JP2023183552A - image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide means for correctly detecting jamming of a roll-shaped recording medium.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a conveying part which draws out a roll-shaped sheet S and conveys the sheet S in a conveyance direction 6; a recording head 31 which records an image on a recording surface F1 of the sheet S in the middle of being conveyed by the conveying part; a jam-detecting spur roller 41 which is located downstream of the recording head 31 in the conveyance direction 6 and abuts a non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S in the middle of being conveyed by a conveyance part; and a suction mechanism 51 which sucks the sheet S in the middle of being conveyed by the conveyance part and presses the non-recording surface F2 against the spur roller 41. The printer 10 may have a blower mechanism 52 for blowing air to the sheet S in the middle of being conveyed by the conveyance part to press the non-recording surface F2 against the spur roller 41, instead of the suction mechanism 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that transports a recording medium in a transport direction and records an image on the recording medium that is being transported.

Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that includes an encoder that includes a rotary plate that rotates together with a spur provided in a discharge section and a projector/receiver that detects a slit in the rotary plate. The CPU of the image forming apparatus determines whether the recording medium is being conveyed correctly at the ejection section based on a count value obtained by counting pulse signals output from the encoder.

Patent Document 2 describes a roll paper conveyance device that includes a roller that rotates when recording paper (recording medium) is conveyed, a sensor that detects the number of rotations of the roller, and a control section. The control unit compares the rotation speed detected by the sensor with a preset normal rotation speed to detect an abnormality in the conveyance speed of the recording paper.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-193234 Utility Model Publication No. 3-110063

When a recording medium is pulled out from a roll-shaped recording medium and transported, the leading edge of the recording medium may become curled (rolled). When the leading edge of the recording medium is curled, the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 may not be able to detect a jam in the recording medium because the recording medium and the spur (or roller) do not rotate together. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a means for correctly detecting a jam in a roll-shaped recording medium.

(1) The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a transport section that pulls out a roll-shaped recording medium and transports it in the transport direction, and a recording head that records an image on the first surface of the recording medium that is being transported by the transport section. a jam detection roller located downstream of the recording head in the conveying direction and abutting against the second surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying section; On the other hand, a pressing mechanism is provided that applies force in a direction to press the second surface against the roller.

According to the image recording apparatus, the recording medium is pressed against the jam detection roller by the pressing mechanism, so that the recording medium and the roller reliably rotate together. Therefore, even if the recording medium is in the form of a roll, jamming of the recording medium can be correctly detected. Furthermore, since the surface of the recording medium on which no image is recorded is pressed against the rollers, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the recording medium from being disturbed by the rollers.

(2) Preferably, the pressing mechanism faces the second surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying section, and sucks the recording medium so as to press the second surface of the recording medium against the second surface of the recording medium. It may also be a suction mechanism that presses against the roller.

(3) Preferably, the suction mechanism may be located downstream of the roller in the conveyance direction.

(4) Preferably, the suction mechanism may be located at a position overlapping the roller in the conveyance direction.

(5) Preferably, the pressing mechanism faces the first surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying section, and blows air to the recording medium to press the second surface of the recording medium against the first surface. It may also be an air blowing mechanism that presses against the rollers.

(6) Preferably, the blowing mechanism may be located downstream of the roller in the conveying direction.

(7) Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a fixing device located downstream of the recording head in the transport direction, and the roller may be located downstream of the fixing device in the transport direction.

(8) Preferably, the rollers may be spur rollers.

(9) Preferably, the roller has a slit or a notch, and includes a light emitting element that irradiates light to the roller and a light receiving element that outputs a signal according to the light that has passed through the slit or the notch. The recording medium may further include a detection section including a detection section, and a control section that detects a jam in the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyance section based on the output signal of the light receiving element.

