Discharge device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which it is difficult to manage the amount of deformation of a medium in a configuration where a roller only can be supported in an oscillating manner.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes a guide frame 36, a deformation part 60, and a lever member 84. The guide frame 36 is provided with a conveyance path T. The deformation part 60 has a jag roller 62, a support holder 64, and a torsion spring 82 to deform a sheet P. The jag roller 62 is brought into contact with the sheet P discharged from the conveyance path T. The support holder 64 can oscillate between a first position when the jag roller 62 is located on the conveyance path T and a second position when the jag roller 62 is not located on the conveyance path T. The torsion spring 82 pushes the support holder 64 from the second position toward the first position. A lever member 84 is switchable between a regulated state in which the swing of the support holder 64 in the first and second positions is regulated and an unregulated state in which the swing of the support holder 64 is not regulated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharging device.

Background Art

[0002] In the recording device of Patent Document 1, a holder is swingably attached to a frame. The holder holds a toothed roller. A biasing force is applied to the free end of the holder toward the conveyance surface. In the recording device of Patent Document 2, a holder is rotatably supported with respect to a discharge port. A roller is rotatably supported at the tip of the holder. By rotating the holder, the contact position between the paper and the roller is displaced in the vertical direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the roller is only swingably supported, when it is desired to forcibly apply a crease to the medium, the roller may retract upon contact with the medium, or when it is desired to suppress the creasing of the medium, the retraction of the roller may be insufficient, and there has been a risk that it becomes difficult to control the amount of deformation of the medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the discharge device according to the present invention includes a device main body provided with a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed, a contact portion that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveyance path, and a free end portion that holds the contact portion and a base end portion held by the device main body. The holding portion is swingable between a first position where the contact portion is located in the conveyance path and a second position where the contact portion is not located in the conveyance path, and a pressing portion that presses the holding portion from the second position toward the first position. The contact portion deforms the sheet by contacting the sheet, a regulating portion that can switch between a regulating state that regulates the swinging of the holding portion at the first position and the second position and a non-regulating state that does not regulate the swinging of the holding portion, and is characterized by comprising.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described. A discharge device according to a first aspect includes a device main body provided with a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed, a contact portion that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveyance path, a free end portion that holds the contact portion, and a base end portion that is held by the device main body, and a holding portion that is swingable between a first position when the contact portion is located in the conveyance path and a second position when the contact portion is not located in the conveyance path, a pressing portion that presses the holding portion from the second position toward the first position, a deformable portion that deforms the sheet by the contact portion contacting the sheet, a restricting state that restricts the swinging of the holding portion in the first position and the second position, and a restricting portion that can switch between a non-restricting state that does not restrict the swinging of the holding portion. According to this aspect, when the contact portion contacts the sheet in the deformable portion, the sheet is creased by the contact portion applying a pressing force to the sheet. In the non-restricting state, since the holding portion is swingable in the deformable portion, creasing according to the basis weight of the sheet can be performed. In the regulation state where the regulation unit restricts the swinging of the holding unit at the first position, since the contact portion in contact with the sheet is not retracted from the conveyance path, it is possible to apply a set-in of a certain amount of deformation to the sheet. In the regulation state where the regulation unit restricts the swinging of the holding unit at the second position, since the holding unit and the contact portion are not located in the conveyance path, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being set in. Further, when the sheet having high rigidity against the force in the thickness direction is used, it is possible to prevent a large load from acting on the sheet being discharged. In this way, since the setting of the sheet by the deforming portion is changed in three patterns according to the type or state of the sheet, it is possible to facilitate the management of the amount of deformation of the sheet.

[0008] The discharging device according to the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the regulating unit is provided so that the relative position with respect to the deforming unit can be changed in a direction intersecting the swinging direction of the holding unit. According to this aspect, by relatively changing the position of the regulating unit with respect to the deforming unit, the regulating state and the non-regulating state are switched, so that it is easy to maintain the regulating state by the regulating unit after the position is switched.

[0009] The discharging device according to the third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the regulating unit moves in the axial direction along the axis passing through the swinging center of the holding unit as the intersecting direction. According to this aspect, compared with the configuration in which the regulating unit is moved in the discharging direction of the sheet, the discharging device can be miniaturized in the discharging direction of the sheet.

[0010] The discharging device according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, it includes a guiding portion that guides the regulating unit in the axial direction. According to this aspect, by the guiding portion guiding the regulating unit in the axial direction, it is possible to suppress the position of the regulating unit from shifting in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

[0011] In the fifth aspect, the discharge device according to the fourth aspect, the guide portion has a screw having a head portion and a shaft portion, and an edge portion of a long hole that extends in the axial direction and through which the shaft portion is inserted, and the head portion is located downstream of the shaft portion in the discharge direction of the sheet. According to this aspect, since the restricting portion can be guided by inserting and fastening the screw into the long hole, the mechanism of the guide portion can be simplified. Further, since the head portion of the screw is located downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet, it is easy to access the screw from the outside of the discharge device.

[0012] In the sixth aspect, the discharge device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, an inclined portion is provided along a direction intersecting the intersecting direction, and the inclined portion changes the position of the deformation portion in the swinging direction with respect to the restricting portion by relatively moving the restricting portion and the deformation portion in the intersecting direction. According to this aspect, when the deformation portion comes into contact with the inclined portion, the position of the deformation portion in the swinging direction with respect to the restricting portion changes. Thereby, until the deformation portion enters the restricted state, the deformation portion is guided by the inclined portion, so that the restricted state can be obtained with a simple configuration.

[0013] In the seventh aspect, the discharge device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the holding portion has a flange, and the restricting portion restricts the swinging of the holding portion by restricting the movement of the flange, and the order of the arrangement of the flange and the restricting portion in the swinging direction is reversed between when the holding portion is in the first position and when the holding portion is in the second position. According to this aspect, by reversing the positions of the flange and the restricting portion in the swinging direction, the restricted state in the first position or the restricted state in the second position can be obtained, so that the mechanism for obtaining the restricted state can be simplified.

[0014] The discharge device according to the eighth aspect is, in the seventh aspect, characterized in that the flange contacts the device body by receiving a pressing force from the pressing portion in the non-restricted state of the restricting portion. According to this aspect, when the flange contacts the device body, the swinging of the holding portion in the deforming portion is restricted. Thereby, excessive swinging of the holding portion can be suppressed.

