Image recording device

Abstract

To inhibit buckling of a sheet at the upstream relative to a front transport part 18.SOLUTION: In an image recording device 100, a front transport part 18 transports a sheet S forward. A side guide unit 17 is located at the rear relative to the front transport part 18 and has a support surface 171A. The side guide unit 17 further has guide members 172, 173 which contact with both ends of the sheet as seen in a width direction 9A on the support surface 171A. A pump 24 generates suction force in a sheet passing area of the sheet S on the support surface 171A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an image recording apparatus, Patent Document 1 describes a printer. In the printer, label paper is fed out from a roll paper and conveyed along a conveyance path that reaches an ejection port via a platen facing a recording head. Upstream of the platen in the conveyance path, a pair of two side guides are arranged. Both side guides abut against the edge in the width direction of the label paper and guide the label paper in the conveyance direction. Downstream of the side guides in the conveyance path, a pair of rollers is arranged. The pair of rollers rotates by a driving force generated by a motor, nipping the label paper guided by the side guides and conveying it downstream in the conveyance direction. Downstream of the pair of rollers in the conveyance path, a suction platen unit including a platen and a pump is arranged. The pump sucks air from a plurality of suction ports formed on the platen surface so that the label paper does not float up from the platen surface. Above the platen, a recording head is arranged. The recording head records an image on the label paper supported on the platen surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] After the roll paper is loaded onto the printer, the user pulls out the label paper from the roll paper and passes it between the side guides. Then, the user moves the side guides in the width direction to align the center of the label paper in the width direction with the center of the side guides in the width direction. However, if the side guides are moved toward the center in the main scanning direction so that the distance between the side guides becomes shorter than the width of the label paper, the label paper may buckle and bulge upward between the side guides.

[0005] During image recording, the label paper is conveyed to the discharge port. However, due to factors such as the runout of each roller, a moment is generated in the label paper between the side guides, and its edge may receive a contact force (i.e., an external force toward the center in the width direction) from the side guides. As a result, the label paper may buckle and bulge upward between the side guides and may skew with respect to the conveyance direction. In particular, when the label paper is buckled before image recording and the conveyed label paper skews, the label paper is deformed more greatly due to the buckling.

[0006] To avoid buckling by the side guides, it is conceivable to slightly separate the side guides from the edges in the width direction of the label paper. However, when a moment is generated in the conveyed label paper, the label paper easily skews between the side guides. Since the label paper is also continuous paper, once it skews, it is cumulatively displaced in the width direction and may eventually buckle.

[0007] When the label paper buckles between the side guides, it is conveyed while skewing toward the platen surface. In Patent Document 1, there is no recognition of the problem regarding buckling between the side guides upstream of the roller pair, and no technique or suggestion for suppressing skewing between the side guides is disclosed.

[0008] Some printers configurations have the label paper running along a single side guide that does not move in the width direction upstream of the platen. Even with such a configuration, the label paper may buckle due to the contact force from the side guide.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of suppressing buckling of a sheet in a region adjacent to a side guide upstream of a conveyance unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet in a conveyance direction, a first support unit that is located upstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction and has a first support surface, and on the first support surface, a side guide that contacts at least one of both ends of the sheet in a width direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction and parallel to the first support surface, an adsorption force generation unit that generates an adsorption force in a region adjacent to the side guide on the first support surface and through which the sheet passes, a second support unit that is located downstream of the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction and has a second support surface, and a recording unit that records an image on the sheet supported by the second support surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, buckling of the sheet in a region adjacent to the side guide upstream of the conveyance unit is suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the image recording apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. It should be noted that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0014] [Definition] Hereinafter, the progress from the starting point to the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the movement back and forth on the line connecting the starting point and the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the orientation.

[0015] Based on the state in which the image recording apparatus 100 is installed for use (the state in FIG. 1(A)), the vertical direction 7 is defined. With the side where the discharge port B13 is provided in the image recording apparatus 100 as the front side, the front-rear direction 8 is defined. The left-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the image recording apparatus 100 from the front.

[0016] [Image Recording Method, Sheet S] In FIG. 1, the image recording apparatus 100 records an image on the sheet S by an inkjet recording method.

[0017] The sheet S is a label roll paper (an example of roll paper), and has a sheet core 41, a separator 42, and a plurality of labels 43. The sheet core 41 is, for example, a rigid paper tube. The separator 42 is an example of continuous paper, and is wound around the sheet core 41 in a roll shape from the inside to the outside to form a roll body. Each label 43 is temporarily attached to the main surface 421 of the separator 42 facing outward R11 at intervals in the circumferential direction θ12 of the central axis AX12 by an adhesive layer (not shown) formed on the main surface 431 facing inward R12.

[0018] The image recording apparatus 100 can be loaded with a plurality of types of sheets S having different sheet widths. The sheet width is the distance between both ends in the width direction 9A of the sheet S. The width direction 9A is the direction in which the central axis AX12 extends.

[0019] [The housing 11 of the image recording apparatus 100] In FIG. 1(A), the image recording apparatus 100 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction and is sized to be installed on a desktop, a floor surface, or a rack. The housing 11 is partitioned from the outside to form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped internal space SP11 (see FIG. 2) by a bottom wall 11A, an upper wall 11B, a front wall 11C, a rear wall 11D, a right wall 11E, and a left wall 11F. The housing 11 has a housing case 111 and a housing cover 112.

