JP2019202829A - Medium conveyance device and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a recording device capable of more surely protecting a medium before feeding without troubling a user, in a recording device having a configuration in which a part of a medium tray is exposed outside a device body, and to provide the recording device provided with the same.SOLUTION: According to a printer 1, a medium conveyance device 10 comprises a medium tray 11; a housing 2 having a conveyance path S1 of a medium therein; a front cover 5 openable/closable to the housing 2 and capable of changing between a first state where the front cover closes the housing 2 and a second state where the front cover is distant from the housing 2 compared to the first state and constitutes a part of the medium tray 11; a discharge tray 7 capable of changing between a storing state stored in the housing 2 and a projection state where an upper portion of the medium tray 11 is covered by protruding from the housing 2, and the medium discharged from the conveyance path S1 is received; and a switching mechanism 30 for changing the discharge tray 7 from the storing state to the projection state by interlocking with an operation in which the front cover 5 is changed from the first state to the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium conveying apparatus that conveys a medium, and a recording apparatus that performs recording on a medium conveyed by the medium conveying apparatus.

Some recording apparatuses typified by an ink jet printer perform recording on a medium conveyed by a medium conveying apparatus. A medium conveyed by the medium conveying device is set on a medium tray, and is sent out to a conveying path by a feeding unit such as a feeding roller. In such a medium transport device, there is a configuration in which a part of the medium tray is configured to be exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body.

In the recording apparatus, there is a case where the medium is left set on the medium tray even when the apparatus is not used. However, if a part of the medium tray is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body, dust, dust, etc. May accumulate, and the next time the recording apparatus is used, there is a risk of poor feeding of the medium and deterioration of the recording image quality.

In order to suppress such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a paper discharge tray that can be pulled out from the recording apparatus main body also serves as a cover (cover sheet 50 in Patent Document 1) that covers the medium tray when the recording apparatus is not used. A recording apparatus is disclosed.

JP 2001-63184 A

Here, in the recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the paper discharge tray is used as a cover of the medium tray, the user needs to manually move the paper discharge tray, and thus the user may forget the operation. In addition, the operation of moving the paper discharge tray after using the recording apparatus may feel complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to more reliably protect a medium before feeding without bothering the user in a recording apparatus having a configuration in which a part of the medium tray is exposed to the outside of the apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium transport device capable of recording and a recording device including the same.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medium transporting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a medium tray on which a medium is set, a housing having a transport path for the medium sent from the medium tray inside, Switchable between a first state that is openable and closable with respect to the housing, and that forms a part of the medium tray that is further away from the housing than the first state. A switchable state between a possible opening / closing body, a storage state stored in the casing, and a protruding state that protrudes from the casing and covers the upper side of the medium tray and receives the medium discharged from the transport path is switchable. A discharge tray and a switching mechanism for switching the discharge tray from the stored state to the protruding state in conjunction with an operation of the opening / closing body switching from the first state to the second state. .

  According to this aspect, since the opening / closing body includes the switching mechanism for switching the discharge tray from the housed state to the protruding state in conjunction with the operation of switching from the first state to the second state, the opening / closing body Is set to the protruding state that covers the upper side of the medium tray automatically when the second state is configured to constitute a part of the medium tray. As a result, even if the medium is set on the medium tray exposed to the outside of the apparatus when the apparatus including the medium conveying apparatus (for example, a recording apparatus) is not used, the medium is surely obtained. Since the upper portion of the tray can be covered with the discharge tray, it is possible to reduce the possibility that dust, dust, or the like accumulates on the medium.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the switching mechanism is configured to switch from the housed state to the projecting state by its own weight of the discharge tray.

  According to this aspect, since the switching mechanism is configured to switch from the stored state to the protruding state by the weight of the discharge tray, the switching mechanism can be formed with a simple configuration and at low cost.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the switching mechanism is provided on the housing side and is inclined so as to descend from the inside of the housing to the outside. The moving part is provided.

  According to this aspect, the switching mechanism includes the sliding portion that is provided on the housing side and is inclined so as to descend from the inside of the housing to the outside. In the second state, it is possible to realize a configuration of the switching mechanism in which the discharge tray switches from the stored state to the protruding state by its own weight.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the sliding portion includes a rotating body that rotates in a moving direction of the discharge tray.

  According to this aspect, since the sliding portion includes the rotating body that rotates in the moving direction of the discharge tray, the discharge tray can be smoothly slid with respect to the sliding portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the switching mechanism includes an engaging portion provided in the opening / closing body and an engaged portion provided in the discharge tray, The discharge tray is configured to switch from the stored state to the protruding state by changing from the first state in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged to the second state. Features.

  According to this aspect, the switching mechanism includes the engaging portion provided in the opening / closing body and the engaged portion provided in the discharge tray, and the opening / closing body includes the engaging portion and the engaged portion. The same action as the first aspect is achieved by the switching mechanism configured so that the discharge tray is switched from the housed state to the projecting state by being changed from the first state engaged with the portion to the second state. An effect is obtained.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the engagement portion is provided with a first engagement portion and a second engagement that are provided at an interval in a width direction intersecting the discharge direction of the medium. A first engaged portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion. An engagement portion, wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion of the medium set on the medium tray when the opening / closing body is in the second state. The edge is guided.

