Recording device, control method, and program

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a recording device comprising: a recording unit that performs recording by applying a liquid to a recording medium; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a placement unit that has a placement surface on which the recording medium discharged by the discharge unit is placed; a rib which is provided on the placement unit and which can jut out from the placement surface, the rib extending, at the center in a second direction intersecting a first direction that is an ejection direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the ejection unit, along the first direction, wherein the rib moves in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the placement surface. The recording device is characterized in that, while a recording operation is continuously performed for a plurality of recording media, the rib moves to a first position which is a normal position and a second position where a coordinate value in the third direction is larger than that of the first position.

Description

Recording apparatus, control method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus, a control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a technique for discharging and placing a medium after recording.

[0002] In an inkjet printer that records an image on a sheet of paper by discharging ink from a recording unit onto the conveyed paper, the paper may curl due to the attached ink. In contrast, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus having a rib that can project from a placement surface for placing the discharged paper. The recording apparatus of Patent Document 1 can correct the curl occurring in the paper by adjusting the height of the rib according to the amount of ink applied to the paper by the recording unit. In Patent Document 1, the height of the rib is adjusted before the recording operation of the first page is started.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-69187

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, after the recording operation of the first page is started and during the recording of a plurality of pages, the height of the rib is not adjusted. Therefore, when recording on a plurality of pages with different liquid application amounts, the height of the rib may not be appropriate for some pages, and the discharged paper may not be properly placed on the placement surface, that is, the paper stacking property on the placement surface may deteriorate.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the paper stacking property.

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a recording device comprising: a recording unit that applies liquid to a recording medium for recording; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a mounting unit having a mounting surface on which the recording medium discharged by the discharge unit is placed; and a rib provided on the mounting unit and capable of protruding from the mounting surface, wherein the rib extends along the first direction at the center of a second direction that intersects with a first direction which is the discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the discharge unit, and moves in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, characterized in that, while a recording operation is performed continuously on a plurality of recording media, the rib moves between a first position which is a normal position and a second position whose coordinate value in the third direction is larger than that of the first position.

[0007] According to this disclosure, paper output and stacking performance can be improved.

[0008] Further features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a modified example. Figure 2 shows a modified example. Figure 3 shows a modified example. Figure 4 shows a modified example. Figure 5 shows a modified example. Figure 6 shows a modified example. Figure 7 shows a modified example. Figure 8 shows a modified example. Figure 9 shows a modified example. Figure 1 shows a modified example. Figure 1 shows a modified example. Figure 1 shows a modified example. Figure 2 shows a modified example. Figure 3 shows a modified example. Figure 1 shows curl caused by ink application. Figure 1 shows the rise and fall of the movable rib. Figure 2 shows the relationship between the curl level, which indicates the degree of curl, and the position of the movable rib. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the lowering process of the movable rib in the sixth embodiment. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the moving process of the movable rib in the sixth embodiment.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. While specific details may be provided in the embodiments described below for the sake of clarity, these are merely technically preferred examples and are not intended to unnecessarily limit the scope of this disclosure. For example, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments below are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure unless otherwise specified.

[0011] [First Embodiment] <Recording Device> The configuration of the recording device in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Here, a multifunction printer will be used as an example of a recording device, but the technology of this disclosure can be applied to any device that ejects liquid such as ink to record an image on a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter referred to as "the medium"). Examples of such devices include (image) recording devices such as inkjet printers and fax machines.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the multifunction printer 11 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped main body 12, an image reading unit 13 located on the upper part of the main body 12, and an automatic document feeding unit 14 located above the image reading unit 13. The main body 12 also serves as the main part of the printer unit 15. The multifunction printer 11 has a configuration in which the printer unit 15, the image reading unit 13, and the automatic document feeding unit 14 are stacked on top of each other in the vertical direction Z, from bottom to top. The main body 12 has a transport path T (see T1 to T11 in Figure 2) for transporting a medium M such as paper. The multifunction printer 11 is installed on a mounting surface F with multiple casters 16 provided on the bottom of the main body 12 touching the ground.

[0013] The image reading unit 13 is configured to read images such as characters and photographs recorded on the original document D (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1). The automatic document feeding unit 14 has a document tray 17 on which the original document D can be placed. The automatic document feeding unit 14 feeds the original document D placed on the document tray 17 toward the image reading unit 13. After being read by the image reading unit 13, the original document D is discharged into the output tray 18. The automatic document feeding unit 14 also serves as the document tray cover for the image reading unit 13 and is provided so as to be openable and closable relative to the image reading unit 13. When the automatic document feeding unit 14 is opened, the document tray (not shown) located on the upper surface of the image reading unit 13 is exposed. After placing the original document on the document tray, the automatic document feeding unit 14 is closed. The image reading unit 13 is capable of reading the original document placed on the document tray.

[0014] Furthermore, an operation panel 19 is provided on the upper part of the main unit 12 of the device, which is operated when giving instructions to the multifunction printer 11. The operation panel 19 has a display unit 19A. The display unit 19A has a screen, for example, consisting of a touch panel. A touch panel is a display panel that allows instructions to be given to the multifunction printer 11 by touching the screen. The operation panel 19 may have buttons for operation, or it may consist only of buttons for operation without a display unit 19A.

[0015] The multifunction printer 11 is equipped with a cassette 20 (media storage section) for holding multiple media M. Multiple media M are stored in the cassette 20. The cassette 20 is, for example, a paper feed cassette capable of storing paper as an example of media M. The multifunction printer 11 of this embodiment has a total of four cassettes 20. The four cassettes 20 are arranged in four layers at the bottom of the device body 12, overlapping in the vertical Z direction. Multiple cassettes 20 are mounted on the device body 12 in a removable manner. The cassettes 20 are configured to be pullable out in the Y-axis direction relative to the device body 12. Multiple cassettes 20 can hold media M of different sizes or paper types, for example.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, each cassette 20 has a cassette cover 20K facing in the Y-axis direction. This cassette cover 20K is an example of a cover that can be opened and closed relative to the device body 12, and is provided on the side surface 12F of the device body 12 facing in the Y-axis direction. To improve usability, the direction in which the side surface 12F on which the cassette cover 20K is provided faces is the same as the direction in which the operation panel 19 of the multifunction printer 11 faces. The cassette cover 20K is provided on the cassette 20 which can be pulled out in the Y-axis direction. The cassette cover 20K is also provided with a handle 20E for the user to pull out the cassette 20.

[0017] Furthermore, the number of cassettes 20 can be set arbitrarily. The number of cassettes 20 is not limited to four; it may be two, three, five, six or more. In addition, a multi-story cassette 20 may be composed of an optional expansion unit in which some of the cassettes are added. For example, the multifunction printer 11 may have a standard configuration with two cassettes 20, and the user may optionally add an expansion unit with two cassettes 20. The expansion unit may also be configured to allow for the addition of cassettes 20 one at a time.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side surface 12S of the main body 12 of the device is provided with a cover CV that can be switched between a first state in which the transport path T (see Figure 2) is exposed and a second state in which the transport path T is covered. The cover CV is divided into a first cover 21 and a second cover 22.

[0019] In other words, the side surface 12S is provided with a first cover 21 and a second cover 22 located below the first cover 21, both of which can be opened and closed relative to the main body 12 of the device. Furthermore, the side surface 12S is provided with a third cover 23 located below the second cover 22, which can be opened and closed relative to the main body 12 of the device.

[0020] The first cover 21 is larger than the second cover 22. That is, the first cover 21 occupies a larger area (occupied area) on the side surface 12S than the second cover 22. The first cover 21 has a handle 21A for the user to open and close it. The first cover 21 also includes a supply tray 24 as an example of a tray on which the medium M is placed. The supply tray 24 is attached to the first cover 21 in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed. The supply tray 24 has a handle 24A.

[0021] The second cover 22 and the third cover 23 are substantially the same size and shape. The second cover 22 has a handle 22A for the user to open and close it. The third cover 23 also has a handle 23A for the user to open and close it. The second cover 22 and the third cover 23 are provided with the handles 22A and 23A at substantially the same position on the surface of each cover (upper left position in Figure 1). In this embodiment, the first cover 21, the second cover 22, and the third cover 23 allow most of the side surface 12S to be opened and closed.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a front cover 25 that can be opened and closed is provided on the front of the device body 12 in the upper right area of ​​the cassette 20. Here, "front" refers to the surface that the user faces when performing basic operations, and is the surface on which the operation panel 19 and the cassette cover 20K are provided. The front cover 25 can be opened and closed by swinging it sideways with its right end as the pivot axis. Note that the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 may differ in at least one of their size and shape. Alternatively, in Figure 1, the third cover 23 may be omitted, and the second cover 22 may be made of a single cover having the combined size of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 shown in Figure 1.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the device body 12 has a recording unit 30 that records on a medium M (see Figure 2). The recording unit 30 records on the medium M supplied from the cassette 20 and on the medium M supplied from the supply tray 24. Inside the device body 12 is a liquid supply source 35 (see Figure 2) that contains ink, which is an example of a liquid. The recording unit 30 records on the medium M using a liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid supply source 35. As shown in Figure 1, a window 26 is provided on the front of the device body 12 in an area corresponding to the liquid supply source 35. The user can visually check the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid supply source 35 through the window 26.

