JP2003089248A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image recorder requiring keeping of a constant distance between a recording head and a recording medium during recording operation, in which a high quality image can be formed at a low cost by holding the recording medium horizontally during recording operation such that it does not droop up to the end of recording operation without complicating the arrangement. SOLUTION: A jump base 101 is proved, respectively, between a discharge roller 5a and a spur 6a, and between a discharge roller 5b and a spur 6b. The jump base 101 can turn in the direction of an arrow by turning a jump cam 102 provided on a jump shaft 103 about the axis of the discharge roller 5a. The jump base 101 is turned at the time of recording on a recording sheet S, e.g. a plain paper, exhibiting low fixing properties of ink. Consequently, each end part of the recording sheet S in the direction intersecting the carrying direction of the recording sheet S is lifted. The jump base 101 is not turned in case of a thick recording sheet S of a tough material.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, and more particularly to a recording apparatus which holds a recording medium horizontally until the end of recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image recording apparatus, a means for feeding the recording medium to a position facing a recording-related portion of a recording head for recording an image on the recording medium, and a loading means for loading the recording medium after recording. While holding the recording medium on the downstream side of the recording head in the recording medium conveyance direction,
When the recording medium is ejected to the stacking unit, when the recording medium is ejected during recording, the weight of the recording medium itself causes the recording medium to hang down toward the stacking unit, thereby recording The surface (printing surface) may float from the regular recording medium conveyance surface. In particular, in an ink jet recording apparatus that requires a constant distance between the recording head and the recording medium during recording, the ink droplet landing accuracy may deteriorate.

Further, when the next recording medium hangs on the recording medium on the stacking means in a state where the ink just after recording is not dried, the recording medium being recorded is recorded on the recording surface of the recording medium immediately after recording. The recording surface (printing surface) was contaminated because it was discharged while contacting.

In order to solve these two problems, as a conventional technique, a flat member (flapper) for supporting the recording medium is provided on the downstream side of the discharging means so that the recording medium during recording does not hang down. Therefore, there is a configuration in which the recording medium being recorded is kept horizontal.

As another measure, the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller are arranged parallel to the downstream side of the recording head in the recording medium conveying direction.
By providing a discharge roller and providing a member for lifting each end portion in the vicinity of each end portion of the recording medium between the first discharge roller and the second discharge roller in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction. There is a configuration in which the waist of the recording medium is used to keep the recording medium horizontal so that the recording medium is not hanging during recording.

[0006]

However, in the case of the structure provided with the flapper, there is a problem that the structure of the image recording apparatus becomes complicated and the cost is increased. In addition, when the recording medium is provided with a member that lifts up each end of the recording medium in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction, when recording is performed on a recording medium that is strong (elastic and difficult to bend), the recording medium Since the recording medium floats from the vicinity of the member that lifts up the end of the recording medium to the recording surface (printing surface), the distance between the recording-related portion of the recording head and the recording medium facing the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus. However, there is a problem in that the landing accuracy of the ink droplets that form the ink image deteriorates.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention is an image recording apparatus in which it is necessary to keep a constant distance between a recording head and a recording medium during recording without performing a complicated structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image recording at low cost by holding the recording medium of (1) horizontally so as not to hang down until the end of recording.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by a recording unit, and a stacking unit for stacking the recording medium after recording, A discharging unit that discharges the recording medium to the stacking unit while holding the recording medium on the downstream side of the recording unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and a recording medium that is being recorded is held in a state in which it is difficult for the recording medium to hang down to the stacking unit side. And holding means for enabling or disabling the recording medium holding function of the holding means.

Further, it is preferable that the above-mentioned image recording apparatus has a judging means for validating or invalidating the recording medium holding function of the holding means according to the type of the recording medium to be recorded.

Further, the recording medium may have a judging means for activating or deactivating the recording medium holding function of the holding means when the conveyance path from the supply of the recording medium to the recording means to the discharge is blocked by the recording medium. preferable.

Further, in the above-mentioned image recording apparatus, the holding means has members arranged corresponding to both ends of the recording medium in a direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction. It is preferable to hold the recording medium during recording so that the recording medium during recording does not sag by bending both ends. The discharge means includes at least two discharge rollers arranged in parallel in the recording medium conveyance direction,
It is preferable to have a rotating body that is in contact with each of the discharge rollers and is driven to rotate. It is preferable to further include means for feeding the recording medium to a position facing a portion of the recording means relating to recording at a desired interval. The recording means is preferably an inkjet recording head.