[0020] The housing case 111 is partitioned from the outside to form a first space SP111 (see FIG. 2(A)) by a bottom wall 111A, an upper wall 111B, a front wall 111C, a rear wall 111D, a right wall 111E, and a left wall 111F. The first space SP111 is a space excluding the upper rear corner portion (i.e., the second space SP112 described later) in the internal space SP11. The upper rear corner portion of the housing case 111 is an opening AP111 facing rearward and upward.

[0021] The housing cover 112 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction and is partitioned by an upper wall 112B, a rear wall 112D, a right wall 112E, and a left wall 112F to form a second space SP112. The second space SP112 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space occupying the upper rear corner portion in the internal space SP11.

[0022] The bottom wall 11A is the bottom wall 111A. The front wall 11C is the front wall 111C. The upper wall 11B is composed of the upper walls 111B and 112B. The rear wall 11D is composed of the rear walls 111D and 112D. The right wall 11E is composed of the right walls 111E and 112E. The left wall 11F is composed of the left walls 111F and 112F.

[0023] In FIG. 2, the housing cover 112 is rotatable in the circumferential direction θ11 of the rotation axis AX11 between the closed position P11 and the open position P12. As shown in FIG. 2(A), in the closed position P11, the housing cover 112 abuts against the periphery surrounding the opening AP111 in the housing case 111 and closes the opening AP111. As shown in FIG. 2(B), in the open position P12, the housing cover 112 is separated from the position of the upper rear corner of the housing case 111 in the circumferential direction θ11 and opens the rear opening AP111. Thereby, the user can access the tensioner, the rear transport unit 16, the side guide unit (hereinafter also abbreviated as "unit") 17, and the front transport unit 18 from the outside of the housing 11. The opening / closing sensor SE1 outputs a signal with different levels to the controller 27 when the housing cover 112 is in the closed position P11 and when it is not (see FIG. 3). Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "housing cover 112" means the housing cover 112 in the closed position P11.

[0024] In FIG. 1(A), a discharge port B13 is formed near the upper end of the front wall 111C. The discharge port B13 is a hole that is elongated in the left-right direction and penetrates the front wall 111C. The sheet S on which an image has been recorded is discharged from the discharge port B13.

[0025] An operation panel 12 (an example of an input interface) operated by the user is located on the front wall 111C. Hereinafter, the term "interface" is abbreviated as "IF". The operation panel 12 includes at least an image recording start button and the like, and transmits an operation signal indicating that the start button has been operated to the controller 27 (see FIG. 3) according to a user operation.

[0026] An opening B12 is formed at the lower left corner of the front wall 111C, and a front cover 115 is attached to the opening B12. By opening and closing the front cover 115, the tank 13 (see FIG. 2) is exposed or shielded.

[0027] Near the rear end of the right wall 111E, an opening B11 is formed, and a right cover 114 is attached to the opening B11. The right cover 114 opens and closes the opening B11 by sliding back and forth. By opening and closing the right cover 114, the roll support portion 14 (see FIG. 2) is exposed or shielded.

[0028] [Internal Configuration of Image Recording Apparatus 100] In FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 100 includes an opening / closing sensor SE1, an operation panel 12, a tank 13, a roll support portion 14, a tensioner 15, a rear conveyance portion 16, a unit 17, a front conveyance portion 18, a lower guide 19, a sheet sensor SE2, a belt conveyance mechanism 20, and a recording head 21 in an internal space SP11.

[0029] The tensioner 15, the drive roller 161 in the rear conveyance portion 16, the unit 17, the drive roller 181 of the front conveyance portion 18, the lower guide 19, and the belt conveyance mechanism 20 are supported by the left wall 111F and the right wall 111E and extend horizontally.

[0030] The pinch roller 162 in the rear conveyance portion 16 and the pinch roller 182 of the front conveyance portion 18 are supported by the left wall 112F and the right wall 112E and extend horizontally. Therefore, the pinch rollers 162, 182 rotate together with the housing cover 112 (see FIG. 2(B)).

[0031] In FIG. 3, the image recording apparatus 100 further includes motors 22, 23, pumps 24, 25, a communication interface 26, and a controller 27.

[0032] [Tank 13] In FIG. 2, the tank 13 is located immediately behind the front cover 115 on the bottom wall 111A and stores ink inside. The ink in the tank 13 is supplied to the recording head 21 through an ink tube (not shown).

[0033] [Roll Support Portion 14 (An Example of a Roll Support Member)] In the first space SP111, to the left of the opening B11, a roll storage space SP114 is partitioned by the partition wall 145. A gap B14 extending from the right wall 111E to the left wall 111F is formed between the rear end of the partition wall 145 and the rear wall 111D. A sheet S conveyed between the roll support portion 14 and the tensioner 15 passes through the gap B14.

[0034] In FIG. 4, the roll support portion 14 is an example of a roll support member and is located in the roll storage space SP114. A roll body around which the sheet S is wound is rotatably mounted on the roll support portion 14 in the circumferential direction θ12 of the central axis AX12.

[0035] The roll support portion 14 includes a pair of support portions 141, 142 and a roll holder 143. The support portions 141, 142 are plate-like members that are spaced apart left and right on the bottom wall 111A and extend vertically and horizontally. The roll holder 143 includes a holder core 143A, a pair of flange portions 143B, 143C, and a rack and pinion mechanism 143D of a rack and pinion.

