JP6790470B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording device that records on recording paper.

In the inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of transport belts arranged in the axial direction of these rollers are wound around a transport roller and a paper ejection roller. Then, in the inkjet recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, paper is conveyed by these a plurality of conveying belts, and ink is ejected from the recording head to the conveyed paper to record on the paper. Further, Patent Document 2 describes that so-called borderless printing, in which a wide print area is set outside the outer circumference of the sheet and printed, is performed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-211060 JP-A-2015-30210

In the inkjet recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, depending on the size of the paper, the edge of the paper overlaps with the transport belt, and the edge of the paper comes into contact with the transport belt. In this case, when the paper is supplied onto the transport belt or when the paper separates from the transport belt, the transport belt and the edge of the paper rub against each other, and paper dust is likely to be generated. Further, in the case of performing borderless printing as in Patent Document 2 in the inkjet recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, if the edge of the paper overlaps with the transport belt, the ink is outside the edge of the paper of the transport belt. Land on the part where it is located. If the paper is transported in this state, the ink on the transport belt may adhere to the paper.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording device capable of suppressing the above-mentioned problems from occurring when the edge of the recording paper overlaps with the transport belt.

The recording apparatus according to the first invention has a first belt for transporting the recording paper in the transport direction and an arrangement direction parallel to the transport surface of the recording paper and orthogonal to the transport direction on the outside of the first belt. A second belt arranged adjacent to each other, a recording head for recording on the recording paper conveyed to the first belt, and a moving mechanism for moving the second belt in a moving direction orthogonal to the conveying surface. After determining the paper type related to the size of the recording paper in the arrangement direction , the moving mechanism moves the second belt facing the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction in the moving direction. It is by Uni configured Before moving to the retracted position away from the recording head than the first belt.

At the time of recording by the recording head, the second belt adjacent to the outside of the first belt that conveys the recording paper can be moved to a retracted position farther from the recording head than the first belt. This makes it possible to prevent the edges of the recording paper from coming into contact with the second belt when the edges of the recording paper in the array direction overlap with the second belt during recording by the recording head. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent the edge of the recording paper from rubbing against the second belt to generate paper dust. Alternatively, when the recording head is a liquid discharge head, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has landed on the second belt from adhering to the recording paper.

The recording device according to the second invention is the recording device according to the first invention, in which the moving mechanism is such that when the end of the recording paper to be conveyed in the array direction overlaps with the second belt in the moving direction. When the second belt is moved to the retracted position and the end of the recording paper is located outside the second belt in the arrangement direction, the second belt is moved in the moving direction. In, the belt is moved to a transport position away from the recording head by the same distance as the first belt.

When the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction overlaps with the second belt, the second belt is moved to the retracted position. This makes it possible to prevent the edge of the recording paper from coming into contact with the second belt. On the other hand, when the edge of the recording paper is located outside the second belt in the arrangement direction, the second belt is moved to the transport position. As a result, recording paper having a long length in the arrangement direction can be conveyed in a stable posture.

The liquid discharge device according to the third invention further includes, in the liquid discharge device according to the second invention, a switching portion in which the state is switched according to the position of the edge of the front recording paper, and the moving mechanism is provided. , The second belt is selectively moved to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the state of the switching portion.

By selectively moving the second belt to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the state of the switching portion, the second belt is appropriately moved according to the position of the edge in the arrangement direction of the recording paper. Can be placed in any position.

The recording apparatus according to the fourth invention is provided in the accommodating portion for accommodating the recording paper and the accommodating portion so as to be movable in the arrangement direction in the recording apparatus according to the third invention, and is accommodated in the accommodating portion. The moving mechanism further includes a positioning portion as a switching portion that positions the recording paper by contacting the recording paper from the arrangement direction, and the moving mechanism is located at the position of the positioning portion in the arrangement direction. Correspondingly, the second belt is selectively moved to either the retracted position or the conveyed position.

The position of the positioning unit provided in the accommodating portion in the arrangement direction corresponds to the position of the edge of the recording paper conveyed to the first belt in the arrangement direction. In the present invention, the second belt is selectively moved to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the position of the positioning unit in the arrangement direction. As a result, the second belt can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the position of the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction.

The recording device according to the fifth invention is the recording device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the recording head is a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, and the liquid discharge head is described by the liquid discharge head. It is configured so that the recording paper can be used for recording in a recording mode in which a liquid is ejected from the nozzle in a region straddling both sides of the recording paper in the arrangement direction.

Recording is performed when recording is performed in the recording mode in which the liquid discharge head discharges liquid from a nozzle in a region that straddles both sides of the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction and records at the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction. When the edges of the paper in the array direction overlap with the second belt, the ejected ink lands on the second belt. In the present invention, when the edges of the recording paper in the arrangement direction overlap with the second belt in the moving direction, the liquid landing on the second belt at the time of recording adheres to the recording paper by moving the second belt to the retracted position. It can be prevented from being lost.

