Media transport device, recording device

Abstract

To avoid risk that a sheet may get caught because of an inappropriate posture of a path selection flapper caused due to component accuracy or assembly accuracy in the case that the posture of the path selection flapper is configured to be determined based on an output shaft during solenoid suction.SOLUTION: A plunger of a solenoid has a pin member that moves within a groove of a link member in accordance with a displacement operation, the solenoid regulates a posture of a path switching member in a suction state, a contact surface on an inner surface of the groove that the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in a suction direction is formed in a non-linear shape so as to have a first region extending in a first direction and a second region extending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and an angle between the suction direction and the second direction is smaller than an angle between the suction direction and the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium conveyance device for conveying a medium and a recording device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device in which a folding path is connected as a branch conveyance path to a folding conveyance horizontal path, and the conveyance path switching from the folding conveyance horizontal path to the folding path is performed by the rotation of a folding path selection flapper. A solenoid is used for driving the path selection flapper. In a state where the solenoid is not energized, the path selection flapper is biased by a spring in a direction to select the folding path.

[0003] An engagement shaft is provided on the output shaft of the solenoid, and the engagement shaft fits into a U-shaped groove of an arm member provided on the path selection flapper. When the output shaft of the solenoid moves, the engagement shaft applies an external force to the arm member and rotates the path selection flapper. At that time, the engagement shaft provided on the output shaft of the solenoid moves within the U-shaped groove of the arm member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When attempting to define the posture of the path selection flapper by the output shaft during solenoid suction, the posture of the path selection flapper may become inappropriate due to component accuracy and assembly accuracy, and there is a risk of paper snagging.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a media transport device comprising: a branching section where the transport path of the media branches into a first transport path and a second transport path; a path switching member provided at the branching section, which, by rotation, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the media is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path; a solenoid that rotates the path switching member by a plunger that displaces in the suction direction and the opposite return direction; and a link member provided on the path switching member that engages with the plunger, wherein the link member has a groove and the plunger The solenoid has a pin member that moves within the groove in accordance with the displacement movement, and the solenoid restricts the posture of the path switching member in the second state when in the suction state, and the contact surface on the inner surface of the groove that the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction is formed nonlinearly such that it has a first region extending in a first direction which is away from the rotation center of the path switching member, and a second region extending in a second direction which is away from the rotation center and intersects the first direction, and the angle between the suction direction and the second direction is smaller than the angle between the suction direction and the first direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the media transport device of the present invention comprises: a branching section where the transport path of the media branches into a first transport path and a second transport path; a path switching member provided at the branching section, which, by rotation, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the media is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path; a solenoid that rotates the path switching member by a plunger that moves in a displacement direction in the direction of suction and in the opposite return direction; and a link member provided on the path switching member that engages with the plunger, wherein the link member has a groove, and the plunger moves within the groove in accordance with the displacement movement. The solenoid has a pin member, and in the suction state the orientation of the path switching member in the second state is restricted, and the inner surface of the groove, which the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction, is formed nonlinearly such that it has a first region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the first state and a second region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the second state, and the rotation angle of the path switching member with respect to a unit amount of movement of the plunger is smaller when the pin member is in the second region than when the pin member is in the first region.

[0008] Furthermore, the recording device of the present invention is characterized by comprising one of the above-described media transport devices and a recording unit that performs recording on a medium transported by the media transport device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the media transport path in a printer. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the right door unit of the main body of the device in the open position. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the right door unit of the main unit of the device opened, with the middle door unit also opened. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the media transport path around the upstream flap, specifically when the upstream flap is in the first state. [Figure 5]This diagram shows the media transport path around the upstream flap, specifically when the upstream flap is in the second state. [Figure 6] A perspective view of the upstream flap and solenoid, showing the upstream flap in the first state. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the upstream flap and solenoid, showing the upstream flap in the second state. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the upstream flap, showing the upstream flap in the first state. [Figure 9] This is a side view of the upstream flap, showing the upstream flap in its second state. [Figure 10] This is a magnified view of the lever, showing the upstream flap in the first position. [Figure 11] This is a close-up view of the lever, showing the upstream flap in the second position. [Figure 12] A graph showing the relationship between the plunger stroke and the suction force in a solenoid. [Figure 13] This is a close-up view of the lever, showing the upstream flap in the second position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will be described in general terms below. A media transport device according to the first embodiment comprises: a branching section where the transport path of the media branches into a first transport path and a second transport path; a path switching member provided at the branching section, which, by rotation, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the media is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path; a solenoid that rotates the path switching member by a plunger that displaces in the suction direction and the opposite return direction; and a link member provided on the path switching member that engages with the plunger, wherein the link member has a groove, and the plunger is The solenoid has a pin member that moves within the groove in conjunction with the displacement movement, and in the suction state the orientation of the path switching member in the second state is restricted, and the inner surface of the groove that the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction is formed nonlinearly such that it has a first region extending in a first direction which is away from the rotation center of the path switching member and a second region extending in a second direction which is away from the rotation center and intersects the first direction, and the angle between the suction direction and the second direction is smaller than the angle between the suction direction and the first direction.