[0036] The holder core 143A has a generally cylindrical shape and is spanned between the vicinity of the upper ends of the support portions 141, 142 so as to rotate around the central axis AX31 extending left and right. The inner peripheral surface of the sheet core 41 (see FIG. 1(B)) is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the holder core 143A. When the roll holder 143 is positioned between the support portions 141, 142, it is mechanically connected to the motor 22 via a gear or the like. The roll holder 143 rotates in the circumferential direction θ31 by the power generated by the motor 22, and feeds out the sheet S forming the roll body from the sheet core 41 or winds it onto the sheet core 41.

[0037] The flange portions 143B, 143C are located at equal distances from the paper passage center C11 to the left and right on the outer peripheral surface of the holder core 143A and project in the radial direction of the central axis AX31. The paper passage center C11 is a virtual plane including the central axis AX32 of the pinion gear 143E (see FIG. 4(B)) and parallel in the vertical and horizontal directions. Hereinafter, the term "symmetric" means symmetric with respect to the paper passage center C11 unless otherwise specified.

[0038] The rack and pinion mechanism 143D has a pinion gear 143E and a pair of rack gears 143F and 143G within the holder core 143A. Depending on whether one of the flange portions 143B and 143C moves leftward or rightward on the outer peripheral surface of the holder core 143A, the other one is moved rightward or leftward by the same distance. Each of the flange portions 143B and 143C abuts against the sheet S mounted on the holder core 143A from both sides in the width direction 9A, and aligns the center in the width direction of the sheet S with the paper feed center C11.

[0039] For mounting the sheet S, the roll support portion 14 is configured to be removable from the support portions 141 and 142. The flange portion 143C is configured to be removable rightward from the holder core 143A.

[0040] [Tensioner 15] In FIG. 2, the tensioner 15 is located above the gap B14 and has a curved surface 151 and an upward surface 152. The curved surface 151 curves from the lower end towards the upper end and faces substantially upward. The upward surface 152 is continuous with the upper end and the front end of the curved surface 151 and is a flat surface that extends in the front-back and left-right directions. The vertical position of the upward surface 152 is approximately the same as that of the discharge port B13. From the upward surface 152, a conveyance path 200 for the sheet S leading to the discharge port B13 extends linearly. The sheet S drawn out from the roll holder 143 is hung on the tensioner 15. The tensioner 15 is biased rearward by a biasing member such as a spring. Thereby, tension is applied to the sheet S hung on the tensioner 15.

[0041] [Rear conveyance portion 16, front conveyance portion 18] In FIG. 2, the rear conveyance unit 16 is an example of the second conveyance unit, and includes a drive roller 161 and a pinch roller 162 that abut against each other in front of the tensioner 15. The front conveyance unit 18 is an example of a conveyance unit, and includes a drive roller 181 and a pinch roller 182 that abut against each other in front of the rear conveyance unit 16. The drive roller 161 and the pinch roller 162, and the drive roller 181 and the pinch roller 182 nip a sheet S extending forward from the tensioner 15. The drive rollers 161 and 181 rotate around a rotation axis extending left and right by the power generated by a motor 23 (see FIG. 3), and the pinch rollers 162 and 182 are respectively rotated by the drive rollers 161 and 181. Thereby, the rear conveyance unit 16 and the front conveyance unit 18 further convey the sheet S fed out from the roll body forward (an example of the conveyance direction), or convey the sheet S wound around the roll body rearward.

[0042] [Unit 17] In FIG. 2, the unit 17 is located in front of the rear conveyance unit 16 and behind the front conveyance unit 18. In FIG. 5, the unit 17 includes a base 171, a pair of guide members 172 and 173, and a rack and pinion mechanism 174.

[0043] The base 171 is an example of the first support portion and has a support surface 171A. The support surface 171A is an example of the first support surface and defines the lower end of the conveyance path 200 at the upper end of the base 171. The base 171 has a housing portion 171B and a groove portion 171C. The housing portion 171B is a portion near the rear end of the base 171 and houses the rack and pinion mechanism 174 therein. The groove portion 171C is located in front of the housing portion 171B in the base 171. A plurality of grooves 171D are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction via a partition wall 171E in the groove portion 171C. Each groove 171D is recessed downward from the support surface 171A, is longer in the left-right direction than the maximum sheet width, and has a left-right symmetric outer shape. The upper end of each groove 171D is an upward-facing opening in a state where the sheet S is not on the support surface 171A. The plurality of grooves 171D include grooves 171D located in front of the guide members 172 and 173. A through hole 171F penetrating vertically is formed as a suction port at the left-right center portion at the bottom of each groove 171D.

[0044] The guide member 172 is an example of a side guide and has a main body 172A and a plurality of convex portions 172B. The main body 172A is located to the left of the paper feed center C11 on the support surface 171A. The right end surface 172C of the main body 172A is parallel in the vertical and front-rear directions between both ends in the front-rear direction 8. In the main body 172A, the portion closer to the rear end is located on the housing portion 171B, and the portion closer to the front end is located on the groove portion 171C. The plurality of convex portions 172B are connected to the lower end of the main body 172A and protrude downward, and are located in the plurality of grooves 171D. The main body 172A and each convex portion 172B are continuous without gaps (breaks or discontinuities).

[0045] The guide member 173 is an example of a side guide and has a main body 173A and a plurality of convex portions 173B. The main body 173A has a left end surface 173C. The main body 173A, each convex portion 173B, and the left end surface 173C have a shape that is symmetric with the main body 172A, each convex portion 172B, and the right end surface 172C in the left-right direction.

