JP4613968B2 - Paper storage device and image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet storage device and an image recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pressing member that is attached to a tray cover that opens and closes an opening surface of a tray on which recording paper is loaded and accommodated and presses the recording paper in the tray while the tray cover closes the opening surface of the tray is provided. A paper storage device is known.

With respect to this type of paper storage device, the following Patent Document 1 discloses that a tray lid 24 that can close a loading port 23 of the tray main body 21 can be opened and closed with respect to the tray main body 21 that stores the photographic paper P. A paper feed tray 20 is disclosed in which a pair of leaf springs 35, 35 for urging the photographic paper P accommodated in the tray main body 21 toward the bottom plate 21 a side of the tray main body 21 are provided on the tray lid 24. ing.
JP-A-8-244959 (paragraphs “0017” to “0023”, FIG. 3 etc.)

  However, in the above-described paper feed tray 20, although the photographic paper P accommodated in the tray body 21 can be prevented from being lifted by the pair of leaf springs 35, 35, the photographic paper P can be prevented from being lifted. There is a problem that the photographic paper P fed from the tray main body 21 is transported in an unscheduled direction due to the force, and the paper feeding performance becomes unstable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a sheet storage device and an image recording apparatus capable of stabilizing the sheet feeding performance while preventing the recording sheet from floating. It is aimed.

In order to achieve this object, a sheet storage device according to claim 1 is configured to be capable of storing recording paper in a stacked state, and has a tray having an opening surface facing the recording surface of the recording paper, and the tray. a tray cover for opening and closing the opening surface, and a pressing member for pressing the recording paper in said tray in a state in which the tray cover is attached to the tray cover is closed the opening surface, in the tray A side wall standing in the tray along an edge extending in the conveying direction of the recording paper to be accommodated, and a cam formed on the side wall and defining a position of the pressing member with respect to the recording paper in the tray. wherein the tray cover, the pressing member said been disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the recording sheet is pivotally connected to the tray the pressing member side as the center of rotation than the pressing member While being supported by the cam, the tray cover side is pivotally connected to the tray cover as the center of rotation, to press the recording paper in the tray in a state in which the tray cover is closed the opening surface As the tray cover is rotated from the position in the direction in which the opening surface opens, the tray cover is configured to be movable in the direction away from the recording paper in the tray along the cam while rotating with respect to the tray cover. And a guide portion that guides the transported recording paper toward the downstream side in the transport direction when the tray cover closes the opening surface and the recording paper in the tray is transported. I have.

The claim 2 sheet accommodating apparatus, wherein in the paper accommodating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member comprises an abutment portion abutting the recording paper in the tray, the guide portion, the contact portion Are continuously curved in a direction away from the recording paper in the tray.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect , and a paper feeding roller that feeds the recording paper in contact with the recording paper accommodated in a tray of the paper accommodating device. And a recording device for recording an image on a recording paper fed from the paper feeding roller, and a transport path for transporting the recording paper fed from the paper feeding roller toward the recording device, The member includes a cutout portion formed by cutting away a portion that avoids the paper feed roller, and the guide portion feeds recording paper fed by the paper feed roller from both sides of the cutout portion to the transport path. Guide towards.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect , wherein a recording sheet on which an image is recorded on the surface by the recording apparatus from the upstream side of the pressing member in the conveyance direction of the recording sheet. comprises a double-sided recording mechanism for conveying the said tray and the opposing surfaces of said pressing member toward the paper feed roller again while supported on the opposite side, the front Symbol guide portion, an image is recorded on the surface The recording sheet is again guided toward the conveyance path.

The image recording apparatus according to claim 5 is the image recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the double-sided recording mechanism applies recording paper so that a surface on which an image is recorded by the recording apparatus is in contact with the paper feed roller. The paper is conveyed toward the paper feed roller, and the pressing member supports the recording paper from the back surface.

  According to the paper storage device of claim 1, the recording paper loaded and stored in the tray is pressed by the pressing member attached to the tray cover in a state where the tray cover closes the opening surface of the tray. As a result, the recording paper is prevented from being lifted. Further, when the recording sheet in the tray is conveyed in that state, the recording sheet is conveyed while being guided toward the downstream side in the conveying direction along the guide portion provided in the pressing member. The pressing force restricts the recording paper from being conveyed in an unplanned direction. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to stabilize the paper feeding performance while preventing the recording paper from being lifted.

In a state where the tray cover is closed the opening surface of the tray, while preventing floating of the recording sheet by the pressing member, and, on the paper feed performance can be stabilized further, the tray cover opening surface In the open state, the pressing member moves to a position away from the recording paper in the tray, so that the recording paper can be easily set in the tray from the opening surface of the opened tray. There is.

Further, there is an effect that the pressing member can be moved to a position away from the recording paper in the tray by a simple operation of rotating the tray cover in the direction in which the opening surface of the tray opens with respect to the tray.

According to the paper accommodating apparatus according to claim 2, in addition to the effects of the paper accommodating apparatus according to claim 1, pressing member comprises abutting the abutment on the recording paper in the tray, the guide portion abutting It is formed to bend in a direction away from the recording paper in the tray continuously from the section. Therefore, when feeding the paper while preventing the recording paper from being lifted while pressing the recording paper by the contact portion, the paper is fed along the guide portion so as to bend away from the recording paper in the tray. There is an effect that can be done.

According to the image recording apparatus of the third aspect, the recording sheet accommodated in the tray is fed by the sheet feeding roller, and an image is recorded by the recording apparatus via the conveyance path. The pressing member is provided with a notch portion formed by notching a portion avoiding the paper feed roller, and the guide portion guides the recording sheet from both sides of the notch portion toward the conveyance path. The recording sheet fed from the sheet feeding roller can be guided immediately after that, and the sheet feeding performance can be further stabilized.

According to the image recording apparatus according to claim 4, in addition to the effects of the image recording apparatus according to claim 3, a recording sheet fed from the tray guide unit, the recording paper is recorded on the surface There is an effect that it is possible to share the function of guiding both.

According to the image recording apparatus of the fifth aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the image recording apparatus of the fourth aspect , the recording paper on which the image is recorded on the front surface is supported by the pressing member while the back surface is supported by the pressing member. Is conveyed toward the paper feed roller so as to be in contact with the paper feed roller. Therefore, there is no need to separately form a path of the recording paper on which the image is recorded on the surface, and there is an effect that a path of the recording paper on which the recording is performed by the pressing member can be formed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction machine 10 is an apparatus that can stabilize the sheet feeding performance while preventing the recording sheet from floating.

  The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a telephone call function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function. The printer function includes a double-sided printing function for recording an image on both sides of a recording sheet. Have.

  The multifunction machine 10 is mainly configured by a printer unit 11 provided at the lower part, a scanner part 12 provided at the upper part, an operation panel 40 provided at the upper part of the front, and a slot part 43 provided at the front.

