Recording device

Abstract

To solve such a problem that an image sensor is easily stained with ink since a sheet for which there is no need to confirm presence / absence of ink discharge failure also passes in a configuration in which the image sensor is provided in a discharge path for discharging a sheet on which recording is performed.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a path for recording which passes through a recording part that performs recording by discharging liquid to a medium; a feeding path which feeds the medium to the path for recording; a discharge path which discharges the medium on which recording is performed by the recording part; a reading path being the medium conveyance path which passes through a reading part that reads an image, is provided independently of the path for recording, the feeding path and the discharge path and to which the medium recorded with a recording image for checking the discharge state of the liquid by the recording part is fed; and a switching part which switches between a first state of setting a feeding direction of the medium on which recording is performed by the recording part to a reading path and a second state of setting the feeding direction to a path other than the reading path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a medium.

Background Art

[0002] In the printer described in Patent Document 1, an image sensor is provided in a discharge path for discharging the paper on which recording has been performed, and the presence or absence of ink ejection failure is confirmed by this image sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where an image sensor is provided in a discharge path for discharging the paper on which recording has been performed, since the paper for which it is not necessary to confirm the presence or absence of ink ejection failure also passes through, the image sensor is likely to be soiled with ink, and it becomes difficult to appropriately confirm the presence or absence of ink ejection failure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a recording device comprising: a recording unit that records by discharging liquid onto a medium; a medium transport path for transporting the medium; and a switching unit that switches the feeding direction of the medium recorded by the recording unit. The medium transport path comprises: a recording path passing through the recording unit; a medium transport path connected to the recording path that supplies the medium to the recording path; a medium transport path connected to the recording path that discharges the medium recorded by the recording unit; and a reading path that passes through a reading unit that reads images, and is a medium transport path provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path. The reading path receives a medium on which a recorded image has been recorded for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit. The switching unit switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a path other than the reading path.

[0006] Furthermore, the method for reading recorded images of the present invention includes a media transport path for transporting a medium, a recording path passing through a recording unit that records by discharging liquid onto the medium, a media transport path connected to the recording path that supplies the medium to the recording path, a discharge path connected to the recording path that discharges the medium on which the recording unit has performed recording, and a media transport path passing through a reading unit that reads images, a media transport path provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path, and a reading path through which a medium on which a recorded image has been recorded is fed for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit. A method for reading a recorded image in a recording device comprising: a switching unit for switching the feeding direction of a medium on which recording has been made by the recording unit, the switching unit for switching between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a state other than the reading path, the method comprising: recording the recorded image with the recording unit; transporting the medium such that the recorded image is positioned farther away from the recording unit with respect to the reading unit; and reading the recorded image with the reading unit while transporting the medium such that the recorded image is facing the recording unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the external appearance of a printer according to the present invention, where (A) is a view from the front of the device and (B) is a view from the rear of the device. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the entire media transport path of the printer according to the present invention. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the control system of the printer according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the power transmission section. [Figure 5] Plan view of the power transmission section. [Figure 6] Plan view of the power transmission section. [Figure 7] A perspective view of the power transmission section, where (A) shows the forward rotation state of the transport drive roller, and (B) shows the reverse rotation state of the transport drive roller. [Figure 8] A perspective view of the carriage from the rear. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the reversal unit. [Figure 10] A diagram showing a portion of the media transport path when the switching flap takes the first state. [Figure 11] A diagram showing part of the media transport path when the switching flap takes on the second state. [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating the control flow performed by the control unit. [Figure 13] A diagram showing the medium on which the nozzle check pattern was recorded. [Figure 14] A diagram showing part of the media transport route. [Figure 15] A perspective view of the rear of the device with the casing removed, showing the reading unit installed. [Figure 16] A perspective view of the rear of the device with the casing removed, showing the state with the reading unit removed. [Figure 17] A perspective view showing an opening formed in the left frame, where (A) shows the reading unit installed and (B) shows the reading unit removed. [Figure 18] A perspective view showing an opening formed in the right frame, where (A) shows the reading unit installed and (B) shows the reading unit removed. [Figure 19] A view of the right frame, left frame, and reading unit from the +Z direction. [Figure 20] Perspective view of the reading unit. [Figure 21] Exploded perspective view of the reading unit. [Figure 22] Plan view of the reading unit. [Figure 23] Plan view of the inside of the second housing component and the glass plate. [Figure 24] A cross-sectional view of the reading unit cut in the XB plane, where (A) shows the end in the +X direction and (B) shows the end in the -X direction. [Figure 25] Cross-sectional view of the reading unit cut along the A-B plane.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0008] The present invention will be outlined below. A recording apparatus according to a first aspect includes a recording unit that records by discharging a liquid onto a medium, a medium conveyance path that conveys the medium, and a switching unit that switches the feeding direction of the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit. The medium conveyance path includes a recording path that passes through the recording unit, a medium conveyance path connected to the recording path that feeds the medium to the recording path (feeding path), a medium conveyance path connected to the recording path that discharges the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit (discharge path), and a medium conveyance path that passes through a reading unit that reads an image, which is provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path (reading path). The reading path is fed with a medium on which a recording image for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit is recorded, and the switching unit switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to other than the reading path.

[0009] According to this aspect, since the reading path that passes through the reading unit for reading an image is a medium conveyance path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, a medium on which normal recording has been performed passes through the discharge path, and a medium on which a recording image for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit is recorded passes through the reading path. In addition, the medium before recording passes through the feeding path. As a result, the reading unit is less likely to be soiled, and the liquid discharge state by the recording unit can be appropriately checked.

[0010] A second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the recording path is provided with a pair of transport rollers that rotate forward during recording by the recording unit to transport the medium to a position facing the recording unit, the reading path is provided at a position into which the medium is fed by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair, and the recorded image of the medium fed into the reading path by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair is located at a position far from the transport roller pair with respect to the reading unit and is read by the reading unit when the transport roller pair rotates forward.

[0011] According to this embodiment, when the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction, the reading unit and the recorded image are located upstream of the transport roller pair, and the recorded image is read when the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction. As a result, the medium is pulled while being transported at the position of the reading unit, which improves the transport accuracy of the medium when reading the recorded image and allows the recorded image to be read appropriately.

[0012] A third embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, when the medium is read by the reading unit while the transport roller pair is rotating in the forward direction, the only roller pair that nip the medium is the transport roller pair. According to this embodiment, when the medium is read by the reading unit while the transport roller pair is rotating in the forward direction, the only roller pair that nip the medium is the transport roller pair. Therefore, the transport load on the transport roller pair when reading the recorded image is reduced, the transport accuracy of the medium when reading the recorded image can be improved, and the recorded image can be read appropriately.

[0013] A fourth embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, the reading path is linear in the portion of the path upstream of the reading unit when the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction. According to this embodiment, since the reading path is linear in the portion upstream of the reading unit when the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction, the transport load on the transport roller pair when reading the recorded image is reduced, the transport accuracy of the medium when reading the recorded image can be improved, and the recorded image can be read appropriately.

[0014] A fifth embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, a pressing portion is provided at a position opposite to the reading portion for pressing the medium toward the reading portion. According to this embodiment, a pressing portion is provided at a position opposite the reading portion for pressing the medium toward the reading portion, so that the medium can be in close contact with the reading portion and good reading accuracy can be obtained.

[0015] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the feeding path is a medium transport path through which a medium sent out from a medium storage unit located below the recording path passes, and the medium sent out from the medium storage unit is inverted by an inverting roller and guided to the recording path, and the inverting roller and the pressing unit are configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the device equipped with the recording unit as a single unit. According to this embodiment, since the reversing roller and the pressing part are configured to be detachable as a single unit, recovery work in the event of a blockage of media inside the main body of the device is made easier, and since the reading part and the pressing part are separated, cleaning of the reading part and the pressing part is also made easier.

[0016] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the reading unit having the reading section has a guide section that guides the medium between the reading section and the pressing section when the transport roller pair reverses. According to this embodiment, the reading unit equipped with the reading section has a guide section that guides the medium between the reading section and the pressing section when the transport roller pair reverses direction. Therefore, the medium can be guided between the reading section and the pressing section without providing a dedicated guide member, thereby suppressing cost increases.

