JP6728896B2 - Image recorder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device that records an image on a sheet by a serial head method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a serial head type image recording apparatus such as an inkjet type image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles provided in a recording head has been known. Some inkjet image recording apparatuses include a drive transmission mechanism for switching and transmitting the output of one motor to any of a plurality of drive units (Patent Document 1).

The drive transmission mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drive gear, a switching gear, and a plurality of transmission gears. The drive gear is rotated by the drive force from the motor. The transmission gear transmits the driving force to the corresponding drive unit. The switching gear switches and transmits the rotation of the drive gear to one of the transmission gears. In this drive transmission mechanism, a recording head is mounted and a movably provided carriage is brought into contact with the switching gear to slide the switching gear, and the rotation of the driving gear is switched and transmitted to a plurality of transmission gears.

JP, 2009-34832, A

In the above-described drive transmission mechanism, when the switching gear is slid, the driving gear is slightly reversely rotated with respect to the rotation direction until then, and the surface pressure between the switching gear and the transmission gear is released. However, when the surface pressure between the switching gear and the transmission gear is high, it is difficult to release the surface pressure by this method. Further, since the above operation is performed for releasing the surface pressure, it takes time to switch the switching gear.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is image recording capable of reliably releasing the surface pressure between the switching gear and the transmission gear and quickly switching the transmission destination of the driving force. To provide a device.

(1) An image recording apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a recording head that records an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path, a first motor, a second motor, and the recording head. A carriage capable of reciprocating in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction by being applied with a driving force from the first motor, and a carriage along the scanning direction by being applied with a driving force by the second motor. One of the plurality of drive units, the drive gear rotating around one rotation axis, the plurality of drive units driven by transmitting the drive force from the drive gear, and the destination of transmission of the drive force from the drive gear. A drive switching mechanism for switching between the first motor and the second motor, and a control unit for controlling the first motor and the second motor. The drive switching mechanism, combined the driving gear mesh with a switching gear that rotates about a second axis of rotation along the scanning direction, are arranged in parallel along the scan direction, the switching gear meshes Then, the plurality of transmission gears that rotate around the third rotation axis along the scanning direction and transmit the driving force to the respective drive units by rotating, and the switching gear that is slidable along the scanning direction. A slide mechanism that slides the switching gear to a predetermined slide position corresponding to the position of each transmission gear by the movement of the carriage, a meshing position that meshes with each transmission gear, and each transmission And a separation mechanism that moves the switching gear between a separation position where the gear is separated from the gear. The control unit drives the first motor to drive the first motor with the separation process of moving the switching gear from the mesh position to the separation position by the separation mechanism, and with the switching gear in the separation position. By moving the switching gear along the scanning direction so that the switching gear is slid by the slide mechanism to move the switching gear so as to correspond to the predetermined slide position, and the switching mechanism is operated by the detaching mechanism. An engagement process of moving the gear from the separated position to the engagement position is executed.

According to the above configuration, the surface pressure between the switching gear and the transmission gear is reliably released by moving the switching gear from the meshed position to the separated position. Further, the switching gear is slid along the scanning direction while the switching gear is located at the separated position. Therefore, since it is not necessary to reversely rotate the drive gear to release the surface pressure, the transmission destination of the drive force of the second motor can be switched quickly.

(2) Preferably, the engagement/disengagement mechanism movably supports the switching gear around the drive gear, and moves the switching gear to the meshing position or the separation position based on a rotation direction of the driving gear. The control unit controls the second motor in the separation process to rotate the drive gear in one of the rotation directions to move the switching gear from the meshing position. In the meshing process, the second motor is controlled to rotate the drive gear to the other of the rotation directions opposite to the one of the rotation directions to move the switching gear from the separation position. Move to the meshing position.

According to the above configuration, the switching gear is easily moved between the meshing position and the separated position.

(3) Preferably, the planetary mechanism rotatably supports the switching gear, the second rotation shaft is inserted therethrough, and the switching gear has the second position so as to be in the meshing position and the separated position. It further comprises a gear support member movable with respect to the rotation shaft, and a resistance portion for generating a predetermined sliding resistance between the gear support member and the switching gear, and the second rotation shaft is inserted therethrough. The through hole of the gear support member is an elongated hole extending along the moving direction of the switching gear between the meshing position and the separated position, and the switching gear is transmitted from the drive gear. The rotational force of the switching gear is transmitted to the gear supporting member via the resistance portion, and the gear supporting member is guided to the through hole along the moving direction, so that the meshing position and the separated position are obtained. Move between and.

According to the above configuration, since the through hole of the gear support member is an elongated hole, the gear support member can move along the elongated hole. When the rotational force of the switching gear is transmitted to the gear supporting member by the resistance portion, the gear supporting member moves so that the switching gear moves from the meshed position to the separated position or from the separated position to the meshed position. ..

(4) Preferably, the drive switching mechanism is a contact portion located in a moving region of the carriage and capable of contacting the carriage, and a contact surface capable of contacting a peripheral surface of the gear support member. A restricting portion for restricting movement from the meshed position to the separated position, the contact portion is in the lock position, and the restricting portion is in contact with the peripheral surface of the gear support member. A first position in the restriction position and a second position in which the contact portion is in a release position different from the lock position and the restriction portion is in the non-regulation position where the restriction portion is not in contact with the peripheral surface of the gear support member. And a switching lever rotatable about a rotation axis along the scanning direction, a lever support portion rotatably supporting the switching lever, and an insertion hole through which the second rotation shaft is inserted. A guide part that supports the gear support member and guides the movement of the gear support member along the through hole, and the scanning direction is integrated with the switch lever as the switch lever is moved. And a biasing member that biases the switching lever toward the first position.

According to the above configuration, the switching lever is rotated between the first position and the second position by the movement of the carriage. In the first position, the switching gear is restricted from moving from the meshing position to the separated position, and in the second position, the restriction is released. Therefore, the movement of the carriage controls and releases the movement of the switching gear.

(5) Preferably, the carriage has a first surface that abuts the contact portion in a state where the switching lever is in the first position and guides the switching lever from the first position to the second position. , Is in contact with the contact portion in a state where the switching lever is continuous with the first surface and is rotated to the second position, and the switching lever is moved in the scanning direction while maintaining the second position. And a second surface facing the one direction so as to move in the one direction.

According to the above configuration, the contact surface of the switching lever is guided by the first surface of the lever guide, whereby the switching lever is rotated from the first position to the second position by the contact of the carriage. As a result, the restriction on the movement of the switching gear is released. After that, the contact surface of the switching lever is moved by the second surface of the lever guide, so that the switching lever is moved in one direction of the scanning direction while being held at the second position. As a result, the switching gear is moved in one direction.

(6) Preferably, the drive switching mechanism further includes a support member that supports the second rotating shaft and the guide member, and the support member is a plurality of support members provided corresponding to the predetermined slide position. The switching lever enters into any of the groove portions at the first position to restrict movement of the switching lever along the scanning direction, and moves away from the groove portion at the second position. And a protrusion that allows the movement of the switching lever along the scanning direction.

According to the above configuration, the switching lever can move to the first position only at the predetermined slide position where the switching gear can mesh with the transmission gear.

(7) Preferably, the lever guide has a third surface that faces the other direction opposite to the one direction, and the groove portion located most in the one direction has the protrusion in the one direction. In the process of being moved, the switching lever contacts the protrusion and guides the protrusion to rotate the switching lever to the third position, which is a rotation position opposite to the first position with respect to the second position. The groove portion that has a first guide surface and is positioned most in the other direction contacts the protrusion portion in the process of moving the protrusion portion in the other direction, and guides the protrusion portion. The lever guide has a second guide surface for rotating the switching lever to the third position, and the contact portion of the switching lever is located at the third position in the direction along the transport direction. Does not abut.

According to the above configuration, the carriage moves in one direction of the scanning direction, the contact portion of the switching lever moves in one direction, the protrusion is guided by the first guide surface, and the switching lever rotates to the third position. Move. As a result, the lever guide moves in one direction to the position where the contact portion exceeds the third surface. Due to this movement and the urging of the urging member, the contact portion of the switching lever contacts the third surface of the lever guide. When the carriage moves in the other direction of the scanning direction in this state, the contact portion is pulled in the other direction. As a result, the switching gear is moved in the other direction.

