JP2015174726A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus capable of stably performing skew correction of a recording medium.SOLUTION: The recording apparatus includes a recording part, a first medium conveying path 21 in which a sheet P is conveyed to the recording part, an alignment roller pair 15 which is arranged in the first medium conveying path to convey the sheet to the recording part side in a state of arranging the sheet in a line, a deflection space which is arranged in the upstream side, in the sheet conveying direction, of the alignment roller pair in the first medium conveying path to allow the sheet to deflect, and a conveyance roller pair (41a, 41b) which is arranged in the first medium conveying path to convey the sheet to the deflection space. The deflection space in the first medium conveying path comprises: a first space 51 formed in at least one sheet surface side of both surface sides of the conveyed sheet; and a second space 52 which is positioned in the downstream side of the first space in the sheet conveying direction and is formed in at least the other sheet surface side of both sheet surface sides opposite to the one sheet surface side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a recording unit that performs recording on a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a type of recording apparatus, a recording unit that performs recording on a sheet-like sheet, which is an example of a recording medium, has been provided. Inkjet printers that perform printing (recording) are known. In such a printer, printing is performed correctly by transporting the paper to the recording unit in an aligned state that is not inclined with respect to the transport direction.

  For this purpose, conventionally, the leading edge of the conveyed paper is brought into contact with the alignment roller pair (registration roller pair) in contact with the sheet, and the sheet is bent in that state, and the return force of the sheet generated by the bending is used. Thus, so-called skew removal is performed in which the inclination with respect to the sheet conveyance direction is corrected and aligned. Therefore, it is necessary for the printer to provide a sheet bending space in the conveyance path of each sheet conveyed to the recording unit. As a structure of such a paper bending space, there is a printing apparatus provided with a space (widening portion) for slackening paper in a paper feed path (paper transport path) (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-89910 A

  However, the shape of the conventional bending space provided in the paper conveyance path is a shape in which the paper is freely bent. For this reason, in the conventional bending space, the way of bending of the paper is not constant, the bending shape in the contact state where the tip is abutted against the alignment roller pair varies, and the return force of the paper fluctuates, It can happen that the biasing force on the alignment roller pair is reduced. As a result, there is a problem in that the paper skew removal using the return force of the paper is not performed stably.

  In addition, such a situation includes a recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like recording medium, a medium conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed to the recording unit, and a recording unit that is arranged in the medium conveyance path and that aligns the recording medium. In a recording apparatus provided with a pair of alignment rollers conveyed to the side, it is generally common.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that can stably de-skew a recording medium.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A recording apparatus that solves the above problems is provided with a recording unit that records an image on a sheet-like recording medium, a medium conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed to the recording unit, and the medium conveyance path. An alignment roller pair that aligns and conveys the medium to the recording unit side, and a bending space that is provided upstream of the alignment roller pair in the medium conveyance path in the conveyance direction of the recording medium and allows the recording medium to bend. And a pair of conveyance rollers disposed in the medium conveyance path and conveying the recording medium to the bending space, wherein the bending space of the medium conveyance path has sheet surfaces on both sides of the recording medium to be conveyed. A first space formed on at least one of the sheet surfaces, and at least one of the sheet surfaces on both sides of the recording medium, which is located downstream of the first space in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. of The over up surface side; and a second space formed in the other sheet side opposite.

  According to this configuration, the bending shape of the recording medium that is in contact with the leading edge of the alignment roller pair can be changed to an S shape in a side view from the direction intersecting the transport direction in the bending space. It is possible to suppress a decrease in urging force when the recording medium conveyed to the bending space by the conveying roller pair is pressed against the alignment roller pair. As a result, the recording medium can be skewed stably.

  In the recording apparatus, a common tangential plane of the transport roller pair is a virtual plane connecting a nip position where the transport roller pair sandwiches the recording medium and a nip position where the alignment roller pair sandwiches the recording medium. On the other hand, the surface is preferably inclined toward the first space side.

According to this configuration, the recording medium can be guided to the first space by the pair of transport rollers so that the bending shape in the bending space becomes an S shape.
In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that a guide surface along a common tangent plane of the alignment roller pair is formed in the bending space of the medium conveyance path.

  According to this configuration, the moving direction of the recording medium when contacting the alignment roller pair with the leading end being in contact with the alignment roller pair can be made substantially the same as the conveying direction by the alignment roller pair, so the alignment roller pair is stable. Thus, the recording medium can be skewed and the recording medium can be transported to the recording unit side while the transport resistance is suppressed.

