JP2018002479A - Medium cutting device, device for discharging liquid, cutter unit and method for transporting medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent discharge stuck failure due to a cut medium and image scratch, in a medium cutting device.SOLUTION: A medium cutting device includes: a guide part (81) for guiding a sheet-like medium in a transportation direction; a cutter part (51) for cutting the medium guided by the guide part in a prescribed position; and a push-up part (200) for pushing up cut pieces (91, 910) of the medium cut by the cutter part and sagging downward, from a lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium cutting device, a device for ejecting liquid, a cutter unit, and a method for conveying a medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art A sheet cutting device that cuts a sheet-like medium into an arbitrary length is known. This sheet cutting apparatus is also used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a sheet-like recording medium. This type of image forming apparatus conveys a long sheet-like medium (hereinafter referred to as “roll paper”) wound in a roll shape in a predetermined conveyance direction, and forms an image on the roll paper. The sheet cutting device is operated to cut the roll paper with a predetermined length.

  The sheet cutting apparatus as described above includes a cutter mechanism that cuts roll paper in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Some cutter mechanisms provided in this type of sheet cutting apparatus include a pair of circular blades (cutters). In particular, in recent years, a cutter mechanism composed of a circular blade is frequently used in an ink jet image forming apparatus using various sheets having different thicknesses and materials.

  The cutter mechanism after cutting the roll paper in the sheet cutting apparatus needs to return to the original position (home position) once in order to cut the subsequent next sheet. At this time, if the forward path that the cutter mechanism travels to cut the roll paper and the return path that travels to return the cutter mechanism to the home position are the same path, a part of the cutter mechanism (for example, one of the circular blades) Part) may contact the already cut sheet. When the cutter mechanism is traveling on the return path, if the cutter mechanism comes into contact with the sheet or the like, the traveling is hindered, causing problems such as so-called cut jam.

  As a technique for preventing the above-described cut jam in the sheet cutting apparatus, a technique is disclosed in which the moving path of the cutter mechanism is different between the forward path and the return path (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Even if cut jam in the sheet cutting device is prevented using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a further problem regarding the medium cutting device and the image forming apparatus including the medium cutting device.

  For example, when continuous cutting is performed using roll paper as a medium, the cut medium may remain on a paper discharge guide or the like. In this case, the medium cut later is stacked on the medium cut first, which causes stacking failure and jamming. Further, since the medium is roll paper, the cut sheet may be curved. This curvature can cause the cut media to pick up the discharge guide and cause a stack failure. If such a discharge stack failure occurs, when the medium on which the image is formed is cut in the image forming apparatus, an image is formed on the cut sheet because the image is formed on the cut medium. Will be rubbed by the medium cut later. Such rubbing on the image causes a reduction in the quality of the printed result.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent defective conveyance of a cut medium in a medium cutting device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, one aspect of the present invention relates to a medium cutting device, a guide unit that guides a medium, a cutter unit that cuts the medium guided by the guide unit, and And a push-up unit that pushes up a cut piece that is cut by the cutter unit and hangs downward from below.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the conveyance defect of the cut medium in a medium cutting device can be prevented.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a front view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the medium cutting device which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which looked at the medium cutting device which concerns on the said embodiment from the side, Comprising: (a) A mode that a cutter unit moves an outward path, (b) A mode that a cutter unit moves a return path, (c) A state after cutting by a cutter unit It is a schematic block diagram which shows a mode that the roll paper was pushed up. It is the figure which looked at the cutter unit in another embodiment of the medium cutting device based on this invention from the side, Comprising: (a) State that moves forward, (b) State that moves backward, (c) Roll paper after cut It is a schematic block diagram which shows a mode that is pushed up. It is the schematic block diagram which looked at another embodiment of the medium cutting device based on this invention from the front. It is the schematic block diagram which looked at the embodiment of the cutter unit with which the medium cutting device concerning the present invention is provided from the front. It is a schematic block diagram which specifies the characteristic of the cutter unit which concerns on the said one embodiment from the side. It is a schematic side view explaining the subject in the conventional sheet cutting device. It is a schematic side view explaining an example of the problem solution in the conventional sheet cutting device. FIG. 6 is a view of a cutter unit in still another embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention as viewed from the medium conveyance direction, in which (a) the cutting mode is set, (b) the push-up mode is set, FIG.

<Summary of the present invention>
The present invention relates to a medium cutting device that cuts a sheet conveyed on a conveyance path into a predetermined length. The gist of the present invention is that the cutter mechanism that reciprocates in the width direction of the sheet in order to cut the sheet is configured to push up the rear end portion of the cut sheet when the return path moves to return to the home position. One.

<Outline of image forming apparatus>
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a medium cutting device according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus including the medium cutting device will be described with reference to the drawings. One embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a serial type ink jet printer 1 as shown in FIG.

