JP5353452B2 - Conveying apparatus and image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrying device for carrying a sheet, and a tray supporting a thin plate shaped recorded member, providing a means for carrying both with temporal stability while avoiding the tray from damaging the sheet guiding face. <P>SOLUTION: A printer part 11 includes a first carrying path 23 in which a curved portion 32 and a linear portion 33 are arranged, a second carrying path 24 extending linearly from the linear portion 33, and a flap 27 provided at a crossing position 26 between the first carrying path 23 and the second carrying path 24. The flap 27 changes its attitude between a first attitude where a recording sheet is guided with a first face 51 facing the first carrying path 23 and a second attitude where a passage from the crossing position 26 to the second carrying path 24 is opened. The flap 27 changes its attitude from the first attitude into the second attitude with the tray 16 abutting thereon so that the tray 16 to be carried from the linear portion 33 to the second carrying path 24 does not contact the first face 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device that conveys a sheet and a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member, and an image recording apparatus that includes the conveyance device.

  The image recording apparatus records an image by conveying a recording medium. An inkjet image recording apparatus can perform image recording on various recording media. Examples of the recording medium of the ink jet type image recording apparatus include a sheet such as a recording sheet and a thin plate-shaped member such as a CD or a DVD.

  Further, in the image recording apparatus, image recording is performed while a recording medium is conveyed along a path called a conveyance path. Some of the conveyance paths are curved like a U-turn path. A sheet such as a recording sheet can be bent along a curved conveyance path. A CD, DVD, or the like is placed on a tray or the like that matches a conveyance path corresponding to a standard recording sheet, and image recording is performed while being conveyed along the conveyance path. A linear shape is adopted for the transport path of the tray. Such a straight conveyance path is also referred to as a straight path.

  Conventionally, there are two types of conveyance paths corresponding to the types of recording media as described above, and a guide whose posture can be changed at the crossing position of these two types of conveyance paths is provided. A configuration is known in which a recording medium or a tray is guided to a corresponding conveyance path (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-144931 A

  In the guide member described in Patent Document 1, the surface for guiding the recording paper and the surface for guiding the tray on which the CD or the like is placed are the same. For this reason, if the hard tray slides on the surface of the guide member many times compared to recording paper or the like, the surface of the guide member may be damaged. In particular, in the form in which the conveyance path is curved, a material having a small friction coefficient such as POM is used to reduce the sliding friction against the recording paper. Since the dynamic friction becomes large, there is a possibility that the recording paper may not be smoothly conveyed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet and a surface that guides the sheet by the tray in the conveyance device that conveys the tray that supports the recording member having a thin plate shape. An object of the present invention is to provide means capable of stably conveying both over time without being damaged.

  (1) The conveying device according to the present invention includes a first path in which a curved portion in which the sheet is curved and guided, and a linear portion in which the sheet is linearly guided are arranged along the sheet conveying direction. And a guide provided at a crossing position between the first path and the second path, and a second path through which the tray supporting the recording member having a thin plate shape is guided. And a member. The guide member is changed in posture between a first posture in which the sheet is guided by the first surface facing the first route and a second posture in which the route from the intersection position to the second route is opened. Then, the tray transported from the straight portion of the first path to the second path comes into contact with the guide member so as not to come into contact with the first surface of the guide member. The posture is changed from one posture to the second posture.

  The sheet is conveyed from the curved portion of the first path to the straight portion. The tray is conveyed from the straight part of the first path to the second path. The direction in which the tray is conveyed may be from the first path to the second path or from the second path to the first path. When the sheet is conveyed, the guide member is set to the first posture. Therefore, the sheet conveyed through the first path is guided from the curved portion to the straight portion by the first surface of the guide member.

  When the tray is transported, the guide member is brought into contact with the first surface of the guide member from the first position by contacting the first surface of the guide member in a non-contact manner with the tray transported from the straight portion of the first route to the intersection with the second route. The posture is changed to two postures. As a result, the second path is opened, and the tray transported from the straight line portion of the first path toward the intersection position enters the second path. In the present invention, “contacts with the first surface of the guide member in a non-contact manner” means that any part other than the first surface may be contacted among the respective parts constituting the guide member.

  (2) An example of the guide member is one that changes its posture between the first posture and the second posture by rotating around the axis. The guide member includes a main body having the first surface, an arm extending from the main body to the axis, and an abutting portion provided on the arm and abutting on the tray.

  (3) The main body may include a roller in contact with a tray that is conveyed along the second path.

  The tray conveyed along the second path opened by the guide member in the second posture comes into contact with the roller of the guide member. Further, the transported tray slides with respect to the guide member while rotating the roller. Thereby, the tray conveyed along the second path is smoothly conveyed.

  (4) In the main body, the arm may be disposed on the outer side in the width direction from a region through which a sheet guided by the first surface and conveyed through the curved portion passes.

  Thereby, the arm does not interfere with the sheet conveyed through the first path.

  (5) As the guide member, the posture is changed between the first posture and the second posture by rotating around the axis, and the main body having the first surface, and the axis from the main body to the axis. And an abutting portion that projects from the main body and abuts against the tray.

  (6) In the main body, the contact portion may be disposed on the outer side in the width direction from a region through which a sheet guided by the first surface and conveyed through the curved portion passes.

  Thereby, the contact portion does not interfere with the sheet conveyed through the first path.

  (7) As the guide member, the posture is changed between the first posture and the second posture by rotating around the axis, the main body having the first surface, and the axis from the main body to the axis. An arm extending to the main body, a projecting piece projecting from the main body, and a pivotable contactable part of the projecting piece. And a contact member that rotates the main body about the axis by contacting the tray with the portion.

  (8) In the main body, the protruding piece may be disposed on the outer side in the width direction from a region through which a sheet guided by the first surface and conveyed through the curved portion passes.

  Thereby, the protruding piece does not interfere with the sheet conveyed through the first path.