[0011] According to this embodiment, since the angle between the suction direction and the second direction is smaller than the angle between the suction direction and the first direction, the movement of the link member, i.e., the path switching member, becomes slower when the pin member is in contact with the second region than when it is in contact with the first region. This suppresses variations in the posture of the path switching member when the plunger is attracted, and makes it possible to set the posture of the path switching member in the second state appropriate. Conversely, because the angle between the suction direction and the first direction is greater than the angle between the suction direction and the second direction, the amount of movement of the link member, i.e., the path switching member, increases when the pin member is in contact with the first region compared to when it is in contact with the second region. This ensures sufficient movement when the path switching member is operated by the solenoid, and consequently, ensures reliable switching of the transport path.

[0012] In the second aspect, in the first aspect, the angle formed by the suction direction and the second direction is an acute angle. According to this aspect, since the angle formed by the suction direction and the second direction is an acute angle, when the pin member is in the second region, the operation of the link member, that is, the path switching member, can be appropriately and gently slowed down, and the posture variation of the path switching member when the plunger is sucked can be appropriately suppressed.

[0013] In the third aspect, in the first aspect, the angle formed by the suction direction and the first direction is 90° or an obtuse angle. According to this aspect, since the angle formed by the suction direction and the first direction is 90° or an obtuse angle, when the pin member is in the first region, the operation amount of the link member, that is, the path switching member, can be appropriately increased. Note that this aspect is not limited to the above first aspect and may also be applied to the above second aspect.

[0014] A media transport device according to a fourth embodiment comprises: a branching section where the transport path of the media branches into a first transport path and a second transport path; a path switching member provided at the branching section, which, by rotation, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the media is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path; a solenoid that rotates the path switching member by a plunger that moves in a suction direction and in the opposite return direction; and a link member provided on the path switching member that engages with the plunger, wherein the link member has a groove, and the plunger moves within the groove in accordance with the displacement movement. The solenoid has a movable pin member, and in the suction state the orientation of the path switching member in the second state is restricted, and the inner surface of the groove, which the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction, is formed nonlinearly such that it has a first region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the first state and a second region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the second state, and the rotation angle of the path switching member with respect to a unit amount of movement of the plunger is smaller when the pin member is in the second region than when the pin member is in the first region.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the rotation angle of the path switching member with respect to the unit movement amount of the plunger is smaller when the pin member is in contact with the second region than when the pin member is in contact with the first region. As a result, the operation of the path switching member becomes smoother when the pin member is in contact with the second region than when it is in contact with the first region. This suppresses variations in the posture of the path switching member when the plunger is attracted, and makes it possible to set the posture of the path switching member in the second state appropriate. Conversely, since the rotation angle is larger when the pin member contacts the first region than when the pin member contacts the second region, the amount of movement when operating the path switching member by the solenoid increases when the pin member is in the first region compared to when it is in the second region. As a result, the amount of movement of the path switching member can be ensured, and thus the switching of the transport path can be reliably performed.

[0016] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, it includes a first path forming member that forms the transport path, and the path switching member is regulated in its posture in the first state by contacting the first path forming member in the return state of the solenoid.

[0017] According to this aspect, since the posture of the path switching member in the first state is regulated by the path switching member contacting the first path forming member in the return state of the solenoid, the posture of the path switching member in the first state can be appropriately regulated. Note that this aspect is not limited to the above fourth aspect, and may be applied to any of the above first to third aspects.

[0018] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, it includes a pressing member that presses the path switching member in a direction in which the path switching member contacts the first path forming member. According to this aspect, since it includes a pressing member that presses the path switching member in a direction in which the path switching member contacts the first path forming member, the posture of the path switching member in the first state is stabilized. Note that this aspect is not limited to the above fifth aspect, and may be applied to any of the above first to fourth aspects.

[0019] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, when viewed from the medium width direction intersecting the medium transport direction, the rotation center of the path switching member is closer to the first path forming member than the pin member. According to this embodiment, the effects of the sixth embodiment described above can be obtained when the rotation center of the path switching member is closer to the path forming member than the pin member when viewed from the medium width direction intersecting the medium transport direction. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the fifth embodiment described above, but may also be applied to any of the first to fourth or sixth embodiments described above.