  In the recording apparatus, when the medium conveyance path is a first medium conveyance path and the bending space is a first bending space, the first medium conveyance is performed upstream of the alignment roller pair in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. A second medium conveyance path that merges with the path, and the second medium conveyance path is a space that is at least partially shared with the first bending space, and is conveyed through the second medium conveyance path. It is preferable that a second bending space that allows the medium to be bent is provided.

  According to this configuration, since a part of the bending space of the recording medium in the first medium conveyance path is shared with the bending space of the recording medium in the second medium conveyance path, each medium conveyance is performed while suppressing an increase in the size of the recording apparatus. The recording medium can be skewed in the path.

  In the recording apparatus, the recording medium on which recording is performed on the sheet surface on one side is transported and includes a third medium transport path that merges with the first medium transport path, and the third medium transport path includes: The recording medium is joined to the first medium conveyance path from the side opposite to the side where the second medium conveyance path merges, and is conveyed to the first medium conveyance path through the third medium conveyance path. It is preferable that the 3rd bending space which accept | permits bending is provided.

  According to this configuration, the bending space of the recording medium in the third medium conveyance path is opposite to the bending space side of the recording medium in the second medium conveyance path with respect to the bending space of the recording medium in the first medium conveyance path. Since it can be provided, it is possible to arrange the bending space of the recording medium for each medium transport path in a space-saving manner. As a result, it is possible to perform skew removal of the recording medium in each medium conveyance path while suppressing an increase in size of the recording apparatus.

  In the recording apparatus, a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the recording medium to the second bending space and the third bending space are respectively disposed in the second medium conveyance path and the third medium conveyance path. The transport length of the recording medium from the pair of transport rollers disposed in the three-medium transport path to the pair of alignment rollers is equal to the transport roller disposed in the first medium transport path and the second medium transport path. It is preferable that the length of the recording medium transported from the pair to the alignment roller pair is shorter than the conveying length.

  According to this configuration, the recording medium whose bending rigidity has decreased after recording can be brought into contact with the alignment roller pair in a state in which the bending of the sheet surface is suppressed, with the leading end abutted against the alignment roller pair. It is possible to suppress a decrease in urging force that presses the recording medium against the pair. As a result, the recording medium can be skewed in each medium conveyance path.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram schematically illustrating a printer as an example of an embodiment of a recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram schematically showing an enlarged part of a paper conveyance path provided in a printer. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet conveyed along a sheet conveyance path. FIG. 9 is a structural diagram schematically showing an enlarged part of a sheet conveyance path according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a structural diagram schematically showing an enlarged part of a sheet conveyance path according to a modified example.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the recording apparatus, a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink as an example of a recording liquid is provided as a recording unit, and ink or ink is ejected onto a sheet as an example of a sheet-like recording medium to display characters, figures, and the like. An ink jet printer that prints (records) an image including the image will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as an example of a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a recording unit 13 that prints an image on a sheet P and a sheet P conveyed to the recording unit 13 in a substantially rectangular housing 12. And a pair of alignment rollers 15 arranged in the medium conveyance path and arranged to convey the paper P to the recording unit 13 side. In the present embodiment, the paper P is transported through the medium transport path with the front and back direction in FIG. 1 as the width direction and the direction intersecting the width direction as the transport direction. The recording unit 13 includes a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting ink over substantially the entire width direction of the paper P, and prints an image by attaching the ink to the paper P being conveyed. The printed paper P is discharged from the recording unit 13 to the paper discharge tray 14 through the medium conveyance path.

  In the present embodiment, three medium conveyance paths, a first medium conveyance path 21, a second medium conveyance path 22, and a third medium conveyance path 23, are provided as medium conveyance paths for conveying the paper P to the recording unit 13. Yes. In addition, when the first medium transport path 21, the second medium transport path 22, and the third medium transport path 23 are not distinguished, they are also simply referred to as a medium transport path.

  In the first medium conveyance path 21, the paper P inserted from the insertion port 12 a provided on one side surface of the housing 12 is conveyed to the recording unit 13. In other words, the paper P inserted into the insertion port 12a is pressed against the first drive roller 41a by the hopper 12b, and is conveyed by the rotational drive of the first drive roller 41a, and between the first drive roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b. After being pinched, the sheet is conveyed toward the recording unit 13 by the rotational drive of the first drive roller 41a.