[0017] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the recording path extends along the depth direction of the device, the uppermost part of the reversing roller is above the recording path, the feeding path slopes downward toward the downstream from the uppermost part of the reversing roller, the reading path is located above the feeding path and has a path portion that extends along the downward sloping path portion of the feeding path, the recording unit is provided on a carriage that is movable in the width direction intersecting the medium transport direction in the reading path, the reading unit is located between the carriage and the reversing roller in the depth direction of the device, and a part of the carriage and a part of the reversing roller are located within the height range of the reading unit in the height direction of the device.

[0018] According to this embodiment, the reading unit is located between the carriage and the reversing roller in the depth direction of the device, and a part of the carriage and a part of the reversing roller are located within the height range of the reading unit in the height direction of the device. As a result, the reading unit is positioned by effectively utilizing the space between the carriage and the reversing roller, and the device can be made more compact.

[0019] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the recording path is provided with a pair of transport rollers that rotate in the forward direction during recording by the recording unit to transport the medium to a position facing the recording unit, and the switching unit switches between the first state and the second state by obtaining power from the drive rollers which constitute the pair of transport rollers. According to this embodiment, the switching unit is configured to switch between the first state and the second state by obtaining power from the drive rollers, which are rollers that constitute the transport roller pair. Therefore, a dedicated power source for driving the switching unit is not required, which can suppress cost increases, increases in the weight of the device, and increases in size.

[0020] The tenth embodiment is characterized in that, in the ninth embodiment, the power transmission unit is capable of switching between a power transmission state in which power is transmitted from the drive roller to the switching unit and a non-power transmission state in which power is not transmitted from the drive roller to the switching unit, the recording unit is provided on a carriage that is movable in a width direction intersecting the medium transport direction in the reading path, the power transmission unit is a member that is movable in the direction of movement of the carriage and comprises a contact member that forms the non-power transmission state when located in a first position and forms the power transmission state when located in a second position, and a pressing member that presses the contact member from the second position toward the first position, the contact member being moved from the first position toward the second position by being pressed by the carriage.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the power transmission unit is configured to switch the power transmission state by moving the contact member, and since the contact member moves from the first position to the second position when pushed by the carriage, a dedicated power source for moving the contact member is not required, thereby suppressing cost increases, weight increases, and size increases of the device.

[0022] An eleventh embodiment is characterized in that, in the tenth embodiment, the first position and the second position are located within the movement range of the carriage when the recording unit performs recording on the medium. According to this embodiment, since the first position and the second position are located within the movement range of the carriage when the recording unit records on the medium, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the movement range of the carriage that occurs when setting the first position and the second position, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0023] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect, a home position is set in the movement area of ​​the carriage at a position that caps the recording unit, and is different from the first and second positions, and after the medium on which the recorded image is recorded is fed into the reading path, the carriage moves to the home position before starting to read the recorded image. According to this embodiment, a home position is set in the carriage's movement area at a position that caps the recording unit, and is different from the first and second positions. After the medium on which the recorded image is fed into the reading path, the carriage moves to the home position before starting to read the recorded image. This suppresses drying of the recording unit and maintains appropriate recording quality.

[0024] The 13th embodiment is characterized in that, in the 12th embodiment, the contact member receives power from the drive roller, retracts from a position where it can contact the carriage when the drive roller rotates forward, and advances to a position where it can contact the carriage when the drive roller rotates backward. According to this embodiment, since the contact member retracts from a position where it can contact the carriage or advances to a position where it can contact the carriage by obtaining power from the drive roller, a dedicated power source for driving the contact member is not required, thereby suppressing cost increases, weight increases, and size increases of the device.

[0025] A 14th aspect is a media transport path for transporting a medium, comprising: a recording path passing through a recording unit that records by discharging liquid onto the medium; a media transport path connected to the recording path, which supplies the medium to the recording path; a media transport path connected to the recording path, which discharges the medium on which recording has been made by the recording unit; and a media transport path passing through a reading unit that reads an image, which is provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path, and which is a reading path into which a medium on which a recorded image has been recorded for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit is fed; and the recording A method for reading a recorded image in a recording device, comprising a switching unit that switches the feeding direction of a recording medium by a unit, the switching unit switching between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a state other than the reading path, the method comprising: recording the recorded image with the recording unit; transporting the medium such that the recorded image is positioned farther away from the recording unit with respect to the reading unit; and reading the recorded image with the reading unit while transporting the medium such that the recorded image is facing the recording unit.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the reading path through the image reading unit is a media transport path provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path. Therefore, media on which normal recording has been performed pass through the discharge path, while media on which a recorded image for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit has been recorded passes through the reading path. In addition, media before recording passes through the supply path. As a result, the reading unit is less likely to be contaminated, and the liquid discharge state by the recording unit can be checked appropriately.

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below. In the following section, an inkjet printer 1 will be described as an example of a recording device. Hereafter, the inkjet printer 1 will simply be referred to as printer 1. In each diagram, the XYZ coordinate system is such that the X-axis direction corresponds to the width of the device, and the width of the recording medium. From the perspective of the operator of printer 1, the +X direction is to the left and the -X direction is to the right. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device and is aligned with the media transport direction during recording. The +Y direction is from the back of the device toward the front, and the -Y direction is from the front of the device toward the back. In this embodiment, of the sides that make up the perimeter of the printer 1, the side on which the operation unit 3 is provided, i.e., the side in the +Y direction, is the front of the device, and the side in the -Y direction is the back of the device. The Z-axis direction is aligned with the vertical direction and corresponds to the height of the device. The +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward.

[0028] In some diagrams, the A-axis and B-axis directions are shown. The A-axis direction is the direction in which the path portion facing the reading unit 50 extends in the reading transport path T5, and the +A direction includes the +Y and -Z components. The B-axis direction is perpendicular to the A-axis direction, and the +B direction includes the +Y and +Z components. In the following, the direction in which the medium is sent will be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction as "upstream."

[0029] In Figure 1(A), the printer 1 has an operating unit 3 on the front of the main unit 2, which performs inkjet recording on a medium such as recording paper, for making various operation settings. An ink level indicator 4 is also provided on the front of the main unit 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a front cover that can be opened and closed, and is rotatably mounted on a rotation axis 5a (see Figure 2) relative to the media cassette 8, which will be described later, and when opened it forms part of the output tray. In Figure 1(B), a reversing unit 6 (see also Figure 9) is detachably mounted on the back of the main body 2 of the device. The reversing unit 6 integrally includes a reversing roller 15 and a pressing section 72 (see Figure 2), which will be described later.

[0030] Next, the media transport path in printer 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the media transport path is shown as a dashed line. Printer 1 has a media transport path for transporting media, which includes a supply path T1 for supplying media from the media cassette 8 at the bottom of the device, a recording path T2 that passes opposite the recording head 34, an ejection path T3 for ejecting the recorded media, an inversion path T4 for sending the recorded media to the inversion roller 15, and a reading path T5 into which media with a nozzle check pattern recorded are fed. The nozzle check pattern is an example of a recorded image used to check the ink ejection state by the recording head 34.

[0031] In this embodiment, the feeding path T1 is a path from the pick roller 10, through the reversing roller 15, to the transport roller pair 20. The recording path T2 is the path from the transport roller pair 20 to the discharge roller pair 26. In this embodiment, the recording path T2 extends along the Y-axis direction, that is, along the depth direction of the device, i.e., along the horizontal direction. The discharge path T3 is the downstream (+Y direction) path from the discharge roller pair 26. The reversal path T4 is a path that goes from the transport roller pair 20, through the reversal roller 15, and back to the transport roller pair 20. The reading path T5 is a path in the -Y direction from the transport roller pair 20 and passes between the reading unit 50 and the pressing unit 72.

[0032] In the supply path T1, the medium is fed out in the -Y direction from the medium cassette 8, which serves as the medium storage unit, by the pick roller 10. The medium cassette 8 is detachably attached to the main body 2 of the device. In Figure 2, the symbol P indicates the medium stored in the medium cassette 8. The pick roller 10 is supported by a roller support 11 that can rotate around a rotation axis 11a, and moves forward and backward relative to the media contained in the media cassette 8 by the rotation of the roller support 11. The pick roller 10 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 2, powered by the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3).

[0033] The medium, which is fed in the -Y direction by the pick roller 10, is curved and inverted by the inversion roller 15 and then fed towards the transport roller pair 20. The reversing roller 15 rotates counterclockwise in the direction shown in Figure 2, powered by the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3). A first driven roller 16, a second driven roller 17, a third driven roller 18, and a fourth driven roller 19 are provided around the reversing roller 15. The medium, which is fed out from the medium cassette 8 by the pick roller 10, is nipped by the reversing roller 15, the first driven roller 16, the second driven roller 17, and the third driven roller 18, and then sent downstream.

