JP2021066607A - Transportation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a transportation device being capable of suppressing an increase in size of a device while improving a processing speed of a medium.SOLUTION: A transportation device comprises: an introduction passage 211 where a sheet P is introduced; a first branch passage 212 and a second branch passage 213 branching off from the introduction passage; a first switchback passage 214 extending from the first branch passage; a second switchback passage 215 extending from the second branch passage; a first junction passage 216 where the sheet switched back is transported; a second junction passage 217 where the sheet switched back is transported; and a lead-out passage 218 extending from a junction point between the first junction passage and the second junction passage. The lead-out passage passes between the first switchback passage and the second switchback passage and extends so as to bypass the first switchback passage. A first connection point B connected with the first switchback passage and the first junction passage is positioned above a second connection point C connected with the second switchback passage and the second junction passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a transport device, a recording device and a recording system for transporting a medium such as paper.

Conventionally, a printing device (recording device) that prints (records) by adhering ink as an example of liquid to paper as an example of a medium, and post-processing such as cutting and staples on the printed paper. There is known a transport device that is arranged between the post-processing device and the post-processing device to carry the paper from the printing device to the post-processing device. Some such transfer devices reverse the posture of the paper printed by the printing device and then discharge the paper to the post-processing device (for example, Patent Document 1).

In the transfer device of Patent Document 1, the approach path in which the paper is conveyed from the printing device to the transfer device, the inversion path in which the paper conveyed in the approach path is inverted, and the paper inverted by the inversion path are rearward. It is equipped with a discharge path for discharge to the processing device. That is, in the transport device, when the paper is transported from the printing device via the approach path, the paper is inverted by the reversing path and then discharged from the discharge path to the aftertreatment device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-71833

By the way, the transport device of Patent Document 1 has only one reversing path, so that the device can be miniaturized, but there is a problem in improving the processing speed of paper.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transport device, a recording device, and a recording system capable of suppressing an increase in size of the device while improving the processing speed of the medium. There is.

The transport device that solves the above problems is a housing having a plurality of switchback paths, an introduction path in which the medium is introduced in the housing, and a transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed. The first branch path and the second branch path that branch in different directions from the branch point that is the downstream end of the introduction path, and the medium that carries the introduction path is the first branch path and the second branch path. A guide unit for guiding the medium by selectively switching so as to be conveyed to one of the two is provided so as to extend downward in the vertical direction from the downstream end of the first branch path, and the medium is switched back. A switch is made by the first switchback path, the second switchback path provided so as to extend downward in the vertical direction from the downstream end of the second branch path, and the medium is switched back, and the first switchback path. A first merging path in which the backed medium is conveyed, a second merging path in which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed, a downstream end of the first merging path, and the second. A derivation path extending from a confluence point where the downstream end of the confluence path merges, and the derivation path passes between the first switchback path and the second switchback path, and the first switchback path. The first connection point, which is provided so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path and connects the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first confluence path, is upstream of the second switchback path. It is arranged vertically above the second connection point where the end and the upstream end of the second confluence path are connected, and the downstream side of the second switchback path is on the bottom surface of the housing and in the housing. It is composed of a guide portion provided.

The transport device configured as described above is provided with two switchback paths for switching back the medium in order to improve the processing speed of the medium introduced from the introduction path. Further, considering that the post-processing device that performs post-processing on the medium is connected to the transport device, the downstream end of the lead-out path from which the medium is derived is in the vertical direction in order to increase the load capacity of the medium in the post-processing device. It is preferable to extend upward in. Therefore, since the derivation path is configured to extend so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path, there is a risk that the size of the transport device will increase in the vertical direction. Therefore, the first connection point to which the upstream end of the first switchback path is connected is provided at a position above the second connection point to which the upstream end of the second switchback path is connected in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, since the downstream end of the first switchback path is pulled up in the vertical direction, even if the lead-out path extends so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path, the transport device in the vertical direction The height dimension can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the apparatus while improving the processing speed of the medium.

In the transfer device, the first connection point is preferably located below the branch point in the vertical direction.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the transport device because the first connection point to which the upstream end of the first switchback path is connected is located above the branch point in the vertical direction.

In the transfer device, it is preferable that the introduction path is provided so as to extend diagonally so as to intersect the vertical direction.
According to this configuration, it is possible to branch from the downstream end of the introduction route to the first branch route and the second branch route relatively easily.

In the transport device, it is preferable that the introduction path is provided so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the housing so as to include a position above the housing in the vertical direction.
According to this configuration, when providing the first switchback path and the second switchback path extending downward in the vertical direction, the path length of the introduction path can be shortened, so that the degree of freedom of the path shape in the housing is improved. Can be made to.

In the transport device, the downstream end of the front lead-out path extends toward the side opposite to the side where the introduction path penetrates the housing, and the first connection point and the second connection point are the branch points. It is preferable that the device is located near the downstream end of the derivation path.

According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device in the vertical direction as compared with the configuration in which the second connection point is located closer to the introduction path with respect to the branch point.
In the transport device, it is preferable that an opening is formed in a part of the side wall of the housing.

According to this configuration, since the user can insert his / her hand into the housing through the opening, it is possible to eliminate the transport defect of the medium in the transport device.
In the transfer device, it is preferable that the second switchback path extends in the vertical direction so as to pass below the path portion located at the lowermost end of the downstream path.

According to this configuration, as compared with the configuration in which the second switchback path is provided extending along the vertical direction, the downstream end thereof can be recessed below the downstream path in the vertical direction, so that the size of the device can be increased. It can be suppressed.

The front view which shows the appearance of one Embodiment of the recording system including the transport device. A perspective view showing the appearance of the recording system when the front cover of the printer is opened. Schematic diagram of the printer. Enlarged view showing the guide mechanism. Enlarged view showing the guide mechanism. Enlarged view showing the guide mechanism. Schematic diagram of the transport device. Schematic structural diagram showing a part of the recording system in the state where the drawer unit is pulled out. The schematic structural drawing which shows a part of the recording system when the path forming part rotates in the state which pulled out the drawer unit. (A) to (c) are diagrams showing a state when a medium is conveyed in a conveying device. (A) and (b) are diagrams showing a state when a medium is conveyed in a conveying device. The figure which shows the modification of the transport device. The figure which shows the rotating unit as a modification of the drawing unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording system including a transport device will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording system 1000 includes a printer 100, which is an example of a recording device that records on a medium, and a transfer device 200, which is an example of an external device that conveys paper P, which is an example of a medium. Is configured to include. In the present embodiment, the post-processing device 300 as an example of the external device that performs post-processing on the paper P is also included. The recording system 1000 is configured by arranging the printer 100, the transfer device 200, and the post-processing device 300 side by side in this order from the right side to the left side in the left-right direction X in FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the printer 100 and the transport device 200 are adjacent to each other, and the transport device 200 and the post-processing device 300 are adjacent to each other with the left-right direction X, which is the transport direction of the recorded paper P, as the alignment direction. A transport device 200 is interposed between the printer 100 and the post-processing device 300.

The printer 100 is an inkjet printer that records images such as characters and photographs by adhering ink as an example of a liquid to paper P as an example of a medium, and has a rectangular parallelepiped recording device side housing 101. ing. In the vertical direction Z, an operation unit 102 for performing various operations of the printer 100 is attached to the upper portion of the recording device side housing 101.

The printer 100 is provided with a paper cassette 103 in the vertical direction Z from the central portion to the lower portion of the printer 100. In the present embodiment, four paper cassettes 103 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z, and the paper P for recording by the printer 100 is housed in each of the paper cassettes 103 in a stacked state. A grip portion 103a that can be gripped by the user is formed at the center of the paper cassette 103 in the left-right direction X. That is, the paper cassette 103 is configured to be removable with respect to the recording device side housing 101 in the front-rear direction Y intersecting both the left-right direction X and the vertical direction Z. The paper P housed in each paper cassette 103 may be of a different type or may be of the same type.

