JP2002255430A - Sheet side portion aligning and stacking device and image recorder provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the capability of matching side portions of recording media, even if they are drop stacked, for preventing the recording media from being rubbed and stripped off here between. SOLUTION: This recording medium side portions aligning and stacking device 55 comprises a flapper 7 for supporting the discharged recording medium S at one side portion Sa out of both side portions Sa, Sb along a discharging direction and then cencelling the support thereof and an upper case 23 for supporting the recording medium at the other side portion Sb when the flapper 7 supports the recording medium at one side portion Sa, for supporting the recording medium at one side portion lower than the other side portion when the flapper cancels the support of the recording medium and for matching one side portions of the recording media using a recording medium side portion reference member 23a located at one side portion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus for stacking sheets discharged from an apparatus for handling sheets with their sides aligned, and the sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus in an apparatus body. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that discharges a sheet on which an image is recorded to a sheet side alignment stacking device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a sheet stacking apparatus for receiving and stacking sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus, which is an example of an apparatus for handling sheets.

Some sheet stacking apparatuses receive and stack a sheet discharged from an image recording apparatus while moving the sheet on the already discharged sheet. In the sheet stacking device of this type, since the succeeding sheet moves on the preceding sheet, the sheets may be rubbed and turned up.

On the other hand, the image recording apparatus includes an ink jet printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multifunction machine thereof, and the like. Of these image recording apparatuses, particularly in the case of an ink jet printer, it takes some time until the ink dries, and if the sheets are rubbed or overlapped during that time, the image recorded on the sheet may be disturbed. was there.

Therefore, as a sheet stacking apparatus for stacking sheets without rubbing the images and extending the time from when the images are recorded on the sheets to stacking the sheets, the preceding sheet is supported in a state in which the succeeding discharged sheets are supported. In some cases, after the sheet is guided above the sheet, its support is released, and the succeeding sheet is dropped onto the preceding sheet and stacked.

The sheets include plain paper, resin-made substitutes for plain paper, and cardboard.

[0007]

As a sheet stacking apparatus, there is a sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus for aligning and stacking the sides of stacked sheets. Also in this sheet side alignment stacking apparatus, as described above, it is preferable to stack the sheets without rubbing the images and extending the time from when the images are recorded on the sheets to when they are overlapped. Therefore, as in the above-described sheet stacking apparatus, it is conceivable to drop the succeeding sheet from above the preceding sheet and stack the sheets.

However, in the case of the sheet side aligning and stacking device,
When the succeeding sheet is dropped from the preceding sheet, the side portions of the sheet are not surely aligned, causing another problem that the consistency of the sheet side portions is reduced.

[0009] The above sheet side aligning and stacking device includes:
Not only when installed in the main body of the image recording device, but also when installed in other devices that handle the sheet, the sheets are dropped and stacked so that the sheets do not rub and be rolled up. Is reduced.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus capable of enhancing the alignment of a sheet side even when sheets are dropped and stacked so as to prevent the sheets from being rubbed and turned up, and a sheet aligning and stacking apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus having a side alignment loading device in an apparatus main body.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus according to the present invention is provided after supporting one of two sides of a discharged sheet along a discharging direction. A sheet side supporting means for releasing the support, and when the sheet side supporting means supports one side of the sheet, supports the other side of the sheet; and When the supporting means releases the support of the sheet, one side of the sheet is lower than the other side of the sheet to support the sheet, and a sheet side reference positioned on the one side is supported. Sheet stacking means for aligning one side of the sheet with a member.

The sheet stacking means of the sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention has a protrusion for supporting the other side of the sheet.

[0013] The plurality of protrusions of the sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention are provided in a direction intersecting the sheet discharging direction, and the upper end of the protrusion is closer to the sheet side reference member. It is set low.

The protrusion of the sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention is arranged at a position which is at least about (2/3) the size in a direction intersecting the sheet discharging direction from the sheet side reference member. Has been established.

The sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention has a sheet guide slope formed on the upstream side of the protrusion in the sheet discharging direction, the sheet guide slope being inclined so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side in the sheet discharging direction. Have been.

The protrusion of the sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention is a rib.

The sheet stacking means of the sheet side alignment stacking device of the present invention has an inclined surface for supporting the sheet with one side of the sheet lower than the other side of the sheet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit for recording an image on a sheet; and a sheet side on which the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit is stacked. And a partial alignment loading device.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Inkjet printer (image recording device)
Reference numeral 50 denotes the cassette 2 by the recording medium separating / supplying device 63.
The recording medium (sheet) S which has been separated and sent out one by one from inside 0 is turned (turned) by the recording medium direction changing device 71 and sent to the recording head 1, and the recording medium S is imaged by the recording head 1. And finally,
The recording medium on which the image is recorded is aligned and loaded on the upper case 23 by the recording medium side alignment loading device 55. The recording medium includes plain paper, a thin resin sheet which is a substitute for plain paper, and cardboard.