  An inkjet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus that uses a roll paper 30 (medium) that is a sheet-like recording medium. The ink jet printer 1 includes an image forming unit 2 serving as an image forming unit, a sheet transport unit 3 serving as a sheet transport unit and constituting a transport device, a roll paper storage unit 4, and a sheet cutter 5 serving as a medium cutting device. , Including. These listed means and units are arranged inside the apparatus main body 1 a of the inkjet printer 1.

  The image forming unit 2 includes a carriage 15 that is slidably held in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 1 by a guide rod 13 and a guide rail 14 that are spanned on both side plates of the apparatus main body 1a.

  The carriage 15 includes a liquid ejection head (recording head) that ejects ink droplets of each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Each of the liquid discharge heads is integrally provided with a sub tank that supplies ink of each color to each liquid discharge head.

  The carriage 15 is configured to be moved and scanned in the main scanning direction by the main scanning mechanism 10. Here, the main scanning direction is the sheet width direction of the roll paper 30. That is, the main scanning direction is a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG.

  The main scanning mechanism 10 includes a drive motor 21 disposed on one side of the roll paper 30 in the sheet width direction. The main scanning mechanism 10 includes a driving pulley 22 that is rotationally driven by a driving motor 21, a driven pulley 23 that is disposed on the other side in the sheet width direction, and a belt that is wound around the driving pulley 22 and the driven pulley 23. And a member 24.

  The driven pulley 23 is fixed in a state where tension is applied in a direction away from the drive pulley 22. The belt member 24 pulls the carriage 15 in the sheet width direction by being partly fixed and held by a belt fixing portion provided on the back side of the carriage 15. An encoder sheet is arranged along the sheet width direction of the carriage 15 in order to detect the main scanning position of the carriage 15. The main scanning position of the carriage 15 is detected by reading an encoder sheet by an encoder sensor provided on the carriage 15.

  In the main scanning area of the carriage 15, the roll paper 30 is intermittently conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 3. The sheet conveyance direction that is the conveyance direction of the roll paper 30 is a direction orthogonal to the sheet width direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the sheet conveying direction is the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG.

  Outside the carriage movement area in the sheet width direction of the roll paper 30 or in one end side area of the main scanning area, a main cartridge 18 containing each color ink to be supplied to the sub-tank of the recording head is attached to the apparatus body 1a. And is detachably mounted. Further, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 19 that performs maintenance / recovery of the recording head is disposed in the other end side region of the main scanning region.

  The roll paper storage unit 4 is a paper supply unit, and the roll paper 30 is set as an image recording sheet as a recording medium. In the roll paper storage unit 4, roll papers 30 having different sizes in the sheet width direction can be set. The roll paper 30 is accommodated in the roll paper accommodating portion 4 by mounting flanges 31 on both sides of the paper roll and placing the flanges 31 on the flange receivers 32. A support roller is provided inside the flange receiver 32, and the flange 31 rotates when the support roller contacts the outer periphery of the flange 31, so that the roll paper 30 is formed into a sheet shape and sent out to the sheet conveyance path.

  The ink jet printer 1 according to the present embodiment forms an image by ejecting ink from ink jet heads that drop toward the roll paper 30 while scanning the carriage 15 in the width direction of the roll paper 30. Image formation is completed by performing scanning in the width direction once or a plurality of times. Roll paper 30 on which image formation has been completed is conveyed, conveyed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1, and cut and output using sheet cutter 5 described later. The sheet cutter 5 is attached to the inkjet printer 1 in a detachable state.

  The ink jet printer 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the serial type. For example, a so-called line type in which an inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles is arranged so as to face the entire width direction of the roll paper 30 and conveys a recording medium and records an image without performing scanning in the width direction by the carriage 15. The present invention can also be applied to the inkjet recording apparatus.

  Moreover, although the roll paper 30 is illustrated as a recording medium in this embodiment, it is not restricted to this. The sheet-like medium that can be used in the medium cutting device according to the present invention is applicable to any sheet-like member such as an OHP sheet, a prepreg, or a copper foil in addition to a sheet that is a so-called recording medium. . That is, the sheet-like medium applicable to the medium cutting apparatus according to the present invention may be any sheet that is transported and discharged in a severable state.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the structure including the sheet cutter 5 mounted inside the inkjet printer 1 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet transport unit 3 includes a pair of paper feed rollers 33, a transport roller 34, and a resist pressure roller 35. The paper feed roller pair 33 feeds the roll paper 30 from the roll paper storage unit 4 to the sheet conveyance path. The conveyance roller 34 and the resist pressure roller 35 are provided downstream of the image forming unit 2 in the sheet conveyance direction. The roll paper 30 passes between the conveyance roller 34 and the resist pressure roller 35 and is supplied in the form of a sheet, and is conveyed to the sheet cutter 5 via the image forming unit 2.

