Post-processing device, recording system, and control method for post-processing device
The media discharge device addresses sheet curling and disorder by adjusting tray position based on curl information, enhancing stacking stability and throughput.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SEIKO EPSON CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
The stacking of curled sheets on a tray is prone to collision and disorder when the jogger stack means closes, especially when the tray is positioned low to avoid collision.
A media discharge device with a discharge unit, support units, and a loading tray that adjusts its position based on curl information to minimize curling and disorder, using a control unit to manage the opening and closing of support units and tray displacement.
The solution effectively reduces sheet disorder and pinching by support units, maintaining a balanced stacking state and improving processing throughput.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a medium discharging device for discharging a medium, and a post-treatment device including the same. The present invention also relates to a recording system including the post-treatment device. The present invention further relates to a control method for a medium discharging device that discharges a medium.
Background Art
[0002] A post-treatment device that performs post-treatment such as stapling or punching on a medium such as a sheet has been conventionally known, and an example thereof is shown in Patent Document 1. The post-treatment device described in Patent Document 1 has jogger stack means including a pair of left and right joggers that support a sheet material discharged by sheet conveying means. When the pair of left and right joggers open, the sheet bundle supported by the jogger stack means falls onto the stacking tray. With such a configuration, the displacement of the sheet bundle can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the sheet bundle is directly discharged along the upper surface of the sheet bundle already stacked on the stacking tray.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] If the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray is curled, there is a risk of collision with the curled sheet bundle when the jogger stack means closes. In order to avoid such a problem, it is preferable that the stacking tray is positioned as low as possible below the jogger stack means when dropping the sheet bundle from the jogger stack means to the stacking tray. However, when dropping the sheet bundles from the jogger stacking method onto the loading tray, the lower the loading tray is positioned, the more likely the sheet bundles are to become disordered when they fall onto the tray. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] To solve the above problems, the media discharge device of the present invention comprises: a discharge unit that discharges a recorded medium in the discharge direction; a pair of support units that support the medium discharged by the discharge unit, which are openable and closable by moving in opposite directions to each other in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a tray for loading the medium that falls when the pair of support units are opened, which is a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction. A control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the pair of support units and the displacement operation of the loading tray in the loading direction is capable of acquiring curl information including information relating to the degree of curling of the medium. Based on the curl information, if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a first position; and if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a second position lower than the first position.
[0006] Furthermore, the post-processing device of the present invention is a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, and is characterized by comprising a processing tray that supports the medium on which the post-processing is performed, and a medium discharge device that discharges the medium on which the post-processing has been performed from the processing tray. Furthermore, the recording system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a recording device equipped with a recording unit that records on a medium, and the post-processing device that performs post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device.
[0007] Furthermore, the control method for a media discharge device of the present invention comprises: a discharge unit that discharges a recorded medium in the discharge direction; a pair of support units that support the medium discharged by the discharge unit, the pair of support units that can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a tray for loading the medium that falls when the pair of support units are opened, the loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, and is characterized in that, based on curl information including information relating to the degree of curling of the medium, if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a first position; and if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a second position lower than the first position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Front view of the recording system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the internal configuration of the post-processing device. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing a control system that controls some components of the post-processing device. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the internal configuration of the post-processing device. [Figure 5] (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams of the media discharge device viewed from the discharge direction, illustrating the challenges when closing the lower support tray. [Figure 6] (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams of the media discharge device viewed from the discharge direction. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the control flow performed by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The present invention will be described in general terms below. The media discharge device according to the first embodiment comprises a discharge unit that discharges a recorded medium in the discharge direction, a pair of support units that support the medium discharged by the discharge unit and are able to be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction, and a tray for loading the medium that falls when the pair of support units are opened and a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, wherein the control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the pair of support units and the displacement operation of the loading tray in the loading direction is capable of acquiring curl information including information relating to the degree of curling of the medium, and based on the curl information, if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a first position, and if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a second condition in which the medium is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a second position lower than the first position.
[0010] According to this embodiment, in the case of the first condition the loading tray is closer to the pair of support parts than in the case of the second condition, so in the first condition the loading state of the media on the loading tray is less likely to be disturbed. Furthermore, in the second condition, the loading tray is further away from the pair of support parts than in the first condition, so the problem of the pair of support parts pinching the media loaded on the loading tray in a curled state when the pair of support parts close can be suppressed. As a result, a balance can be struck between suppressing disturbances in the stacking state on the stacking tray and suppressing pinching of the media by the lower support tray on the stacking tray, enabling more suitable post-processing.
