JP2012062177A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly reliable recorder capable of suppressing a carrying failure of a carrying medium.SOLUTION: The recorder includes a recording part for performing recording to the carrying medium, a second roller for carrying the carrying medium of performing the recording in the predetermined carrying direction, a first roller arranged at the downstream side in the carrying direction with respect to the second roller and carrying the carrying medium in the predetermined direction, and a correction roller arranged so as to be capable of sandwiching the carrying medium between the first roller and itself and correcting a curve of the carrying medium. A diameter of the first roller is smaller than a diameter of the second roller.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

  A printing apparatus, which is a type of recording apparatus, includes a conveyance mechanism (conveyance unit) that conveys roll paper (conveyance medium), a recording head (recording unit) that performs a recording process on the roll paper, and the curvature of the roll paper ( A device equipped with a decurling mechanism (correcting portion) for correcting the wrapping is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The decurling mechanism described in Patent Document 1 is arranged on the upstream side of the transport roller in the transport direction of the roll paper, a first roller that feeds the roll paper, a correction roller that sandwiches the roll paper between the first rollers. And a second roller that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the conveyed roll paper. In a state where the roll paper is sandwiched between the first roller and the correction roller, the roll paper is bent between the sandwiched portion and the portion engaged with the second roller, thereby correcting the winding. It is like that.

  In the printing apparatus described above, a transport roller that transports the roll paper is provided on the upstream side of the second roller. When the roll paper is conveyed onto the outer peripheral surface of the second roller by the conveyance roller, the second roller rotates as the roll paper moves, and the roll paper is conveyed to the first roller on the downstream side.

JP 2009-179416 A

  However, in the above configuration, the roll paper may enter between the second roller and the first roller, resulting in a conveyance failure. When such a conveyance failure occurs, the reliability of the recording apparatus is lowered.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable recording apparatus that can suppress a conveyance failure of a conveyance medium.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a transport medium in a predetermined transport direction, a recording unit that performs recording on the transport medium, and a correction unit that corrects the transport medium on which the recording has been performed. The correction unit is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller so as to leave a gap between the first roller that sends the transport medium in the transport direction and the first roller. A second roller for feeding the transport medium in the transport direction, and the first roller so that the transport medium is pressed and curved to the distance between the first roller and the second roller. A correction roller for sandwiching the conveyance medium, wherein the diameter of the first roller is smaller than the diameter of the second roller.

  According to the present invention, since the diameter of the first roller disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction is smaller than the diameter of the second roller disposed on the upstream side of the first roller, the first roller and the second roller The gap between the two can be reduced. It is possible to suppress the conveyance medium from entering the gap. Thereby, the conveyance failure of a conveyance medium can be suppressed and a reliable recording apparatus can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the diameter of the second roller is larger than the diameter of the first roller, the surface of the transport medium (the surface pressed by the second roller) when the transport medium is pressed by the second roller The stress acting on the opposite surface) can be suppressed as much as possible. Thereby, it can suppress that a conveyance medium is damaged.

The recording apparatus is characterized in that the correction roller is provided so as to be movable between a clamping position for clamping the conveyance medium and a separation position away from the conveyance medium.
According to the present invention, since the correction roller is movably provided between the holding position for holding the conveyance medium and the separated position away from the conveyance medium, the correction of the conveyance medium is performed according to the conveyance condition of the conveyance medium. The operation can be switched on and off. Thereby, a conveyance medium can be conveyed efficiently.

In the recording apparatus, the diameter of the correction roller is smaller than the diameter of the first roller.
According to the present invention, since the diameter of the correction roller is smaller than the diameter of the first roller, it is possible to ensure a long distance between the clamping position and the separation position. Thereby, since the movable range of the correction roller becomes wide, the adjustment range of the correction force by the correction roller becomes wide. Thereby, the correction accuracy of a conveyance medium can be improved.

The recording apparatus is characterized in that the clamping position is provided upstream of the first roller in the transport direction.
According to the present invention, since the clamping position is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller, the abutting position comes into contact with the transport medium from the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller. Thereby, it can be set as the structure which is easy to curve a conveyance medium between a 1st roller and a 2nd roller.

In the recording apparatus, the correction unit includes a guide unit that guides the conveyance medium between the first roller and the second roller.
According to the present invention, since the guide unit guides the conveyance medium between the second roller and the first roller, the conveyance medium enters the gap formed between the second roller and the first roller. Can be prevented.

  The recording apparatus further includes a discharge unit that is provided downstream of the correction unit in the transport direction and discharges the transport medium. The transport unit discharges the transport medium to the discharge unit. The first roller and the correction roller also serve as the discharge roller.