[0046] In FIG. 5(B), the rack and pinion mechanism 174 has a pinion gear 174A and a pair of rack gears 174B, 174C in the base 171, and in response to either one of the guide members 172, 173 being moved leftward or rightward by a user operation, the other one is moved rightward or leftward by the same distance. Each of the guide members 172, 173 abuts on both sides in the left-right direction 9 of the sheet S passing between the two. Thereby, the center in the width direction of the sheet S is aligned with the left-right position (i.e., the paper feed center C11) of the central axis AX41 of the pinion gear 174A.

[0047] [Lower guide 19, sheet sensor SE2] In FIG. 2, the lower guide 19 is positioned in the front-rear direction 8 between the front conveying unit 18 and the belt conveying mechanism 20 and the recording head 21. The lower guide 19 has an upper end surface that defines the lower end of the conveying path 200. In the center of the upper end surface in the left-right direction, a sheet sensor SE2 is embedded below the upper end surface. The sheet sensor SE2 has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element emits light to a detection position defined within the upper end surface of the lower guide 19, and the light-receiving element has a light-receiving surface facing the detection position and outputs signals with different levels to the controller 27 according to the amount of received light (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, it is assumed that when the sheet S is at the detection position, the signal level is high level.

[0048] [belt conveying mechanism 20] As shown in FIG. 2, the belt conveying mechanism 20 is positioned between the lower guide 19 and the discharge port B13 in the front-rear direction 8. In FIG. 6, the belt conveying mechanism 20 includes a rear pulley 201A, a front pulley 201B, an endless belt 202, rear rollers 203A, 203B, front rollers 204A, 204B, a pinch roller 205, a plurality of contact members 206, and a suction platen 207.

[0049] The rear pulley 201A is arranged symmetrically in the left-right direction at a position slightly forward of the lower guide 19. A rear shaft 2011 extends left and right from the shaft hole of the rear pulley 201A. The rear shaft 2011 is rotatably supported by bearings 2013A, 2013B provided on the right wall 111E and the left wall 111F (see FIG. 1) around a central axis extending left and right.

[0050] The front pulley 201B is arranged symmetrically in the left-right direction in front of the rear pulley 201A. A front shaft 2014 extends left and right from the shaft hole of the front pulley 201B. The front shaft 2014 is rotatably supported by bearings 2015A, 2015B provided on the right wall 111E and the left wall 111F around a central axis extending left and right. The front pulley 201B rotates around the front shaft 2014 by the power generated by the motor 23 (see FIG. 3).

[0051] The endless belt 202 is part of the second support portion, is wound around the rear pulley 201A and the front pulley 201B, and has an upper end surface 2021 extending between these upper ends. The upper end surface 2021 is part of the second support surface and demarcates the lower end of the conveyance path 200. The upper end surface 2021 is driven back and forth between the upper ends of the rear pulley 201A and the front pulley 201B by the rotation of the front pulley 201B. The left - right widths of the rear pulley 201A, the front pulley 201B, and the endless belt 202 are much narrower than the maximum sheet width.

[0052] Each of the rear rollers 203A, 203B is a rubber roller or the like in which the roller core is coated with an elastic material such as rubber, and is attached to the rear shaft 2011 so as to be symmetric about the rear pulley 201A. Each of the front rollers 204A, 204B is a rubber roller or the like similar to the rear roller 203A, and is attached to the front shaft 2014 so as to be symmetric about the front pulley 201B. The upper ends of the rear rollers 203A, 203B and the front rollers 204A, 204B are equal to or lower than the upper end surface 2021. The left - right distance between the left end of the rear roller 203A and the right end of the rear roller 203B, and the left - right distance between the left end of the front roller 204A and the right end of the front roller 204B are longer than the maximum sheet width.

[0053] The pinch roller 205 is a rubber roller or the like, and is rotatably supported by a bearing 2053A on the right wall 111E and a bearing 2053B on the left wall 111F around a central axis extending in the left - right direction. The pinch roller 205 is in contact with the rear pulley 201A and the rear rollers 203A, 203B from directly above, and is carried along by their rotation.

[0054] Each of the plurality of contact members 206 is a tappet, and is rotatably supported by a tappet holder 2061 in the circumferential direction around a rotation axis parallel to the left - right direction 9. The plurality of contact members 206 are arranged in a row at intervals in the left - right direction, are in contact with the endless belt 202 and the front rollers 204A, 204B from directly above, and are carried along by their rotation.

[0055] [Suction platen 207] The suction platen 207 has symmetric side portions 207A and 207B sandwiching the endless belt 202 between the rear pulley 201A and the front pulley 201B in the front-rear direction 8.

[0056] The side portion 207A is another part of the second support portion and has a support surface 2071A. The support surface 2071A is another part of the second support surface and demarcates the lower end of the conveyance path 200 at the upper end of the side portion 207A. A plurality of grooves 2072A are arranged side by side left and right via a partition wall 2073A in the side portion 207A. Each groove 2072A is recessed downward from the support surface 2071A and extends longitudinally in the front-rear direction between the rear pulley 201A and the front pulley 201B. The front end and the upper end of each groove 2072A are openings facing forward and upward with the sheet S not on the suction platen 207. A through hole 2074A (see FIG. 8) penetrating vertically is formed as a suction port near the rear end 2075A at the bottom of each groove 2072A.