Further, the carriage moves in the other direction of the scanning direction, the contact portion of the switching lever moves in the other direction, the protrusion is guided by the second guide surface, and the switching lever rotates to the third position. As a result, the lever guide moves in the other direction to the position where the contact portion exceeds the second surface. Due to this movement and the biasing of the biasing member, the contact portion of the switching lever contacts the second surface of the lever guide. When the carriage moves in one direction in the scanning direction in this state, the contact portion is pushed in one direction. As a result, the switching gear is moved in one direction.

According to the present invention, since the switching gear is moved to the separated position and then moved in the scanning direction, the surface pressure between the switching gear and the transmission gear can be reliably released, and the switching destination of the driving force can be switched quickly. Done.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multifunction machine 10. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the carriage 23 and the guide rails 43 and 44. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the maintenance mechanism 110. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printer unit 11. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the switching mechanism 71. FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the guide rail 43 and the transport roller 60 are removed from FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the slide mechanism 76 is disassembled. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the switching mechanism 71, showing a state where the lever guide 28 is in contact with the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the switching mechanism 71 in which the switching lever 84 is in the first position. FIG. 10A shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B shows a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. A cross section is shown. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism 71 in which the switching lever 84 is at the second position, (A) shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 9, and (B) shows a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. 9. A cross section is shown. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the switching mechanism 71. FIG. 12A shows a state in which the switching lever 84 is at the third position and the protrusion 97 is in contact with the first guide surface 155, and FIG. 23 (lever guide 28) is in the folded position. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the switching mechanism 71, showing the switching lever 84 in the third position and the protrusion 97 in contact with the second guide surface 156. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first movement process. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second movement process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed so as to be usable (state of FIG. 1), and the front-back direction 8 is defined with the surface having the opening 13 as the front surface. Then, the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction peripheral 10 is viewed from the front.

[Overall Configuration of Multifunction Device 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 10 (an example of an image recording device) is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The multi-function device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The multi-function device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom for recording an image on one side of a recording paper 12 (see FIG. 2, an example of a sheet) by an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 may record images on both sides of the recording paper 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a conveying device that conveys the recording paper 12, a recording unit 24 that records an image on the recording paper 12 that is conveyed by the conveying device, and a recording paper that is conveyed by the conveying device. A platen 42 that supports 12 and a carriage motor 103 (see FIG. 5, an example of a first motor) that moves the carriage 23 provided in the recording unit 24 along the left-right direction 9 are provided.

The transport device includes a feeding unit 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport unit 54, and a discharging unit 55. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the transport device includes a transport motor 102 (an example of a second motor), a control unit 130, a driving force transmission mechanism 70, and a maintenance mechanism 110.

[Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feeding tray 20 is inserted rearward through the opening 13 formed in the front surface of the printer unit 11 and is removed frontward. The feeding tray 20 supports a plurality of recording sheets 12 that are stacked. The discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20. The ejection tray 21 supports the recording paper 12 ejected by the ejection unit 55.

[Feeding unit 15]
As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25 (an example of a driving unit), a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26. By the forward rotation of the feed motor 102 (see FIG. 5), the feed roller 25 feeds the recording paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 in the feed direction 16 toward the feed path 65 (described below) (that is, the forward direction). Rotation). The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer unit 11.

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, a transport path 65 through which the recording paper 12 passes is formed inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 refers to a space defined by the guide members 18 and 19 facing each other inside the printer unit 11 with a predetermined gap. The conveyance direction 16 of the recording paper 12 in the conveyance path 65 is shown by a dashed line arrow in FIG.

The transport path 65 according to the present embodiment includes a curved transport path that is curved and a linear transport path that extends linearly. The curved conveyance path is a path that makes a U-turn while extending upward from below at the rear of the printer unit 11. The straight transport path is a path from the transport section 54 to the discharge tray 21 via the recording section 24 and the discharge section 55.

[Conveyor 54]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 54 is arranged upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16 in the transport path 65. The transport unit 54 includes a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 that face each other. The carry roller 60 is driven by the carry motor 102 (see FIG. 5). The pinch roller 61 follows along with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The transport unit 54 rotates in the normal direction by transmitting the driving force generated by the forward rotation of the transport motor 102. The forward rotation is the rotation in the direction in which the nipped recording paper 12 is conveyed in the conveyance direction 16. That is, the transport roller 60 transports the recording paper 12 by rotating in contact with the recording paper 12 on the transport path 65.

[Discharge part 55]
As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge unit 55 is arranged downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport path 65 in the transport direction 16. The discharge unit 55 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that face each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by the conveyance motor 102 (see FIG. 5). The spur 63 follows along with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The discharge unit 55 is capable of performing normal rotation for transporting the sandwiched recording paper 12 in the transport direction 16 by transmitting the driving force generated by the forward rotation of the transport motor 102.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is arranged between the transport unit 54 and the discharge unit 55 in the transport path 65. The recording unit 24 is arranged above the platen 42 so as to face the platen 42. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39. As shown in FIG. 3, an ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23. The ink tube 32 supplies the ink in the ink cartridge to the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects a control board (not shown) on which the control unit 130 is mounted and the recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44 that extend in the left-right direction 9 at positions separated from each other in the front-rear direction 8. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism 53 provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism 53 is driven by the carriage motor 103 (see FIG. 5). In other words, the carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism 53 that makes a circumferential movement by the drive of the carriage motor 103 can reciprocate in the scanning direction along the left-right direction 9.

The recording head 39 is mounted on the carriage 23, as shown in FIG. A plurality of nozzles 40 (see FIG. 4) are formed on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink from the nozzle 40 as minute ink droplets. In the process of moving the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets onto the recording paper 12 which is conveyed by the conveyor 54 and supported by the platen 42. As a result, the image is recorded on the recording paper 12.

The carriage 23 reciprocates in a range in which the recording head 39 can eject ink droplets on the recording paper 12 in the left-right direction 9 when an image is recorded on the recording paper 12. Specifically, the carriage 23 reciprocates in a range in which at least a part of the recording head 39 is directly above the transport path 65 and the platen 42. Hereinafter, the range in which the carriage 23 reciprocates during image recording is described as a sheet facing area (see FIG. 3).

The carriage 23 is movable to the right of the sheet facing area and the transport path 65 and to the left of the sheet facing area and the transport path 65.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 42 is arranged between the transport section 54 and the discharge section 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is arranged below the recording unit 24 so as to face the recording unit 24, and supports the recording paper 12 conveyed by the conveying unit 54 from below.

[Linear encoder 52]
As shown in FIG. 3, an encoder strip 50 is arranged on the guide rail 44. The encoder strip 50 is a strip of transparent resin. The encoder strip 50 is installed in the left-right direction 9 by having its right end portion and left end portion supported by the support portion.

The encoder strip 50 has a pattern in which light-transmitting portions that transmit light and light-shielding portions that block light are alternately arranged at equal pitches in the longitudinal direction. An optical sensor 51, which is a transmissive sensor, is provided at a position of the carriage 23 corresponding to the encoder strip 50. The encoder strip 50 and the optical sensor 51 constitute a linear encoder 52 for detecting the position of the carriage 23. The signal detected by the optical sensor 51 is output to the control unit 130 (see FIG. 5) described later.

[Maintenance mechanism 110]
The maintenance mechanism 110 (an example of a drive unit) shown in FIG. 4 performs maintenance of the recording head 39. In the present embodiment, the maintenance mechanism 110 sucks ink from the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 and sends the sucked ink to the waste ink tank 120 through the tube 121.

As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance mechanism 110 is disposed below the movement path of the carriage 23 and to the right of the right end of the platen 42. That is, the maintenance mechanism 110 is arranged at a position deviated from the conveyance path 65 in the left-right direction 9 and to the right of the sheet facing area. The maintenance mechanism 110 is arranged directly below the carriage 23 located to the right of the sheet facing area.

As shown in FIG. 4, the maintenance mechanism 110 includes a movable portion 111, a cam mechanism 112 that moves the movable portion 111 in the up-down direction 7, a tube 121 through which ink flows, and a pump 113 that sucks ink. There is.