  According to the present invention, it further includes a discharge unit that is provided downstream of the correction unit in the transport direction and discharges the transport medium, and the transport unit includes a discharge roller that sends the transport medium to the discharge unit, Since the correction roller also serves as the discharge roller, the corrected conveyance medium can be discharged as it is without passing through another roller.

In the recording apparatus, the recording unit includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto the transport medium.
According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the conveyance failure of the conveyance medium in which the liquid is ejected by the liquid ejecting head and to increase the recording accuracy.

The recording apparatus may further include a drying unit that is provided between the recording unit and the correction unit and that dries the liquid.
According to the present invention, since the apparatus further includes a drying unit that is provided between the recording unit and the correction unit in the conveyance direction and dries the conveyance medium, the liquid ejected onto the conveyance medium before the conveyance medium reaches the correction unit. Can be dried. Thereby, it can prevent that a liquid adheres to the 1st roller provided in the correction part, the 2nd roller, or the correction roller.

In the recording apparatus, the drying unit includes a heating unit that heats the transport medium.
According to the present invention, since the drying unit includes the heating unit that heats the transport medium, the liquid can be dried in a short time by heating.

In the recording apparatus, the transport medium includes a recording layer on which recording is performed and a base material layer that supports the recording layer.
According to the present invention, since the stress acting on the surface of the transport medium (the surface opposite to the surface supported by the second roller) can be suppressed as much as possible, the recording layer is prevented from being damaged. be able to.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the correction part which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the correction part which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the cut sheet (or sheet | seat) which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining curl correction processing by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a process diagram illustrating a state of curl correction processing by the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus (recording apparatus) according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus PRT of the present embodiment is an apparatus that performs a printing process on a sheet ST (conveyance medium) ST while conveying the sheet (conveyance medium) ST. The printing apparatus PRT has a main body case BD. The main body case BD is provided with a sheet supply unit SP, a conveyance unit CV, a recording unit IJ, a cutting unit CT, a back surface recording unit IP, a drying unit DR, a correction unit DC, a sheet discharge unit EX, and a control unit CONT. .

  The sheet supply unit SP is a part that supplies a sheet ST to be printed. The sheet supply unit SP has a shaft part SF. A sheet ST is attached to the shaft portion SF in a rolled state. The shaft portion SF is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction by the rotary motor MT1. The sheet ST is sent out by rotating the shaft portion SF. As the sheet ST wound in a roll shape, for example, the sheet ST may be wound around a cylindrical core portion, and the core portion may be detachable from the shaft portion SF. Further, the shaft part SF may be removable.

  The transport unit CV transports the sheet ST sent from the sheet supply unit SP along the transport path RT. The conveyance path RT is set from the sheet supply unit SP to the sheet discharge unit EX. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the direction from the sheet supply unit SP toward the sheet discharge unit EX along the conveyance path RT is the conveyance direction (X direction). Moreover, the conveyance part CV has the conveyance rollers 21-28 arrange | positioned along the said conveyance path | route RT.

  Among the transport rollers 21 to 28, the transport roller 21 and the transport roller 25 are arranged with the transport path RT interposed therebetween. Similarly, the conveyance roller 22, the conveyance roller 26, the conveyance roller 23, and the conveyance roller 27 are arrange | positioned on both sides of the conveyance path | route RT. Among these, the transport rollers 21, 23, 25, and 27 are rotatably provided by the transport motor MT2 (see FIG. 5). Further, the transport rollers 22, 24, 26, and 28 are rotatably provided as the sheet ST moves.

  The recording unit IJ is a part that performs a recording process on the surface S1 of the conveyed sheet ST. The recording unit IJ has a head H, a carriage CA, a guide shaft 31, and a sheet support unit 32. The head H is provided to face the support surface 32 a of the sheet support portion 32. The support surface 32a of the sheet support portion 32 is disposed along the transport path RT. The sheet ST conveyed on the conveyance path RT is supported by the support surface 32a. A plurality of suction ports (not shown) for sucking the sheet ST are provided in the support surface 32a.

  A plurality of nozzles NZ are provided on the ejection surface Ha of the head H that faces the support surface 32a. The nozzle NZ is adapted to eject ink (liquid). The ink ejected from the nozzles NZ adheres to the sheet ST on the transport path RT, so that images and characters are recorded on the sheet ST.

  The carriage CA holds the head H in a state where the ejection surface Ha of the head H faces the support surface 32a. The carriage CA is provided so as to be movable along the guide shaft 31. The guide shaft 31 is provided along a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet ST. Therefore, the head H moves in the Y direction as the carriage CA moves.

  The cutting part CT is a part arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the recording part IJ, and is a part for cutting the sheet ST on which the recording process has been performed. The cutting part CT has a cutter 41 constituted by a rotary blade or the like and a cutter receiving part 42 that receives the cutter 41. In the cutting part CT, for example, the sheet ST can be cut for each recording area corresponding to the image recorded in the recording part IJ. The cut sheet ST is transported in the transport direction as a cut sheet CS.

