Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printer which is miniaturized by devising the arrangement position of the standby position of a cutting part.SOLUTION: A printer (1) comprises: an ink cartridge (8); conveyance rollers (60, 66); an image recording part (3); a cutting part (10); and a control part. The control part moves the cutting part (10) to the outer side with respect to a platen (34) in the scan direction to cut paper (P). A standby position (SB) for making the cutting part (10) stand by is arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction to a cartridge case (80) on the outer side with respect to the platen (34) in the scan direction. A portion of the cutting part (10) at the standby position (SB) is arranged such that the position in the width direction of the printer (1) overlaps the ink cartridge (8) in the plan view from the front side of the printer (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a printing apparatus provided with a cutting unit for cutting a printing medium. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on a large-sized roll paper and a cutting unit that cuts the roll paper. The printing apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the printing unit is provided at the upper part of a column erected on a base, and is a large-sized printing apparatus arranged and used on the floor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a printing apparatus to be placed on a desktop, when trying to mount a cutter unit, there is a problem that it cannot be made as large as the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus that realizes miniaturization by devising the arrangement position of the standby position of the cutting unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a liquid storage unit for storing liquid, a transport unit for transporting a recording medium along a transport direction, an image recording unit for supporting the recording medium transported by the transport unit with a platen and recording an image on the recording medium, a cutting unit for cutting the recording medium, and a control unit. The control unit cuts the recording medium by moving the cutting unit to the outside of the platen in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. Outside the platen in the scanning direction, a standby position for the cutting unit is arranged in the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus with respect to the liquid storage unit. At least a portion of the cutting unit in the standby position is arranged such that, when viewed from the front of the printing apparatus in plan view, its position in the width direction of the printing apparatus overlaps with that of the liquid storage unit.

[0007] In the printing apparatus with the above configuration, the standby position for the cutting unit and the liquid reservoir are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus. Furthermore, a portion of the cutting unit in the standby position is positioned such that, when viewed from the front of the printing apparatus in a plan view, its width coincides with that of the liquid reservoir. By devising the placement of the standby position in this way, it is possible to miniaturize the printing apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus can be miniaturized by devising the arrangement of the standby position of the cutting unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a view from above of the area surrounding the image recording section of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]This is a front view showing the standby position of the cutting section and the position of the cartridge case of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the top surface of the printer section in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment, with the image reading section open. [Figure 6] This figure shows the external appearance of the cutting section of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the paper before cutting and the first and second sheets of paper produced after cutting. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the control flow during printing of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the control flow when replacing the cutting section of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. [Printing device configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a printer unit 11 and an image reading unit 12, etc. The printer unit 11 has an inkjet printing function that records print data specified by a print job onto paper P, which is an example of a recording medium, by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid. The image reading unit 12 is rotatably mounted above the image recording unit 3 in the printing apparatus 1 and has a scanner function that reads images recorded on paper P.

[0011] The printing method is not limited to inkjet printing; it may also be electrophotographic printing. Furthermore, the image printed on the paper P may be color-printable or monochrome-only. For the sake of explanation, the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions of the printing device 1 are defined below, based on the orientation of the printing device 1 when it is positioned horizontally for use, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. Specifically, the front of the printing device 1 is the direction in which the paper P is ejected, and the rear of the printing device 1 is the direction opposite to the paper P ejection direction. The front of the printing device 1 may also be the direction in which the setting unit 123, where the user makes various settings, is located, or the direction in which a display device such as an LCD panel that provides the user with various printing-related information is located.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, an opening 20 is formed on the front of the printing device 1. A feed tray 21 and an output tray 22 (an example of an output section) are arranged in the opening 20 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The feed tray 21 is a case for accommodating multiple sheets of paper P, and its top surface is open. The output tray 22 is positioned above the feed tray 21 and supports the sheets of paper P on which images are recorded, the first sheet of paper P1 and the second sheet of paper P2. The size of the sheets of paper P is, for example, A4 size. Note that the sheets of paper P are not limited to paper media, but may also be resin media such as OHP sheets.

