Recording device and method for controlling the airflow of the recording device

Abstract

To suppress stackability from decreasing by preventing a preceding medium S1 from sliding down a mounting surface 2.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a medium ejection part 5 that ejects a medium S recorded by a recording part 3; a mounting part 7 on which media ejected by the medium ejection part are placed, and which is inclined so that the downstream side in an ejection direction F in which the media are ejected is located vertically higher than the upstream side; a ventilation part 9 that sends air from above toward the media ejected from the medium ejection part 5; and a control part 11 that controls the ventilation part. The control part receives information on an interval D between a preceding medium S1 and a succeeding medium S2 that are ejected from an ejection position P of the medium ejection part 5 to the mounting part 7, and when the preceding medium S1 is ejected from the ejection position P, it is possible to weaken ventilation by the ventilation part 9 based on the information on the interval D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a method for controlling the air blowing of the recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of the prior art of this type of recording apparatus, the one described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. Patent Document 1 describes that the air blowing unit blows air to both sides of the medium in the medium width direction, sandwiching the central portion of the medium, with respect to the medium discharged onto the inclined mounting surface of the mounting unit. That is, a technique is disclosed in which the medium is pressed against the mounting unit so as to suppress the curling of the paper that has absorbed ink by the air blowing from the air blowing unit. The medium discharged onto the inclined mounting surface slides down by its own weight, and the rear ends are aligned.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of a configuration in which air is blown so as to press the medium against the mounting unit as in the above prior art, when the discharge state of the medium onto the mounting unit, particularly the interval between the preceding medium and the subsequent medium, becomes large, the sliding down is hindered and it stops halfway, and the stacking property on the mounting unit may deteriorate. Patent Document 1 does not have a description considering this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the recording device according to the present invention comprises a recording unit that records on a medium, a medium discharge unit that discharges the medium on which the recording unit has recorded, a mounting unit on which the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is placed and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, a blowing unit that blows air from above toward the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit, and a control unit that controls the blowing unit, wherein the control unit receives information on the distance between a preceding medium and a succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the mounting unit, and when the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to weaken the air blowing by the blowing unit based on the distance information.

[0006] Furthermore, the control method for a recording device according to the present invention is a method for controlling the airflow of a recording device comprising: a recording unit that records on a medium; a medium discharge unit that discharges the medium on which the recording unit has recorded; a mounting unit on which the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side; a blowing unit that blows air from above toward the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; and a control unit that controls the blowing unit, characterized in that the control unit receives information on the distance between a preceding medium and a succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the mounting unit; and when the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it weakens the airflow from the blowing unit based on the distance information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of the main parts of the recording device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Enlarged schematic diagram of the main part of Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the airflow control flow of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the air blower section of Embodiment 1. [Figure 6]A timing chart illustrating the detection period of the loading height detection unit in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The present invention will now be described in general terms. To solve the above problems, a recording device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a recording unit for recording on a medium; a medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which the recording unit has recorded; a mounting unit on which the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side; a blowing unit that blows air from above toward the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; and a control unit that controls the blowing unit. The control unit is characterized in that it receives information on the distance between a preceding medium and a succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the mounting unit, and when the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it can weaken the air blowing by the blowing unit based on the distance information.

[0009] Here, "interval information" refers to information that allows for the determination of changes in the magnitude of the interval between the preceding medium and the succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the aforementioned storage unit. Therefore, it includes all information that allows for the determination of changes in the magnitude of the interval, and is not limited to direct numerical information of the interval D obtained by sensors, etc. For example, it also includes indirect information such as the type of operation that causes the change in interval D, such as flushing or silent transport mode. Furthermore, "reducing the airflow" includes reducing the airflow to a lower volume than before the reduction, and also stopping the airflow altogether.

[0010] The medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit falls onto the aforementioned mounting unit by its own weight. After falling onto the inclined mounting surface of the aforementioned mounting unit, the medium slides down the inclined mounting surface, and its rear end comes into contact with the alignment part, aligning its rear end position. As the medium slides down the aforementioned mounting surface, a subsequent medium is sent out to the medium discharge unit in a nipped state, and the leading edge of the subsequent medium passes through the airflow area of ​​the air blower unit. In this state, the air blown from the air blower unit hits the subsequent medium, and the amount of air hitting the preceding medium that has fallen onto the aforementioned mounting unit decreases. With the amount of air hitting it reduced, the preceding medium slides down the aforementioned mounting surface by its own weight. For example, if a flushing operation is performed midway through, and the distance between the transported preceding medium and the succeeding medium increases, the leading edge of the succeeding medium may not reach the airflow area of ​​the air blower while the preceding medium is sliding down the aforementioned surface. In this case, the amount of air hitting the preceding medium does not decrease. If the amount of air hitting the preceding medium does not decrease, the preceding medium remains pressed against the aforementioned surface by the airflow, and may stop sliding down. In other words, the preceding medium may not be able to slide down the aforementioned surface. When this happens, the stacking ability decreases. According to this embodiment, the control unit receives information on the distance between the preceding medium and the succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position to the aforementioned placement unit, and when the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to reduce the airflow from the air blower based on the distance information. By reducing the airflow when the distance becomes large enough to hinder the sliding down, it is possible to prevent the preceding medium from sliding down the aforementioned placement surface and thus suppress a decrease in stackability.