  The roll paper 30 sent out from the roll paper storage unit 4 is moved from the rear of the apparatus main body 1a (opposite the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2) to the front (the direction of the arrow B) by the sheet conveying unit 3. Then, the sheet is conveyed to a predetermined recording area located below the image forming unit 2. When the roll paper 30 is conveyed to this recording area, the carriage 15 reciprocates in the sheet width direction, and ink droplets are ejected by the recording head in accordance with the image information. Furthermore, an image is formed on each recording line of the roll paper 30 by repeatedly ejecting ink droplets by the recording head while intermittently transporting the roll paper 30. Finally, a desired image corresponding to the image information is formed on the roll paper 30.

  The roll paper 30 after image formation is cut into a predetermined length by the sheet cutter 5 and discharged to a paper discharge tray disposed on the front side of the apparatus main body 1a via a paper discharge roller.

<Outline of media cutting device>
Next, an embodiment of a medium cutting device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the configuration of the sheet cutter 5 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. The front direction is the downstream direction in the transport direction of the roll paper 30 that is a sheet-like member.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, the sheet cutter 5 is disposed downstream of the image forming unit 2 in the sheet conveyance direction. The sheet cutter 5 includes a cutter 50 that cuts the roll paper 30 into a sheet shape, a cutter unit 51 that moves the cutter 50, and a guide member 52 that forms a moving path of the cutter unit 51. Yes.

  The cutter 50 serving as a cutter unit includes two circular blades (50a, 50b) arranged to face each other with the roll paper 30 interposed therebetween, and is rotatably held by the cutter unit 51. The first circular cutter 50a and the second circular cutter 50b rotate by obtaining a driving force according to the movement of the cutter unit 51 in the sheet width direction (direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3). That is, since the cutter 50 cuts the roll paper 30 while the first circular blade 50a and the second circular blade 50b are rotated, even the sheet-like member having a relatively large thickness can be used.

  Moreover, since the cutter 50 is comprised by the circular cutter, it can prevent the malfunction that only a predetermined location concentrates and wears like a fixed blade. In addition, the circular blade which comprises the cutter 50 is not restricted to 2 sheets, You may be comprised by 3 or more sheets. The first circular blade 50a and the second circular blade 50b in the present embodiment constitute a blade portion according to the present invention.

  The cutter unit 51 is configured to be movable in the movement path 203 so as to be able to reciprocate in the sheet width direction of the roll paper 30. The moving path 203 is constituted by, for example, rail members (an upper guide rail 61, a lower guide rail 62, etc.) that slidably guide the cutter unit 51. In the forward path from the other side of the apparatus main body 1a (see FIG. 1) to the one side, the first circular blade 50a and the second circular blade 50b move so as to sandwich the roll paper 30 therebetween. As a result, the cutter 50 cuts the roll paper 30. That is, the cutter 50 is provided inside a rail member provided along a direction intersecting with a direction in which the roll paper 30 is conveyed (hereinafter referred to as “guide direction”). The cutter 50 is moved in a direction intersecting the guide direction of the roll paper 30 by the rail member, and cuts the roll paper 30.

  On the other hand, the cutter unit 51 is configured to move along a path different from the forward path in the return path that moves from one side of the apparatus main body 1a (see FIG. 1) to the other side. The return path in the cutter unit 51 is formed at a position retracted downward from the sheet conveyance path in the sheet thickness direction. That is, after cutting the roll paper 30, the cutter unit 51 passes through a return path formed at a position separated from the sheet conveyance path from the conveyance surface of the roll paper 30 in the vertical direction to the original position ( Hereinafter, it is configured to move to a home position). As a result, the cutter unit 51 moving on the return path does not block the sheet conveyance path. Note that the position of the cutter unit 51 is detected by detection means such as microswitches installed at both ends in the sheet width direction, and operation control is performed based on this position detection so as to move as described above. The

  Next, a specific configuration of the cutter unit 51 will be described. The cutter unit 51 includes a drive roller 51a and a driven roller 51b, and holds the cutter 50 therein. The drive roller 51a is connected to a wire 55 that spans a pair of pulleys 54 provided on both sides of the apparatus body 1a (see FIG. 1) in the sheet width direction. The wire 55 rotates in the width direction via a pulley 54 that is rotated by the drive motor 21. Accordingly, the drive roller 51a is configured to rotationally drive on the upper guide rail 61 described later in accordance with the rotational movement of the wire 55.