In the vertical direction Z, a rectangular front plate cover 104 is provided at a position adjacent to the uppermost paper cassette 103. The front plate cover 104 is rotatably provided with a long side adjacent to the paper cassette 103 as a base end, and has an open position where the front end side opposite to the base end is separated from the printer 100 and a housing 101 on the recording device side. It is configured to be rotatable between two positions, that is, a closed position that forms a part of the above. When the front plate cover 104 is in the open position, a part of the frame 105 constituting the printer 100 is exposed. The frame 105 is provided with a rectangular frame cover 105a having a smaller area than the front plate cover 104. Like the front plate cover 104, the frame cover 105a is rotatably configured between the open position and the closed position with one side that is the lower side in the vertical direction Z as the base end. When the frame cover 105a is in the open position, the opening 105b formed in the frame 105 is exposed. The opening 105b is large enough to be inserted by a user's hand into the frame 105.

In the printer 100, a part of the side wall of the recording device side housing 101 is formed on the left side surface, which is the surface on which the transport device 200 is mounted and is the left side surface in the left-right direction X, and from the recording device side housing 101. A drawer surface portion 106 provided so as to be able to be pulled out is provided. A handle portion 107 that the user can handle is formed on the upper portion of the pull-out surface portion 106 in the vertical direction Z. When the drawer surface portion 106 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 along the drawing direction that is leftward in the left-right direction X, the drawer unit 170 described later is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 in conjunction with this (FIG. FIG. 8. See FIG. 9).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the drawer surface portion 106, a discharge port 108 from which the recorded paper P is discharged is formed at a position below the vertical direction Z in the handle portion 107. .. Further, on the lower side thereof, a paper discharge tray (mounting portion) 109 extending to the left in the left-right direction X is provided so as to be attached as needed. That is, the paper P discharged through the discharge port 108 is placed on the paper discharge tray 109. The paper ejection tray 109 is configured to be detachable from the drawer surface portion 106, and has an upward gradient that inclines upward from the base end connected to the drawer surface portion 106 toward the tip opposite to the base end. It has a shape (that is, a rising shape) (in FIG. 3, rising to the left).

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport device 200 attached to the left side surface of the printer 100 in the left-right direction X, which is the alignment direction, has a rectangular parallelepiped transport device-side housing (housing) 201. The transport device side housing 201 is located on the left side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the introduction unit 202 into which the paper P recorded by the printer 100 is introduced and the introduction unit 202 in the left-right direction X, and the post-processing device 300. It is configured to include a lead-out unit 203 for deriving the paper P. The introduction unit 202 is provided so as to be larger than the lead-out unit 203 in the left-right direction X, and smaller than the lead-out unit 203 in the vertical direction Z.

Further, in a state where the printer 100 and the printer 100 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X, the height of the introduction portion 202 is the upper portion of the uppermost paper cassette 103 of the printer 100 and the lower portion of the drawer surface portion 106 in the vertical direction Z. The height of the lead-out unit 203 is provided so as to be substantially the same as that of the printer 100. That is, when the introduction unit 202 is attached to the adjacent printer 100 in the left-right direction X, the height in the vertical direction Z is lowered so as not to interfere with the movement of the extraction surface portion 106 in the drawer direction. Further, a plate-shaped top plate portion 204 extending to the right in the left-right direction X is provided above the lead-out portion 203 so as to be attached so as to face the printer 100 side. The top plate portion 204 is formed at a position higher than the upper portion of the drawer surface portion 106 in the vertical direction Z, and is configured so as not to interfere when the drawer surface portion 106 moves. Further, the output tray 109 located below the top plate portion 204 is provided so as to avoid the lead-out portion 203 due to its bent ascending shape.

The post-processing device 300 attached to the left side surface of the transport device 200 in the left-right direction X, which is the alignment direction, has a rectangular parallelepiped post-processing device side housing 301. The post-processing device 300 performs post-processing on the paper P recorded by the printer 100 and conveyed by the transfer device 200. Post-treatment includes, for example, cutting, folding paper, punching holes, and staples. Then, the post-processed paper P is placed on stackers (two in this embodiment) 302 extending leftward from the left side surface of the post-processing device 300.

Next, the structure of the printer 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording unit 110 that records from the upper side in the vertical direction Z with respect to the paper P and the paper P are transported along the transport path 120 in the recording device-side housing 101 of the printer 100. A transport unit 130 is provided. The transport path 120 is formed so that when the direction along the front-rear direction Y is the width direction of the paper (medium) P, the paper P is transported with the direction intersecting the width direction as the transport direction.

The recording unit 110 includes a line head type recording head 111 capable of simultaneously ejecting ink over substantially the entire width direction of the paper P at the lower portion. The recording unit 110 forms an image on the paper P by adhering the ink discharged from the recording head 111 to the recording surface (the surface on which the image is printed) facing the recording head 111 on the paper P.

The transport unit 130 has a plurality of transport roller pairs 131 arranged along the transport path 120, and a belt transport unit 132 provided directly below the recording unit 110. That is, ink is ejected from the recording head 111 to the paper P conveyed by the belt conveying unit 132, and recording is performed.

The belt transport unit 132 includes a drive roller 133 arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction from the recording head 111, a driven roller 134 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording head 111, and each of these rollers 133. It has an endless annular belt 135 hung on 134. The belt 135 circulates due to the drive rotation of the drive roller 133, and the paper P is conveyed to the downstream side by the circling belt 135. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the belt 135 functions as a support surface for supporting the paper P on which recording is performed.

The transport path 120 includes a supply path 140 in which the paper P is transported toward the recording unit 110, a discharge path 150 in which the recording is performed by the recording unit 110 and the recorded paper P is transported, and a discharge path 150. It has a branch path 160 that branches from.

The supply path 140 has a first supply path 141, a second supply path 142, and a third supply path 143. In the first supply path 141, the paper P inserted from the insertion port 141b exposed by opening the cover 141a provided on the right side surface of the recording device side housing 101 is conveyed to the recording unit 110. That is, the paper P inserted from the insertion port 141b is linearly conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the first drive roller pair 144.

In the second supply path 142, in the vertical direction Z, the paper P housed in the paper cassette 103 provided in the lower part of the recording device side housing 101 is conveyed to the recording unit 110. That is, in the paper P housed in the paper cassette 103 in a laminated state, the topmost paper P is sent out by the pickup roller 142a, separated one by one by the separation roller pair 145, and then the posture in the vertical direction Z is reversed. While being carried out, it is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the second drive roller pair 146.

In the third supply path 143, when double-sided printing for recording an image on both sides of the paper P is performed, the paper P whose one side has been recorded by the recording unit 110 is conveyed to the recording unit 110 again. That is, a branch path 160 branching from the discharge path 150 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction from the recording unit 110. That is, when performing double-sided printing, the paper P is conveyed to the branch path 160 by the operation of the branch mechanism 147 provided in the middle of the discharge path 150. Further, the branch path 160 is provided with a branch path roller pair 161 capable of both forward rotation and reverse rotation on the downstream side of the branch mechanism 147.

In double-sided printing, the paper P on which one side is printed is once guided to the branch path 160 by the branch mechanism 147, and is conveyed downstream in the branch path 160 by the forward-rotating branch path roller pair 161. After that, the paper P conveyed to the branch path 160 is reversely conveyed in the branch path 160 from the downstream side to the upstream side by the reversing branch path roller pair 161. That is, the paper P conveyed on the branch path 160 is conveyed in the opposite direction.

The paper P that is reversely conveyed from the branch path 160 is conveyed to the third supply path 143, and is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by a plurality of transfer roller pairs 131. By being conveyed through the third supply path 143, the paper P is inverted so that the other side on which the paper P is not printed faces the recording unit 110, and is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 by the rotational drive of the third drive roller pair 148. Will be done. That is, the third supply path 143 functions as a reverse transfer path for transporting the paper P while reversing the posture of the paper P in the vertical direction Z.

Of the supply paths 141, 142, and 143, the second supply path 142 and the third supply path 143 carry the paper P toward the recording unit 110 while the posture of the paper P is curved in the vertical direction Z. On the other hand, in the first supply path 141, the paper P is conveyed toward the recording unit 110 without significantly bending the posture of the paper P as compared with the second supply path 142 and the third supply path 143. ..

The paper P conveyed through the supply paths 141, 142, and 143 is conveyed to the alignment roller pair 149 arranged on the upstream side in the transfer direction from the recording unit 110, and then to the alignment roller pair 149 whose rotation has stopped. The tip hits. Then, the inclination of the paper P with respect to the transport direction is corrected (skewed) by the state of abutting against the alignment roller pair 149. Then, the tilt-corrected paper P is brought into an aligned state and conveyed to the recording unit 110 by the subsequent rotational drive of the aligning roller pair 149.

