Image reading device

Abstract

To provide an image reading device in which a reading part does not come into contact with undried liquid adhering to a sheet.SOLUTION: A printer 10 includes: a reading part 30 which reads an image of a sheet S; and a rotating body which is located at at least one of a first position between a first conveyance roller pair 51 and the reading part 30 and a second position between the reading part 30 and a second conveyance roller pair 52 in a conveyance direction P and on a same side as the reading part 30 in a conveyance path 33, and rotates around an axial line along an intersection direction 9 that intersects with the conveyance direction P. The reading part 30 has a glass plate 76. The rotating body has multiple protrusions 91B that protrude radially outward and contact the sheet. Tips 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B may be located closer to a support part 28 with respect to the glass plate 76 in the conveyance path 33 with the rotation of the rotating body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image reading device that reads an image recorded on a sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet reading device. The sheet reading device includes an image sensor. The image sensor reads an image on a sheet conveyed on a conveyance path. The image sensor has a casing. The lower surface of the casing is open. A light source, a lens, and a light receiving unit are located inside the casing. The opening of the casing is sealed with a glass plate. The casing is held by a holding member attached to an upper casing. The holding member includes a bottom plate. The bottom plate has a light-transmitting hole. Light is emitted from the image sensor through the light-transmitting hole, and light is incident on the image sensor. Since there is a bottom plate between the glass plate and the sheet, the glass plate and the sheet are separated. As a result, it is difficult for the undried ink attached to the sheet to adhere to the glass plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a sheet reading device, the bottom plate may come into contact with the undried ink attached to the sheet. Due to the contact with the bottom plate, the undried ink may spread on the sheet, and the image of the sheet may be disturbed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image reading device in which the undried liquid attached to the sheet does not come into contact with the reading unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The image reading device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a recording head, a first transport roller pair, a second transport roller pair, a reading unit, a sheet support unit, a glass plate, and a rotating body. The housing has a transport path through which the sheet passes. The recording head discharges liquid onto the sheet. The first transport roller pair is located downstream of the recording head in the transport direction of the sheet and transports the sheet in that transport direction. The second transport roller pair is located downstream of the first transport roller pair in the transport direction and transports the sheet in that transport direction. The reading unit is located between the first transport roller pair and the second transport roller pair in the transport direction and reads the image of the sheet. The sheet support unit is located opposite the reading unit in the transport path and supports the sheet. The glass plate is located between the reading unit and the sheet support unit. The rotating body is located at least one of the following positions in the conveying direction: a first position between the first conveying roller pair and the reading unit, and a second position between the reading unit and the second conveying roller pair. The rotating body is provided on the same side as the reading unit in the conveying path and rotates around an axis along an intersecting direction that intersects the conveying direction. The reading unit includes a light source that irradiates light onto the support unit through the glass plate, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the sheet through the glass plate. The rotating body has a plurality of protrusions that project radially outward and contact the sheet. The tips of the plurality of protrusions are located closer to the sheet support unit than the glass plate in the conveying path.

[0007] In the conveying path, the sheet does not come into contact with the glass plate because it comes into contact with multiple protrusions on the rotating body. As a result, the liquid adhering to the sheet is prevented from coming into contact with the glass plate. Due to the multiple protrusions, the contact area between the rotating body and the sheet is smaller than in a case where the rotating body does not have protrusions. This reduces the amount of undried liquid adhering to the sheet that is spread in the direction of conveying.

[0008] (2) The rotating body may have a first rotating body located at the first position and a second rotating body located at the second position.

[0009] At the first position, the sheet is in contact with the first rotating body, and at the second position, the sheet is in contact with the second rotating body. As a result, the sheet does not come into contact with the glass plate.

[0010] (3) The rotating body is located in the center of the conveying path in the direction of the intersection.

[0011] Since the rotating body contacts the center of the sheet in the intersecting direction, the sheet and the glass plate are less in contact.

[0012] (4) The image reading device may further include a first support member and a second support member. The first transport roller pair may include a first drive roller and a first driven roller that grips the sheet between itself and the first drive roller. The second transport roller pair may include a second drive roller and a second driven roller that grips the sheet between itself and the second drive roller. The second support member may support the first driven roller and the second driven roller. The first support member may support the reading unit and the rotating body.

[0013] Because the reading unit and the rotating body are supported by the first support member, the relative positional accuracy between the glass plate and the rotating body is high.

[0014] (5) The outer diameter of the rotating body may be smaller than the outer diameter of the first driven roller and the outer diameter of the second driven roller.

[0015] Compared to the case where the outer diameter of the rotating body is larger than the outer diameters of the first and second driven rollers, the rotating body can be positioned closer to the glass plate.

[0016] (6) Multiple rotating bodies may be provided at intervals in the intersecting direction.

[0017] Contact between the sheet and the glass plate is effectively suppressed.

[0018] (7) The thickness of the glass plate may be smaller than the shortest distance between the glass plate and the sheet support portion.

[0019] Since the distance between the glass plate and the sheet support portion increases, the sheet conveyed by the first conveyance roller pair comes into contact with the glass plate even less.