  The cutter unit 51 is configured to be able to move in a moving path 203 provided in the width direction (sheet width direction) of the roll paper 30 by the rotational driving of the driving roller 51a. The driven roller 51b is rotatably provided at a position separated from the driving roller 51a in the sheet width direction. The driven roller 51b moves on an upper guide rail 61 described later in the forward path of the cutter unit 51, and moves on a lower guide rail 62 described later in the return path. That is, the driven roller 51 b functions as a member that positions the cutter unit 51 with respect to the upper guide rail 61 and the lower guide rail 62 when the cutter unit 51 moves.

  The member for positioning the cutter unit 51 is not limited to the driven roller 51b, and may be, for example, an arc-shaped protrusion. The driven roller 51b in the present embodiment constitutes a positioning portion according to the present invention.

  Further, the cutter unit 51 is configured to rotate in the vertical direction with the driving roller 51a as a fulcrum when switching between the forward path and the backward path. As a result, the cutter unit 51 switches between a posture of cutting the roll paper 30 in the forward path and a posture retracted from the sheet conveyance path in the backward path. In FIG. 1, the posture of cutting the roll paper 30 is illustrated using the symbol M <b> 1, and the posture retracted from the sheet conveyance path is illustrated using the symbol M <b> 2.

  The cutter unit 51 also includes a push-up unit 200 in addition to the cutter 50. The push-up portion 200 is a portion that supports the cut roll paper 30 (that is, the cut piece that is the cut paper 91) from below (details will be described later).

  That is, the cutter unit 51 can be switched between two modes: a cutting mode for cutting the roll paper 30 with the cutter 50 and a push-up mode M2 for pushing up the cut piece as the post-cut sheet 91 with the push-up unit 200. It has a possible configuration. Here, the modes in the cutter unit 51 include states such as the shape, posture, position and height of the cutter unit 51. In the present embodiment, the mode is switched by changing the position and orientation of the cutter unit 51. For example, if the push-up portion 200 is provided inside the cutter 50, the mode can be switched by a method of operating the push-up portion 200 to the outside by the power of a motor or the like.

  The push-up unit 200 pushes up not only the post-cut paper 91 but may push up the next transport paper 90 that is the roll paper 30 that has not been cut yet.

  Further, unless otherwise specified in the following description, “post-cut paper 91” means a cut medium, and “medium” means an uncut medium. The “uncut medium” means a medium that is upstream of the cut sheet 91 in the transport direction and can push the post-cut sheet 91 in the transport direction.

  Here, the malfunction which arises in the conventional sheet cutting device is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet cutting operation in a conventional sheet cutting apparatus. In addition, about the structure similar to the structure with which the inkjet printer 1 which concerns on this embodiment already demonstrated, such as the conveyance roller 34, or the sheet cutter 5 is provided, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  FIG. 9A illustrates a state in which the cutter unit 51 cuts the roll paper 30 in the forward path. As shown in FIG. 9A, the roll paper 30 is conveyed while being nipped by the conveying roller 34 and the resist pressure roller 35 while being sucked by the platen 36. The cutter unit 51 is configured such that the rear end portion 910 (that is, the upstream end portion in the medium transport direction) of the post-cut sheet 91 (cut piece) that is the cut roll paper 30 is along the paper discharge guide plate 80 by gravity. Hangs down on the side of the road

  FIG. 9B illustrates a state in which the cutter unit 51 returns to the home position via the return path after cutting the roll paper 30. When the cutter unit 51 is moving on the return path, the roll paper 30 is conveyed to a position for executing the next processing (image forming processing, cutting processing). At this time, the roll paper 30 is conveyed intermittently. When the roll paper 30 reaches the position to be cut next by conveyance, the cutter unit 51 cuts the roll paper 30 while moving the forward path. Here, when the roll paper 30 is transported to the next cut position, the leading end 900 of the next transport paper 90 (that is, the downstream end 71 in the medium transport direction) is the discharge guide plate 80 or the discharge guide. It is easy to stack on the post-cut sheets 91 left on the cover 81. In this state, the next transport sheet 90 overlaps while being rubbed forward from the vicinity of the rear end of the post-cut sheet 91 that has already been cut along with the transport.

  In particular, when static electricity is likely to occur in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the post-cut paper 91 is stuck to the paper discharge guide plate 80 and the paper discharge guide cover 81, and a force is applied in the discharge direction by the conveyance of the next conveyance paper 90. However, the sheets are stacked and cannot be discharged. As described above, when the next transport sheet 90 is transported while being rubbed on the post-cut sheet 91, the ink before drying of the post-cut sheet 91 is transferred to the next transport sheet 90. Further, when the remaining amount of the roll paper 30 is small and the curl becomes strong, the rear end portion of the post-cut paper 91 becomes easy to hold the paper discharge guide plate 80, and the same phenomenon occurs.