The movable part 111 is provided with a cap 114 made of a rubber material. The cap 114 is provided below the carriage 23 located on the right side of the sheet facing area so as to face the carriage 23. Specifically, the cap 114 is provided below the nozzle 40 formed on the lower surface of the recording head 39 mounted on the carriage 23 so as to face the nozzle 40. The cam mechanism 112 is driven by the carry motor 102 (see FIG. 5) and moves the movable portion 111 in the up-down direction 7. The cap 114 comes into contact with the lower surface of the recording head 39 mounted on the carriage 23 located on the right side of the sheet facing area when the movable portion 111 is moved upward. At that time, the cap 114 covers the nozzle 40. As described above, the cap 114 is moved to the separated position separated from the nozzle 40 and the covering position where the cap 114 abuts the lower surface of the recording head 39 and covers the nozzle 40 by transmitting the driving force from the transport motor 102. ..

One end of the tube 121 is connected to the cap 114. The tube 121 is a flexible resin tube. The other end of the tube 121 is connected to the waste ink tank 120.

The pump 113 is a rotary tube pump in this embodiment. The pump 113 has a casing having an inner wall surface and a rolling roller that rolls along the inner wall surface. The tube 121 is arranged between the rolling roller and the inner wall surface. The rolling roller is driven by the conveyance motor 102 (see FIG. 5). By driving the rolling roller, the ink in the nozzle 40 is sucked into the tube 121 via the cap 114, and the ink in the tube 121 is pushed out from the upstream (cap 114) to the downstream (waste ink tank 120).

[Driving force transmission mechanism 70]
The driving force transmission mechanism 70 transmits the driving force of the carry motor 102 to the feeding roller 25 and the maintenance mechanism 110 via the carry roller 60. The driving force transmission mechanism 70 includes a switching mechanism 71 (see FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, an example of a driving switching mechanism) that switches the transmission destination of the driving force of the carry motor 102.

[Switching mechanism 71]
The switching mechanism 71 can switch the transmission state of the driving force from the carry motor 102 between the first state and the second state. The first state is a state in which the driving force of the carry motor 102 is transmitted to the feeding roller 25 via the carry roller 60. The second state is a state in which the driving force of the carry motor 102 is transmitted to the maintenance mechanism 110 via the carry roller 60.

As shown in FIG. 3, the switching mechanism 71 is provided on the right side of the platen 42 and the transport path 65. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the switching mechanism 71 includes a slide gear 72 (an example of a switching gear), a roller gear 73 (an example of a driving gear), and two receiving gears 74 and 75 (an example of a transmission gear). The slide mechanism 76, the separating mechanism 78, and the lever guide 28 are provided.

[Slide gear 72]
As shown in FIG. 8, the slide gear 72 has a circular through hole 93 penetrating in the left-right direction 9. The diameter of the through hole 93 coincides with the outer diameter of the friction pad 82 (an example of a resistance portion) and the outer diameter of the release boss 81 (an example of a gear support member) described later. The friction pad 82 is inserted into the through hole 93, and the release boss 81 is inserted inside the through hole 93, whereby the friction pad 82 and the release boss 81 are rotatably assembled to the slide gear 72. The slide gear 72 is rotatable around the release boss 81. On the outer periphery of the slide gear 72, teeth that can mesh with a roller gear 73 and receiving gears 74 and 75 described later are formed. The slide gear 72 can be slid in the left-right direction 9 by a slide mechanism 76 described later.

[Roller gear 73]
As shown in FIG. 9, the roller gear 73 is fixed to the shaft 60A (an example of a first rotation shaft) of the transport roller 60 at the right end portion of the transport roller 60. As a result, the roller gear 73 rotates integrally with the transport roller 60. The length of the roller gear 73 in the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length of the range of movement of the slide gear 72 in the left-right direction 9. Therefore, the slide gear 72 meshes with the roller gear 73 regardless of the position in the left-right direction 9 due to the sliding movement of the slide gear 72. Therefore, regardless of the position of the slide gear 72, the driving force of the carry motor 102 is transmitted to the slide gear 72 via the roller gear 73.

[Reception gears 74, 75]
As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving gears 74 and 75 are rotatable around a rotation shaft 77 (an example of a third rotation shaft) extending along the left-right direction 9. The rotating shaft 77 is supported by the support frame 151. The receiving gears 74 and 75 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction 9 at intervals. That is, the two receiving gears 74 and 75 are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction 9. The receiving gear 75 is arranged on the right side of the receiving gear 74. The distance between the receiving gears 74 and 75 in the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length of the slide gear 72 in the axial direction (left-right direction 9).

The receiving gear 74 is connected to the feeding roller 25 (see FIG. 5) via a known drive transmission mechanism such as a gear train. Therefore, the feed roller 25 is driven by rotating the receiving gear 74 in the forward direction. Further, the receiving gear 75 serves as a cam mechanism 112 (see FIG. 4) in the maintenance mechanism 110 (see FIG. 5) and a rolling roller of the pump 113 (see FIG. 4) via a known drive transmission mechanism such as a gear train. It is connected. Therefore, when the receiving gear 75 is normally rotated, the cap 114 is moved to the covering position and the pump 113 is driven in the maintenance mechanism 110.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slide gear 72 meshes with either of the two receiving gears 74 and 75 depending on the position of the slide gear 72 in the left-right direction 9. The slide gear 72 may be located at a position in the left-right direction 9 that does not mesh with any of the receiving gears 74 and 75. Hereinafter, the position of the slide gear 72 in the left-right direction 9 in which the slide gear 72 can mesh with the receiving gear 74 is referred to as a first slide position, and the slide gear 72 in the left-right direction 9 in which the slide gear 72 can mesh with the receiving gear 75. The position of 72 is referred to as the second slide position. The first slide position and the second slide position are examples of slide positions.

[Releasing mechanism 78]
The separation mechanism 78 includes a roller gear 73, a slide gear 72, a friction pad 82, a release boss 81, and a support shaft 83 (an example of a second rotation shaft).

As shown in FIG. 8, the support shaft 83 has a substantially columnar shape extending in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the support shaft 83 is supported at both ends in the left-right direction 9 by a support frame 151 (an example of a support member) described later.

As shown in FIG. 8, the release boss 81 has a substantially columnar shape extending in the left-right direction 9. The release boss 81 has a through hole 91 penetrating in the left-right direction 9. The through hole 91 has an oval shape (an example of an elongated hole) extending substantially in the up-down direction 7 when viewed from the left side to the right side. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the oval shape of the through hole 91 is on a virtual circle centered on the shaft 60A of the transport roller 60 when viewed from the left to the right. Curved along. The short diameter of the through hole 91 in the ellipse matches the outer diameter of the support shaft 83. The release boss 81 is supported by the support shaft 83 by inserting the support shaft 83 into the through hole 91.

The release boss 81 is movable (slideable) with respect to the support shaft 83 along the axial direction of the support shaft 83 (left-right direction 9).

Further, the release boss 81 moves along the elliptical shape of the through hole 91 extending substantially in the up-down direction 7 with respect to the support shaft 83, so that the release boss 81 is conveyed in a state of viewing from left to right. The roller 60 moves along a virtual circumference centered on the shaft 60A. As a result, the slide gear 72 can move about the shaft 60A of the roller gear 73 while rotating, in a state where the slide gear 72 is viewed from the left side to the right side. The roller gear 73 and the slide gear 72 are an example of a planetary mechanism.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the release boss 81 has a convex portion 92. The convex portion 92 projects outward in the left-right direction 9 at the center portion in the front-rear direction 8 on the left and right outer surfaces. The convex portion 92 has a substantially rectangular shape. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10(B) and 11(B), the convex portion 92 is a virtual centered on the shaft 60A of the transport roller 60 in a state of viewing from the left side to the right side. It is curved along a circle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the length of the release boss 81 in the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length of the slide gear 72 in the left-right direction 9. That is, the release boss 81 projects left and right from the left surface and the right surface of the slide gear 72, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, the friction pad 82 has a substantially annular shape extending in the left-right direction 9. Although not shown, the friction pad 82 is located between the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 and the inner peripheral surface 72A of the slide gear 72, and contacts the outer peripheral surface 99 and the inner peripheral surface 72A. The friction pad 82 generates a frictional force capable of transmitting the rotational force of the slide gear 72 to the release boss 81. Therefore, when the slide gear 72 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the release boss 81 through the friction pad 82.