[0034] The transport roller pair 20 provided in the recording path T2 comprises a transport drive roller 21 and a transport driven roller 22. The transport drive roller 21 rotates in both forward and reverse directions by receiving power from the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3). In this specification, forward rotation of the transport drive roller 21 refers to the direction of rotation when the transport drive roller 21 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 2, feeding the medium in the +Y direction. This may also be referred to as the forward rotation of the transport roller pair 20. In this case, the rotation of the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3) may also be referred to as the forward rotation of the transport motor 91. In this specification, the reverse rotation of the transport drive roller 21 refers to the rotation direction when the transport drive roller 21 rotates clockwise in Figure 2, feeding the medium in the -Y direction. This may also be referred to as the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 20. In this case, the rotation of the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3) may also be referred to as the reverse rotation of the transport motor 91.

[0035] The transport-driven roller 22 rotates by nipping the medium between itself and the transport-driven roller 21. The transport-driven roller 22 is supported by a roller support member 23. The roller support member 23 is rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown), and the rotation of the roller support member 23 causes the transport-driven roller 22 to move forward and backward relative to the transport-driven roller 21. Reference numeral 24 denotes a tension spring, which is an example of a pressing member that presses the roller support member 23 so that the transport-driven roller 22 presses against the transport-driven roller 21.

[0036] In the recording path T2, downstream of the transport roller pair 20, a recording head 34, which is an example of a recording unit, and a support member 40 are positioned opposite each other. In this embodiment, the recording head 34 is configured as an inkjet recording head that ejects ink. Ink is supplied to the recording head 34 from an ink tank 35 via an ink tube 36. The support member 40 defines the gap between the recording head 34 and the medium by supporting the medium. The carriage 33, on which the recording head 34 is mounted, is provided to be movable in the X-axis direction, i.e., in the media width direction, using a carriage motor 92 (see Figure 3) as a power source. A main frame 32 is provided in the -Y direction relative to the carriage 33, and the carriage 33 moves in the X-axis direction while being supported by the main frame 32.

[0037] In the recording path T2, a pair of discharge rollers 26 is provided downstream of the recording head 34 and the support member 40. The discharge drive roller 27 rotates in both forward and reverse directions under the power of the transport motor 91 (see Figure 3). In this specification, forward rotation of the discharge drive roller 27 refers to the direction of rotation when the discharge drive roller 27 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 2, feeding the medium in the +Y direction. This may also be referred to as forward rotation of the discharge roller pair 26. In this specification, the reverse rotation of the discharge drive roller 27 refers to the rotational direction when the discharge drive roller 27 rotates clockwise in Figure 2, discharging the medium in the -Y direction. This may also be referred to as the reverse rotation of the discharge roller pair 26.

[0038] The discharge driven roller 28 is mounted to move back and forth relative to the discharge drive roller 27 and is pressed toward the discharge drive roller 27 by a spring (not shown), nipping the medium between itself and the discharge drive roller 27 and rotating in a driven manner. The recorded medium is discharged in the +Y direction by the discharge roller pair 26. Furthermore, a regulating roller 29 is provided near the upstream side of the discharge roller pair 26, and a regulating roller 30 is provided near the downstream side of the discharge roller pair 26, so that the upward floating of the discharged medium is restricted by the regulating rollers 29 and 30.

[0039] In Figure 3, the control unit 90 can determine the rotation amounts of the pick roller 10, reversing roller 15, transport drive roller 21, and discharge drive roller 27 based on the detection information from the rotation detection unit 93. The rotation detection unit 93 detects the rotation amount of the transport motor 91 and can be configured, for example, with a rotary encoder. Furthermore, the control unit 90 can determine the position of the carriage 33 in the X-axis direction using the detection information from the carriage position detection unit 94. The carriage position detection unit 94 can be configured, for example, as a linear encoder. Furthermore, the control unit 90 can determine, based on the detection information from the media detection unit 95, that the leading edge of the media has reached the vicinity of the upstream of the transport roller pair 20 (see Figure 10). The media detection unit 95 can be composed of an optical sensor or a contact sensor positioned in the vicinity of the transport roller pair 20 in the -Y direction.

[0040] Returning to Figure 2, when recording is to be performed on the second side of the medium opposite to the first side, the control unit 90 (see Figure 3), which controls the transport motor 91, reverses the transport motor 91 to send the medium to the inversion path T4. In this case, the medium is nipped by the inversion roller 15 and the fourth driven roller 19, and then nipped again by the inversion roller 15, the first driven roller 16, the second driven roller 17, and the third driven roller 18 before being sent downstream. The medium being transported along the inversion path T4 is inverted by the inversion roller 15 so that the second side faces the recording head 34, and then sent to the recording path T2. In this embodiment, the recorded medium is sent back in the -Y direction to the supply path T1 and then enters the reversal path T4. However, the reversal path T4 is not limited to this position and may be provided at a position branching off from the discharge path T3. However, by configuring the reversal path T4 to utilize a portion of the supply path T1, as in this embodiment, the size of the device can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the reversal path T4 is formed specifically for this purpose.

[0041] A switching flap 42, which is an example of a switching section, is provided between the transport roller pair 20 and the reversing roller 15. When the medium is fed to the reversing path T4, or when the supply path T1 is connected to the recording path T2, the switching flap 42 is in the second state shown by the solid line in Figure 2. When the recording medium, more specifically the medium on which the nozzle check pattern described later is recorded, is sent to the reading path T5, the switching flap 42 is set to the first state shown by the dashed line and reference numeral 42-1 in Figure 2 by the control unit 90. Thus, the switching flap 42 is a part that switches the feeding direction of the recorded medium, and switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path T5 and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a path other than the reading path T5 (in this embodiment, the inversion path T4).

[0042] The reading path T5 is provided with a reading unit 50, which is an example of a reading unit. The reading unit 50 has a sensor module 51, which is an example of a reading sensor, and the sensor module 51 is a CISM (Contact Image Sensor Module) as an example. The reading unit 50 reads the surface of the medium being transported along the reading path T5. Opposite the reading unit 50 is a pressing unit 72 that presses the medium toward the reading unit 50. The pressing portion 72 is pressed toward the reading unit 50 by a pressing spring 73, which is an example of a pressing member. This allows the medium to make close contact with the reading unit 50, resulting in good reading accuracy.

[0043] The lower side of the reading path T5 is formed by an inclined guide member 45, and the pressing portion 72 and the pressing spring 73 are provided on the inclined guide member 45. The inclined guide member 45 constitutes the reversal unit 6 as shown in Figure 9. The reading path T5 is formed on the upper side of the inclined guide member 45, and in the feeding path T1, the path portion heading downstream from the top of the reversal roller 15 slopes downward along the inclined guide member 45. As shown in Figure 21, the reading unit 50 includes a housing structure 50a, which holds the sensor module 51. The sensor module 51 and the housing structure 50a constitute the reading unit 50. The second housing member 55, which constitutes the housing structure 50a, is formed with a guide portion 55a that guides the medium between the reading unit 50 and the pressing portion 72 when the transport roller pair 20 reverses and the medium is fed into the reading path T5. This allows the medium to be guided between the reading unit 50 and the pressing portion 72 without the need for a dedicated guide member, thereby suppressing cost increases.

[0044] The arrangement of the reading unit 50 will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 14. The uppermost part 15a of the reversing roller 15 is above the recording path T2. The feed path T1 slopes downward from the uppermost part 15a of the reversing roller 15 downstream (+Y direction), and the reading path T5 is located above the feed path T1 and has a path portion that extends along the downward sloping path portion of the feed path T1. In the Y-axis direction, i.e., in the device depth direction, the reading unit 50 is located in the region Y1 between the carriage 33 and the reversing roller 15. In the Z-axis direction, i.e., in the device height direction, a part of the carriage 33 and a part of the reversing roller 15 are located within the height range of the reading unit 50. The range indicated by the symbol Z1 is the height range of the reading unit 50, the range indicated by the symbol Z2 is the height range of the reversing roller 15, and the range indicated by the symbol Z3 is the height range of the carriage 33. As shown in the figure, a portion of the height range Z3 of the carriage 33 and a portion of the height range Z2 of the reversing roller 15 are located within the height range Z1 of the reading unit 50. This configuration allows the reading unit 50 to be positioned in the space between the carriage 33 and the reversing roller 15, thereby enabling a smaller device. Alternatively, the reading unit 50 may be positioned such that its height range Z1 falls within the height range Z2 of the reversing roller 15.