The recording medium separating / supplying device 63, the recording medium direction changing device 71, and the recording medium side aligning / stacking device 55 are not limited to ink jet printers, but may be copiers, facsimiles,
It can also be provided in other image recording devices such as these multifunction devices.

Further, the recording medium separating / supplying device 63 and the recording medium direction changing device 71 are not limited to the image recording device, but may be used in a device for handling a recording medium, for example, a main body of a recording medium binding device, a recording medium punching device, or the like. It can be equipped.

As described above, first, the ink jet printer 5
Then, the overall configuration and operation of the recording medium separation and supply device 63, the recording medium direction changing device 71, and the recording medium side alignment loading device 55 will be described in detail. The numerical values in the present embodiment are reference numerical values and do not limit the present invention.

(Structure of Inkjet Printer) The cassette 20 of the ink jet printer 50 stores a recording medium S.

The swing arms 12, 12 of the recording medium separation and supply device 63 are provided with a pair of paper feed rollers 11a, 11b, which are rotatably provided at a rotating end, and are provided in a cassette 20.
Is rotated up and down to make contact with the uppermost recording medium S stored in the storage medium. In FIG. 1, only one of the two swing arms 12 is shown because they appear to overlap. Also, since the two paper feed rollers 11a and 11b also appear to overlap, only one of them is shown.

The swing arm 12 includes a paper feed roller 11a,
In order to make the load on 11b appropriate, the cassette 20
Is biased to the opposite side. For this reason, the paper feed roller 11
The recording mediums a and 11b are pressed against the recording medium S stored in the cassette 20 by the spring 13 and rotate in the direction of the arrow to send the recording medium S from the cassette 20 to the downstream side. In addition, as described above, the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b also feed a manual recording medium manually inserted into the upper case 23 by the user to the downstream side.

The separation plate 17 is provided on the inclined plate 18 at the downstream end of the cassette 20 such that the upper end of the separation plate 17 is inclined to the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium from the lower end, and is sent out from the cassette 20 by the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b. The recording medium S to be guided is guided obliquely upward. When a plurality of recording media S are stacked, the separation plate 17 separates the recording media S one by one while guiding the recording media S obliquely upward and supplies the separated recording media S to the reversing roller 9 of the recording medium direction change path 66.

The separation pad 19 is provided for separating the recording medium. The rear end guide 26 is provided for the cassette 20.
It is provided to align the front and rear of the recording medium stored in the inside. The side guide 27 presses the recording medium stored in the cassette 20 against the side wall 20a of the cassette 20 to cause both sides of the recording medium (both sides along the recording medium transport direction).
Is provided for matching. The lower case 28 of the apparatus main body supports the cassette 20. Below the cassette 20, a lower cassette device 29 on which the second cassette 20 is mounted is disposed. The reversing roller 9 rotates the fed recording medium S. The roller guide 10 rotates and guides the inverted recording medium S. The PE sensor 30 detects the transported recording medium.

The carriage 2 includes a recording head (recording means).
1 is mounted and slides along the carriage shafts 21 and 22. The recording head 1 records an image on a recording medium S. The LF roller 3 and a pinch roller 4 that is a driven roller of the LF roller 3 are configured to pinch, rotate, and convey the recording medium S. The platen 8 supports the recording medium S in parallel with the recording head 1 during recording. The paper discharge roller 5 and a spur 6, which is a driven roller of the paper discharge roller 5, hold the recording medium, rotate, and discharge the recording medium.

The flapper 7 of the recording medium side aligning and stacking device 55 holds the recording medium S horizontally during recording, and stacks the recording medium S on the upper case 23 after the recording is completed. Upper case 23 provided on top of cassette 20
Is configured such that the recorded recording medium S is stacked. The wall 16 receives and aligns the end of the recording medium S on which recording has been completed.

The upper case 23 can be used as a manual tray in a state where the recorded recording medium S is not loaded. A guide member 24 is provided at an upstream end of the upper case 23. Guide member 24
When the upper case 23 is used as a tray for manual feeding, the manual feeding recording medium is supplied and guided to the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b. The guide member 24 needs to be unobstructed when the recording medium S on the cassette 20 is ejected, and to be received by the recording medium irrespective of the number of stacked uppermost recording media S on the cassette 20. Therefore, it is formed of a flexible resin sheet having a small thickness.

At the tip of the guide member 24, a separation pad 25 is provided. The separation pad 25 is pushed by the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b in a state where the manual recording medium is sandwiched between the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b, and is received by the uppermost recording medium together with the guide member 24 to rotate. The paper rollers 11a and 11b can separate the recording medium one by one and supply it to the reversing roller 9 side.