  For example, countermeasures as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B can be considered for the conventional problems as described above. As shown in FIG. 10A, a static eliminating brush 82 can be provided on the paper discharge guide plate 80 to remove static electricity. This prevents the post-cut sheet 91 from adhering to the paper discharge guide plate 80 due to static electricity. However, if the brush tip is disturbed due to the aging of the static eliminating brush 82, the next transport sheet 90 is caught and jammed. Become. In addition, there are concerns about an increase in manufacturing cost for providing the static elimination brush 82 and an adverse effect on the appearance of the apparatus.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, a paper discharge roller 83 can be installed on the paper discharge guide plate 80. However, in this case, an image formed on the post-cut sheet 91 is marked by the spur 84 disposed opposite to the paper discharge roller 83. Further, if the leading edge of the next transport paper 90 does not enter between the paper discharge roller 83 and the spur 84, there is a concern that a jam will occur. Furthermore, since the paper discharge roller and the spur 84 are separately provided, the manufacturing cost increases.

  In the medium cutting device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-described conventional problems, the forward path and the backward path of the cutter unit 51 are made different, and the cutter unit 51 has the post-cut sheet 91. Move the return path while pushing up the rear end. Next, operations and effects according to the embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention will be described.

<About the first embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of the sheet cutter 5 as an embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention as viewed from the side. FIG. 4A illustrates a state where the cutter unit 51 (and the cutter 50) is cutting the roll paper 30 while moving in the forward path. At this time, the cutter unit 51 is in the cutting mode described above.

  More specifically, in the cutting mode, the height of the cutter 50 is the same as that of the roll paper 30. Thereby, the roll paper 30 can be cut by the cutter 50.

  The cutter unit 51 is configured to reciprocate in a movement path 203 provided along the sheet width direction. The movement path 203 is, for example, a groove or a gap having a size that can accommodate the cutter unit 51. In the present embodiment, a path between the platen 36 and the paper discharge guide plate 80 is a movement path 203. The movement route 203 may be provided anywhere on the guide route of the guide unit, and the form is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the roll paper 30 is nipped by the transport roller 34 and the resist pressure roller 35 while being sucked by the platen 36 and is transported in the guide direction indicated by the arrow B. As a result, the roll paper 30 is conveyed so as to straddle the upper part of the movement path 203. When the roll paper 30 is conveyed in the B guide direction by a predetermined length, the cutter unit 51 moves in the movement path 203. As a result, the roll paper 30 is cut. The rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 that is the cut roll paper 30 hangs down along the paper discharge guide plate 80 due to gravity, a habit of the roll paper 30, or the like, downward.

  FIG. 4B shows a state where the push-up portion 200 of the cutter unit 51 pushes up the paper 91 after cutting. The cutter unit 51 is configured to push up the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 by the upper end surface portion when moving in the return path. At this time, the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 is from the position on the tapered portion on the upstream side of the discharge guide plate 80 by the cutter unit 51 to around the upper surface (flat surface) of the discharge guide plate 80. Pushed up. That is, the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 is returned to the position when it is cut by the cutter unit 51 when moving in the return path. As a result, even if the post-cut sheet 91 is stuck to the paper discharge guide plate 80 by static electricity, it is peeled off by the action of pushing up the rear end 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 by the cutter unit 51. The post-cut sheet 91 in which the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 is pushed up is easily discharged along the inclination of the discharge guide cover 81 by the action of gravity.

  That is, at this time, the cutter unit 51 is in the push-up mode M2 described above. More specifically, the height of the push-up portion 200 of the cutter unit 51 in the push-up mode M2 is lower than the post-cut sheet 91. Due to this positional relationship, when the cutter unit 51 moves along the movement path 203, the rear end 910 of the cut sheet 91 can be pushed up from below by the push-up portion 200.

  Of course, in the push-up mode M2, it is desirable that the cutter 50 does not contact the roll paper 30.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4B, when the post-cut sheet 91 is not discharged along the inclination of the discharge guide cover 81, as shown in FIG. The leading end 900 of the next transport sheet 90 is pushed out of the trailing end 910 of the cut sheet 91. As a result, the post-cut sheet 91 is discharged in accordance with the conveyance of the next conveyance sheet 90, and a paper discharge jam in which the next conveyance sheet 90 overlaps the post-cut sheet 91 can be prevented.

  Even if the next transport sheet 90 is transported in a state where the return path of the cutter unit 51 has been completed, the above-described effects can be obtained. However, when the backward movement of the cutter unit 51 is completed, the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 once lifted by the cutter unit 51 may return to the taper side of the paper discharge guide plate 80 due to the action of weight. Therefore, it is more preferable to carry out the conveyance steering of the next conveyance sheet 90 when the cutter unit 51 is moving in the backward direction. In this case, since the friction load on the paper discharge guide plate 80 of the cut sheet 91 is small, the extrusion by the next transport sheet 90 can be performed more easily.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a state where the cutter unit 51 according to the present embodiment is in the second position. As shown in FIG. 8, the push-up portion 200 according to the present embodiment is below the downstream end portion 71 of the upstream guide portion indicated by a solid circle. Further, the push-up portion 200 according to the present embodiment is above the upstream end portion 72 of the downstream side guide portion indicated by a broken-line circle. In other words, the state in which the upper surface of the push-up portion 200 is vertically lower than the downstream end 71 of the upstream guide and is vertically higher than the upstream end 72 of the downstream guide is the second in the cutter unit 51. Position.