[0020] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, a second path forming member is provided at a position opposite to the first path forming member for forming the transport path, the second path forming member is provided with a detection unit for detecting the medium, and the path switching member forms a gap with the second path forming member in the second state.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the second path forming member is provided with a detection unit for detecting the medium, and the path switching member forms a gap with the second path forming member in the second state, thereby suppressing noise generation and adverse effects on the detection unit caused by the path switching member contacting the second path forming member. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the fifth embodiment described above, but may also be applied to any of the first to fourth, sixth, or seventh embodiments described above.

[0022] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, a second path forming member is provided at a position opposite to the first path forming member for forming the transport path, and the second path forming member is provided with a recess into which the tip of the path switching member enters when the path switching member takes the second state.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the second path forming member is provided with a recess into which the tip of the path switching member enters when the path switching member takes the second state, thereby preventing the medium from getting caught on the tip of the path switching member as it passes through it. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the fifth embodiment described above, but may also be applied to any of the first to fourth or sixth to eighth embodiments described above.

[0024] A tenth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the apparatus body having the transport path comprises an openable and closable first unit and an openable and closable second unit located inside the first unit, wherein opening the first unit exposes the second transport path, and opening the second unit exposes the first transport path.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the second transport path is exposed when the first unit is opened, and the first transport path is exposed when the second unit is opened. Therefore, when a blockage of the medium occurs in the first transport path or the second transport path, the blocked medium can be easily removed. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may also be applied to any of the second to ninth embodiments described above.

[0026] The recording device according to the 11th embodiment is characterized by comprising a media transport device according to any of the first to tenth embodiments, and a recording unit that performs recording on the medium transported by the media transport device. According to this embodiment, the recording device can obtain any of the effects of the first to ten embodiments described above.

[0027] The twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the first transport path is a path for discharging the medium recorded by the recording unit, and the second transport path is a path for reversing the front and back sides of the medium recorded by the recording unit.

[0028] According to this embodiment, in a configuration in which the first transport path is a path for discharging the medium recorded by the recording unit, and the second transport path is a path for reversing the front and back sides of the medium recorded by the recording unit, any of the effects of the first to ten embodiments described above can be obtained.

[0029] The present invention will be described in detail below. In the following description, an inkjet printer 1, which records data by ejecting ink (an example of a liquid) onto a medium such as recording paper, will be described as an example of a recording device. Hereafter, the inkjet printer 1 will be abbreviated as printer 1. Note that printer 1 can also be considered a medium transport device from the perspective of transporting the medium. From the perspective of a medium transport device, it is not necessary to have a line head 101, which is an example of a recording unit described later.

[0030] The XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system, where the Y-axis direction is the media width direction intersecting the media transport direction, and also the device depth direction. Of the Y-axis directions, the +Y direction, indicated by the arrow, is the direction from the front to the back of the device, and the -Y direction, opposite to the +Y direction, is the direction from the back to the front of the device. The X-axis direction is the width of the device, and from the perspective of the operator of printer 1, the direction the arrow points, the +X direction, is to the left, and the opposite direction, the -X direction, is to the right. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, i.e., the height of the device, and the direction the arrow points, the +Z direction, is upward, and the opposite direction, the -Z direction, is downward. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, "up" refers to the +Z direction, and "down" refers to the -Z direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the G-axis direction is the direction of movement of the head unit 100, which will be described later. The +G direction, indicated by the arrow, is the direction in which the head unit 100 moves away from the conveyor belt 13, while the opposite -G direction is the direction in which the head unit 100 moves closer to the conveyor belt 13. Furthermore, the F-axis direction is parallel to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 13 and is the media conveying direction at the position opposite the line head 101, which will be described later. The direction indicated by the arrow, the +F direction, is the downstream conveying direction, and the opposite -F direction is the upstream conveying direction. In the following, the direction in which the media is fed will be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "upstream."

[0032] In Figure 1, the media transport path is shown by a dashed line. In printer 1, the media is transported through the media transport path shown by the dashed line. The printer 1 has multiple media cassettes arranged vertically at the bottom of the device body 2. In this embodiment, the media cassettes are arranged in order from the uppermost first media cassette 3 downwards: second media cassette 4, third media cassette 5, fourth media cassette 6, and so on. The symbol P indicates the media contained in each media cassette. Each media cassette is equipped with a pick roller for ejecting the contained media. These pick rollers are indicated by reference numerals 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0033] Each media cassette is also provided with a pair of feed rollers that feed the dispensed media diagonally upward. These feed roller pairs are indicated by reference numerals 25, 26, 27, and 28. The second media cassette 4, the third media cassette 5, and the fourth media cassette 6 are also provided with a pair of transport rollers that transport the media upward. These transport roller pairs are indicated by reference numerals 16, 17, and 18. In the following, unless otherwise specified, a "roller pair" refers to a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller.

