JP3791612B2

JP3791612B2 - RECORDED MEDIUM SET STATUS CHECK DEVICE, RECORDING DEVICE HAVING THE DEVICE, EJECTED MEDIUM SET STATUS CHECK DEVICE, RECORDED MEDIUM SET STATUS CHECK METHOD

Info

Publication number: JP3791612B2
Application number: JP2003088378A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正博磯野; 正樹下村
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2006-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-27
Also published as: JP2004292124A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、記録装置に関する。更に本発明は、インク等の液体をそのヘッドから吐出して被噴射媒体に噴射を実行するインクジェット式記録装置などの液体噴射装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
ここで液体噴射装置とは、インクジェット式記録ヘッドが用いられ、該記録ヘッドからインクを吐出して被記録媒体に記録を行うプリンタ、複写機およびファクシミリ等の記録装置に限らず、インクに代えてその用途に対応する液体を前記記録ヘッドに相当する液体噴射ヘッドから被記録媒体に相当する被噴射媒体に噴射して、前記液体を前記被噴射媒体に付着させる装置を含む意味で用いる。
【０００３】
液体噴射ヘッドとして、前記記録ヘッドの他に、液晶ディスプレー等のカラーフィルター製造に用いられる色材噴射ヘッド、有機ＥＬディスプレーや面発光ディスプレー（ＦＥＤ）等の電極形成に用いられる電極材（導電ペースト）噴射ヘッド、バイオチップ製造に用いられる生体有機物噴射ヘッド、精密ピペットとしての試料噴射ヘッド等が挙げられる。
【０００４】
【従来の技術】
単票紙に記録を行うための記録装置では、単票紙を自動給送するために自動給送装置を備えることが一般的である。また記録装置では、記録内容を被記録媒体のサイズに応じて適切に書き込むように要請されており、そのため給送装置にスタックされた被記録媒体のサイズを的確に特定する用紙サイズ判定装置が開発されている（特許文献１公報参照）。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−２６５０５９号公報
【０００６】
また記録装置では、給送工程及び排出工程において複数の搬送用のローラを使用しており、これらローラのニップ点に被記録媒体が挟持された状態でローラが回転することで、被記録媒体を次のニップ点へ移行させていき、その途中で被記録媒体への記録が行われる。
【０００７】
しかし被記録媒体の送り方向の長さが、隣接するニップ点間の距離よりも短いと、ローラにより前方へ送り出された被記録媒体の先端が次のニップ点に挟持されないため、被記録媒体が両ニップ点間に残留してしまうという問題がある。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで最近では名刺サイズの用紙へ印刷することのニーズが高まっている。名刺サイズのような短い寸法の被記録媒体では、ユーザーが誤って該被記録媒体の短手方向を送り方向とするように給送装置にセットしてしまうと、短手方向の距離が隣接するニップ点間の最大距離よりも短くなり、上述のような残留現象を起こしてしまうことになる。また特許文献１に開示された用紙サイズ判定装置は、元々、名刺サイズのような小さな被記録媒体の判定を意図していないため、対応することができない。
【０００９】
そこで本発明の目的は、名刺サイズのような小さな被記録媒体を給送する場合に、該被記録媒体を給送可能か否か、あるいは被記録媒体の給送装置へのセットの向きが正しいか否かを確認する被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置、該装置を備える記録装置、被噴射媒体のセット状態確認装置、被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法を提供することにある。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を達成するため、本発明の第１の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置は、記録装置の給送装置に被記録媒体をセットする場合に前記被記録媒体が正しくセットされているか否かを確認するための装置であって、前記給送装置のセット面には、該セット面の最下位置よりも上方の、前記記録装置における被記録媒体搬送経路のローラにおける各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１に等しいか、該最大距離Ｌ１より長く前記被記録媒体の長手方向距離よりも短い距離の所に被記録媒体上部検出装置を備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００１１】
本発明の第１の態様によれば、名刺などのように、長手方向の長さはニップ点間の最大距離Ｌ１より長いが、短手方向の長さはＬ１より短い被記録媒体を、ユーザーが、誤って短手方向を送り方向とするようにセット面上にセットしたとき、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出しないので給送動作を停止することができる。また長手方向、短手方向のいずれもＬ１に満たない被記録媒体をセット面にセットしようとした場合にも、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出しないので給送動作を停止することができる。
【００１２】
また、本発明の第２の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置は、上記第１の態様において、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置は、前記各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１に、前記ローラでの滑り率を乗じて得られる距離Ｌ２（Ｌ２＞Ｌ１）の所に位置することを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体がローラでスリップする場合を考慮して被記録媒体上部検出装置を位置決めしているので、被記録媒体がニップ点間で滞留してしまうことをより確実に防止することができる。
【００１３】
また、本発明の第３の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置は、上記第１の態様において、前記記録装置は前記セット面と対向する位置に給送ローラを備え、前記給送装置のセット面には、前記給送ローラと前記セット面上にセットされた被記録媒体とのニップ点より下方に被記録媒体下部検出装置を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、給送装置の最下部まで被記録媒体が押し込まれていない場合に、この状態を被記録媒体下部検出装置が検出して、この状態で誤って給送されることを防止することができる。
【００１４】
また、本発明の第４の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、記録装置の給送装置に被記録媒体をセットする場合に前記被記録媒体が正しくセットされているか否かを確認する方法であって、前記記録装置において記録指令信号が発せられた時に、被記録装置の給送動作に先立ち、第１の態様または第２の態様に記載の被記録媒体上部検出装置により前記給送装置にセットされた被記録媒体を確認する工程と、前記確認工程において、前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、前記被記録媒体が検出されない場合には給送動作を停止する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００１５】
本態様によれば、名刺などのように、長手方向の長さはニップ点間の最大距離Ｌ１より長いが、短手方向の長さはＬ１より短い被記録媒体を、ユーザーが、誤って短手方向を送り方向とするようにセット面上にセットしたとき、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出しないので給送動作を停止することができる。また長手方向、短手方向のいずれもＬ１に満たない被記録媒体をセット面にセットしようとした場合にも、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出しないので給送動作を停止することができる。
【００１６】
また、本発明の第５の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第４の態様において、前記給送動作を停止する場合には異常認識手段を発生する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、音、音声、表示などの異常認識手段を発生することで、ユーザーが給送動作が行われないことを認識し、被記録媒体を正しくセットし直すなどの対処を促すことができる。
【００１７】
また、本発明の第６の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第４または第５の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置が一定時間以上被記録媒体を検出したときには、前記記録指令信号に基づく給送動作を再実行する工程を備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出したとき直ちに給送動作を再実行しないから、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直している間に給送動作が誤って再実行することを防止することができる。
【００１８】
また、本発明の第７の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第６の態様において、前記一定時間は３秒から１０秒の範囲内であることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直している間に給送動作が誤って再実行することを確実に防止できるとともに、この程度の時間であれば給送または記録効率も極端に下がらない。
【００１９】
また、本発明の第８の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第４、第５または第６のいずれかの態様において、前記記録装置に給送動作停止解除スイッチを提供する工程と、給送動作の停止状態時に前記給送動作停止解除スイッチが押された後に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置により被記録媒体を再確認する工程と、前記再確認工程において、前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、前記被記録媒体が検出されない場合には給送動作の停止を維持する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出せずに給送動作が停止した場合に、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直した後に給送動作停止解除スイッチを押すことにより、被記録媒体上部検出装置が再度被記録媒体を確認し、検出すれば直ちに給送動作が再開される。
【００２０】
また、本発明の第９の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第４、第５、第６または第８のいずれかの態様において、前記記録装置に給送スイッチを提供する工程と、給送動作の停止状態時に前記給送スイッチが押された時に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置により被記録媒体を再確認する工程と、前記再確認工程において、前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、前記被記録媒体が検出されない場合には給送動作の停止を維持する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出せずに給送動作が停止した場合に、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直した後に給送スイッチを押すことにより、被記録媒体上部検出装置が念のため再度被記録媒体を確認した後、給送動作が再開される。
【００２１】
また、本発明の第１０の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第８または第９のいずれかの態様において、前記再確認工程において前記被記録媒体が検出されない場合には、異常認識手段を発生する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、音、音声、表示などの異常認識手段を発生することで、ユーザーが給送動作が行われないことを認識し、被記録媒体を再度正しくセットし直すなどの対処を促すことができる。
【００２２】
また、本発明の第１１の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第８の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後、前記一定時間が経過することを待つか、または前記給送動作停止解除スイッチを押すかを選択する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーは一定時間が経過する前に給送動作停止解除スイッチを押せば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が再度被記録媒体を確認し、検出すれば直ちに給送動作が再開される。
【００２３】
また、本発明の第１２の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第９の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後、前記一定時間が経過することを待つか、または前記給送スイッチを押すかを選択する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーは一定時間が経過する前に給送スイッチを押せば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が再度被記録媒体を確認し、検出すれば直ちに給送動作が再開される。
【００２４】
また、本発明の第１３の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第９の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後、前記給送動作停止解除スイッチまたは前記給送スイッチのいずれかを選択的に押す工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーの選択により適宜の給送動作の再開を実現することができる。
【００２５】
また、本発明の第１４の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第９の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後、前記一定時間が経過することを待つか、前記給送動作停止解除スイッチを押すか、または前記給送スイッチを押すかを選択する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーは一定時間が経過する前に給送動作停止解除スイッチあるいは給送スイッチを押せば、被記録媒体上部検出装置が再度被記録媒体を確認し、検出すれば直ちに給送動作が再開される。
【００２６】
また、本発明の第１５の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、記録装置の給送装置に被記録媒体をセットする場合に前記被記録媒体が正しくセットされているか否かを確認する方法であって、前記記録装置において記録指令信号が発せられた時に、被記録装置の給送動作に先立ち、請求項１または２に記載の被記録媒体上部検出装置及び請求項３に記載の被記録媒体下部検出装置により前記給送装置にセットされた被記録媒体を確認する工程と、前記確認工程において、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方により前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、その他の場合には給送動作を停止する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００２７】
本態様によれば、用紙上部検出装置が上記のような作用を果たすと共に、用紙下部検出装置は、被記録媒体がセット面の最下位置まで押し込まれていない時にこれを検出することができる。この場合、用紙上部検出装置と用紙下部検出装置３５とがそれぞれ被記録媒体を検出したか否かで、４通りに場合分けすることができ、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方が被記録媒体を検出した場合にのみ、給送動作及びこれに続く記録動作を行うようにすることができる。
【００２８】
また、本発明の第１６の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第１５の態様において、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方が前記被記録媒体を検出しない場合、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置が前記被記録媒体を検出し、被記録媒体下部検出装置が検出しない場合、及び前記被記録媒体下部検出装置が前記被記録媒体を検出し、被記録媒体上部検出装置が検出しない場合の各々において、それぞれ異なる異常識別表示を表示する工程を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００２９】