[0045] Next, we will explain the configuration for switching the state of the switching flap 42. The carriage 33 has its -X-direction end as its home position within its movable range. In Figures 5 and 6, positions X0, X1, X2, and Xc are the possible positions of the side wall 33a (see Figure 8) in the +X direction of the carriage 33. For convenience, positions X0, X1, X2, and Xc will be described below as the positions of the carriage 33. Position X0 is the home position of the carriage 33. Position X1 is the position when the carriage 33 moves furthest in the -X direction within the recordable range A1, and position X2 is the position when the carriage 33 moves furthest in the +X direction within the recordable range A1. Position Xc is the center position of the recordable range A1. The home position X0 of the carriage 33 is set in the -X direction, which is one side of the center position Xc.

[0046] Furthermore, a contact lever 110a, which is an example of a contact member, is provided in the +X direction, which is the other side of the center position Xc. The shape of the contact lever 110a is shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 7. The contact lever 110a constitutes the power transmission unit 100, and the power transmission unit 100 is positioned in the +X direction with respect to the center position Xc. The power transmission unit 100 is configured to switch between a power transmission state in which the power of the transport drive roller 21 is transmitted to the switching flap 42, and a non-power transmission state in which the power of the transport drive roller 21 is not transmitted to the switching flap 42. This switching is performed using the carriage 33.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the power transmission unit 100 includes gears 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108, a rotating member 110, a contact lever 110a, and a compression spring 111 (see Figure 7), which is an example of a pressing member. When the power transmission unit 100 enters a power transmission state, power is transmitted from gear 101 on the transport drive roller 21 to gears 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and 108 in that order. Gear 108 is a gear provided on the rotation axis 42a in the +X direction of the switching flap 42, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0048] Furthermore, gears 106 and 107 are two-stage gears. Gears 102 and 103 are arranged to rotate together on the same axis. Gears 104 and 105 are also arranged to rotate together on the same axis. However, although a detailed explanation is omitted, rotational torque is transmitted between gears 104 and 105 via friction, which allows gears 104, 103, and 102 to continue rotating even when gears 108, 107, 106, and 105 are stopped.

[0049] The switching flap 42 is rotatably supported by the left frame 80 (see Figures 15 and 16) at its rotation axis 42a in the +X direction, and by the right frame 81 (see Figures 15 and 16) at its rotation axis 42a in the -X direction. The center of the rotation axis of the switching flap 42 is parallel to the X-axis direction, i.e., intersects with the media transport direction. The rotation limit of the switching flap 42 when the transport motor 91 rotates in reverse and the rotation limit of the switching flap 42 when the transport motor 91 rotates in forward are defined by the switching flap 42 contacting a rotation restricting part (not shown). Furthermore, the switching flap 42 is pressed downward, i.e., in the direction of taking the second state, by the tension spring 43 (see Figures 10 and 11).

[0050] Gear 103 is provided so as to be displaceable in the X-axis direction, and by displacing it in the X-axis direction, it switches between a state in which it meshes with gear 104 (see Figure 6) and a state in which it does not mesh with gear 104 (see Figure 5). When gear 103 meshes with gear 104, a power transmission state of the power transmission unit 100 is formed, and when gear 103 does not mesh with gear 104, a non-power transmission state of the power transmission unit 100 is formed. When the transport drive roller 21 reverses direction while the power transmission unit 100 is in a power transmission state and the switching flap 42 is in a second state where the media feeding direction is reversed to path T4, the switching flap 42 switches from the second state to the first state, that is, to a state where the media feeding direction is read to path T5. Furthermore, in the first state where the power transmission unit 100 is in a power transmission state and the switching flap 42 reads the medium feeding direction as path T5, when the power transmission unit 100 switches to a non-power transmission state, the switching flap 42 switches from the first state to the second state, that is, to a state where the medium feeding direction is reversed as path T4, due to its own weight and the spring force of the tension spring 43. Alternatively, the switching flap 42 may be switched from the first state to the second state by rotating the transport drive roller 21 in the forward direction. Alternatively, the switching flap 42 may be switched from the first state to the second state solely by its own weight.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, gear 103 is pressed in the +X direction by compression spring 111. Combining with gear 103, compression spring 111 also presses the rotating member 110 in the +X direction. A contact lever 110a is integrally formed on the rotating member 110. The rotating member 110 is rotatable by friction with the gear 102, and when the transport drive roller 21 rotates forward in the power transmission state of the power transmission unit 100, it contacts the lever contact portion 112 as shown in Figure 7(A), and maintains this state. In this state, the contact lever 110a is retracted from the movement area of ​​the carriage 33 and is in a position where it cannot contact the engagement portion 33b (see Figure 8) provided on the back of the carriage 33.

[0052] An opening 32b is formed in the lower frame portion 32a of the main frame 32. When the transport drive roller 21 reverses direction while the power transmission unit 100 is in power transmission mode, the contact lever 110a enters the opening 32b as shown in Figure 7(B) and contacts the contact surface 32c of the opening 32b. In this state, the contact lever 110a advances into the movement area of ​​the carriage 33 and is in a position to contact the engagement portion 33b (see Figure 8) provided on the back of the carriage 33. The position of the contact lever 110a in the X-axis direction in this state is called the first position X3 (see Figure 5). When the contact lever 110a is in the first position X3, gear 103 and gear 104 are not meshed. In this state, when the carriage 33 moves from the +X direction to the -X direction in Figure 7(B), the engaging portion 33b provided on the back of the carriage 33 pushes the contact lever 110a in the -X direction. This causes the rotating member 110, which is integrally formed with the contact lever 110a, to move the gear 103 in the -X direction, and as a result, the gear 103 meshes with the gear 104. That is, the power transmission state of the power transmission unit 100 is achieved. The position of the contact lever 110a in the X-axis direction in this state is defined as the second position X4 (see Figure 6).

[0053] Next, we will explain how to feed the medium into the reading path T5. Note that each control described below is implemented by a program (not shown) stored in the non-volatile memory (not shown) of the control unit 90 (see Figure 3). The control unit 90 executes a nozzle check mode at a predetermined timing. The nozzle check mode is a mode in which a nozzle check pattern Cp (see Figure 13) for checking the ink ejection status of the recording head 34 is recorded on a medium Pt, the medium Pt on which the nozzle check pattern Cp is recorded is sent to the reading path T5 and read by the reading unit 50, and a determination is made based on the reading result whether or not the ink ejection nozzle (not shown) is clogged. If the ink ejection nozzle is clogged, the control unit 90 displays an error on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 3 (see Figure 1(A)) or on the display unit (not shown) of the computer connected to the printer 1, and if automatic cleaning is enabled, it performs automatic cleaning of the recording head 34. This automatic cleaning is an operation in which the recording head 34 is covered with a cap (not shown) and negative pressure is created inside the cap to suck ink from the ink ejection nozzle.

[0054] In this embodiment, the nozzle check mode can be executed at any time by the user via the operation unit 3 (see Figure 1(A)). In this embodiment, the nozzle check mode can be selected to run automatically via the operation unit 3 (see Figure 1(A)). In this embodiment, the automatic execution of the nozzle check mode includes a first automatic mode and a second automatic mode. If the first automatic mode is selected and pre-recording checks are enabled, the control unit 90 will execute a nozzle check mode before starting recording when it receives a recording command. Also, if the first automatic mode is selected, even if a recording job is in progress, if the number of records since the last nozzle check mode was executed reaches a preset number, the control unit 90 will interrupt the recording job and execute a nozzle check mode. When the second automatic mode is selected, the control unit 90 turns on the nozzle check mode execution flag when the number of recorded images since the last nozzle check mode execution reaches a preset number of images. Then, before the next recording starts, if the execution flag is ON, the nozzle check mode is executed. In the second automatic mode, even if the number of recorded images since the last nozzle check mode execution reaches a preset number of images while a recording job is running, the recording job will not be interrupted to execute the nozzle check mode.