[0015] The discharge device according to the ninth aspect is, in the eighth aspect, characterized in that the restricting portion restricts the movement of the flange by being moved toward the flange in contact with the device body. According to this aspect, by moving the restricting portion in one direction toward the flange in contact with the device body, the movement of the flange and the swinging of the holding portion are restricted. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the restricting portion is moved in multiple stages, the swinging of the holding portion can be easily restricted.

[0016] The discharge device according to the tenth aspect is, in any one of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect, characterized in that the restricting portion has a recess capable of accommodating at least a part of the flange. According to this aspect, since at least a part of the flange is accommodated in the recess, the degree of freedom of movement of the flange is reduced, so that the restricted state can be maintained.

[0017] The discharge device according to the eleventh aspect is, in any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, characterized in that the device body includes a path member having a bottom wall forming a part of the conveyance path and a side wall erected downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet on the bottom wall, and the path member has an opening formed across the bottom wall and the side wall and through which the deforming portion can pass. According to this aspect, since the opening is formed up to the side wall as well as the bottom wall, it is possible to prevent the sheet deformed by the deforming portion from being caught by the path member.

[0018] In the twelfth aspect, the discharging device according to the eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the restricting portion is provided from the conveyance path side to the side opposite to the conveyance path side with respect to the path member through the opening in the side wall. According to this aspect, the restricting portion that restricts the swinging of the holding portion on the side opposite to the conveyance path side of the path member can be operated on the conveyance path side. Further, since a part of the opening formed in the side wall is located at a position away from the conveyance path, a part of the regulating portion passing through the opening is located at a position away from the conveyance path, so that a part of the sheet roughened by the deforming portion can be prevented from being caught by a part of the regulating portion.

[0019] In the thirteenth aspect, the discharging device according to the twelfth aspect is characterized in that the restricting portion has a guiding surface for guiding the sheet downstream in the discharging direction. According to this aspect, when the sheet comes into contact with the guiding surface, the sheet is guided downstream in the discharging direction. Thus, even if the sheet comes into contact with a part of the restricting portion, the sheet is guided downstream in the discharging direction, so that the sheet can be prevented from being caught by the restricting portion.

[0020] In the fourteenth aspect, the discharging device according to any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect is characterized in that the device main body includes a discharging portion that discharges liquid toward the sheet. According to this aspect, the amount of deformation of the sheet on which the liquid is discharged can be managed.

[0021] Hereinafter, a printer 10 as an example of the discharging device according to the present invention will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is configured as an inkjet recording device that performs recording by discharging ink Q onto a sheet P. The X - Y - Z coordinate system shown in each figure is a rectangular coordinate system. The sheet P is an example of a sheet. The ink Q is an example of a liquid.

[0022] The X direction is the width direction of the apparatus as viewed from the operator of the printer 10 and is the horizontal direction. The direction toward the left in the X direction is the +X direction, and the direction toward the right is the -X direction. The Y direction is the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the sheet P and the depth direction of the apparatus, and is the horizontal direction. The direction toward the front in the Y direction is the +Y direction, and the direction toward the rear is the -Y direction. The Z direction is an example of the height direction of the apparatus and is the vertical direction. The upward direction in the Z direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. When the + and - are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction.

[0023] In the printer 10, the sheet P is conveyed through the conveyance path T represented by the dashed-dotted line. Note that since the conveyance direction in which the sheet P is conveyed is the direction along the conveyance path T, it is different for each part of the conveyance path T. The printer 10 includes, as an example, a main body 12, a line head 28, a deformable part 60, and a lever member 84. Further, the printer 10 includes a manual feed tray 19, a separation roller pair 26, an ink tank 27, and a control unit 30.

[0024] The main body 12 includes a main body frame 12A, guide frames 34 and 36 (FIG. 2) described later, and a housing 12B that forms the outer shell of the printer 10. Further, the main body 12 includes, as an example, a line head 28 described later. On the +Z side with respect to the center in the Z direction of the main body 12, a paper discharge tray 13 for discharging the recorded sheet P is provided. Further, the main body 12 is provided with a plurality of paper cassettes 14 for storing the sheet P and a conveyance path T through which the sheet P is conveyed from the paper cassette 14 to the paper discharge tray 13.

[0025] The conveyance path T is provided with a pick-up roller 16 for separating the sheet P, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 17, 18 for conveying the sheet P, a conveyance unit 22, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 24, and a plurality of flaps 25 for switching the path along which the sheet P is conveyed. The conveyance unit 22 conveys the sheet P by circulating a conveyance belt 23. Further, the conveyance unit 22 faces the line head 28. Specifically, the conveyance path T includes a main conveyance path T1, a discharge path T2, a feed path T3, a switchback path T4, and a delivery path T5, and is configured to enable recording on both sides of the sheet P. The conveyance path T is further connected with a feed path TA through which the sheet P is fed from an external device (not shown), and a manual feed path TB passing through a separation roller pair 26 from the manual feed tray 19.

[0026] The line head 28 is an example of a discharge unit that discharges the ink Q supplied from the ink tank 27 toward the sheet P. Recording is performed on the sheet P by discharging the ink Q from the line head 28 onto the sheet P conveyed in the conveyance unit 22.

[0027] The control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage (not shown), and controls the conveyance and discharge of the sheet P in the printer 10 and the operations of each unit including the line head 28.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a guide frame 34 and a guide frame 36 are arranged at the downstream end of the conveyance path T. The guide frame 34 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the conveyance path T. The guide frame 34 has a curved surface portion 34A and a flat portion 34B extending in the +X direction from the end portion of the curved surface portion 34A in the +Z direction when viewed from the Y direction. The flat portion 34B is located in the +Z direction with respect to the paper discharge tray 13 (FIG. 1).

[0029] The guide frame 36 is positioned at a distance in the +Z direction with respect to the guide frame 34. The guide frame 36 is included in an example of the apparatus main body provided with a conveyance path T along which the sheet P is conveyed. In other words, the guide frame 36 forms a part of the conveyance path T together with the guide frame 34. The guide frame 36 is an example of a path member. The guide frame 36 has, as an example, a bottom wall 38 that extends in an oblique direction toward positions in the +X direction and the +Z direction, a side wall 44 that stands upright in the +Z direction from the bottom wall 38, and an upper wall 46 that extends in the -X direction from the side wall 44.