  In the present embodiment, the upstream end of the movement path 203 is constituted by the end of the platen 36, and the downstream end of the movement path 203 is constituted by the end of the paper discharge guide plate 80.

  As a result, even when the next transport sheet 90 is transported while the cutter unit 51 is moving in the return path, the next transport sheet 90 is not caught by the cutter unit 51. Further, while the cutter unit moves in the backward direction, the trailing edge 910 of the cut sheet 91 is pushed up so that the leading edge 900 of the next transport sheet 90 and the trailing edge 910 of the cut sheet 91 come into contact with each other. Hold.

  In particular, the downstream end surface of the push-up portion 200 causes the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 to be scooped up from the tapered surface of the discharge guide plate 80, so that the post-cut sheet 91 is pushed up from the discharge guide plate 80. be able to. As a result, the post-cut sheet 91 is easily pushed out.

  The timing of starting the return path movement in the cutter unit 51 may be before the start of the transport of the next transport sheet 90 or after the start of the transport of the next transport sheet 90.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
According to the cutter unit 51 according to the above-described embodiment, the roll paper 30 is easily charged and left on the discharge guide plate 80, or the remaining amount is small and the curl is strong, and the discharge guide plate 80 is added. Even when it is likely to be left behind, it is possible to prevent paper discharge jams. As a result, it is possible to prevent image rubbing due to the post-cut paper 91 and to prevent deterioration of the quality of the output image.

  Further, when the cutter unit 51 pushes up the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 by the push-up unit 200, the next transport sheet 90 is transported. The leading end 900 of the 90 does not overlap, and the leading end 900 can push out the rear end 910. As a result, the roll paper 30 can be reliably discharged. Further, since the sheet 91 after being cut is pushed out by being pushed up by the cutter unit 51, even if the roll paper 30 is in close contact with the sheet discharge guide plate 80 due to electrification, the sheet 91 can be easily discharged by entering a dynamic friction state. be able to.

  Further, even if the next transport sheet 90 is transported during the return path movement of the cutter unit 51, the leading end of the next transport sheet 90 is not caught by the cutter unit 51, and smooth discharge while preventing a paper stack failure. Paper can be discharged.

  In this embodiment, the platen 36, the paper discharge guide plate 80, the paper discharge guide cover 81, and the guide portion are used, but the form is not limited to this.

<About the second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of the sheet cutter 5 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side surface (width direction of the roll paper 30). FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the cutter unit 51 is cutting the roll paper 30 while moving in the forward path. As shown in FIG. 5A, the roll paper 30 is nipped by the transport roller 34 and the resist pressure roller 35 while being sucked by the platen 36, and is transported beyond the forward path of the cutter unit 51. It is conveyed in the guide direction indicated by arrow B. When the roll paper 30 is conveyed by a predetermined length, the cutter unit 51 moves in the movement path 203 in the cutting mode and cuts the roll paper 30.

  The rear end portion 910 of the post-cut paper 91 that is the cut roll paper 30 hangs down to the moving path side of the cutter unit 51 so as to follow the paper discharge guide plate 80 due to gravity, roll paper habit, or the like. Here, unlike the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cutter unit 51 according to the present embodiment is in the middle of the paper width of the roll paper 30 when returning to the home position by the backward movement. And the state where the rear end portion 910 of the cut sheet 91 is pushed up is held.

  When the next transport sheet 90 is further transported while the cutter unit 51 is stopped in the middle of the return path (near the center) in order to maintain the state where the rear end portion 910 of the post-cut sheet 91 is pushed up, FIG. ). Since the roll paper 30 is wound in a predetermined direction, the leading edge of the next transport sheet 90 and the trailing edge of the cut sheet 91 are bent in the same direction. The bent ends are in line contact with each other without overlapping at the upper surface portion of the cutter unit 51. Therefore, the leading edge of the next transport sheet 90 pushes the trailing edge 910 of the cut sheet 91 with a line, so that the sheet can be reliably discharged.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cutter unit 51 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. FIG. 6 shows a state where the cutter unit 51 is stopped near the center in the width direction of the roll paper 30 (substantially half of the paper width direction W) during the backward movement. In this case, the central portion in the width direction of the cut sheet 91 is pushed up. Accordingly, the rear end portion of the post-cut sheet 91 has a convex shape at the center, and becomes a gentle downward slope toward the left and right in the width direction. On the other hand, the front end portion of the next transport sheet 90 is linear in the width direction.