According to the present invention, it is possible to correctly detect a jam in a roll-shaped recording medium.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printer 10. 4(A) is a front view of the spur roller 41 and the detection unit 44, FIG. 4(B) is a sectional view of the spur roller 41 and the detection unit 44, and FIG. 4(C) is a modified example. FIG. 4 is a front view of the spur roller 47 and the detection unit 44. 5(A) is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the suction mechanism 51 in the printer 10, and FIG. 5(B) is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the suction mechanism 51 in the printer according to the modified example. C) is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the air blowing mechanism 52 in the printer according to the modification, and FIG. 5(D) is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the ventilation mechanism 52 in the printer according to the modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following explanation, the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the ending point is expressed as the direction, and the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the ending point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. Further, a vertical direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the printer 10 is installed so that it can be used (the state shown in FIG. 1), and a front-back direction 8 is defined with the surface where the discharge port 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front surface. 10 is viewed from the front, a left-right direction 9 is defined. The up-down direction 7, the front-back direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overview of printer 10]
The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of an image recording device that conveys a sheet S (an example of a recording medium) in the conveyance direction and records an image on the sheet S being conveyed using an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 is a monochrome printer that ejects black ink onto the sheet S. Note that the printer 10 may be a color printer that ejects cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink onto the sheet S. The sheet S is, for example, a roll of paper, a roll of sticker paper, a roll of film, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a housing 11 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 11 has a size that can be placed on a tabletop, for example. The printer 10 is used by being placed on a table, on the floor, or in a rack.

A discharge port 13, an operation panel 14, and a display section 15 are located on the front surface 12 of the housing 11. The discharge port 13 has a slit shape long in the left-right direction 9. A sheet S (see FIG. 2) on which an image has been recorded is discharged from the discharge port 13. The operation panel 14 is operated by the user of the printer 10. The user inputs various instructions, settings, etc. to the printer 10 by operating the operation panel 14 . The display unit 15 displays the status of the printer 10 and the like. The display unit 15 displays, for example, that an error such as a jam has occurred in the printer 10.

[Internal configuration of printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 includes a holder 21, a tensioner 22, a pair of transport rollers 23, a platen 26, supporting parts 27 and 28, a recording head 31, a heater 34, a CIS 35, a spur roller 41, and a detection part. 44, a suction mechanism 51, and a control unit 60 are located therein. The conveying roller pair 23 includes a conveying roller 24 and a pinch roller 25. Furthermore, an ink tank (not shown) for storing ink is located within the housing 11. A cutter (not shown) for cutting the sheet S may be located near the discharge port 13 in the housing 11.

Inside the housing 11, the holder 21 extends in the left-right direction 9. A roll body R in which a long sheet S is wound around a core tube (not shown) is attached to the holder 21 . The holder 21 supports the roll body R so that the roll body R can rotate in the circumferential direction of the core tube. The holder 21 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a transport motor (not shown). As the holder 21 rotates, the roll body R supported by the holder 21 also rotates.

The sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body R and guided to the tensioner 22. A pair of transport rollers 23 is located in front of the tensioner 22 . The conveyance roller 24 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveyance motor (not shown). Pinch roller 25 faces conveyance roller 24 . The transport roller pair 23 rotates while nipping the sheet S extending forward from the tensioner 22, thereby feeding the sheet S forward. The sheet S fed forward is supported by the platen 26 and the supporting parts 27 and 28 and is discharged from the discharge port 13. Note that when the cutter is located near the discharge port 13, the sheet S that has passed through the support portion 28 is cut into a desired length by the cutter and then discharged from the discharge port 13.

The conveyance direction of the sheet S is forward. The conveyance direction 6 of the sheet S is the front-back direction 8 . The holder 21, the tensioner 22, and the transport roller pair 23 are an example of a transport unit that pulls out a roll-shaped recording medium and transports it in the transport direction 6. Note that the conveyance unit may include other elements that convey the sheet S. The upper surface of the sheet S being transported by the transport section is called a recording surface F1, and the lower surface is called a non-recording surface F2. The recording surface F1 is an example of the first surface. The non-recording surface F2 is an example of the second surface.

The recording head 31 is located downstream of the transport roller pair 23 in the transport direction 6 . The platen 26 is located below the recording head 31. The recording surface F1 of the sheet S faces the lower surface 32 of the recording head 31. The lower surface 32 of the recording head 31 has a plurality of nozzles 33 that open downward. Ink supplied from the ink tank is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 33 toward the recording surface F1 of the sheet S supported by the platen 26. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording surface F1 of the sheet S that is being transported by the transport unit.

The heater 34 is located downstream of the recording head 31 in the transport direction 6 . The support portion 27 is located below the heater 34. The heater 34 heats the sheet S supported by the support section 27. The heater 34 fixes the image recorded on the recording surface F1 of the sheet S in a short time. The heater 34 is an example of a fixing device.

A CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 35 is located downstream of the heater 34 in the transport direction 6 . The support portion 28 is located below the CIS 35. The CIS 35 reads the image recorded on the sheet S supported by the support section 28. The CIS 35 outputs the read image to the control unit 60.