[0020] (8) The image reading device may be located between the recording head and the first conveyance roller pair in the conveyance direction, and may further include a heating unit that heats at least one of the liquid attached to the sheet and the sheet.

[0021] Even if the sheet heated by the heating unit is deformed, the sheet does not contact the glass plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, the undried liquid attached to the sheet does not contact the reading unit. As a result, the image recorded on the sheet is less likely to be disturbed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the printer 10, and FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view schematically showing the printer 10 with the housing cover 13 in the open position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a longitudinal section of the printer 10 along the line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the periphery including the support mechanism 25 as viewed from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the periphery including the CIS unit 30 in the longitudinal section of the housing cover 13 along the line II-II of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the fourth platen roller 91 is located at the center in the left-right direction 9 of the conveyance path 33. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a plurality of fourth platen rollers 91 are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The printer 10 according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of this disclosure, and the embodiments can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of this disclosure.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1(A), the vertical direction is defined based on the state in which the printer 10 is installed for use. The front-to-back direction is defined with the side of the printer 10 where the output port 16 is located being the front. The left-to-right direction is defined when viewing the printer 10 from the front. The left-to-right direction is an example of an intersecting direction.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer 10 records an image on the sheet S using an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 is an example of an image reading device.

[0027] [External configuration of printer 10] The printer 10 has a housing 1. The housing 1 is roughly rectangular in shape. Inside the housing 1 is the internal space 11 of the printer 10. The housing 1 consists of a housing case 12 and a housing cover 13.

[0028] An outlet 16 is located on the front wall 15 of the housing case 12. The outlet 16 is a rectangular through-hole that is elongated from left to right. The housing cover 13 is attached to the rear wall 17 of the housing case 12 by bearings and shafts.

[0029] The housing cover 13 rotates around the shaft's rotation axis 18 between a closed position and an open position. Figure 1(A) shows the housing cover 13 in the closed position. Figure 1(B) shows the housing cover 13 in the open position and the shaft's rotation axis 18. The shaft's rotation axis 18 extends along the left-right direction. In the closed position, the housing cover 13 closes the opening 19 at the upper end of the housing case 12, and in the open position, the housing cover 13 opens the opening 19. Note that Figure 1(B) does not show the internal structure of the housing 1. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the term "housing cover 13" below refers to "housing cover 13 in the closed position".

[0030] [Internal configuration of printer 10] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 includes a roll holder 21, a tensioner 22, a transport unit 23, a recording head 24, a support mechanism 25, a heater 26, a heater cover 27, a reference plate 29, a CIS unit 30, and a spur holder unit 31 in its internal space 11. "CIS" in CIS unit 30 stands for A Contact Image Sensor. The heater 26 is an example of a heating unit. The reference plate 29 is an example of a sheet support unit. The CIS unit 30 is an example of a reading unit. The spur holder unit 31 is an example of a second support member.

[0031] [Roll holder 21] Within the internal space 11, a sheet storage space 37 is partitioned by a partition wall 36 towards the rear and lower part. A first frame supporting a roll holder 21 is provided in the sheet storage space 37. The roll holder 21 is supported by the first frame within the sheet storage space 37. A roll body 38 is mounted on the roll holder 21. The roll body 38 has a core tube and a sheet S wound around the core tube. The roll body 38 may also be a sheet S wound in a roll shape without a core tube. The roll holder 21 may be omitted. In this case, the sheet storage space 37 may store a long fanfold paper or cut paper as the sheet S. There is a gap 39 between the rear end of the partition wall 36 and the rear wall 17 through which the sheet S passes. The sheet S is pulled out from the roll body 38 through the gap 39. The sheet S pulled out from the roll body 38 is hung on a tensioner 22.

[0032] [Tensioner 22] The tensioner 22 is located above the bulkhead 36 and near the rear wall 17. The tensioner 22 is supported by two second frames located near the left and right ends within the internal space 11. The tensioner 22 extends laterally between the two second frames. The tensioner 22 is biased backward by a spring. The tensioner 22 is movable in the front-rear direction. The tensioner 22 has a curved surface 40 that bulges backward. The sheet S, pulled out from the roll body 38, is placed on the curved surface 40 from below, passes over the upper end of the curved surface 40, and extends toward the conveyor roller pair 41 located in front of the tensioner 22. As the sheet S placed on the curved surface 40 is conveyed forward by the conveyor roller pair 41, the tensioner 22 applies backward tension to the sheet S.

[0033] [Transportation section 23] The conveying unit 23 conveys the sheet S along the conveying path 33. The conveying unit 23 conveys the sheet S drawn from the roll body 38 to the discharge port 16. The conveying unit 23 has a conveying roller pair 41, a first discharge roller pair 51, and a second discharge roller pair 52. The first discharge roller pair 51 is an example of a first conveying roller pair. The second discharge roller pair 52 is an example of a second conveying roller pair.

[0034] In Figure 2, a conveying path 33 for the sheet S is formed in the internal space 11. The conveying path 33 extends upward from the roll body 38, and then extends forward from the upper end of the tensioner 22 to the discharge port 16. In other words, the conveying direction P of the sheet S between the roll body 38 and the tensioner 22 is upward, and the conveying direction P between the tensioner 22 and the discharge port 16 is forward.