  (9) As the guide member, the posture is changed between the first posture and the second posture by rotating around the axis, the first member having the first surface, and around the axis. A main body to be rotated, a first elastic member that urges the main body to rotate from the first posture side to the second posture side, and the main body from rotating from the first posture. A lock member that can be turned to a third posture, and a fourth posture in which the main body can turn to the second posture, and the lock member to turn from the fourth posture side to the third posture side. And a second elastic member that urges in this manner. When the tray comes into contact, the lock member is rotated from the third posture to the fourth posture.

  (10) The lock member may be engaged with the guide member in the third posture.

  (11) The lock member may be disposed on the outer side in the width direction with respect to the main body from a region through which a sheet guided by the first surface and conveyed through the curved portion passes.

  Thereby, the lock member does not interfere with the sheet conveyed through the first path.

  (12) The present invention provides the conveying device, and a recording unit that is provided in the linear part of the first path and that records an image on a recording member supported by a sheet or tray that is conveyed through the linear part. , May be regarded as an image recording apparatus.

  According to the present invention, when the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is guided from the curved portion to the linear portion by the first surface of the guide member in the first posture, and when the tray is conveyed, the tray is the first surface of the guide member. Since the second path is opened by changing the position of the guide member to the second position by contacting the sheet and the first surface of the guide member that guides the sheet by the tray, both the sheet and the tray are not damaged. Can be stably conveyed over time.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a flap 27. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the linear part 33, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the 2nd conveyance path 24. is there. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the printer part 11 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a flap 60. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the linear part 33, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the 2nd conveyance path 24. is there. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the printer part 11 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a flap 70. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main body 72. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the linear part 33, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the 2nd conveyance path 24. is there. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the printer part 11 which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a flap 90. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the flap 90 seen from the 2nd surface 97 side. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a tray 16. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the linear part 33, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in which the tray 16 is conveyed in the 2nd conveyance path 24. is there.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment is appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the multifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Schematic configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11 provided in the lower part, a scanner part 12 provided in the upper part, and an operation panel 14 provided in the upper part of the front. In the present embodiment, the direction indicated by the arrow 101 is the width direction of the multifunction device 10, the direction indicated by the arrow 102 is the height direction of the multifunction device 10, and the direction indicated by the arrow 103 is the multifunction device. 10 depth directions. Further, FIG. 1 shows the multifunction machine 10 in a state where the tray 16 is inserted.

  The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a print function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The print function is exhibited by the printer unit 11. The printer unit 11 performs image recording by an ink jet method. A feature of the multifunction machine 10 is that the recording paper and the tray 16 can be stably guided by the flap 27. It should be noted that functions other than the print function in the multifunction device 10 are arbitrary. For example, the image recording apparatus of the present invention may be implemented as a printer having only a print function that does not have a scan function, a copy function, or a facsimile function.

  An opening 13 is formed in the front of the printer unit 11. A paper feed cassette 20 is detachably provided in the opening 13. Although the detailed configuration of the paper feed cassette 20 will be described later, the recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 20 is transported through the printer unit 11 by a transport mechanism described later. In this conveyance process, image recording is performed on the recording paper.

  Although the scanner unit 12 is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner, the configuration of the scanner unit 12 is not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The operation panel 14 is for operating the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 and includes various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit. The user can set various functions and perform operations by operating the operation panel 14. For example, the user can set the mode setting to the operation panel 14 for recording an image on a recording sheet or recording an image on a compact disc 17 (hereinafter abbreviated as “CD17”) held on the tray 16. Can be instructed to the multi-function device 10. CD 17 is an example of a recording member in the present invention. The recording paper is an example of a sheet in the present invention.

[Internal configuration of printer unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a paper feed cassette 20, a first transport path 23 through which recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 20 is transported, and a second transport through which the tray 16 is transported. A path 24, a recording unit 25 provided in the first conveyance path 23, and a flap 27 provided in the intersection position 26 are provided. The first transport path 23, the second transport path 24, and the flap 27 constitute a transport apparatus according to the present invention. The first transport path 23 corresponds to the first path in the present invention, and the second transport path 24 corresponds to the second path in the present invention. Further, the flap 27 corresponds to the guide member in the present invention.

  The recording paper is conveyed through the first conveyance path 23. The tray 16 is transported from the first transport path 23 to the second transport path 24. When the recording paper is conveyed, the flap 27 is held in the first posture. Accordingly, the recording sheet conveyed along the first conveyance path 23 is guided along the first conveyance path 23 by the first surface 51 of the flap 27. When the tray 16 is conveyed, the posture of the flap 27 is changed to the second posture. As a result, the tray 16 can enter the second transport path 24 from the first transport path 23 through the intersection position 26.

[Paper cassette 20]
The paper feed cassette 20 is disposed on the bottom side of the printer unit 11. The paper feed cassette 20 has a rectangular box shape with a part of the upper surface opened. A plurality of recording sheets are stacked in the internal space 21 of the sheet feeding cassette 20. The recording paper loaded in the paper feed cassette 20 is fed to the first transport path 23 by the paper feed roller 30.

  The paper discharge tray 22 is configured as a part of the upper surface of the paper feed cassette 20. The recording paper discharged from the first conveyance path 23 is stacked on the paper discharge tray 22.

[First transport path 23]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first transport path 23 includes a curved portion 32 that guides the recording paper by being curved, and a linear portion 33 that guides the recording paper by extending linearly. The curved portion 32 is curved toward the front side of the apparatus (the right side in FIG. 2) while extending upward from the back side of the paper feed cassette 20. The straight line portion 33 extends linearly from the curved portion 32 toward the front side of the apparatus to the vicinity of the paper discharge tray 22. The recording paper is sequentially conveyed from the paper feed cassette 20 to the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33. That is, the curved portion 32 and the linear portion 33 are sequentially arranged in order along the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed. The first conveyance path 23 forms a so-called U-turn path by the curved portion 32 and the straight portion 33.