[0011] A recording device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the control unit stops blowing air when the interval exceeds a set value. Here, the aforementioned setting value is predetermined as the interval at which it is advisable to stop the airflow. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to determine this setting value as appropriate.

[0012] According to this aspect, when the interval exceeds the set value, the control unit stops the blowing, so that it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of a situation where the preceding medium cannot slide off the placement surface.

[0013] The recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, it includes a medium detection unit that is located upstream in the discharge direction from the discharge position and detects the leading end and the trailing end of the medium.

[0014] According to this aspect, the medium detection unit that detects the leading end and the trailing end of the medium is located upstream in the discharge direction from the discharge position. Thereby, information on the interval can be easily obtained by the medium detection unit. Thus, the timing for weakening the blowing can be appropriately set.

[0015] The recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, when the last medium in the recording job is discharged, the control unit weakens the blowing by the blowing unit. Here, the "last medium" means the last sheet of the medium discharged to the placement unit in one recording job.

[0016] According to this aspect, when the last medium is discharged, the blowing by the blowing unit is weakened. Thereby, even if the interval until the first medium of the next recording job is discharged becomes large, it is possible to suppress the situation where the preceding medium is prevented from sliding off the placement surface and the stacking property deteriorates.

[0017] The recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the control unit can change the discharge speed of the medium discharged from the discharge position from a first speed to a second speed that is lower than the first speed, and when the medium is discharged at the second speed, the control unit weakens the blowing by the blowing unit.

[0018] When the discharge speed of the medium changes from the first speed to a second speed that is lower than the first speed and is discharged, the interval becomes larger. According to this aspect, in this case, the blowing by the blowing unit is weakened, so it is possible to prevent the preceding medium from sliding off the placement surface and suppress the decrease in stacking property.

[0019] The recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit includes a silent conveyance mode that enhances quietness with respect to the normal conveyance mode for conveying the medium, and when the silent conveyance mode is selected, the blowing by the blowing unit is weakened.

[0020] The speed of conveying the medium in the silent conveyance mode is slower than that in the normal conveyance mode. Therefore, the interval becomes larger. According to this aspect, when the silent conveyance mode is selected, the blowing by the blowing unit is weakened, so it is possible to prevent the preceding medium from sliding off the placement surface and suppress the decrease in stacking property.

[0021] The recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, wherein the recording unit is movable to a recording position for recording on the medium and a flushing position for flushing, and the control unit weakens the blowing by the blowing unit when the recording unit performs flushing.

[0022] When the recording unit moves to the flushing position and performs flushing, the interval tends to become larger. According to this aspect, when the recording unit performs flushing, the blowing by the blowing unit is weakened, so it is possible to prevent the preceding medium from sliding off the placement surface and suppress the decrease in stacking property. Furthermore, when the recording unit performs flashing, it moves to the flashing position, requiring power for this movement. According to this embodiment, when the recording unit performs flashing, the airflow from the blower is reduced, thereby simultaneously suppressing power consumption.

[0023] The recording device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one aspect of the first to seventh aspects, the air blowing unit blows air onto the discharged medium at positions on both sides of the central part of the medium in the medium width direction intersecting the discharge direction.

[0024] To suppress curling, it is preferable to direct airflow to both ends of the medium in the width direction. According to this embodiment, even with such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the preceding medium from sliding off the aforementioned surface and thus suppress a decrease in stackability.

[0025] A recording device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the sending unit includes an airflow direction changing member capable of changing the direction in which air is blown onto the medium.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the direction of airflow directed at the medium can be changed by the airflow direction changing member. This allows the position to which the air is directed to be appropriately changed according to the size of the medium. Furthermore, the curl suppression effect can be appropriately adjusted. Furthermore, the airflow direction changing member can function as a shutter for the air outlet of the air blower, thereby weakening the airflow from the air blower.

[0027] A recording device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one aspect of the first to ninth aspects, includes a loading height detection unit for detecting the loading height of the medium which is installed and loaded at a certain height from the mounting surface of the aforementioned mounting unit, wherein the loading height detection unit is located below the discharge position in the vertical height direction and overlaps with the air blowing area in the discharge direction where the air blowing unit blows air onto the medium. Here, the phrase "the blowing unit is provided at a position that overlaps with the blowing area that blows air onto the medium in the discharge direction" means the position where, when viewing the recording device in a direction intersecting the discharge direction, the blowing area and the loading height detection unit appear to overlap. The degree of this "appearance to overlap" does not need to be precise; it may be shifted within a range that prevents false detection by the loading height detection unit.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the loading height detection unit is located below the discharge position in the vertical height direction and overlaps with the airflow area in the discharge direction where the air blower blows air onto the medium. As a result, the medium can be detected at the position where it is pressed down on the storage unit by the airflow from the air blower, that is, at the position where the curling of the medium is suppressed, thereby enabling more reliable detection of whether or not the storage unit is full.