[0035] The conveyor roller pair 41 is located in front of the tensioner 22. The conveyor roller pair 41 has a drive roller 42 and a pinch roller 43. The drive roller 42 is located below the conveyor path 33. The drive roller 42 extends along the left-right direction. The drive roller 42 is supported on the third frame so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The drive roller 42 rotates due to a driving force transmitted from a motor. The pinch roller 43 is located above the conveyor path 33. The pinch roller 43 contacts the upper end of the drive roller 42 from above. The conveyor roller pair 41 conveys the sheet S forward, nipping the sheet S between the drive roller 42 and the pinch roller 43.

[0036] The first discharge roller pair 51 is located behind the CIS unit 30 and in front of the heater 26. The first discharge roller pair 51 has a first discharge roller 28A and a first spur roller 317A. The first discharge roller 28A extends along the left-right direction. The first discharge roller 28A is supported by the third frame so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The first discharge roller 28A rotates due to the driving force transmitted from the motor. The first spur roller 317A is supported by the spur holder unit 31 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. Note that multiple first spur rollers 317A may be provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The spur holder unit 31 will be described later. The first discharge roller pair 51 transports the sheet S forward with the first discharge roller 28A in contact with the lower surface of the sheet S and the first spur roller 317A in contact with the upper surface of the sheet S, that is, with the sheet S nipped between the first discharge roller 28A and the first spur roller 317A. The first spur roller 317A is an example of a first driven roller.

[0037] The second discharge roller pair 52 is located in front of the CIS unit 30 and behind the discharge port 16. The second discharge roller pair 52 has a second discharge roller 28B and a second spur roller 317B. The second discharge roller 28B extends along the left-right direction. The second discharge roller 28B is supported on the fourth frame so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The second discharge roller 28B rotates due to a driving force transmitted from the motor. The shape and size of the second spur roller 317B are the same as those of the first spur roller 317A. The second spur roller 317B is rotatably supported on the spur holder unit 31. Note that multiple second spur rollers 317B may be provided at intervals in the left-right direction. The second discharge roller pair 52 transports the sheet S forward with the second discharge roller 28B in contact with the lower surface of the sheet S and the second spur roller 317B in contact with the upper surface of the sheet S, that is, with the sheet S nipped between the second discharge roller 28B and the second spur roller 317B. The second spur roller 317B is an example of a second driven roller.

[0038] [Recording head 24] The recording head 24 is supported on the fourth frame in front of the pinch roller 43 and above the support mechanism 25. The recording head 24 has a nozzle surface 71 formed on its lower surface, which is the surface from which multiple nozzles 70 open. The recording head 24 receives ink from an ink tank via a tube. The ink contains water, pigment, and thermoplastic resin fine particles and requires heating to fix to the sheet S. The recording head 24 ejects ink from the multiple nozzles 70 toward the sheet S supported by the support mechanism 25. This records an image on the recording surface of the sheet S using the ink. Ink is an example of a liquid.

[0039] [Support mechanism 25] The support mechanism 25 is located in front of the transport roller pair 41 and directly below the recording head 24, and is supported by the fifth frame. The support mechanism 25 includes a transport belt 60, a drive pulley 61, a driven pulley 62, and a sheet support member 63.

[0040] The drive pulley 61 and the driven pulley 62 are positioned apart in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figure 2. The conveyor belt 60 is an endless belt stretched between the drive pulley 61 and the driven pulley 62. The drive pulley 61 is rotated by power generated by a motor. This causes the drive pulley 61 to rotate the conveyor belt 60 and the driven pulley 62.

[0041] The conveyor belt 60 has a conveying surface 64, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The conveying surface 64 is the rectangular portion at the upper end of the conveyor belt 60. The conveying surface 64 is vertically opposed to the nozzle surface 71 of the recording head 24. The width of the conveying surface 64 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the sheet S in the left-right direction. The conveying surface 64 supports the sheet S from below between the conveying roller pair 41 and the heater 26. In this way, the conveyor belt 60 imparts a conveying force to the sheet S.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the sheet support member 63 has a left support member 65 and a right support member 66. The left support member 65 is located to the left of the conveyor belt 60. The left support member 65 is box-shaped and opens forward and upward. The left support member 65 has a bottom wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The bottom wall forms the bottom of the left support member 65. The rear wall forms the rear side of the left support member 65. The left wall forms the left side of the left support member 65. The right wall forms the right side of the left support member 65. The left support member 65 has a left support surface that supports the sheet S supported by the conveyor surface 64 to the left of the conveyor surface 64. The left support member 65 has a left channel 65A that is recessed downward from the left support surface. The left channel 65A is a space that extends along the front-rear direction and is open forward and upward. The left support member 65 has a left through hole 67L. The left through-hole 67L penetrates the bottom wall of the left support member 65 along the vertical direction. The left through-hole 67L opens upward at the rear end of the left flow path 65A. Multiple left flow paths 65A are provided in the left-right direction. The left through-hole 67L is provided in each left flow path 65A.