With the configuration according to the above invention, for example, when recording is performed on a recording medium such as plain paper which has a poor ink fixing property, the recording medium holding function of the holding means is enabled to change the recording medium being recorded. It is held in a state in which it is difficult for it to hang down to the loading means side. In this case, the holding means has members arranged corresponding to both ends of the recording medium in a direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction, and the recording medium holding member is formed by bending the both ends with this member. It is exerting its function. With such a holding function, it is possible to prevent the recording medium that is being discharged and recorded and the recording medium that has been recorded and stacked on the stacking unit from being rubbed and the recording surface being soiled. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the recording surface of the recording medium upstream of the ejecting unit from floating on the recording unit side due to the recording medium hanging down. Therefore, in the case of ink jet recording, the distance between the recording-related portion of the recording head and the recording medium facing this is stable,
Since the landing accuracy of the ink droplets forming the ink image is not adversely affected, a high quality image can be recorded.

Further, the type of recording medium for recording changes,
For example, when recording on a recording medium having a good sheet thickness and a thick sheet, such as glossy paper, the recording medium holding function of the holding means is effective because the recording medium is relatively strong. The bending operation of both ends of the recording medium by the holding means causes the recording surface of the recording medium to float up to the recording means side, thereby deteriorating the image quality. Therefore, in the case of this type of recording medium, the recording medium holding function of the holding means is invalidated.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, an inkjet printer will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in order to keep the distance between the recording head and the recording medium constant during recording, it can be applied to any recording device that wants to hold the recording medium horizontally until the end of recording.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an ink jet printer (image recording apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the inkjet printer 50 shown in this figure, a recording medium (sheet) S separated and fed one by one from the cassette 20 by a recording medium separating / supplying device A is inverted (direction change) by a recording medium direction changing device B. Recording head 1
Then, an image is recorded on the recording medium S by the recording head 1, and finally, the recording medium S on which the image is recorded is recorded on the upper case 2 by the recording medium side aligning stacking device C.
It is designed so that it can be loaded in the 3rd position. The recording medium includes plain paper, glossy paper for recording images such as photographs, thin resin glossy film, OHP film, postcard, and thick paper.

The recording medium separating / supplying device A, the recording medium direction changing device B, and the recording medium side matching stacking device C are not limited to the ink jet printer, but may be used in other image recording devices such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a composite machine of these. Can also be provided.

Further, the recording medium separating / supplying device A and the recording medium direction changing device B are not limited to the image recording device, but can also be used in a device for handling the 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.

Further, first, the overall structure and operation of the ink jet printer 50 will be briefly described, and then a horizontal holding device for horizontally holding the recording medium until the end of recording will be described in detail.

(Structure of Inkjet Printer) The cassette 20 of the inkjet printer 50 accommodates the recording medium S.

The swing arm 12 constituting the recording medium separating / supplying device A brings the supply roller 11 rotatably provided at the rotating end into contact with the uppermost (frontmost row) recording medium S stored in the cassette 20. It is designed to rotate in the vertical direction. In FIG. 1, one supply roller 11 is shown, but two supply rollers 11 are overlapped, and only one of them is visible.

The swing arm 12 is urged upward by a tension spring 13 in order to make the load on the supply roller 11 appropriate. Further, the supply roller 11 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and sends out the recording medium S from the cassette 20 to the downstream side. Also, the supply roller 1
1, the recording medium manually inserted into the upper case 23 by the user is also sent to the downstream side.

The separating plate 17 is provided on the inclined plate 18 at the downstream end of the cassette 20 such that the upper end of the separating plate 17 is inclined toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the recording medium and the recording medium is fed from the cassette 20 by the supply roller 11. The S is guided diagonally upward. When a plurality of recording media S are overlapped, the separating plate 17 separates the recording media S one by one while guiding them obliquely upward, and the reversing roller 9 in the recording medium direction changing path.
It is designed to be supplied to.

The separation pad 19 is provided to separate the recording media one by one until the end. Rear end guide 26
Are provided for aligning the front and back of the recording medium stored in the cassette 20. The side guide 27 guides the recording medium stored in the cassette 20 to the side wall 2 of the cassette 20.
It is provided to press the recording medium 0a to align both sides of the recording medium (both sides along the conveying direction of the recording medium). The lower case 28 of the apparatus main body supports the cassette 20. Below the cassette 20, a lower cassette device 29 in which the second cassette is mounted is arranged. The reversing roller 9 is adapted to reversely feed the supplied recording medium S. The roller guide 10 guides the reversed recording medium S. PE sensor 3
0 detects the conveyed recording medium.

The carriage 2 is a recording head (recording means).
1 is detachably mounted and slides along the carriage shafts 21 and 22. The recording head 1 records an image on the recording medium S. LF roller 3
And a pinch roller 4 which is a driven roller of the LF roller 3.
Is configured to sandwich and rotate the recording medium S for conveyance. The platen 8 is configured to support the recording medium S in parallel with the surface of the recording head 1 that is involved in recording during recording. First discharge roller 5a and second discharge roller 5b
And a spur 6 which is a driven roller of the discharge rollers 5a and 5b.
The recording mediums a and 6b are arranged to sandwich the recording medium, rotate it, and eject it.