  The back surface recording unit IP is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the cutting unit CT, and is a part that performs recording on the back surface S2 of the cut sheet CS. The back surface recording unit IP includes a recording unit 51 and a support base 52. The recording unit 51 is a so-called impact dot type printing unit having an ink ribbon and an impact mechanism (not shown).

  In the back surface recording unit IP, with the support base 52 supporting the front surface S1 of the cut sheet CS, the back surface of the cut sheet CS is pressed by pressing an ink ribbon against the back surface S2 of the cut sheet CS and hitting an impact mechanism. A dot-like image is formed in S2. In addition to the impact dot printing unit, for example, a thermal transfer printing unit may be employed as the recording unit 51.

  The drying unit DR is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the back surface recording unit IP, and is a part for drying the cut sheet CS. The drying unit DR includes a heating unit HT that heats the cut sheet CS. When the heating unit HT heats the cut sheet CS, the ink ejected on the surface S1 of the cut sheet CS is dried.

  The correction unit DC is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the drying unit DR, and is a part that corrects curling of the cut sheet CS. The correction unit DC includes a first roller 71, a second roller 72, a correction roller 73, and a sensor 90. The first roller 71 is rotatably provided to send the cut sheet CS in the transport direction. A transport motor MT2 (see FIG. 5) is connected to the first roller 71.

  The second roller 72 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 71. The second roller 72 is rotatably provided so as to send the cut sheet CS in the transport direction. The second roller 72 may be a driving roller connected to a rotation motor, or may be a driven roller that can rotate according to the conveyance of the cut sheet CS. The correction roller 73 is provided at a position that sandwiches the transport path RT with respect to the first roller 71, and is provided so that the cut sheet CS can be held between the correction roller 73 and the first roller 71.

  The sensor 90 is a reflective optical sensor that is electrically connected to the control unit CONT. The sensor 90 has a light source unit and a light receiving unit (not shown). The sensor 90 is disposed, for example, below the conveyance path RT (on the back surface S2 side of the sheet ST or the cut sheet CS). The sensor 90 emits light from the light source unit toward the transport route RT. This light is reflected by the back surface S2 of the sheet ST or the cut sheet CS, and the light receiving unit receives the reflected light. The light receiving unit generates an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light, and the electrical signal is transmitted to the control unit CONT.

  For example, the sensor 90 outputs an ON value larger than a predetermined threshold when the sheet ST or the cut sheet CS is a reflection target, while the threshold value when the sheet ST or the cut sheet CS is not a reflection target. An OFF value that is as follows is output. Therefore, when the output value of the sensor 90 changes from the OFF value to the ON value, the leading edge of the sheet ST or the cut sheet CS in the transport direction is detected.

  The sheet discharge unit EX is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the correction unit DC. The sheet discharge unit EX is a portion where the cut sheet CS is discharged, and is an end point of the conveyance path RT by the conveyance unit CV. The sheet discharge unit EX has an opening 81 and a discharge tray 82. The opening 81 is provided so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the main body case BD. The cut sheet CS sent by the first roller 71 and the correction roller 73 passes through the opening 81. For this reason, the first roller 71 and the correction roller 73 also serve as the discharge roller ER that discharges the cut sheet CS from the conveyance unit CV to the sheet discharge unit EX. Note that the conveyance unit CV may have a separate discharge roller ER. The discharge tray 82 is provided outside the main body case BD, and is a portion where the sheet ST that has passed through the opening 81 is placed.

  In the printing apparatus PRT configured as described above, the sheet ST supplied from the sheet supply unit SP is transported by the transport unit CV, and a printing process is performed on the surface S1 of the sheet ST by the recording unit IJ. After the processing, the sheet ST is cut by the cutting part CT. The cut sheet CS that has been cut is subjected to recording processing on the back surface S2 by the back surface recording unit IP, and is subjected to drying processing in the drying unit DR. The cut sheet CS that has been subjected to the drying process has its curvature corrected in the correction section DC and is discharged from the sheet discharge section EX.

  In the printing apparatus PRT, the print data included in one print job is divided into a plurality of pieces, and print processing based on each divided print data is performed for each scan of the carriage CA, and between each print processing, The portion printed with ST is intermittently conveyed. That is, in the recording unit IJ, an image based on one print job is formed by alternately repeating the formation of a strip-like image whose Y direction is the longitudinal direction and the paper feeding in the X direction. Yes.

Next, the structure of the correction | amendment part DC containing the characteristic component in this embodiment is demonstrated.
2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the correction unit DC.
As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the correction | amendment part DC has the 1st roller 71, the 2nd roller 72, and the correction roller 73 as a part of component. The correction unit DC includes a sensor 90 (see FIG. 1), guide members G1 and G2, a cam motor M3 (see FIG. 5), and a cam mechanism 60. The 1st roller 71, the 2nd roller 72, and the correction | amendment roller 73 are each supported by the axial parts 71a, 72a, 73a extended in a Y direction.