[0057] The side portion 207B has a support surface 2071B, a plurality of grooves 2072B, a partition wall 2073B, and a through hole 2074B. Since the side portion 207B is symmetric with the side portion 207A about the left-right direction, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0058] [Recording head 21] In FIG. 2, the recording head 21 is an example of a recording portion and is a line head or a serial head. The recording head 21 faces the upper end surface 2021 (see FIG. 6) of the endless belt 202 and the upper end of the suction platen 207 above and is arranged so as to cross the suction platen 207 in the left-right direction.

[0059] The recording head 21 has a lower surface that is substantially rectangular in plan view as a nozzle surface 211. A plurality of nozzles 212 are arranged on the nozzle surface 211 in the front-back and left-right directions. The recording head 21 stores the ink supplied from the tank 13 in an internal ink chamber. The recording head 21 discharges the ink stored in the ink chamber toward the label 43 on the sheet S conveyed directly below the recording head 21 under the control of the controller 27. Thereby, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the image has been recorded is discharged from the discharge port B13 to the outside of the housing 11. By the image recording, the ink in the ink chamber is consumed. In response to the consumption of the ink, the ink is supplied from the tank 13 to the ink chamber.

[0060] [Motors 22, 23] In FIG. 3, the motors 22, 23 rotate under the control of the controller 27 to generate power. The power generated by the motor 22 is transmitted to the roll holder 143. The power generated by the motor 23 is transmitted to the front pulley 201B and the drive rollers 161, 181 through gears and the like.

[0061] [Pumps 24, 25] The pump 24 communicates with each through-hole 171F via the pipe 241. The pump 24 is driven under the control of the controller 27 to suck the air in each groove 171D from each through-hole 171F.

[0062] The pump 25 communicates with each through-hole 2074A, 2074B via the pipe 251. The pump 25 is driven under the control of the controller 27 to suck the air in each groove 2072A, 2072B from each through-hole 2074A, 2074B.

[0063] [Communication IF 26] The communication IF 26 receives the transmission data of the information processing device 300 communicably connected to the image recording apparatus 100. The communication IF 26 transfers the received data to the RAM 273 through the ASIC 275 under the control of the controller 27.

[0064] [Controller 27] The controller 27 includes a CPU 271, a ROM 272, a RAM 273, an EEPROM 274, and an ASIC 275 that are interconnected by an internal bus or the like, and controls each part of the image recording apparatus 100. The control program of the image recording apparatus 100 and the like are stored in the ROM 272. The CPU 271 executes the control program while using the RAM 273 and the EEPROM 274.

[0065] The recording head 21, motors 22, 23, pumps 24, 25, an open / close sensor SE1, a sheet sensor SE2, an operation panel 12, etc. are connected to the ASIC 275.

[0066] The controller 27 may be such that only the CPU 271 performs various processes, or the ASIC 275 performs various processes, or the CPU 271 and the ASIC 275 cooperate to perform various processes. Also, the controller 27 may be such that one CPU performs processes alone, or a plurality of CPUs share and perform various processes. Also, the controller 27 may be such that one ASIC 275 performs processes alone, or a plurality of ASICs share and perform various processes. Each ASIC may be replaced by a gate array.

[0067] [Operation of the Image Recording Apparatus 100] Hereinafter, the operation of the image recording apparatus 100 will be described separately for the setting of the sheet S and the image recording.

[0068] [Setting of the Sheet S] For image recording, the user sets the sheet S in the image recording apparatus 100. At this time, after the user opens the right cover 114 (see FIG. 1), the user attaches the sheet S to the roll support portion 14 (see FIG. 4). The user moves the housing cover 112 to the open position P12, and exposes the unit 17 and the like from the rear opening AP112 so as to be accessible by the user as shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0069] The opening / closing sensor SE1 outputs a signal indicating that the housing cover 112 has moved away from the closed position P11 (hereinafter also referred to as an "open signal") to the controller 27. The open signal is also an example of a signal indicating that the sheet S is set on the support surface 171A. At S11 in FIG. 7, in response to receiving the open signal, the controller 27 outputs a control signal to the pump 24 on the support surface 171A, assuming that the sheet S will be set on the support surface 171A from now on, thereby driving the pump 24. While the pump 24 is operating, it sucks air from each through-hole 171F into each groove 171D. After driving the pump 24, the controller 27 waits to receive a closed signal (described later) from the opening / closing sensor SE1.

[0070] After the unit 17 and the like are exposed, the user pulls out the sheet S mounted on the roll support portion 14 from the tip, winds it around the tensioner 15, and then passes it between the guide members 172 and 173 (see FIG. 8). The user further moves at least one of the guide members 172 and 173 to the left or right to bring the guide members 172 and 173 into contact with both ends in the width direction 9A of the sheet S on the support surface 171A. The leading end position of the sheet S is in front of the support surface 171A.

[0071] When the sheet S is placed on the support surface 171A, the portions near the left and right centers of each groove 171D are closed by the sheet S, and upward openings are formed at both left and right ends. Due to the driving of the pump 24, an air flow is generated in each groove 171D from both left and right ends toward the through-hole 171F. As a result, an air pressure difference is generated between above the sheet S and inside each groove 171D, and the sheet S is adsorbed to the support surface 171A. That is, the pump 24 is an example of an adsorption force generating portion, and generates an adsorption force in a region adjacent to the guide members 172 and 173 on the support surface 171A and through which the sheet S passes (hereinafter also referred to as a "paper passage region").