[0013] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a setting unit 123 with a display screen is provided on the front of the printing device 1. The setting unit 123 consists of, for example, a touch panel, and is configured to allow the user to make various settings related to printing by the printing device 1 and replacement of the cutting unit 10 by touch operation. When the setting unit 123 sets the paper size P, whether or not to perform the cutting process, and replacement of the cutting unit 10, the set information is output to the control unit 100 (see Figure 8).

[0014] On the right side of the front surface of the printing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a cartridge cover 81 is provided rotatably. Inside the cartridge cover 81, as shown in FIG. 4, an ink cartridge 8 mounted on a cartridge case 80 is disposed. Note that the ink cartridge 8 is an example of a liquid storage unit.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the printing apparatus 1, a feed roller 23, a first conveyance path R1, conveyance rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, an image recording unit 3, a cutting unit 10, and a second conveyance path R2 are disposed. The feed roller 23 and the conveyance rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 are an example of a conveyance unit that conveys the paper P in the first conveyance direction D1 (conveyance direction).

[0016] The feed roller 23 is a roller for feeding the paper P accommodated in the feed tray 21 to the first conveyance path R1. The feed roller 23 is rotatably supported at the tip of a feed arm 24. The feed arm 24 is rotatably supported by a shaft 25 supported by the frame of the printing apparatus 1. The feed arm 24 is rotationally biased toward the feed tray 21 by its own weight or an elastic force by a spring or the like.

[0017] The feed roller 23 rotates forward by driving a feed motor 107 (see FIG. 8). When the feed roller 23 rotates forward, the paper P accommodated in the feed tray 21 is fed one by one to the first conveyance path R1. The paper P fed to the first conveyance path R1 is conveyed in the first conveyance direction D1, that is, in the direction from the rear to the front of the printing apparatus 1.

[0018] The first conveyance path R1 refers to a space formed by guide members 41, 42, 43, 44 and the image recording unit 3 or the like. The first conveyance path R1 extends upward from the rear end portion of the feed tray 21, curves in a region partitioned by the guide members 41, 42, passes through the position of the image recording unit 3, and extends linearly in a region partitioned by the guide members 43, 44, and is a path leading to the discharge tray 22.

[0019] A transport roller 60 is positioned upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 along the first transport path R1. A pinch roller 61 is positioned opposite the lower part of the transport roller 60. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor 108 (see Figure 8). The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. As the transport roller 60 and pinch roller 61 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 60 and pinch roller 61 and transported to the image recording unit 3.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, a transport roller 62 is positioned downstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 along the first transport path R1. A spur roller 63 is positioned opposite the top of the transport roller 62. The transport roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 62. As the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 62 and the spur roller 63 and transported downstream in the first transport direction D1.

[0021] Furthermore, a transport roller 64 is positioned downstream of the transport roller 62 in the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1. A spur roller 65 is positioned opposite the top of the transport roller 64. The transport roller 64 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 65 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 64. When the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and transported toward the cutting section 10. On the other hand, when the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 rotate in the reverse direction, the paper P is gripped by the transport roller 64 and the spur roller 65 and transported toward the second transport path R2 along the lower surface of the first flap 46.

[0022] A first flap 46 is provided between the transport roller 62 and the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1. The first flap 46 is positioned near a branching position Y opposite the guide member 43. The first flap 46 is supported by a platen 34 so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state. In the first state, shown by a solid line in Figure 2, the first flap 46 contacts the guide member 43 and closes the first transport path R1. On the other hand, in the second state, shown by a dotted line in Figure 2, the first flap 46 is positioned lower than in the first state and is separated from the guide member 43, allowing the paper P being transported in the first transport direction D1 to pass through.

[0023] Furthermore, the first flap 46 is biased upward by a coil spring 47. One end of the coil spring 47 is connected to the first flap 46, and the other end is connected to the platen 34. When the first flap 46 is biased by the coil spring 47, it enters a first state, and its front end comes into contact with the guide member 43.