  The curved portion 32 is defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface, except at an intersection position 26 that intersects the second conveyance path 24 described later. In FIG. 2, the guide members constituting the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface are omitted.

[Second transport path 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the second transport path 24 extends linearly from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 toward the back of the apparatus. The second transport path 24 is also defined by an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface except for the intersection position 26. However, in FIG. 2, the guide members constituting the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface are omitted. ing. The second conveyance path 24 intersects with the first conveyance path 23, and the intersecting position is referred to as an intersection position 26. The second conveyance path 24 is a path along which the tray 16 is guided.

[Transport mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed roller 30 is rotatably supported at the tip of the arm 31. The paper feed roller 30 enters the internal space 21 of the paper feed cassette 20 by the rotation of the arm 31 and comes into contact with the uppermost recording paper loaded in the internal space 21. The paper feed roller 30 is rotated by driving transmission from a motor (not shown). When the paper feeding roller 30 is rotated in a state where the paper feeding roller 30 is pressed against the recording paper of the paper feeding cassette 20, the uppermost recording paper moves to the first conveyance path 23 by the frictional force with the paper feeding roller 30. Be fed.

  A conveyance roller 41 and a pinch roller 42 are provided on the straight portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23. The conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 are disposed upstream of the recording unit 25 in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 make a pair. The pinch roller 42 can be brought into contact with and separated from the transport roller 41 and is biased by a spring so as to come into pressure contact with the transport roller 41. The transport roller 41 is rotated by driving transmission from a motor (not shown). The recording sheet sandwiched between the transport roller 41 and the pinch roller 42 is transported toward the recording unit 25 under the rotation of the transport roller 41.

  A paper discharge roller 43 and a spur 44 are provided on the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23. The paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 are disposed on the downstream side of the recording unit 25 in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 are paired. The spur 44 can be brought into and out of contact with the paper discharge roller 43 and is spring-biased so as to come into pressure contact with the paper discharge roller 43. The paper discharge roller 43 is rotated by driving transmission from a motor (not shown). The rotation of the paper discharge roller 43 is synchronized with the rotation of the transport roller 41. The recording paper sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 22 under the rotation of the paper discharge roller 43.

[Recording unit 25]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 25 is disposed on the linear portion 33 of the first transport path 23 and includes a carriage 46 and a platen 47. The carriage 46 is disposed on the upper side of the platen 47 with the linear portion 33 interposed therebetween. A recording head 48 is mounted on the carriage 46. Although not shown in the figure, the recording head 48 has a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets. The recording head 48 is mounted on the carriage 46 with the nozzle opening exposed to the platen 47 side. The carriage 46 is driven and transmitted from a motor (not shown) and reciprocates in the width direction 101 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2) together with the recording head 48. While the carriage 46 is moved, minute ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 toward the recording paper on the platen 47. As the ejected ink droplets land on the recording paper or CD 17, an image is recorded on the recording paper or CD 17. Ink is supplied to the recording head 48 from an ink cartridge (not shown).

[Flap 27]
As shown in FIG. 2, a flap 27 is provided at an intersection position 26 between the first conveyance path 23 and the second conveyance path 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the flap 27 has a first posture in which the recording sheet is guided by the first surface 51 facing the first conveyance path 23, and the second conveyance path 24 as shown in FIG. 4B. The posture is changed to the second posture in which is opened. As shown in FIG. 2, the flap 27 in the first posture is rotated upward, and the first surface 51 constitutes a part of the outer guide surface in the curved portion 32 of the first transport path 23. . As shown in FIG. 4B, the flap 27 in the second posture is in a state of being rotated downward. As will be described later, the flap 27 is brought into contact with the first surface 51 of the flap 27 in a non-contact manner by the tray 16 conveyed from the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 to the second conveyance path 24. The posture is changed from the first posture to the second posture.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flap 27 is provided on the main body 50 having the first surface 51, arms 52 and 53 extending from the main body 50 toward the axis 105, and provided on the arms 52 and 53. And abutting portions 54 and 55 that abut.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 50 has a plate shape that is long in the width direction 101 and curved along the conveyance direction 104. This curvature is along the outer curved shape of the curved portion 32 of the first conveyance path 23, the curved inner surface of the main body 50 is the first surface 51, and the curved outer surface is the second surface 56. The length of the main body 50 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be transported and slightly smaller than the width of the tray 16. The first surface 51 may be formed with a short rib extending along the transport direction 104.

  At both ends of the flap 27 in the width direction 101, arms 52 and 53 protrude along a curved inward direction orthogonal to the width direction 101. The arms 52 and 53 are fan-shaped with a wide body 50 side, and shaft holes 57 and 58 penetrating in the width direction 101 are formed at the projecting tips. The shaft holes 57 and 58 are disposed on the axis 105. The shaft holes 57 and 58 are pivotally supported by a frame (not shown) so that the flap 27 can be rotated around the axis 105, and the posture of the flap 27 is changed between the first posture and the second posture by this rotation. To do. Although not shown in the drawing, the rotation range of the flap 27 is limited between the first posture and the second posture by being in contact with a supported frame or the like. Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around each of the shaft holes 57 and 58, and the flap 27 is elastically biased toward the first posture by the torsion coil spring.

  Abutting portions 54 and 55 are provided on the downstream sides of the conveying directions 104 in the arms 52 and 53, respectively. The contact portions 54 and 55 are pieces that protrude along the conveyance direction 104 from the ends of the arms 52 and 53, and the protruding tips protrude from the first surface 51 of the main body 50 in the conveyance direction 104. When the tray 16 comes into contact with the contact portions 54 and 55, the flap 27 is changed in posture from the first posture to the second posture. As described above, since the length of the main body 50 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording sheet that can be conveyed, the arms 52 and 53 are guided by the first surface 51 and curved in the main body 50. It is arranged outside in the width direction 101 from the area through which the recording paper conveyed through the section 32 passes. Therefore, the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32 does not come into contact with the contact portions 54 and 55.

