JP2012076272A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect states of carrying roller pairs by using an existing sensor without installing a new sensor.SOLUTION: A link plate 50, a pair of the carrying roller pairs 35, and a rotor 67 which acts on the light sensor 68 are arranged at a second carrying passage 33. Pressing rollers 35B located in lower parts of the carrying roller pairs 35 are supported by roller holders 74. The roller holders 74 can vertically move together with the pressing rollers 35B. When the roller holders 74 vertically move, a rotor 67 is turned, and an output signal of the light sensor 68 is changed. A control part determines positions of the roller holders 74 on the basis of the change. The link plate 50 vertically expands the second carrying passage 33. When a disc tray 48 is inserted into the deepest part of the expanded second carrying passage 33, the rotor 67 is turned, and the output signal of the light sensor 68 is changed. The control part determines the presence and absence of the disc tray 48 on the basis of the change.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having a cover for opening and closing a conveyance path, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus capable of detecting an open / closed state of a cover.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet type image recording apparatus capable of recording an image on a recording sheet is known (see Patent Document 1). In this type of image recording apparatus, a recording sheet is conveyed from a sheet tray toward a recording unit, and the recording unit records an image on the conveyed recording sheet. A sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a recording sheet in the conveyance path and a conveyance position (front end position or rear end position) is provided in the conveyance path on which the recording sheet is conveyed. Also known is an image recording apparatus provided with a cover for opening the conveyance path in order to remove paper jammed in the conveyance path. In this image recording apparatus, if the recording paper is conveyed with the cover open, the recording paper will jump out of the apparatus or be jammed in the conveyance path. Therefore, a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the cover is provided. Yes.

JP 2009-107179 A

  However, in order to be able to detect all of the plurality of detection targets such as the recording paper conveyance position and the cover open / closed state, if a sensor is provided for each of the plurality of detection targets, the number of parts increases and the part cost increases In addition, the assembly cost required for the sensor mounting work and the wiring routing work increases, which is not preferable. In addition, it is necessary to secure a sensor installation space and a lead wire routing space inside the apparatus, which causes a problem that the layout of wiring and internal mechanisms becomes complicated. In particular, in a compact image recording apparatus of a desktop installation type, in order to secure a sensor installation space and a wiring routing space, it is necessary to enlarge the housing of the apparatus, which hinders downsizing of the apparatus. Become.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of detecting the transport position of the recording medium in the transport path and the open / closed state of the cover with a single sensor. There is.

(1) An image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a guide path capable of guiding a recording medium, a recording unit, a cover, a sensor having a sensing unit, a first detector, a second detector, and a first link. A mechanism and a control unit are provided. The recording unit records an image on a recording medium transported in the first feeding direction along the guide route. The cover is configured to be capable of changing its posture between a first posture that forms the guide route and a second posture that opens the guide route. The first detector is configured to be rotatable between a third posture in which the detected portion is disposed at a position detectable by the sensing portion and a fourth posture in which the detected portion is retracted from the detectable position. ing. The second detector is rotatably provided in conjunction with the first detector. The second detector has a fifth posture that intersects the guide route when at least the first detector is in the third posture. The first link mechanism rotates the second detector from the fifth posture in conjunction with the change of the cover from the first posture to the second posture. The control unit determines a transport position of the recording medium and the posture of the cover on the guide path based on an output signal from the sensor.

  When the recording medium transporting along the guide path reaches the second detector, the second detector is pushed down by the recording medium and rotated from the fifth posture. The first detector rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second detector, and the detected part moves away from the position detectable by the sensor. At this time, the first detector changes from the third posture to the fourth posture, and the output signal of the sensor changes. The control unit determines the transport position of the recording medium in the guide route based on this change. On the other hand, when the cover is changed from the first posture to the second posture, the second detector is rotated from the fifth posture by the first link mechanism. Also in this case, the first detector rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second detector, changes from the third posture to the fourth posture, and the output signal of the sensor changes. A control part determines the attitude | position of a cover based on this change.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the transport position of the recording medium and the posture of the cover can be detected by one sensor. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an increase in the cost of the device, and to prevent an increase in wiring in the device and a complicated layout of the internal mechanism.

(2) The cover is provided on an upstream side of the pair of transport rollers in the first feeding direction. The second detector is provided between the pair of transport rollers and the cover. In this case, the controller controls the posture of the cover based on the output signal of the sensor when the feeding amount from the recording medium feeding source is less than the path length from the feeding source to the second detector. It is preferable to have first determination means for determining, and second determination means for determining the transport position of the recording medium based on the output signal of the sensor after the feeding amount exceeds the path length.

(3) The image recording apparatus of the present invention further includes a pair of conveyance rollers, a support member, a moving mechanism, and a second link mechanism. The conveying roller pair is provided on the upstream side in the first feeding direction from the recording unit. This pair of conveying rollers is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller that are arranged opposite to each other so as to be in contact with each other across the guide path. The support member is configured to support the driven roller and be movable between a sixth posture in which the driven roller contacts the driving roller and a seventh posture in which the driven roller is separated from the driving roller. The moving mechanism receives the driving force from the driving source and moves the support member from the sixth posture to the seventh posture. The second link mechanism rotates the second detector from the fifth posture in conjunction with the support member moving from the sixth posture to the seventh posture by the moving mechanism. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit further determines the posture of the support member based on an output signal from the sensor.

  When a driving force is supplied from the driving source to the moving mechanism, the moving mechanism moves the support member from the sixth posture to the seventh posture. When the support member moves to the seventh posture, the second detector rotates the second detector from the fifth posture by the second link mechanism. At this time, the first detector rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the second detector, changes from the third posture to the fourth posture, and the output signal of the sensor changes. The control unit determines the posture of the support member based on this change.

  Thereby, the conveyance position of a recording medium, the attitude | position of a cover, and the attitude | position of a support member are detectable with one sensor. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an increase in the cost of the device, and to prevent an increase in wiring in the device and a complicated layout of the internal mechanism.

(4) The cover is provided on an upstream side of the pair of transport rollers in the first feeding direction. The second detector is provided between the pair of transport rollers and the cover. In this case, the controller controls the posture of the cover based on the output signal of the sensor when the feeding amount from the recording medium feeding source is less than the path length from the feeding source to the second detector. Recording is performed by first determination means for determining, second determination means for determining the transport position of the recording medium based on the output signal of the sensor after the feed amount exceeds the path length, and recording by the second determination means. It is preferable to have third determination means for determining the posture of the support member based on the output signal of the sensor on the condition that the rear end position of the medium is determined.

(5) The control unit drives and controls the drive source on the condition that the rear end position of the recording medium is determined by the second determination unit, and moves the support member from the sixth posture by the moving mechanism. And a fourth control for determining the posture of the support member on the basis of the output signal of the sensor on the condition that the driving control for the driving source is performed by the movement control unit. Having a means.

(6) Further, the second determination means determines whether the rear end of the recording medium in the guide path is at a nip point of the transport roller pair based on the output signal of the sensor, and the movement The control control means drives and controls the drive source on the condition that the rear end of the recording medium is determined to be at the nip point by the second determination means, and moves the support member to the sixth posture by the moving mechanism. It is preferable that the first position is moved to the seventh position.

2A and 2B are perspective views showing an external appearance of the multifunction machine 10, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which the tray guide 45 is accommodated therein, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the tray guide 45 is pulled out to the front side. It is shown. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a printer unit 15. FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of a printer unit 15 and a conveyance device 30. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a transfer device 30. FIG. It is a side view which shows the attitude | position of the link plate 50, Comprising: (A) shows the state in which the link plate 50 is in an initial position, (B) shows the state in which the link plate 50 is in an extended attitude. ing. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a roller holder 74. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a cam moving mechanism 88. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a detection mechanism 52. FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the roller holder 74, the rotor 67, and the detector 54 at the time of label recording. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an insertion state of the disc tray 48, in which (A) shows a state in which the rear end of the disc tray 48 is inserted into the pair of conveying rollers 35, and (B) shows a state of the disc tray 48; A state in which the rear end pushes the rotor 67 backward is shown. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining operations of a roller holder 74, a rotor 67, and a detector 54 when recording an image on a recording sheet. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the interruption process performed by CPU101 at the time of image recording.