[Control unit 60]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an EEPROM 64, and an ASIC 65. The ROM 62 stores programs for the CPU 61 to execute various processes. The RAM 63 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 61 executes a program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 64 stores information that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

The ASIC 65 receives signals from various parts within the printer 10 and controls the transport motor within the printer 10 under control from the CPU 61. The control unit 60 rotates the conveyance motor by driving the conveyance motor through the ASIC 65, and rotates the holder 21 and the conveyance roller 24 connected to the conveyance motor. Further, the control unit 60 causes ink to be ejected from the nozzles 33 of the print head 31 by outputting a drive signal to a drive element (not shown) of the print head 31 through the ASIC 65. The ASIC 65 outputs a drive signal according to the amount of ink to be ejected from the nozzle 33. Further, the control section 60 drives the light emitting element 45 included in the heater 34 and the detection section 44 by outputting a control signal through the ASIC 65. The control unit 60 also receives output signals from the tensioner 22, the CIS 35, and the light receiving element 46 included in the detection unit 44 through the ASIC 65. Further, the ASIC 65 is connected to an operation panel 14 and a display section 15.

[Jam detection using spur roller 41]
As shown in FIG. 2, the spur roller 41 is located downstream of the transport roller pair 23, the recording head 31, the heater 34, and the CIS 35 in the transport direction 6. The spur roller 41 is located below the sheet S that has passed through the support section 28 and comes into contact with the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S. The spur roller 41 is an example of a roller for jam detection.

As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the spur roller 41 has a shaft 42 extending in the left-right direction 9, and rotates around the shaft 42. Further, the spur roller 41 has a slit 43 extending in the radial direction. The detection unit 44 is located below the shaft 42 of the spur roller 41. The detection unit 44 includes a light emitting element 45 and a light receiving element 46. The light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46 are located below the shaft 42 in the vertical direction 7 and face each other with the spur roller 41 in between. The distance between the light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46 and the shaft 42 in the vertical direction 7 is approximately equal to the distance between the slit 43 and the shaft 42 in the vertical direction 7.

The light emitting element 45 emits light L. The spur roller 41 is made of a material that does not transmit light. Therefore, the light L emitted from the light emitting element 45 does not enter the light receiving element 46 except when described later. When the spur roller 41 rotates around the shaft 42, the slit 43 rotates around the shaft 42. When the slit 43 is located below the shaft 42, the slit 43 is located between the light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46, and a path through which light can pass is formed between the light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46. . At this time, the emitted light L from the light emitting element 45 enters the light receiving element 46. The light receiving element 46 outputs a signal SS to the control unit 60 according to the intensity of the received light.

As described above, the spur roller 41 comes into contact with the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveying section. Therefore, while the sheet S is being conveyed, the sheet S and the spur roller 41 rotate together. Therefore, while the sheet S is being conveyed, the output signal SS of the light-receiving element 46 is at a level (hereinafter referred to as a signal level) corresponding to the intensity of the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 45 at a period corresponding to the conveying speed of the sheet S. level 1).

The control unit 60 detects a jam in the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyance unit based on the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46. If a jam occurs in the sheet S, the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46 may not reach the first level, or the cycle at which the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46 reaches the first level may be delayed. Therefore, in response to the fact that the output signal SS of the light-receiving element 46 does not reach the first level even after a predetermined time has elapsed after instructing the conveyance unit to convey the sheet S, the control unit 60 determines whether the sheet S is jammed or not. It is determined that this has occurred. Further, the control section 60 controls the control section 60 when the cycle at which the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46 reaches the first level is smaller than a predetermined threshold after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transport section was instructed to transport the sheet S. Then, it is determined that the sheet S has jammed.

When the control unit 60 determines that a jam of the sheet S has occurred, it stops image recording and notifies the occurrence of a jam. For example, when the control unit 60 determines that a jam of the sheet S has occurred, the control unit 60 causes the conveyance unit to convey the sheet S, the recording head 31 to record an image, the heater 34 to heat the sheet S, and the CIS 35 to image the sheet S. Stop reading. Further, the control unit 60 displays an error message indicating the occurrence of a jam on the display unit 15. The user of the printer 10 looks at the error message displayed on the display unit 15 and performs a process to clear the jam of the sheet S (such as a process to remove the jammed sheet S).