The recording device according to the sixth invention is the recording device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, in which the recording head overlaps the region overlapping the first belt and the second belt in the moving direction. It is a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in the region and discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and the moving mechanism is a state in which the recording paper is not conveyed by the first belt, and the plurality of nozzles. When flushing is performed to discharge the liquid from the nozzle toward the first and second belts, the second belt is moved to a position closer to the liquid discharge head than the retracted position in the moving direction.

According to the present invention, by moving the second belt closer to the liquid discharge head than the retracted position during flushing, it is possible to prevent the liquid discharged from the nozzle by flushing from being scattered to a portion other than the first and second belts. Can be done.

In the recording device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, the recording device according to the seventh invention comes into contact with the second belt located at the retracted position and cleans the second belt. It is further equipped with members.

According to the present invention, by driving the second belt in a state where the cleaning member is in contact with the second belt, paper dust and liquid on the second belt can be removed.

The recording device according to the eighth invention is arranged with an inkjet head that ejects ink from the ejection surface to form an image on the conveyed recording paper, and is arranged via a gap between the ejection surface and the ejection surface, and transfers the recording paper in the conveying direction. The first belt to be conveyed to the first belt, the second belt arranged along the first belt in the arrangement direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the first belt with respect to the ejection surface in the moving direction orthogonal to the ejection surface. A moving mechanism for moving the second belt between a transport position at the same relative position as the belt and a retracted position farther from the discharge surface than the transport position, and control for controlling the inkjet head and the moving mechanism. When the control unit forms an image on the recording paper, the control unit controls the moving mechanism to hold the second belt whose ends in the arrangement direction of the recording paper face each other in the moving direction. It is placed in the retracted position.

In the present invention, when forming an image, the second belt whose ends in the arrangement direction of the recording paper face each other in the moving direction is moved to the retracted position. This makes it possible to prevent the edges of the recording paper from coming into contact with the second belt when the image is formed on the recording paper. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent the edge of the recording paper from rubbing against the second belt to generate paper dust. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the ink that has landed on the second belt from adhering to the recording paper.

The recording device according to the ninth invention is the recording device according to the eighth invention. When the control unit forms an image on the recording paper, the edge of the recording paper is the second in the arrangement direction. When it is located outside the belt, the movement mechanism is controlled to move the second belt to the transport position.

In the present invention, when an image is formed on the recording paper, the second belt is moved to the transport position when the edge of the recording paper is located outside the second belt in the arrangement direction. As a result, recording paper having a long length in the arrangement direction can be conveyed in a stable posture.

The recording device according to the tenth invention further includes a paper cassette having a paper guide for aligning the edges of the stored recording paper in the arrangement direction in the recording device according to the eighth or ninth invention. The control unit arranges the second belt at either the transport position or the retracted position based on the position of the paper guide in the array direction.

The position of the paper guide in the array direction corresponds to the position of the edge of the recording paper in the array direction. In the present invention, the second belt is selectively moved to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the position in the arrangement direction of the paper guides. As a result, the second belt can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the position of the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction.

The recording device according to the eleventh invention further includes a paper sensor for detecting the edge of the conveyed recording paper in the arrangement direction in the recording device according to the eighth or ninth invention, and the control unit is the paper. Based on the position of the edge of the recording paper detected by the sensor, the second belt is arranged at either the transport position or the retracted position.

In the present invention, the position of the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction is detected by the paper sensor, and the second belt is selectively moved to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the detected edge position of the recording paper. Move. As a result, the second belt can be arranged at an appropriate position according to the position of the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction.

In the present invention, when the edges of the recording paper in the arrangement direction overlap with the second belt, the edges of the recording paper can be prevented from coming into contact with the second belt. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent the edge of the recording paper from rubbing against the second belt to generate paper dust. Alternatively, when the recording head is a liquid discharge head, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has landed on the second belt from adhering to the recording paper.