[0055] Next, with reference to Figure 12, the control of the control unit 90 when executing the nozzle check mode will be explained in more detail. When the control unit 90 determines that it is time to execute the nozzle check mode, it records the nozzle check pattern Cp (step S101). After the recording of the nozzle check pattern Cp is completed, the rear end of the media is positioned between the transport roller pair 20 and the media detection unit 95. Next, the control unit 90 moves the carriage 33 to the end in the +X direction (step S102), and then reverses the transport motor 91 by a first specified amount (step S103). As a result, as shown in the change from the state in Figure 7(A) to the state in Figure 7(B), the contact lever 110a advances into the movement area of ​​the carriage 33. At this time, the contact lever 110a is in the first position X3 (see Figure 5). Furthermore, as a result of the execution of step S103, the medium Pt moves a small amount in the -Y direction, and as a result, the rear end Pe of the medium Pt is positioned in the -Y direction relative to the medium detection unit 95 as shown in Figure 10. In this state, the switching flap 42 is in the second state.

[0056] Next, the control unit 90 moves the carriage 33 in the -X direction (step S104). As a result, the contact lever 110a moves from the first position X3 to the second position X4 (see Figure 6), and the power transmission unit 100 switches to the power transmission state.

[0057] In this state, the control unit 90 rotates the transport motor 91 forward by a first predetermined amount, that is, rotates the transport roller pair 20 forward (step S105). As a result, the medium Pt that moved in the -Y direction by the execution of step S103 is returned to its original position. Through this process, the rear end of the medium Pt is once again positioned between the transport roller pair 20 and the medium detection unit 95. At this time, the forward rotation of the transport motor 91 causes the contact lever 110a to retract from the movement area of ​​the carriage 33. However, in this state, the contact lever 110a is inserted into the restricting hole 32d (see Figure 7) formed in the lower frame portion 32a (see Figure 7) of the main frame 32, and remains extended into the movement area of ​​the carriage 33. In other words, the power transmission unit 100 maintains a power transmission state.

[0058] Next, the control unit 90 reverses the transport motor 91, that is, reverses the transport roller pair 20 (step S106). In the initial stage of this reversal of the transport motor 91, the switching flap 42 switches to the first state as shown in Figure 11. This reversal of the transport motor 91 continues after the media detection unit 95 detects the rear end Pe of the media Pt, until the media Pt has passed the reading standby position shown in Figure 11 by a small amount in the -A direction. In this way, by placing the rear end Pe of the medium Pt between the transport roller pair 20 and the medium detection unit 95, and then transporting the medium Pt in the -A direction, the required amount of medium Pt can be accurately transported. Next, the control unit 90 moves the carriage 33 to the +X end (step S107). As a result, the contact lever 110a moves from the second position X4 (see Figure 6) to the first position X3 (see Figure 5), and the power transmission unit 100 switches to a non-power transmission state. In this state, since the contact lever 110a has advanced into the movement area of ​​the carriage 33, the control unit 90 rotates the transport motor 91 forward by a first specified amount (step S108). As a result, the contact lever 110a retracts from the movement area of ​​the carriage 33, as shown by the change from the state shown in Figure 7(B) to the state shown in Figure 7(A). The control unit 90 then moves the carriage 33 to the home position in the -X direction (step S109). As a result, the recording head 34 is covered by a cap (not shown).

[0059] In step S108, the forward rotation of the transport motor 91 positions the medium Pt to the reading standby position shown in Figure 11. In this state, the nozzle check pattern CP (see Figure 13) is located in the direction of the arrow, further than the position Wp shown in Figure 11. Position Wp is the position furthest from the transport roller pair 20 within the range readable by the reading unit 50. In other words, the nozzle check pattern CP of the medium Pt, which is fed into the reading path T5 by the reversal of the transport roller pair 20, is located farther away from the transport roller pair 20 than the reading unit 50. In Figure 13, the distance L1 from the tip Pf of the medium Pt to the nozzle check pattern CP is longer than the path length between the nip position and position Wp by the transport roller pair 20.

[0060] Next, the control unit 90 rotates the transport motor 91, i.e., the transport roller pair 20, in the forward direction while reading the nozzle check pattern CP with the reading unit 50 (step S110). Once the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP is complete, the control unit 90 discharges the medium Pt by rotating the transport motor 91, i.e., the transport roller pair 20, in the forward direction (step S111).

[0061] As described above, printer 1 includes a recording path T2, a supply path T1 connected to the recording path T2, and an output path T3 connected to the recording path T2. It also includes a medium Pt transport path provided independently of the recording path T2, the supply path T1, and the output path T3, a reading path T5 into which the medium Pt on which the nozzle check pattern CP is recorded is fed, and a switching flap 42 that switches between a first state in which the feeding direction of the recorded medium P is set to the reading path T5 and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a path other than the reading path T5.

[0062] As a result, media on which normal recording has been performed passes through the discharge path T3, while media Pt on which the nozzle check pattern CP has been recorded passes through the reading path T5. This makes the reading unit 50 less susceptible to contamination and allows for proper checking of the ink ejection state by the recording head 34. Furthermore, in the reading path T5, the medium is nipped between the reading unit 50 and the pressing unit 72, resulting in a transport load. Since a medium that has been normally recorded does not pass through such a reading path T5, the reading unit 50 and the pressing unit 72 do not impose a transport load on a normally recorded medium. In this embodiment, the recorded image used to check the ink ejection state by the recording head 34 is the nozzle check pattern CP, but the recorded image is not limited to this; any image that can check the ink ejection state, i.e., the recording quality, may be used.

[0063] The method for reading the nozzle check pattern CP executed by the control unit 90 of the printer 1 includes the steps of: recording the nozzle check pattern CP with the recording head 34; transporting the medium Pt so that the nozzle check pattern CP is positioned farther away from the recording head 34 relative to the reading unit 50 (step S104 in Figure 12); and reading the nozzle check pattern CP with the reading unit 50 while transporting the medium Pt so that the nozzle check pattern CP is directed toward the recording head 34 (step S105 in Figure 12). However, the nozzle check pattern CP may be read in the step of transporting the medium Pt such that the nozzle check pattern CP is positioned farther away from the recording head 34 relative to the reading unit 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the recording path T2 is equipped with a pair of transport rollers 20 that, when recording by the recording head 34, rotates forward to transport the medium Pt to a position opposite the recording head 34, and the reading path T5 is located at a position where the medium Pt is fed in by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 20. The nozzle check pattern CP of the medium Pt that has been fed into the reading path T5 by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 20 is located far from the transport roller pair 20 relative to the reading unit 50 and is read by the reading unit 50 when the transport roller pair 20 rotates forward. As a result, the medium Pt is pulled while being transported at the position of the reading unit 50, which improves the transport accuracy of the medium Pt when reading the nozzle check pattern CP, and allows the nozzle check pattern CP to be read appropriately.

[0065] Furthermore, when the transport roller pair 20 is reversed to feed the medium Pt into the reading path T5, the reading unit 50 checks for the presence or absence of the nozzle check pattern CP. If the nozzle check pattern CP cannot be detected even after the transport roller pair 20 is reversed by a predetermined amount, the transport roller pair 20 may be rotated forward as an error to discharge the medium Pt, and the nozzle check mode may be retried.

[0066] Furthermore, when the transport roller pair 20 rotates forward and the reading unit 50 reads the medium Pt, the transport roller pair 20 is the only roller pair that nips the medium Pt. As a result, the transport load on the transport roller pair 20 is reduced when reading the nozzle check pattern CP, improving the transport accuracy of the medium Pt when reading the nozzle check pattern CP, and enabling the nozzle check pattern CP to be read appropriately. In this embodiment, the leading edge Pf of the medium Pt is not nipped by the discharge roller pair 26 until the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP is complete. However, when the conveyor roller pair 20 rotates in the forward direction and the reading unit 50 reads the medium Pt, there may be other rollers besides the conveyor roller pair 20 that nip the medium Pt. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when reading the nozzle check pattern CP begins, the leading edge Pf of the medium Pt is not positioned under the recording head 34. However, by ensuring that the leading edge Pf of the medium Pt is positioned under the recording head 34 when reading the nozzle check pattern CP begins, disruptions in transport accuracy caused by the leading edge Pf getting caught on the recording head 34 can be suppressed, and the nozzle check pattern CP can be read appropriately.

