JP2011005708A - Conveyance device and image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means which miniaturizes a conveyance device and can prevent a tray from colliding against an obstacle in the conveyance device for conveying the tray supporting a recording member in form of a thin plate.SOLUTION: A printer part 11 is equipped with a conveyance path 23 where the tray 110 is conveyed, and a lid 18 which can change a posture to open and close a back opening 17 formed in a rear surface 16 of a casing 15. In the posture that the lid 18 opens the back opening 17, the tray 110 supporting a CD 111 is conveyed to be projected outside of the casing 15 through the back opening 17 from a straight part 33 of the conveyance path 32. In a state that the lid 18 is opened, a distance L1 by which the lid 18 projects outside from the casing 15 is longer than a distance L2 by which the tray 110 is projected outside of the casing 15.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus that transports a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member, and an image recording apparatus that includes the transport apparatus.

  The image recording apparatus records an image by conveying a recording medium. An inkjet image recording apparatus can perform image recording on various recording media. Examples of the recording medium of the ink jet type image recording apparatus include a sheet such as a recording sheet and a thin plate-shaped member such as a CD or a DVD.

  Further, in the image recording apparatus, image recording is performed while a recording medium is conveyed along a path called a conveyance path. Some of the conveyance paths are curved like a U-turn path. A sheet such as a recording sheet can be bent along a curved conveyance path. A CD, DVD, or the like is placed on a tray or the like that matches a conveyance path corresponding to a standard recording sheet, and image recording is performed while being conveyed along the conveyance path. A straight shape is adopted for the transport path of the tray. Such a straight conveyance path is also referred to as a straight path.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a configuration in which there are two types of transport paths corresponding to the types of recording media as described above, and the recording medium or tray is guided to the corresponding transport paths (patents). Reference 1).

JP 2007-118440 A

  In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a straight path corresponding to the length of the tray is required on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording head. Therefore, there exists a problem that the dimension of the depth direction of an apparatus becomes large. If a part of the tray is protruded from the back side of the apparatus in the conveyance process so that the recording apparatus conveys a cardboard recording medium, the dimension in the depth direction of the apparatus can be reduced. However, if there is a wall or object on the back side of the apparatus, there is a problem that the tray collides with the wall or object and hinders the conveyance of the tray.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to realize downsizing of the apparatus in a transport apparatus for transporting a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member, and to realize the tray. It is to provide a means that can prevent the vehicle from colliding with an obstacle.

  (1) A transport apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport path through which a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member is transported, and a lid whose posture can be changed so as to open and close an opening formed in a wall of the apparatus housing. And a transporting means for transporting the tray so as to protrude from the transport path to the outside of the device housing through the opening of the device housing in a posture in which the lid opens the opening. In a state where the lid is opened, the distance that the lid protrudes outward from the apparatus housing is longer than the distance that the tray protrudes outside the apparatus housing.

  The tray is transported so as to protrude from the transport path to the outside of the apparatus through the opening in a state where the lid is opened. Since the distance by which the opened lid protrudes outward from the apparatus housing is longer than the distance by which the tray protrudes outside the apparatus housing, an obstacle does not approach the wall side of the apparatus housing from the lid.

  (2) The conveyance path includes a curved portion in which the sheet is curved and guided, and a linear portion in which the sheet extends and is guided along the sheet conveyance direction. The tray may be conveyed from the section to the opening.

  The sheet is conveyed from the curved portion of the conveyance path to the linear portion. When the sheet is conveyed, the lid is closed. The tray is transported from the straight portion of the transport path to the opening with the lid being opened. As a result, the U-turn path through which the sheet is conveyed and the straight path through which the tray is conveyed are configured with a common straight line portion.

  (3) The conveying device is arranged on the curved outer side of the conveying path to guide the sheet, and further includes a guide member whose posture can be changed so as to open the curved portion. May be. The conveying means is configured such that the guide member opens the curved portion and the lid opens the opening, from the straight portion of the conveying path to the outside of the device casing through the opening of the device casing. The tray is conveyed so as to protrude.

  By opening the guide member, the curved portion is opened, and the tray can be conveyed from the straight portion toward the opening. Then, by opening the lid, the tray can be transported from the transport path so as to protrude to the outside of the apparatus through the opening.

  (4) The guide member may change its posture so as to open the bending portion in conjunction with a change in posture of the lid opening the opening.

  When the lid is opened, the guide member is opened in conjunction with each other, so that an operation for recording an image on the recording member is simplified.

  (5) At least one of the guide member and the lid may be provided with a roller that supports the tray protruding to the outside of the apparatus housing and is rotatable by sliding with the tray.

  Since a part of the tray protruding outward from the apparatus housing is supported by the roller, the tray transport posture is stabilized. Further, since the roller is rotated by sliding of the tray, sliding friction between the tray and the roller is reduced.

  (6) The roller may be provided on the guide member and rotatable in contact with a sheet conveyed through the curved portion.