The upper case 23 provided on the upper portion of the cassette 20 is used as a stacking means for stacking (recording) the recorded recording media S. The wall 16 is adapted to receive and align the end of the recording medium S on which recording has been completed.

The upper case 23 can be used as a tray for manual feeding in a state where the recorded recording medium S is not stacked. A guide member 24 is provided at the downstream 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 fed and guided to the feeding roller 11. The guide member 24 needs to be unobtrusive 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 thin thickness.

A separation pad 25 is provided at the tip of the guide member 24. The separation pad 25 and the supply roller 11 sandwich the manual recording medium,
It is pushed by 1 and received by the uppermost recording medium together with the guide member 24, and the rotating supply roller 11 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 supply roller 11 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the supply drive motor 31 shown in FIG. 2 to move the recording medium S in the cassette 20 to the arrow in FIG. Move in the direction.

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

By the rotation of the supply roller 11, the recording medium S on the cassette 20 is guided by the inclined surface 17a of the separating plate 17 and is conveyed to the reversing roller 19. Supply roller 1
1 further rotates the recording medium S to the roller guide 10
Transport along the line.

In FIG. 3, the LF drive motor 37 rotates the output shaft in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
The F motor gear 38 rotates in the same direction, and the transmission belt 4
1 is circulated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Transmission belt 41
Rotates the LF pulley 39 coaxially fixed to the LF roller 3 and the LF gear 42 and the discharge pulley 40 coaxially fixed to the discharge roller 5 in the arrow direction in FIG. The LF gear 42 also rotates in the arrow direction in FIG.

The LF gear 42 rotates the one-way gear 43 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and rotates the reversing roller gear 44 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The one-way gear 43
The rotational force in the arrow direction in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the reversing roller gear 44, but the rotational force in the opposite direction is not transmitted. The one-way gear 43 is provided to remove the recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 after recording.

That is, when the recording medium after recording, which is wound around the reversing roller 9, is jammed, the removing operation is performed by the discharging roller (see reference numerals 5a and 5b in FIG. 1) and the spur (reference numerals 6a and 6b in FIG. 1). (Refer to FIG. 4) and the recording medium S is pulled out. At that time, the one-way gear 4 which is a mechanism for releasing the drive of the reversing roller 9
3 is provided in the drive system shown in FIG. 3, the reversing roller 9 is rotated by the force of the user pulling the recording medium from the discharge roller 5 side and the friction of the friction member such as rubber of the reversing roller 9. The recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 can be smoothly removed.

In FIG. 1, the LF drive motor 37 (see FIG.
At the same time that the supply roller 11 rotates by
The F roller 5 and the reversing roller 9 rotate, and the recording medium is conveyed to the roller guide 10 side. Recording medium S conveyed
Is detected by the PE sensor 30 and the position where it is being conveyed is detected.

The recording medium S, of which the position of the leading end is detected, is further conveyed by the rotation of the supply roller 11, is reversed while passing through the gap between the roller guide 10 and the reversing roller 9, and the recording surface is on the upper side.

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 thick paper, the recording medium S is conveyed by the conveying force generated by being partially pressed against the reversing roller rubber 9a by the rigidity of the recording medium S.

The recording medium S is fed by the supply roller 11
When the LF drive motor 37 (see FIG. 3) passes through the PE sensor 30 and is conveyed near the LF roller 3, the LF drive motor 37 stops rotating. Then, the LF roller 3 and the reversing roller 9 also stop rotating. However, the supply roller 11 rotates by a certain amount. The recording medium L is rotated by the rotation of the supply roller 11.
The nip (tangent line) between the F roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 is abutted and the tip is aligned.

Further, the reversing roller 9 is adapted to transmit the rotation only in the arrow direction in FIG. 1 by the one-way gear 43 (see FIG. 3) which transmits the rotation only in one direction. For this reason, a recording medium S such as thick paper having a strong rigidity is rotated by the supply roller 11 so that the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 are rotated.
When abutting against the nip, the friction between the stiff recording medium S and the reversing roller rubber 9a causes the reversing roller 9 to rotate with almost no load, thereby preventing the force for conveying the recording medium from increasing.

After the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 carry the recording medium S by a certain amount, the driving of the supply roller 11 is completed. Note that the conveyance amount of the recording medium of the reversing roller 9 is L
It is set to be slightly larger than the recording medium conveyance amount of the F roller 3. Therefore, back tension does not occur on the recording medium, and the inkjet printer 50 is
An image can be surely recorded on a recording medium.

