JP2011031399A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for stably conveying a tray short in length in a conveyance direction. <P>SOLUTION: A printer unit 11 includes a platen 52 set to a first conveyance path 23 where the tray 110 supporting a CD 111 or a recording paper is conveyed, and a recording part 25 which records an image on the recording paper or CD 111 on the platen 52. The platen 52 includes a first member 53 which has first support surfaces 55, 56 and guide surfaces 57, 58, and a second member 54 which has a second support surface 60. The second support surface 60 is set relatively movably to the first support surfaces 55 and 56. The printer unit includes a movable mechanism 70 which changes the platen 52 to a first posture to match the first support surfaces 55, 56 with the second support surface 60 in height, and to a second posture to expose the guide surfaces 57, 58 by positioning the second support surface 60 downward to the first support surfaces 55, 56. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus in which a sheet and a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member are conveyed.

  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.

  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. In such image recording, the tray is inserted into the conveyance path from the outside, such as the front side of the apparatus, and conveyed onto the platen.

  If an external force is applied to the tray inserted into the apparatus, for example, when the user touches the tray, the posture of the tray may be disturbed and image recording on a CD or the like may not be performed accurately. In order to solve such a problem, there has heretofore been known an image recording apparatus provided with a tray guide for supporting both ends and the lower surface of the tray so that the tray is stably inserted into the apparatus and conveyed. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-30304 A

  When image recording is performed on a CD or the like placed on the tray, the tray inserted into the transport path is transported until the CD or the like passes just below the recording head, and then the transport direction is reversed and recording is performed again. Image recording is performed on a CD or the like entering just below the head. In order for the tray to be guided by the conventional tray guide as described above until the direction of transport of the tray is reversed, the length along the direction of transport in the tray passes from the tray guide directly below the recording head. It must be longer than the distance obtained by adding the diameter of CD or the like to the distance. That is, if the tray does not have such a length, the tray cannot be guided by the tray guide. Many trays are molded products of synthetic resin, but as the length of the tray increases, the warpage of the molded product increases, and CDs protrude from the upper surface of the tray, which adversely affects the transport of the tray. Is concerned.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means for stably transporting a tray having a short length along the transport direction.

  (1) The present invention relates to a platen provided in a tray or a conveyance path for conveying a sheet supporting a thin plate-shaped recording member, and ink droplets selectively with respect to the sheet or the recording member on the platen. An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that performs image recording by discharging, wherein the platen is disposed so as to intersect with the first support surface that supports the sheet and the first support surface, and guides the tray A first member having a guide surface and a second member having a second support surface for supporting the sheet or tray, and the first support surface and the second support surface are provided to be relatively movable. The first support surface and the second support surface are made to coincide with each other, and the second support surface is positioned below the first support surface to guide the platen. Change the posture to the second posture that exposes the surface It comprises a dynamic mechanism.

  When image recording is performed on the sheet, the platen is set to the first posture. Accordingly, the heights of the first support surface and the second support surface are matched, and the sheet is flatly supported on the first support surface and the second support surface of the platen. Drops are selectively ejected.

  When image recording is performed on the recording member, the platen is set to the second posture. As a result, the second support surface is positioned below the first support surface, and the guide surface of the main body is exposed. The tray conveyed on the second support surface is conveyed on the second support surface while being guided by the guide surface.

  (2) The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided near the platen in the conveyance path so as to nipping and conveying the sheet or tray, and a pair of rollers is suitable for nipping the sheet. A first roller pair that can vary between one interval and a second interval suitable for holding the tray; and a sheet or tray provided on the opposite side of the platen in the conveying path from the first roller pair. The roller distance between the pair of rollers that are nipped and conveyed and that is paired is further provided with a second roller pair that can vary between a first distance suitable for nipping the sheet and a second distance suitable for nipping the tray. It may be a thing. The platen is in the first position when the first roller pair and the second roller pair are at the first interval, and the platen is in the state when the first roller pair and the second roller pair are at the second interval. Becomes the second posture.

  When the first roller pair and the second roller pair are at the second interval, the platen is in the second posture, so that the tray transport path is reliably ensured.

  (3) In the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, from the guide surface to the second support surface, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tray is transported to the transport path and the direction along the guide surface is an axial direction. You may further comprise the guide roller provided so that it may bulge out.

  The tray is smoothly conveyed by being conveyed while rotating the guide roller.