(Operation of Inkjet Printer 50) In FIG. 1, the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b are rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the paper feed drive motor 31 shown in FIG. It is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the paper feed drive motor 31 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 to rotate the swing arm gear 34 in the direction of the arrow via the paper feed motor gear 32 and the idler gear 33. A pulley 51 having substantially the same diameter as the swing arm gear 34 is provided coaxially and integrally with the swing arm gear 34. The paper feed roller 11 also has a paper feed pulley 35
Are coaxially and integrally provided. The transmission belt 36 is wound around the pulleys 51 and 35. The rotational force of the swing arm gear 34 is controlled by the pulleys 51 and 35 and the transmission belt 36.
Is transmitted to the paper feed roller 11a. The other paper feed roller 11b is also rotated by the same mechanism as the paper feed roller 11a. However, the paper feed drive motor 31
Is commonly used.

By the rotation of the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b, the recording medium S on the cassette 20 is guided by the inclined surface 17a of the separation plate 17 and is conveyed to the reversing roller 19.
The paper feed rollers 11a and 11b further rotate to convey the recording medium S along the roller guide 10.

In FIG. 3, the LF drive motor 37 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
8 rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure to circulate the transmission belt 41 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The transmission belt 41 is a LF roller 3
Pulley 39 fixed coaxially with the LF gear 42
Then, the discharge pulley 40 coaxially fixed to the discharge roller 5 is rotated in the same direction in the drawing. The LF gear 42 also rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

The LF gear 42 rotates the one-way gear 43 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and rotates the reversing roller gear 44 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The one-way gear 43 transmits the rotational force in the direction of the arrow to the reversing roller gear 44, but does not transmit the rotational force in the reverse direction. The one-way gear 43 is provided for removing a recording medium after recording wound around the reversing roller 9.

That is, when the recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 is clogged with the recording medium after recording, the recording medium S is pulled out from between the LF roller 5 and the spur 6. At this time, the one-way gear 43, which is a mechanism for releasing the driving of the reversing roller 9, is provided in the driving system shown in FIG. Due to the friction of the friction member, the reversing roller 9 rotates, and the recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 can be removed smoothly.

In FIG. 1, the LF drive motor 31 (FIG. 2)
), The LF roller 3 and the reversing roller 9 rotate, and the recording medium is conveyed to the roller guide 10 side. The leading end of the transported recording medium S is detected by the PE sensor 30, and the transported position is detected.

The recording medium S whose leading end position is detected is further conveyed by the rotation of the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b, and is reversed while passing through the gap between the roller guide 10 and the reversing roller 9, so that the recording surface is on the upper side. become.

On the surface of the reversing roller 9, a reversing roller rubber 9a having a high friction coefficient with respect to the recording medium S such as a rubber member is provided. When the recording medium S is a strong recording medium S such as cardboard, the recording medium S is
The sheet is conveyed by a conveying force generated by being partially pressed against the reversing roller rubber 9a.

When the recording medium S is supplied to the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b
When the LF drive motor 37 is conveyed to the vicinity of the LF roller 3 through the PE sensor 30, the LF drive motor 37 stops rotating. Then, the LF roller 3 and the reversing roller 9 also stop rotating. However, the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b rotate by a certain amount. The recording medium includes paper feed rollers 11a and 11
The rotation of b causes the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 to abut on the nip, thereby adjusting the position of the leading end.

The rotation of the reversing roller 9 is transmitted only in the direction of the arrow by a one-way gear 43 which transmits the rotation in only one direction. For this reason, the recording medium S having a high stiffness such as a thick paper is fed to the paper feed rollers 11a and 11a.
When the nip between the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 is abutted by the rotation of 1b, the reversing roller 9 rotates with almost no load due to the friction between the recording medium S having a strong stiffness and the reversing roller rubber 9a, thereby conveying the recording medium. It prevents the force from increasing.

After the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 convey the recording medium S by a certain amount, the paper feed rollers 11a, 11
The drive of b ends. Note that the recording medium conveyance amount of the reversing roller 9 is set to be slightly larger than the recording medium conveyance amount of the LF roller 3. For this reason, the back tension is not generated on the recording medium, and the inkjet printer 50 can reliably record an image on the recording medium.

The ink jet printer 50 of the present embodiment
In this case, the size of the recordable recording medium S is such that the trailing end of the recording medium S at this time is up to the length of the recording medium located upstream of the sheet feeding rollers 11a and 11b. Therefore, the inkjet printer 50 of the present embodiment is
From the roller 3 to the reversing roller 9, the paper feed rollers 11a, 1
The transport distance up to 1b is shorter than the recordable length of the recording medium. For example, the transport from the LF roller 3 to the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b through the reversing roller 9 so that the postcard can be printed vertically (the long side of the postcard is aligned with the transport direction of the recording medium) and an image can be recorded. The distance is set to about 140 mm. Further, the diameter of the reversing roller 9 is set to about 40
mm to about 50 mm. About 40mm
A dimension of from about 50 mm is the minimum dimension at which the postcard will not curl after the postcard is inverted.