[0030] In the following description, the direction in which the bottom wall 38 extends toward the downstream of the conveyance path T is defined as the +A direction, and the direction orthogonal to the +A direction and toward the paper discharge tray 13 is defined as the +B direction. Further, the direction opposite to the +A direction is defined as the -A direction, and the direction opposite to the +B direction is defined as the -B direction. When the + and - are not distinguished, it is described as the A direction and the B direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 38 is formed in a flat plate shape that spreads along the Y - A plane. The bottom wall 38 forms a part of the conveyance path T. The surface located at the end in the -B direction on the bottom wall 38 is defined as the contact surface 38A, and the surface located at the end in the +B direction is defined as the paper guide surface 38B (FIG. 5). The side wall 44 stands upright in the +Z direction at the end in the +A direction of the bottom wall 38. In other words, the side wall 44 is erected downstream in the +A direction, which is the discharge direction of the sheet P on the bottom wall 38. A fastening hole 45 to which a screw 122 (FIG. 5) described later is fastened is formed in the side wall 44. The upper wall 46 extends in the -X direction from the end in the +Z direction of the side wall 44.

[0032] The guide frame 36 is provided with, as an example, a mounting plate 51, a discharge roller 52, guillotine roller units 54, 56, a driven roller 57, and a support roller 58 (FIG. 13). The mounting plate 51 is attached to the side wall 44 and extends in the -Z direction. The discharge roller 52 has a shaft portion 52A along the Y direction and an annular elastic portion 52B attached to a part of the shaft portion 52A.

[0033] The zigzag roller unit 54 has a unit body 54A fixed to the mounting plate 51 and a zigzag roller 54B supported by the unit body 54A and rotated about a central axis along the Y direction. With the zigzag roller 54B and the elastic portion 52B sandwiching the paper P, when the shaft portion 52A is rotated, the paper P is discharged. The zigzag roller unit 56 has a unit body 56A fixed to the bottom wall 38 and a zigzag roller 56B (Fig. 5) supported by the unit body 56A and rotatable about a central axis along the Y direction. Note that the zigzag roller means a roller having a plurality of tooth portions on the outer periphery.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 13, the driven roller 57 sandwiches the paper P together with the discharge roller 52 and discharges the paper P while rotating along with the rotation of the discharge roller 52. The support roller 58 is, for example, composed of a zigzag roller and is provided in a plurality on the outer side in the Y direction with respect to the deformation portion 60 described later. The support roller 58 supports both end portions of the paper P in the Y direction.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the guide frame 36 is formed with, for example, a through hole 37, a through hole 39, and an opening 48. The through hole 37, the through hole 39, and the opening 48 are all formed across the bottom wall 38 and the side wall 44. A plurality of through holes 37 are formed at intervals in the Y direction. The through hole 37 can be used as a working hole or for mounting other units. The through hole 39 is a long hole extending in the Y direction.

[0036] The opening 48 is formed as one through hole in which a first opening portion 48A formed in the bottom wall 38 and a second opening portion 48B formed in the side wall 44 are connected. The opening 48 has a size and shape that allows at least a part of the deformation portion 60 described later to pass through. The first opening 48A is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the +A direction is longer than the dimension in the Y direction when viewed in the +B direction. The second opening 48B is formed in a rectangular shape whose dimension in the Y direction is longer than the dimension in the Z direction when viewed in the +X direction. The opening area of the first opening 48A is larger than the opening area of the second opening 48B. A regulating wall 49 is formed at the edge of the first opening 48A in the -A direction. The regulating wall 49 is a wall portion that protrudes in the +X direction from the edge of the first opening 48A in the -A direction. The regulating wall 49 regulates a part of the sheet P being discharged from entering the first opening 48A.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, among the edges of the first opening 48A, a vertical wall 53A and a vertical wall 53B are erected at a portion in the +A direction from the regulating wall 49 and at a portion in the -A direction with respect to the center of the first opening 48A in the +A direction. The vertical wall 53A stands upright in the -B direction at the +Y direction edge of the first opening 48A. The vertical wall 53B stands upright in the -B direction at the -Y direction edge of the first opening 48A and faces the vertical wall 53A in the Y direction. Through holes (not shown) penetrating in the Y direction are formed in the vertical wall 53A and the vertical wall 53B. The vertical wall 53A and the vertical wall 53B rotatably support both ends in the Y direction of a rotating shaft portion 65 described later. A hook portion 55 is provided at the +A direction end of the vertical wall 53A.

[0038] The hook portion 55 has a vertical portion 55A standing upright in the -B direction, a horizontal portion 55B extending in the -Y direction from the -B direction end of the vertical portion 55A, and an extension portion 55C extending in the +A direction from the -Y direction end of the horizontal portion 55B. One end of a torsion spring 82 described later is hooked on the L-shaped portion formed by the horizontal portion 55B and the extension portion 55C.

[0039] As an example, the deformation portion 60 includes a plurality of serrated rollers 62, a support holder 64, a rotating shaft portion 65, and a torsion spring 82. As an example, a plurality of serrated rollers 62 are provided in two rows each in the +A direction and the +Y direction with respect to one support holder 64, for a total of four. The serrated roller 62 is an example of a contact portion that contacts the sheet P discharged from the conveyance path T (FIG. 2) in the +B direction.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, the support holder 64 is a member long in the +A direction and is an example of a holding portion that holds the serrated roller 62. The support holder 64 includes, as an example, a bottom plate portion 66, side plate portions 67 and 68, a front wall 69, a rear wall 71 (FIG. 4), flanges 72 and 73, ribs 74, and a relief portion 76 (FIG. 4), and these are configured as one integrally formed member. Regarding the arrangement of each part of the support holder 64, it will be described as being in an arrangement state where a part of the support holder 64 is located in the conveyance path T.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the Y direction is an example of an intersecting direction that intersects the swinging direction of the support holder 64. When looking at the support holder 64 from the position in the +Y direction toward the position in the -Y direction, the direction in which the support holder 64 moves clockwise is defined as the +R direction, and the direction in which the support holder 64 moves counterclockwise is defined as the -R direction. The +R direction and the -R direction are collectively referred to as the R direction. The R direction is an example of the swinging direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom plate portion 66 is a flat plate-like portion that constitutes the +B direction end of the support holder 64. The +A direction end of the bottom plate portion 66 is bent obliquely upward intersecting the +A direction. Further, two slits 66A are formed in the bottom plate portion 66 at intervals in the Y direction. The outer peripheral portions of the four serrated rollers 62 protrude in the +B direction through the two slits 66A. The sheet P can contact the four serrated rollers 62, but it is difficult to contact the bottom plate portion 66. The front wall 69 stands upright in the -B direction at the +A direction end of the bottom plate portion 66. The -B direction end face of the front wall 69 is defined as the upper surface 69A (FIG. 3).

