JP5294753B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive and compact recording device which eliminates the need of a new drive source for a movable part of a path changeover mechanism even if the device is of a two-sided recording type. <P>SOLUTION: This recording device having an inverting path changeover mechanism includes a recording part for recording in a recording medium, conveying rollers for conveying the recording medium, and an inverting path for inverting the front and rear of the recording medium. The recording device further includes a conveying path for conveying the recording medium from the inverting path to the recording part, a double-sided path for introducing the recording medium from the recording part to the inverting path, and a double-sided flapper for changing over between the conveying path and the double-sided path. An elastic force is applied to the double-sided flapper by the conveying force of the recording medium to changeover the path from the double-sided path to the conveying path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus that performs double-sided recording.

  In recent years, recording devices such as printers have become increasingly multifunctional. In particular, while environmentally friendly products such as resource saving and energy saving are desired, recording apparatuses equipped with a double-sided recording function tend to increase.

  Conventionally, the mechanism for realizing the double-sided recording function in a recording apparatus is that after recording on one side, the recorded recording medium is reversed inside or outside the apparatus, conveyed again to the recording unit, and moved to the other side. Many employ a recording configuration. According to such a configuration, when a separate recording medium conveyance path for double-sided recording has to be mounted, or when a separate option reversing device is attached, the recording apparatus main body may be large. In this case, the number of parts used increases and the manufacturing cost tends to increase.

  In view of this, there is known a technique for reducing the size of the recording apparatus by sharing a part of the conveyance path for reversing the recording medium with a normal recording medium conveyance path for single-sided recording (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a conveyance path of a recording apparatus having a U-turn sheet feeding mechanism that feeds paper by inverting the recording medium and a double-sided conveyance mechanism that performs recording on both sides by inverting the recording medium. ing. In this technique, the transport path from the U-turn paper feed roller to the main transport roller transported to the recording unit and the transport path at the time of reversing the double-sided transport are configured as the same transport path.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a recording medium transport apparatus in which a first transport path and a second transport path and a third transport path extending in different directions at a branch point are formed. In this apparatus, the recording medium is guided to the third conveyance path when going from the first conveyance path to the branch point, and the recording medium is guided to the second conveyance path when the recording medium goes from the third conveyance path to the branch point. A guide member that moves elastically is provided.

  Further, in the recording apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the conveyance roller provided on the conveyance path from the U-turn feeding roller to the main conveyance roller conveyed to the recording unit is the same as the conveyance roller for double-sided conveyance. The recording apparatus comprised by these is disclosed.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, a double-sided flapper is provided in the vicinity of the upstream side of the main conveying roller, the double-sided flapper is raised when the double-sided recording is pulled in, and the double-sided flapper is lowered when the double-sided recording is pulled in. Is disclosed. With such a technique, an inversion path switching mechanism during double-sided recording can be realized with an inexpensive configuration.

  With these technologies, the normal recording medium conveyance path and the conveyance path for double-sided recording reversal are partially shared, and it is not necessary to have a separate conveyance path by sharing the conveyance roller, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus. it can.

JP 2005-161839 A JP 2006-056626 A JP 2000-226148 A

  However, in the above-described technique, it is necessary to provide a transport path switching mechanism that shares the normal recording medium transport path and the transport path for duplex recording reversal. The number of parts required for the configuration of the switching mechanism and the length of the conveyance path required for the movable part of the switching mechanism may be larger than the necessary reverse path length of the recording medium. Further, the cost may be increased due to the number of parts related to the movement of the switching mechanism and the complexity of the mechanism.