  The correction roller 73 is movably provided between a clamping position P1 (position shown in FIG. 3) for clamping the cut sheet CS and a separation position P2 (position shown in FIG. 2) away from the cut sheet CS. . When the sheet ST is sandwiched between the correction roller 73 and the first roller 71, the correction roller 73 is driven to rotate as the sheet ST is conveyed. The clamping position P <b> 1 of the correction roller 73 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction from the first roller 71. As described above, the correction roller 73 is configured to contact the cut sheet CS from the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 71. For this reason, when the cut sheet CS is sandwiched between the first roller 71 and the correction roller 73, the upstream side of the cut sheet CS is easily bent downward in the figure, and the gap between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. It becomes easy to bend to 74.

  Thus, the correction roller 73 is configured to sandwich the cut sheet CS so that the cut sheet CS is pressed and curved into the gap 74 between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 at the sandwiching position P1. It has become. The correction roller 73 is configured to correct (decurl) the curling (curling) of the cut sheet CS by bending the cut sheet CS with the second roller 72. The second roller 72 is arranged on the upstream side of the first roller 71 in the conveyance direction and conveys the sheet ST toward the first roller 71, and when the cut sheet CS is bent, It functions as a support part that supports the upstream side.

  The guide member G1 guides the back surface S2 side of the cut sheet CS conveyed by the second roller 72. The guide member G2 guides the surface S1 side of the sheet ST conveyed by the second roller 72. The guide members G <b> 1 and G <b> 2 are disposed on the upstream side of the first roller 71 in the transport direction in order to guide the cut sheet CS toward the first roller 71. The guide member G1 has a base end portion G1a provided on the upstream side in the transport direction, and a comb-shaped guide portion G1b extending from the base end portion G1a toward the downstream side in the transport direction. .

  The cam mechanism 60 includes a cam shaft 62 supported by the body case BD, cam members 63 and 64 that rotate as the cam shaft 62 rotates, and levers 65 and 66 that follow the rotation of the cam members 63 and 64, respectively. It has. The lever 65 is rotatable around a lever shaft 67 disposed on the upstream side of the cam shaft 62 in the transport direction. The lever 66 is rotatable about a lever shaft 68 disposed on the downstream side of the cam shaft 62 in the transport direction.

  The guide member G1 is fixed to a support portion 65a extending from the lever shaft 67 toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The cam member 63 is engaged with an engaging portion 65b extending obliquely downward from the support portion 65a toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The lever 65 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 2 by an urging member (not shown) (for example, a torsion coil spring).

  The cam member 64 is engaged with an engaging portion 66 a extending downward from the lever shaft 68. The shaft portion 73a of the correction roller 73 is rotatably supported on the distal end side of the support portion 66b extending upward from the lever shaft 68. A guide member G2 is fixed to the support portion 66b of the lever 66. The lever 65 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 2 by a biasing force of a biasing member (not shown) (for example, a torsion coil spring).

  The cam shaft 62 rotates with the driving of the cam motor M3. When the cam shaft 62 rotates approximately 180 ° from the state shown in FIG. 2, the cam members 63 and 64 together with the cam shaft 62 rotate to the position shown in FIG. 3. According to the rotation of the cam member 63, the lever 65 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2, and according to the rotation of the cam member 64, the lever 66 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  When the cam shaft 62 rotates approximately 180 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 3 as the cam motor M3 is driven, the cam members 63 and 64 rotate together with the cam shaft 62 to return to the position shown in FIG. Further, as the cam member 63 rotates, the lever 65 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 to return to the position shown in FIG. 2, and as the cam member 64 rotates, the lever 66 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Return to the position shown in FIG.

  The guide member G1 swings around the base end G1a side as the lever 65 rotates, so that the guide portion G1b forms a transport path (the position shown in FIG. 2), and the guide portion G1b It is displaced between the retracted position (position shown in FIG. 3) that is separated from the transport path. In the guide position, the guide member G1 is configured such that the upper surface of the guide portion G1b on the tip side of the bent portion G1c is substantially flush with the transport path RT to form the support surface of the cut sheet CS.