The recording unit 110 records on one side or both sides, and the paper P for which the recording is completed is conveyed by the transfer roller pair 131 along the discharge path 150 constituting the downstream portion of the transfer path 120. The discharge path 150 is branched into a first discharge path 151, a second discharge path 152, and a third discharge path 153 at a position downstream from the position where the branch path 160 is branched. That is, the paper P for which recording has been completed is conveyed through the common discharge path (upstream discharge path) 154 constituting the upstream portion of the discharge path 150, and then the guide mechanism (switching) provided at the downstream end of the common discharge path 154. The guide unit) 180 guides the user to one of the first to third discharge routes (downstream discharge routes) 151, 152, and 153 that constitute the downstream portion of the discharge route 150.

The first discharge path (upper discharge path) 151 is provided so as to go upward of the recording device side housing 101 and to be curved and extended along the branch path 160. The paper P conveyed through the first discharge path 151 is discharged from the discharge port 155 that opens in a part of the recording device side housing 101 so as to be the end of the first discharge path 151. Then, the paper P discharged from the discharge port 155 falls downward in the vertical direction Z, and is discharged to the mounting table 156 in a laminated state as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The paper P is discharged from the discharge port 155 to the mounting table 156 in a posture in which the recording surface at the time of single-sided printing faces downward in the vertical direction Z by the transport roller pairs 131 arranged at a plurality of locations of the discharge path 150. To.

The mounting table 156 has an inclined shape that rises upward in the vertical direction Z toward the right in the left-right direction X, and the paper P is placed on the mounting table 156 in a laminated state. At this time, each sheet P mounted on the mounting table 156 moves to the left along the inclination of the mounting table 156, and the vertical side wall 157 provided below the discharge port 155 of the recording device side housing 101. It is placed close to.

Further, the first discharge path 151 has a curved reversal path 151a that reverses the front and back of the paper P while the paper P recorded by the recording unit 110 is conveyed to the discharge port 155. That is, the curved inversion path 151a is curved with the recording surface of the paper P recorded by the recording unit 110 inward, and the recording surface of the paper P faces the vertical direction Z upward in the vertical direction Z to the vertical direction Z. Paper P is inverted so that it faces downward. Therefore, in the discharge path 150, the paper P is discharged from the discharge port 155 in a state where the recording surface at the time of single-sided printing faces the mounting table 156 by passing through the curved reversal path 151a.

The second discharge path 152 branches downward from the first discharge path 151 in the vertical direction Z, and extends linearly from the recording unit 110 toward the drawer surface portion 106 forming a part of the recording device side housing 101. There is. Therefore, the paper P conveyed through the second discharge path 152 is not conveyed in a curved posture as in the first discharge path 151, and the posture remains constant as when passing through the recording unit 110. The paper is linearly conveyed and discharged from the discharge port 108 formed on the drawer surface portion 106 to the paper discharge tray 109 attached to the drawer surface portion 106. That is, the second discharge path 152 functions as a non-reversing discharge path for transporting the paper P toward the paper discharge tray 109 without reversing the posture of the paper P in the vertical direction.

The third discharge path (downward discharge path) 153 branches downward in the vertical direction Z from the second discharge path 152, and faces diagonally downward in the vertical direction Z so as to go downward in the recording device side housing 101. It extends. The downstream end thereof is connected to the upstream end of the introduction path 211 of the transport device 200 in the recording device side housing 101. That is, the paper P transported through the third discharge path 153 is discharged to the transport device 200.

A part of the discharge path 150 and a part of the branch path 160 are attached to a drawer unit 170 provided in the recording device side housing 101. The drawer unit 170 is integrally and operably connected to the drawer surface portion 106. Therefore, the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 by pulling out the drawing surface portion 106, and is exposed from the recording device side housing 101.

The drawer unit 170 includes a first path forming portion 171 forming a part of the curved inner guide surface of the first discharge path 151 and a part of the curved outer guide surface of the branch path 160, and a branch path 160. A second path forming portion 172 that forms a part of the curved inner guide surface is rotatably attached around a shaft 173 provided in the drawer unit 170. That is, in the state where the drawer unit 170 is pulled out, the path forming portions 171 and 172 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 around the shaft 173, so that the insides of the branch path 160 and the first discharge path 151 are exposed. (See FIGS. 8 and 9).

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the guide mechanism 180 has a first guide portion 181 and a second guide portion 182. The guide units 181 and 182 are provided at branch positions 190 that branch from the downstream end of the common discharge path 154 to the first to third discharge paths 151, 152, and 153, and the paper P is conveyed from the recording unit 110 in the transport direction. In the left-right direction X, the first guide portion 181 is located on the right side on the upstream side, and the second guide portion 182 is located on the left side on the downstream side. Further, also in the vertical direction Z, the first guide portion 181 is positioned on the lower side and the second guide portion 182 is located on the upper side.

Further, each of the guide portions 181 and 182 has axes 185 and 186 at the base end portions 183 and 184 which are the left side portions on the downstream side in the left-right direction X which is the transport direction, and the respective shafts 185 and 186 are provided. It is rotatably provided in the center. Each of the guide portions 181 and 182 is a right portion that is upstream in the left-right direction X, which is the transport direction, by rotating around the shafts 185 and 186 that each of the guide portions 181 and 182 has, and is the base end portions 183 and 184. The positions of the tip portions 187 and 188 on the opposite side are displaced up and down in the vertical direction Z. That is, the guide portions 181 and 182 are separated from the upper position where the tip portions 187 and 188 located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P approach the first path forming portion 171 and the first path forming portion 171. It is rotatably provided between the two lower positions. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 is located upstream of the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 in the transport direction of the paper P.

In other words, the guide units 181 and 182 are selectively switched to the upper position or the lower position, respectively, and come into contact with the paper P conveyed through the common discharge path 154 to bring the paper P to the first to third sheets. Guide to any of the discharge routes 151, 152, and 153. By the way, the guide portions 181 and 182 are formed in a comb-teeth shape from the base end portions 183 and 184 to the tip portions 187 and 188 so as not to interfere with each other so as not to interfere with each other. It is configured. This rotation operation of each of the guide units 181 and 182 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) included in the printer 100.

FIG. 4 is a view when both the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 are located at the lower positions. At this time, the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 is positioned so as to close the upstream end of the third discharge path 153, and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 closes the upstream end of the second discharge path 152. Located as That is, in the state of FIG. 4, the guide mechanism 180 guides the paper P conveyed through the common discharge path 154 to the first discharge path 151.

FIG. 5 is a view when the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 is located at the lower position and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 is located at the upper position. At this time, the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 is positioned so as to close the upstream end of the third discharge path 153, and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 closes the upstream end of the first discharge path 151. Located as That is, in the state of FIG. 5, the guide mechanism 180 guides the paper P conveyed through the common discharge path 154 to the second discharge path 152.

FIG. 6 is a view when both the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 are located at the upper positions. At this time, the tip portion 187 of the first guide portion 181 is positioned so as to block the upstream end of the first discharge path 151 and the upstream end of the second discharge path 152, and the tip portion 188 of the second guide portion 182 is the second. 1 It is located so as to block the upstream end of the discharge path 151. That is, in the state of FIG. 6, the guide mechanism 180 guides the paper P conveyed through the common discharge path 154 to the third discharge path 153.

Next, the transport device 200 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, an intermediate transport unit 220 for transporting the paper P along the intermediate transport path (intermediate path) 210 is provided in the transport device side housing 201 included in the transport device 200. The intermediate transfer path 210 is formed so that the paper P is conveyed while being curved with the direction intersecting the width direction of the medium, which is the direction along the front-rear direction Y, as the transfer direction.

The intermediate transport unit 220 has a plurality of intermediate transport roller pairs 221 provided along the intermediate transport path 210. That is, the paper P is transported along the intermediate transport path 210 by rotationally driving the intermediate transport roller pair 221 while sandwiching and supporting the paper P from both the front and back sides.