本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方が被記録媒体を検出しない場合は、用紙Ｐがセットされていない状態が予想され、被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出し、被記録媒体下部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出しない場合には、被記録媒体が給送装置のセット位置まで押し込まれていない状態が予想され、また被記録媒体上部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出せず、被記録媒体下部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出した場合には、被記録媒体の送り方向長さが各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１より短い状態が予想される。従ってこれらの各場合に、それぞれ異なる適切な異常識別表示を記録装置のディスプレイなどに行うことができる。
【００３０】
また、本発明の第１７の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第１５または第１６の態様において、前記給送動作を停止した後に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置が一定時間以上被記録媒体を検出したときには、前記記録指令信号に基づく給送動作を再実行する工程を備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出したとき直ちに給送動作を再実行しないから、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直している間に給送動作が誤って再実行することを防止することができる。
【００３１】
また、本発明の第１８の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第１５または第１６の態様において、前記記録装置に給送動作停止解除スイッチを提供する工程と、給送動作の停止状態時に前記給送動作停止解除スイッチが押された後に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置により被記録媒体を再確認する工程と、前記再確認工程において、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方により前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置のいずれか一方または双方が前記被記録媒体を検出しない場合には給送動作の停止を維持する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直した後に給送動作停止解除スイッチを押すことにより、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置が再度被記録媒体を確認し、検出すれば直ちに給送動作が再開される。
【００３２】
また、本発明の第１９の態様に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認方法は、上記第１５または第１６の態様において、前記記録装置に給送スイッチを提供する工程と、給送動作の停止状態時に前記給送スイッチが押された時に、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置により被記録媒体を再確認する工程と、前記再確認工程において、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置の両方により前記被記録媒体が検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、前記被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置のいずれか一方または双方が前記被記録媒体を検出しない場合には給送動作の停止を維持する工程とを備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置が被記録媒体を検出せずに給送動作が停止した場合に、ユーザーが被記録媒体をセットし直した後に給送スイッチを押すことにより、被記録媒体上部検出装置及び被記録媒体下部検出装置が念のため再度被記録媒体を確認した後、給送動作が再開される。
【００３３】
また、本発明の第２０の態様に係る記録装置は、上記第１から第３のいずれかの態様の被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置を備えることを特徴とするものである。本態様によれば、各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１より短い被記録媒体が誤って搬送経路に送り出され、ニップ点間に滞留することを確実に防止することができる。
【００３４】
また、本発明の第２１の態様に係る被噴射媒体のセット状態確認装置は、液体噴射装置の給送装置に被噴射媒体をセットする場合に前記被噴射媒体が正しくセットされているか否かを確認するための装置であって、前記給送装置のセット面には、該セット面の最下位置よりも上方の、前記液体噴射装置における被噴射媒体搬送経路のローラにおける各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１に等しいか、該最大距離Ｌ１より長く前記被噴射媒体の長手方向距離よりも短い距離の所に第１被噴射媒体検出装置を備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００３５】
また、本発明の第２２の態様に係る被噴射媒体のセット状態確認装置は、上記第２１の態様において、前記液体噴射装置は前記セット面と対向する位置に給送ローラを備え、前記給送装置のセット面には、前記給送ローラと前記セット面上にセットされた被噴射媒体とのニップ点より下方に被噴射媒体下部検出装置を更に備えることを特徴とするものである。
【００３６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本願発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。図１は、本発明の被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置を適用した記録装置または液体噴射装置の一例としてのインクジェットプリンタを示す側断面図であり、図２は用紙上部検出装置のみを有する実施形態の正面図であり、図３は用紙上部検出装置と用紙下部検出装置とを有する実施形態の正面図であり、図４は用紙下部検出装置の作用を示す給送ローラ周辺の側断面図である。
【００３７】
図１において、符号１は、本発明に係る被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置を適用したインクジェットプリンタを示す。インクジェットプリンタ１は、プリンタ本体３と、該プリンタ本体３の後方上部に設けられる給送部５と、プリンタ本体３の前方に形成される排出部７とを備えて成る。
【００３８】
給送部５には給送装置であるホッパ１１が設けられており、該ホッパ１１には複数枚の被記録媒体または被噴射媒体である用紙Ｐが積載できると共に、図示しないバネによって用紙Ｐの下端部の面を、ホッパ１１の直ぐ下流側に設けられる給送ローラ１３に押し付けるようになっている。給送ローラ１３は、ホッパ１１におけるセット面１２及びリタードローラ１４と対向し、セット面１２の最上位に位置する用紙Ｐを挟圧して送り出すとともに、リタードローラ１４との間でホッパ１１における次位の用紙と分離し、１枚ずつ前方へ送り出す作用をする。
【００３９】
給送ローラ１３によって送り出された用紙Ｐは、下側に位置する送り駆動ローラ１５及び上側に位置する送り従動ローラ１７から構成される送りローラ１９の部分に至り、そこで後述する駆動系により記録工程における精密な送り動作を受けながら、送りローラ１９の用紙搬送方向の下流側に位置する記録ヘッド２１へ給送されるようになっている。
【００４０】
記録ヘッド２１はキャリッジ２３に支持されており、キャリッジ２３は給送方向と直交する方向（主走査方向）へ往復移動できるようになっている。記録ヘッド２１と対向する位置にはプラテン２５が設けられており、該プラテン２５は、記録ヘッド２１によって用紙Ｐに記録を行う際に、用紙Ｐを下側から支持する作用をなす。記録ヘッド２１とプラテン２５との距離は、用紙Ｐの厚さによって適宜調節できるようになっており、用紙Ｐはプラテン２５の頂面２６上を滑らかに通過しながら、高品質の印字、印画等の記録が行えるようになっている。記録ヘッド２１で印字された用紙Ｐは、記録ヘッド２１の直後に設けられる搬送ローラ２２を経て、排出部７に設けられる排出ローラ２７によって順次排出される。
【００４１】
排出ローラ２７は、下側に位置する排出駆動ローラ２９及び上側に位置する排出従動ローラ３１（歯付きローラまたはギザローラとも言う。）から構成されており、用紙Ｐが排出駆動ローラ２９の回転駆動により引き出されて排出される機構となっている。
【００４２】
被記録媒体搬送経路（被噴射媒体搬送経路にも相当する）の途中には、給送ローラ１３とリタードローラ１４とのニップ点ｎ１、送り駆動ローラ１５と送り従動ローラ１７とのニップ点ｎ２、搬送ローラ２２におけるニップ点ｎ３及び排出駆動ローラ２９と排出従動ローラ３１とのニップ点ｎ４があり、ここでは一例としてニップ点ｎ１とニップ点ｎ２との距離Ｌ１が他のニップ点間の距離よりも大きなものとする。
【００４３】
このような最大ニップ点間距離Ｌ１を有するインクジェットプリンタ１では、送り方向長さがＬ１に満たない用紙Ｐを搬送経路に給送することができない。例えば名刺サイズの用紙に記録可能なプリンタにおいて、名刺を搬送経路に対して長手方向に送り出す場合には名刺の長手方向長さがＬ１より大きいため給送可能であるが、ユーザーが誤って名刺が短手方向に送り出されるようにホッパ１１にセットした場合には、名刺の短手方向長さがＬ１に満たないため給送できない場合がある。
【００４４】
インクジェットプリンタ１は、上記のように名刺サイズなどの小さな用紙を、ユーザーが本来配置すべき方向に配置しなかった場合や、そのプリンタでは上記理由により本来給送することができないサイズの用紙をホッパ１１にセットした場合に、これら用紙が給送可能か否かを判断し、給送不能であれば給送を停止する被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置を備えている。以下、長手方向長さＨ、短手方向長さＷ（Ｗ＜Ｌ１≦Ｈ）のサイズの名刺Ｑ（用紙Ｐの一例）を例にとり、該装置の構成及びその作動について説明する。
【００４５】
ホッパ１１のセット面１２には、セット面１２の最下位置よりも上方であって、各ニップ点間の最大距離Ｌ１に等しいか、該最大距離Ｌ１より長く名刺Ｑの長手方向長さＨよりも短い距離の所に被記録媒体上部検出装置または被噴射媒体上部検出装置に相当する用紙上部検出装置３３が設けられている。即ち用紙上部検出装置３３は、名刺Ｑを図２中実線で示す如く縦長状態でセット面１２上にセットしたときには名刺Ｑによって覆われるが、名刺Ｑを図２中破線で示す如く横長状態でセット面１２上にセットしたときには名刺Ｑによって覆われない位置に設けられている。
【００４６】
また用紙上部検出装置３３を設ける位置は、セット面１２の最下位置から上方であって、各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１に、ローラでの滑り率を乗じて得られる距離Ｌ２（Ｌ２＞Ｌ１）の所とすることもできる。
【００４７】
名刺Ｑをセット面１２に送り方向に沿って縦長状態でセットしたときには、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑによって覆われることで、用紙上部検出装置３３は、この名刺Ｑは各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１以上の送り方向長さを有し、給送可能と判断する。一方、名刺Ｑをセット面１２に横長状態でセットしたときには、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑによって覆われないため、用紙上部検出装置３３は、この名刺Ｑは各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１未満の送り方向長さしか有さず、給送不可と判断する。尚、本例では名刺Ｑを例にとっているが、他の用紙Ｐあるいは他の被記録媒体あるいは被噴射媒体をセット面１２にセットした場合にも、その送り方向での長さに応じて同様に判断する。
【００４８】
また他の実施形態として、図３に示す如く、用紙上部検出装置３３に加えて被記録媒体下部検出装置または被噴射媒体下部検出装置に相当する用紙下部検出装置３５を、給送ローラ１３とセット面１２上にセットされた用紙Ｐとのニップ点より下方に備えている。用紙下部検出装置３５は、図４に示す如く用紙Ｐ（名刺Ｑでも同様）がセット面１２の最下位置まで押し込まれていない時にこれを検知するものである。
【００４９】
次に図２に示すように用紙上部検出装置３３だけを備える被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置の作動について説明する。ユーザーのパソコン操作によりプリンタ１で記録指令信号が発せられると、ホッパ１１による給送動作に先立ち、用紙上部検出装置３３が、セット面１２の用紙上部検出装置３３の位置（高さ）に名刺Ｑが存在しているか否かを確認する。用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出した場合にはホッパ１１による給送動作を開始し、名刺Ｑを検出しない場合には給送動作を停止する。即ち、名刺Ｑを図２の実線で示す如く正しくセットした場合には給送動作は開始されるが、破線で示す如く短手方向を送り方向とするようにセットした場合には、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出できず、従って給送動作は停止する。
【００５０】
給送動作を停止する場合には、警報等の音や音声による警告、あるいはプリンタ１のディスプレイ部に給送ができない旨の表示を行うなどの異常認識手段を発生または表示する。
【００５１】
また、給送動作が停止した後も、用紙上部検出装置３３は作動状態となっている。この状態でユーザーが異常認識手段である音または表示に気が付き、名刺Ｑを図２の実線で示す如く正しくセットし直した場合には、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出するようになる。しかしこの場合、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出した瞬間には給紙動作を開始せず、例えば３秒から１０秒間検出状態が継続した後に給紙動作が開始される。これは、ユーザーが名刺Ｑをセットし直している途中に給紙動作が開始することを防止するためである。
【００５２】
上述の実施形態では、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを一定時間検出していることを条件に給紙動作の再始動を行っているが、他の手法により給紙動作の再始動を行うこともできる。例えば図１に示す如く、プリンタ１の操作パネル２に給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を設け、上記給送動作の停止状態時にユーザーが給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を押した時、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを再確認し、ここで名刺Ｑが検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、名刺Ｑが検出されない場合には給送動作の停止状態を継続するようにしてもよい。
【００５３】
また、図１に示す如く、プリンタ１の操作パネル２に給送スイッチ３９を設け、上記給送動作の停止状態時にユーザーが給送スイッチ３９を押した時、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを再確認し、ここで名刺Ｑが検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、名刺Ｑが検出されない場合には給送動作の停止状態を継続するようにしてもよい。尚、図１では給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７と給送スイッチ３９の両方が示されているが、これらのいずれか一方のみを設けることもできる。尚、上記の再確認工程において、名刺Ｑが検出された場合には上記同様の異常認識手段を発生することが好ましい。
【００５４】
以上、名刺Ｑが検出されずに給送動作が停止したときに給紙動作を再始動させる３つの実施形態について説明したが、プリンタ１に給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７及び給送スイッチ３９を設けて、給送動作が停止したときに、ユーザーは一定時間が経過することを待つか、または給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を押すか、あるいは給送スイッチ３９を押すかのいずれかを選択できるようにすることもできる。この場合、いずれか二者を選択するようにしてもよい。
【００５５】
次に、図３に示す如く用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とを備える被記録媒体のセット状態確認装置の作動について名刺Ｑを例にとって説明する。本実施形態では、プリンタ１において記録指令信号が発せられた時に、ホッパ１１による給送動作に先立ち、用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とが、それぞれセット面１２の用紙上部検出装置３３の位置（高さ）及び用紙下部検出装置３５の位置（高さ）に名刺Ｑが存在しているか否かを確認する。
【００５６】