  As the lever 66 rotates, the correction roller 73 moves between the separation position P2 (position shown in FIG. 2) and the clamping position P1 (position shown in FIG. 3). In the clamping position P1, the correction roller 73 is disposed at a position where the distance from the first roller 71 is shorter than the thickness of the sheet ST. In the separation position P2, the correction roller 73 is disposed such that the separation distance from the first roller 71 is longer than the thickness of the sheet ST. Therefore, when the correction roller 73 is at the separation position P2, the sheet ST is conveyed by the first roller 71 downstream along the conveyance path indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member G <b> 1 has a length in the transport direction that is longer than the diameter of the second roller 72, and the guide portion G <b> 1 b extends to a position where the tip reaches the first roller 71. Yes. In other words, the guide portion G1b of the guide member G1 is arranged with the downstream end in the transport direction on the downstream side of the upstream end of the circumferential surface of the first roller 71. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the correction roller 73 has an aspect in which the circumferential surface intersects with the conveyance path indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing at the clamping position P <b> 1. Therefore, the peripheral surface of the correction roller 73 at the clamping position P1 and the guide portion G1b of the guide member G1 at the guide position interfere with each other.

  In this embodiment, in order to avoid interference between the guide member G1 and the correction roller 73, when the correction roller 73 moves downward toward the clamping position P1, the guide member G1 is separated from the clamping position P1 of the correction roller 73. It is possible to move to a retreat position spaced downward from the movement path to the position P2.

  When the cam shaft 62 rotates, the guide member G1 moves as the cam member 63 rotates, and the correction roller 73 moves as the cam member 64 rotates. Therefore, the guide portion G1b of the guide member G1 moves downward from the guide position toward the retracted position at the timing when the correction roller 73 moves downward from the separation position P2 toward the clamping position P1.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the diameter R <b> 1 of the first roller 71 is formed to be smaller than the diameter R <b> 2 of the second roller 72. Further, the diameter R3 of the correction roller 73 is formed to be smaller than the diameter R1 of the first roller 71. Therefore, the diameter R1 of the first roller 71, the diameter R2 of the second roller 72, and the diameter R3 of the correction roller 73 are set to values that satisfy the relationship of R3 <R1 <R2. Specifically, the diameter R1 of the first roller 71 can be set to, for example, about 18 mm, the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 can be set to, for example, about 32 mm, and the diameter R3 of the correction roller 73 can be set to, for example, 11 It can be set to about 25 mm.

  Since the distance between the diameter R1 of the first roller 71 and the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is R1 <R2, the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 have the same diameter as compared with the first roller 71 and the second roller 72. A gap 74 between the first roller 71 and the second roller 72 is reduced. For this reason, it is the structure by which the front-end | tip of cut sheet CS enters into the clearance gap 74.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cut sheet CS of the present embodiment. The sheet ST has the same configuration, but the description is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cut sheet CS has a recording layer C1 provided on the front surface S1 and a base material layer C2 provided on the back surface S2.

  The recording layer C1 is configured to easily fix the ink ejected from the head H of the recording unit IJ. The base material layer C2 supports the recording layer C1. More specifically, the recording layer C1 is formed on the surface of the base material layer C2. The thickness of the recording layer C1 is extremely small compared to the thickness of the base material layer C2.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus PRT will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit CONT includes a computer 101 as a control unit, a head drive circuit 102, and motor drive circuits 103, 104, and 105. The computer 101 is electrically connected to the head drive circuit 102 and the motor drive circuits 103, 104, and 105 via a bus 108.

  The computer 101 includes an ASIC 109 (Application Specific IC), a CPU 110, a ROM 111, a RAM 112, and a nonvolatile memory 113. The ROM 111 stores various control programs and various data. The nonvolatile memory 113 stores various programs including a firmware program and various data necessary for print processing. The RAM 112 temporarily stores program data executed by the CPU 110, various data that are calculation results and processing results by the CPU 110, various data processed by the ASIC 109, and the like.

  The computer 101 performs various controls by the CPU 110 executing a program stored in the ROM 111 or the like. For example, the computer 101 controls the head H through the head drive circuit 102 and controls the rotation motor MT1, the transport motor MT2, and the cam motor MT3 through the motor drive circuits 103, 104, and 105, respectively. The computer 101 controls the transport motor MT2 based on the detection signal from the rotary encoder EC. Further, the computer 101 controls the cam motor MT3 based on the detection result of the sensor 90 and the like.

  The output shaft of the transport motor MT2 is provided with a rotary encoder EC for detecting the rotational speed, rotational position and rotational direction of the output shaft, and a power transmission switching device SW. The power transmission switching device SW switches the power transmission destination between the transport motor MT2, the transport rollers 21 to 28, the first roller 71, and the second roller 72 according to the transport process of the sheet ST. .

Next, correction processing in the printing apparatus PRT will be described.
In the printing apparatus PRT, the correction process is performed on the cut sheet CS cut after the recording process in the recording unit IJ is completed. When the length of the cut sheet CS in the conveyance direction is long, even if the leading end side of the sheet ST before being cut reaches the correction unit DC, the trailing end side of the sheet ST disposed in the recording unit IJ In some cases, the recording process is being executed.