[0024] A concave mounting section 31 is provided between the main body 12 of the device and the image reading unit 13. The mounting section 31 includes a discharge tray 32 that forms its bottom. The discharge tray 32 is a plate-shaped member, and the discharged media M is stacked on the upper surface of the discharge tray 32. The discharge tray 32 is inclined at a predetermined angle such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the recorded media M is discharged is higher than the upstream side. The main body 12 has a discharge port 71 (Figure 8) that opens into one of the side walls (right side wall) that forms the concave part of the mounting section 31. The recorded media M is discharged from the discharge port 71 and stacked on the discharge tray 32 of the mounting section 31. The media M discharged onto the discharge tray 32 descends along the slope due to its own weight and hits a regulating wall (not shown), thereby aligning the upstream end in the discharge direction.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, when viewing the mounting section 31 from the Y direction, the diagonal direction in which the discharge tray 32 extends is defined as direction B. Within direction B, the direction having a component in the +Z direction is defined as the +B direction, and the direction having a component in the -Z direction is defined as the -B direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to direction B that forms the slope of the discharge tray 32 is defined as direction C. Within direction C, the direction having a component in the +Z direction is defined as the +C direction, and the direction having a component in the -Z direction is defined as the -C direction.

[0026] <Printer Unit Configuration> The detailed configuration of the printer unit 15 shown in Figure 1 will be explained below using Figure 2. The main body of the device 12 is provided with a transport unit 40 that transports the medium M along the transport path T, and a recording unit 30 that records on the medium M. Furthermore, a medium width sensor 33 that detects the medium M being transported along the transport path T, a liquid supply source 35 that supplies liquid such as ink to the recording unit 30, a waste liquid storage unit 36 ​​that stores waste liquid such as ink, and a control unit 37 that controls the operation of each part of the multifunction printer 11.

[0027] The recording unit 30 includes a liquid ejection head 30A that ejects a liquid such as ink onto the medium M. The liquid ejection head 30A ejects a liquid such as ink, supplied from a liquid supply source 35 through a tube (not shown), from a nozzle (not shown). The liquid supply source 35 may be a replaceable liquid cartridge such as an ink cartridge, or a liquid tank that can be refilled with liquid such as an ink tank.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 2, the liquid ejection head 30A is positioned at an angle to the horizontal. That is, the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head 30A, from which the liquid ejection nozzle opens, is positioned at an angle to the horizontal. The liquid ejection head 30A faces the conveyor belt 48. The liquid ejection head 30A ejects liquid onto the medium M being conveyed along the conveying direction A on the conveyor belt 48. The angle at which the liquid ejection head 30A is tilted relative to the horizontal can be changed as appropriate. For example, the liquid ejection head 30A and the conveyor belt 48 may be positioned horizontally (tilt angle 0°). The recording unit 30 may also be configured to include recording heads other than the liquid ejection head 30A that ejects liquid. Other recording heads may include dot impact recording heads, thermal recording heads, or, for example, laser recording heads that record with toner.

[0029] The transport unit 40 is equipped with a plurality of rollers provided along the transport path T. Specifically, the transport unit 40 has a feed roller 41 and a pair of separation rollers 42 for the cassette 20, and a feed roller 43 and a separation roller 44 for the feed tray 24. The transport unit 40 also has transport roller pairs 45-47, 54-56 of the transport system, discharge roller pairs 49, 51, 53, transport rollers 61-64, and a loading roller 65. The transport path T includes the first to sixth transport paths T1-T6, which are the transport paths of the feed system, and the seventh to ninth transport paths T7-T9 and reversing paths T10, T11, which are the transport paths of the transport system.

[0030] More specifically, a feeding roller 41 and a pair of separation rollers 42 are provided for each cassette 20 mounted on the main body 12 of the device, near the downstream end in the feeding direction of each cassette 20. The multiple media M contained in the cassette 20 are placed on a mounting plate 20F that is biased toward the +Z side (upwards), with the downstream portion in the feeding direction being placed on the mounting plate 20F. The mounting plate 20F is rotatably mounted on the main body 12 of the device, and biases the media M toward the +Z side, lifting it upwards as it moves downstream in the feeding direction. The uppermost media M of the multiple media M placed on the mounting plate 20F is pressed against the feeding roller 41. As the feeding roller 41 rotates in this state, the uppermost media M is fed in the feeding direction. The fed-out media M is then separated by the separation action of the separation roller pair 42, which rotates while nipped by the separation roller pair 42, and only one media is sent downstream. The media M supplied from each cassette 20 is transported along the transport paths T1 to T4 towards the +Z side and reaches the transport path T7. The media M supplied from the cassette 20 is transported towards the downstream transport path T7 by transport rollers 61 to 64 provided along each transport path T1 to T4.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the feeding tray 24 is equipped with edge guides 24B for positioning the placed medium M in the width direction. The first cover 21 is equipped with feeding rollers 43 for feeding the medium M placed on the feeding tray 24 to the transport path T. The first cover 21 is also equipped with separation rollers 44 that rotate in contact with the feeding rollers 43. The transport path T5, through which the medium M is transported from the feeding tray 24 by the feeding rollers 43 and separation rollers 44, merges with the transport path T7.

[0032] Furthermore, there is a transport path T6 for transporting the medium M from the entrance (not shown) of the second cover 22. The transport path T6 is a transport route used when the medium M is transported into the multifunction printer 11 from an external device. The second cover 22 is provided with transport rollers 65 for transporting the medium M from the entrance along the transport path T6. In addition, the transport rollers 61 also serve as transport rollers for transporting the medium M along the transport path T6. The medium M transported from the transport path T6 merges with the transport path T7 downstream.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the transport path T7 is curved in the region facing the medium width sensor 33 and extends diagonally upward from the medium width sensor 33. The medium M is transported along the transport path T7 to the recording position RP facing the liquid ejection head 30A by the rotation of the transport roller pairs 45, 46, and 47. At the recording position RP, the medium M is transported on a transport belt 48 positioned opposite the liquid ejection head 30A. The liquid ejection head 30A records on the medium M as it is transported on the transport belt 48. The liquid ejection head 30A is, for example, an inkjet recording method that ejects a liquid such as ink. At the recording position RP, the medium M is transported in direction A. After recording is complete, the medium M is transported downstream by the discharge roller pair 49. A flap 50 is provided downstream of the discharge roller pair 49. The flap 50 distributes the medium M to the transport path T8 and the reversal path T10.

[0034] In the case of single-sided recording, where recording is done on only one side of the medium M, after recording on the first side, the medium M is directed to the transport path T8 by the flap 50. The medium M directed to the transport path T8 is then transported downstream by the discharge roller pair 51. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided recording, where recording is done on both sides of the medium M, after recording on the first side, the medium M, having completed recording on one side, is directed from the transport path T7 to the reversal path T10 by the flap 50.

[0035] Furthermore, a flap 52 is provided in the middle of the transport path T8. The flap 50 distributes the medium M to the transport path T8 and the transport path T9. The medium M that is transported along the transport path T8 is discharged onto the discharge tray 32 of the mounting section 31. The medium M that is distributed to the transport path T9 is discharged to the mounting section 31 by a pair of discharge rollers 53 provided along the transport path T9, and then discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown) provided in the mounting section 31.

[0036] The medium M, which has completed one-sided recording and has been sent to the reversal path T10, switches back in the reversal path T10 and is then transported in the reverse direction towards the -Z side of the reversal path T10. Then it is transported from the reversal path T10 through the reversal path T11 towards the -Z side. After being transported along the reversal path T11 by the transport roller pairs 55 and 56 provided along the reversal path T11, it joins the transport path T7. In other words, the medium M that has passed through the reversal paths T10 and T11 via the switchback is re-supplied to the transport path T7 with its front and back orientation reversed. At this time, the re-supplied medium M is transported along the transport path T7 with the second side, which is the side opposite to the recorded first side, facing the liquid discharge head 30A. The liquid discharge head 30A records on the second side of the re-supplied medium M. The medium M, which has completed double-sided recording by recording on the second side, is discharged to the mounting section 31 from the transport path T8 or transport path T9. In this embodiment, the transport path T includes reversal paths T10 and T11 as an example of a switchback path.

[0037] The first cover 21 is positioned in a location corresponding to the reversal paths T10 and T11. In this embodiment, the first cover 21 forms the reversal paths T10 and T11, which are examples of switchback paths. The transport roller pair 45 provided along the transport path T7 consists of a drive roller 45A and a driven roller 45B. The transport roller pair 46 consists of a drive roller 46A and a driven roller 46B. Furthermore, the transport roller pair 54 provided along the reversal path T10 consists of a drive roller 54A and a driven roller 54B. The transport mechanism 70 that forms the reversal paths T10 and T11 is assembled on the back surface of the first cover 21. That is, when the first cover 21 is opened, the transport mechanism 70 is separated from the main body of the device 12.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the second cover 22 is positioned such that its Z-axis position coincides with the Z-axis position of the cassette 20. The first cover 21 is positioned such that its Z-axis position does not coincide with the Z-axis position of the cassette 20, and it covers the transport path downstream of the transport path covered by the second cover 22. The transport paths covered by the second cover 22 are the first transport path T1 and the second transport path T2. The transport paths covered by the first cover 21 are the seventh transport path T7 and the reversal paths T10 and T11, and the transport paths covered by the third cover 23 are the third transport path T3 and the fourth transport path T4.