[0034] The media dispensed from each media cassette reaches the transport roller pair 29, which then sends it to the downstream transport roller pair 30. The media transport path downstream from the transport roller pair 29 is curved upwards, and the media reaches the transport roller pair 30 by passing through this curved path. The media, receiving the feeding force from the transport roller pair 30, is then sent to the transport roller pair 31 through a curved path that is curved downwards.

[0035] The medium, which receives a feeding force from the transport roller pair 31, is sent between the line head 101, which is an example of a recording unit, and the transport belt 13, that is, to a position facing the line head 101. The line head 101 performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the surface of the medium. The line head 101 is an ink ejection head configured such that the nozzle (not shown) that ejects the ink covers the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is configured as an ink ejection head that can record over the entire width of the medium without moving in the width direction of the medium. The head unit 100, which includes the line head 101, is provided so as to be movable in the G-axis direction by a drive source (not shown).

[0036] Reference numeral 10 denotes an ink storage section that contains ink. Ink discharged from the line head 101 is supplied from the ink storage section 10 to the line head 101 via a tube (not shown). The ink storage section 10 is composed of a plurality of ink tanks arranged along the X-axis.

[0037] The conveyor belt 13 is an endless belt that is wrapped around pulleys 14 and 15, and rotates when at least one of the pulleys 14 and 15 is driven by a motor (not shown). The medium is transported to a position facing the line head 101 while being attracted to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 13. A known attraction method such as an air suction method or an electrostatic attraction method can be used to attract the medium to the conveyor belt 13.

[0038] Here, the media transport path passing opposite the line head 101 intersects both the horizontal and vertical directions, and is configured to transport the media diagonally upward. This diagonally upward transport direction includes the -X and +Z components in Figure 1, and this configuration allows the horizontal dimensions of the printer 1 to be suppressed. In this embodiment, the media transport path passing opposite the line head 101 is set to an inclination angle in the range of 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, to an inclination angle of 60°.

[0039] The medium on which the first surface has been recorded by the line head 101 is further propelled upward by the pair of conveyor rollers 32 located downstream of the conveyor belt 13. The media transport path downstream from the transport roller pair 32 branches into a discharge path T1, which is an example of a "first transport path," and a reversal path T2, which is an example of a "second transport path." An upstream flap 41, which is an example of a "path switching member," is provided at the branching point Bp where these two media transport paths diverge, and this upstream flap 41 switches the direction of travel of the media. By rotating, the upstream flap 41 switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the media is set to the discharge path T1 and a second state in which it is set to the reversal path T2.

[0040] When the recorded medium is to be discharged as is, the direction of medium travel from the branching point Bp is set to the discharge path T1, and the medium is sent to the transport roller pair 37. Downstream of the transport roller pair 37, a downstream flap 40 is provided, and this downstream flap 40 switches the transport path to either discharge from the discharge port A1 or transport to the transport roller pair 38 located further vertically above. If the medium is sent towards the transport roller pair 38, it is discharged from the discharge port A2. The medium discharged from outlet A1 is received by the discharge tray 8. The medium discharged from outlet A2 is received by an optional tray (not shown). In this embodiment, the discharge path T1 is the medium transport path between the branching section Bp and the transport roller pair 37. However, the discharge path T1 is not limited to this and may include a medium transport path further downstream from the transport roller pair 37. The discharge path T1 is formed between the second unit 105 and the main unit 102, which will be described later.

[0041] When recording is to be performed on a second side of the medium in addition to the first side, the direction of medium travel from the branching point Bp is set to the reverse path T2. As a result, the medium passes through the branching point K1 and is sent to the switchback path above. A pair of transport rollers 39 is provided in this switchback path, and once the medium enters the switchback path, it is transported upward by the pair of transport rollers 39. When the rear end of the medium passes the branching point K1, the rotation direction of the pair of transport rollers 39 is switched, and the medium is transported downward. In this embodiment, the reversal path T2 is the media transport path between the branching section Bp and the transport roller pair 39. However, the reversal path T2 is not limited to this and may include a media transport path further downstream from the transport roller pair 39. The inversion path T2 is formed between the second unit 105 and the first unit 103, which will be described later.