  The printer unit 11 has an opening 13 formed in the front, and a paper feed tray 20 and a paper discharge tray 21 are provided in two upper and lower stages so that a part of the opening 13 is exposed. The paper feed tray 20 is for loading recording paper. The recording paper loaded on the paper feed tray 20 is fed into the printer unit 11 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21 after a desired image is recorded.

  The scanner unit 12 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. The document cover 30 is provided as a top plate of the multifunction machine 10, and a platen glass (not shown) is disposed under the document cover 30. The document is placed on the platen glass and is read by the scanner unit 12 while being covered by the document cover 30.

  The operation panel 40 is for operating the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 and is provided with various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit. The user can set various functions and perform operations by operating the operation panel 40. For example, setting of recording paper type (plain paper or postcard), setting of single-sided recording mode for recording an image on only one side of the recording paper, setting of double-sided recording mode for recording an image on both sides, resolution (draft mode or photo) Mode) can be instructed via the operation panel 40.

  The slot portion 43 is configured to be loaded with various small memory cards that are storage media. For example, when the user operates the operation panel 40 with the small memory card loaded in the slot unit 43, the image data stored in the small memory card is read, and the read image data is recorded on the recording paper. be able to.

  Next, the configuration of the printer unit 11 will be outlined with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the printer unit 11. The printer unit 11 mainly includes a feeding unit 15 that feeds recording paper to the conveyance path 23, a conveyance path 23 that conveys recording paper fed from the feeding unit 15, and the conveyance path 23. A recording unit 24 that records an image on a recording sheet by ejecting ink droplets onto the conveyed recording sheet, a discharge tray 21 on which the recording sheet is discharged, and between the discharge tray 21 and the recording unit 24. A path switching unit 41 that is arranged and switches the path of the recording sheet to record an image on the back surface; and a reverse guide unit 16 that guides the recording sheet whose path is switched by the path switching unit 41 to the feeding unit 15 side. Is provided.

  The feeding unit 15 is provided with a paper feed tray 20 on which recording paper is stacked. The paper feed tray 20 is disposed on the bottom side of the printer unit 11 and is configured in a box shape with an open top surface. The recording paper loaded on the paper feed tray 20 is fed to the transport path 23 by the paper feed roller 25.

  When an image is recorded on only one side (front surface) of the recording paper, the recording paper fed by the paper feed roller 25 is guided to make a U-turn from below to above along the conveyance path 23. After reaching the recording unit 24, an image is recorded on the surface by the recording unit 24, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21.

  On the other hand, when images are recorded on both sides (front and back) of the recording paper, the reversing guide portion is arranged by the path switching portion 41 so that the recording paper with the image recorded on the front surface comes into contact with the paper feed roller 25. 16, the paper is fed again to the conveyance path 23 by the paper feed roller 25, the image is recorded on the back surface of the recording medium by the recording unit 24, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21.

  Next, the configuration of the printer unit 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the printer unit 11.

  In the feeding unit 15, a paper feed roller 25 is disposed above the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 feeds the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 20 and the recording paper with an image recorded on the surface thereof to the transport path 23, and is rotatably supported at the tip of the paper feeding arm 26. Has been. The paper feed roller 25 is rotationally driven through a power transmission mechanism mounted in the paper feed arm 26 using an LF motor 71 (see FIG. 13) as a drive source. This drive transmission mechanism is constituted by a plurality of gears arranged in a straight line in the paper feed arm 26, and is constituted by meshing them.

  The paper feed arm 26 has a base end portion supported by a base shaft 28 and is configured to be rotatable about the base shaft 28 as a rotation center axis. For this reason, the paper feed arm 26 can move up and down so as to be able to contact and separate from the paper feed tray 20. Further, the paper feed arm 26 is urged to rotate downward by its own weight or urged by a spring or the like. For this reason, the sheet feeding arm 26 is normally configured to come into contact with the sheet feeding tray 20 and retract upward when the sheet feeding tray 20 is inserted and removed.

  When feeding recording paper from the paper feed tray 20, the paper feed arm 26 is biased downward and the paper feed roller 25 is pressed against the recording paper on the paper feed tray 20. By rotating the paper roller 25, the uppermost recording paper is fed out to the separation inclined plate 22 by the frictional force generated between the roller surface of the paper feeding roller 25 and the recording paper.

  When the leading edge of the recording sheet comes into contact with the separation inclined plate 22, the recording sheet is guided upward and sent into the conveyance path 23. Further, when the uppermost recording paper is sent out by the paper feed roller 25, the recording paper immediately below it may be sent out together by the action of friction or static electricity, but this recording paper abuts against the separating inclined plate 22. Be stopped by.

  The conveyance path 23 is formed so as to be bent upward in a U-shape from the separation inclined plate 22 to the front side, and from the back side (left side in FIG. 3) to the front side (right side in FIG. 3). And extends to the paper discharge tray 21 via the recording unit 24.

  The conveyance path 23 is defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface except for a portion where the recording unit 24 or the like is disposed. For example, the curved portion of the conveyance path 23 on the back side of the multifunction machine 10 is formed such that the outer guide surface 18 and the inner guide surface 19 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval.

  A rotating roller 29 is provided at a location where the conveyance path 23 is bent. The rotating roller 29 is configured to be rotatable, and the roller surface of the rotating roller 29 is exposed to the inner guide surface 19. Therefore, the recording paper is smoothly transported even at the portion where the transport path 23 is bent.

  A registration sensor 102 (see FIG. 13) is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path 23 from the conveyance roller 60. The registration sensor 102 includes a detector and an optical sensor. The detector is arranged so as to cross the transport path 23 and can appear and disappear in the transport path 23. The detector is elastically biased so as to always protrude into the transport path 23, and the detector is immersed in the transport path 23 when the recording paper transported through the transport path 23 contacts the detector. The optical sensor is turned on or off by the appearance of the detector. Therefore, the position of the leading edge or the trailing edge of the recording paper in the transport path 23 is detected by causing the recording paper to make the detector appear and disappear.

  The recording unit 24 is disposed in the middle of the conveyance path 23 and includes a carriage 38 and a recording head 39. The recording head 39 is mounted on the carriage 38 and is configured to reciprocate along the guide rails 105 and 106 in the main scanning direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3).

  Specifically, the carriage 38 is slid through, for example, a belt drive mechanism using a CR motor 95 (see FIG. 13) as a drive source. Note that an ink cartridge (not shown) is disposed inside the multi-function device 10 independently of the recording head 39. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head 39 through an ink tube. Then, while the carriage 38 is reciprocated, ink is ejected as fine ink droplets from the recording head 39, whereby an image is recorded on the recording paper conveyed on the platen 42.

  The main body frame 53 of the multifunction machine 10 is provided with a linear encoder 85 (see FIG. 13) that detects the position of the carriage 38. An encoder strip of the linear encoder 85 is disposed on the guide rails 105 and 106. The encoder strip includes a light transmitting portion that transmits light and a light shielding portion that blocks light, and the light transmitting portion and the light shielding portion are alternately arranged at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction of the encoder strip to form a predetermined pattern. is doing.