  According to this aspect, when the opening / closing body is in the second state, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion as the engaging portion are set on the medium tray. Since the edge of the medium is guided, the medium can be more appropriately placed on the medium tray.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the switching mechanism includes a pressing member that presses the discharge tray toward the protruding state, and the discharge tray has the opening / closing body in the first state. In the process of taking the storage state against the pressing force of the pressing member, the opening / closing body is switched from the storage state to the protruding state by the pressing force of the pressing member in the process of shifting to the second state. It is the structure which changes.

  According to this aspect, the switching mechanism includes a pressing member that presses the discharge tray toward the protruding state, and the discharge tray is configured to press the pressing member when the opening / closing body is in the first state. Since the storage state is resisted against pressure, and the opening / closing body is switched from the storage state to the protruding state by the pressing force of the pressing member in the process of shifting to the second state, the configuration is simplified. Thus, the switching mechanism can be formed. Therefore, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the opening / closing body is configured to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating with respect to the housing, and the switching mechanism. Is configured to include a power transmission unit that changes the rotation of the opening / closing body to a moving force of the discharge tray from the stored state to the protruding state.

  According to this aspect, the rotation of the opening / closing body configured to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating with respect to the housing is changed from the storage state of the discharge tray to the protruding state. By the switching mechanism including the power transmission unit that changes to the moving force, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the power transmission unit includes a first gear that is interlocked with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the opening / closing body, a rack provided on the discharge tray, And at least one intermediate gear that transmits power from one gear to the rack, and the intermediate gear includes a time lag mechanism that delays the start timing of power transmission from the first gear.

As soon as the opening / closing body starts to open from the first state toward the second state, the discharge tray collides with the opening / closing body when the discharge tray starts to be displaced from the storage state toward the protruding state. There is a case.
According to this aspect, the power transmission unit transmits power to the rack from the first gear interlocked with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the opening / closing body, the rack provided on the discharge tray, and the first gear. At least one intermediate gear that includes a time lag mechanism that delays the timing of transmission of power from the first gear, so that the opening / closing body starts to open from the first state, The displacement of the discharge tray can be started after a while. Therefore, when the opening / closing body is switched from the first state to the second state, the possibility that the discharge tray collides with the opening / closing body can be reduced.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the first gear and the intermediate gear are disconnected before the opening / closing body is in the second state. It is characterized by that.

  According to this aspect, since the connection between the first gear and the intermediate gear is disconnected before the opening / closing body is in the second state, the opening / closing body is in the second state. The opening / closing body and the discharge tray can be moved independently.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: the medium conveyance device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects; and a recording unit that performs recording on the medium conveyed along the conveyance path. It is characterized by providing.

  According to this aspect, in the recording apparatus that includes the recording unit that performs recording on the medium that is transported along the transport path of the medium transport apparatus, the same effects as any of the first to tenth aspects are obtained. be able to.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a printer in which a front cover is in a first state and a discharge tray is in a stored state. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a printer in which a front cover is in a second state and a discharge tray is in a protruding state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 and showing a medium conveyance path. The sectional side view which shows a mode that a discharge tray moves to a protrusion state from a storage state in response to the operation | movement from which a front cover changes from a 1st state to a 2nd state by the switching mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment. CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The perspective view explaining the switching mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The E section enlarged perspective view of FIG. The sectional side view which shows a mode that a discharge tray moves to a protrusion state in response to the operation | movement which a front cover becomes a 2nd state by the switching mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the example of a change of the switching mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the switching mechanism which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view explaining the locking mechanism of a front cover. It is a figure explaining the switching mechanism concerning a 4th embodiment, and a perspective view in which a front cover is in the 1st state. The G section expansion perspective view of FIG. The perspective view which shows the state of the switching mechanism when a front cover opens 15 degrees. The sectional side view explaining a time lag mechanism. It is a figure explaining the switching mechanism which concerns on 4th Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the state which the front cover opened 60 degrees. The principal part enlarged view of the LL arrow cross section of FIG. It is a figure explaining the switching mechanism concerning a 4th embodiment, and a perspective view in which a front cover is in the 2nd state. The principal part enlarged view of the MM arrow cross section of FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 13. The principal part top view explaining the switching mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
First, an outline of a recording apparatus including a medium conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an example of the recording apparatus, an ink jet printer 1 that performs recording by ejecting ink (liquid) onto a medium (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the printer 1) is given.

  In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X-axis direction is the medium width direction, and the apparatus width direction. Further, the Y-axis direction is the medium conveyance direction in the medium conveyance path in the recording apparatus, and is the apparatus depth direction. The Z-axis direction is the device height direction. The direction in which the medium is conveyed is called downstream, and the opposite is called upstream.

■■■ Overview of the printer ■■■
The overall configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a medium transport device 10 that transports a medium, and a recording unit 20 (FIG. 3) that performs recording on a medium transported through a transport path S1 (FIG. 3) of the medium transport device 10. , And is configured.
The medium transport apparatus 10 includes a housing 2 having a transport path S1 (FIG. 3) inside, and the housing 2 constitutes the appearance of the printer 1. The medium transport device 10 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation unit 3 for operating the printer 1 is provided on the upper portion of the housing 2. The operation unit 3 includes a plurality of operation buttons. Moreover, the code | symbol 6 is the feeding part cover 6 which opens and closes the back surface side feeding part 25 shown in FIG.