[0042] The medium, conveyed downward by the conveyor roller pair 39, receives a feeding force from the conveyor roller pair 33 and the conveyor roller pair 34, reaches the conveyor roller pair 30, and is then sent again by the conveyor roller pair 30 to a position facing the line head 101. When the medium is again moved to a position facing the line head 101, the second side, opposite to the first side on which recording has already been done, faces the line head 101. This allows the line head 101 to record on the second side of the medium.

[0043] Next, we will further explain the upstream flap 41 with reference to Figure 2 and subsequent figures. As shown in Figure 2, a first unit 103 that can be opened and closed is provided on the side of the device body 2 in the -X direction, i.e., the right side. Opening the first unit 103 exposes the second unit 105, i.e., the reversal path T2 (see Figure 1). Furthermore, a second unit 105, which can be opened and closed, is provided inside the first unit 103. As shown in Figure 3, opening the second unit 105 exposes the main unit 102, that is, the discharge path T1 (see Figure 1). In this configuration, opening the first unit 103 exposes the reversal path T2, and opening the second unit 105 exposes the discharge path T1. Therefore, if a blockage occurs in the discharge path T1 or the reversal path T2, the blocked medium can be easily removed.

[0044] The upstream flap 41 is located at the lower part of the second unit 105 and constitutes the lower end of the second unit 105. In Figures 4 and 5, reference numeral 42 denotes the rotation axis of the upstream flap 42. Also in Figures 4 and 5, reference numeral 108 denotes a second path forming member that constitutes the main unit 102, and a recess 108a is formed in the second path forming member 108. The second path forming member 108 is provided with a detection unit 48 for detecting the passage of the medium. In Figures 4 and 5, reference numeral 109 denotes a first path-forming member that constitutes the first unit 103, and a contact portion 109a is formed on the first path-forming member 109.

[0045] Figure 4 shows the first state of the upstream flap 41, that is, the state in which the direction of media travel is set to the discharge path T1. In the first state, the tip portion 41a of the upstream flap 41 contacts the contact portion 109a due to the spring force of the coil spring 44 (see Figure 6), which will be described later, thereby restricting the posture in the first state. Figure 5 shows the second state of the upstream flap 41, that is, the state in which the direction of media travel is set to the reverse path T2. In the second state, the tip 41a of the upstream flap 41 is positioned so that it fits into the recess 108a, and this position of the upstream flap 41 is regulated by the suction of the solenoid 45, which will be described later.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a link member 43 is provided at the +Y direction end of the upstream flap 41. A spring attachment portion 43a is formed on the link member 43, and a coil spring 44, which is an example of a pressing member, is attached to the spring attachment portion 43a. This coil spring 44 presses the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, in the direction toward the first state.

[0047] A solenoid 45 is provided on the upper part of the link member 43. The solenoid 45 has a plunger 46 that displaces in an suction direction Q1 and a return direction Q2. Hereinafter, the state in which the plunger 46 is most displaced in the suction direction Q1 within the stroke range of the plunger 46 will be referred to as the suction state of the solenoid 45, and the state in which the plunger 46 is most displaced in the return direction Q2 will be referred to as the return state of the solenoid 45. The plunger 46 is provided with a pin member 47, which fits into a groove 43c formed in the link member 43, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The groove 43c is formed in the groove-forming portion 43b of the link member 43. With this configuration, the plunger 46 engages with the upstream flap 41 via the link member 43, and when the plunger 46 is displaced in the suction direction Q1, the upstream flap 41 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0048] In this embodiment, the solenoid 45 is a so-called self-holding solenoid. When no power is applied, the solenoid 45 returns to its original state, and the spring force of the coil spring 44 causes the plunger 46 to separate from the body of the solenoid 45, thereby maintaining the upstream flap 41 in the first state (states shown in Figures 6 and 8). When the solenoid 45 is energized from this state, the plunger 46 is attracted and displaced in the attractive direction Q1, causing the solenoid 45 to enter an attractive state, thereby switching the upstream flap 41 from the first state to the second state (states shown in Figures 7 and 9). Even when the first energized state is released and the solenoid 45 is de-energized while it is in the attractive state, the attractive state of the solenoid 45 is maintained by a permanent magnet (not shown) located in the body of the solenoid 45. Then, when the solenoid 45 is energized to the second state while it is in the attractive state, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet is canceled out, and the plunger 46 is displaced in the return direction Q2 by the spring force of the coil spring 44, thereby switching the upstream flap 41 from the second state to the first state. Furthermore, the solenoid 45 is not limited to a self-holding type; any other type is acceptable as long as the suction state of the solenoid 45 forms the second state of the upstream flap 41.