  In addition, when a switching mechanism using an elastic member is used, the influence on the manufacturing cost due to the complexity of the mechanism and the number of necessary parts can be reduced. However, when the recording medium is passing through the switching mechanism, the recording medium receives the reaction force of the elastic member, and the recording state on the recording medium during that time becomes unstable, and the recording medium conveyance accuracy May be affected. For this reason, if the recording medium reversing path length is increased so as not to be affected by the reaction force by the substantially elastic member, the apparatus main body becomes larger.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even a recording apparatus that performs double-sided recording does not require a new drive source or the like in the movable part of the path switching mechanism, and is a low-cost and compact recording apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a recording unit for recording on a recording medium, a conveying roller for conveying the recording medium, and a reversing path for reversing the front and back of the recording medium. A first position for forming a first path for transporting the recording medium from the reversing path to the recording unit in double-sided recording ; and the recording medium from the recording unit to the recording unit. comprising a flapper for switching and a second position for forming a second path for introducing the reverse path, and a biasing member capable of biasing as in the flapper said second position, said conveying The flapper moves in accordance with the rotation direction of the roller to switch between the first path and the second path, and the flapper is conveyed along the reversing path for reversing the front and back. Depending on the recording medium Characterized in that it is possible to move the from the second position against the urging toward said first position is.

  According to the above configuration, the normal recording medium conveyance path can be used as a part of the recording medium conveyance path for double-sided recording inversion. As a result, the path length necessary for reversing the recording medium can be made substantially the same as the recording medium length, so that a low-cost and compact recording apparatus can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mechanism portion of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing a mechanism portion of the recording apparatus in the present embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a feeding unit 2, a conveyance unit 3, a recording unit 5, a paper discharge unit 4, a U-turn / automatic double-side conveyance unit 8, a recording head 7, and the like. Hereinafter, an outline of these will be described.

(A) Feeding unit The feeding unit 2 is a pressure plate 21 on which the recording medium P is stacked, a feeding roller 28 that feeds the recording medium P, a separation roller 24 that separates the recording medium P, and returns the recording medium P to the stacking position. A return lever 22, etc. are attached to the base. A feeding tray (not shown) for holding the loaded recording medium P is attached to the base or the exterior. The feed tray is a multistage type, and is used by being pulled out during use.

  The feeding roller 28 has a bar shape with an arc of cross section. The feeding roller 28 is provided with one feeding roller rubber near the sheet reference, and the recording medium P is fed by this. Driving to the feeding roller 28 is transmitted from a motor provided in the feeding unit 2 and shared with the cleaning unit.

  A movable side guide 23 is movably provided on the pressure plate 21 and regulates the loading position of the recording medium P. The pressure plate 21 is rotatable about a rotation shaft coupled to the base, and is urged against the feeding roller 28 by a pressure plate spring. A separation sheet (not shown) made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided at a portion of the pressure plate 21 facing the feeding roller 28 to prevent double feeding of the recording medium P near the final stack. The pressure plate 21 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the feeding roller 28.

  Further, a separation roller 24 for separating the recording media P one by one is attached to a separation roller holder that is rotatably disposed on the base, and is applied to the feeding roller 28 by an elastic force by a biasing member such as a spring. It is energized. The separation roller 24 has a structure in which a clutch spring is attached and a portion to which the separation roller 24 is attached can rotate when a load exceeding a predetermined level is applied. The separation roller 24 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the feeding roller 28. The positions of the pressure plate 21, the return lever 22, and the separation roller 24 are detected by an ASF sensor.

  The return lever 22 for returning the recording medium P to the loading position is rotatably attached to the base, and is biased by an elastic force by a return lever spring in the release direction. When the recording medium P is returned, the recording medium P is rotated by a control cam.

  In the normal standby state, the pressure plate 21 is released, the separation roller 24 is released by the control cam, the return lever 22 returns the recording medium P, and closes the stacking port so that the recording medium P does not enter the back during loading. It is provided at a proper loading position. When the feeding operation starts from this state, the separation roller 24 comes into contact with the feeding roller 28 by driving the motor. Then, the return lever 22 is released, and the pressure plate 21 comes into contact with the feeding roller 28. In this state, the feeding operation of the recording medium P is started. The recording medium P is limited by a preceding separation unit provided in the base, and only a predetermined number of the recording media P is sent to a nip part composed of a feeding roller 28 and a separation roller 24. The fed recording medium P is separated at the nip portion, and only the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed.

  When the recording medium P reaches a later-described conveying roller 36 and pinch roller 37, the pressure plate 21 is released by the pressure plate cam and the separation roller 28 is released by the control cam. The return lever 22 is returned to the loading position by the control cam. At this time, the recording medium P that has reached the nip portion constituted by the feeding roller 28 and the separation roller 24 can be returned to the stacking position.

