be switched between a retracting position (see FIGS. 7 to 9) in which it contacts the medium 12 and retracts the medium 12, and a standby position (see FIG. 11) in which the tip of the first paddle 45 faces upward without contacting the medium 12. When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. By overlapping the paddle unit frame 40A and the first paddle 45 in the device height direction or the medium stacking direction, it is possible to reduce the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction, and therefore the size of the post-processing device 14 in the height direction. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent deformation of the blade 45A of the first paddle 45.

[0094] Furthermore, in the standby position of the first paddle 45, the blade 45A, which is the portion that retracts the first paddle 45, faces upward, and the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 are in a non-contact state, and the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. Since the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 are in a non-contact state in the standby position, deformation of the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 is prevented. Note that the overlap between the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 in the vertical direction Z is not limited to an overlap in the vertical direction Z, which is the "device height direction", but may be an overlap in the "medium loading direction" that is perpendicular to the loading surface 32A of the processing tray 32 that is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

[0095] The coefficient of friction between roller 70, which is an example of a rotating body, and spindle 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between roller 70 and first paddle 45. In this example, the materials of first paddle 45, roller 70, and spindle 71 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0096] As described above in detail, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) and (3) as in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (5) The first paddle 45 can be switched between a retracting position in which it contacts the medium 12 and retracts the medium 12, and a standby position in which the tip of the first paddle 45 faces upward without contacting the medium 12. In the standby position, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction. Note that although it is described as overlapping, it is sufficient that they overlap in either the "device height direction" or the "medium 12 loading direction". Therefore, overlapping the paddle unit frame 40A and the first paddle 45 (in the device height direction or medium 12 loading direction) makes the device more compact and prevents deformation of the first paddle 45.

[0097] (6) The first paddle 45 is switchable between a retracting position in which it comes into contact with the medium 12 and retracts the medium 12, and a standby position in which the tip of the first paddle 45 faces upward without coming into contact with the medium 12. In the standby position, the first paddle 45 faces upward and is not in contact with the roller 70, and the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction. This prevents the first paddle 45 from deforming in the standby position.

[0098] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The configuration of the paddle unit 40 is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiments, and other configurations of the recording system 11 and the post-processing device 14 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the configuration of the paddle unit 40 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a roller 70, which is an example of a rotating body, is provided between the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45 and the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A in the paddle unit 40. The paddle unit frame 40A has an extension portion 40C that extends downward from the upper surface portion 40B with a substantially constant extension length. The extension portion 40C is formed in a pair at positions on both sides of the roller 70 and the first paddle 45 in the axial direction (width direction X) of the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45. When the first paddle 45 is configured to be movable in the axial direction, the pair of extension portions 40C may be formed at positions on both sides of the axial movement area of ​​the first paddle 45. The roller 70 is the same as the roller 70 in the first embodiment. Both ends of the support shaft 71 of the roller 70 are supported by the pair of extension portions 40C. The roller 70 is supported in a rotatable state by the support shaft 71. Incidentally, the extension portion 40C may not be a pair, but may be formed on only one of the two sides sandwiching the roller 70 and the first paddle 45. In this case, the other may also serve as a side plate portion supporting the rotation shaft 67 in the paddle unit frame 40A.

[0100] The roller 70 is located within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. As shown in FIG. 12, a part of the upper side of the roller 70 may be located slightly outside the rotation locus L1. In this way, the support shaft 71 may be located within the rotation locus L1, and a part of the roller 70 may be located within the rotation locus L1. The upper surface portion 40B is not located within the rotation locus L1, but a part of the extension portion 40C, which is a part of the paddle unit frame 40A in the side view shown in FIG. 12, is located within the rotation locus L1. Note that a configuration in which a part of the upper surface portion 40B is located within the rotation locus L1 may be used. In this case, the tip of the blade 45A contacts the upper surface portion 40B when the first paddle 45 rotates, but the contact period does not include the period during which the blade 45A contacts the roller 70 and deforms, thereby separating from the upper surface portion 40B, and therefore wear of the blade 45A is reduced.

