JP2011093637A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder capable of shortening a time required for continuously recording images on a plurality of recording mediums, in the recorder capable of ejecting the recording medium by reversing its front and rear surfaces after recording the image on one surface of the recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: When setting a face-down paper ejecting mode, after guiding recording paper P(X) fed in the first place and recording the image to a second carrying part 28, recording paper P(X+1) is fed so that the recording paper P(X) and the recording paper P(X+1) overlap each other by being dislocated by a predetermined quantity L. After recording the image on the recording paper P(X+1) among the overlapping recording paper P(X) and the recording paper P(X+1), the recording paper P(X) is ejected. The recording paper P(X) is reversed in front and rear surfaces by passing through the second carrying part 28, and face-down paper ejection is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention reduces the time required to continuously record an image on a plurality of recording media in a recording apparatus that can eject the image by reversing the front and back after recording an image on one side of the recording medium. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus capable of

  The recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a paper stacking table on which recording media are stacked, a feeding roller that feeds the loaded recording media, and a recording unit that makes a U-turn on the fed recording media. A conveyance unit for conveying, a recording unit for recording an image on the conveyed recording medium, and a discharge tray for discharging the recording medium on which the image is recorded are provided. Further, the recording apparatus includes a refeed unit that re-feeds the recording medium on which the image is recorded to the transport unit, and the recording medium on which the image is recorded is transported to the re-feed unit. Images are recorded on both sides.

  In this recording apparatus, when the recording medium on which the image is recorded by the recording unit is discharged to the discharge tray, the surface on which the image is recorded immediately before being discharged out of the surface of the recording medium is discharged so-called. Face up discharge.

  However, in face-up ejection, when images are continuously recorded on a plurality of recording media, the page order of the ejected recording medium is reversed, and the user needs to rearrange the page order. It takes time and effort. Therefore, when images are continuously recorded on a plurality of recording media, face-down discharge that does not require rearrangement of the page order may be desired. In face-down discharge, the recording medium is discharged so that the surface on which the image is recorded immediately before the recording medium is directed downward. In this recording apparatus, when face-down discharge is performed, the recording medium on which the image is recorded is guided to the refeeding unit, and the recording medium is reversed by passing through the conveying unit and the recording unit. Eject the media to the output tray.

  In this recording apparatus, when the next recording medium is fed, after the first recording medium on which the image is recorded is guided to the refeeding section and passes through the conveying section and the recording section, the paper stacking is performed. Feeding of the second recording medium loaded on the table is started. That is, the first recording medium and the second recording medium are arranged so that the rear end of the first recording medium on which the image is recorded does not overlap the front end of the second recording medium to be fed next. It is transported with a predetermined interval in between.

JP-A-11-335007

  In the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, after the first recording medium passes through the recording unit twice in the downstream direction, the second recording medium must be fed, and the second recording medium is fed. There is a problem that it takes time to start sending. This problem becomes more noticeable as the number of recordings increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of recording media in a recording apparatus capable of recording the image on one side of the recording medium and then ejecting the image by reversing the front and back. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of shortening the time required to continuously record images.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 1 is a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds a stacked recording medium, and the recording medium from the feeding unit to the recording unit in a predetermined conveyance direction. A main conveyance unit having a first medium conveyance path to be conveyed, and a reverse conveyance unit that reverses the front and back of the recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording unit and conveys the recording medium to the recording unit. A pair of switching rollers that are nipped and transported to switch the transporting direction between the predetermined transporting direction and the reverse direction, and the recording medium transported in the reverse direction by the pair of switching rollers is in the middle of the first medium transporting path. A reversing conveyance unit including a second medium conveyance path that is joined and conveyed to the recording unit; and after the image is recorded by the recording unit, the reversal conveyance unit conveys the second medium conveyance path. The first recording medium is then fed to the second recording medium. After the image is recorded on the second recording medium that is overlapped with the second recording medium so as to precede the recording unit and transported in an overlapping manner with the first recording medium, the overlapping first A second recording medium out of the recording medium and the second recording medium is conveyed in the reverse direction by the switching roller pair.

  According to this configuration, the time until an image is recorded on the second recording medium can be shortened by transporting the first recording medium and the second recording medium in an overlapping manner. In addition, since the first recording medium precedes the second recording medium, after the image is recorded on the second recording medium overlapping the first recording medium, the first recording medium is set by the switching roller pair. Only the second recording medium can be separated and conveyed.

  3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the first medium transport path opposite to a surface on which an image of the first recording medium is recorded is opposed to the recording unit of the second recording medium. Thus, it is arranged with respect to the recording unit and the second medium conveyance path so as to overlap the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is to be recorded.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to record an image on the surface on which the image is to be recorded, among the surfaces of the second recording medium that overlap with the first recording medium.

  4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main transport unit includes a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the recording medium, and the first recording medium transported through the second medium transport path is the first recording medium. The paper is transported so as to reach the nipping position of the pair of transport rollers ahead of the second recording medium transported through the medium transport path toward the recording unit.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily superimpose the first recording medium so as to precede the second recording medium.

  5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first recording medium conveyed through the second medium conveying path is nipped by the conveying roller pair and then conveyed by a predetermined amount, so that the conveying roller pair stops. Controlling the operation of the feeding roller pair so as to be transported along the first medium transport path toward the transport roller pair in a state where the second recording medium is stopped. As a result, the first recording medium is overlaid by a predetermined amount before the second recording medium, and the overlapped first recording medium and second recording medium are conveyed to the recording unit by the conveying roller pair. Thus, a control unit for controlling the operation of the pair of transport rollers is further provided.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily superimpose the first recording medium so as to precede the second recording medium by a predetermined amount. Further, when the second recording medium fed by the feeding unit reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair, the conveying roller pair is stopped, so that the skew of the second recording medium can be corrected.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording apparatus is arranged in the middle of the second medium conveyance path or in the middle of the first medium conveyance path and downstream of the position where the second medium conveyance path joins. The control unit further includes a first detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a medium, and the control unit detects a first recording medium on which an image is recorded and conveyed through the second medium conveyance path by the first detection unit. The operation of the feeding unit is controlled so that feeding of the second recording medium is started.

  According to this configuration, feeding of the second recording medium is started based on the detection result of the first detection unit. Thereby, the start timing of feeding the second recording medium can be easily determined.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second detection unit is disposed in the middle of the first medium conveyance path and upstream of the position where the second medium conveyance path joins, and detects the presence or absence of the recording medium. The control unit further includes a first recording unit configured to record an image on the first recording medium fed from the feeding unit, and then recording the image and transporting the first medium on the second medium transporting path. The operation of the feeding unit is controlled so that the second recording medium is fed until it reaches the detection position of the second detection unit before the first recording unit is detected by the first detection unit. Then, when the first recording medium on which the image is recorded and conveyed through the second medium conveyance path is detected by the first detection unit, the feeding of the second recording medium is resumed. The operation of the feeding unit is controlled.

  According to this configuration, the time until the second recording medium reaches the clamping position of the conveyance roller pair is shortened. Thereby, the time until the image is recorded on the second recording medium can be further shortened.

  8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein feeding is started or resumed after a first recording medium on which an image is recorded and transported through the second medium transport path reaches a detection position of the first detection unit. The controller prints the first recording medium on which the image has been recorded and conveyed to the reversing conveyance unit until the second recording medium is reached to the holding position of the conveyance roller pair. The operation of the pair of transport rollers is controlled so as to stop after transporting to the downstream side by a predetermined amount from the sandwiching position of the pair of transport rollers in the transport direction.

  According to this configuration, when the second recording medium fed from the feeding unit reaches the holding position of the conveying roller pair, the second recording medium and the first recording medium are overlapped by a predetermined amount. Is done. Thus, the first recording medium and the second recording medium can be easily overlapped by the operation of the conveying roller pair.

  9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit operates the switching roller pair so that the first recording medium and the second recording medium which are overlapped are transported in the predetermined transport direction by the switching roller pair. , The rear end of the first recording medium is conveyed to a downstream side by a predetermined value or more from the clamping position of the switching roller pair, and the rear end of the second recording medium is clamped by the switching roller pair. The operation of the pair of switching rollers is controlled so that the conveying direction of the pair of switching rollers is switched in the reverse direction.

  According to this configuration, only the second recording medium of the overlapping first recording medium and second recording medium is conveyed by switching the conveying direction of the switching roller pair and conveying the switching roller pair in the opposite direction. can do. On the other hand, the first recording medium is not conveyed by conveying the switching roller pair in the reverse direction. Therefore, the overlapping first recording medium and second recording medium can be reliably separated.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined value is a length corresponding to a radius of any one of the rollers of the switching roller pair.

  According to this configuration, the overlapping first recording medium and second recording medium can be more reliably separated.

  The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit stops or stops the transport roller pair when the first recording medium transported through the second medium transport path reaches a clamping position of the transport roller pair. The operation of the conveying roller pair is controlled so as to be in a reverse state.

  According to this configuration, when the first recording medium conveyed through the second medium conveyance path reaches the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair, the conveyance roller pair is in a stopped or reversed state. The skew of the medium can be corrected. Further, when the second recording medium reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair, the conveying roller pair is in a stopped state, and thus the amount of deviation when the first recording medium and the second recording medium overlap each other. Can be reliably set to a predetermined amount.

  According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is necessary to record an image continuously on a plurality of recording media in a recording apparatus capable of reversing and ejecting the image after recording the image on one side of the recording medium. A recording apparatus capable of reducing time can be provided.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer unit 14 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the state which the front-end | tip of recording paper P (X) based on 1st Embodiment of this invention reached | attained the conveyance roller pair 52. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the recording paper P (X) which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was conveyed downstream by the 1st predetermined amount L by the conveyance roller pair 52. FIG. The leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) according to the first embodiment of the present invention reaches the conveying roller pair 52, and the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are shifted by a first predetermined amount L and overlapped. Explanatory diagram showing the state 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a multifunction machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the recording operation performed by the control part 96 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Schematic sectional view of a printer unit 14 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Schematic sectional view showing a modification of the printer unit 14 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 1 is defined with reference to the state of FIG. 1 in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed, and the front-rear direction 2 is defined with the side on which the operation panel 12 is provided as the front side. The horizontal direction 3 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side.