  Hereinafter, an MFP 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 of the multifunction device 10 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction device 10 is installed (the state shown in FIG. 1), and the side on which the operation panel 16 is provided is in front. A front-rear direction 8 is defined as the side (front), and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front (front).

[Outline of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer housing 11, a scanner housing 12 provided on the upper side of the printer housing 11, and a document cover 13 provided on the upper side of the scanner housing 12. And an operation panel 16 having an LCD 16A. The document cover 13 is supported by the scanner housing 12 so as to be openable and closable. The document cover 13 is opened and closed to sandwich the document with the scanner housing 12. The image of the document is scanned and captured by a scanner (not shown) such as a flat bed scanner housed in the scanner housing 12. The scanner housing 12 in which the scanner is accommodated is supported by the printer housing 11 so that it can be opened and closed.

  The printer housing 11 includes an accommodation space 18 in which the paper feed cassette 14 is accommodated in the lower part. The accommodation space 18 is provided from the opening 17 formed in the front surface of the printer housing 11 to the rear back part. The paper feed cassette 14 is supported in the housing space 18 so that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction 8. A plurality of recording papers (an example of the recording medium of the present invention) such as so-called plain paper, postcards, and glossy paper are held in the paper feed cassette 14. A tray guide 45 is provided above the accommodation space 18. A disc tray 48 (see FIG. 10) is supported on the upper surface of the tray guide 45 so that it can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction 8. The disc tray 48 is formed in a flat plate shape with a thickness of about 3 mm, which includes a circular recess 49 (see FIG. 10) into which a disc medium such as a CD or DVD (an example of the recording medium of the present invention) fits.

  Control of the printer unit 15 and the above-described scanner is performed by a control unit 100 (see FIG. 12) described later. The control unit 100 drives the printer unit 15 on the basis of signals and data input from the operation panel 16 of FIG. 1 and an external device such as a personal computer, and records an image on a recording medium. More specifically, the control unit 100 conveys the recording paper 19 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 14 to the recording unit 20 and records an image on the recording paper 19, and a disc tray inserted from the opening 17. And a label recording mode for recording an image on the label surface of the disk medium placed on the recording medium 48, and performs recording control according to any recording mode. Further, as will be described later, the control unit 100 detects the presence / absence of a recording medium in the transport path and the transport position thereof, detects the posture (moving position) of a roller holder 74 described later, Processing to detect the open / close state is also performed.

[Printer unit 15]
The printer unit 15 records an image on a transported recording medium. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 15 mainly transports the paper feed cassette 14 that holds the recording paper 19, the recording paper 19, and the disk tray 48. A recording device 20 (an example of the recording unit of the present invention) for recording an image on a recording medium 19 and a disk medium on the disk tray 48, and a cover for opening and closing the back side of the printer unit 15. 24 (an example of the cover of the present invention), and a first frame 25 and a second frame 70 that support each member such as the transport device 30, the recording unit 20, and the cover 24.

[Recording unit 20]
The recording unit 20 includes a recording head 21 disposed above the rear portion of the paper feed cassette 14, a carriage 23 that holds the recording head 21, and a rail (with the carriage 23 that supports the recording head 21 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction 9. And a drive unit including a carriage motor 111 (see FIG. 12) and a drive transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force to the carriage 23.

[Recording head 21]
The recording head 21 includes a nozzle having an ejection port. When the nozzle is deformed by a piezoelectric element or the like, an ink droplet is ejected from the ejection port toward the lower platen 22. Further, the recording head 21 is reciprocated in the left-right direction 9 under the driving force of the carriage motor 111 (see FIG. 12). As will be described later, the recording medium 19 and the disk medium on the disk tray 48 are ejected from the recording head 21 that reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 in the process of being conveyed forward on the platen 22. Thus, an image can be recorded on almost the entire surface of the recording paper 19 and the disk medium.

[First frame 25]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first frame 25 is provided on the rear side of the printer unit 15. Specifically, a pair of first frames 25 are provided so as to face each other with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction 9. The first frame 25 is formed of a metal plate, and is fixed to a base frame 39 (see FIG. 6) disposed below the first frame 25. The platen 22 is arranged in a space sandwiched between the first frames 25. Both ends of the platen 22 are supported by the first frame 25 as will be described later. Each first frame 25 is provided with a long hole 25A through which a support shaft 36C of a discharge roller 36B (described later) passes, and a long hole 25B through which a support shaft 37C of a switchback roller 37B (see FIG. 4) passes. It has been. These long holes 25 </ b> A and 25 </ b> B are formed in a shape that is long in the vertical direction 7, and the support shafts 36 </ b> C and 37 </ b> C are configured to be movable in the vertical direction 7.

[Second frame 70]
As shown in FIG. 3, the second frame 70 is provided in front of the first frame 25. Specifically, a pair of second frames 70 are provided so as to face each other with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction 9. The second frame 70 is formed of a synthetic resin plate member and is fixed to the printer housing 11. A tray guide 45 is disposed in a space between the second frames 70. Both ends of the tray guide 45 are supported by the second frame 70. Each of the second frames 70 is provided with a pair of front and rear guide groove holes 71 and 72 through which a support projection 46 described later provided in the tray guide 45 passes. The front guide groove hole 71 includes a linear portion 71A formed along the vertical direction 7 and an inclined portion 71B inclined obliquely downward from the lower end of the linear portion 71A toward the front. The rear guide groove hole 72 is inclined obliquely downward toward the front, and its lower end is formed at the same height as the lower end of the inclined portion 71B of the guide groove hole 71. The pair of left and right second frames 70 lock the tray guide 45 so as not to move in the front-rear direction 8 in a state where the support protrusion 46 is disposed in the linear portion 71A of the guide groove hole 71, and the support protrusion 46 is inclined portion 71B. The tray guide 45 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction 8.

[Conveying device 30]
As shown in FIG. 4, the transport device 30 includes a paper feed roller 41 (see FIG. 2), a transport roller pair 35 (an example of the transport roller pair of the present invention), a discharge roller pair 36, and a switchback roller pair. 37, a double-sided roller pair 38, each member to be described later forming a conveyance path 31 (see FIG. 2), a link plate 50 for expanding the conveyance path 31, a tray guide 45, and recording in the conveyance path 31. A detection mechanism 52 for detecting the conveyance position of the medium, the disc tray 48, the open / closed state of the cover 24, the cam drive mechanism 88, the paper feed roller 41, and the paper drive for driving the cam drive mechanism 88 (see FIG. 6). Motor 112 (see FIG. 12), and a transport motor 113 (see FIG. 12) for driving the roller pairs.

[Feeding roller 41]
The paper feed roller 41 feeds the recording paper 19 placed in the paper feed cassette 14 to the transport path 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed roller 41 is disposed above the rear portion of the paper feed cassette 14, and is rotatably supported at the tip of an arm 43 that rotates about a support shaft 42. The support shaft 42 is supported by the first frame 25 and the like so as to be rotatable about its central axis. When the driving force of the paper feeding motor 112 is transmitted to the support shaft 42, the paper feeding roller 41 is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the support shaft 42 via the plurality of transmission gears 44. The recording paper 19 is sent out to the conveyance path 31 by rotating the paper supply roller 41 in contact with the recording paper 19. Note that a switching gear 114 (see FIG. 12) is provided on the output side of the sheet feeding motor 112, and the driving force of the sheet feeding motor 112 is supplied by switching the drive transmission path of the switching gear 114. It is transmitted to either the paper roller 41 or the cam drive mechanism 88 (see FIG. 7).