[0043] The right support member 66 is located to the right of the conveyor belt 60. The right support member 66 is box-shaped and opens forward and upward. The right support member 66 has a bottom wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The bottom wall forms the bottom of the right support member 66. The rear wall forms the rear side of the right support member 66. The left wall forms the left side of the right support member 66. The right wall forms the right side of the left support member 66. The right support member 66 has a right support surface that supports the sheet S supported by the conveyor surface 64 to the right of the conveyor surface 64. The right support member 66 has a right channel 66A that is recessed downward from the right support surface. The right channel 66A is a space that extends along the front-rear direction and is open forward and upward. The right support member 66 has a right through hole 67R. The right through hole 67R penetrates the bottom wall of the right support member 66 along the vertical direction. The right through-hole 67R opens upward at the rear end of the right flow channel 66A. Multiple right flow channels 66A are provided in the left-right direction. The right through-hole 67R is provided in each right flow channel 66A.

[0044] Separate branch tubes are connected to each left through-hole 67L. Separate branch tubes are connected to each right through-hole 67R. These branch tubes are connected to a single merging tube. A suction pump is connected to the merging tube. When the suction pump is driven, an airflow is generated in each left channel 65A and each right channel 66A that flows in the opposite direction to the conveying direction P. As a result, the sheet S is carried forward by the conveying force applied from the conveying belt 60, while being attracted to the left support surface of the left support member 65 and the right support surface of the right support member 66.

[0045] [Heater 26] The heater 26 is located between the support mechanism 25 and the first discharge roller pair 51 in the front-rear direction. The heater 26 is supported by the fifth frame. The heater 26 has a heat transfer plate 73 and a film heater 74. The heat transfer plate 73 is made of metal. The heat transfer plate 73 has a support surface 73A at approximately the same vertical position as the conveying surface 64 of the conveying belt 60. The support surface 73A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The support surface 73A supports the lower surface of the sheet S fed out from the support mechanism 25. The film heater 74 is fixed to the lower surface of the heat transfer plate 73. The film heater 74 has a film made of a resin such as polyimide and a heating element formed in the film. The film heater 74 generates heat under the control of a controller (not shown). This heat is transferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate 73 via the heat transfer plate 73. The heat transferred to sheet S heats sheet S itself, the ink dispensed onto sheet S, and the ink impregnated into sheet S, causing moisture to evaporate from sheet S.

[0046] [Heater cover 27] The heater cover 27 is located slightly above and away from the heater 26. As shown in Figure 1(B), the heater cover 27 extends in the front-back and side-to-side directions between the left wall 14 and the right wall 20 of the housing cover 13. The heater cover 27 covers the entire support surface 73A of the heat transfer plate 73. The heater cover 27 is box-shaped with a rectangular parallelepiped space. A slit is formed on the bottom surface of the heater cover 27. A third spur roller 75 is provided inside the heater cover 27. The third spur roller 75 is supported by the heater cover 27 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction. The lower end of the third spur roller 75 protrudes slightly downward from the bottom surface of the heater cover 27 through the slit. In Figure 2, three third spur rollers 75 protrude slightly downward from the bottom surface of the heater cover 27. In this case, three slits are formed on the bottom surface of the heater cover 27 corresponding to the three third spur rollers 75.

[0047] [Reference plate 29] The reference plate 29 is located between the first discharge roller 28A and the second discharge roller 28B in the front-rear direction. The reference plate 29 is supported by the sixth frame. The reference plate 29 has a support surface 29A. The support surface 29A is approximately at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper end of the first discharge roller 28A and the upper end of the second discharge roller 28B. The support surface 29A extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. The support surface 29A is upward-facing and colored white.

[0048] [CIS Unit 30] The CIS unit 30 reads the image recorded on the sheet S. The CIS unit 30 is located in front of the heater 26. More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the CIS unit 30 is located between the first discharge roller pair 51 and the second discharge roller pair 52 in the front-rear direction. The CIS unit 30 is located directly above the reference plate 29 in the vertical direction. The CIS unit 30 is supported by a housing 77 located between the first discharge roller pair 51 and the second discharge roller pair 52 in the front-rear direction. The housing 77 is an example of a first support member.

[0049] The housing 77 has a main body 77A, a first support part 77B, and a second support part 77C. The main body 77A is a rectangular box that is long in the left-right direction. The main body 77A has a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a bottom wall. The top wall forms the upper side of the main body 77A. The front wall forms the front side of the main body 77A. The rear wall forms the rear side of the main body 77A. The left wall forms the left side of the main body 77A. The right wall forms the right side of the main body 77A. The bottom wall forms the bottom of the main body 77A. The bottom wall has an opening 85 that opens downwards to the internal space of the main body 77A. The opening 85 faces the reference plate 29 in the vertical direction. The opening 85 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The opening 85 is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The CIS unit 30 has a substrate 78, an LED array 79, a rod lens array 80, and a line sensor 81 in the internal space of the main body 77A. The LED array 79 is an example of a light source. The line sensor 81 is an example of a light receiving unit.