  The multifunction machine 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction. The multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 14 at the bottom, a scanner unit 16 at the top, and an operation panel 12 at the front top. The operation panel 12 includes a first input button 93 described later. Details of the printer unit 14 will be described below. The details of the scanner unit 16 and the operation panel 12 are not described here.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 14]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 14 includes an image recording unit 18, a paper feeding unit 20, a first transport unit 24, a switching unit 26, a paper discharge unit 23, and a second transport unit 28. Unit 85 and detection unit 29. The first transport unit 24 transports the recording paper from the paper feeding unit 20 to the switching unit 26 via the image recording unit 18. The switching unit 26 switches the conveyance direction of the recording paper in order to record an image on the back surface of the recording paper. The second transport unit 28 transports the recording paper whose transport direction has been switched to the first transport unit 24 again. The merge unit 85 is a position where the conveyance path of the recording paper conveyed by the second conveyance unit 28 and the conveyance path of the recording paper conveyed by the first conveyance unit 24 merge. Each configuration will be described below.

[Image Recording Unit 18]
The image recording unit 18 is disposed at the upper part of the printer unit 14 and records an image on a recording sheet. The image recording unit 18 includes a recording head 30, a carriage 32 that supports the recording head 30, and a platen 60 that supports the recording paper so as to face the recording head 30.

  The recording head 30 can eject ink droplets, and ink is supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown).

  The carriage 32 on which the recording head 30 is supported can reciprocate in the left-right direction. The carriage 32 is connected to a CR motor 34 (see FIG. 6) that is a drive source. The carriage 32 reciprocates in the left-right direction when the rotation of the CR motor 34 is transmitted through a first transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. As the carriage 32 reciprocates, the recording head 30 ejects ink droplets. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording paper facing the recording head 30.

  The platen 60 is a member that is disposed below the recording head 30 and extends across the front and rear and the left and right. The platen 60 supports the recording paper being recorded on the upper surface of the platen 60 substantially horizontally.

[Paper Feeder 20]
The paper feed unit 20 includes a paper feed cassette 22 on which recording paper can be stacked, and a paper feed mechanism 36. The recording paper fed by the paper feeding mechanism 36 is guided by a first transport unit 24 described later, and an image is recorded by the image recording unit 18.

  The paper feed cassette 22 is a box-like member that is disposed at the bottom of the printer unit 14 and has an open upper surface. Various sizes of recording paper can be loaded on the paper feed cassette 22. The paper feed cassette 22 can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction from an opening 37 (see FIG. 1) formed on the front surface of the printer unit 14.

  The paper feed mechanism 36 is disposed above the paper feed cassette 22. The basic configuration of the paper feed mechanism 36 is known, and the configuration is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-247542. Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper feed mechanism 36 will be briefly described. The paper feed mechanism 36 includes a paper feed roller 38 that feeds the stacked recording paper and a support arm 40 that supports the paper feed roller 38.

  The paper feed roller 38 is rotatably provided, and is provided so as to be able to contact and separate from the recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 22. The paper feed roller 38 is connected to a paper feed motor 42 (see FIG. 6) that is a drive source. The paper feed roller 38 rotates by receiving the rotation of the paper feed motor 42 via a second transmission mechanism (not shown) composed of a plurality of gears. The paper feed roller 38 rotates forward by the rotation of the LF 42 motor in the forward direction, and transports the recording paper toward the first transport unit 24. The paper feed roller 38 is configured not to rotate when the paper feed motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction.

  The support arm 40 is a rod-shaped member that supports the paper feed roller 38 on one end side and is supported by the shaft 41 on the other end side. The support arm 40 is provided so as to be rotatable about a shaft 41. The shaft 41 is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the printer unit 14.

  Further, the support arm 40 is urged so that the paper feed roller 38 moves downward by its own weight or a spring (not shown). As a result, the paper feed roller 38 contacts the upper surface of the recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 22. When the paper feed cassette 22 is inserted and removed, the support arm 40 rotates about the shaft 41 so that the paper feed roller 38 moves upward. As a result, the paper feed roller 38 moves upward and retreats from the insertion / extraction area of the paper feed cassette 22.

[First transport unit 24]
The first transport unit 24 is arranged from the vicinity of the upper end of the paper feed cassette 22 through the image recording unit 18 to the rear of the switching unit 26 described later. The first transport unit 24 transports the recording paper so that the recording paper reaches the switching unit 26 after passing through the image recording unit 18. The first transport unit 24 includes a curved guide 57 and a discharge guide 62 that guide the recording paper, and a transport roller pair 52 and a discharge roller pair 54 that transport the recording paper. The recording paper conveyed by the first conveyance unit 24 is conveyed on the first conveyance path 50.

  The bending guide 57 includes a first bending guide 58 and a second bending guide 59. The first curved guide 58 is a generally arcuate member that extends from the downstream side of the paper supply unit 20 to the upstream side of the image recording unit 18, and is centered on the inner side of the printer unit 14. Here, the upstream side and the downstream side refer to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction 55 when the recording paper is transported on the first transport path 50 in the transport direction 55 indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. On the side. Hereinafter, they are simply referred to as “upstream side” and “downstream side”. The second curved guide 59 extends from the rear upper part of a re-conveying guide 84 to be described later to below the downstream end of the first curved guide 58, and has a generally arcuate shape centering on the inner side of the printer unit 14. It is a member. The second bending guide 59 is disposed on the inner side of the printer unit 14 than the first bending guide 58. The first curved guide 58 and the second curved guide 59 are arranged side by side at a substantially constant interval, and the recording paper is conveyed between the first curved guide 58 and the second curved guide 59. The recording paper conveyed by the paper supply roller 38 is guided by the guide surface 63 inside the first curved guide 58 and the guide surface 65 outside the second curved guide 59 and is conveyed so as to make a U-turn upward from below. Is done.

  The discharge guide 62 is a member that extends from the downstream side of the image recording unit 18 to the upstream side of the switching unit 26 described later. The discharge guide 62 supports the recorded recording paper substantially horizontally on the upper surface of the discharge guide 62.

  The conveyance roller pair 52 is disposed in front of the curved guide 57 and behind the image recording unit 18. The conveyance roller pair 52 includes a conveyance roller 64 that is driven, and a first pinch roller 66 that is pressed against the conveyance roller 64 and rotates following the conveyance roller 64. The conveyance roller 64 and the first pinch roller 66 are composed of one or a plurality of rollers extending in the left-right direction. The transport roller 64 can rotate in the forward and reverse directions. The recording paper guided by the curved guide 57 is conveyed toward the image recording unit 18 by the forward rotation of the conveying roller 64. On the other hand, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse rotation of the conveying roller 64. The first pinch roller 66 is disposed below the conveying roller 64.

  The discharge roller pair 54 is disposed in front of the image recording unit 18 and behind the discharge guide 62. The discharge roller pair 54 includes a driven discharge roller 68 and a second pinch roller 70 that is in pressure contact with the discharge roller 68 and rotates following the discharge roller 68. The discharge roller 54 and the second pinch roller 70 are composed of one or a plurality of rollers extending in the left-right direction. The discharge roller 68 can rotate in the forward and reverse directions. The recording paper that has passed through the image recording unit 18 is conveyed toward the discharge guide 62 by the normal rotation of the discharge roller 68. The second pinch roller 70 is disposed above the discharge roller 68. The second pinch roller 70 may be a spur roller. Thereby, the influence on the recorded image can be reduced.

  The conveyance roller 64 and the discharge roller 68 are connected to a PF motor 72 (see FIG. 6) that is a drive source. The conveyance roller 64 and the discharge roller 68 are rotated by the rotation of the PF motor 72 transmitted through a third transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. The PF motor 72 can be driven in forward and reverse directions, and the transport roller 64 and the discharge roller 68 rotate in the forward and reverse directions as the PF motor 72 rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the leading edge of the recording paper guided by the curved guide 57 enters the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 with the conveying roller 64 stopped or reversed. When the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52, the conveyance roller 64 is stopped or reversed, so that the recording paper is not conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 52. Therefore, the recording paper whose leading edge has reached the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52 bends into a space 61 provided between the first curved guide 58 and the conveyance roller pair 52. The bent recording paper is in a state along the guide surface 63 inside the first curved guide 58. At this time, the leading edge of the recording sheet is adjusted because the leading edge of the recording sheet follows the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction due to the reaction force of the bent recording sheet. Here, the leading edge of the recording paper is an edge on the leading edge side of the recording paper to be conveyed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, after the leading edge of the conveyed recording paper enters the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 and the skew is corrected, when the conveying roller 64 rotates forward, the leading edge of the recording paper is conveyed. It is conveyed downstream by the roller pair 52. The recording paper conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 52 absorbs bending and is conveyed along the guide surface 65 on the outer side of the second curved guide 59. 3 and 4 show the recording paper conveyed from the second conveyance unit 28 described later, the recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 22 is also conveyed in the same manner as described above.

[Switching unit 26]
The switching unit 26 is disposed in front of the discharge guide 62. The switching unit 26 switches the transport direction to whether the recording paper transported from the first transport unit 24 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 or guided to a second transport unit 28 described later. The switching unit 26 includes a switchback roller pair 56 that rotates in the forward and reverse directions to switch the recording paper conveyance direction, and a switching flapper 74 that switches the recording paper guide direction.