Further, a front cover 5 as an “opening / closing body” is provided on the side surface of the housing 2 on the + Y direction side, that is, the front surface.
The front cover 5 can be opened and closed with respect to the housing 2. The first state (FIG. 1) when the housing 2 is closed and the medium tray 11 is separated from the housing 2 in the first state (FIG. 1). The second state (FIG. 2) constituting the part can be switched. In the present embodiment, the second state of the front cover 5 is a state in which the front cover 5 is completely opened.
As shown in FIG. 3, the medium tray 11 includes a medium accommodating portion 8 provided inside the housing 2 and a front cover 5 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3) in the second state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the front cover 5 is opened, the discharge tray 7 for receiving the recording medium discharged from the housing 2 becomes usable. The discharge tray 7 includes an auxiliary tray 27 that can be stored in the thickness portion of the discharge tray 7 (see also FIG. 3). By pulling out the auxiliary tray 27, it is possible to support a medium that is long in the transport direction. In addition, illustration of the state where the auxiliary tray 27 is pulled out is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge tray 7 is housed in the housing 2, and as shown in FIG. 2, the discharge tray 7 protrudes from the housing 2 to cover the upper side of the medium tray 11, and the transport path S1 (FIG. 3). And a protruding state for receiving the medium discharged from (). Switching between the storage state and the protruding state of the discharge tray 7 is performed by a switching mechanism 30 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The switching mechanism 30 projects the discharge tray 7 from the storage state (FIG. 1) (FIG. 2) in conjunction with the operation of the front cover 5 switching from the first state (FIG. 1) to the second state (FIG. 2). It is the structure switched to. That is, when the front cover 5 is opened, the discharge tray 7 automatically protrudes.

When the use of the printer 1 is finished, the user may leave the medium set on the medium tray 11. If the medium is set on the medium tray 11 exposed to the outside of the housing 2 and left for a long period of time, dust or dust accumulates on the medium, and the next time the printer 1 is used, There is a possibility that the recording image quality is lowered.
In the printer 1, the discharge tray 7 is automatically protruded by the switching mechanism 30 in conjunction with the operation of opening (opening) the front cover 5 to the second state. The upper side of the medium tray 11 can be covered with the discharge tray 7. Therefore, even if the medium is set on the medium tray 11 after the printer 1 is used, the possibility that dust, dust, or the like accumulates on the medium can be reduced.
The configuration of the switching mechanism 30 will be described in detail below after describing the medium transport path S1 in the printer.

■■■ About the media transport path in the printer ■■■
<<< Conveying path from media tray to discharge tray >>>
With reference mainly to FIG. 3, the conveyance path S1 from the medium tray 11 to the discharge tray 7 will be described.
In FIG. 3, a medium accommodating portion 8 is provided at the end of the housing 2 on the −Z direction side, that is, at the bottom. The medium storage unit 8 and the front cover 5 in the second state (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3) are connected to form a medium tray 11 that can store a plurality of media. The rotating shaft 5a of the front cover 5 is provided in the medium accommodating portion 8, and the medium accommodating portion 8 as the medium tray 11 and the front cover 5 can be integrally pulled out to the front side of the apparatus (+ Y direction). Yes.
The medium can be set on the medium tray 11 by pulling out the medium tray 11 to the front side of the apparatus (+ Y direction).

A pickup roller 9 is provided above (in the + Z direction) the medium storage unit 8 (medium tray 11). The pickup roller 9 is configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the pickup roller 9 is in contact with or separated from the medium accommodating portion 8 with the rotation shaft 12 as a fulcrum. The pick-up roller 9 is in contact with the medium stored in the medium storage unit 8, thereby transporting the uppermost medium stored in the medium storage unit 8 downstream in the medium transport direction.
The pickup roller 9 is rotated by receiving power from a power source such as a motor (not shown). A gear 13 provided coaxially with the rotation shaft 12 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and power is transmitted to the pickup roller 9 via a plurality of gear groups 14.

  A reverse roller 15 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 9. Around the reversing roller 15, a plurality of driven rollers 16 that rotate following the reversing roller 15 are arranged.

The medium sent by the pickup roller 9 is reversed by the reversing roller 15 and sent to the conveying roller pair 17 provided on the downstream side in the medium conveying direction. On the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 17 in the medium conveyance direction, a recording unit 20 that performs recording on a medium conveyed through the conveyance path S1 is provided.
The recording unit 20 is provided on the carriage 21. The carriage 21 is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction, and a recording head 22 that discharges ink in the −Z direction is provided below the carriage 21.
The ink supplied to the recording unit 20 is configured to be sent from an ink tank 23 (FIG. 1) provided on the + X axis direction side in the housing 2 via a supply tube (not shown).

Below the recording head 22, a medium support portion 18 is provided in a region facing the recording head 22. The medium support unit 18 supports the lower surface (the surface opposite to the recording surface) of the medium that has been transported to the area facing the recording head 22 by the transport roller pair 17.
The recording head 22 discharges ink to the medium supported by the medium support unit 18 and performs recording on the recording surface of the medium.

  On the downstream side of the recording head 22 in the medium conveyance direction, a discharge roller pair 19 for feeding the medium after recording is provided. The medium sent by the discharge roller pair 19 is discharged from the discharge unit 24 and placed on the discharge tray 7 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3) in a protruding state.

The conveyance roller pair 17 and the discharge roller pair 19 are each configured by a drive roller (not indicated) and a driven roller (not indicated) driven by a drive source (not shown).
The transport path S1 from the medium tray 11 to the discharge tray 7 has been described above. Next, conveyance of the medium from the back side feeding unit 25 will be described.