  Thereby, the sliding friction between the sheet conveyed through the curved portion and the guide member is reduced.

  (7) The transport device includes a sensor that detects that at least one of the guide member or the lid is opened and outputs a detection signal, and a tray that transports the tray based on the detection signal of the sensor. And a controller that sets the transport mode.

  Thereby, when the guide member and the lid are opened, the tray conveyance mode is automatically set.

  (8) The conveyance device may further include a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the sheet in the conveyance path. And the said control part does not set tray conveyance mode on condition that the said jam detection means has detected clogging of the sheet | seat.

  When the guide member and the lid are opened, the curved portion of the conveyance path is opened, so that the jammed sheet near the curved portion can be repaired. When a sheet jam in the conveyance path is detected, the tray conveyance mode is not set. Therefore, even if the guide member and the lid are opened to repair the sheet jam, the tray conveyance mode is not set.

  (9) The control unit can set the tray conveyance mode on condition that the jam detecting unit does not detect the jammed sheet.

  Thereby, after the jam of the sheet is repaired, the tray conveyance mode can be set.

  (10) The present invention includes the transport device, and a recording unit that is provided in the transport path and records an image on a recording member supported by a sheet or a tray that is transported through the transport path. It may be understood as an image recording apparatus.

  According to the present invention, in a state where the lid that opens and closes the opening of the wall of the apparatus housing is opened, the distance that the lid projects outward from the apparatus housing is the distance that the tray projects out of the apparatus housing. Since it is longer, an obstacle does not approach the wall side of the apparatus housing from the lid. Thereby, the apparatus can be reduced in size and the tray can be prevented from colliding with an obstacle.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the multifunction machine 10 on the back surface 16 side in a state where a lid 18 is closed. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the multifunction machine 10 on the back surface 16 side in a state where a lid 18 is opened. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of a printer unit 11. FIG. It is an enlarged view of the arrow V in FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a lid 18 and a guide member 26. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit 120. FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the printer unit 11 in a state where a tray 110 protrudes from a back surface 16. It is a flowchart figure which shows mode setting. It is a flowchart figure which shows the modification of mode setting.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment is appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Schematic configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11 provided in the lower part, a scanner part 12 provided in the upper part, and an operation panel 14 provided in the upper part of the front. In the present embodiment, the direction indicated by the arrow 101 is the width direction of the multifunction device 10, the direction indicated by the arrow 102 is the height direction of the multifunction device 10, and the direction indicated by the arrow 103 is the multifunction device. 10 depth directions. Further, FIG. 1 shows the multifunction machine 10 in a state where the tray 110 is inserted.

  The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a print function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The print function is exhibited by the printer unit 11. The printer unit 11 performs image recording by an ink jet method. It should be noted that functions other than the print function in the multifunction device 10 are arbitrary. For example, the image recording apparatus of the present invention may be implemented as a printer having only a print function that does not have a scan function, a copy function, or a facsimile function.

  A front opening 13 is formed in the front of the printer unit 11. A paper feed cassette 20 is detachably provided in the front opening 13. Although the detailed configuration of the paper feed cassette 20 will be described later, the recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 20 is transported through the printer unit 11 by a transport mechanism described later. In this conveyance process, image recording is performed on the recording paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a back surface opening 17 is formed on the back surface 16 of the housing 15 of the printer unit 11. The back surface 16 has a substantially rectangular shape, and a back surface opening 17 is formed near the center thereof. The back surface opening 17 is large enough to open a guide member 26 of the curved portion 32 of the conveyance path 23 described later. The rear opening 17 is opened and closed by a lid 18. The back surface opening 17 is opened for the purpose of removing a recording sheet jammed in the vicinity of the curved portion 32 and popping out the tray 110. On the other hand, when image recording is performed on a recording sheet or when the multifunction machine 10 is not used, the rear opening 17 is closed by a lid 18. At this time, the lid 18 constitutes a part of the back surface 16 of the housing 15. A feature of the multifunction machine 10 in the present embodiment is that the distance L1 at which the lid 18 projects outward from the back surface 16 in a state where the lid 18 opens the back surface opening 17, and the tray 110 projects from the back surface 16. The point is longer than the distance L2 (distance L1> distance L2). The back surface 16 corresponds to the wall of the apparatus housing in the present invention.

  Although the scanner unit 12 is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner, the configuration of the scanner unit 12 is not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The operation panel 14 is for operating the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 and includes various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit. The user can set various functions and perform operations by operating the operation panel 14. For example, the user sets a mode for recording an image on a recording sheet or recording an image on a compact disc 111 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “CD111”) held on the tray 110, and repairs a paper jam. The reset or the like after the operation can be instructed to the control unit 120 of the multifunction machine 10 by an input to the operation panel 14. The operation panel 14 corresponds to input means in the present invention. The CD 111 is an example of a recording member in the present invention. The recording paper is an example of a sheet in the present invention.