[0024] A transport roller 66 is positioned downstream of the cutting section 10 in the first transport direction D1 of the first transport path R1. A spur roller 67 is positioned opposite the top of the transport roller 66. The transport roller 66 is driven by a transport motor 108. The spur roller 67 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 66. As the transport roller 66 and the spur roller 67 rotate in the forward direction, the paper P, the first paper P1, and the second paper P2 are transported by the transport roller 66 and discharged to the discharge tray 22.

[0025] In the first transport path R1, a cutting section 10 is positioned between the transport roller 64 and the transport roller 66. As shown in Figure 6, the cutting section 10 has a cutter unit 10C, and the cutter carriage 10A moves in the scanning direction due to the driving force of the cutter carriage motor 110 (see Figure 8), thereby cutting the paper P.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, a second flap 48 is rotatably positioned at the junction W of the first transport path R1 and the second transport path R2. Specifically, the second flap 48 is rotatable between a first state, shown by a solid line in Figure 2, and a second state, shown by a dotted line in Figure 2. When the second flap 48 is in the first state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 42 constitute a part of the second transport path R2. When the second flap 48 is in the second state, the second flap 48 and the guide member 41 constitute a part of the first transport path R1.

[0027] A register sensor 120 is positioned upstream of the transport roller 60 in the first transport path R1. The register sensor 120 is attached to the guide member 42 and is a sensor that detects when the front or rear end of the paper P passes the contact point with the transport roller 60. As the register sensor 120, a sensor with an actuator that swings when the paper P comes into contact with it, or an optical sensor can be used. The register sensor 120 outputs an ON signal when the paper P passes the contact point with the transport roller 60 and outputs an OFF signal when the paper P does not pass the contact point with the transport roller 60. The detection signal from the register sensor 120 is output to the control unit 100.

[0028] The transport roller 60 is equipped with a rotary encoder 121 that detects the rotation of the transport roller 60. The rotary encoder 121 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 100 in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 60 (see Figure 8). The rotary encoder 121 has an encoder disk and an optical sensor. The encoder disk rotates together with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The optical sensor reads the rotating encoder disk, generates a pulse signal, and outputs the generated pulse signal to the control unit 100.

[0029] The second transport path R2 is a path demarcated by guide members 51, 52, and 53, and transport rollers 68 and pinch rollers 69, etc. The second transport path R2 branches off from a branching position Y upstream of the transport roller 64 in the first transport path R1 and connects to a merging position W upstream of the image recording unit 3 in the first transport direction D1 in the first transport path R1. This allows the image recording unit 3 to print on both sides of the paper P.

[0030] [Configuration of the image recording unit] Figure 3 is a view from above of the area around the image recording unit 3 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the image recording unit 3 has a buffer tank 30, a head carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34, and is for recording an image on paper P.

[0031] The buffer tank 30 contains ink L supplied from the ink cartridge 8 via the supply tube 82. The buffer tank 30 also has an integrally provided tube joint 83. One end of each of the four supply tubes 82 is detachably connected to the tube joint 83. The other ends of the four supply tubes 82 are connected to the four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K, respectively.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the image recording unit 3 is positioned between the transport rollers 60 and 62 in the first transport path R1. The recording head 32 is mounted on the head carriage 31. The lower surface of the recording head 32 is a nozzle surface 330 on which a plurality of nozzles 33 are formed.

[0033] Multiple nozzles 33 are in communication with the inside of the buffer tank 30. The recording head 32 vibrates a vibrating element such as a piezoelectric element to eject ink L contained in the buffer tank 30 from the nozzles 33 toward the paper P. The nozzles 33 eject three color inks L: yellow, cyan, and magenta, as well as black ink L.

[0034] The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the paper P is placed. As the head carriage 31 moves relative to the paper P supported by the platen 34, the recording head 32 selectively ejects ink droplets, thereby recording an image on the paper P.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, two guide rails 13 and 14 are provided above the platen 34, extending parallel to the scanning direction (left-right direction in Figure 3). The head carriage 31 is attached to the two guide rails 13 and 14. The head carriage 31 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction along the two guide rails 13 and 14 in the region facing the platen 34.