  An optical sensor that is a transmissive sensor is provided on the upper surface of the carriage 38. This optical sensor is provided at a position corresponding to the encoder strip, and reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the encoder strip together with the carriage 38, and detects the pattern of the encoder strip during the reciprocation.

  Further, the carriage 38 is provided with a media sensor 86 (see FIG. 13) that detects the presence or absence of a recording sheet on the platen 42. The media sensor 86 includes a light source and a light receiving element, and light emitted from the light source is applied to the recording paper conveyed on the platen 42 while the recording paper is not conveyed to the platen 42. Is irradiated to the platen 42. Then, the light irradiated on the recording paper or the platen 42 is reflected, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light, and outputs according to the amount of light received.

  A transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 31 are provided on the upstream side of the transport path 23 from the recording unit 24. The conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 31 are for holding the recording paper conveyed through the conveying path 23 and feeding it onto the platen 42. These are paired, and the pinch roller 31 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the lower side of the conveying roller 60. The pressure contact position A is disposed above the platen 42.

  Further, a discharge roller 62 and a spur roller 63 are provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 23 from the recording unit 24. The paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63 sandwich the recorded recording paper and transport it further from the transport path 23 to the downstream side in the transport direction (to the paper discharge tray 21 side).

  The transport roller 60 and the paper discharge roller 62 are driven using an LF motor 71 (see FIG. 13) as a drive source, and the drive of the transport roller 60 and the paper discharge roller 62 are synchronized and are intermittently driven during image recording. As a result, the recording sheet is image-recorded while being sent with a predetermined line feed width.

  The transport roller 60 is provided with a rotary encoder 87 (see FIG. 13). The rotary encoder 87 detects a pattern of an encoder disk (not shown) that rotates together with the conveyance roller 60 with an optical sensor, and the rotation of the conveyance roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 is performed based on a signal detected by the optical sensor. Be controlled. In addition, before and after image recording, the transport roller 60 and the paper discharge roller 62 are continuously driven to realize rapid paper transport.

  The spur roller 63 presses the recorded recording paper, and the spur roller 63 has a spur-like unevenness on the roller surface so that the image recorded on the recording paper does not deteriorate. The spur roller 63 is provided so as to be slidable in a direction in which the spur roller 63 is in contact with and separated from the paper discharge roller 62, and is urged so as to be in pressure contact with the paper discharge roller 62. As a means for urging the spur roller 63 against the paper discharge roller 62, a coil spring is typically employed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a plurality of spur rollers 63 are provided, and each spur roller 63 is equally in the direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction, that is, the width direction of the recording paper. It is installed side by side. The number of spur rollers 63 is not particularly limited, but is set to 8 in this embodiment.

  When the recording paper enters between the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63, the spur roller 63 retracts against the biasing force of the coil spring by the thickness of the recording paper. The recording paper is pressed against the paper discharge roller 62, and the rotational force of the paper discharge roller 62 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. Similarly, the pinch roller 31 is also elastically biased with respect to the conveying roller 60. Therefore, the recording sheet is pressed against the conveying roller 60, and the rotational force of the conveying roller 60 is reliably transmitted to the recording sheet.

  A path switching unit 41 is provided on the downstream side of the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63. Here, the route switching unit 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views showing the periphery of the route switching unit in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the route switching unit 41 in the state shown in FIG. 4 is rotated about the central axis 52 as a rotation center. Show.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the path switching unit 41 is disposed on the downstream side of the recording unit 24, specifically, the downstream portion 36 of the conveyance path 23 relative to the recording unit 24, that is, the conveyance path 23 and It is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction at the boundary portion with the reverse guide portion 16. The path switching unit 41 is provided with a first roller 45 and a second roller 46 constituting a roller pair, and an auxiliary roller 47 arranged in parallel with the second roller 46.

  The first roller 45 and the second roller 46 sandwich the recording paper 103 sent from the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63. The first roller 45 and the second roller 46 can transport the recording paper 103 along the transport path 23 further downstream in the transport direction (to the paper discharge tray 21 side) and transport the recording paper to the reversal guide unit 16. Is possible.

  The second roller 46 and the auxiliary roller 47 are attached to the frame 48. The frame 48 extends in the left-right direction of the multi-function device 10 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3) (see FIG. 6). The cross-sectional shape of the frame 48 is formed in a substantially L shape, thereby ensuring the required bending rigidity of the frame 48.

  The frame 48 includes eight integrated subframes 49 (see FIG. 6). Each sub-frame 49 is symmetrically arranged in the left-right direction with respect to the center of the multifunction machine 10. Each subframe 49 pivotally supports one second roller 46 and auxiliary roller 47. Therefore, each frame 48 includes eight second rollers 46 and auxiliary rollers 47, and each second roller 46 and auxiliary roller 47 has a direction orthogonal to the recording sheet conveyance direction, that is, the recording sheet 103. Are arranged in parallel in the width direction.

  The second roller 46 and the auxiliary roller 47 are pivotally supported by support shafts 50 and 51 provided in each sub-frame 49 and are configured to be rotatable around the support shafts 50 and 51. In the present embodiment, the second roller 46 and the auxiliary roller 47 are formed in a spur shape. The auxiliary roller 47 is disposed upstream of the second roller 46 by a predetermined distance in the transport direction. Each second roller 46 is urged downward by a spring (not shown) and is always elastically pressed against the first roller 45.

  The first roller 45 is connected to an LF motor 71 (see FIG. 13) via a required drive transmission mechanism, and is rotationally driven using the LF motor 71 as a drive source. The first roller 45 includes a central shaft 52, and the central shaft 52 is supported on the main body frame 53 side of the multifunction machine 10.

  A second roller 46 is placed above the first roller 45. The first roller 45 may be formed in a single elongated cylindrical shape, and eight rollers may be arranged to face the second rollers 46, respectively.

  The first roller 45 is configured to be rotated forward and backward by the LF motor 71 so that the recording paper 103 can be conveyed to the discharge tray 21 side and the reverse guide unit 16 side. That is, the recording sheet 103 conveyed along the conveyance path 23 is sandwiched between the first roller 45 and the second roller 46. When the first roller 45 rotates forward, the recording sheet 103 is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction while being sandwiched between the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21. On the other hand, when the first roller 45 rotates in the reverse direction, the recording paper 103 is returned to the upstream side in the transport direction while being sandwiched between the first roller 45 and the second roller 46.

  In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the first roller 45 is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the paper discharge roller 62. That is, when both are driven at the same rotational speed, the peripheral speed of the first roller 45 is larger than the peripheral speed of the paper discharge roller 62. Therefore, when the recording paper 103 is conveyed by both the paper discharge roller 62 and the first roller 45, the recording paper 103 is always pulled in the conveyance direction.