<<< Conveying path from the back side feeding section to the discharge tray 7 >>>
With reference to FIG. 3, a conveyance path S <b> 2 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) from the back side feeding unit 25 will be described.
A back side feeding unit 25 is provided on the back side (−Y side) of the housing 2. As described above, the feeding unit cover 6 (see also FIG. 1) for covering the back side feeding unit 25 is provided on the upper portion of the housing 2. The feeding unit cover 6 is configured to be displaceable with respect to the housing 2 and can be switched between a closed state (FIG. 2) and an open state (not shown). By setting the feeding unit cover 6 in an open state, the medium can be fed from the back side feeding unit 25 toward the recording unit 20 in the housing 2.

  A feeding roller 26 is provided on the downstream side of the feeding unit cover 6. The medium set in the back side feeding unit 25 is fed by the feeding roller 26. The conveyance path S <b> 2 joins the conveyance path S <b> 1 (one-dot chain line) from the medium tray 11 described above on the upstream side of the conveyance roller pair 17. Thereafter, like the transport path S1, the medium is sent to the recording unit 20 for recording, sent by the discharge roller pair 19 and discharged to the discharge tray 7.

■■■ About the switching mechanism ■■■
As described above, the medium transport apparatus 10 includes the medium tray 11 on which the medium is set, the housing 2 having the transport path S1 of the medium sent from the medium tray 11 inside, and the housing 2 can be opened and closed. Yes, it is possible to switch between a first state (FIG. 1) in which the housing 2 is closed and a second state (FIG. 2) that forms a part of the medium tray 11 farther away from the housing 2 than in the first state. Front cover 5 (opening / closing body), housed state housed in housing 2 (FIG. 1), and projecting state projecting from housing 2 to cover medium tray 11 and receiving the medium discharged from transport path S1 (FIG. 2) can be switched between the discharge tray 7 and the front cover 5 when the front tray 5 is switched from the first state (FIG. 1) to the second state (FIG. 2). And a switching mechanism 30 for switching from the protruding state (FIG. 1) to the protruding state (FIG. 2). That.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the switching mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the present embodiment, the switching mechanism 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is configured to switch from the stored state to the protruding state due to the weight of the discharge tray 7.
More specifically, the switching mechanism 30 is provided with a sliding portion 31 that is provided on the housing 2 side and inclines so as to descend from the inside of the housing 2 toward the outside so that the discharge tray 7 can slide. The Since the sliding portion 31 supports both sides of the discharge tray 7 in the width direction (X-axis direction), the sliding portion 31a (FIG. 4) provided on the −X side and the sliding portion 31b (FIG. 4) provided on the + X side. 5). The sliding portion 31a (FIG. 4) and the sliding portion 31b (FIG. 5) are formed on slopes that are provided and lowered in the + Y direction, which is the moving direction when the discharge tray 7 changes from the stored state to the protruding state.
Further, the bottom surface 7a of the discharge tray 7 is formed on an inclined surface along the inclination of the sliding portion 31a and the sliding portion 31b.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the front cover 5 is switched from the first state (upper view of FIG. 4) to the second state (lower view of FIG. 4). The middle view of FIG. 4 shows a state when the front cover 5 is partially opened. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and the lower view of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG.
As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 4, in the first state where the front cover 5 is closed with respect to the housing 2, the movement of the discharge tray 7 in the + Y direction is restricted by the front cover 5. When the front cover 5 is opened as shown in the middle diagram of FIG. 4, the discharge tray 7 slides on the inclined sliding portions 31a and 31b by its own weight and starts moving in the + Y direction.

The discharge tray 7 includes a contact portion 7b that comes into contact with a contacted portion 33 (the middle and lower views of FIG. 4) provided on the sliding portion 31 (the sliding portion 31a in FIG. 4). Although not shown in FIG. 5, the contacted portion 33 is also provided in the sliding portion 31b.
When the front cover 5 is in the second state in which the front cover 5 is completely opened (the lower diagram in FIG. 4), the contact portion 7b of the discharge tray 7 comes into contact with the contacted portion 33 of the sliding portion 31, and the discharge tray 7 Movement in the + Y direction is restricted.

  With the above configuration, the discharge tray 7 is automatically stored (in FIG. 4) in conjunction with the operation of the front cover 5 switching from the first state (upper view in FIG. 4) to the second state (lower view in FIG. 4). The switching mechanism 30 that switches from the projecting state to the projecting state (the lower diagram in FIG. 4) can be provided with a simple configuration and at a low cost.

In the present embodiment, the sliding portion 31 includes a rotating body 32 such as a roller that rotates in the moving direction of the discharge tray 7 as shown in each part of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. A plurality of rotating bodies 32 are provided at intervals in the moving direction of the discharge tray 7.
By providing the sliding part 31 with the rotating body 32, the discharge tray 7 can be smoothly slid with respect to the sliding part 31. The rotating body 32 can be omitted.
In addition, the self-weight of the discharge tray 7 can be reduced by reducing the frictional resistance between the sliding portion 31 and the bottom surface 7a of the discharge tray 7, increasing the inclination angle of the sliding portion 31, increasing the weight of the discharge tray 7, etc. Switching from the housed state to the projecting state can be performed more smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 5, a torsion spring 34 is provided on the rotation shaft 5 a of the front cover 5, and the front cover 5 is pressed at least in the closing direction with respect to the housing 2. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the discharge tray 7 moving in the + Y direction by its own weight pushes the front cover 5 and the front cover 5 is opened.
When the front cover 5 is pressed in the closing direction by the torsion spring 34, it is desirable to provide a lock member that locks the front cover 5 in the second state.
Further, as the torsion spring 34, when the front cover 5 is in a position close to the first state, that is, in the state from the upper diagram to the middle diagram in FIG. When in the position close to the second state, that is, in the state from the middle diagram to the lower diagram in FIG. 4, a spring capable of pressing in two directions such as pressing the front cover 5 in the opening direction can be used. .