  (4) In the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, in the second posture, the first support surface and the second support surface have a level difference corresponding to the thickness of the end portion on the tray side guided by the guide surface. It may be a thing.

  As a result, the distance from the recording unit to the sheet and the distance from the recording unit to the recording member on the tray can be made substantially the same, so that image recording is performed on both the sheet and the recording member with high accuracy. .

  (5) The movable mechanism includes a mechanism that lowers the second support surface of the second member to change the posture of the platen to the second posture.

  (6) The first support surface may be disposed on both sides of the second support surface.

  Such an arrangement is useful in configurations where the tray is transported relative to the central portion of the platen. In addition, it is only necessary to fix two first support surfaces and to lower one second support surface, which makes the movable mechanism simple.

  According to the present invention, when image recording is performed on a sheet, the platen is set to the first posture and the sheet is supported flat on the first support surface and the second support surface, while the image recording is performed on the recording member. Is performed, the platen is brought into the second posture and the tray transported on the second support surface is guided by the guide surface, so that the recording member on the tray having a short length along the transport direction is Even if it is conveyed until it passes directly under the recording unit, the tray can be guided by the guide surface.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a printer unit 11. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the platen 52 of a 1st attitude | position. It is a perspective view which shows the platen 52 of a 2nd attitude | position. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a platen 52 in a second posture. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the platen 52 of a 1st attitude | position. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the platen 52 of a 2nd attitude | position. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 110 is conveyed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 110 is conveyed. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the tray 110 is conveyed.

  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.

  An opening 13 is formed in the front of the printer unit 11. A paper feed cassette 20 is detachably provided in the 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.

  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 can set the mode setting or the like to the operation panel 14 to record an image on a recording sheet or to record an image on a compact disc 111 (hereinafter abbreviated as “CD111”) held on the tray 110. Can be instructed to the multi-function device 10. The recording paper is an example of a sheet in the present invention. The CD 111 is an example of a thin plate-shaped recording member in the present invention.

[Internal configuration of printer unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a paper feed cassette 20, a first transport path 23 for transporting recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 20, and a second transport for transporting the tray 110. A path 24, a recording unit 25 provided in the first conveyance path 23, a conveyance roller pair 26 and a discharge roller pair 27 provided in the first conveyance path 23, and a platen 52 provided opposite to the recording unit. And. The transport roller pair 26 corresponds to the first roller pair in the present invention, and the paper discharge roller pair 27 corresponds to the second roller pair in the present invention.

[Paper cassette 20]
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 first 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 first conveyance path 23 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 22.

[First transport path 23]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first transport path 23 includes a curved portion 32 that guides the recording paper by being curved, and a linear portion 33 that guides the recording paper by extending linearly. The curved portion 32 is curved toward the front side of the apparatus (the right side in FIG. 2) 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. The first conveyance path 23 forms a so-called U-turn path by the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33.

  The curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33 are defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface, except for the portion where the recording portion 25 and the like are disposed. In FIG. 2, the guide members constituting the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface are omitted.

[Second transport path 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the second transport path 24 extends linearly from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 to the back side of the apparatus (left side in FIG. 2). The second transport path 24 is also defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface. However, in FIG. 2, the guide members constituting the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface are omitted. The second transport path 24 intersects the first transport path 23 in the vicinity of the boundary between the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33. Although not shown in each drawing, the first transport path 23 has an opening through which the tray 110 can pass at a location intersecting the second transport path 24. This opening is appropriately opened and closed by, for example, a flap.

[Feeding roller 30]
As shown in FIG. 2, 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 a motor (not shown). 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 moves to the first conveyance path 23 by the frictional force with the paper feeding roller 30. Be fed.

[Conveying roller pair 26]
The conveyance roller pair 26 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 25 and the platen 52 in the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet, and conveys the recording sheet or the tray 110 with the recording sheet or the tray 110 interposed therebetween. It is. The conveying roller pair 26 includes a driving roller 45 and a driven roller 46.

  The driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 are opposed to each other along the height direction 102 to make a pair. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the driving roller 45 is a single roller extending along the width direction 101 and is sufficiently longer than the width of the recording paper and the tray 110 and is rotatably supported by the frame 29. ing. The drive roller 45 is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate.