[0029] A recording device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a tenth aspect based on the third aspect, is characterized in that the loading height detection unit detects the loading height of the medium during a predetermined period after the medium detection unit has detected the rear end of the preceding medium. Here, "detecting the stacking height of the medium within a predetermined period" means detecting the medium multiple times or more within a predetermined period, and does not include cases where the medium is detected instantaneously.

[0030] As the medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit falls into the aforementioned storage unit, it passes through the detection area of ​​the loading height detection unit, causing the loading height detection unit to instantaneously detect the presence of the medium. However, this detection does not detect the loading height of the medium, but merely detects the passage of the medium. Therefore, if this instantaneous detection is not removed, the loading height detection unit will make false detections in detecting the loading height. According to this embodiment, the loading height detection unit detects the loading height of the medium during a predetermined period after the medium detection unit has detected the rear end of the preceding medium. In other words, the detection period is given a width, so instantaneous detections, such as those that only detect the passage of the medium, can be excluded, thereby preventing false detections.

[0031] A recording device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, is characterized in that the predetermined period is from the time the medium detection unit detects the rear end of the preceding medium until the front end of the succeeding medium obstructs the air blower. Here, "until the leading edge of the subsequent medium obstructs the air blowing section" is used in a positive sense to mean any point in time until the leading edge of the subsequent medium reaches one end of the air blowing area of ​​the air blowing section.

[0032] When the leading edge of the subsequent medium obstructs the air blower, the pressure exerted on the preceding medium by the air blower is weakened. As a result, the preceding medium may curl or lift slightly. According to this embodiment, by setting the predetermined period to the time until the leading edge of the subsequent medium obstructs the air blower, the stacking height is detected while the preceding medium is being pressed down by the air blower, thereby enabling appropriate detection of the stacking height.

[0033] A recording device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, the predetermined period is longer than the time it takes for the medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to pass through the detection area of ​​the stacking height detection unit.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the predetermined period is longer than the time it takes for the medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to pass through the detection area of ​​the loading height detection unit, thus suppressing false detections.

[0035] Furthermore, a method for controlling the airflow of a recording device according to a 14th aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling the airflow of a recording device comprising: a recording unit for recording on a medium; a medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which the recording unit has recorded; a mounting unit on which the medium discharged by the medium discharge unit is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side; an airflow unit for blowing air from above toward the medium discharged from the medium discharge unit; and a control unit for controlling the airflow unit, wherein the control unit is characterized by having the steps of: receiving information on the distance between a preceding medium and a succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the mounting unit; and when the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, weakening the airflow from the airflow unit based on the distance information. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0036] [Embodiment 1] The recording device 1 and the airflow control method for the recording device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Here, the recording device 1 will be described as an inkjet printer. In the following explanation, the three mutually orthogonal axes will be referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as shown in each figure. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which gravity acts. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. In each figure, the direction indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) is the positive direction for each axis, and the opposite direction is the negative direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the recording device 1 according to this embodiment includes a recording unit 3 (Figure 3) that records on a medium S, a medium discharge unit 5 (Figures 2 and 3) that discharges the medium S on which recording has been made by the recording unit 3, a mounting unit 7 on which the medium S discharged by the medium discharge unit 5 is placed, a blower unit 9 that blows air from above toward the medium S discharged from the medium discharge unit 5, and a control unit 11 (Figure 3) that controls the blower unit 9. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (not shown) and non-volatile memory (not shown), and performs various controls in the recording device 1, including feeding, transporting, recording, and ejecting the media. The non-volatile memory (not shown) of the control unit 11 stores programs and parameters for performing these various controls. The control unit 11 receives information on the distance D (Figure 3) between the preceding medium S1 and the following medium S2 being discharged from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 to the mounting unit 7. When the preceding medium S1 is discharged from the discharge position P, the control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow from the air blower unit 9 based on the distance D information. Specifically, the airflow from the air blower unit 9 is reduced when the distance D becomes large enough to prevent the medium from sliding down.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the recording unit 3 performs recording by ejecting ink onto the medium S being transported along the transport path. Reference numeral 16 denotes a belt-type platen. Reference numeral 20 denotes a pair of transport rollers provided along the transport path. Multiple pairs of transport rollers are arranged along the transport path, but the other pairs of transport rollers are not shown. The air blowing unit 9 suppresses deformation such as curling by blowing air onto the medium S. The medium discharge unit 5 is composed of a pair of discharge rollers. The nip position of the discharge roller pair is the discharge position P for discharging the medium S, which will be described later.

[0039] <Air blower> As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the air blower 9 is equipped with two air blowers 91 and 92 that blow air onto the discharged medium S at positions on both sides in the X-axis direction, flanking the central part of the medium S, in the medium width (X-axis direction) that intersects with the discharge direction F. Note that the number of air blowers 9 is not limited to two. One air blower 9 may be placed in the central part, or three or more may be placed. In Figure 2, reference numeral 10 indicates the airflow region of the air blower 9. The airflow region 10 corresponds to the air outlet 6 of the air blower 9. When the medium S discharged from the medium discharge section 5 passes through the airflow region 10, the wind 8 blown out from the air outlet 6 of the air blower 9 hits the medium S from above, suppressing deformation such as curling of the medium S.