In FIG. 2, the paper feed pulley 35 has a one-way clutch structure, and transmits the rotation in the direction of the arrow to the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b, but does not transmit the rotation in the opposite direction. Has become.

In FIG. 1, the paper feed rollers 11a, 11b
After the rotation of the recording medium S is completed, the recording medium S is conveyed by the rotation of the LF roller 3. At this time, the paper feed rollers 11a,
11b is provided by a one-way structure paper feed pulley 35,
Since the rotation in the direction of the arrow in the drawing is almost in a no-load state, the recording medium S is pulled and idles.

The pinch roller 4 is arranged at a position slightly shifted downstream from directly above the LF roller 3. For this reason, the recording medium S is placed on the platen 8 by the pinch roller 4.
Conveyed in the direction pressed against. The recording head 1 mounted on the carriage 2 moves along the carriage shafts 21 and 22 according to the position of the leading end of the recording medium S, and records an image on the recording medium. The recording medium S is a pinch roller 4
And the LF roller 3, the sheet is conveyed to the position of the sheet discharge roller 5 and the spur 6.

In FIG. 3, the discharge roller 5 rotates with the discharge pulley 40 via the transmission belt 41 by the rotation of the LF drive motor 37. Further, the carry amount of the paper discharge roller 5 is set slightly larger than the carry amount of the LF roller 3. For this reason, the recording medium S on the platen 8 does not slack.

In FIG. 1, the recorded recording medium S is:
The sheet is conveyed while being kept horizontal by the flapper 7. Further, the recording medium S that has passed through the LF roller 3 is conveyed by a discharge roller 5 and a spur 6. Ejected recording medium S
Tilts the flapper 7 so that the flapper 7
Are stacked on the upper case 23 of the cassette 20 from the upper surface of the cassette 20. Thus, the recording operation of the inkjet printer 50 is completed.

The above recording operation is described in the upper cassette 2.
In the description, the recording medium S is supplied from 0, but the recording medium loaded on the lower cassette 20-1 is similarly recorded with an image and discharged. Since the structure of the lower cassette 20-1 is almost the same as the structure of the upper cassette 20, only the differences will be described.

The fed recording medium S is placed on a separation plate 17-1.
, And is transported along the guide portion 29a-1 of the lower case 29a, and further transported along the roller guide 10. Then, the leading end is detected by the PE sensor 30, and the transport position of the recording medium S is detected. After that, an image is recorded on the recording medium by the recording head 1 in the same manner as the recording medium of the cassette 20.

The size of the recording medium S that can be used in the lower cassette 20-1 is the same as that of the upper cassette 20.
Feed roller 1 from the nip between F roller 3 and pinch roller 4
It is longer than the distance to 1a and 11b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower cassette device 29
The transporting roller 46 and the driven roller 47 may be provided on the lower case 29a, and the recording medium S may be transported by rotating the transporting roller 46 by a drive motor (not shown). In the case of this configuration, the recordable recording medium S is
Similarly to the upper cassette 20, the recording medium S is longer than the distance from the nip between the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 to the transport roller 46, and has a shorter size than the above-described inkjet printer 50 without the transport roller 46. The recording medium S can be used. When the transport roller 46 is used, a plurality of lower cassette devices 29 can be provided.

Next, manual paper feed will be described. To start manual feeding, a manual feeding lever (not shown) is operated. Then, the swing arm 12 is lifted in the direction opposite to the arrow in the figure in conjunction with the manual feed lever, and the leading end of the recording medium S to be manually fed can be set downstream of the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b. At this time, a mark of the rear end position of the recording medium S to be manually inserted is written on the upper case 23 for each size,
The position of the recording medium S to be manually inserted can be recognized.

The manually inserted recording medium S slides along the upper surface of the manual feed sheet 24 and is loaded. Even if a plurality of recording media S are set, they are separated and fed one by one by a separation pad 25 provided on the manual feed sheet 24. After the recording medium S to be manually fed is set in the upper case 23, the manual feeding lever (not shown) is returned to the original position.
The swing arm 12 linked to the manual feed lever rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Recording medium S set for manual feed
Is added on the recording medium S stored in the cassette 20, and is conveyed by the same operation as the recording medium in the cassette 20. When all the recording media set for manual feeding are supplied, the recording media S stored in the cassette 20 are supplied.