[0072] After the user abuts the guide members 172 and 173 against both ends of the sheet S, the user closes the right cover 114 and returns the housing cover 112 to the closed position P11 (see Fig. 2(B)). In response to this, the opening / closing sensor SE1 outputs a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a "closed signal") indicating that the housing cover 112 is in the closed position P11 to the controller 27. At S12 in Fig. 7, the controller 27 stops driving the pump 24 in response to receiving the closed signal.

[0073] [Image recording] The operation panel 12 outputs an operation signal to the controller 27 in response to an operation of the start button by the user. At S13 in Fig. 7, the controller 27 receives a signal from the sheet sensor SE2 in response to receiving the operation signal from the operation panel 12.

[0074] At S14, the controller 27 determines whether the received signal indicates a high level. When the controller 27 determines that it is a high level, it assumes that the leading end of the sheet S is in front of the detection position and executes S15. On the other hand, when the controller 27 determines that it is not a high level, it executes S17.

[0075] At S15, the controller 27 sucks the air in each groove 171D by driving the pump 24 to generate an adsorption force F11 in the paper passage area on the support surface 171A. The controller 27 further gives a control signal for winding up the sheet S to each of the motors 22 and 23, and rotates (i.e., reverses) the drive rollers 161 and 181 and the roll holder 143 in the direction in which the sheet S is wound around the sheet core 41.

[0076] At S16, the controller 27 receives a signal from the sheet sensor SE2 and determines whether the received signal indicates a high level. When the controller 27 determines that it is a high level, it assumes that the leading end of the sheet S is still in front of the detection position and performs S15. On the other hand, when the controller 27 determines that it is not a high level, it assumes that the leading end of the sheet S is not in front of the detection position and executes S17.

[0077] In S17, the controller 27 causes the pump 24 to suck air so that the flow rate of the air in each groove 171D becomes less than that in the case of S15, and generates an adsorption force F12 in the paper passage area on the support surface 171A. The controller 27 further gives a control signal for feeding out the sheet S to each of the motors 22 and 23. As a result, the drive rollers 161 and 181 rotate (i.e., rotate forward) in the direction of feeding out the sheet S from the sheet core 41, and the roll holder 143 also rotates forward. Here, the adsorption force F12 is preferably smaller than the adsorption force F11 and the adsorption force F13 described later because there is a possibility that the sheet S is not nipped by the front conveying unit 18, and as a result, the leading end of the sheet S may be deformed.

[0078] In S18, the controller 27 receives a signal from the sheet sensor SE2 and determines whether or not the received signal indicates a high level. When the controller 27 determines that it is not a high level, it regards that the leading end of the sheet S is behind the detection position and performs S18. On the other hand, when the controller 27 determines that it is a high level, it regards that the leading end of the sheet S has reached the detection position and executes S19.

[0079] In S19, the controller 27 stops the forward rotation of the roll holder 143 and the drive rollers 161 and 181 without stopping the drive of the pump 24.

[0080] In S110, the controller 27 causes the pump 25 to suck air from each through hole 2074A and 2074B into each groove 2072A and 2072B, and generates an adsorption force on the support surfaces 2071A and 2071B. The pump 25 is an example of a second adsorption force generating unit. The controller 27 further gives a control signal to the pump 24 to switch the adsorption force of the pump 24 from the adsorption force F12 to an adsorption force F13 greater than the adsorption force F12. As a result, the sheet S becomes flat along the support surface 171A between the guide members 172 and 173, and the rigidity of the sheet S increases.

[0081] In S111, the controller 27 rotates the roll holder 143 and the drive rollers 161 and 181 forward by the motors 22 and 23 to sequentially convey the sheet S downstream (i.e., forward) in the conveyance path 200. During this time, the controller 27 supplies a drive signal to the recording head 21 to eject ink onto each label 43 and record an image.

[0082] When the recording of all images is completed, in S112, the controller 27 stops the driving of the motors 22 and 23 and also stops the driving of the pumps 24 and 25.

[0083] [Operation and Effect of the Image Recording Apparatus 100] According to the embodiment, by driving the pump 24, an adsorption force is generated between the guide members 172 and 173 on the support surface 171A. Due to this adsorption force, the sheet S moves along the support surface 171A, and the rigidity in the width direction 9A of the sheet S is improved. As a result, even if the edge in the width direction of the sheet S abuts against the guide members 172 and 173 due to a moment between the guide members 172 and 173, the sheet S is less likely to buckle due to the contact force received from the guide members 172 and 173. Therefore, buckling of the sheet in the paper passage area adjacent to the guide members 172 and 173 upstream of the front conveyance unit 18 is suppressed. Also, since the sheet S is less likely to buckle, skewing of the sheet is corrected.

[0084] In the embodiment, the support surface 171A extends forward beyond the front ends of the guide members 172 and 173, and the groove portion 171C is also formed forward of the guide members 172 and 173. Therefore, the sheet S is adsorbed to the support surface 171A even in front of the front ends of the guide members 172 and 173 on the support surface 171A. Therefore, skewing is less likely to occur between the guide members 172 and 173 and the front conveyance unit 18 on the support surface 171A.

[0085] The sheet S conveyed forward by the rear conveying unit 16 or the front conveying unit 18 is subject to a rearward resistance due to the rotation and weight of the roll body, etc. This resistance is not constant but distributed in the width direction 9A of the sheet S. Due to such resistance, the sheet S skews in the conveying path 200. Also, once the continuous sheet S skews, the end positions of both sides of the sheet S at a specific position in the conveying path 200 will gradually shift left and right as the sheet S is conveyed. However, in this embodiment, by generating an adsorption force between the guide members 172 and 173 on the support surface 171A, skewing is prevented upstream of the front conveying unit 18, so it is difficult for the continuous sheet S to skew.