この場合、用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とがそれぞれ名刺Ｑを検出したか否かで、４通りに場合分けすることができる。図５はこれら４通りの場合を表した表である。表中、検出結果１に示す如く、用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とが共に名刺Ｑを検出した場合には、適正な送り方向長さを有する名刺Ｑがセット面１２にセットされていることを示し、給送動作可能な正常な状態であるので引き続き給送動作及び記録動作を行うことができる。この場合にはプリンタ１のディスプレイ上に「正常な給送動作が可能です」などのコメントを表示するようにしても良い。
【００５７】
また検出結果２に示す如く、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出し、用紙下部検出装置３５が名刺Ｑを検出しない場合には、名刺Ｑがホッパ１１のセット位置まで押し込まれていない状態が予想され、給送動作不可能な異常な状態であるので、給送動作を停止する。このときプリンタ１のディスプレイ上に、「給送できません。用紙を奥まで押し込んで下さい」などの異常識別表示を表示することができる。
【００５８】
更にまた検出結果３に示す如く、用紙上部検出装置３３が名刺Ｑを検出せず、用紙下部検出装置３５が名刺Ｑを検出した場合には、名刺Ｑの送り方向長さが各ニップ点間の距離のうち最大距離Ｌ１より短い状態が予想され、給送動作不可能な異常な状態であるので、給送動作を停止する。このときプリンタ１のディスプレイ上に、「給送できません。用紙の向きを正しくするか、用紙のサイズを確認して下さい」などの異常識別表示を表示することができる。
【００５９】
更にまた検出結果４に示す如く、用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とが共に名刺Ｑを検出しない場合には、名刺Ｑがセットされていない状態が予想され、給送動作不可能な異常な状態であるので、給送動作を停止する。このときプリンタ１のディスプレイ上に、「用紙がセットされていません」などの異常識別表示を表示することができる。
【００６０】
本実施の形態においては、給送動作が停止した後も、用紙上部検出装置３３と用紙下部検出装置３５とは作動状態となっている。そして用紙上部検出装置３３だけを備える実施形態の場合同様に、用紙上部検出装置３３及び用紙下部検出装置３５が名刺Ｑを例えば３〜１０秒の一定時間検出していることを条件に給紙動作の再始動を行うようにしている。
【００６１】
またプリンタ１に給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を設け、給送動作の停止状態時にユーザーが給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を押した時、用紙上部検出装置３３及び用紙下部検出装置３５が名刺Ｑを再確認し、ここで名刺Ｑが検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、名刺Ｑが検出されない場合には給送動作の停止状態を継続するようにしてもよい。更にプリンタ１に給送スイッチ３９を設け、給送動作の停止状態時にユーザーが給送スイッチ３９を押した時、用紙上部検出装置３３及び用紙下部検出装置３５が名刺Ｑを再確認し、ここで名刺Ｑが検出された場合には給送動作を開始し、名刺Ｑが検出されない場合には給送動作の停止状態を継続するようにしてもよい。またこれらの再確認工程において、名刺Ｑが検出された場合には上記同様の異常認識手段を発生することが好ましい。
【００６２】
更にプリンタ１に給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７及び給送スイッチ３９を設けて、給送動作が停止したときに、ユーザーは一定時間が経過することを待つか、または給送動作停止解除スイッチ３７を押すか、あるいは給送スイッチ３９を押すかのいずれかを選択できるようにする点も上記実施の形態と同様である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を適用したインクジェットプリンタを示す側断面図。
【図２】用紙上部検出装置のみを有する実施形態の正面図。
【図３】更に用紙下部検出装置を有する実施形態の正面図。
【図４】用紙下部検出装置の作用を示す給送ローラ周辺の側断面図。
【図５】図３の実施形態の各検出装置の検出結果の組み合わせを示す表。
【符号の説明】
１インクジェットプリンタ、２操作パネル、３プリンタ本体、
５給送部、７排出部、１１ホッパ、１２セット面、１３給送ローラ、
１４リタードローラ、１５送り駆動ローラ、１７送り従動ローラ、
１９送りローラ、２１記録ヘッド、２２搬送ローラ、２３キャリッジ、
２５プラテン、２６プラテンの頂面２７排出ローラ、
２９排出駆動ローラ、３１排出従動ローラ、３３用紙上部検出装置、
３５用紙下部検出装置、３７給送動作停止解除スイッチ、
３９給送スイッチ、Ｐ用紙、Ｑ名刺[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus. The present invention further relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects a liquid such as ink from a head thereof and ejects the liquid onto an ejected medium.
[0002]
Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus uses an ink jet recording head, and is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine that records ink on a recording medium by discharging ink from the recording head. It is used to include a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to an ejecting medium corresponding to a recording medium and attaching the liquid to the ejecting medium.
[0003]
In addition to the recording head, as a liquid ejecting head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED) Examples thereof include an ejection head, a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and a sample ejection head as a precision pipette.
[0004]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In general, a recording apparatus for recording on cut paper is provided with an automatic feeding device for automatically feeding cut paper. In addition, the recording apparatus is requested to appropriately write the recording contents according to the size of the recording medium. Therefore, a paper size determination apparatus that accurately specifies the size of the recording medium stacked on the feeding apparatus has been developed. (See Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-265059
[0006]
In the recording apparatus, a plurality of conveying rollers are used in the feeding process and the discharging process, and the recording medium is obtained by rotating the recording medium while the recording medium is sandwiched between the nip points of these rollers. The recording proceeds to the next nip point, and recording on the recording medium is performed in the middle of the transition.
[0007]
However, if the length of the recording medium in the feeding direction is shorter than the distance between adjacent nip points, the leading end of the recording medium fed forward by the roller is not sandwiched between the next nip points. There is a problem of remaining between both nip points.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Recently, there is an increasing need for printing on business card size paper. In a recording medium with a short dimension such as a business card size, if the user mistakenly sets the recording medium in the feeding device so that the short direction of the recording medium is the feeding direction, the distances in the short direction are adjacent to each other. It becomes shorter than the maximum distance between the nip points, and the above-described residual phenomenon occurs. In addition, the paper size determination device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not originally intended to determine a small recording medium such as a business card size, and therefore cannot cope with it.
[0009]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to supply a small recording medium such as a business card size, whether or not the recording medium can be fed, or whether the recording medium is set to the feeding device is correct. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium set state confirmation apparatus for confirming whether or not the recording medium is provided, a recording apparatus including the apparatus, an ejection medium set state confirmation apparatus, and a recording medium set state confirmation method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the recording medium setting state confirmation device according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that the recording medium is correctly set when the recording medium is set in the feeding device of the recording device. Each of the nip points of the rollers of the recording medium conveyance path in the recording apparatus above the lowest position of the set surface on the set surface of the feeding device. A recording medium upper part detection device is provided at a distance equal to the maximum distance L1 or shorter than the maximum distance L1 and shorter than the longitudinal distance of the recording medium.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a recording medium whose length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the maximum distance L1 between the nip points but whose length in the lateral direction is shorter than L1, such as a business card. However, when the recording medium upper detection device does not detect the recording medium when it is erroneously set on the set surface so that the short direction is set as the feeding direction, the feeding operation can be stopped. In addition, even when an attempt is made to set a recording medium that is less than L1 in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction on the set surface, the recording medium upper detection device does not detect the recording medium, so that the feeding operation is stopped. Can do.
[0012]
The recording medium set state confirmation device according to the second aspect of the present invention is the recording medium upper state detection device according to the first aspect, wherein the recording medium upper part detection device is set to a maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points. , And located at a distance L2 (L2> L1) obtained by multiplying the slip rate at the roller. According to this aspect, since the recording medium upper detection device is positioned in consideration of the case where the recording medium slips on the roller, the recording medium is more reliably prevented from staying between the nip points. can do.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium setting state confirmation device according to the first aspect, wherein the recording device includes a feeding roller at a position facing the set surface. The set surface further includes a recording medium lower detection device below a nip point between the feeding roller and the recording medium set on the setting surface. According to this aspect, when the recording medium is not pushed down to the lowest part of the feeding device, this state is detected by the lower recording medium detection device, and feeding in this state is prevented. can do.