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side plate portion 67 stands upright in the -B direction from the end portion in the +Y direction of the bottom plate portion 66. The side plate portion 67 is located in the -Y direction with respect to the vertical wall 53A within the first opening 48A. An inclined surface 67A is formed at a position in the +A direction and -B direction with respect to the center of the side plate portion 67. The inclined surface 67A is an inclined surface whose position drops in the +B direction as it goes in the +A direction. When the side plate portion 67 is moved in the -B direction as the support holder 64 rotates, the movement in the +R direction is restricted when the end portion in the -B direction of the side plate portion 67 comes into contact with the aforementioned horizontal portion 55B. That is, the horizontal portion 55B functions as a restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the support holder 64.

[0044] The side plate portion 68 stands upright in the -B direction from the end portion in the -Y direction of the bottom plate portion 66. The side plate portion 68 is located in the +Y direction with respect to the vertical wall 53B within the first opening 48A. Further, the side plate portion 68 faces the side plate portion 67 with a space therebetween in the Y direction. An inclined surface 68A is formed at a position in the +A direction and -B direction with respect to the center of the side plate portion 68. The inclined surface 68A is an inclined surface whose position drops in the +B direction as it goes in the +A direction. The rear wall 71 stands upright in the -B direction at the end portion in the -A direction of the bottom plate portion 66.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the flange 72 is a portion located in the +A direction from the center in the A direction at the end portion in the -B direction of the side plate portion 67, and extends in the +Y direction from a portion in the -A direction with respect to the inclined surface 67A. Specifically, when viewed in the +B direction, the flange 72 extends to a position overlapping the edge of the first opening 48A beyond the first opening 48A in the +Y direction. The end portion in the +Y direction of the flange 72 is located in the -B direction with respect to the edge of the first opening 48A. That is, the flange 72 does not protrude into the conveyance path T through the first opening 48A.

[0046] The flange 73 extends in the -Y direction from a portion in the +A direction from the center in the +A direction at the end in the -B direction in the side plate portion 68 and from a portion in the -A direction with respect to the inclined surface 68A. Specifically, when viewed in the +B direction, the flange 73 extends beyond the first opening 48A in the -Y direction to a position overlapping the edge of the first opening 48A. The end of the flange 73 in the -Y direction is located in the -B direction with respect to the edge of the first opening 48A. That is, the flange 73 does not protrude into the transport path T through the first opening 48A.

[0047] The rib 74 stands upright in the -B direction from the bottom plate portion 66 (FIG. 5) and separately connects the bottom plate portion 66 to the side plate portions 67 and 68. The rib 74 functions as a reinforcing portion that enhances the rigidity against forces acting from outside the support holder 64. The relief portion 76 is a recessed portion formed by the upper surface 69A, the inclined surface 67A, and the inclined surface 68A. When the support holder 64 is in the first position or the second position described later, the support holder 64 does not contact the shaft portion 52A (FIG. 3) due to the formation of the relief portion 76.

[0048] The rotating shaft portion 65 is formed in a columnar shape extending along the Y direction. Both ends of the rotating shaft portion 65 in the Y direction are rotatably supported by the vertical wall 53A and the vertical wall 53B. Of the support holder 64, the end in the -A direction is defined as the base end portion 64A, and the portion other than the base end portion 64A is defined as the free end portion 64B. The base end portion 64A is attached to the rotating shaft portion 65. Thereby, the base end portion 64A is swingably held by the guide frame 36 when viewed from the +Y direction. The free end portion 64B rotatably holds the gear roller 62 around an axis along the Y direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the support holder 64 is swingably held by the guide frame 36. The axis K passing through the swing center C of the support holder 64 extends along the Y direction. That is, the Y direction is an example of the intersection direction and the axial direction. When a plurality of serrated rollers 62 are located on the conveyance path T, the position of the support holder 64 is defined as the first position. Also, when the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are not located on the conveyance path T, that is, when the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are retracted from the conveyance path T in the -B direction, the position of the support holder 64 is defined as the second position. The support holder 64 is swingable between the first position and the second position.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the torsion spring 82 is an example of a pressing portion that presses the support holder 64 from the second position toward the first position. The torsion spring 82 has a winding portion 82A and two arm portions 82B. Note that the illustration of one of the arm portions 82B is omitted. The winding portion 82A is a portion wound in a ring shape. The rotating shaft portion 65 is inserted into the winding portion 82A. One of the arm portions 82B is engaged with a part of the support holder 64. The other of the arm portions 82B is hooked on the hooking portion 55.

[0051] When the free end 64B of the support holder 64 is rotated in the +R direction (FIG. 2), a pressing force in the -R direction acts on the support holder 64 from the torsion spring 82. In the natural state where the torsion spring 82 is not deformed, the support holder 64 protrudes from the guide frame 36 in the +B direction. Here, the flange 72 and the flange 73 come into contact with the contact surface 38A of the guide frame 36 by receiving a pressing force from the torsion spring 82 in the non-restricted state of the lever member 84 described later.

[0052] As described above, the deformation portion 60 deforms the sheet P into a convex shape in the +B direction when a plurality of serrated rollers 62 located on the conveyance path T contact the sheet P in the +B direction. Note that the deformation of the sheet P by the deformation portion 60 is referred to as curving the sheet P. The curving of the sheet P is not limited to making the sheet P convex in the +B direction, but also includes making it convex in other directions.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the lever member 84 is an example of a regulating portion that can switch between a regulating state for regulating the swinging of the support holder 64 in the aforementioned first position and second position, and a non-regulating state for not regulating the swinging of the support holder 64. Further, the lever member 84 is guided in the +Y direction and the -Y direction by a guide portion 120 described later.

[0054] The lever member 84 is, as an example, a member in which an operation portion 86, an insertion portion 88, a first extending portion 92, a second extending portion 96, a third extending portion 102, an inclined portion 106, a protruding portion 108, and a concave portion 116 are integrally formed. Note that the arrangement of each portion of the lever member 84 will be described using the directions in a state where the lever member 84 is slidably attached to the guide frame 36 (FIG. 3).