[Suction mechanism 51]
The suction mechanism 51 is located downstream of the spur roller 41 in the conveyance direction 6 . The suction mechanism 51 is located below the sheet S supported by the spur roller 41, and faces the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being transported by the transport section. The suction mechanism 51 suctions the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S according to instructions from the control unit 60. As a result, a downward force acts on the sheet S, and the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S is pressed against the spur roller 41. Therefore, the seat S and the spur roller 41 are reliably rotated together. The suction mechanism 51 is an example of a pressing mechanism that applies force to the sheet S in a direction to press the non-recording surface F2 against the spur roller 41.

In this way, the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S is pressed against the spur roller 41 by the suction mechanism 51. Therefore, even if the sheet S is in a roll shape and the leading end of the sheet S is curled, the sheet S and the spur roller 41 are reliably rotated together. Therefore, even in this case, the control unit 60 can correctly detect the jam of the sheet S based on the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46.

[Effect]
The printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a conveyance section that pulls out a roll-shaped sheet S and conveys it in the conveyance direction 6, a recording head 31 that records an image on the recording surface F1 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyance section, and a recording head 31 that records an image on the recording surface F1 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyance section. A spur roller 41 for jam detection is located downstream of the head 31 in the conveying direction 6 and contacts the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveying section, and a non-recording roller 41 is positioned downstream of the head 31 in the conveying direction 6. It includes a suction mechanism 51 that applies force in a direction to press the recording surface F2 against the spur roller 41.

In the printer 10 described above, since the sheet S is pressed against the jam detection spur roller 41 by the suction mechanism 51, the sheet S and the spur roller 41 are reliably rotated together. Therefore, even if the sheet S is in a roll, jamming of the sheet S can be correctly detected. Further, since the surface of the sheet S on which no image is recorded is pressed against the spur roller 41, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the sheet S from being disturbed by the spur roller 41.

Further, the suction mechanism 51 faces the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveying section, sucks the sheet S, and presses the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S against the spur roller 41. By suctioning the sheet S being conveyed from the non-recording surface F2 side in this way, the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed is pressed against the jam detection spur roller 41, and a jam of the sheet S can be detected correctly. .

Further, the suction mechanism 51 is located downstream of the spur roller 41 in the conveying direction 6. Therefore, the suction mechanism 51 can be provided downstream of the spur roller 41 in the conveying direction 6 to press the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed against the spur roller 41 for jam detection.

The printer 10 further includes a heater 34 located downstream of the recording head 31 in the transport direction 6, and the spur roller 41 is located downstream of the heater 34 in the transport direction 6. Therefore, when the heater 34 is provided downstream of the recording head 31 in the conveyance direction 6, by providing the spur roller 41 for jam detection downstream of the recording head 31 and the heater 34 in the conveyance direction 6, the sheet S can be Jams can be detected.

Further, a roller for detecting a jam provided in the printer 10 is a spur roller 41. Therefore, the sheet S being conveyed and the spur roller 41 are reliably rotated together, and a jam of the sheet S can be detected.

Further, the spur roller 41 has a slit 43, and the printer 10 includes a light emitting element 45 that irradiates light to the spur roller 41, and a light receiving element 46 that outputs a signal SS according to the light that has passed through the slit 43. and a control section 60 that detects a jam in the sheet S being conveyed by the conveyance section based on the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46. Therefore, using the spur roller 41 having the slit 43 and the detection section 44, a signal SS corresponding to the rotation of the spur roller 41 is outputted from the light receiving element 46. The control unit 60 can detect a jam of the sheet S based on the output signal SS of the light receiving element 46.

[Modified example]
Regarding the printer 10 according to the above embodiment, various modifications can be made. The printer 10 according to the above embodiment includes a spur roller 41 having a slit 43 as a roller for detecting a jam (see FIG. 4(A)). Instead, the printer according to the modification may include a spur roller 47 having a notch 48 as a roller for detecting a jam (see FIG. 4(C)).

When the sheet S and the spur roller 47 rotate together and the notch 48 is located below the shaft 42, the notch 48 is located between the light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46, and the notch 48 is located between the light emitting element 45 and the light receiving element 46. A path through which light can pass is formed between them. At this time, the emitted light L from the light emitting element 45 enters the light receiving element 46. Therefore, the same effect as the printer 10 having the spur roller 41 having the slit 43 can be obtained by the printer according to the modified example including the spur roller 47 having the notch 48 .