[Slide mechanism 76]
As shown in FIG. 8, the slide mechanism 76 includes a through hole 45 (see FIG. 9) of the guide rail 43, a case 85 (an example of a guide member), a switching lever 84, a release boss 81, and a support shaft 83. And a torsion coil spring 86 (an example of a biasing member).

[Through hole 45]
The guide rail 43 has a rectangular through hole 45 penetrating in the up-down direction 7 at the right end. A regulated portion 141 of a case 85 described later is inserted into the through hole 45. The restricted portion 141 of the switching lever 84 is restricted to move only in the left-right direction 9 and is supported by the through hole 45.

[Case 85]
The case 85 has a regulated portion 141, two support portions 142, and a shaft portion 143 (an example of a rotation shaft and a lever support portion).

As shown in FIG. 8, the regulated portion 141 has a thin, flat, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape in the up-down direction 7. The regulated portion 141 has a front protruding portion 146 protruding forward from the front surface 141A at the upper end portion, and a rear protruding portion 147 protruding rearward from the rear surface 141B at the upper end portion. The length between the front surface 141A and the rear surface 141B of the regulated portion 141 matches the length of the through hole 45 of the guide rail 43 (see FIG. 9) in the front-rear direction 8. The length between the front end of the front protruding portion 146 of the regulated portion 141 and the rear protruding portion 147 is longer than the length of the through hole 45 of the guide rail 43 in the front-rear direction 8. In the regulated portion 141, the front surface 141A and the rear surface 141B are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 45 of the guide rail 43 in the front-rear direction 8, and the front protruding portion 146 and the rear protruding portion 147 are located above the guide rail 43. As described above, the through hole 45 is arranged. Further, the regulated portion 141 has a rectangular through hole 148 (see FIG. 9) penetrating in the up-down direction 7 at the center in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 described later is inserted into the through hole 148.

As shown in FIG. 8, the two support portions 142 project downward from the lower surfaces of both ends of the regulated portion 141 in the left-right direction 9. The two support portions 142 have the same shape, and are generally U-shaped when viewed from the left side to the right side. Each support portion 142 has a flat plate shape that extends in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The two support portions 142 are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the regulated portion 141 at intervals in the left-right direction 9. Each support portion 142 has a circular through hole 144 (an example of an insertion hole) that penetrates in the left-right direction 9 at the lower end portion. The inner diameter of the through hole 144 matches the outer diameter of the support shaft 83. The support shaft 83 is inserted into the through hole 144.

A recess 145 (an example of a guide portion) that is recessed outward in the left-right direction 9 is provided on the inner peripheral surface in the left-right direction 9 at the lower end of each support portion 142. The concave portion 145 has a substantially rectangular shape, and more specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B, the concave portion 145 is a conveyance roller when viewed from left to right. It is curved along an imaginary circle centered on the axis 60A of 60. The recess 145 is open downward. The through hole 144 is located inside the recess 145. As shown in FIG. 8, the length between the bottom surfaces 145A of the recesses 145 of the two support portions 142 matches the length between the left and right outer surfaces 92A of the protrusions 92 of the release boss 81. Further, the front wall 145B and the rear wall 145C of each recess 145 coincide with the front wall 92B and the rear wall 92C of the projection 92 of the release boss 81. As a result, the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 is fitted into the concave portion 145, and in this state, the release boss 81 is viewed in the up-down direction 7 with respect to the case 85, more specifically, from the left side to the right side. In this state, it is possible to move along a virtual circle centered on the shaft 60A of the transport roller 60. Since the support shaft 83 penetrates the through hole 144 of the case 85 and the through hole 91 of the release boss 81, the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 does not fall out of the concave portion 145.

The shaft portion 143 is provided on the inner surfaces of the two support portions 142 at the upper end portion of the support portion 142. The shaft portion 143 has a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction 9. The outer diameter of the shaft portion 143 matches the inner diameter of the through hole 98 in the main body portion 94 of the switching lever 84 described later. The shaft portion 143 is inserted into the through hole 98. As a result, the switching lever 84 is supported by the shaft portion 143 so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 143.

[Switching lever 84]
As shown in FIG. 8, the switching lever 84 has a main body portion 94, two restricting portions 95, an abutting portion 96, and a protruding portion 97.

The switching lever 84 is located at a first position (see FIG. 10 ), a second position (see FIG. 11 ), and a third position (see FIG. 12 ), as rotational positions in the rotation of the case 85 around the shaft portion 143. It

As shown in FIG. 10, the first position is such that the contact portion 96 extends along the up-down direction 7 (hereinafter referred to as “lock position”), and the restricting portion 95 causes the release boss 81 to move. This is a turning position of the switching lever 84 in a position where the release boss 81 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 99 to restrict the movement of the release boss 81 (hereinafter, referred to as “regulating position”).

As shown in FIG. 11, the second position is a position where the contact portion 96 is tilted rearward from the lock position (hereinafter, referred to as “release position”), and the restricting portion 95 is the release boss 81. This is the turning position of the switching lever 84 at a position where movement is not restricted (hereinafter referred to as “non-restricted position”).

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 13, the third position is the turning position of the switching lever 84 in which the contact portion 96 is further tilted with respect to the lock position from the release position.

Hereinafter, each part of the switching lever 84 will be described with reference to the direction of the switching lever 84 located at the first position. FIG. 8 shows the switching lever 84 in the state of being located at the first position.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 94 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the switching lever 84 located at the first position, the main body portion 94 is inclined so that the rear end portion is located below the front end portion in the front-rear direction. A circular through hole 98 penetrating in the left-right direction 9 is formed at the front end of the main body 94. The inner diameter of the through hole 98 matches the outer diameter of the shaft portion 143 of the case 85. The shaft portion 143 of the case 85 is inserted into the through hole 98. Accordingly, the switching lever 84 can rotate around the shaft portion 143.

In the switching lever 84 located at the first position, the two restricting portions 95 project downward from the lower surface of the front end of the main body portion 94. The two restricting portions 95 have the same shape and are substantially U-shaped when viewed from the left side to the right side. Each restricting portion 95 has a flat plate shape extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The two restricting portions 95 are provided at the left end portion and the right end portion of the main body portion 94 at intervals in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 10A, the position of each restriction portion 95 in the left-right direction 9 is the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 protruding in the left-right direction 9 from the slide gear 72. As a result, the restricting portion 95 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 by the vertical movement of the release boss 81 and the rotation of the switching lever 84 around the shaft portion 143.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the switching lever 84 located at the first position, the contact portion 96 extends upward from the upper surface of the front end portion of the main body portion 94. The contact portion 96 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the front-rear direction 8. As shown in FIG. 10, the contact portion 96 is inserted into the through hole 148 of the case 85. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact portion 96 is located in the moving area of the carriage 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, the projecting portion 97 projects rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 94 along the direction in which the main body portion 94 extends. The protrusion 97 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the left-right direction 9. The length of the protruding portion 97 in the left-right direction 9 is the same as that of the first groove portion 153 (see FIG. 12, an example of the groove portion) and the second groove portion 154 (see FIG. 12, an example of the groove portion) of the support frame 151, which will be described later. Shorter than length. When the switching lever 84 is in the first position, the protruding portion 97 enters the first groove portion 153 or the second groove portion 154.

The torsion coil spring 86 shown in FIG. 8 biases the switching lever 84 in a direction from the second position to the first position of the switching lever 84 with respect to the rotation of the switching lever 84 around the shaft portion 143 with respect to the case 85. The torsion coil spring 86 is disposed between the inner surface 142A of the support portion 142 of the case 85 and the outer surface 94A of the main body portion 94 of the switching lever 84, one end portion of which is engaged with the support portion 142 and the other end portion thereof. Are engaged with the main body 94.