[0055] The operation portion 86 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the X direction. The operation portion 86 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the dimension in the Y direction is longer than the dimension in the Z direction. The -X direction surface of the operation portion 86 is defined as a side surface 86A. A long hole 125 penetrating the operation portion 86 in the X direction is formed at the central portions of the operation portion 86 in the Y direction and the Z direction. The long hole 125 will be described later.

[0056] The insertion portion 88 extends from the -Z direction end portion of the operation portion 86 in the -A direction. The insertion portion 88 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the +B direction. The size of the width of the insertion portion 88 in the Y direction is smaller than the width of the second opening 48B (FIG. 3) in the Y direction. Then, the insertion portion 88 is inserted into the second opening 48B. In other words, the lever member 84 is provided from the conveyance path T side with respect to the guide frame 36 through the opening 48 (FIG. 3) of the side wall 44 to the side opposite to the conveyance path T. The +B direction end surface of the insertion portion 88 is defined as a bottom surface 88A. Note that the insertion portion 88 is, as an example, in a non-contact state where it does not contact the guide frame 36.

[0057] The first extending portion 92 includes the -A direction end portion of the insertion portion 88 and is a flat plate-shaped portion extending in the -Y direction from the -A direction end portion of the insertion portion 88. The first extending portion 92 is arranged shifted in the -B direction with respect to the insertion portion 88. A rib 93 and a guide surface 94 are formed on the first extending portion 92. The rib 93 stands upright in the -B direction from the first extending portion 92 and is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the +A direction.

[0058] The guide surface 94 is, as an example, an inclined surface extending from the -A direction end portion of the first extending portion 92 toward the positions in the +A direction and the +B direction. The guide surface 94 is connected to the -A direction end portion of the bottom surface 88A. The guide surface 94 guides the sheet P downstream in the +A direction. In this way, the lever member 84 has the guide surface 94.

[0059] The second extending portion 96 is a flat plate-shaped portion extending in the -A direction from the -Y direction end portion of the first extending portion 92. Two ribs 97 that are arranged at intervals in the Y direction and stand upright in the -B direction are formed at the -B direction end portion of the second extending portion 96. A recessed portion 98 that opens in the -B direction is formed in the two ribs 97. By forming the recessed portion 98, the shaft portion 52A (FIG. 3) and the lever member 84 do not come into contact with each other. A leg portion 99 that protrudes in the +B direction is formed at a portion that is the +B direction end portion and the -Y direction end portion of the second extending portion 96. The leg portion 99 supports the second extending portion 96. A vertical wall 101 that connects the two ribs 97 in the Y direction is formed at the -A direction end portion of the second extending portion 96.

[0060] The third extending portion 102 is a plate-shaped portion extending in the -A direction from the vertical wall 101. A leg portion 103 that protrudes in the +B direction is formed on the third extending portion 102. The leg portion 103 is integrally formed with the leg portion 99 and supports the third extending portion 102. A space portion 105 is formed in the +B direction with respect to the second extending portion 96 and the third extending portion 102, and in the +Y direction with respect to the leg portion 99 and the leg portion 103. The length corresponding to the height in the -B direction of the space portion 105 is longer than the length corresponding to the thickness in the -B direction of the flange 73 (FIG. 4). That is, the end portion of the flange 73 in the -Y direction can enter the space portion 105.

[0061] The inclined portion 106 is formed, for example, at the end portion in the +Y direction of the third extending portion 102. The inclined portion 106 extends along a direction intersecting the Y direction. Specifically, the inclined portion 106 has an inclined surface 107. The inclined surface 107 is an inclined surface inclined such that the end portion in the +Y direction is located in the -Z direction with respect to the end portion in the -Y direction from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. As seen in the +A direction, the angle formed by the inclined surface 107 and the Y direction is, for example, 45°. The inclined portion 106 changes the position of the deformation portion 60 (FIG. 3) in the R direction with respect to the lever member 84 by relatively moving the lever member 84 and the deformation portion 60 in the Y direction.

[0062] The protrusion 108 is located in the -Y direction with respect to the inclined portion 106 in the third extending portion 102. The protrusion 108 protrudes in the -B direction from the third extending portion 102. The protrusion 108 has, for example, a first protrusion 109 and a second protrusion 113 located in the -A direction with respect to the first protrusion 109. The first protrusion 109 and the second protrusion 113 are integrally formed.

[0063] The first protrusion 109 has an auxiliary inclined surface 111 and a riding surface 112. The auxiliary inclined surface 111 has substantially the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 107 and is continuous with a part of the inclined surface 107. The auxiliary inclined surface 111 extends to the riding surface 112. The riding surface 112 is, for example, a plane along the Y - A plane. The riding surface 112 extends in the -Y direction from the end portion in the -Y direction of the auxiliary inclined surface 111.

[0064] The second protrusion 113 has a support surface 114. The support surface 114 is an inclined surface that slopes obliquely downward from the end portion in the -A direction on the mounting surface 112 such that the height in the -B direction decreases as it goes in the -A direction. As viewed in the -Y direction, the angle formed by the support surface 114 and the +A direction is about 30° as an example.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, the recess 116 is, for example, a portion formed in the leg portion 103 and opening in the +Y direction. The inside of the recess 116 communicates with the space portion 105. The recess 116 is formed in a U shape as viewed in the -B direction. The width of the recess 116 in the Y direction is wider than the width of the flange 73 (FIG. 3) in the Y direction. Thus, the lever member 84 has a recess 116 capable of accommodating the -Y direction end portion of the flange 73. When the -Y direction end portion of the flange 73 is located on the bottom wall 38 (FIG. 3) and accommodated in the recess 116, the movement of the flange 73 in the R direction and the A direction is restricted. Note that the movement of the flange 73 in the Y direction has already been restricted.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion 120 guides the lever member 84 in the Y direction. The guide portion 120 has, for example, a screw 122 and an edge portion 126 of the long hole 125. The screw 122 includes a head portion 123 and a columnar shaft portion 124 (FIG. 3) extending in the -X direction from the head portion 123. A male screw portion (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 124. The shaft portion 124 is fastened to the fastening hole 45 (FIG. 3). The head portion 123 is located downstream in the +A direction with respect to the shaft portion 124.