  A plurality of driven rollers 46 are provided along the width direction 101 substantially below the drive roller 45. Each driven roller 46 is supported by a support member 28 that is integral with a second member 54 of a platen 52 described later. Although details will be described later, when the support member 28 is moved in the height direction 102, the roller interval between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 is set to a first interval suitable for sandwiching the recording sheet, and It is changed to a second interval suitable for sandwiching the tray 110. The support member 28 has U-shaped engaging portions 35 and 36 projecting upward at both ends in the width direction 101. The engaging portions 35 and 36 are engaged so as to sandwich the driving roller 45 at both ends of the driving roller 45 from the region through which the recording paper and the tray 110 pass. When the engaging portions 35 and 36 engage with the driving roller 45, the movement of the support member 28 is guided in the vertical direction with respect to the driving roller 45.

  In the support member 28, spaces that can accommodate most of the driven rollers 46 are arranged in the width direction 101. A driven roller 47 is accommodated in each space, and a part of the upper roller surface protrudes upward from the support member 28. Each driven roller 46 can be slightly slid in the height direction 102 in each space of the support member 28 and is biased upward by a coil spring not shown in the drawing. The driven roller 46 urged by the coil spring comes into pressure contact with the drive roller 45 as shown in FIG. The interval between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 in a state where the driven roller 46 is in pressure contact with the driving roller 45 is referred to as a first interval in this specification. When the recording paper enters between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46, the driven roller 46 is separated from the driving roller 45 by the thickness of the recording paper against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, and the recording paper is separated from the driving roller 45. It is sandwiched between the driven roller 46.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the support member 28 is moved downward, each driven roller 46 is also moved downward, and the distance between the drive roller 45 and the driven roller 46 is an interval corresponding to the thickness of the tray 110. It becomes. This interval is referred to herein as the second interval.

[Discharge roller 47, spur 48]
As shown in FIG. 2, a discharge roller 47 and a spur 48 are provided on the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23. The paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 are disposed on the downstream side of the recording unit 25 and the platen 52 in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 are arranged in pairs in the height direction 103 with the paper discharge roller 47 on the lower side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the paper discharge roller 47 is a single roller extending along the width direction 101 and is sufficiently longer than the width of the recording paper and the tray 110 and is rotatably supported by the frame 29. ing. In the frame 29, the holes 37 and 38 through which the paper discharge roller 47 is inserted are long holes whose longitudinal direction is the height direction 102. The paper discharge roller 47 is movable in the height direction 102 along the longitudinal direction of the holes 37 and 38. The paper discharge roller 47 is urged upward by a coil spring (not shown), and is positioned on the upper end side of the holes 37 and 38 if no external force is received. At this time, the paper discharge roller 47 is in pressure contact with the spur 48. The interval between the discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 in a state where the discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 are in pressure contact is referred to as a first interval in this specification.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the paper discharge roller 47 moves downward, the interval between the paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 becomes an interval corresponding to the thickness of the tray 110. This interval is referred to herein as the second interval.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the spur 48 can be brought into and out of contact with the paper discharge roller 47 and is spring-biased so as to come into pressure contact with the paper discharge roller 47 at the first interval. The paper discharge roller 47 is driven by a motor (not shown) and rotated. The rotation of the paper discharge roller 47 is synchronized with the rotation of the drive roller 45. When the recording paper enters between the discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 at the first interval, the spur 48 is separated from the discharge roller 47 by the thickness of the recording paper against the spring bias, and the recording paper is discharged. It is sandwiched between a roller 47 and a spur 48. The recording paper sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 receives the rotation of the paper discharge roller 47 and is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 22.

[Recording unit 25]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 25 is disposed on the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 and includes a carriage 50 and a recording head 51. The carriage 50 is disposed on the upper side of the platen 52 with the linear portion 33 interposed therebetween. A recording head 51 is mounted on the carriage 50. Although not shown in the figure, the recording head 51 has a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets. The recording head 51 is mounted on the carriage 50 with the nozzle opening exposed to the platen 52 side. The carriage 50 is driven and transmitted from a motor (not shown) and reciprocates in the width direction 101 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) together with the recording head 51. While the carriage 50 is moved, minute ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 51 toward the recording paper on the platen 52. 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 51 from an ink cartridge (not shown).