  The switchback roller pair 56 is disposed downstream of the discharge guide 62 and upstream of the paper discharge unit 23. The switchback roller pair 56 includes a switchback roller 76 that is driven, and a third pinch roller 78 that is in pressure contact with the switchback roller 76 and rotates following the switchback roller 76. The switchback roller 76 can rotate in forward and reverse directions. The recording paper conveyed on the conveyance guide 62 is conveyed toward the paper discharge unit 23 by the normal rotation of the switchback roller 76. On the other hand, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse rotation of the switchback roller 76. The third pinch roller 78 is disposed above the switchback roller 76. The third pinch roller 78 may be configured by a spur roller. Thereby, the influence on the recorded image can be reduced.

  The switchback roller 76 is connected to a paper feed motor 42 that is a drive source. The switchback roller 76 rotates when the rotation of the paper feed motor 42 is transmitted through a fourth transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. The paper feed motor 42 can be driven in forward and reverse directions, and the switchback roller 76 rotates in the forward and reverse directions as the paper feed motor 42 rotates.

  The switching flapper 74 is disposed behind the third pinch roller 78 and switches the recording paper guide direction. The switching flapper 74 includes a first auxiliary roller 80, a flapper portion 81, and a second auxiliary roller 82. The first auxiliary roller 80 is rotatably supported by the frame of the printer unit 14. The flapper portion 81 extends rearward from the first auxiliary roller 80 and is provided so as to be rotatable about the first auxiliary roller 80. The second auxiliary roller 82 is disposed at the extended end of the flapper portion 81 and moves up and down as the flapper portion 81 rotates. The first auxiliary roller 80 and the second auxiliary roller 82 may be constituted by spur-shaped rollers. Thereby, the influence on the recorded image can be reduced.

  The switching flapper 74 has a “discharge position” indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a “re-transfer position” indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the second auxiliary roller 82 is positioned at substantially the same height as the first auxiliary roller 80 at the discharge position of the switching flapper 74. At this time, the switching flapper 74 guides the recording paper conveyed on the discharge guide 62 to be conveyed toward the paper discharge unit 23.

  As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the second auxiliary roller 82 is positioned obliquely below and behind the first auxiliary roller 78 at the re-conveying position of the switching flapper 74. At this time, the switching flapper 74 guides the recording paper conveyed by the reverse rotation of the switchback roller pair 56 to be conveyed toward the second conveying unit 28.

  The switching flapper 74 is connected to a paper feed motor 42 that is a drive source. The switching flapper 74 is rotated by the rotation of the paper feed motor 42 being transmitted via a fifth transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears.

The switching flapper 74 is rotated to the discharge position by the rotation of the paper feed motor 42 in the forward direction, and is rotated to the re-transport position by the rotation in the reverse direction. When the switching flapper 74 is located at the discharge position, the recording paper conveyed on the discharge guide 62 reaches the switchback roller pair 56 via the lower side of the switching flapper 74. At this time, since the paper feed motor 42 is rotating in the forward direction, the recording paper is further conveyed downstream by the forward rotation of the switchback roller 76. The recording paper conveyed further downstream by the forward rotation of the switchback roller 76 and having the rear end conveyed downstream from the clamping position of the switchback roller pair 56 falls due to its own weight and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23. Paper. Here, the trailing edge of the recording paper is the edge on the trailing edge side of the recording paper being conveyed.

  Thereafter, when the switchback roller 76 is reversely rotated, the switching flapper 74 is rotated to the re-conveying position in synchronization with the reverse rotation. When the switchback roller 76 starts reverse rotation, if the trailing edge of the recording paper in the conveyance direction 55 is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 56, the sandwiched recording paper is rotated by the reverse rotation of the switchback roller 76. , And conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveying direction 55. When the switching flapper 74 is rotated to the re-conveying position in synchronization with the reverse rotation of the switchback roller 76, the recording paper sandwiched by the switchback roller pair 56 is transferred to the second conveying unit 28 described later by the switching flapper 74. Guided.

[Discharge Unit 23]
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge unit 23 is disposed above the front side of the paper feed cassette 22. The paper discharge unit 23 is transported in the transport direction 55 by the first transport unit 24, and the recording paper whose rear end is transported downstream from the holding position of the switchback roller pair by the forward rotation of the switchback roller 76 is discharged. The The paper discharge unit 23 supports the discharged recording paper on the upper surface of the paper discharge unit 23. The paper discharge unit 23 is configured integrally with the paper feed cassette 22 and can be inserted into and removed from the printer unit 14 together with the paper feed cassette 22.

  In the present embodiment, after the image is recorded by the image recording unit 18, the recording paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 via the switching unit 26 is just before being discharged on the surface of the recording paper. The so-called face-up discharge is performed in a state where the image-recorded surface faces upward.

[Second transport unit 28]
As shown in FIG. 2, the second conveyance unit 28 passes from between the lower back of the switchback roller pair 56 and between the platen 60 and the sheet feeding unit 20 and in front of the curved guide 57 constituting the first conveyance unit 24. It is arranged over. The second transport unit 28 transports the recording paper transported from the switching unit 26 toward the first curved guide 58. Note that the recording paper transported by the second transport unit 28 is transported on the second transport path 83. The second transport unit 28 includes a re-transport guide 84 that guides the recording paper and a re-transport roller pair 86 that transports the recording paper.

  The re-conveying guide 84 is a member that extends from obliquely below the switchback roller pair 56 to the front of the first curved guide 58. The re-transport guide 84 supports the recording paper transported from the switching unit 26 on the upper surface of the re-transport guide 84. The recording paper conveyed on the re-conveying guide 84 reaches the first curved guide 58 and again passes between the guide surface 63 on the inner side of the first curved guide 58 and the guide surface 65 on the outer side of the second curved guide 59. It is guided and conveyed toward the image recording unit 18 so as to make a U-turn from below to above.

  The re-conveying roller pair 86 is disposed near the center of the re-conveying guide 84 in the front-rear direction. The re-conveying roller pair 86 includes a re-conveying roller 88 that is driven, and a fourth pinch roller 90 that is pressed against the re-conveying roller 88 and rotates following the re-conveying roller 88. The re-conveying roller 88 conveys the recording paper conveyed on the re-conveying guide 84 toward the curved guide 57. The fourth pinch roller 90 is disposed above the re-transport roller 88.

  The re-conveying roller 88 is connected to a PF motor 72 (see FIG. 6) that is a driving source. The re-conveying roller 88 is rotated by the rotation of the PF motor 72 transmitted through a sixth transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. The re-conveying roller 88 is configured to rotate only in the direction of conveying the recording paper further downstream.

[Merging portion 85]
The merging portion 85 is disposed behind the re-conveying guide 84 and in front of the center of the first curved guide 58 in the vertical direction. The recording paper transported on the second transport path 83 by the second transport section 28 and transported to the rear end of the re-transport guide 84 passes through the merge section 85 and is guided by the curved guide 57 to be in the first transport path. 55 is conveyed.

[Detection unit 29]
The detection unit 29 includes a registration sensor 51 that detects the presence or absence of recording paper, and a sheet sensor 53. The registration sensor 51 is disposed on the downstream side of the junction unit 85 and the upstream side of the image recording unit 18, the sheet sensor 53 is disposed on the downstream side of the image recording unit 18, and both sensors are recorded on the first conveyance path 50. Detect the presence of paper. The registration sensor 51 and the sheet sensor 53 each include a detector (not shown) and an optical sensor (not shown). The detector is arranged so as to cross the first transport path 50 and is configured to be capable of projecting or retracting from the first transport path 50. The optical sensor is turned on or off by the protrusion or withdrawal of the detector. Accordingly, the position of the leading or trailing edge of the recording paper in the first conveyance path 50 is detected by changing the recording paper to a state where the detector protrudes or retracts.

[Configuration of Control System of First Embodiment]
Next, a control system of the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The control system controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10 including the scanner unit 16, but only control of the operation of the printer unit 14 will be described here.

  The control system includes a first storage unit 92 that stores recording information for recording an image on recording paper, a second storage unit 97 that stores control information for controlling driving of each drive source, and a first storage unit. The image recording unit 18 and a control unit 96 that controls driving of each drive source based on information from the unit 92 and the second storage unit 97 are provided. Each drive source includes a CR motor 34, a paper feed motor 42, a PF motor 72, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the mode setting unit is provided for setting whether to execute the face-down paper discharge mode. The mode setting unit includes a first input button 93 (see FIG. 1) of the operation panel 12, an internal fixed memory (not shown) of the control unit 96 that stores information input by operating the first input button 93, Part of the processing of the control unit 96. The mode setting unit sets whether or not the control unit 96 executes the face-down paper discharge mode. The face-down paper discharge mode is a mode in which the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 with the surface on which the image is recorded facing down immediately before the recording paper is discharged. In the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the recording paper on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit 18 is discharged as it is to the paper discharge unit 23, the surface of the recording paper on which the image is recorded immediately before being discharged. A so-called face-up discharge is performed in which the recording sheet is discharged with the side facing up. In order to discharge the recording sheet face-down, it is necessary to discharge the recording sheet on which an image is recorded after the recording sheet is conveyed to the second conveying unit 28 so that the front and back sides are reversed.

  In face-up paper discharge, the surface on which the image is recorded immediately before being discharged does not come into contact with the discharge unit 23, so that the recorded image is not affected by the paper discharge unit 23. . However, when images are continuously recorded on a plurality of recording sheets, the page order of the discharged recording sheets is reversed in face-up discharge, and the user needs to rearrange the page order. ,It takes time and effort. Therefore, when images are continuously recorded on a plurality of recording papers, face-down paper ejection that does not require rearrangement of the page order may be desired. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the user desires face-down paper discharge, the user sets the face-down paper discharge mode by operating the first input button 93. On the other hand, when face-up discharge is desired, the user does not set the face-down discharge mode. Accordingly, the recording paper on which the image is recorded can be discharged according to the user's request.