  A plurality of rollers 59 are provided on the downstream side of the conveyance direction 104 in the main body 50. The roller 59 is rotatably provided on the main body 50 with the direction along the width direction 101 as an axial direction. The plurality of rollers 59 are arranged in series at a predetermined interval along the width direction 101. Each roller 59 rotates in contact with the tray 16 conveyed through the second conveyance path 24 in a state where the flap 27 is in the second posture. Thereby, the sliding resistance between the main body 50 and the tray 16 is reduced.

[Recording images on recording paper]
As described above, if the flap 27 is not subjected to an external force, it is biased by the coil spring and maintained in the first posture. When an image recording start command is received, the paper feed roller 30, the intermediate roller 41, the transport roller 41, and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of a motor (not shown). The recording paper is fed to the first conveyance path 23. When the leading edge of the recording sheet conveyed through the curved portion 32 of the first conveying path 23 reaches the crossing position 26, the leading edge of the recording sheet is guided to the first surface 51 of the flap 27 in the first posture to the linear portion 33. enter in. The recording sheet sandwiched between the conveyance roller 41 and the pinch roller in the linear portion 33 is conveyed onto the platen 47. When the recording paper is transported onto the platen 47, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the carriage 46 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 onto the recording paper on the platen 47 during the reciprocation. By repeating such intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the recording paper. The recording sheet on which image recording has been performed is sandwiched between the discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and discharged onto the discharge tray 22.

[Image recording on CD17]
As shown in FIG. 1, the CD 17 is placed on the tray 16 in advance. The tray 16 is a flat plate larger than the CD 17, and a concave fit into which the tray 16 is fitted is formed on the upper surface thereof. The CD 17 is fixed to the tray 16 by fitting the CD 17 into the concave fit. In this fixed state, the upper surface of the CD 17 is exposed. In FIG. 4, the paper feed roller 30 and the arm 31 are omitted.

  When an image recording start command is received, the conveyance roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of a motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 16 is inserted from the opening 13 on the front side of the apparatus into the linear portion 24 of the first transport path 23, and the direction in which the transport roller 41 and the discharge roller 43 are rotated is as follows: The direction is opposite to the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 4A, the tray 16 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the first conveyance path 23 is nipped by the discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and conveyed onto the platen 47, and then conveyed. It is sandwiched between the roller 41 and the pinch roller and conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side (left side in FIG. 4). That is, the tray 16 is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction 104.

  When the front end of the tray 16 (left end in FIG. 4) reaches the crossing position 26, the front end of the tray 16 contacts the contact portions 54 and 55 of the flap 27 in the first posture. Further, when the tray 16 is transported to the rear side of the apparatus, the flap 27 is pushed to the rear side of the apparatus by the tray 16 that is in contact with the contact portions 54 and 55. Accordingly, the posture of the flap 27 in the first posture is changed to the second posture against the bias of the torsion coil spring. When the flap 27 is in the second posture, the main body 50 of the flap 27 is removed from the straight path that continues from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 to the second transport path 24. That is, the path to the second transport path 24 is opened. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tray 16 transported to the back side of the apparatus enters the second transport path 24 from the intersection position 26.

  Then, when the rear end (right end in FIG. 4) of the print area of the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 passes directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are stopped and reversed. Thereby, the front end and the rear end of the tray 16 are reversed, and the tray 16 is conveyed from the back side of the apparatus to the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG. 4). That is, the tray 16 is transported in the transport direction 104. When the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 is transported directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the carriage 46 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 to the CD 17 on the tray 16 during the reciprocation. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the CD 17. The CD 17 on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the front side of the apparatus while being placed on the tray 16. When the tray 16 is discharged to the front side of the apparatus and separated from the contact portions 54 and 55 of the flap 27, the flap 27 biased by the torsion coil spring returns to the first posture.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the recording paper is conveyed, the recording paper is guided from the curved portion 32 to the linear portion 33 by the first surface 51 of the flap 27 in the first posture. When the tray 16 is transported, the tray 16 contacts the contact portions 54 and 55 of the flap 27, and the posture of the flap 27 is changed to the second posture without contacting the first surface 51. Since 24 is opened, both the recording paper and the tray 16 can be stably conveyed with time without damaging the first surface 51 by the tray 16.

  Further, a roller 59 is provided on the main body 50 of the flap 27, and the tray 16 conveyed on the second conveyance path 24 opened by the flap 27 in the second posture slides with respect to the main body 50 while rotating the roller 59. Therefore, the tray 16 can be smoothly conveyed.

  In addition, since the arms 52 and 53 of the flap 27 are arranged outside the area through which the recording paper passes in the main body 50 in the width direction 101, the recording paper transported through the first transport path 23 is the arms 52 and 53. Will not abut.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different in configuration in that a flap 60 is provided in place of the flap 27 in the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the flap 60 which is different from the first embodiment will be mainly described in detail, and detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted. Moreover, the member shown with the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment has shown the same member as 1st Embodiment. 5 and 7, the paper feed roller 30 and the arm 31 are omitted.

[Flap 60]
As shown in FIG. 5, a flap 60 is provided at an intersection position 26 between the first conveyance path 23 and the second conveyance path 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the flap 60 has a first posture in which the recording sheet is guided by the first surface 61 facing the first conveyance path 23, and the second conveyance path 24 as shown in FIG. 7B. The posture is changed to the second posture in which is opened. As shown in FIG. 5, the flap 60 in the first posture is rotated downward, and the first surface 61 constitutes a part of the outer guide surface in the curved portion 32 of the first transport path 23. To do. As shown in FIG. 7B, the flap 60 in the second posture is in a state of being rotated upward. As will be described later, the flap 60 is brought into contact with the first surface 61 of the flap 60 in a non-contact manner by the tray 16 conveyed from the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 to the second conveyance path 24. The posture is changed from the first posture to the second posture.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the flap 60 is provided integrally with a main body 62 having a first surface 61, arms 63 and 64 extending from the main body 62 toward the axis 106, and the arms 63 and 64. Abutting portions 65 and 66 projecting from the main body 62 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 62 has a plate shape that is long in the width direction 101 and curved along the conveyance direction 104. This curve is along the outer curved shape of the curved portion 32 of the first conveyance path 23, the curved inner surface of the main body 62 is the first surface 61, and the curved outer surface is the second surface 67. The length of the main body 62 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be transported and slightly smaller than the width of the tray 16. The first surface 61 may be formed with a short rib extending along the transport direction 104.