[0011] A second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the curl information includes information about the medium. According to this embodiment, since the curl information includes information about the medium, the ease with which the medium curls can be appropriately determined.
[0012] The third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the curl information includes the recording information when recording is performed on the medium. According to this aspect, since the curl information includes the recording information when recording is performed on the medium, the ease of curling of the medium can be suitably grasped.
[0013] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the curl information includes environmental information. According to this aspect, since the curl information includes environmental information, the ease of curling of the medium can be suitably grasped.
[0014] The fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit closes the pair of support parts after opening the pair of support parts and before lowering the loading tray. According to this aspect, since the control unit closes the pair of support parts after opening the pair of support parts and before lowering the loading tray, the time during which the pair of support parts is open can be suppressed, the support of the medium by the pair of support parts can be promptly resumed, and the throughput of the overall process can be improved.
[0015] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit can select a first mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction based on the curl information and a second mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction without using the curl information.
[0016] According to this aspect, since the control unit can select the first mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction based on the curl information and the second mode for determining the position of the loading tray in the loading direction without using the curl information, the degree of freedom of user selection is improved, and the usability of the device by the user can be improved.
[0017] The post-processing device according to the seventh aspect is a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, and includes a processing tray that supports the medium on which the post-processing is to be performed, a post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on the medium supported by the processing tray, and a medium discharge device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects that discharges the medium on which the post-processing has been performed from the processing tray. According to this aspect, in the post-processing device, any of the operational effects of the first to sixth aspects described above can be obtained.
[0018] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, an end portion of the pair of support portions in a direction opposite to the discharge direction is located below an end portion of the processing tray in the discharge direction. According to this aspect, since an end portion of the pair of support portions in a direction opposite to the discharge direction is located below an end portion of the processing tray in the discharge direction, when discharging a stack of media from the processing tray, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem in which an end portion of the stack of media in a direction opposite to the discharge direction remains on the discharge portion and does not fall.
[0019] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, when the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction in a state where the medium is supported by the processing tray, the second condition is satisfied.
[0020] When the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction in a state where the medium is supported by the processing tray, the downstream region of the medium in the discharge direction hangs downward and is warped, and when it is discharged to the support portion, the warped portion acts to curl upward, and this curl remains even in a state where the medium is supported by the stacking tray. In this aspect, in such a case, as satisfying the second condition, since the stacking tray is positioned at the second position lower than the first position, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem in which the pair of support portions sandwich the medium stacked on the stacking tray in a curled state.
[0021] A recording system according to the tenth embodiment is characterized by comprising a recording device equipped with a recording unit for recording on a medium, and a post-processing device according to any of the seventh to ninth embodiments for performing post-processing on the medium recorded by the recording device. According to this embodiment, the recording system can obtain any of the effects of the seventh to ninth embodiments described above.
[0022] A control method for a media discharge device according to the 11th embodiment is a control method for a media discharge device comprising: a discharge unit for discharging recorded media in the discharge direction; a pair of support units for supporting the media discharged by the discharge unit, the pair of support units being able to be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction; and a tray for loading media that falls when the pair of support units are opened, the loading tray being displaceable in the loading direction, characterized in that, based on curl information including information relating to the degree of curling of the media, if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a first position; and if the condition for opening and closing the pair of support units is a second condition in which the media is more likely to curl than the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support units is set to a second position lower than the first position.
[0023] According to this embodiment, in the case of the first condition the loading tray is closer to the pair of support parts than in the case of the second condition, so in the first condition the loading state of the media on the loading tray is less likely to be disturbed. Furthermore, in the second condition, the loading tray is further away from the pair of support parts than in the first condition, so the problem of the pair of support parts pinching the media loaded on the loading tray in a curled state when the pair of support parts close can be suppressed.
[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below. The following describes a media discharge device 40, a post-processing device 30, and a recording system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In each figure, the X-axis direction represents the depth direction of the recording system 1. Within the X-axis direction, the +X direction, indicated by the arrow, is from the back of the device to the front, and the -X direction is from the front of the device to the back. The X-axis direction is also an example of the width direction of the media. The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the recording system 1. Of the Y-axis directions, the +Y direction, indicated by the arrow, is to the left when viewed from the perspective of a user facing the front of the device, and the -Y direction is to the right. The Z-axis direction is the height direction of the recording system 1, and is vertical. The +Z direction, indicated by the arrow, is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. In the following explanation, the +Z direction may simply be referred to as upward, and the -Z direction as downward.