(Recording Medium Separating / Supplying Apparatus) In the above-described ink jet printer 50, after the recording medium S in the cassette 20 is separated and sent out one by one, the recording medium is reversed (direction-changed) for recording. The recording medium separation and supply device 63 to be sent to the head 1 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the cassette 20 and the paper feed roller 11.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between a, 11b, and a reversing roller 9; FIG. 6 shows paper feed rollers 11a and 11b,
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement relationship between a separation plate 17, a reversing roller 9, and recording media of various sizes.

The recording medium separation and supply device 63 mainly includes a cassette 20 on which the recording medium is loaded, and a recording medium supply unit 64 (FIG. 1) for sending the recording medium loaded on the cassette 20 downstream in the recording medium transport direction. , FIG. 2) and cassette 2
The recording medium separation unit 65 is disposed downstream of the recording medium 0 and receives the recording medium sent out by the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b and separates the recording medium one by one (see FIGS. 1 and 5).
And a recording medium direction changing path 66 (see FIG. 1) for changing the conveying direction of the recording medium supplied from the cassette 20. The number of paper feed rollers 11a and 11b is not limited to two. Three or more may be provided.

Then, the recording medium supply unit 64 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
) Are paper feed rollers 11a, 11b, swing arm 12, spring 13, paper feed drive motor 31, gears 32, 3
3, 34, pulleys 51, 35, reversing belt 36, and the like.

The recording medium separation section 65 includes a plurality of separation plates 17 having an inclined surface 17a. The recording medium direction change path 66 includes a reversing roller 9, a roller guide 10, and the like.

In the cassette 20, the recording medium pressed by the side guide 27 is received by the side wall 20a on the front side, and the recording medium can be set by aligning the rear end of the recording medium with the rear end guide 26.

In the ink jet printer 50 of the present embodiment, in storing, transporting, and discharging the recording medium, the recording medium is determined with reference to one of the two sides along the transport direction of the recording medium. Processing.
Specifically, it is based on the near side of the recording medium shown in the schematic front sectional view of the ink jet printer 50 of FIG.
Therefore, the recording medium stored in the cassette 20 shown in FIG. 5 is stored based on the side wall 20a on the near side.

The reversing roller 9 is provided between the separation plates 17. Thereby, the height of the recording medium separation and supply device 63 can be reduced, and the ink jet printer 5
The height of zero can also be reduced.

The first paper feed roller 11a is disposed at a position corresponding to the center of the short side of the postcard set in the cassette 20 with its long side along the recording medium transport direction. Thus, the recording medium separation and supply device 63 can reliably supply even a small-sized recording medium.

The second paper feed roller 11b is disposed together with the first paper feed roller 11a at the center distribution position of the B5-size recording medium. Thus, the recording medium separation and supply device 63 can reliably supply even a large-sized recording medium.

Further, the separation plate 17 is provided with the paper feed rollers 11a,
The recording medium 11b is disposed at a position facing the recording medium conveying direction 11b. With such an arrangement, the reversing roller 9
Is disposed between the separation plates 17, and even if the recording medium may bend downstream, the portion in contact with the separation plate 17 does not bend downstream. , 11b
The recording medium can be reliably supplied by contacting the unflexible portion.

Further, the separating plates 17 are also provided at positions facing the vicinity of both ends of the recording medium of each size. This makes it possible to reliably supply the recording medium for each size.

The paper feed roller 11 is disposed within the diameter of the reversing roller 9 at a position overlapping the reversing roller 9. Thereby, the recording medium separation and supply device 63
Can be reduced, and the recording medium can be supplied reliably.

(Recording Medium Direction Changing Apparatus) Next, the recording medium sent out from the cassette 20 is reversed (turned direction) and sent to the recording head 1.
Will be described.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the LF roller 3, the pinch roller 4, the reversing roller 9, and the roller guide 10.
FIG. 8 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the ink jet printer 50 in which a portion of the roller guide 10 is omitted to show the positioning portion.

The recording medium direction changing device 71 is provided on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and on the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction. A roller pair of an LF roller 3 and a pinch roller 4,
A recording medium direction changing path 66 for changing the direction of the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium supply unit 64 and guiding it to the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4.

The recording medium direction changing path 66 includes an inner reversing roller 9 for changing the direction and an outer roller guide 10.

In FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the roller guide 10 has a curved portion 10e for reversing the sheet conveying direction. The curved portion 10e is elastically deformable. The pinch roller 4 is provided with a curved portion 10 of the roller guide 10.
e is fitted into the downstream end and is rotatably supported. The curved portion 10e of the roller guide 10 is urged toward the LF roller 3 by a pinch roller spring 48 fixed to a carriage chassis 49 (see FIG. 1), and presses the pinch roller 4 against the LF roller 3. Therefore, the pinch roller 4 and the LF roller 3 are
The recording medium S is conveyed by the elasticity of the recording medium S. The curved portion 10e of the roller guide 10 has elasticity that can be elastically deformed by losing the pressing force of the pinch roller spring 48.