  At both ends of the flap 60 in the width direction 101, arms 63 and 64 protrude along the curved outward direction perpendicular to the width direction 101. The arms 63 and 64 are bar members, and shafts 68 and 69 projecting inward along the width direction 101 are formed at the projecting tips. The shafts 68 and 69 are disposed on the axis 106. The shafts 68 and 69 are pivotally supported by a frame (not shown) so that the flap 60 can be rotated around the axis 106, and the posture of the flap 60 is changed between the first posture and the second posture by this rotation. . Although not shown in the figure, the rotation range of the flap 60 is limited between the first posture and the second posture by being in contact with a supported frame or the like. Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around each of the shafts 68 and 69, and the flap 60 is elastically biased toward the first posture by the torsion coil spring.

  The arms 63 and 64 are also projected inwardly in a direction orthogonal to the width direction 101, and abutting portions 65 and 66 are respectively constituted by a part of the arms 63 and 64 protruding inwardly of the curve. The contact portions 65 and 66 are disposed at the same position as the downstream end in the transport direction 104 on the first surface of the main body 62. When the tray 16 comes into contact with the contact portions 65 and 66, the flap 60 is changed in posture from the first posture to the second posture. As described above, since the length of the main body 62 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed, the arms 63 and 64 are guided by the first surface 61 in the main body 62 and curved. It is arranged outside in the width direction 101 from the area through which the recording paper conveyed through the section 32 passes. Therefore, the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32 does not come into contact with the contact portions 65 and 66.

[Recording images on recording paper]
As described above, when the external force is not applied to the flap 60, the flap 60 is biased by the coil spring and is maintained in the first posture. When recording an image on a recording sheet, the flap 60 is always maintained in the first posture. Since the image recording operation on the recording paper in the printer unit 11 at this time is the same as that in the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted.

[Image recording on CD17]
Similar to the first embodiment, the CD 17 is placed on the tray 16 in advance. When an image recording start command is received, the conveyance roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of a motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 7A, the tray 16 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the first conveyance path 23 is nipped by the discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and conveyed onto the platen 47, and then conveyed. It is sandwiched between the roller 41 and the pinch roller and conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side (left side in FIG. 7). That is, it is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction 104.

  When the front end of the tray 16 (left end in FIG. 7) reaches the crossing position 26, the front end of the tray 16 contacts the contact portions 65 and 66 of the flap 60 in the first posture. Further, when the tray 16 is conveyed to the apparatus rear side, the flap 60 is pushed to the apparatus rear side by the tray 16 that is in contact with the contact portions 65 and 66. Thus, the posture of the flap 60 in the first posture is changed to the second posture against the bias of the torsion coil spring. When the flap 60 is in the second posture, the main body 62 of the flap 60 is disengaged from the straight path that continues from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 to the second transport path 24. That is, the path to the second transport path 24 is opened. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7B, the tray 16 conveyed to the back side of the apparatus enters the second conveyance path 24 from the intersection position 26.

  Then, when the rear end (right end in FIG. 7) of the print area of the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 passes directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are stopped and reversed. Thereby, the front end and the rear end of the tray 16 are reversed, and the tray 16 is conveyed from the rear side of the apparatus to the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG. 7). That is, the tray 16 is transported in the transport direction 104. When the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 is transported directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the carriage 46 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 to the CD 17 on the tray 16 during the reciprocation. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the CD 17. The CD 17 on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the front side of the apparatus while being placed on the tray 16. When the tray 16 is discharged to the front side of the apparatus and is separated from the contact portions 65 and 66 of the flap 60, the flap 60 biased by the torsion coil spring returns to the first posture.

  Even if the flap 60 according to the second embodiment as described above is employed, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is different in configuration in that a flap 70 is provided instead of the flap 27 in the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the flap 70 different from the first embodiment will be mainly described in detail, and detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted. Moreover, the member shown with the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment has shown the same member as 1st Embodiment. 8 and 11, the paper feed roller 30 and the arm 31 are omitted.

[Flap 70]
As shown in FIG. 8, a flap 70 is provided at an intersection position 26 between the first conveyance path 23 and the second conveyance path 24. As shown in FIG. 8, the flap 70 has a first posture in which the recording sheet is guided by the first surface 61 facing the first conveyance path 23, and the second conveyance path 24 as shown in FIG. The posture is changed to the second posture in which is opened. As shown in FIG. 8, the flap 70 in the first posture is rotated upward, and the first surface 71 constitutes a part of the outer guide surface in the curved portion 32 of the first transport path 23. . As shown in FIG. 11B, the flap 70 in the second posture is in a state of being rotated downward. As will be described later, the flap 70 is brought into contact with the first surface 71 of the flap 70 in a non-contact manner by the tray 16 conveyed from the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 to the second conveyance path 24. The posture is changed from the first posture to the second posture.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the flap 70 includes a main body 72 having a first surface 71, arms 73 and 74 extending from the main body 72 toward the axis 107, and along the axis 107 from the arms 73 and 74. The protruding shafts 75 and 76, the protruding pieces 77 and 78 protruding from the main body 72 along the conveying direction 104, and the protruding pieces 77 and 78 can be rotated so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other. Contact portions 80 and 81 are provided, and contact members 82 and 83 that rotate the main body 72 around the axis 107 when the tray 16 contacts the contact portions 80 and 81 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the main body 72 has a plate shape that is long in the width direction 101 and curved along the conveyance direction 104. This curve is along the outer curved shape of the curved portion 32 of the first transport path 23, the curved inner surface of the main body 72 is the first surface 71, and the curved outer surface is the second surface 79. The length of the main body 72 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be transported, and is slightly narrower than the width of the tray 16. The first surface 71 may be formed with a short rib extending along the transport direction 104.