[0040] <Mounting section> The mounting section 7 of the recording device 1 is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction F (-Y direction) from which the medium S is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the mounting surface 2 of the mounting section 7 is inclined at an angle θ. After the medium S falls onto the mounting surface 2, it slides down the inclined mounting surface 2 under its own weight, and the rear end 12 of the medium S comes into contact with the alignment section 14, aligning the rear end position (Figure 3). The alignment section 12 is a flat wall. As shown in Figure 1, the mounting surface 2 has ribs 4 that protrude upward from the mounting surface 2 at a position corresponding to the central part of the medium S to be placed, extending along the discharge direction F. When the medium S is placed on the mounting surface 2, the central part is lifted by the ribs 4, and both sides are in contact with the mounting surface 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a media detection unit 13 is provided, located upstream of the discharge position P in the discharge direction F. The media detection unit 13 detects the leading edge 18 and the trailing edge 12 of the conveyed media S. The media detection unit 13 is composed of an optical sensor that can detect the passage of the leading edge 18 and trailing edge 12 of the media S.

[0042] <Control unit, interval> As described above, the control unit 11 receives information on the distance D (Figure 3) between the preceding medium S1 and the following medium S2 discharged from the discharge position P. In this embodiment, the information for the interval D is obtained from the information about the passage of the leading edge 18 and trailing edge 12 of the medium S detected by the medium detection unit 13. That is, the control unit 11 is configured to receive information about the passage of the leading edge 18 and trailing edge 12 of the medium S and calculate the interval D from that information. Furthermore, the information regarding the interval D is not limited to what is described above. The media detection unit 13 may calculate the interval D from the information regarding the passage of the leading edge 18 and trailing edge 12 of the media S, and the control unit 11 may receive the calculated interval D.

[0043] <Interval Information> The information about the interval D refers to information that allows for the determination of changes in the magnitude of the interval between the preceding medium S1 and the following medium S2, which are discharged from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 to the mounting unit 7. Therefore, all information that can determine the magnitude of the interval is included, and is not limited to direct information of the interval D obtained using the media detection unit 13. For example, it also includes indirect information such as the type of operation that causes the change in interval D, such as flashing or silent transport mode.

[0044] In inkjet printers, flushing is performed to prevent nozzle clogging. During the flushing operation, recording by the recording unit 3 is interrupted, and the transport of the unrecorded medium S in the transport path stops. On the other hand, the recorded medium S is transported without stopping, so the gap between the preceding medium S1 and the following medium S2 tends to increase in the section where the flushing operation occurs, hindering the aforementioned sliding down. Therefore, when a flushing operation is performed, the flushing operation itself can be used as information for the gap D. A detailed explanation of this point will be given later. Furthermore, since the silent transport mode slows down the transport speed compared to the normal transport mode, the gap between the preceding and succeeding media being discharged from the discharge position becomes larger, which tends to hinder the sliding down process. Therefore, when the silent transport mode is activated, the silent transport mode itself can be used as information for the gap D. A more detailed explanation of this point will be given later.

[0045] <Control unit reduces airflow> The control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow from the air blower 9 based on the received information about the interval D when the preceding medium S1 is discharged from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 to the mounting unit 7. Specifically, the control unit 11 reduces the airflow when the interval D received is large enough to prevent the medium from sliding down. Here, the interval Db is determined as a set value Db by collecting data in advance to confirm the conditions that prevent the sliding down. The control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow when it determines that the received interval D exceeds the set value Db. Here, the set value Db may be set in stages, rather than just one. It may also be configured so that the user can adjust and change the set value Db. Furthermore, "reducing the airflow" means setting the airflow to a level lower than the airflow level of the air blower 9 at the time the control unit 11 makes the determination against the set value Db. The degree to which the airflow is reduced is determined by collecting data in advance to ensure that the sliding motion is not hindered. Note that "reducing the airflow" also includes stopping the airflow.

[0046] <Control flow> Based on Figure 4, the airflow control method for the recording device 1 of this embodiment will be explained. When the recording job starts in step S1, the medium S is transported along the transport path at predetermined intervals. The air 8 blown from the air blower 9 is blown at a predetermined airflow rate. When the first medium S passes through the recording execution area of ​​the recording unit 3, ink is ejected and recording is performed. After recording on the first medium is completed and it passes through the recording execution area, recording is performed on the second medium, and this is repeated for the third, fourth, and so on, so that recording is performed continuously on multiple mediums.