  The first storage unit 92 stores recording information for recording an image on recording paper. The recording information is information included in the recording operation execution instruction input from the operation panel of the multifunction machine 10 or an external input device such as a PC. When an instruction to execute a recording operation is input from the operation panel 12 of the multifunction machine 10 or an external input device such as a PC, the control unit 96 described below stores the recording information included in the input instruction in the first storage unit. 92.

  The recording information includes image data including an image to be recorded on recording paper and a margin length value. In the case of single-side recording in which an image is recorded on one side of the recording paper, the image data includes an image to be recorded on one side of the recording paper and a margin length value. In the case of double-sided recording in which images are recorded on both sides of a recording sheet, the image data includes an image to be recorded on the front side of the recording sheet, an image to be recorded on the back side, and a margin length value.

  The second storage unit 97 stores control information for controlling the driving of each driving source. The control information is information used when the control unit 96 described later executes a control program. The control information includes information on the first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount. The first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount are values stored in the second storage unit 97 in advance.

  The first predetermined time T1 is a time during which the transport roller 64 stops or reversely rotates after the leading edge of the transported recording paper is detected by the registration sensor 51. As a result, when the leading edge of the transported recording paper reaches the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52, the transport roller pair 52 is stopped or reversed, so that the recording paper is not transported by the transport roller pair 52. Therefore, the recording paper whose leading end has reached the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 bends in the space 61 (see FIG. 3). Due to the reaction force of the bent recording paper, the leading edge of the recording paper follows the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction, so that the skew of the recording medium is corrected. The stop or reverse rotation of the transport roller 64 at the first predetermined time T1 is transported by the second transport unit 28 when the leading edge of the recording paper fed by the paper feed unit 20 is detected by the registration sensor 51. This is performed when the leading edge of the recording paper is detected by the registration sensor 51.

  The first predetermined amount L is a value that is used only when the face-down paper discharge mode is set. The first predetermined amount L is conveyed after the leading edge of the recording paper conveyed by the second conveying unit 28 has reached the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 in order to set the face-down paper discharge mode and to reverse the front and back. This is the amount conveyed by normal rotation of the roller 64 (see FIG. 4). Note that the recording paper that has been fed first and on which an image has been recorded and that is transported by the second transport unit 28 in order to reverse the front and back according to the setting of the face-down paper discharge mode is the recording paper P ( X). The recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 22 next to the recording paper P (X) is referred to as recording paper P (X + 1).

  The first predetermined amount L is a value based on a value R (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the radius of the switchback roller 76 (hereinafter simply referred to as “roller radius length”). The first predetermined amount L corresponds to a value obtained by adding the roller radius length R and the set value “α”. The first predetermined amount L is a shift amount when the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) overlap each other, and the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) transported in an overlapping manner are separated. The switchback roller 76 is set so that it can be reliably separated by switching from normal rotation to reverse rotation. That is, if the deviation amount between the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) is a value obtained by adding the roller radius length R and the set value “α”, the switchback roller 76 is rotated from normal rotation to reverse rotation. By switching, the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) can be reliably separated. In the present embodiment, the set value “α” is set to “10 mm” in consideration of the conveyance error of the recording paper and the detection error of the registrar 51. The set value “α” is a value stored in the second storage unit 97.

  The second predetermined time T2 is a value used only when the face-down paper discharge mode is set. During the second predetermined time T2, the transport roller 64 rotates forward so that the recording paper P (X) is transported in the transport direction 55 by the first predetermined amount L from the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52, and then the transport roller 64 It is time to stop. In the present embodiment, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) fed from the paper feed cassette 22 reaches the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 while the transport roller 64 is stopped for the second predetermined time T2. To do. That is, the second predetermined time T <b> 2 is the time required for the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) fed from the paper feed cassette 22 to reach the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 after the transport roller 64 stops. It sets so that it may become above. Note that, as the second predetermined time T2 is shorter, the time required to continuously record images on a plurality of recording sheets is shortened, so the second predetermined time T2 is set as short as possible. When the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) reaches the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) is separated downstream from the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52 by a first predetermined amount L. positioned. Accordingly, the recording paper P (X + 1) overlaps the recording paper P (X) so as to be shifted downstream by the first predetermined amount L from the recording paper P (X) (see FIG. 5).

  The second predetermined amount is an amount by which the switchback roller 76 rotates normally. The second predetermined amount by which the switchback roller 76 rotates forward is the leading end of one sheet of recording paper conveyed, or the back of the recording paper P (X) and recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed in an overlapping manner. After the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) to be reached reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52, the trailing edge of one of the recording paper conveyed, or the recording paper P (X) conveyed in an overlapping manner and This is the forward rotation amount of the switchback roller that conveys the recording paper until the trailing edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) that follows in the recording paper P (X + 1) is nipped by the switchback roller pair 56. The second predetermined amount is transported in a state where the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are overlapped with a deviation of the first predetermined amount L even when one recording paper is transported. Even if it is the case, it is the same value. The second predetermined amount is determined based on the conveyance amount by which the recording paper is conveyed by the normal rotation of the conveyance roller 64, the discharge roller 68, and the switchback roller 76.

  When one sheet of recording paper is conveyed when the switchback roller 76 is rotated forward by the second predetermined amount, the rear end of the conveyed recording paper is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 56. When the switchback roller 76 rotates in the reverse direction, the recording paper whose rear end is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 56 is conveyed in the reverse direction and guided to the second conveyance unit 28.

  When the switchback roller 76 is rotated forward by the second predetermined amount, the face-down paper discharge mode is set, and the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are overlapped by being shifted by the first predetermined amount L. In this case, the trailing edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) that follows the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) that overlap each other is sandwiched by the switchback roller pair 56. On the other hand, the rear end of the preceding recording paper P (X) is conveyed downstream from the nipping position of the switchback roller pair 56 by a roller radius length R or more. The recording paper P (X) whose rear end is conveyed to the downstream side of the roller radial length R or more from the clamping position of the switchback roller pair 56 is separated from the subsequent recording paper P (X + 1) by its own weight and discharged. The paper is discharged to the unit 23. When the switchback roller 76 rotates in the reverse direction, the recording paper P (X + 1) whose rear end is sandwiched by the switchback roller pair 56 is conveyed in the opposite direction and guided to the second conveyance unit 28, but the recording paper P (X ) Is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 and is not guided to the second transport unit 28.

  As described above, when the switchback roller 76 rotates forward after the second predetermined amount, the face-down paper discharge mode is set, and the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are overlapped. Even when conveyed, the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are reliably separated.

[Recording Operation of First Embodiment]
Next, a recording operation executed by the control unit 96 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Each step shown in FIG. 7 is a process executed by the control unit 96. A control program for executing each process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the internal fixed memory of the control unit 96.

  When an instruction to execute a recording operation is input from the operation panel 12 of the multifunction machine 10 or an external input device such as a PC, the control unit 96 stores information included in the input instruction in the first storage unit 92. The control unit 96 confirms information related to the number of pages on which an image is recorded, among information included in the input instruction (S1). The control unit 96 checks the number of pages and determines that the number is n. In addition, the control unit 96 confirms at least image data of information included in the input instruction.

  In step S2, the control unit 96 sets Cn = 1. Here, Cn is a count value indicating the number of recording sheets on which the control unit 96 executes processing to be described later. When Cn = 1, this indicates that the processing of the first recording sheet is executed after the instruction to execute the recording operation is input.

  In step S3, the control unit 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 so that the paper feed roller 38 rotates. The paper feed roller 38 rotates while being in contact with the upper surface of the recording paper P (X) stacked on the paper feed cassette 22. By this rotation, the recording paper P (X) is fed from the paper feed cassette, guided by the first curved guide 58 and the second curved guide 59, and conveyed so as to make a U-turn upward from below. Note that (X) of the recording paper P (X) is an integer indicating the number of recording paper on which the process is executed.

  In step S4, the control unit 96 checks whether or not the registration sensor 51 has detected the leading edge of the recording paper P (X). When it is determined No in step S4, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S3 so that the recording paper P (X) is further conveyed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined Yes in step S4, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 stops or reverses for the first predetermined time T1 (S5). Thereby, when the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) conveyed by the paper feeding roller 38 enters the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52, the conveying roller 64 is stopped or reversed, and therefore the recording paper P (X ) Bends in a space 61 provided between the first curved guide 58 and the conveying roller pair. The bent recording paper is in a state along the guide surface 63 inside the first curved guide 58. At this time, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) is adjusted because the leading edge of the recording paper is along the holding position of the conveying roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction due to the reaction force of the bent recording paper. Accordingly, since the recording paper P (X) is skewed, it is possible to prevent a jam from occurring when the recording paper P (X) is transported further downstream. Further, it is possible to stably record an image on the recording paper P (X).

  In step S6, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 in the forward direction so that the transport roller 64 rotates in the forward direction. The recording paper P (X) whose leading end has reached the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 due to the forward rotation of the transport roller 64 is transported in the transport direction 55 by the transport roller pair 52 and transported onto the platen 60. The discharge roller 68 is also rotated forward by driving the PF motor 72.

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 96 determines that an image to be recorded on the recording paper P (X) is recorded on the recording paper P (X) conveyed to the platen 60 based on the image data stored in the first storage unit 92. The operation of the image recording unit 18 is controlled so as to be recorded. The recording paper P (X) that has passed between the recording head 30 and the platen 60 is detected by the sheet sensor 53.

  In step S <b> 8, the control unit 96 checks whether one of the single-sided recording mode and the double-sided recording mode is selected from the information included in the recording operation execution instruction stored in the first storage unit 92. If the single-sided recording mode is selected, the control unit 96 determines Yes. On the other hand, when the duplex recording mode is selected, the control unit 96 determines No. The single-sided recording mode is a mode for recording an image on one side of the recording paper. On the other hand, the double-sided recording mode is a mode for recording images on both sides of the recording paper.