[Conveyance path 31]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 31 (an example of the guide path of the present invention) has an arcuate cross section in which one end is located on the rear end portion of the paper feed cassette 14 and the other end is located behind the platen 22. The first transport path 32, the second transport path 33 having a linear cross section passing between the platen 22 and the recording head 21, and the first transport path 32 and the second transport path 33 passing under the platen 22 And a reverse conveyance path 34 to be connected. The first transport path 32 is formed of an inner guide member 32A and an outer guide member 32B that are each formed in an arc shape and are opposed to each other in the radial direction. The inner guide member 32A is provided with a connection port 34A to which one end of the reverse conveyance path 34 is connected. The reverse conveyance path 34 is for double-sided printing of the recording paper 19 and is formed by a guide member 34 </ b> C disposed below the platen 22, and the rear end is connected to a second conveyance path 33 described later. Has been. A double-sided roller pair 38 is provided so that the roller surface is exposed in the reverse conveyance path 34.

[Second transport path 33]
The second conveyance path 33 is a linear path formed by the recording head 21 and the platen 22 disposed to face the recording head 21. The second transport path 33 passes not only the recording paper 19 from the paper feeding cassette 14 but also the disk tray 48 inserted from the opening 17. A pair of transport roller pairs 35 with the second transport path 33 interposed therebetween on the rear side of the recording unit 20, in other words, on the upstream side in the direction of transporting the recording medium during recording (corresponding to the first feed direction of the present invention). Is provided. A pair of discharge rollers 36 is provided in front of the recording unit 20 so as to sandwich the second conveyance path 33. A switchback roller pair 37 is provided in front of the discharge roller pair 36. A connection port 34B is provided between the switchback roller pair 37 and the discharge roller pair 36, to which the rear end of the reverse conveyance path 34 is connected. The second conveyance path 33 is formed in a straight line from the conveyance roller pair 35 to the switchback roller pair 37.

[Cover 24]
A cover 24 is provided on the back surface of the printer unit 15. A support shaft 24 </ b> A is provided at the lower end of the cover 24. The support shaft 24A is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown). The cover 24 is centered on the support shaft 24A, and is separated from the rear surface of the printer unit 15 in a first posture (corresponding to the first posture of the present invention, which is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2). And the second posture that exposes the inside of the printer unit 15 (corresponding to the second posture of the present invention, the posture indicated by the wavy line in FIG. 2). An outer guide member 32 </ b> B is provided on the inner surface of the cover 24. The outer guide member 32 </ b> B is configured integrally with the cover 24. Therefore, when the cover 24 rotates, the outer guide member 32B also rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the cover 24. In the present embodiment, when the cover 24 is in the first posture, the outer guide member 32B is disposed at a position facing the inner guide member 32A, and the first transport path 32 is formed by the outer guide member 32B and the inner guide member 32A. Is formed. On the other hand, when the cover 24 changes its posture from the first posture to the second posture, the outer guide member 32B moves away from the inner guide member 32A, and the first transport path 32 is opened.

  A pressing portion 29 is provided at the upper end portion of the inner surface of the cover 24. The pressing portion 29 is provided at a central portion in the left-right direction 9 and at a position where it does not interfere with the recording paper passing through the first conveyance path 32. The pressing unit 29 pushes up a second arm 94C of a sensor arm 94 described later in the process in which the cover 24 rotates from the second position to the first position.

[Conveying roller pair 35]
As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance roller pair 35 is composed of an upper conveyance roller 35A (an example of a driving roller of the present invention) and a lower pressing roller 35B (an example of a driven roller of the present invention). . The upper transport roller 35A is supported by the first frame 25 so as to be rotatable about its central axis, and is rotated by the driving force of the transport motor 113 (see FIG. 12). The lower pressing roller 35B is supported by a roller holder 74 described later so as to be rotatable about its central axis.

[Roller holder 74]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the roller holder 74 (an example of the support member of the present invention) is provided slightly behind the conveying roller pair 35. The roller holder 74 is configured as a separate member from the platen 22. The roller holder 74 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction 9 by connecting four blocks in the left-right direction 9. A pressing roller 35B is rotatably supported at the front upper end of each block. In the present embodiment, the roller holder 74 supports eight pressing rollers 35 </ b> B arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction 9. A plurality of support shafts 76 (see FIG. 8) are provided at the upper rear end of the roller holder 74. The support shaft 76 is supported by a bearing groove (not shown) provided in the subframe 26 described later. With this configuration, the roller holder 74 can rotate around the support shaft 76. More specifically, the roller holder 74 includes a sixth posture (corresponding to the sixth posture of the present invention) in which the pressing roller 35B contacts the upper conveying roller 35A, and a first posture in which the pressing roller 35B is spaced downward from the conveying roller 35A. It can be rotated around a support shaft 76 between seven postures (corresponding to the seventh posture of the present invention).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the subframe 26 formed of a metal plate is provided below the roller holder 74. Both ends of the subframe 26 are fixed to the frame 25. A coil spring 78 is provided between the roller holder 74 and the subframe 26. In FIG. 7, the conveyance roller 35A is not shown. The coil spring 78 is provided at a position near the pressing roller 35 </ b> B so that the expansion / contraction direction is the vertical direction 7. Specifically, the upper end of the coil spring 78 is accommodated in a spring holder 78A provided on the back surface (lower surface) of the upper wall of the roller holder 74, and the lower end of the coil spring 78 is attached to the subframe 26. The coil spring 78 is provided between the roller holder 74 and the sub-frame 26 in a contracted state so as to apply a set biasing force to the transport roller 35A. As a result, an upward biasing force that causes the coil spring 78 to extend is applied to the roller holder 74, and the roller holder 74 maintains the sixth posture. The upward biasing force of the coil spring 78 acts on the pressing roller 35B via the roller holder 74, and the pressing roller 35B is pressed against the conveying roller 35A with the biasing force. When the front end portion of the roller holder 74 is lowered downward against the urging force by a cam drive mechanism 88 described later, the roller holder 74 moves from the sixth posture to the seventh posture, and the pressing roller 35B is also transported. Move away from 35A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a stopper 74 </ b> A is provided near the center of the rear end portion of the roller holder 74 so as to protrude rearward and obliquely downward from the rear end portion. The stopper 74 </ b> A is provided behind the rotation center of the roller holder 74. The stopper 74 </ b> A is engaged with a later-described restricting member 81 and plays a role of restricting the rotation of the restricting member 81.

[Detection mechanism 52]
The detection mechanism 52 has a function of detecting the recording sheet 19 conveyed in the normal recording mode, a function of detecting the disc tray 48 in the label recording mode, a function of detecting the posture of the roller holder 74, and a cover. The function of detecting the open / closed state of 24 is realized. As shown in FIG. 6, the detection mechanism 52 is provided behind the pair of conveyance rollers 35 (upstream in the sheet conveyance direction during recording) and ahead of the cover 24. The detection mechanism 52 rotatably supports the roller holder 74 and accommodates each component of the detection mechanism 52, and an optical sensor 68 provided outside the left end of the case 69 (the sensor of the present invention). An example), a sensor arm 94 (see FIG. 2, an example of the first link mechanism of the present invention) that operates in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the cover 24, and a coil spring 98 (see FIG. 2). The case 69 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction 9, and the case 69 is fixed to the subframe 26 by engaging a plurality of claws (not shown) provided at the front end of the case 69 with the subframe 26. As shown in FIG. 8, a rotating shaft 57 extending from the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction 9 to the outside of the left end portion is rotatably supported in the case 69. An arm-shaped rotor 67 (an example of the second detector of the present invention) is fixed to the rotating shaft 57. A slit is formed in the central portion of the case 69 in the left-right direction 9, and the rotor 67 protrudes upward from the rotating shaft 57 and is exposed from the inside of the case 69 to the outside through the slit (see FIG. 6). . A detector 54 (an example of the first detector of the present invention) is provided at the left end of the rotating shaft 57. The detector 54 protrudes in the same direction as the rotor 67. The rotor 67 and the detector 54 are fixed to the rotation shaft 57. Therefore, when a rotational force is applied to the rotor 67, the detector 54 rotates in the same direction in conjunction with the rotor 67.