[0039] The control unit 37 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage, which are not shown in the diagram. The control unit 37 controls the transport of the medium M in the printer unit 15 and the recording operation on the medium M by the liquid ejection head 30A. More specifically, the control unit 37 is not limited to performing software processing for all the processes it performs. For example, the control unit 37 may have a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least a portion of the processes it performs. That is, the control unit 37 can be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform at least a portion of the various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute the processes. Memory, or computer-readable storage media, includes all available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0040] The printer unit 15 is equipped with a plurality of sensors (detection units), not shown, capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium M on the transport path T. The control unit 37 determines whether the medium M is in the correct position on the transport path T when performing a recording operation to record on the medium M. If it is detected that the medium M is in an inappropriate position on the transport path T, it determines that a jam has occurred due to the medium M being stuck. Based on the detection signals from the plurality of sensors, the control unit 37 identifies the location of the jam and displays a message on the display unit 19A indicating that a jam has occurred. The message includes information about the cover that should be opened to perform jam removal work. The user opens the cover indicated in the message and performs the jam removal work.

[0041] <Configuration of the Recording Device Control Unit> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 37 shown in Figure 2. The control unit 37 mainly consists of a print engine unit 200 that manages the printer unit 15, a scanner engine unit 300 that manages the image reading unit 13, and a controller unit 100 that manages the entire multifunction device 11. The print controller 202 controls the various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to the instructions of the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 are controlled by the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100. The details of the configuration of the control unit 37 will be described below.

[0042] In the controller unit 100, the main controller 101, which is composed of a CPU, controls the entire multifunction printer 11 using the RAM 106 as the work area, according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. For example, when a print job is input from the host device 400 via the host I / F 102 or wireless I / F 103, the image processing unit 108 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data according to the instructions of the main controller 101. Then, the main controller 101 transmits the processed image data to the print engine unit 200 via the print engine I / F 105.

[0043] The multifunction printer 11 may acquire image data from the host device 400 via wireless or wired communication, or it may acquire image data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the multifunction printer 11. The communication method used for wireless or wired communication is not limited. For example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used as communication methods for wireless communication. USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be used as a communication method for wired communication. Also, for example, when a read command is input from the host device 400, the main controller 101 transmits this command to the scanner engine unit 300 via the scanner engine I / F 109.

[0044] The operation panel 19 is a mechanism for the user to perform input and output operations on the multifunction machine 11. The user can instruct operations such as copying and scanning, set the printing mode, or recognize the information of the multifunction machine 11 via the operation panel 19.

[0045] In the print engine unit 200, the print controller 202 composed of a CPU controls various mechanisms provided in the printer unit 15 according to the programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 203 while using the RAM 204 as a work area. When various commands and image data are received via the controller I / F 201, the print controller 202 temporarily stores them in the RAM 204. The print controller 202 causes the image processing controller 205 to convert the stored image data into recording data so that the liquid ejection head 30A can be used for the recording operation. When the recording data is generated, the print controller 202 causes the liquid ejection head 30A to perform a recording operation based on the recording data via the head I / F 206. At this time, the print controller 202 drives each component of the conveyance unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 via the conveyance control unit 207 to convey the medium M. Specifically, these components are the feed roller 41 and the separation roller pair 42 for the cassette 20, and the feed roller 43 and the separation roller 44 for the feed tray 24. Also, the conveyance roller pairs 45 to 47, 54 to 56 in the conveyance system, the discharge roller pairs 49, 51, 53, the conveyance rollers 61 to 64, and the loading roller 65. In accordance with the instructions of the print controller 202, the recording operation by the liquid ejection head 30A is executed in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the medium M, and the printing process is performed.

[0046] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the liquid ejection head 30A according to the operating status of the multifunction printer 11, such as the maintenance status and recording status. The ink supply control unit 209 controls the ink supply unit that supplies ink to the recording unit 30 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid ejection head 30A is within an appropriate range. The ink supply unit is composed of a liquid supply source 35. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the operation of the cap unit and wiping unit in the maintenance unit (not shown) when performing maintenance operations on the liquid ejection head 30A.

[0047] In the scanner engine unit 300, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302, using the RAM 106 as the work area, according to the program and various parameters stored in the ROM 107. This controls the various mechanisms of the image reading unit 13. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller I / F 301, so that the document placed on the automatic document feeding unit 14 is transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read image data in the RAM 303. The print controller 202 converts the acquired image data as described above into recording data, so that the liquid ejection head 30A can perform a recording operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 302.

[0048] <Configuration of the Cover> Figure 4 shows the side surface 12S where the cover CV in the printer unit 15 is provided. In the apparatus main body 12, a first opening 121 is provided in a region facing the first cover 21. The first cover 21 closes the first opening 121 in the closed state and opens the first opening 121 in the open state. In the apparatus main body 12, a second opening 122 is provided in a region facing the second cover 22. The second cover 22 closes the second opening 122 in the closed state and opens the second opening 122 in the open state. In the apparatus main body 12, a third opening 123 is provided in a region facing the third cover 23. The third cover 23 closes the third opening 123 in the closed state and opens the third opening 123 in the open state.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the first cover 21 has a rotation axis 21B extending along the Z-axis and is provided rotatably with respect to the apparatus main body 12. The second cover 22 is disposed on the -Z side of the first cover 21, has a rotation axis 22B extending along the Y-axis on the -Z side, and is provided rotatably with respect to the apparatus main body 12. Since the cover CV is divided into the first cover 21 and the second cover 22, by opening the first cover 21 and the second cover 22, the conveyance path T extending across the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 can be configured to be continuously opened. Note that continuously opened means, for example, that in the closed state, no non-door parts such as frames like trays or exterior finishes are arranged between the first cover 21 and the second cover 22. In other words, in the open state, it means that no non-door parts made of frames like crossbars or exterior finishes that partition the first opening 121 corresponding to the first cover 21 and the second opening 122 corresponding to the second cover 22 are arranged. Therefore, when both the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 are opened, a single continuous large opening is formed by the first opening 121 and the second opening 122.

[0050] In Figure 4, the area occupied by the second cover 22 on the side surface 12S is smaller than that of the first cover 21, but the size is not limited to this. The area occupied by the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 on the side surface 12S may be the same. Also, for example, if the third cover 23 is eliminated and the second cover 22 is made large enough to cover the first to fourth transport paths T1 to T4, the area occupied by the second cover 22 on the side surface 12S may be larger than that of the first cover 21.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the dimension LY1 of the first cover 21 in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the dimension LZ2 of the second cover 22 in the Z-axis direction (LY1 > LZ2). The dimension LY1 of the first cover 21 in the Y-axis direction may also be smaller than the dimension LZ1 of the first cover 21 in the Z-axis direction (LY1 < LZ1).

[0052] The dimension LY2 of the second cover 22 in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the dimension LZ2 of the second cover 22 in the Z-axis direction (LY2 > LZ2). The dimension LZ2 of the second cover 22 in the Z-axis direction may be less than the dimension LZ1 of the first cover 21 in the Z-axis direction (LZ2 < LZ1).

[0053] The dimension LY1 of the first cover 21 in the Y-axis direction may be equal to the dimension LY2 of the second cover 22 in the Y-axis direction (LY1 = LY2). Also, the side edge 21S of the first cover 21 extending in the Z-axis direction and the side edge 22S of the second cover 22 extending in the Z-axis direction may lie on a straight line in the Z-axis direction.

[0054] The third cover 23 is positioned on the -Z side of the cover CV and has a pivot shaft 23B on the -Z side that extends along the Y axis perpendicular to the Z axis. The third cover 23 may be configured to rotate around the pivot shaft 23B relative to the device body 12. The dimension LY3 of the third cover 23 in the Y-axis direction may be greater than the dimension LZ3 of the third cover 23 in the Z-axis direction (LY3 > LZ3). The dimension LY3 of the third cover 23 in the Y-axis direction may be equal to the dimension LY2 of the second cover 22 in the Y-axis direction (LY2 = LY3). Furthermore, the side edge 23S of the third cover 23 extending in the Z-axis direction and the side edge 22S of the second cover 22 extending in the Z-axis direction may lie on a straight line in the Z-axis direction. In addition, the three side edges 21S, 22S, and 23S may lie on a straight line in the Z-axis direction.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the dimensions LZ2 and LZ3 of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 in the Z-axis direction may be less than half (1 / 2) of the dimension LZ1 of the first cover 21 in the Z-axis direction (LZ2 < 1 / 2 × LZ1, LZ3 < 1 / 2 × LZ1).

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the Z-axis dimension LZ4 of the cassette 20 is smaller than the Z-axis dimensions LZ2 and LZ3 of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 (LZ4 < LZ2, LZ4 < LZ3).

[0057] The feeding tray 24 has a pivot shaft 24C that extends along the Y-axis and is configured to be rotatable relative to the first cover 21. As shown in Figure 4, the dimension LY5 of the feeding tray 24 in the Y-axis direction is smaller than the dimensions LY2 and LY3 of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 in the Y-axis direction (LY5 < LY2, LY5 < LY3). Also, the dimension LZ5 of the feeding tray 24 in the Z-axis direction may be larger than the dimensions LZ2 and LZ3 of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 in the Z-axis direction (LZ5 > LZ2, LZ5 > LZ3).