It is a schematic block diagram of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a transfer unit and an inkjet head when viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the drive roller, the driven roller, the transport belt, the wiper, and the support member as viewed from the direction of arrow III, and FIG. 2A shows a state in which the transport belt is located at the transport position. b) indicates a state in which the transport belt is located at the retracted position. It is a figure which shows the structure of the paper accommodating part, (a) is the state which 1st recording paper is accommodating, (b) is a state which 2nd recording paper is accommodating, (c) is the 3rd. Indicates that the recording paper is stored. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the process flow of the control device for moving each transport belt to a transport position or a retract position at the time of recording. (A) is a diagram showing the position of the transport belt when recording on the first recording paper, and (b) is a diagram showing the position of the transport belt when recording on the second recording paper. (C) is a figure which shows the position of the transport belt at the time of recording on the 3rd recording paper. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the control device at the time of flushing. (A) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 (a) of the modified example 1, (b) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 (b) of the modified example 1, and (c) is a diagram of the modified example 1. It is a figure corresponding to 7 (c). (A) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 (a) of the modified example 2, (b) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 (b) of the modified example 2, and (c) is a diagram of the modified example 2. It is a figure corresponding to 4 (c). (A) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 (a) of the modified example 2, (b) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 (b) of the modified example 2, and (c) is a diagram of the modified example 2. It is a figure corresponding to 7 (c). It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 of the modification 3.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Overall configuration of printer)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a transport unit 2, four inkjet heads 3, and a paper storage unit 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport unit 2 includes one drive roller 11, six driven rollers 12, six transport belts 13, and 36 spur rollers 16. The transport unit 2 transports the recording paper P from the paper storage unit 4 in the transport direction while maintaining a predetermined distance from the inkjet head 3. The drive rollers 11 are arranged horizontally and extend in a scanning direction (“arrangement direction” of the present invention) orthogonal to the transport direction. The six driven rollers 12 are arranged on the downstream side of the drive roller 11 in the transport direction and are arranged in the scanning direction. The six transport belts 13 are endless belts and are arranged in the scanning direction. The belt widths are about the same as each other. In the transport direction, the six transport belts 13 are wound around a common drive roller 11 at the upstream end and around a corresponding driven roller 12 at the downstream end. Six spur rollers 16 are assigned to one transport belt 13. The spur roller 16 is located at the center of the transport belt 13 in the width direction (scanning direction) and is weakly urged downward. Of the six spur rollers 16, five are arranged alternately with the four inkjet heads 3 in the conveying direction, and the remaining one is arranged near the upstream end of the conveying belt 13. A transport motor 56 (see FIG. 5) is connected to the drive roller 11. When the transfer motor 56 is driven and the drive roller 11 rotates, each transfer belt 13 runs. The traveling of the transport belt 13 causes the spur roller 16 and the driven roller 12 to rotate. As a result, the recording paper P is conveyed to the right while being pressed by the conveying belt 13. In the following, the six driven rollers 12 may be referred to as driven rollers 12a to 12f in order from the right side in the scanning direction. Further, the six transport belts 13 may be similarly referred to as transport belts 13a to 13f.

Further, each of the six driven rollers 12 is supported from below by the support member 14. The support member 14 can be moved by an elevating mechanism 57 (see FIG. 5, "moving mechanism" of the present invention). The movement is performed for each support member 14. At this time, each driven roller 12 moves in the vertical direction (“moving direction” of the present invention) and takes a conveying position (see FIG. 3A) and a retracting position (see FIG. 3B). The transport position is a position for transporting the recording paper P. The transport belt 13 is held horizontally, and a gap suitable for printing is formed between the transport belt 13 and the ejection surface 9 of the inkjet head 3. The retracted position is a position where the recording paper P is not conveyed. The transport belt 13 is held so as to be inclined downward with the drive roller 11 as an axis, and is separated from the discharge surface 9 from the transport position.

Further, the transport unit 2 is provided with a wiper 15 (“cleaning member” of the present invention) below each transport belt 13. The wiper 15 is an elastically deformable thin plate member of a rubber material, and extends in the scanning direction across six transport belts 13. The wiper 15 is erected on the downstream side in the transport direction and faces the lower half of the transport belt 13. The wiper 15 comes into contact with the transport belt 13 at the retracted position to clean the belt surface. The wiper 15 does not come into contact with the transport belt 13 at the transport position.

The four inkjet heads 3 are arranged above the six transport belts 13 and arranged in the transport direction. The inkjet head 3 is a line head. A plurality of nozzles 10 are formed on the lower surface, which is a discharge surface 9. The plurality of nozzles 10 are arranged at equal intervals in the scanning direction, and the spread thereof includes the arrangement range of the transport belt 13. Black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected from the four inkjet heads 3 from the upstream side in the transport direction. In the following, as shown in FIG. 2, the right side and the left side in the scanning direction are defined and described.