[Rotation restriction mechanism 80]
As shown in FIG. 8, a torsion coil spring 58 (hereinafter abbreviated as “spring 58”) is attached to the rotor 67. The spring 58 applies an urging force F <b> 1 that causes the rotor 67 to rotate backward from the illustrated posture. A rotation restricting mechanism 80 (an example of the second link mechanism of the present invention) that restricts the rotation of the rotor 67 by the urging force F <b> 1 is attached to the right end portion of the rotation shaft 57. The rotation restricting mechanism 80 includes a joint 83 connected to the right end portion of the rotation shaft 57, a restricting member 81 fixed to the joint 83, and a torsion coil spring 82 (hereinafter referred to as “spring 82”) attached to the restricting member 81. ). The joint 83 is connected to the right end of the rotary shaft 57 so as to be coaxially rotatable with the rotary shaft 57. The joint 83 is configured to allow the rotor 67 to rotate forward from the illustrated posture and to restrict the rotor 67 from rotating backward.

  The restricting member 81 has a protrusion 84 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft 57. The protrusion 84 protrudes rearward from the restricting member 81. The spring 82 applies a biasing force F <b> 2 that is greater than that of the spring 58 to the regulating member 81. Specifically, the spring 82 applies an urging force F <b> 2 (> F <b> 1) to the restriction member 81 so that the protrusion 84 tries to rotate upward from the illustrated posture. That is, the urging force F2 acts in the direction opposite to the direction of the urging force F1. The urging force F <b> 2 is sufficiently smaller than the urging force of the coil spring 78. The above-described stopper 74 </ b> A provided at the rear end of the roller holder 74 is in contact with the upper surface of the protrusion 84. For this reason, the force applied to each member is balanced, and the rotor 67 protrudes upward from the rotary shaft 57 in the posture shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. The fifth posture that intersects (corresponding to the fifth posture of the present invention) is maintained. On the other hand, when the front end portion of the roller holder 74 is moved from the sixth posture (the posture in FIG. 9A) to the seventh posture (the posture in FIG. 9B) by the cam driving mechanism 88 described later, the rotation of the roller holder 74 is performed. The stopper 74A located rearward of the support shaft 76 that is the center moves upward. As a result, the regulating member 81 receives the biasing force F2 and rotates in the biasing direction. In conjunction with this rotation operation, the rotor 67 receives the rotational force from the joint 83 and tilts forward, and the detector 54 retracts from the sensing portion of the sensor 68 (see FIG. 9B). Note that the amount of rotation of the rotor 67 at this time is small, and the rotor 67 maintains a state of intersecting the second transport path 33.

[Optical sensor 68]
The optical sensor 68 is a transmissive photo interrupter in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other. In the optical sensor 68, the light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element, and outputs an electrical signal (sensor signal) corresponding to the amount of received light. A light path (light path) from the light emitting element to the light receiving element is the sensing unit 68 </ b> A of the optical sensor 68. The optical sensor 68 is attached to the first frame 25 so that the sensing unit 68 </ b> A is disposed in the rotation range of the detector 54. In the present embodiment, when the roller holder 74 is in the sixth posture and the recording paper 19 is not present in the second conveyance path 33, the tip 54A of the detector 54 (an example of the detected part of the present invention) is the sensing part. It enters 68A and blocks the optical path (see FIGS. 8 and 9A). At this time, a low level sensor signal is output from the optical sensor 68. The controller 100 determines that the tip 54A has entered the sensing unit 68A when the sensor signal is at the LOW level. Note that the posture of the detector 54 (the posture shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A) when the distal end portion 54A enters the sensing portion 68A corresponds to the third posture of the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the disc tray 48 is guided along the transport path 31 and pushes the rotor 67 backward, the detector 54 rotates backward in conjunction therewith, and the tip portion thereof. 54A retreats from the optical path of the sensing unit 68A. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, when the recording paper 19 is guided along the conveyance path 31 and pushes the rotor 67 forward, the detector 54 rotates backward in conjunction with it, and the leading end 54A thereof. Retracts from the optical path of the sensing unit 68A. At this time, the signal level of the optical sensor 68 changes from LOW to HIGH. When the sensor signal changes from LOW to HIGH, the control unit 100 determines that the distal end portion 54A has retreated from the optical path of the sensing unit 68A. Note that the posture of the detector 54 when the distal end portion 54A is retracted from the sensing portion 68A corresponds to the fourth posture of the present invention.

[Sensor arm 94]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor arm 94 is formed in an arm shape that is long in the front-rear direction 8. The sensor arm 94 is provided on the upstream side of the pair of conveying rollers 35 and above the rotor 67. The sensor arm 94 includes a support shaft 94A extending in the left-right direction 9, a first arm 94B extending rearward from the support shaft 94A, and a second arm 94C extending further rearward from the first arm 94B. . Since the support shaft 94A is supported by a frame (not shown), the sensor arm 94 can be rotated about the support shaft 94A. The sensor arm 94 moves the rotor 67 away from the rotor 67 upward and does not contact the rotor 67 (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) and the rotor 67 in contact with the rotor 67 and in the fifth position. It can be rotated between a lower posture (a posture indicated by a wavy line in FIG. 2) that can be rotated forward from the fifth posture.

  A coil spring 98 is provided above the first arm 94B. One of the coil springs 98 is fixed to the frame or the like, and the other is fixed to the upper surface of the first arm 94B. The coil spring 98 urges the first arm 94B downward with a predetermined elastic force when the sensor arm 94 is in the upward posture. The elastic force of the coil spring 98 is a force that can rotate the rotor 67 forward.

  In the present embodiment, when the cover 24 rotates from the second position to the first position, the pressing portion 29 contacts the second arm 94C in the rotation process, and an upward pushing force is applied to the second arm 94C. Added. Accordingly, the second arm 94C is lifted upward against the biasing force of the coil spring 98. That is, the sensor arm 94 is rotated in the counterclockwise rotation direction in FIG. Therefore, as long as the cover 24 maintains the first posture, the sensor arm 94 maintains the upper posture and does not act on the rotor 67. On the other hand, when the cover 24 is rotated from the first posture to the second posture, the pressing portion 29 is separated from the second arm 94C. As a result, the sensor arm 94 receives the urging force of the coil spring 98 and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. When the sensor arm 94 is rotated downward, the first arm 94B comes into contact with the rotor 67 and rotates the rotor 67 forward from the fifth position. At this time, the signal level from the optical sensor 68 changes from HIGH to LOW. That is, when the cover 24 is in the first posture, the optical sensor 68 outputs a HIGH level signal.

[Cam drive mechanism 88]
The cam driving mechanism 88 is a mechanism that receives the driving force from the paper feeding motor 112 (see FIG. 12) and moves the roller holder 74 between the sixth posture and the seventh posture described above. As shown in FIG. 7, the cam drive mechanism 88 mainly includes a bearing portion 89, a cam shaft 90, two cams 91, a shaft guide 75, and a link member 92. The bearing portion 89 is integrally provided at the front end portion of the roller holder 74. The bearing portion 89 is an annular member in which a ring larger than the outer diameter of the cam shaft 90 is formed. The shaft guides 75 are provided at both ends of the sub-frame 26 provided on the lower side of the roller holder 74 and are erected upward from the upper surface of the sub-frame 26. Each shaft guide 75 supports the cam shaft 90 so as to be rotatable and supports the cam shaft 90 so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7, and has a vertically long guide groove 75 </ b> A and a hook shape from the upper end of the shaft guide 75 to the left side. And a cam receiving portion 75B protruding in the direction. Both ends of the cam shaft 90 are inserted into the guide grooves 75 </ b> A of the shaft guide 75 of the sub-frame 26 while being passed through the ring of the bearing portion 89. Thereby, the cam shaft 90 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7 along the guide groove 75A. A cam 91 is fixed to the cam shaft 90. The cam 91 is fixed to the cam shaft 90 so as to be positioned below the cam receiving portion 75B of the shaft guide 75. The link member 92 is a portion that receives a driving force from the paper feeding motor 112 and is fixed to the right end of the cam shaft 90.