  If it is determined No in step S8, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S12 after executing the normal back surface recording operation (S9). Details of the normal back surface recording operation are omitted. In a normal back surface recording operation, the control unit 96 transfers the recording paper P (X) having an image recorded on at least the front surface to the second transport unit 28 by switching the forward rotation to the reverse rotation of the switchback roller 76. invite. The control unit 96 performs image recording so that an image to be recorded on the back surface is recorded on the recording paper P (X) which is conveyed by the second conveying unit 28 and is reversed by the first curved guide 58. The operation of the unit 18 is controlled.

  On the other hand, when it is determined Yes in step S8, the control unit 96 checks the internal fixed memory of the control unit 96 and determines whether the face-down paper discharge mode is set (S10).

  When the face-down paper discharge mode is not set, that is, when the face-up paper discharge mode is set, the control unit 96 determines No in step S10. The control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 and the paper feed motor 42 so that the recording paper P (X) is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 (S11), and then executes the process of step S12. As a result, the recording paper P (X) discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 is discharged face-up.

  In step S12, the control unit 96 determines whether or not the value of Cn is n. If it is determined No in step S12, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S13 because the number of recording sheets on which images are recorded has not reached the number of pages n included in the instruction to execute the recording operation. To do. In step S13, the control unit 96 increments the value of Cn by “1”. Thereby, the control part 96 performs the process with respect to the following recording paper P (X + 1) in the process after subsequent step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined Yes in step S12, the control unit 96 ends the process because the number of recording sheets on which images are recorded has reached the number of pages n included in the instruction to execute the recording operation.

  On the other hand, if the face-down paper discharge mode is set, the control unit 96 determines Yes in step S10. The controller 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 so that the switchback roller 76 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount (S14). When the switchback roller 76 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount, the rear end of the recording paper P (X) is held between the switchback roller pair 56.

  In step S <b> 15, the control unit 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 in the reverse direction so that the switchback roller 76 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the recording paper P (X) sandwiched between the rear ends of the switchback roller pair 56 is conveyed in the reverse direction and guided to the second conveyance unit 28.

  In step S <b> 16, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 30 so that the re-transport roller 88 rotates. As a result, the recording paper P (X) transported on the re-transport guide 84 is transported toward the joining portion 85. The recording paper P (X) conveyed via the merging portion 85 is conveyed by the curved guide 57 so as to make a U-turn from below to above, and the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is recorded faces the recording head 30. To be conveyed.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 96 confirms whether the registration sensor 51 has detected the leading edge of the recording paper P (X). When it is determined No in step S17, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S16 and further conveys the recording paper. On the other hand, when it is determined Yes in step S17, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S33. In the process of step S33, the control unit 96 determines whether or not the value of Cn is n. If it is determined Yes in step S33, the number of recording sheets on which images have been recorded has reached the number of pages n included in the instruction to execute the recording operation, so that the control unit 96 performs the recording sheet processing in the subsequent step S34. P (X) is discharged. At this time, the recording paper P (X) discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 is discharged face-down because the front and back are reversed by passing through the second transport unit 28. On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S33, since the number of recording sheets on which images are recorded has not reached the number n of pages included in the instruction to execute the recording operation, the control unit 96 performs the process of step S18. Execute.

  In step S18, the control unit 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 so that the paper feed roller 38 rotates. The paper feed roller 38 rotates while being in contact with the upper surface of the recording paper P (X + 1) stacked on the paper feed cassette 22. By this rotation, the recording paper P (X + 1) is fed from the paper feed cassette 22 and conveyed along the first curved guide 58 toward the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52.

  In step S19, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 stops or reverses for the first predetermined time T1. Thus, when the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) conveyed by the second conveying unit 28 enters the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52, the conveying roller 64 is stopped or reversely rotated, so that the recording paper P (X ) Bends in a space 61 provided between the first curved guide 58 and the conveying roller pair. The bent recording paper is in a state along the guide surface 63 inside the first curved guide 58 (see FIG. 4). At this time, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) is adjusted because the leading edge of the recording paper is along the holding position of the conveying roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction due to the reaction force of the bent recording paper. Accordingly, since the recording paper P (X) is skewed, it is possible to prevent a jam from occurring when the recording paper P (X) is transported further downstream.

  In step S <b> 20, the controller 96 causes the transport roller 64 to rotate forward so that the recording paper P (X) whose leading end has reached the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 is transported downstream by the first predetermined amount L. Thus, the PF motor 72 is driven in the forward direction. The recording paper P (X) conveyed by the first predetermined amount L of normal rotation of the conveying roller 64 is absorbed in the bent state and conveyed along the guide surface 65 on the outer side of the second curved guide 59 (FIG. 5).

  In step S21, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 stops for the second predetermined time T2. Thus, when the transport roller 64 is stopped for the second predetermined time T2, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) transported by the transport roller pair 52 is the first predetermined amount L from the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52. Located away from the downstream side. While the transport roller 64 is stopped for the second predetermined time T2, the recording paper P (X + 1) fed in step S18 is in a state along the outer guide surface 65 of the second curved guide 59. Guided between (X) and the guide surface 63 on the inner side of the first curved guide 58, it reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52. When the recording paper P (X + 1) reaches the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52, the transport roller 64 is stopped, so that the recording paper P (X + 1) is between the first curved guide 58 and the transport roller pair 52. It bends in the space 61 provided in. The bent recording paper P (X + 1) is in a state along the guide surface inside the first curved guide 58 (see FIG. 5). At this time, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) is aligned with the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction due to the reaction force of the bent recording paper P (X + 1). It is arranged. Accordingly, since the recording paper P (X + 1) is skewed, it is possible to prevent a jam from occurring when the recording paper P (X + 1) is transported further downstream. Further, it is possible to stably record an image on the recording paper P (X + 1).

  In step S22, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 in the forward direction so that the transport roller 64 rotates forward. Due to the forward rotation of the transport roller 64, the recording paper P (X) that is positioned downstream by a first predetermined amount L from the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 and the recording paper P whose leading end has reached the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52. (X + 1) is a state in which the first predetermined amount L is shifted and overlapped, and is transported in the transport direction 55 by the transport roller pair 52 and transported onto the platen 60.

  In step S23, the control unit 96, based on the image data stored in the first storage unit 92, the recording paper P (X) of the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed to the platen 60. The operation of the image recording unit 18 is controlled so that the image to be recorded on the recording paper P (X + 1) is recorded in (X + 1). The recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) that have passed between the recording head 30 and the platen 60 are detected by the sheet sensor 53.

  In step S24, the control unit 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 so that the switchback roller 76 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount. When the switchback roller 76 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount, the trailing edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) that follows the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed in an overlapping manner is the switch It is clamped by the back roller pair 56. The amount of deviation between the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) is a first predetermined amount L corresponding to a value obtained by adding the roller radius length R and the set value “α”, so that the preceding recording paper The rear end of P (X) is conveyed downstream from the clamping position of the switchback roller pair 56 by a roller radius length R or more. The recording paper P (X) whose rear end is conveyed to the downstream side of the roller radial length R or more from the clamping position of the switchback roller pair 56 is separated from the subsequent recording paper P (X + 1) by its own weight and discharged. The paper is discharged to the unit 23. At this time, the recording paper P (X) discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 is discharged face-down because the front and back are reversed by passing through the second transport unit 28.

  In step S <b> 25, the control unit 96 drives the paper feed motor 42 in the reverse direction so that the switchback roller 76 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the recording paper P (X + 1) whose rear end is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 56 is transported in the reverse direction and guided to the second transport unit 28.

  In step S26, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the re-conveying roller 88 rotates. As a result, the recording paper P (X + 1) transported on the re-transport guide 84 is transported toward the merge portion 85. The recording paper P (X + 1) transported via the junction 85 is transported by the curved guide 57 so as to make a U-turn from below to above, and the surface opposite to the surface on which the image is recorded faces the recording head 30. To be conveyed.

  In step S27, the control unit 96 checks whether the registration sensor 51 has detected the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1). When it is determined No in step S27, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S26 and further conveys the recording paper. On the other hand, when it is determined Yes in step S27, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S28.

  In step S28, the control unit 96 determines whether or not the value of Cn + 1 is n. If it is determined No in step S28, the control unit 96 executes the process of step S29 because the number of recording sheets on which the image is recorded has not reached the number of pages n included in the instruction to execute the recording operation. To do. In step S29, the control unit 96 increments the value of Cn by “1”. Accordingly, the control unit 96 executes processing for the recording sheet conveyed to the second conveying unit 28 and the recording sheet to be fed next in the subsequent processing from step S18. That is, in the processing from step S18 after the processing of step S29 is performed, the recording paper conveyed to the second conveyance unit 28 and the recording paper newly fed from the paper feed cassette 22 are the first. The sheets are transported with being shifted by a predetermined amount L. On the other hand, when it is determined Yes in step S28, the number of recording sheets on which images are recorded has reached the number of pages n included in the instruction to execute the recording operation. Therefore, the control unit 96 performs the process of subsequent step S30. Execute.

  In step S30, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 stops or reverses for the first predetermined time T1. When the leading edge of the recording sheet P (X + 1) conveyed by the second conveying unit 28 enters the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52, the conveying roller 64 is stopped or reversed, so that the recording sheet P (X + 1) is It bends in a space 61 provided between the first curved guide 58 and the conveying roller pair 52. The bent recording paper P (X + 1) is in a state along the guide surface 63 inside the first curved guide 58. At this time, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) is aligned with the holding position of the conveyance roller pair 52 extending in the left-right direction due to the reaction force of the bent recording paper P (X + 1). It is arranged. Accordingly, since the recording paper P (X + 1) is skewed, it is possible to prevent a jam from occurring when the recording paper P (X + 1) is transported further downstream.