[0067] Furthermore, as is clear from Figure 11, the reading path T5 is linear in the portion upstream of the reading unit 50 when the transport roller pair 20 is rotating in the forward direction. In other words, the orientation of the medium Pt upstream of the reading unit 50 is linear when the transport roller pair 20 is rotating in the forward direction. This reduces the transport load on the transport roller pair 20 when reading the nozzle check pattern CP, improves the transport accuracy of the medium Pt when reading the nozzle check pattern CP, and allows the nozzle check pattern CP to be read appropriately.

[0068] Furthermore, the reversing roller 15 and the pressing part 72 constitute the reversing unit 6, and the reversing unit 6 is detachable from the device body 2 which is equipped with the recording head 34. That is, the reversing roller 15 and the pressing part 72 are detachable from the device body 2 as a single unit. As shown in Figure 9, the pressing part 72 is exposed to the outside of the reversing unit 6 when the reversing unit 6 is removed. This makes it easier to recover if a media jam occurs inside the device body 2, and also makes it easy to clean the reading unit 50 and the pressing part 72 because the reading unit 50 and the pressing part 72 are separated. However, the pressing portion 72 may not be provided on the reversing unit 6, but may be fixedly provided on the main body of the device 2.

[0069] Furthermore, the switching flap 42 switches between the first state and the second state by obtaining power from the transport drive roller 21, which is a roller that makes up the transport roller pair 20. This eliminates the need for a dedicated power source to drive the switching flap 42, thereby suppressing cost increases, weight increases, and size increases of the device. However, the switching flap 42 may be switched by other power sources, or it may be configured to be switched manually by the user.

[0070] The printer 1 also includes a power transmission unit 100 that can switch between a power transmission state in which power is transmitted from the transport drive roller 21 to the switching flap 42 and a non-power transmission state in which power is not transmitted from the transport drive roller 21 to the switching flap 42. The power transmission unit 100 is a member that can move in the direction of movement of the carriage 33 and includes a contact lever 110a that forms a non-power transmission state when positioned at a first position X3 and a power transmission state when positioned at a second position X4, and a pressure spring 111 that presses the contact lever 110a from the second position X4 toward the first position X3. The contact lever 110a moves from the first position X3 to the second position X4 when pushed by the carriage 33. This configuration eliminates the need for a dedicated power source to move the contact lever 110a, thereby suppressing cost increases, weight increases, and size increases of the device.

[0071] Furthermore, the first position X3 and the second position X4 are located within the movement range of the carriage 33 when the recording head 34 records onto the medium. This prevents the movement range of the carriage 33 from expanding when the first position X3 and the second position X4 are set, thereby preventing the device from becoming larger. However, the first position X3 and the second position X4 may be outside the movement range of the carriage 33 when the recording head 34 records onto the medium.

[0072] Furthermore, when the recording head 34 records onto the medium, a home position X0 is set on one side of the center position Xc of the carriage 33's movement area A1, which is the position of the carriage 33 and the position where it caps the recording head 34, while the first position X3 and the second position X4 are located on the other side of the center position Xc. Near the home position X0 of the carriage 33, the carriage 33 may move for maintenance of the recording head 34, but because the home position X0 is set on one side of the center position Xc and the first position X3 and the second position X4 are located on the other side, the contact lever 110a can be prevented from interfering with the maintenance of the recording head 34. However, the first position X3 and the second position X4 may be on the same side as the home position X0 with respect to the center position Xc.

[0073] Furthermore, the carriage 33 is located at a different position from the first position X3 and the second position X4, and after the medium Pt on which the nozzle check pattern CP is recorded has been fed into the reading path T5, but before reading the nozzle check pattern CP begins, the carriage 33 moves to the home position X0 (step S109 in Figure 12). As a result, the recording head 34 is covered by a cap (not shown). This prevents the ink ejection nozzles (not shown) of the recording head 34 from drying out, thus maintaining appropriate recording quality.

[0074] Furthermore, the contact lever 110a receives power from the transport drive roller 21, retracts from a position where it can contact the carriage 33 when the transport drive roller 21 rotates forward, and moves forward to a position where it can contact the carriage 33 when the transport drive roller 21 rotates backward. With this configuration, a dedicated power source for driving the contact lever 110a is not required, which can suppress cost increases, weight increases, and size increases of the device.

[0075] Next, we will explain the configuration and mounting structure of the reading unit 50. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the rear of the device is formed by a base consisting of a left frame 80 and a right frame 81, which are spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The left frame 80 is an example of a first frame, and the right frame 81 is an example of a second frame, with the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 forming a pair of frames. The inversion unit 6 described above is fitted in between the left frame 80 and the right frame 81. In this embodiment, both the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 are made of resin material.

[0076] The left frame 80 has a left opening 80a, and the right frame 81 has a right opening 81a. The reading unit 50 is passed through the left opening 80a and the right opening 81a and fixed in place. In other words, the reading unit 50 is detachable from the left frame 80 and the right frame 81, and is supported by the left opening 80a and the right opening 81a when installed. When installing the reading unit 50, in this embodiment, the reading unit 50 is inserted into the left opening 80a of the left frame 80 from the +X direction and moved toward the right opening 81a. However, this is not the only option; the reading unit 50 may also be inserted into the right opening 81a from the -X direction and moved toward the left opening 80a.

[0077] As shown in Figures 17(A) and (B), the reading unit 50 is fixed to the left frame 80 by screws 82 in screw holes 80b formed in the left frame 80. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 18(A) and (B), the reading unit 50 is fixed to the right frame 81 by screws 82 in screw holes 81b formed in the right frame 81. When installed, the reading unit 50 protrudes a predetermined length from the left frame 80 in the +X direction and a predetermined length from the right frame 81 in the -X direction.

[0078] Figure 19 shows the position of the reading unit 50 relative to the left frame 80 and the right frame 81, and for convenience, the shapes of the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 are shown in a slightly simplified manner. The reading unit 50 protrudes from the left opening 80a of the left frame 80 in the +X direction by a length Xt1. The reading unit 50 also protrudes from the right opening 81a of the right frame 81 in the -X direction by a length Xt2. In this embodiment, length Xt1 is longer than length Xt2. However, length Xt2 may be longer than length Xt1, or lengths Xt1 and Xt2 may be the same. In this embodiment, the circuit board 85 is arranged within a region of length Xt1 as shown in Figure 15.

[0079] In Figure 19, length Xu is the length of the reading unit 50 in the X-axis direction, and region Xs is the readable region of the sensor module 51 (described later) in the X-axis direction. As shown in the figure, the readable region Xs also protrudes in the +X direction from the left opening 80a of the left frame 80, and in the -X direction from the right opening 81a of the right frame 81. In Figure 19, region Xp represents the media transport region of the reading path T5, i.e., the region through which the media can pass. The size of the media transport region Xp (length in the X-axis direction) is set to a size that provides a slight margin over the maximum allowable media size.

[0080] Next, the configuration of the reading unit 50 will be described in detail. Note that the configuration of the reading unit 50 described below does not necessarily require a mounting structure for the reading unit 50 on the left frame 80 and the right frame 81. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the reading unit 50 comprises a housing structure 50a and a sensor module 51, with the sensor module 51 housed in the housing structure 50a. The detailed configuration of the sensor module 51 is omitted from this explanation, but it includes a light-receiving element, a light source, a lens array, etc. The housing structure 50a comprises a first housing member 54, a second housing member 55, and a glass plate 53. In this embodiment, the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55 are formed from a resin material.

[0081] The first housing member 54 is box-shaped to house the sensor module 51 and has two screw holes 54b near both ends in the X-axis direction. The second housing member 55 has screw insertion holes 55e formed at positions corresponding to the screw holes 54b, and the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55 are fixed together when a screw 57 passes through the screw insertion hole 55e and fits into the screw hole 54b. As will be explained in more detail later, the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55 are also bonded together with double-sided tape in addition to being fixed together with screws 57.

[0082] In the first housing member 54, spring holding portions 54a are formed near both ends in the X-axis direction, and a spring 56, which is an example of a pressing member, is held in the spring holding portions 54a. In this embodiment, the spring 56 is a compression coil spring. The sensor module 51 is displaceable in the B-axis direction within the housing structure 50a, and the spring 65 presses the sensor module 51 in the -B direction, i.e., toward the second housing member 55. Two sensor-side contact portions 51a are formed at both ends of the sensor module 51 in the X-axis direction. In addition, housing-side contact portions 55d are formed at both ends of the second housing member 55 in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 23. As shown in Figures 24(A) and (B), the pressing force of the spring 56 causes the sensor-side contact portions 51a to press against the housing-side contact portions 55d, thereby determining the position of the sensor module 51 relative to the second housing member 55 and the glass plate 53.

