JP6409447B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus including a platen that can approach and separate from a recording unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image by ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle provided in a recording unit onto a sheet such as recording paper is known. In an ink jet recording apparatus, a flat platen (supporting member) that supports a sheet is usually provided at a position facing the recording unit. The sheet conveyed on the platen is stopped at a position facing the recording unit. In such a state, ink droplets are selectively ejected from the recording unit onto the sheet, and an image is formed on the sheet.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image recording apparatus in which a platen arranged in a horizontal state on the lower side of a recording unit is configured to be capable of approaching and separating (moving up and down) from the recording unit. In this image recording apparatus, a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet on the platen to the downstream side is provided on the downstream side of the platen in the sheet conveyance direction. The end of the platen on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction is supported rotatably on the roller shaft of the conveyance roller. Accordingly, the upstream end of the platen in the sheet conveyance direction rotates in the vertical direction around the roller axis of the conveyance roller.

  The platen is provided with a pair of springs (elastic members) that urge the upstream end in the sheet conveyance direction upward. Each spring is held by a spring holder attached to each side edge on both sides in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. Each spring holder is attached to the platen so as to be movable along the thickness direction of the platen.

  Each spring holder is in contact with a release rod that is operated when the platen is moved in the vertical direction with respect to the recording unit. The release rod is disposed along the sheet conveying direction on the lower side of each side edge on both sides in the width direction of the platen. Each release rod is movable along the sheet conveying direction, and when operated in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, the spring holders in contact with the release rods are lifted upward with respect to the platen. As a result, the spring holder moves with respect to the platen along the thickness direction of the platen, and the spring held by the spring holder presses the platen upward. In this state, when the spring holder is further lifted upward, the platen is further pushed upward by the spring. Accordingly, the upstream end of the platen is rotated upward with the downstream end in the sheet conveyance direction as the center.

  When the platen reaches a predetermined position close to the recording unit, the upward movement of the platen is restricted and the upward movement of the spring holder is also restricted. In such a state, the spring in the spring holder urges the platen upward. When the sheet is conveyed on the platen in such a state, the platen moves downward due to the load of the sheet. As a result, the platen becomes the optimum image recording position for the recording unit.

  On the other hand, when the release rod is operated in the sheet conveyance direction, the spring holder moves downward with respect to the platen, and the spring does not urge the platen. When the spring holder further moves downward in such a state, the platen is in a state in which the upstream side portion in the sheet conveyance direction is pivoted downward with respect to the recording unit. This facilitates jam processing when a jam occurs between the recording unit and the platen.

JP 2012-71563 A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the release rod moves in the direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction, the spring holder in contact with the release rod is guided upward by the inclined surface of the release rod and moves upward. In this case, the spring holder moves upward in a state where not only the force in the thickness direction of the platen but also the force in the horizontal direction is applied by the force acting from the inclined surface of the release rod.

  The spring held by the spring holder presses the platen in the same direction when the spring holder moves along the thickness direction of the platen. In this state, when the spring holder is further lifted upward, the spring holder pushes the platen upward through the spring. As a result, the platen rotates about the downstream end in the sheet conveyance direction, and the upstream end rotates upward, and the spring holder attached to the platen also moves upward together with the platen.

  Thus, since the spring holder moves upward together with the platen in a state where the force is applied in the horizontal direction by the release rod, the moving direction of the spring holder is deviated from the thickness direction of the platen that is the moving direction with respect to the platen. It becomes a state. Thereby, force is applied to the spring held by the spring holder in a direction different from the thickness direction of the platen. Therefore, when the platen comes close to the recording unit, the urging direction of the platen by the spring is shifted from the desired direction.

  When thick paper such as coated paper thicker than plain paper is conveyed on the platen in such a state, the direction in which the spring is pushed down by the thick paper is shifted from the desired direction, and the platen There is a possibility that the recording unit is shifted from the optimum image recording position.

  Further, in the case where an abutting member that abuts on the upper surface of the sheet conveyed on the platen is provided, the force applied to the spring from the thick paper is further increased when the thick paper is conveyed. Thereby, there is a possibility that the platen is further largely deviated from the optimum image recording position of the recording unit with respect to the thick paper.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a platen that is transported when a platen that can approach and separate from the recording unit is positioned close to the recording unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of suppressing a large deviation from an appropriate image recording position depending on a recording medium.

  (1) An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that records an image on a recording medium and a support surface that supports the recording medium, and is disposed to face the recording unit. A platen that is displaced to a second state that is further away from the recording unit than the first state, and the platen in the first state, and the platen moves from the first state to the recording unit side. A regulating member that regulates this, and a second pivot position that is pivotably provided on the platen, and whose pivot tip side is further away from the support surface than the first pivot position. A rotating member that is rotatable to the platen, an elastic member that biases the rotating member toward the second rotating position, and the rotating member as the first rotating position. A first slice that places the platen in the first state by urging the elastic member. Position, and and a slide cam slidably to the second slide position to the second state said platen as said second rotational position the rotating member.

  According to such a configuration, the rotation direction of the rotation member by the slide cam can be made equal to the direction in which the platen moves from the first state separated from the recording unit to the second state approaching the recording unit. Thereby, it is suppressed that the force which goes to the direction different from the direction which urges | biases a platen is added to the elastic member which urges | biases the rotation member which became the 1st rotation position.

  (2) Preferably, the slide cam is in contact with the rotation member at the first slide position and restricts the rotation of the rotation member, and is inclined with respect to the first cam surface. As the slide from the first slide position to the second slide position comes into contact with the turning member, the turning member turns from the first turning position to the second turning position. A second cam surface.

  According to such a configuration, the rotating member is stably supported at the first rotating position by the flat first cam surface of the slide cam. Further, the rotation member smoothly rotates from the first rotation position to the second rotation position by the inclined second cam surface of the slide cam.

  (3) Preferably, the rotation member has a sliding contact portion that is in sliding contact with the second cam surface of the slide cam when rotating from the first rotation position to the second rotation position. Accordingly, since the sliding contact portion of the rotating member smoothly contacts the second cam surface of the slide cam, the rotating member moves more smoothly from the first rotating position to the second rotating position. Rotate.

  (4) Preferably, an abutting member that is disposed to face the platen in the first state and contacts the sheet when the sheet is conveyed as a recording medium on the platen in the first state. Also have. Thereby, since the platen close to the recording unit is appropriately biased by the elastic member, the contact member can press the sheet on the platen with an appropriate pressing force.

  (5) Preferably, the platen has a pair of projecting portions each projecting toward the recording unit in a state where the platen is spaced in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, and the contact member is The sheet abuts on the sheet between the pair of protrusions in the width direction and bends in cooperation with the pair of protrusions. Thereby, the sheet | seat on a platen can be made into an appropriate curved state.

  (6) Preferably, the contact member contacts the sheet at a position farther from the recording unit than the contact position of the sheet at the protruding portion. Thereby, the sheet | seat on a platen can be made into a desired curved state reliably.

  (7) Preferably, the apparatus further includes a conveyance roller disposed downstream of the platen in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the platen is rotatably supported on the axis of the conveyance roller. Accordingly, since the platen is supported by the transport roller, it is not necessary to provide a special member for supporting the platen, and a compact configuration can be achieved.

  (8) Preferably, the slide roller further includes a driven roller that faces the transport roller and can approach and separate from the transport roller, and the slide cam rotates the shaft of the transport roller at the first slide position. The transport roller is supported and brought into contact with the driven roller, and the shaft of the transport roller is moved away from the driven roller from the first slide position at the second slide position. The conveying roller is separated from the driven roller.

  According to the above configuration, the transport roller can be moved closer to and away from the driven roller in conjunction with the approach and separation of the platen relative to the recording unit.

  (9) Preferably, the elastic member and the rotating member are respectively provided on both sides of the platen in the width direction, and the slide cam is provided in each direction orthogonal to the width direction. It is provided opposite to. Thereby, each of the side portions on both sides of the platen is stably urged by the elastic member.

  (10) Preferably, the platen is provided with a holding unit that holds the rotating member biased by the elastic member at a predetermined position farther from the recording unit than the second rotating position. . Thereby, the rotating member is held at a predetermined position with respect to the platen even when the urging force of the elastic member is applied.

  According to the present invention, when the platen that can approach and separate from the recording unit is brought into the state of approaching the recording unit, the platen is greatly increased from a position where an image can be appropriately recorded on the recording medium to be conveyed. Shifting can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 14 in an exploded state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining a supporting structure of main members by the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48. It is a top view of the part shown by FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of the platen 42. FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the lower side of the platen 42. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the left side portion of the platen 42. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the left slide member 90A. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the left slide member 90A, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the left slide member 90A.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed (the state in FIG. 1), and the side where the feeding tray 20 appears is the front side (front side). A direction 8 is defined, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front).

[Overall configuration of MFP 10]
A multifunction machine 10 (an example of an image recording apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The multifunction machine 10 includes a housing 14 configured in a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a feeding tray 20 mounted in a lower portion of the housing 14. The feeding tray 20 can be pulled forward from the housing 14.

  Inside the housing 14, a discharge space 13 in which the recording paper 12 (see FIG. 2) is printed out is provided above the front portion of the feeding tray 20. The discharge space 13 is open to the front side. A discharge tray 21 on which the recording paper 12 is placed is positioned below the discharge space 13. The discharge tray 21 is supported on the feeding tray 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 is provided on the rear upper portion in the housing 14. The printer unit 11 records an image on a recording medium by an inkjet method. The feeding tray 20 has a support surface 22 on which a plurality of recording sheets 12 are supported. The recording sheets 12 are supported on the support surface 22 while being stacked in the vertical direction 7. The multifunction machine 10 has a function of recording an image on one side of the recording paper 12 accommodated in the feeding tray 20 and a function of recording an image on both sides of the recording paper 12. The multifunction machine 10 also has a function of recording an image on the surface of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

  Below the printer unit 11, a feeding unit 16 that feeds the recording paper 12 in the feeding tray 20 to the printer unit 11 is provided. The feeding unit 16 is provided with a feeding roller 25 that abuts on the uppermost recording sheet 12 in the feeding tray 20 and feeds it upward on the rear side. The feed roller 25 is supported by a support arm 26 so as to be rotatable at a position where it abuts on the uppermost recording paper 12 in the feeding tray 20 and a position spaced upward from the recording paper 12. The power of a feed motor (not shown) is transmitted to the feed roller 25 by a power transmission mechanism 27.

  At the rear part of the housing 14, a first conveyance path 33 is provided for conveying the recording paper 12 fed from the feeding tray 20 by the feeding unit 16 upward. The first transport path 33 is configured in an arc shape protruding rearward by an outer peripheral guide member 33A positioned on the rear side and an inner peripheral guide member 33B positioned on the front side.

  The recording paper 12 fed out from the feeding tray 20 enters the first transport path 33 from the lower end portion of the first transport path 33 and is discharged forward from the upper end portion of the first transport path 33. A second transport path 34 along which the recording paper 12 transported along the first transport path 33 is transported in a horizontal state is provided along the front-rear direction 8. The second transport path 34 reaches from the upper end of the first transport path 33 to the upper side of the rear end of the discharge tray 21.

  The second transport path 34 is provided with a first transport roller pair 59, a platen 42, a second transport roller pair 44, a path switching unit 36, and a reverse roller pair 45, each of which is a second transport roller. A part of the path 34 is formed.

  The first transport roller pair 59 includes an upper first transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 disposed on the lower side. When the recording paper 12 is transported in the second transport path 34, the first transport roller pair 59 is in a state where the first transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 are in pressure contact with each other. Is driven to rotate.

  The platen 42 disposed between the first conveyance roller pair 59 and the second conveyance roller pair 44 supports the recording paper 12 conveyed in the second conveyance path 34 in a horizontal state. A recording unit 24 that records an image on the recording paper 12 supported by the platen 42 is provided above the platen 42.

  Above the platen 42, there are provided a first guide rail 56 and a second guide rail 57 that are arranged along the left-right direction 9 with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction 8. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40 that is slidably supported by the first guide rail 56 and the second guide rail 57, and a recording head 38 that is disposed below the carriage 40. The recording head 38 is provided with nozzles 39 that eject ink downward from a plurality of ejection ports. Ink is supplied to the nozzle 39 from an ink cartridge (not shown).

  The second conveyance roller pair 44 disposed on the front side of the platen 42 includes a lower second conveyance roller 62 and an upper counter roller (driven roller) 63. When the recording paper 12 is transported, the second transport roller pair 44 is rotationally driven by the second transport roller 62 on the lower side being pressed against the opposing roller 63.

  When the recording sheet 12 conveyed by the second conveying roller pair 44 comes into contact with the path switching guide 36, the recording sheet 12 passes over the path switching guide 36. Further, as will be described later, when the recording sheet 12 guided to the reversing roller pair 45 through the path switching guide 36 is positioned between the path switching guide 36 and the reversing roller pair 45, the recording paper 12 is guided to the reversing roller pair 45. By contacting the route switching guide 36, the route is guided below the route switching guide 36.

  The reverse roller pair 45 includes a lower reverse roller 67 and a reverse counter roller (driven roller) 68 disposed above the reverse roller 67. The reverse roller 67 can rotate forward and backward. The reverse counter roller 68 rotates following the rotation of the reverse roller 67 in a state where the reverse roller 68 is in pressure contact with the reverse roller 67.

  The direction in which the reversing roller 67 rotates is referred to as normal rotation when the recording paper 12 is conveyed forward, and is referred to as reverse rotation when the recording paper 12 is conveyed backward. When an image is recorded only on one side of the recording paper 12, the reverse roller 67 is rotated forward, and the recording paper 12 conveyed by the reverse roller pair 45 is discharged onto the discharge tray 21.

  When images are recorded on both sides of the recording paper 12, the reversing roller 67 is rotated forward and conveyed until just before the rear end portion of the recording paper 12 having the image recorded on one side passes through the reversing roller pair 45. After that, the reverse roller 67 is reversed. As a result, the recording paper 12 is conveyed rearward toward the path switching unit 36 and is guided below the path switching unit 36 by contacting the path switching unit 36. A branch conveyance guide 71 is provided from below the path switching unit 36 to the lower end of the first conveyance path 33. A third transport path 73 is formed by the branch transport guide 71. The recording paper 12 conveyed along the branch conveyance guide 71 is conveyed to the lower end portion of the first conveyance path 33 by the intermediate conveyance roller pair 72.

[Printer 11]
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 11 is supported by a left side frame 47 and a right side frame 48 provided on the left and right sides of the rear part of the housing 14. The left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 are arranged along the front-rear direction 8 and the vertical direction 7, respectively.

  A first guide rail 56 is supported on the rear portions of the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48. A second guide rail 57 is supported on the left side frames 47 and 48 at a position spaced a predetermined distance forward from the first guide rail 56. The first guide rail 56 and the second guide frame 57 support the side portions of the recording unit 24 in the front-rear direction 8 of the carriage 40 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction 9.

  The left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 support a belt-like roller support frame 65 that is elongated along the left-right direction 9 on the front side of the second guide rail 57. A reverse counter roller 68 (see FIG. 2) on the upper side of the reverse roller pair 45 is attached to the lower side of the roller support frame 65.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a contact member 80 is attached to the first guide rail 56. The contact member 80 has a plurality of contact main body portions 81 extending downward on the front side of the first guide rail 56. Each contact main body 81 is in a state of covering the front side portion of the first transport roller pair 59 and has flexibility to move in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. A contact portion 81 </ b> A that contacts the recording paper 12 on the platen 42 is provided at the tip of each contact main body portion 81. As shown in FIG. 5, each abutting portion 81 </ b> A is configured in a triangular plate shape in a plan view and abuts on the upper surface of the rear portion of the platen 42, but when the recording paper 12 is conveyed, It contacts the recording paper 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 are cut so as to rotatably support the roller shaft 60A (see FIG. 2) of the upper first conveyance roller 60 in the first conveyance roller pair 59. Notches 47A and 48A are provided, respectively. When the roller shaft 60A of the first transport roller 60 is rotatably supported by the notches 47A and 48A, the first transport roller 60 is in the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 support end portions on both sides of the roller shaft 62 </ b> A of the second conveyance roller 62 below the second conveyance roller pair 44, respectively. . The roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 is rotatably supported by support holes (not shown) provided in the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7. . The upper facing roller 63 (see FIG. 2) in the second transport roller pair 44 is attached to the lower side of the second guide rail 57 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the front side portion of the platen 42 provided between the first conveyance roller pair 59 and the second conveyance roller pair 44 has both left and right sides of the roller shaft 62 </ b> A of the second conveyance roller 62. Three engaging portions 42B, 42C, and 42D that engage with the center portion are provided. Each of the engaging portions 42B, 42C, and 42D is rotatable with respect to the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62, and the rear portion of the platen 42 rotates the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62. It rotates in the vertical direction 7 as the center of movement. As shown in FIG. 4, the left side frame 47 has a regulating member that regulates the upward rotation of the front portion of the platen 42 on the front side of the notch 47 </ b> A that supports the roller shaft 60 </ b> A of the first conveying roller 60. 47G is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48 are provided with support hole portions 47D and 48D for supporting respective end portions on both sides of the roller shaft 67A of the lower reverse roller 67 in the reverse roller pair 45. Are provided. The roller shaft 67A of the reversing roller 67 is rotatably supported by the support holes 47D and 48D while being movable in the vertical direction 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4, slide members (slide cams) 90 </ b> A and 90 </ b> B extending along the front-rear direction 8 are provided inside the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48. The slide members 90A and 90B have substantially the same configuration, and can slide in the front-rear direction 8 on the guide plates 47M and 48M provided at the lowermost portions of the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48, respectively. It is supported. The roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 and the roller shaft 67A of the reversing roller 67 are moved in the vertical direction 7 by sliding of the slide members 90A and 90B. Further, the platen 42 is rotated around the axis of the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 by the slide of the slide members 90A and 90B.

<Platen 42>
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the platen 42 has a platen main body 42 </ b> A that is long in the left-right direction 9. Each of the three engaging portions 42B, 42C, and 42D described above is provided on the front side edge portion of the platen main body 42A so as to protrude forward from the platen main body 42A. Each of the engaging portions 42B, 42C, and 42D is fitted to the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 from the lower side, and each is rotatably supported by the roller shaft 62A.

  As shown in FIG. 6, on the upper surface of the rear portion of the platen main body 42 </ b> A, a contact area 42 </ b> F with which each contact portion 81 </ b> A of the contact member 80 contacts is provided. Each contact region 42F is a flat surface on which the lower surface of the flat contact portion 81A can be contacted throughout. A plurality of ribs (projections) 42 </ b> E projecting upward along the front-rear direction 8 are provided on the upper surface of the platen main body 42 </ b> A at appropriate intervals in the left-right direction 9. Each rib 42E is provided from the rear side edge of the platen main body 42A to the middle in the front-rear direction 8 in a region other than the contact region 42F.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, platen urging mechanisms 79 that urge the platen main body 42 </ b> A upward are provided on the outer side surfaces of the platen main body 42 </ b> A on both sides in the left-right direction 9. Each platen urging mechanism 79 has the same configuration.

<Platen biasing mechanism 79>
As shown in FIG. 8, the platen urging mechanism 79 includes a coil spring (elastic member) 79A that urges the rear portion of the platen main body 42A upward, and a spring holder (rotating member) 79B that holds the coil spring 79A. I have. The spring holder 79B is rotatably supported by a holder support 42H provided on the outer surface of the platen main body 42A.

  The spring holder 79B includes a spring seat 79D that holds one end of the coil spring 79A, a connecting portion 79E that protrudes upward from the front portion of the spring seat 79D, and a rotating arm portion that protrudes forward from the upper end of the connecting portion 79E. 79F. A cylindrical boss portion 79K protruding outward in the left-right direction 9 is provided at the front end portion of the rotating arm portion 79F. An insertion portion 79H protruding upward is provided on the spring seat 79D of the spring holder 79B. The insertion portion 79H is inserted into the lower end portion of the coil spring 79A, whereby the coil spring 79A is supported on the spring seat 79D.

  The holder support 42H is provided with a support hole 42P that supports the boss 79K in a horizontal state, and the boss 79K is inserted into the support hole 42P. Thereby, the boss | hub part 79K is supported so that rotation with respect to the holder support body 42H is possible. A spring receiver 42M is provided above the holder support 42H so as to cover the upper part of the spring seat 79D in the spring holder 79B rotatably supported by the support hole 42P. The spring receiver 42M has a strip shape. The platen main body 42A is disposed along the front-rear direction 8 in a state parallel to the upper surface. The spring receiver 42M is in contact with the upper end portion of a coil spring 79A whose lower end portion is held by the spring seat 79D. Thus, the coil spring 79A supported by the spring holder 79B urges the spring seat 79D of the spring holder 79B downward in a state where the upper end portion is in contact with the spring receiver 42M.

  An engaging arm portion 79G extending upward on the rear side is provided on the rear portion of the spring seat 79D. An engagement portion 79M that protrudes rearward is provided at the distal end of the engagement arm portion 79G.

  A positioning member 42J for positioning the upper surface of the platen body 42A in a horizontal state is provided at the rear end of the outer surface of the platen body 42A. The upper surface of the positioning member 42J is parallel to the upper surface of the platen main body 42A at a position below the upper surface of the platen main body 42A by a predetermined distance. The upper surface of the positioning member 42J abuts on the restriction member 47G of the left side frame 47 described above, as the rear portion of the platen main body 42A is rotated upward. Thereby, the upward rotation of the platen main body 42A is restricted. In such a state, the upper surface of the platen main body 42A is substantially horizontal.

  A space 42N opened to the upper side and the rear side is formed in the upper part of the positioning member 42J. In this space 42N, the engaging portion 79M of the engaging arm portion 79G of the spring holder 79B is located. The positioning member 42J is provided with a holding portion 42K (see FIG. 10A) that engages with the engaging portion 79M of the engaging arm portion 79G below the space 42N. The holding portion 42K engages with the engaging portion 79M to restrict the spring holder 79B from rotating downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 79A in contact with the spring receiver 42M. Hold in place.

  The lower surface 79S of the spring seat 79D in the spring holder 79B is a flat surface. The lower surface 79S is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the platen main body 42A when the engaging portion 79M of the engaging arm portion 79G is engaged with the holding portion 42K of the positioning member 42J. On the front side of the lower surface 79S of the spring seat 79D, there is an inclined surface (sliding contact portion) 79T that is inclined so as to approach the upper surface of the platen main body 42A as it approaches the connecting portion 79E of the spring holder 79B.

[Sliding members 90A and 90B]
As shown in FIG. 3, slide members (slide cams) 90 </ b> A and 90 </ b> B extending along the front-rear direction 8 are provided inside the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48. The slide members 90A and 90B have substantially the same configuration, and are respectively provided on guide plates 47M and 48M (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided at the lowermost portions of the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48, respectively. It is supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction 8. The slide members 90A and 90B are slid in the front-rear direction 8 to move the platen urging mechanisms 79 on both sides of the platen 42, the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62, and the roller shaft 67A of the reverse roller 67 in the vertical direction. Move to 7.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a slide cam portion 93 that rotates the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 is provided at the rear end portion of the slide member 90 </ b> A. The upper surface of the slide cam portion 93 is a cam surface that moves the platen urging mechanism 79 in the vertical direction 7 by sliding the slide member 90 </ b> A in the front-rear direction 8.

  Specifically, the cam surfaces are a first cam surface 93A, a second cam surface 93B, and a third cam surface 93C in order from the rear side to the front side. The first cam surface 93 </ b> A is a flat surface along the front-rear direction 8. The second cam surface 93B is inclined so as to become lower toward the rear side. The third cam surface 93C is continuous from the rear end of the second cam surface 93B, and is a flat surface along the front-rear direction 8.

  The slide member 90A is provided with a first flat surface 92B and a first inclined surface 92C successively in that order on the front side of the slide cam portion 93. 92 C of 1st inclined surfaces are inclined so that it may become high sequentially as it becomes the front side. A first urging mechanism 94 that urges the second conveying roller 62 upward is provided further on the front side of the first inclined surface 92C.

  The first urging mechanism 94 includes a rotating member 94A provided continuously on the front side of the first inclined surface 92C, and a coil spring (elastic member) 94B that urges the rotating member 94A upward. Yes. The front end of the rotation member 94A is supported by the slide member 90A so as to rotate about a horizontal axis along the left-right direction 9.

  The upper surface of the rotation member 94A is a contact surface 94E that contacts the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62, and the coil spring 94B has the rotation member 94A on the lower side of the rotation member 94A. It is fast. When the slide member 90A is slid forward, the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 slides on the first inclined surface 92C after sliding on the contact surface 94E of the rotating member 94A.

  On the front side of the first urging mechanism 94, a second flat surface 92D and a second inclined surface 92E are continuously provided in that order. Similarly to the first inclined surface 92C, the second inclined surface 92E is inclined so as to increase sequentially toward the front side. A second urging mechanism 95 that urges the reverse roller 67 upward is provided on the front side of the second inclined surface 92E.

  The second urging mechanism 95 has the same configuration as that of the first urging mechanism 94, and includes a rotating member 95A and a coil spring 95B. The upper surface of the rotation member 95A is a contact surface 95E that contacts the roller shaft 67A of the reversing roller 67. The second inclined surface 92E provided on the front side of the second urging mechanism 95 is in the same inclined state as the first inclined surface 92C.

  A connecting portion 96 is provided at the front end of the left slide member 90A. The connecting portion 96 is connected to an operation lever (not shown) that connects the left and right slide members 90A and 90B. The right slide member 90B has the same configuration as the slide member 90A except that only the configuration of the connecting portion 96 is different.

  The connecting portion 96 of the left slide member 90A includes a switch cam portion 96A continuously provided on the front side of the second urging mechanism 95, and a connecting main body portion provided continuously on the front side of the switch cam portion 96A. 96B. An operation lever (not shown) is engaged with the connection main body portion 96B.

  The switch cam portion 96A is a cam surface with which a first detected body (not shown) provided for detecting the slide position of the slide member 90A abuts. The first object to be detected has a long strip shape along the vertical direction 7, and the lower end thereof is in contact with the cam surface of the switch cam portion 96A. The upper part of the first detected body is detected by a first sensor (not shown) provided above the switch cam portion 96A.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 96 of the right slide member 90B is a flat plate having a flat upper surface at the same position in the vertical direction 7 as the upper surface of the connecting main body portion 96B without the switch cam portion 96A being provided. Configured.

  The left and right slide members 90 </ b> A and 90 </ b> B, in which the connecting portions 96 are connected to each other by the operation lever, are integrally slid in the front-rear direction 8 when the operation lever is slid in the front-rear direction 8.

<Operation by slide members 90A and 90B>
The slide members 90 </ b> A and 90 </ b> B are normally in a position slid rearward (hereinafter referred to as “first slide position”), and the second transport path 34 is configured at such a first slide position. Each of the first conveyance roller pair 59, the second conveyance roller pair 44, and the reverse roller pair 45 is in a state in which the recording paper 12 can be conveyed.

  That is, in the first state, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the first urging mechanism 94, the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 that is in contact with the contact surface 94E of the rotating member 94A is moved. The coil spring 94B is pushed upward by the urging force. As a result, the second transport roller 62 is pressed against the opposing roller 63. In the second urging mechanism 95, the roller shaft 67A of the reversing roller 67 that is in contact with the contact surface 95E of the rotating member 95A is pushed upward by the urging force of the coil spring 95B. Thereby, the reverse roller 67 is pressed against the reverse counter roller 68.

  Further, in the first slide position, in each slide cam portion 93 of the slide members 90A and 90B, the lower surface 79S of the spring holder 79B in the platen biasing mechanism 79 is in contact with the most front first cam surface 93A. ing. In such a state, the spring holder 79B is in the upper rotation position (first rotation position), and the coil spring 79A supported by the spring holder 79B urges the holder support 42H upward. As a result, the platen 42 is rotated upward, and the positioning member 42J provided on the platen 42 is in contact with the regulating member 47G provided on the left side frame 47. In such a state, the upper surface of the platen 42 is in a horizontal state (first state) at a position close to the recording unit 24.

  When the recording paper 12 is transported from the feeding tray 20 in the first state of the platen 42 as described above, the recording paper 12 transported along the second transport path 34 by the first transport roller pair 59 is above the platen 42. Moved to. At this time, when the recording paper 12 is conveyed onto the platen main body 42A, the recording paper 12 is pressed against the contact area 42F of the platen main body 42A by the contact portion 81A of the contact member 80. At this time, since the ribs 42E along the front-rear direction 8 are provided on both the left and right sides of the contact area 42F, the position where the contact portion 81A contacts is the position where the recording paper 12 contacts the rib 42E. Rather than the recording unit 24. As a result, the portion of the recording paper 12 that is pressed against the contact area 42F by the contact portion 81A is curved so as to protrude downward. In this way, the recording paper 12 is in a curved state by the cooperation of the left and right ribs 42E in the contact area 42F and the contact portion 81A facing the contact area 42F.

  The recording paper 12 that has passed through the contact member 80 is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen 42, and an image is recorded by the recording unit 24.

  In the first state of the platen 42 as described above, for example, when a jam occurs in the second transport path 34, or when printing on a recording medium such as a CD instead of the recording paper 12, the second transport path The operation lever is slid forward so that 34 spreads downward. Thereby, the slide members 90A and 90B are slid forward together. In addition, it is good also as a structure by which each slide member 90A and 90B is slid individually without providing an operation lever.

  In this case, in each slide cam portion 93 of the slide members 90A and 90B, the lower surface 79S of the spring holder 79B comes into contact with the second cam surface 93B of the slide cam portion 93, and the spring holder 79B is moved downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 79A. It is rotated.

  When the spring holder 79B descends along the second cam surface 93B, the contact portion of the spring holder 79B with the second cam surface 93B changes from the lower surface 79S to the inclined surface 79T. Thereafter, since the inclined surface 79T of the spring holder 79B is in sliding contact with the second cam surface 93B, the spring holder 79B is rotated downward while smoothly descending along the second cam surface 93B. In this case, the downward rotation of the spring holder 79B reduces the force with which the coil spring 79A biases the platen 42 upward, and the platen 42 gradually descends as the spring holder 79B rotates downward.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10B, the lower surface 79 </ b> S of the spring holder 79 </ b> B comes into contact with the third cam surface 93 </ b> C of the slide cam portion 93. Thereby, the downward rotation of the spring holder 79B is stopped. In such a state, the engaging portion 79M of the engaging arm portion 79G in the spring holder 79B is positioned above the holding portion 42K, and the engaging portion 79M is engaged with the holding portion 42K of the positioning member 42J. Not done. In such a state, the platen 42 is in a state separated from the recording unit 24 (second state).

  In this case, in the first urging mechanism 94 and the second urging mechanism 95, the roller shaft 62A of the second conveying roller 62 and the roller shaft 67A of the reverse roller 67 are in contact with the contact surfaces 94E of the rotating members 94A and 95A. Move to the rear of 95E. Accordingly, the rotating members 94A and 95A are separated from the roller shafts 62A and 67A, and the roller shafts 62A and 67A are in sliding contact with the first inclined surface 92C provided on the slide member 90A. Thereafter, the roller shafts 62A and 67A are in contact with the first flat surface 92B of the slide member 90A. When the slide member 90 </ b> A reaches the slide position (second slide position) as described above, the second transport roller 62 and the reverse roller 67 are separated from each of the counter roller 63 and the reverse counter roller 68 by a predetermined distance.

  The spring holder 79B is rotated downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 79A when the slide members 90A and 90B are removed from the guide plates 47M and 48M of the left side frame 47 and the right side frame 48, respectively. Thereby, the engaging portion 79M of the engaging arm portion 79G in the spring holder 79B is engaged with the holding portion 42K of the positioning member 42J. As a result, the spring holder 79B is held at a predetermined position with respect to the platen 42.

[Effect of the embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the rotation direction of the spring holder (rotating member) 79B is moved closer to the recording unit 24 from the second state in which the platen 42 is separated from the recording unit 24 by the slide cam unit 93 of the slide member (slide cam) 90A. It is equal to the direction displaced to the first state. Thereby, it is suppressed that the force which goes to the direction different from the direction which urges | biases the platen 42 is added to the coil spring (elastic member) 79A which urges | biases the spring holder 79B which became the 1st rotation position.

  Further, when the slide member 90A is slid in order to change the platen 42 from the first state to the second state, the spring holder 79B is moved from the flat first cam surface 93A of the slide cam portion 93 to the inclined second cam. It abuts on the surface 93B. Thereby, the spring holder 79B can be smoothly rotated, and the platen 42 can be smoothly rotated from the first state to the second state.

  Furthermore, since the spring holder 79B has an inclined surface (sliding contact portion) 79T that is in sliding contact with the second cam surface 93B, the spring holder 79B rotates more smoothly.

  Further, when the contact member 80 is brought into contact with the recording paper 12 conveyed to the platen 42 in the first state, the platen 42 is appropriately biased by the coil spring (elastic member) 79B. The member 80 can press the recording paper 12 on the platen 42 with an appropriate pressing force.

  Further, the platen 42 is provided with a pair of ribs (protrusions) 42E that project toward the recording unit 24 side with a gap in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper 12. The contact member 80 abuts the recording paper 12 between the pair of ribs 42E and curves the recording paper 12 in cooperation with the pair of ribs 42E. It can be.

  Further, since the contact member 80 contacts the recording paper 12 at a position farther from the recording unit 24 than the contact position of the recording paper 12 in the rib 42E, the recording paper 12 on the platen 42 is surely desired. Can be in a curved state.

  Further, since the platen 42 is rotatably supported by the roller shaft 62A of the second transport roller 62 disposed downstream of the platen 42 in the transport direction of the recording paper 12, the platen 42 is supported. It is not necessary to provide a special member, and a compact configuration can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the second conveying roller 62 is moved closer to and away from the opposing roller (driven roller) 63 by the first urging mechanism 94 provided on the slide member (slide cam) 90A, and the reversing roller 67 is reversed. The counter roller (driven roller) 68 is approached and separated by a second urging mechanism 95 provided on the slide member 90A. Accordingly, the second transport roller 62 and the reverse roller 67 are moved closer to and away from the counter roller 63 and the reverse counter roller 68 in conjunction with the approach and separation of the platen 42 with respect to the recording unit 24 by sliding of the slide member 90A. Can do.

  Further, the coil spring 79A and the spring holder 79B are provided on both the left and right sides of the platen 42, and the slide members 90A and 90B are provided to face the respective spring holders 79B. Is stably biased by the coil spring 79A.

  Further, since the platen 42 is provided with the holding portion 42K that holds the spring holder 79B biased by the coil spring 79A in a predetermined position, the platen 42 can hold the spring holder 79B in a predetermined position.

  The platen 42 and the abutting member 80 do not need to be configured to wave the recording paper 12 by their cooperation. For example, the platen 42 may be configured without the rib 42E. Or the structure which positions the contact part 81A of the contact member 80 above the rib 42E may be sufficient. In this case, the contact portion 81A can suppress the recording paper 12 from floating from the platen 12.

24... Recording section 34... Second transport path 42... Platen 42 E.
47G ... Regulating member 42J ... Positioning member 42K ... Holding part 62 ... Second conveying roller (conveying roller)
62A ... Roller shaft 63 ... Opposite roller (driven roller)
67... Reversing roller 65... Second conveying facing roller 79... Platen urging mechanism 79 A ... Coil spring (elastic member)
79B ... Spring holder (rotating member)
79G ... engaging arm portion 79M ... engaging portion 79T ... inclined surface (sliding contact portion)
80 ··· Contact member 81A ··· Contact portion 90A ··· Slide member (slide cam)
93... Slide cam portion 93A... First cam surface 93B... Second cam surface 93C.

Claims (10)

A recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium;
A platen having a support surface for supporting a recording medium, disposed opposite to the recording unit, and displaced in a first state and a second state farther from the recording unit than the first state;
A regulating member that contacts the platen in the first state and regulates the platen from moving from the first state to the recording unit;
A rotation member provided on the platen so as to be rotatable, and capable of rotating to a first rotation position and a second rotation position whose rotation tip side is separated from the support surface with respect to the first rotation position. When,
An elastic member provided on the platen and biasing the rotating member toward the second rotating position;
A first slide position in which the platen is in the first state by urging the elastic member with the rotating member as the first rotating position, and the platen with the rotating member as the second rotating position. An image recording apparatus comprising: a slide cam that is slidable to a second slide position in a second state.   The slide cam is in contact with the rotation member at the first slide position to restrict rotation of the rotation member, and is inclined with respect to the first cam surface. A second cam surface abutting on the rotating member as the slide from the one slide position to the second slide position causes the rotating member to rotate from the first rotation position to the second rotation position; An image recording apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image recording according to claim 2, wherein the rotation member has a sliding contact portion that is in sliding contact with the second cam surface of the slide cam when rotating from the first rotation position to the second rotation position. apparatus.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a contact member that is disposed to face the platen in the first state and contacts the sheet when the sheet is conveyed as a recording medium on the platen in the first state. 4. The image recording apparatus according to any one of items 3. The platen has a pair of projecting portions that project toward the recording unit side in a state spaced from each other in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the sheet,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contact member contacts the sheet between the pair of protrusions in the width direction and curves the sheet by cooperation with the pair of protrusions. 6. The contact member according to claim 5, wherein the contact member contacts the sheet at a position farther from the recording unit than a contact position of the sheet at the protruding portion in a direction orthogonal to the support surface of the platen . Image recording device. Further having a transport roller arranged downstream of the platen in the transport direction of the recording medium,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the platen is rotatably supported on a shaft of the transport roller. It further has a driven roller that faces the conveying roller and can approach and separate from the conveying roller,
The slide cam supports the shaft of the transport roller at the first slide position to bring the transport roller into contact with the driven roller, and the shaft of the transport roller from the first slide position at the second slide position. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conveying roller is separated from the driven roller while being held in a state of being moved away from the driven roller. The elastic member and the rotating member are respectively provided on both sides of the platen in the width direction,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide cam is provided to face each of the rotating members in a direction orthogonal to the width direction.   10. The platen according to claim 1, further comprising a holding portion that holds the rotating member urged by the elastic member at a predetermined position farther from the recording unit than the second rotating position. The image recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images