The paper storage unit 4 is a storage unit in which the recording paper P is stored, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 (a) to 4 (c), in addition to the paper cassette 21, the cassette storage unit 22 on the apparatus main body side, It includes a pickup roller 23 and the like. The paper cassette 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped box with an open upper surface, and the recording paper P is housed therein. The paper cassette 21 is detachably attached to the cassette accommodating portion 22, and the pickup roller 23 comes into contact with the recording paper P. The pickup roller 23 is connected to the paper feed motor 58 (see FIG. 5). When the paper feed motor 58 is driven, the pickup roller 23 rotates and the uppermost recording paper P is fed out. As shown by the arrow A in FIG. 1, the recording paper P is supplied to the transport unit 2 via the supply path 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, the paper cassette 21 includes two paper guides 31 and a guide rail 32. The two paper guides 31 are flat plate members extending in the transport direction. The two paper guides 31 are connected by a gear (not shown) or the like and move along the guide rail 32. Move in opposite directions to each other. The guide rail 32 extends in the main scanning direction. The recording paper P is sandwiched between the paper guides 31 from the left and right and aligned in the main scanning direction. At this time, the center of the recording paper P in the scanning direction is positioned at the center of the arrangement of the transport belts 13 in the scanning direction. One of the three types of recording papers P (P1 to P3) is housed in one paper cassette 21.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a protruding portion 33 is provided on the paper guide 31 (“switching portion” of the present invention) on the right side. The protruding portion 33 extends upstream in the transport direction and is in contact with the side wall of the cassette accommodating portion 22.

The cassette accommodating portion 22 is located at the bottom of the apparatus main body. Two switches 36a and 36b are installed side by side on the side wall on the upstream side in the transport direction, and together with the protruding portion 33 of the paper cassette 21 (paper guide 31), form a size sensor that detects the size of the recording paper P. ..

FIG. 4A shows the positional relationship between the switch 36 and the protruding portion 33 when the recording paper P1 is accommodated. The recording paper P1 has the largest size, and the distance between the two paper guides 31 is also the widest. The protruding portion 33 is located on the outermost side in the scanning direction and abuts on the side wall of the cassette accommodating portion 22. FIG. 4B shows the positional relationship when the recording paper P2 is accommodated. The recording paper P2 is one size smaller than the recording paper P1. The two paper guides 31 are located inside the recording paper P1. The protrusion 33 pushes the switch 36a, and a signal is output from the switch 36a. FIG. 4C shows a case where the recording paper P3 is accommodated. The recording paper P3 has the smallest size, and the two paper guides 31 are located on the innermost side. The protrusion 33 pushes the switch 36b, and another signal is output from the switch 36b.

When the recording paper P1 is supplied to the transport unit 2, both ends in the scanning direction are located slightly outside the transport belts 13a and 13f at both ends in the scanning direction. In the case of the recording paper P2, both ends in the scanning direction overlap with the transport belts 13a and 13f in the vertical direction. In the case of the recording paper P3, both ends in the scanning direction overlap with the inner conveyor belts 13b and 13e in the vertical direction.

(Control device)
Next, the control device 50 that controls the operation of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 54, and an ASIC (Application). Specific Integrated Circuit) 55 and the like, and controls the operation of the inkjet head 3, the transfer motor 56, the elevating mechanism 57, the paper feed motor 58 and the like. Further, the control device 50 is connected to the switches 36a and 36b, and a signal indicating whether or not the switches 36a and 36b are pressed by the protrusions 33 is input to the control device 50, respectively.

Although only one CPU 51 is shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 may include only one CPU 51, and the one CPU 51 may collectively execute the processing. A plurality of CPUs 51 may be provided, and the plurality of CPUs 51 may share and execute the processing. Further, although only one ASIC55 is shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 may include only one ASIC55, and the one ASIC55 may collectively execute the processing. A plurality of ASICs 55 may be provided, and the plurality of ASICs 55 may share and execute the processing.

(Control during recording)
Next, the control of the printer 1 by the control device 50 when the image is recorded on the recording paper P will be described. The inkjet head 3 is put into a standby state when the power of the printer 1 is turned on. Upon receiving the print command, the control device 50 controls the paper feed motor 58 to feed the recording paper P from the paper cassette 21. At the same time, the control device 50 controls the transfer motor 56 to start the traveling of the transfer belt 13.

In the present embodiment, the paper sensor is arranged between the supply path 6 and the transport unit 2 to detect the tip of the passing recording paper P. Further, a rotary encoder is attached to the drive roller 11 and detects the amount of mechanical displacement of the rotating shaft (roller). The control device 50 can know the arrival timing of the recording paper P to the transport unit 2 from the output of the paper sensor, and can know the position of the recording paper P on the transport belt 13 from the output of the encoder. The control device 50 performs paper transport and ejection drive (image formation) based on this information.

