Image recording device

Abstract

To provide means that enables easy jam processing in an image formation device that has a cutting part downstream of the second transport passage for two-sided printing.SOLUTION: The image formation device includes: a recording part that conducts the image recording on a sheet transported on a first transport passage; a discharge roller pair 27 that is located downstream of the recording part in the transport direction; a reverse roller pair 28 that is located downstream of the discharge roller pair 27 in the transport direction in the first transport passage; a first guide member that has a first guide surface 135 that defines a second transport passage that extends from the first position between the discharge roller pair 27 and the reverse roller pair 28; and a cutting part that is located between the first position and the reverse roller pair 28 and cuts the sheet. The cutting part has a fixed blade 95, and the first guide member makes a postural change between a first posture that defines the second transport passage and a second posture that opens the second transport passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus provided with a cutting unit.

Background Art

[0002] As an image recording apparatus provided with a cutting unit for cutting a sheet, for example, an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a cutting unit for cutting copy paper on which an image is formed, and the copy paper that has been conveyed and printed inside the image forming apparatus is cut and discharged. This image forming apparatus prints and cuts on one side of the copy paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When printing on both sides of a recording sheet, a re-conveying path may be connected to the conveying path, and the recording sheet printed on the first side may be returned from the re-conveying path to the conveying path to reverse the front and back of the recording sheet, and printing may be performed on the second side. Conventionally, there has been no device in which a cutter for cutting a recording sheet is disposed downstream in the conveying direction from the connection position with the re-conveying path.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a means that can easily perform jam processing in an image recording apparatus provided with a cutting unit downstream of a second conveying path for double-sided printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The image recording device according to the present invention includes: a recording unit that records an image on a sheet being transported in the transport direction along a first transport path; a first roller located downstream of the recording unit in the transport direction along the first transport path; a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the transport direction along the first transport path; a first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from a connection point between the first roller and the second roller in the first transport path; and a cutting unit located between the connection point and the second roller in the first transport path, which cuts the sheet. The cutting unit has a cutter, and the first guide member changes its posture between a first posture that demarcates the second transport path and a second posture that opens the second transport path.

[0007] By positioning the first guide member in the second orientation, the second transport path is opened, allowing the user to reach inside the image recording device and perform jam removal work.

[0008] (2) Preferably, the device further includes a protective member that covers the area below the cutter.

[0009] Since the protective member covers the bottom of the cutter, it is difficult for the user to touch the cutter when accessing the internal space of the image recording device from below the cutter. In addition, dust generated by cutting the sheet is less likely to fall downwards due to the protective member.

[0010] (3) Preferably, in the conveying direction, the first distance from the downstream end of the protective member in the conveying direction to the second roller is shorter than the second distance from the cutter to the second roller in the conveying direction.

[0011] The user is less likely to touch the cutter.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the first guide member further has a second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which defines the second transport path, the cutter extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction and is located downstream of the second guide member in the transport direction, and the first guide member changes its position between the first and second positions by rotation.

[0013] Since the second support member is located upstream of the cutter in the direction of transport, it is difficult for the user to touch the cutter from the upstream direction of transport.

[0014] (5) Preferably, the upper end of the second guide member is located above the cutter.

[0015] The user is less likely to touch the cutter.

[0016] (6) Preferably, the cutting section further comprises a carriage that moves in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and a movable blade mounted on the carriage, wherein a guide rail for guiding the carriage is connected to a pair of side frames, the cutter is connected to the pair of side frames, and the second guide member is connected to the pair of side frames.

[0017] The relative positions of the moving blade, cutter, and second guide member can be assembled with high precision, ensuring that the sheet is cut reliably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, jamming is easily handled in an image recording device capable of double-sided printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an image recording device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the image recording device 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main configuration of the image recording apparatus 10. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the guide rail 81 of the image recording apparatus 10 is fixed to the side frames 121 and 122. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the cutting portion 45 of the image recording apparatus 10. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cutter 83 and the fixed blade 95. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the first guide member 130 of the image recording apparatus 10. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the first guide member 130 in the first posture. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first guide member 130 in the second posture. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the first guide member 130 is further rotated clockwise from the state of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an image recording operation. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an image recording operation. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an image recording operation. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an image recording operation.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of how the present invention is concretized, and the embodiments can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction in which the opening 13 faces in the printer unit 11 will be referred to as forward 51, and the opposite direction to forward will be referred to as rearward 52. The front and rear together will be referred to as the front-rear direction 51, 52 (an example of a transport direction). The up and down directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction 51, 52 will be referred to as the up and down direction 53, 54. The directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction 51, 52 and the up and down direction 53, 54 will be referred to as the left-right direction 55, 56. The upward direction in the up and down direction 53, 54 will be referred to as upward 53, and the downward direction will be referred to as downward 54. When viewing the image recording device 10 from the rearward direction 52, the leftward direction in the left-right direction 55, 56 will be referred to as leftward 55, and the rightward direction will be referred to as rightward 56.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the image recording device 10 is a multifunction device that integrates a printer unit 11 located at the bottom and a scanner unit 12 located at the top. The image recording device 10 has printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile functions. However, the image recording device 10 does not necessarily need to have a scanner unit 12; it may be implemented as a single-function printer without scanning or copying functions.

[0022] The image recording device 10 is primarily used in conjunction with external information equipment (not shown), such as a computer. The printer unit 11 records images on the sheet 16 based on print data received from this external information equipment or image data of a document scanned by the scanner unit 12. An operation panel 19 is provided on the upper front of the image recording device 10. The operation panel 19 is equipped with a display for showing various information and input keys for receiving information input. The image recording device 10 operates based on instruction information input from the operation panel 19 or instruction information transmitted from external information equipment via a printer driver, scanner driver, etc.