[Internal configuration of printer unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 4, the printer unit 11 includes a paper feed cassette 20, a transport path 23 through which recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 20 is transported, and a recording unit 25 provided in the transport path 23. It has. The conveyance path 23 corresponds to the conveyance path in the present invention.

[Paper cassette 20]
As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed cassette 20 is disposed on the bottom side of the printer unit 11. The paper feed cassette 20 has a rectangular box shape with a part of the upper surface opened. A plurality of recording sheets are stacked in the internal space 21 of the sheet feeding cassette 20. The recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 20 is fed to the transport path 23 by the paper feed roller 30.

  The paper discharge tray 22 is configured as a part of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette 20. The recording paper discharged from the conveyance path 23 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 22.

[Conveyance path 23]
As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance path 23 includes a curved portion 32 that guides the recording sheet by being curved, and a linear portion 33 that guides the recording sheet by extending linearly. The curved portion 32 is curved to the front side of the apparatus (left side in FIG. 4) while extending upward from the back side of the paper feed cassette 20. The straight line portion 33 extends linearly from the curved portion 32 toward the front side of the apparatus to the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 22. The recording paper is sequentially conveyed from the paper feed cassette 20 to the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33. That is, the curved portion 32 and the linear portion 33 are sequentially arranged in order along the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed. By the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33, the conveyance path 23 forms a so-called U-turn path.

  The curved portion 32 is defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface. The outer guide surface is constituted by a guide member 26. The guide member 26 is supported by the lid 18 and is rotated together with the lid 18. The detailed configuration of the guide member 26 will be described later. The inner guide surface is constituted by a guide member 27. The guide member 27 is supported by a frame not shown in the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a resist sensor 68 is provided in the bending portion 32. Although not shown in detail in the figure, the registration sensor 68 is a so-called mechanical sensor, and includes a detector that is pivotably moved into and out of the bending portion 32 and an optical sensor that can detect the detector. In a state where the recording sheet is not conveyed to the bending portion 32, the detector is protruded from the bending portion 32, and the detector is retracted from the bending portion 32 when the recording sheet conveyed to the bending portion 32 contacts. The The rotation of the detector is detected by an optical sensor, and a detection signal is electrically output.

[Conveying mechanism (conveying means)]
A paper feed roller 30, a transport roller 41, a pinch roller 42, a paper discharge roller 43, and a spur 44 described below realize a transport mechanism of the printer unit 11. This transport mechanism corresponds to the transport means in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the paper feed roller 30 is rotatably supported at the tip of the arm 31. The paper feed roller 30 enters the internal space 21 of the paper feed cassette 20 by the rotation of the arm 31 and comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper loaded in the internal space 21. The paper feed roller 30 is rotated by driving transmission from the ASF motor 87 (see FIG. 7). When the paper feeding roller 30 is rotated in a state where the paper feeding roller 30 is pressed against the recording paper of the paper feeding cassette 20, the uppermost recording paper is fed to the conveyance path 23 by the frictional force with the paper feeding roller 30. Is done.

  A conveyance roller 41 and a pinch roller 42 are provided on the straight line portion 33 of the conveyance path 23. The conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 are disposed upstream of the recording unit 25 in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 make a pair. The pinch roller 42 can be brought into contact with and separated from the transport roller 41 and is biased by a spring so as to come into pressure contact with the transport roller 41. The transport roller 41 is rotated by driving transmission from the LF motor 85 (see FIG. 7). The recording sheet sandwiched between the transport roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 is transported toward the recording unit 25 under the rotation of the transport roller 41.

  A discharge roller 43 and a spur 44 are provided on the straight line portion 33 of the transport path 23. The paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 are disposed on the downstream side of the recording unit 25 in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 are paired. The spur 44 can be brought into and out of contact with the paper discharge roller 43 and is spring-biased so as to come into pressure contact with the paper discharge roller 43. The paper discharge roller 43 is rotated by driving transmission from the LF motor 85 (see FIG. 7). The rotation of the paper discharge roller 43 is synchronized with the rotation of the transport roller 41. The recording paper sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 22 under the rotation of the paper discharge roller 43.

[Recording unit 25]
As shown in FIG. 4, the recording unit 25 is disposed on the linear portion 33 of the transport path 23 and includes a carriage 46 and a platen 47. The carriage 46 is disposed on the upper side of the platen 47 with the linear portion 33 interposed therebetween. A recording head 48 is mounted on the carriage 46. Although not shown in the figure, the recording head 48 has a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets. The recording head 48 is mounted on the carriage 46 with the nozzle opening exposed to the platen 47 side. The carriage 46 is driven and transmitted from the CR motor 86 (see FIG. 7) and reciprocates in the width direction 101 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4) together with the recording head 48. While the carriage 46 is moved, minute ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 toward the recording paper on the platen 47 or the CD 111. As the ejected ink droplets land on the recording paper or CD 111, an image is recorded on the recording paper or CD 111. Ink is supplied to the recording head 48 from an ink cartridge (not shown).