  In the second medium transport path 22, the paper P placed in a stackable manner on the paper cassette 12 c provided so as to be insertable / removable at the bottom of the housing 12 on the gravity direction side is transported to the recording unit 13. That is, the paper P placed in the stacked state on the paper cassette 12c is fed out by the pickup roller 16a and separated one by one by the separation roller pair 16b, and then the second drive roller 42a. It is sandwiched between the second driven rollers 42b and conveyed toward the recording unit 13 by the rotational drive of the second drive roller 42a.

  In the third medium conveyance path 23, when performing double-sided printing for printing on both sheet surfaces (paper surfaces) of the paper P, the paper P on which one sheet surface has been printed by the recording unit 13 is recorded again. It is conveyed to the section 13. That is, on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P from the recording unit 13, a discharge transport path for discharging the printed paper P that has been printed to the paper discharge tray 14 by a plurality of roller pairs 18 such as a paper feed roller pair 17. 20a and a branch conveyance path 20b branched from the discharge conveyance path 20a by the operation of the branch mechanism 19 provided in the middle of the discharge conveyance path 20a. The branch conveyance path 20 b is provided with a branch conveyance path roller pair 18 a capable of both normal rotation and reverse rotation on the downstream side of the branch mechanism 19.

  The sheet P on which the sheet surface on one side is printed is divided into a branch conveyance path roller pair 18a and a plurality of roller pairs 18 that once rotate forward to the branch conveyance path 20b from the recording unit 13 side toward the sheet discharge table 14 side during duplex printing. Then, the branch conveyance path 20b is reversely conveyed from the paper discharge table 14 side to the recording unit 13 side by the reverse rotation of the branch conveyance path roller pair 18a. At this time, the reversely transported paper P is transported to the third medium transport path 23 and transported toward the recording unit 13 by the plurality of roller pairs 18. By the conveyance to the third medium conveyance path 23, the sheet P is reversed so that the non-printed sheet surface faces the recording unit 13, and is positioned at the most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the sheet P in the third medium conveyance path 23. The third drive roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b are sandwiched and conveyed toward the recording unit 13 by the rotation of the third drive roller 43a.

  These three first medium conveyance path 21, second medium conveyance path 22, and third medium conveyance path 23 merge on the upstream side of the alignment roller pair 15 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and conveyance of the sheet P after merging. The downstream side in the direction is a common medium transport path. In the present embodiment, the second medium transport path 22 joins the first medium transport path 21 from the gravity direction side (lower side), and the anti-gravity on the side opposite to the side on which the second medium transport path 22 joins. The third medium conveyance path 23 joins from the direction side (upper side). Therefore, the sheet P conveyed through each medium conveyance path toward the recording unit 13 is conveyed to the alignment roller pair 15 disposed in the common medium conveyance path, and then the alignment roller pair 15 whose rotation is stopped (details). Between the rollers in contact with each other). Hereinafter, such “contact with the tip abutted” is also expressed as “contact”. The inclination of the sheet P with respect to the transport direction is corrected (skewed) by such a contact state with the pair of alignment rollers 15. Then, the sheet P whose inclination is corrected is aligned and conveyed to the recording unit 13 side by the subsequent rotational driving of the alignment roller pair 15.

  The paper P conveyed to the recording unit 13 side by the alignment roller pair 15 is arranged on the paper feed roller pair 17 arranged on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the recording unit 13 or on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The paper is conveyed while facing the recording unit 13 by a roller pair 18 or the like. Printing is performed on the transported paper P by ejecting ink from the opposing recording unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the printer 11 of the present embodiment, in the medium conveyance path formed by the constituent members partially shown by the shaded portions, the conveyance direction of the paper P is higher than the alignment roller pair 15. On the side, a bending space that allows the sheet P to be bent is provided. Specifically, with respect to the sheet P conveyed on the medium conveyance path toward the alignment roller pair 15, the sheet after contacting the alignment roller pair 15 on at least one of the sheet surfaces on both sides thereof A deflection space that allows the deflection of P is provided.