(B) Transport Unit The transport unit 3 includes a transport roller 36 that transports the recording medium P and a PE sensor (not shown). A plurality of driven pinch rollers 37 are provided in contact with the conveying roller 36. The pinch roller 37 is held by a pinch roller holder and is pressed against the transport roller 36 by a pinch roller spring to generate a transport force of the recording medium P. At this time, the rotating shaft of the pinch roller holder is attached to the bearing of the chassis 11 and rotates around the shaft. Further, the pinch roller holder is provided with a PE sensor lever for transmitting the detection of the leading edge and trailing edge of the recording medium P to the PE sensor. Further, a platen 34 that supports the recording medium P at a position facing the recording head 7 is formed downstream of the conveying roller 36 in the conveying direction.

  The recording medium P sent to the transport unit 3 is guided by a pinch roller holder and a paper guide flapper 33 and sent to a roller pair of a transport roller 36 and a pinch roller 37. At this time, the PE sensor lever 32 is rotated by the leading end of the conveyed recording medium P, whereby the recording position of the recording medium P is obtained. Further, the recording medium P is conveyed on the platen 34 by rotating the roller pairs 36 and 37 by the conveyance motor. On the platen 34, a rib serving as a conveyance reference surface is formed. These ribs are configured to manage the gap with the recording head 7 and to control the undulation of the recording medium P in combination with a later-described discharge unit so that the undulation does not increase.

  The drive to the transport roller 36 is transmitted to a pulley 361 provided on the shaft of the transport roller 36 by a timing bell or the like by a rotational force of a transport motor (not shown) formed of a DC motor. A code wheel 362 on which markings are formed at a pitch of 150 lpi to 300 lpi for detecting the rotation amount of the conveyance roller 36 is provided on the axis of the conveyance roller 36. An encoder sensor that reads the code wheel 362 is attached to the chassis 11 at a position adjacent to the code wheel 362.

  A recording head 7 for forming an image based on image information is provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 36 in the recording medium conveying direction. As the recording head 7, an ink jet recording head equipped with replaceable ink tanks 71 for each color is used. The recording head 7 can apply heat to the ink by a heater or the like. Then, the film of the ink is boiled by this heat, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 7 by the pressure change caused by the growth or contraction of the bubbles due to the film boiling, and an image is formed on the recording medium P.

(C) Recording unit The recording unit 5 includes a carriage 50 to which the recording head 7 is attached. The carriage 50 holds a carriage rail 52 for reciprocating scanning in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium P and a guide rail for maintaining the clearance between the recording head 7 and the recording medium P by holding the rear end of the carriage 50. Is supported by. The carriage rail 52 is attached to the chassis 11. The guide rail is formed integrally with the chassis 11.

  The carriage 50 is driven via a timing belt 541 by a carriage motor 54 attached to the chassis 11. The timing belt 541 is stretched and supported by an idle pulley 542. The timing belt 541 is coupled to the carriage 50 via a damper made of rubber or the like, and reduces image unevenness by attenuating vibration of the carriage motor 54 or the like. A code strip 561 in which markings are formed at a pitch of 150 lpi to 300 lpi for detecting the position of the carriage 50 is provided in parallel with the timing belt 541. Furthermore, an encoder sensor that reads the code strip 561 is provided on a carriage substrate mounted on the carriage 50. The carriage substrate is also provided with contacts for electrical connection with the recording head 7. Further, the carriage 50 is provided with a flexible substrate 57 for transmitting a head signal from the electric substrate to the recording head 7.

  The carriage 50 is provided with positioning means and pressing means for fixing the recording head 7 to the carriage 50. The pressing means is mounted on the head set lever 51 and is configured to act on the recording head 7 by turning the head setting lever 51 around the rotation fulcrum when setting the recording head 7. Further, an automatic registration adjustment sensor 59 for automatically correcting the landing deviation of the ejected ink from the recording head 7 on the recording medium P is attached to the carriage 50. The sensor 59 is a reflection type optical sensor, and an optimum registration adjustment value can be obtained by receiving light reflected from a light emitting element and receiving a reflected light on a predetermined recording pattern on the recording medium P.