[Lid 18]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 18 holds the guide member 26 and is assembled to correspond to the back surface opening 17 of the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 6, shafts 64 and 65 projecting in the width direction 102 are provided near the lower end of the lid 18. The shafts 64 and 65 are rotatably supported in the vicinity of the lower end of the back surface opening 17 of the housing 15, so that the lid 18 is rotatably assembled to the housing 15 so as to open and close the back surface opening 17. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 18 has a rectangular flat plate 61 that can close the back opening 17. In a state where the lid 18 is closed, the flat plate 61 constitutes a part of the back surface 16 of the housing 15. A part of the flat plate 61 is notched, and a lever 62 is provided in the notch. The lever 62 can be rotated outward from the back surface 16. As shown in FIG. 2, in the state where no external force is applied to the lever 62, the outer surface of the lever 62 is urged by a spring so as to constitute substantially the same plane as the flat plate 61. As shown in FIG. 3, the lever 62 has an engaging claw 63 that protrudes inward of the flat plate 61. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the engaging claw 63 engages with the peripheral edge of the back surface opening 17 of the housing 15. When the housing 15 and the engaging claw 63 are engaged, the lid 18 is held in a posture to close the rear opening 17 of the housing 15.

  When the lever 62 is rotated against the biasing force of the spring, the engaging claw 63 is detached from the peripheral edge of the back surface opening 17. In this state, the lid 18 can be rotated from the posture closing the back opening 17 shown in FIG. 2 to the posture opening the back opening 17 shown in FIG. 3. In a posture in which the lid 18 opens the back surface opening 17, a distance L1 that the lid 18 projects outward from the back surface 16 is longer than a distance L2 that the tray 110 projects to the maximum from the back surface 16 in a later-described tray transport mode ( Distance L1> Distance L2: See FIG. Thereby, a wall, an obstruction, etc. do not approach the back 16 side of case 15 from lid 18 in the opened state.

  At one end in the width direction 101 at the lower end of the lid 18, a protruding piece 70 that protrudes downward is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, an optical sensor 69 is provided inside the rear opening 17 of the housing so as to correspond to the protruding piece 70. Although not shown in detail in each drawing, the optical sensor 69 includes a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. When the lid 18 is opened, the projecting piece 70 enters between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 69 and blocks the light emitted from the light emitting unit. When the lid 18 is closed, the projecting piece 70 is separated from the optical sensor 69, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. As described above, the electrical signal output from the optical sensor 69 differs depending on the opening / closing of the lid 18, and the control unit 120 described later detects the opening / closing of the lid 18 based on the electrical signal output from the optical sensor 69.

[Guide member 26]
As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 26 is disposed outside the curved portion 32 of the conveyance path 23 and guides the recording paper. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide member 26 is formed so that the guide surface forms an arc shape along the curved portion 32 in a side view. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide member 26 is assembled to the lid 18, and mainly includes a main body 50, guide plates 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and rollers 56, 57.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 50 is assembled to the flat plate 61 of the lid 18. The main body 50 is slightly narrower than the flat plate 61 and is fixed to the inside of the apparatus on the flat plate 61. Although not shown in detail in the drawing, the inside of the apparatus in the main body 50 has a curved shape along the bending portion 32, and the respective guide plates 51 to 55 can be assembled.

  Rollers 56 and 57 are rotatably supported on the upper end side of the main body 50. On the upper end side of the main body 50, axial support ribs 71, 72, 73, 74 are provided that protrude toward the inside of the curve. In each of the shaft support ribs 71 to 74, U-shaped grooves corresponding to the shafts 58 and 59 of the rollers 56 and 57 are formed. A pair of shaft support ribs 71 and 72 support the shaft 58 of the roller 56, and a pair of shaft support ribs 73 and 74 support the shaft 59 of the roller 57. The rollers 56 and 57 are rotatably provided with respect to the shafts 58 and 59. In this way, the rollers 56 and 57 are disposed so as to be separated from each other in the width direction 101 and are rotatable about the width direction 101 as an axial direction. The rollers 56 and 57 are arranged at a position where a part of the roller surface is on the curved inner side from the guide surfaces of the respective guide plates 51 to 55. As will be described later, when the lid 18 is closed, the rollers 56 and 57 are rotated in contact with the recording paper conveyed through the bending portion 32. In a state where the lid 18 is opened, the rollers 56 and 57 abut on the lower surface of the tray 110 that is ejected from the housing 15.

  Each of the guide plates 51 to 55 is fixed in a row in the width direction 101 of the main body 50 and constitutes an outer guide surface of the bending portion 32. The guide plate 53 is disposed substantially at the center in the width direction 101 in the curved portion 32, and the guide plates 51 and 52 and the guide plates 54 and 55 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center in the width direction 101. .