  Accordingly, the rear end portion 910 of the cut sheet 91 and the leading end 900 of the next transport sheet 90 do not overlap and stack in the transport direction, and the end portions collide at the point P. The rear sheet 91 is pushed out. Further, since the vicinity of the center of the cut sheet 91 is pushed, the cut sheet 91 is pushed straight. For this reason, when there is a stacker downstream in the transport direction, the stack performance is improved.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
According to the cutter unit 51 according to the present embodiment described above, the backward movement of the cutter unit 51 is temporarily stopped and the rear end of the sheet 91 after being cut is maintained in the pushed-up state. The rear sheet 91 can be pushed out. In this case, since the central portion in the width direction of the cut sheet 91 is pushed out, the cut sheet 91 can be discharged straight and dropped. That is, it is possible to stack the post-cut sheets 91 discharged in a good stacking state.

  In the present embodiment, the cutter unit 51 does not necessarily have to be stopped when performing a transport operation. That is, the effect can be exerted only by reducing the moving speed of the cutter unit 51 in the vicinity of the center.

<About the third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the sheet cutter 5 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front (the guide direction of the roll paper 30). As shown in FIG. 7, the cutter unit 51 is configured to push up the post-cut sheet 91 during the backward movement. In other words, the upper surface portion (pushing portion 200) of the cutter unit 51 is formed with a tapered portion 511 that can be lifted by sliding the end portion in the width direction of the post-cut sheet 91 (cut piece) upward.

  When the push-up portion 200 is in contact with the post-cut sheet 91, the surface where the push-up section 200 contacts the post-cut sheet 91 (that is, the tapered portion 511) and the post-cut sheet 91 as viewed from the guide direction of the roll paper 30. Is less than 90 degrees.

<Effect of the third embodiment>
According to the cutter unit 51 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the end of the post-cut sheet 91 is pushed up and submerged downward, and then the post-cut sheet 91 is lifted while moving in the backward direction. It is easy to prevent defects and smooth paper discharge can be performed.

<About the fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the medium cutting device according to the present invention will be described in detail. FIGS. 11A and 11B are views of the cutter unit 51 as viewed from the direction in which the roll paper 30 is conveyed. In the present embodiment, the cutter 50 and the push-up unit 200 are provided at both ends of the base 801, respectively. FIG. 11A shows a cutting mode in which the roll paper 30 is cut by the cutter 50. In the cutting mode, the base 801 is biased by the spring 802 in the direction of the broken arrow.

  The base 801 rotates about the rotation shaft 800, so that it can be switched to a push-up mode M2 in which the post-cut sheet 91 is pushed up by the push-up portion 200. In this embodiment, the cam 803 is rotated by a drive source or the like (not shown), so that the spring 802 rotates the base 801 in the direction of the broken arrow and the push-up portion 200 protrudes upward.

  That is, the mode switching is not limited to the change of the posture and position of the cutter unit 51, and the mode can be changed without changing the posture of the cutter unit 51 as in this embodiment. Further, in such a configuration, since the posture change of the cutter unit 51 is not necessary, a space necessary for the posture change can be saved. The configuration using the cam 803 and the base 801 of this embodiment is an example, and a known technique and configuration can be used.

  In each embodiment, the push-up unit 200 can be configured as a member different from the cutter unit 51. That is, if there is at least a push-up portion in addition to the guide portion (the platen 36, etc.) and the cut medium (the post-cut sheet 91 which is a cut piece) can be pushed up by the push-up portion 200, the conveyance failure can be improved. . The medium cutting means is not limited to a reciprocating cutter.

  The present invention also includes the following inventions.

  For example, a medium transport method for transporting a first medium (post-cut sheet 91) and a second medium (next transport sheet 90) positioned upstream in the transport direction with respect to the first medium, After the rear end 910 of the first medium is bent, the second medium is transported in the transport direction, the leading end 900 of the second medium is brought into contact with the rear end 910 of the first medium, and the first medium Also included is an invention relating to a transport method for transporting the medium by pushing it out.

  The image forming apparatus is not limited to an ink jet system that discharges a liquid, and an existing system such as an electrophotographic system can be used.

  In the present application, the “liquid” to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, but the viscosity is 30 mPa · s or less at normal temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. It is preferable that More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like. These include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic devices and light emitting devices, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids for use, three-dimensional modeling material liquids, and the like.

  “Liquid ejection head” includes a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor as an energy generation source for ejecting liquid, a diaphragm and a counter electrode Those using an electrostatic actuator made of or the like are included.

  The “apparatus for ejecting liquid” includes an apparatus for ejecting liquid by driving a liquid ejection head. The apparatus for ejecting liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting liquid to an object to which liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting liquid toward the air or liquid.