[0036] Furthermore, a drive belt 15 is attached to the head carriage 31. The drive belt 15 is an endless belt wrapped around two pulleys 16 and 17. One of the pulleys 16 is connected to the head carriage motor 109 (see Figure 8). The forward or reverse rotation of the head carriage motor 109 causes the pulley 16 to rotate, and the drive belt 15 to move. As a result, the head carriage 31 moves back and forth in the left-right direction. At this time, the image recording unit 3 mounted on the head carriage 31 also moves back and forth in the left-right direction.

[0037] The head carriage 31 moves back and forth in the scanning direction by the driving force transmitted from the head carriage motor 109 (see Figure 3). In recording an image onto paper P, the control unit 100 of the printing device 1 repeatedly performs a recording process in which ink is ejected from the recording head 32 while the transport of paper P is stopped, thereby recording one line of image onto paper P, and a line-breaking process in which the transport rollers 60 and 62 are driven to transport paper P by a predetermined amount. In this way, the desired image or the like is recorded onto paper P.

[0038] [Configuration of the suction unit] The suction unit 7 performs a suction purge of the nozzle 33 as a maintenance operation to restore the discharge state of the nozzle 33. As shown in Figure 3, the suction unit 7 includes a cap 70, a suction pump 71, and a waste liquid tank 72. Note that the configuration of the suction unit 7 shown in Figure 3 is just one example and is not limited thereto.

[0039] The cap portion 70 is positioned to the right of the platen 34 in the scanning direction. When the head carriage 31 shown in Figure 3 is in standby mode and no image recording is being performed on the paper P by the image recording unit 3, it moves to a standby position HP where the nozzle surface 330 of the recording head 32 and the cap portion 70 face each other vertically. At the standby position HP, the cap portion 70 is attached to the recording head 32 and covers the nozzle surface 330, thereby sealing the nozzle 33. This prevents the nozzle 33 from drying out.

[0040] The cap portion 70 is made of, for example, rubber material. In the standby position HP, the cap portion 70 is driven by a cap displacement portion (not shown) and is configured to be displaceable so as to come into contact with and separate from the recording head 32.

[0041] The cap portion 70 is made of, for example, rubber material. In the standby position HP, the cap portion 70 is attached to the recording head 32 and covers the nozzle surface 330, thereby sealing the nozzle 33. This prevents the nozzle 33 from drying out. The cap portion 70 is driven by a cap displacement portion (not shown) and is configured to be displaceable so as to come into contact with and separate from the recording head 32.

[0042] The suction pump 71 is, for example, a tube pump. The suction pump 71 is controlled to operate by the control unit 100. When the suction pump 71 is driven, gas and liquid inside the cap section 70 are drawn in. The suction pump 71 is connected to the waste liquid tank 72 via a tube 73. The waste liquid tank 72 stores the ink L discharged from inside the cap section 70 by the suction pump 71.

[0043] [Ink cartridge configuration] Figure 4 is a front view showing the standby position SB and the position of the cartridge case 80 of the cutting section 10 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cartridge case 80 for mounting the ink cartridge 8 is located to the right of the standby position SB in the printing apparatus 1.

[0044] The ink cartridge 8 is a roughly rectangular container for storing ink L, and there are four of them. The four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K each store one of four colors of ink L: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Ink L is a pigment ink in which pigment particles are dispersed in a solvent.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the four ink cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are each connected to the image recording unit 3 via four supply tubes 82. The supply tubes 82 are made of a flexible material and communicate the inside of the ink cartridges 8 with the inside of the buffer tank 30 of the image recording unit 3. Although not shown, a flexible flat cable extends from the head carriage 31. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the control unit 100 and the recording head 32.

[0046] [Opening] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the top surface of the printer unit 11 when the image reading unit 12 is open in the printing apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, a cover member 111 made of, for example, resin, is arranged on the top surface of the printer unit 11. An opening 112 is formed in the cover member 111. The opening 112 is in communication with the replacement position EX and is large enough for the cutter unit 10C to pass through. The user can replace the cutter unit 10C of the cutting section 10 shown in Figure 6 by passing through the opening 112.