[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the recording system 1 comprises a recording device 10 and a post-processing device 30. The recording device 10 according to this embodiment is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper, and is equipped with a line head 18, which is an example of a recording unit. The recording device 10 is also a so-called multifunction device equipped with a scanner unit 12 on the top of the device.
[0026] The recording device 10 comprises a main body 14, a media storage section 16 for housing media, a media transport section (not shown) for transporting media, a line head 18 for recording on media, an internal discharge section 22 for discharging media, a relay unit 24 for transporting media to the post-processing device 30, and a control unit 20 for controlling the recording device 10, the post-processing device 30, and the media discharge device 40 (see Figures 2 and 4). Inside the main body 14, a transport path TA is provided for transporting media. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is provided in the recording device 10, but it may also be provided in the post-processing device 30 or the media discharge device 40, which will be described later.
[0027] The line head 18 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles (not shown) arranged to cover the entire X-axis area of the medium. The line head 18 records onto the medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) from the plurality of ink ejection nozzles toward the medium. The control unit 20 comprises a CPU (not shown) and a storage unit 20a. The storage unit 20a is composed of a storage medium such as non-volatile memory. The storage unit 20a stores various programs and parameters for controlling the recording device 10, the media ejection device 40 (described later), the post-processing device 30, etc. The programs include programs for controlling the opening and closing operation of the lower support tray 60 and the displacement operation of the main tray 33 (described later).
[0028] The recording medium from the recording device 10 is sent to the post-processing device 30 via the relay unit 24. The post-processing device 30 comprises a device body 32, a processing tray 42 and a stapler 34 (an example of a post-processing unit) located inside the device body 32, a media discharge device 40 (see Figure 2) that discharges the post-processed media into a support tray 60 (see Figure 2), and a main tray 33 located outside the device body 32. The medium, transferred from the relay unit 24 to the main unit 32, is transported along the transport path TB inside the main unit 32 and sent to the processing tray 42.
[0029] The configuration of the post-processing device 30 will be further described below with reference to Figure 2. In the following, a medium will be denoted by the symbol P and referred to as medium P. A bundle of multiple mediums P will be denoted by the symbol Pt and referred to as a medium bundle Pt. Furthermore, the direction along the support surface 42a of the processing tray 42 is defined as the A-axis direction, and the +A direction within the A-axis direction is the discharge direction for discharging the media bundle Pt from the processing tray 42. The -A direction is the direction in which the media P on the processing tray 42 is pulled back toward the rear end alignment section 39. In this embodiment, the A-axis direction includes the +Z direction component and the -Y direction component. Also, the direction perpendicular to the A-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction is defined as the B-axis direction.
[0030] The guide member 35 constitutes part of the transport path TB and extends toward the processing tray 42. The medium P, transported along the guide member 35 in the -Y direction, is fed toward the processing tray 42 by transport rollers 46 driven by a motor (not shown).
[0031] The medium P fed into the processing tray 42 is pulled back in the -A direction toward the rear end alignment section 39 by the pull-back section 44. The pull-back section 44 includes a first paddle 48 and a second paddle 54. The first paddle 48 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 49 extending in the X-axis direction. The first paddle 48 is driven by a motor (not shown) in the clockwise direction in Figure 2, thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42. The second paddle 54, like the first paddle 48, is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 55 extending in the X-axis direction. The second paddle 54 is driven by a motor (not shown) in the clockwise direction in Figure 2, thereby applying a feeding force in the -A direction to the medium P fed into the processing tray 42.
[0032] A rear end alignment section 39 is provided in the -A direction relative to the processing tray 42. The rear end alignment section 39 has an alignment surface 39a parallel to the B axis direction, and the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt on the processing tray 42 abuts against the alignment surface 39a, thereby aligning the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt.
[0033] The side cursor 58 is provided to be movable in the X-axis direction by a drive source (not shown), and aligns with the X-axis end of the media bundle Pt supported by the processing tray 42 by contacting it. The side cursors 58 are spaced apart along the X-axis direction, and two side cursors 58 are provided so as to be close to or far apart from each other. Figure 2 shows the side cursor 58 provided in the -X direction of the two side cursors 58.
[0034] The flap 37 is positioned alongside the rear end alignment portion 39 along the X-axis direction and is pivotable around a shaft portion 37a extending in the X-axis direction. The flap 37 presses the media bundle Pt on the processing tray 42 downwards in the vicinity of the rear end alignment portion 39. The pressing member 36 is provided so as to be able to swing around a shaft portion 36a that extends in the X-axis direction. The pressing member 36 is provided so as to be able to rotate by a motor (not shown), and by rotating, it knocks down the medium P that is being fed toward the processing tray 42 by the transport roller 46 toward the processing tray 42. As a result, the -A direction end of the medium P being fed toward the processing tray 42 is properly guided toward the rear end alignment portion 39.