  When an image is formed on the recording medium P, the roller pairs 36 and 37 convey the recording medium P to the row position (position in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P) where the image is formed. Further, the carriage motor 54 moves the carriage 50 to a row position (a position perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium P) where the image is formed, and the recording head 7 is opposed to the image forming position. Then, the recording head 7 ejects ink toward the recording medium P by a signal from the electric substrate to form an image.

(D) Paper Discharge Unit The paper discharge unit 4 drives the paper discharge roller 41, the paper discharge driven roller 43 configured to be able to rotate by contact with and driven by the paper discharge roller 41 with a predetermined pressure, and the transport roller 36. A gear train for transmitting to the paper discharge roller 41 is formed. The paper discharge roller 41 is attached to the platen 34. The discharge roller 41 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium P is provided with a plurality of rubber portions on the metal shaft. The drive from the transport roller 36 is driven by being transmitted to the paper discharge roller 41 via the idler gear.

  With the above configuration, the recording medium P on which an image is formed by the recording unit 5 is sandwiched between the nip between the paper discharge roller 41 and the paper discharge driven roller 43 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray.

(E) U-turn / automatic double-sided part (reversal path)
The U-turn / automatic both-side unit 8 includes a cassette 81 provided on the front surface of the recording apparatus. In order to feed the recording medium P stored in the cassette 81, the cassette 81 is provided with a pressure plate 822 on which the recording medium P is stacked and brought into contact with the feeding roller 821. The main body includes a feeding roller 821 for feeding the recording medium P, a separation roller 831 for separating the recording medium P, a return lever 824 for returning the recording medium P to the stacking position, a pressurizing / controlling unit for the pressure plate 822, and the like. It is configured to be attached to a UT base (not shown).

  The cassette 81 has a two-stage contraction configuration, and can be selectively used depending on the size of the recording medium P. When the small size paper or the cassette is not used, the cassette 81 contracts and can be stored inside the main body exterior.

  The feeding roller 821 has a bar shape with a circular arc in cross section. One feeding roller rubber is provided near the paper reference, and feeds the recording medium. Driving to the feeding roller 821 is transmitted from a U-turn / automatic double-side motor provided in the U-turn / automatic double-sided portion.

  A movable side guide 827 is movably provided on the pressure plate 822 to regulate the loading position of the recording medium P. The pressure plate 822 is rotatable about a rotation shaft coupled to the cassette 81, and is urged by an elastic force to the feeding roller 821 by a pressure / control means including a pressure plate spring provided on the UT base. A separation sheet made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided at a portion of the pressure plate 822 facing the feeding roller 821 to prevent double feeding of the recording medium P near the final stack. The pressure plate 822 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the feeding roller 821 by a pressure plate cam.

  Further, a separation roller 831 for separating the recording media P one by one is attached to a separation roller holder that is rotatably arranged on the UT base, and is urged by a feeding roller 821 by a spring or the like. The separation roller 831 is attached to a clutch spring, and is configured such that a portion to which the separation roller 831 is attached can rotate when a predetermined load or more is applied. The separation roller 831 is configured to be able to contact and separate from the feeding roller 821. The positions of the pressure plate 822, the return lever 824, and the separation roller 831 are detected by a UT sensor.

  A return lever 824 for returning the recording medium P to the loading position is rotatably attached to the UT base and is urged by a return lever spring in the release direction. When the recording medium P is returned, the recording medium P is rotated by a control cam.

  In a normal standby state, the pressure plate 822 is released, the separation roller 831 is also released, and the return lever 824 returns the recording medium P, and the loading position closes the loading port so that the recording medium P does not enter the back during loading. Is provided. When the feeding operation starts from this state, the separation roller 831 comes into contact with the feeding roller 821 by driving the motor. Then, the return lever 824 is released and the pressure plate 822 contacts the feeding roller 821. In this state, the feeding operation of the recording medium P is started. The recording medium P is limited by the pre-stage restricting means provided on the UT base, and only a predetermined number of the recording medium P is sent to the nip portion composed of the feeding roller 821 and the separation roller. The fed recording medium P is separated at the nip portion, and only the uppermost recording medium P is conveyed.