  That is, the first bending space 31 that is the bending space of the paper P provided in the first medium transport path 21 is the upstream space 34 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P and the downstream space on the downstream side that communicate with each other in the connection space 31c. 35. The upper side of the upstream space 34 intersects the transport direction by bending and continuing two flat surfaces, a first wall surface 36 upstream of the sheet P in the transport direction and a second wall surface 37 downstream of the transport direction. It is formed in a mountain shape in a side view from the direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “side view”), and its lower side is formed flat by a first guide surface 38 that guides the movement of the paper P being conveyed. The upper side of the downstream space 35 is formed flat by a second guide surface 39 that guides the movement of the conveyed paper P, and the lower side of the downstream space 35 is a bending space that allows the paper P to bend in the second medium conveyance path 22. This is a shared space with the second bending space 32.

  In the first medium transport path 21, the first driving roller 41 a and the first driven roller 41 b disposed on the upstream side of the first bending space 31 in the transport direction of the paper P cause the paper P to be bent first. It functions as a pair of transport rollers that transport to the space 31. Then, the paper P conveyed to the first bending space 31 by the first driving roller 41 a and the first driven roller 41 b passes through the first bending space 31 and contacts the alignment roller pair 15. In the present embodiment, the first bending space 31 is a case where a predetermined amount of paper P is sent to the first bending space 31 by the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b after the sheet P contacts the alignment roller pair 15. The sheet P acts so as to be bent in an S shape in a side view in the first bending space 31, as indicated by a thick broken line in FIG. The operation of the first bending space 31 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, a second bending space 32 that is a bending space of the paper P provided in the second medium conveyance path 22 is partially in the downstream space 35 of the first bending space 31 provided in the first medium conveyance path 21. It is considered as a shared space.

  That is, the second deflection space 32 provided in the second medium transport path 22 has a second guide surface 39 formed on the upper side of the downstream space 35 of the first deflection space 31 and the second guide space 39. The upper wall portion 32b is formed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P from the surface 39 so as to bend downward with the connection space 31c interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the lower side of the second bending space 32 is an inclined surface 32a that rises toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P, and the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P that is the paper cassette 12c side of the inclined surface 32a. In addition, a plurality of ribs 22a having a mountain shape in a side view with the conveyance direction of the paper P as the longitudinal direction are formed. Then, the second bending space 32 is narrowed by the upper end surface of the rib 22a, so that the sheet P conveyed through the second medium conveyance path 22 passes through a position closer to the upper side of the second bending space 32 and is viewed from the side. Then, it is conveyed in the shape of a convex arc.

  In the second medium conveyance path 22, the second driving roller 42 a and the second driven roller 42 b disposed on the upstream side of the second deflection space 32 in the conveyance direction of the paper P cause the paper P to be bent second. It functions as a pair of transport rollers that transport to the space 32. The sheet P conveyed through the second flexure space 32 by the second drive roller 42a and the second driven roller 42b maintains its upward convex curved shape, and its downstream end (in FIG. 2) The two-dot chain line) moves while being guided by the inclined surface 32a on the gravity direction side in the second bending space 32. Further, the sheet P fed by a predetermined amount to the second bending space 32 by the second driving roller 42a and the second driven roller 42b is thick in the second bending space 32 in FIG. As shown by a broken line, it is configured to bend in an upwardly convex arc shape in a side view.

  Next, a third bending space 33 that is a bending space of the paper P provided in the third medium conveyance path 23 is provided on the first medium conveyance path 21 side. Specifically, the third bending space 33 provided in the third medium conveyance path 23 is continuous with the flat slope portion 33a and both sides thereof on the gravity direction side (lower side) of the sheet surface with respect to the sheet P to be conveyed. It is formed having curved portions 33b and 33c that are curved surfaces. The third bending space 33 is provided so as to be adjacent to the first bending space 31 of the first medium transport path 21 without contacting. When the third bending space 33 joins the downstream space 35 of the first medium transport path 21 and the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P, the third medium transport path 23 joins the first medium transport path 21.

  Further, in the third medium conveyance path 23, the third driving roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the third bending space 33 cause the paper P to undergo the third bending. It functions as a pair of transport rollers that transport to the space 33. The sheet P conveyed through the third bending space 33 of the third medium conveyance path 23 by the third driving roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b is the downstream end portion in the conveyance direction (two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). Is guided and moved by the slope portion 33a on the gravity direction side and the lower curved portion 33c in the third bending space 33, thereby forming a curved shape that is convex downward in a side view. Further, when the sheet P fed to the third bending space 33 by the third driving roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b contacts the alignment roller pair 15, in the third bending space 33, the inclined portion 33a and It is configured to bend toward the upper curved portion 33b and the like, and to be stably formed in a downwardly convex arc shape (thick broken line in FIG. 2) in side view.