The intermediate transport path 210 is connected to the downstream end of the third discharge path 153 of the printer 100 at its upstream end, and has an introduction path 211 for introducing the paper P into the transport device side housing 201. The introduction path 211 is provided at a position above the vertical direction Z in the introduction unit 202, and is provided in the vertical direction from the inside of the recording device side housing 101 on the upstream side in the transport direction toward the inside of the transport device side housing 201 on the downstream side. It extends straight diagonally downward at the intersection with Z. That is, the introduction path 211 is provided so as to penetrate a part of the side wall forming the left side surface of the recording device side housing 101 and a part of the side wall forming the right side surface of the transport device side housing 201. Further, a sensor 222 for detecting the paper P transported through the introduction path 211 is provided in the downstream portion of the introduction path 211 located in the transport device side housing 201.

The upstream end of the first branch path 212 and the upstream end of the second branch path 213 are connected to the downstream end of the introduction path 211 extending diagonally downward. The first branch path 212 branches upward (to the left in FIG. 7) from the downstream end of the introduction path 211, and extends so as to curve downward in the middle. The second branch path 213 branches while further curving downward (to the right in FIG. 7) from the downstream end of the introduction path 211, and then extends downward in a meandering manner. That is, the intermediate transport path 210 branches from the branch point A, which is the downstream end of the introduction path 211, to the first branch path 212 and the second branch path 213. Then, the paper P conveyed through the introduction path 211 is guided to either the first branch path 212 or the second branch path 213 by the operation of the guide flap (guide portion) 223 provided at the branch point A. The guide flap 223 is driven based on a signal transmitted when the sensor 222 detects the paper P, and guides the paper P conveyed on the introduction path 211 to the first branch path 212, and a second position. The position is switched between the position and the position for guiding to the branch path 213.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream end of the first switchback path 214 is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path 212. The first switchback path 214 is slightly curved to the right in the left-right direction X from the middle thereof, and then extends downward so as to approach the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201 in the vertical direction Z. That is, the downstream end of the first switchback path 214 is located at the lowest position in the first switchback path 214. Further, the path length of the first switchback path 214 in the transport direction is set to be longer than the medium length in the transport direction of the paper P that can be recorded by the printer 100.

In the first switchback path 214, the downstream portion downstream of the curved portion is composed of a guide 214a that supports the paper P that is slightly curved to the right in the left-right direction X and is conveyed from the lower side in the vertical direction Z. .. Then, in the first switchback path 214, one sensor 224 for detecting the paper P conveyed on the first switchback path 214 is located upstream of the curved portion in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. Two pairs of rotatable first reversing roller pairs 225 are provided. The first reversing roller pair 225 provided in two pairs performs forward rotation drive or reverse rotation drive based on a signal transmitted when the sensor 224 detects the paper P. That is, the paper P conveyed on the first switchback path 214 is conveyed (switchback) after the direction in which the paper P is conveyed is reversed by the first reversing roller pair 225.

Further, at the downstream end of the first branch path 212, the paper P is allowed to move from the first branch path 212 to the first switchback path 214, while the paper P is allowed to move from the first switchback path 214 to the first branch path 212. A first regulation flap 226 that regulates the movement of the paper P is provided. The first regulation flap 226 is urged so as to close the downstream end of the first branch path 212 by an urging force by an urging member (not shown).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the upstream end of the second switchback path 215 is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path 213. The second switchback path 215 is provided so as to be curved to the right in the left-right direction X and then to extend downward in the vertical direction Z from the middle thereof. In the second switchback path 215, the downstream end of the upstream portion including the curved portion is open toward the right inner side surface of the transport device side housing 201. At a position facing the downstream end, a guide portion 215b that curves and extends from the right inner side surface of the transport device side housing 201 to the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201 is provided. That is, when the paper P is conveyed through the second switchback path 215, the tip of the paper P protrudes from the opened downstream end thereof, and the tip of the protruding paper P is guided by the guide portion 215b, and the transport device side casing It is guided to the bottom surface 215a of the body 201 so as to sneak below the downstream end of the first switchback path 214.

That is, the second switchback path 215 is configured to include the guide portion 215b and the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201. Further, the path length of the second switchback path 215 in the transport direction is configured to be equal to or longer than the medium length in the transport direction of the paper P that can be recorded by the printer 100, as in the case of the first switchback path 214. There is. Of course, the downstream portion of the second switchback path 215 composed of the guide portion 215b and the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201 may have the same configuration as the upstream portion, or may be composed of only the guide portion 215b. You may be.

Then, in the upstream portion of the second switchback path 215, at a position upstream of the curved portion, one sensor 227 that detects the paper P conveyed on the second switchback path 215 is provided, and the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction and the reverse rotation are performed. A pair of second reversing roller pairs 228 that can rotate in the direction is provided. Further, another pair of second reversing roller pairs 228 is provided at a position downstream of the curved portion in the upstream portion of the second switchback path 215. Two pairs of second reversing roller pairs 228 perform forward rotation drive or reverse rotation drive based on the signal transmitted from the sensor 227. That is, the paper P conveyed on the second switchback path 215 is conveyed (switchback) after the direction in which the paper P is conveyed is reversed by the second reversing roller pair 228.

Further, at the downstream end of the second branch path 213, the paper P is allowed to move from the second branch path 213 to the second switchback path 215, while the paper P is allowed to move from the second switchback path 215 to the second branch path 213. A second regulation flap 229 that regulates the movement of the paper P is provided. The second regulation flap 229 is urged so as to close the downstream end of the second branch path 213 by an urging force by an urging member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7, the upstream end of the first confluence path 216 is connected to the upstream end of the first switchback path 214. That is, the first merging path 216 extends from the first connection point B, which connects the downstream end of the first branch path 212 and the upstream end of the first switchback path 214, while curving to the right in the left-right direction X. .. Further, the upstream end of the second merging path 217 is connected to the upstream end of the second switchback path 215. That is, the second merging path 217 extends from the second connection point C where the downstream end of the second branch path 213 and the upstream end of the second switchback path 215 are connected while bending to the left in the left-right direction X. .. Then, the first merging path 216 and the second merging path 217 merge at the merging point D located between the first switchback path 214 and the second switchback path 215.

That is, when the paper P is conveyed from the first branch path 212 to the first switchback path 214, the tip of the paper P comes into contact with the first regulation flap 226 to open the downstream end of the first branch path 212. Is displaced. On the other hand, when the paper P is reversely conveyed (switched back) from the first switchback path 214, it is restricted from being conveyed to the first branch path 212 by the first regulation flap 226, and the paper P is first merged. You will be guided to route 216. Further, when the paper P is conveyed from the second branch path 213 to the second switchback path 215, the tip of the paper P comes into contact with the second regulation flap 229 to open the downstream end of the second branch path 213. Is displaced. On the other hand, when the paper P is reversely conveyed (switched back) from the second switchback path 215, it is restricted from being conveyed to the second branch path 213 by the second regulation flap 229, and the paper P is second merged. You will be guided to route 217.

The upstream end of the lead-out path 218 is connected to the confluence point D where the downstream end of the first confluence path 216 and the downstream end of the second confluence path 217 are connected. The lead-out path 218 extends downward while curving toward the post-processing apparatus 300 so as to pass between the first switchback path 214 and the second switchback path 215, and then extends downward at the downstream end of the first switchback path 214. It circumvents the lower side and extends to the upper part of the lead-out unit 203. The downstream end of the lead-out path 218 penetrates a part of the left side wall of the transport device side housing 201 and extends toward the post-processing device 300. That is, the intermediate transport route 210 includes the introduction route 211, the first branch route 212, the second branch route 213, the first switchback route 214, the second switchback route 215, the first confluence route 216, the second confluence route 217, and so on. It has a derivation path 218. Further, the positional relationship of each point A, B, C, D is arranged in the order of "A, B, D, C" from the top in the vertical direction Z, and "C, A, D, B" from the right in the left-right direction X. Are arranged in this order.

In the present embodiment, the path lengths of the first branch path 212 and the second branch path 213 in the transport direction are substantially the same as each other. Further, the route lengths of the first merging route 216 and the second merging route 217 are also substantially the same length as each other.

Next, the operation of eliminating the transfer defect of the paper P in the recording system 1000 including the printer 100 and the printer 100 and the transfer device 200 will be described.