[0023] The scanner unit 12 is located above the printer unit 11. The scanner unit 12 is a so-called flatbed scanner. The scanner unit 12 has a scanner body 12a located above the printer unit 11 and a document cover 12b located above the scanner body 12a. The top surface of the scanner body 12a is provided with a platen glass (not shown) on which the document is placed. Inside the scanner body 12a is an image sensor (not shown) capable of optically reading the image of the document on the platen glass. The document cover 12b is provided with an ADF 12c, which is an automatic document feeder (ADF) that picks up and transports multiple documents one by one for which images are read.

[0024] [Printer section 11] The configuration of the printer unit 11 will be explained below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Note that in Figure 2, the paper feed cassette 14 is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer unit 11 has a housing 20. The housing 20 houses a paper feed cassette 14, a paper feed cassette 15, a recording unit 17, a cutting unit 45, and other functional components. Below the operation panel 19 on the front of the housing 20 is an opening 13. The opening 13 is located approximately in the center of the front of the housing 20 in the left-right direction 55, 56. The opening 13 is formed in a long rectangular shape in the left-right direction 55, 56. The opening 13 extends from the top to the bottom of the front of the housing 20.

[0026] The housing 20 has an internal space 20a extending rearward from the opening 13. The internal space 20a is in communication with the first transport path 21, which will be described later. The upper end of the internal space 20a is demarcated by an upper wall portion 71 that extends rearward 52 from the upper end of the opening 13. The internal space 20a extends to the lower end of the housing 20. The upper wall portion 71 separates the internal space 20a from the circuit board housing space 65 located behind the operation panel 19. The circuit board housing space 65 houses a control board 66 (an example of a control unit) on which electronic circuits electrically connected to the operation panel 19, recording head 37, sensors, rotary encoder, motor drive circuit, etc., are mounted.

[0027] On the front of the housing 20, an opening / closing cover 41 is attached to the right of the opening 13. When the opening / closing cover 41 is opened, the cartridge mounting space is opened, and the ink cartridge 40 that stores ink can be attached to or removed from the housing 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 40 is located in front of the recording unit 17 in the housing 20. In this embodiment, four ink cartridges 40, each holding four different colored inks, can be attached to the housing 20. Each ink cartridge 40 supplies ink to the recording head 37 of the recording unit 17 through a tube 44.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the paper feed cassettes 14 and 15 are mounted in the housing 20 with the paper feed cassettes inserted into the opening 13. The paper feed cassettes 14 and 15 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 20 along the front-rear directions 51 and 52. When mounted in the housing 20, the paper feed cassette 14 is located below the paper feed cassette 15. As shown in Figure 2, the paper feed cassette 15 holds multiple sheets of standard size 16 stacked on top of it. Standard sheet sizes include A3, A4, and B5 sizes according to Japanese Industrial Standards. An output tray 18 is located above the paper feed cassette 15. The output tray 18 supports the sheets 16 discharged from the first transport path 21. In this embodiment, two types of paper feed cassettes 14 and 15 are provided, but the paper feed cassette 14 may be omitted.

[0029] The paper feed cassette 15 holds multiple sheets 16. The paper feed cassette 15 is formed in a container shape with a portion of the rear side (left side in Figure 2) of the image recording device 10 open. The sheets 16 are held in a stacked state in the internal space of the paper feed cassette 15. The output tray 18 of the paper feed cassette 15 is formed on the front side (right side in Figure 2) of the image recording device 10. Figure 2 shows the paper feed cassette 15 inserted into the housing 20.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 20 is equipped with a transport unit 43 that transports sheets 16 from the paper feed cassette 15 to the paper output tray 18 along the first transport path 21. The first transport path 21 is a so-called U-turn path that curves upward 53 and forward 51 from the paper feed cassette 15 to the recording head 37, and then extends linearly forward 51 from the recording head 37 to the paper output tray 18. The downstream end of the first transport path 21 communicates with the internal space 20a. The direction from the paper feed cassette 15 to the paper output tray 18 is referred to as the first transport direction 57. In the first transport path 21, from upstream of the first transport direction 57, the following components are arranged in order: PF roller pair 25, recording head 37 and platen 36, discharge roller pair 27 (an example of the first roller), cutting unit 45, and reversing roller pair 28 (an example of the second roller).

[0031] Inside the housing 20, the second transport path 22 is connected at a first position 21A (an example of a connection position) downstream of the discharge roller pair 27 of the first transport path 21 in the first transport direction 57 and upstream of the cutting section 45, and at a second position 21B upstream of the PF roller pair 25 in the first transport direction 57. The second transport path 22 is a transport path for transporting a sheet that has been transported along the first transport path 21, had an image recorded on the first surface by the recording head 37, and then transported downstream of the discharge roller pair 27 in the first transport direction 57, to the upstream of the first transport direction 57 from the recording head 37 of the first transport path 21 in order to record an image on the second surface. The second transport path 22 extends downward 54 and backward 52 from the first position 21A, passes over the first guide member 130, the second guide member 74, and the paper feed cassette 15 (described later), and reaches the second position 21B, which is located in the curved portion of the first transport path 21. The direction from the reversing roller pair 28 toward the first position 21A and the second position 21B is referred to as the second conveying direction 58.