[0049] As described above, the position of the plunger 46 in the suction state is important because the solenoid 45 regulates the posture of the upstream flap 41 in the second state when in the suction state. If the position of the plunger 46 in the suction state is misaligned, for example, the tip 41a of the upstream flap 41 may slip out downwards from the recess 108a of the second path forming member 108 shown in Figure 5, which may cause the medium to get caught on the tip 41a. Also, if the tip 41a comes into contact with the second path forming member 108, it may cause noise, damage to the tip 41a or the second path forming member 108, or a decrease in the detection accuracy of the detection unit 48 provided on the second path forming member 108. This is the first problem when driving the upstream flap 41 with the solenoid 45.

[0050] Furthermore, since the attractive force of the solenoid 45 decreases as the plunger 46 moves away from the body of the solenoid 45, it is necessary to reliably switch the position of the upstream flap 41 within the limited stroke of the plunger 46. In Figure 12, the vertical axis represents the attractive force Fs of the solenoid 45, and the horizontal axis represents the distance Ds of the plunger 46 from the solenoid 45. The curve indicated by the sign FRs shows the attractive force of the solenoid 45, and as shown in the figure, the attractive force Fs decreases as the distance Ds increases. The attractive force Fs1 is the minimum attractive force required to switch the upstream flap 41 from the first state to the second state against the spring force of the coil spring 44, and the stroke of the plunger 46 is limited to the range indicated by the sign ST1 as an example. Therefore, the upstream flap 41 must be rotated within such a limited stroke of the plunger 46. This is the second challenge when driving the upstream flap 41 with the solenoid 45.

[0051] In this embodiment, in order to address the first and second problems described above, the groove 43c formed in the link member 43 is given the following features. In Figures 10 and 11, the symbol C1 represents the axial center position of the rotation axis 42, the symbol L2 is a straight line passing through the center position of the pin member 47 and parallel to the stroke direction of the plunger 46, and the symbol L1 is a straight line passing through the axial center position C1 and perpendicular to the straight line L2. Figure 10 shows the positional relationship between the groove 43c and the pin member 47 when the upstream flap 41 is in the first state, indicated by a solid line. Note that in Figure 10, the dashed line shows, for reference, the positional relationship between the groove 43c and the pin member 47 when the upstream flap 41 is in the second state. Figure 11 shows the positional relationship between the groove 43c and the pin member 47 when the upstream flap 41 is in the second state, indicated by a solid line. Note that the dashed line in Figure 11 shows the positional relationship between the groove 43c and the pin member 47 when the upstream flap 41 is in the first state, for reference.

[0052] The inner surface of the groove 43c is composed of an upper first contact surface 43d and a lower second contact surface 43e. The pin member 47 moves relatively within the groove 43c while in contact with the first contact surface 43d due to the suction action of the solenoid 45. The direction of movement of the pin member 47 at that time is in the direction of disengaging from the groove 43c. That is, the first contact surface 43d is the contact surface that the pin member 47 contacts when the plunger 46 moves in the suction direction Q1. Furthermore, the first contact surface 43d is also the surface that the pin member 47 contacts when the link member 43 is pulled in the clockwise direction in Figures 10 and 11 by the spring force of the coil spring 44. The first contact surface 43d is formed in a non-linear manner, having a first region R1 where the pin member 47 is located when the upstream flap 41 takes a first state, and a second region R2 where the pin member 47 is located when the upstream flap 41 takes a second state.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first region R1 is formed by an R-shaped surface, and the second region R2 is formed by a flat surface. In Figures 10 and 11, arrow d1 is in the direction away from the axial center position C1 and is a first direction parallel to the tangent at the position where the pin member 47 is in contact with the first region R1 in the first state of the upstream flap 41. Arrow d2 is in the direction away from the axial center position C1 and is a second direction parallel to the second region R2 to which the pin member 47 is in contact in the second state of the upstream flap 41. The second direction d2 is a direction that intersects with the first direction d1. Furthermore, angle α1 is the angle between the first direction d1 and the suction direction Q1, and angle α2 is the angle between the second direction d1 and the suction direction Q2. In this embodiment, angle α2 is smaller than angle α1. As a result, the rotation angle of the upstream flap 41 with respect to the unit amount of movement of the plunger 46 is smaller when the pin member 47 is in the second region R2 than when it is in the first region R1.