[0014]
Also, the recording medium set state confirmation method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention confirms whether or not the recording medium is correctly set when the recording medium is set in the feeding device of the recording apparatus. When a recording command signal is issued in the recording device, the recording medium upper detection device according to the first aspect or the second aspect performs the feeding before the feeding operation of the recording device. A step of confirming a recording medium set in a feeding device, and a feeding operation is started when the recording medium is detected in the confirmation step, and feeding is performed when the recording medium is not detected. And a step of stopping the operation.
[0015]
According to the present aspect, the user mistakenly selects a recording medium whose length in the longitudinal direction is longer than the maximum distance L1 between the nip points but whose length in the lateral direction is shorter than L1, such as a business card. When set on the set surface so that the hand direction is the feeding direction, the recording medium upper detection device does not detect the recording medium, so that the feeding operation can be stopped. In addition, even when an attempt is made to set a recording medium that is less than L1 in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction on the set surface, the recording medium upper detection device does not detect the recording medium, so that the feeding operation is stopped. Can do.
[0016]
The recording medium set state confirmation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention further comprises the step of generating an abnormality recognizing means when stopping the feeding operation in the fourth aspect. It is a feature. According to this aspect, by generating abnormality recognition means such as sound, voice, display, etc., the user recognizes that the feeding operation is not performed, and prompts measures such as correctly setting the recording medium. Can do.
[0017]
The recording medium set state confirmation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the recording medium upper state detection apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the recording medium upper part detection device is in a certain period of time after the feeding operation is stopped. When the recording medium is detected as described above, a step of re-executing the feeding operation based on the recording command signal is provided. According to this aspect, when the recording medium upper part detection device detects the recording medium, the feeding operation is not re-executed immediately. Therefore, the feeding operation is erroneously restarted while the user resets the recording medium. Execution can be prevented.
[0018]
The recording medium set state confirmation method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the predetermined time is in the range of 3 to 10 seconds. . According to this aspect, it is possible to reliably prevent the feeding operation from being erroneously re-executed while the user resets the recording medium, and the feeding or recording efficiency is extremely limited if the time is this level. Does not fall.
[0019]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium set state checking method according to any one of the fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects, wherein the recording apparatus is provided with a feeding operation stop release switch. A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed in a stop state of the feeding operation, and in the reconfirmation step, the recording target A step of starting a feeding operation when a medium is detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. According to this aspect, when the recording medium upper detection device stops the feeding operation without detecting the recording medium, the user presses the feeding operation stop release switch after resetting the recording medium. Thus, the recording operation is resumed as soon as the recording medium upper part detection device confirms the recording medium again and detects it.
[0020]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium set state confirmation method according to any one of the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth aspects, wherein the recording apparatus is provided with a feeding switch. A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device when the feeding switch is pressed when the feeding operation is stopped, and the recording medium is detected in the reconfirmation step. And a step of starting a feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. According to this aspect, when the feeding operation is stopped without the recording medium upper detection device detecting the recording medium, the user presses the feeding switch after resetting the recording medium, After the recording medium upper detection device confirms the recording medium again just in case, the feeding operation is resumed.
[0021]
Further, the recording medium set state confirmation method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in any of the eighth or ninth aspects, when the recording medium is not detected in the reconfirmation step, The method further includes the step of generating an abnormality recognition means. According to this aspect, by generating abnormality recognition means such as sound, voice, display, etc., the user recognizes that the feeding operation is not performed, and urges countermeasures such as setting the recording medium again correctly. be able to.
[0022]
Further, the recording medium set state confirmation method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, waits for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped, or The method further includes a step of selecting whether or not to press the feed operation stop release switch. According to this aspect, if the user presses the feeding operation stop release switch before a predetermined time elapses, the recording medium upper detection device checks the recording medium again, and if it detects it, the feeding operation is resumed immediately. The
[0023]
The recording medium set state confirmation method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, waits for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped, or The method further includes a step of selecting whether to press the feeding switch. According to this aspect, if the user depresses the feeding switch before a predetermined time elapses, the recording medium upper detection device confirms the recording medium again and immediately resumes the feeding operation when the recording medium is detected.
[0024]
A recording medium set state confirmation method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the ninth aspect, wherein the feeding operation stop cancel switch or the feeding switch is stopped after the feeding operation is stopped. The method further includes a step of selectively pressing any one of them. According to this aspect, it is possible to realize resumption of an appropriate feeding operation according to the user's selection.
[0025]
Also, the recording medium set state confirmation method according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, waits for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped, The method further comprises a step of selecting whether to press a feed operation stop release switch or to press the feed switch. According to this aspect, if the user presses the feed operation stop release switch or the feed switch before a predetermined time elapses, the recording medium upper detection device confirms the recording medium again and immediately feeds if the recording medium is detected. Operation resumes.
[0026]
The recording medium set state confirmation method according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention confirms whether or not the recording medium is correctly set when the recording medium is set in the feeding device of the recording apparatus. The recording medium upper detection device according to claim 1 or 2, and a recording medium upper detection device according to claim 1 or 2, prior to a feeding operation of the recording device when a recording command signal is issued in the recording device. In the step of confirming the recording medium set in the feeding device by the recording medium lower part detection device, and in the confirmation step, the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper part detection device and the recording medium lower part detection device. And a step of starting the feeding operation when it is detected, and stopping the feeding operation in other cases.