[0032] The paper feed roller 32 is located above the paper feed cassette 15. The paper feed roller 32 is mounted on the tip of the arm 33 so as to be rotatable with the left and right directions 55, 56 as the axial direction. The base end of the arm 33 is rotatable around the axis 34. As the arm 33 rotates, the paper feed roller 32 moves in a direction toward and toward the paper feed cassette 15. The arm 33 is rotated toward the paper feed cassette 15 due to the weight of the paper feed roller 32. As a result, the paper feed roller 32 comes into contact with the top sheet 16 of the multiple sheets 16 stacked on the paper feed cassette 15. When the paper feed roller 32 rotates in this state, the top sheet 16 is sent from the paper feed cassette 15 to the first transport path 21.

[0033] The PF roller pair 25 is located near the downstream end of the first transport direction 57 in the curved portion of the first transport path 21. The PF roller pair 25 is rotatable with the left-right direction 55, 56 as its axis. The PF roller pair 25 rotates when driven by a motor (not shown). The sheet 16 fed by the paper feed roller 32 is caught between the PF roller pair 25 and transported downwards to the recording head 37 in the first transport direction 57. Although not shown in the figure, the amount of rotation of the PF roller pair 25 is detected, for example, by a rotary encoder. The detection signal from the rotary encoder is output to the control board 66.

[0034] The discharge roller pair 27 is located downstream of the PF roller pair 25 and the first transport direction 57 of the recording head 37 in the first transport path 21. The discharge roller pair 27 rotates in sync with the PF roller pair 25 by receiving power from a motor (not shown). The sheet 16 transported by the PF roller pair 25 is caught between the discharge roller pair 27 and transported in the first transport direction 57. The discharge roller pair 27 has a discharge roller 27a driven by the control unit 66 and a driven roller 27b that follows the rotation of the discharge roller 27a.

[0035] The reversing roller pair 28 is located downstream of the discharge roller pair 27 and the first position 21A in the first transport direction 57 in the first transport path 21. The reversing roller pair 28 rotates in either forward or reverse direction when driven by a motor (not shown). The forward-rotating reversing roller pair 28 transports the sheet 16, which is sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 27 and transported in the first transport direction 57, to the paper output tray 18. The reverse-rotating reversing roller pair 28 transports the sheet 16 in the direction toward the first position 21A from the reversing roller pair 28, i.e., the second transport direction 58. The reversing roller pair 28 has a reversing roller 28a driven by the control unit 66 and a driven roller 28b that follows the rotation of the reversing roller 28a.

[0036] An intermediate roller pair 24 is located in the second transport path 58. The intermediate roller pair 24 is rotatable with its axis in the left-right direction 55, 56. The intermediate roller pair 24 rotates when power is transmitted from a motor (not shown). The sheet 16, which is transported from the first position 21A along the second transport path 22 in the second transport direction 58, is sandwiched between the intermediate roller pair 24 and transported toward the second position 21B.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the sensor 38 is positioned upstream of the PF roller pair 25 in the first transport direction 57 on the first transport path 21. The sensor 38 detects the leading and trailing ends of the sheet 16 being transported in the curved portion of the first transport path 21. The sensor 38 detects, for example, a rotating body that rotates by contacting the sheet 16 using an optical sensor. The detection signal output by the sensor 38 is output to the control board 66.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the recording unit 17 is located in the first transport path 21 between the PF roller pair 25 and the discharge roller pair 27. The recording unit 17 records an image on the sheet 16. The recording unit 17 includes a carriage 35 located above the first transport path 21, a platen 36 located below the first transport path 21, and a recording head 37 mounted on the carriage 35.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the recording head 37 is an inkjet type that receives cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) inks from the ink cartridge 40 through tubes 44 and ejects each ink as a tiny ink droplet. As the carriage 35 reciprocates in the left-right direction 55, 56, ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 37, thereby recording an image onto the sheet 16 being transported on the platen 36.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the carriage 35 is separated in the front-rear direction 51, 52 and is supported by guide frames 61, 62, which extend in the left-right direction 55, 56. The carriage 35 is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction 55, 56, straddling the guide frames 61, 62. The rearmost guide frame 61 is a flat plate whose length in the left-right direction 55, 56 is longer than the reciprocating range of the carriage 35, and the upper surface of the guide frame 61 slidably supports the rear end of the carriage 35. As shown in Figure 5, the front end 35a of the carriage 35 has a portion that overlaps with the guide frame 62 in the vertical direction 53, 54, thereby preventing the carriage 35 from coming off the guide frame 62 upwards.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the front-facing guide frame 62 is a flat plate with lengths 55 and 56 in the left-right direction being approximately the same as that of the guide frame 61, and the edge 63 that supports the front end of the carriage 35 is bent at approximately a right angle toward the upward direction 53. The carriage 35 is slidably supported on the upper surface of the guide frame 62, and the edge 63 is held by rollers or the like (not shown). Therefore, the carriage 35 is slidably supported on the guide frames 61 and 62 and can reciprocate in the left-right direction 55 and 56 with respect to the edge 63 of the guide frame 62.

[0042] A belt drive mechanism 46 is positioned on the upper surface of the guide frame 62. The belt drive mechanism 46 consists of an endless annular belt 49 with teeth on the inside stretched between a first pulley 47 and a second pulley 48, which are provided near both ends 55 and 56 in the left-right direction of the first transport path 21. The first pulley 47 and the second pulley 48 are positioned at both ends of the region in which the carriage 35 reciprocates. A driving force is input to the shaft of the first pulley 47 from a CR motor (not shown), which is a drive source, causing the first pulley 47 to rotate. The rotation of the first pulley 47 causes the belt 49 to move circumferentially, and the second pulley 48 is driven by it. In addition to the endless annular belt 49, the belt 49 may also be a belt with ends fixed to the carriage 35 at both ends.