  Here, the drive mechanism 44 of the path switching unit 41 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the path switching unit 41. FIG. 7 is a view in the direction of arrow VII shown in FIG. 8 is a view taken in the direction of arrow VIII shown in FIG. The drive mechanism 44 is for driving the path switching unit 41 from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 5 or for returning from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the drive mechanism 44 includes a driven gear 54 provided on the central shaft 52, a drive gear 55 that meshes with the driven gear 54, and a cam 57 that is connected to the drive gear 55.

  The cam 57 is connected to one end of a rotation drive shaft 58, and the rotation drive shaft 58 is driven using the LF motor 71 as a drive source. As shown in FIG. 8, the cam 57 is provided with a guide groove 59. The guide groove 59 is formed in an annular shape around the rotation drive shaft 58. Specifically, the guide groove 59 includes a small arc portion 69 and a large arc portion 70 centered on the rotation drive shaft 58, and a connection groove 72 that connects one end of the small arc portion 69 and one end of the large arc portion 70. A connecting groove 73 that connects the other end of the small arc portion 69 and the other end of the large arc portion 70 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the driven gear 54 includes a tooth portion 64 and a flange portion 65. The tooth portion 64 is configured as an involute gear centered on the central shaft 52. The tooth portion 64 is fitted into the central shaft 52 and can rotate around the central shaft 52. The flange portion 65 is formed integrally with the tooth portion 64 and is connected to the frame 48. Therefore, when the tooth portion 64 rotates, the frame 48, the sub frame 49, the second roller 46, and the auxiliary roller 47 rotate integrally with the central shaft 52 as the rotation center.

  The drive gear 55 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 66. The support shaft 66 is provided on the main body frame 53. The drive gear 55 includes a tooth portion 67 and an arm 68. The tooth portion 67 is configured as an involute gear centered on the support shaft 66 and meshes with the tooth portion 64. A pin 56 shown in FIG. 8 protrudes from the arm 68, and the pin 56 is fitted in the guide groove 59 and is slidable along the guide groove 59. Then, when the tooth portion 67 rotates, the tooth portion 64 rotates, and as a result, the frame 48, the sub-frame 49, the second roller 46, and the auxiliary roller 47 rotate integrally around the center shaft 52 as a rotation center.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the cam 57 rotates, the pin 56 moves relatively along the guide groove 59, and particularly when sliding along the connecting grooves 72, 73, the pin 56 moves toward the cam 57. It will move in the radial direction. For this reason, when the cam 57 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow 82) in FIG. 8, the pin 56 sequentially moves to the large arc portion 70, the connecting groove 72, and the small arc portion 69.

  Accordingly, the drive gear 55 rotates clockwise in FIG. As a result, the driven gear 54 rotates counterclockwise around the central axis 52 in FIG. As described above, since the driven gear 54 is connected to the frame 48, the rotation of the driven gear 54 causes the frame 48, the sub frame 49, the first roller 46, and the auxiliary roller 47 to rotate around the central shaft 52. Rotates integrally. From this state, if the cam 57 rotates in the reverse direction as described above, the frame 48, the sub-frame 49, the first roller 46, and the auxiliary roller 47 rotate as a whole with the central shaft 52 as the center of rotation. , Return to the original state.

  In this embodiment, if the posture of the path switching unit 41 as shown in FIG. 4 is “recording medium discharge posture” and the posture of the path switching unit 41 as shown in FIG. When an image is recorded only on the surface of the recording sheet (single-sided recording), the path switching unit 41 is always in the recording medium discharge posture, and the recording sheet conveyed along the conveyance path 23 is left as it is. (See FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, when the path switching unit 41 changes to the recording medium reversal posture, the recording paper 103 is guided to the reversal guide unit 16 as shown in FIG. Specifically, when images are recorded on both the front and back sides of the recording paper 103, first, the path switching unit 41 maintains the recording medium ejection posture (see FIG. 4), and the recording paper 103 with the image recorded on the front surface It is sent downstream in the transport direction. Thereafter, the path switching unit 41 changes from the recording medium discharge posture (see FIG. 4) to the recording medium reverse posture (see FIG. 5), and the auxiliary roller 47 presses the recording paper 103 and guides it to the reverse guiding unit 16 side. .

  Returning again to FIG. 4, the description will be continued. A guide unit 76 is disposed on the downstream side of the path switching unit 41 configured as described above. The guide portion 76 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first roller 45 and the second roller 46. A support plate 75 is attached to the main body frame 53, and a guide portion 76 is provided on the support plate 75.

  The guide portion 76 is provided with a base portion 77 fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 75 and a guide roller 78 supported by the base portion 77. The base 77 includes a support shaft 79, and the guide roller 78 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 79. In the present embodiment, the guide roller 78 is formed in a spur shape.

  The guide unit 76 contacts the recording surface of the recording sheet 103 when the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are rotated in the reverse direction and the recording sheet 103 is sent to the reverse guiding unit 16. Further, the guide unit 76 does not contact the recording sheet 103 when the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are rotated forward and the recording sheet 103 is sent to the reverse guide unit 16. Specifically, the guide portion 76 is provided at a position where it does not come into contact with an imaginary line connecting the contact point between the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 and the contact point between the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63.

  When the recording paper 103 is sent to the reversing guide unit 16 while changing the direction of the conveyance direction, a portion of the recording paper 103 downstream of the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 is caused by the rigidity of the recording paper 103. It acts to change the direction in a direction parallel to the reversing guide portion 16. However, the guide roller 78 comes into contact with the recording surface of the recording paper 103 and bends the recording paper 103. Accordingly, since the recording paper 103 is wound around the first roller 45 and the second roller 46, a stable conveying force can be obtained, and the recording paper 103 is surely sent to the reverse guide unit 16.

  Returning again to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. The reversing guide unit 16 is connected to the conveyance path 23 and is continuous to the downstream portion 36 of the conveyance path 23 relative to the recording unit 24. The reversing guide unit 16 constitutes a reversing path that guides the recording paper having an image recorded on the surface thereof to the paper feeding roller 25 again.

  The reverse guide portion 16 extends obliquely downward from the downstream portion 36 of the transport path 23 toward the paper feed roller 25, and has a first guide surface 32 that forms an inner line, and a predetermined interval from the first guide surface. And a second guide surface 33a that forms an upstream outer line, and a second guide surface 33b that forms a downstream outer line continuously from the second guide surface 33a. In the present embodiment, the first guide surface 32 is constituted by the guide member 34, the second guide surface 33 a is constituted by the guide member 35, and the second guide surface 33 b is constituted by the surface of the flap 37.

  The flap 37 constituting the second guide surface 33b introduces the recording paper having an image recorded on the front surface thereof into the paper feed roller 25 while supporting it from the opposite surface (back surface), and is the most downstream of the guide member 35. It is configured in a plate shape extending obliquely downward from the side to the front side of the paper feed roller 25.