  Each of the guide plates 51 to 55 is formed with a plurality of guide ribs 60 extending along the recording sheet conveyance direction. The guide ribs 60 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center of the width direction 101 in each of the guide plates 51 to 55. The guide rib 60 plays a role of reducing sliding friction when the recording paper is conveyed by reducing the contact area with the recording paper sliding on the guide plates 51 to 55. Since the plurality of guide ribs 60 have the same function except that their arrangement and size are different, only some of the guide ribs 60 are provided with reference numerals in FIG.

  The guide plates 52, 53, 54 are provided with a plurality of rotating rollers 75, 76 so as to protrude inside the curve. These rotary rollers 75 and 76 are rotated in contact with the recording paper conveyed through the bending portion 32 and have the same functions except for their arrangement and size. Only some of the rotating rollers 75 and 76 are provided with reference numerals.

[Control unit 120]
The control unit 120 shown in FIG. 7 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10 as well as the printer unit 11. The control unit 120 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an EEPROM 124, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 125. In addition, in FIG. 7, the transmission path | route of the driving force from each motor 85, 86, 87 is shown with the broken line.

  The ROM 122 stores a program for the CPU 121 to control the motors 85, 86, 87 and the multifunction device 10. The RAM 123 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU 121 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. A recording sheet conveyance mode and a tray conveyance mode, which will be described later, are executed by a program stored in the ROM 122. Such a mode can be selected by the user making a predetermined input to the operation panel 14. As will be described later, the mode is automatically set based on the electrical signal output from the optical sensor 69.

  The ASIC 125 is connected to a registration sensor 68, an optical sensor 69, drive circuits 81, 82, 83, and an operation panel 14. The control unit 120 is also connected with the scanner unit 12 and the like, but since these are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, description thereof is omitted here.

  The drive circuit 81 drives the LF motor 85. The shaft of the transport roller 41 and the shaft of the paper discharge roller 43 are connected to the LF motor 85 via a transmission gear or the like. The drive circuit 81 receives the output signal from the ASIC 125 and drives the LF motor 85. By driving the LF motor 85, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated in synchronization.

  The drive circuit 82 receives the output signal from the ASIC 125 and drives the CR motor 86. The driving force of the CR motor 86 is transmitted to the carriage 46 via a belt driving mechanism (not shown).

  The drive circuit 83 drives the ASF motor 87. The ASF motor 87 is connected to the paper feed roller 30 via a drive transmission mechanism not shown in the drawing. The drive circuit 83 receives the output signal from the ASIC 125 and rotates the ASF motor 87. The drive transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the ASF motor 87 to the paper feed roller 30. The uppermost recording sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 20 receives the rotational force of the sheet feeding roller 30 and is supplied to the conveyance path 23.

  The registration sensor 68 outputs an analog electrical signal (voltage signal or current signal) corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. The control unit 120 determines that the electrical level (voltage value or current value) of the signal output from the registration sensor 68 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the signal is a HI level signal. Is determined. Based on this electrical signal, the control unit 120 determines whether or not there is a recording sheet or tray 110 at a position corresponding to the registration sensor 68 in the transport path 23. In the recording paper transport mode, when the controller 120 does not determine that there is a recording paper on the basis of the electrical signal output from the registration sensor 68 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the paper feeding roller 30 is rotated, Alternatively, when it is determined that there is a recording sheet continuously for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred. If the control unit 120 determines that a paper jam has occurred, the controller 120 determines that there is no recording paper based on the output of the registration sensor 68 after detecting that the lid 18 is opened, and if the lid 18 is closed. When it is determined, the paper jam determination is cancelled. The control unit 120 and the registration sensor 68 constitute a jam detection unit according to the present invention.

  The optical sensor 69 outputs an analog electrical signal (voltage signal or current signal) corresponding to the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. The control unit 120 determines that the signal is an HI level signal when the electrical level (voltage value or current value) of the signal output from the optical sensor 69 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the signal is a LOW level signal when the electrical level is less than the predetermined threshold value. Is determined. Based on this electric signal, the control unit 120 determines whether the lid 18 is opened or closed.

[Recording paper transport mode]
When image recording is performed on the recording paper, the lid 18 is closed as shown in FIG. With the lid 18 closed, a command to start printing on the recording paper is issued to the operation panel 14 or to a printer driver such as a computer connected to the multifunction machine 10.

  In response to a print start command, the paper feed roller 30, the transport roller 41, and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of the LF motor 85 and the ASF motor 87, and recording from the paper feed cassette 20 to the transport path 23 Paper is fed. When the leading edge of the recording sheet conveyed through the curved portion 32 of the conveying path 23 passes the registration sensor 68, the registration sensor 68 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet.

  The leading edge of the recording paper is guided by the curved portion 32 and enters the linear portion 33. The recording sheet sandwiched between the conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 in the linear portion 33 is conveyed onto the platen 47. When the recording paper is transported onto the platen 47, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the conveying roller 41 is stopped, the CR motor 86 is driven to reciprocate the carriage 46 in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selected from the recording head 48 to the recording paper on the platen 47 during the reciprocating movement. Is discharged. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage 46, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the recording paper. The recording sheet on which image recording has been performed is sandwiched between the discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and discharged onto the discharge tray 22.