[0043] The carriage 35 is fixed to the belt 49. The connection between the carriage 35 and the belt 49 is not shown in detail in each figure, but when the belt 49 is connected to the carriage 35, it is slightly pulled upward. This generates tension in the belt 49 that causes it to elastically return downward, and this tension elastically biases the carriage 35 to the guide frames 61 and 62. As described above, when the belt 49 moves circumferentially, the carriage 35 reciprocates on the guide frames 61 and 62 with the edge 63 as the reference point. A recording head 37 is mounted on this carriage 35, and the recording head 37 is capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction 55, 56 of the first transport path 21 as the main scanning direction.

[0044] The tubes 44 are made of synthetic resin and are flexible, bending in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the carriage 35. Four tubes 44 are provided, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 40. One end of each tube 44 is connected to a case (not shown) that houses the ink cartridges 40. The other end of each tube 44 is connected to the recording head 37 on the carriage 35. Each tube 44 extends from the carriage 35 in the front-to-back direction 51, 52 between the carriage 35 and the ink cartridges 40, curving to the left in a U-turn to the right, and is fixed to the housing 20 at a fixed position 96. Tubes 44 are appropriately positioned from the fixed position 96 to the case of the ink cartridges 40. As the carriage 35 moves along the left-to-right direction 55, 56, each tube 44 follows the carriage 35, changing its U-turn curved shape.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, the flap 73 is located downstream of the discharge roller pair 27 in the first transport direction 57 in the first transport path 21, and directly upstream of the first position 21A in the first transport direction 57. The flap 73 extends forward 51 and upward 53 from the axis of the lower roller of the discharge roller pair 27. The extended end of the flap 73 is near the first position 21A. The length of the flap 73 in the left-right direction 55, 56 may extend over the entire area of ​​the image recording area A1, or multiple flaps 73 shorter than the image recording area A1 may be arranged in the left-right direction 55, 56 with spacing between them. The flap 73 is rotatable about the axis of the lower roller of the discharge roller pair 27. The flap 73 is biased by a spring (not shown) and held in the position (shown in Figure 2) extending forward 51 and upward 53 from the axis of the lower roller of the discharge roller pair 27. When a sheet 16 being transported from the discharge roller pair 27 in the first transport direction 57 comes into contact with the upper surface of the flap 73, the flap 73 rotates clockwise in Figure 2 against the spring bias. As a result, the sheet 16 being transported in the first transport direction 57 passes over the flap 73 and reaches the reversing roller pair 28. On the other hand, when a sheet 16 being transported from the reversing roller pair 28 in the second transport direction 58 comes into contact with the flap 73, the sheet 16 is guided by the lower surface of the flap 73 and enters the second transport path 22 from the first position 21A.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the cutting section 45 is connected to a pair of side frames 121 and 122 that extend in the left-right directions 55 and 56. The cutting section 45 moves along the intersecting direction P1 (left-right directions 55 and 56) that intersects the first conveying direction 57, and cuts the sheet 16 that is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 27 and the reversing roller pair 28.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cutting section 45 includes a guide rail 81 extending along the left-right directions 55 and 56, a cutter carriage (an example of a carriage) 82 that moves in the intersecting direction P1 guided by the guide rail 81, a movable blade 83 mounted on the cutter carriage 82, and a fixed blade (an example of a cutter) 95. In Figure 5, the endless belt 90, which will be described later, is shown in cross-section to make the structure of the cutting section 45 easier to understand. Also, in Figure 2, the cutting section 45 is shown in a simplified manner with detailed configurations omitted.

[0048] The guide rail 81 has a flattened shape that extends along the left-right directions 55 and 56. Both ends of the guide rail 81 in the left-right directions 55 and 56 are fixed to the side frames 121 and 122, which support the rotation axes of the discharge roller pair 27. The length of the guide rail 81 in the left-right directions 55 and 56 is longer than the length of the first transport path 21 in the left-right directions 55 and 56. The left and right ends of the guide rail 81 extend outward from the image recording area A1.

[0049] The guide rail 81 includes a base plate 81a extending in the left-right directions 55, 56, a first upright plate 81b extending upward from the rear end of the base plate 81a, a first extension plate 81c extending backward 52 from the upper end of the first upright plate 81b, a second upright plate 81d extending upward from the front end of the base plate 81a, and a second extension plate 81e extending forward 51 from the upper end of the second upright plate 81d. The base plate 81a, the first upright plate 81b, the first extension plate 81c, the second upright plate 81d, and the second extension plate 81e are formed by bending a single rectangular steel plate.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cutter carriage 82 is located between the first position 21A and the reversing roller pair 28, that is, downstream of the first position 21A in the first transport direction 57 and upstream of the reversing roller pair 28 in the first transport path 21. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when stopped, the cutter carriage 82 is located to the left of the image recording area A1. The image recording area A1 is the maximum width for which ink is ejected from the recording head 37, which reciprocates with the carriage 35, and an image is recorded on the sheet 16. If the maximum size that can be recorded by the printer unit 11 is A4 size, then the image recording area A1 is slightly wider than the width of A4 size.

[0051] The cutter carriage 82 cuts the sheet 16 by moving to the right 56 ​​from a stopping position to the left of the image recording area A1 (the position of the cutter carriage 82 shown by the dashed line in Figure 3). The cutting section 45 cuts, for example, one A4-sized sheet 16 into two A5-sized sheets 16.