Since the support shaft 83 is inserted into the through hole 91 of the release boss 81, the release boss 81, the slide gear 72, the friction pad 82, the switching lever 84, and the case 85 are attached to the support shaft 83. , Can be integrally moved in the left-right direction 9.

[Support frame 151]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the switching mechanism 71 includes a support frame 151. The support frame 151 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The support frame 151 has a recess 152 whose front surface is recessed rearward. The recess 152 is opened in the up-down direction 7. The rear surface 157 of the recess 152 has a first guide surface 155, a second guide surface 156, a first groove portion 153, and a second groove portion 154.

The first guide surface 155 is a surface that is inclined rearward from the rear surface 157 toward the left and faces the front left at the right end portion of the rear surface 157, and extends in the up-down direction 7. The front end of the first guide surface 155 is located in front of the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located at the third position (see FIG. 12A), and the rear end of the first guide surface 155 is It is located rearward of the rear end of the projecting portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located at the 2 position (see FIG. 12B).

The second guide surface 156 is a surface at the left end portion of the rear surface 157, which is inclined rearward from the rear surface 157 toward the right and faces the front right, and extends in the up-down direction 7. The front end of the second guide surface 156 is located in front of the rear end of the protrusion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the third position, and the rear end of the second guide surface 156 is located in the second position. Is located rearward of the rear end of the protruding portion 97.

The first groove portion 153 is recessed rearward in a rectangular shape on the right side of the second guide surface 156. The left front end of the first groove portion 153 is continuous with the rear end of the second guide surface 156. The position of the first groove portion 153 in the left-right direction 9 corresponds to the first slide position of the slide gear 72. The length of the first groove portion 153 along the left-right direction 9 is larger than the length of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 in the left-right direction 9. The front end of the first groove portion 153 is located in front of the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located at the first position, and the rear end of the first groove portion 153 is the protruding portion of the switching lever 84 located at the first position. It is located rearward of the rear end of the portion 97. That is, with the slide gear 72 in the first slide position, the protrusion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the first position is located in the first groove 153.

The second groove portion 154 is recessed rearward in a rectangular shape on the left side of the first guide surface 155. The right front end of the second groove portion 154 is continuous with the rear end of the first guide surface 155. The position of the second groove portion 154 in the left-right direction 9 corresponds to the second slide position of the slide gear 72. The length of the second groove portion 154 along the left-right direction 9 is larger than the length of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 in the left-right direction 9. The front end of the second groove portion 154 is located in front of the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the first position, and the rear end of the second groove portion 154 is projected from the switching lever 84 located in the first position. It is located rearward of the rear end of the portion 97. That is, with the slide gear 72 in the second slide position, the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the first position is located in the second groove portion 154.

The first groove portion 153 and the second groove portion 154 are located at intervals in the left-right direction 9.

A central rear surface 158 is formed between the first groove portion 153 and the second groove portion 154. The central rear surface 158 is a surface that extends substantially along the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 and faces the front. The central rear surface 158 is located in front of the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the first position and behind the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the second position.

[Lever guide 28]
As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 includes a lever guide 28. The lever guide 28 is arranged at the rear end of the carriage 23. As shown in FIG. 9, the lever guide 28 has a first surface 29, a second surface 30, and a third surface 31.

The first surface 29 is a surface at the right end of the lever guide 28 that is inclined to the left toward the rear and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction 8 and faces the right rear. The position of the first surface 29 in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 is a position at which it can contact the left surface of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the first position.

The second surface 30 is a surface that extends along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 and faces the right side. The front end of the second surface 30 is continuous with the left end of the first surface 29. The position of the second surface 30 in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 is a position where the second surface 30 can contact the left surface of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the second position.

The third surface 31 is a surface extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 and facing left. The third surface 31 is located to the left of the second surface 30. The position of the third surface 31 in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 is a position where the third surface 31 can contact the right surface of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the second position.

When the switching lever 84 is in the third position, the front surface of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 located at the same position as the second surface 30 and the third surface 31 in the up-down direction 7 is the rear end of the second surface 30. And located rearward of the rear end of the third surface 31.

[Control unit 130]
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores programs for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings and flags that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

The carry motor 102, the carriage motor 103, and the like are connected to the ASIC 135. The ASIC 135 generates a drive signal for rotating each motor, and controls each motor based on this drive signal. Each motor rotates forward or backward in response to a drive signal from the ASIC 135. For example, the control unit 130 controls driving of the carry motor 102 to rotate the rollers 60 and 62 and drive the maintenance mechanism 110. The control unit 130 also controls the drive of the carriage motor 103 to reciprocate the carriage 23. The control unit 130 also controls the recording head 39 to eject ink droplets from the nozzles 40.

Further, the optical sensor 51 of the linear encoder 52 is connected to the ASIC 135. The CPU 131 calculates the position of the carriage 23 based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 51. Specifically, the control unit 130 determines the origin position of the carriage 23 by moving the carriage 23 and bringing it into contact with a frame (not shown) provided to the right or left of the transport path 65. Keep it. Then, the control unit 130 calculates the position of the carriage 23 by calculating the movement amount of the carriage 23 from the origin position based on the detection signal from the optical sensor 51.

[First slide processing]
Hereinafter, the first slide process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The first slide process is a process of moving the slide gear 72 from the state in which it meshes with the receiving gear 74 to the state in which it meshes with the receiving gear 75. Each process is executed by the CPU 131 of the control unit 130. It should be noted that each of the following processes may be executed by the CPU 131 reading a program stored in the ROM 132, or may be realized by a hardware circuit installed in the control unit 130.

When the slide gear 72 is in mesh with the receiving gear 74, the slide gear 72 is located at the first slide position. At this time, the switching lever 84 is in the first position, and the protruding portion 97 is located in the first groove portion 153. In the initial state, the carriage 23 is located at the maintenance position. The maintenance position is the position of the carriage 23 when the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 are located above the cap 114 in the maintenance mechanism 110. When the carriage 23 is in the maintenance position, the first surface 29 of the lever guide 28 is located to the left of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the left-right direction 9.

Further, hereinafter, “first release position”, “second release position” and “folding position” are defined as terms indicating the position of the carriage 23 in the scanning direction.

Although not shown, the first release position is the position of the carriage 23 where the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28 contacts the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 when the slide gear 72 is in the first slide position. is there. The contact state between the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28 and the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the first release position is the contact state between the second surface 30 and the contact portion in the second release position shown in FIG. This is the same as the contact state with 96.

The second release position is the position of the carriage 23 when the lever guide 28 is at the position shown in FIG. The second release position is the position of the carriage 23 where the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28 contacts the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 when the slide gear 72 is in the second slide position.

The folded position is the position of the carriage 23 when the lever guide 28 is at the position shown in FIG. The folding position is the position where the carriage 23 has moved until the third surface 31 of the lever guide 28 is located to the right of the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84.

In the first slide process, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103 to rotate the carriage motor 103 in the forward direction. As a result, the rotation of the carriage motor 103 is transmitted and the carriage 23 moves to the right. The control unit 130 also receives a pulse signal from the linear encoder 52, calculates the moving distance of the carriage 23 from the maintenance position based on the number of pulses, and rotates the carriage motor 103 when the carriage 23 reaches the first release position. Is stopped (step S11).

During the process in which the carriage 23 is moved from the maintenance position to the first release position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 in the first position contacts the first surface 29 of the lever guide 28. When the lever guide 28 further moves to the right from this state, a rightward force is applied to the contact portion 96 by the contact between the contact portion 96 and the first surface 29. The movement of the switching lever 84 in the left-right direction 9 is restricted by the slide gear 72 meshing with the receiving gear 74 and the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 being located in the first groove portion 153. There is. Therefore, due to the inclination of the first surface 29, a backward force is applied to the contact portion 96. As a result, the switching lever 84 rotates so that the contact portion 96 moves rearward about the shaft portion 143, and the contact portion 96 slides along the first surface 29 while the carriage 23 moves to the first position. Move to the release position.