[0101] The roller 70, which is an example of a rotating body, is provided on the paddle unit frame 40A, which is an example of an upper surface member. The lower end of the roller 70 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the extension portion 40C of the paddle unit frame 40A. It is sufficient that the roller 70 protrudes downward from the extension portion 40C of the paddle unit frame 40A even if only slightly. In other words, by overlapping the positions of the roller 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A in the height direction, the paddle unit 40 is made smaller in size in the height direction.

[0102] When the first paddle 45, which is an example of a pull-back member, is in the standby position, the roller 70 is disposed in a non-contact position that does not come into contact with any of the multiple blades 45A. In the example shown in FIG. 12, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the roller 70 is disposed between the first blade 45A and the second blade 45A among the three blades 45A. Therefore, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is in a non-contact state with the roller 70. In the first and second embodiments, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is held in a bent shape by contacting the roller 70 or the roller 72, so that there is a possibility that a bend may be formed in the blade 45A. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is in a non-contact state that does not come into contact with the roller 70, so that the occurrence of a bend in the blade 45A can be suppressed.

[0103] When the first paddle 45 rotates from the standby position, the blade 45A contacts the roller 70 in sequence, and the blade 45A is bent by this contact. When the roller 70 is viewed from the rotation axis 67 of the first paddle 45, the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the roller 70 and bends in the space on the opposite side (outer peripheral side) of the roller 70, so the blade 45A is not located there. When the roller 70 is viewed from the rotation axis 67 of the first paddle 45, a space where the blade 45A is not located is secured on the opposite side (outer peripheral side) of the roller 70. This space can be effectively used as a space for arranging components of the drive mechanism 60, 80. In this configuration, the extension part 40C, which is a part of the paddle unit frame 40A, is arranged within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45.

[0104] The first paddle 45 is switchable between a retracting position (see FIGS. 7 to 9) in which it comes into contact with the medium 12 and retracts the medium 12, and a standby position (see FIG. 11) in which the tip of the first paddle 45 faces upward without coming into contact with the medium 12. When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. Note that the overlap between the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 in the vertical direction Z may be in the "device height direction" or the "medium stacking direction", as in the third embodiment.

[0105] In addition, in the standby position of the first paddle 45, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 are in a non-contact state with the blade 45A, which is the portion that retracts the first paddle 45, facing upward, and the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. In the standby position, the first paddle 45 is in a non-contact state with the roller 70.

[0106] The coefficient of friction between roller 70, which is an example of a rotating body, and spindle 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between roller 70 and first paddle 45. In this example, the materials of first paddle 45, roller 70, and spindle 71 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0107] As described above in detail, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the effects (1) and (3) of the first embodiment and the effects (5) and (6) of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0108] (7) The rollers 70 are provided on the paddle unit frame 40A. The lower ends of the rollers 70 protrude downward from the lower surface of the paddle unit frame 40A. It is sufficient that the rollers 70 protrude even slightly from the paddle unit frame 40A. Therefore, by overlapping the rollers 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size.

[0109] Fifth embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The configuration of the paddle unit 40 is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiments, and other configurations of the recording system 11 and the post-processing device 14 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the configuration of the paddle unit 40 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, rollers 70, which are an example of a plurality of rotating bodies, are provided between the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45, which is an example of a pull-back member, in the paddle unit 40 and the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. The upper surface portion 40B has a thick portion 40D that is thicker than the upper surface portion 40B of the third embodiment, or has a thick portion 40D in which the thickness of a portion corresponding to the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45 is thicker than the upper surface portion 40B of the third embodiment. The rollers 70 are the same as the rollers 70 of the third embodiment, and the number and arrangement of the rollers 70 are also generally the same as those of the third embodiment. That is, two rollers 70 are provided.