[0067] The long hole 125 extends in the Y direction. The length of the long hole 125 in the Y direction is longer than the length corresponding to the required movement amount of the lever member 84 in the Y direction. Thereby, the lever member 84 can reach the regulation position when regulating the swing of the support holder 64. Also, the lever member 84 can move to the retracted position away from the regulation position. The size of the long hole 125 is such that the shaft portion 124 can be inserted therethrough in the X direction. Here, the lever member 84 is restricted from moving in the Z direction by the edge portion 126 coming into contact with the shaft portion 124 fastened to the side wall 44 in the Z direction. Further, the lever member 84 is restricted from moving in the X direction by being sandwiched between the head portion 123 and the side wall 44 in the X direction. Thus, the lever member 84 is movable in the Y direction.

[0068] As described above, the lever member 84 is provided so as to be able to change the relative position with respect to the deformation portion 60 in the Y direction intersecting the R direction of the support holder 64. Also, the lever member 84 restricts the swinging of the support holder 64 by restricting the movement of the flanges 72, 73 (FIG. 4). The order of arrangement of the flanges 72, 73 and the lever member 84 in the R direction is switched between when the support holder 64 is in the first position and when the support holder 64 is in the second position. Furthermore, the lever member 84 restricts the movement of the flange 73 by being moved toward the flange 73 in contact with the guide frame 36.

[0069] Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described. As patterns of the presence or absence of restricting the swinging of the deformation portion 60 using the lever member 84, the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern will be described. Note that the numbers of the figures in which each member is shown may be omitted from the description. The first pattern is a pattern of applying a crease to the sheet P in accordance with the rigidity against the force acting in the conveyance direction of the sheet P. In other words, the first pattern is a pattern that enables the support holder 64 to swing. As an example of using the first pattern, there may be a case of increasing the rigidity of a sheet P having a relatively low rigidity, or a case of reducing the load acting on the deformation portion 60 at the time of discharging a sheet P having a relatively high rigidity.

[0070] The second pattern is a pattern for forcibly creasing the sheet P. In other words, the second pattern is a pattern for temporarily fixing the support holder 64 in the first position in a state where it protrudes into the conveyance path T. As an example of the case of using the second pattern, although a sheet P having relatively high rigidity is used, in order to enhance the stackability of a plurality of sheets P in the paper discharge tray 13, there may be a case where the sheet P is forcibly creased. Further, when the recording density is high, the rigidity of the sheet P may decrease due to an increase in the amount of ink Q adhering to and penetrating the sheet P. Even in such a case, it is advisable to forcibly crease the sheet P.

[0071] The third pattern is a pattern for prohibiting creasing of the sheet P. In other words, the third pattern is a pattern for temporarily fixing the support holder 64 in the second position in a state where it is retracted from the conveyance path T. As an example of the case of using the third pattern, since the discharged sheet P is processed by another processing device, there may be a case where the processing is affected if the sheet P is creased.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, in the case of the first pattern, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened, and the lever member 84 is moved in the -Y direction. As a result, the swinging of the deformed portion 60 is not restricted by the lever member 84. When the support holder 64 rotates in the -R direction, the flanges 72 and 73 come into contact with the bottom wall 38, thereby restricting the deformed portion 60 from protruding excessively into the conveyance path T. When the support holder 64 rotates in the +R direction, the support holder 64 comes into contact with the lateral portion 55B, thereby restricting the deformed portion 60 from entering excessively inside the guide frame 36.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, in the first pattern, when a sheet P having low rigidity is discharged, the support holder 64 is pressed in the +B direction by the torsion spring 82 (FIG. 4), so that the plurality of serrated rollers 62 come into contact with the sheet P, and creasing is performed on a part of the sheet P in the Y direction. As a result, since the rigidity of the sheet P against the force acting in the -A direction is enhanced, the discharged sheet P is less likely to bend in the +B direction.

[0074] On the other hand, in the first pattern, when the high-rigidity paper P is discharged, the support holder 64 receives a reaction force from the paper P, causing the torsion spring 82 to contract, and the support holder 64 retracts in the -B direction. As a result, the paper P is discharged in a state with a small amount of deformation due to creasing. Since the high-rigidity paper P is discharged with a small amount of deformation, the load acting on the paper P when discharging the paper P can be reduced.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the case of the second pattern, when the flanges 72 and 73 are in contact with the bottom wall 38, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened, and the lever member 84 is moved in the +Y direction. Then, when the -Y direction end portion of the flange 73 is accommodated in the recess 116 (FIG. 6), the rocking of the deformation portion 60 in the +R direction and the -R direction is restricted. In this state, the screw 122 is fastened to the side wall 44 again. The support holder 64 and the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are held in a state of protruding into the conveyance path T (FIG. 2). That is, the deformation portion 60 is held at the first position.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 14, in the second pattern, when the high-rigidity paper P is discharged, since the support holder 64 is pressed in the +B direction by the torsion spring 82 (FIG. 9), the plurality of serrated rollers 62 come into contact with the paper P, and creasing is performed on a part of the paper P in the Y direction. Then, when a plurality of papers P are stacked on the paper discharge tray 13 (FIG. 1), due to the creasing on the paper P, for example, the paper P is less likely to shift in the Y direction, and the stacking property can be improved.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the case of the third pattern, the fastening state of the screw 122 is loosened. Also, the support holder 64 is rotated in the +R direction. At this time, the rotation in the +R direction is continued until the flange 73 is positioned in the -B direction with respect to the protrusion 108. Subsequently, the lever member 84 is moved in the +Y direction. Then, when the -Y direction end of the flange 73 is supported by the protrusion 108, the rotation of the deformation part 60 in the -R direction is restricted. In this state, the screw 122 is fastened to the side wall 44 again. The support holder 64 and the plurality of serrated rollers 62 are held in a state of being retracted from the conveyance path T. That is, the deformation part 60 is held at the second position.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 15, in the third pattern, when the low-rigidity paper P is discharged, the deformation part 60 does not come into contact with the paper P. That is, the paper P is not creased by the deformation part 60. As a result, the paper P is discharged in a substantially natural state where its own weight acts, making it easier to perform processing in other processing devices.

[0079] As described above, according to the printer 10, when the serrated roller 62 comes into contact with the paper P in the deformation part 60, the paper P is creased by the serrated roller 62 applying a pressing force to the paper P. In the non-restricted state, since the support holder 64 can swing in the deformation part 60, creasing according to the basis weight of the paper P can be performed. In the restricted state where the lever member 84 restricts the swinging of the support holder 64 at the first position, since the serrated roller 62 that has come into contact with the paper P does not retract from the conveyance path T, creasing with a certain amount of deformation can be performed on the paper P.