[0083] The second housing member 55 has an opening 55b, and covering portions 55c are formed in the +X direction and -X direction with respect to the opening 55b, respectively. The covering portions 55c are the parts that cover a portion of the readable area Xs, as explained with reference to Figure 19. In Figure 22, the regions indicated by symbols Xm1 and Xm2 (hereinafter referred to as "covering regions") are the regions of the covering portion 55c in the X-axis direction. Covering region Xm1 is the region that covers the +X direction side of the readable region Xs of the sensor module 51, and covering region Xm2 is the region that covers the -X direction side of the readable region Xs of the sensor module 51. The region indicated by the code Xk is the portion of the readable region Xs that is not covered by the cover portion 55c, i.e., the effective readable region. The effective readable region Xk is also the region where the glass plate 53 is exposed. The effective readable region Xk is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the media transport region Xp (see Figure 19).

[0084] The glass plate 53 is attached to the back side of the second housing member 55. In Figure 23, reference numeral 61 denotes double-sided adhesive tape for the glass plate, and the glass plate 53 is attached to the back side of the second housing member 55 and fixed in place by the double-sided adhesive tape 61 for the glass plate. The double-sided adhesive tape 61 for the glass plate is attached to the back side of the cover portion 55c and is positioned to surround the opening 55b.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 25, a double-sided adhesive tape 62 for housing member bonding is provided between the first housing member 54, the second housing member 55, and the glass plate 53. This double-sided adhesive tape 62 bonds the first housing member 54 to the second housing member 55, and also bonds the first housing member 54 to the glass plate 53. In particular, since the double-sided adhesive tape 62 for housing member bonding is positioned to cover the gap Bb between the glass plate 53 and the second housing member 55, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing structure 50a through the gap Bb.

[0086] Next, a sheet material 60 is attached to the guide portion 55a formed on the second housing member 55. The sheet material 60 is a material whose coefficient of friction with the medium Pt is lower than the coefficient of friction between the second housing member 55 and the medium P. For example, a low-friction sheet made of ultra-high molecular weight PE (Poly Ethylene) or PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene) can be used. By attaching such a sheet material 60 to the guide section 55a, the medium Pt being fed in the A-axis direction can move smoothly in the A-axis direction. In particular, because the sheet material 60 allows the medium Pt to move smoothly in the +A direction, reading accuracy can be improved.

[0087] A portion of the sheet material 60 is sandwiched between the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55, as indicated by reference numeral 60a. The sheet material 60 also extends to the surface of the glass plate 53 so as to cover the gap Ba between the glass plate 53 and the second housing member 55. This prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing structure 50a through the gap Ba.

[0088] As described above, the left frame 80 and the right frame 81, which are a pair of frames supporting the reading unit 50, are arranged with a gap between them in the width direction, and at least one of the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 is provided with an opening through which the reading unit 50 can pass. In this embodiment, openings are formed in both frames (left opening 80a and right opening 81a). The left frame 80 and the right frame 81 then support the reading unit 50 which is passed between the left frame 80 and the right frame 81. This configuration ensures the rigidity of the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 compared to a configuration in which notches are provided in the upper parts of the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 and the reading unit 50 is dropped into the notches from above.

[0089] Furthermore, the distance between the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 in the width direction (distance Xf in Figure 19) is shorter than the length of the reading unit 50 in the width direction (length Xu in Figure 19). This reduces the cost increase compared to a configuration in which the reading unit 50 is supported by the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 via a separate component. Furthermore, since the distance Xf between the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 can be shortened within the range in which the medium can be transported, it contributes to miniaturization of the device.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since openings for the reading unit 50 are provided in both the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 (left opening 80a and right opening 81a), the orientation of the reading unit 50 is stabilized. Alternatively, an opening may be provided in at least one frame, and a recess for receiving one end of the reading unit 50 may be provided in the other. That is, one may be a through hole and the other a non-through hole.

[0091] The reading unit 50 also has a sensor module 51 that reads the medium, and in the width direction, the size of the medium that the sensor module 51 can read (length of the readable area Xs in Figure 19) is larger than the medium transport area in the medium transport path (media transport area Xp in Figure 19). The size of the medium that the sensor module 51 can read (length of the readable area Xs in Figure 19) here refers to the size of the medium that can be read before the sensor module 51 is mounted on the device body 2. This configuration eliminates the need to match the size of the sensor module 51 to the media transport area XP. This increases the flexibility in selecting the sensor module 51, thereby reducing the cost of the sensor module 51 and contributing to overall cost reduction of the device. For example, the most readily available and inexpensive sensor module 51 can be used. However, in the width direction, the size of the medium that the sensor module 51 can read may be the same as the medium transport area Xp, or it may be smaller than the medium transport area Xp. In other words, it is sufficient that the size is such that the nozzle check pattern Cp described above can be read.

[0092] The reading unit 50 also includes a housing structure 50a that houses the sensor module 51. The housing structure 50a includes a glass plate 53 interposed between the reading path T5 and the sensor module 51, a first housing member 54 that holds the sensor module 51, and a second housing member 55 that faces the first housing member 54 and holds the glass plate 53. By housing the sensor module 51 in such a housing structure 50a, a decrease in reading accuracy due to the adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor module 51 can be suppressed.

[0093] Furthermore, the second housing member 55 has a housing-side contact portion 55d that can contact the reading unit 50, and the sensor module 51 is housed so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the housing-side contact portion 55d and is pressed against the housing-side contact portion 55d by a spring 56. This stabilizes the position of the sensor module 51 relative to the second housing member 55, i.e., the glass plate 53, and improves reading accuracy.

[0094] Furthermore, the second housing member 55 has a covering portion 55c that covers a part of the sensor module 51 in the width direction, but is outside the media transport area (media transport area Xp in Figure 19) in the media transport path. This reduces the area of ​​the glass plate 53 and suppresses cost increases.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23, a portion of the covering portion 55c overlaps with a portion of the glass plate 53 when viewed from the direction normal to the surface of the glass plate 53 (B-axis direction). This configuration prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing structure 50a through the gap between the glass plate 53 and the covering portion 55c. However, the covering portion 55c does not need to overlap with a part of the glass plate 53 when viewed from the direction normal to the surface of the glass plate 53 (B-axis direction).

[0096] As explained with reference to Figure 25, the second housing member 55 and the glass plate 53 are bonded together by double-sided adhesive tape 61 for glass plate bonding, and at least a portion of the double-sided adhesive tape 61 for glass plate bonding is interposed between the cover portion 55c and the glass plate 53. This prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the housing structure 50a through the gap between the glass plate 53 and the cover portion 55c. However, the adhesion between the second housing member 55 and the glass plate 53 may be performed not only with double-sided tape but also with adhesive or the like.

[0097] Furthermore, since the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55 are bonded together by double-sided adhesive tape 62 for housing member bonding, as explained with reference to Figure 25, the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55 can be bonded together with ease, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the housing structure 50a from between the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55. In this embodiment, the second housing member 55 is fixed to the first housing member 54 using a screw 57 (see Figure 20) and double-sided adhesive tape 62 for housing member bonding. However, it is also possible to fix it using only one of the screws or the double-sided tape.

[0098] Furthermore, since the second housing member 55 has a guide portion 55a that guides the medium to the reading position by the sensor module 51, the medium can pass smoothly when passing over the position of the second housing member 55. In addition, since the guide portion 55a is provided with a sheet material 60 that has a coefficient of friction between it and the medium that is lower than that of the second housing member 55, the medium can pass over the position of the second housing member 55 even more smoothly. Alternatively, instead of providing the sheet material 60, the guide portion 55a may be formed from a low-friction material such as POM (Polyoxymethylene).

[0099] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figure 25, a portion of the sheet material 60 is sandwiched between the first housing member 54 and the second housing member 55, which prevents the sheet material 60 from falling out of the second housing member 55.

[0100] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figure 25, since a portion of the sheet material 60 covers the boundary Ba between the second housing member 55 and the glass plate 53, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the interior of the housing structure 50a from the boundary Ba. In this embodiment, the sheet material 60 covers almost the entire boundary Ba in the X-axis direction, but it may also cover a portion of the boundary Ba in the X-axis direction.