In a recording device that records and conveys on a sheet-like medium such as paper P like the printer 100 shown in FIG. 3, a transfer defect such as a paper jam occurs while the paper P is being conveyed along a path. It may occur. In particular, in a recording device that records by ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a medium, the recording surface of the paper P expands and curls that make the recording surface convex are likely to occur. Transport defects are likely to occur on the downstream side. Therefore, the printer 100 of the present embodiment can pull out a part of the discharge path 150 and a part of the branch path 160 from the recording device side housing 101 in order to make it easy to take out the paper P such as a paper jam during such transportation. The configuration is as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a paper jam occurs in the discharge path 150 and the branch path 160, the user first removes the output tray 109 attached to the drawer surface portion 106, and then the user pulls out the drawer surface portion 106. The pull-out surface portion 106 is pulled out along the pull-out direction, which is the left direction in the left-right direction X, which is the transport direction of the paper P. When the drawing surface portion 106 is pulled out along the drawing direction, the drawing unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 together with the drawing surface portion 106. That is, a part of the curved inversion path 151a, the second discharge path 152, the third discharge path 153, and the branch path 160 constituting the discharge path 150 are drawn out. Further, the guide mechanism 180 provided at the branch position 190, which is the downstream end of the common discharge path 154, is also pulled out of the recording device side housing 101.

At this time, since the height of the introduction portion 202 constituting the transport device 200 attached to the left side of the printer 100 is formed to be lower than the lower portion of the drawer surface portion 106, the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the introduction portion 202. It does not interfere with the drawer surface portion 106 and the drawer unit 170. Further, the length of the introduction unit 202 in the left-right direction X is longer than the area in which the drawer unit 170 moves in the left-right direction X (movement area), that is, the length in which the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101. It is formed to be. Therefore, the lead-out portion 203 formed to be higher than the introduction portion 202 does not interfere with the drawer surface portion 106 and the drawer unit 170 when the drawer unit 170 is pulled out. That is, the transport device 200 is formed so as to avoid a moving region when the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101. If the drawer unit 170 is configured to be able to be pulled out in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P, there is a risk that the paper P having a paper jam may be torn in the path when the drawer unit 170 is pulled out. Therefore, it is preferable that the drawer unit 170 has a configuration in which it can be pulled out in the direction along the conveying direction of the paper P.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101, the first path forming portion 171 and the second path forming portion 172 attached to the drawer unit 170 are clocked around the shaft 173. Rotate in the clockwise direction. Then, the inner guide surface of the curved inversion path 151a constituting the first discharge path 151 is separated from the outer guide surface, and the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface of the branch path 160 are separated from each other. When the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface of the curved inversion path 151a and the branch path 160 are separated from each other, the inside of the path is opened and the paper P having a paper jam in the path can be taken out. Further, when the drawer unit 170 is pulled out, the paper P may remain in the recording device side housing 101 instead of the drawer unit 170. In this case, the paper P is pulled out by inserting a hand through the opening 105b formed above the paper cassette 103, and the defective transport is eliminated. The opening 105b formed in the frame 105 of the printer 100 is located at a position where at least a part of the drawer unit 170 overlaps with the drawer unit 170 when viewed from the front-rear direction Y in a state where the drawer unit 170 is not pulled out from the recording device side housing 101. It is formed.

Next, the operation when the printer 100 records on the paper P will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, when recording on the paper P in the printer 100, the recording is performed on either the paper P housed in the paper cassette 103 or the paper P inserted from the insertion slot 141b. At this time, if recording is performed on a medium that cannot be accommodated in the paper cassette 103, particularly a medium having a large rigidity such as thick paper, the thick paper is inserted from the insertion port 141b and conveyed to the recording unit 110 through the first supply path 141. To. Since a medium such as thick paper is difficult to bend due to its high rigidity, if it is conveyed through a transfer path 120 having a large degree of curvature, it may cause a transfer defect such as a paper jam. Therefore, the first supply path 141 has a smaller degree of curvature than the second supply path 142, and is a straight path extending straight toward the recording unit 110.

The thick paper recorded by the recording unit 110 is transported to any of the first discharge path 151, the second discharge path 152, and the third discharge path 153 that constitute the discharge path 150. Here, if the cardboard that has been recorded is to be placed on the mounting table 156, it will be conveyed through the first discharge path 151. However, since the first discharge path 151 has a curved reversal path 151a that is greatly curved, there is a possibility that a transfer defect may occur when the thick paper is conveyed. Further, when the thick paper is placed on the stacker 302 of the aftertreatment device 300 from the third discharge path 153 via the transfer device 200, it is necessary to provide the transfer device 200 with a path having a small degree of curvature. There is a risk of reducing the degree of freedom in designing the intermediate transport path 210 of the 200.

Therefore, the printer 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a second discharge path 152 formed so as to extend straight along the common discharge path 154. That is, the thick paper that is conveyed from the second supply path 142 through the recording unit 110 to the common discharge path 154 and the second discharge path 152 always has one side that is on the upper side Z in the vertical direction when inserted into the insertion port 141b. It is transported while facing upward. Then, the paper is discharged from the discharge port 108 and placed on the paper discharge tray 109 with one side serving as the recording surface facing upward.

Next, the operation when the transport device 200 transports the paper P will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the paper P recorded by the recording unit 110 of the printer 100 is post-processed, the paper P is transported to the post-processing device 300 via the transport device 200. That is, the recorded paper P is guided from the common discharge path 154 to the third discharge path 153 by the branching mechanism 147, and is introduced into the introduction path 211 in the recording device side housing 101.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the first sheet of paper P1 introduced into the conveying device-side housing 201 is conveyed downstream along the introduction path 211. Then, the guide flap 223 provided at the downstream end of the introduction path 211 is positioned so as to close the upstream end of the second branch path 213, so that the paper P1 is guided to the first branch path 212. Subsequently, when the paper P1 passes through the introduction path 211, the second sheet P2 is introduced into the introduction path 211.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the paper P1 conveyed on the first branch path 212 is conveyed to the first switchback path 214 by the first reversing roller pair 225 driven in the forward rotation. On the other hand, the paper P2 conveyed through the introduction path 211 is guided to the second branch path 213 by locating the guide flap 223 so as to block the upstream end of the first branch path 212. The paper P2 conveyed to the second branch path 213 is conveyed to the second switchback path 215 by the second reversing roller pair 228 that is driven in the forward rotation. Subsequently, when the paper P2 passes through the introduction path 211, the third sheet P3 is introduced into the introduction path 211.

As shown in FIG. 10 (c), the paper P1 transported downstream through the first switchback path 214 and housed in the first switchback path 214 is driven by the first reversing roller pair 225 to reversely drive the paper P1. 1 It is conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side of the switchback path 214, and is conveyed to the lead-out path 218 through the first merging path 216. On the other hand, the tip of the paper P2 transported on the second switchback path 215 protrudes from the open downstream end of the second switchback path 215 and runs along the guide portion 215b on the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201. Is guided to. Depending on the medium length in the transport direction of the paper P transported through the second switchback path 215, the paper P may not be guided to the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201. Further, the paper P3 conveyed through the introduction path 211 is guided to the first branch path 212 by the guide flap 223. Subsequently, when the paper P3 passes through the introduction path 211, the fourth sheet of paper P4 is introduced into the introduction path.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the paper P2 housed in the second switchback path 215 is moved from the downstream side to the upstream side of the second switchback path 215 by the second reversing roller pair 228 that is driven in the reverse direction. Is transported, and is transported to the lead-out path 218 through the second merging path 217. On the other hand, the paper P3 conveyed on the first branch path 212 is conveyed to the first switchback path 214.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the paper P3 conveyed through the first switchback path 214 is conveyed to the lead-out path 218 through the first merging path 216 by the first reversing roller pair 225. On the other hand, the paper P4 conveyed through the introduction path 211 is guided to the second branch path 213 by the guide flap 223 and is conveyed to the second switchback path 215.

That is, the papers P1, P2, P3, and P4 that are conveyed one after another through the introduction path 211 are alternately guided to the first branch path 212 and the second branch path 213 by the guide flap 223. For example, when the first sheet P1 is guided to the second branch path 213, the second sheet P2 is conveyed to the first branch path 212.

In this way, the paper P recorded by the printer 100 is reversed in its posture by the transport device 200, and is sent to the post-processing device 300 in a state where the recording surface at the time of single-sided printing faces downward Z in the vertical direction. Is transported. Further, at that time, it is not preferable to transport the paper P to the post-processing device 300 in a curled state, so that the intermediate transport path 210 is curved and meanders in the transport device side housing 201. By adopting an extended path shape, the path length in the transport direction of the paper P is secured.