[0035] In the +A direction relative to the processing tray 42, there is an example of a discharge section, an discharge roller 38, which discharges the media bundle Pt supported by the processing tray 42 in the +A direction. The discharge roller 38 is driven by a discharge roller drive motor 63, as shown in Figure 3. The discharge roller drive motor 63 is controlled by a control unit 20. Furthermore, a discharge driven roller 41 is provided above the discharge roller 38 so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the discharge roller 38. The discharge driven roller 41 is separated from the discharge roller 38 except when the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42. When the media bundle Pt is being discharged from the processing tray 42, it moves toward the discharge roller 38 by a power source (not shown) and nips the media bundle Pt between itself and the discharge roller 38. In Figure 2, the discharge roller 38 discharges the media bundle Pt, which is supported on the processing tray 42 and has been stapled by the stapler 34, toward the lower support tray 60. In this embodiment, the post-processing is stapling by the stapler 34, but the post-processing is not limited to this, and may also be punching, which punches holes in the media bundle Pt, saddle stitching, or shift discharge, which alternately shifts the discharge position of the media bundle Pt in the media width direction. Alternatively, the media bundle Pt may be discharged without post-processing and stacked in a so-called "rod" on the main tray 33.
[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the lower support tray 60 consists of a first movable tray 60A and a second movable tray 60B, which are spaced apart in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the media width direction. The lower support tray 60, i.e., the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B, is an example of a pair of support parts. The first movable tray 60A is located in the +X direction relative to the media bundle Pt, and the second movable tray 60B is located in the -X direction relative to the media bundle Pt. Both the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B are shaped to sandwich the X-axis end of the media bundle Pt in the B-axis direction.
[0037] The first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B are driven in the X-axis direction by the lower support tray drive motor 65, as shown in Figure 3. The lower support tray drive motor 65 is controlled by the control unit 20. In Figure 6, the lower support tray 60 opens and closes as the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move in opposite directions. Specifically, the lower support tray 60 opens when the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move apart from each other, and closes when the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B move closer to each other. In Figure 6, the line CL is a straight line parallel to the B-axis direction and passes through the center position in the width direction of the medium. In the X-axis direction, the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the line CL, and the distance between the second movable tray 60B and the line CL are always the same.
[0038] Furthermore, when the lower support tray 60 is closed, it means that the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction becomes a distance that can support the media bundle Pt, as shown in Figure 6(A). Conversely, when the lower support tray 60 is open, it means that the distance between the first movable tray 60A and the second movable tray 60B in the X-axis direction becomes a distance that does not support the media bundle Pt and allows it to fall into the main tray 33, as shown in Figure 6(B).
[0039] The media bundle Pt discharged by the discharge roller 38 is temporarily supported by the closed lower support tray 60, as shown in Figure 6(A). Then, as shown in Figure 6(B), the lower support tray 60 opens, and the media bundle Pt supported by the lower support tray 60 falls into the main tray 33. Once the media bundle Pt falls into the main tray 33, the lower support tray 60 closes, as shown in Figure 6(C). When the lower support tray 60 closes, the main tray 33 moves downward to support the next media bundle Pt. By providing such a lower support tray 60, the stacking condition of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 can be improved.
[0040] The main tray 33 is an example of a loading tray that holds the media bundle Pt that falls when the lower support tray 60 opens. The main tray 33 is driven in the loading direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, by the main tray drive motor 67 (see Figure 3). The main tray drive motor 67 is controlled by the control unit 20.
[0041] Next, we will refer to and explain the issues that arise when the lower support tray 60 closes. First, as shown in Figure 2, the -A end 60c of the lower support tray 60 is located below the +A end 42b of the processing tray 42. In other words, there is a step between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. This prevents the occurrence of a problem where the rear end Pe of the media bundle Pt remains on the discharge roller 38 and does not fall when the media bundle Pt is discharged from the processing tray 42 to the lower support tray 60.
[0042] Here, when the medium P is supported by the processing tray 42, if its discharge length is such that it protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction, a curled portion Su is created in the medium bundle Pt due to the step difference between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. In Figure 2, the symbol R1 is the first region where the medium P is supported by the processing tray 42, and the symbol R2 is the second region where the medium P is not supported by the processing tray 42. If the discharge length of the medium P is longer than the length of the first region R1, a curled portion Su is created as described above. When this curled portion Su is discharged to the lower support tray 60, it acts to curl upward as shown in Figure 4. The symbol Sr is the upward-curled portion.