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, another example of the switching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6, the switching mechanism 40 of the second embodiment is provided at both ends of the front cover 5 and the discharge tray 7 in the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction). Hereinafter, the switching mechanism 40 on the −X side will be described with reference to FIG. 7, which is an enlarged view of the switching mechanism 40 on the −X side.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the switching mechanism 40 includes a first engaging portion 41a, a second engaging portion 41b as an “engaging portion 41” provided on the front cover 5 (opening / closing body) side, and a discharge tray. 7 includes a first engaged portion 42 a and a second engaged portion 42 b as “engaged portions 42” provided on the 7 side, and the front cover 5 includes the first engaged portion 41 a and the first engaged portion 42 b. The engaged state 42a, and the first state (FIG. 7) where the second engaging portion 41b and the second engaged portion 42b are engaged are changed to the second state (the left diagram in FIG. 8). As a result, the discharge tray 7 is switched from the housed state (FIG. 7) to the protruding state (left diagram in FIG. 8).

The “engagement portion” includes a first engagement portion 41a and a second engagement portion 41b that are provided with an interval in the width direction (X-axis direction) intersecting the medium discharge direction. The “engaged portion” includes a first engaged portion 42a that engages with the first engaging portion 41a, a second engaged portion 42b that engages with the second engaging portion 41b, Comprising.
In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 41a and the first engaged portion 42a are provided near the end portion on the −X side, and the second engaging portion 41b and the second engaged portion 42b are It is provided near the end on the + X side.

The configuration of the “engagement portion” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the first engaging portion 41a and the first engaged portion 42a on the -X side will be described, but the second engaging portion 41b and the second engaged portion 42b have the same shape. ing.
The first engaging portion 41a shown in FIG. 7 has a tip formed in a hook shape, and is erected on the inner side surface of the front cover 5 (the surface on the −Y side in FIG. 7). The inner surface of the front cover 5 is a surface on which a medium is set in the second state.
Similarly, in FIG. 7, the first engaged portion 42 a is provided at the tip (+ Y side end) of the discharge tray 7. The first engaged portion 42a is provided at a position corresponding to the first engaging portion 41a in the width direction (X-axis direction), and the first engaging portion 41a in the height direction (Z-axis direction). It is arranged to overlap with the hook shape. That is, it arrange | positions so that the 1st engaging part 41a may be hooked on the 1st to-be-engaged part 42a.

  The front cover 5 is in the first state (FIG. 7) in which the first engaging portion 41a and the first engaged portion 42a are engaged, that is, the first engaging portion 41a is the first engaged portion. When it is opened while being caught by the portion 42a, the discharge tray 7 is pulled out in the + Y direction from the storage state (FIG. 7) as shown in the right diagram of FIG. The first engaging portion 41a is engaged with the first engaged portion 42a until the front cover 5 is fully opened (middle view in FIG. 8), and the front cover 5 is opened. The discharge tray 7 is pulled and pulled out.

When the front cover 5 is opened more than the state shown in the middle diagram of FIG. 8, the engagement between the first engaging portion 41a and the first engaged portion 42a is released, but the discharge tray 7 is pulled out. It moves in the protruding direction (+ Y direction) due to momentum (inertia).
In the present embodiment, the discharge tray 7 is configured to slide on the sliding portion 31a and the sliding portion 31b formed on the inclined surface provided in the + Y direction as in the first embodiment (FIG. 4, 5 and 6), the discharge tray 7 is easily moved to the protruding state.
In addition, the sliding part which the discharge tray 7 supports so that a slide is possible may be formed in the horizontal surface. In that case, the bottom surface 7a of the discharge tray 7 is also formed in a horizontal plane.

  Even with the switching mechanism 40 having such a configuration, the discharge tray 7 can be automatically moved from the storage state to the protruding state in conjunction with the operation of opening (opening) the front cover 5 from the first state to the second state. Even when the apparatus is not used, it is possible to reliably cover the upper side of the medium tray 11 with the discharge tray 7.

  When the front cover 5 is changed from the second state to the first state (closed), the front cover 5 is closed while the discharge tray 7 is manually moved in the storage direction (−Y direction). The discharge tray 7 is attached in the housing 2 with a play that allows the front end side to move upward (+ Z direction), and the engaging portion 41 pushes the discharge tray 7 upward to provide a first cover. It is comprised so that it can get over the engaging part 42a.

In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 41a and the second engaging portion 41b are used for the medium set on the medium tray 11 when the front cover 5 is in the second state (the left diagram in FIG. 8). It is configured to guide the edge.
6 and 21, the width of the maximum size medium P1 that can be placed on the medium tray 11 is between the -X side first engaging portion 41a and the + X side second engaging portion 41b. The interval corresponding to is set. Thus, the first engaging portion 41 a and the second engaging portion 41 b can be used as edge guides for guiding the edge of the maximum size medium that can be placed on the medium tray 11.
Accordingly, the medium can be more appropriately placed on the medium tray 11.