When the power is turned on, the control device 50 waits for the input of the print command. At this time, all the transport belts 13 are placed at the transport positions. When the print command is received, the control device 50 determines the paper type (for example, size) and sets the arrangement form of the transport belt 13. The control by the control device 50 will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, the control device 50 determines whether or not the paper type is recording paper P1 (S101). If there is no signal from the switch 36, it is determined that the paper type is recording paper P1 (S101: YES). As shown in FIG. 7A, the transfer belt 13 is not rearranged. The control device 50 waits for the recording paper P1 to arrive at a predetermined position (detection by the paper sensor). When there is a signal from the switch 36 (S101: NO), the control device 50 determines whether or not the paper type is recording paper P2 (S102). If the signal is from the switch 36a, it is determined that the paper type is recording paper P2 (S102: YES). As shown in FIG. 7B, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57, arranges the two transport belts 13a and 13f at the retracted position (S103), and waits for the arrival of the recording paper P2. If the signal is from the switch 36b, it is determined that the paper type is recording paper P3 (S102: NO). As shown in FIG. 7C, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57 to arrange the four transport belts 13a, 13b, 13e, and 13f in the retracted position (S104), and arrives at the recording paper P3. wait.
When the signal from the paper sensor is received, the tip of the recording paper P reaches the transport unit 2 after a predetermined time. In the transfer unit 2, the recording paper P moves together with the transfer belt 13 and receives ink ejection from the inkjet head 3 in the middle of the transfer unit 2. The control device 50 performs ejection drive (image formation) in synchronization with encoder output (paper transfer). After that, the recorded recording paper P is conveyed toward the paper ejection unit (not shown).

In the transport unit 2, all the transport belts 13 are running while the recording paper P is being transported. Of these, the transport belt 13 at the transport position transports the recording paper P. The transport belt 13 at the retracted position is cleaned by the wiper 15 (wiping the belt surface). Specifically, when the paper type is recording paper P2, the two transport belts 13a and 13f are the objects to be wiped by the wiper 15. When the paper type is recording paper P3, the four transport belts 13a, 13b, 13e, and 13f are the targets.

Here, in image formation involving belt transport, there is concern about the generation of paper dust from the recording paper P and ink contamination on the back surface of the recording paper P.

In the former case, in addition to the impact and vibration received when the recording paper P rushes into the belt surface and during belt transportation, the contact between the recording paper P and the spur roller 16 is cited as a cause. The tooth portion (needle-shaped protrusion portion) of the spur roller 16 penetrates the recording paper P and causes a small damage to the paper surface. The impact or vibration causes the paper fibers to separate from these damaged parts and the edges of the paper. Paper dust induces nozzle ejection failure and clogging.

In the latter case, it is considered that the cause is the ejection flushing process or the edgeless printing process during image formation. The ejection flushing process targets nozzles that are not involved in image formation, and in order to maintain the ejection characteristics, ink is ejected (ejected) regardless of image formation. In the borderless printing process, the nozzles outside both ends of the recording paper P are targeted in the scanning direction. Similar to the nozzles inside both ends of the recording paper P, ink is ejected from these nozzles based on the image data.

When the paper type is recording paper P2, unnecessary ink adheres to the two transport belts 13a and 13f. In the case of the recording paper P3, ink adheres to at least two transport belts 13b and 13e. When printing is performed on multiple sheets, ink accumulates on the belt surface. When the transport belt 13 is in the transport position, the back surface of the paper is soiled by the accumulated ink.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when recording is performed on the recording paper P2, the two transport belts 13a and 13f are moved to the retracted positions. As a result, the end portion of the recording paper P2 in the scanning direction and the transport belts 13a and 13f do not rub against each other, and the generation of paper dust can be suppressed. Further, when performing borderless printing, it is possible to prevent the ink that has landed on the transport belts 13a and 13f from adhering to the back surface of the recording paper P2.

Similarly, when recording on the recording paper P3, the two transport belts 13b and 13e are moved to the retracted positions. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of paper dust from the edge of the paper. Further, in the borderless printing process, it is possible to prevent the ink from adhering to the back surface of the paper.

Here, in the printer 1 having a line head, the transport speed of the recording paper P is relatively high, and the vibration is increased accordingly, so that paper dust is likely to be generated. As described above, since the edge of the recording paper P in the scanning direction and the transport belt 13 are prevented from rubbing against each other, the effect of suppressing the generation of paper dust is high.

On the other hand, when recording is performed on the recording paper P1, the transport belts 13a and 13f are arranged at the transport position. As a result, the recording paper P1 which is longer in the scanning direction than the recording paper P2 can be stably conveyed. Similarly, when recording on the recording paper P2, the transport belts 13b and 13e are arranged at the transport position. As a result, the recording paper P2, which is longer in the scanning direction than the recording paper P3, can be stably conveyed.

In the present embodiment, the transport belts 13b and 13e correspond to the first belt of the present invention in the relationship between the case of recording on the recording paper P1 and the case of recording on the recording paper P2, and the transport belt 13a. , 13f correspond to the second belt of the present invention. Further, in the relationship between the case of recording on the recording paper P2 and the case of recording on the recording paper P3, the transport belts 13c and 13d correspond to the first belt of the present invention, and the transport belts 13b and 13d of the present invention. Corresponds to the second belt.