[0080] In the restricted state where the lever member 84 restricts the swinging of the support holder 64 at the second position, since the support holder 64 and the serrated roller 62 are not located in the conveyance path T, it is possible to prevent the paper P from being creased. Further, when the paper P with high rigidity against the force in the +B direction is used, it is possible to prevent a large load from acting on the paper P being discharged. In this way, according to the type of the sheet P or the state of the sheet P, the creasing of the sheet P by the deforming portion 60 is changed in three patterns, so that it is easy to manage the amount of deformation of the sheet P.

[0081] According to the printer 10, by relatively changing the position of the lever member 84 with respect to the deforming portion 60, the restricted state and the non-restricted state are switched, so that it is easy to maintain the restricted state by the lever member 84 after the position is switched. According to the printer 10, compared with the configuration in which the lever member 84 is moved in the discharge direction of the sheet P, the printer 10 can be downsized in the discharge direction of the sheet P.

[0082] According to the printer 10, by guiding the lever member 84 in the Y direction by the guide portion 120, it is possible to suppress the lever member 84 from shifting in a direction intersecting the Y direction. According to the printer 10, since the lever member 84 can be guided in the Y direction by inserting the screw 122 into the long hole 125 and fastening it to the side wall 44, the mechanism of the guide portion 120 can be simplified. Further, since the head 123 of the screw 122 is located downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet P, it is easy to access the screw 122 from the outside of the printer 10.

[0083] According to the printer 10, when the deforming portion 60 comes into contact with the inclined portion 106, the position of the deforming portion 60 in the R direction with respect to the lever member 84 changes. Thereby, until the deforming portion 60 enters the restricted state, the deforming portion 60 is guided by the inclined portion 106, so that the restricted state can be obtained with a simple configuration. According to the printer 10, by interchanging the positions of the flange 73 and the lever member 84 in the R direction, the restricted state of the deforming portion 60 at the first position or the restricted state of the deforming portion 60 at the second position can be obtained, so that the mechanism for obtaining the restricted state can be simplified.

[0084] According to the printer 10, when the flanges 72 and 73 come into contact with the bottom wall 38 of the guide frame 36, the swinging of the support holder 64 in the deforming portion 60 is restricted. Thereby, excessive swinging of the support holder 64 can be suppressed. According to the printer 10, by moving the lever member 84 in one direction toward the flange 73 in contact with the guide frame 36, the movement of the flange 73 and the swing of the support holder 64 are restricted. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the lever member 84 is moved in multiple stages, the restriction of the swing of the support holder 64 can be easily performed.

[0085] According to the printer 10, since at least a part of the flange 73 is accommodated in the recess 116, the degree of freedom of movement of the flange 73 is reduced, so that the restricted state can be maintained. According to the printer 10, since the opening 48 is formed up to the side wall 44 as well as the bottom wall 38, it is possible to prevent the paper P deformed by the deformation part 60 from being caught by the guide frame 36.

[0086] According to the printer 10, the lever member 84 that restricts the swing of the support holder 64 on the side opposite to the conveyance path T side of the guide frame 36 can be operated on the conveyance path T side. Further, since the portion of the opening 48 formed in the side wall 44 is located at a position away from the conveyance path T, a part of the lever member 84 passing through the opening 48 is located at a position away from the conveyance path T. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a part of the paper P bent by the deformation part 60 from being caught by a part of the lever member 84.

[0087] According to the printer 10, when the paper P comes into contact with the guide surface 94, the paper P is guided downstream in the discharge direction. In this way, even if the paper P comes into contact with a part of the lever member 84, the paper P is guided downstream in the discharge direction, so that it is possible to prevent the paper P from being caught by the lever member 84. According to the printer 10, the amount of deformation of the paper P on which the ink Q is ejected can be managed.

[0088] The printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0089] In printer 10, the lever member 84 may move in the A direction or the B direction. The lever member 84 does not necessarily have to move in the axial direction along the axis K passing through the swing center C of the support holder 64 as the intersecting direction. The guide portion 120 is not limited to the configuration of guiding the lever member 84 in the Y direction, and may be configured to guide in a direction different from the Y direction. The guide portion 120 is not limited to being constituted by the screw 122 and the edge portion 126 of the long hole 125, and may be a guide rail provided on the guide frame 36. The inclined portion 106 is not limited to being formed on the lever member 84, and may be formed on the flange 73. Alternatively, the inclined portion 106 may be formed on both the lever member 84 and the flange 73.

[0090] In printer 10, the support holder 64 may not have the flanges 72 and 73, and other parts of the support holder 64 may be restricted by the lever member 84. The flanges 72 and 73 may directly receive the pressing force from the pressing portion. The lever member 84 is not limited to moving only in one direction toward the flange 73, and may move while switching the moving direction in multiple steps. The lever member 84 may not have the recess 116, and may only restrict the movement of the flange 73 in the R direction. The moving method of the lever member 84 is not limited to the method of manually moving by an operator, and may be automatically moved using a motor or a solenoid.

[0091] In printer 10, the opening 48 may not have the second opening 48B. The lever member 84 may be housed on the side opposite to the conveyance path T side and be operated through the opening 48. The lever member 84 may not have the guide surface 94 formed thereon. In printer 10, the line head 28 may be removed and configured as a discharge device that simply discharges the paper P. A plurality of deformation portions 60 may be connected in the Y direction, and each deformation portion 60 may be swung substantially simultaneously. Also, a selective configuration may be adopted in which some of the plurality of deformation portions 60 are swung simultaneously and the rest are swung individually.

[0092] The contact portion is not limited to the plurality of serrated rollers 62, and may be a rib protruding from the support holder 64 in the +B direction. Further, the contact portion may be a belt member rotated using a pulley. The plurality of serrated rollers 62 may be driven by a motor. The pressing portion is not limited to the torsion spring 82, and may be configured to utilize the elastic deformation of the support holder 64. That is, the support holder 64 may also serve as the holding portion and the pressing portion. The pressing portion is not limited to the configuration that utilizes elastic force, and may be a configuration that presses using the repulsive force of magnets with the same polarity.