[0111] The two rollers 70 are located within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. Also, a part of the upper surface portion 40B is located within the rotation locus L1 of the first paddle 45. In the side view shown in Fig. 13, a part of the paddle unit frame 40A and the two rollers 70 are located within the rotation locus L1.

[0112] The two rollers 70 are supported in a rotatable state around a support shaft 71. In the side view shown in FIG. 13, the two rollers 70 are disposed at positions equidistant from the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45.

[0113] When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the two rollers 70 are disposed on both sides of the blade 45A whose tip is located highest among the blades 45A in the rotation direction. In the example shown in FIG. 13, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the middle (second) blade 45A of the three blades 45A extends upward. One roller 70 is disposed between the first blade 45A and the second blade 45A, and another roller 70 is disposed between the second blade 45A and the third blade 45A. Therefore, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is not in contact with the roller 70.

[0114] In this embodiment, a recess 40E is formed in the thick portion 40D of the upper surface portion 40B of the paddle unit frame 40A. The recess 40E has a recessed shape recessed upward from the lower surface of the thick portion 40D. When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the tip of one blade 45A whose tip is located highest among the multiple blades 45A of the first paddle 45 is received in the recess 40E. In the first and second embodiments, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is held in a bent shape by contacting the roller 70 or the roller 72, so that there is a possibility that a bend may be formed in the blade 45A. In contrast, in this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, when the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the blade 45A is in a non-contact state not in contact with the roller 70 and the paddle unit frame 40A, so that the occurrence of a bend in the blade 45A is suppressed.

[0115] When the first paddle 45 rotates, the blade 45A comes into contact with the rollers 70 in sequence, and this contact causes the blade 45A to bend. A space is secured on the outer periphery side of the rollers 70 relative to the rotation shaft 67 of the first paddle 45 where the blade 45A is not located, as the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the rollers 70 and bends. This space can therefore be effectively used as an arrangement space for components of the drive mechanisms 60, 80, etc.

[0116] The first paddle 45 is switchable between a retracting position (see FIGS. 7 to 9) in which it comes into contact with the medium 12 and retracts the medium 12, and a standby position (see FIG. 11) in which the tip of the first paddle 45 faces upward without coming into contact with the medium 12. When the first paddle 45 is in the standby position, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. It is sufficient that the paddle unit frame 40A and the first paddle 45 overlap in the device height direction or the medium stacking direction.

[0117] In addition, in the standby position of the first paddle 45, the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 are in a non-contact state with the blade 45A, which is the portion that retracts the first paddle 45, facing upward, and the first paddle 45 and the roller 70 overlap in the vertical direction Z. In the standby position, the first paddle 45 is in a non-contact state with the roller 70.

[0118] The coefficient of friction between roller 70, which is an example of a rotating body, and spindle 71 is smaller than the coefficient of friction between roller 70 and first paddle 45. In this example, the materials of first paddle 45, roller 70, and spindle 71 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0119] As described above in detail, according to the fifth embodiment, in addition to obtaining the effects (1) and (3) of the first embodiment and the effects (5) and (6) of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0120] (8) A recess 40E is provided in the paddle unit frame 40A. In the standby position, the tip of the first paddle 45 is received in the recess 40E. Therefore, the paddle unit frame 40A and the first paddle 45 overlap in the device height direction or the medium stacking direction, making the device more compact and preventing deformation of the first paddle 45.