[Platen 52]
As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 52 is disposed at a position facing the recording head 51 in the linear portion 33 of the first transport path 23. The platen 52 supports the recording paper conveyed through the first conveyance path 23. In addition, the platen 52 supports the tray 110 that is transported through the linear portion 33 of the first transport path 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the platen 52 is a thin member having first support surfaces 55 and 56 and a second support surface 61 extending in the width direction 101 and the depth direction 103 with the width direction 101 as a longitudinal direction. It is. The platen 52 is supported by the frame 29 and is disposed between the transport roller pair 26 and the paper discharge roller pair 27. The platen 52 is mainly composed of a first member 53 and a second member 54. The platen 52 changes its posture between the first posture and the second posture when the second member 54 is moved in the height direction 102 with respect to the first member 53.

  The first member 53 is a thin member that is open at the center of the width direction 101 so that the second member 54 can be assembled. The first member 53 has first support surfaces 55 and 56 on both end sides in the width direction 101. The first support surfaces 55 and 56 form the upper surface of the first member 53. The first support surfaces 55 and 56 are arranged at the same height with respect to the height direction 102. The interval between the first support surfaces 55 and 56 in the width direction 101 is slightly wider than the width of the tray 110 and narrower than the maximum size recording paper capable of image recording. Accordingly, the first support surfaces 55 and 56 support the recording paper, but do not support the tray 110. The first support surfaces 55 and 56 are appropriately provided with ribs extending in the depth direction 103, and the recording paper is supported on these ribs. Such ribs have an arbitrary configuration, and are described in this specification. In the book, it is expressed that the first support surfaces 55 and 56 support the recording paper, including support by such ribs.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first member 53 has guide surfaces 57 and 58 that extend downward from the respective inner ends in the width direction 101 of the first support surfaces 55 and 56. The guide surfaces 57 and 58 are surfaces that extend in the height direction 102 and the depth direction 103. That is, the guide surfaces 57 and 58 intersect with the first support surfaces 55 and 56. The distance between the guide surfaces 57 and 58 in the width direction 101 is slightly larger than the width of the tray 110. The guide surfaces 57 and 58 guide the side end portion of the tray 110 that is transported through the linear portion 33 of the first transport path 23.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the guide surface 57 is provided with a guide roller 59 that bulges inward in the width direction 101, that is, toward the second member 54. A similar guide roller 60 (see FIG. 7) is also provided on the guide surface 58. However, since these are symmetrical with respect to the width direction 101, the configuration will be described below using the guide roller 59 as an example. .

  The guide surface 57 has an opening formed substantially at the center in the depth direction 103, and a guide roller 59 is provided so that a part of the guide surface 57 is accommodated in the opening. The guide roller 59 is provided so as to be rotatable with the direction perpendicular to the depth direction 103 and along the guide surface 57 as an axial direction. The guide roller 59 is provided so as to bulge from the guide surface 57 to the second member 54 side. Although not shown in the figure, the guide roller 59 is spring-biased toward the second member 54, and can be moved away from the second member 54 by being pressed by the tray 110 guided by the guide surface 57. It is.

  The second member 54 is a thin member incorporated in the central portion of the first member 53 in the width direction 101. The upper surface of the second member 54 forms a second support surface 61. The dimension of the second support surface 61 in the width direction 101 is slightly shorter than the distance between the first support surface 55 and the first support surface 56, and the dimension in the depth direction 103 is equal to the depth of the first support surfaces 55 and 56. It is. The first support surfaces 55 and 56 are disposed on both sides in the width direction 101 with respect to the second support surface 61. The second support surface 61 supports the recording paper or the tray 110. As in the first support surfaces 55 and 56, the second support surface 61 is appropriately provided with ribs extending in the depth direction 103, and the recording paper or the tray 110 is supported on these ribs. Such a rib has an arbitrary configuration, and in the present specification, it is expressed that the second support surface 61 supports the recording paper or the tray 110 including support by such a rib.

  The second member 54 is movable in the height direction 102 with respect to the first member 53. As shown in FIG. 3, a state where the heights of the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61 in the height direction 102 coincide with each other is referred to as a first posture in this specification. As shown in FIG. 4, a state in which the second support surface 61 is positioned below the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the guide surfaces 57 and 58 are exposed is referred to as a second posture in this specification. Called.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second member 54 is configured integrally with the support member 28 on the back side of the apparatus (left side in FIGS. 6 and 7). Therefore, the second member 54 and the support member 28 move together with respect to the height direction 102. A U-shaped engaging portion 62 that protrudes toward the front side of the apparatus is provided on the front side of the second member 54 (on the right side in FIGS. 6 and 7). The engaging portion 62 is engaged with the shaft of the paper discharge roller 47. When the engaging portion 62 engages with the paper discharge roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 47 moves in the height direction 102, the apparatus front side of the second member 54 is interlocked with the height direction 102 via the engaging portion 62. To do.