[0047] In step S2, the recorded medium is sequentially discharged from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 through the air blowing area 10 of the air blowing unit 9 to the mounting unit 7. Passing through the air blowing area 10 suppresses curling of the medium S, which is the paper that has absorbed ink, due to the air blown from the air blowing unit. The discharged medium S falls onto the mounting unit 7 due to its own weight and the air blown from the air blowing unit 9. After the medium S falls onto the mounting surface 2 of the inclined mounting unit 7, it slides down the mounting surface 2 and the rear end 12 of the medium S comes into contact with the alignment part 14 and the rear end position is aligned (Figure 3). As the medium S slides down the mounting surface 2, the subsequent medium S2 is sent out with its tip nipped at the medium discharge section 5, and the leading edge 18 of the subsequent medium S2 passes through the airflow area 10 of the air blower section 9. In this state, the air 8 blown from the air blower section 9 hits the subsequent medium S2, and the amount of air hitting the preceding medium S1 that has fallen onto the mounting section 7 decreases. With the amount of air hitting it reduced, the preceding medium S1 slides down the mounting surface 2 by its own weight. During this time, the control unit 11 receives information about the interval D.

[0048] In step S3, it is determined whether the interval D between the preceding medium S1 and the succeeding medium S2 is greater than or equal to a set value Db. If the determination in step S4 is YES, the process proceeds to step S5, where the airflow from the air blower 9 is reduced. That is, the airflow is adjusted so as not to hinder the preceding medium S1 from sliding down the mounting surface 2. The reduced airflow is returned to its original level after the time has elapsed for the preceding medium S1 to slide down the mounting surface 2 to the position of the alignment section 14. This sliding time is predetermined and set. Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether or not to continue the recording job. If the decision is not to continue (NO), the process terminates. If the decision is to continue (YES) in step S6, the process returns to step S1. If the result in step S4 is NO, proceed to step S6.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow from the air blower 9 when the last medium S is discharged from the discharge position P to the mounting section 7. Here, "last medium" refers to the last medium ejected to the loading unit 7 in a single recording job. However, if the first recording job and the subsequent second recording job are executed in sequence, and the interval D between the last medium in the first recording job and the first medium in the second recording job remains constant, then "last medium" here refers only to the last medium in the second recording job, and does not include the last medium in the first recording job.

[0050] [Modification 1 of Embodiment 1] In the above explanation, the information on the interval D is the direct information of the interval D calculated from the information on the passage of the leading edge 18 and trailing edge 12 of the medium S detected by the medium detection unit 13. The following describes a case where indirect information other than the direct information obtained using the media detection unit 13 is used as information for interval D. First, let's explain the first modification. The control unit 11 can change the discharge speed of the medium S discharged from the discharge position P from a first speed V1 to a second speed V2 which is slower than the first speed V1. The control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow from the air blower 9 when the medium S is discharged at the second speed V2. Examples of situations where the medium S is discharged at the low second speed include when transfer is likely to occur on the medium, when the transport speed is slowed down to suppress curling of the medium S, and when noise reduction is required. When the discharge speed of the medium S is changed to a second speed V2 which is slower than the first speed V1, the distance D between the medium S particles increases. In other words, changing the discharge speed of the medium S to a slower speed causes a change in the distance D, and therefore provides information that can be used to determine the magnitude of the distance D. Modification 1 is configured to use the aforementioned change in the discharge speed of the medium S as information about the distance D to reduce the airflow. When the discharge speed of the medium S is returned from the second speed to the first speed, the control unit 11 receives the signal and returns the airflow from the air blower 9 to its original state.

[0051] [Modification 2 of Embodiment 1] Let's explain variation 2. The control unit 11 is equipped with a silent transport mode that enhances quietness compared to the normal transport mode for transporting the medium S. When the silent transport mode is selected, the airflow from the blower unit 9 is reduced. In the silent transport mode, the transport speed of the medium S is slower than in the normal transport mode, so the interval D becomes larger. In other words, changing to the silent transport mode causes a change in the interval D, and therefore provides information that can determine the magnitude of the change in the interval D. Modification 2 is configured to reduce the airflow by using the change to the silent transport mode as information about the interval D. When the system is switched back from silent transport mode to normal transport mode, the control unit 11 receives the signal and returns the airflow from the air blower unit 9 to its original setting.

[0052] [Modification 3 of Embodiment 1] Let's explain variation 3. As shown in Figure 3, the recording unit 3 is movable between a recording position (solid line position) where it records onto the medium S and a flushing position (dashed line position) where it performs flushing. The control unit 11 is configured to reduce the airflow from the air blower 9 when the recording unit 3 is performing flushing. When the recording unit 3 moves to the flashing position and performs flashing, the interval D increases as described above. In other words, flashing causes a change in interval D, so it provides information that can determine the magnitude of the change in interval D. Modification 3 is configured to use the flashing as information about interval D to reduce the airflow. When the flashing operation is finished, the control unit 11 receives the signal and returns the airflow from the air blower unit 9 to its original state.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the air supply units 91 and 92 are equipped with airflow direction changing members 81 and 82 that can change the direction of airflow directed toward the medium S. Here, the airflow direction changing members 81 and 82 are composed of louvers. Specifically, the airflow direction changing member 81 provided at the air outlet 6 of the air supply unit 91 can continuously change the direction of airflow 8 from the -Z direction to the -X direction. The airflow direction changing member 82 provided at the air outlet 6 of the air supply unit 92 can continuously change the direction of airflow 8 from the -Z direction to the +X direction. In this embodiment, the airflow direction changing members 81 and 82 appropriately change the position to which the air is directed according to the size of the medium S. They also appropriately adjust the curl suppression effect. In other words, the airflow direction changing members 81 and 82 can function as shutters for the air outlet 6 of the air blower unit 9, making it easy to reduce or restore the airflow from the air blower unit 9.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, this embodiment includes a loading height detection unit 15 that detects the loading height of the medium S, which is installed and loaded at a certain height from the mounting surface 2 of the mounting unit 7. The loading height detection unit 15 is located below the discharge position P in the vertical height direction and overlaps with the air blowing area 10 in the discharge direction F where the air blowing unit 9 blows air onto the medium S. Here, the blower unit 9 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the blower area 10 that blows air onto the medium S in the discharge direction F. The overlapping location means that when viewing the recording device 1 in a direction (+X direction) intersecting the discharge direction F (-Y direction), the blower area 10 and the loading height detection unit 15 appear to overlap. The degree of "appearing to overlap" does not need to be precise, and it may be shifted within a range that prevents false detection by the loading height detection unit 15.