  Two transport rollers, a first U-turn intermediate roller 86 and a second U-turn intermediate roller 87, are configured on the downstream side of the feeding unit to transport the fed recording medium. In these, EPDM having a rubber hardness of 40 ° to 80 ° is attached to 4 to 6 locations on the metal core of the metal shaft. A U-turn pinch roller for sandwiching the recording medium P is attached to the spring shaft at a position corresponding to the rubber part, and is biased by the first U-turn intermediate roller 86 and the second U-turn intermediate roller 87. ing. In order to form a transport path, an inner guide (not shown) that forms the inner side and an outer guide (not shown) that forms the outer side are configured.

  When the fed recording medium P reaches the first U-turn intermediate roller 86 and the U-turn pinch roller, the pressure plate 822 and the separation roller 831 are released by the control cam. The return lever 824 is returned to the loading position by the control cam. At this time, the recording medium P that has reached the nip portion constituted by the feeding roller 821 and the separation roller 831 can be returned to the stacking position.

  The joining point of the paper path with the feeding unit 2 is constituted by a flapper 883, and the joining of the mutual paths is made smoothly. When the leading edge of the recording medium P is conveyed to the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37, the recording medium P is brought into contact with the nip of the stopped roller pair, and a registration operation is performed. The recording medium P on which recording has been performed while being transported by the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 passes between the transport roller 36 and the pinch roller 37. During automatic double-sided recording, the trailing edge of the recording medium P is again sandwiched between the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 and is conveyed to the U-turn / automatic double-side unit 8 as a reverse path.

  The recording medium P fed again from the transport path switching mechanism is sandwiched between the double-sided roller 891 and the pinch roller 892 and transported. The recording medium P is guided by the guide 893 and conveyed. The double-sided paper conveyance path is configured to merge with the paper path at the time of U-turn conveyance after a predetermined amount.

  Further, when the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37, the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 rotate forward to convey the recording medium P and perform recording.

(F) Schematic Configuration of Control System FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the control system in the present embodiment. The host computer 101 is connected to the recording apparatus 1 via the interface 114. In the host computer 101, a printer driver that generates image information, control information, and the like for causing the recording apparatus 1 to perform a recording operation is input from a predetermined storage medium and stored. Image information is generated by the printer driver and the hardware resources of the host computer 101.

  The control unit 201 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the recording apparatus 1. The control unit 201 includes a CPU 210 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 211, a RAM 212, and the like. The ROM 211 stores a control program executed by the CPU 210 and various data. The RAM 212 is used as a work area when the CPU 210 executes various processes, and temporarily stores various data. The RAM 212 is provided with Y, M, C, Bk, CL recording buffers (image information storage means) for storing recording data. This recording buffer corresponds to the recording head 7Y, 7M, 7C, 7Bk, 7CL (recording head 7) that records with the receiving buffer 115 and ink of each color such as Y, M, C, Bk, CL. Remembered.

  The head driver 202 corresponds to the recording data of each color output from the control unit 201. The yellow recording head 7Y, the magenta recording head 7M, the cyan recording head 7C, the black recording head 7Bk, and the light cyan recording head 7CL. Drive. Motor drivers 203, 204, 206, and 207 drive the corresponding carriage motor 6, paper feed motor 205, and AP motor 70, respectively.

  The medium edge detection sensor 213 is a predetermined sensor in the transport path from the junction point of the transport path from the feeding section (first transport path) and the transport path from the cassette (second transport path) to the recording head. It is a sensor provided at the reference position. The medium edge detection sensor 213 switches the output from ON to OFF when the edge of the recording medium conveyed from the first path or the second path reaches the reference position. Yes. Based on the output result, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the end of the recording medium has reached the reference position. That is, the double-side flapper operation control mechanism switches between OFF and ON by driving the recording unit. Further, a pulse signal from the encoder sensor 363 is input to the CPU 210, whereby the CPU 210 can detect the moving position of the recording medium P conveyed by the conveying roller 36.

(G) Inversion path switching mechanism Next, the inversion path switching mechanism 38 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the conveyance control during the double-sided recording operation on the recording medium in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording medium is conveyed by the conveyance path in the reverse switching mechanism of the present embodiment. That is, it shows a state in which the transport roller is rotating forward during both-side recording on the front and back sides of the recording medium.