  The upstream side of the flap 37 is pivotally supported by a rotation shaft 37d, and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 37d. For this reason, the flap 37 can move up and down so as to be able to contact and separate from the paper feed tray 20. Further, since both the paper feed roller 25 and the flap 37 are rotatably supported by the shaft, the paper feed roller 25 and the flap 37, regardless of the amount of recording paper loaded in the paper feed tray 20, are provided. 37 can be kept constant, and the paper feeding performance when the paper fed on the flap 37 (the paper on which the image is recorded) is fed again by the paper feed roller 25 is stable. It can be made.

  Further, the flap 37 is biased downward by its own weight and a spring (not shown), and a part of the flap 37 is configured to contact the paper feed tray 20 (recording paper loaded on the paper feed tray 20). Has been. Therefore, the recording paper before recording stored in the paper feed tray 20 can be reliably introduced into the paper feed roller 25 without floating.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the paper discharge tray 21, the flap 37, and the paper feed tray 20 will be described more specifically. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view mainly showing the paper discharge tray 21, the flap 37, and the paper feed tray 20. FIG. 10 is a plan view mainly showing the paper discharge tray 21, the flap 37, and the paper feed tray 20. It is. In FIG. 10, the paper feed roller 25 and the paper feed arm 26 shown in FIG. 9 are not shown.

  The paper discharge tray 21 receives the discharged recording paper and opens and closes the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20. The paper discharge tray 21 can be opened and closed to cover the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20. It is worn. The paper discharge tray 21 is inserted into and removed from the opening 13 (see FIG. 1) in front of the main body integrally with the paper feed tray 20. When the paper feed tray 20 is removed from the main body, as shown in FIG. 9, when the paper discharge tray 21 is rotated about the rotation shaft 21a in the direction of arrow A, the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20 is opened and the paper feed tray 20 is opened. Recording paper can be set inside the paper tray 20. Further, by setting the paper feed tray 20 in the main body in a state in which the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20 is closed by the paper discharge tray 21, the paper is discharged so that the recording sheets are stacked on the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 21. .

  The flap 37 supports recording paper on which recording has been performed on the front surface from the opposite surface (back surface). The flap 37 extends from the front of the paper discharge tray 21 toward the paper feed roller 25 and the main body 37a. A contact portion 37b that extends across the paper supply roller 25 so as to avoid the paper supply roller 25 and contacts the recording paper stacked on the paper supply tray 20, and continuously from the contact portion 37b toward the inclined wall 22 side. The guide portion 37 c is curved and extends in a direction away from the paper feed tray 20.

  Both ends of the main body portion 37a are rotatably attached to the paper discharge tray 21 via a rotation shaft 37d. Then, the taper narrows from the paper discharge tray 21 toward the paper feed roller 25 and is connected to the contact portion 37b.

  The abutting portion 37 b extends from the main body portion 37 a to both sides of the sheet feeding roller 25, and the surface on the sheet feeding tray 20 side abuts on a recording sheet accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 20. The contact portion 37b prevents the recording paper contained in the paper feed tray 20 from being pressed and lifted.

  The guide portion 37 c guides the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 20 and the recording paper on which an image is recorded toward the conveyance path 23. The recording paper fed by the paper feeding roller 25 is fed to the transport path 23 along the guide portion 37c while the paper feeding direction is guided. In this case, the guide portion 37c is curved toward the transport path 23 in a direction away from the paper feed tray 20, and therefore smoothly guides the recording paper to the transport path 23 formed in a U-shape. be able to.

  As described above, the paper feed tray 20 is configured in a box shape having an open upper surface (a surface facing the paper feed roller 25), and is configured so that recording sheets can be stacked and accommodated therein. Inside, a pair of side guides 201 sandwiching recording sheets to be stacked and stored in the width direction are erected.

  The side guides 201 are arranged so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow B (main scanning direction), and the pair of side guides 201 are slid in accordance with the size of the recording paper loaded in the paper feed tray 20 to thereby record the recording paper. Can be sandwiched. Therefore, the recording sheets stacked in the sheet feeding tray 20 are fed along the side guide 201, and it is possible to prevent skewing in the width direction of the recording sheets.

  Here, the pair of side guides 201 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a pair of side guides 201 extracted from the paper feed tray 20, where FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the pair of side guides 201, and FIG. 11B is a pair of side guides 201. FIG. 11C is a side view of the pair of side guides 201.

  The pair of side guides 201 are opposed to each other in the paper feed tray 20 and sandwich a recording sheet stacked in the paper feed tray 20 in the width direction, and the pair of side walls 201a. The base wall 201b is bent inwardly from the bottom side to support the side walls 201a, and the interval adjusting bar 201c extends from the base wall 201b to the side wall 201a opposite to the base wall 201b.

  The side wall 201 a is erected from the bottom wall side of the paper feed tray 20 at a height exceeding the flap 37. Accordingly, the skew in the width direction of the recording sheets stacked and accommodated in the sheet feed tray 20 is corrected by the side wall 201a, and the width of the recording sheet on which the image is recorded on the surface conveyed on the flap 37 is corrected. Skew in direction is corrected. In order to correct the skew in the width direction of the recording sheet on which the image is recorded on the front surface, a guide portion 202 is particularly formed on the side wall 201a.

  The guide portion 202 is formed on each of the pair of side walls 201a and gradually narrows from a portion wider than the interval between the pair of side walls 201a (a portion wider than the width of the recording paper) toward the paper feed roller 25. In addition, it is configured to converge at the same interval as the interval between the pair of side walls 201a on the upstream side in the transport direction from the sheet feeding roller 25. A recording sheet on which an image is recorded collides with the surface conveyed on the flap 37 to the guide unit 202, and the skew in the width direction is corrected.

  Further, the side surfaces facing each other of the pair of guide portions 202 are inclined so as to approach each other in the direction from the uppermost layer side to the lowermost layer side of the recording paper loaded and accommodated in the paper feed tray 20. It is configured. Therefore, the recording paper recorded on the front surface is guided from the uppermost layer side to the lowermost layer side of the recording paper loaded and accommodated in the paper feed tray 20 along the side surfaces of the pair of guide portions 202. become. Therefore, even if the recording paper recorded on the front surface is skewed in the stacking direction of the recording paper stacked and accommodated in the paper feed tray 20, the skew can be corrected.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the portion of the flap 37 adjacent to each of the guide portions 202 is cut out, and the flap 37 is not formed in the portion adjacent to each of the guide portions 202. Thus, when the skew of the recording paper recorded on the surface by the pair of guide portions 202 is corrected, the reaction force generated on the recording paper due to the reaction is absorbed without being obstructed by the flap 37. Can do.

  The distance adjusting bar 201c reflects the amount of movement of one side wall 201a in the amount of movement of the other side wall 201a, and gears (not shown) are formed on edges facing each other. It is engaged with a rotation gear 204 that is sandwiched between adjustment bars 201 c and is rotatably disposed on the bottom wall of the paper feed tray 20.