[0054] As a result, the movement of the upstream flap 41 becomes slower when the pin member 47 is in contact with the second region R2 than when it is in contact with the first region R1. Consequently, variations in the posture of the upstream flap 41 when the plunger 46 is sucked are suppressed, the posture of the upstream flap 41 in the second state can be made appropriate, and the first problem described above can be addressed. Conversely, the rotation angle of the upstream flap 41 with respect to the unit movement of the plunger 46 is greater when the pin member 47 is in contact with the first region R1 than when it is in contact with the second region R2. Therefore, the amount of movement of the upstream flap 41 increases when the pin member 47 is in the first region R1 than when it is in the second region R2. This ensures sufficient movement of the upstream flap 41, which in turn ensures reliable switching of the transport path and addresses the second problem described above.

[0055] In this embodiment, angle α2 is acute. This allows the movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, to be appropriately slowed when the pin member 47 is in the second region R2, and appropriately suppresses variations in the posture of the upstream flap 41 when the plunger 46 is attracted. In this embodiment, angle α1 is obtuse. This allows for an appropriate increase in the amount of movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, when the pin member 47 is in the first region R1. Note that angle α1 may also be 90°.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the printer 1 is equipped with a first path forming member 109 that forms a media transport path, and the upstream flap 41 contacts the contact portion 109a of the first path forming member 109 when the solenoid 45 is in its return state, thereby restricting its posture in the first state. This allows for appropriate regulation of the posture of the upstream flap 41 in the first state.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the printer 1 is equipped with a coil spring 44 as a pressing member that presses the upstream flap 41 in a direction in which the upstream flap 41 contacts the first path forming member 109. This stabilizes the position of the upstream flap 41 in the first state.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, i.e., the media width direction intersecting the media transport direction, the axis center position C1, which is the rotation center of the upstream flap 41, is located closer to the first path forming member 109 than to the pin member 47.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, the printer 1 is equipped with a second path forming member 108 that forms a media transport path at a position opposite to the first path forming member 109. The second path forming member 108 is provided with a detection unit 48 for detecting the media, and in the second state, the upstream flap 41 forms a gap with the recess 108a of the second path forming member 108. This suppresses noise generation and adverse effects on the detection unit 48 caused by the upstream flap 41 contacting the second path forming member 108.

[0060] Furthermore, as described above, the second path forming member 108 is provided with a recess 108a into which the tip of the upstream flap 41 enters when the upstream flap 41 takes the second state, thereby preventing the medium from getting caught on the tip 41a when passing through the tip 41a of the upstream flap 41.

[0061] Next, with reference to Figure 13, another embodiment of the groove formed in the link member 43 will be described. In Figure 13, reference numeral 43c-1 indicates a groove according to the second embodiment, and reference numeral 43d-1 indicates a first contact surface according to the second embodiment. The first contact surface 43d-1 is formed in a non-linear manner, having a first region R1 where the pin member 47 is located when the upstream flap 41 takes a first state, and a second region R2 where the pin member 47 is located when the upstream flap 41 takes a second state.

[0062] In this embodiment, both the first region R1 and the second region R2 are formed as flat surfaces. Arrow d1 is a first direction away from the axial center position C1 and parallel to the first region R1, and arrow d2 is a second direction away from the axial center position C1 and parallel to the second region R2 to which the pin member 47 contacts in the second state of the upstream flap 41. The second direction d2 is a direction that intersects with the first direction d1. The first region R1 extends in the first direction d1, and the second region R2 extends in the second direction d2. Furthermore, angle α1 is the angle between the first direction d1 and the suction direction Q1, and angle α2 is the angle between the second direction d1 and the suction direction Q2.

[0063] In this embodiment, angle α2 is smaller than angle α1. As a result, the movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, is slower when the pin member 47 contacts the second region R2 than when it contacts the first region R1. This suppresses variations in the posture of the upstream flap 41 when the plunger 46 is attracted, allowing the posture of the upstream flap 41 in the second state to be appropriate, and thus addressing the first problem described above. Conversely, because angle α1 becomes larger than angle α2, the amount of movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, increases when the pin member 47 contacts the first region R1 compared to when it contacts the second region R2. This ensures sufficient movement of the upstream flap 41, thereby enabling reliable switching of the transport path and addressing the second problem described above.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, angle α2 is acute. This allows the movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, to be appropriately slowed when the pin member 47 is in the second region R2, and appropriately suppresses variations in the posture of the upstream flap 41 when the plunger 46 is attracted. In this embodiment, angle α1 is obtuse. This allows for an appropriate increase in the amount of movement of the link member 43, i.e., the upstream flap 41, when the pin member 47 is in the first region R1. Note that angle α1 may also be 90°.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the flap driven by the solenoid 45 and the link member 43 is not limited to the upstream flap 41, but may be any other flap. Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which a media transport device is applied to a recording device, it is not limited to this and may be applied to other devices, such as an image reading device that reads images from a document. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1... Inkjet printer (media transport device), 2... Main unit, 3... First media cassette, 4... Second media cassette, 5... Third media cassette, 6... Fourth media cassette, 8... Output tray, 10... Ink storage section, 13... Transport belt, 14, 15... Pulleys, 21, 22, 23, 24... Pick rollers, 25, 26, 27, 28... Feeding roller pairs, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39... Transport roller pairs, 40... Downstream flap, 41... Upstream flap, 41a... Tip section, 42... Rotating shaft 43...Link member, 43a...Spring attachment part, 43b...Groove forming part, 43c...Groove part, 43d...First contact surface, 43e...Second contact surface, 44...Coil spring, 45...Solenoid, 46...Plunger, 47...Pin member, 48...Detection part, 50...Media transport device, 100...Head unit, 101...Line head, 102...Main unit, 103...First unit, 105...Second unit, 108...Second path forming member, 108a...Recess, 109...First path forming member, 109a...Contact part, T1...Discharge path, T2...Reversal path