[0058] <Configuration of a Recording System with a Paper Feeding Unit> Figure 5 shows the configuration of the recording system 10A. As shown in Figure 4, the recording system 10A, as an example of a media transport system, comprises a multifunction printer 11 and a high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 that supplies media M to the multifunction printer 11. The high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 is used in conjunction with the multifunction printer 11. In this example, the high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 is connected to the multifunction printer 11 at the portion of the second cover 22. The high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 is arranged in line with the main body of the device 12 in the X-axis direction. The high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 accommodates multiple media M. The maximum number of media that the high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 can accommodate is greater than the maximum number of media that each cassette 20 can accommodate. The high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 feeds the stored media M to the transport path T of the multifunction printer 11. The main body 12 of the multifunction printer 11 is configured to be able to receive media M from the high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 to the transport path T.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, the high-capacity paper feeding unit 80 comprises a housing 81, a high-capacity cassette 82 that is detachable from the housing 81, and casters 83 that make contact with the installation surface F. The high-capacity cassette 82 has a handle 82A on the side facing the Y-axis (front) that is operated by the user when pulling it out. As shown in Figure 5, the Z-axis dimension LZ6 of the high-capacity cassette 82 is larger than the Z-axis dimension LZ4 (see Figure 4) of the cassette 20 on the multifunction printer 11 side. Therefore, the number of sheets that can be loaded into the high-capacity cassette 82 is greater than the number of sheets that can be loaded into the cassette 20. The high-capacity cassette 82 in this embodiment has a height dimension of approximately four times that of the cassette 20.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the height dimension H1 of the high-capacity paper feed unit 80 from the installation surface F is slightly higher than the top edge height of the uppermost first cassette 20A in the multifunction printer 11 equipped with four cassettes 20. The height dimension H1 of the high-capacity paper feed unit 80 is set so as not to interfere with the feed tray 24 when the feed tray 24 of the multifunction printer 11 is opened.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, when opening at least one of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23, the high-capacity paper feed unit 80 is moved a predetermined distance in the X-axis direction away from the multifunction printer 11. This predetermined distance is the distance required to open at least one of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23. The dimensions LZ2 and LZ3 of the second cover 22 and the third cover 23 in the Z-axis direction are smaller than their respective dimensions LY2 and LY3 in the Y-axis direction (see Figure 4). Furthermore, it is preferable that the dimensions LZ2 and LZ3 are smaller than half (1 / 2) of the Z-axis direction dimension LZ1 of the first cover 21 (LZ2 < 1 / 2 × LZ1, LZ3 < 1 / 2 × LZ1). In these cases, the distance that the high-capacity paper feed unit 80 needs to be moved in the X-axis direction when opening the second cover 22 or the third cover 23 is shorter.

[0062] <Configuration of the mounting section> Figure 7 is a plan view of the mounting section 31 as seen from above. As shown in Figure 7, the mounting section 31 has a discharge tray 32. The mounting section 31 also has a mounting surface 91 on which the media M discharged from the discharge port 71 (Figure 8) is placed. A vertical wall 99 is provided at the -X end of the mounting surface 91, extending upright from the mounting surface 91 in the +Z direction. When viewed from a position in the +X direction relative to the multifunction printer 11, the vertical wall 99 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, with its Y-direction dimension being longer than its Z-direction dimension. The vertical wall 99 is also formed in a plate shape with a predetermined thickness in the X direction. The vertical wall 99 is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the discharge port 71. The width of the vertical wall 99 in the Y direction is wider than the maximum Y-direction width of the media M used in the multifunction printer 11. The height of the vertical wall 99 in the Z direction is higher than the maximum stacking height of the multiple media M placed on the mounting section 31.

[0063] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the mounting surface 91 includes, for example, a first mounting surface 92, second mounting surfaces 94 and 95, third mounting surfaces 96 and 97, and a fourth mounting surface 98. The first mounting surface 92 constitutes the central part of the mounting surface 91 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the first mounting surface 92 is a surface that rises towards the +C direction (+Z direction) from the +B direction (+X direction). In other words, the first mounting surface 92 is a plane parallel to the B-Y plane. Moreover, the first mounting surface 92 is formed in a rectangular shape, with the dimension in the B direction being longer than the dimension in the Y direction when viewed from the C direction. A through hole 93 is formed in the central part of the first mounting surface 92 in the Y direction, as an example of an opening. The through hole 93 is formed in a rectangular shape, with the dimension in the B direction being longer than the dimension in the Y direction, as an example. The size of the through hole 93 is such that the movable rib 90, which will be described later, can pass through it. As a result, the movable rib 90 can move in the C direction through the through hole 93 and protrude from the first mounting surface 92. In this specification, the elements involved in the discharge of the medium M, specifically the print controller 202, the discharge roller pairs 49, 51, 53, and the discharge port 71, are collectively referred to as the discharge section. The B direction has the discharge direction component when the medium M is discharged from the discharge port 71. The Y direction is perpendicular to the B direction and the discharge direction. Here, a configuration in which these directions are perpendicular is shown, but they do not necessarily have to be perpendicular; a configuration in which they are approximately perpendicular (i.e., intersecting at a few degrees from 90 degrees) is also acceptable.

[0064] The second mounting surfaces 94 and 95 are located on one side of the first mounting surface 92 in the Y direction. The second mounting surface 94 is continuous with the first mounting surface 92 and is located in the +Y direction more than the first mounting surface 92. The length of the second mounting surface 94 in the B direction becomes shorter as it approaches the +Y direction. Also, the second mounting surface 94 slopes downward in the -C direction as it approaches the -Y direction. In other words, the second mounting surface 94 slopes toward the first mounting surface 92. The second mounting surface 95 is continuous with the first mounting surface 92 and is located in the -Y direction more than the first mounting surface 92. The length of the second mounting surface 95 in the B direction becomes shorter as it approaches the -Y direction. Also, the second mounting surface 95 slopes downward in the -C direction as it approaches the +Y direction. In other words, the second mounting surface 95 slopes toward the first mounting surface 92. The inclination angle of the second mounting surface 94 with respect to the B-Y plane and the inclination angle of the second mounting surface 95 are approximately the same. The area and inclination angle of the second mounting surfaces 94 and 95 are set so that the second mounting surfaces 94 and 95 can come into contact with the medium M.

[0065] The third mounting surfaces 96 and 97 are located outside the first mounting surface 92 and the second mounting surfaces 94 and 95 in the Y direction. The third mounting surface 96 is continuous with the second mounting surface 94 and is located further in the +Y direction than the second mounting surface 94. The third mounting surface 96 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, except for the cut-out portion in the -B direction. The third mounting surface 96 is also parallel to the Y direction. In other words, the third mounting surface 96 is a plane parallel to the B-Y plane, similar to the first mounting surface 92. The third mounting surface 97 is continuous with the second mounting surface 95 and is located further in the -Y direction than the second mounting surface 95. The third mounting surface 97 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, except for the cut-out portion in the -B direction. The third mounting surface 97 is also parallel to the Y direction. In other words, the third mounting surface 97 is a plane parallel to the B-Y plane, just like the first mounting surface 92.

[0066] The fourth mounting surface 98 is a surface located in the +B direction relative to the first mounting surface 92, the second mounting surfaces 94 and 95, and the third mounting surfaces 96 and 97, and is continuous with them. Furthermore, the fourth mounting surface 98 is, for example, a plane parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane. At the -B direction end of the fourth mounting surface 98, the central part in the Y direction is recessed in the +B direction compared to both ends in the Y direction.

[0067] As shown in Figure 9, the movable rib 90 is an example of a projection that can project from the mounting surface 91 in the C direction, and is formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped that is long in the B direction. The end of the movable rib 90 in the -C direction is open. The movable rib 90 also has a side wall 72 formed in the shape of a frame when viewed from the C direction, an upper wall 74 that covers the end of the side wall 72 in the +C direction, and two slide rails 76 provided on the inside of the side wall 72. A notch 73 is formed at the end of the side wall 72 in the +B direction. The upper surface 74A of the upper wall 74 in the +C direction is a plane parallel to the B-Y plane. The upper surface 74A is formed in the shape of a rectangle where the dimension in the B direction is longer than the dimension in the Y direction when viewed from the C direction.

[0068] The movable rib 90, which extends in the B direction, has a dimension in the B direction that is greater than its dimension in the Y direction. Furthermore, the movable rib 90 has a dimension in the B direction that is smaller than the B direction dimension of the largest size medium M used in the multifunction printer 11. Additionally, the movable rib 90 has a dimension in the Y direction that is smaller than the Y direction dimension of the smallest size medium M used in the multifunction printer 11. The movable rib 90 is moved back and forth in the C direction by a moving part 77 (described later), allowing it to move between a protruding position that extends from the mounting surface 91 in the +C direction and a retracted position where the mounting surface 91 and the upper surface 74A are at approximately the same height in the C direction. The protruding position is an example of the second position. The retracted position is an example of the first position. The movable rib 90 also supports a portion of the medium M in both the protruding and retracted positions. In this embodiment, the medium M is transported using a center-resist method. Therefore, the movable rib 90 supports approximately the center of the medium M in the Y direction.

[0069] The movable section 77 is configured, for example, as a link mechanism. Specifically, the movable section 77 includes a support plate 78, a movable rod 79, two first link members 84 spaced apart in the B direction, and one second link member 85 connected to each of the two first link members 84. The support plate 78 extends in the B direction in the -C direction relative to the movable rib 90. The movable rod 79 is provided between the support plate 78 and the movable rib 90 so as to be able to reciprocate in the B direction. The movable rod 79 is also moved back and forth in the B direction by a motor (not shown). This motor is controlled by a transport control unit 207 (Figure 3). The position of the movable rod 79 in the B direction is detected by a sensor (not shown). Based on this detection result, it is determined whether the movable rib 90 is in the protruding position or the retracted position. The position information of the movable rib 90 is sent to the control unit 37.