[0047] [Structure of the cutting section] Figure 6 shows the external appearance of the cutting section 10 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the cutting section 10 has a cutter unit 10C mounted on a cutter carriage 10A. The cutter unit 10C comprises a circular upper blade 10C1 and a lower blade 10C2. The cutter unit 10C is attached to the cutter carriage 10A by means of screws, for example. When replacing the cutting section 10, the user can remove the cutter unit 10C from the cutter carriage 10A by loosening the screws with a tool.

[0048] The upper blade 10C1 is rotatably mounted on the cutter carriage 10A via an O-ring or the like (not shown). The lower blade 10C2 is also rotatably mounted on the cutter carriage 10A via an O-ring or the like, similar to the upper blade 10C1. The cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P by bringing the upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 into contact with each other while rotating them at the cutting position X. The paper P cut by the cutting unit 10 is divided into a first sheet of paper P1 and a second sheet of paper P2, as shown in Figure 7.

[0049] The upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 may be fixed blades, or a combination of a rotating blade and a fixed blade. Furthermore, the cutter unit 10C may consist of only one of the upper blade 10C1 or the lower blade 10C2. In this case, the cutting position X refers to the position where the upper blade 10C1 or the lower blade 10C2 comes into contact with the paper P. The shape and size of the cutter unit 10C can also be changed as appropriate.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the cutting section 10 is supported so as to be movable in the scanning direction by a support rail 18 that extends in the scanning direction. An endless belt, wound around a rotating shaft (not shown), is provided on the support rail 18. The endless belt is connected to the cutter carriage 10A. The rotating shaft rotates due to the driving force of the cutter carriage motor 110 (see Figure 8), causing the endless belt to rotate and the cutter carriage 10A to move along the support rail 18 in the scanning direction.

[0051] [Positional relationship between ink cartridges and their standby and replacement positions] As shown in Figure 3, a standby position SB for the cutting unit 10 is provided to the right and outside of the platen 34 in the scanning direction (left-right direction in Figure 3). The standby position SB is a space for keeping the cutting unit 10 in standby mode when it is not cutting paper.

[0052] The standby position SB is located behind the cartridge case 80 in which the ink cartridge 8 is installed. That is, the ink cartridges 8 are arranged in the front-to-back direction of the printing device 1 with respect to the standby position SB. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the cartridge case 80 is arranged in the width direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 1) of the printing device 1 with respect to the output tray 22.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, a portion of the cutting section 10 that has moved to the standby position SB is positioned such that, when viewed from the front of the printing device 1 in a plan view, the width and height of the printing device 1 coincide with the cartridge case 80. In other words, a portion of the cutting section 10 in the standby position SB is positioned so as to coincide with the ink cartridge 8 when viewed from the front of the printing device 1 in a plan view.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a replacement position EX for replacing the cutter unit 10C is provided to the right and outside of the standby position SB in the scanning direction. That is, the standby position SB and the replacement position EX are located on the right side in the scanning direction. Also, the standby position SB of the cutting section 10 is located behind the standby position HP where the cap section 70 is located.

[0055] Figure 7 shows the paper P before cutting and the first paper P1 and second paper P2 that are produced after cutting. In the example shown in Figure 7, the cutting unit 10 cuts the paper P, which has a length of A in the transport direction, dividing it into two equal parts: the first paper P1 with a length of A1 in the transport direction and the second paper P2 with a length of A2 in the transport direction. For example, if the paper P is A4 size, then the first paper P1 and second paper P2 of A5 size are produced. Note that in the first transport path R1, the first paper P1 is transported ahead of the second paper P2.

[0056] [Electrical configuration of printing equipment] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, in addition to the parts described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100 and a communication interface (I / F) 122.