  In step S <b> 31, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 rotates forward. The recording paper P (X + 1) whose leading edge has reached the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 due to the forward rotation of the transport roller 64 is transported in the transport direction 55 by the transport roller pair 52 and transported onto the platen 60. The discharge roller 68 is also rotated forward by driving the PF motor 72.

  In step S <b> 32, the control unit 96 ends the processing after driving the PF motor 72 and the paper feed motor 42 so that the recording paper P (X + 1) is discharged to the paper discharge unit 23. As a result, the recording paper P (X + 1) discharged to the paper discharge unit 23 is discharged face down.

  According to the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the recording medium P (X) on which an image is recorded is discharged with its front and back reversed, the recording paper (P) is next fed. Recording paper P (X + 1) to be stacked and conveyed, and an image is recorded on the recording paper P (X) of the overlapping recording paper P (X) and recording paper P (X + 1), thereby recording a plurality of sheets. It is possible to reduce the time required to continuously record images on paper.

  The image recording unit 18 in the first embodiment is an example of the recording unit of the present invention. The feeding unit 28 is an example of the feeding unit of the present invention. The upstream side of the first conveyance path 50 relative to the image recording unit 18 is the first medium conveyance path of the present invention. The curved guide 57 and the conveyance roller pair 52 are an example of the main conveyance unit of the present invention. The switching unit 26 and the second transport unit 28 are examples of the reverse transport unit of the present invention. The switchback roller pair 56 is an example of the switching roller pair of the present invention. The second conveyance path 83 and the first conveyance path 50 are an example of the second medium conveyance path of the present invention on the downstream side of the joining portion 85 and the upstream side of the image recording unit 18. The first predetermined amount L is an example of the predetermined amount of the present invention. The registration sensor 51 or the re-transport sensor 95 is an example of the first detection unit of the present invention. The 1st conveyance path sensor 99 is an example of the 2nd detection part of the present invention. The control unit 96 is an example of the control unit of the present invention. The roller radius length R is an example of the predetermined value of the present invention.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the printer unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, when the front and back of the recording paper on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit 18 are reversed, the recording paper on which the image is recorded is conveyed in the reverse direction and passed through the image recording unit 18. In this configuration, the front and back are reversed and conveyed to the image recording unit 18 again. In addition, about the structure which shares 1st Embodiment, a common code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The printer unit 14 in the second embodiment includes an image recording unit 18, a paper feeding unit 100, a first transport unit 102, a paper discharge unit 104, a second transport unit 106, a merge unit 108, and a detection unit ( (Not shown).

[Paper Feeder 20]
The paper feed unit 100 includes a paper feed cassette 110 on which recording paper can be stacked, and a paper feed mechanism 36. The recording paper fed by the paper feeding mechanism 36 is guided by the first transport unit 102, and an image is recorded on the recording paper by the image recording unit 18.

  The paper feed cassette 110 is disposed at the upper rear portion of the image recording unit 18. The paper feed mechanism 36 is disposed above the paper feed cassette 110.

  The first transport unit 102 is disposed from the vicinity of the lower end of the paper feed cassette 110 to the front of the image recording unit 18. The first transport unit 102 transports the recording paper so that the recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 110 passes through the image recording unit 18. The first transport unit 102 includes a first transport guide 112 that guides the recording paper, and a first forward / reverse roller pair 114 and a second forward / reverse roller pair 116 that transport the recording paper. The recording paper transported by the first transport unit 102 is transported on the first transport path 118.

  The first transport guide 112 includes an upper guide 120 and a lower guide 122. The upper guide 120 is a member that extends from the lower end of the paper feed cassette 110 to the rear of the first forward / reverse roller pair 114. The lower guide 122 is a member that is arranged above the upper guide 120 in parallel with the upper guide 120 at a substantially constant interval. The recording paper is conveyed between the upper guide 120 and the lower guide 122.

  The first forward / reverse roller pair 114 is disposed in front of the first conveyance guide 112 and behind the image recording unit 18. The first forward / reverse roller pair 114 is driven by a first forward / reverse roller 124, a first driven roller 126 that is pressed against the first forward / reverse roller 124, and rotates by being driven by the first forward / reverse roller 124. Consists of. The first forward / reverse roller 124 and the first driven roller 126 are composed of one or a plurality of rollers extending in the left-right direction. The first forward / reverse roller 124 is rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The recording paper guided and conveyed by the first conveyance guide 112 by the normal rotation of the first normal / reverse rotation roller 124 is conveyed toward the image recording unit 18. On the other hand, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124, and is conveyed toward the second conveyance unit 106. The first driven roller 126 is disposed above the first forward / reverse roller 124.

  The second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is disposed in front of the image recording unit 18 and behind a discharge unit 104 described later. The second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is driven by a second forward / reverse roller 128, and a second driven roller 130 that is in pressure contact with the second forward / reverse roller 128 and rotates by being driven by the second forward / reverse roller 128. Consists of. The second forward / reverse roller 128 and the second driven roller 130 are composed of one or a plurality of rollers extending in the left-right direction. The second forward / reverse roller 128 can rotate in forward and reverse directions. The recording paper that has passed through the image recording unit 18 is conveyed toward the paper discharge unit 104 by the normal rotation of the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128. On the other hand, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction by the reverse rotation of the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128, and is conveyed toward the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 116 via the image recording unit 18. The second driven roller 130 is disposed above the second forward / reverse roller 128.

  The first forward / reverse roller 124 and the second forward / reverse roller 128 are connected to a PF motor 72 as a drive source. The first forward / reverse roller 124 and the second forward / reverse roller 128 are rotated by the rotation of the PF motor 72 transmitted through a seventh transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. The PF motor 72 can be driven in the forward / reverse direction, and the first forward / reverse roller 124 and the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotate in the forward / reverse direction as the PF motor 72 rotates. Therefore, the first forward / reverse roller 124 and the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotate forward and backward in synchronization.

[Discharge Unit 104]
The paper discharge unit 104 is disposed in front of the second forward / reverse rotation roller pair 116, and the rear end thereof is conveyed downstream from the clamping position of the second forward / reverse rotation roller pair 116 by the forward rotation of the second forward / reverse rotation roller pair 116. Recorded paper is ejected. The paper discharge unit 104 supports the discharged recording paper on the upper surface of the paper discharge unit 104. The paper discharge unit 104 is fixed to the printer unit 14.

[Second transport unit 106]
The second transport unit 106 extends in a substantially fan shape behind the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114, and is arranged so that the main part of the fan is located in the vicinity of the rear of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114. The second transport unit 106 reverses the front and back of the recording sheet conveyed by the reverse rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114, and then conveys the recording sheet toward the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114. Note that the recording paper conveyed by the second conveyance unit 106 is conveyed on the second conveyance path 132. The second transport unit 106 includes a re-transport guide 134 that guides the recording paper, and a re-transport roller pair 136 that transports the recording paper.

  The re-conveying guide 134 is a member that extends substantially in the shape of a fan behind the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114 and is arranged so that the main part of the fan is positioned behind the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114. The re-conveying guide 134 is composed of an outer member and an inner member arranged in parallel with a substantially constant interval. The recording sheet conveyed by the reverse rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 is reversed between the front and the back by being conveyed between the outer member and the inner member of the re-conveyance guide 134 and then again the first forward / reverse roller pair. It is conveyed toward 114.

  The re-conveying roller pair 136 is disposed in the middle of the re-conveying guide 134. The re-conveying roller pair 136 includes a re-conveying roller 140 that is driven, and a fourth pinch roller 142 that is pressed against the re-conveying roller 140 and rotates following the re-conveying roller 140. The re-conveying roller 140 conveys the recording paper conveyed between the re-conveying guides 134 toward the first forward / reverse roller pair 114. In the present embodiment, the re-conveying roller pair 136 includes two roller pairs.

  The re-conveying roller 140 is connected to a PF motor 72 that is a driving source. The re-conveying roller 140 is rotated by the rotation of the PF motor 72 transmitted through an eighth transmission mechanism (not shown) including a plurality of gears. The re-conveying roller 140 is configured to rotate only in the direction of conveying the recording paper further downstream.

[Merging unit 108]
The merge portion 108 is disposed behind the nipping position of the first forward / reverse roller pair 114. The recording paper conveyed on the second conveyance path 132 by the second conveyance unit 106 and conveyed to the front end of the re-conveyance guide 138 passes through the merge unit 108 and passes through the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114. It is conveyed to the clamping position.

  The detection unit includes a registration sensor 51 (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of recording paper. The registration sensor 51 is disposed on the downstream side of the joining unit 108 and on the upstream side of the sandwiching position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114, and the presence or absence of recording paper in the first conveyance path 118 and the second conveyance path 132. Detects the presence or absence of recording paper.

[Configuration of Control System of Second Embodiment]
The control system includes a first storage unit 92 that stores recording information for recording an image on recording paper, a second storage unit 97 that stores control information for controlling driving of each drive source, and a first storage unit. The image recording unit 18 and a control unit 96 that controls driving of each drive source based on information from the unit 92 and the second storage unit 97 are provided. Each drive source includes a CR motor 34, a paper feed motor 42, a PF motor 72, and the like.

  The second storage unit 97 stores control information for controlling the driving of each driving source. The control information is information used when the control unit 96 described later executes a control program. The control information includes information on the first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount. The first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount are values stored in advance in the second storage unit 97.

  The first predetermined time T1 is a time during which the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 stops or reversely rotates after the leading edge of the conveyed recording paper is detected by the registration sensor 51.

  The first predetermined amount L is a value based on the roller radius length R of the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128 (see FIG. 8). The first predetermined amount L corresponds to a value obtained by adding the roller radius length R and the set value “α”.