[0027]
According to this aspect, the upper sheet detecting device performs the above-described operation, and the lower sheet detecting device can detect when the recording medium is not pushed down to the lowest position of the set surface. In this case, the upper part of the recording medium and the lower part of the paper detection unit 35 can be divided into four cases depending on whether or not the recording medium is detected. Only when both of them detect the recording medium, the feeding operation and the subsequent recording operation can be performed.
[0028]
Further, the recording medium set state confirmation method according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the above fifteenth aspect, wherein both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device both detect the recording medium. When not detected, the recording medium upper detection device detects the recording medium, and when the recording medium lower detection device does not detect, and when the recording medium lower detection device detects the recording medium, Each of the cases where the upper medium detection device does not detect further includes a step of displaying a different abnormality identification display.
[0029]
According to this aspect, when both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device do not detect the recording medium, it is expected that the paper P is not set, and the recording medium upper detection device If the recording medium is detected and the recording medium lower part detection device does not detect the recording medium, it is expected that the recording medium is not pushed to the set position of the feeding device, and the upper part of the recording medium is detected. When the apparatus does not detect the recording medium and the recording medium lower part detection apparatus detects the recording medium, the length of the recording medium in the feeding direction is shorter than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points. Is expected. Therefore, in each of these cases, a different appropriate abnormality identification display can be performed on the display of the recording apparatus.
[0030]
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium set state confirmation method according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, wherein after the feeding operation is stopped, the recording medium upper part detection device and the recording medium are recorded. The method includes a step of re-executing the feeding operation based on the recording command signal when the medium lower detection device detects a recording medium for a predetermined time or more. According to this aspect, when the recording medium upper part detection device and the recording medium lower part detection device detect the recording medium, the feeding operation is not re-executed immediately. Therefore, while the user resets the recording medium, It is possible to prevent the feeding operation from being re-executed by mistake.
[0031]
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the recording medium set state confirmation method includes a step of providing a feeding operation stop release switch to the recording apparatus, and a feeding operation. In the re-checking step, the re-checking step of the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device and the re-checking step after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed in the stop state. When the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device, a feeding operation is started, and one of the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device A step of maintaining the stop of the feeding operation when one or both of the recording media is not detected. According to this aspect, when the user presses the feeding operation stop release switch after resetting the recording medium, the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device confirm the recording medium again, If detected, the feeding operation is resumed immediately.
[0032]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, a recording medium set state confirmation method includes a step of providing a feeding switch to the recording apparatus, and a feeding operation stop state. In some cases, when the feed switch is pressed, the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device reconfirm the recording medium, and the reconfirmation step includes the recording medium upper detection device and When the recording medium is detected by both of the recording medium lower part detection devices, a feeding operation is started, and either one or both of the recording medium upper part detection device and the recording medium lower part detection device are detected. And a step of maintaining the stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. According to this aspect, when the feeding operation is stopped without the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device detecting the recording medium, the feeding is performed after the user resets the recording medium. By pressing the switch, the feeding operation is resumed after the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device confirm the recording medium again just in case.
[0033]
A recording apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the recording medium set state confirmation apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects. According to this aspect, it is possible to reliably prevent a recording medium shorter than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points from being erroneously sent to the transport path and staying between the nip points.
[0034]
In addition, the ejected medium setting state confirmation apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the ejected medium is correctly set when the ejected medium is set in the feeding device of the liquid ejecting apparatus. A distance between each nip point on the roller of the ejection medium transport path in the liquid ejecting apparatus above the lowermost position of the set surface on the set surface of the feeding apparatus. The first ejected medium detection device is provided at a distance equal to or longer than the maximum distance L1 and shorter than the distance in the longitudinal direction of the ejected medium.
[0035]
According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-first aspect, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a feeding roller at a position facing the set surface, and the feeding medium is confirmed. The set surface of the apparatus further includes an ejected medium lower detection device below a nip point between the feeding roller and the ejected medium set on the set surface.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus or a liquid ejecting apparatus to which a recording medium setting state confirmation apparatus of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an embodiment having only a paper upper part detecting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment having an upper sheet detecting device and a lower sheet detecting device, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the periphery of the feeding roller showing the operation of the lower sheet detecting device. .
[0037]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ink jet printer to which a recording medium set state confirmation apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The ink jet printer 1 includes a printer body 3, a feeding unit 5 provided at the upper rear portion of the printer body 3, and a discharge unit 7 formed in front of the printer body 3.
[0038]
The feeding unit 5 is provided with a hopper 11 which is a feeding device, and a plurality of recording media or ejection media P can be stacked on the hopper 11 and the paper P is loaded by a spring (not shown). The surface of the lower end is pressed against a feeding roller 13 provided immediately downstream of the hopper 11. The feed roller 13 is opposed to the set surface 12 and the retard roller 14 in the hopper 11, sandwiches and feeds the paper P positioned at the top of the set surface 12, and is next to the retard roller 14 in the hopper 11. The paper is separated from the paper and fed forward one by one.