[0050] The circuit board 78 is located towards the upper part of the internal space of the main body 77A in the vertical direction. The circuit board 78 has a flat plate shape that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The circuit board 78 is equipped with an LED array 79 and a line sensor 81.

[0051] The LED array 79 emits light from the LEDs toward the sheet S. A rod lens array 80 is located directly beneath the line sensor 81. The rod lens array 80 includes multiple rod lenses arranged in the left-right direction. The rod lens array 80 images the reflected light from the sheet S onto the line sensor 81. The line sensor 81 has multiple photodiodes (PDs) arranged in the left-right direction. The line sensor 81 outputs data having a level corresponding to each PD according to the amount of light incident on each PD.

[0052] A glass plate 76 is positioned between the LED array 79 and the reference plate 29. The glass plate 76 is located below the vertical direction of the opening 85. The glass plate 76 is fixed to the lower surface of the main body 77A. The glass plate 76 extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The glass plate 76 is longer than the opening 85 in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. In other words, the glass plate 76 covers the entire opening 85. The left-to-right length of the glass plate 76 is longer than the front-to-back length of the glass plate 76. The upper and lower surfaces 76A of the glass plate 76 are rectangular in shape, elongated in the left-to-right direction. The thickness L1 of the glass plate 76 is less than the vertical distance L2 between the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 and the support surface 29A of the reference plate 29. The thickness L1 of the glass plate 76 is, for example, in the range of 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm. The distance L2 is, for example, in the range of 1.2 mm to 2.2 mm. Distance L2 is an example of the shortest distance. The glass plate 76 transmits light emitted from the LED array 79 and reflected light reflected by the sheet S on which the image is recorded.

[0053] The first support portion 77B is located at a rear position B in the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 30. The rear position B is between the first spur roller 317A and the CIS unit 30 in the longitudinal direction. The rear position B is an example of a first position. The first support portion 77B is provided on the rear surface of the rear wall of the main body portion 77A. The first support portion 77B extends along the left-right direction. The length of the first support portion 77B in the left-right direction is approximately equal to the length of the glass plate 76 in the left-right direction. The first support portion 77B has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed from right to left. The first support portion 77B has a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall constitutes the front side of the U-shape. The rear wall constitutes the rear side of the U-shape. The bottom wall constitutes the lower side of the U-shape. As shown in Figure 5, the first support portion 77B has a first slit 82 that penetrates the bottom wall in the vertical direction. The first slit 82 is located in the left-right center of the bottom wall of the first support section 77B. The left-right position of the first slit 82 coincides with the left-right center of the conveyor path 33. The first slit 82 extends along the front-rear direction. The first support section 77B supports the fourth spur roller 91. The fourth spur roller 91 is an example of the first rotating body.

[0054] The fourth spur roller 91 protrudes below the bottom wall of the first support portion 77B through the first slit 82. As a result, the fourth spur roller 91 is located in the center of the conveyor path 33 in the left-right direction. The fourth spur roller 91 is rotatably supported about axis A by the U-shaped inner surface of the first support portion 77B. Axis A extends along the left-right direction. The fourth spur roller 91 has the same shape as the first spur roller 317A and the second spur roller 317B. The fourth spur roller 91 is smaller than the first spur roller 317A. The fourth spur roller 91 has a circular rotating portion 91A and a plurality of protrusions 91B.

[0055] The left-right thickness of the rotating part 91A is greater than the left-right thickness of the projection 91B. Multiple projections 91B protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A. Multiple projections 91B are arranged at equal intervals along the entire circumference of the rotating part 91A in the direction of rotation. The left-right thickness of each projection 91B is less than the left-right thickness of the rotating part 91A. The tip of each projection 91B is smaller than the base of each projection 91B. Each projection 91B tapers when viewed from the left-right direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, each projection 91B is triangular when viewed from right to left. The tip 91BB of each projection 91B is located on a virtual circle centered on the rotation center of the rotating part 91A.

[0056] The outer diameter D1 of the fourth spur roller 91 is smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the first spur roller 317A. The outer diameter D1 of the fourth spur roller 91 is the diameter of a virtual circle passing through the tips 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B. The outer diameter D2 of the first spur roller 317A is the diameter of a virtual circle passing through the multiple protruding ends that protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the first spur roller 317A. As the fourth spur roller 91 rotates, the tips 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B are positioned below the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76. In other words, as the fourth spur roller 91 rotates, the tips 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B are positioned closer to the support surface 29A of the reference plate 29 than the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 in the transport path 33.

[0057] The second support portion 77C is located at a forward position F in the longitudinal direction of the CIS unit 30. The forward position F is between the second spur roller 317B and the CIS unit 30 in the longitudinal direction. The forward position F is an example of a second position. The second support portion 77C is provided on the front surface of the front wall of the main body portion 77A. The second support portion 77C extends along the left-right direction. The length of the second support portion 77C in the left-right direction is approximately equal to the length of the glass plate 76 in the left-right direction. The second support portion 77C has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed from the left-right direction. The second support portion 77C has a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall constitutes the front side of the U-shape. The rear wall constitutes the rear side of the U-shape. The bottom wall constitutes the lower side of the U-shape. The second support portion 77C has a second slit 93 that penetrates the bottom wall in the vertical direction. The second slit 93 is located in the left-right center of the bottom wall of the second support portion 77C, as shown in Figure 5. The position of the second slit 93 coincides with the left-right center of the transport path 33 in the left-right direction. The second slit 93 extends along the front-rear direction. The second support portion 77C supports the fifth spur roller 95, which is an example of the second rotating body.