  The second predetermined amount is an amount by which the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotates forward. The second predetermined amount by which the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotates forward is the leading edge of one sheet of recording paper conveyed, or the recording paper P (X) and recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed in an overlapping manner. After the leading edge of the following recording sheet P (X + 1) reaches the nipping position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114, the trailing edge of one recording sheet conveyed or the recording sheet conveyed in an overlapping manner The second forward / reverse roller that transports the recording paper until the trailing edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) that follows between the P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) is sandwiched between the second forward / reverse roller pair 116. There are 128 normal rotation amounts. The second predetermined amount is transported in a state where the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) are overlapped with a shift of the first predetermined amount L even when one recording paper is transported. Even if it is the case, it is the same value. The second predetermined amount is determined based on the conveyance amount by which the recording paper is conveyed by the normal rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 and the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128.

[Recording Operation of Second Embodiment]
Next, a recording operation executed by the control unit 96 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, only processes different from those in the first embodiment will be described in the steps shown in FIG.

  In step S5, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 stops or reversely rotates for the first predetermined time T1.

  In step S6, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the first forward / reverse roller 124 rotates forward. In synchronization with the forward rotation of the first forward / reverse roller 124, the second forward / reverse roller 128 also rotates forward. The recording paper P (X) whose leading edge has reached the holding position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114 due to the forward rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 is conveyed onto the platen 60. The recording paper P (X) conveyed further downstream by the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 and passed through the image recording unit 18 is further conveyed downstream by the second forward / reverse roller pair 116.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the recording paper P (X) is discharged to the paper discharge unit 104.

  In step S14, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount. When the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount, the rear end of the recording paper P (X) is pinched by the second forward / reverse roller 128.

  In step S15, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 in the reverse direction so that the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the recording paper P (X) having the rear end held between the second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is conveyed in the reverse direction and passes between the recording head 30 and the platen 60, and the first forward / reverse roller The clamping position of the pair 114 is reached. In synchronization with the reverse rotation of the second forward / reverse roller 128, the first forward / reverse roller 124 is reversely rotated, so that the recording paper P (X) that has reached the nipping position of the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 is further conveyed. The second transport unit 106 is guided. The recording paper P (X) guided to the second transport unit 106 is further transported between the re-transport guides 138 by the rotation of the re-transport roller 140 in step S26, and the nipping position of the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 again. To reach. The front and back of the recording paper P (X) that has passed through the second transport unit 106 are in an inverted state.

  In step S19, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 stops or reversely rotates for the first predetermined time T1.

  In step S <b> 20, the control unit 96 causes the recording paper P (X) whose leading edge has reached the holding position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114 to rotate downstream by the first predetermined amount L. The PF motor 72 is driven so as to be conveyed.

  In step S24, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount. When the second forward / reverse roller 128 rotates forward by a second predetermined amount, the trailing edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) that follows the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed in an overlapping manner is The second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is sandwiched. On the other hand, the trailing edge of the preceding recording paper P (X) is conveyed downstream from the nipping position of the second forward / reverse rotation roller pair 116 by a roller radius length R or more. The recording paper P (X) whose rear end is conveyed downstream from the nipping position of the second forward / reverse roller pair 116 by the roller radius length R or more is separated from the subsequent recording paper P (X + 1) by its own weight. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 104. At this time, the recording paper P (X) discharged to the paper discharge unit 104 is discharged face-down because the front and back are reversed by passing through the second transport unit 106.

  In step S25, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 in the reverse direction so that the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the recording paper P (X + 1) having the rear end sandwiched between the second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is conveyed in the reverse direction, passes between the recording head 30 and the platen 60, and then the first forward / reverse roller. The clamping position of the pair 114 is reached. In synchronization with the reverse rotation of the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128, the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 is reversely rotated, so that the recording paper P (X + 1) that has reached the nipping position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114 is further conveyed. The second transport unit 106 is guided. The recording paper P (X + 1) guided to the second transport unit 106 is further transported between the re-transport guides 138 by the rotation of the re-transport roller 140 in step S26, and the nipping position of the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 again. To reach. The front and back of the recording paper P (X + 1) that has passed through the second transport unit 106 are in an inverted state.

  In step S30, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 stops or reversely rotates for a first predetermined time T1.

  In step S31, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 rotates forward. In synchronization with the forward rotation of the first forward / reverse roller 124, the second forward / reverse roller 128 also rotates forward. The recording paper P (X + 1) whose leading edge has reached the nipping position of the first forward / reverse rotation roller pair 114 due to the forward rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124 is conveyed onto the platen 60. The recording paper P (X + 1) conveyed further downstream by the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 and passed through the image recording unit 18 is further conveyed downstream by the second forward / reverse roller pair 116.

  In step S <b> 32, the control unit 96 drives the PF motor 72 so that the recording paper P (X + 1) is discharged to the paper discharge unit 104.

  The upstream side of the first conveying path 118 in the second embodiment from the clamping position of the first forward / reverse roller pair is an example of the first medium conveying path of the present invention. The first forward / reverse roller pair 114 that transports the recording paper by the forward rotation of the first forward / reverse roller 124 and the first transport guide 112 are an example of the main transport unit of the present invention. A first forward / reverse roller pair 114 that conveys the recording paper by the reverse rotation of the first forward / reverse rotation roller 124, a second forward / reverse roller pair 116 that conveys the recording paper by the reverse rotation of the second forward / reverse rotation roller 128, and a second transport unit 106 is an example of the reverse conveying unit of the present invention. The first forward / reverse roller pair 114 or the second forward / reverse roller pair 116 is an example of the switching roller pair of the present invention. Of the second conveyance path 132 and the first conveyance path 118, the upstream side of the joining portion 108 is the second medium conveyance path of the present invention.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

  The multifunction machine 10 only needs to include the printer unit 14. For example, a multifunction machine corresponding to the image recording apparatus of the present invention may not include a scanner unit.

  The printer unit 14 is an inkjet printer having an image recording unit 18 that records an image with ink, but may be any printer that can record an image. For example, the printer unit may be a laser printer having an image recording unit that records an image with toner.

  The paper feeding unit 20 feeds the recording paper by the paper feeding roller 38 supported by the support arm 40, but may be configured so that the recording paper can be fed. For example, the recording paper is fed by a paper feeding roller fixed to the frame of the printer unit and a paper feeding cassette 22 configured to lift up the recording paper loaded so that the recording paper contacts the paper feeding roller. It may be a paper configuration.

  The paper feed roller 38 is in contact with the upper surface of the stacked recording paper, but may be in contact with the lower surface of the recording paper.

  The support arm 40 is rotated by its own weight or a spring and insertion / extraction of the paper feed cassette 22, but may be connected to a driving source such as a motor and rotated by transmitting a driving force of the driving source.

  The first transport unit 24 may further include a guide member that guides the recording paper in addition to the curved guide 58 and the discharge guide 62. The conveyance roller pair 52 has a first pinch roller 66 that is driven to rotate below the conveyance roller 64 to which the driving force is transmitted, but has a first pinch roller 66 above the conveyance roller 64. Also good. Further, the discharge roller pair 54 has the second pinch roller 70 that rotates following the discharge roller 68 to which the driving force is transmitted, but has the second pinch roller 70 below the discharge roller 68. It may be.

  The space 61 in which the recording paper bends when the leading edge of the recording paper enters the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52 is a space provided between the first curved guide 58 and the conveyance roller pair 52. The space is not limited to this, and may be any space as long as it can accommodate the bending of the recording paper.

  The switching unit 26 has the switchback roller pair 56 and the switching flapper 74, but switches the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed to the direction in which it is guided to the paper discharge unit or the direction in which it is guided to the second conveyance unit. Any configuration may be used. For example, the switching unit may not have the switching flapper 74. The switching unit may have a switching flapper 74 on the downstream side of the switchback roller pair 56 in the transport direction 55.

  The switchback roller pair 56 has a third pinch roller 78 that rotates following the switchback roller 76 to which the driving force is transmitted, but has a third pinch roller 78 below the switchback roller 76. You may do it.

  The paper discharge unit 23 is disposed immediately before the switchback roller pair 56, but may be disposed anywhere as long as the recorded recording paper can be discharged. For example, a guide member for guiding the recording paper to the paper discharge unit may be further provided between the switchback roller pair 56 and the paper discharge unit 23. Further, an intermediate tray that temporarily supports recording paper may be further provided between the switchback roller pair 56 and the paper discharge unit 23.

  The detection unit 29 includes the registration sensor 51 and the sheet sensor 53, but may include only one of the sensors. The registration sensor 51 and the sheet sensor 53 can detect the presence or absence of recording paper by detecting the thickness of the recording paper or a non-contact sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor, as long as the position of the leading or trailing edge of the recording paper can be detected. It may be a sensor to detect. The registration sensor 51 may be disposed anywhere as long as it is downstream of the junction 85 in the transport direction 55 and upstream of the clamping position of the transport roller pair 52. The sheet sensor 53 may be disposed anywhere as long as it is downstream of the image recording unit 18 and upstream of the switchback roller pair 56.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the detection unit 29 may further include a second conveyance path sensor 130 that is disposed in the second conveyance unit 28 and detects the presence or absence of a recording sheet conveyed through the second conveyance unit 28. When the second transport path sensor 130 is provided, the control unit 96 determines whether or not the second transport path sensor 130 has detected the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) in place of the registration sensor 51 in step S17. Also good. Note that the second transport path sensor 130 may be disposed anywhere in the second transport unit 28. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time until the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) fed in step S18 reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52.