  Therefore, normally, the sheet ST is conveyed without correcting the curl to the sheet ST in a state where the correction roller 73 is disposed at the separation position P2 and the guide member G1 is disposed at the guide position. Is called. Then, after the cutting of the sheet ST is completed and continuous conveyance of the cut sheet CS is started, the correction roller 73 is moved from the separation position P2 to the clamping position P1 by the control of the computer 101, and the curl correction of the sheet ST is performed. Processing begins.

  When the length of the cut sheet CS in the conveyance direction is short, the front end side of the cut sheet CS may not reach the correction unit DC when cutting is performed. Even in such a case, in order to insert the leading end of the cut sheet CS between the correction roller 73 and the first roller 71 with certainty, the computer 101 is between the correction roller 73 and the first roller 71 at the separation position P2. The correction roller 73 is moved from the separation position P2 to the clamping position P1 while the sheet ST is inserted therethrough.

  Next, a curl correction processing routine executed by the computer 101 when the cutting of the sheet ST is completed will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the case where the curl correction process is performed on the cut sheet CS will be described as an example, but the same description can be applied to the case where the curl correction process is performed in the state of the sheet ST.

  First, in step S11, the computer 101 acquires the length L in the conveyance direction of the cut sheet CS, and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, based on the length L of the cut sheet CS acquired by the computer 101, the curl correction operation start count value Ns for determining the timing for starting the curl correction operation and the curl correction operation end for determining the timing for ending the curl correction operation. The count value Ne is determined, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the computer 101 determines whether or not the length L of the cut sheet CS is less than a predetermined threshold value La. The computer 101 proceeds to step S14 when the length L of the cut sheet CS is less than the threshold value La, and proceeds to step S15 when the length L of the cut sheet CS is equal to or greater than the threshold value La. . Note that the threshold value La can be defined in advance as a value for determining the length of the cut sheet CS and stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 or the like. For example, if the distance between the position where the sheet ST is cut and the position where the sensor 90 detects the leading edge of the sheet ST in the transport direction is Lb, then La ≦ Lb can be satisfied.

  In step S14, the computer 101 determines whether the sensor 90 has detected the leading edge of the cut sheet CS. When the sensor 90 detects the leading edge of the cut sheet CS, the computer 101 proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when the sensor 90 has not detected the leading edge of the cut sheet CS, the computer 101 makes the same determination at a predetermined timing. repeat.

  In step S15, the computer 101 determines whether or not the leading end side of the cut sheet CS is nipped (clamped) by the discharge roller ER. The computer 101 proceeds to step S16 when the cut sheet CS is nipped by the discharge roller ER, and repeats the same determination at a predetermined timing when the cut sheet CS is not nipped by the discharge roller ER. .

  Note that whether or not the leading end side of the cut sheet CS is nipped by the discharge roller ER can also be determined from the length L of the cut sheet CS and the transport amount of the cut sheet CS after cutting the sheet ST. Alternatively, if a leading edge detection sensor is provided on the downstream side of the discharge roller ER in the transport direction, it may be determined whether the leading edge side of the cut sheet CS is nipped by the discharge roller ER based on the detection result of the leading edge detection sensor. it can.

  In step S16, the computer 101 starts counting and proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the computer 101 determines whether or not the count value N is equal to or greater than the curl correction operation start count value Ns. Then, the computer 101 proceeds to step S18 when the count value N becomes equal to or greater than the curl correction operation start count value Ns, while when the count value N is less than the curl correction operation start count value Ns, a predetermined value is obtained. The same determination is repeated at the timing.

  In step S18, the computer 101 drives the cam motor MT3 to start the curl correction operation, and the process proceeds to step S19. Specifically, by rotating the cam shaft 62 by approximately 180 degrees by driving the cam motor MT3, the correction roller 73 is moved from the separation position P2 to the clamping position P1, and the guide member G1 is moved from the guide position to the retracted position. Let As a result, the cut sheet CS having the leading end inserted between the first roller 71 and the correction roller 73 by the guide member G1 is bent in the direction opposite to the curl winding direction between the second roller 72 and the curl is It will be corrected.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating how the cut sheet CS is corrected. As shown in FIG. 7, the cut sheet CS is pressed and curved by the second roller 72. In this case, since the cut sheet CS has a thickness t, the back surface S2 side of the curved portion CSa (or STa) is curved along the outer peripheral surface of the second roller 72, whereas the curved portion CSa The surface S1 side is curved along a virtual cylindrical surface whose diameter is (R2 + 2t).

Therefore, the ratio (elongation rate) of the length on the front surface S1 side and the length on the back surface S2 side of the curved portion CSa is expressed by the following equation (1).
(R2 + 2t) / R2 (1)
= 1 + 2t / R2 (2)
Thus, since the cut sheet CS has a thickness, the front surface S1 of the cut sheet CS has a higher elongation rate than the back surface S2. Therefore, the tension acting on the front surface S1 side is correspondingly larger than the tension acting on the back surface S2 side.