  In the present embodiment, the conveyance length of the paper P from the conveyance roller pair of the third drive roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b arranged in the third medium conveyance path to the alignment roller pair 15 is the first. The conveyance length of the sheet P from the conveyance roller pair disposed in the medium conveyance path 21 and the second medium conveyance path 22 to the alignment roller pair 15 is shorter than the conveyance length.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, the operation of the first medium conveyance path 21 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the first medium transport path 21, the paper P inserted into the insertion port 12 a (in the figure, a thick one-dot chain line) When the paper P is nipped and conveyed, the paper P is conveyed to the first bending space 31 along a common tangential plane of the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b. That is, the paper P moves in a direction orthogonal to a line (a thin broken line in the figure) connecting the rotation center 41ac of the first drive roller 41a and the rotation center 41bc of the first driven roller 41b.

  As a result, the sheet P is in contact with the upper first wall surface 36 or the second wall surface 37 of the sheet downstream end Pe in the upstream space 34 of the first bending space 31. In the present embodiment, the first wall surface 36 and the second wall surface 37 are formed so that the angle (entrance angle) between the sheet P and the sheet surface of the paper P in contact with each other is an acute angle, and the second wall surface 37 is The upstream space 34 is formed so as to become gradually narrower in the conveyance direction of the paper P. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the sheet downstream end Pe contacts the second wall surface 37 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the sheet P is further sandwiched between the first drive roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b and conveyed downstream from that state, the sheet downstream end Pe is indicated by a broken line arrow in the figure. As shown by, while moving along the second wall surface 37, it moves toward the connection space 31 c with the downstream space 35.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the paper P moving in the upstream space 34 toward the connection space 31 c is when the paper downstream end Pe finishes the contact state with the second wall surface 37, that is, in the connection space 31 c. From the time of arrival, it is guided and conveyed by the second guide surface 39 on the upper side of the downstream space 35. In the present embodiment, the paper P is guided and conveyed by the second guide surface 39 and is also guided by the first guide surface 38 below the upstream space 34 to move in the upstream space 34. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet P is guided by the first guide surface 38 in the upstream space 34 and the second guide surface 39 in the downstream space 35, and moves in the first bending space 31. It is conveyed until the downstream end Pe contacts the alignment roller pair 15. At this time, in the present embodiment, the first guide surface 38 and the second guide surface 39 are formed along a common tangential plane of the alignment roller pair 15. Therefore, the sheet P has a direction in which at least the sheet downstream end Pe is substantially orthogonal to a line (a thin broken line in the drawing) connecting the rotation center 15a of one roller of the alignment roller pair 15 and the rotation center 15b of the other roller. Abutting the alignment roller pair 15 while moving along

  Thus, the sheet P conveyed until it abuts against the alignment roller pair 15 has a first space 51 formed on one sheet surface side of the sheet surfaces on both sides in the upstream space 34, and in the downstream space 35, A second space 52 formed on the other sheet surface side opposite to the one sheet surface side of the sheet surfaces on both sides of the sheet P is formed. That is, in the present embodiment, the first space 51 and the second space 52 are formed as shown by hatched portions in FIG. The second space 52 is located downstream of the first space 51 in the conveyance direction of the paper P, and the first space among the sheet surfaces on both sides with respect to the paper P conveyed through the first medium conveyance path 21. 51 is formed on the sheet surface side in the anti-gravity direction (upward), and the second space 52 is formed on the sheet surface side in the gravity direction (downward).

  As shown in FIG. 7, after the paper downstream end Pe contacts the alignment roller pair 15, the first driving roller 41 a and the first driven roller 41 b rotate and drive the paper P by a predetermined amount (predetermined length). When transported to the bending space 31, the paper P is curved in an S shape along the transport direction.

  That is, the common tangent plane between the first drive roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b is the nip position where the pair of transport rollers of the first drive roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b sandwich the paper P, and the alignment roller pair 15 Is a surface inclined toward the first space 51 side with respect to a virtual plane connecting the nip position where the paper P is sandwiched. Therefore, the sheet P conveyed through the first bending space 31 by the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b is separated from one sheet surface facing the first space 51 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. The sheet is conveyed along a tangential plane that becomes a moving surface, and is guided away from the first guide surface 38 to a first space 51 formed on one sheet surface side. Further, since the second wall surface 37 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first space 51 so that the second wall surface 37 approaches the first guide surface 38 side, the sheet P has a curved shape that is convex upward in a side view in the upstream space 34. It is said.