[0055] The stack height detection unit 15 is provided to determine whether the height of the stacked medium S has reached a specified height. The stack height detection unit 15 is sometimes also called a full-stack sensor (FS). In this case, the stack height detection unit 15 uses an optical sensor having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The specified height can be determined when the stacked medium S blocks the light rays emitted in the X-axis direction from the light-emitting unit of the optical sensor. Figure 1 shows the state just before the medium S reaches the specified height. The loading height detection unit 15 in Figure 1 is the part of the light-emitting unit, and the light-receiving unit is attached on the opposite side of the loading surface 2.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the loading height detection unit 15 is configured to detect the loading height of the medium S during a predetermined period after the medium detection unit 13 has detected the rear end 12 of the preceding medium S1. Here, detecting the loading height of the medium S during a predetermined period means detecting the medium S multiple times or more during that predetermined period, and does not include cases where the medium S is detected instantaneously. When the media S discharged from the discharge position P of the media discharge unit 5 falls onto the loading unit 7, it passes through the detection area of ​​the loading height detection unit 15, i.e., the light beam, causing the loading height detection unit 15 to momentarily detect the presence of the media S. However, this detection does not detect the loading height of the media S, but merely detects the passage of the media S. Therefore, if this momentary detection is not excluded, the loading height detection unit 15 will make false detections in its detection of the loading height. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the loading height detection unit 15 detects the loading height of the medium S during a predetermined period T after the medium detection unit 13 has detected the rear end 12 of the preceding medium S1. In other words, the detection period is given a width. This prevents false detections by excluding momentary detections, such as when only the passage of the medium S is detected. In Figure 6, the FS detection signal is the detection signal of the loading height detection unit 15.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined period is configured to last from the time the media detection unit 13 detects the rear end 12 of the preceding medium S1 until the front end 18 of the succeeding medium S2 obstructs the air blower 9. Here, "until the front end 18 of the succeeding medium S2 obstructs the air blower 9" is used in a sense to mean any point in time until the front end 18 of the succeeding medium S2 reaches one end of the air blowing area 10 of the air blower 9. In other words, the system is configured to detect the loading height when the preceding medium S1 is being pressed down by the air blower 9, and is configured to appropriately detect the loading height.

[0058] [Diagrams of a specified period] Furthermore, the predetermined period may be longer than the time it takes for the medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to pass through the detection area of ​​the stacking height detection unit. Here, the "longer time" in the period longer than the time it takes for the falling medium S to pass through the detection area of ​​the stacking height detection unit 15 is set in advance by collecting confirmation data for the medium S to be used, from the viewpoint of preventing false detections. Since the predetermined period is longer than the time it takes for the medium S to be discharged and fall from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 to pass through the detection area of ​​the stacking height detection unit 15, the system is configured to suppress false detections by excluding detections that only detect the passage of the medium S.

[0059] <Description of the effects of the embodiment> (1) According to this embodiment, the control unit 11 receives information on the distance D between the preceding medium S1 and the following medium S2 that are discharged from the discharge position P to the mounting section 7, and when the preceding medium S1 is discharged from the discharge position P, it is possible to weaken the airflow from the air blower 9 based on the information on the distance D. By weakening the airflow when the distance D becomes large enough to prevent the preceding medium S1 from sliding down, it is possible to prevent the preceding medium S1 from sliding down the mounting surface 2 and to suppress a decrease in stackability. (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the media detection unit 13 that detects the leading edge 18 and the trailing edge 12 of the media S is located upstream of the discharge position P in the discharge direction F. This allows the media detection unit 13 to easily obtain information on the interval D. Thus, the timing for reducing the airflow can be appropriately set. (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the last medium is discharged, the airflow from the air blower 9 is reduced. This prevents the preceding medium S1 from sliding off the mounting surface 2 and suppresses a decrease in stackability, even if the interval D until the first medium S of the next recording job is discharged is large.