[Tray transfer mode]
As shown in FIG. 1, the CD 111 is placed on the tray 110 in advance. The tray 110 is a flat plate larger than the CD 111, and a concave fit into which the tray 110 is fitted is formed on the upper surface thereof. The CD 111 is fixed to the tray 110 by inserting the CD 111 into the concave fit. In this fixed state, the printing area of the CD 111 is exposed on the upper surface side.

  When image recording is performed on the CD 111, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 18 is opened and the rear opening 17 on the rear surface 16 is opened. When the lid 18 is opened, the guide member 26 fixed to the lid 18 is similarly opened. Accordingly, the outer guide member 26 is separated from the inner guide member 27 in the curved portion 32 of the transport path 23. This state is referred to as a state in which the bending portion 32 is opened.

  In response to the rotation of the LF motor 85, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing. As shown in FIG. 1, since the tray 110 is inserted from the front opening 13 on the front side of the apparatus into the linear portion 24 of the conveyance path 23, the direction in which the conveyance roller 41 and the discharge roller 43 are rotated depends on the recording direction. The direction is opposite to the direction in which the sheet is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 110 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the transport path 23 is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and transported onto the platen 47, followed by the transport roller 41 and the pinch roller. It is sandwiched by 42 and conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side 16 (right side in FIG. 8).

  As described above, since the curved portion 32 is opened by opening the lid 18, the front end of the tray 110 that reaches the curved portion 32 from the straight portion 33 (the right end in FIG. 8) is placed on the guide member 26. Without coming into contact with the housing 15, the housing 15 protrudes from the rear opening 17 to the outside of the housing 15. The tray 110 is conveyed to the back side until the printing area of the CD 111 supported by the tray 110 passes directly below the recording head 48. When the print area of the CD 111 passes directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 8, at this time, the tray 110 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 of the housing 15 by a distance L2. As described above, the distance L2 is shorter than the distance L1 at which the lid 18 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 (distance L1> distance L2). In addition, the tray 110 protrudes outside the rollers 56 and 57 provided on the lid 18. The projecting tip side of the tray 110 is supported while its lower surface is in contact with the rollers 56 and 57 and is smoothly moved in the transport direction by the rotation of the rollers 56 and 57.

  After the tray 110 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 of the housing 15 by a distance L2, the LF motor 85 is reversed and the rotation directions of the transport roller 41 and the discharge roller 43 are reversed. As a result, the tray 110 is transported from the rear side of the apparatus to the front side of the apparatus (left side in FIG. 8) with the front end and the rear end reversed. When the print area of the CD 111 placed on the tray 110 is transported directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the CR motor 86 is driven to reciprocate the carriage 46 in the width direction 101. During the reciprocation, ink droplets are transferred from the recording head 48 to the print area of the CD 111 on the tray 110. Are selectively discharged. By repeating such intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and reciprocating movement of the carriage 46, a desired image is recorded in the print area of the CD 111. The CD 111 on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the front side of the apparatus while being placed on the tray 110.

[Mode setting]
Hereinafter, the setting of the recording paper conveyance mode and the tray conveyance mode in the printer unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 120 determines whether a paper jam has occurred based on the electrical signal output from the registration sensor 68. When the control unit 120 determines that a paper jam has occurred (S1 (YES)), the control unit 120 displays on the display of the operation panel 14 that the paper jam has occurred and the electrical signal output from the registration sensor 68. Based on this, it waits until it recognizes the release of the paper jam (S2 (NO)). During this standby, the control unit 120 does not accept input of printing start or mode change to the operation panel 14 or the like. When it is determined that no paper jam has occurred (S1 (YES)), the control unit 120 determines whether the transport mode is the recording paper transport mode or the tray transport mode (S3, S7).

  A user who knows the paper jam opens the lid 18 and opens the curved portion 32. Thereby, the curved portion 32 can be accessed through the rear opening 17 of the housing 15. For example, when the recording paper is jammed in the curved portion 32, the jammed recording paper is taken out from the rear opening 17. The user closes the lid 18 after removing the jammed paper. In response to such an operation, the control unit 120 determines whether the lid 18 is closed after being opened based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69. Further, the control unit 120 determines whether the paper jam (jam) has been eliminated based on the electric signal output from the registration sensor 68. When the paper jam is eliminated and the lid 18 is closed, the control unit 120 determines that the jam processing is completed (S2 (YES)).

  After determining that the jam processing is complete, the control unit 120 determines whether the tray transport mode is accepted (S3). The selection of the transport mode is determined by the control unit 120 based on, for example, an input made by the user to the operation panel 14 or based on an input to a printer driver such as a computer connected to the multifunction machine 10. . When the control unit 120 accepts the tray conveyance mode (S3 (YES)), it subsequently determines whether the lid 18 is open (S4).