  Therefore, when the user slides one side wall 201a in the direction of arrow B, the other side wall 201a slides in the opposite direction by the same amount. Thereby, the distance between the pair of side guides 201 can be adjusted to the width of the recording paper stored in the paper feed tray 20.

  Further, a cam 203 is formed on the upper edge of the pair of side walls 201a so that the flap 37 abuts the middle of the pair of side walls 201a and regulates the moving direction of the flap 37. As shown in FIG. 11 (c), the cam 203 is formed horizontally for a predetermined distance after being inclined downward (from the upper side to the lower side in the drawing) from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and then inclined upward. It is configured.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 12, the operation of the flap 37 moving along the cam 203 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the paper discharge tray 21 is rotated with respect to the paper feed tray 20.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20 is closed by the paper discharge tray 21, the recording paper P in the paper feed tray 20 is pressed against the contact portion 37 b of the flap 37. And is prevented from floating.

  In this state, the recording paper loaded on the paper feed tray 20 and fed by the paper feed roller 25 is guided toward the transport path 23 by the guide portion 37c of the flap 37 (particularly, the bottom surface of the guide portion 37c). A recording sheet conveyed on the flap 37 and fed on the surface fed by the sheet feeding roller 25 is guided toward the conveyance path 23 by the guide portion 37c of the flap 37 (particularly, the upper surface of the guide portion 37c). Has been. Therefore, even if the recording sheet is pressed by the contact portion 37b of the flap 37, the recording sheet can be stably fed to the conveyance path.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12B to 12D, when the paper feed tray 20 is removed from the main body and the paper discharge tray 21 is rotated about the rotation shaft 21a, the flap 37 is rotated. It rotates relative to the paper discharge tray 21 around 37d and moves along the cam 203 formed on the side wall 201a. As a result, the contact portion 37 b of the flap 37 moves in a direction away from the recording paper in the paper feed tray 20.

  Thus, the opening surface of the paper feed tray 20 closed by the paper discharge tray 21 is opened, and the contact portion 37b of the flap 37 is moved to a position away from the bottom wall side of the paper feed tray 20. The recording paper can be smoothly stacked and accommodated in the paper feed tray 20.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 84 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 84 of the multifunction machine 10. The control unit 84 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10 including not only the printer unit 11 but also the scanner unit 12, but detailed description of the scanner unit 12 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 84 stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 88, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 89, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 90, and settings and flags that should be retained even after the power is turned off. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 91 is configured as a microcomputer, and is connected to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 93 via a bus 92.

  The ROM 89 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multifunction machine 10. For example, a print processing program 89a for executing the print processing shown in FIG. 12 is stored. The RAM 90 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 88 executes the program.

  The ASIC 93 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing the LF motor 71 in accordance with a command from the CPU 88, applies the signal to the drive circuit 94 of the LF motor 71, and sends the drive signal to the LF motor via the drive circuit 94. The rotation of the LF motor 71 is controlled by energizing the 71.

  The drive circuit 94 drives the LF motor 71 connected to the paper feed roller 25, the transport roller 60, the paper discharge roller 62, the first roller 45, etc., and receives the output signal from the ASIC 93 and receives the LF motor 71. An electric signal for rotating the is generated. In response to the electrical signal, the LF motor 71 rotates, and the rotational force of the LF motor 71 is fed via a known drive mechanism including a gear, a drive shaft, and the like, through the paper feed roller 25, the transport roller 60, the paper discharge roller 62, It is transmitted to the first roller 45.

  In this multifunction device 10, the LF motor 71 serves as a drive source for feeding recording paper from the paper feed tray 20, and transports recording paper that is positioned on the platen 42 and has already been recorded. Is a drive source for discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 21, and further, a drive source for driving the paper discharge roller 62 via a predetermined power transmission mechanism.

  That is, the LF motor 71 drives the conveyance roller 60, the paper feed roller 25 via the drive transmission mechanism 27, and the paper discharge roller 62 via the predetermined power transmission mechanism. The predetermined power transmission mechanism may be constituted by a gear train, for example, or a timing belt or the like may be used due to the assembly space.

  Further, the ASIC 93 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing a CR (carriage) motor 95 in accordance with a command from the CPU 88, gives the signal to the drive circuit 96 of the CR motor 95, and passes through the drive circuit 96. The CR motor 95 is controlled to rotate by energizing the CR motor 95 with a drive signal.

  The drive circuit 96 drives the CR motor 95 connected to the carriage 38, receives an output signal from the ASIC 93, and generates an electrical signal for rotating the CR motor 95. Upon receipt of the electrical signal, the CR motor 95 rotates, and the rotational force of the CR motor 95 is transmitted to the carriage 38, whereby the carriage 38 is reciprocated.

  The drive circuit 97 selectively ejects ink onto the recording paper from the recording head 39 at a predetermined timing. The drive circuit 97 receives an output signal generated in the ASIC 93 based on a drive control procedure output from the CPU 88. The recording head 39 is driven and controlled.

  The ASIC 93 includes a scanner unit 12, an operation panel 40 for instructing operation of the multifunction device 10, a slot unit 43 into which various small memory cards are inserted, an external device such as a personal computer, and data via a parallel cable or a USB cable. Are connected to a parallel interface (I / F) 98 and a USB interface (I / F) 99 for transmitting and receiving, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 100 and a modem (MODEM) 101 for realizing a facsimile function.

  In addition, the ASIC 93 includes a registration sensor 102 that detects that the recording sheet has been conveyed from the paper supply roller 25 to the vicinity of the conveyance roller 60, a rotary encoder 87 that detects the rotation amount of each roller driven by the LF motor 71, and a carriage 38. A linear encoder 85 for detecting the amount of movement of the recording medium and a media sensor 86 for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper on the platen 42 are connected.

  Here, a process performed by the control unit 84 of the multifunction machine 10 will be briefly described. When the power of the multifunction machine 10 is turned on, the carriage 38 is once moved to its slide end, and the detection position by the linear encoder 85 is initialized. When the carriage 38 slides from the initial position, the optical sensor 107 provided on the carriage 38 detects the encoder strip pattern.

  The control unit 84 grasps the movement amount of the carriage 38 based on the number of pulse signals based on the detection of the optical sensor 107, and controls the rotation of the CR motor 95 to control the reciprocation of the carriage 38 based on the movement amount. . Further, the control unit 84 grasps the position of the leading or trailing edge of the recording paper and the conveyance amount of the recording paper based on the output signal of the registration sensor 102 and the encoder amount detected by the rotary encoder 87.

  When the leading edge of the recording sheet reaches a predetermined position of the platen 42, the control unit 84 controls the rotation of the LF motor 71 so as to intermittently convey the recording sheet for each predetermined line feed width. The line feed width is set based on the resolution input as the image recording condition. In particular, when high-resolution recording, specifically borderless photo recording, is performed, the control unit 84 determines whether the media sensor 86 detects the presence of a recording sheet and the encoder amount detected by the rotary encoder 87. Accurately detects the leading and trailing edges of recording paper.