[0052] The cutter carriage 82 has a cutter holding portion 82a that holds the movable blade 83, a connecting portion 82b that is connected to the guide rail 81, and an arm portion that runs along the bottom of the fixed blade 95. The cutter holding portion 82a is located behind the guide rail 81. The cutter holding portion 82a may also be located in front of the guide rail 81. The cutter holding portion 82a extends downward from the guide rail 81. The movable blade 83 is supported by the cutter holding portion 82a, protruding downward from the lower end of the cutter holding portion 82a. The movable blade 83 is disc-shaped and is rotatably supported by the cutter holding portion 82a with the front-rear direction 51, 52 as its axis.

[0053] The connecting portion 82b extends forward 51 from the cutter holding portion 82a and is connected to the guide rail 81. The connecting portion 82b has a first contact portion 84 that abuts the upper surface of the first extension plate 81c, a second contact portion 85 that can abut the lower surface of the second extension plate 81e, a third contact portion 86 that abuts the rearward-facing surface 52 of the first upright plate 81b, a fourth contact portion 87 that abuts the forward-facing surface 51 of the first upright plate 81b, a fifth contact portion 88 that abuts the upper surface of the second extension plate 81e, and a sixth contact portion 89 that can abut the lower surface of the first extension plate 81c.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the arm portion 82d is located to the lower left of the cutter holder portion 82a. The arm portion 82d extends downward from the cutter holder portion 82a, then bends backward, and then bends upward so that its tip portion 82e lies along the lower surface of the fixed blade 95. The arm portion 82d is positioned so that its tip portion 82e contacts the lower surface of the fixed blade 95 when the cutter holder portion 82a vibrates in the vertical direction 53, 54. Although not shown in the figures, the cutter holder portion 82a has a spring that biases the movable blade 83 backward 52. The movable blade 83 is biased backward 52 by the spring and contacts the cutting edge 95a of the fixed blade 95. As a result, the sheet 16 can be reliably cut by the movable blade 83 and the fixed blade 95. The arm portion 82d prevents the movable blade 83 from riding up onto the fixed blade 95, even if the cutter holding portion 82a vibrates in the vertical direction 53, 54 or if the position of the fixed blade 95 shifts in the vertical direction 53, 54.

[0055] The guide rail 81 supports the cutter carriage 82 downward by contacting the first contact portion 84 and the fifth contact portion 88. This positions the cutter carriage 82 in the vertical directions 53 and 54. The guide rail 81 also positions the cutter carriage 82 in the longitudinal directions 51 and 52 by contacting the third contact portion 86 and the fourth contact portion 87, respectively. When the cutter carriage 82 moves upward relative to the guide rail 81, at least one of the second contact portion 85 or the sixth contact portion 89 comes into contact with the guide rail 81. This prevents the cutter carriage 82 from moving upward away from the guide rail 81.

[0056] The cutter holding portion 82a has an inclined surface 82c on its upper outer surface. The inclined surface 82c faces backward 52 and upward 53. When viewed from the left and right directions 55, 56, the inclined surface 82c overlaps with the front end 35a of the carriage 35 in the vertical directions 53, 54 and the front-to-back directions 51, 52. As a result, the image recording device 10 is miniaturized in the vertical directions 53, 54 and the front-to-back directions 51, 52. By providing the inclined surface 82c to the cutter holding portion 82a, the front part of the cutter holding portion 82a, i.e. the part close to the connecting portion 82b, is made thicker in the vertical directions 53, 54 and the front-to-back directions 51, 52 to provide strength, while reducing the gap between the cutter carriage 82 and the carriage 35.

[0057] The cutter carriage 82 is driven by a drive mechanism 101. The drive mechanism 101 includes a drive pulley 102 and a driven pulley 103 located on the upper surface of the substrate 81a, and an endless belt 90 stretched between the drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 103. The drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 103 are located at both ends 55 and 56 in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the substrate 81a. The drive pulley 102 and the driven pulley 103 rotate around axes along the vertical directions 53 and 54. The drive force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the drive pulley 102. The endless belt 90 is connected to the cutter carriage 82 in front of the fourth contact portion 87 of the connecting portion 82b of the cutter carriage 82. When the drive pulley 102 rotates, the endless belt 90 moves circumferentially, and the driven pulley 103 moves in response. The circumferential motion of the endless belt 90 causes the cutter carriage 82 to reciprocate 55 and 56 in the left-right direction along the guide rail 81.

[0058] A fixed blade 95 is located below the cutter holding portion 82a of the cutter carriage 82. The fixed blade 95 is connected to a pair of side frames 121 and 122 and extends in left-right directions 55 and 56 across the image recording area A1, intersecting the transport direction 57. The cutting edge 95a of the fixed blade 95 is in contact with the movable blade 83 from the rear. The sheet 16 is cut by being sandwiched between the movable blade 83 and the fixed blade 95.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, the protective member 110 is positioned below the cutter carriage 82 and covers the lower part of the movable blade 83. The protective member 110 is made of, for example, a bent steel plate and is connected to the fixed blade 95, thereby restricting the movement of the fixed blade 95 in the front-rear direction 51, 52 and downward direction 54. The protective member 110 extends along the left-right direction 55, 56 and both ends are connected to a pair of side frames 121, 122. The protective member 110 has an upper piece 111 that abuts the lower surface of the tip side of the fixed blade 95, a middle piece 112 that extends from the rear end of the upper piece 111 and along the front surface of the base end side of the fixed blade 95, and a lower piece 113 that extends from the lower end of the middle piece 112 in the front-rear direction 51, 52 so as to cover the movable blade 83. The lower piece 113 has a plurality of notches formed in it that are spaced apart in the left-right direction 55, 56. The lower piece 113 covers the area below the fixed blade 95.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, the first guide member 130 is connected to the reversing roller 28a. As shown in Figure 2, the first guide member 130 is located below the recording unit 17 and below the cutter carriage 82. The first guide member 130 has a main body 116, a connecting portion 117, a first guide surface 135, and ribs 118.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, the main body portion 116 has a shape in which the thickness increases from front to rear and extends in the left-right direction 55, 56. The main body portion 116 is formed flat between adjacent ribs 118.