  When the duplex printing command is received (step S101), the recording medium P is fed from the feeding unit 2 or the cassette 81. The fed recording medium P outputs a leading edge detection signal for detecting the leading edge of the recording medium P by the PE sensor lever 32 and the PE sensor. Then, upon receiving the detection signal, the CPU 210 grasps the leading end position of the recording medium P, and a predetermined amount is sent to the recording start position by the operation of the conveying roller 36 by the output of the encoder signal (step S102). When the transport roller 36 is rotating in the forward direction, as shown in FIG. 5, the double-sided flapper 386 is lowered by its own weight and closes the double-sided path to form a transport path. At this time, the double-sided flapper 386 is in the first position.

  When the recording medium P is transported to the recording start position, surface recording is started by the recording head 7 mounted on the carriage 50 (step S103).

  Thereafter, the recording medium P is recorded by the recording head 7, and the rear end of the recording medium P is conveyed to the vicinity of the paper discharge roller 41 by the conveying roller 36, the conveying motor is stopped, and the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 are used. The conveying operation is stopped (step S104).

  Next, the carriage 50 is moved to the trigger position for pulling in the recording medium P (step S106). And the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 36 is reversely rotated (step S107).

  The rear end of the recording medium P is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 and introduced into the reverse path switching mechanism. Then, reverse rotation driving of the conveyance trigger gear 381 attached to the conveyance roller 36 causes the double-sided flapper trigger gear 384 to reversely rotate, and the double-sided flapper trigger arm 385 having a friction relationship comes into contact with the carriage 50.

  Next, a paper reversing operation is performed (step S107). Hereinafter, the paper reversing operation will be described in detail.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the recording medium is introduced by the double-sided path in the reverse switching mechanism of the present embodiment. That is, it shows a state in which the recording medium is again drawn into the recording apparatus during double-sided printing on the front and back of the recording medium.

  Drive is transmitted from the transport trigger gear 381 to the first idle gear 382 and the second idle gear 383, and the spring holder 387 having a frictional relationship with the second idle gear 383 rotates. The flapper biasing spring 388 attached to the spring holder 387 lifts the double-sided flapper 386, thereby opening the double-sided path and closing the transport path. In this state, the recording medium P on which the surface is printed is drawn into the double-sided path. At this time, the double-sided flapper 386 is in the second position.

  That is, when the conveyance roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 are rotated in the reverse directions, the double-sided flapper 386 that has blocked the double-sided path rises when the recording medium P is drawn into the apparatus again, and the recording medium P is placed in the double-sided path. It is the composition which leads. At that time, the double-sided flapper 386 pops out into the transport path so as to block the transport path. Since the recording medium P is fed into the portion where the flapper is rising, the recording medium P can be smoothly transported to the duplex path without entering the transport path.

  The recording medium P sent to the reverse path again is sandwiched between the double-sided roller 891 and the pinch roller 892 and conveyed. The recording medium P is guided by the guide 893 and conveyed. The double-sided paper conveyance path is configured to merge with the paper path during U-turn conveyance after a predetermined amount.

  When the leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37, the conveying roller 36 and the pinch roller 37 rotate in the forward direction and convey the recording medium P. Then, the recording of the back surface is started by the recording head 7 mounted on the carriage 50 (step S107).