Inkjet printer 50 of this embodiment
In the above, the size of the recordable recording medium S is such that the trailing end of the recording medium S at this point is a length of the recording medium located upstream of the supply roller 11. Therefore, in the inkjet printer 50 of this embodiment, the transport distance from the LF roller 3 to the supply roller 11 via the reversing roller 9 is shorter than the recordable length of the recording medium. For example, the conveyance distance from the LF roller 3 through the reversing roller 9 to the supply roller 11 is about 140 mm so that an image can be recorded with the postcard vertically long (the long side of the postcard is aligned with the conveyance direction of the recording medium). It is set to a degree. The diameter of the reversing roller 9 is set to about 40 mm to about 50 mm. This dimension of about 40 mm to about 50 mm is the minimum dimension at which the postcard will not curl after being inverted.

In FIG. 2, the supply pulley 35 has a one-way clutch structure and transmits the rotation in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 to the supply roller 11, but does not transmit the rotation in the opposite direction. There is.

In FIG. 1, the recording medium S is conveyed by the rotation of the LF roller 3 after the rotation of the supply roller 11 is completed. At this time, the supply roller 11 is pulled by the recording medium S and idles because the one-way supply pulley 35 makes the rotation in the arrow direction in FIG. 1 almost unloaded.

The pinch roller 4 is arranged at a position slightly offset from directly above the LF roller 3 on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction. Therefore, the recording medium S is conveyed in the direction in which it is pressed against the platen 8 by the pinch roller 4.

Depending on the position of the leading edge of the recording medium S, the recording head 1 mounted on the carriage 2 moves the carriage shaft 2
Move along 1 and 22 to record an image on the recording medium. The recording medium S includes a discharge roller (5a, 5b) and a spur (6a, 6a) by a pinch roller 4 and an LF roller 3.
It is transported to the position of b). In the present embodiment, the recording head moves in a direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction and
Alternatively, after performing recording for several lines, the recording medium is conveyed to record the next line, which is a so-called serial type recording apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium
Applied to a so-called line type recording device in which the recording head is used to record the next line after recording one or several lines with a recording head corresponding to the width in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction. You may.

In FIG. 3, the discharge roller 5 (see reference numerals 5a and 5b in FIG. 1) rotates together with the discharge pulley 40 via the transmission belt 41 by the rotation of the LF drive motor 37. In addition, the carry amount of the discharge roller 5 is equal to
It is set to be slightly larger than the transport amount of. Therefore, the recording medium S on the platen 8 does not slacken.

In FIG. 4, the recorded recording medium S is
The both ends of the recording medium S are lifted by the jump base 101, so that the recording medium S is conveyed while being kept horizontal. In FIG. 1, the recording medium S that has passed the LF roller 3 is further conveyed by the first discharge roller 5a, the second discharge roller 5b, and the spurs 6a and 6b. The discharged recording media S are stacked (loaded) in the upper case 23 of the cassette 20. This completes the recording operation of the inkjet printer 50.

The above description of the recording operation is given in the upper cassette 2.
Although the recording medium S is supplied from 0, an image is similarly recorded and discharged on the recording medium loaded in the lower cassette 20-1. 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 supplied recording medium S is separated by the separating plate 17-1.
And is conveyed along the guide portion 29a-1 of the lower case 29a and further along the roller guide 10. Then, the leading edge 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 similarly to the recording medium of the cassette 20.

The size of the recording medium S usable in the lower cassette 20-1 is larger than the distance from the nip between the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 to the supply roller 11 as in the upper cassette 20. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the lower cassette device 29
The transport roller 46 and the driven roller 47 may be provided in the lower case 29a, and the recording medium S may be transported by rotating the transport roller 46 by a drive motor (not shown). In the case of this configuration, the recordable recording medium S is
Similar to the upper cassette 20, the recording medium S has a length longer than the distance from the nip between the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 to the conveying roller 46, and is larger than that of the inkjet printer 50 not having the conveying roller 46. The recording medium S having a short size can be used.
Further, when the carrying roller 46 is used, a plurality of lower cassette devices 29 can be equipped.

Next, the manual feeding of the recording medium will be described.
To start manual feeding, a manual feeding lever (not shown) is operated. Then, in FIG. 1, the swing arm 12 is lifted in the direction opposite to the arrow in the drawing in conjunction with a manual feed lever (not shown), and the leading end of the recording medium S to be manually fed is fed to the supply roller 1.
It can be located on the downstream side of the recording medium conveyance direction than 1. At this time, a mark for teaching the rear end position of the recording medium S to be manually fed is written on the upper case 23 for each size,
The position of the recording medium S to be manually fed is known.