Further, in the present embodiment, when recording on the recording paper P, the transport belt 13 arranged at the retracted position comes into contact with the wiper 15. When the transport motor 56 is driven in this state, all the transport belts 13 travel, so that paper dust and ink are removed from the transport belt 13 at the retracted position during recording on the recording paper P.

(maintenance)
Next, maintenance in the printer 1 will be described. When the power of the printer 1 is turned on or when the standby state continues for a long time, there is a concern that the ink may thicken in the nozzle 10. Therefore, in the printer 1, a discharge flushing process is performed as a preparation for image formation. The target for ejecting ink is all nozzles 10. At this time, the processing performed by the control device 50 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, the transport belts 13a to 13f are in the transport position. Therefore, the control device 50 controls the four inkjet heads 3 to perform ejection flushing for a predetermined time (S201). The ink discharged from all the nozzles 10 lands on the transport belts 13a to 13f.

When the discharge flushing is completed, the control device 50 lowers the driven rollers 12a to 12f by the elevating mechanism 57. The transport belts 13a to 13f are all arranged at the retracted position (S202), and the end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction comes into contact with the wiper 15. Subsequently, the control device 50 drives the transfer motor 56 to travel the transfer belts 13a to 13f (S203). As a result, the ink that has landed on the transport belts 13a to 13f in S201 is removed by the wiper 15. If paper dust is accumulated on the transport belts 13a to 13f, it is also removed. After that, the driven rollers 12a to 12f are raised by the elevating mechanism 57 to return the transport belts 13a to 13f to the transport position (S204), and the process is completed.

Here, unlike the present embodiment, for example, with the transport belts 13a to 13f arranged at the retracted position, discharge flushing is performed while the transport belts 13a to 13f are running. That is, it is conceivable to perform the discharge flushing process and the belt cleaning at the same time. In this case, since the distance until the ink lands is longer than that in the present embodiment, there is a concern that some ink droplets may adhere to a portion other than the belt. However, since the discharge flushing process and the belt cleaning proceed at the same time, the preparation for image formation can be completed in a short time. In the present embodiment, since the transport belt 13 is in the transport position, the ink droplets surely land on the belt surface.

Next, a modified example in which various changes are made to the present embodiment will be described.

In the above-described embodiment, the widths of the six transport belts 13 are substantially the same, but the width is not limited to this. For example, in the first modification, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the transport unit 100 has one drive roller 101, five driven rollers 102, five transport belts 103, and 30 spurs. Equipped with rollers. The drive roller 101 is the same as the drive roller 11 (see FIG. 2). There are two types of belt widths, and the central transport belt 103c is the largest in the scanning direction (for example, about twice as large as the others). The remaining four transport belts 103 are substantially the same as each other. Correspondingly, there are two types of driven rollers 102, and the central driven roller 102c is the longest in the scanning direction (for example, about twice as long as the other). The remaining four driven rollers 102 are substantially the same as each other. Six spur rollers are assigned to one transport belt 103, as in the above-described embodiment.

In the first modification, the central transport belt 103c is commonly used for transporting the recording sheets P1 to P3. At this time, since the width of the central transport belt 103c is larger than the width of the other transport belts 103a, 103b, 103d, 103e, the recording paper P can be stably transported.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the paper cassette 21 is configured so that the center of the recording paper P in the scanning direction is aligned with a specific position (for example, the center of the paper cassette 21 in the scanning direction) regardless of the paper type. However, it is not limited to this. In the paper accommodating portion 110 of the second modification, as shown in FIG. 10, the paper cassette 111 includes one paper guide 113 and one guide rail 112. The paper guide 113 is arranged so as to face the left side wall of the paper cassette 111 and moves along the guide rail 112. The recording paper P is sandwiched between the left side wall and the paper guide 31 from the left and right. At this time, regardless of the paper type, the left end of the recording paper P in the main scanning direction is positioned on the left side wall surface of the paper cassette 111.

Further, also in the second modification, the paper guide 113 is provided with the protruding portion 114. Correspondingly, the cassette accommodating portion 115 is also provided with two switches 116a and 116b. When the recording paper P1 is accommodated, neither of the switches 116a and 116b is pushed by the protrusion 114, as shown in FIG. 10A. Further, when the recording paper P2 is accommodated, the switch 116a is pushed by the protrusion 114 as shown in FIG. 10B. Further, when the recording paper P3 is accommodated, the switch 116b is pushed by the protrusion 114 as shown in FIG. 10 (c).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the transport unit 120 includes one drive roller 121 and one drive roller 121, corresponding to the paper cassette 111 and the cassette accommodating portion 115 being configured in this way. It includes three driven rollers 122, three transport belts 123, and 18 spur rollers. The drive roller 121 is the same as the drive roller 11 (see FIG. 2). The belt width is about twice that of the transport belt 13 (see FIG. 2), and the length of the driven roller 122 in the main scanning direction is also about twice that of the driven roller 12 (see FIG. 2).