[Movable mechanism 70]
The support member 28 is moved in the height direction 102 by the movable mechanism 70. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable mechanism 70 is provided below the support member 28. The movable mechanism 70 has an eccentric cam 71 and rotates the eccentric cam 71 by drive transmission from a motor (not shown).

  The eccentric cam 71 is a disk-shaped member that rotates around a shaft 72 that extends along the width direction 101, and a peripheral edge 73 of the disk-shaped member extends in a bowl shape along the width direction 101. . The peripheral edge 73 is continuous around the shaft 72, and the distance to the shaft 72 varies depending on the rotational phase of the eccentric cam 71. The support member 28 is provided with a locking pin 39 extending along the width direction 101, and the locking pin 39 is engaged with the inside of the peripheral edge 73 of the eccentric cam 71. The support member 28 is urged upward by a spring (not shown), and the locking pin 39 always contacts the inside of the peripheral edge 73 regardless of the rotational phase of the eccentric cam 71.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the support member 28 is positioned at the uppermost position in the height direction 102 in a state in which the locking pin 39 is engaged with the peripheral edge 73 at the position farthest from the shaft 72. At this time, the driven roller 46 supported by the support member 28 is pressed against the drive roller 45. That is, the interval between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 is the first interval. The second member 54 that moves integrally with the support member 28 is positioned at a position where the second support surface 61 is at the same height as the first support surfaces 55 and 56. That is, the platen 52 is in the first posture.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the support member 28 is positioned at the lowest position in the height direction 102 in a state in which the locking pin 39 is engaged with the peripheral edge portion 73 closest to the shaft 72. At this time, the driven roller 46 supported by the support member 28 is farthest from the driving roller 45. That is, the interval between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 is the second interval. The second member 54 that moves integrally with the support member 28 has a second support surface 61 positioned below the first support surfaces 55 and 56. That is, the platen 52 is in the second posture. In the second posture, the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61 cause a step corresponding to the thickness of the side end portion 114 (see FIG. 1) of the tray 110.

[Tray 110]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 110 is a flat plate larger than the CD 111, and a concave fitting portion 112 into which the tray 110 is fitted is formed on the upper surface thereof. The concave fitting portion 112 is a donut-shaped groove that matches the CD 111. When the CD 111 is fitted into the concave portion 112, the CD 111 is fixed to the tray 110, and the printing surface of the CD 111 is exposed on the upper surface side of the tray 110. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the tray 110, the front end portion 113 inserted into the multifunction machine 10 has a tapered shape such that the thickness of the front end is thin and the thickness gradually increases toward the rear end. Due to this taper shape, the leading end 113 easily enters between the paper discharge roller pair 27.

[Recording images on recording paper]
When image recording is performed on the recording paper, the eccentric cam 71 is in a rotational position where the conveying roller pair 26 is at the first interval. Therefore, the driven roller 46 is in pressure contact with the drive roller 45. In the platen 52, the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61 are at the same height. That is, the platen 52 is in the first posture. Further, the paper discharge roller pair 27 is also at the first interval.

  In response to the rotation of a motor (not shown), the paper feed roller 30, the drive roller 45 and the paper discharge roller 47 are rotated at a predetermined timing, and the recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 20 to the first transport path 23. . When the leading edge of the recording sheet conveyed through the curved portion 32 of the first conveying path 23 reaches the conveying roller pair 26, the driven roller 46 is slightly retracted by the thickness of the recording sheet, and the recording sheet is nipped by the conveying roller pair 26. Is done. In this state, the rotation of the driving roller 45 is transmitted to the recording paper, and the recording paper is conveyed onto the platen 52. In the platen 52 in the first posture, the recording sheet is supported by the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61. Note that when the width of the recording sheet is narrower than the width of the second support surface 61, the recording sheet is supported only by the second support surface 61.