[0058] The fifth spur roller 95 protrudes below the bottom wall of the second support portion 77C through the second slit 93. As a result, the fifth spur roller 95 is located in the center of the conveyor path 33 in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 5. The fifth spur roller 95 is rotatably supported about axis A by the U-shaped inner surface of the second support portion 77C. The shape and size of the fifth spur roller 95 are the same as those of the fourth spur roller 91. For this reason, elements of the fifth spur roller 95 that correspond to those of the fourth spur roller 91 are given the same reference numerals as those of the fourth spur roller 91 in Figure 5, and their explanation is omitted.

[0059] [Spur holder unit 31] As shown in Figure 4, the spur holder unit 31 is located above the first discharge roller 28A and the second discharge roller 28B. The spur holder unit 31 includes a first spur holder 313A that supports the first spur roller 317A and a second spur holder 313B that supports the second spur roller 317B.

[0060] The first spur holder 313A is located behind the first support portion 77B and above the first discharge roller 28A. The first spur holder 313A faces the first discharge roller 28A in the vertical direction in the conveying path 33. The first spur holder 313A has an external shape that is substantially rectangular and longer in the left-right direction than the first support portion 77B. The first spur holder 313A extends outward in the left-right direction beyond the first support portion 77B. When viewed from right to left, the first spur holder 313A has an internal space that is longer in the vertical direction than in the front-rear direction. When viewed from right to left, the first spur holder 313A has a U-shaped cross-section. The first spur holder 313A has a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall constitutes the front side of the U-shape. The rear wall constitutes the rear side of the U-shape. The bottom wall constitutes the lower side of the U-shape. The first spur holder 313A has a plurality of third slits that penetrate the bottom wall in the vertical direction. The plurality of third slits are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each third slit extends along the front-rear direction. Through each third slit, the first spur roller 317A protrudes below the bottom wall of the first spur holder 313A. Each first spur roller 317A is rotatably supported by an inner wall formed in the internal space of the first spur holder 313A. The rear wall of the first spur holder 313A is provided with a first fitting portion 97 that extends rearward from its rear surface.

[0061] The second spur holder 313B is located in front of the second support portion 77C and above the second discharge roller 28B. The second spur holder 313B faces the second discharge roller 28B in the vertical direction in the conveyor path 33. The second spur holder 313B rotatably supports the second spur roller 317B. The second spur holder 313B has the same shape and size as the first spur holder 313A. The front wall of the second spur holder 313B is provided with a second fitting portion 98 that extends forward from the front surface of the front wall.

[0062] The first spur holder 313A and the second spur holder 313B are connected in the front-rear direction by a left connecting member and a right connecting member. The left connecting member connects the left end of the first spur holder 313A to the left end of the second spur holder 313B in the front-rear direction. The right connecting member connects the right end of the first spur holder 313A to the right end of the second spur holder 313B in the front-rear direction. Note that the first spur holder 313A and the second spur holder 313B do not necessarily have to be connected.

[0063] The first shaft 111 and the second shaft 112 are fixed to the seventh frame located on the housing cover 13. The first shaft is positioned behind the second shaft at a distance. The first shaft 111 and the second shaft 112 extend along the left-right direction. The first shaft 111 and the second shaft 112 support the spur holder unit 31. The first shaft 111 is fitted into the first fitting portion 97. The second shaft 112 is fitted into the second fitting portion 98.

[0064] [Printer 10 Operation] When the printer 10 receives print data indicating an image to be recorded on sheet S from an information processing device that can communicate with the printer 10, it performs image recording. An example of an information processing device is a PC.

[0065] During image recording, the roll body 38, drive roller 42, drive pulley 61, first discharge roller 28A, and second discharge roller 28B rotate. As a result, the sheet S is unwound from the roll body 38 and transported toward the tensioner 22.

[0066] The transport roller pair 41 nip the sheet S, which is tensioned by the tensioner 22, and transport the sheet S forward toward the transport surface 64 of the transport belt 60. The transport belt 60 further transports the sheet S forward by its own transport surface 64, which is moving forward. At this time, the sheet S is transported while being attracted to the left support surface of the left support member 65 and the right support surface of the right support member 66. The recording head 24 ejects ink from each nozzle 70 toward the sheet S supported by the support mechanism 25 based on the print data. As a result, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The sheet S with the recorded image is sent between the heater 26 and the heater cover 27 and transported further forward on the support surface 73A of the heater 26. Heat generated by the film heater 74 is applied to the sheet S via the heat transfer plate 73. This heat causes moisture on or within the sheet S with the recorded image to evaporate. When the ink dries, the image is fixed to the sheet S.