[0062] The connecting portion 117 is formed in a substantially U-shape in cross-section. The connecting portion 117 is rotatably supported on the axis of the reversing roller 28a.

[0063] The first guide surface 135 is a surface that extends along the front-rear directions 51, 52 on the upper rear surface of the main body 116. The first guide surface 135 partitions a portion of the lower part of the second transport path 22 and supports the sheet 16 being transported in the second transport direction 58.

[0064] The ribs 118 have a predetermined thickness in the left-right direction and extend in the front-back and up-down directions. The ribs 118 reinforce the main body 116. The ribs 118 are positioned in front of the upper surface of the main body 116. Multiple ribs 118 are provided on the upper surface of the main body 116, spaced apart in the left-right directions 55, 56. Each rib 118 is positioned to fit into a notch in the protective member 110 when the main body 116 rotates around the reversing roller 28a and is aligned below the second guide member 74 and the protective member 110.

[0065] As shown in Figures 2 and 8, the second guide member 74 is located between the first guide surface 135 of the first guide member 130 and the reversing roller pair 28. The second guide member 74 is located downstream of the first guide surface 135 of the first guide member 130 in the first transport direction 57, and upstream of the fixed blade 95 of the cutting section 45 in the first transport direction 57. The second guide member 74 is fixed to the protective member 110 with screws or the like. The second guide member 74 extends in the left-right directions 55, 56 across the image recording area A1. The upper surface of the second guide member 74 is the second guide surface 119. The second guide surface 119 demarcates a portion of the lower part of the second transport path 22 near the first position 21A. The second guide surface 119 is an inclined surface that rises upward toward the downstream direction of the transport direction 57. In other words, the second guide surface 119 extends downward 54 and backward 52 along the second transport direction 58. The upper end 74A of the second guide surface 119 is the upstream end (downstream end of the first transport direction 57) of the second transport direction 58. The upper end 74A is located above the cutting edge 95a of the fixed blade 95.

[0066] [Layout of the first guide member 130] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first guide member 130 is rotatably supported by the reversing roller 28a and changes its orientation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path 22 and a second orientation that opens the second transport path 22. When the first guide member 130 is in the first orientation, it is supported by the output tray 18, and its main body 116 is positioned below the protective member 110 and the second guide member 74. In the first orientation, the first guide member 130 is positioned below the protective member 110 and the second guide member 74, and its first guide surface 135 is aligned with the lower part of the second transport path 22. At this time, the rib 118 is located in the notch of the protective member 110 when the first guide member 130 is in the first orientation. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in the first position, the first distance D1, which is the distance along the conveying direction 57 from the downstream end 120 of the protective member 110 in the conveying direction 57 to the nip position 28A of the reversing roller pair 28, is shorter than the second distance D2, which is the distance along the conveying direction 57 from the cutting edge 95a of the fixed blade 95 to the nip position 28A of the reversing roller pair 28 (D1 <D2)。

[0067] When the paper output tray 18 is pulled forward, the first guide member 130 rotates clockwise around the reversing roller 28a due to its own weight. At this time, as shown in Figure 9, the first guide member 130 hangs down from the reversing roller 28a, and the lower parts of the second guide member 74 and the protective member 110 are opened. The first guide member 130 is then rotated further clockwise by the user, as shown in Figure 10. This allows the image recording device 10 to be jammed by the user.

[0068] [Image Recording] The image recording operation by the printer unit 11 will be described below. As an example, the operation of recording an image on both sides of an A4-sized sheet 16 and then cutting it to A5 size will be described below. The image recording operation is realized by a control circuit mounted on the control board 66, which controls the drive of each motor and the recording head 37.

[0069] As shown in Figure 11, when the paper feed roller 32 rotates, the topmost A4 sheet 16 is fed from the paper feed cassette 15 to the first transport path 21. The sheet 16 fed from the paper feed cassette 15 to the first transport path 21 is transported by the PF roller pair 25 downwards to the recording head 37 in the first transport direction 57. The sheet 16 transported downwards to the recording head 37 is supported from below by the platen 36. While the transport of the sheet 16 is stopped, the carriage 35 moves left and right 55, 56, and ink is ejected from the recording head 37 toward the sheet 16. This records one pass of image onto the first surface of the sheet 16. The transport and stopping of the sheet 16 is repeated until a predetermined number of image passes are recorded, and the image recording on the first surface of the sheet 16 is completed. Here, two A5 recording sheets' worth of image is recorded on an A4 sheet 16. During image recording, the sheet 16 that has passed through the platen 36 is transported in the first transport direction 57 toward the paper output tray 18 by the discharge roller pair 27 and the reversing roller pair 28.