[0057] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an EEPROM 104 (registered trademark), and an ASIC 105, all connected by an internal bus 106. The ROM 102 stores programs for the CPU 101 to control various operations. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used by the CPU 101 when executing the above programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 104 stores setting information that should be retained even after the power is turned off. Based on the control program read from the ROM 102, the control unit 100 controls the feed motor 107, transport motor 108, recording head 32, suction pump 71, head carriage motor 109, cutter carriage motor 110, etc.

[0058] The ASIC105 is connected to a feed motor 107, a transport motor 108, a head carriage motor 109, a recording head 32, a cutter carriage motor 110, a suction pump 71, a register sensor 120, a rotary encoder 121, a communication interface 122, and a setting unit 123.

[0059] The ASIC75 supplies drive current to the feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110. The feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110 are DC motors, and their rotation speed increases with increasing drive current and decreases with decreasing drive current. The control unit 100 controls the rotation of the feed motor 107, the transport motor 108, the head carriage motor 109, and the cutter carriage motor 110, for example, by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 100 ejects ink droplets from the nozzle by applying a drive voltage to the vibrating element of the recording head 32. The control unit 100 detects the amount of rotation of the transport roller 60 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 121. The control unit 100 detects that the paper P has passed the contact position with the transport roller 60 based on the detection signal output from the register sensor 120. Then, after an ON signal is output from the register sensor 120, the control unit 100 estimates the amount of paper P transported in the first transport path R1 based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder 121.

[0061] The communication interface 122 is connected to a network such as a LAN and enables connection to an external device that has a driver for the printer 1 installed. The printer 1 can receive print jobs via the communication interface 122, which include identification information that identifies the type of paper P.

[0062] [Control flow by the control unit during printing] Next, the control flow during printing by the control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow during printing by the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

[0063] In the flowchart shown in Figure 9, first, when the control unit 100 receives a print job via the communication interface 122, it drives the feed motor 107 to rotate the feed roller 23 in the forward direction, thereby removing the paper P from the feed tray 21 and starting to transport the paper P (S1). Specifically, after transporting the paper P from the feed tray 21 to the first transport path R1, the paper P is transported toward the image recording unit 3.

[0064] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the front edge of the paper P has been detected by using the detection result of the register sensor 120 (S2). If the front edge of the paper P has not been detected (S2: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S1. If the front edge of the paper P has been detected (S2: YES), it controls the image recording unit 3 to start recording an image onto the paper P (S3).

[0065] In S3, the control unit 100 records an image on the paper P that has been transported to the image recording unit 3 by performing an image recording process that alternately repeats the line break process and the recording process described below. Specifically, in the line break process, the control unit 100 rotates the transport motor 108 in the forward direction to drive the transport rollers 60, 62, and 64, thereby transporting the paper P in the first transport direction D1 by a predetermined amount. In the recording process, while the transport of the paper P is stopped, the control unit 100 drives the head carriage motor 109 to move the head carriage 31 in the width direction of the paper P, and records one line of image by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 33 of the recording head 32 onto the paper P.

[0066] After S3, the control unit 100 determines whether the register sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S4). If the register sensor 120 has not detected the rear end of the paper P (S4: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S4. If the register sensor 120 has detected the rear end of the paper P (S4: YES), the control unit 100 calculates the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 as shown in Figure 7 (S5).

[0067] Specifically, the control unit 100 calculates the length A of the first transport direction D1 of the paper P based on the amount of paper P transported detected by the rotary encoder 121, from the time the register sensor 120 detects the front end of the paper P until the register sensor 120 detects the rear end of the paper P.

[0068] Then, the control unit 100 sets the cutting position CL of the paper P shown in Figure 7 based on the length A of the first transport direction D1 of the paper P calculated in S5 (S6). After S6, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting position CL of the paper P has reached the position X of the cutting section 10 (see Figure 2) based on the detection results of the register sensor 120 and the rotary encoder 121 (S7).