[0070] The first link member 84 is a member that is long in one direction. One end of the first link member 84 is connected to the support plate 78 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the Y direction. The other end of the first link member 84 is connected to the slide rail 76 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the Y direction and to move together with the slide rail 76. The second link member 85 is a member that is long in one direction and is shorter than the first link member 84. One end of the second link member 85 is connected to a part of the first link member 84 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the Y direction. The other end of the second link member 85 is connected to the moving rod 79 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the Y direction.

[0071] In the moving section 77, when the moving rod 79 is moved in the +B direction, one end of the second link member 85 moves downward in the -C direction, causing the other end of the first link member 84 to move downward in the -C direction and slide relative to the slide rail 76 in the +B direction. As a result, the moving section 77 lowers the movable rib 90 in the -C direction. Also, in the moving section 77, when the moving rod 79 is moved in the -B direction, one end of the second link member 85 moves upward in the +C direction, causing the other end of the first link member 84 to move upward in the +C direction and slide relative to the slide rail 76 in the -B direction. As a result, the moving section 77 moves the movable rib 90 in the +C direction. In other words, the moving section 77 causes the movable rib 90 to protrude from the mounting surface 91 in the +C direction.

[0072] <Configuration of a recording system with a post-processing device> Figure 10 shows a recording system 10B including a multifunction printer 11. As shown in Figure 10, the recording system 10B comprises a multifunction printer 11 and a post-processing device 86. The multifunction printer 11 is equipped with a liquid ejection head 30A that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium M, such as paper. Here, the liquid ejection head 30A is described as a line head, but it is not particularly limited to that.

[0073] The multifunction printer 11 comprises a main unit 12, a cassette 20 for containing media, a transport unit 40 (see Figure 2) for transporting media, a liquid discharge head 30A, a mounting unit 31 for discharging media, and a relay unit 88 for transporting media to a post-processing device 86. As shown in Figure 10, a media transport path TA is provided inside the main unit 12, more specifically, directly below the liquid discharge head 30A.

[0074] The liquid ejection head 30A has multiple nozzles (not shown) arranged to cover the entire Y-axis area of ​​the medium. The liquid ejection head 30A records data onto the medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) from the multiple nozzles toward the medium.

[0075] The media recorded on by the multifunction printer 11 is sent to the post-processing device 86 via the relay unit 88. The post-processing device 86 comprises a main unit 89, a processing tray 58 and a stapler 57 (an example of a post-processing unit) located inside the main unit 89, and a main tray 59 located outside the main unit 89. The media transferred from the relay unit 88 to the main unit 89 is transported along the transport path TB inside the main unit 89 and sent to the processing tray 58.

[0076] <Configuration of the relay unit> Figure 11 shows the area around the mounting section 31 when the post-processing device 86 is connected to the multifunction device 11.

[0077] As shown in Figure 11, the relay unit 88 is an example of a relay transport unit capable of transporting the medium M discharged from the discharge port 71 to the post-processing device 86. The relay unit 88 also includes, as an example, a main frame (not shown), an upper path member 111, a rotating mechanism 130, a lower path member 116, a first rotating shaft 117, a second rotating shaft 118, and a spring member (not shown). The relay path TC is defined as the path between the discharge roller pair 120 of the discharge port 71 and the post-processing device 86 within the transport path T of the medium M. In other words, the transport path T in this embodiment includes the relay path TC.

[0078] As shown in Figure 11, the upper path member 111 constitutes the upper part of the relay path TC located in the +Z direction from the center in the Z direction. The upper path member 111 is provided with a rotating mechanism 130, which will be described later. The upper path member 111, as an example, has an inclined wall 112 and an upper wall 113. The inclined wall 112 is located downstream in the E direction of the discharge guide 119. The E direction is the direction in which the medium M is transported through the relay path TC in the relay unit 88. The inclined wall 112 is inclined such that its +X direction end is located in the +Z direction relative to its -X direction end. In other words, the inclined wall 112 extends diagonally upward relative to the discharge guide 119. The upper wall 113 extends in the +X direction, starting from the point where the inclined wall 112 and the upper wall 113 connect at the +X direction end of the inclined wall 112. This connecting point is curved.

[0079] The rotating mechanism 130 is driven by a drive motor (not shown) to transport the medium M from the discharge port 71 to the post-processing device 86. The rotating mechanism 130 is composed of, for example, a plurality of upper rollers 131, a drive motor (not shown), a plurality of spurs (also called serrated rollers) 132, and a gear section (not shown). The plurality of upper rollers 131 are arranged at intervals in the E direction on the upper path member 111. In addition, a plurality of upper rollers 131 are also arranged in the Y direction. The plurality of upper rollers 131 rotate around a rotation axis along the Y direction. A portion of the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of upper rollers 131 is exposed from the upper path member 111 to the relay path TC and can come into contact with the medium M.

[0080] Multiple spurs 132 are provided on the upper path member 111 at intervals in the E direction and at positions different from the multiple upper rollers 131, and multiple spurs 132 are also arranged in the Y direction. Each of the multiple spurs 132 rotates around a rotation axis along the Y direction. Multiple teeth (not shown) are provided on the outer circumference of the multiple spurs 132. The outer diameter of the spurs 132 is smaller than the outer diameter of the upper rollers 131. The multiple spurs 132 rotate by contact with the conveyed medium M.

[0081] As shown in Figure 11, the lower path member 116 constitutes the lower part of the relay path TC located in the -Z direction from the center in the Z direction. The lower path member 116 is an example of a switching member. The lower path member 116 is configured to switch between a first state in which it constitutes the relay path TC for the medium M from the discharge port 71 to the post-processing device 86, and a second state in which it opens the relay path TC toward the mounting section 31. Note that the lower path member 116 is not provided with a drive motor or gear section as a rotating mechanism section 130.

[0082] The lower path member 116 includes, for example, a first lower path member 133 and a second lower path member 134. The width of the first lower path member 133 and the second lower path member 134 in the Y direction is wider than the width of the medium M in the Y direction. The first lower path member 133 is rotatable about a first rotation axis 117. The second lower path member 134 is rotatable about a second rotation axis 118. In this embodiment, the first lower path member 133 of the lower path member 116 switches between the first state and the second state by rotating about the first rotation axis 117. In this embodiment, for example, the first and second states are not defined for the rotation of the second lower path member 134.

[0083] As shown in Figure 11, the first rotation axis 117 is located in the -X and -Z directions relative to the middle of the relay path TC in the E direction (specifically, the center of the relay path TC). The first rotation axis 117 is rotatably supported by a frame member (not shown) of the device body 12. The first rotation axis 117 extends in the Y direction, intersecting both the E and Z directions. The first rotation axis 117 is made of a cylindrical member. The first rotation axis 117 rotatably supports the first lower path member 133. Specifically, the base end portion 133A of the first lower path member 133 is attached to the first rotation axis 117. The first state and the second state are switched by the first lower path member 133 rotating around the first rotation axis 117.

[0084] The second lower path member 134 is located downstream in the E direction relative to the first lower path member 133. The second rotation axis 118 is located in the -Z direction relative to the upper wall 113. The second rotation axis 118 is rotatably supported by a frame member (not shown) of the device body 12. The second rotation axis 118 consists of a cylindrical member extending in the Y direction. The second rotation axis 118 rotatably supports the second lower path member 134. Specifically, the base end 134A in the +X direction of the second lower path member 134 is attached to the second rotation axis 118. In other words, the downstream end in the E direction of the second lower path member 134 is rotatably supported by the second rotation axis 118. The second lower path member 134 rotates around the second rotation axis 118, switching between a closed state that forms the relay path TC and an open state that opens the relay path TC.

[0085] In the first state of the lower path member 116, the first lower path member 133 faces the inclined wall 112, forming the upstream portion of the relay path TC. The arrangement in which the first lower path member 133 faces the inclined wall 112 is defined as the first state of the first lower path member 133. In the first state of the lower path member 116, the second lower path member 134 faces the upper wall 113, forming the downstream portion of the relay path TC.

[0086] [First Modified Relay Unit] Figure 12 shows the area around the mounting section 31 when the post-processing device 86 is connected to the multifunction device 11, as the first modified example of Figure 11. This modified example differs from Figure 11 in that it has a linear upper path member 152 and a plate-shaped lower path member 154 instead of the upper path member 111 and lower path member 116. In this modified example, the first rotation axis 117 (Figure 11) is not provided. The upper path member 152 is inclined such that its end in the +X direction is located in the +Z direction relative to its end in the -X direction.

[0087] In the first state, when the lower path member 154 forms the relay path TC together with the upper path member 152, the lower path member 154 has a predetermined thickness in the C direction and extends in the B direction. The base end portion 154A of the lower path member 154 in the +B direction is rotated around the second rotation axis 118. The lower path member 154 switches between the aforementioned first state and a second state in which it is retracted from the relay path TC in the -Z direction. In this modified example, when the lower path member 154 is in the second state, the medium M is discharged into the space on the mounting surface 91. Thus, the lower path member 154 may be composed of a single member. Alternatively, instead of providing the second rotation axis 118, a first rotation axis 117 (Figure 11) may be provided, and the base end portion of the lower path member 154 in the -B direction may be rotated around the first rotation axis 117. Alternatively, instead of providing the first rotating shaft 117 and the second rotating shaft 118, a lifting mechanism 166 (Figure 14) may be provided to raise and lower the lower path member 154.