[0086] In the embodiment, since the sheet S is also adsorbed on the support surfaces 2071A and 2071B, skewing of the sheet S is prevented on the support surfaces 2071A and 2071B, and the positional relationship between the sheet S and the recording head 21 is maintained.

[0087] Since the pump 24 is driven, an air flow toward the through hole 171F is generated in each groove 171D. This air flow generates an adsorption force in the paper passing area on the support surface 171A. Therefore, even if the width of the sheet S changes, it is easy to prevent the air flow rate in each groove 171D from changing. That is, the adsorption force of the sheet S on the support surface 171A hardly fluctuates. In particular, since each groove 171D extends in the width direction 9A, the sheet S is stably supported.

[0088] In the guide members 172 and 173, the convex portions 172B and 173B are continuous with the main bodies 172A and 173A and are located within each groove 171D. Therefore, there is no gap between the support surface 171A and the main bodies 172A and 173A, and the sheet S is conveyed without skewing forward.

[0089] As is clear from S11, S15, S17, S110 in FIG. 7, since the pumps 24 and 25 are driven independently of each other, the power consumption required for driving is suppressed.

[0090] According to S11 in FIG. 7, since the sheet S is set on the support surface 171A in a state where an adsorption force is generated, it is easy to position the sheet S on the support surface 171A by the guide members 172 and 173.

[0091] According to S17 in FIG. 7, when the sheet S is conveyed forward after the completion of setting the sheet on the support surface 171A, the support surface 171A generates an adsorption force F12 that is weaker than the adsorption forces F11 and F13. As a result, the leading end of the sheet S slides smoothly on the support surface 171A, and thus the leading end of the sheet S is less likely to be deformed.

[0092] [Other Modification Examples] In the embodiment, the image recording method was the inkjet method. However, it is not limited to this, and the image recording method may also be the electrophotographic method or the thermal transfer method.

[0093] The sheet S in FIG. 1(B) had a sheet core 41. However, it is not limited to this, and the sheet S may not have a sheet core 41. In this case, the separator 42 is wound in a roll shape such that a cylindrical through hole is formed in the central portion.

[0094] The sheet S in FIG. 1(B) was label roll paper. However, it is not limited to this, and the sheet S may be roll paper, that is, continuous paper forming a roll body. In this case, an image is recorded on the roll paper itself.

[0095] The sheet S in FIG. 1(B) had a plurality of labels 43. However, it is not limited to this, and the sheet S may be composed of a separator and a single label temporarily attached to the separator. In this case, each of the separator and the label is continuous paper forming a roll body, and an image is recorded on the main surface of the label.

[0096] In addition, the sheet S may also be fan-folded paper or cut paper. In the case of fan-folded paper, the roll support portion 14 is not required for the image recording apparatus 100. In the case of cut paper, the image recording apparatus 100 is provided with a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray instead of the roll support portion 14.

[0097] In the embodiment, the unit 17 reduced the air pressure in the groove 171D by an air current to adsorb the sheet S to the support surface 171A. However, not limited thereto, the unit 17 may suck the sheet S from the suction holes provided in the flat suction platen and make it adhere onto the suction platen. Alternatively, the unit 17 may charge the support surface 171A to electrostatically adsorb the sheet S. The same applies to the suction platen 207 in this regard.

[0098] The image recording apparatus 100 may have a platen that does not adsorb the sheet S instead of the suction platen 207.

[0099] The endless belt 202 may be a so-called suction belt.

[0100] In the embodiment, both the flange portions 143B and 143C and the guide members 172 and 173 were slidable left and right to align the center in the width direction of the sheet S with the paper feed center C11. However, not limited thereto, in the case where the right cover 114 is provided on the right wall 111E of the image recording apparatus 100, the flange portion 143B and the guide member 172 may be fixed without moving left and right, and the flange portion 143C and the guide member 173 may be slidable left and right. In this case, each through hole 171F is formed near the fixed guide member 173. When the guide member 172 is fixed, the image recording apparatus 100 may include a roller group that moves the sheet S closer to and against the guide member 172 instead of the guide member 173.

[0101] In the embodiment, the groove 171D had a shape that was long in the left - right direction (see FIG. 5). However, not limited thereto, the groove 171D may have a shape that is long in the front - rear direction. In this case, since the groove 171D can reach the front end of the support surface 171A, it is more difficult for the sheet S to skew between the guide members 172 and 173 and the front conveying unit 18.

[0102] In the embodiment, the pump 24 generated an air current in each groove 171D. However, not limited thereto, the image recording apparatus 100 may generate an air current in each groove 171D by a fan instead of the pump 24.

[0103] In S13 of FIG. 7, the controller 27 executed the subsequent steps S14 and the like in response to the reception of the operation signal. However, not limited to this, the controller 27 may execute the subsequent steps S14 and the like in response to the reception of a print instruction from the information processing apparatus 300.

[0104] In S11 of FIG. 7, the controller 27 drove the pump 24 in response to the reception of an open signal from the open / close sensor SE1. However, the unit 17 may be provided with a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism locks or unlocks the left and right positions of the guide members 172 and 173. The locking mechanism outputs an unlock signal to the controller 27 in response to the unlocking. The unlock signal is another example of a signal indicating that the sheet S is set on the support surface 171A. The controller 27 may drive the pump 24 assuming that the sheet S will be set on the support surface 171A from now on in response to the reception of the unlock signal in S11.