[0043] Figure 5(A) shows a media bundle Pt with curled portions Sr supported by the lower support tray 60. When the lower support tray 60 opens from this state, the media bundle Pt falls into the main tray 33 as shown in Figure 5(B). However, when the lower support tray 60 attempts to close in this state, as shown in Figure 5(C), the lower support tray 60 traps the curled portions Sr, causing damage to the media bundle Pt. This is the problem when the lower support tray 60 closes. Furthermore, these problems are not limited to configurations where a step is provided between the processing tray 42 and the lower support tray 60. In other words, curled portions Sr may be formed by factors other than the aforementioned step, and in such cases, there is a risk that the lower support tray 60 may pinch the curled portions Sr. To avoid such problems, it is preferable to position the main tray 33 as low as possible, but in this case, the stacking state is easily disrupted when the media bundle Pt falls from the lower support tray 60 onto the main tray 33.
[0044] To suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned problems, the control unit 20 performs the control shown in Figure 7. When performing post-processing, the control unit 20 acquires post-processing conditions (step S101). In this embodiment, the post-processing conditions include the following: Condition (1): Should it be the first mode or the second mode? Condition (2): Type of media (plain paper, specialty paper, etc.). Condition (3): Size, orientation, and viewing direction of the medium. Condition (4): Recording information (recording density, recording area, etc.). Condition (5): Environmental information (temperature, humidity). Condition (6): Post-processing details (binding position, number of binding positions, etc.).
[0045] Conditions (1), (2), (3), and (6) can be obtained based on information set by the user via the operation panel (not shown) of the recording device 10, or via a printer driver running on a computer (not shown) that transmits recording data to the recording device 10. Furthermore, condition (4) can be obtained based on the print data received by the recording device 10. Condition (5) can also be obtained from a temperature and humidity sensor (not shown). This temperature and humidity sensor may be located in either the recording device 10 or the post-processing device 30.
[0046] The above conditions (1) to (6) are just examples, and it is not necessary to acquire all of conditions (1) to (5) except for condition (6). For example, if condition (1) is not acquired, the first mode described later may be automatically selected. The first mode is a mode that switches the position of the main tray 33 according to how easily the media P curls.
[0047] Furthermore, conditions (2), (3), (4), and (5) can be used to determine the ease with which the medium P curls, specifically the ease with which the curled portion Sr is formed as explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In other words, conditions (2), (3), (4), and (5) are examples of curl information that include information related to the degree of curling of the medium. For example, regarding condition (2), media with lower rigidity are more prone to curling; for instance, plain paper curls more easily than specialty paper. Depending on the type of media, either a "prone to curling" or "difficult to curl" flag is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. As an example, plain paper is set to the "prone to curling" flag, and specialty paper is set to the "difficult to curl" flag.
[0048] Regarding condition (3), if the media length (A-axis length) protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a predetermined length or more, it is prone to curling. Based on this perspective, a flag indicating either "prone to curling" or "difficult to curl" is set according to the media length, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, if the media length (A-axis length) protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a predetermined length or more, the "prone to curling" flag is set, and in all other cases, the "difficult to curl" flag is set. Regarding condition (3), the material P is more prone to curling if its grain direction is aligned with the X-axis direction. Here, the grain direction of the material P refers to the predetermined direction in which the paper fibers are aligned. Depending on the grain direction of the material P, either a "prone to curling" or "difficult to curling" flag is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. If the grain direction of the material P is aligned with the X-axis direction, the "prone to curling" flag is set, and if the grain direction of the material P is not aligned with the X-axis direction, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.
[0049] Regarding condition (4), the higher the recording density, the more likely the paper is to curl. Recording density can be determined, for example, by the ratio of the number of dots formed by ink per unit area to the maximum number of dots that can be formed per unit area. Depending on the recording density, either a "prone to curling" or "difficult to curling" flag is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, if the recording density is above a predetermined density threshold, the "prone to curling" flag is set, and if the recording density is below the density threshold, the "difficult to curling" flag is set. Regarding condition (4), the larger the recording area in the second region R2 (see Figure 2), the more likely the paper is to curl. Depending on the recording area, either a "prone to curling" or "difficult to curling" flag is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, if the recording area is greater than or equal to a predetermined area threshold, the "prone to curling" flag is set, and if the recording area is less than the area threshold, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.