In this state, the switching lever 84 is in the second position, and the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 is disengaged from the first groove portion 153 of the support frame 151. Further, the restriction portion 95 of the switching lever 84 is located at the non-restricted position and releases the restriction on the movement of the slide gear 72.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carry motor 102 to reversely rotate it by a predetermined rotation amount (step S12). As a result, the rotation of the carry motor 102 is transmitted, and the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 161 (see FIG. 11A, clockwise in the drawing). Since the roller gear 73 and the slide gear 72 mesh with each other, when the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 161, an upward force is applied to the contact surface of the gear teeth of the slide gear 72. This force tends to rotate the slide gear 72 in the rotation direction 162 (see FIG. 11A, counterclockwise rotation on the paper surface). At this time, a frictional force acts between the inner peripheral surface of the slide gear 72 and the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 by the friction pad 82, and the release boss 81 tends to rotate together with the slide gear 72. However, since the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 is fitted in the concave portion 145 of the case 85, the rotation of the release boss 81 is restricted. As a result, the force transmitted from the roller gear 73 to the release boss 81 causes the release boss 81 and the slide gear 72 to move upward. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved from the meshing position where it meshes with the receiving gear 74 to the separated position where it separates from the receiving gear 74, and the meshing between the receiving gear 74 and the slide gear 72 is released.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103 and counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder 52, until the slide gear 72 reaches the second slide position. 23 is moved to the right (step S13).

In the process in which the carriage 23 is moved rightward from the first release position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84, which is in contact with the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28, is pushed rightward by the second surface 30. Then, the switching lever 84, the slide gear 72 and the case 85 are moved accordingly.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carry motor 102 to rotate it forward by a predetermined rotation amount (step S14). As a result, the rotation of the carry motor 102 is transmitted and the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 162 (see FIG. 11A). Since the roller gear 73 and the slide gear 72 mesh with each other, when the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 162, a downward force is applied to the contact surface of the gear teeth of the slide gear 72. This force tends to rotate the slide gear 72 in the rotation direction 161 (see FIG. 11A). At this time, a frictional force acts between the inner peripheral surface of the slide gear 72 and the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 by the friction pad 82, and the release boss 81 tends to rotate together with the slide gear 72. However, since the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 is fitted in the concave portion 145 of the case 85, the rotation of the release boss 81 is restricted. As a result, the force transmitted from the roller gear 73 to the release boss 81 moves the release boss 81 and the slide gear 72 downward. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved from the separated position where it separates from the receiving gear 75 to the meshing position where it meshes with the receiving gear 75, and the receiving gear 75 and the slide gear 72 mesh with each other.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103, counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder 52, and moves the carriage 23 to the left until the carriage 23 reaches the maintenance position. It is moved to one side (step S15). Since the switching lever 84 is biased in the rotation direction 161 by the torsion coil spring 86, when the carriage 23 moves to the maintenance position, the lever guide 28 and the contact portion 96 are disengaged from each other, and the switching lever 84 is moved. Rotates in the rotation direction 161 and returns to the first position. As a result, the restriction portion 95 of the switching lever 84 is located inside the second groove portion 154 and restricts the movement of the slide gear 72.

Next, the control unit 130 drives the drive unit connected to the receiving gear 75 by rotating the carry motor 102 in the forward or reverse direction (step S16).

[Second slide processing]
Hereinafter, the second slide process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The second slide process is a process of moving the slide gear 72 from the state in which it meshes with the receiving gear 75 to the state in which it meshes with the receiving gear 74.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the slide gear 72 is in mesh with the receiving gear 75, the slide gear 72 is located at the second slide position. At this time, the switching lever 84 is in the first position, and the protrusion 97 is located in the second groove 154. As an initial state, the carriage 23 is located at the maintenance position.

The control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103 to rotate the carriage motor 103 in the forward direction. As a result, the rotation of the carriage motor 103 is transmitted and the carriage 23 moves to the right. Further, the control unit 130 receives the pulse signal from the linear encoder, calculates the movement distance of the carriage 23 from the movement start position by the number of pulses, and rotates the carriage motor 103 when the carriage 23 reaches the second release position. Stop (step S21)

In the process of moving the carriage 23 from the maintenance position to the second release position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 at the first position contacts the first surface 29 of the lever guide 28. When the lever guide 28 further moves to the right from this state, a rightward force is applied to the contact portion 96 by the contact between the contact portion 96 and the first surface 29. As shown in FIG. 10, the switching lever 84 has the right and left sides by the slide gear 72 meshing with the receiving gear 75 and the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 located in the second groove portion 154. Movement in direction 9 is restricted. Therefore, due to the inclination of the first surface 29, a backward force is applied to the contact portion 96. As a result, the switching lever 84 rotates so that the contact portion 96 moves rearward about the shaft portion 143, and the contact portion 96 slides along the first surface 29 while the carriage 23 moves to the second position. Move to the release position (see FIG. 11).

In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the switching lever 84 is in the second position, and the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 is disengaged from the second groove portion 154 of the support frame 151. The regulating portion 95 of the switching lever 84 is located at the non-regulating position and releases the regulation of the movement of the slide gear 72.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carry motor 102 to reversely rotate it by a predetermined rotation amount (step S22). As a result, the rotation of the carry motor 102 is transmitted and the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 161 (see FIG. 11A). Since the roller gear 73 and the slide gear 72 mesh with each other, when the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 161, an upward force is applied to the contact surface of the gear teeth of the slide gear 72. This force tends to rotate the slide gear 72 in the rotation direction 162 (see FIG. 11A). At this time, a frictional force acts between the inner peripheral surface of the slide gear 72 and the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 by the friction pad 82, and the release boss 81 tends to rotate together with the slide gear 72. However, since the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 is fitted in the concave portion 145 of the case 85, the rotation of the release boss 81 is restricted. As a result, the force transmitted from the roller gear 73 to the release boss 81 causes the release boss 81 and the slide gear 72 to move upward. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved from the meshing position (see FIG. 10) where it meshes with the receiving gear 74 to the separated position (see FIG. 11) where it separates from the receiving gear 74, and the meshing between the receiving gear 74 and the slide gear 72. Comes off.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103, counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder 52, and moves the carriage 23 to the folding position (step S23).

In the process in which the carriage 23 is moved from the second release position to the folding position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84, which is in contact with the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28, is pushed rightward by the second surface 30. Move (see FIG. 11). At this time, the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 contacts the first guide surface 155. As shown in FIG. 12A, when the lever guide 28 further moves to the right from this state, the protrusion 97 and the first guide surface 155 come into contact with each other, so that a leftward force is exerted on the protrusion 97. Join. At this time, a forward force is applied to the protrusion 97 due to the inclination of the first guide surface 155. Therefore, the switching lever 84 rotates so that the protrusion 97 moves forward about the rotation axis, and the protrusion 97 slides along the first guide surface 155 while the switching lever 84 moves to the third position. Is rotated up to (see FIG. 12A).

At the third position of the switching lever 84, the contact portion 96 is located behind the lever guide 28 in the front-rear direction 8. Therefore, the carriage 23 further moves to the right and reaches the folding position (see FIG. 12B). Since the switching lever 84 is biased in the rotational direction 161 (see FIG. 11A) by the torsion coil spring 86, the switching lever 84 abuts in the process in which the carriage 23 moves from the second release position to the folding position. The portion 96 is always in contact with the lever guide 28 from the rear side. Therefore, in the folded position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 rotates from the third position to the second position, and is positioned to the left of the third surface 31 of the lever guide 28. At this time, the slide gear 72 is located at the separated position.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103, counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder, and moves the carriage 23 to the left until the carriage 23 reaches the maintenance position. (Step S24).

The contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 contacts the third surface 31 of the lever guide 28 while the carriage 23 is moved from the folding position to the maintenance position. Then, the contact portion 96 is pushed leftward by the third surface 31 to move. At this time, since the switching lever 84 is located in the second position, the rear end of the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 is located in front of the front end of the first groove portion 153, the front end of the second groove portion 154, and the central rear surface 158. Therefore, the switching lever 84, the slide gear 72, and the case 85 move until the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 contacts the second guide surface 156.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lever guide 28 further moves to the left from the state in which the protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 is in contact with the second guide surface 156, so that the protruding portion 97 and the second guide surface 156 are separated from each other. Due to the contact, the rightward force is applied to the protruding portion 97. At this time, a forward force is applied to the protrusion 97 due to the inclination of the second guide surface 156. Therefore, the switching lever 84 rotates so that the protrusion 97 moves forward about the rotation axis, and the second guide surface 156 slides along the protrusion 97 while the switching lever 84 moves to the third position. Is rotated up to.