Claims

1. A branching point where the transport path of the medium branches into a first transport path and a second transport path, A path switching member provided in the branching section, which, by rotating, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the medium is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path, A solenoid rotates the path switching member by a plunger that displaces in the suction direction and the opposite return direction, A member provided on the route switching member, comprising a link member that engages with the plunger, The link member has a groove, The plunger has a pin member that moves within the groove in accordance with the displacement movement. The solenoid restricts the orientation of the path switching member in the second state when in the suction state, The inner surface of the groove, which the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction, is formed in a non-linear manner, having a first region extending in a first direction away from the rotation center of the path switching member, and a second region extending in a second direction away from the rotation center and intersecting the first direction. The pin member is located in the first region when the path switching member takes the first state, and is located in the second region when the path switching member takes the second state. The angle between the suction direction and the second direction is smaller than the angle between the suction direction and the first direction. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

2. In the media transport device according to claim 1, the angle between the suction direction and the second direction is acute. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

3. In the media transport device according to claim 1, the angle between the suction direction and the first direction is 90° or an obtuse angle. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

4. A branching point where the transport path of the medium branches into a first transport path and a second transport path, A path switching member provided in the branching section, which, by rotating, switches between a first state in which the direction of travel of the medium is set to the first transport path and a second state in which it is set to the second transport path, A solenoid rotates the path switching member by a plunger that displaces in the suction direction and the opposite return direction, A member provided on the route switching member, comprising a link member that engages with the plunger, The link member has a groove, The plunger has a pin member that moves within the groove in accordance with the displacement movement. The solenoid restricts the orientation of the path switching member in the second state when in the suction state, The inner surface of the groove, which the pin member contacts when the plunger moves in the suction direction, is formed in a non-linear manner, having a first region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the first state, and a second region where the pin member is located when the path switching member takes the second state. The rotation angle of the path switching member with respect to the unit movement of the plunger is smaller when the pin member is in the second region than when the pin member is in the first region. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

5. The media transport device according to claim 4, comprising a first path forming member that forms the transport path, The path switching member contacts the first path forming member when the solenoid is in its return state, thereby restricting its posture in the first state. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

6. The media transport device according to claim 5, further comprising a pressing member that presses the path switching member in a direction in which the path switching member contacts the first path forming member, A media transport device characterized by the following features.

7. In the media transport device according to claim 5, the rotation center of the path switching member is closer to the first path forming member than the pin member when viewed from the media width direction intersecting the media transport direction. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

8. The media transport device according to claim 5 is further provided with a second path forming member that forms the transport path at a position opposite to the first path forming member, The second path forming member is provided with a detection unit for detecting the medium, The path switching member forms a gap with the second path forming member in the second state. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

9. The media transport device according to claim 5 is further provided with a second path forming member that forms the transport path at a position opposite to the first path forming member, The second path forming member is provided with a recess into which the tip of the path switching member enters when the path switching member takes the second state. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

10. In the media transport device according to claim 1, the device body having the transport path comprises an openable and closable first unit, The first unit comprises a second unit that can be opened and closed inside the first unit, By opening the first unit, the second transport path is exposed. Opening the second unit exposes the first transport path. A media transport device characterized by the following features.

11. A media transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A recording unit that records on the medium transported by the medium transport device, A recording device equipped with this device.

12. In the recording device according to claim 11, the first transport path is a path for discharging the medium recorded by the recording unit, The second transport path is a path for reversing the front and back sides of the medium recorded by the recording unit. A recording device characterized by the following features.

Images