The number of transport belts 123 is adjusted to the number of paper types, but is not limited to this. In the second modification, one transport belt 123 may be divided into a plurality of transport belts, whereby the very vicinity of the edge of the recording paper P can be supported from below. That is, more stable transport is possible, and good image quality at the edge of the paper can be obtained. In each case, six spur rollers are assigned to one transport belt 123, as in the above embodiment.

Here, when forming an image, if there is no signal from the switch 116, the control device 50 determines that the paper type is the recording paper P1. As shown in FIG. 11A, all the transport belts 123 transport the recording paper P1 at the transport position. If the signal is from the switch 116a, the control device 50 determines that the paper type is recording paper P2. As shown in FIG. 11B, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism to arrange the transport belt 123a in the retracted position. The remaining two transport belts 123b and 123c transport the recording paper P2 at the transport position. If the signal is from the switch 116b, the control device 50 determines that the paper type is recording paper P3. As shown in FIG. 11C, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism to arrange the two transport belts 123a and 123b in the retracted position. The remaining transport belt 123c transports the recording paper P3 at the transport position.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transport belt to be moved is selected based on the signal from the switch of the cassette accommodating portion, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the third modification, as shown in FIG. 12, two paper sensors 131a and 131b are arranged on the upstream side of the transport unit 2 in the transport direction. The paper sensor 131a is provided on a portion of the path on which the recording paper P1 is conveyed, which is outside the scanning direction of the path on which the recording paper P2 is conveyed. The paper sensor 131b is provided on a portion of the path on which the recording paper P2 is conveyed, which is outside the scanning direction of the path on which the recording paper P3 is conveyed.

As a result, when recording is performed on the recording paper P1, detection signals are output from the two paper sensors 131a and 131b. In this case, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57 to keep all the transport belts 13 in the transport position. Further, when recording is performed on the recording paper P2, the detection signal is output only from the paper sensor 131b. In this case, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57 to move the transport belts 13a and 13f to the retracted position. Further, when recording is performed on the recording paper P3, no detection signal is output from either of the two paper sensors 131a and 131b. In this case, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57 to move the transport belts 13a, 13b, 13e, and 13f to the retracted position.

In the third modification, in addition to the two paper sensors 131a and 131b, a signal from the paper sensor for detecting the tip of the paper (again referred to as a third paper sensor) may be used for determining the paper type. The third paper sensor is arranged in the transport path of the recording paper P3. For all the recording sheets P, the arrival timing to the transfer unit 2 is determined by the signal from the third sheet sensor. Further, the paper type is specified in combination with the signals from the paper sensors 131a and 131b. For example, in the case of only the signal from the third paper sensor, the paper type is recording paper P3. If the signal from the paper sensor 131b is added, the paper type is recording paper P2. If signals are output from all the sensors, the paper type is recording paper P1. The control device 50 will control the elevating mechanism 57 according to the determined paper type.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the paper cassette 21 can selectively accommodate any one of the three types of recording papers P1 to P3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The paper cassette 21 may be capable of selectively accommodating any one of two types or four or more types of recording paper. Then, also in this case, any one of the transport belts 13a to 13f may be moved to the retracted position at the time of recording according to the paper type accommodated in the paper cassette 21. In this case, the number of transport belts 13 may be a number according to the type of recording paper P that can be stored in the paper cassette 21.

Further, one paper cassette may accommodate only one size of recording paper P. If you want to use recording paper P of a different size, you will need to prepare another paper cassette. The control device 50 determines the type of the paper cassette itself. For example, in the case of a paper cassette accommodating the recording paper P2, the control device 50 controls the elevating mechanism 57 to move the outermost transport belts 13a and 13f in the scanning direction to the retracted position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wiper 15 common to the six transport belts 13 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. Wipers may be individually provided for each of the six transport belts 13.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wiper 15 is used to remove the paper dust and ink adhering to the transport belt 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, cloth, sponge and the like can be mentioned. The form may be a combination of these and the wiper 15.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport belt 13 is moved between the transport position and the retracted position by controlling the elevating mechanism 57 by the control device 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switches 36a and 36b are connected to the elevating mechanism 57, and the elevating mechanism 57 moves the transfer belts 13a and 13f to the retracted position when the switch 36a is pressed, and the transfer belt 13a when the switch 36b is pressed. , 13b, 13e, 13f may be configured to move to the retracted position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the drive roller 11 is not moved in the vertical direction, but the driven roller 12 is moved in the vertical direction to move the transport belt 13 between the transport position and the retracted position. , Not limited to this. For example, a drive roller is individually provided for each transfer belt, and by moving the drive roller and the driven roller in the vertical direction, the transfer belt can be moved to a transfer position and a transfer position when the recording paper is conveyed. It may be possible to move the inkjet head to and from a retracted position away from the ejection surface of the inkjet head.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport belt 13 is arranged at the transport position when flushing is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. When flushing, the transport belt 13 may be arranged at a position above the retracted position and below the transport position. Even in this case, the ink discharged from the nozzle 10 by flushing is less likely to be scattered to a portion other than the transport belt 13 as compared with the case where the transport belt 13 is arranged at the retracted position when flushing is performed.