  Arms 73 and 74 are protruded along the curved outward direction perpendicular to the width direction 101 at both ends of the width direction 101 of the main body 72. The arms 73 and 74 have a flat plate shape, and shafts 75 and 76 projecting inward along the width direction 101 are formed at the projecting tips. The shafts 75 and 76 are disposed on the axis 107. The shafts 75 and 76 are pivotally supported by a frame (not shown) so that the flap 70 can be rotated around the axis line 107. By this rotation, the flap 70 changes its posture between the first posture and the second posture. . Although not shown in the drawing, the rotation range of the flap 70 is limited between the first posture and the second posture by being in contact with a supported frame or the like. Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around each of the shafts 75 and 76, and the flap 70 is elastically biased toward the first posture by the torsion coil spring.

  At one end of the main body 72 in the transport direction 104, projecting pieces 77 and 78 project from the both ends of the width direction 101 along the transport direction 104. The direction in which the protruding pieces 77 and 78 protrude is toward the transport roller 41. The contact members 82 and 83 are in contact with the protruding pieces 77 and 78.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the contact members 82 and 83 are spaced apart in the width direction 101 corresponding to the protruding pieces 77 and 78. The projecting pieces 82 and 83 are rod-shaped members, are extended in a direction in which the projecting pieces 77 and 78 project, and the extended ends thereof are in contact with the projecting pieces 77 and 78. End portions of the contact members 82 and 83 that do not contact the projecting pieces 77 and 78 are shaft portions 84 and 85, and the contact members 82 and 83 can rotate around the shaft portions 84 and 85. It is. That is, the contact members 82 and 83 extend from the shaft portions 84 and 85 in the direction opposite to the conveying direction 104, and can rotate around the shaft portions 84 and 85 with the extended end side as a free end. Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around each of the shaft portions 84 and 85, and the abutting members 82 and 83 are rotated by the torsion coil spring so as to abut against the projecting pieces 77 and 78. It is elastically biased. The biasing force of the torsion coil spring is weaker than the biasing force of the torsion coil spring that biases the main body 72 toward the first posture. Therefore, the main body 72 is not rotated to the second posture side when only the contact members 82 and 83 are in contact with the protruding pieces 77 and 78.

  Contact portions 80 and 81 are provided in the vicinity of the center of the contact members 82 and 83 in the longitudinal direction. The contact portions 80 and 81 are triangular flat plates protruding upward in a mountain shape. The tray 16 can abut on the end surfaces of the abutting portions 80 and 81 and the surfaces 86 and 87 facing the transport roller 41 side. When the tray 16 abuts against the abutting portions 80 and 81, the abutting members 82 and 83 resist the urging of the torsion coil spring that urges the abutting members 82 and 83 and the main body 72, respectively. , 85, and the body 72 is changed in posture from the first posture to the second posture. As described above, since the length of the main body 72 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed, the projecting pieces 77 and 78 of the main body 72 and the contact members 82 and 83 are Is disposed outside of the width direction 101 from the region through which the recording paper guided by the first surface 71 and conveyed through the curved portion 32 passes. Therefore, the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32 does not come into contact with the protruding pieces 77 and 78 and the contact members 82 and 83.

[Recording images on recording paper]
As described above, the flap 70 is biased by the coil spring and is maintained in the first posture unless it receives an external force. When recording an image on a recording sheet, the flap 70 is always maintained in the first posture. Since the image recording operation on the recording paper in the printer unit 11 at this time is the same as that in the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted.

[Image recording on CD17]
Similar to the first embodiment, the CD 17 is placed on the tray 16 in advance. When an image recording start command is received, the conveyance roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of a motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 11A, the tray 16 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the first transport path 23 is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and transported onto the platen 47, and then transported. It is sandwiched between the roller 41 and the pinch roller and conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side (left side in FIG. 11). That is, it is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction 104.

  When the front end of the tray 16 (the left end in FIG. 11) reaches the crossing position 26, the front end of the tray 16 contacts the surfaces 86 and 87 of the contact portions 80 and 81 of the contact members 82 and 83. Further, when the tray 16 is conveyed to the rear side of the apparatus, the contact members 82 and 83 are rotated and the main body 72 is pushed downward by the tray 16 that is in contact with the contact portions 80 and 81. Thereby, the main body 72 in the first posture is changed in posture to the second posture against the bias of the torsion coil spring. When the main body 72 is in the second posture, the main body 72 deviates from a straight path that continues from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 to the second transport path 24. That is, the path to the second transport path 24 is opened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the tray 16 transported to the back side of the apparatus enters the second transport path 24 from the intersection position 26.

  Then, when the rear end (the right end in FIG. 11) of the print area of the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 passes directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are stopped and reversed. Thereby, the front end and the rear end of the tray 16 are reversed, and the tray 16 is conveyed from the back side of the apparatus to the front side of the apparatus (right side in FIG. 11). That is, the tray 16 is transported in the transport direction 104. When the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 is transported directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the carriage 46 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 to the CD 17 on the tray 16 during the reciprocation. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the CD 17. The CD 17 on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the front side of the apparatus while being placed on the tray 16. When the tray 16 is discharged to the front side of the apparatus and separated from the contact portions 80, 81 of the contact members 82, 83, the main body 72 biased by the torsion coil spring returns to the first posture.