  When the link member 92 is in the posture shown in FIG. 7, the cam 91 is in a free state. At this time, the cam shaft 90 is supported by the lower portion of the bearing portion 89. Further, the roller holder 74 is held in a sixth posture in which the pressing roller 35B is pressed against the conveying roller 35A by the upward biasing force of the spring 78. On the other hand, when the driving force of the paper feeding motor 112 is input to the link member 92 and the cam shaft 90 rotates, the cam 91 also rotates. When the outer edge portion of the cam 91 comes into contact with the cam receiving portion 75B by the rotation of the cam 91, the cam shaft 90 is pressed downward, and the cam shaft 90 moves downward. Further, when the cam shaft 90 moves downward, the front end portion of the roller holder 74 together with the bearing portion 89 is pulled by the cam shaft 90 against the urging force of the spring 78, and is in a seventh posture below the sixth posture. Move to. Thereby, the pressing roller 35B is separated from the conveying roller 35A. In the present embodiment, the moving distance of the roller holder 74 is set to be substantially the same as the thickness dimension (for example, 3 mm) of the disk tray 48. The moving mechanism of the present invention is realized by the cam drive mechanism 88 and the spring 78.

[Discharge roller pair 36]
As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge roller pair 36 includes an upper pinch roller 36A and a lower discharge roller 36B. The upper pinch roller 36A is supported by the first frame 25 and the like so as to be rotatable about its central axis. 3 and 4, the pinch roller 36A is not shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the discharge roller 36B is supported by the first frame 25 at a contact posture that is supported by a link plate 50 described later and contacts the pinch roller 36A, and at a position below the contact posture. Thus, it is provided so as to be movable in the up and down direction 7 between the separated posture separated from the pinch roller 36A downward. Specifically, the support shaft 36 </ b> C of the discharge roller 36 </ b> B is passed through the long hole 25 </ b> A provided in the first frame 25. The discharge roller 36B is urged upward by a second spring 62 described later. Therefore, unless an external force other than the urging force of the second spring 62 is applied to the discharge roller 36B, the discharge roller 36B is pressed by the second spring 62 and maintains a state of being in pressure contact with the pinch roller 36A. In this state, when receiving the driving force of the conveying motor 113 (see FIG. 12), the discharge roller 36B rotates, and the pinch roller 36A also rotates following the rotation.

[Platen 22]
As shown in FIG. 4, a plate-like platen 22 is provided behind the roller holder 74. A pair of left and right support protrusions 22 </ b> A projecting rearward are provided at both left and right ends of the front end of the platen 22. The support protrusion 22A protrudes so as to protrude forward above the support shaft 36C of the discharge roller 36B, and the lower end of the support protrusion 22A is supported by the support shaft 36C. That is, the front portion of the platen 22 is supported by the support shaft 36C of the discharge roller 36B. Therefore, when the discharge roller 36B moves in the vertical direction 7, the platen 22 also moves in the same direction along with the movement. The rear part of the platen 22 is also provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7 as will be described later.

  Near the rear portions of the left and right ends of the platen 22, attachment portions 22 </ b> B to which a later-described first spring holder 27 is attached are provided. The first spring holder 27 includes a holder portion 27A disposed below the attachment portion 22B, a pair of front and rear attachment pieces 27B protruding from the front and rear end portions of the holder portion 27A toward the upper attachment portion 22B, and the attachment pieces. A hooking claw 27 </ b> C that is provided at the distal end of 27 </ b> B and hooks onto the mounting portion 22 </ b> B is integrally provided. The first spring holder 27 moves in the vertical direction 7 with respect to the platen 22 with the position at which the hooking claw 27C is hooked on the mounting portion 22B as the lower limit position. A first spring 28 is disposed between the holder portion 27 </ b> A of the first spring holder 27 and the attachment portion 22 </ b> B of the platen 22. The first spring 28 biases the attachment portion 22B upward with respect to the holder portion 27A. The holder portion 27A is supported by the link plate 50 as will be described later, whereby the rear portion of the platen 22 is supported by the first spring holder 27 while being urged upward by the first spring 28. As will be described later, when the link plate 50 is moved by the user and the first spring holder 27 loses support by the link plate 50, the rear part of the platen 22 is lowered by its own weight together with the front part and is supported by the first frame 25. The moving distance of the platen 22 is set to be substantially the same as the thickness dimension (for example, 3 mm) of the disk tray 48. Therefore, when the platen 22 is in the lowered posture, the disc tray 48 inserted by the user can be smoothly guided rearward to the second transport path 33. During image recording, the transport roller pair 35 and the discharge roller The disc tray 48 can be conveyed forward by the pair 36.

[Switchback roller pair 37]
As shown in FIG. 2, the switchback roller pair 37 disposed in front of the platen 22 includes an upper pinch roller 37A and a lower switchback roller 37B. The upper pinch roller 37A is supported by the first frame 25 and the like so as to be rotatable about its central axis. 3 and 4, the pinch roller 37A is not shown. The lower switchback roller 37B is supported by a later-described link plate 50 so as to be rotatable about its central axis, and is rotated by the drive unit described above. Further, the switchback roller 37B is supported by a link plate 50, which will be described later, so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7. Between the contact posture in contact with the upper pinch roller 37A and the separation posture positioned below this contact posture. To move along the up and down direction 7. The moving distance of the switchback roller 37B is set so that the separation dimension between the switchback roller 37B and the pinch roller 37A is larger than the thickness dimension (for example, 3 mm) of the disc tray 48.

  As for the support shaft 37C of the switchback roller 37B, one of the left and right ends is respectively passed through the elongated hole 25B of each first frame 25, and one end of a pair of left and right torsion coil springs 63 shown in FIG. Abut. The torsion coil spring 63 is supported at the center and the other end by the first frame 25, and urges the support shaft 37C upward by the one end. When the support shaft 37C is biased upward by the torsion coil spring 63, the switchback roller 37B is pressed and held in pressure contact with the pinch roller 37A. In this state, when receiving the driving force of the conveyance motor 113, the switchback roller 37B rotates, and the pinch roller 37A also rotates following the rotation. The switchback roller 37B conveys the recording paper 19 forward during single-sided printing, thereby discharging the recording paper 19 to a paper discharge unit 14A (see FIG. 2) provided in the paper feed cassette 14. In the case of double-sided printing, the recording paper 19 once sent forward is conveyed backward to cause the recording paper 19 to enter the reverse conveyance path 34. The recording sheet 19 that has entered the reversal conveyance path 34 is returned from the first conveyance path 32 to the second conveyance path 33, passes over the platen 22 with the front and back reversed, and an image is recorded on the back surface.

[Tray guide 45]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tray guide 45 is formed in a plate shape whose thickness direction is the vertical direction 7, and is disposed in front of the switchback roller 37B. A pair of front and rear support protrusions 46 protrude from the left and right side surfaces of the tray guide 45. Each support protrusion 46 passes through the above-described guide groove holes 71 and 72 provided in the second frame 70. A front end portion 45A of the tray guide 45 is exposed to the outside through an opening 17 provided in the printer housing 11 (see FIG. 1A). When the front end portion 45A of the tray guide 45 is pushed down by the user, the support protrusion 46 moves from the linear portion 71A to the inclined portion 71B, and the lock in the front-rear direction 8 is released. When the tray guide 45 is pulled forward by the user, the disc tray 48 can be placed on the upper surface of the tray guide 45. The tray guide 45 is connected to a link plate 50 described below and has a function of moving the link plate 50 along the front-rear direction 8.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 15 is provided with an optical sensor 118 (see FIG. 12) for detecting that the tray guide 45 has been operated. Since the optical sensor 118 has the same configuration as the optical sensor 68, detailed description thereof is omitted here. In the vicinity of the tray guide 45, a detector (not shown) that moves forward and backward to the optical sensor 118 according to a change in posture of the front end portion 45A of the tray guide 45 is provided. The optical sensor 118 is connected to the control unit 100 (see FIG. 12), and the control unit 100 is based on a change in the level of the sensor signal from the optical sensor 118, for example, the signal level has changed from LOW to HIGH. Then, it is determined whether or not the tray guide 45 is pushed down to prepare for label recording.