[0070] The control board 66 monitors the position of the rear end (downstream end of the first transport direction 57) of the sheet 16 being transported in the first transport direction 57 based on the sensor detection signal and the amount of rotation of the PF roller pair 25 (detection signal of the rotary encoder). When transporting the sheet 16 in the first transport direction 57, the control board 66 rotates the reversing roller pair 28 in the forward direction.

[0071] As shown in Figure 12, the control board 66 switches the rotation of the reversing roller pair 28 from forward to reverse, provided that the rear end of the sheet 16 is located between the flap 73 and the second guide member 74, in other words, near the first position 21A.

[0072] As shown in Figure 13, when the reversing roller pair 28 is reversed, the sheet 16 is transported in the second transport direction 58, and the sheet 16 is guided by the flap 73 to enter the second transport path 22. In the second transport path 22, the sheet 16 is transported in the second transport direction 58 by the intermediate roller pair 24 and the reversing roller pair 28 to the second position 21B.

[0073] The sheet 16, having entered the first transport path 21 from the second position 21B, is transported by the PF roller pair 25 downwards to the recording head 37 in the first transport direction 57, similar to the image recording on the first side, and an image is recorded on the second side of the sheet 16 (the side opposite to the first side). On the second side of the sheet 16, as with the first side, an image equivalent to two A5 recording sheets is recorded on the A4 sheet 16. During the image recording of the second side, the sheet 16 that has passed through the platen 36 is transported toward the paper output tray 18 in the first transport direction 57 by the discharge roller pair 27 and the reversing roller pair 28. The control board 66 switches the rotation of the reversing roller pair 28 from reverse to forward rotation, provided that the rear end of the sheet 16 being transported in the second transport direction 58 has passed the reversing roller pair 28.

[0074] When the center of the first transport direction 57 of the sheet 16 is transported below the cutting section 45, the control board 66 rotates the drive pulley 102 so that the cutter carriage 82 moves along the guide rail 81 from the stopping position (see Figure 3) to the right 56. As a result, the A4 sheet 16 is gripped by the moving blade 83 and the fixed blade 95 and cut along the left and right directions 55, 56, resulting in two A5 sheets. The two A5 sheets are discharged from the first transport path 21 to the output tray 18 by the forward-rotating reversing roller pair 28.

[0075] When a paper jam occurs in the second transport path 22 and an abnormality in the transport of the sheet 16 is detected, the control unit 66 stops the rotation of each roller and displays a paper jam error message on the display of the operation panel 19. When the user pulls out the paper feed cassette 15 from the housing 20, the first guide member 130 in the first position changes to the second position. The user can access the second transport path 22 and remove the jammed sheet 16 in the second transport path 22 by further rotating the first guide member 130 in the second position clockwise as shown in Figure 9. In the second transport path 22, which is opened by the second position or the first guide member 130 rotated further clockwise, the protective member 110 covers the area below the fixed blade 95, so that the user does not inadvertently touch the fixed blade 95. Also, when the second transport path 22 is opened when the movable blade 83 is replaced, the protective member 110 covers the area below the fixed blade 95, so that the user does not inadvertently touch the fixed blade 95.

[0076] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the image recording device 10, by changing the orientation of the first guide member 130 from a first orientation to a second orientation, the area below the second transport path 22 is opened, allowing the user to reach inside the image recording device 10 and perform jam removal work.

[0077] Furthermore, since the protective member 110 covers the lower part of the movable blade 83, when the user accesses the internal space 20a of the image recording device 10 from below the movable blade 83 to perform jamming, the user's fingers are less likely to touch the movable blade 83. In addition, because the lower part of the movable blade 83 is covered by the protective member 110, dust generated by cutting the sheet 16 is less likely to fall downwards.

[0078] Furthermore, the first distance D1 in the transport direction 57 from the downstream end 120 of the protective member 110 to the reversing roller pair 28 is shorter than the second distance D2 in the transport direction 57 from the moving blade 83 to the reversing roller pair 28. In other words, the protective member 110 covers the moving blade 83 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction 57. As a result, it is even less likely for a user to touch the moving blade 83 when reaching into the internal space 20a of the image recording device 10 to perform jamming.

[0079] Furthermore, since the second support member is located upstream of the cutter's transport direction 57, even when a user reaches into the internal space 20a from upstream of the transport direction to perform jamming, the presence of the second support member makes it difficult to touch the moving blade 83.

[0080] Furthermore, because the upper end 74A of the second guide member 74 is positioned above the movable blade 83, the first transport path 21 forms an intricate space. As a result, it becomes even less likely for a user to touch the movable blade 83 when reaching into the internal space 20a to perform jamming.

[0081] Furthermore, since the movable blade 83, the fixed blade 95, and the second guide member 74 are connected to a pair of side frames 121 and 122, they can be assembled with high precision, ensuring that the sheet 16 is cut reliably.

[0082] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, the case in which the first guide member 130 rotates around the reversing roller 28a was described, but the configuration is not limited to this. The first guide member 130 only needs to be able to change its orientation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path 22 and a second orientation that opens the second transport path 22. For example, the first guide member 130 may be removable from the reversing roller 28a.

[0083] Furthermore, the cutting section 45 cuts the sheet 16 using a cutter 83 and a fixed blade 95, but the structure of the cutting section 45 is not particularly limited as long as it can cut the sheet 16 along the left-right directions 55 and 56. For example, instead of the fixed blade 95, the cutting section 45 may have two disc-shaped rotating blades, such as the cutter 83, mounted on the cutter carriage 82. In this case, even if the cutter carriage 82 moves to the image recording area A1 when clearing a paper jam or when the rotating blades are replaced, the protective member covers the area below the rotating blades at that position, making it difficult for the user to touch the rotating blades.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the cutting section 45 cut a standard rectangular sheet 16, but the medium drawn out from the rolled body may also be cut into a standard rectangular sheet 16.