  This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as a “liquid ejecting device”, an image forming device that forms an image on paper by ejecting ink, a powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto the powder layer.

  Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “applicable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, unless specifically limited, includes everything that the liquid adheres to.

  The material of the above-mentioned “material to which liquid can adhere” is not limited as long as liquid such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics can be adhered even temporarily.

  In addition, the “device for ejecting liquid” includes a device in which the liquid ejection head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition, as the “device for ejecting liquid”, other than the above, a treatment liquid coating apparatus that ejects a treatment liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, There is an injection granulation apparatus that granulates raw material fine particles by spraying a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

  Note that the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling” and the like in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

1 Inkjet printer (image forming device, device for ejecting liquid)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Apparatus main body 2 Image formation part 3 Sheet conveyance part 4 Roll paper accommodating part 5 Sheet cutter 10 Main scanning mechanism 13 Guide rod 14 Guide rail 15 Carriage 18 Main cartridge 19 Maintenance recovery mechanism 21 Drive motor 22 Drive pulley 23 Driven pulley 24 Belt member 30 roll paper (medium)
31 Flange 32 Flange receiver 33 Paper feed roller pair 34 Transport roller 35 Registration pressure roller 36 Platen (guide section, upstream guide section)
50 Cutter (Cutter part)
50a First circular cutter 50b Second circular cutter 51 Cutter unit 51a Drive roller 51b Driven roller 52 Guide member 54 Pulley 55 Wire 61 Upper guide rail 62 Lower guide rail 71 Downstream end portion of upstream guide portion 72 Upstream of downstream guide portion Edge 80 Paper discharge guide plate (guide section, downstream guide section)
81 Paper discharge guide cover (guide section)
82 Static elimination brush 83 Paper discharge roller 84 Spur 90 Next transport paper (medium)
91 Paper after cutting (cut piece)
200 Push-up part 203 Movement path 511 Tapered part 900 Front end part of the next transport sheet 910 Rear end part of the sheet after cutting

JP 2010-228100 A

Claims (13)

A guide for guiding the medium;
A cutter unit for cutting the medium guided by the guide unit;
A push-up unit that pushes up the cut piece of the medium cut by the cutter unit and drooping downward from below;
A medium cutting device comprising: The push-up portion pushes up the cut piece so that a rear end portion of the cut piece is in contact with a front end portion of the medium.
The medium cutting device according to claim 1. When the push-up part pushes up the cut piece, the medium is transported.
The medium cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The cutter unit is provided in a movement path provided along a direction intersecting the guide direction of the medium,
When the medium is on the moving path, the cutter unit cuts the medium by moving in the moving path.
The medium cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the medium cutting device is a medium cutting device. A cutter unit having the cutter unit and the push-up unit;
The cutter unit can switch between a cutting mode for cutting the medium at the cutter unit and a push-up mode for pushing up the cut piece at the push-up portion.
The medium cutting device according to claim 4. In the cutting mode, the height of the cutter unit is the same as the height of the medium,
In the push-up mode, the height of the push-up portion is below the rear end portion of the cut piece.
The medium cutting device according to claim 5. When the push-up portion supports the vicinity of the center in the direction intersecting the guide direction of the cut piece, the medium is transported.
The medium cutting device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The push-up portion is configured to overlap in the vertical direction with an upstream guide portion upstream of the push-up portion and a downstream guide portion downstream of the push-up portion,
The push-up portion is located vertically below the downstream end of the upstream guide and vertically above the upstream end of the downstream guide.
The medium cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the medium cutting device is a medium cutting device. When the push-up portion is in contact with the cut piece, the angle formed by the cut piece and the surface of the push-up portion that contacts the cut piece is less than 90 degrees when viewed from the guide direction of the medium. The medium cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   An apparatus for ejecting liquid, comprising the medium cutting device according to claim 1. A cutter unit that is detachably attached to a moving path of an image forming apparatus,
A cutter unit for cutting the medium by moving in the moving path;
A push-up unit that pushes up a cut piece that is cut by the cutter unit and hangs downward;
With
The mode can be switched between a cutting mode for cutting the medium by the cutter unit and a push-up mode for pushing up the cut piece by the push-up unit.
Cutter unit characterized by that. In the cutting mode, the height of the cutter unit is the same as the height of the medium,
In the push-up mode, the height of the push-up portion is below the rear end portion of the cut piece.
The cutter unit according to claim 11. A first medium;
A medium transport method for transporting a second medium positioned upstream in the transport direction with respect to the first medium,
After the rear end of the first medium is bent, the second medium is transported in the transport direction, and the front end of the second medium is brought into contact with the rear end of the first medium. And transporting the first medium as it is pushed out.
A method for transporting a medium.