  As described above, when recording an image on the CD 111 supported by the tray 110, the user opens the lid 18. Whether or not the lid 18 has been opened is determined based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69. If the user has forgotten to open the lid 18, the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is not opened (S 4 (NO)) and prompts the operation panel 14 to open the lid 18 (open display). ) And wait (S5). When determining that the lid 18 is opened (S4 (YES)), the control unit 120 sets the tray conveyance mode as the conveyance mode (S6). When printing start is input, the printer unit 11 is operated according to the tray conveyance mode.

  When determining that the tray conveyance mode has not been received (S3 (NO)), the control unit 120 determines whether the recording paper conveyance mode has been received (S7). When receiving the recording paper conveyance mode (S7 (YES)), the control unit 120 determines whether the lid 18 is open (S8).

  The user keeps the lid 18 closed when recording an image on a recording sheet. If the user has forgotten to close the lid 18, the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is open (S 8 (YES)), and prompts the operation panel 14 to close the lid 18 (closed display). ) And wait (S9). When determining that the lid 18 is closed (S8 (NO)), the control unit 120 sets the recording paper conveyance mode as the conveyance mode (S10). When printing start is input, the printer unit 11 is operated according to the recording paper transport mode.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the printer unit 11, the distance L1 at which the lid 18 opened so as to open the curved portion 32 of the transport path 23 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 of the housing 15 is equal to the tray 110. Since it is longer than the distance L <b> 2 protruding outward from the back surface 16 of the body 15, a wall or an obstacle does not approach the back surface 16 side of the housing 15 from the lid 18. This realizes downsizing of the multifunction machine 10 and prevents the tray 110 from colliding with a wall or an obstacle.

  Further, the guide member 26 changes its posture so as to open the bending portion 32 in conjunction with a change in posture of the lid 18 that opens the back opening 17, so that an operation when recording an image on the CD 111 becomes simple.

  Further, since the rollers 56 and 57 provided on the guide member 26 support the tray 110 protruding outward from the housing 15, the transport posture of the tray 110 is stabilized. Further, since the rollers 56 and 57 are rotated by the sliding of the tray 110, the sliding friction between the tray 110 and the rollers 56 and 57 is reduced.

  The rollers 56 and 57 are rotatable in contact with the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32, and sliding friction between the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32 and the guide member 26 is reduced.

  Further, the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is opened based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69 that detects the projecting piece 70 and sets the tray conveyance mode, so that the tray conveyance is performed while the lid 18 is closed. The printer unit 11 is not operated based on the mode. This prevents the tray 110 from colliding with the lid 18 or the guide member 26.

  Further, since the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is closed and sets the recording paper conveyance mode, the printer unit 11 may be operated based on the recording paper conveyance mode while the lid 18 remains open. Absent. Thereby, the recording paper is prevented from jumping out from the rear opening 17.

  In this embodiment, the protruding piece 70 provided on the lid 18 is detected by the optical sensor 69, but the protruding piece 70 is provided on the guide member 26 and configured to be detected by the optical sensor 69. Also good.

  Further, if the control unit 120 determines a paper jam (jam) based on the output signal of the registration sensor 68, the control unit 120 does not set the tray conveyance mode, so even if the lid 18 for repairing the paper jam is opened. The tray transport mode is not set.

  In addition, since the control unit 120 can set the tray conveyance mode when the paper jam is eliminated, the tray conveyance mode can be set after the paper jam is repaired.

[Modification of mode setting]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, a modified example will be described for setting the recording paper conveyance mode and the tray conveyance mode in the printer unit 11. In this modification, the control unit 120 defaults the recording paper conveyance mode, and the tray conveyance mode is automatically set when the lid 18 is opened.

  In detail, first, the control unit 120 determines whether the lid 18 is opened (S11). As described above, when recording an image on the CD 111 supported by the tray 110, the user opens the lid 18. The user also opens the lid 18 when handling a paper jam. On the other hand, when recording an image on a recording sheet, the user closes the lid 18.

  Whether or not the lid 18 has been opened is determined based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69. When the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is not opened (S11 (NO)), the control unit 120 maintains the default recording paper conveyance mode (S12). When printing start is input, the printer unit 11 is operated according to the recording paper transport mode.

  If the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 has been opened (S11 (YES)), then it determines whether a paper jam (jam) has occurred based on the electrical signal output from the registration sensor 68 (S13). . When the control unit 120 determines that a paper jam has occurred (S13 (YES)), the control unit 120 displays on the display of the operation panel 14 that the paper jam has occurred, and the electrical signal output from the registration sensor 68. Based on this, it waits until it recognizes the release of the paper jam (S14 (NO)). During this standby, the control unit 120 does not accept input of printing start or mode change to the operation panel 14 or the like.

  A user who knows the paper jam opens the lid 18 and opens the curved portion 32. Thereby, the curved portion 32 can be accessed through the rear opening 17 of the housing 15. For example, when the recording paper is jammed in the curved portion 32, the jammed recording paper is taken out from the rear opening 17. The user closes the lid 18 after removing the jammed paper. In response to such an operation, the control unit 120 determines whether the lid 18 is closed after being opened based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69. Further, the control unit 120 determines whether the paper jam (jam) has been eliminated based on the electric signal output from the registration sensor 68. When the paper jam is eliminated and the lid 18 is closed, the control unit 120 determines that the jam processing is completed (S14 (YES)).

  When determining that the jam processing is completed, the control unit 120 determines again whether the lid 18 is opened (S11). If it is determined that the lid 18 is not opened (S11 (NO)), the control unit 120 maintains the default recording paper conveyance mode as described above (S12). For example, the control unit 120 performs image recording of a page whose image recording has not been completely completed due to a paper jam.

  When the controller 120 determines that the lid 18 is opened (S11 (YES)) and determines that no paper jam has occurred (S13 (NO)), the controller 120 changes the transport mode from the recording paper transport mode to the tray. Change to the transport mode (S15). When printing start is input, the printer unit 11 is operated according to the tray conveyance mode.

  According to the modification of the mode setting described above, the control unit 120 determines that the lid 18 is opened based on the output signal of the optical sensor 69 that detects the protruding piece 70, and sets the tray conveyance mode. When the lid 18 is opened, the tray conveyance mode is automatically set.

  Further, if the control unit 120 determines a paper jam (jam) based on the output signal of the registration sensor 68, the control unit 120 does not set the tray conveyance mode, so even if the lid 18 for repairing the paper jam is opened. The tray transport mode is not set.

  Further, since the control unit 120 can set the tray conveyance mode when receiving the reset signal, the tray conveyance mode can be set after the paper jam is repaired.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the guide member 26 is interlocked with a change in posture of the lid 18 that opens the back opening 17. However, a change in the posture of the guide member 26 and a change in the posture of the lid 18 are independent. It may be configured to be operable.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the guide member 26 that configures the bending portion 32 of the conveyance path 23 changes in posture is shown, but the guide member 26 may not necessarily be provided so that the posture can be changed. . For example, the guide member 26 may be fixed to an apparatus housing or the like, and an opening through which the tray 110 can pass may be formed in a part of the guide member 26. In such a configuration, the tray 110 inserted into the straight portion 33 of the transport path 23 from the front side of the apparatus passes through the opening of the guide member 26 and passes from the back opening 17 opened by the lid 18 to the outside of the apparatus. Protruding. The distance L1 at which the opened lid 18 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 of the housing 15 is longer than the distance L2 at which the tray 110 protrudes outward from the back surface 16 of the housing 15. There are no walls or obstacles approaching the back 16 side. Thereby, the same effect as embodiment mentioned above is produced.

11: Printer unit (image recording device, conveyance device)
14 ... Operation panel (input means)
15 ... Case 16 ... Back (wall)
17 ... back opening 18 ... lid 23 ... transport path (transport path)
25... Recording unit 26... Guide member 32... Curved portion 33.
69 ... Optical sensor 110 ... Tray 111 ... CD (recording member)
120 ... Control unit

Claims (10)

A transport path for transporting a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member; and
A lid whose posture can be changed so as to open and close an opening formed in the wall of the device housing;
Transporting means for transporting the tray so as to protrude from the transport path to the outside of the device housing through the opening of the device housing in a posture in which the lid opens the opening;
In the state in which the lid is opened, the transport device has a longer distance that the lid projects outward from the apparatus housing than a distance by which the tray projects outside the apparatus housing.   The conveyance path includes a curved portion in which the sheet is curved and guided along a sheet conveyance direction, and a linear portion in which the sheet extends and is guided linearly. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray is transported to the opening. A guide member that is disposed outside the curved portion in the curved portion of the conveyance path and guides the sheet, and that can change its posture so as to open the curved portion;
In the posture in which the guide member opens the curved portion and the lid opens the opening, the transport means is configured such that the tray extends from the straight portion of the transport path to the outside of the device housing through the opening of the device housing. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the conveying device is conveyed so as to protrude.   The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the guide member changes its posture so as to open the curved portion in conjunction with a change in posture of the lid opening the opening.   5. The roller according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the guide member and the lid is provided with a roller that supports a tray protruding to the outside of the apparatus housing and is rotatable by sliding with the tray. Transport device.   The conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the roller is provided on the guide member and is rotatable in contact with the sheet conveyed through the curved portion. A sensor that detects that at least one of the guide member or the lid is opened and outputs a detection signal;
The transport apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that sets a tray transport mode for transporting the tray based on a detection signal of the sensor. A jam detecting means for detecting jamming of the sheet in the conveying path;
The conveyance device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit does not set a tray conveyance mode on condition that the jam detection unit detects a jam of the sheet.   The transport apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is capable of setting a tray transport mode on condition that the jam detection unit does not detect sheet jamming. A transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that is provided in the conveyance path and records an image on a recording member supported by a sheet or a tray that is conveyed along the conveyance path.

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