[0105] In the embodiment, the open / close sensor SE1 output a signal in response to the housing cover 112 moving away from the closed position P11. However, not limited to this, the open / close sensor SE1 may continue to output a signal while the housing cover 112 is in the closed position P11 and stop the signal output while the housing cover 112 is not in the closed position P11. Alternatively, the open / close sensor SE1 may continue to output a signal while the housing cover 112 is not in the closed position P11 and stop the signal output while the housing cover 112 is in the closed position P11.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 100 ··· Image recording apparatus 16 ··· Rear conveyance unit 17 ··· Side guide unit 171 ··· Base 171A ··· Support surface 171D ··· Groove 172, 173 ··· Guide members 172A, 173A ··· Body 172B, 173B ··· convex part 18 ··· front conveying part 20 ··· belt conveying mechanism 202 ··· endless belt 2021 ··· upper end face 207A, 207B ··· side part 2071A, 2071B ··· support surface 21 ··· recording head 24, 25 ··· pump 27 ··· controller

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet in the conveying direction, A first support portion located upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and having a first support surface, On the first support surface, a side guide that contacts at least one of both ends of the sheet in the width direction that is orthogonal to the conveying direction and parallel to the first support surface, An adsorption force generating portion that generates an adsorption force in a region adjacent to the side guide on the first support surface and through which the sheet passes, A second support portion located downstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and having a second support surface, A recording unit that records an image on the sheet supported by the second support surface, A housing having an opening accessible to the first support portion, A housing cover that opens and closes the opening, A sensor that outputs a signal when the housing cover is open, A controller, and is provided with, The controller, An image recording apparatus that drives the adsorption force generating portion in response to receiving the signal from the sensor.

2. A second conveying unit that conveys the sheet in the conveying direction at a position upstream of the first support surface in the conveying direction, A sensor that outputs a signal according to the presence or absence of the sheet at an initial position downstream of the conveying unit and upstream of the second support portion in the conveying direction, and further includes, The controller, In response to receiving a signal indicating completion of setting the sheet on the first support surface, drives the adsorption force generating portion to generate a third adsorption force weaker than the adsorption force, and conveys the sheet in the conveying direction by the second conveying unit, The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveyed by the second conveying unit is stopped at the initial position based on the output signal from the sensor.

3. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet in the conveying direction, A first support portion located upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and having a first support surface, On the first support surface, a side guide that contacts at least one of both ends of the sheet in the width direction that is orthogonal to the conveying direction and parallel to the first support surface, An adsorption force generating portion that generates an adsorption force in a region adjacent to the side guide on the first support surface and through which the sheet passes, A second support portion located downstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and having a second support surface, A recording unit that records an image on the sheet supported by the second support surface, A second conveying unit that conveys the sheet in the conveying direction at a position upstream of the first support surface in the conveying direction, A sensor that outputs a signal according to the presence or absence of a sheet at an initial position downstream of the conveying unit and upstream of the second support unit in the above-mentioned conveying direction; A controller, and is provided with, The controller, In response to receiving a signal indicating that the setting of the sheet on the first support surface is completed, the suction force generating unit is driven to generate a third suction force weaker than the suction force, and the sheet is conveyed in the conveying direction by the second conveying unit. An image recording apparatus that stops the sheet conveyed by the second conveying unit at the initial position based on the output signal from the sensor.

4. The first support unit has a groove recessed with respect to the first support surface, The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction force generating unit generates the suction force by generating an air flow in the groove.

5. The groove extends in the width direction, the image recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The side guide, A main body that abuts on the end of the sheet on the first support surface, The image recording apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a convex portion that is connected to the main body and is located in the groove.

7. A conveying unit that conveys the sheet in the conveying direction, A first support unit that is located upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and has a first support surface, On the first support surface, a side guide that abuts on at least one of both ends of the sheet in the width direction that is orthogonal to the conveying direction and parallel to the first support surface, A suction force generating unit that generates a suction force in a region adjacent to the side guide on the first support surface and through which the sheet passes, A second support unit that is located downstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction and has a second support surface, A recording unit that records an image on the sheet supported by the second support surface, and is provided with, The first support unit has a groove recessed with respect to the first support surface, The suction force generating unit generates the suction force by generating an air flow in the groove, The side guide, A main body that abuts on the end of the sheet on the first support surface, The image recording apparatus further comprising a convex portion that is connected to the main body and is located in the groove.

8. The groove extends in the width direction, the image recording apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The first support surface extends to a position downstream of the side guide and upstream of the conveying unit in the conveying direction. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adsorption force generating portion further generates the adsorption force at a portion downstream of the side guide in the conveying direction on the first support surface.

10. The sheet is a roll paper, The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a roll support member that rotatably supports the roll paper around its central axis.

11. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a second adsorption force generating portion that generates a second adsorption force for adsorbing the sheet to the second support surface.

12. Further comprising a controller, The controller, drives the adsorption force generating portion in response to receiving a signal indicating that the sheet is set on the first support surface, The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second adsorption force generating portion is driven in response to receiving a signal indicating the start of image recording by the recording portion.

13. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the side guide has a first guide member and a second guide member that respectively contact both ends of the sheet in the width direction and are separable in the width direction.

Images