[0088] [Second Modification of the Relay Unit] Figure 13 shows the area around the mounting section 31 when the post-processing device 86 is connected to the multifunction printer 11, as a modification of Figure 11. This modification differs from Figure 11 in that an upper path member 142 is provided as an example of an upper path member instead of the upper path member 111 (Figure 11), and a first lower path member 146 is provided as an example of a lower path member instead of the first lower path member 133 (Figure 11). The other configurations are the same as in Figure 11.

[0089] The upper path member 142 constitutes the upper part of the relay path TC located in the +Z direction from the center in the Z direction. The upper path member 142 is provided with a rotating mechanism 130. The upper path member 142, as an example, has an inclined wall 112 and an upper wall 113. The inclined wall 112 is located downstream in the E direction from the discharge guide 119. The inclined wall 112 is inclined such that its end in the +X direction is located in the +Z direction relative to its end in the -X direction. In other words, the inclined wall 112 is a wall that extends diagonally upward from the discharge guide 119.

[0090] The first lower path member 146 is formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined thickness. The first lower path member 146 is formed in the shape of a rectangle in which the dimension in the Y direction is longer than the dimension in the E direction. The upstream end of the first lower path member 146 in the E direction is defined as the base end 146A. The downstream end of the first lower path member 146 in the E direction is defined as the tip end 146B. In other words, the tip end 146B is located opposite to the base end 146A. The base end 146A is rotatably mounted on the first rotation axis 117. When the first lower path member 146 is rotated around the first rotation axis 117, the trajectory traced by the tip end 146B is defined as the rotation trajectory R. The region inside the rotation trajectory R is defined as the rotation region SR. The mounting surface 91 is located outside the rotation trajectory R of the tip end 146B. In other words, when the first lower path member 146 is rotated, the first lower path member 146 does not come into contact with the mounting surface 91.

[0091] [Third Modification of the Relay Unit] Figure 14 shows the area around the mounting section 31 when the post-processing device 86 is connected to the multifunction device 11, as a modification of Figure 13. This modification differs from Figure 13 in that the first rotating shaft 117 and the second rotating shaft 118 (Figure 13) are absent, a first lower path member 163 is provided in place of the first lower path member 146, and a lifting section 166 is provided. The other configurations are the same as in Figure 13.

[0092] The lower path member 162 includes, for example, a first lower path member 163 and a second lower path member 164 located downstream of the first lower path member 163 in the E direction. The first lower path member 163 is provided so as to be retractable from the relay path TC in the -Z direction. The lower path member 162 switches from a first state to a second state when the first lower path member 163 is retracted from the relay path TC.

[0093] Specifically, the first lower path member 163 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the C direction and extending in the B direction. The first lower path member 163 switches between a first state and a second state when the lifting unit 166 is driven. In the first state, the first lower path member 163 faces the inclined wall 112 and forms the relay path TC. In the second state, when the first lower path member 163 is retracted from the relay path TC in the -Z direction, it rests on the mounting surface 91.

[0094] The second lower path member 164 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness in the Z direction. For example, the second lower path member 164 is fixed in a state where it faces the upper wall 113 and forms a relay path TC.

[0095] <Curling caused by the application of liquid to paper> When a liquid such as ink is applied to one or both sides of paper, the paper will curl so that the side with a relatively larger amount of liquid applied expands. In other words, the paper will curl so that the side with a relatively larger amount of liquid applied becomes convex. This is because the side with a relatively larger amount of moisture applied expands more than the side with a relatively smaller amount. Therefore, if a recording device uses face-down output, where the paper is ejected with the surface facing downwards during printing, the paper will curl so that the lower side becomes convex when ejected after printing on the front side. On the other hand, if a recording device uses face-up output, where the paper is ejected with the surface facing upwards during printing, the paper will curl so that the upper side becomes convex when ejected after printing on the front side, and the paper will curl so that the lower side becomes convex when ejected after printing on the back side.

[0096] For example, as shown in Figure 15(a), when performing single-sided printing where printing is done only on the top surface of the paper, the paper curls upwards so as to be convex, and as shown in Figure 15(b), when performing single-sided printing where printing is done only on the bottom surface of the paper, the paper curls downwards so as to be convex. Also, for example, as shown in Figure 15(c), in double-sided printing where printing is done on both the top and bottom surfaces of the paper, if the amount of liquid applied to the bottom surface is greater than the amount of liquid applied to the top surface, the paper curls downwards so as to be convex. Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 15(d), in double-sided printing, if the amount of liquid applied to the top surface is greater than the amount of liquid applied to the bottom surface, the paper curls upwards so as to be convex.

[0097] <Overview of the Movable Rib Movement Operation> In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16(a), if a sheet of paper is already placed on the mounting surface 91 and the next sheet of paper to be placed is curled downwards in a convex shape, the movable rib 90 is raised. "Raising" means moving the movable rib 90 in the +C direction, and more specifically, it means moving from a predetermined first position in the C direction (also called the normal position or initial position) to a predetermined second position in the C direction. Note that the C direction coordinate value of the second position is greater than the C direction coordinate value of the first position. When a sheet of paper curled downwards in a convex shape is placed on the raised movable rib 90, after a certain period of time, the moisture on the recording surface is absorbed into the paper or evaporates, so the amount of curl that has occurred is reduced. Therefore, the movable rib 90 is raised, the sheet of paper curled downwards in a convex shape is placed on it, and after a certain period of time the amount of curl has decreased, the movable rib 90 can be moved again (specifically, lowered).

[0098] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 16(b), if a sheet of paper is already placed on the mounting surface 91 and the next sheet of paper to be placed will curl upwards in a convex shape, it is preferable to lower the movable rib 90. "Lowering" means moving the movable rib 90 in the -C direction, and more specifically, moving it from the second position described above to the first position described above.

[0099] <Variations in the movement of the movable rib> The variations in the movement of the movable rib 90 in this embodiment will be described below for each embodiment.

[0100] [First Embodiment] In this embodiment, when performing so-called single-sided printing, where printing is done on either the top or bottom surface of the paper, the movable rib 90 is moved based on whether or not the amount of ink (also called the amount of liquid) applied to the next sheet of paper placed exceeds a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the destination position of the movable rib 90 is determined based on the amount of ink applied to the next sheet of paper placed, regardless of the paper already placed.

[0101] Refer to Figure 16(a) for explanation. Figure 16(a) shows the state of the mounting section 31 as viewed from the downstream side in direction B. Based on the amount of ink applied to the next sheet of paper to be placed, specifically, if the amount of ink applied to the bottom surface is greater than 0, it is estimated that the paper will curl downwards into a convex shape. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16(a), the movable rib 90 is raised regardless of whether there is paper on the mounting surface 91. This makes it possible to suppress the curling of paper that needs to be corrected. Note that "based on the amount of ink applied to the next sheet of paper to be placed" here means based on the amount of ink applied to the top or bottom surface of the next sheet of paper to be placed.

[0102] On the other hand, based on the amount of ink applied to the next sheet of paper to be placed, specifically, if the amount of ink applied to the upper surface is greater than 0, it is estimated that the paper will curl upwards in a convex shape. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16(b), the movable rib 90 is lowered (i.e., moved from the second position to the first position (normal position)) regardless of whether there is paper on the mounting surface 91.

[0103] Thus, the position of the movable rib 90 is determined based on the amount of ink applied to the paper that is next placed on the mounting section.

[0104] Furthermore, if it is necessary to move (raise or lower) the movable rib 90 when placing a certain sheet of paper (referred to as the target sheet) on the mounting section, the movement of the movable rib 90 will occur after the transport of the paper to be recorded immediately before the target sheet to the mounting section is completed, and before the target sheet reaches the movable rib 90.

[0105] [Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, when performing single-sided printing on the underside of a sheet of paper, the movable rib 90 is moved according to the sheet of paper with the largest amount of ink applied to its underside among the one or more sheets of paper placed on the mounting surface 91. Specifically, the position to which the movable rib 90 moves is determined based on the amount of ink applied to the sheet of paper with the largest amount of ink applied to its underside among the one or more sheets of paper placed on the mounting surface 91.

[0106] This embodiment is for situations in high-speed printing, such as continuous printing, where it is not possible to control the height of the movable rib 90 for each sheet of paper as shown in the first embodiment (i.e., processing for each sheet of paper cannot be done in time). Therefore, in this embodiment, the height of the movable rib 90 is adjusted to match the sheet of paper that is estimated to have the largest amount of ink applied to the bottom surface and to be the most convex curl on the bottom.

[0107] For example, the amount of ink applied to the bottom surface of each of the one or more sheets of paper to be recorded on is calculated. The sheet of paper with the largest calculated ink application amount is estimated to be the one that will curl most convexly downwards in the center, and the movable rib 90 is raised to a height suitable for correcting that sheet of paper.

[0108] Furthermore, the timing of moving the movable rib 90 can be during printing, as long as it is done before the paper is ejected at the point where it is estimated that the center of the paper will curl most convexly downwards.

[0109] [Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, when performing single-sided printing on the underside of a sheet of paper, the movable rib 90 is moved based on the average amount of ink applied to one or more sheets of paper placed on the mounting surface 91. More specifically, the destination position of the movable rib 90 is determined based on the average amount of ink applied to the underside of one or more sheets of paper placed on the mounting surface 91.