In the above embodiment, the suction mechanism 51 is located downstream of the spur roller 41 in the conveying direction 6 (see FIG. 5(A)), but the suction mechanism 51 overlaps with the spur roller 41 in the conveying direction 6. (See FIG. 5(B)). By providing the spur roller 41 and the suction mechanism 51 at overlapping positions in the conveyance direction 6 in this manner, the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed can be pressed against the spur roller 41 for jam detection. Therefore, the same effect as the printer 10 according to the above embodiment can be obtained with the printer according to this modification. Further, by providing the suction mechanism 51 and the spur roller 41 at overlapping positions, the size of the printer can be reduced.

Further, the printer according to the modification may include a blower mechanism 52 instead of the suction mechanism 51 (see FIGS. 5C and 5D). The blower mechanism 52 is located above the sheet S being transported by the transport section. The air blowing mechanism 52 faces the recording surface F1 of the sheet S being conveyed by the conveying section, blows air onto the recording surface F1 of the sheet S, and blows air onto the non-recording surface F2 of the support located below the spur roller 41 and the air blowing mechanism 52. 53. The blowing mechanism 52 is an example of a pressing mechanism that applies force to the sheet S in a direction to press the non-recording surface F2 against the spur roller 41.

As shown in FIG. 5(C), the blower mechanism 52 may be located downstream of the spur roller 41 in the conveying direction 6. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the blower mechanism 52 may be located at the same position as the spur roller 41 in the conveyance direction 6. In either configuration, by blowing air to the recording surface F1 of the sheet S being conveyed, the non-recording surface F2 of the sheet S being conveyed is pressed against the jam detection spur roller 41, so that a jam of the sheet S can be detected correctly. . Furthermore, by blowing air onto the recording surface F1 of the sheet S, the ink on the sheet S used for image recording can be quickly dried.

In the above embodiment, the method by which the recording head 31 records an image on the sheet S is a line head type inkjet recording method, but is not limited to this, and may also be a serial type inkjet recording method, for example. good. The printer according to this modification includes a carriage on which a recording head 31 is mounted, and records an image on a sheet S by ejecting ink from nozzles 33 of the recording head 31 while the carriage moves in the left-right direction 9. .

Although the printer 10 according to the above embodiment is equipped with the heater 34 and the CIS 35 downstream of the recording head 31 in the conveyance direction 6, the printer according to the modification example does not include at least one of the heater 34 and the CIS 35. Good too. Further, in the printer according to the modified example, the number of teeth that the spur roller has may be arbitrary. Further, the printer according to the modification may include toothless rollers as the jam detection rollers.

6...Conveyance direction 10...Printer (image recording device)
21...Holder (conveyance section)
22...Tensioner (conveyance section)
23... Conveyance roller pair (conveyance section)
31... Recording head 34... Heater (fixing device)
41, 47... Spur Koro (Koro)
43... Slit 44... Detection section 45... Light emitting element 46... Light receiving element 48... Notch 51... Suction mechanism (pressing mechanism)
52...Blower mechanism (pressing mechanism)
60...control unit

Claims (9)

a transport unit that pulls out a roll-shaped recording medium and transports it in the transport direction;
a recording head that records an image on a first surface of a recording medium being conveyed by the conveyance section;
a jam detection roller located downstream of the recording head in the conveyance direction and abutting against a second surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyance section;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a pressing mechanism that applies force to the recording medium being transported by the transporting section in a direction to press the second surface against the roller. The pressing mechanism is a suction mechanism that faces the second surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying section, sucks the recording medium, and presses the second surface of the recording medium against the roller. An image recording device according to claim 1. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction mechanism is located downstream of the roller in the conveyance direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction mechanism is located at a position overlapping the roller in the conveyance direction. The pressing mechanism is an air blowing mechanism that faces the first surface of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying section and blows air to the recording medium to press the second surface of the recording medium against the roller. An image recording device according to claim 1. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the blower mechanism is located downstream of the roller in the conveyance direction. further comprising a fixing device located downstream of the recording head in the transport direction,
7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller is located downstream of the fixing device in the conveying direction. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rollers are spur rollers. The roller has a slit or notch,
a detection unit including a light emitting element that irradiates light to the roller, and a light receiving element that outputs a signal according to the light that has passed through the slit or the notch;
7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control section that detects a jam in the recording medium being transported by the transport section based on the output signal of the light receiving element.

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