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

Recording medium S set for manual feeding
Is in a state of being added on the recording medium S stored in the cassette 20, and thus is transported by the same operation as the recording medium of 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 and Supplying Device) In the above-mentioned ink jet printer 50, the recording medium S in the cassette 20 is separated and sent out one by one, and then the recording medium is reversed (direction change) to the recording head 1. The recording medium separating / supplying device (sheet separating / supplying device) that is fed to the recording medium will be described.

FIG. 6 shows the cassette 20 and the supply roller 11.
It is a schematic perspective view which showed the arrangement relationship of a, 11b and the reversing roller 9. FIG. 7 shows supply rollers 11a, 11b,
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a positional relationship among a separation plate 17, a reversing roller 9, and recording media of various sizes.

The recording medium separating / supplying device mainly comprises a cassette (sheet stacking means) 20 on which recording media are stacked, and a recording medium supply unit for sending the recording media stacked on the cassette 20 to the downstream side in the recording medium transport direction. (Sheet feeding means),
A recording medium separating unit (sheet separating means) which is installed on the downstream side of the cassette 20 in the recording medium conveying direction and receives the recording medium sent by the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b and separates the recording medium one by one, and the cassette 20. A recording medium direction changing path (sheet direction reversing path) for changing the conveying direction of the recording medium supplied from (see FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7). The paper feed rollers 11a and 11b are
The number is not limited to two. You may provide three or more.

The recording medium supply section includes supply rollers (sheet supply rollers) 11a and 11b, a swing arm 12, a tension spring 13, a supply drive motor 31, gears 32, 33 and 34, pulleys 51 and 35, respectively. The reversing belt 36 and the like are provided.

The recording medium separating section includes a plurality of separating plates 17 each having an inclined surface (separation inclined surface) 17a. The recording medium direction changing path includes a reversing roller (sheet inner side guiding member, conveying roller) 9, a roller guide 10, and the like.

In the cassette 20, the recording medium pushed by the side guide 27 is received by the side wall 20a on the front side, and the trailing end guide 26 aligns the trailing end of the recording medium so that the recording medium can be set.

In the ink jet printer 50 of this embodiment, both sides (in other words, the recording medium conveying direction of the recording medium) along the conveying direction of the recording medium are stored, conveyed and discharged. The recording medium is processed on the basis of one side portion (end portion) of each end portion in the direction. Specifically, FIG.
The front side of the recording medium shown in the schematic front sectional view of the inkjet printer 50 is used as a reference. Therefore, the recording medium stored in the cassette 20 shown in FIG. 5 is stored with the front side wall 20a as a reference.

The reversing roller 9 is arranged between the separating plates 17. As a result, the height of the recording medium separating / supplying device can be reduced, and the height of the inkjet printer 50 can also be reduced.

The first supply roller 11a is arranged 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 conveyance direction. As a result, the recording medium separating / supplying device can reliably supply even a small-sized recording medium.

The second supply roller 11b is arranged at the center distribution position of the B5 size recording medium together with the first supply roller 11a. As a result, the recording medium separating / supplying device can reliably supply even a large-sized recording medium.

The separating plate 17 is composed of the supply rollers 11a,
11b are arranged at opposite positions in the recording medium conveyance direction. With this arrangement, the reversing roller 9
Even if the recording medium is disposed between the separating plates 17 and the recording medium bends to the downstream side in the conveying direction, the portion in contact with the separating plate 17 may bend to the downstream side in the recording medium conveying direction. Therefore, the recording medium can be reliably supplied by the supply rollers 11a and 11b.

Further, the separating plate 17 is also disposed at a position facing the vicinity of each end of the recording medium of each size in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction. This makes it possible to reliably supply the recording medium for each size.

The supply roller 11 is arranged within the diameter of the reversing roller 9 at a position overlapping the reversing roller 9. As a result, the height of the recording medium separating / supplying device can be reduced, and the recording medium can be reliably supplied.

(Recording medium direction changing device) Next, a recording medium direction changing device for reversing (direction changing) the recording medium sent out from the cassette 20 and feeding it to the recording head 1 will be described.

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

The recording medium direction changing device is a roller pair of a recording medium supply section arranged on the upstream side in the recording medium conveying direction and an LF roller 3 and a pinch roller 4 arranged on the downstream side in the recording medium conveying direction. And a recording medium direction changing path that changes the direction of the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium supply unit and guides it to the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4 (see FIGS. 1, 8 and 9).

The recording medium direction changing path is provided with an inner reversing roller 9 and an outer roller guide 10 for changing the direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, the roller guide 10 includes a bending portion 10 for reversing the conveyance direction of the recording medium.
have e. The curved portion 10e is elastically deformable.