[0069] If the paper P has not reached the position X of the cutting unit 10 (S7: NO), the control unit 100 returns to S7. On the other hand, if the paper P has reached the position X of the cutting unit 10 (S7: YES), the control unit 100 cuts the paper P at the cutting position CL by moving the cutting unit 10 in the scanning direction while the paper P is held between the upper blade 10C1 and the lower blade 10C2 (S8). As a result, as shown in Figure 7, a first paper P1 and a second paper P2, each half the size of the original paper P, are generated. The user can set whether or not to cut the paper P using the setting unit 123.

[0070] After S8, the control unit 100 determines whether there is a next page (S9). If there is no next page (S9: NO), the control unit 100 ejects the first paper P1 and the second paper P2 to the output tray 22 and terminates image recording on paper P (S10).

[0071] On the other hand, if there is a next page (S9: YES), the control unit 100 terminates printing on the second sheet P2 by the image recording unit 3, ejects the first sheet P1 and the second sheet P2 to the output tray 22, returns to S1, and then performs the same processing as S2 to S9 described above. In this way, the flowchart shown in Figure 9 is completed.

[0072] [Control flow by the control unit when replacing the cutting section] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the control flow when the cutting unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is replaced. In the flowchart shown in Figure 10, first, the control unit 100 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 (S11).

[0073] If the user operates the setting unit 123 and the printing device 1 receives an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 (S11:YES), the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the standby position SB to the replacement position EX along the scanning direction (S12). On the other hand, if the printing device 1 has not received an instruction to replace the cutting unit 10 (S11:NO), the process returns to S11.

[0074] In S12, when the control unit 100 moves the cutting unit 10 from the standby position SB to the exchange position EX, it moves the cutting unit 10 at a slower speed than the speed at which the cutting unit 10 moves when cutting the paper P in S8. This makes it possible to reduce the impact on the cutting unit 10 when moving it to the exchange position EX.

[0075] As described above, after moving the cutting unit 10 from the standby position SB to the replacement position EX, the user can open the image reading unit 12 and replace the cutter unit 10C using a tool or the like by passing through the opening 112 of the cover member 111, as shown in Figure 5.

[0076] [Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the standby position SB of the cutting section 10 and the position of the ink cartridge 8 are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus 1, so that the width of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, as shown by the enclosed line in Figure 4, a part of the cutting section 10 at the standby position SB is positioned to overlap with the ink cartridge 8 when viewed from the front of the printing apparatus in a plan view. In this way, by devising the position of the standby position SB, the printing apparatus 1 can be made smaller.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by positioning the ink cartridge 8 in front of the standby position SB in the printing device 1, the user can easily attach and detach the ink cartridge 8 from the printing device 1. Also, by positioning the standby position SB behind the ink cartridge 8 in the printing device 1, the width of the printing device 1 can be reduced.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, by arranging the output tray 22 and the cartridge case 80 in which the ink cartridge 8 is installed side by side in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 1) of the printing device 1, the size of the printing device 1 in the front-to-back direction can be reduced, making the printing device 1 even more compact.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the standby position SB and replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 are positioned on the same side (right side in Figure 3) in the scanning direction (left-right direction in Figure 3) relative to the position of the platen 34, and the standby position SB and the cap unit 70 are positioned side by side in the front-to-back direction of the printing device 1. This makes it possible to further reduce the widthwise size of the printing device 1.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by positioning the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 further out in the scanning direction than the standby position SB, the user can more easily replace the cutter unit 10C of the cutting unit 10 without being obstructed by components located near the center of the width direction of the printing device 1.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the user can automatically move the cutting unit 10 to the replacement position EX by operating the setting unit 123. Then, as shown in Figure 5, after rotating the image reading unit 12, the user can easily replace the cutter unit 10C with a tool by accessing the opening 112 from the front of the printing device 1.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, by using the detection results of the front and rear ends of the paper P by the register sensor 120, the length A of the paper P in the first transport direction D1 is calculated (S5), the cutting position CL of the paper P is set (S6), and then the paper P can be cut by the cutting unit 10 at the set cutting position CL (S8). As a result, the cutting unit 10 can accurately cut the paper P to the desired size.