[Link plate 50]
As shown in FIG. 4, the link plate 50 includes a pair of left and right bases 51 each formed in a plate shape with the left-right direction 9 as a thickness direction. Each base portion 51 is disposed between the platen 22 and the first frame 25 in the left-right direction 9, is supported by the first frame 25 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction 8, and the front end portion is coupled to the tray guide 45. Configuration that is movable in the front-rear direction 8 between an initial posture on the rear side as shown in FIG. 5A and an extended posture on the front side of the initial posture as shown in FIG. Have In this embodiment, since the tray guide 45 and the link plate 50 are coupled, the link plate 50 moves from the initial posture to the extended posture in conjunction with the pulling-out operation of the tray guide 45.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, guide groove holes 53 through which the end portions in the left-right direction 9 of the support shaft 37C of the switchback roller 37B are respectively provided at the front portions of the pair of left and right base portions 51 are provided. Yes. The guide groove 53 includes an open portion 53A that is opened upward, an inclined portion 53B that is provided behind the open portion 53A, and a linear portion 53C that is provided behind the inclined portion 53B. An inclined surface 53D, which is the upper peripheral surface of the inclined portion 53B, is inclined so as to be lowered toward the rear. The inclined surface 53D is formed by, for example, one or more planes or curved surfaces. In the present embodiment, the inclined surface 53D is formed of substantially one plane. The linear portion 53C extends linearly rearward from the inclined portion 53B. As shown in FIG. 5A, the guide groove 53 is provided at a position where the switchback roller 37B is at the front end of the inclined portion 53B when the link plate 50 is in the initial posture at the rear. When the link plate 50 is in the initial rear posture, the switchback roller 37B biased upward by the torsion coil spring 63 is pressed against the pinch roller 37A and the upper inclined surface 53D. When the link plate 50 moves together with the tray guide 45 from the rear initial posture toward the front, the switchback roller 37B pressed against the inclined surface 53D by the torsion coil spring 63 is pushed down while sliding on the inclined surface 53D. As shown in FIG. 5B, the linear portion 53C is reached. That is, the switchback roller 37B changes its posture from the contact posture to the separated posture.

  A reverse T-shaped dovetail groove 55 opened upward is provided at the rear of each base 51. The dovetail groove 55 is provided at a position directly below the support shaft 36C of the discharge roller 36B when the link plate 50 is in the initial posture. A second spring holder 61 is accommodated in each dovetail groove 55. The second spring holder 61 includes a holder portion 61A disposed at the top of the dovetail 55, a pair of front and rear mounting pieces 61B that protrude downward from both front and rear end portions of the holder portion 61A, and a lower end of the mounting piece 61B. And a hooking claw 61 </ b> C that is hooked on the peripheral wall at the bottom of the dovetail groove 55. The second spring holder 61 moves in the vertical direction 7 with respect to the base 51 with the position where the hooking claw 61 </ b> C is hooked on the peripheral wall of the dovetail groove 55 as the upper limit position. A second spring 62 is disposed between the holder portion 61 </ b> A disposed on the top of the dovetail 55 and the inner bottom surface (lower surface) of the dovetail 55. The second spring holder 61 biases the second spring holder 61 upward with respect to the base 51 by the second spring 62. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the link plate 50 is in the initial posture, the support shaft 36C of the discharge roller 36B contacts the upper surface of the holder portion 61A of the second spring holder 61, and the second spring holder 61 Located below the upper limit position. At this time, the discharge roller 36B is biased upward by the second spring 62 via the second spring holder 61, and assumes a contact posture in contact with the pinch roller 36A.

  As described above, since the second spring holder 61 is attached to the base 51 of the link plate 50, it slides in the front-rear direction 8 integrally with the base 51. Here, at the rear part of the holder part 61A of the second spring holder 61, there is provided an inclined surface 61D that descends toward the rear. When the link plate 50 in the initial posture is moved forward by the user, the support shaft 36C of the discharge roller 36B slides on the inclined surface 61D, and the second spring holder 61 as shown in FIG. 5B. Deviate from. The support shaft 36C that has lost support by the second spring holder 61 falls downward due to its own weight and is supported by the first frame 25.

  The link plate 50 includes a pair of left and right support pieces 56 extending rearward from the rear end of each base portion 51. As shown in FIG. 5A, the support piece 56 is in contact with the lower surface of the holder portion 27A of the first spring holder 27 provided in the platen 22 when the link plate 50 is in the initial posture. A convex portion 56A is provided. That is, the link plate 50 supports the rear portion of the platen 22 via the first spring holder 27 by the support piece 56. An inclined surface 56 </ b> B is provided at the rear portion of the support convex portion 56 </ b> A of the support piece 56. The inclined surface 56B is inclined so as to be lowered toward the rear. When the link plate 50 is moved forward from the initial posture, the first spring holder 27 moves downward while sliding on the inclined surface 56B, and is detached from the support convex portion 56A as shown in FIG. 5B. . When the first spring holder 27 is disengaged from the support convex portion 56A, the platen 22 is lowered by its own weight.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 (an example of the control unit of the present invention) will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the control unit 100 implements the first determination unit, the second determination unit, the third determination unit, the movement control unit, and the fourth determination unit of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the control unit 100 mainly includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other via a bus line. The control unit 100 is connected to the operation panel 16, the carriage motor 111, the paper feed motor 112, the transport motor 113, the encoder 116, the optical sensor 68, and the optical sensor 118 via the input / output port 105.

  The CPU 101 controls each function of the MFP 10 and controls each unit connected to the input / output port 105 according to data values and programs stored in the ROM 102 and RAM 103. The ROM 102 is a non-rewritable memory that stores a control program executed by the multifunction machine 10. A program for executing an interrupt process described later shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is stored in the ROM 102. The RAM 103 is a rewritable volatile memory, and temporarily stores various data when each operation of the multifunction machine 10 is executed, and stores threshold data used in the interrupt process.

  The interrupt processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 executed by the CPU 101 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and the operation of each component of the multifunction machine 10 will be described. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a state when no recording medium exists, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the disc tray 48 is inserted, and FIG. 9C is a disc tray. FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where 48 is pushing down a rotor 67; Further, in each of FIGS. 9A to 9C, the left side is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the detector 54, and the right side is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the roller holder 74. (A1) to (A3) in FIG. 11 are cross-sectional views showing the state of the rotor 67 and the like when so-called plain paper is conveyed, and (B1) to (B4) in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the rotor 67 grade | etc., When it was made.

  The interrupt processing described below is performed to detect the open / close state of the cover 24, the posture of the roller holder 74, the transport position of the disc tray 48 and the recording paper 19 and the like based on an output signal from one sensor 68. It is processing.

  When the multifunction device 10 is in a standby state where it can accept an image recording instruction, the roller holder 74 is disposed in the sixth posture, and of course, the cover 24 is also in the first posture (closed posture). When the multi-function device 10 is in the standby state, the CPU 101 executes processing for detecting the open / closed state of the cover 24 based on the signal from the sensor 68 (cover open / close detection processing) (S11). Specifically, it is determined that the cover 24 is in the first posture (closed posture) when the level of the signal from the sensor 68 is LOW, and the cover 24 is second when the level of the signal from the sensor 68 is HIGH. It is determined that the posture (open posture). If it is determined that the cover 24 is in the second posture, error information indicating that the cover 24 is open is output to the LCD 16A or an externally connected personal computer. Note that while the cover open / close detection process of step S11 is being executed, the process of detecting the posture of the roller holder 74 and the process of detecting the transport position of the disc tray 48 or the recording paper 19 are not performed.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the recording mode is the label recording mode (S12). When the tray guide 45 is pulled forward by the user to prepare for label recording, a detector (not shown) is retracted from the sensing unit of the optical sensor 118, and the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 118 changes from LOW to HIGH. . Based on this change, the CPU 101 determines that the tray guide 45 has been pulled out, and shifts the recording mode to the label recording mode.