At the third position of the switching lever 84, the contact portion 96 in the front-rear direction 8 is located rearward of the lever guide 28. Therefore, the carriage 23 further moves to the left and reaches the maintenance position. In the maintenance position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 is located to the right of the lever guide 28. At this time, the slide gear 72 is located at the separated position.

Since the switching lever 84 is biased in the rotational direction 161 (see FIG. 11A) by the torsion coil spring 86, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 is in the process of moving the carriage 23 from the folding position to the maintenance position. Touches the lever guide 28 from the rear. Therefore, after the lever guide 28 moves to the left from the contact portion 96, the switching lever 84 rotates in the rotation direction 161 (see FIG. 11A).

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103 and counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder 52, until the slide gear 72 reaches the first slide position. 23 is moved to the right (step S25).

In the process in which the carriage 23 is moved to the right from the maintenance position, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 contacts the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28. The contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 is pushed rightward by the second surface 30 to move, and the switching lever 84, the slide gear 72, and the case 85 are moved accordingly.

Next, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carry motor 102 to rotate it forward by a predetermined rotation amount (step S26). As a result, the rotation of the carry motor 102 is transmitted and the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 162 (see FIG. 11A). Since the roller gear 73 and the slide gear 72 mesh with each other, when the roller gear 73 rotates in the rotation direction 162, a downward force is applied to the contact surface of the gear teeth of the slide gear 72. This force tends to rotate the slide gear 72 in the rotation direction 161 (see FIG. 11A). At this time, a frictional force acts between the inner peripheral surface of the slide gear 72 and the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81 by the friction pad 82, and the release boss 81 tends to rotate together with the slide gear 72. However, since the convex portion 92 of the release boss 81 is fitted in the concave portion 145 of the case 85, the rotation of the release boss 81 is restricted. As a result, the force transmitted from the roller gear 73 to the release boss 81 moves the release boss 81 and the slide gear 72 downward. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved from the separated position where it is separated from the receiving gear 74 to the meshing position where it is meshed with the receiving gear 75, and the receiving gear 74 and the slide gear 72 are meshed.

After that, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the carriage motor 103, counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output from the linear encoder, and moves the carriage 23 to the left until the carriage 23 reaches the maintenance position. It is moved (step S27). As a result, the contact between the lever guide 28 and the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 is released, and by the bias of the torsion coil spring 86, the restricting portion 95 of the switch lever 84 is positioned at the restricting position, and the slide gear 72 is moved. Regulate the movement of.

Next, the control unit 130 drives the drive unit connected to the receiving gear 75 by rotating the carry motor 102 in the forward or reverse direction (step S28).

[Operation and effect of this embodiment]
As described above, the surface pressure between the slide gear 72 and the receiving gears 74 and 75 is reliably released by moving the slide gear 72 from the meshing position to the separated position. Further, the slide gear 72 is slid along the scanning direction (left-right direction 9) in a state where the slide gear 72 is located at the separated position. Therefore, since it is not necessary to reversely rotate the roller gear 73 to release the surface pressure, the transfer destination of the driving force of the carry motor 102 can be switched quickly.

The disengagement mechanism 78 has a planetary mechanism that moves the slide gear 72 to the meshing position or the disengagement position based on the rotation direction of the roller gear 73. The controller 130 controls the carry motor 102 to rotate the roller gear 73 in the forward direction to move the slide gear 72 from the mesh position to the separated position, and controls the carry motor 102 to rotate the roller gear 73 in the reverse direction to move the slide gear 72. 72 is moved from the separated position to the meshed position. Therefore, the slide gear 72 is easily moved between the meshed position and the separated position.

Since the through hole 91 of the release boss 81 is an elongated hole, the release boss 81 can move along the elongated hole. When the rotational force of the slide gear 72 is transmitted to the release boss 81 by the friction pad 82, the release boss 81 moves so that the slide gear 72 moves from the meshed position to the separated position or from the separated position to the meshed position. Moves.

The movement of the carriage 23 causes the switching lever 84 to rotate between the first position and the second position. At the first position, the movement of the slide gear 72 from the mesh position to the separated position is restricted, and at the second position, the restriction is released. Therefore, the movement of the slide gear 72 is regulated and released by the movement of the carriage 23.

The contact surface 96 of the switching lever 84 is guided by the first surface 29 of the lever guide 28, whereby the switching lever 84 is rotated from the first position to the second position by the contact of the carriage 23. This releases the restriction on the movement of the slide gear 72. Then, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 is moved by the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28, so that the switching lever 84 is moved to the right while being held at the second position. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved to the right.

The support frame 151 includes a first groove portion 153 and a second groove portion 154 provided in correspondence with the second slide position and the first slide position of the slide gear 72. The protruding portion 97 of the switching lever 84 enters the first groove portion 153 or the second groove portion 154 at the first position to restrict the movement of the switching lever 84 along the scanning direction, and at the second position, the first groove portion 153 and the first groove portion 153. The switching lever 84 is allowed to move along the scanning direction away from the two groove portions 154. Therefore, the switching lever 84 can be moved to the first position only at the second slide position or the first slide position where the slide gear 72 can mesh with the receiving gears 74 and 75.

When the carriage 23 moves to the right, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 moves to the right, the protrusion 97 is guided by the first guide surface 155, and the switching lever 84 rotates to the third position. .. As a result, the lever guide 28 moves to the right until the contact portion 96 crosses the third surface 31. Due to this movement and the bias of the torsion coil spring 86, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 contacts the third surface 31 of the lever guide 28. When the carriage 23 moves to the left in this state, the contact portion 96 is pulled to the left. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved leftward.

Further, as the carriage 23 moves to the left, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 moves to the left, the protrusion 97 is guided by the second guide surface 156, and the switching lever 84 rotates to the third position. Move. As a result, the lever guide 28 moves to the left until the contact portion 96 crosses the second surface 30. Due to this movement and the bias of the torsion coil spring 86, the contact portion 96 of the switching lever 84 contacts the second surface 30 of the lever guide 28. When the carriage 23 moves to the right in this state, the contact portion 96 is pushed to the right. As a result, the slide gear 72 is moved to the right.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the engagement/disengagement mechanism 78 is configured to move the slide gear 72 between the meshing position and the disengagement position by the planetary mechanism, but may be realized by another mechanism. For example, the engaging/disengaging mechanism 78 may include an electromagnetic valve, and the control unit 130 may control the electromagnetic valve so that the slide gear 72 moves between the meshing position and the separating position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the detaching mechanism 78, the through hole 91 of the release boss 81 has an oval shape along the virtual circumference centered on the shaft 60A of the transport roller 60. As a result, the slide gear 72 moves on a virtual circumference centered on the shaft 60A of the transport roller 60 to form a planetary mechanism. Therefore, the reverse rotation of the roller gear 73 moves the slide gear 72 from the meshed position to the separated position, and the normal rotation of the roller gear 73 moves the slide gear 72 from the separated position to the meshed position. However, for example, the through hole 91 of the release boss 81 may have a linear oval shape. In this case, for example, reverse rotation of the roller gear 73 may move the slide gear 72 from the meshed position to the separated position, and another mechanism may move the slide gear 72 from the separated position to the meshed position. For example, when the switching lever 84 moves from the second position to the first position, the lower end of the restricting portion 95 moves rearward and pushes the outer peripheral surface 99 of the release boss 81, and this force is converted into a downward force. The release boss 81 may be configured to move downward.

Further, the driving unit to which the driving force is transmitted from the receiving gears 74 and 75 may not be the maintenance mechanism 110 or the feeding unit 15. For example, in the case of the multi-function peripheral 10 having a double-sided printing function for recording images on both sides of the recording paper 12, the receiving gear 75 drives the conveying roller provided in the conveying path for inverting and conveying the recording paper 12 with a driving force. May be transmitted. In this case, instead of returning the carriage 23 to the maintenance position after switching the state in which the slide gear 72 meshes with the receiving gear 74 to the state meshing with the receiving gear 75, the contact portion 96 between the lever guide 28 and the switching lever 84 is not returned to the maintenance position. The carriage 23 may be moved leftward from the second release position to the position where the contact with the is released. Thereby, the switching lever 84 can be rotated to the first position to drive the drive unit.