<<< Modification Example 1 of Second Embodiment >>>
Instead of the switching mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 7, a switching mechanism 40A as shown in FIG. 9 may be used.
The switching mechanism 40A shown in FIG. 9 includes an engaging portion 41A provided on the inner side surface (the surface on the -Y side) of the front cover 5, and an engaged portion 42A that engages with the engaging portion 41A.
41 A of engaging parts are formed with the plate-shaped body formed with the material attracted to magnets, such as a metal, for example. In the engaged portion 42A, a magnet 43 is provided on the opposite surface (the surface on the -Y side) of the opposing surface (the surface on the + Y side) facing the engaging portion 41A, and the opposing surface side exhibits magnetism. Yes. The discharge tray 7 is formed of a resin material such as plastic, and the engaged portion 42 </ b> A is integrally formed with the discharge tray 7. That is, the engaging portion 41A and the engaged portion 42A are magnetically attached.

As described above, the front cover 5 is changed from the first state to the second state by the switching mechanism 40A including the engaging portion 41A and the engaged portion 42A that are magnetically engaged to each other as in the second embodiment. In conjunction with the operation of opening (opening), the discharge tray 7 can be automatically moved from the storage state to the protruding state.
Note that the engaging portion 41A can be used as an edge guide in the medium tray 11 by forming the engaging portion 41A as a convex body having a height instead of a thin metal plate.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, still another example of the switching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. As shown in FIG. 10, the switching mechanism 50 of the third embodiment is provided on the back side (−Y side) of the discharge tray 7 and on both sides in the apparatus width direction (X-axis direction).
The switching mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 10 includes a coil spring 51 as a “pressing member” that presses the discharge tray 7 toward the protruding state (FIG. 2), and the discharge tray 7 is in the first state of the front cover 5 (FIG. 1). In the case of FIG. 1, the storage state (FIG. 1) is taken against the spring force (pressing force) of the coil spring 51, and the storage state (FIG. 1) is applied by the spring force of the coil spring 51 when the front cover 5 is in the second state (FIG. 2). ) To the protruding state (FIG. 2).
Reference numeral 52 denotes a guide member that is fixed in the housing 2 and guides the coil spring 51. The guide member 52 has a guide hole, the coil spring 51 is inserted into the guide hole, and the coil spring 51 is guided in the Y-axis direction. The guide member 52 also serves as a spring receiver on the housing 2 side.

  By the switching mechanism 50 having the above-described configuration, a configuration in which the discharge tray 7 is automatically switched from the storage state to the protruding state in conjunction with the operation of opening (opening) the front cover 5 from the first state to the second state. It can be realized easily.

The front cover 5 in the first state is preferably configured to be lockable to the housing 2. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 53 (FIG. 10) is provided on the front cover 5, and when the front cover 5 is in the first state (FIG. 1) closed with respect to the housing 2, the convex portion 53. However, the front cover 5 is locked to the housing 2 by fitting into a recess 54 (FIG. 11) provided on the housing 2 side.
Since the front cover 5 is provided with the lock mechanism, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the discharge tray 7 in the stored state is pushed by the spring force of the coil spring 51 of the switching mechanism 50 and the front cover 5 is opened. Such a locking mechanism can also be applied to the first and second embodiments and the fourth embodiment described later.

In this embodiment as well, the discharge tray 7 is formed on the inclined surface provided in the + Y direction as in the first and second embodiments, and slides on the sliding portion 31a and the sliding portion 31b having the rotating body 32. The discharge tray 7 is easily moved to the protruding state.
When the sliding portion in which the discharge tray 7 slides in the housing 2 is a horizontal plane, the discharge tray 7 needs to be in a protruding state that covers almost the entire front cover 5 only by the spring force of the coil spring 51. The spring force of the coil spring 51 needs to be set large. If the spring force is large, the front cover 5 may be pushed and opened by the discharge tray 7 pushed in the + Y direction in the stored state.
The spring force of the coil spring 51 in a configuration in which the slide portion on the horizontal surface is slid by using the slide portion 31a formed on the slope and the configuration in which the discharge tray 7 slides on the slide portion 31b. It becomes possible to bring the discharge tray 7 into the protruding state with a smaller spring force than when the discharge tray 7 is brought into the protruding state.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, still another example of the switching mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. The front cover 5 is configured to switch between the first state (FIG. 12) and the second state (FIG. 18) by rotating with respect to the housing 2. And the switching mechanism 77 of 4th Embodiment is provided with the power transmission part 60 which changes rotation of the front cover 5 from the accommodation state (FIG. 12) of the discharge tray 74 to a protrusion state (FIG. 18). It is configured.
In the present embodiment, the discharge tray 74 is configured to slide on the sliding portions 75a and 75b formed on the horizontal plane. The bottom surface of the discharge tray 74 is formed horizontally along the horizontal plane of the sliding portions 75a and 75b. Other than that, it has the same configuration as the discharge tray 7 in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the power transmission unit 60 powers the first gear 61 interlocked with the rotation of the rotation shaft 5 a of the front cover 5, the rack 72 provided on the discharge tray 74, and the first gear 61 to the rack 72. The "intermediate gear" that transmits The “intermediate gear” can be constituted by at least one gear. In the present embodiment, the second gear 62, the third gear 63, the fourth gear 64, the fifth gear 67, the sixth gear 68, and the seventh gear 71, which are the plurality of gears shown in FIG. It is configured.