[0093] The restricting portion may be configured by separately provided members such as a first restricting portion that restricts the rocking in the +R direction and a second restricting portion that restricts the rocking in the -R direction, or may be a configuration that restricts the rocking in the +R direction and the rocking in the -R direction with one member. Further, the restriction of the deformed portion is not limited to the restriction by contact, and may be a non-contact restriction using magnetic force. The restricting portion may be provided movably with respect to the deformed portion. The guide portion may be provided on the restricting portion or may be provided on the apparatus main body.

[0094] The flange on one end side in the Y direction may be used to restrict the first rocking (+R direction rotation) of the deformed portion, and the flange on the other end side may be used to restrict the second rocking (-R direction rotation) of the deformed portion. Further, the restricting portion may be provided on both axial sides with respect to the deformed portion.

Explanation of Signs

[0095] 10…Printer, 12…Main body portion, 12A…Main body frame, 12B…Housing, 13…Paper discharge tray, 14…Paper cassette, 16…Pickup roller, 17…Conveyor roller pair, 18…Conveyor roller pair, 19…Manual feed tray, 22…Conveying portion, 23…Conveyor belt, 24…Conveyor roller pair, 25…Flap, 26…Separation roller pair, 27…Ink tank, 28…Line head, 30…Control portion, 34…Guide frame, 34A... Curved surface part, 34B... Flat part, 36... Guide frame, 37... Through hole, 38... Bottom wall, 38A... Contact surface, 38B... Paper guiding surface, 39... Through hole, 44... Side wall, 45... Fastening hole, 46... Upper wall, 48... Opening, 48A... First opening part, 48B... Second opening part, 49... Regulation wall, 51... Mounting plate, 52... Discharge roller, 52A... Shaft part, 52B... Elastic part, 53A... Vertical wall, 53B... Vertical wall, 54... Serrated roller unit, 54A... Unit body, 54B... Serrated roller, 55... Hanging part, 55A... Vertical part, 55B... Horizontal part, 55C... Extension part, 56... Serrated roller unit, 56A... Unit body, 56B... Serrated roller, 57... Driven roller, 58... Support roller, 60... Deformation part, 62... Serrated roller, 64... Support holder, 64A... Base end part, 64B... Free end part, 65... Rotation shaft part, 66... Bottom plate part, 66A... Slit, 67... Side plate part, 67A... Inclined surface, 68... Side plate part, 68A... Inclined surface, 69... Front wall, 69A... Upper surface, 71... Rear wall, 72... Flange, 73... Flange, 74... Rib, 76... Relief part, 82A... Winding part, 82B... Arm part, 84... Lever member, 86... Operation part, 86A... Side surface, 88... Insertion part, 88A... Bottom surface, 92... First extending part, 93... Rib, 94... Guiding surface, 96... Second extending part, 97... Rib, 98... Depressed part, 99... Leg part, 101... Vertical wall, 102... Third extending part, 103... Leg part, 105... Space part, 106... Inclined part, 107... Inclined surface, 108... Protrusion part, 109... First protrusion part, 111... Auxiliary inclined surface, 112... Riding surface, 113... Second protrusion part, 114... Support surface, 116... Concave part, 120... Guide part, 122... Screw, 123... Head, 124... Shaft part, 125... Long hole, 126... Edge part, C... Swing center, K... Shaft, P... Paper, Q... Ink, T... Conveying path, T1... Main conveying path, T2... Discharge path, T3... Feeding path, T4…Switchback path, T5…Transmission path

Claims

1. An apparatus main body provided with a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed; a contact portion that contacts the sheet discharged from the conveyance path; and a holding portion having a free end that holds the contact portion and a base end held by the apparatus main body, the contact portion being swingable between a first position when the contact portion is located in the conveyance path and a second position when the contact portion is not located in the conveyance path, and a pressing portion that presses the holding portion from the second position toward the first position, and a deforming portion that deforms the sheet by contacting the contact portion with the sheet; a restricting portion capable of switching between a restricting state that restricts the swinging of the holding portion at the first position and the second position and a non-restricting state that does not restrict the swinging of the holding portion; comprising the restricting portion is provided so as to be able to change a relative position with respect to the deforming portion in an intersecting direction that intersects the swinging direction of the holding portion; a discharge device, characterized in that.

2. In the discharge device according to Claim 1, the restricting portion moves in an axial direction along an axis passing through the swing center of the holding portion as the intersecting direction; a discharge device, characterized in that.

3. In the discharge device according to Claim 2, comprising a guiding portion that guides the restricting portion in the axial direction; a discharge device, characterized in that.

4. In the discharge device according to Claim 3, the guiding portion has a screw having a head portion and a shaft portion, and an edge portion of a long hole that extends in the axial direction and through which the shaft portion is inserted, the head portion is located downstream in the discharge direction of the sheet with respect to the shaft portion; a discharge device, characterized in that.

5. In the discharge device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, an inclined portion is provided along a direction intersecting the intersecting direction, the inclined portion changes the position of the deforming portion with respect to the restricting portion in the swinging direction by relatively moving the restricting portion and the deforming portion in the intersecting direction; a discharge device, characterized in that.

6. In the discharge device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the holding portion has a flange, the restricting portion restricts the swinging of the holding portion by restricting the movement of the flange, the order of arrangement of the flange and the restricting portion in the swinging direction is reversed between when the holding portion is in the first position and when the holding portion is in the second position; a discharge device, characterized in that.

7. In the discharge device according to Claim 6, The flange contacts the apparatus main body by receiving a pressing force from the pressing portion in the non-restricted state of the restricting portion. The discharging device is characterized by this.

8. In the discharging device according to claim 7, the restricting portion restricts the movement of the flange by being moved toward the flange that is in contact with the apparatus main body. The discharging device is characterized by this.

9. In the discharging device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the restricting portion has a recess capable of accommodating at least a part of the flange. The discharging device is characterized by this.

10. In the discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the apparatus main body includes a path member having a bottom wall forming a part of the conveyance path and a side wall erected downstream of the bottom wall in the discharge direction of the sheet. The path member has an opening formed across the bottom wall and the side wall and through which the deformed portion can pass. The discharging device is characterized by this.

11. In the discharging device according to claim 10, the restricting portion is provided across the side wall opening from the conveyance path side to the side opposite to the conveyance path side with respect to the path member. The discharging device is characterized by this.

12. In the discharging device according to claim 11, the restricting portion has a guide surface for guiding the sheet downstream in the discharge direction. The discharging device is characterized by this.

13. In the discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the apparatus main body includes a discharge portion for discharging liquid toward the sheet. The discharging device is characterized by this.

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