That is, it is known that the curl of the paper P generated by the ink adhering to the recording head 111 included in the recording unit 110 gradually disappears with the passage of time. Therefore, in the transport device 200, by securing the path length of the intermediate transport path 210, the paper P is transported through the intermediate transport path 210 for the time required for the degree of curl generated on the paper P to be equal to or less than a predetermined time. It is secured as the time required for. After that, the paper P is post-processed by the post-processing device 300, such as cutting and staples.

In particular, since the line head type recording head 111 prints on the paper P at high speed and conveys the paper P at high speed, the paper P may be conveyed without being sufficiently dried. That is, the curl may be conveyed to the post-processing device 300 in a state where the curl is not sufficiently accommodated, and the post-processing may not be performed correctly. However, if the transfer speed in the intermediate transfer path 210 is reduced in order to secure the drying time, the sheets conveyed at high speed during recording do not collide with the preceding sheets in the intermediate transfer path 210. The overall throughput drops due to the distance. In particular, the succeeding paper may collide with the preceding paper while the preceding paper is performing post-processing.

Therefore, in the transfer device 200, by providing a plurality of switchback paths such as the first switchback path 214 and the second switchback path 215 described above, the intermediate transfer path 210 can be suppressed from being enlarged in the transfer device 200. The path length can be secured and the drying time can be provided. Further, even when recording paper, it is possible to prevent the distance between papers from being unnecessarily widened and not to reduce the throughput. Further, as described above, by using the path shape that curves and extends in a meandering manner for the intermediate transport path 210, it is possible to further increase the drying time.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The moving area when the drawing unit 170 included in the printer 100 is pulled out is configured to avoid the transport device 200 and the post-processing device 300 constituting the recording system 1000. Therefore, the medium can be easily removed when the defective transport of the paper P in the printer 100 is resolved.

(2) When a paper P transport defect occurs in the discharge path 150 and the branch path 160, the drawer unit 170 is pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 to eliminate the paper P transport defect remaining in the path. However, the paper P may remain in the recording device side housing 101 when it is pulled out. Even in such a case, the paper P can be easily taken out from the recording device side housing 101 by the user inserting a hand through the opening 105b formed in the recording device side housing 101.

(3) The first path forming portion 171 provided on the drawer unit 170 and forming a part of the curved inversion path 151a and the second path forming portion 172 forming a part of the branch path 160 rotate around the shaft 173. It is provided so that it can be moved. Therefore, it is possible to easily eliminate the transfer defect of the paper P in the curved reversal path 151a and the branch path 160.

(4) Since the drawer unit 170 is configured to be able to be pulled out to a position where the shaft 173, which is the rotation fulcrum of the first path forming portion 171, is exposed from the recording device side housing 101, the first path forming portion 171 is provided. It is possible to suppress the possibility that the tip of the first path forming portion 171 interferes with the recording device side housing 101 when rotating.

(5) The drawer unit 170 drawn out from the recording device side housing 101 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the recording device side housing 101 together with the guide mechanism 180 provided at the branch position 190 where the paper P is likely to be poorly conveyed. There is. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove the paper P when eliminating the transport defect of the paper P in the printer 100.

(6) When recording is performed on paper P having high rigidity such as thick paper and which does not require post-processing, the paper P is conveyed to the printer 100 without reversing the posture of the paper P in the vertical direction Z. A second discharge path 152 is provided as a non-reversing discharge path. That is, since the thick paper does not need to be conveyed to the aftertreatment device 300 via the third discharge path 153 as the downward discharge path, no wasted time is required when the paper P is conveyed. Therefore, even when the post-processing device 300 that performs post-processing on the paper P is attached to the printer 100, it is possible to shorten the transport time for the paper P that has high rigidity and does not require post-processing.

(7) Since the second discharge path 152 extends linearly along the direction in which the common discharge path 154 extends, there is a risk that transfer defects will occur even when a medium having high rigidity such as thick paper is conveyed. Can be reduced.

(8) Since the second discharge path 152 is provided so as to extend above the third discharge path 153 in the vertical direction Z, the paper discharge tray 109 from which the paper P conveyed through the second discharge path 152 is discharged is discharged. An external device such as a transfer device 200 or an aftertreatment device 300 can be provided below. Therefore, when an external device is attached to the printer 100, it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation area of the entire device when viewed from the upper side in the vertical direction Z.

(9) By pulling out the drawer unit 170 to which a part of the first discharge path 151 and a part of the branch path 160 are attached from the recording device side housing 101, the paper P in the path can be easily taken out. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the transport defect of the paper P that occurs in the first discharge path 151 and the branch path 160.

(10) Since the paper ejection tray 109 has an upwardly inclined ascending shape that ascends upward in the vertical direction Z toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the already placed paper P is ejected later. It is possible to reduce the risk of being pushed out by the paper P and falling.

(11) By providing the transport device 200 having the intermediate transport path 210 between the printer 100 and the post-processing device 300, it is possible to increase the transport time for transporting the paper P that requires post-processing. That is, by increasing the transport time of the paper P, it is possible to suppress the degree of curl generated on the paper P due to the recording by the recording unit 110.

(12) Since the first switchback path 214 and the second switchback path 215 have a curved and meandering path shape, comparisons are made while ensuring the path lengths of the respective switchback paths 214 and 215. It can be housed in a small space, and can contribute to the miniaturization of the transport device side housing 201.

(13) The paper ejection tray 109 has a portion that overlaps with the intermediate transport path 210 in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, but due to the rising shape, the highest portion of the intermediate transport path 210 in the vertical direction Z. It is arranged avoiding. Therefore, the paper P can be conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 300 at a high position while ensuring the raised shape of the output tray 109. By delivering the paper P to the aftertreatment device 300 at a high position, the load capacity of the stacker 302 and the path length of the lead-out path 218 can be secured.

(14) The transport device 200 has two switchback paths for switching back the paper P, that is, the first switchback path 214 and the second switch, in order to improve the processing speed of the paper P introduced from the introduction path 211. It has a back path 215. Here, considering that the post-processing device 300 that performs post-processing on the paper P is attached to the transport device 200, it is preferable to lead the paper P to the post-processing device 300 at a high position in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, since the lead-out path 218 is configured to extend so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path 214, there is a risk that the size of the transport device 200 may increase in the vertical direction Z.

Therefore, the first connection point B to which the downstream end of the first branch path 212 and the upstream end of the first switchback path 214 are connected is the downstream end of the second branch path 213 and the upstream end of the second switchback path 215. Is provided so as to be above the second connection point C to which is connected in the vertical direction Z. That is, since the downstream end of the first switchback path 214 is pulled up in the vertical direction Z, the transport device in the vertical direction Z even if the lead-out path 218 extends so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path 214. The height dimension of 200 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the apparatus while improving the processing speed of the paper P.

(15) The first connection point B to which the upstream end of the first switchback path 214 is connected is more vertical than the branch point A branching from the downstream end of the introduction path 211 to the first branch path 212 and the second branch path 213. Since it is located below in the direction Z, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the transport device 200 becomes large because the first connection point B is located above the branch point A.

(16) Since the introduction path 211 is provided so as to extend diagonally downward so as to intersect the vertical direction Z, as shown in FIG. 7, the first branch path 212 and downward branching from the downstream end of the introduction path 211 to the left. It can be relatively easily branched to the second branch path 213 which branches to.

(17) Since the introduction path 211 is provided on the upper side of the vertical direction Z in the transport device side housing 201, when providing the first switchback path 214 and the second switchback path 215 extending downward in the vertical direction Z, the introduction path 211 is provided. The introduction path 211 can be formed short. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the path shape of the intermediate transport path 210 in the transport device side housing 201.

(18) Since the portion on the downstream side of the second switchback path 215 is composed of the guide portion 215b and the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201, the cost required for manufacturing can be reduced.

(19) Since the portion on the downstream side of the second switchback path 215 includes the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201, the second switchback path 215 becomes the first switchback path 214. Similarly, as compared with the configuration in which the transfer device 200 extends downward in the vertical direction Z, the possibility that the transport device 200 becomes large can be reduced.