[0121] The above embodiment can be modified to the following modified examples. Further modified examples can be appropriately combined with the above embodiment and the following modified examples, or further modified examples can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0122] The member that comes into contact with the first paddle 45, which is an example of the retracting member, does not have to be a rotating body such as the roller 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be a plate 75 that is a low-friction member. The surface of the plate 75 that faces the first paddle 45 is a low-friction surface 75A made of a low-friction material. The plate 75 is arranged so as to be located within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. In the example of FIG. 14, at least a part of the plate 75 is located within the rotation trajectory L1 of the first paddle 45. By arranging a component in the space between the plate 75 and the upper surface portion 40B, or by arranging the upper surface portion 40B at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14 that is located within the rotation trajectory L1, it is possible to reduce the size of the paddle unit 40 in the height direction. 14, the plate 75 is provided at a position between the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A on an imaginary line L2 connecting two positions where the rotating shaft 67 and the paddle unit frame 40A are closest to each other. With this configuration, as in each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to reduce the size of the post-processing device 14 in the height direction while suppressing wear of the first paddle 45. Instead of the plate 75, the low-friction member may have another shape, such as a cylinder.

[0123] The rotating body may be a rotating belt. The frictional resistance between the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 and the rotating belt is greater than the frictional resistance between the shafts of the rollers around which the rotating belt is wound and the bearings that support the shafts.

[0124] The rotating body may be a ball. For example, a plurality of balls may be provided on the surface of the plate facing the first paddle 45 in a partially exposed state. However, in the case of a ball, the ball and the blade 45A of the first paddle 45 make point contact, so the blade is more likely to wear out than a cylindrical rotating body such as a roller. For this reason, for example, a plurality of balls may be provided on the surface of the plate facing the first paddle 45 in a partially exposed state.

[0125] The first paddle 45 may be provided so as to be immovable in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 67 . The roller 70 may be moved in the width direction X in response to the movement of the first paddle 45 in the width direction X.

[0126] In the third embodiment, the entire rotating body may be hidden inside the upper surface member in a side view seen from the axial direction of the support shaft. In other words, the roller 70, which is an example of the rotating body, may be entirely hidden inside the extension portion 40C of the paddle unit frame 40A, which is an example of the upper surface member.

[0127] The upper surface member and the rotating body may be partly within the rotation path of the retracting member. A rotating body may be applied to the second paddle 46. That is, a rotating body such as a roller may be disposed at a position where the second paddle 46 comes into contact. It is preferable that at least a part of the rotating body is disposed within the rotation trajectory of the second paddle 46. In addition, when applied to the second paddle 46, since the second paddle is positioned below the transport mechanism 30, the frame constituting the transport mechanism 30 corresponds to an example of an upper surface member.

[0128] A motor for other purposes may be used as a drive source for the paddles 45 and 46. The receiving mechanism 41 that receives the medium 12 in the processing tray 32 is not limited to a configuration including a variable guide 42. For example, it may be an adhesive conveying belt that conveys the medium 12 while adsorbing it to the belt. Examples of the adsorption method of the adhesive conveying belt include negative pressure and static electricity. In this case, the adhesive conveying belt may adsorb the medium 12 discharged from the conveying mechanism 30 to a position above the processing tray 32 in the conveying direction Y0, convey the medium 12 to the position above the processing tray 32, and then release the adsorption or use a movable guide or the like to forcibly peel the medium 12 off the belt and drop it onto the stacking surface 32A to receive the medium 12. In addition, after conveying the medium 12 adsorbed to the adhesive conveying belt in the conveying direction Y0, the moving direction of the belt is reversed to switch back convey the medium 12 to be conveyed in the second conveying direction, which is the opposite direction to the conveying direction Y0. Then, the medium 12 may be peeled off from the adhesive conveying belt or the adsorption of the medium 12 is released during the process of conveying in the second conveying direction, and the medium 12 may be dropped onto the stacking surface 32A to receive the medium 12.

[0129] The intermediate device 15 may not be included in the recording system 11. In other words, the recording system 11 may be configured with the recording device 13 and the post-processing device 14. The reversing processing unit 200 of the intermediate device 15 may be incorporated into the post-processing device 14. In this case, the post-processing device 14 internally reverses the medium 12 carried in from the recording device 13, and then receives it on the processing tray 32 for post-processing. The reversing processing unit 200 of the intermediate device 15 may be incorporated into the recording device 13. In this case, the post-processing device 14 receives the inverted, recorded medium 12 carried in from the recording device 13 on the processing tray 32 for post-processing.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the recording system 11 includes the recording device 13 and the post-processing device 14, but the recording device 13 may include the post-processing device 14. In other words, the post-processing device 14 may include the recording device 13.