The pinch roller 4 is rotatably supported by being fitted into an end portion of the curved portion 10e of the roller guide 10 on the downstream side in the recording medium conveying direction. The curved portion 10e of the roller guide 10 has a carriage chassis 49 (see FIG. 1).
The pinch roller spring 48 fixed to the LF roller 3 urges the pinch roller 4 against the LF roller 3 to press it against the LF roller 3. Therefore, the pinch roller 4 and the LF roller 3 sandwich the recording medium S and convey it by the elastic force of the pinch roller spring 48. Roller guide 1
The bending portion 10e of 0 has elasticity capable of being elastically deformed by losing the pressing force of the pinch roller spring 48.

The pinch roller positioning boss 10b provided on 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 of the roller and a position below the position. The roller guide positioning bosses 10c and 10d are
The roller guide 10 is positioned on the side plate by engaging with the hole of the side plate of the inkjet printer 50.

The roller guide positioning boss 10c is provided so as to project from the downstream end of the curved portion 10e in the recording medium transport direction to the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction at a curvature center angle of about 45 degrees of the curved portion. The center of curvature of the curved portion 10e substantially coincides with the center of the reversing roller 9. That is, the center 9 of the reversing roller 9
By providing the roller guide positioning boss 10c at the same height as b, even if the roller guide 10 is pressed by the pinch roller spring 48, the boss 10c serves as a base point for the roller guide 1
The upper half of 0 is bent, and the reversing roller 9 and the roller guide 1
It is possible to keep the gap with 0 substantially constant. what if,
If the boss 10c is not provided, the roller guide 10 as a whole bends and it is difficult to make the gap between the reversing roller 9 and the roller guide 10 a predetermined gap.

Further, the roller guide positioning boss 10d
Is provided in the vicinity of a guide portion 10a for guiding the recording medium S from the lower cassette device 29 to its supply port.

The roller guide 10 is formed of one member from the guide portion 10a to the place where the pinch roller 4 is provided, and the inner surface is seamless. Therefore, the recording medium is smoothly conveyed without being caught by the roller guide 10. Moreover, the recording medium is not damaged.

Further, the pinch roller 4, the reversing roller 9,
Also, by forming the guide 10a for the recording medium supply port with an integral member, it is possible to provide an inexpensive inkjet printer with a reduced number of parts.

The roller guide 10 is entirely formed of an elastic plate, but in order to make the upper half easy to bend and the lower half a rigid body, the outer surface of the lower half has ribs along the vertical direction. A plurality of 53 are projected.

The reversing roller 9 conveys and rotates the recording medium by transmitting the rotational force from the LF drive motor 37 by the one-way gear 43, and idles when receiving the rotational force in the conveying direction of the recording medium from the outside. Has become. Therefore, the recording medium wound around the reversing roller 9 can be easily pulled out by pulling it from the pinch roller 4 side downstream of the reversing roller 9 in the recording medium conveying direction, and the jam clearance efficiency can be improved.

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

(Recording Medium Ejecting / Loading Device) Next, a recording medium discharging device for loading the discharged recording medium, a recording medium horizontal holding device (holding means), and a recording medium loading device will be described.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing an example of a recording medium horizontal holding device which is a feature of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a simplified perspective view of the recording medium ejection device, the recording medium horizontal holding device, and the stacking device. FIG. 12 is a diagram of the recording medium stacking device viewed from the upstream side.

The recording medium S is conveyed by the LF roller 3 and the pinch roller 4, the discharging roller 5a and the spur 6a, and the discharging roller 5b and the spur 6b,
Image recording is continued and loaded on the upper case 23.

In FIGS. 1, 4 and 11, discharge roller 5a and spur 6a, discharge roller 5b and spur 6 are shown.
A jump table 101 is provided between b. The jump base 101 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure by rotating the jump cam 102 provided on the jump shaft 103 with the shaft of the discharge roller 5a as the rotation shaft.
The jump shaft 103 can be rotated by driving a jump base motor (not shown). Further, the jump shaft 103 rotates clockwise in the forward rotation direction of the jump base motor of the DC motor (not shown). , Jump platform 101
Becomes the jump table on (position in FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, there is a restricting member that prevents the jump base motor from rotating further than that position, and the jump base motor is out of step at that position. Further, even if the position can be recognized by providing the sensor, there is no problem.

Next, the jump shaft 103 rotates counterclockwise in the reverse rotation direction of the jump base motor (not shown),
The jump platform 101 becomes the jump platform off (position in FIG. 1).

In FIGS. 4 and 11, when recording is performed on the recording medium S such as plain paper, which has a poor ink fixability, when the jump base 101 is set to the position of the jump base on, the recording medium conveyance direction of the recording medium S is set. The transport path of each end in the direction intersecting with is lifted by the jump base 101, and the recording medium S is also in the form of lifting each end in the direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction of the recording medium S. The recording medium S whose both end portions are lifted becomes stiff by bending the both end portions, and the portion of the recording medium S on the downstream side of the jump base 101 in the recording medium conveyance direction is unlikely to hang down and is ejected. It is possible to keep the recording medium S during recording substantially horizontal. As a result, it is possible to prevent the discharged recording medium S and the stacked recording medium S from being rubbed and the recording surface being soiled.