[0067] The sheet S, having passed through the heater 26, is nipped between the first discharge roller 28A and the first spur roller 317A of the first discharge roller pair 51 and further conveyed forward. The sheet S, conveyed forward by the first discharge roller pair 51, is supported by the support surface 29A of the reference plate 29 and is nipped between the second discharge roller 28B and the second spur roller 317B of the second discharge roller pair 52. The sheet S nipped by the second discharge roller pair 52 is further conveyed forward. At this time, the tip 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B of the fourth spur roller 91 comes into contact with the sheet S, causing the fourth spur roller 91 to rotate. Simultaneously, the tip 91BB of the multiple protrusions 91B of the fifth spur roller 95 comes into contact with the sheet S, causing the fifth spur roller 95 to rotate. As a result, the multiple protrusions 91B of the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 act in a direction that pushes the sheet S downward. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the lifting of the sheet S due to the coiling of the roll body 38 is suppressed relative to the support surface 29A.

[0068] At this time, the CIS unit 30 optically reads the image recorded on the sheet S and outputs reading data indicating the reading result to the controller. At this time, since the lifting of the sheet S is suppressed by the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95, the posture of the sheet S below the CIS unit 30 is stabilized, and the reading accuracy by the CIS unit 30 is improved. Based on the reading data, the controller determines the quality of the image recorded on the sheet S. After the image has been read, the sheet S is discharged from the discharge port 16.

[0069] [Effects of the Embodiment] In the printer 10, multiple protrusions 91B of the fourth spur roller 91 contact the sheet S between the first transport roller pair 51 and the CIS unit 30 in the transport path 33. Furthermore, multiple protrusions 91B of the fifth spur roller 95 contact the sheet S between the second transport roller pair 52 and the CIS unit 30 in the transport path 33. As a result, the multiple protrusions 91B of the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 act in a direction that pushes the sheet S downward. Consequently, the lifting of the sheet S due to the curling of the roll body 38 is suppressed relative to the support surface 29A. Therefore, since the sheet S does not contact the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76, the undried ink adhering to the sheet S does not come into contact with the glass plate 76. The fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 have multiple protrusions 91B that project radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A. Therefore, the projection 91B contacts the sheet S, but if the projection 91B is absent, the rotating part 91A contacts the sheet S. The contact area between the projection 91B and the sheet S is smaller than the contact area between the rotating part 91A and the sheet S. Consequently, the contact area between the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 and the sheet S is smaller than when the projection 91B is omitted. Therefore, the possibility of the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 contacting the undried ink adhering to the sheet S is low. As a result, the undried ink adhering to the sheet S is prevented from spreading in the direction opposite to the transport direction P.

[0070] In the printer 10, the first support portion 77B supporting the fourth spur roller 91 is located at a rear position B in the front-rear direction of the CIS unit 30. The second support portion 77C supporting the fifth spur roller 95 is located at a front position F in the front-rear direction of the CIS unit 30. Therefore, the fourth spur roller 91 contacts the sheet S at the rear position B. The fifth spur roller 95 contacts the sheet S at the front position F. Therefore, the lifting of the sheet S is reliably suppressed in the front-rear direction between the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95. As a result, contact between the sheet S and the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 is more reliably prevented compared to the case where only one of the fourth spur roller 91 or the fifth spur roller 95 contacts the sheet S.

[0071] In printer 10, the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 are located in the center of the transport path 33 in the left-right direction, and therefore contact the center of the sheet S in the left-right direction. As a result, the lifting of the sheet S is suppressed in a balanced manner in the left-right direction. Consequently, contact between the sheet S and the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 is more reliably prevented.

[0072] In the printer 10, the CIS unit 30, the fourth spur roller 91, and the fifth spur roller 95 are supported by the housing 77. As a result, the relative positional accuracy between the glass plate 76 of the CIS unit 30 and the fourth and fifth spur rollers 91 and 95 is high. Therefore, the multiple protrusions 91B of the fourth and fifth spur rollers 91 and 95 act more reliably on the glass plate 76 in the direction of pushing down the sheet S.

[0073] In printer 10, the outer diameters of the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 are smaller than the outer diameters of the first spur roller 317A and the second spur roller 317B. Therefore, compared to the case where the outer diameter D1 of the fourth spur roller 91 is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the first spur roller 317A, the fourth spur roller 91 can contact the sheet S at a position closer to the glass plate 76 in the front-rear direction. Also, compared to the case where the outer diameter D1 of the fifth spur roller 95 is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the second spur roller 317B, the fifth spur roller 95 can contact the sheet S at a position closer to the glass plate 76 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, contact between the sheet S and the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 is more reliably prevented.

[0074] In the printer 10, the thickness L1 of the glass plate 76 is less than the vertical distance L2 between the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 and the support surface 29A of the reference plate 29. In other words, the distance L2 is greater than the thickness L1 of the glass plate 76. Therefore, contact between the sheet S conveyed by the first discharge roller pair 51 and the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76 is more reliably prevented.

[0075] In the printer 10, the fourth spur roller 91 is in contact with the sheet S heated by the heater 26. Therefore, even if the sheet S deforms due to the heat from the heater 26, the sheet S does not come into contact with the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76. As a result, it is suppressed that undried ink adhering to the sheet S adheres to the lower surface 76A of the glass plate 76.