9... Left and right direction (scanning direction)
10: Multifunction device (image recording device)
12...Recording paper (sheet)
16... Transporting direction 23... Carriage 25... Feeding roller (driving unit)
28... Lever guide 29... First surface 30... Second surface 31... Third surface 39... Recording head 60A... Shaft (first rotation shaft)
65... Transport path 71... Switching mechanism (drive switching mechanism)
72...Slide gear (switching gear)
73... Roller gear (drive gear)
74, 75... Receiving gear (transmission gear)
76...Slide mechanism 77...Rotating shaft (third rotating shaft)
81... Release boss (gear support member)
82... Friction pad (resistor part)
83... Spindle (second rotary shaft)
84... Switching lever 85... Case (guide member)
86... torsion coil spring (biasing member)
91... Through-hole 95... Regulation part 96... Abutting part 97... Projection part 99... Peripheral surface 102... Conveying motor (second motor)
103... Carriage motor (first motor)
110...Maintenance mechanism (drive unit)
130... Control part 143... Shaft part (rotating shaft, lever support part)
144... Through hole (insertion hole)
145... Recessed portion (guide portion)
151... Support frame (support member)
153... First groove (groove)
154... Second groove (groove)
155...First guide surface 156...Second guide surface

Claims (7)

A recording head that records an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path,
A first motor,
A second motor,
A carriage that is equipped with the recording head and is capable of reciprocating in a scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction when a driving force is applied from the first motor;
A drive gear that rotates about a first rotation axis along the scanning direction when a drive force is applied from the second motor,
A plurality of drive units that are driven by transmitting the drive force from the drive gear,
A drive switching mechanism that switches the transmission destination of the driving force from the drive gear to any one of the plurality of drive units,
A control unit for controlling the first motor and the second motor,
The drive switching mechanism is
A switching gear that meshes with the drive gear and rotates around a second rotation axis along the scanning direction;
It is arranged in parallel along the scanning direction, meshes with the switching gear, rotates about a third rotation axis along the scanning direction, and rotates to transmit a driving force to each driving unit. Multiple transmission gears,
A slide mechanism that supports the switching gear slidably along the scanning direction, and slides the switching gear to a predetermined slide position corresponding to the position of each transmission gear by the movement of the carriage,
A meshing position that meshes with the transmission gears, and a disengagement mechanism that moves the switching gear between a separation position that separates from the transmission gears,
The disengagement mechanism movably supports the switching gear around the drive gear, and has a planetary mechanism that moves the switching gear to the meshing position or the disengagement position based on a rotation direction of the drive gear. And
The control unit is
A separation process of controlling the second motor to rotate the drive gear in one of the rotation directions and moving the switching gear from the mesh position to the separation position by the separation mechanism;
With the switching gear in the separated position, the first motor is driven to move the carriage along the scanning direction, so that the switching gear is slid by the slide mechanism to move the switching gear to the above-mentioned position. A slide process of moving so as to correspond to a predetermined slide position,
The second motor is controlled to rotate the drive gear to the other of the rotation directions in the opposite direction to the one, and the engaging/disengaging mechanism moves the switching gear from the separated position to the meshed position. An image recording device that performs meshing processing. The planetary mechanism is
A gear support member that rotatably supports the switching gear, the second rotating shaft is inserted therethrough, and is movable with respect to the second rotating shaft so that the switching gear is at the meshing position and the separated position. When,
Further comprising a resistance portion for generating a predetermined sliding resistance between the gear support member and the switching gear,
The through hole of the gear support member through which the second rotation shaft is inserted is an elongated hole extending along the moving direction of the switching gear between the meshing position and the separated position,
In the switching gear, the rotational force of the switching gear transmitted from the drive gear is transmitted to the gear supporting member via the resistance portion, and the gear supporting member is guided to the through hole along the moving direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image recording apparatus moves between the meshing position and the separated position by being moved. The drive switching mechanism is
An abutting portion located in the moving area of the carriage and capable of abutting the carriage, and an abutting portion capable of abutting the peripheral surface of the gear supporting member, the switching gear moving from the meshing position to the separating position. A first position having a restricting part for restricting movement, the contact part being in a lock position, and the restricting part being in a restricting position in contact with the peripheral surface of the gear support member; A rotation axis along the scanning direction; a second position in which the portion is in a release position different from the lock position, and the restriction portion is in a non-regulation position where the restriction portion is not in contact with the peripheral surface of the gear support member. A switching lever that can rotate around
A lever support portion that rotatably supports the switching lever, an insertion hole through which the second rotation shaft is inserted, a gear support member, and guides movement of the gear support member along the through hole. And a guide member that moves along the scanning direction integrally with the switching lever when the switching lever is moved,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a biasing member that biases the switching lever toward the first position. The carriage is
The first surface that is in contact with the contact portion when the switching lever is in the first position and that guides the switching lever from the first position to the second position is continuous with the first surface. The switching lever is brought into contact with the contact portion in a state where the switching lever is rotated to the second position, and the switching lever is moved in one of the scanning directions while maintaining the second position. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a lever guide having a second surface facing toward. The drive switching mechanism further includes a support member that supports the second rotating shaft and the guide member,
The support member includes a plurality of groove portions provided corresponding to the predetermined slide position,
The switching lever is
At the first position, the movement of the switching lever along the scanning direction is restricted by entering any of the grooves, and at the second position, the switching lever moves away from the groove along the scanning direction. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a protruding portion that allows The lever guide has a third surface facing the other direction opposite to the one direction,
The groove located most in the one direction contacts the protrusion in the process of moving the protrusion in the one direction and guides the protrusion to move the switching lever to the second position. A first guide surface for rotating to a third position which is a rotating position opposite to the first position,
The groove located most in the other direction contacts the protrusion in the process of moving the protrusion in the other direction, and guides the protrusion to rotate the switching lever to the third position. Has a second guide surface to move,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the abutting portion of the switching lever does not abut the lever guide in a direction along the transport direction in a state of being located at the third position. A recording head that records an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction in a conveyance path,
A first motor,
A second motor,
A carriage that is equipped with the recording head and is capable of reciprocating in a scanning direction intersecting the transport direction by being applied with a driving force from the first motor;
A drive gear that rotates about a first rotation axis along the scanning direction when a drive force is applied from the second motor,
A plurality of drive units that are driven by transmitting the drive force from the drive gear,
A drive switching mechanism that switches the transmission destination of the driving force from the drive gear to any one of the plurality of drive units,
A control unit for controlling the first motor and the second motor,
The drive switching mechanism is
A switching gear that meshes with the drive gear and rotates around a second rotation axis along the scanning direction;
They are arranged in parallel along the scanning direction, mesh with the switching gear, rotate about a third rotation axis along the scanning direction, and rotate to respectively transmit a driving force to the respective drive units. Multiple transmission gears,
A slide mechanism that supports the switching gear slidably along the scanning direction, and slides the switching gear to a predetermined slide position corresponding to the position of each transmission gear by the movement of the carriage,
A meshing position that meshes with the transmission gears, and a separation mechanism that moves the switching gear between a separation position that separates from the transmission gears,
The distance from the center of rotation of the switching gear to the center of rotation of the transmission gear when the switching gear is in the separated position is the distance from the center of rotation of the switching gear when the switching gear is in the meshing position to the transmission gear. Greater than the distance to the center of rotation of
The control unit is
A separation process of moving the switching gear from the mesh position to the separation position by the separation mechanism,
With the switching gear in the separated position, the first motor is driven to move the carriage along the scanning direction, so that the switching gear is slid by the slide mechanism and the switching gear is moved to the above-mentioned position. A slide process of moving so as to correspond to a predetermined slide position,
An image recording apparatus that performs an engagement process of moving the switching gear from the separated position to the engagement position by the engagement mechanism.

Images