  On the other hand, from the formula (2), it can be seen that if the thickness of the cut sheet CS is constant, the elongation rate decreases as the diameter of the second roller 72 increases, and the tension acting on the surface S1 decreases. In this embodiment, since the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is larger than the diameter R1 of the first roller 71, the surface S1 is more than the case where the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is equal to the diameter R1 of the first roller 71. The working tension is reduced. For this reason, damage, such as a crack of the recording layer C1 arrange | positioned at the surface side of the cut sheet CS, is suppressed.

  In step S19, the computer 101 determines whether or not the count value N is equal to or greater than the curl correction operation end count value Ne. The computer 101 proceeds to step S20 when the count value N is equal to or greater than the curl correction operation end count value Ne, while the computer 101 proceeds to a predetermined value when the count value N is less than the curl correction operation end count value Ne. The same determination is repeated at the timing.

  In step S20, the computer 101 drives the cam motor MT3 to end the curl correction operation and the process ends. Specifically, by rotating the cam shaft 62 by approximately 180 degrees by driving the cam motor MT3, the correction roller 73 is moved from the clamping position P1 to the separation position P2, and the guide member G1 is moved from the retracted position to the guide position. Let That is, the guide member G1 moves from the retracted position to the guide position for guiding the sheet ST to the first roller 71 along the conveyance path as the correction roller 73 moves from the clamping position P1 to the separation position P2. The cut sheet CS whose curl has been corrected is discharged from the opening 81 to the discharge tray 82.

  In the process in which the cut sheet CS is discharged from the opening 81, the leading end side may be curled by its own weight as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. If only the front end side of the cut sheet CS with the curl corrected is curled in this way, the shape becomes unbalanced. In such a case, the curl is applied only to the rear end side of the cut sheet CS. Correction processing may be performed. Thereby, like the cut sheet CS illustrated on the discharge tray 82 of the same figure, the front end side and the rear end side can be formed in a well-balanced shape curled in opposite directions.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the diameter R1 of the first roller 71 is smaller than the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 disposed on the upstream side of the first roller 71, the first roller 71 and The gap 74 between the second roller 72 can be reduced. For this reason, it can suppress that the front-end | tip of cut sheet CS enters the said clearance gap 74. FIG. Thereby, the conveyance failure of cut sheet CS or sheet ST can be suppressed, and a highly reliable printing apparatus PRT can be obtained.

  In addition, according to this embodiment, since the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is larger than the diameter R1 of the first roller 71, the surface S1 of the cut sheet CS when the cut sheet CS is pressed against the second roller 72. It is possible to suppress the stress acting on Thereby, it is possible to suppress the cut sheet CS (for example, the recording layer C1 on the surface S1) from being damaged.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the correction unit DC may not include the guide member G1. In this case, the configuration of the correction unit DC can be simplified.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not move the correction | amendment roller 73. FIG. Also in this case, for example, a biasing member that biases the correction roller 73 in a direction close to the first roller 71 is provided, and the leading end of the sheet ST is inserted between the first roller 71 and the correction roller 73. By making the urging force of the urging member weak, the sheet ST can be securely held.

  Further, the correction roller 73 may be configured to be movable to a plurality of sandwiching positions P1 and separation positions P2 according to the thickness of the sheet ST, for example. Further, for example, the sensor 90 is not limited to an optical sensor, and can be changed to an arbitrary type of sensor such as a contact sensor.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sheet ST is conveyed in a state where the leading end side is curled so as to be spaced downward from the conveying path RT, but the leading end side of the sheet ST is curled in other directions (for example, upward or sideward). You may make it convey in the state to do. In this case, the first roller 71, the second roller 72, and the guide member G1 are arranged on the side where the leading end side of the sheet ST curls across the conveyance path RT, and is corrected to a position facing the first roller 71. A roller 73 may be disposed.

  The sheet ST is not limited to paper, and can be applied to any sheet-like medium that can be wound by being held in a roll-like state such as a resin film or a metal film.

  The recording process is not limited to printing or printing, and may be various processes such as attaching a seal to a sheet-like medium, transferring a foil, making a hole, or making a cut. Then, the processing apparatus that performs each of these processes may be provided with the transport device of the present invention, and the curl may be corrected before the processes are performed, or the curl may be corrected after the processes are performed. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus adopting the inkjet method as the recording method is described. However, the recording device can be changed to an arbitrary recording method such as an electrophotographic method or a thermal transfer method. Further, the recording apparatus is not limited to a printer, but may be a FAX apparatus, a copying apparatus, or a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. Further, as the recording apparatus, a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects or ejects a small amount of liquid droplets other than ink may be employed.

  In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment.

  Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus, a textile printing apparatus, or the like.