  Thus, the sheet P having a convex shape in the upstream space 34 is guided to the second space 52 formed on the other sheet surface side so as to be separated from the second guide surface 39 toward the downstream space 35. The Further, since the downstream end Pe of the sheet abuts against the alignment roller pair 15 and movement to the second space 52 side is restricted, an inflection point is formed in the connection space 31c, and the sheet P is viewed in side view in the downstream space 35. The curve is convex downward. As a result, the sheet P is curved in an S shape in the first bending space 31 and suppresses a decrease in the urging force against the alignment roller pair 15 caused by the return of the S shape curve. That is, as the sheet P is curved in an S shape in this way, as is well known, a larger biasing force is generated in the transport direction than the sheet P curved in one arc shape.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the sheet P is almost reliably skewed in a state where the sheet P is in an S shape that is bent to the maximum in the first space 51 and the second space 52. The urging force of P is obtained. That is, the upstream space 34 and the downstream space 35 are provided so as to have a first space 51 and a second space 52 that can be bent in an S-shape that can be brought into contact with the alignment roller pair 15 and can be skewed.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The bending shape of the paper P that is in contact with the alignment roller pair 15 can be formed in an S shape in a side view from the direction intersecting the transport direction in the first bending space 31. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the urging force when the paper P transported by the transport roller pair of the first drive roller 41 a and the first driven roller 41 b is pressed against the alignment roller pair 15. As a result, it is possible to stably skew the paper P.

  (2) The first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b have a common tangential plane that is away from one sheet surface facing the first space 51 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the paper P. Therefore, the paper P can be guided to the first space 51 so that the bending shape in the first bending space 31 is an S shape.

  (3) The movement direction of the sheet P when contacting the alignment roller pair 15 by the first guide surface 38 and the second guide surface 39 along the common tangent plane of the alignment roller pair 15 is the conveyance direction by the alignment roller pair 15. Can be in substantially the same direction. Therefore, the alignment roller pair 15 can stably skew the paper P and can transport the paper P toward the recording unit 13 in a state where the transport resistance is suppressed.

  (4) Since a part of the first bending space 31 of the paper P in the first medium conveyance path 21 is shared with the second bending space 32 of the paper P in the second medium conveyance path 22, an increase in the size of the printer 11 is suppressed. On the other hand, the skew of the paper P can be removed in each medium conveyance path.

  (5) The sheet of the third medium conveyance path 23 is opposite to the second deflection space 32 side of the sheet P of the second medium conveyance path with respect to the first deflection space 31 of the sheet P of the first medium conveyance path 21. Since the P third bending space 33 can be provided, it is possible to arrange the bending space of the paper P for each medium transport path in a space-saving manner. As a result, it is possible to perform skew removal of the paper P in each medium conveyance path while suppressing an increase in the size of the printer 11.

  (6) Since the conveyance length of the sheet P from the conveyance roller pair of the third drive roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b disposed in the third medium conveyance path 23 to the alignment roller pair 15 is short, it is bent after recording. The sheet P having reduced rigidity can be brought into contact with the alignment roller pair 15 in a state in which the bending of the sheet surface is suppressed. Accordingly, a decrease in the urging force that presses the paper P against the alignment roller pair 15 can be suppressed, so that the paper P can be skewed in each medium conveyance path.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment into another embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, both the first guide surface 38 and the second guide surface 39 along the common tangent plane of the alignment roller pair 15 are not necessarily formed in the first bending space 31 of the first medium transport path 21. It does not have to be. An example of this will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the first medium transport path 21, the upstream space 34 is provided with a first curved surface 38 a that is curved in a convex shape in a side view, instead of the flat first guide surface 38. May be. In this case, the upstream space 34 is formed on the sheet surfaces on both sides with respect to the conveyed paper P. In this modification as well, as in the above embodiment, the space formed on the upper sheet surface side in the anti-gravity direction of the paper P in the upstream space 34 becomes the first space 51, and the paper P By being guided to the first space 51 by the one drive roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b, it becomes S-shaped.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the first medium transport path 21, a first curved surface 38 a that curves in a downwardly convex shape in a side view instead of the flat first guide surface 38 in the upstream space 34 is also in the downstream space. Instead of the second guide surface 39 of 35, a second curved surface 39a that curves upward in a side view may be provided. In this case, spaces are formed on the sheet surfaces on both sides of the sheet P conveyed in the upstream space 34 and the downstream space 35. Also in this modified example, as in the above embodiment, in the upstream space 34, the space formed on the upper sheet surface side in the antigravity direction of the paper P becomes the first space 51, and in the downstream space 35 A space formed on the lower sheet surface side in the gravity direction of the paper P is the second space 52. Then, the sheet P is guided to the first space 51 by the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b, and the inflection point is formed in the connection space 31c by sliding on the second wall surface 37. It becomes a letter shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second medium conveyance path 22 that joins the first medium conveyance path 21 may not necessarily be provided on the upstream side of the alignment roller pair 15 in the conveyance direction of the paper P. When the second medium conveyance path 22 is provided, the second bending space 32 may not include a space shared with the first bending space 31.