The pinch roller positioning boss 10 b protruding from the roller guide 10 enters the hole of the carriage chassis 49 to position the pinch roller 4 with respect to the LF roller 3. There is a gap between the pinch roller positioning boss 10b and the carriage chassis 49, and when the recording medium S enters the nip between the pinch roller 4 and the roller guide 10, the pinch roller 4 is lifted.

The roller guide 10 further includes a reversing roller 9
The roller guide positioning bosses 10c and 10d are provided at a position at the same height as the center and at a position below the position. These roller guide positioning bosses 10c, 10d
The roller guide 10 is positioned on the side plate by engaging with the hole of the side plate of the inkjet printer 30.

The roller guide positioning boss 10c is provided so as to protrude from the downstream end of the curved portion 10e to the upstream side of the curved portion at a central angle of curvature of about 45 degrees. The center of curvature of the curved portion 10 e substantially coincides with the center of the reversing roller 9. In other words, by providing the roller guide positioning boss 10c at the same height as the center 9b of the reversing roller 9, even if the roller guide 10 is pressed by the pinch roller spring 48, the upper half of the roller guide 10 with the boss 10c as a base point. Is bent and the reversing roller 9
The gap between the roller guide 10 and the roller guide 10 can be kept substantially constant. If the boss 10c is not provided, the entire roller guide 10 bends, and it is difficult to make the gap between the reversing roller 9 and the roller guide 10 a predetermined gap.

The roller guide positioning boss 10d
Is protruded in the vicinity of a guide portion 10a for guiding the recording medium S from the lower cassette device 29 to a paper feed port.

The roller guide 10 is formed by a single member from the guide portion 10a to the place where the pinch roller 4 is provided, and has no joint on the inner surface. Therefore, the recording medium is smoothly conveyed without being caught by the roller guide 10. Further, the recording medium is not damaged.

Further, by forming the pinch roller 4, the reversing roller 9 and the paper feed port guide 10a as an integral member, it is possible to provide an inexpensive ink jet printer with a reduced number of parts.

The roller guide 10 is entirely formed of an elastic plate. However, in order to make the upper half easy to bend and the lower half to be a rigid body which is hard to bend, the outer surface of the lower half is provided with ribs along the vertical direction. 53 are provided in a plurality.

The reversing roller 9 receives the rotational force from the LF drive motor 37 by the one-way gear 43 and conveys and rotates the recording medium, and runs idle when it receives a rotational force from the outside in the conveying direction of the recording medium. Has become. For this reason, the recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 can be easily pulled out from the pinch roller 4 by pulling it out.
Jam processing efficiency can be improved.

Note that, instead of the reversing roller 9, an arc-shaped guide plate may be provided.

(Recording Medium Side Alignment Stacking Apparatus) Finally, a recording medium side aligning and stacking apparatus for aligning and stacking the sides of the discharged recording medium will be described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion for discharging a recording medium and a recording medium side aligning and stacking device. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view in which an upper case is stacked on a cassette. FIG.
It is the figure which looked at the sheet side alignment loading device from the upper stream side. FIG. 12 is a diagram in which a recording medium on which an image has been recorded is discharged to the upper case of FIG. FIG. 13 is a view of an upper case according to another embodiment as viewed from an upstream end.

The recording medium side aligning and stacking device (sheet side aligning and stacking device) 55 drops and stacks the recorded recording medium discharged by the paper feed roller 5 and the spur 6.
The sides are aligned to form a bundle.

The recording medium side aligning and stacking device 55 mainly includes
Of both sides along the discharge direction of the discharged recording medium S,
After supporting one side Sa, the flapper (sheet side support means) 7 for releasing the support, and the flapper 7
When one side Sa of the recording medium S is supported, the other side Sb of the recording medium S is supported, and when the flapper 7 releases the support of the recording medium S, one side Sa of the recording medium S is The recording medium is supported at a position lower than the other side Sb of the recording medium, and one side Sa of the recording medium S is aligned with a reference wall (sheet side reference member) 56 located on one side Sa. And an upper case (sheet stacking means) 23.

As described above, in the ink jet printer 50, when storing, transporting, and discharging the recording medium, the recording medium is determined based on one of the two sides along the transport direction of the recording medium. Is to be processed. Specifically, it is based on the near side of the recording medium shown in the schematic front sectional view of the ink jet printer 50 of FIG. Therefore, the recording medium discharged to the upper case 23 is
Reference wall on the front side of upper case 23 (seat side reference member)
56 are to be loaded. Also,
One side Sa of the recording medium S is a reference side facing the reference wall 56.

The flapper 7 is disposed on the reference side of the recording medium, and tilts up and down around the pin 7a by rotation of a flapper motor (not shown) (may be operated by a plunger). It has become.