However, in the case of the recording medium S having a thick sheet and a strong material, when the respective end portions of the recording medium S in the direction intersecting the recording medium conveying direction are lifted, the recording is substantially performed. Even the recording surface that is exposed is lifted, and the gap between the recording head 1 and the recording medium changes, so there is a problem that the recording accuracy deteriorates. Therefore, in the case of the recording medium S such as glossy paper having a good ink fixing property and a thick sheet thickness, the recording medium S is set by setting the jump base 101 to the position of the jump base off.
The transport path at each end in the direction intersecting the recording medium transport direction is not affected by the jump base 101. The recording medium S ejected from the ejection roller 5b has a drooping form when ejected to a certain position due to the weight of the recording medium itself. However, since the recording medium S has a good fixing property, it is different from the ejected recording medium S. Even if the loaded recording media S are rubbed, the recording surface is not soiled.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention, depending on the type of the recording medium S to be recorded (printed), that is, in the case of the recording medium S such as plain paper which has a poor ink fixing property and a relatively thin sheet thickness. Is on the jump platform 101
Position (see FIG. 4), in order to set the jump base 101 to the position of the jump base off (see FIG. 1) in the case of the recording medium S such as glossy paper having a good ink fixability and a relatively thick sheet. Is provided. That is, the position of the jump base 101 of the recording medium S that can be used in the image recording apparatus is previously set to on (position protruding from the portion supporting the back surface of the recording medium) or off (equal to or more than the portion supporting the back surface of the recording medium). Have the information to switch to a lower position). Further, in order to make the recording device discriminate the type of the recording medium S to be recorded, the information may be sent to the recording device by the setting of the user, or the recording device may be provided with an identification sensor of the type of the recording medium to make the type determination. May be.

Next, the timing of switching the position of the jump base 101 to on or off will be described.

When the power of the recording apparatus is turned on, the jump base motor (not shown) rotates forward, and the jump base 101 is turned on. (However, if the jump base 101 is in the on state in advance, the jump base motor is out of step and remains in the on state.) For example, when recording on plain paper, the recording device is the jump base. The motor is rotated in the forward direction and the jump base 101 is turned on.
(However, when the jump base 101 is in the on state in advance, the jump base motor is out of step and remains in the on state.) Next, for example, the jump base 10 such as glossy paper
When recording is performed on the recording medium S that does not require 1, the recording apparatus reversely rotates the jump table motor and sets the jump table 101 to the off state. (However, when the jump base 101 is in the off state in advance, the jump base motor is out of step and remains in the off state.) When the recording is completed, the recording device rotates the jump base motor forward. The jump table 101 is turned on, and the jump table 101 is set to the off position only while recording the recording medium S such as glossy paper that does not require the jump table 101. ing.

The image recording apparatus of this embodiment is based on the premise that most plain paper is used, and when continuously recording plain paper, the jump base 101 is always turned on. The jump table 101 is operated as little as possible.

On the other hand, in the case of a recording apparatus that is premised on the most use of glossy paper, the jump base motor (not shown) reversely rotates when the power is turned on, and the jump base 101 Turns off.
(However, when the jump base 101 is in the off state in advance, the jump base motor is out of step and remains in the off state.) When performing recording on glossy paper, the recording device uses the jump base motor. Reverse rotation to jump 1
01 is turned off. (However, when the jump base 101 is in the off state in advance, the jump base motor is out of step and remains in the off state.) Next, when recording on plain paper, the recording device is Turn the jump stand motor forward and turn the jump stand 101 on.
Put in a state. (However, if the jump stand 101 is o
In the case of n state, the jump base motor goes out of step,
It remains on. ) When the recording is completed, the recording device reversely rotates the jump table motor to move the jump table 1
01 is turned off, and the jump base 101 is turned on only during recording on plain paper.

If the recording medium S is present in the transport path when the jump base 101 is turned on, an error such as a paper jam may occur and the jump base 101 may be removed when the jammed recording media S is removed. Becomes the resistance in the transport path,
It may not be removed properly. Therefore, when a jam error of the recording medium S occurs in the transport path, the recording device reverses the jump base motor to put the jump base 101 in the off state.