[0131] The medium 12 is not limited to paper, but may be a synthetic resin film or sheet, cloth, nonwoven fabric, laminate sheet, or the like. The recording device 13 is not limited to an inkjet printer, but may be an inkjet textile printing device. The recording device 13 may also be a multifunction device having a scanner mechanism and a copy function in addition to a recording function.

[0132] The technical concepts and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A processing tray on which media recorded by a recording unit is loaded, a pull-in member that is provided above the processing tray and rotates to pull the media upstream in the transport direction, a rotor provided above the rotation axis of the pull-in member, and an upper surface member provided above the rotor, the rotor and the upper surface member being provided within the rotation trajectory of the pull-in member. Note that it is sufficient that the upper surface member and the rotor are only partially within the rotation trajectory.

[0133] According to this configuration, the post-processing device 14 can be made smaller while suppressing wear on the retracting member. (B) In the above post-processing device, the pull-in member can pull in the medium by rotating around a rotation axis, and the rotating body may be provided at a position between the rotation axis and the top surface member where the distance between the rotation axis and the top surface member is the shortest. Note that being provided at the shortest distance means that the roller is located between them, even if only slightly.

[0134] According to this configuration, friction is reduced by providing the rotor at a position where the retraction member is most deformed. (C) In the above post-processing device, the rotating body may be provided on the upper surface member, and a lower end of the rotating body may protrude downward from a lower surface of the upper surface member. Note that it is sufficient for the rotating body to protrude from the upper surface member even a little.

[0135] According to this configuration, the rotating body and the upper surface member are overlapped, thereby making it possible to achieve a compact size. (D) In ​​the above post-processing device, the pull-in member may be switchable between a pull-in position in which it contacts the medium and pulls in the medium, and a standby position in which the tip of the pull-in member faces upward without contacting the medium, and in the standby position, the pull-in member and the rotating body may overlap in the vertical direction. Note that the overlap in the vertical direction may be overlap in either the "device height direction" or the "medium stacking direction."

[0136] According to this configuration, the top surface member and the pull-in member overlap (in the device height direction or the medium stacking direction), thereby making the device more compact and preventing deformation of the pull-in member. (E) In the above-mentioned post-processing device, the retraction member is switchable between a retraction position in which it comes into contact with the medium and retracts the medium, and a standby position in which the tip of the retraction member faces upward without coming into contact with the medium, and in the standby position, the retraction member and the rotating body are in a non-contact state when facing upward, and the retraction member and the rotating body may overlap in the vertical direction.

[0137] According to this configuration, the retraction member is prevented from being deformed in the standby position. (F) In the above post-processing device, a recess may be provided in the upper surface member, and in the standby position, a tip of the pull-in member may be received in the recess.

[0138] According to this configuration, the top surface member and the pull-in member overlap in the device height direction or the medium stacking direction, thereby making the device more compact and preventing deformation of the pull-in member. (G) In the above post-processing device, a coefficient of friction between the rotating body and the shaft of the rotating body may be smaller than a coefficient of friction between the rotating body and the pull-in member.