  When the tray guide 45 is pulled forward by the user and the link plate 50 changes its posture from the initial posture to the extended posture, the platen 22, the discharge roller 36B, and the switchback roller 37B all move downward, and the second transport path 33 is moved. Expanded in the vertical direction 7. The extended posture of the link plate 50 is a posture for recording an image on a disk medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the recording mode is the label recording mode, the CPU 101 issues an interrupt command in the next step S13. The interrupt command is a command for interrupting the cover open / close detection process and performing another detection process using a signal from the sensor 68. That is, after the interrupt command is issued, the open / closed state of the cover 24 is not detected. After issuing the interrupt command, the CPU 101 performs a process of moving the roller holder 74 to the seventh posture in order to separate the pressing roller 35B from the transport roller 35A (S14). Specifically, the drive transmission path of the paper feed motor 112 is switched from the path that transmits to the paper feed roller 41 to the path that transmits to the cam drive mechanism 88, and then the paper feed motor 112 is driven by a predetermined amount of rotation. . As a result, the driving force of the paper feeding motor 112 is transmitted to the roller holder 74 via the cam driving mechanism 88, and the roller holder 74 moves from the sixth posture to the seventh posture. Thereby, the pressing roller 35B is separated from the conveying roller 35A. In addition, the specific switching method of the transmission path is performed by changing the position of the switching lever provided in the switching gear 114 using, for example, the carriage 23 or other movable members.

  Subsequently, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the roller holder 74 is in the seventh posture based on the output signal of the optical sensor 68 (S15). When the roller holder 74 moves to the seventh posture, the rotor 67 tilts forward as described above, and the detector 54 is retracted forward from the sensing unit 68A (see FIG. 9B). At this time, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from LOW to HIGH. The CPU 101 determines that the roller holder 74 is in the seventh posture when the two conditions that the recording mode is the label recording mode and the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from LOW to HIGH are satisfied. .

  If it is determined in step S15 that the roller holder 74 is not in the seventh posture, the processes in steps S14 and S15 are repeated. If this repeated process is executed a predetermined number of times and it is still determined that the roller holder 74 is not in the seventh position, an error display indicating the abnormality of the roller holder 74 is output to the LCD 16A or a personal computer, and the label recording is performed. Stop processing.

  If it is determined in step S15 that the roller holder 74 is in the seventh posture, the CPU 101 moves the disc tray 48 on condition that a label recording instruction is input from the operation panel 16 or a personal computer (YES in S16). The process of carrying back is performed (S17). After the second transport path 33 is expanded in the vertical direction 7, the user inserts the disc tray 48 toward the second transport path 33 from the opening 17 while being supported by the tray guide 45. The user inputs a label recording instruction after inserting the disc tray 48 to the position shown in FIGS. 9B and 10A. When the label recording instruction is input, the CPU 101 controls the transport motor 113 to rotate the transport roller 35A and the discharge roller 36B in the reverse direction. Thereby, the disc tray 48 is conveyed backward.

  When the disc tray 48 is conveyed rearward, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 10B, the rear end of the disc tray 48 pushes the rotor 67 backward. At this time, when the rotor 67 tilted forward is pushed backward, the detector 54 retracted forward from the sensing unit 68A enters the sensing unit 68A and again comes out backward. At this time, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from HIGH to LOW and immediately becomes HIGH again. When the CPU 101 satisfies the two conditions that the label recording instruction is input and the signal level of the optical sensor changes from HIGH to LOW, the rear end of the disk tray 48 passes through the rotor 67. This is detected (S18).

  When the rear end of the disk tray 48 is detected in step S18, the CPU 101 subsequently transports the disk tray 48 to the image recordable position with respect to the label surface of the disk medium, and then rotates the transport roller 35A in the forward direction to rotate the disk. Image recording is performed on the label surface of the disk medium while intermittently transporting the tray 48 forward (S19).

  During image recording, the CPU 101 detects the rear end of the disc tray 48 again based on the output signal of the optical sensor 68 (S20). When the disc tray 48 is conveyed forward, the rear end portion of the disc tray 48 passes through the rotor 67, and the rotor 67 returns to the posture tilted forward (see FIG. 9B). At this time, the detector 54 that has been retracted rearward from the sensing unit 68A enters the sensing unit 68A and exits forward again. At this time, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from HIGH to LOW and immediately becomes HIGH again. When the signal level of the optical sensor changes from HIGH to LOW again during image recording, the CPU 101 detects again that the rear end of the disc tray 48 has passed through the rotor 67. Thereafter, when the image recording process is completed, the transport roller 35A and the like are continuously rotated, and the disc tray 48 is ejected forward (S21).

  After that, when the label recording instruction is input again (S22), the CPU 101 repeatedly executes the processes after step S17. On the other hand, when the label recording instruction is not input and the tray guide 45 is pushed back by the user, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 118 changes from HIGH to LOW. Based on this change, the CPU 101 determines that the label recording mode has ended, and shifts the recording mode to the normal recording mode. At this time, the CPU 101 drives the paper feeding motor 112 by a predetermined amount to press the pressing roller 35B against the conveying roller 35A and returns the roller holder 74 from the seventh posture to the sixth posture (S23).

  Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the roller holder 74 is in the sixth posture based on the output signal of the optical sensor 68 (S24). When the roller holder 74 returns to the sixth posture, the rotor 67 tilted forward returns to the rear, and the detector 54 enters the sensing unit 68A. At this time, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from HIGH to LOW. The CPU 101 determines that the roller holder 74 has returned to the sixth posture based on the change in the signal level. Thereafter, the CPU 101 issues an interrupt release command (S25). When the interrupt release command is issued, the suspended cover open / close detection process is resumed, and the open / closed state of the cover 24 can be detected.

  On the other hand, when the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 118 remains HIGH in step S11, the CPU 101 maintains the standby state. In the standby state, the link plate 50 maintains the initial posture. In this state, when an image recording instruction is input together with image data from a personal computer or the like (S30), the recording mode is changed to the normal recording mode, and the recording paper 19 is sent out from the paper feed cassette 14 (S31).

  Subsequently, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the carry amount for the recording paper 19 has reached a predetermined carry amount (S32). Here, the predetermined transport amount is the transport amount until the leading edge of the recording paper 19 reaches the front of the rotor 67. The CPU 101 calculates an actual carry amount based on encoder signals from the paper feed roller 41 and the paper feed motor 112, and compares the calculated value with the predetermined carry amount to make a determination. Here, when it is determined that the transport amount of the recording paper 19 has reached the predetermined transport amount, that is, when it is determined that the leading edge of the recording paper 19 has reached the front of the rotor 67, the interrupt command described above is issued. Issue (S33). In other words, the cover open / close detection process in step S11 is continued without interruption until an interrupt command is issued in step 33, and after the interrupt command is issued in step 33, the cover open / close detection process is interrupted. The

  After issuing the interrupt command, the CPU 101 first detects the position of the leading edge of the recording paper 19 in the second transport path 33 based on the output signal of the optical sensor 68 (S34). As shown in FIG. 11 (A2) or (B2), when the leading edge of the recording paper 19 pushes down the rotor 67 during the conveyance of the recording paper 19, the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from LOW to HIGH. Based on this change in signal level, the CPU 101 detects that the leading edge of the recording paper 19 has passed through the rotor 67. When the CPU 101 detects the leading edge of the recording paper 19, the recording paper 19 is conveyed to the image recordable position, and then image recording is started on the recording paper 19 (S35). When the leading edge of the recording paper 19 reaches a position where it can be nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 35, the paper supply by the paper supply roller 41 stops.