  When the transport roller 36 rotates forward, the drive is transmitted from the transport trigger gear 381 to the first idle gear 382 and the second idle gear 383. Then, the spring holder 387 having a frictional relationship with the second idle gear 383 rotates. A flapper biasing spring 388 attached to the spring holder 387 is separated from the double-sided flapper 386. As a result, the double-sided flapper 386 is lowered by its own weight, again closes the double-sided path, and forms a transport path. In this way, the conveyance path is not blocked during recording, and excess back tension or the like does not act on the recording medium P, so that image degradation does not occur.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state nearing completion of introduction of the recording medium of the reverse switching mechanism when the recording medium P is the longest printing paper (for example, A4 size) as the recording apparatus. The leading edge of the recording medium P reaches the branch point between the conveyance path and the double-sided path entrance. At that time, in the case of the longest printing paper (for example, A4 size) as the recording device, the rear end portion has a path length relationship as in the transport path downstream from the point. The double-sided flapper 386 is biased by a double-sided flapper biasing spring 388 so as to be in a second position where a double-sided path is formed. Here, the double-sided flapper 386 is moved by the recording medium being conveyed from the second position where the double-sided path is formed against the urging force of the double-sided flapper urging spring 388 to the first position where the conveying path is formed. . For this reason, the double-sided flapper is pushed away by the leading end of the recording medium P, whereby the conveyance path is opened and the recording medium is conveyed. By adopting such a configuration, the leading and trailing ends of the recording medium P can overlap in the reverse conveyance direction on the conveyance path, and the path length of the apparatus size can be minimized.

  Thereafter, the recording medium P receives a predetermined recording by the recording head 7, and is discharged out of the apparatus by the transport roller 36 and the discharge roller 41 (step S109). Thus, double-sided printing is finished (step S110).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the rotation direction of the conveyance roller in the normal case is reversely rotated in the reverse switching mechanism of the present embodiment.

  Since the carriage 50 is not in the trigger position, the double-sided flapper trigger arm 385 moves forward. In this case, the stopper 389 of the double-sided flapper trigger arm 385 suppresses the flapper biasing spring 388, so that it does not act on the double-sided flapper 386, and the position of the double-sided flapper 386 does not change. Therefore, the double-sided flapper 386 comes out each time with simple alignment of the recording medium P, and the adverse effect of blocking the conveyance path does not occur.

  The reversing path switching mechanism according to the present embodiment is operated by the driving force of the conveyance roller, and includes a double-sided flapper operation control mechanism that turns the double-sided flapper operation OFF / ON. It is not limited to anything. That is, OFF / ON of the operation of the double-sided flapper is not limited to the driving force of the transport roller, and may be operated by other driving force.

  As described above, the normal recording medium conveyance path can be used as a part of the recording medium conveyance path for the double-sided recording reversal by switching the path between the conveyance path and the double-sided path with the double-side flapper. As a result, the path length necessary for reversing the recording medium can be made substantially the same as the recording medium length, so that a low-cost and compact recording apparatus can be provided.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a vertical side view which shows the recording device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating conveyance control during recording at the time of recording medium duplex printing in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the recording medium is conveyed by a conveyance path in the reverse switching mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the recording medium is introduced by a double-sided path in the reverse switching mechanism in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state nearing completion of introduction of a recording medium in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the conveyance roller of the reverse switching mechanism is reversely rotated at the time of recording medium duplex printing of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Conveyance part 4 Paper discharge part 7 Recording head 36 Conveyance roller 37 Pinch roller 381 Conveyance trigger gear 382 1st idle gear 383 2nd idle gear 384 Double-sided flapper trigger gear 385 Double-sided flapper trigger arm 386 Double-sided flapper 387 Spring holder 388 Flapper Biasing spring

Claims (3)

A recording apparatus comprising a recording unit for recording on a recording medium, a conveyance roller for conveying the recording medium, and a reversing path for reversing the front and back of the recording medium, and capable of double-sided recording,
During double-sided recording, a first position for forming a first path for transporting the recording medium from the reversing path to the recording unit, and a second path for introducing the recording medium from the recording unit to the reversing path are provided. A flapper that switches to a second position to be formed;
A biasing member capable of biasing so that the flapper is in the second position,
The flapper moves in accordance with the rotation direction of the transport roller to switch the first path and the second path, and the flapper follows the reversing path for reversing the front and back. The recording apparatus is capable of moving from the second position toward the first position against the bias when pressed by a recording medium transported in this manner . With the trailing edge of the recording medium conveyed along the reversing path remaining at the position of the flapper at the second position, the flapper is pushed by the leading edge of the recording medium, and the second The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus moves from the position of the recording head toward the first position, and the rear end portion and the front end portion temporarily overlap each other . When the urging member is moved using the driving force of the transport roller, the urging member is pushed by the urging member to move the flapper from the first position to the second position. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flapper is biased so as to be in the second position .

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