  Further, based on the detection of the presence of the recording paper by the media sensor 86 and the encoder amount detected by the linear encoder 85, the control unit 84 accurately detects the positions of both ends of the recording paper. Based on the positions of the leading edge, the trailing edge, and both ends of the recording paper detected in this way, the control unit 84 controls the ejection of ink droplets by the inkjet recording head 39.

  Next, a printing process executed by the CPU 88 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a printing process executed by the CPU 88 of the multifunction machine 10.

  In this printing process, when a print execution instruction is input, the paper feed roller 25 is driven (S 1), and the recording paper P is conveyed from the paper supply tray 20 into the conveyance path 23. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the recording paper P loaded on the paper feed tray 20 is pressed by the contact portion 37b of the flap 37, so that the recording paper P is prevented from floating. Since the paper feeding direction is guided by the guide portion 37c of the flap 37 (particularly the bottom surface side of the guide portion 37c), the recording paper P can be stably fed toward the transport path 23.

  Thus, when the recording paper P is fed into the transport path 23, the recording paper P has a surface (front surface) opposite to the surface with which the paper feed roller 25 contacts in the transport path 23 of the recording head 39. Inverted to face nozzle formation.

  When the recording paper P is detected by the registration sensor 102 and the recording paper P reaches the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, the transport roller 60 is driven after a predetermined time has passed in order to adjust the skew (S2). Then, the recording paper P is sandwiched between the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, and the recording paper P is conveyed between the recording head 39 and the platen 42 by the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, and the surface facing the recording head 39. The image recording to is started (S3).

  In this case, the recording paper P is intermittently transported by the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, and the carriage 38 is slid while the recording paper P is stopped, and an image is recorded on the surface of the recording paper P by the recording head 39. To do.

  When the recording paper P reaches the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63, the recording paper P is further conveyed downstream by the paper discharge roller 62 and the spur roller 63. Further, when the recording paper P reaches the first roller 45 and the second roller 46, the recording paper P is conveyed further downstream by the first roller 45 and the second roller 46. During this time, image recording on the surface of the recording paper P is completed (S4).

  Next, it is determined whether the image recording mode is set to the single-sided recording mode or the double-sided recording mode (S5). The image recording mode is set by the user operating the operation panel 40 or the like in advance. Data specifying the single-sided recording mode or the double-sided recording mode is transmitted from the operation panel 40 to the RAM 90 of the control unit 84, and these data are stored in the RAM 90.

  However, data specifying the single-sided recording mode may be stored in advance in the ROM 89 as a default value. Then, the controller 84 reads data specifying the double-sided recording mode from the RAM 90 or the ROM 89, so that an image is also recorded on the back surface of the recording paper P.

  When the single-side recording mode is set by the user operating the operation panel 40 (S5: No), after the image is recorded on the front surface (S4), the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are continuously driven. Then, the recording paper P is transported downstream in the transport direction and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 21 (S15). When the single-sided recording mode is set (S5: No), the path switching unit 41 is always in the recording medium ejection posture (see FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, when the user operates the operation panel 40 to set the double-sided recording mode (S5: Yes), after the image is recorded on the front surface (S4), the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are temporarily moved. Stop and drive the path switching unit 41 to the recording medium inversion posture (see FIG. 5) (S6).

  When the path switching unit 41 is changed to the recording sheet reversing posture, the path switching unit 41 is rotated about the central axis 52 of the first roller 45. That is, the second roller 46 rolls on the circumferential surface of the first roller 45 while holding the recording paper P, and presses the recording paper P by the auxiliary roller 47.

  In other words, the second roller 46 rolls on the peripheral surface of the first roller 45 so that the recording paper P is wound around the peripheral surface of the first roller 45. As a result, the recording paper P is pressed from the front surface side toward the reversing guide unit 16 by the auxiliary roller 47, and the leading end portion (the rear end on the front surface and the front end on the back surface) positioned on the upstream side of the recording paper P (See FIG. 5).

  Then, the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are rotated in the reverse direction (S7), and the recording paper P is conveyed toward the paper feed roller 25 in the reverse guide unit 16 (S8). Thereby, the recording paper P is conveyed toward the paper feed roller 25 on the second guide surfaces 33a and 33b as shown in FIG.

  In S7, when the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are rotated in the reverse direction, the rotary encoder 87 determines whether the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are rotated by a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is set in advance to an amount before the leading end of the recording paper P (the rear end on the front surface and the front end on the back surface) reaches the guiding unit 202.

  When the reverse rotation is made by a predetermined amount, the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are again rotated reversely (S9), and the recording paper P is fed back in the direction away from the paper feed roller 25 (S10). Thereby, the difference in the bending in the width direction of the recording paper P on which the image is recorded on the surface is suppressed.

  In S9, when the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are reversely rotated, the rotary encoder 87 determines whether the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are reversely rotated by a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is set in advance to an amount before the leading end portion (the rear end of the front surface and the front end of the back surface) of the recording paper P reaches the first roller 45 and the second roller 46.

  When the reverse rotation has occurred by a predetermined amount, the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are again reversely rotated (S11). As a result, the recording paper P is conveyed again toward the paper feed roller 25.

  Here, before the recording paper P conveyed toward the paper feed roller 25 reaches the paper feed roller 25, a pair of side guides 201 (a pair of side walls 201a) are shown in the middle of the recording paper P as shown in FIG. The guide section 202 formed on each of the recording sheets P is reached, and the skew of the recording paper P is corrected in the guide section 202.

  Specifically, the recording paper P shown in FIG. 17 shows a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed obliquely toward one of the guide sections 202, and this skew is recorded. When the sheet P collides with one guide unit 202, the sheet P is pushed to the other guide unit 202 and corrected. That is, it is possible to correct the skew in the width direction (arrow B direction) of the recording paper P on which an image is recorded on the surface by the guide unit 202. Therefore, the paper feed performance by the paper feed roller 25 can be stabilized.

  In S11, when the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are reversely rotated, the rotary encoder 87 determines whether the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are reversely rotated by a predetermined amount. This predetermined amount is set in advance to an amount until the leading end portion (the rear end of the front surface and the front end of the back surface) of the recording paper P reaches the paper feed roller 25.

  Then, when the recording paper P rotates reversely by a predetermined amount and the leading edge of the recording paper P (the rear edge on the front surface and the front edge on the back surface) reaches the paper feeding roller 25, the paper feeding roller 25 is driven (S12). When the paper feed roller 25 is driven, as shown in FIG. 18, the recording paper P on which the image is recorded has its paper feed direction set by the guide portion 37c of the flap 37 (particularly the upper surface side of the guide portion 37c). Since it is guided, the recording paper P can be stably fed toward the transport path 23.