[0060] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the gap D increases when the discharge speed of the medium S is changed from the first speed to a second speed which is slower than the first speed, the airflow from the air blower 9 is weakened, so that the preceding medium S1 is prevented from sliding down the mounting surface 2 and a decrease in stackability can be suppressed. (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the silent transport mode transports the medium at a slower speed than the normal transport mode, so the spacing D becomes larger. However, when the silent transport mode is selected, the airflow from the air blower 9 is weakened, which prevents the preceding medium S1 from sliding off the mounting surface 2 and suppresses a decrease in stackability. (6) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the recording unit 3 performs flushing, the airflow from the air blower unit 9 is weakened, so that the preceding medium S1 is prevented from sliding off the mounting surface 2 and a decrease in stackability can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the recording unit 3 performs flashing, it moves to the flashing position, requiring power for this movement. According to this embodiment, when the recording unit 3 performs flashing, the airflow from the blower unit 9 is reduced, thereby simultaneously suppressing power consumption.

[0061] (7) In addition, according to this embodiment, the air blower 9 blows air onto the discharged medium S at positions on both sides of the central part of the medium S in the medium width direction intersecting the discharge direction F. This is because it is preferable to blow air onto both ends in the width direction of the medium S in order to suppress curling. According to this embodiment, even with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the preceding medium S1 from sliding off the mounting surface 2 and to suppress a decrease in stackability. (8) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the direction of airflow directed at the medium S can be changed by the airflow direction changing members 81 and 82. This makes it possible to appropriately change the position to which the air is directed according to the size of the medium S. In addition, the curl suppression effect can be appropriately adjusted. Furthermore, the airflow direction changing members 81 and 82 can function as shutters for the air outlet 6 of the air blower unit 9, thereby weakening the airflow from the air blower unit 9.

[0062] (9) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the loading height detection unit 15 is located below the discharge position P in the vertical height direction and overlaps with the air blowing area 10 in the discharge direction F where the air blowing unit 9 blows air onto the medium S. As a result, the medium S can be detected at the position where it is pressed down on the mounting unit 7 by the wind 8 from the air blowing unit 9, that is, at the position where the curling of the medium S is suppressed, so that it is possible to more reliably detect whether or not the mounting unit 7 is full. (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the loading height detection unit 15 detects the loading height of the medium S during a predetermined period T after the medium detection unit 13 has detected the rear end 12 of the preceding medium S1. In other words, the detection period is given a width, so instantaneous detections, such as those that only detect the passage of the medium S, can be excluded, thereby preventing false detections. (11) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by making the predetermined period until the leading edge 18 of the subsequent medium S2 obstructs the air blower 9, the stacking height is detected when the preceding medium S1 is being pressed down by the air blower 9, so the stacking height can be detected appropriately. (12) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the predetermined period is longer than the time it takes for the medium S that is discharged from the discharge position P of the medium discharge unit 5 and falls to pass through the detection area of ​​the loading height detection unit 15, so that false detections can be suppressed.

[0063] [Other embodiments] The recording device and the airflow control method for the recording device according to the present invention are based on having the configuration of the embodiments described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the explanation described reducing the airflow from the air blower 9 without actively stopping the airflow. However, the control unit 11 may be configured to stop the airflow when the interval D exceeds a set value. Here, the set value is predetermined as the interval at which it is advisable to stop the airflow. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to determine this set value as appropriate. As a result, the control unit 11 stops the airflow when the interval D exceeds a set value, thus more reliably preventing situations where the preceding medium S1 cannot slide down the mounting surface 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1...Recording device, 2...Mounting surface, 3...Recording section, 4...Rib, 5...Media ejection section 6...Air outlet, 7...Mounting section, 8...Air, 9...Air blowing section, 10...Air blowing area 11...Control unit, 12...Rear end, 13...Media detection unit, 14...Matching unit, 15...Load height detection unit, 16...Platen, 18...Tip, 20...Pair of conveying rollers, 81, 82... Airflow direction changing member, 91, 92... Airflow section, D... Spacing, F... Discharge direction P...discharge position, S...medium, S1...preceding medium, S2...following medium

Claims

1. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A mounting section on which the medium discharged by the aforementioned medium discharge section is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, The alignment section is into which the medium, discharged by the medium discharge section and sliding down the aforementioned placement section, comes into contact. A blower unit that blows air from above toward the medium being discharged from the medium discharge unit, The system includes a control unit for controlling the aforementioned air blowing unit, The control unit, The system receives information about the interval calculated from the information between the rear end of the preceding medium and the front end of the following medium, which are discharged from the discharge position of the media discharge unit to the storage unit described above. When the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to reduce the airflow from the blower based on the information of the interval and the set value. If the interval is less than the set value, the blower unit will blow air at the first airflow rate. If the interval is greater than or equal to the set value, the air blower will blow air at a second airflow rate weaker than the first airflow rate. A recording device characterized by the following features.

2. In the recording device according to claim 1, The control unit stops the airflow if the interval exceeds the set value. A recording device characterized by the following features.

3. In the recording device according to claim 1 or 2, A media detection unit is located upstream of the discharge position in the discharge direction and detects the leading and trailing ends of the media. A recording device characterized by the following features.

4. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control unit reduces the airflow from the blower when the last medium in the recording job is discharged. A recording device characterized by the following features.

5. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit, The discharge speed of the medium discharged from the aforementioned discharge position can be changed from a first speed to a second speed that is slower than the first speed. If the medium is discharged at the second speed, the airflow from the blower is reduced. A recording device characterized by the following features.

6. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control unit, It features a silent transport mode that enhances quietness compared to the normal transport mode for transporting media. When the silent transport mode is selected, the airflow from the blower is reduced. A recording device characterized by the following features.

7. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The recording unit is movable between a recording position for recording on the medium and a flushing position for performing flushing. The control unit reduces the airflow from the air blower when the recording unit performs flushing. A recording device characterized by the following features.

8. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The blowing unit directs air onto the discharged medium at positions on both sides of the central part of the medium in the medium width direction intersecting the discharge direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

9. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The air blowing unit includes an air blowing direction changing member that can change the direction in which air is blown onto the medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

10. In the recording device according to claim 1, The reduced airflow is returned to its original level after the time has elapsed for the preceding medium to slide down the mounting surface of the aforementioned mounting part to the position of the alignment part. A recording device characterized by the following features.

11. In a recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The mounting unit includes a loading height detection unit that detects the loading height of the medium, which is placed and loaded at a certain height from the mounting surface of the mounting unit. The aforementioned loading height detection unit is It is provided at a position below the discharge position in the vertical height direction, and at a position that overlaps with the air blowing area in the discharge direction where the air blowing unit blows air onto the medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

12. In the recording device according to claim 11, which references claim 3, The loading height detection unit detects the loading height of the medium during a predetermined period after the medium detection unit has detected the rear end of the preceding medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

13. In the recording device according to claim 12, The predetermined period is from the time the media detection unit detects the rear end of the preceding medium until the front end of the following medium obstructs the air blower. A recording device characterized by the following features.

14. In the recording device according to claim 12, The predetermined period is longer than the time it takes for the medium discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to pass through the detection area of ​​the stacking height detection unit. A recording device characterized by the following features.

15. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A mounting section on which the medium discharged by the aforementioned medium discharge section is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, The alignment section is into which the medium, discharged by the medium discharge section and sliding down the aforementioned placement section, comes into contact. A blower unit that blows air from above toward the medium being discharged from the medium discharge unit, A method for controlling the airflow of a recording device comprising the aforementioned airflow control unit, The control unit receives information about the interval calculated from the information between the trailing end of the preceding medium and the leading end of the following medium, which are discharged from the discharge position of the medium discharge unit to the aforementioned storage unit. When the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, the step of reducing the airflow from the blower based on the information of the interval and the set value, The system includes the step of, if the interval is less than a set value, blowing air from the blower at a first airflow rate, and if the interval is equal to or greater than the set value, blowing air from the blower at a second airflow rate weaker than the first airflow rate. A method for controlling the airflow of a recording device, characterized by the features described above.

16. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A mounting section on which the medium discharged by the aforementioned medium discharge section is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, A blower unit that blows air from above toward the medium being discharged from the medium discharge unit, The system includes a control unit for controlling the aforementioned air blowing unit, The control unit, The system receives information on the distance between the preceding medium and the succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the media discharge unit to the storage unit described above. When the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to reduce the airflow from the air blower based on the information of the interval. The discharge speed of the medium discharged from the aforementioned discharge position can be changed from a first speed to a second speed that is slower than the first speed. If the medium is discharged at the second speed, the airflow from the blower is reduced. A recording device characterized by the following features.

17. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A mounting section on which the medium discharged by the aforementioned medium discharge section is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, A blower unit that blows air from above toward the medium being discharged from the medium discharge unit, The system includes a control unit for controlling the aforementioned air blowing unit, The control unit, The system receives information on the distance between the preceding medium and the succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the media discharge unit to the storage unit described above. When the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to reduce the airflow from the air blower based on the information of the interval. It features a silent transport mode that enhances quietness compared to the normal transport mode for transporting media. When the silent transport mode is selected, the airflow from the blower is reduced. A recording device characterized by the following features.

18. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A medium discharge unit for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A mounting section on which the medium discharged by the aforementioned medium discharge section is placed, and which is inclined such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the medium is discharged is located vertically above the upstream side, A blower unit that blows air from above toward the medium being discharged from the medium discharge unit, The system includes a control unit for controlling the aforementioned air blowing unit, The control unit, The system receives information on the distance between the preceding medium and the succeeding medium discharged from the discharge position of the media discharge unit to the storage unit described above. When the preceding medium is discharged from the discharge position, it is possible to reduce the airflow from the air blower based on the information of the interval. A media detection unit is located upstream of the discharge position in the discharge direction and detects the leading and trailing ends of the media. The mounting unit includes a loading height detection unit that detects the loading height of the medium, which is placed and loaded at a certain height from the mounting surface of the mounting unit. The aforementioned loading height detection unit is It is provided at a position below the discharge position in the vertical height direction, and at a position that overlaps with the air blowing area in the discharge direction where the air blowing unit blows air onto the medium. The loading height detection unit detects the loading height of the medium during a predetermined period after the medium detection unit has detected the rear end of the preceding medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

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