[0050] Regarding condition (5), curling is more likely to occur at low temperatures and low humidity, or at high temperatures and high humidity. Depending on the environmental information, either a "curly" or "difficult to curl" flag is set, and this information is stored in the storage unit 20a. For example, if the temperature and humidity fall within a predetermined set range (high temperature and high humidity range, low temperature and low humidity range), the "curly" flag is set, and if the temperature and humidity do not fall within the set range, the "difficult to curl" flag is set.
[0051] Next, the control unit 20 determines the position of the main tray 33 based on the acquired post-processing conditions (step S102). The position of the main tray 33 here refers to the position of the main tray 33 (Z-axis position) when the lower support tray 60 that supports the media bundle Pt is opened and the media bundle Pt is dropped onto the main tray 33. As will be described in more detail later, there are two positions for the main tray 33: a first position and a second position. The second position is lower than the first position and is suitable for media P that are prone to curling.
[0052] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 sets the position of the main tray 33 to the second position if at least one of the above-mentioned conditions is "prone to curling," thus satisfying the second condition. The control unit 20 also sets the position of the main tray 33 to the first position if all of the above-mentioned conditions are "not prone to curling," thus satisfying the first condition. However, this is just one example; for instance, the second condition might be satisfied if a predetermined number of conditions are flagged as "prone to curling," and the first condition satisfied otherwise. Alternatively, the curled portion Sr, as explained with reference to Figure 4, occurs when the media length protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the +A direction by a predetermined length or more in condition (3). Therefore, if the flag for "difficult to curl" is set in consideration of the media length in condition (3), the first condition is satisfied regardless of the other flags. If the flag for "easy to curl" is set in consideration of the media length in condition (3), the first or second condition may be determined based on the other flags.
[0053] If the first condition is met, the main tray 33 is positioned in the first position described later, and if the second condition is met, the main tray 33 is positioned in the second position described later. In this embodiment, the first and second conditions are determined using all of the above-mentioned conditions (2) to (5), but the first and second conditions may also be determined using only one of the above-mentioned conditions (2) to (5).
[0054] Here, the first and second positions of the main tray 33 will be described in detail. In Figure 4, the first position of the main tray 33 is the position where the distance between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33 or the uppermost media bundle Pt loaded on the main tray 33 is Dt1. The second position of the main tray 33 is the position where the distance between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33 or the uppermost media bundle Pt loaded on the main tray 33 is Dt2. The distance Dt2 is larger than the distance Dt1 and is the distance that avoids collision between the lower support tray 60 and the curled portion Sr, as explained with reference to Figure 5(C). In Figure 4, reference numeral 33-1 indicates the main tray 33 in the first position, and reference numeral 33-2 indicates the main tray 33 in the second position.
[0055] Furthermore, if no media bundle Pt is loaded on the main tray 33, the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 will be the interval between the lower support tray 60 and the main tray 33. If a media bundle Pt is loaded on the main tray 33, the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 will be the interval between the lower support tray 60 and the topmost media bundle Pt loaded on the main tray 33.
[0056] Note that the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 are not necessarily constant values. Specifically, the control unit 20 determines the intervals Dt1 and Dt2 according to the thickness of the media bundle Pt to be discharged. That is, the interval is set so that when the lower support tray 60 is opened and then closed, the media bundle Pt that has fallen into the main tray 33 is not pinched by the lower support tray 60. The thickness of the media bundle Pt can be determined based on the number of media P and the thickness of the media P. In particular, the interval Dt2 is determined by estimating the height of the curled portion Sr (height in the B-axis direction) based on how easily the media P curls, and taking the height of the curled portion Sr into consideration. The control unit 20 also controls the height of the main tray 33 based on the number of media bundles Pt that have already been discharged into the main tray 33.
[0057] Returning to Figure 7, the control unit 20 loads the media P onto the processing tray 42, performs post-processing on the media bundle Pt when loading is complete (step S103), and moves the main tray 33 to the first or second position (step S104). Steps S103 and S104 can be performed in parallel. If the second mode is selected, the main tray 33 is always positioned at the second position regardless of the curl information. However, if prioritizing the suppression of disturbance in the loading state on the main tray 33, the main tray 33 may always be positioned at the first position regardless of the curl information when the second mode is selected.
[0058] Next, the control unit 20 discharges the media bundle Pt from the processing tray 42 to the support tray 60 (step S105). Then, the control unit 20 opens the support tray 60 and drops the media bundle Pt into the main tray 33 (step S106). Then, the control unit 20 closes the support tray 60 (step S107). If there is further post-processing (Yes in step S108), the process returns to step S101; if there is no further post-processing (No in step S108), the process terminates. Note that if post-processing is performed consecutively under the same conditions, step S101 may be omitted.