  When the recording paper is conveyed onto the platen 52, the driving roller 45 is intermittently rotated. While the drive roller 45 is stopped, the carriage 50 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 51 to the recording paper on the platen 52 during the reciprocation. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the driving roller 45 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the recording paper. The recording sheet on which the image has been recorded is sandwiched between the discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 and discharged onto the discharge tray 22.

[Image recording on CD111]
When an image is recorded on the CD 111, the CD 111 is placed on the tray 110 in advance as shown in FIG. In response to the rotation of a motor (not shown), the drive roller 45 and the paper discharge roller 47 are rotated at a predetermined timing. As shown in FIG. 1, since the tray 110 is inserted from the opening 13 on the front side of the apparatus into the linear portion 24 of the first conveyance path 23, the driving roller 45 and the discharge roller 47 are rotated in the following directions: The direction is opposite to the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 7, the tray 110 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the first conveyance path 23 is nipped by the paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48 and conveyed onto the platen 52.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the leading end 113 of the tray 110 is inserted between the paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48, the paper discharge roller 47 resists the spring bias (not shown) by the thickness of the tray 110. Just descend. As a result, the paper discharge roller 47 is separated from the spur 48. When the paper discharge roller 47 is lowered, the device front side (the right side in FIG. 8) of the second member 54 of the platen 52 is lowered in conjunction with the engaging portion 62 engaged with the shaft of the paper discharge roller 47. To do. Thereby, on the apparatus front side of the platen 52, the second support surface 61 is positioned downward with respect to the first support surfaces 55 and 56, and between the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61. A step corresponding to the thickness of the side end portion 114 of the tray 110 is generated. Further, when the second member 54 is lowered, a part of the guide surfaces 57 and 58 of the first member 53 is exposed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the eccentric cam 71 is rotated to a rotation position where the conveyance roller pair 26 is at the second interval. As a result, the support member 28 is lowered and the driven roller 46 is separated from the drive roller 45. Further, as the support member 28 is lowered, the apparatus rear side (the left side in FIG. 9) of the second member 54 is lowered in conjunction. Accordingly, the second support surface 61 is positioned downward with respect to the first support surfaces 55 and 56 on the apparatus back side of the platen 52, and between the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61. A step corresponding to the thickness of the side end portion 114 of the tray 110 is generated. Further, when the apparatus rear side of the second member 54 is lowered, the guide surfaces 57 and 58 of the first member 53 are exposed almost uniformly over the depth direction 103 of the platen 52. As a result, the conveyance roller pair 26 and the paper discharge roller pair 27 are in the second interval, and the platen 52 is in the second posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the platen 52 in the second posture, the tray 110 is supported on the second support surface 61 between the first support surfaces 55 and 56. Further, the side end portion 114 of the tray 110 is guided to the guide surfaces 57 and 58. When the tray 110 is transported, the guide rollers 59 and 60 provided on the guide surfaces 57 and 58 rotate while being in sliding contact with the side end portion 114 of the tray 110. In this state, the printing surface of the CD 111 loaded on the tray 110 is almost the same height as the first support surfaces 55 and 56. Note that the CD 111 is omitted in FIGS.

  When the leading end 113 of the tray 110 reaches the conveying roller pair 26, the leading end 113 enters between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46. The tray 110 sandwiched between the driving roller 45 and the driven roller 46 receives the rotation of the driving roller 45 and is conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side (left side in FIG. 9).

  When the rear end of the CD 111 placed on the tray 110 (the end on the right end side in FIG. 9) passes directly below the recording head 51, the drive roller 45 and the discharge roller 47 are stopped and rotated in reverse. As a result, the front end 113 and the rear end of the tray 110 are reversed, and the tray 110 is conveyed from the apparatus rear side to the apparatus front side (right side in FIG. 9). When the CD 111 placed on the tray 110 is conveyed again directly below the recording head 51, the drive roller 45 is intermittently rotated. While the drive roller 45 is stopped, the carriage 50 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 51 to the CD 111 on the tray 110 during the reciprocation. By repeating such intermittent rotation of the driving roller 45 and reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on 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.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when image recording is performed on a recording sheet, the platen 52 is set to the first posture, and the recording sheet is placed on the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 60. Flatly supported. On the other hand, when image recording is performed on the CD 111, the platen 52 is set to the second posture and the tray 110 conveyed on the second support surface 60 is guided by the guide surfaces 57 and 58. Even if the CD 111 on the tray 110 having a short length along the line is transported until it passes immediately below the recording unit 25, the tray 110 can be guided by the guide surfaces 57 and 58.