[0110] Similar to the second embodiment, this embodiment is intended for situations in high-speed printing, such as continuous printing, where it is not possible to control the height of the movable rib 90 for each sheet of paper as shown in the first embodiment (i.e., processing for each sheet of paper cannot be kept up).

[0111] [Fourth Embodiment] Regarding the position of the movable rib 90, from the viewpoint of paper output and stacking efficiency for paper that is not curled, it is preferable that it be as low as possible. If the paper to be placed does not have a convex curl on the bottom, it is better not to raise the movable rib 90 from the aforementioned first position (normal position). For this reason, when paper that does not require curl correction is being discharged, it is basically preferable to set the C-direction position of the movable rib 90 as the first position.

[0112] On the other hand, when placing paper that has a convex curl on the lower side, if the movable rib 90 is raised from the first position to the second position, and the paper is placed on the raised movable rib 90 to correct the curl, a certain amount of time is required from the time the movable rib 90 is raised until the curl is corrected.

[0113] Based on the circumstances described above, in this embodiment, when a sheet of paper with a downward-facing convex curl is placed on the movable rib 90 raised to the second position to correct the curl, the movement of the movable rib 90 after it has been raised is restricted in order to not lose the curl correction effect. Specifically, the movable rib 90 is prevented from descending after it has been raised for a predetermined time from the time the paper requiring curl correction is ejected and placed until the curl is corrected. In other words, the time elapsed since the movable rib 90 has been raised to the second position, and the time elapsed since the movable rib 90 has been raised to the second position and the paper has been ejected from the movable rib 90 are measured, and the movable rib 90 is not lowered until the elapsed time obtained from these measurements reaches a predetermined time. The aforementioned predetermined time is set for each sheet of paper that can be recorded by the recording device and varies depending on the type of paper, the composition of the ink, the amount of ink applied, etc., but in this embodiment, it is assumed to be about 0 to 10 seconds.

[0114] If paper is placed on the movable rib 90 which has risen to the second position, and the paper is removed from the movable rib 90 before the predetermined time has elapsed, the movable rib 90 may be controlled to move from the second position without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse. To detect that the paper has been removed, an optical sensor may be provided on the vertical wall 99 that is upright in the +Z direction from the mounting surface 91 of the mounting section 31. In this case, the removal of the paper can be detected by a change in the output of the optical sensor. Alternatively, for example, the output tray 32 may be equipped with a mechanism for detecting weight, and the removal of the paper may be detected by a change in the output of that mechanism. These correspond to detection units for detecting the amount of media (referred to as the load) placed on the mounting section 31, which will be described later, and are specific examples thereof.

[0115] [Fifth Embodiment] Up to this point, we have described the raising of the movable rib 90 when performing single-sided printing. However, this embodiment is not limited to single-sided printing and can also be applied to double-sided printing. The raising of the movable rib 90 when performing double-sided printing will be described below using Figure 16(a). As shown in Figure 16(a), if it is estimated that the paper to be placed next will curl so that it becomes convex downwards, based on the amount of ink applied to the paper, the movable rib 90 is raised regardless of whether there is paper on the placement surface 91 or not. This makes it possible to suppress the curling of paper that needs to be corrected. In this embodiment, "based on the amount of ink applied to the paper to be placed next" means based on the difference between the amount of ink applied to the upper surface of the paper to be placed next (referred to as the first ink application amount) and the amount of ink applied to the lower surface (referred to as the second ink application amount). Specifically, if the second ink application amount - the first ink application amount > 0, it is estimated that the paper to be placed next will curl so that it becomes convex downwards, so the position of the movable rib 90 is set to the second position.

[0116] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 16(b), if it is estimated that the paper to be placed next will curl upwards or not curl based on the amount of ink applied to the paper, the movable rib 90 will not rise regardless of whether there is paper on the placement surface 91. In other words, if the second ink application amount - the first ink application amount ≤ 0, it is estimated that the next paper to be placed will curl upwards or not curl, so the position of the movable rib 90 is set to the first position.

[0117] Thus, in this embodiment, the position of the movable rib 90 is not determined based solely on the amount of ink applied to one side, but rather based on the amount of ink applied to both sides. This makes it possible to reduce (suppress) the amount of curl for each sheet of paper when performing double-sided printing, thereby improving paper output and stacking efficiency.

[0118] [Sixth Embodiment] Up to this point, we have described a configuration in which only a second position exists as the position that the movable rib 90 reaches when it rises, that is, a configuration in which it rises in one stage. However, the number of stages in which the movable rib 90 rises in this embodiment is not limited to just one. In addition to the first position (normal position), at least two or more C-direction positions may be set as possible positions for the movable rib 90, and these set positions may be used depending on the degree of curl of the paper. Note that the use of positions depending on the degree of curl in this embodiment is just one example and is not limited to the following.

[0119] For example, as shown in Figure 17, the movable rib 90 can take on the following positions: a first position (normal position), a second position with a larger C-direction coordinate value than the first position, and a third position with a larger C-direction coordinate value than the second position.

[0120] When placing paper that curls upwards in the center, paper that does not curl, or paper that curls downwards in the center but with a small amount of curl, the position of the movable rib 90 in direction C is defined as the first position. The amount of curl of such paper is defined as curl level 1.

[0121] Furthermore, when placing paper that is moderately curled with a convex shape in the center, the C-direction position of the movable rib 90 is set to the second position. The degree of curl of such paper is defined as curl level 2.

[0122] Furthermore, when placing paper that is curled downwards in a convex shape in the center and has a large amount of curl, the C-direction position of the movable rib 90 is set to the third position. The amount of curl of such paper is defined as curl level 3.

[0123] As explained above, in this embodiment, the position of the movable rib 90 when it rises is set in multiple stages. This makes it possible to reduce the time required for the movement (rising and falling) of the movable rib 90 compared to the previous embodiment in which only one position is set when it rises.

[0124] Furthermore, this embodiment may be used in appropriate combination with the previously described embodiments. As an example of such a combination, the lowering process of the movable rib 90 when this embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined will be described below with reference to Figure 18. Figure 18 is a flowchart of the lowering process of the movable rib in this embodiment. This process is triggered by the execution of a print job based on the user's instruction.

[0125] In step S1802, the main controller 101 determines whether the current position of the movable rib 90 is the first position (normal position). If the result of this step is YES, the series of processes is terminated. However, if the result is NO, that is, if the current position of the movable rib 90 is the second or third position, the process proceeds to step S1804. Hereafter, "step S~" will be abbreviated as "S~".

[0126] In S1804, the main controller 101 determines whether level 2 or level 3 paper is on the mounting surface 91. This determination can be made based on the output of the optical sensor or the weight detection mechanism as described above. Alternatively, the determination may be made by having the user instruct (select) via the operation panel 19 whether curled paper is on the mounting surface 91. If the determination result in this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1806; if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to S1808.

[0127] In S1806, the main controller 101 determines whether a predetermined elapsed time X seconds has elapsed since the last sheet of paper determined to be level 2 or level 3 was placed on the mounting surface 91. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1808; however, if the result is NO, the series of processes is terminated. Note that the predetermined elapsed time differs between level 2 and level 3, with level 3 having a longer elapsed time. Therefore, if both sheets of paper determined to be level 2 and sheets of paper determined to be level 3 are placed on the mounting surface 91, the main controller 101 determines whether the predetermined elapsed time has elapsed for each of the last sheets of paper.

[0128] In S1808, the main controller 101 lowers the movable rib 90 from the second or third position to the first position. The processes S1802 to S1808 described above are executed for each page included in the print job. After the print job is completed, the processes S1904 to S1910 are performed. By executing this lowering process, it is possible to prevent the movable rib 90 from remaining stationary in a position other than the first position (normal position) after the print job is completed.

[0129] The above describes the process of lowering the movable rib 90 in this embodiment.

[0130] Next, the movement process of the movable rib 90 when this embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined will be explained using Figure 19. Figure 19 is a flowchart of the movement process of the movable rib in this embodiment. This process is triggered by the execution of a print job based on the user's instruction.

[0131] In S1902, the main controller 101 determines whether the curl level of the paper to be placed is curl level 1. Specifically, it determines whether the amount of ink applied to the paper is less than a first threshold. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1904; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1912.

[0132] In S1904, the main controller 101 determines whether the current position of the movable rib 90 is the first position (normal position). If the result of this step is YES, the series of processes is terminated; however, if the result is NO, the process proceeds to S1906.

[0133] In S1906, the main controller 101 determines whether there is a level 2 or level 3 sheet of paper on the mounting surface 91. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1908; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1910.

[0134] In S1908, the main controller 101 determines whether a predetermined elapsed time X seconds has elapsed since the last sheet of paper determined to be level 2 or level 3 was placed on the mounting surface 91. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1910; however, if the result is NO, the series of processes ends.

[0135] In S1910, the main controller 101 lowers the position of the movable rib 90 from the second or third position to the first position.

[0136] In S1912, the main controller 101 determines whether the curl level of the paper to be placed is curl level 2. Specifically, it determines whether the amount of ink applied to the paper is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold (where the second threshold is greater than the first threshold). If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1914; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1922.

[0137] In S1914, the main controller 101 determines whether the current position of the movable rib 90 is the second position. If the result of this step is YES, the series of processes is terminated; however, if the result is NO, the process proceeds to S1916.

[0138] In S1916, the main controller 101 determines whether a level 3 paper is on the mounting surface 91. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1918; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1920.