  When the paper feed roller 25 is driven, the paper feed roller 25 feeds the recording paper P so that the transport amount of the recording paper P by the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 is smaller. The roller 25 and the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 are driven simultaneously. As a result, the recording paper P positioned at the reversing guide portion 16 can still be conveyed in a bent state.

  Thereby, compared with the case where the recording paper P is transported without being bent, the transport load of the paper feed roller 25 is reduced, the paper feed roller 25 is less likely to slip, and the paper feed roller 25 slips to cause the paper feed roller to slip. It is possible to suppress the image recorded on the surface of the recording paper P abutting on the recording paper 25 from being transferred to the paper feed roller 25 and damaging the image recorded on the surface of the recording paper P.

  When the paper feed roller 25 is driven by the process of S12 (S12), the recording paper P has a surface (back surface) opposite to the surface (front surface) with which the paper feed roller 25 contacts in the transport path 23. Inverted to face the nozzle formation. When the recording paper P is detected by the registration sensor 102 and the recording paper P reaches the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, the transport roller 60 is driven (S13).

  When the recording paper P is transported onto the platen 41 by the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 31, an image is recorded on the back surface of the recording paper P by the recording head 39 in the same manner as described above (S14). Before the leading edge (front edge of the back surface) enters the path switching unit 41, the path switching unit 41 is changed from the recording medium reversing posture (see FIG. 5) to the recording medium discharging posture (see FIG. 4) again. Thus, the path switching unit 41 is driven (S15). Thereafter, image recording on the back surface of the recording paper P is completed (S16), and the recording paper P on which images are recorded on both sides is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by the first roller 45 and the second roller 46. At this time, the first roller 45 and the second roller 46 rotate forward, and the recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21 (S17).

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the cam 203 that restricts the movement of the flap 37 is formed on the upper edge portion of the pair of side walls 201a has been described, but the portion where the cam 203 is formed is limited to the upper edge portion of the side wall 201a. However, as long as the movement of the flap 37 can be restricted, for example, a cam groove may be formed in the pair of side walls 201a, and the flap 37 may be moved along the cam groove.

  In the present embodiment, the case where both the pair of side guides 201 are configured to be movable has been described. However, one of the pair of side guides 201 is fixed and the other is configured to be slidable with respect to the other. Anyway.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the pair of guide portions 202 is formed from the bottom side to the upper edge portion of the pair of side walls 201a has been described. However, only the position where the recording paper P on which the image is recorded passes is passed. The guiding portion 202 may be formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the recording paper P on which the image is recorded on the front surface is once reversely fed in the reversing guide unit 16, the leading end of the recording paper P (the rear end on the front surface, the front end on the back surface) is the guiding unit 202. Although the case where the recording paper P is reversely fed before reaching the recording medium P has been described, the leading edge of the recording paper P (the leading edge of the front surface and the leading edge of the back surface) reaches the paper feed roller 25 as the timing of reverse feeding of the recording paper P. If it is before, it may be after reaching the guiding section 202.

  In the present embodiment, the recording paper P on which the image is recorded on the surface in the reversing guide unit 16 is once reversely fed and then conveyed toward the paper feed roller 25 again. Although the case where it makes it later was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, when a large amount of ink is ejected on the surface or the humidity is high, the recording paper P on which an image is recorded tends to be distorted. Therefore, in such a case, the recording paper P may be set so as to increase the reverse feed amount. That is, it may be configured to detect the printing state and humidity on the surface and change the carry amount accordingly.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a structure of a printer unit of the multifunction machine. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a printer part. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows a route change part periphery. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows a route change part periphery. It is a perspective view of a path switching part. It is an arrow VII direction arrow line view shown in FIG. It is an arrow VIII direction arrow line view shown in FIG. It is a perspective view mainly showing a paper discharge tray, a flap, and a paper feed tray. It is a top view mainly showing a paper discharge tray, a flap, and a paper feed tray. It is a figure which shows a pair of side guide. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the paper discharge tray was rotated with respect to the paper feed tray. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart which shows a printing process. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a printer part. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a printer part. It is a top view mainly showing a paper discharge tray, a flap, and a paper feed tray. It is a partial expanded sectional view of a printer part.

Explanation of symbols

10 Multifunction machine (image recording device)
20 Paper tray (tray, part of paper storage device)
21 Output tray (tray cover, part of paper storage device)
25 Paper feed roller 37 Flap (pressing member, part of paper storage device)
37c Guide unit 39 Recording head 41 Path switching unit (part of double-sided recording mechanism)
201a Side wall 203 cam

Claims (5)

A tray configured to be able to be accommodated in a state in which recording sheets are stacked and having a surface facing a recording surface of the recording paper, a tray cover for opening and closing the opening surface of the tray, and a tray cover attached to the tray cover. In a paper storage device provided with a pressing member that presses the recording paper in the tray in a state where the tray cover closes the opening surface,
A side wall erected in the tray along an edge extending in the conveying direction of the recording paper accommodated in the tray;
A cam that is formed on the side wall and defines a position of the pressing member with respect to the recording paper in the tray;
The tray cover is disposed upstream of the pressing member in the conveyance direction of the recording paper, and is rotatably connected to the tray with the pressing member side as a rotation center.
The pressing member is supported by the cam and is rotatably connected to the tray cover with the tray cover side as a rotation center, and the tray cover closes the opening surface in the tray. As the tray cover is rotated in the direction in which the opening surface opens from the position where the recording paper is pressed, the direction away from the recording paper in the tray along the cam while rotating with respect to the tray cover. When the recording paper in the tray is transported when the tray cover closes the opening surface, the transported recording paper is directed downstream in the transport direction. A sheet storage device comprising a guide portion for guiding. The pressing member includes a contact portion that contacts the recording paper in the tray,
2. The sheet storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide portion is formed to bend in a direction away from the recording sheet in the tray continuously from the contact portion. The paper storage device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A paper feed roller that feeds the recording paper in contact with the recording paper contained in the tray of the paper storage device;
A recording device for recording an image on recording paper fed from the paper feed roller;
A transport path for transporting the recording paper fed from the paper feed roller toward the recording device,
The pressing member includes a cutout portion configured by cutting out a portion avoiding the paper feed roller,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit guides a recording sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller from both sides of the notch portion toward the conveyance path. While supporting the recording sheet on which the image is recorded on the surface by the recording apparatus from the upstream side of the pressing member in the conveying direction of the recording sheet, on the surface of the pressing member opposite to the surface facing the tray. A double-sided recording mechanism that conveys the paper again toward the paper feed roller;
Before SL guide portion, an image recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the guides towards the recording paper on which the image has been recorded on the conveying path again to the surface. The double-sided recording mechanism conveys a recording sheet toward the paper feed roller so that a surface on which an image is recorded by the recording device is in contact with the paper feed roller;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the pressing member supports the recording sheet from a back surface.

Images