  In FIG. 13, the first gear 61 is a sector gear that rotates coaxially with the rotation shaft 5 a of the front cover 5. The first gear 61 is engaged with the second gear 62. The second gear 62 and the third gear 63 are provided coaxially, and the third gear 63 rotates integrally with the second gear 62. The third gear 63 meshes with the fourth gear 64. The fourth gear 64 and the fifth gear 67 are provided coaxially, and the fifth gear 67 rotates integrally with the fourth gear 64. The fifth gear 67 meshes with the sixth gear 68. The sixth gear 68 and the seventh gear 71 are provided coaxially, and the seventh gear 71 rotates integrally with the sixth gear 68. The seventh gear 71 meshes with the rack 72 of the discharge tray 74.

In FIG. 13, the rotation direction of each gear when the front cover 5 is opened from the first state (the state of FIG. 13) is indicated by arrows.
When the front cover 5 is opened, the first gear 61 rotates counterclockwise as viewed in front of FIG. The second gear 62 meshing with the first gear 61 rotates clockwise, and the third gear 63 also rotates clockwise. The fourth gear 64 meshing with the third gear 63 rotates counterclockwise, and the fifth gear 67 also rotates counterclockwise. The sixth gear 68 that meshes with the fifth gear 67 rotates clockwise, and the seventh gear 71 also rotates clockwise. When the seventh gear 71 rotates clockwise, the discharge tray 74 moves in the + Y direction.
When the front cover 5 is closed from the second state (the state shown in FIGS. 18 and 19), each gear rotates in the opposite direction, and the discharge tray 74 moves in the −Y direction.
The switching mechanism 77 configured as described above realizes a configuration in which the discharge tray 74 is automatically switched from the storage state to the protruding state in conjunction with the operation of opening (opening) the front cover 5 from the first state to the second state. can do.

In the present embodiment, the “intermediate gear” includes a time lag mechanism 70 that delays the transmission start timing of power from the first gear 61 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the sixth gear 68 functions as the time lag mechanism 70.
If the discharge tray 74 starts to move in the + Y direction immediately after the front cover 5 starts to open from the first state (closed state), the discharge tray 74 may collide with the front cover 5.

  By providing the time lag mechanism 70, the displacement of the discharge tray 74 can be started after a while after the front cover 5 starts to open from the first state. Accordingly, when the front cover 5 is switched from the first state to the second state, the possibility that the discharge tray 74 collides with the front cover 5 can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the time lag mechanism 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the time lag mechanism 70 includes a sixth gear 68 and a disk 69 fixed to the rotation shaft 78 of the sixth gear 68. A first convex portion 68 a is provided inside the sixth gear 68 and is pivotally supported with respect to the rotation shaft 78 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined rotation range. A gap 79 serving as “play” is provided between the sixth gear 68 and the disk 69. Further, on the outer periphery of the disk 69, a second convex portion 69a that can come into contact with the first convex portion 68a of the sixth gear 68 is provided.

In the first state in which the front cover 5 is closed (the right figures in FIGS. 13 and 15), the first convex portion 68a is disposed downstream of the second convex portion 69a in the clockwise rotation direction. Has been. When the front cover 5 starts to open toward the second state, the sixth gear 68 rotates clockwise as described above.
The opening angle θ of the front cover 5 is changed from the first state (θ = 0 °) shown in the right diagram of FIGS. 13 and 15 to the state shown in the left diagram of FIGS. 14 and 15 (θ = 15 ° as an example). Then, the sixth gear 68 and the first convex portion 68a rotate clockwise, and the first convex portion 68a comes into contact with the second convex portion 69a from the upstream side in the rotational direction to transmit power to the rotating shaft 78. Become so.
The right view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 13, and the left view of FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK of FIG.

From the state of θ = 0 ° with the front cover 5 closed (right diagram in FIG. 15) to the state with θ = 15 ° (left diagram in FIG. 15), that is, the first convex portion 68a moves through the gap 79. During this time, no power is transmitted to the rotating shaft 78 even if the sixth gear 68 rotates. Accordingly, during this time, the discharge tray 74 does not move in the + Y direction. When the front cover 5 is further opened than in the state shown in the left diagrams of FIGS. 14 and 15, the rotation shaft 78 rotates and the seventh gear 71 rotates, and the movement of the discharge tray 74 in the + Y direction is started.
With such a time lag mechanism 70, the movement of the discharge tray 74 can be started with a predetermined time lag from the start of the opening operation of the front cover 5.

Further, the power transmission unit 60 is configured such that the connection between the first gear 61 and the second gear 62 (intermediate gear) is disconnected before the front cover 5 enters the second state.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first gear 61 and the second gear 62 mesh until the opening angle θ of the front cover 5 reaches, for example, 60 °, and θ> 60 °. The first gear 61 and the second gear 62 are configured to be separated from each other. When the front cover 5 shown in FIG. 19 is in the second state (θ = 90 ° as an example), the first gear 61 and the second gear 62 The connection is surely broken.

Thereby, when the front cover 5 is in the second state, the front cover 5 and the discharge tray 74 can be moved independently.
For example, in the second state in which the front cover 5 is opened, the discharge tray 74 can be pulled out to the front side (+ Y side) of the apparatus of the housing 2, so that the medium can be easily supplied to the discharge tray 74. it can.
In addition, after the connection between the first gear 61 and the second gear 62 is disconnected, the discharge tray 74 moves in the protruding direction (+ Y direction) due to the momentum (inertia) pulled to that extent.

Further, the “intermediate gear” of the power transmission unit 60 is provided with a friction clutch mechanism 76 (FIG. 20).
When the front cover 5 is closed and the discharge tray 74 is stored, if the front cover 5 is closed vigorously and the discharge tray 74 is strongly pushed in the −Y direction, the gears constituting the power transmission unit 60 are damaged. There is a fear. When the force that pushes the discharge tray 74 in the −Y direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the friction clutch mechanism 76 idles, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the gears that constitute the power transmission unit 60.