[0039]
The paper P sent out by the feed roller 13 reaches a portion of a feed roller 19 composed of a feed drive roller 15 located on the lower side and a feed driven roller 17 located on the upper side, where a recording process is performed by a drive system described later. Is fed to the recording head 21 located downstream of the feed roller 19 in the paper conveyance direction.
[0040]
The recording head 21 is supported by a carriage 23, and the carriage 23 can reciprocate in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the feeding direction. A platen 25 is provided at a position facing the recording head 21, and the platen 25 serves to support the paper P from below when recording on the paper P by the recording head 21. The distance between the recording head 21 and the platen 25 can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the thickness of the paper P. The paper P smoothly passes over the top surface 26 of the platen 25, and high-quality printing, printing, etc. Can be recorded. The paper P printed by the recording head 21 is sequentially discharged by a discharge roller 27 provided in the discharge unit 7 through a conveyance roller 22 provided immediately after the recording head 21.
[0041]
The discharge roller 27 includes a discharge drive roller 29 positioned on the lower side and a discharge driven roller 31 (also referred to as a toothed roller or a serrated roller) positioned on the upper side, and the sheet P is driven by the rotation of the discharge drive roller 29. It is a mechanism that is pulled out and discharged.
[0042]
In the middle of the recording medium conveyance path (which also corresponds to the ejection medium conveyance path), a nip point n1 between the feeding roller 13 and the retard roller 14, a nip point n2 between the feed driving roller 15 and the feed driven roller 17, There are a nip point n3 on the conveying roller 22 and a nip point n4 between the discharge driving roller 29 and the discharge driven roller 31. Here, as an example, the distance L1 between the nip point n1 and the nip point n2 is larger than the distance between other nip points. Let's be big.
[0043]
In the inkjet printer 1 having such a maximum nip point distance L1, it is not possible to feed the paper P whose length in the feed direction is less than L1 to the transport path. For example, in a printer capable of recording on business card size paper, when the business card is sent out in the longitudinal direction with respect to the transport path, the business card can be fed because the length in the longitudinal direction of the business card is larger than L1, but the user mistakenly inserts the business card. When set in the hopper 11 so as to be sent out in the short direction, the business card may not be fed because the short direction length of the business card is less than L1.
[0044]
As described above, the inkjet printer 1 uses a hopper to transfer a paper having a size that cannot be fed by the user for the above-described reason, such as when the user does not place a small paper such as a business card size in the direction that the user should originally place it. 11 is provided with a recording medium setting state confirmation device that determines whether or not these sheets can be fed when the sheet is set, and stops feeding if the sheets cannot be fed. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the apparatus will be described by taking as an example a business card Q (an example of paper P) having a length H in the longitudinal direction and a length W in the short direction (W <L1 ≦ H).
[0045]
The set surface 12 of the hopper 11 is above the lowest position of the set surface 12 and is equal to the maximum distance L1 between the nip points or longer than the maximum distance L1 and from the longitudinal length H of the business card Q. In addition, a paper upper detection device 33 corresponding to the recording medium upper detection device or the jetting medium upper detection device is provided at a short distance. In other words, the paper upper detection device 33 is covered with the business card Q when the business card Q is set on the set surface 12 in a vertically long state as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, but is set in a horizontal state as shown by a broken line in FIG. When set on the surface 12, it is provided at a position not covered by the business card Q.
[0046]
Further, the position where the upper sheet detecting device 33 is provided is above the lowest position of the set surface 12 and is a distance L2 (which is obtained by multiplying the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points by the slip rate of the roller. L2> L1) can also be set.
[0047]
When the business card Q is set on the setting surface 12 in a vertically long state along the feeding direction, the paper upper detection device 33 is covered with the business card Q, so that the paper upper detection device 33 can detect the business card Q as a distance between the nip points. And the feed direction is longer than the maximum distance L1, and it is determined that feeding is possible. On the other hand, when the business card Q is set on the setting surface 12 in the horizontally long state, the paper upper part detection device 33 is not covered with the business card Q. Therefore, the paper upper part detection device 33 determines that the business card Q is the maximum of the distances between the nip points. Only the length in the feed direction is less than the distance L1, and it is determined that feeding is impossible. In this example, the business card Q is taken as an example. However, when another sheet P or another recording medium or ejection target medium is set on the set surface 12, the same applies according to the length in the feeding direction. to decide.
[0048]
As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the paper upper detection device 33, a paper lower detection device 35 corresponding to a recording medium lower detection device or an ejection medium lower detection device is set with the feeding roller 13. It is provided below the nip point with the paper P set on the surface 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower sheet detecting device 35 detects when the paper P (same for the business card Q) is not pushed down to the lowest position of the set surface 12.
[0049]
Next, the operation of the recording medium setting state confirmation apparatus having only the upper sheet detection device 33 as shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When a recording command signal is issued by the printer 1 by the user's personal computer operation, the paper upper detection device 33 is placed at the position (height) of the paper upper detection device 33 on the set surface 12 prior to the feeding operation by the hopper 11. Check whether or not exists. When the paper upper detection device 33 detects the business card Q, the feeding operation by the hopper 11 is started, and when the business card Q is not detected, the feeding operation is stopped. That is, when the business card Q is correctly set as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the feeding operation is started. However, when the business card Q is set so that the short direction is set as the feeding direction as shown by the broken line, the upper part of the paper is detected. The device 33 cannot detect the business card Q, so the feeding operation stops.
[0050]
When the feeding operation is stopped, an abnormality recognition means is generated or displayed, such as a warning such as an alarm or sound, or a display indicating that feeding cannot be performed on the display unit of the printer 1.
[0051]