  Even when the flap 70 according to the third embodiment as described above is employed, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment is different in configuration in that a flap 90 is provided instead of the flap 27 in the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the flap 90 different from the first embodiment will be mainly described in detail, and detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted. Moreover, the member shown with the same referential mark as 1st Embodiment has shown the same member as 1st Embodiment. In FIGS. 12 and 16, the paper feed roller 30 and the arm 31 are omitted.

[Flap 90]
As shown in FIG. 12, a flap 90 is provided at an intersection position 26 between the first conveyance path 23 and the second conveyance path 24. As shown in FIG. 12, the flap 90 has a first posture in which the recording sheet is guided by the first surface 91 facing the first conveyance path 23, and the second conveyance path 24 as shown in FIG. The posture is changed to the second posture in which is opened. As shown in FIG. 12, the flap 90 in the first posture is rotated downward, and the first surface 91 constitutes a part of the outer guide surface in the curved portion 32 of the first conveyance path 23. To do. As shown in FIG. 16B, the flap 90 in the second posture is in a state of being rotated upward. As will be described later, the flap 90 is brought into contact with the first surface 91 of the flap 90 in a non-contact manner by the tray 16 conveyed from the linear portion 33 of the first conveyance path 23 to the second conveyance path 24. The posture is changed from the first posture to the second posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the flap 90 includes a main body 92 having a first surface 91, shafts 93 and 94 projecting from the main body 92 along the axis 108, and a contact portion bulging from the main body 72. 95 and 96, and stoppers 111 and 112 that can be rotated in a direction to come in contact with and separate from the contact portions 95 and 96.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the main body 92 has a plate shape that is long in the width direction 101 and curved along the conveyance direction 104. This curvature is along the outer curved shape of the curved portion 32 of the first conveyance path 23, the curved inner surface of the main body 92 is the first surface 91, and the curved outer surface is the second surface 97. The length of the main body 92 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed and is approximately the same as the width of the tray 16. In the vicinity of both ends of the main body 92 in the width direction 101, notches 98 and 99 are formed along the transport direction 104. The notches 98 and 99 are formed along the transport direction 104 from the upstream end of the transport direction 104 of the main body 92. The widths of the notches 98 and 99 (width in the width direction 101) are widths through which protrusions 131 and 132 of the tray 16 described later can be inserted. The first surface 91 may be formed with a short rib extending along the transport direction 104.

  At both ends of the width direction 101 at the downstream end of the conveyance direction 104 of the main body 92, shafts 93 and 94 are respectively projected outward in the width direction 101. The shafts 93 and 94 are disposed on the axis 108. The shafts 93 and 94 are pivotally supported by a frame (not shown) so that the main body 92 can rotate around the axis 108, and the main body 92 changes its posture between the first posture and the second posture by this rotation. . Although not shown in the drawing, the rotation range of the pair 92 is restricted between the first posture and the second posture by being in contact with a supported frame or the like. . Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around each of the shafts 93 and 94, and the main body 92 is elastically biased toward the first posture by the torsion coil spring. This torsion coil spring corresponds to the first elastic member in the present invention.

  Abutting portions 95 and 96 bulge from both ends in the width direction 101 on the second surface 97 of the main body 92 toward the curved outer side. The contact portions 95 and 96 bulge in a mountain shape toward the curved outer side, and the surfaces 115 and 116 along the vertical direction 102 can contact the stoppers 111 and 112.

  The stoppers 111 and 112 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction 101 corresponding to the contact portions 95 and 96. The stoppers 111 and 112 correspond to the lock member in the present invention. Since the stoppers 111 and 112 are symmetrical with respect to the transport direction 104, the detailed configuration will be described below using the stopper 111 as an example, and the detailed configuration of the stopper 112 will not be described.

  The stopper 111 has a shaft 117 along the axis 108 and two arms 118 and 119 extending from the shaft 117 in different directions. The shaft 117 is supported by a frame (not shown) so that the arms 118 and 119 can rotate around the shaft 117.

  The arm 118 extends from the shaft 117 toward the abutting portion 95 of the main body 92, and the tip thereof abuts on the surface 115 and the second surface 97 of the abutting portion 95. In this abutting state, the stopper 111 and the main body 92 are in an engaged state, and the main body 92 is maintained in the first posture against the urging force of the torsion coil spring provided around the shafts 93 and 94. Thus, the posture in which the stopper 111 engages with the main body 92 is referred to as a third posture in this specification. Further, the posture in which the arm 118 of the stopper 111 is separated from the contact portion 95 so that the posture of the main body 92 can be freely changed is referred to as a fourth posture in this specification.

  The arm 119 extends from the shaft 117 toward the notch 98 of the main body 92, and a tip portion of the arm 119 is exposed through the notch 98 as viewed from the first surface 91 side. As will be described later, when the protrusions 131 and 132 of the tray 16 are inserted into the notch 98, the protrusions 131 and 132 come into contact with the arm 119.

  Although not shown in each figure, a torsion coil spring is provided around the shaft 117, and the torsion coil spring causes the stopper 111 to move in a direction in which the arm 118 engages with the main body 92, that is, in the third posture. It is elastically biased to the side. The urging force of the torsion coil spring that elastically urges the stopper 111 is larger than the urging force of the torsion coil spring that elastically urges the main body 92. Therefore, the stopper 111 is maintained in the third posture by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring that biases the stopper 111 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring that biases the main body 92 from the first posture to the second posture. This torsion coil spring corresponds to the second elastic member in the present invention.

  Although a detailed description of the stopper 112 is omitted, like the stopper 111, a shaft 120 along the axis 108, and two arms 121, 122 extending from the shaft 120 in different directions, Have

  As described above, the length of the main body 92 in the width direction 101 is wider than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed, and the notches 98 and 99 and the stoppers 111 and 112 of the main body 92 are the first of the main body 92. It is arranged outside the width direction 101 from the region through which the recording paper guided by the surface 91 and conveyed through the curved portion 32 passes. Therefore, the recording paper conveyed through the curved portion 32 does not come into contact with the notches 98 and 99 and the stoppers 111 and 112.