Further, in the above, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer provided with a so-called line head has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a printer provided with a so-called serial head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles while moving in the scanning direction.

Further, in the above, an example in which the present invention is applied to an inkjet printer provided with an inkjet head that ejects ink from a nozzle to record on recording paper has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a recording device that records on recording paper P by a recording head that does not discharge liquid, such as a thermal head. Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the generation of paper dust is suppressed by preventing the edge of the recording paper P in the scanning direction from rubbing against the transport belt 13 when recording on the recording paper. Can be done.

1 Printer 3 Inkjet head 9 Discharge surface 10 Nozzle 13, 103, 123 Conveyor belt 15 Wiper 21, 111 Paper cassette 31, 113 Paper guide 57 Lifting mechanism 131a, 131b Paper sensor

Claims (11)

The first belt that conveys the recording paper in the conveying direction,
A second belt arranged adjacent to the outside of the first belt in an arrangement direction parallel to the transport surface of the recording paper and orthogonal to the transport direction.
A recording head that records on the recording paper conveyed to the first belt, and
A moving mechanism for moving the second belt in a moving direction orthogonal to the transport surface is provided.
After determining the paper type related to the size of the recording paper in the arrangement direction , the moving mechanism transfers the second belt facing the edge of the recording paper in the arrangement direction to the first belt in the moving direction. recording apparatus characterized by being by Uni configured Before moving to the retracted position away from the recording head than.
The moving mechanism
When the edge of the recorded paper to be conveyed in the array direction overlaps with the second belt in the moving direction, the second belt is moved to the retracted position.
When the edge of the recording paper is located outside the second belt in the arrangement direction, the second belt is moved from the recording head by the same distance as the first belt in the moving direction. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is moved to a distant transport position. A switching portion, which switches the state according to the position of the edge of the recording paper, is further provided.
The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the moving mechanism selectively moves the second belt to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the state of the switching portion. .. A storage unit that houses recording paper and
A positioning unit as a switching portion, which is provided in the accommodating portion so as to be movable in the arrangement direction and positions the recording paper by contacting the recording paper accommodated in the accommodating portion from the arrangement direction. , With more
The third aspect of the present invention, wherein the moving mechanism selectively moves the second belt to either the retracted position or the conveyed position according to the position of the positioning portion in the arrangement direction. Recording device. The recording head is a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The recording mode is configured to allow the recording paper to record in a recording mode in which the liquid ejection head ejects liquid from the nozzle in a region straddling both sides of the recording paper in the arrangement direction. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recording device is provided. The recording head is a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a region overlapping the first belt and a region overlapping the second belt in the moving direction, and discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles. ,
The moving mechanism
When flushing is performed to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the first and second belts while the recording paper is not conveyed by the first belt, the second belt is moved in the moving direction. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the liquid is moved to a position closer to the liquid discharge head than the retracted position. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cleaning member that comes into contact with the second belt located at the retracted position and cleans the second belt. An inkjet head that ejects ink from the ejection surface to form an image on the conveyed recording paper,
A first belt, which is arranged through a gap with the discharge surface and conveys the recording paper in the conveying direction,
In the arrangement direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the second belt arranged along the first belt and
In the moving direction orthogonal to the discharge surface, the second belt is moved between a transport position at the same relative position as the first belt with respect to the discharge surface and a retracted position farther from the discharge surface than the transport position. A moving mechanism to move and
A control unit that controls the inkjet head and the moving mechanism is provided.
When forming an image on the recording paper, the control unit controls the moving mechanism to arrange the second belt whose ends in the arrangement direction of the recording paper face in the moving direction at the retracted position. A recording device characterized in that. The control unit
When forming an image on the recording paper, if the edge of the recording paper is located outside the second belt in the arrangement direction, the moving mechanism is controlled to transport the second belt. The recording device according to claim 8, wherein the recording device is moved to a position. A paper cassette having a paper guide for aligning the edges of the stored recording paper in the arrangement direction is further provided.
The record according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit arranges the second belt at either the transport position or the retracted position based on the position of the paper guide in the arrangement direction. apparatus. A paper sensor for detecting the edge of the conveyed recording paper in the arrangement direction is further provided.
8. The control unit comprises arranging the second belt at either the transport position or the retracted position based on the position of the edge of the recording paper detected by the paper sensor. 9. The recording device according to 9.

Images