Next, examples of the present invention will be described.
In this example, when the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 of the correction unit DC is changed in the printing apparatus PRT in the above embodiment, the recording layer C1 of the cut sheet CS (recording paper) is corrected by the correction operation of the correction unit DC. It was evaluated whether damage occurred.

  In this evaluation, the diameter R1 of the first roller 71 was 18 mm (constant value), and the diameter R3 of the correction roller 73 was 11.25 mm (constant value). Moreover, about the diameter R2 of the 2nd roller 72, it carried out by changing in steps with 18 mm, 24 mm, 32 mm, and 40 mm.

  As recording paper, photographic paper (made by Seiko Epson: glossy) having a paper thickness of 0.27 mm (error ± 0.1 mm) was used. In this recording paper, it can be said that the recording layer C1 is formed to have a thickness of several nanometers to several hundreds of nanometers and is extremely thin with respect to the base material layer C2.

  In addition, the drying operation is performed in the drying unit DR before the correction operation by the correction unit DC is performed. The drying operation was performed while heating the recording paper at a temperature of about 84 ± 5 ° C. and transporting the recording paper at a transport speed of 0.6 inches per second.

  When the evaluation was performed under such conditions, the results shown in Table 1 were obtained.

  As shown in Table 1, when the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 was 18 mm and 24 mm, the recording layer C1 of the recording paper was damaged. When the diameter R2 is 18 mm, the elongation on the surface S1 side (recording layer C1) of the recording paper is 1.03, and when the diameter R2 is 24 mm, the elongation on the surface S1 side (recording layer C1) of the recording paper is 1.0225.

  Further, when the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 was 32 mm and 40 mm, no damage was observed in the recording layer C1 of the recording paper. When the diameter R2 is 32 mm, the elongation on the surface S1 side (recording layer C1) of the recording paper is 1.016875, and when the diameter R2 is 40 mm, the elongation on the surface S1 side (recording layer C1) of the recording paper is 1.0135.

  From this result, when the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 exceeds a predetermined threshold value larger than 24 mm and smaller than 32 mm, it can be determined that the recording layer C1 of the recording paper is not damaged. In the above embodiment, the example in which the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is 32 mm has been described. However, when collating with the result of this example, the effect of suppressing the occurrence of damage to the recording layer C1 is obtained. It can be judged that the performance is sufficient.

  When attention is paid to the elongation rate of the recording layer C1 when the diameter R2 of the second roller 72 is changed to the above four types of values, when the recording layer C1 is damaged, the elongation rate is 1. 0225 or more. On the other hand, when the recording layer C1 is not damaged, the elongation is 1.016875 or less. For this reason, when the elongation rate threshold exceeds a predetermined value between the two values, it can be determined that the recording layer C1 of the recording paper is not damaged.

  PRT ... Printing device ST ... Sheet S1 ... Front surface S2 ... Back surface CS ... Cut sheet CSa (STa) ... Curved portion C1 ... Recording layer C2 ... Base material layer BD ... Main body case SP ... Sheet feeding unit CV ... Conveying unit IJ ... Recording unit CT: Cutting unit IP ... Back surface recording unit DR ... Drying unit DC ... Correction unit EX ... Sheet discharge unit CONT ... Control unit RT ... Conveyance path H ... Head HT ... Heating unit ER ... Discharge roller P1 ... Nipping position P2 ... Separation position G1 , G2 ... guide member 71 ... first roller 72 ... second roller 73 ... correction roller 74 ... gap 90 ... sensor

Claims (10)

A transport unit for transporting a transport medium in a predetermined transport direction;
A recording unit for recording on the carrier medium;
A correction unit that corrects the conveyance medium on which the recording is performed, and
The correction part is
A first roller for feeding the transport medium in the transport direction;
A second roller that is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller so as to be spaced from the first roller, and sends the transport medium in the transport direction;
A correction roller that sandwiches the conveyance medium with the first roller so that the conveyance medium is pressed and curved to the distance between the first roller and the second roller;
The diameter of the first roller is smaller than the diameter of the second roller. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction roller is provided so as to be movable between a sandwiching position for sandwiching the transport medium and a separated position away from the transport medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of the straightening roller is smaller than a diameter of the first roller. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clamping position is provided upstream of the first roller in the transport direction. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the correction unit includes a guide unit that guides the conveyance medium between the first roller and the second roller. A discharge unit that is provided downstream of the correction unit in the transport direction and discharges the transport medium;
The transport unit includes a discharge roller that sends the transport medium to the discharge unit,
The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first roller and the correction roller also serve as the discharge roller. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto the transport medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a drying unit that is provided between the recording unit and the correction unit and that dries the liquid. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the drying unit includes a heating unit that heats the conveyance medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport medium includes a recording layer on which recording is performed and a base material layer that supports the recording layer.

Images