[0139] According to this configuration, the retraction member and the rotor can rotate smoothly when they come into contact with each other. Since there is no or little sliding between the retraction member and the rotor, wear caused by the retraction member sliding against the rotor can be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 11...recording system, 12...medium, 12B...medium stack, 12r...rear end, 13...recording device, 14...post-processing device, 15...intermediate device, 17...transport path, 18...transport motor, 19A...transport roller pair, 20...cassette, 21...pickup roller, 22...separation roller, 23...support section, 24...recording section, 25...liquid ejection head, 26...nozzle, 30...transport mechanism, 31...transport roller pair, 31A...drive roller, 31B...driven roller , 32... processing tray, 32A... stacking surface, 33... post-processing mechanism, 34... sensor, 35... discharge stacker, 36... discharge mechanism, 36A... drive roller, 36B... driven roller, 37... guide member, 38... medium support member, 40... paddle unit, 40A... paddle unit frame which is an example of an upper surface member, 40B... upper surface portion, 40C... extension portion, 40D... thick portion, 40E... recess, 41... receiving mechanism, 42... variable guide, 43... feed mechanism, 43...feed mechanism, 45...first paddle as an example of a pull-in member, 45A...blade, 46...second paddle, 47...butt portion, 49...rotating shaft, 50...alignment unit, 51...alignment mechanism, 52...alignment member, 60...driving mechanism, 61...electric motor, 62...pulley, 63...pulley, 64...timing belt, 65...movable member, 66...guide shaft, 67...rotating shaft, 70...roller as an example of a rotating body, 71...support as an example of a shaft Shaft, 72...small roller as an example of a rotating body, 73...support shaft as an example of a shaft, 75...low-friction member, 80...driving mechanism, 81...electric motor, 82...driving lever, 83...driven part, 90...push-down mechanism, 93...pressing member, 95...guide mechanism, 99...medium support mechanism, L1...rotation trajectory, L2...virtual line, X...width direction, X1...first direction, X2...second direction, Y0...conveying direction, Y1...first conveying direction, Y2...second conveying direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. a processing tray on which media recorded by a recording unit is loaded; a pull-in member that is provided above the processing tray and rotates about a rotation axis to pull the medium upstream in a transport direction; a drive mechanism that moves the pull-in member in a width direction intersecting with the conveying direction; A rotating body provided above the rotation shaft of the pulling member; an upper surface member provided above the rotating body and constituting a support member for supporting the drive mechanism; The post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body and the upper surface member are provided within a rotation trajectory of the pull-in member.

2. a processing tray on which media recorded by a recording unit is loaded; a pull-in member that is provided above the processing tray and rotates about a rotation axis to pull the medium upstream in a transport direction; A rotating body provided above the rotation shaft of the pulling member; An upper surface member provided above the rotating body, the pull-in member is provided to be movable in a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium, The rotating body and the upper surface member are provided within a rotation trajectory of the pull-in member, The post-processing device, wherein the rotating body has a length in the width direction that allows the pull-in member to come into contact with the rotating body no matter where the pull-in member is located within a range in which the pull-in member can move in the width direction.

3. 3. The post-processing device according to claim 1, The post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is provided at a position between the rotation shaft and the upper surface member where the distance between the rotation shaft and the upper surface member is the shortest.

4. The post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The rotating body is provided on the upper surface member, A post-processing device, characterized in that a lower end of the rotating body protrudes downward below a lower surface of the upper surface member.

5. 5. The post-processing device according to claim 1, The retraction member is a retracting position in which the medium is contacted and retracted; a standby position in which the tip of the pull-in member faces upward without contacting the medium; It is possible to switch between 4. The post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein, in the standby position, the pull-in member and the rotating body overlap each other in a vertical direction in a side view.

6. The post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The retraction member is a retracting position in which the medium is contacted and retracted; a standby position in which the tip of the pull-in member faces upward without contacting the medium; It is possible to switch between In the standby position, the pull-in member and the rotating body are not in contact with each other, and the pull-in member and the rotating body overlap each other in a vertical direction in a side view.

7. 7. The post-processing device according to claim 5, The upper surface member is provided with a recess, The post-processing device according to claim 1, wherein in the standby position, a tip of the pull-in member is received in the recess.

8. The post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 4. The post-treatment device, wherein a coefficient of friction between the rotating body and a shaft of the rotating body is smaller than a coefficient of friction between the rotating body and the pull-in member.

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