[0059] As described above, the media discharge device 40 includes a lower support tray 60 and a main tray 33. The control unit 20, which controls the opening and closing operation of the lower support tray 60 and the displacement operation of the main tray 33 in the loading direction, can acquire curl information, which includes information related to the degree of curling of the media P. Based on the curl information, if the condition for opening and closing the lower support tray 60 is the first condition, the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction when opening and closing the lower support tray 60 is set to the first position. If the condition for opening and closing the lower support tray 60 is the second condition, in which the media is more prone to curling than in the first condition, the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction when opening and closing the lower support tray 60 is set to the second position, which is lower than the first position. As a result, in the case of the first condition, the main tray 33 is closer to the lower support tray 60 than in the case of the second condition, so the stacking state of the media bundle Pt on the main tray 33 is less likely to be disturbed in the first condition. Furthermore, in the second condition, the main tray 33 is further away from the lower support tray 60 than in the first condition, which helps to suppress the problem of the lower support tray 60 pinching the media bundle Pt that is stacked on the main tray 33 in a curled state when the lower support tray 60 closes. As a result, a balance can be struck between suppressing disturbances in the stacking state on the main tray 33 and suppressing pinching of the media bundle Pt by the lower support tray 60 on the main tray 33, enabling more suitable post-processing.
[0060] In this embodiment, the curl information also includes information about the medium P (condition (2)). In this embodiment, the curl information also includes the recording information when it is recorded on the medium P (condition (4)). In this embodiment, the curl information also includes environmental information (condition (5)). Based on the above, the tendency of medium P to curl can be appropriately determined.
[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 closes the lower support tray 60 (step S107) after opening it (step S106) and before lowering the main tray 33 (step S104). This reduces the time the lower support tray 60 is open, allows for quick resumption of support of the medium P by the lower support tray 60, and improves the overall processing throughput.
[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 can select between a first mode in which the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction is determined based on curl information, and a second mode in which the position of the main tray 33 in the loading direction is determined without using curl information. This increases the degree of freedom of choice for the user and improves the ease of use of the device by the user.
[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second condition is satisfied if the length of the media P in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray 42 in the discharge direction (+A direction) while being supported by the processing tray 42. This suppresses the occurrence of the problem in which the media bundle Pt, which is stacked on the main tray 33 in a curled state, is pinched by the support tray 60.
[0064] 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. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0065] 1...Recording system, 10...Recording device, 12...Scanner unit, 14...Main body, 16...Media storage unit, 18...Line head, 20...Control unit, 22...Internal discharge unit, 24...Relay unit, 30...Post-processing device, 32...Device body, 33...Main tray, 34...Stapler, 35...Guide member, 36...Pressing member, 36a...Shaft, 37...Flap, 37a...Shaft, 38...Discharge roller, 39...Rear end alignment unit, 40...Media discharge unit 41…Discharge driven roller, 42…Processing tray, 42a…Support surface, 44…Retraction part, 46…Conveyor roller, 48…First paddle, 49…Rotating shaft, 54…Second paddle, 55…Rotating shaft, 58…Side cursor, 60…Lower support tray, 60A…First moving tray, 60B…Second moving tray, 63…Discharge roller drive motor, 65…Lower support tray drive motor, 67…Main tray drive motor, P…Media, Pt…Media bundle
Claims
1. A post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, A processing tray supporting the medium on which the aforementioned post-processing is performed, A post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on a medium supported in the processing tray, A discharge unit that discharges the media that has undergone the above post-processing from the processing tray in the discharge direction, A pair of support parts for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge part, the pair of support parts that can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction, A tray for loading a medium that falls when the pair of support parts open, comprising a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, A control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the pair of support parts and the displacement operation of the loading tray in the loading direction, Equipped with, The ends of the pair of support portions in the direction opposite to the discharge direction are located below the end of the processing tray in the discharge direction. The control unit can acquire curl information, including information relating to the degree of curl of the medium supported by the pair of support units, before opening the pair of support units and dropping the medium from the pair of support units onto the loading tray. Furthermore, the control unit, based on the curl information, If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to the first position. If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are second conditions, which make the medium more prone to curling than the first conditions, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to a second position lower than the first position. If the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while being supported by the processing tray, then the second condition is satisfied. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
2. A post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, A processing tray supporting the medium on which the aforementioned post-processing is performed, A post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on a medium supported in the processing tray, A discharge unit that discharges the media that has undergone the above post-processing from the processing tray in the discharge direction, A pair of support parts for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge part, the pair of support parts that can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction, A tray for loading a medium that falls when the pair of support parts open, comprising a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, A control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the pair of support parts and the displacement operation of the loading tray in the loading direction, Equipped with, The ends of the pair of support portions in the direction opposite to the discharge direction are located below the end of the processing tray in the discharge direction. The control unit can acquire curl information, including information relating to the degree of curl of the medium supported by the pair of support units, before opening the pair of support units and dropping the medium from the pair of support units onto the loading tray. Furthermore, the control unit, based on the curl information, If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to the first position. If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are second conditions, which make the medium more prone to curling than the first conditions, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to a second position lower than the first position. The second condition is satisfied when the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while supported by the processing tray, and the recording area in the protruding region of the medium that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
3. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, If the grain direction, which is the direction along the fibers of the medium, is aligned with the width direction which intersects with the discharge direction, then the second condition is satisfied. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
4. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned Carl information includes at least one of the following: information about the medium, recording information when the information was recorded on the medium, and environmental information. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
5. In the post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The control unit displaces the loading tray to the first or second position before opening the pair of support parts to drop the medium from the pair of support parts onto the loading tray, and then opens and closes the pair of support parts. A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
6. In the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The control unit, A first mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is determined based on the curl information, A second mode in which the position of the loading tray in the loading direction is fixed to a predetermined position without using the curl information, It is possible to select A post-processing apparatus characterized by the following:
7. A recording device equipped with a recording unit that records onto a medium, A post-processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which performs post-processing on a medium recorded by the recording device, is provided. A recording system characterized by the following features.
8. In the recording system according to claim 7, The control unit acquires the curl information based on information set by the user via an operation panel provided on the recording device or a printer driver running on a computer that transmits recording data to the recording device. A recording system characterized by the following features.
9. A control method for a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, The aforementioned post-processing device is A processing tray supporting the medium on which the aforementioned post-processing is performed, A post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on a medium supported in the processing tray, A discharge unit that discharges the media that has undergone the above post-processing from the processing tray in the discharge direction, A pair of support parts for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge part, the pair of support parts that can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction, A tray for loading a medium that falls when the pair of support parts open, comprising a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, Equipped with, The control method described above is Before opening the pair of support parts and dropping the medium from the pair of support parts onto the loading tray, a first step is to acquire curl information, which includes information relating to the degree of curl of the medium supported by the pair of support parts. A second step is to determine the position of the loading tray in the loading direction based on the curl information, A third step involves displacing the loading tray to the determined position in the loading direction of the loading tray, A fourth step involves discharging the medium to the pair of support parts in a closed state, A fifth step involves opening the pair of support parts and dropping the media onto the loading tray, The sixth step is to close the pair of support parts, Includes, In the second step described above, If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to the first position. If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are second conditions, which make the medium more prone to curling than the first conditions, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to a second position lower than the first position. If the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while being supported by the processing tray, then the second condition is satisfied. A control method for a post-processing device characterized by the following:
10. A control method for a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a medium recorded by a recording device, The aforementioned post-processing device is A processing tray supporting the medium on which the aforementioned post-processing is performed, A post-processing unit that performs the post-processing on a medium supported in the processing tray, A discharge unit that discharges the media that has undergone the above post-processing from the processing tray in the discharge direction, A pair of support parts for supporting the medium discharged by the discharge part, the pair of support parts that can be opened and closed by moving in opposite directions to each other in the width direction intersecting the discharge direction, A tray for loading a medium that falls when the pair of support parts open, comprising a loading tray that is displaceable in the loading direction, Equipped with, The control method described above is Before opening the pair of support parts and dropping the medium from the pair of support parts onto the loading tray, a first step is to acquire curl information, which includes information relating to the degree of curl of the medium supported by the pair of support parts. A second step is to determine the position of the loading tray in the loading direction based on the curl information, A third step involves displacing the loading tray to the determined position in the loading direction of the loading tray, A fourth step involves discharging the medium to the pair of support parts in a closed state, A fifth step involves opening the pair of support parts and dropping the media onto the loading tray, The sixth step is to close the pair of support parts, Includes, In the second step described above, If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are the first condition, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to the first position. If the conditions for opening and closing the pair of support parts are second conditions, which make the medium more prone to curling than the first conditions, the position of the loading tray in the loading direction when opening and closing the pair of support parts is set to a second position lower than the first position. The second condition is satisfied when the length of the medium in the discharge direction is the length that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction while supported by the processing tray, and the recording area in the protruding region of the medium that protrudes from the processing tray in the discharge direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. A control method for a post-processing device characterized by the following: