JP5675217B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus including a sheet feeding mechanism for placing a recording medium such as a recording sheet and feeding the recording medium to a recording unit.

  In a widely used recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a sheet feeding port for guiding the recording medium into the apparatus is provided in a part of the apparatus, and the recording medium is positioned so that one end of the recording medium is positioned at the sheet feeding port. In many cases, a paper feeding unit that feeds paper by placing the paper is provided. Then, after recording is performed on the recording medium fed from the paper feeding unit to the recording unit, the recording medium is discharged out of the apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a paper feeding unit in the form of an automatic paper feeding device is mounted at the rear of the recording apparatus. The paper feed unit is configured by attaching a paper feed roller, a pressure plate, and the like to the structural member of the paper feed unit, and a paper feed port which is a part for guiding a recording medium into the apparatus at the time of paper feed is exposed outside the apparatus. This makes it possible to easily set the recording medium on the pressure plate or the like. The recording medium placed on the pressure plate or the like is pressed into contact with the paper feed roller by the pressure plate, and is fed into the apparatus through the paper feed port as the paper feed roller rotates.

JP 2009-292632 A

  However, in the paper feed mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the paper feed opening is exposed in a paper feed operation or the like, so that an apparatus user can touch the paper feed roller. For this reason, for example, an apparatus user may touch the sheet feeding roller during a sheet feeding operation, adversely affect the sheet feeding operation, or cause a malfunction of the apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that makes it easy to set a recording medium and prevents a user from touching a sheet feeding roller during a sheet feeding operation.

In the present invention Therefore, a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium by the recording unit, a sheet feeding unit for feeding the recording medium to the recording unit by rotating the paper feed roller includes a paper feed roller, wherein A paper feed roller cover for covering the paper feed roller in the paper feed unit , wherein a sub-cover that takes one of a bent position and an extended position is provided at the tip, and the position covering the paper feed roller and the paper feed port A sheet feeding roller cover configured to be movable between a position where the sheet feeding port of the recording medium is opened so that the sheet feeding roller is exposed via the sheet, and an exterior of the recording apparatus that covers the sheet feeding unit a cover member forming part of the case, comprises a cover member which functions as a paper feed tray of the paper feeding unit in an open position in which the member does not cover the paper feeding section, wherein the feeding of the cover member The cover member is in the closed position The sub cover of the paper feed roller cover is in the extended position, the sub cover is in the bent position in the open position of the cover member, and the tip of the sub cover; A gap is formed between the recording medium placed on the cover member functioning as a paper feed tray .

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from touching the paper feed roller during the paper feeding operation while facilitating the setting of the recording medium.

1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view mainly showing a paper feed unit and a conveyance recording unit when the paper feed tray is closed in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus when a recording medium is set in a sheet feeding port in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a paper feeding unit and a conveyance recording unit when a recording medium is set in a paper feeding port. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus when a recording medium is fed from a sheet feeding unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a paper feeding unit and a conveyance recording unit when feeding paper. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open / close detection mechanism for a paper feed roller cover in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the open state of the said paper feeding roller cover, (b) is a closed state, respectively. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the inkjet recording device of the said embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when an opening of a paper feed roller cover is detected in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment before receiving a recording command and before a paper feeding operation. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover is opened when the paper feed roller is driven during a paper feed operation in the inkjet recording apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover is open when the paper feed roller is not driven after the paper feed operation is completed in the inkjet recording apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure when it is detected that the paper feeding roller cover is opened after the recording command is received and before the paper feeding operation is started. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover is opened when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation. It is a figure for demonstrating the paper feed part state detection mechanism of the said embodiment. Similarly, it is a figure for demonstrating a paper-feeding part state detection mechanism. It is a figure explaining the paper front-end | tip detection mechanism of the said embodiment. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing of a paper feed part and a conveyance recording part at the time of returning from the state of a paper feed roller cover error. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the return operation | movement from the said paper feed roller cover error state.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments described below are intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. It is not a thing.

(Configuration when the paper feed tray is closed)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state where a paper feed tray is in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view mainly showing a paper feeding unit and a conveyance recording unit when the paper feeding tray is in a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 10 provided with operation buttons, LEDs, and the like, an access cover 11, a paper feed tray 12, and a front cover 13 as exterior parts. As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 2 and a conveyance recording unit 3 inside the apparatus surrounded by an upper case 14 and a lower case 15 that are exterior members. The paper feed unit 2 includes a paper feed roller 16, a pressure plate 17, a side guide 18, a separation roller 19 and a paper feed roller 16, a pressure plate 17, and a paper feed frame 20 to which the separation roller 19 is attached. The paper feed roller 16 is rotatably supported by the paper feed frame 20. On the other hand, the pressure plate 17 is pivotally supported at the rotation center portion 17 a by the paper feed frame 20, so that the tip end portion 17 b can be rotated in a direction to contact / separate from the paper feed roller 16. In the configuration of the paper feed roller and the pressure plate, a recording medium such as a recording paper placed on the pressure plate is pressed against the paper feed roller by an urging force acting on the pressure plate, so that the recording medium is accompanied with the rotation of the paper feed roller. Can be fed. At this time, the separation roller 19 is disposed below the paper feed roller 16 and downstream of the pressure plate 17, and is configured to be able to swing in a direction to contact / separate the paper feed roller 16. Further, the separation roller 19 is given a substantially constant driven rotational resistance by a torque limiter mechanism. As a result, when the paper feed roller 16 rotates, the recording medium is separated by the driven rotational resistance of the separation roller 19, and only the uppermost sheet of the recording medium to be loaded is fed. The side guide 18 is attached to the pressure plate 17 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the recording medium conveyance direction, that is, in the width direction of the recording medium, thereby preventing the recording medium from being skewed during sheet feeding.

  Next, the conveyance recording unit 3 includes a conveyance mechanism 21, a driven roller 22, a platen 23, a discharge roller 24, and a recording mechanism 25 including a recording head. Here, the transport roller 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 16, and the recording mechanism 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller 21. Further, the recording mechanism 25 includes, for example, a recording head having respective nozzle arrays that eject inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk), and this recording head is recorded. Recording is performed by scanning the medium. That is, the recording mechanism 25 is configured to detachably mount an ink tank storing ink to be supplied to each nozzle row of the recording head, and the recording head and the ink tank, and move in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Provided with a carriage.

  In the above configuration, a paper feed roller cover 26 that is a cover for covering the paper feed roller 16 and that is controlled in accordance with the open / closed state is disposed above the paper feed roller 16. ing. The paper feed tray 12 is disposed above the paper feed roller cover 26. When the paper feed tray is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper feed roller cover 26 covers the top of the paper feed roller 16, and the paper feed tray 12 covers the top.

(Configuration of paper feed tray and paper feed roller cover when setting the recording medium in the paper feed slot)
Next, the configuration when the recording medium is set in the paper feed port will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus when the recording medium is set in the paper supply port, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the paper supply unit and the conveyance recording unit at that time. 3 and 4, the sheet feeding tray 12 has a rotation center portion 12a pivotally supported by the upper case 14, thereby enabling rotation between the open state and the closed state. Further, the rotation center portion 26a of the paper feed roller cover 26 is also pivotally supported by the upper case 14, and thus can be rotated between the open state and the closed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, when the recording paper bundle 27 as a recording medium is set, the paper feed tray 12 is opened, and the paper feed roller cover 26 is opened. The paper mouth 28 is greatly exposed. Since the paper feed port 28 is largely exposed, the apparatus user can easily set the paper bundle 27 on the surface constituted by the pressure plate 17 and the paper feed tray 12. Further, since the side guide 18 can be easily operated, the sheet bundle 27 can be set at an appropriate position in the width direction while guiding the side end portion of the sheet bundle 27 on the pressure plate 17 by the side guide 18. As shown in FIG. 3, by opening the front cover 13, the paper discharge tray 29 that serves as a mounting table when the paper 27 is discharged can be arranged at an appropriate position for discharging the paper 27.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the recording medium is set, the sheet feeding tray 12 and the sheet feeding roller cover 26 are opened, and the sheet feeding port 28 is largely exposed, so that the sheet bundle 27 can be satisfactorily set. .

(Configuration of paper feed tray and paper feed roller cover when feeding recording media)
Next, the configuration of the paper feed tray and the paper feed roller cover when the recording medium is fed from the paper feed unit will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus when the recording medium is fed from the paper feeding unit, and FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the paper feeding unit and the conveyance recording unit at that time.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 12 is open during the paper feed operation, and the pressure plate 17 and the paper feed tray 12 stably hold the sheet bundle 27 that is a recording medium. doing. On the other hand, the paper feed roller cover 26 is in a closed state, and the paper feed roller 16 is covered with the paper feed roller cover 26 so that the user or the like can touch the paper feed roller 16. Can be prevented. A paper feed roller sub cover 30 is provided at the front end of the paper feed roller cover 26. The paper feed roller sub-cover 30 is pivotally supported by the tip rotation center portion 26 b of the paper feed roller cover 26, and can thereby rotate between an extended position and a bent position with respect to the paper feed roller cover 26. The paper feed roller sub-cover 30 receives a biasing force so as to be bent with respect to the paper feed roller cover 26 by a biasing means (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when feeding paper, the paper feed roller sub-cover 30 is bent with respect to the paper feed roller cover 26 by an urging force. Here, a sufficient opening 31 is formed between the paper feed roller sub-cover 30 and the pressure plate 17 and the paper feed tray 12 so that the paper bundle 27 can pass therethrough. The position of the paper feed roller 16, the position of the paper feed roller sub-cover 30, and the size of the opening are such that the device user can prevent the finger from reaching when the user tries to touch the paper feed roller. The opening amount of the part 31 is adjusted appropriately.

  When the paper feed tray shown in FIG. 2 is in the closed state, the paper feed roller sub-cover 30 is configured to be pressed to the paper feed tray 12 in the closed state and to be in the extended position with respect to the paper feed roller cover 26. ing.

(Recording media feeding and recording operations)
Next, a recording medium feeding operation and a recording operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in a state before the sheet feeding operation is started after the apparatus of the present embodiment receives a recording command from the host apparatus or the like, as shown in FIG. It is held in a state separated from 16.

  Next, when the sheet feeding operation is started, the sheet feeding roller 16 starts to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 6 by the driving force from the sheet feeding roller driving motor (not shown). In response to this, the tip 17b of the pressure plate 17 moves in the direction in which it contacts the paper feed roller 16 (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6), and the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle 27 placed on the pressure plate 17 27a is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 16 so as to come into contact therewith. Further, the separation roller 19 also swings in a direction in which it comes into contact with the paper feed roller 16. When the paper feed roller 16 further rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the uppermost paper 27 a in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the paper feed roller 16 cooperates with the paper feed roller 16, the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19. As a result, the sheet is separated from the sheet bundle 27 and fed in the sheet feeding direction.

  When the paper feed roller 16 further rotates, the leading edge of the paper 27a that is separated and fed reaches the position where it contacts the transport roller 21 and the driven roller 22 shown in FIG. Here, by controlling the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 21 and the rotation speed and the number of rotations of the paper feed roller 16 and the conveyance roller 21, a so-called registration removing operation for aligning the leading edge of the sheet 27 a at a right angle to the sheet conveyance direction. I do. After completion of the registration removing operation, the paper 27a is conveyed to the recording operation start position by the rotational driving of the paper supply roller 16 and the conveyance roller 21. At this time, by controlling the rotation speeds of the paper feed roller 16 and the conveyance roller 21, a so-called cueing operation is performed in which the paper 27a is accurately conveyed to the recording operation start position. When the cueing operation is finished, a series of paper feeding operations are finished. When the paper feeding operation is completed, the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 are moved away from the paper feeding roller 16, and the drive from a paper feeding roller driving motor (not shown) to the paper feeding roller 16 is not transmitted. It becomes a state.

  Thus, in the paper feeding operation, the paper feeding roller 16 is driven by the drive motor, and the uppermost paper 27a of the paper bundle 27 is separated by the cooperation of the pressure plate 17 and the separating roller 19 and directed to the conveying roller. And feed it. Further, a registration removing operation and a cueing operation are performed by the rotation of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21, and the series of paper feed operations is completed. At the end of the paper feeding operation, the driving of the paper feeding roller from the drive motor is not transmitted, that is, the paper feeding roller 16 is in a non-driven state.

  Next, when the paper feeding operation is completed and the paper 27a reaches the recording operation start position, the rotation of the transport roller 21 is temporarily stopped. In this state, the recording mechanism 25 reciprocates on the recording surface of the paper 27a in a direction crossing the transport direction, and performs a recording operation for one line by discharging ink droplets in the process. When the recording operation for one line is completed, the sheet 27a is conveyed by a predetermined amount by the conveying roller 21 and stops again. In response to this, the recording mechanism 25 reciprocates again, and a recording operation by ink ejection is performed in the process. By repeating this operation, it is possible to perform a recording operation on almost the entire surface of the sheet.

  If the sheet 27a is in contact with the sheet feed roller 16 when the sheet 27a is being conveyed by the conveyance roller 21 during the recording operation, the sheet feed roller 16 is in the non-driven state but the sheet 27a. Rotates following the transport of When the trailing edge of the paper 27a moves away from the paper feed roller 16 during the recording operation, the driven rotation of the paper feed roller 16 ends and the rotation of the paper feed roller 16 stops.

  When the series of recording operations described above is completed, the paper 27a is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 29 arranged above the opened front cover 13 shown in FIG.

(Feeding roller cover open / close detection mechanism)
Next, a detection mechanism that detects opening and closing of the paper feed roller cover 26 will be described. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a feed roller cover open / close detection mechanism, in which FIG. 8A is a sectional view showing the opened state of the feed roller cover, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing the closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the open / close sensor 32 for detecting the opening / closing of the paper feed roller cover 26 is disposed near the end of the paper feed roller cover 26 in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. By disposing the opening / closing sensor 32 in the vicinity of the end in the width direction in this manner, a member that presses the opening / closing sensor 32 can be disposed outside the sheet conveyance area, and the degree of freedom of configuration can be increased.

  8A and 8B, the open / close sensor 32 and the open / close detection sensor pressing member 33 of the paper feed roller cover are provided with the upper case 14 and the paper feed frame not shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. 20 is attached. Further, the open / close detection sensor pressing member 33 receives a rotational biasing force counterclockwise in FIG. 8A (arrow direction in the figure) by an unillustrated biasing mechanism. In the state shown in FIG. 8A, the opening / closing detection sensor pressing member 33 presses the sensor lever portion 32a of the opening / closing sensor 32 by the rotational biasing force. Thereby, the open / close sensor 32 is in a sensor-on state. On the other hand, in the closed state of the paper feed roller cover shown in FIG. 8B, the sensor pressing portion 26c of the paper feed roller cover 26 presses the opening / closing detection sensor pressing member 33, whereby the opening / closing detection sensor pressing member 33 is shown in FIG. In 8 (b), it rotates clockwise (arrow direction in the figure). As a result, the open / close detection sensor pressing member 33 is separated from the sensor lever portion 32a of the open / close sensor 32, and the open / close sensor 32 is in a sensor-off state.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the opening / closing sensor 32 detects the opening / closing of the paper feed roller cover 26 via the opening / closing detection sensor pressing member 33. Thereby, when the paper feed roller cover is in a closed state, which is a state in which the apparatus is not used, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing sensor 32 from being turned off and applying an unnecessary load to the opening / closing sensor 32.

(Control configuration)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 920 includes a CPU 910, a ROM 909, and a RAM 911. The controller 920 executes various controls, image processing, and the like of the entire apparatus, such as control processing according to the open / closed state of the paper feed roller cover 26, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. The host device 930 is a device that supplies image data for recording an image on a recording medium, such as a computer, a digital camera, a TV, or a mobile phone, and is connected to the controller 920 via an interface 912.

  The operation unit 10 is a user interface with an operator, and includes various input buttons 913 including a power button and a display 914. The sensor unit 921 is a sensor group for detecting various states of the apparatus, and includes a home position sensor 915, a paper end sensor 916, an encoder 917, and the paper feed roller cover opening / closing sensor 32 described above. The controller 920 performs corresponding processing based on the detection signals of these sensors. The controller 920 drives the recording head 901 and various motors (902 to 904) of the printer via the drivers (905 to 908). The head driver 905 drives the recording head 901 according to the recording data. A motor driver 906 drives the carriage motor 902. A motor driver 907 drives a paper feed motor 903. Further, the motor driver 908 drives a conveyance motor 904 for conveying the recording medium.

(Operation when paper feed roller cover opening is detected)
Next, in the present embodiment, after receiving a recording command, before feeding operation is started, during feeding roller driving during feeding operation, and when feeding roller is not driven after feeding operation ends, The operation of the apparatus when the opening of the paper roller cover 26 is detected will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected after the recording command is received and before the paper feed is started. As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet bundle 27 is placed on the surface formed by the pressure plate 17 and the sheet feeding tray 12, and this state is after the apparatus main body receives a recording command from the host apparatus and the sheet feeding operation. The state before the start of is shown. When the paper feed roller cover 26 is opened in this state, the apparatus main body detects that the paper feed roller cover 26 is open by a paper feed roller cover opening / closing sensor 32 not shown in FIG. In this case, normally, the sheet feeding roller 16 starts to rotate, and the leading end 17b of the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 start to move in a direction in contact with the sheet feeding roller 16 to start the sheet feeding operation. However, in the present embodiment, since the open state of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected, the drive rotation of the paper feed roller 16 and the movement operation of the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 are not performed. Further, it is determined that there is a paper feed roller cover error, and the apparatus user is informed that the apparatus is in an error state by display on a display device such as an LED of the operation unit 10 shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected after the recording command is received and before the paper feed operation is started, the paper feed roller cover error process is performed without driving the paper feed roller 16. As a result, it is possible to prevent the exposed paper feeding roller 16 from being driven and rotated, which may be accidentally touched by the user of the apparatus and affect the paper feeding performance.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when the opening of the paper feed roller cover is detected when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation. When the paper feeding operation is started, the paper feeding roller 16 starts to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow A shown in FIG. 11 by a driving force of a paper feeding roller driving motor (not shown). Further, the leading end portion 17b of the pressure plate 17 is moved in a direction in contact with the paper feed roller 16 by the cam operation using the driving force of the motor, and the uppermost position of the sheet bundle 27 placed on the pressure plate 17 is reached. The sheet 27 a is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feed roller 16. Further, the separation roller 19 also swings in a direction in contact with the paper feed roller 16 by a similar cam operation. When the sheet feeding roller 16 further rotates, the uppermost sheet 27 a that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sheet feeding roller 16 is removed from the sheet bundle 27 by the cooperative action of the sheet feeding roller 16, the pressure plate 17, and the separation roller 19. The paper is separated and fed in the paper feeding direction. FIG. 11 shows a state before the paper 27 a is fed by the paper feed roller 16 and reaches the transport roller 21. Thereafter, as a paper feeding operation, a registration removing operation is performed by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 16 and the transport roller 21, and a cueing operation for transporting the paper 27a to the recording start position is performed.

  If the paper feed roller cover 26 is opened while the paper feed roller 16 is driven during the paper feed operation described above, the paper feed roller cover opening / closing sensor 32 (not shown in FIG. 11) is used to feed the paper feed roller. It is detected that the cover 26 is open. Then, the driving of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is forcibly stopped. Further, it is determined that there is a paper feed roller cover error, and a display such as an LED of the operation unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is displayed to notify the user of the apparatus that the apparatus is in an error state.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation, the drive of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is forcibly stopped, and the paper feed roller is further stopped. Cover error processing is performed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the apparatus user or the like from touching the exposed sheet feeding roller 16 during driving rotation and affecting the sheet feeding performance.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected when the paper feed roller is not driven after the paper feed operation is completed. When the paper feeding operation is completed and the paper 27a reaches the recording operation start position, the conveyance by the conveyance roller 21 is temporarily stopped. Then, with this conveyance stopped, the recording mechanism 25 reciprocates on the recording surface of the paper 27a in a direction crossing the conveyance direction to perform a recording operation for one line. When the recording operation for one line is completed, the sheet 27a is conveyed by a predetermined amount by the conveying roller 21 and stopped. Similarly, the recording mechanism 25 is driven back and forth to perform the recording operation. In the present embodiment, when the paper 27a is transported by the transport roller 21 in the recording operation as described above, the paper 27a is in contact with the paper feed roller 16 as shown in FIG. At this time, the paper feed roller 16 is in a non-driven state in which the driving force from the paper feed roller drive motor is not transmitted, and can be rotated following the conveyance of the paper 27a in contact therewith.

  If the paper feed roller cover 26 is opened when the paper feed roller is not driven after the completion of the paper feed operation, the paper feed roller cover 26 is opened by a paper feed roller cover open / close sensor 32 (not shown). Is detected. However, in this case, even if the apparatus user touches the sheet feeding roller 16, the sheet feeding roller 16 is in a non-driven state, so that the influence on the sheet feeding performance of the apparatus is not great. Accordingly, the driving of the conveying roller 21 is not stopped, and the reciprocating driving of the recording mechanism 25 is not stopped. Also, the paper feed roller cover error process is not performed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected when the paper feed roller is not driven after the paper feed operation is finished, the driving of the transport roller 21 and the recording mechanism 25 is not stopped, and the paper feed roller cover is stopped. No error handling is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an influence on the recording performance such as a decrease in throughput caused by stopping the conveying operation and the recording operation when the user of the apparatus accidentally opens the paper feed roller cover during the recording operation.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the open state of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected, the paper feed operation is started after the recording command is received, the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation, and the paper feed operation is finished. Drive control of the paper feed roller and the like is performed according to the state of each device when the roller is not driven. Specifically, execution or non-execution of forced stop of driving of the paper feed roller 16, transport roller 21 and recording mechanism 25 and execution or non-execution of paper feed roller cover error processing are switched according to the state of each apparatus. Take control.

(Control procedure when opening of paper feed roller cover is detected)
Next, an operation control procedure when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected after the recording command is received and before the paper feed operation is started and the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected after the recording command is received and before the paper feed operation is started. As shown in FIG. 13, when a recording command is received, it is determined in step S01 whether or not the paper feed roller cover opening / closing sensor 32 is off. If it is determined that the sheet is off, the process proceeds to step S02 to perform a sheet feeding operation. That is, paper is fed by rotating the paper feed roller. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S01 that the paper feed roller cover open / close sensor 32 is on, in step S03, paper feed roller cover error processing is performed without rotating the paper feed roller 16.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation control procedure when the opening of the paper feed roller cover 26 is detected when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation. As shown in FIG. 14, when a paper feeding operation is started, in step S04, a command to start the rotation driving of the paper feeding roller 16 and stop the driving when it rotates by a predetermined amount, and a paper feeding roller cover open / close sensor. The drive of the paper feed roller 16 is stopped by one of the commands to forcibly stop the drive of the paper feed roller 16 by detecting that the switch 32 is turned on. That is, when the paper feeding operation is normally performed, the rotation of the paper feeding roller 16 is temporarily stopped when the predetermined amount of rotation is performed so as to feed the paper to the position where registration is performed. On the other hand, as described above, when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover open / close sensor 32 is turned on, the rotation of the paper feed roller 16 is forcibly stopped. In step S04, one of these stops is performed.

  Next, in step S05, it is determined whether or not the paper feed roller 16 has been forcibly stopped. If it is determined that the forced stop has occurred, a paper feed roller cover error process is performed in step S06. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S05 that the forced stop has not been performed, a registration removing operation is started in step S07.

  When the registration removal operation is started, in step S08, a command to start rotation of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 and then rotate a predetermined amount to stop driving of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21; When the feed roller cover open / close sensor 32 is detected to be on, the drive of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is stopped by one of the commands to forcibly stop the drive of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21. . That is, when the registration operation is normally performed, the rotation of the paper feed roller 16 is temporarily stopped when the predetermined amount of rotation is performed so that the paper is fed to the position where the next cueing operation is performed. On the other hand, as described above, when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover open / close sensor 32 is turned on, the rotation of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is forcibly stopped. In step S08, one of these stops is performed.

  Next, in step S09, it is determined whether the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 have been forcibly stopped. If it is determined that the forced stop has occurred, a paper feed roller cover error process is performed in step S10. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S09 that the forced stop is not performed, the cueing operation is started in step S11.

  When the cueing operation is started, in step S12, as in step S08, the drive rotation of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is started, and then the paper is rotated by a predetermined amount to feed the sheet to the recording operation start position. And a command to forcibly stop driving the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 after the paper feed roller cover opening / closing sensor 32 is turned on. The driving of the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is stopped by either of the above.

  Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 are forcibly stopped. If it is determined that the forced stop has occurred, the process proceeds to step S14 to perform a paper feed roller cover error process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the forced stop has not been performed, a series of paper feeding operations is terminated in step S15.

(Paper feed state detection means and paper leading edge detection means)
Next, a return operation from the error state when the paper feed roller cover 26 described above is detected and a paper feed roller cover error occurs will be described.

  Prior to the description of the return operation, the configuration of the paper feed unit state detection mechanism and the paper leading edge detection mechanism, which are means for detecting the apparatus state during the return operation, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining the sheet feeding unit state detection mechanism, FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the sheet feeding unit 2, and FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory diagram of drive connection of the sheet feeding unit. . FIG. 16 shows the connection relationship between the paper feed roller 16, the pressure plate 17, the separation roller 19, and the paper feed unit drive unit 4, and does not show the actual positional relationship of each member.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a feeding force for transmitting a driving force from a paper feed roller drive motor is supplied to a side end portion of the paper feed unit 2 including a paper feed roller 16, a pressure plate 17, a separation roller 19 and a paper feed frame 20. A paper drive unit 4 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 16, the paper feed unit drive unit 4 includes a paper feed main gear 34, a paper feed roller drive gear 35, a pressure plate cam 36, and a separation roller cam 37. The paper portion state detection sensor 39 constitutes the paper portion state detection mechanism 40. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, when the driving force from the paper feed roller drive motor is transmitted to the paper feed main gear 34, the paper feed main gear 34 rotates. At the same time, a paper feed roller drive gear 35, a pressure plate cam 36, and a separation roller cam 37 that are configured to rotate integrally with the paper feed main gear 34 rotate. As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the paper feed roller drive gear 35 to the paper feed roller gear portion 16a (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 16), and the paper feed roller 16 rotates. At the same time, the rotation of the pressure plate cam 36 moves the tip portion 17b of the pressure plate 17 so as to contact / separate the paper feed roller 16, and the rotation of the separation roller cam 37 pushes the lever portion 19a of the separation roller 19 ( (Indicated by an arrow in FIG. 16) The separation roller 19 swings. Further, the sheet feeding unit state detection lever 38 swings according to the rotation position of the sheet feeding main cam 34, and the sheet feeding unit detection sensor 39 detects the swing of the sheet feeding unit state detection lever 38. The paper feed roller drive gear 35 is formed with a portion where some gear teeth do not exist on the circumference of the gear tooth surface, thereby driving the drive force transmitted from the paper feed roller drive motor. And it becomes possible to implement | achieve the non-driving state which does not transmit a driving force.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the feeding roller 16 is driven or not driven, the contact portion or separation position of the tip 17b of the pressure plate 17 with respect to the feeding roller 16, and the separation roller 19 is brought into contact with or separated from the feeding roller 16. The position is controlled by the rotation position of the paper feed main gear 35. As a result, by detecting the rotation position of the paper feed main gear by the paper feed unit state detection sensor 39, the paper feed unit 2 is in a standby state where paper can be set, or is in a non-standby state. Can be detected. When the sheet feeding unit 2 is in a standby state, the sheet feeding roller 16 is in a non-driven state, and the leading end 17 b of the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 are separated from the sheet feeding roller 16.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the paper leading edge detection mechanism. As shown in FIG. 17, the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 includes a paper leading edge detection lever 42 and a paper leading edge detection sensor 43, and the paper side end 42 a of the paper leading edge detection lever 42 is conveyed with the paper feed roller 16. Arranged between the rollers 21. When the sheet 27a contacts and pushes up the sheet side end 42a of the sheet leading end detection lever 42, the sheet leading end detection lever 42 rotates about the rotation center 42b to detect the sheet leading end of the sensor side end 42c. The position with respect to the sensor 43 changes. Thereby, the paper leading edge detection sensor 43 can detect that the leading edge of the paper has reached the paper leading edge detection lever 42.

(Return operation from error state)
Next, the return operation from the paper feed roller cover error state in this embodiment will be described. The recovery from the paper feed roller cover error is started when an error cancel command is issued by the user of the apparatus by closing the paper feed roller cover 26 and pressing the radium key.

  FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views of the paper feeding unit 2 and the conveyance recording unit 3 when the paper feeding roller cover error is restored.

  FIG. 18A shows a state in which the tip end portion 17 b of the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 are moved in a direction in contact with the paper feed roller 16. This state is a state in which the above-described sheet feeding unit state detection mechanism 40 has detected that the sheet feeding unit 2 is in a non-standby state that is not a state in which a sheet is set. Further, the paper 27 a contacts and pushes up the paper side end portion 42 a of the paper leading edge detection lever 42, and there is a paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 by the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 described above. It is in a state that has been detected.

  In the present embodiment, when returning after paper feed roller cover error processing, if the paper feed unit state detection mechanism 40 detects that the paper feed unit 2 is in a non-standby state, or the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 supplies paper. When it is detected that a sheet is present between the roller 16 and the transport roller 21, the sheet placed on the pressure plate or the sheet present between the sheet feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 is discharged from the discharge tray. 29, a paper discharge process is performed. At the same time, a paper feed unit initialization process for driving the paper feed unit 2 to put it in a standby state is performed.

  FIG. 18B shows a state in which the front end portion 17 b of the pressure plate 17 and the separation roller 19 are separated from the paper feed roller 16. This state is detected by the paper feed unit state detection mechanism 40. Is a standby state in which it is possible to set paper. In this state, since there is no paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21, the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 detects a paper out state.

  In this embodiment, when returning from the paper feed roller cover error state, as shown in FIG. 18B, the paper feed unit state detection mechanism 40 detects that the paper feed unit 2 is in a standby state, and When the paper leading edge detection mechanism (recording medium presence / absence detection mechanism) 41 detects that there is no paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21, the discharge process is not performed and the paper before the paper feed roller cover error occurs. Return to processing. That is, a paper feed roller cover error occurs after the recording command is received and before the paper feed operation is started. Further, when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation, a paper feed roller cover error occurs, and when the paper is restored after that, the paper feed operation is continued. Note that a paper feed roller cover error occurs when the paper feed roller is driven during the paper feed operation, and the paper feed unit 2 is in a standby state when the paper is returned thereafter, and there is no paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21. This is the case, for example, when the transport roller cover 26 is opened immediately after the paper feeding operation is started.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 detects the presence / absence of paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21 when the paper feed roller cover error is restored. It is used as

(Control procedure for recovery from error status)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the return operation from the above-described paper feed roller cover error state.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the error cancel command is received, first, in step S16, it is determined whether the sheet feeding unit 2 is in a standby state or a non-standby state. When the paper feed unit 2 is in the standby state, it is determined in step S17 whether the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 detects whether or not there is paper between the paper feed roller 16 and the transport roller 21. If it is detected that there is no paper, the process returns to the state before the occurrence of the paper feed roller cover error in step S18. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S16 that the paper feeding unit 2 is in a non-standby state, or when it is detected in step S17 that the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 has a paper sheet, a paper discharge process is performed in step S19. Further, a paper feed unit initialization process for placing the paper feed unit 2 in a standby state is performed.

  As described above, the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by the recording unit. The recording apparatus includes a paper feed roller and rotates the paper feed roller to feed a recording medium to the recording unit. The paper feed roller passes through a paper feed port of the recording medium. A paper feed unit exposed outside is provided. The recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a paper feed roller cover for covering the paper feed roller in the paper feed unit, and is movable between a position where the paper feed roller is covered and a position where the paper feed roller is opened. A paper feed roller cover is provided. When the cover opening detection mechanism that detects that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller detects that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller. Does not drive or stops the rotation of the recording roller. Specifically, when it is detected that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller, and when the paper feed roller should be rotated or the paper feed roller is being rotated, the drive is stopped. .

  With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the user of the apparatus or the like from touching the sheet feeding roller during the sheet feeding operation and affecting the sheet feeding performance while facilitating the sheet setting operability. Even if the user of the apparatus accidentally opens the paper feed roller cover during the recording operation, the conveyance recording operation is not stopped, so that the influence on the recording performance can be prevented.

  Further, when the paper feed unit 2 is in a non-standby state or when the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 detects the presence of paper when returning from the paper feed roller cover error, paper discharge processing is performed and the paper feed unit 2 is further processed. To the standby state. In addition, when the paper feed unit 2 is in a standby state and the paper leading edge detection mechanism 41 detects a paper out state when returning from a paper feed roller cover error, the discharge process is not performed and a paper feed roller cover error occurs. Return to the process.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent unnecessary paper discharge processing and paper feed unit initialization processing when the paper feed roller cover error is canceled.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, but it goes without saying that the application of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent from the above description that the present invention can also be applied to recording apparatuses of other recording systems such as a thermal transfer system.

Reference Signs List 2 Paper Feed Unit 3 Transport Recording Unit 10 Operation Unit 12 Paper Feed Tray 16 Paper Feed Roller 17 Pressure Plate 19 Separation Roller 24 Paper Discharge Roller 25 Recording Mechanism 26 Paper Feed Roller Cover 27 Paper Bunch 28 Paper Feed Port 30 Paper Feed Roller Sub-cover 31 Opening 32 Feeding roller cover opening / closing sensor 33 Feeding roller cover pressing member 38 Feeding unit state detection lever 39 Feeding unit state detection sensor 40 Feeding unit state detection mechanism 41 Paper leading edge detection mechanism 42 Paper leading edge detection lever 43 Paper leading edge Detection sensor

Claims (8)

A recording device for recording on a recording medium by a recording unit,
A paper feed unit that includes a paper feed roller and rotates the paper feed roller to feed a recording medium to the recording unit;
A paper feed roller cover for covering the paper feed roller in the paper feed unit, wherein a sub-cover that takes one of a bent position and an extended position is provided at the tip, and the position that covers the paper feed roller and the paper feed A paper feed roller cover configured to be movable between a position where the paper feed port of the recording medium is opened so that the paper feed roller is exposed through the port;
A cover member that covers the paper feed unit and forms a part of an outer case of the recording apparatus, and the cover member functions as a paper feed tray of the paper feed unit in an open position where the member does not cover the paper feed unit When,
With
The cover member is in a closed position that covers the paper feed unit, the cover member is located above the paper feed roller cover, and the sub cover of the paper feed roller cover is in an extended position, and the cover member is in an open position. The sub-cover is bent and a gap is formed between the tip of the sub-cover and the recording medium placed on the cover member that functions as the paper feed tray. Recording device. A recording device for recording on a recording medium by a recording unit,
A paper feed unit that includes a paper feed roller and rotates the paper feed roller to feed a recording medium to the recording unit;
A paper feed roller cover for covering the paper feed roller in the paper feed unit, wherein the paper feed roller is exposed to the position where the paper feed roller is covered and the paper feed roller through the paper feed port. A paper feed roller cover configured to be movable between an open position;
Cover opening detection means for detecting that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller;
When the cover open detecting means detects that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller, and the state where the paper feed roller should be rotated or the paper feed roller is rotated. In this state, the drive for rotation of the paper feed roller is not performed or stopped, and the cover open detecting means is in a position where the paper feed roller cover opens the paper feed roller. A recording control means for stopping the recording operation on the recording medium fed to the recording unit by the recording unit when the sheet feeding roller is in a non-driven state when detected;
A recording apparatus characterized by comprising:   When the cover opening detecting means detects that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller after receiving a recording command and before starting paper feed, the paper feed roller The cover open detecting means is in a position where the paper feed roller cover opens the paper feed roller when the paper feed roller is driven to rotate without being driven to rotate the paper feed roller. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving for rotation of the paper feed roller is stopped when the image is detected.   4. The recording control means further performs error processing when driving for rotation of the paper feed roller is not performed or when driving for rotation of the paper feed roller is stopped. The recording device described in 1. A paper feed unit state detection means for detecting whether or not the paper feed roller is in a state of waiting for driving for paper feed;
Recording medium presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not there is a recording medium between the paper feed roller and the recording medium conveying means in the recording unit;
Further comprising
The recording control unit is configured to detect the sheet feeding unit state when the cover opening detection unit detects that the sheet feeding roller cover is in a position to open the sheet feeding roller after the error processing. Is at least one of a state in which a non-standby state is detected and a state in which the recording medium presence / absence detecting unit detects that there is a recording medium, the recording medium is discharged, and the paper feeding unit state detecting unit 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the error processing is canceled when the standby state is detected and the recording medium presence / absence detecting unit detects that there is no recording medium. A cover member that covers the paper feed unit and forms a part of an outer case of the recording apparatus, and the cover member functions as a paper feed tray of the paper feed unit in an open position where the member does not cover the paper feed unit Further comprising
The paper feed roller cover is provided with a sub-cover that takes one of a bent position and an extended position at the tip,
The cover member is in a closed position that covers the paper feed unit, the cover member is located above the paper feed roller cover, and the sub cover of the paper feed roller cover is in an extended position, and the cover member is in an open position. The sub-cover is bent and a gap is formed between the tip of the sub-cover and the recording medium placed on the cover member that functions as the paper feed tray. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.   The recording control unit takes a non-driven state of the paper feed roller when the recording medium fed by the paper feed roller is transported by the transport roller closer to the recording unit than the paper feed roller. The recording apparatus according to claim 2. A recording device for recording on a recording medium by a recording unit,
A paper feed unit that includes a paper feed roller and rotates the paper feed roller to feed a recording medium to the recording unit;
A paper feed roller cover for covering the paper feed roller in the paper feed unit, a position for covering the paper feed roller and a paper feed port for the recording medium so that the paper feed roller is exposed through the paper feed port A paper feed roller cover configured to be movable between the position where the
Cover opening detection means for detecting that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller;
When the cover open detecting means detects that the paper feed roller cover is in a position to open the paper feed roller, and the state where the paper feed roller should be rotated or the paper feed roller is rotated. In this state, the drive for rotation of the paper feed roller is not performed or stopped, and the cover open detecting means is in a position where the paper feed roller cover opens the paper feed roller. When detected, the recording medium fed by the paper feed roller is transported by the transport roller on the recording unit side from the paper feed roller, and the paper feed roller is transported to the recording medium transported by the transport roller. A recording control unit that does not stop the recording operation of the recording unit by the recording unit with respect to the recording medium fed to the recording unit;
A recording apparatus characterized by comprising:

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