Further, even after the feeding operation is stopped, the upper sheet detecting device 33 is in an operating state. In this state, when the user notices the sound or display that is an abnormality recognition means and correctly sets the business card Q as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, the upper sheet detecting device 33 detects the business card Q. However, in this case, the paper feeding operation is not started at the moment when the paper upper detection device 33 detects the business card Q, and the paper feeding operation is started after the detection state continues for 3 to 10 seconds, for example. This is to prevent the paper feeding operation from starting while the user is resetting the business card Q.
[0052]
In the above-described embodiment, the paper feeding operation is restarted on condition that the paper upper detection device 33 detects the business card Q for a certain period of time, but the paper feeding operation is restarted by another method. You can also. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a feed operation stop release switch 37 is provided on the operation panel 2 of the printer 1, and when the user presses the feed operation stop release switch 37 in the stop state of the feed operation, the upper sheet detecting device 33 may reconfirm the business card Q, and if the business card Q is detected here, the feeding operation may be started. If the business card Q is not detected, the feeding operation may be stopped.
[0053]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a feed switch 39 is provided on the operation panel 2 of the printer 1, and when the user presses the feed switch 39 when the feeding operation is stopped, the upper sheet detecting device 33 displays the business card Q. When the business card Q is detected here, the feeding operation may be started. When the business card Q is not detected, the feeding operation may be stopped. In FIG. 1, both the feed operation stop cancel switch 37 and the feed switch 39 are shown, but only one of them can be provided. In addition, when the business card Q is detected in the reconfirmation step, it is preferable to generate an abnormality recognition unit similar to the above.
[0054]
As described above, the three embodiments have been described in which the feeding operation is restarted when the feeding operation is stopped without detecting the business card Q. However, the feeding operation stop cancel switch 37 and the feeding switch 39 are provided in the printer 1. Thus, when the feeding operation is stopped, the user can select whether to wait for a certain time to elapse, press the feeding operation stop release switch 37, or press the feeding switch 39. It can also be. In this case, any two of them may be selected.
[0055]
Next, the operation of the recording medium setting state confirmation apparatus provided with the upper sheet detecting device 33 and the lower sheet detecting device 35 as shown in FIG. 3 will be described taking a business card Q as an example. In the present embodiment, when a recording command signal is issued in the printer 1, prior to the feeding operation by the hopper 11, the upper sheet detecting device 33 and the lower sheet detecting device 35 respectively detect the upper sheet detecting device 33 on the set surface 12. It is confirmed whether or not the business card Q exists at the position (height) and the position (height) of the paper lower detection device 35.
[0056]
In this case, four cases can be classified according to whether or not the paper upper detection device 33 and the paper lower detection device 35 respectively detect the business card Q. FIG. 5 is a table showing these four cases. As shown in the detection result 1 in the table, when both the paper upper detection device 33 and the paper lower detection device 35 detect the business card Q, the business card Q having an appropriate feed direction length is set on the set surface 12. In this state, the feeding operation and the recording operation can be continued. In this case, a comment such as “normal feeding operation is possible” may be displayed on the display of the printer 1.
[0057]
Further, as shown in the detection result 2, when the paper upper detection device 33 detects the business card Q and the paper lower detection device 35 does not detect the business card Q, the business card Q is not pushed to the set position of the hopper 11. Since this is an abnormal state that is expected and cannot be performed, the feeding operation is stopped. At this time, an abnormality identification display such as “Unable to feed. Please push the paper all the way in” can be displayed on the display of the printer 1.
[0058]
Furthermore, as shown in the detection result 3, when the paper upper detection device 33 does not detect the business card Q and the paper lower detection device 35 detects the business card Q, the length of the business card Q in the feed direction is set between the nip points. Since a state shorter than the maximum distance L1 is expected among the distances and the feeding operation is impossible, the feeding operation is stopped. At this time, an abnormality identification display such as “Unable to feed. Check the paper direction or check the paper size” can be displayed on the display of the printer 1.
[0059]
Furthermore, as shown in the detection result 4, when both the paper upper detection device 33 and the paper lower detection device 35 do not detect the business card Q, it is expected that the business card Q is not set, and the feeding operation is impossible. Since this is an abnormal state, the feeding operation is stopped. At this time, an abnormality identification display such as “paper is not set” can be displayed on the display of the printer 1.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, even after the feeding operation is stopped, the upper sheet detecting device 33 and the lower sheet detecting device 35 are in an operating state. Similarly to the embodiment including only the upper sheet detecting device 33, the sheet feeding operation is performed on the condition that the upper sheet detecting device 33 and the lower sheet detecting device 35 detect the business card Q for a certain period of time, for example, 3 to 10 seconds. Is restarted.
[0061]
Further, the printer 1 is provided with a feed operation stop release switch 37. When the user presses the feed operation stop release switch 37 when the feed operation is stopped, the paper upper detection device 33 and the paper lower detection device 35 receive the business card Q. When the business card Q is detected here, the feeding operation may be started. When the business card Q is not detected, the feeding operation may be stopped. Further, a feed switch 39 is provided in the printer 1, and when the user presses the feed switch 39 when the feeding operation is stopped, the paper upper detection device 33 and the paper lower detection device 35 reconfirm the business card Q. The feeding operation may be started when the business card Q is detected, and the stopped state of the feeding operation may be continued when the business card Q is not detected. In these reconfirmation steps, when a business card Q is detected, it is preferable to generate an abnormality recognition means similar to the above.
[0062]
Further, the printer 1 is provided with a feed operation stop release switch 37 and a feed switch 39, and when the feed operation is stopped, the user waits for a certain time to elapse or the feed operation stop release switch 37 is set. It is the same as in the above embodiment that the user can select either pressing or pressing the feeding switch 39.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment having only an upper sheet detection device.
FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment further including a sheet lower part detection device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the periphery of a feeding roller showing the operation of the lower sheet detection device.
FIG. 5 is a table showing combinations of detection results of the detection devices of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet printer, 2 Operation panel, 3 Printer body,
5 feeding section, 7 discharging section, 11 hopper, 12 set surface, 13 feeding roller,
14 retard roller, 15 feed drive roller, 17 feed follower roller,
19 feed roller, 21 recording head, 22 transport roller, 23 carriage,
25 platen, 26 top surface of platen 27 discharge roller,
29 discharge drive roller, 31 discharge driven roller, 33 upper paper detection device,
35 Paper bottom detection device, 37 Feeding operation stop release switch,
39 Feed switch, P paper, Q Business card