In the upper case 23, alignment ribs (projections) 57, 58 having different heights are arranged in a direction intersecting the recording medium discharge direction. The alignment ribs 57 and 58 are oriented in a direction along the recording medium discharge direction. The upper ends of the alignment ribs 57 are lower than the alignment ribs 58 farther from the reference wall 58.

When the postcard is discharged by the paper feed roller 5 and the spur 6 with the long side thereof along the discharge direction, as shown in FIG. 12, the alignment rib 57 slightly exceeds the length of the short side of the postcard. At a position that is not less than (２) the length of the short side of the A5-size recording medium. Alignment rib 58
Is protrudingly provided at a position slightly exceeding the length of the short side of the B5 size recording medium and at least (２) the length of the short side of the A4 size recording medium.

The recording medium S is conveyed by the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 and the paper discharge roller 5 and the spur 6, is pinched by the paper discharge roller 5 and the spur 6, and is supported by the flapper 7, and Image recording is continued in a horizontal state.

The recording medium on which the image recording is completed is discharged to the upper case 23 by the discharge roller 5 and the spur 6.
At this time, if the width of the recording medium S held horizontally by the discharge roller 5, the spur 6, and the flapper 7 is wider than the interval between the reference wall 56 and the alignment rib 58, the recording medium S Supported. When the distance between the reference wall 56 and the alignment rib 58 is smaller than the distance between the reference wall 56 and the alignment rib 57, the recording medium S is regulated so as not to slide on the side surface of the alignment rib 58. Further, if the distance between the reference wall 56 and the alignment rib 57 is narrower, the recording medium S is regulated so as not to slide on the side surface of the alignment rib 57.

Next, the flapper 7 is lowered by rotation of a flapper motor (not shown). Then, the reference side portion Sa of the recording medium S falls onto the upper case 23, and the entire recording medium is supported by the upper case 23.

Since the upper case 23 is provided with the alignment ribs 57, 58, the upper case 23 is provided with the alignment ribs 57, 58.
The recording medium is supported by the tip of 58. Moreover,
Since the height of the one alignment rib 57 is lower than the height of the other alignment rib 58, the recording medium is, for example, A
In the case of four sizes, the recording medium slides on the upper ends of the alignment ribs 57 and 58 and abuts on the reference wall 56. For example, in the case of the B5 size, the recording medium abuts against the side surface of the alignment rib 58 and is aligned. In the case of the A5 size, since the height of the upper case 23 of the recording medium is lower than that of the other alignment rib 57, the recording medium slides on the upper end of the alignment rib 57 and contacts the reference wall 56. In the case of the postcard size, the recording medium abuts against the side surface of the alignment rib 57 and is aligned.

Thereafter, the subsequent recording medium is similarly discharged to the upper case 23 and aligned with the reference wall 56. At this time, the succeeding recording medium is dropped and loaded on the previously discharged recording medium.

FIG. 12 shows a state diagram when recording media S of each size of postcards, A5, B5 and A4 are stacked. Postcards are stacked inside the alignment ribs 57.
The A5 size recording medium is supported by the alignment rib 57 at a position of (2/3) or more of the length of the short side. The B5 size recording medium is loaded inside the alignment rib 58 and supported by the alignment rib 57. The A4 size recording medium is supported by the alignment rib 58 at a position of (2/3) or more of the length of the short side. Recording media of these sizes are provided with reference ribs 5.
6 and aligned.

The number of alignment ribs is not limited to two. Three or more projections may be provided.

As described above, in the recording medium side aligning and stacking device 55 of the present embodiment, the recording medium is dropped onto the upper case 23, and is supported by the alignment ribs 57 and 58 having different heights. Since the recording medium is received by the reference wall 56, the recording media do not overlap each other before the ink dries, and the image recorded on the recording medium is not damaged. Further, the recording media do not rub against each other, and the consistency of the side portions of the recording media can be improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, since the recording medium is supported by the alignment ribs 57 and 58, a fingertip is inserted into the space A generated between the lower surface of the recording medium S and the upper case 23,
The recording medium can be easily removed from the upper case 23.

As in the case of the upper cover (seat guide slope) 60 shown in FIG. 13, instead of protruding the alignment ribs, an inclined surface 60a that becomes lower as it approaches the reference wall (seat side reference member) 61 is formed. It may be formed. In this case, the entire recording medium can be supported regardless of the size of the recording medium.

Further, the recording medium side aligning and stacking device 55 of the present embodiment is configured such that the upper case 23 feeds the paper feed rollers 11a, 11a
b, the recording medium S can be inserted by hand. To facilitate the insertion of the recording medium S, the alignment ribs 57, 58
The recording medium guide slopes (sheet guide slopes) 57a and 58b are formed on the upstream side in the recording medium discharge direction of the recording medium discharge direction so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side in the recording medium discharge direction. Also in the upper cover 60 in FIG. 13, a recording medium guide slope (not shown) may be formed.