As described above, in the ink jet printer 50, in all of the storage, conveyance, and discharge of the recording medium, both sides (in other words, the recording medium conveyance direction of the recording medium) along the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The recording medium is processed on the basis of one side portion (end portion) of each end portion in the intersecting direction. Specifically, the front side of the recording medium shown in the schematic front sectional view of the inkjet printer 50 in FIG. 1 is used as a reference. Therefore, the recording medium ejected to the upper case 23 is loaded with the reference wall 56 on the front side of the upper case 23 as a reference. Further, one side portion Sa of the recording medium S is attached to the reference wall 56.
It becomes the reference side opposite to.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by a recording unit, a stacking unit that stacks the recording medium after recording, and the recording medium while holding the recording medium on a downstream side of the recording unit in a recording medium conveyance direction, Equipped with a discharging means for discharging the recording medium to the stacking means, and a holding means for holding the recording medium during recording in a state in which it is difficult for the recording medium to hang down to the stacking means side, and the recording medium holding function by the holding means is enabled or disabled By providing the means for holding, the recording medium is held in a state in which it is difficult for the recording medium to hang down to the stacking means side depending on the type of the recording medium to be recorded (for example, plain paper and glossy paper which is relatively stronger than the plain paper). It is possible to enable or disable the function. Therefore, even if the type of the recording medium is changed, the distance between the recording portion of the recording device and the recording surface of the recording medium facing the recording portion can always be kept constant, and high-quality recording (printing) can be performed. It will be possible. In particular, the present invention is extremely applicable to an ink jet recording apparatus in which the distance between the recording portion of the recording device and the recording surface of the recording medium facing the recording portion affects the landing accuracy of ink droplets forming an ink image. It is valid.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing a state where a jump base constituting a recording medium horizontal holding device is in an off state in an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of a drive system of a recording medium supply roller in the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a drive system for an LF roller (conveying roller), a paper discharge roller, and a reversing roller of the inkjet printer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing when the position of a jump base constituting the recording medium horizontal holding device is in the on state in the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a path of another form of carrying a recording medium of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an arrangement relationship of a cassette, a supply roller, and a reversing roller of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a positional relationship among a supply roller, a separation plate, a reversing roller, and recording media of various sizes in the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an LF roller, a pinch roller, a reversing roller, and a roller guide of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the inkjet printer with a part omitted to show the positioning portion of the roller guide of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing components constituting the recording medium horizontal holding device of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a recording medium ejecting portion and a recording horizontal holding device of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified perspective view of the cassette unit of the inkjet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

S recording medium (sheet) 1 recording head (recording means) 2 carriage 3 LF roller 4 pinch roller 5 discharge roller 5a first discharge roller 5b second discharge roller 9 reversing roller (sheet inside guide member, conveyance roller) 10 roller guide 10a Guide portion 10b Pinch roller positioning boss 10c Roller guide positioning boss 10e Curved portions 11, 11a, 11b Recording medium supply roller (sheet supply roller) 12 Swing arm 13 Extension springs 17, 17-1 Separation plate 17a Inclined surface (separated inclined surface) ) 18 slope plate 19, 25 separation pad 20 cassette (sheet stacking means) 21, 22 carriage shaft 23 upper case 26 rear end guide 27 side guide 28 lower case 29 lower cassette device 30 PE sensor (paper edge detection sensor) 31 supply drive Motor 32 Supply motor gear 3 idler gear 34 swing arm gear 35 supply pulley 36 transmission belt 37 LF drive motor 38 LF motor gear 39 LF pulley 40 discharge pulley 41 transmission belt 42 LF gear 43 one-way gear 44 reversing roller gear 48 pinch roller spring 50 inkjet printer 101 jump base 102 jump cam 103 Jump axis

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by a recording unit, wherein a stacking unit for stacking the recording medium after recording, and the recording medium on the downstream side of the recording unit in the recording medium conveying direction. The recording medium holding function of the holding unit includes: a discharging unit that discharges the recording medium to the stacking unit while holding the recording medium; and a holding unit that holds the recording medium being recorded in a state in which the recording medium does not easily hang down toward the stacking unit. An image recording apparatus having a means for enabling or disabling. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit for validating or invalidating the recording medium holding function of the holding unit according to the type of recording medium to be recorded. 3. A determination means for activating or deactivating the recording medium holding function of the holding means when the conveyance path from the supply of the recording medium to the recording means to the discharge is blocked by the recording medium. 1. The image recording device described in 1. 4. The holding means has members arranged corresponding to both ends of the recording medium in a direction intersecting a recording medium conveyance direction, and the both ends are bent by this member during recording. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which holds the recording medium being recorded so that the recording medium does not hang down. 5. The discharging means has at least two discharging rollers arranged in parallel in the recording medium conveying direction, and a rotating body that is in contact with each discharging roller and is driven to rotate. The image recording apparatus according to item 1. 6. The image recording according to claim 1, further comprising a unit for feeding the recording medium to a position facing a portion of the recording unit, which is involved in recording, at a desired interval. apparatus. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording head.