Claims

The set surface of the feeding device has a distance equal to or longer than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points of the rollers of the recording medium conveyance path above the lowest position of the set surface. Whether or not the recording medium is correctly set when the recording medium is set in the feeding device of a recording apparatus having a recording medium upper detection device at a distance shorter than the longitudinal distance of the recording medium It is a method of confirming,
When a recording command signal is issued in the recording device, prior to the recording medium feeding operation, confirming the recording medium set in the feeding device by the recording medium upper detection device;
In the confirmation step, when the recording medium is detected, a feeding operation is started, and when the recording medium is not detected, the feeding operation is stopped;
Providing a feeding operation stop release switch to the recording device;
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed in a stop state of the feeding operation;
The reconfirmation step includes a step of starting a feeding operation when the recording medium is detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. To confirm the set state of the recording medium to be recorded.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of re-executing the feeding operation based on the recording command signal when the recording medium upper part detection device detects the recording medium for a predetermined time or more after stopping the feeding operation. A method for confirming a set state of a recording medium.

3. The recording target according to claim 2, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped or to press the feeding operation stop release switch. How to check the media set status.

The set surface of the feeding device has a distance equal to or longer than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points of the rollers of the recording medium conveyance path above the lowest position of the set surface. Whether or not the recording medium is correctly set when the recording medium is set in the feeding device of a recording apparatus having a recording medium upper detection device at a distance shorter than the longitudinal distance of the recording medium It is a method of confirming,
When a recording command signal is issued in the recording device, prior to the recording medium feeding operation, confirming the recording medium set in the feeding device by the recording medium upper detection device;
In the confirmation step, when the recording medium is detected, a feeding operation is started, and when the recording medium is not detected, the feeding operation is stopped;
Providing a feeding switch to the recording device;
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device when the feeding switch is pressed when the feeding operation is stopped;
The reconfirmation step includes a step of starting a feeding operation when the recording medium is detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. To confirm the set state of the recording medium to be recorded.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of re-executing the feeding operation based on the recording command signal when the recording medium upper detection device detects the recording medium for a predetermined time or longer after the feeding operation is stopped. A method for confirming a set state of a recording medium.

6. The set of a recording medium according to claim 5, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse or to press the feeding switch after stopping the feeding operation. Status check method.

In any one of Claims 4-6, The process of providing a feeding operation stop cancellation switch to the recording device;
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed in a stop state of the feeding operation;
The reconfirmation step includes a step of starting a feeding operation when the recording medium is detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. To confirm the set state of the recording medium to be recorded.

8. The recording medium set state confirmation according to claim 7, further comprising a step of selectively pressing either the feeding operation stop cancel switch or the feeding switch after stopping the feeding operation. Method.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped, to push the feeding operation stop release switch, or to push the feeding switch. A method for confirming a set state of a recording medium, comprising:

10. The recording medium set state confirmation method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of generating an abnormality recognizing unit when the feeding operation is stopped.

The recording medium set state confirmation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a step of generating an abnormality recognition means when the recording medium is not detected in the reconfirmation step. Method.

The set surface of the feeding device has a distance equal to or longer than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points of the rollers of the recording medium conveyance path above the lowest position of the set surface. A recording medium upper detection device is provided at a distance shorter than the longitudinal distance of the recording medium, a feeding roller is provided at a position facing the set surface, and the feeding surface is provided on the set surface of the feeding device. When the recording medium is set in the feeding device of the recording apparatus further comprising a recording medium lower detection device below a nip point between the roller and the recording medium set on the setting surface, the recording medium Is a method to check if is set correctly,
When a recording command signal is issued in the recording device, the recording medium set in the feeding device by the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device prior to the recording medium feeding operation A process of confirming,
In the confirmation step, the feeding operation is started when the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device, and the feeding operation is performed in the other cases. A process of stopping;
Providing a feeding operation stop release switch to the recording device;
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed when the feeding operation is stopped;
In the reconfirmation step, when the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device, a feeding operation is started, and the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium upper detection device A recording medium set state confirmation method, comprising: a step of stopping the feeding operation when one or both of the recording medium lower part detection devices do not detect the recording medium.

13. The feeding operation based on the recording command signal when the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device detect a recording medium for a predetermined time or longer after the feeding operation is stopped. A recording medium set state confirmation method comprising a step of re-execution.

14. The recording target according to claim 13, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped or to press the feeding operation stop release switch. How to check the media set status.

The set surface of the feeding device has a distance equal to or longer than the maximum distance L1 among the distances between the nip points of the rollers of the recording medium conveyance path above the lowest position of the set surface. A recording medium upper detection device is provided at a distance shorter than the longitudinal distance of the recording medium, a feeding roller is provided at a position facing the set surface, and the feeding surface is provided on the set surface of the feeding device. When the recording medium is set in the feeding device of the recording apparatus further comprising a recording medium lower detection device below a nip point between the roller and the recording medium set on the setting surface, the recording medium Is a method to check if is set correctly,
When a recording command signal is issued in the recording device, the recording medium set in the feeding device by the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device prior to the recording medium feeding operation A process of confirming,
In the confirmation step, the feeding operation is started when the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device, and the feeding operation is performed in the other cases. A process of stopping;
Providing a feeding switch to the recording device;
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device when the feeding switch is pressed when the feeding operation is stopped; and
In the reconfirmation step, when the recording medium is detected by both the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device, a feeding operation is started, and the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium upper detection device A recording medium set state confirmation method, comprising: a step of stopping the feeding operation when one or both of the recording medium lower part detection devices do not detect the recording medium.

The feeding operation based on the recording command signal is performed when the recording medium upper detection device and the recording medium lower detection device detect the recording medium for a predetermined time or longer after the feeding operation is stopped. A recording medium set state confirmation method comprising a step of re-execution.

17. The set of a recording medium according to claim 16, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped or to press the feeding switch. Status check method.

The step of providing a feeding operation stop release switch to the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17,
A step of reconfirming the recording medium by the recording medium upper detection device after the feeding operation stop release switch is pressed in a stop state of the feeding operation;
The reconfirmation step includes a step of starting a feeding operation when the recording medium is detected, and maintaining a stop of the feeding operation when the recording medium is not detected. To confirm the set state of the recording medium to be recorded.

19. The recording medium setting state confirmation according to claim 18, further comprising a step of selectively pressing either the feeding operation stop cancel switch or the feeding switch after the feeding operation is stopped. Method.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of selecting whether to wait for the fixed time to elapse after the feeding operation is stopped, to press the feeding operation stop release switch, or to press the feeding switch. A method for confirming a set state of a recording medium, comprising:

The recording medium upper part detection device according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein both the recording medium upper part detection device and the recording medium lower part detection device do not detect the recording medium. Different abnormality in each of the case where the medium is detected and the recording medium lower part detection device does not detect, and the case where the recording medium lower part detection device detects the recording medium and the recording medium upper part detection device does not detect A recording medium set state confirmation method, further comprising a step of displaying an identification display.