The friction clutch mechanism 76 includes a fifth gear 67 as a “first clutch gear”, a fourth gear 64 as a “second clutch gear”, a base clutch 66, and a coil spring 65. A load is applied by a coil spring 65 between the fifth gear 67 and the fourth gear 64 via the clutch 66. The coil spring 65 is provided between a spring hook portion 67 a provided in the fifth gear 67 and a spring hook portion 66 a provided in the base clutch 66.
With the above configuration, the friction clutch mechanism 76 rotates the fourth gear 64 and the fifth gear 67 together when the torque applied to the fourth gear 64 or the fifth gear 67 is below a predetermined value. Alternatively, when a predetermined torque or more is applied to the fifth gear 67, slip occurs between the fourth gear 64 and the fifth gear 67, causing the wheel to idle.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.
The apparatus including the medium transport apparatus 10 is not limited to a recording apparatus, and can be applied to an image reading apparatus configured to read a sheet sent from a medium tray and discharge it to a discharge tray, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer (recording apparatus), 2 ... Housing | casing, 3 ... Operation part, 5 ... Front cover (opening-closing body), 6 ... Feeding part cover, 7 ... Discharge tray, 7a ... Bottom, 7b ... Contact part, 8 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Medium accommodating part, 9 ... Pick-up roller, 10 ... Medium conveying apparatus, 11 ... Medium tray, 12 ... Rotating shaft, 13 ... Gear, 14 ... Gear group, 15 ... Reverse roller, 16 ... Driven roller, 17 ... Conveying roller 18: medium support unit, 19: discharge roller pair, 20: recording unit, 21: carriage, 22 ... recording head, 23 ... ink tank, 24 ... discharge unit, 25 ... back side feeding unit, 26 ... feeding Roller, 27 ... auxiliary tray, 30 ... switching mechanism, 31, 31a, 31b ... sliding part, 32 ... rotating body, 33 ... contacted part, 34 ... torsion spring, 40 ... switching mechanism, 41, 41A ... engaging part , 42, 42A ... engaged , 43 ... magnet, 50 ... switching mechanism, 51 ... coil spring (pressing member), 52 ... guide member, 53 ... convex part, 54 ... concave part, 60 ... power transmission part, 61 ... first gear, 62 ... second gear, 63 ... 3rd gear, 64 ... 4th gear, 65 ... Coil spring, 66 ... Base clutch, 67 ... 5th gear, 68 ... 6th gear, 69 ... Disc, 70 ... Time lag mechanism, 71 ... 7th gear, 72 ... Rack, 74 ... discharge tray, 75a, 75b ... sliding part, 76 ... friction clutch mechanism, 77 ... switching mechanism, 78 ... rotating shaft, 79 ... gap

Claims (11)

A media tray on which media is loaded;
A housing provided therein with a conveyance path for the medium sent from the medium tray;
Switchable between a first state that is openable and closable with respect to the housing, and that forms a part of the medium tray that is further away from the housing than the first state. Possible opening and closing body,
A discharge tray that can be switched between a storage state stored in the housing and a protruding state that protrudes from the housing and covers the top of the medium tray and receives the medium discharged from the transport path;
A medium transporting apparatus comprising: a switching mechanism that switches the discharge tray from the stored state to the protruding state in conjunction with an operation of switching the opening / closing body from the first state to the second state. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
The switching mechanism is configured to switch from the stored state to the protruding state by its own weight of the discharge tray.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 2,
The switching mechanism includes a sliding portion that is provided on the housing side and inclines so as to descend from the inside of the housing to the outside, so that the discharge tray can slide.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 3,
The sliding portion includes a rotating body that rotates in the moving direction of the discharge tray.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
The switching mechanism includes an engaging portion provided in the opening / closing body and an engaged portion provided in the discharge tray,
A configuration in which the discharge tray is switched from the stowed state to the protruding state when the opening / closing body is changed from the first state in which the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged to the second state. Is,
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The engagement portion includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that are provided with an interval in a width direction intersecting with the discharge direction of the medium.
The engaged portion includes a first engaged portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion that engages with the second engaging portion. Consisting of
The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion guide an edge of the medium set on the medium tray when the opening / closing body is in the second state.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
The switching mechanism is
A pressing member that presses the discharge tray toward the protruding state;
The discharge tray takes the storage state against the pressing force of the pressing member when the opening / closing body is in the first state, and the discharge tray is moved in the process of moving the opening / closing body to the second state. The structure is switched from the stored state to the protruding state by the pressing force.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
The opening / closing body is configured to switch between the first state and the second state by rotating with respect to the housing,
The switching mechanism includes a power transmission unit that changes the rotation of the opening / closing body to a moving force of the discharge tray from the stored state to the protruding state.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The power transmission unit is
A first gear interlocking with the rotation of the rotation shaft of the opening and closing body;
A rack provided on the discharge tray;
And at least one intermediate gear for transmitting power from the first gear to the rack,
The intermediate gear includes a time lag mechanism that delays the start timing of power transmission from the first gear.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
Before the opening / closing body is in the second state, the connection between the first gear and the intermediate gear is configured to be disconnected.
A medium conveying apparatus characterized by the above. The medium conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A recording unit configured to perform recording on the medium conveyed along the conveyance path.

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