  As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the second medium conveyance path 22 is provided so that the second bending space 32 does not include a space shared with the downstream space 35 (first bending space 31) of the first medium conveyance path 21. May be. In this case, the downstream space 35 of the first medium conveyance path 21 has a curved surface 38b whose lower side is curved in a convex shape in a side view. Further, the second bending space 32 of the second medium transport path 22 is formed such that the upper wall portion 32 b on the upper side thereof extends to the junction with the first medium transport path 21. Therefore, in the first medium conveyance path 21, the second space 52 is formed between the downstream space 35 and the curved surface 38b, and the sheet P bends in an S shape as indicated by a thick broken line in the drawing. In the second medium conveyance path 22, the sheet P bends in a curved shape that is convex upward in a side view as shown by a thick broken line in the drawing in the second bending space 32.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 10, the sheet P conveyed between the first drive roller 41 a and the first driven roller 41 b is not in the direction in contact with the second wall surface 37, but in the first curved surface 38 a. The structure which moves to the direction contact | abutted to may be sufficient. In this case, in the upstream space 34, the space formed on the lower sheet surface side in the gravity direction of the paper P becomes the first space 51, and in the downstream space 35, the upper sheet surface in the antigravity direction of the paper P. The space formed on the side becomes the second space 52, and the sheet P bends in an S shape. In other words, the first space 51 is formed on at least one of the sheet surfaces on both sides of the sheet P to be transported, and the sheet P is located downstream of the first space 51 in the transport direction of the sheet P. By forming the second space 52 on the other sheet surface side opposite to at least one of the sheet surfaces on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P bends in an S shape.

  In the above embodiment, the conveyance length of the paper P from the conveyance roller pair of the third drive roller 43a and the third driven roller 43b arranged in the third medium conveyance path 23 to the alignment roller pair 15 is not necessarily It may not be shorter than the conveyance length of the paper P from the conveyance roller pair disposed in the first medium conveyance path 21 and the second medium conveyance path 22 to the alignment roller pair. That is, the conveyance length of the sheet P from the conveyance roller pair disposed in the third medium conveyance path 23 to the alignment roller pair 15 may be the longest, or the first medium conveyance path 21 or the second medium conveyance. It may be the same length as the conveyance length of the paper P from the conveyance roller pair disposed in the path 22 to the alignment roller pair 15. For example, when the decrease in the bending rigidity of the paper P printed on the sheet surface on one side is small, such a configuration is possible. Further, such a configuration is also possible when the third medium transport path 23 is a medium transport path for transporting the paper P on which neither side of the sheet is printed.

  In the above embodiment, the third medium conveyance path 23 that merges with the first medium conveyance path 21 may not necessarily be provided. When the third medium transport path 23 is provided, the first medium transport path 21 may be joined from the same side as the side where the second medium transport path 22 joins. Further, the third medium conveyance path 23 does not necessarily need to be provided with the third bending space 33 that allows bending after contact with the alignment roller pair 15.