  The detection unit 29 may further include a first conveyance path sensor 132 (see FIG. 9) that is disposed near the lower end of the first bending guide 58 and detects the presence or absence of recording paper. When the first transport path sensor 132 is provided, the control unit 96 passes the position where the rear end of the recording paper P (X) fed from the paper feed cassette 22 is detected by the first transport path sensor 132. From Step S5 to Step S17, the paper feed roller 38 is fed so that the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) stacked on the paper feed cassette is transported to the position detected by the first transport path sensor 132. The paper feed motor 42 may be driven so that the motor rotates. The first conveyance path sensor 132 may be disposed anywhere from the lower end of the first bending guide 58 to the downstream side of the merging portion 85. In step S18, the controller 96 may drive the paper feed motor 42 so that the paper feed roller 38 rotates so that the recording paper P (X + 1) is fed again. Accordingly, the recording paper P (X + 1) reaches the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52 earlier than the time for the recording paper P (X + 1) stacked on the paper feeding cassette 22 to reach the nipping position of the conveying roller pair 52. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time until the leading edge of the recording paper P (X + 1) whose feeding is resumed reaches the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52.

  Although the mode setting unit includes the first input button 93 of the operation panel 12, the internal fixed memory of the control unit 96, and a part of the processing of the control unit 96, the mode setting unit is not limited thereto. The setting of the face-down paper discharge mode is input by the first input button 93, but any input button may be used as long as it is an input button of the multi-function device 10. The first input button 93 is one input button, but may be a combination of a plurality of input buttons. Further, the mode setting unit may be configured to set the face-down paper discharge mode by a mode setting command from an external input device such as a PC instead of the first input button 93. In addition, when the user desires face-down paper discharge, the user sets the face-down paper discharge mode. However, according to the user's request, the face-up paper discharge mode and the face-down paper discharge mode are changed. It is not limited to this as long as it can be selected. For example, the user may set either the face-up discharge mode or the face-down discharge mode.

  The face-down paper discharge mode set by the mode setting unit is included in the instruction to execute the recording operation, but is not limited to this as long as it is set by the user. For example, when it is determined Yes in step S8, the control unit 96 sets the re-recording face-down paper discharge mode on, for example, the display screen of the operation panel 12 or the display screen of an external input device such as a PC. A message may be displayed to the user to select whether or not to allow the user to set the face-down paper discharge mode.

The first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount are values stored in advance in the second storage unit 97, but are not limited thereto. The first predetermined time T1, the first predetermined amount L, the second predetermined time T2, and the second predetermined amount may be values calculated after a recording operation execution instruction is input.

  The first predetermined amount L corresponds to a value obtained by adding the roller radius length R and the set value “α”, but is not limited thereto. The first predetermined amount L may be a value that can reliably separate the recording paper P (X) and the recording paper P (X + 1) transported in an overlapping manner by switching the forward rotation of the switchback roller 76 from the reverse rotation. . Therefore, the set value “α” is not limited to “10 mm” and may be any value including “0”. Further, the first predetermined amount may be an arbitrary value that is not based on the roller radius length R as long as it can be reliably separated by switching the switchback roller 76 from normal rotation to reverse rotation.

  The roller radius length R is a value corresponding to the radius of the switchback roller 76, but is not limited thereto. The roller radius length R may be a value corresponding to the radius of the lower roller of the switchback roller pair 56. Accordingly, when the third pinch roller 78 is positioned below the switchback roller 76, the roller radius length R is a value corresponding to the radius of the third pinch roller 78.

  In step S19, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor so that the transport roller 64 stops or reverses for the first predetermined time T1, but this process may not be executed. In step S30, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor so that the transport roller 64 stops or reverses for the first predetermined time T1, but this process may not be executed. Further, after the leading edge of the recording paper to be conveyed is detected by the registration sensor 51, there may be no first predetermined time T1 when the conveying roller stops or reversely rotates. When there is no first predetermined time T1, the control unit 96 does not execute the processes of step S5, step S19, and step S30. In this case, in step S <b> 20, the control unit 96 adds the recording paper P (X) to the first predetermined amount L by a value obtained by adding the length from the detection position of the registration sensor 51 to the holding position of the conveyance roller pair 52. The PF motor 72 is driven in the forward direction so as to be conveyed downstream. As a result, the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) transported in step S <b> 20 is positioned downstream from the nipping position of the transport roller pair 52 by the first predetermined amount L.

  In step S21, the control unit 96 controls the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 stops for the second predetermined time T2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The controller 96 may control the driving of the PF motor 72 so that the transport roller 64 reversely rotates for the second predetermined time T2. In this case, in step S20 and step S21, the control unit 96 determines that the leading edge of the recording paper P (X) is moved from the nipping position of the conveyance roller pair 52 when the conveyance roller 64 is reversed for the second predetermined time T2. The driving of the PF motor 72 in the forward direction and the driving in the reverse direction are controlled so as to be positioned downstream by a predetermined amount L.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.

  The first transport unit 102 includes the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 and the second forward / reverse roller pair 116, but may further include a forward / reverse roller pair. In addition, although the first driven roller 126 is disposed above the first forward / reverse roller 124, the first forward / reverse roller pair 114 may be disposed below. Further, although the second driven roller 130 is disposed above the second forward / reverse roller 128, the second forward / reverse roller pair 116 may be disposed below.

  The second transport unit 106 has two pairs of re-transport rollers 136, but is not limited to two sets. One pair of re-conveying roller pairs 136 may be provided. Further, three or more pairs of re-conveying rollers 136 may be provided.

  Note that the modification of the first embodiment may be appropriately applied as a modification of the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction device 14 ... Printer part 18 ... Image recording part 20 ... Paper feed part 23 ... Paper discharge part 24 ... 1st conveyance part 26 ... Switching part 28 ... Second transport unit 30 ... recording head 32 ... carriage 34 ... CR motor 38 ... feed roller 40 ... support arm 42 ... feed motor 50 ... first transport path 51: Registration sensor 52 ... Conveying roller pair 53 ... Sheet sensor 56 ... Switchback roller pair 72 ... PF motor 74 ... Switching flapper 76 ... Switchback roller 78 ... No. 3 pinch rollers 83... Second transport path 85 .. confluence section 93 .. first input button 95 .. re-transport sensor 96 .. control section 99.

Claims (10)

A recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium;
A feeding unit that feeds the loaded recording medium;
A main transport unit including a first medium transport path through which a recording medium is transported in a predetermined transport direction from the feeding unit to the recording unit;
A reversing conveyance unit that reverses the front and back of a recording medium on which an image is recorded by the recording unit and conveys the recording medium to the recording unit. A pair of switching rollers for switching directions, and a second medium conveyance path in which the recording medium conveyed in the reverse direction by the pair of switching rollers merges in the middle of the first medium conveyance path and is conveyed to the recording unit A reversing conveyance unit comprising:
After the image is recorded by the recording unit, the first recording medium conveyed through the second medium conveyance path by the reversing conveyance unit is closer to the recording unit than the second recording medium fed next. After the image is recorded on the second recording medium that is superimposed on the second recording medium so as to precede and conveyed while being overlapped with the first recording medium, the overlapping first recording medium and second recording medium A recording apparatus, wherein a second recording medium of the recording media is conveyed in the reverse direction by the switching roller pair.   In the first medium conveyance path, the surface opposite to the surface on which the image of the first recording medium is recorded faces the recording portion of the second recording medium, and the image should be recorded. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is disposed with respect to the recording unit and the second medium conveyance path so as to overlap a surface opposite to the surface. The main transport unit includes a pair of transport rollers that sandwich and transport the recording medium,
The first recording medium transported through the second medium transport path precedes the recording section in advance of the second recording medium transported through the first medium transport path. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is conveyed so as to reach the clamping position.   The operation of the pair of transport rollers is controlled such that the pair of transport rollers stops after the first recording medium transported through the second medium transport path is transported a predetermined amount after being sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers. The first recording medium is controlled by controlling the operation of the feeding unit so that the second recording medium is transported through the first medium transport path toward the pair of transport rollers in a stopped state. The operation of the pair of conveying rollers is performed such that the first recording medium and the second recording medium overlapped with each other by a predetermined amount before the second recording medium are conveyed to the recording unit by the conveying roller pair. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a control unit that controls the recording unit. The first medium which is arranged in the middle of the second medium conveyance path or in the middle of the first medium conveyance path and downstream of the position where the second medium conveyance path joins and detects the presence or absence of a recording medium. A detection unit,
The control unit starts feeding the second recording medium after the first recording medium on which the image is recorded and conveyed on the second medium conveyance path is detected by the first detection unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the feeding unit is controlled as described above. A second detection unit disposed in the middle of the first medium conveyance path and upstream of the position where the second medium conveyance path joins, and further detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium;
The control unit includes: a first recording medium on which an image is recorded and conveyed through the second medium conveyance path after an image is recorded on the first recording medium fed from the feeding unit. Before the detection by the first detection unit, the operation of the feeding unit is controlled so that the second recording medium is fed until the second recording medium reaches the detection position of the second detection unit. The feeding so that feeding of the second recording medium is resumed when the first recording medium recorded and transported through the second medium transport path is detected by the first detection unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the unit is controlled.   A second recording medium on which feeding is started or resumed after an image is recorded and the first recording medium conveyed through the second medium conveyance path reaches the detection position of the first detection unit Until the position at which the conveyance roller pair is clamped, the control unit transfers the first recording medium on which the image is recorded and conveyed to the reverse conveyance unit in the predetermined conveyance direction. The recording apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the operation of the pair of conveying rollers is controlled so as to stop after being conveyed to the downstream side by the predetermined amount from the clamping position.   The control unit controls the operation of the pair of switching rollers so that the overlapping first recording medium and second recording medium are transported in the predetermined transport direction by the pair of switching rollers. When the rear end of the recording medium is conveyed to a downstream side of a predetermined value or more than the sandwiching position of the switching roller pair, and the rear end of the second recording medium is sandwiched between the switching roller pair, The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation of the pair of switching rollers is controlled so that the conveying direction is switched in the reverse direction.   The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined value is a length corresponding to a radius of any one of the rollers of the switching roller pair.   The control unit is configured such that when the first recording medium transported through the second medium transport path reaches the nipping position of the transport roller pair, the transport roller pair is in a stopped or reversed state. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operation of the pair of conveying rollers is controlled.

Images