[0076] [Differentiation] In the printer 10, a fourth spur roller 91 and a fifth spur roller 95 are provided, but one of the fourth spur roller 91 and the fifth spur roller 95 may be omitted.

[0077] In the printer 10, the first support section 77B supports one fourth spur roller 91, but as shown in Figure 6, it may support multiple fourth spur rollers 91. In this case, the multiple fourth spur rollers 91 are positioned with spacing between them in the left-right direction.

[0078] In the printer 10, the second support section 77C supports one fifth spur roller 95, but it may support multiple fifth spur rollers 95. In this case, the multiple fifth spur rollers 95 are positioned with spacing in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 6.

[0079] In the printer 10, each projection 91B was triangular when viewed from the left-right direction, but it is acceptable for the tip to be smaller in the front-rear direction than the base. For example, the projection 91B may be formed in a semi-elliptical shape by bisecting an ellipse along its minor axis. In this case, the projection 91B extends from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A such that its major axis direction is aligned with the radial direction of the rotating part 91A. In the printer 10, the multiple projections 91B were arranged along the rotational direction on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A, but they may be randomly positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A. In this case, the axial thickness of the rotating part 91A in the modified example makes it easier to randomly arrange the multiple projections 91B on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating part 91A. For this reason, the axial thickness of the rotating part 91A may be greater than the axial thickness of the rotating part 91A in the above embodiment.

[0080] In the printer 10, the fourth spur roller 91 is supported by the first support portion 77B in the housing 77, but it may also be supported by a shaft fixed to the eighth frame located near both the left and right ends within the internal space 11. The fifth spur roller 95 is supported by the second support portion 77C in the housing 77, but it may also be supported by a shaft fixed to the ninth frame located near both the left and right ends within the internal space 11.

[0081] In printer 10, a heater 26 is provided, but the heater 26 may be omitted. In this case, ink that does not require heating to fix to sheet S is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Cabinet 10. Printer (an example of an image reading device) 24... Recording head 26. Heater (an example of a heating element) 29. Reference plate (an example of a sheet support section) 30. CIS unit (an example of a reading unit) 31. Spur holder unit (an example of a second support member) 33... Conveyor Route 51...First discharge roller pair (an example of a first conveying roller pair) 52...Second discharge roller pair (an example of a second conveyor roller pair) 76... Glass plate 77. Housing (Example of the first support member) 79. LED array (an example of a light source) 81. Line sensor (an example of a light-receiving unit) 91...Fourth spur roller (an example of a rotating body) 91B...Protrusion 91BB... Tip 95...Fifth spur roller (an example of a rotating body) A...Axis line B...Rear position (an example of the first position) F...Forward position (an example of the second position) L1... Thickness L2... Distance (shortest distance) D1...Outer diameter D2...Outer diameter S... Seat

Claims

1. A housing having a transport path through which the sheet passes, A recording head that dispenses liquid onto a sheet, Located downstream of the recording head in the direction of sheet transport, a first pair of transport rollers transports the sheet in the direction of transport, A second pair of conveying rollers is located downstream of the first pair of conveying rollers in the direction of conveying, and conveys the sheet in the direction of conveying. In the above conveying direction, it is located between the first conveying roller pair and the second conveying roller pair, and includes a reading unit that reads the image of the sheet, In the above transport path, there is a sheet support section that supports the sheet and is opposite the reading section, A glass plate located between the above reading unit and the above sheet support unit, In the above conveying direction, the system includes a rotating body that is located at least one of the first position between the first conveying roller pair and the reading unit, and the second position between the reading unit and the second conveying roller pair, on the same side as the reading unit in the conveying path, and that rotates around an axis along an intersecting direction that intersects the conveying direction. The above reading unit is, A light source that irradiates light onto the sheet support portion through the glass plate, It has a light-receiving unit that receives reflected light from the sheet through the glass plate, The above rotating body has multiple protrusions that project radially outward and contact the sheet. The tip of the multiple protrusions described above is positioned in the transport path closer to the sheet support than the glass plate in the image reading device.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body comprises a first rotating body located at the first position and a second rotating body located at the second position.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is provided at the center of the conveying path in the direction of the intersection.

4. First support member and It further comprises a second support member, The above-mentioned first conveyor roller pair comprises a first drive roller and a first driven roller that holds the sheet between itself and the first drive roller. The above-mentioned second conveyor roller pair comprises a second drive roller and a second driven roller that holds the sheet between itself and the second drive roller. The second support member supports the first driven roller and the second driven roller. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the first support member supports the reading unit and the rotating body.

5. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the rotating body is smaller than the outer diameter of the first driven roller and the outer diameter of the second driven roller.

6. The image reading device according to claim 5, wherein the rotating bodies are provided in multiple locations at intervals in the intersecting direction.

7. The image reading device according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of the glass plate is smaller than the shortest distance between the glass plate and the sheet support portion.

8. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a heating unit located between the recording head and the first transport roller pair in the above transport direction, for heating at least one of the liquid adhering to the sheet or the sheet itself.

Images