(20) The intermediate transport path 210 secures the path length by curving the entire path so as to meander. By securing the path length, the curl generated on the paper P is contained below a predetermined value while being conveyed along the intermediate transfer path 210, and the curl can be led out to the aftertreatment device 300 in a state where the curl is contained. Therefore, the transport device 200 can discharge the paper P in a state where the degree of curl generated on the paper P is suppressed.

(21) When a plurality of sheets P are continuously processed in the transport device 200, the transport device 200 is provided with two switchback paths, a first switchback path 214 and a second switchback path 215. The introduced second sheet P2 does not need to wait until the preceding first sheet P1 is derived. Therefore, since the papers P2, P3, and P4 can be derived one after another following the paper P1, the processing speed of the paper P can be improved.

The above embodiment may be changed as follows.
-In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the second connection point C connecting the downstream end of the second branch path 213 and the upstream end of the second switchback path 215 is an introduction path in the left-right direction X. The configuration may be arranged on the left side of the branch point A branching from the downstream end of the 211 to the first branch path 212 and the second branch path 213. According to this configuration, as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the dimensions of the intermediate transport path 210 in the left-right direction X and the vertical direction Z can be reduced while ensuring the path length of the intermediate transport path 210.

In the above embodiment, the drawer unit 170 included in the printer 100 may be configured as a rotating unit 174 rotatably provided with respect to the recording device side housing 101, as shown in FIG. In this configuration, the rotation unit 174 rotates around the rotation shaft 175 provided in the recording device side housing 101, so that a part of the discharge path 150 is exposed. At this time, since the rotating unit 174 constitutes the guide surface of the guide outside the curved reversal path 151a of the first discharge path 151, the inside of the curved reversal path 151a is opened. Further, since the guide mechanism 180 is also attached to the rotating unit 174, it is rotated with respect to the recording device side housing 101 together with the rotating unit 174. That is, when the branch position 190, which is a position where a paper P transfer failure is likely to occur when the guide mechanism 180 moves to the outside of the recording device side housing 101 together with the rotating unit 174, is viewed from the left in the left-right direction X. It is designed to be exposed to. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove the medium when eliminating the transport defect of the medium in the recording device. The members that may interfere with each other when the rotating unit 174 rotates are formed in a comb-teeth shape so as not to interfere with each other.

-In the above embodiment, an opening 230 into which a user can insert a hand may be formed at a portion shown by a broken line in FIG. According to this configuration, when a transport defect such as a paper jam occurs in the transport device 200, the opening / closing cover constituting the appearance of the transport device 200 is opened, and an opening provided in the side wall forming the intermediate transport path 210 is provided. A transport defect can be eliminated by inserting a hand from the portion 230 and pulling out the paper P in which the paper jam has occurred.

-In the above embodiment, the transport device 200 is not limited to a configuration that avoids the moving region of the drawer unit 170 by being formed so that the size of the introduction portion 202 in the vertical direction Z is smaller than the lower portion of the drawer surface portion 106. .. For example, the transport device 200 may be mounted at a position higher than the upper portion of the drawer surface portion 106.

In the above embodiment, the recording system 1000 may be configured such that the intermediate transfer path 210 included in the transfer device 200 is provided in the recording device side housing 101 included in the printer 100. That is, the printer 100 and the transport device 200 may be integrated.

In the above embodiment, the lead-out unit 203 constituting the transport device 200 is not limited to the configuration formed so as to be higher than the introduction unit 202 in the vertical direction Z. For example, the height may be substantially the same as that of the introduction portion 202, or may be formed to be lower than that of the introduction portion 202.

-In the above embodiment, the drawer unit 170 is not limited to the configuration in which the drawer unit 170 is indirectly pulled out by pulling out the drawer surface portion 106. For example, instead of the drawer surface portion 106, a sliding door or an opening / closing cover may be provided so that the drawer unit 170 can be pulled out by directly touching it.

-In the above embodiment, the drawer unit 170 is not limited to the configuration in which the drawer unit 170 is manually pulled out by touching the handle portion 107. For example, the drawer unit 170 may be automatically pulled out via the operation unit 102.

In the above embodiment, the post-processing device 300 is configured to mount the paper P transported from the transport device 200 on the stacker 302 as it is without performing post-processing in the post-processing device side housing 301. It may be.

In the above embodiment, the guidance mechanism 180 is not limited to the configuration controlled by a control unit (not shown) included in the printer 100. For example, the recording device side housing 101 is provided with a lever for operating the guide mechanism 180, and the upper position and the lower position of the first guide portion 181 and the second guide portion 182 constituting the guide mechanism 180 are manually switched. There may be.

-In the above embodiment, the first discharge path 151, the second discharge path 152, and the third discharge path 153 are not limited to the configuration of branching from one branch position 190. For example, it may be configured to branch from the middle of the common discharge path 154 to the third discharge path 153 and to branch to the first discharge path 151 and the second discharge path 152 at the downstream end of the common discharge path 154. Further, the configuration may be such that the common discharge path 154 is branched into the first discharge path 151, and the second discharge path 152 and the third discharge path 153 are branched at the downstream end of the common discharge path 154.

-In the above embodiment, the second discharge path 152 is not limited to a configuration that further extends straight along the common discharge path 154. For example, in the vertical direction Z, it may be configured to be slightly inclined and extended upward, a configuration to be inclined downward and extended, or a configuration to be slightly curved and extended.

-In the above embodiment, the introduction path 211 is not limited to the configuration extending through the side surface of the transport device side housing 201. For example, it may be configured to extend through the upper surface.
In the above embodiment, the introduction path 211 is not limited to the configuration provided on the Z upper side in the vertical direction in the transport device side housing 201. For example, the configuration may be provided on the lower side.

In the above embodiment, the downstream portion of the second switchback path 215 composed of the guide portion 215b and the bottom surface 215a of the transport device side housing 201 supports the paper P from one side as in the first switchback path 214. It may be composed of guides.

-In the above embodiment, the positional relationship between the branch point A, the first connection point B, the second connection point C, and the confluence point D is only an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the first connection point B may be located above the branch point A in the vertical direction Z, or the confluence point D may be located on the right side of the branch point A in the left-right direction X. The first connection point B may be located above the second connection point C.

-In the above embodiment, the first switchback path 214 is not limited to a configuration in which the downstream end of the first switchback path 214 extends so as to be located at the lowermost position in the first switchback path 214. For example, the first switchback path 214 may be configured to be curved and extended so that an intermediate portion of the first switchback path 214 is located at the lowermost position.

-In the above embodiment, the route length of the first branch route 212 and the route length of the second branch route 213 may be different from each other. By changing the transfer speed of the intermediate transfer roller pair 221, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the second sheet P2 conveyed along the intermediate transfer path 210 interferes with the preceding first sheet P1.

-In the above embodiment, the route length of the first confluence route 216 and the route length of the second confluence route 217 may be different from each other. By changing the transfer speed of the intermediate transfer roller pair 221, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the second sheet P2 conveyed along the intermediate transfer path 210 interferes with the preceding first sheet P1.

-In the above embodiment, the intermediate transport path 210 included in the transport device 200 may include a linear path connected from the downstream end of the introduction path 211 to the upstream end of the lead-out path 218. By transporting the straight path, the transport direction of the paper P is not reversed, so that the paper P can be led out to the post-processing device 300 while the recording surface during single-sided printing is facing upward in the vertical direction Z. ..

-In the above embodiment, the printer 100 may have a configuration in which the branch path 160 and the first discharge path 151 are shared by one route.
-In the above embodiment, the third supply path 143 may be configured to extend so as to pass under the recording unit 110 in the vertical direction Z.

In the above embodiment, when the recording unit 110 records on the paper P, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the outer peripheral surface of the belt 135 of the belt transport unit 132 is used as a support surface to support the paper P, and for example, a support base is provided. The paper P may be supported by using the surface of the support base on the upper side in the vertical direction Z as the support surface.

-In the above embodiment, the transport unit 130 that transports the paper P along the transport path 120 is not limited to the transport roller pair 131, and may be composed of, for example, a conveyor.
-In the above embodiment, the first path forming portion 171 and the second path forming portion 172 are not limited to the configuration of rotating around the shaft 173, and may be configured to be detachable from the drawer unit 170.

-In the above embodiment, the rising shape of the output tray 109 is not limited to a shape that is inclined so as to rise upward in the vertical direction Z, and may be a shape that rises while being curved.