[0085] Furthermore, the first transport path 21 and the second transport path 22 are double-sided transport paths for recording images on both sides of the sheet 16, but the configuration is not limited to this. The transport path may form a single so-called U-turn path that curves upward from the paper feed cassette 15 and makes a U-turn, recording images on only one side of the sheet 16.

[0086] Furthermore, although a portion of the cutting section 45 overlapped with a portion of the movement space through which the carriage 35 passes when it moves in the left-right direction 55, 56, in the vertical direction 53, 54, as shown in Figure 3, it is not necessary for the cutting section to overlap with the movement space in the vertical direction 53, 54.

[0087] Furthermore, although tube 44 overlapped with carriage 35 in the front-rear direction 51 and 52, it is not necessary for it to overlap with carriage 35 in the front-rear direction 51 and 52.

[0088] Furthermore, although tube 44 was located in front of carriage 35, it may also be located behind carriage 35.

[0089] Furthermore, although the second discharge roller pair 28 was located below the cutting section 45 when viewed from the left and right directions 55 and 56, it does not have to be located below the cutting section 45 when viewed from the left and right directions 55 and 56.

[0090] Furthermore, although the second discharge roller pair 28 was positioned in front of the cutter holding portion 82a of the cutting portion 45 when viewed from the left-right directions 55 and 56, it may also be positioned behind the cutter holding portion 82a when viewed from the left-right directions 55 and 56. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10. Image recording device 17...Records Department 21...First transport route 21A...First position (connection position) 22...Second transport route 27. Discharge roller pair (first roller) 28. Reversing Roller (Second Roller) 45...cutting section 74...Second guide member 74A...Upper end (upper end of the second guide member) 81... Guide rail 82...Cutter carriage (carriage) 83...Moving blade 95... Fixed blade (cutter) 110... Protective material 119...Second guide surface 120...downstream end 121, 122... A pair of side frames 130...First guide member 135...First guide surface

Claims

1. A recording unit that records images on a sheet being transported along the first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A cutting section is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and has a cutter for cutting the sheet. The above-mentioned cutter is equipped with a protective member that covers the vertically downward direction of the cutting edge, The first guide member described above changes its orientation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. An image recording device in which, in the above conveying direction, the first distance from the downstream end of the protective member in the above conveying direction to the second roller is shorter than the second distance from the cutter to the second roller in the above conveying direction.

2. A recording unit that records images on a sheet being transported along the first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A cutting section is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and has a cutter for cutting the sheet. It includes a protective member that covers the lower part of the cutter, The first guide member described above changes its orientation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. An image recording device in which, in the above conveying direction, the first distance from the downstream end of the protective member in the above conveying direction to the second roller is shorter than the second distance from the cutter to the second roller in the above conveying direction.

3. The system further includes a second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which defines the second transport path. The cutter extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction and is located downstream of the second guide member in the conveying direction. The image recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first guide member changes its posture between the first posture and the second posture by rotation.

4. A recording unit that records an image on a sheet being transported along a first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which demarcates the second transport path, A cutting section is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and has a cutter for cutting the sheet. The above-mentioned cutter is equipped with a protective member that covers the vertically downward direction of the cutting edge, The first guide member described above changes its orientation by rotation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. The cutter extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction and is located downstream of the second guide member in the conveying direction. The upper end of the second guide member is located above the cutter in the image recording device.

5. A recording unit that records images on a sheet being transported along the first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which demarcates the second transport path, It is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and includes a cutting section for cutting the sheet, The above cutting section has a cutter, The first guide member described above changes its orientation by rotation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. The cutter extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction and is located downstream of the second guide member in the conveying direction. The upper end of the second guide member is located above the cutter in the image recording device.

6. A recording unit that records an image on a sheet being transported along a first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which demarcates the second transport path, A cutting section is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and has a cutter for cutting the sheet. The above-mentioned cutter is equipped with a protective member that covers the vertically downward direction of the cutting edge, The above-mentioned cut portion is, A carriage that moves in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned transport direction, The carriage further includes a movable blade, The first guide member described above changes its orientation by rotation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. The guide rails that guide the carriage are connected to a pair of side frames. The cutter extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, is located downstream of the second guide member in the conveying direction, and is connected to the pair of side frames. The second guide member described above is an image recording device connected to the pair of side frames described above.

7. A recording unit that records images on a sheet being transported along the first transport path in the transport direction, In the first transport path described above, the first roller is located downstream from the recording unit in the direction of transport, In the first conveying path described above, a second roller located downstream of the first roller in the direction of conveying, A first guide member having a first guide surface that demarcates a second transport path extending from the connection point between the first roller and the second roller of the first transport path, A second guide member having a second guide surface located between the first guide surface of the first guide member and the second roller, which demarcates the second transport path, It is located between the connection point of the first transport path and the second roller, and includes a cutting section for cutting the sheet, The above-mentioned cut portion is, Cutter, A carriage that moves in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned transport direction, The carriage has a movable blade mounted on it, The first guide member described above changes its orientation by rotation between a first orientation that demarcates the second transport path and a second orientation that opens the second transport path. The guide rails that guide the carriage are connected to a pair of side frames. The cutter extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, is located downstream of the second guide member in the conveying direction, and is connected to the pair of side frames. The second guide member described above is an image recording device connected to the pair of side frames described above.

Images