  In the above embodiment, the common tangential plane of the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b is not necessarily aligned with the nip position where the transport roller pair of the first driving roller 41a and the first driven roller 41b sandwiches the paper P. The roller pair 15 may not be a surface inclined toward the first space 51 with respect to a virtual plane connecting the nip position where the paper P is sandwiched. For example, the direction along the virtual plane, that is, the direction along the sheet surface of the sheet P to be conveyed may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the recording unit 13 is not limited to a so-called line head configuration including a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting ink over substantially the entire width direction of the paper P. For example, the recording unit 13 may have a so-called serial head configuration that includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink onto a carriage that reciprocates in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the paper P.

  In the above embodiment, the ink supply source that is the recording liquid ejected from the recording unit 13 may be, for example, an ink container provided in the housing 12 of the printer 11. Alternatively, a so-called external type ink container provided outside the housing 12 may be used. In particular, in the case of an external type ink container, the capacity of ink can be increased, so that more ink can be ejected from the recording unit 13.

  When ink is supplied from the ink container provided outside the housing 12 to the recording unit 13, it is necessary to draw an ink supply tube for supplying ink from the outside to the inside of the housing 12. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to provide the housing 12 with a hole or a notch through which the ink supply tube can be inserted. Alternatively, a gap may be provided in the housing 12 and the ink supply tube may be routed from the outside to the inside of the housing 12 through this gap. In this way, ink can be easily supplied to the recording unit 13 using the ink flow path of the ink supply tube.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 11 serving as a recording apparatus is a fluid other than ink (a liquid, a liquid obtained by dispersing or mixing functional material particles in a liquid, a fluid such as a gel, or a fluid. It may be a fluid ejecting apparatus that performs recording by ejecting or ejecting solids (including solids that can be ejected by flowing). For example, printing is performed by ejecting a liquid material containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display in a dispersed or dissolved state. A liquid ejecting apparatus may be used. Also, a fluid injection device for injecting a fluid such as a gel (eg, physical gel), a powder injection device (eg, a toner jet type) for injecting a solid such as powder (particles) such as toner Printing device). The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, powders (including granules and powders), and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (an example of a recording device), 12 ... Housing | casing, 13 ... Recording part, 15 ... Alignment roller pair, 21 ... 1st medium conveyance path, 22 ... 2nd medium conveyance path, 23 ... 3rd medium conveyance path, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... 1st bending space, 32 ... 2nd bending space, 33 ... 3rd bending space, 51 ... 1st space, 52 ... 2nd space, P ... Paper (an example of a recording medium).

Claims (6)

A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet-like recording medium;
A medium conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed to the recording unit;
An alignment roller pair arranged in the medium conveyance path and arranged to convey the recording medium to the recording unit side;
A deflection space provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium with respect to the pair of alignment rollers in the medium conveyance path, and allowing the recording medium to bend;
A conveyance roller pair disposed in the medium conveyance path and conveying the recording medium to the bending space;
The bending space of the medium conveyance path is:
A first space formed on at least one of the sheet surfaces on both sides of the recording medium to be conveyed; and the recording medium positioned downstream of the first space in the conveying direction of the recording medium. A second space formed on the other sheet surface side opposite to the one sheet surface side of the both sheet surfaces;
A recording apparatus.   The common tangent plane of the transport roller pair is the first plane with respect to a virtual plane connecting the nip position where the transport roller pair sandwiches the recording medium and the nip position where the alignment roller pair sandwiches the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a surface inclined toward one space.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide surface along a common tangential plane of the alignment roller pair is formed in the bending space of the medium conveyance path. When the medium conveyance path is a first medium conveyance path and the bending space is a first bending space,
A second medium conveyance path that joins the first medium conveyance path on the upstream side of the alignment roller pair in the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
The second medium transport path is provided with a second flex space that is at least partially shared with the first flex space and allows the recording medium transported through the second medium transport path to be deflected. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus. The recording medium on which recording is performed on the sheet surface on one side is transported, and includes a third medium transport path that joins the first medium transport path,
The third medium transport path joins from the side opposite to the side where the second medium transport path merges with respect to the first medium transport path, and the third medium transport path on the first medium transport path side. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a third bending space is provided that allows the recording medium to be conveyed to be bent. In the second medium conveyance path and the third medium conveyance path, a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the recording medium to the second bending space and the third bending space are respectively disposed.
The conveyance length of the recording medium from the conveyance roller pair arranged in the third medium conveyance path to the alignment roller pair is set in the first medium conveyance path and the second medium conveyance path. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording apparatus is shorter than a conveyance length of the recording medium from a conveyance roller pair to the alignment roller pair.