In the above embodiment, the recording head 111 included in the recording unit 110 is not limited to the line head type, but may be a serial head type that can move along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the paper P.

-In the above embodiment, the recording device injects or ejects a fluid other than ink (a liquid, a liquid in which particles of functional materials are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, or a fluid such as gel). It may be a fluid injection device for recording. For example, recording is performed by injecting a liquid substance containing materials such as electrode materials and coloring materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, surface emitting displays, etc. in the form of dispersion or dissolution. It may be a liquid crystal injection device. Further, it may be a flow-like body injection device that injects a flow-like body such as a gel (for example, a physical gel). Then, the present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid injection devices. In the present specification, the term "fluid" is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of a gas, and the fluid includes, for example, a liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. Includes), liquids, fluids, etc.

200 ... Conveyor device, 201 ... Conveyor device side housing (housing), 211 ... Introduction path, 212 ... First branch path, 213 ... Second branch path, 214 ... First switchback path, 215 ... Second switchback Route, 215a ... bottom surface, 215b ... guide unit, 216 ... first confluence route, 217 ... second confluence route, 218 ... derivation route, 223 ... guide flap (guide unit), 230 ... opening, A ... branch point, B ... 1st connection point, C ... 2nd connection point, D ... Confluence point, P ... Paper (medium), Z ... Vertical direction.

The invention, for example, relate to the transport equipment for transporting a medium such as paper.

By the way, the transport device of Patent Document 1 has only one reversing path, so that the device can be miniaturized, but there is a problem in improving the processing speed of paper.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a conveying equipment which can also while improving the processing speed of the medium, to suppress the size of the apparatus.

Claims (14)

With the housing
The introduction route where the medium is introduced and
In the transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed, the first branch path and the second branch path branching from the branch point at the downstream end of the introduction path,
A guide unit that guides the medium by selectively switching the medium to be conveyed through the introduction path so that the medium is conveyed to either the first branch path or the second branch path.
A first switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
A second switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
The first confluence path to which the medium switched back by the first switchback path is conveyed, and
A second merging path through which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed,
A derivation path extending from a confluence where the downstream end of the first confluence path and the downstream end of the second confluence path merge is provided.
The introduction path is provided at an upper position in the vertical direction in the housing, and is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the housing.
The derivation path passes between the first switchback path and the second switchback path, extends so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path, and the introduction path penetrates the housing. It is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the housing located opposite to the side wall.
At the first connection point where the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first merging path are connected, the upstream end of the second switchback path and the upstream end of the second merging path are connected. Located above the second connection point to be made in the vertical direction,
The first connection point and the second connection point are derived from the branch point between the side wall of the housing through which the introduction path penetrates and the side wall of the housing through which the lead-out path penetrates. A transport device characterized in that it is located near the side wall of the housing through which a path penetrates. The introduction route where the medium is introduced and
In the transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed, the first branch path and the second branch path branching from the branch point at the downstream end of the introduction path,
A guide unit that guides the medium by selectively switching the medium to be conveyed through the introduction path so that the medium is conveyed to either the first branch path or the second branch path.
A first switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
A second switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
The first confluence path to which the medium switched back by the first switchback path is conveyed, and
A second merging path through which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed,
A derivation path extending from a confluence where the downstream end of the first confluence path and the downstream end of the second confluence path merge is provided.
The derivation path is provided so as to pass between the first switchback path and the second switchback path and bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path.
At the first connection point where the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first merging path are connected, the upstream end of the second switchback path and the upstream end of the second merging path are connected. Located above the second connection point to be made in the vertical direction,
The second switchback path is a transport device that extends in the vertical direction so as to pass below a path portion located at the lowermost end of the lead-out path. The transport device has a housing and
The transport device according to claim 2, wherein the introduction path is provided at an upper position in the vertical direction in the housing and is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the housing. The transport device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein an opening is formed in a part of the side wall of the housing. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the downstream end of the second switchback path is arranged below the downstream end of the first switchback path in the vertical direction. Conveyor device. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first connection point is located below the branch point in the vertical direction. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the introduction route is provided so as to extend diagonally so as to intersect the vertical direction. A recording unit that records on media and
A transport path for transporting the medium recorded by the recording unit, and
It has a housing for accommodating the recording unit and the transport path.
The transport route is
The introduction route into which the medium recorded in the recording unit is introduced, and
In the transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed, the first branch path and the second branch path branching from the branch point at the downstream end of the introduction path,
A guide unit that guides the medium by selectively switching the medium to be conveyed through the introduction path so that the medium is conveyed to either the first branch path or the second branch path.
A first switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
A second switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
The first confluence path to which the medium switched back by the first switchback path is conveyed, and
A second merging path through which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed,
A derivation path extending from a confluence where the downstream end of the first confluence path and the downstream end of the second confluence path merge is provided.
The derivation path is provided so as to pass between the first switchback path and the second switchback path and bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path.
At the first connection point where the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first merging path are connected, the upstream end of the second switchback path and the upstream end of the second merging path are connected. Located above the second connection point to be made in the vertical direction,
A recording device characterized in that the second switchback path extends in the vertical direction so as to pass below a path portion located at the lowermost end of the lead-out path. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein the downstream end in the second switchback path is arranged below the downstream end in the first switchback path in the vertical direction. The recording device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first connection point is located below the branch point in the vertical direction. A recording unit that records on media and
A transport device that transports the medium recorded by the recording unit, and
It has a post-treatment device that performs post-treatment on the medium transported by the transport device, and has.
The transport device is
The introduction route into which the medium recorded in the housing and the recording unit is introduced, and
In the transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed, the first branch path and the second branch path branching from the branch point at the downstream end of the introduction path,
A guide unit that guides the medium by selectively switching the medium to be conveyed through the introduction path so that the medium is conveyed to either the first branch path or the second branch path.
A first switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
A second switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
The first confluence path to which the medium switched back by the first switchback path is conveyed, and
A second merging path through which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed,
A derivation path extending from a confluence where the downstream end of the first confluence path and the downstream end of the second confluence path merge is provided.
The introduction path is provided at an upper position in the vertical direction in the housing, and is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the housing.
The derivation path passes between the first switchback path and the second switchback path, extends so as to bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path, and the introduction path penetrates the housing. It is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the housing located opposite to the side wall.
At the first connection point where the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first merging path are connected, the upstream end of the second switchback path and the upstream end of the second merging path are connected. Located above the second connection point to be made in the vertical direction,
The first connection point and the second connection point are derived from the branch point between the side wall of the housing through which the introduction path penetrates and the side wall of the housing through which the lead-out path penetrates. A recording system characterized in that it is located near the side wall of the housing through which a path penetrates. A recording unit that records on media and
A transport device that transports the medium recorded by the recording unit, and
It has a post-treatment device that performs post-treatment on the medium transported by the transport device, and has.
The transport device is
The introduction route into which the medium recorded in the recording unit is introduced, and
In the transport direction in which the medium introduced from the introduction path is conveyed, the first branch path and the second branch path branching from the branch point at the downstream end of the introduction path,
A guide unit that guides the medium by selectively switching the medium to be conveyed through the introduction path so that the medium is conveyed to either the first branch path or the second branch path.
A first switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the first branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
A second switchback path that is connected to the downstream end of the second branch path, includes a portion that extends downward in the vertical direction, and the medium is switched back.
The first confluence path to which the medium switched back by the first switchback path is conveyed, and
A second merging path through which the medium switched back by the second switchback path is conveyed,
A derivation path extending from a confluence where the downstream end of the first confluence path and the downstream end of the second confluence path merge is provided.
The derivation path is provided so as to pass between the first switchback path and the second switchback path and bypass the downstream end of the first switchback path.
At the first connection point where the upstream end of the first switchback path and the upstream end of the first merging path are connected, the upstream end of the second switchback path and the upstream end of the second merging path are connected. Located above the second connection point to be made in the vertical direction,
The recording system, wherein the second switchback path extends in the vertical direction so as to pass below a path portion located at the lowermost part of the lead-out path. The recording system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the downstream end in the second switchback path is arranged below the downstream end in the first switchback path in the vertical direction. The recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first connection point is located below the branch point in the vertical direction.

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