The above-described ink jet printer 50 can print images on an A3-size recording medium by increasing the size of the printer body and having the same configuration in addition to the postcard-size, A5-size, B5-size, and A4-size recording media. It can be recorded.

The above-described ink jet printer 5
No. 0 is provided with the recording medium separation and supply device 63 having a reduced height by disposing the reversing roller 9 between the separation plates 17, so that the installation area is reduced and the overall height is reduced. Can be.

Further, the ink jet printer 50 has a recording medium direction changing device 71 in which the occurrence rate of jam on the recording medium is reduced by the roller guide 10 having no seam on the inner surface.
Is provided, the image recording efficiency can be improved, and an image can be recorded on a recording medium that is not damaged.

Since the ink jet printer is provided with the recording medium side alignment stacking device 55 having improved sheet alignment, it is possible to provide a user with a sheet bundle in which the sheet edges are aligned.

[0107]

According to the sheet side aligning and stacking device of the present invention, the discharged sheet is temporarily received by the sheet stacking and supporting means, then dropped onto the sheet receiving member, and the sheet is tilted by the sheet receiving member. Since the sheet is brought into contact with the reference member and aligned, it is possible to enhance the alignment of the sheet side without causing the sheets to be rubbed and turned up.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a drive system of a paper feed roller.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a drive system of an LF roller, a paper discharge roller, and a reversing roller.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a route of another embodiment for conveying a recording medium, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an arrangement relationship between a cassette, a sheet feeding roller, and a reversing roller.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement relationship of a sheet feeding roller, a separation plate, a reversing roller, and recording media of various sizes.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an LF roller, a pinch roller, a reversing roller, and a roller guide.

FIG. 8 shows a positioning portion of the roller guide 10;
FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the inkjet printer with a part omitted.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion for ejecting a recording medium and a recording medium side alignment stacking device.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view in which an upper case is overlaid on a cassette.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the recording medium side alignment stacking device as viewed from the upstream side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram in which a recording medium on which an image has been recorded is discharged to the upper case of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a view of an upper case according to another embodiment as viewed from the upstream side.

[Explanation of symbols]

S Recording medium (sheet) Sa One side of recording medium (sheet) Sb The other side of recording medium (sheet) 1 Recording head (Recording means) 3 LF roller 4 Pinch roller 7 Flapper (Sheet side support means) Reference Signs List 9 reverse roller 10 roller guide 10b pinch roller positioning boss 10c roller guide positioning boss 10e curved portion 11a, 11b paper feed roller 17 separation plate 17a inclined surface 20 cassette 23 upper case (sheet stacking means) 37 LF drive motor 43 one-way gear 48 pinch Roller spring 50 Inkjet printer (image recording device) 55 Recording medium side alignment stacking device (Sheet side alignment stacking device) 56 Reference wall (Sheet side alignment member) 57 Rib (projection) 57a Recording medium guide slope (Sheet guide) Slope) 58 Rib (projection) 58a Recording medium proposal Slope (sheet guide slope) 60 Upper case (sheet guide slope) 60a slope 61 Reference wall (sheet side reference member) 61a slope 63 recording medium separation and supply device 64 recording medium supply unit 65 recording medium separation unit 66 recording medium direction Conversion path 71 Recording medium direction change device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sheet side support means for supporting one side of both sides along a discharge direction of a discharged sheet and releasing the support, and wherein the sheet side support means comprises a sheet. When one side of the sheet is supported, the other side of the sheet is supported, and when the sheet side supporting means releases the support of the sheet, one side of the sheet is Sheet stacking means for supporting the sheet lower than the other side of the sheet, and aligning one side of the sheet with a sheet side reference member located on the one side. Characteristic sheet side alignment loading device. 2. The sheet side aligning and stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking means has a protrusion for supporting the other side of the sheet. 3. A plurality of protrusions are provided in a direction intersecting the sheet discharging direction, and the upper end is set lower as the protrusion is closer to the sheet side reference member. The sheet side aligning and stacking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided at a position of about (２) or more a size in a direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction from the sheet side portion reference member. The sheet side aligning and stacking device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 5. A sheet guide slope is formed on the upstream side of the projection in the sheet discharge direction so as to be inclined higher on the downstream side than on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction. The sheet side aligning and stacking device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 6. The sheet side aligning and stacking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is a rib. 7. The sheet stacking means according to claim 1, wherein the sheet stacking means has an inclined surface for supporting the sheet with one side of the sheet lower than the other side of the sheet. Sheet side alignment loading device. 8. A sheet side aligning and stacking device according to claim 1, wherein a recording unit for recording an image on the sheet, and the sheet on which the image is recorded by the recording unit are stacked. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a device.