[0139] In S1918, the main controller 101 determines whether a predetermined elapsed time X seconds has elapsed since the last paper determined to be level 3 was placed on the mounting surface 91. If the result of this step is YES, the process proceeds to S1920; however, if the result is NO, the series of processes ends.

[0140] In S1920, the main controller 101 moves the position of the movable rib 90 from the first position or the third position to the second position.

[0141] In S1922, the main controller 101 determines whether the current position of the movable rib 90 is the third position. If the result of this step is YES, the series of processes is terminated; however, if the result is NO, the process proceeds to S1928.

[0142] In S1928, the main controller 101 raises the movable rib 90 from the first or second position to the third position. The processes S1902 to S1928 described above are executed for each page included in the print job.

[0143] The above describes the movement process of the movable rib 90 in this embodiment.

[0144] [Seventh Embodiment] Up to this point, we have described an embodiment in which the amount of ink applied to estimate the amount of curl is used as a parameter for determining the position of the movable rib 90. However, the parameter for determining the position of the movable rib 90 in this embodiment is not limited to the amount of ink applied. Along with the amount of ink applied, or in place of the amount of ink applied, one or more other parameters can be used. Examples of such parameters include ambient humidity, ambient temperature, information on the type of medium (specifically, paper), and information on the type of ink.

[0145] The following describes the case where ambient humidity is used as another parameter. In this case, a hygrometer needs to be installed inside or outside the recording device's casing. If the humidity measured by the hygrometer is higher than a predetermined first humidity (i.e., the recording device is installed in a high-humidity environment), the degree of curl will be reduced in single-sided printing. Therefore, in a high-humidity environment, the amount the movable rib 90 rises should be reduced compared to a normal environment. Also, because drying becomes more difficult, the time for maintaining the height of the movable rib 90 after rising should be increased compared to a normal environment.

[0146] On the other hand, if the humidity measured by the hygrometer is lower than a predetermined second humidity (where the second humidity < the first humidity) (i.e., if the recording device is installed in a low-humidity environment), the degree of curling increases with single-sided printing. Therefore, in a low-humidity environment, the amount the movable rib 90 rises is increased compared to a normal environment. Also, because it dries more easily, the time for maintaining the height of the movable rib 90 after rising is shortened compared to a normal environment. Note that if the recording device is installed in a normal environment (i.e., the second humidity ≤ measured humidity ≤ first humidity), the amount the movable rib 90 rises and the time for maintaining the height of the movable rib 90 are not changed from the initial settings.

[0147] Next, we will explain the case where the type of medium is used as another parameter. The degree of curling differs depending on the thickness and stiffness of the medium; specifically, the thicker and stiffer the medium, the more suppressed the degree of curling.

[0148] Furthermore, the tendencies differ depending on the medium, such as the type of pulp used, whether or not it is surface-coated paper, whether it has a layered structure like photographic paper, and the amount of components added to the paper to improve ink water resistance and ink color development (such as calcium carbonate and alkyl ketene dimer). Therefore, as medium type information that takes these tendencies into account, the amount the movable rib 90 rises and the height retention time linked to each type of medium are pre-stored in the ROM of the storage medium (106, 203, etc.). Then, by having the user select the medium to be used for printing, the amount the movable rib 90 rises and the height retention time after rising can be changed based on the information pre-stored in the ROM that corresponds to the selected medium.

[0149] Furthermore, the aforementioned parameters may be used in combination. Also, this embodiment may be combined with the sixth embodiment, in which the movable rib 90 is raised in multiple stages. For example, several positions to which the movable rib 90 reaches when it rises may be set, and these set positions may be used interchangeably depending on the amount of curl. Specifically, the larger the amount of curl estimated from the aforementioned one or more parameters, the more the movable rib 90 is moved in the +C direction.

[0150] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiments described above, a movable rib 90 provided in the center of the mounting surface 91 in the Y direction was shown to lift the paper that was curled downwards in a convex shape by rising in the +C direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. As another embodiment, for example, instead of the movable rib 90 rising, the structure may be such that both ends of the mounting surface 91 in the Y direction each descend, and when placing paper that is curled downwards in a convex shape, the paper may be placed on the mounting surface 91 where both ends have descended.

[0151] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the upward direction of the movable rib 90 was set to the C direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 91. However, the upward direction of the movable rib 90 is not limited to this, and any direction that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 91 in order to lift the curled paper is acceptable.

[0152] Furthermore, if a certain amount of media is placed on the mounting section 31, the media can perform a similar function to the raising of the movable rib 90. Therefore, the recording device may be equipped with a detection unit for detecting the amount of media (referred to as the load) placed on the mounting section 31. The movement position of the movable rib 90 is finely adjusted based on the load detected by the detection unit. As an example, the sixth embodiment (see Figure 17) describes a case in which, in addition to the first position (normal position), a second position with a larger C-direction coordinate value than the first position and a third position with a larger C-direction coordinate value than the second position are set as possible positions for the movable rib 90.

[0153] In this case, if the movable rib 90 moves to the second position corresponding to the amount of ink applied, and the amount of material detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, the movable rib 90 is ultimately moved to a fourth position, which has a smaller C-direction coordinate value than the second position. Similarly, if the movable rib 90 moves to the third position corresponding to the amount of ink applied, and the amount of material detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, the movable rib 90 is ultimately moved to a fifth position, which has a smaller C-direction coordinate value than the third position. As explained above, when the amount of material on the mounting section exceeds a predetermined threshold, the amount of rise of the movable rib 90 is reduced compared to when the amount of material is below the predetermined threshold. This reduces the time required for printing. Furthermore, depending on the shape of the mounting surface 91 and the movable rib 90, and the type of recording medium, it is possible that curling may be more likely to occur when a certain amount of material is mounted. In such cases, the amount of rise of the movable rib 90 may be increased compared to when the amount of material is small.

[0154] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0155] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to make the scope of this disclosure public.

[0156] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-221804, filed on 18 December 2024, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A recording device comprising: a recording unit that applies liquid to a recording medium and performs recording; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a mounting unit having a mounting surface on which the recording medium discharged by the discharge unit is placed; and a rib provided on the mounting unit and capable of protruding from the mounting surface, the rib extending along the first direction at the center of a second direction that intersects with a first direction which is the discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the discharge unit, and moving in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein, while performing a continuous recording operation on a plurality of recording media, the rib moves between a first position which is a normal position and a second position whose coordinate value in the third direction is larger than that of the first position.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second position is determined based on the amount of liquid applied to the plurality of recording media.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the ribs is determined based on the amount of liquid supplied to each of the plurality of recording media.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the position of the rib is determined based on the amount of liquid applied to the recording medium that is subsequently placed on the aforementioned mounting portion.

5. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the rib is determined based on the amount of liquid supplied to the recording medium with the largest amount of liquid supplied among the plurality of recording media.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the position of the ribs is determined based on the average value of the amount of liquid applied to the plurality of recording media.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when performing double-sided printing, the position of the rib is determined based on the difference between the amount of first liquid applied to the upper surface and the amount of second liquid applied to the lower surface of the recording medium to be placed next.

8. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that the position of the ribs is determined together with the amount of liquid supplied, or in lieu of the amount of liquid supplied, based on at least one of the following: ambient humidity, ambient temperature, type of recording medium, and type of liquid.

9. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the rib is moved from the first position to the second position, the device controls the rib not to move to the first position until a predetermined time has elapsed since a recording medium was placed on the rib at the second position.

10. The recording device according to claim 9, characterized in that, when the recording medium placed on the rib that has risen to the second position is removed, the rib is lowered without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

11. When it is necessary to move the ribs when placing the first recording medium in the aforementioned placement area, the movement of the ribs is performed after the transport of the second recording medium to be recorded immediately before the first recording medium to the aforementioned placement area is completed, and before the first recording medium reaches the ribs, characterized in that the recording device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that, while recording operations are being performed continuously on multiple recording media, the rib also moves to a third position in the third direction, and the coordinate value of the third position in the third direction is greater than the coordinate value of the second position in the third direction.

13. The recording device according to claim 12, characterized in that when the amount of liquid supplied is a first amount, the position of the rib is determined to be the first position; when the amount of liquid supplied is a second amount greater than the first amount, the position of the rib is determined to be the second position; and when the amount of liquid supplied is a third amount greater than the second amount, the position of the rib is determined to be the third position.

14. The recording device according to claim 13, further comprising a detection unit for detecting the amount of recording media placed on the mounting unit.

15. The recording device according to claim 14, characterized in that, based on the amount of liquid applied to the recording medium to be placed next on the mounting section, the position of the rib is determined to be the second position and the load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the rib is moved from the second position to a fourth position where the coordinate value in the third direction is smaller, and based on the amount of liquid applied to the recording medium to be placed next on the mounting section, the position of the rib is determined to be the third position and the load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the rib is moved from the third position to a fifth position where the coordinate value in the third direction is smaller.

16. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

17. A control method for a recording device having: a recording unit that applies liquid to a recording medium and performs recording; a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium recorded by the recording unit; a mounting unit having a mounting surface on which the recording medium discharged by the discharge unit is placed; and a rib provided on the mounting unit and capable of protruding from the mounting surface, the rib extending along the first direction at the center of a second direction that intersects with a first direction which is the discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the discharge unit, and moving in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, the control method comprising the step of controlling the rib to move between a first position which is a normal position and a second position whose coordinate value in the third direction is greater than that of the first position while a recording operation is being performed continuously on a plurality of recording media.

18. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the recording device described in claim 17.

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