[Recording images on recording paper]
As described above, the flap 90 is maintained in the first posture against the urging force of the torsion coil spring provided around the shafts 93 and 94 as long as the stoppers 111 and 112 are engaged with the main body 92. The When recording an image on a recording sheet, the flap 90 is always in the first posture. Since the image recording operation on the recording paper in the printer unit 11 at this time is the same as that in the first embodiment, detailed description is omitted.

[Image recording on CD17]
Similar to the first embodiment, the CD 17 is placed on the tray 16 in advance. As shown in FIG. 15, the tray 16 used in the fourth embodiment is provided with projecting pieces 131 and 132 near both ends in the width direction 101 at the front end in the insertion direction. The protrusions 131 and 132 have a width that can be inserted into the notches 98 and 99 formed in the main body 92 of the flap 90. The protruding lengths of the protrusions 131 and 132 can be brought into contact with the arms 119 and 122 of the stoppers 111 and 112 through the notches 98 and 99 without the front end of the tray 16 being in contact with the first surface 91 of the main body 92. Length is set.

  When an image recording start command is received, the conveyance roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are rotated at a predetermined timing in response to the rotation of a motor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 16A, the tray 16 inserted into the linear portion 24 of the first transport path 23 is sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 43 and the spur 44 and transported onto the platen 47, and then transported. It is sandwiched between the roller 41 and the pinch roller and conveyed from the front side of the apparatus to the back side (left side in FIG. 16). That is, it is conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction 104.

  When the front end of the tray 16 (the left end in FIG. 16) reaches the crossing position 26, the protruding pieces 131 and 132 of the tray 16 are inserted into the notches 98 and 99 of the main body 92, and the arms 119 and 122 of the stoppers 111 and 112 are inserted. Abut. At this time, the front end of the tray 16 is not in contact with the first surface 91 of the main body 92. Further, when the tray 16 is conveyed to the rear side of the apparatus, the stoppers 111 and 112 are rotated from the third posture to the fourth posture against the bias of the torsion coil spring by the projecting pieces 131 and 132 of the tray 16. The Thereby, the engagement between the stoppers 111 and 112 and the main body 92 is released. Then, the main body 92 in the first posture is changed to the second posture by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring that biases the main body 92. When the main body 92 is in the second posture, the main body 92 is disengaged from the straight path that continues from the straight portion 33 of the first transport path 23 to the second transport path 24. That is, the path to the second transport path 24 is opened. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16B, the tray 16 conveyed to the back side of the apparatus enters the second conveyance path 24 from the intersection position 26.

  Then, when the rear end (the right end in FIG. 16) of the print area of the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 passes immediately below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 and the paper discharge roller 43 are stopped and reversed. Thereby, the front end and the rear end of the tray 16 are reversed, and the tray 16 is conveyed from the apparatus rear side to the apparatus front side (right side in FIG. 16). That is, the tray 16 is transported in the transport direction 104. When the CD 17 placed on the tray 16 is transported directly below the recording head 48, the transport roller 41 is intermittently rotated. While the transport roller 41 is stopped, the carriage 46 is reciprocated in the width direction 101, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording head 48 to the CD 17 on the tray 16 during the reciprocation. By repeating the intermittent rotation of the conveying roller 41 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage, a desired image is recorded at a desired position on the CD 17. The CD 17 on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the front side of the apparatus while being placed on the tray 16.

  When the tray 16 is discharged to the front side of the apparatus and the projecting pieces 131 and 132 are separated from the arms 119 and 122 of the stoppers 111 and 112, the stoppers 111 and 112 biased by the torsion coil spring rotate from the fourth posture to the third posture. Moved. Since this biasing force is larger than the biasing force applied to the main body 92, the main body 92 returns from the second posture to the first posture.

  Even when the flap 90 according to the fourth embodiment as described above is employed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

11: Printer unit (conveyance device, image recording device)
16 ... Tray 17 ... CD (recording member)
23 ... 1st conveyance path 24 ... 2nd conveyance path 25 ... Recording part 26 ... Intersection position 27, 60, 70, 90 ... Flap (guide member)
32 ... curved portion 33 ... straight portion 50, 62, 72, 92 ... main body 51, 61, 91 ... first surface 52, 53, 63, 64, 73, 74 ... arm 54 , 55, 65, 66, 80, 81 ... contact portion 59 ... rollers 77, 78 ... projecting pieces 82, 83 ... contact members 111, 112 ... stoppers (lock members)

Claims (4)

A first path in which a curved portion in which the sheet is curved and guided, and a straight portion in which the sheet is guided in a straight line along the conveyance direction of the sheet are disposed;
A second path that extends linearly from the linear portion and that guides a tray that supports a thin plate-shaped recording member;
A guide member provided at an intersection between the first path and the second path,
The guide member is rotated about an axis between a first posture for guiding the sheet by the first surface facing the first path and a second posture for opening the path from the intersecting position to the second path. be those that are posture change by Rukoto, as the tray is conveyed from the straight portion of the first path to the second path, the non-contact the first surface of the guide member, the guide by contacting with members, it der those posture change from said first position to said second position,
The guide member is
A main body having the first surface and rotated about the axis;
A first elastic member that urges the main body to rotate from the first posture side to the second posture side;
A locking member that is pivotable to a third posture that prevents the main body from pivoting from the first posture; and a fourth posture in which the main body can pivot to the second posture;
A second elastic member that urges the lock member to rotate from the fourth posture side to the third posture side;
A conveying device in which the lock member is rotated from the third posture to the fourth posture by the contact of the tray. The transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the lock member is engaged with the main body in the third posture. Said locking member relative to the body, the conveyance according is guided to claim 1 or 2 are disposed outside the sheet in the width direction than the area that passes through conveyed to the curved portion in the first surface apparatus. A transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that is provided in a linear part of the first path and that records an image on a recording member supported by a sheet or a tray that is transported through the linear part.

Images