[0083] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 3, the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 is positioned outside the standby position SB in the scanning direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the replacement position EX of the cutting unit 10 may be at the same position as the standby position SB. Furthermore, the standby position SB and the ink cartridge 8 may be positioned offset in the vertical direction.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the printing device 1 is a cartridge-type device in which the ink cartridge 8 is mounted in a cartridge case 80, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a tank-type printing device in which a bottle-type ink cartridge is directly connected to the connection port of the supply tube 82 to supply ink.

[0085] Furthermore, although the above embodiment uses four ink cartridges 8, the number is not limited to this; for example, it could be six or eight. Also, in the case of a monochrome printer, one ink cartridge 8 corresponding to black is sufficient.

[0086] In the embodiment described above, the register sensor 120 is used to detect the passage of the front and rear edges of the paper P, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the image recording unit 3 may be provided with a media sensor, which is a sensor for detecting whether or not there is paper P on the platen 34, and the passage of the front or rear edge of the paper P may be detected by the media sensor.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cutting section 10 cuts the paper P in half, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the paper P may be cut into thirds. Also, the cutting position X of the paper P can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the print data.

[0088] The flowchart shown in Figure 9 is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, after S4 in Figure 9, the paper P may be transported along the second transport direction D2 in the second transport path R2, and then cut by the cutting unit 10 at S8. Alternatively, after S4, the paper P may be transported along the second transport direction D2 in the second transport path R2, and then cut by the cutting unit 10 at S8.

[0089] In the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the paper P is transported by roller members, namely the feed roller 23 and the transport rollers 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68, but the invention is not limited to this. A belt member or a drum member may also be used as the transport section.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1 Printing device 3 Image recording unit 8, 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K Cartridge (Liquid Storage Section) 10 Cut section 10C Cutter Unit 11 Printer section 12 Image reading unit 23. Feeding roller (conveying section) 34 Platen 60, 62, 64, 66 Conveyor rollers (conveyor section) 70 Cap section 80 Cartridge Case 100 Control Unit 111 Cover component 112 Opening 123 Settings Section P paper (recording medium) EX exchange position SB standby position

Claims

1. A liquid storage section for storing liquid, A storage section for accommodating multiple recording media of a predetermined size, A transport unit that transports one of the aforementioned recording media along the transport direction, An image recording unit supports the recording medium transported by the transport unit with a platen and records an image on the recording medium, A cutting unit for cutting the recording medium, An ejection unit that supports a recording medium on which an image has been recorded by the image recording unit, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit cuts the recording medium by moving the cutting section outward from the platen in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction. Outside the platen in the scanning direction, standby positions for the cutting unit are arranged in the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus relative to the liquid reservoir. At least a portion of the cutting section in the standby position is positioned such that, when viewed from the front of the printing device in a plan view, its position in the width direction of the printing device overlaps with the liquid reservoir. The liquid storage unit is positioned in front of the printing apparatus, The printing apparatus as described above, characterized in that the discharge section is arranged in the width direction of the printing apparatus with respect to the liquid storage section.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the cutting section in the standby position is arranged to overlap with the liquid reservoir when viewed from the front of the printing apparatus in a plan view.

3. Outside the platen in the scanning direction, a replacement position for replacing the cutting portion is provided. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the standby position and the exchange position are located on the same side in the scanning direction.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the exchange position is located outside the scanning direction with respect to the standby position.

5. A setting unit is provided on the front of the printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that when the control unit receives an instruction from the setting unit to replace the cutting unit, it moves the cutting unit to the replacement position along the scanning direction.

6. A recording head having a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is formed for discharging the liquid stored in the liquid storage section, The device further includes a cap portion that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head when the image recording unit is not recording an image to the recording medium, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the standby position is arranged in the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus with respect to the position of the cap portion.

7. The system further includes an image reading unit that is rotatably mounted above the image recording unit and reads images recorded on the recording medium, Outside the platen in the scanning direction, a replacement position for replacing the cutting portion is provided. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the exchange position is located below the image reading unit.

Images