  When the recording paper 19 is a thick paper (thick paper) such as glossy paper or a postcard, the subsequent processing is performed according to the procedure of step S36. On the other hand, when the recording paper 19 is a thin paper such as a so-called plain paper, when the image recording is completed, the paper is ejected in step S40, and thereafter, the processing from step S23 is performed.

  Hereinafter, processing when the recording paper 19 is a thick paper will be described. When image recording is performed on thick paper having a certain thickness or more, the recording paper is excessively transported when the trailing edge exits the nip point of the transport roller pair 35, and a horizontal line appears on the recording surface. Occurs. Such a white line is a factor that deteriorates the image quality. For this reason, when recording an image on thick paper, when the rear end reaches the nip point, the rollers of the transport roller pair 35 are separated from each other so as not to cause the excessive transport. For this purpose, the CPU 101 first detects the rear end position of the recording paper 19 in step S36. When the trailing edge of the recording paper 19 passes through the rotor 67 while the recording paper 19 is being conveyed, the rotor 67 returns to its original position, and the detector 54 rotates in conjunction with this operation. It enters the sensing unit 68A again (see FIG. 11 (B3)). At this time, the output signal of the optical sensor 68 changes from HIGH to LOW. Based on the change at this time, the CPU 101 detects that the trailing edge of the recording paper 19 has passed through the rotor 67 (S36).

  When the trailing edge of the recording paper 19 is detected, the CPU 101 subsequently determines whether or not the trailing edge of the recording paper 19 has reached the nip point of the conveying roller pair 35 (S37). Specifically, the conveyance amount of the recording paper 19 after the trailing edge is detected is calculated based on a signal from the encoder 116 attached to the conveyance roller 35A or the conveyance motor 113, and the calculated value and the rotor 67 are calculated. The distance from the nip point to the nip point is compared, and if the calculated value matches the distance to the nip point, it is determined that the trailing edge of the recording paper 19 has reached the nip point of the conveying roller pair 35.

  Subsequently, on the condition that it is determined that the rear end position of the recording paper 19 has reached the nip point of the conveyance roller pair 35, the CPU 101 moves the roller holder 74 to the seventh posture in the same manner as in step S14 described above. A process of moving is performed (S38). Thereafter, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the roller holder 74 is in the seventh posture based on the output signal of the optical sensor 68 (S39), as in step S15 described above.

  When it is determined in step S39 that the roller holder 74 is not in the seventh posture, the processes in steps S38 and S39 are repeated again. If this repetitive process is executed a predetermined number of times and it is still determined that the roller holder 74 is not in the seventh position, an error display indicating an abnormality of the roller holder 74 is output to the LCD 16A or a personal computer, and image recording is performed. The process is interrupted or the image recording process is continued. Thereafter, when the image recording is completed, the sheet is discharged in step S40, and thereafter, the processes in and after step S23 are performed.

[Effect of the present invention]
By performing the interrupt processing as described above, the open / close state of the cover 24, the posture of the roller holder 74, the recording paper 19 and the disc tray in the transport path 31 based on the change in the level of the output signal from one sensor 68. 48 transport positions can be detected. For this reason, there is no need to install an optical sensor for each of multiple detection targets, so the number of sensors installed can be reduced, preventing an increase in the number of parts and manufacturing man-hours, and an increase in the size of the device. can do.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the optical sensor 68 is used as an example of the sensor has been described. However, instead of the optical sensor 68, a reflective sensor, a magnetic sensor, a contact sensor, or the like can be used. is there. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the paper feeding motor 112 is also used as the driving source of the roller holder 74 has been described. However, the single driving of a solenoid, a motor, or the like without using the paper feeding motor 112 is also described. The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the roller holder 74 is moved using a power source without switching drive transmission.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sensor arm 74 is configured to be retracted upward with respect to the optical sensor 93, but the sensor arm 74 is configured to be retracted below the optical sensor 93. It doesn't matter.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the open / close state of the cover 24, the posture of the roller holder 74, and the transport position of the recording paper 19 or the disk tray 48 is detected based on the output signal of the sensor 68 has been described. Based on the output signal of the sensor 68, only the two detection targets of the open / close state of the cover 24 and the posture of the roller holder 74 are detected, or only the open / close state of the cover 24 and the transport position of the recording paper 19 and the disk tray 48 are detected. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration that detects the above.

10. Multifunction machine (image recording device)
15: Printer unit 19: Recording paper (recording medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Recording part 30 ... Conveyance apparatus 33 ... 2nd conveyance path 35 ... Conveyance roller pair 45 ... Tray guide 48 ... Disc tray (recording medium)
50: Link plate 54: Detector (first detector)
67... Rotor (second detector)
68 ... Optical sensor (sensor)
74: Roller holder (supporting member)
80 ... Rotation restricting mechanism (second link mechanism)
88 ... Cam drive mechanism (moving mechanism)
94: Sensor arm (first link mechanism)
100: Control unit

Claims (6)

A guide route capable of guiding the recording medium;
A recording unit that records an image on a recording medium conveyed in the first feeding direction along the guide path;
A cover whose posture can be changed between a first posture that forms the guide route and a second posture that opens the guide route;
A sensor having a sensing unit;
A first detector capable of rotating between a third posture in which the detected portion is arranged at a position detectable by the sensing portion and a fourth posture in which the detected portion is retracted from the detectable position;
A second detector which is provided so as to be able to rotate in conjunction with the first detector, and which has a fifth posture that intersects the guide path when at least the first detector is in the third posture;
A first link mechanism for rotating the second detector from the fifth position in conjunction with the change of the cover from the first position to the second position;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that determines a transport position of the recording medium and an attitude of the cover on the guide path based on an output signal from the sensor. The cover is provided upstream of the pair of transport rollers in the first feeding direction;
The second detector is provided between the transport roller pair and the cover,
The control unit determines a cover posture based on an output signal of the sensor when a feeding amount from a feeding source of the recording medium is less than a path length from the feeding source to the second detector. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 1 determination unit; and a second determination unit that determines a transport position of the recording medium based on an output signal of the sensor after the feeding amount exceeds the path length. . A pair of conveying rollers including a driving roller and a driven roller, which are provided upstream of the recording unit in the first feeding direction and arranged to face each other across the guide path;
A support member that pivotally supports the driven roller and is movable between a sixth posture in which the driven roller contacts the driving roller and a seventh posture in which the driven roller is separated from the driving roller;
A moving mechanism that receives a driving force from a driving source and moves the support member from the sixth posture to the seventh posture;
A second link mechanism for rotating the second detector from the fifth posture in conjunction with the movement of the support member from the sixth posture to the seventh posture by the moving mechanism;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further determines a posture of the support member based on an output signal from the sensor. The cover is provided upstream of the pair of transport rollers in the first feeding direction;
The second detector is provided between the transport roller pair and the cover,
The control unit determines a cover posture based on an output signal of the sensor when a feeding amount from a feeding source of the recording medium is less than a path length from the feeding source to the second detector. 1 determination means, a second determination means for determining the transport position of the recording medium based on the output signal of the sensor after the feeding amount exceeds the path length, and a second determination means for The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a third determination unit that determines the posture of the support member based on an output signal of the sensor on the condition that the end position is determined. The control unit
Movement control for driving the drive source on the condition that the rear end position of the recording medium is determined by the second determination means and moving the support member from the sixth position to the seventh position by the moving mechanism. Means,
5. The image according to claim 4, further comprising: a fourth determination unit that determines an attitude of the support member based on an output signal of the sensor on the condition that the drive control is performed on the drive source by the movement control unit. Recording device. The second determination means determines whether the rear end of the recording medium in the guide path is at the nip point of the pair of conveying rollers based on the output signal of the sensor,
The movement control control means drives and controls the drive source on the condition that the rear end of the recording medium is determined to be at the nip point by the second determination means, and moves the support member by the movement mechanism. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image recording apparatus is moved from one position to the second position.

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