  Further, when the conveyance roller pair 26 and the discharge roller pair 27 are at the second interval, the platen 52 is in the second posture, so that the conveyance path of the tray 110 is reliably ensured.

  Further, since the front end 113 of the tray 110 is inserted between the paper discharge roller 47 and the spur 48, the paper discharge roller 47 is separated from the spur 48, so that the paper discharge roller pair 27 is set to the second interval. It is not necessary to provide a drive source. Further, when the paper discharge roller pair 27 is at the second interval, the platen 52 is brought into the second posture, so that the conveyance path of the tray 110 is reliably ensured.

  Further, guide rollers 59 and 60 are provided so as to bulge from the guide surfaces 57 and 58 to the second member 54, and the tray 110 is conveyed by rotating the guide rollers 59 and 60. It is transported smoothly.

  Further, in the platen 52 in the second posture, the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61 have a level difference corresponding to the thickness of the side end portion 114 of the tray 110 guided by the guide surfaces 57 and 58. The distance from the recording head 51 to the recording paper (head gap) and the distance from the recording head 51 to the CD 111 on the tray 110 can be made substantially the same. As a result, image recording is performed on both the recording paper and the CD 111 with high accuracy.

  In addition, since the first support surfaces 55 and 56 are arranged on both sides of the second support surface 61, the first support surfaces 55 and 56 are fixed, and the second support surface 61 is lowered, the structure is relatively simple. The second member 54 is moved by the engaging portion 62 and the movable mechanism 70.

  In the present embodiment, there is a mode in which the posture of the platen 52 is changed to the second posture by lowering the second support surface 61 of the second member 54 with respect to the first support surfaces 55 and 56. However, since the relationship between the first support surfaces 55 and 56 and the second support surface 61 is relative, whether the first member 53 or the second member 54 is raised or lowered, the same as described above. The effect of is produced.

11: Printer unit (image recording device)
23 ... 1st conveyance path 25 ... Recording part 26 ... Conveyance roller pair (1st roller pair)
27: Paper discharge roller pair (second roller pair)
47... Discharge roller (second roller)
48 ... Spur (1st roller)
52 ... Platen 53 ... First member 54 ... Second member 55, 56 ... First support surface 57, 58 ... Guide surface 59, 60 ... Guide roller 61 ... First 2 support surface 62 ... engaging portion (movable mechanism)
70 ... Moving mechanism 110 ... Tray 111 ... CD (recording member)
114 ... side end

Claims (6)

Image recording is performed by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a platen provided on a tray or a conveyance path for conveying a sheet supporting a thin plate-shaped recording member, and on the sheet or recording member on the platen. An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit;
The platen includes a first member having a first support surface that supports a sheet, a guide surface that is arranged to intersect the first support surface and guides the tray, and a second support surface that supports the sheet or the tray. A second member having, and the first support surface and the second support surface are provided to be relatively movable,
A first posture in which the height of the platen is matched with the height of the first support surface and the second support surface; and the second support surface is positioned below the first support surface to position the guide surface. An image recording apparatus comprising a movable mechanism that changes a posture to a second posture to be exposed. In the conveyance path, the sheet or tray is nipped and conveyed in the vicinity of the platen, and a pair of rollers is configured to have a first interval suitable for nipping the sheet and a first interval suitable for nipping the tray. A first pair of rollers that can vary between two intervals;
A first interval that is provided on the opposite side of the first pair of rollers with respect to the platen in the conveying path to nipping and conveying the sheet or tray, and a pair of rollers is suitable for nipping the sheet, A second roller pair that can be varied with a second interval suitable for sandwiching the tray,
The platen is in the first position when the first roller pair and the second roller pair are at the first interval, and the platen is in the state when the first roller pair and the second roller pair are at the second interval. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein is in a second posture.   A guide roller provided so as to bulge from the guide surface to the second support surface with the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the tray is transported to the transport path and the direction along the guide surface as an axial direction; The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   4. The step according to claim 1, wherein in the second posture, the first support surface and the second support surface have a level difference corresponding to a thickness of a tray side end portion guided by the guide surface. The image recording apparatus described.   5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable mechanism lowers the second support surface of the second member to change the posture of the platen to the second posture. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first support surface is disposed on both sides of the second support surface.

Images