[0101] As described above, the reading unit 50 is a reading unit that reads a medium being transported along the reading transport path T5 in a printer 1 having a left frame 80 and a right frame 81 spaced apart in the width direction, and is supported by the left frame 80 and the right frame 81 by passing between them through an opening formed in at least one of the left frame 80 and the right frame 81. The reading unit 50 comprises a sensor module 51 that is larger than the medium transport area Xp in the reading path T5, and a housing structure 50a that houses the sensor module 51. The housing structure 50a comprises a glass plate 53 interposed between the reading transport path T5 and the sensor module 51, a first housing member 54 that holds the sensor module 51, and a second housing member 55 that is opposite to the first housing member 54 and holds the glass plate 53. The second housing member 55 has a covering portion 55c that covers a part of the sensor module 51 in the width direction that is outside the medium transport area Xp in the reading path T5. This allows the area of ​​the glass plate 53 to be reduced, thereby suppressing cost increases.

[0102] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications 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 are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0103] 1...Inkjet printer, 2...Main unit, 3...Operation unit, 4...Ink level indicator, 5...Front cover, 5a...Rotating shaft, 6...Reversing unit, 8...Media cassette, 10...Pick roller, 11...Roller support part, 15...Reversing roller, 16...First driven roller, 17...Second driven roller, 18...Third driven roller, 19...Fourth driven roller, 20...Conveyor roller pair, 20...Conveyor drive roller, 22...Conveyor driven roller, 23...Roller support member, 24...Tension spring, 26...Discharge roller pair, 27... Discharge drive roller, 28…Discharge driven roller, 29, 30…Regulating roller, 32…Main frame, 32a…Lower frame section, 32b…Opening, 32c…Contact surface, 32d…Regulating hole, 33…Carriage, 33a…Side wall, 33b…Engaging part, 34…Recording head, 35…Ink tank, 36…Ink tube, 40…Support member, 42…Switching flap, 42a…Rotating shaft, 43…Tension spring, 45…Inclined guide member, 50…Reading unit, 50a…Housing structure, 51…Sensor module, 51a...Sensor-side contact part, 53...Glass plate, 54...First housing member, 54a...Spring holding part, 54b...Screw hole, 55...Second housing member, 55a...Guide part, 55b...Opening, 55c...Cover part, 55d...Housing-side contact part, 55e...Screw insertion hole, 56...Spring, 57...Screw, 60...Sheet material, 61...Double-sided tape for bonding glass plate, 62...Double-sided tape for bonding housing member, 72...Pressing part, 73...Pressing spring, 80...Left frame, 80a...Left opening, 80b...Screw hole, 81...Right frame M, 81a...right opening, 81b...screw hole, 82...screw, 85...circuit board, 90...control unit, 91...transport motor, 92...carriage motor, 93...rotation detection unit, 94...carriage position detection unit, 95...medium detection unit, 100...power transmission unit, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108...gears, 110...rotating member, 110a...contact lever, 111...compression spring, 112...lever contact part, T1...feeding path, T2...recording path, T3...discharge path, T4...reversal path, T5...reading path

Claims

1. A recording unit that records by discharging liquid onto a medium, A media transport path for transporting media, A switching unit that switches the feeding direction of the medium on which the recording unit has performed the recording, Equipped with, The aforementioned medium transport path is A recording path passing through the recording unit, A medium transport path connected to the recording path, comprising a transport path for supplying a medium to the recording path, A medium transport path connected to the recording path, comprising a discharge path for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A medium transport path through which an image is read, the reading path being a medium transport path provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path, A pair of transport rollers provided in the recording path, which rotates in the forward direction during recording by the recording unit to transport the medium to a position opposite the recording unit, It has, The reading path is provided at a position where the medium is fed in by the reversal of the transport roller pair. Furthermore, the reading path receives a medium on which a recorded image for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit is transmitted. The switching unit switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a path other than the reading path. The recorded image of the medium fed into the reading path by the reversal of the transport roller pair is located far from the transport roller pair relative to the reading unit and is read by the reading unit when the transport roller pair rotates forward. A recording device characterized by the following features.

2. In the recording device according to claim 1, when the medium is read by the reading unit while the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction, the only roller pair that nip the medium is the transport roller pair. A recording device characterized by the following features.

3. In the recording device according to claim 1, the reading path is such that the portion of the path upstream of the reading unit when the transport roller pair rotates in the forward direction is straight. A recording device characterized by the following features.

4. A recording device according to claim 1, wherein a pressing unit is provided at a position opposite to the reading unit for pressing the medium toward the reading unit, A recording device characterized by the following features.

5. In the recording device according to claim 4, the feeding path is a medium transport path through which a medium sent out from a medium storage unit located below the recording path passes, and the medium sent out from the medium storage unit is inverted by an inversion roller and guided to the recording path. The reversing roller and the pressing part are configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the device which includes the recording unit. A recording device characterized by the following features.

6. In the recording device according to claim 4, the reading unit comprising the reading unit has a guide unit that guides the medium between the reading unit and the pressing unit when the transport roller pair reverses direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

7. In the recording device according to claim 5, the recording path extends along the depth direction of the device, The uppermost part of the reversing roller is above the recording path. The aforementioned feeding path slopes downward from the top of the reversing roller toward the downstream side. The reading path is located above the feeding path and has a path portion that extends along the downward sloping path portion of the feeding path. The recording unit is mounted on a carriage that is movable in the width direction intersecting the media transport direction in the reading path, In the depth direction of the device, the reading unit is located between the carriage and the reversing roller. In the height direction of the device, a part of the carriage and a part of the reversing roller are located within the height range of the reading section. A recording device characterized by the following features.

8. In the recording device according to claim 1, The switching unit switches between the first state and the second state by obtaining power from the drive roller, which is a roller constituting the transport roller pair. A recording device characterized by the following features.

9. The recording device according to claim 8 is further comprising a power transmission unit capable of switching between a power transmission state in which power is transmitted from the drive roller to the switching unit and a non-power transmission state in which power is not transmitted from the drive roller to the switching unit. The recording unit is mounted on a carriage that is movable in the width direction intersecting the media transport direction in the reading path, The power transmission unit comprises a member movable in the direction of movement of the carriage, which includes a contact member that forms the non-power transmission state when positioned in a first position and forms the power transmission state when positioned in a second position, The system includes a pressing member that presses the contact member from the second position toward the first position, The contact member moves from the first position to the second position when pushed by the carriage. A recording device characterized by the following features.

10. In the recording device according to claim 9, the first position and the second position are located within the movement range of the carriage when the recording unit performs recording on the medium. A recording device characterized by the following features.

11. In the recording device according to claim 10, a home position is set in the movement area of ​​the carriage at a position that caps the recording unit, and at a position different from the first position and the second position. After the medium on which the recorded image is recorded is fed into the reading path, the carriage moves to the home position before starting to read the recorded image. A recording device characterized by the following features.

12. In the recording device according to claim 11, the contact member obtains power from the drive roller, retracts from a position where it can contact the carriage when the drive roller rotates forward, and advances to a position where it can contact the carriage when the drive roller rotates backward. A recording device characterized by the following features.

13. A medium transport path for transporting a medium, comprising a recording path that passes through a recording unit that records by discharging liquid onto the medium, A medium transport path connected to the recording path, comprising a transport path for supplying a medium to the recording path, A medium transport path connected to the recording path, comprising a discharge path for discharging the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, A media transport path passing through a reading unit for reading images, which is provided independently of the recording path, the supply path, and the discharge path, and which is a reading path through which a medium on which a recorded image for checking the liquid discharge state by the recording unit is fed, A pair of transport rollers provided in the recording path, which rotates in the forward direction during recording by the recording unit to transport the medium to a position opposite the recording unit, A method for reading a recorded image in a recording device, comprising a switching unit for switching the feeding direction of a medium recorded by the recording unit, the switching unit for switching between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a state other than the reading path, wherein when the switching unit is in the first state, the medium can be fed to the reading path by reversing the transport roller pair, The steps include recording the recorded image using the recording unit, The steps include: feeding the medium into the reading path by reversing the transport roller pair, and transporting the medium by reversing the transport roller pair such that the recorded image is positioned farther away from the recording unit relative to the reading unit; The process includes the step of reading the recorded image by the reading unit while transporting the medium by the forward rotation of the transport roller pair so that the recorded image faces the recording unit. A method for reading recorded images, characterized by the features described above.

Images