JP7225454B2 - recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints on a conveyed printing medium.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100000, when a recording medium to be conveyed in a recording apparatus is jammed, that is, when a so-called jam occurs, after protecting the recording head, a cover for processing for jam clearing (jam processing) is put in an openable state. Techniques are disclosed. That is, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the occurrence of a jam is detected, the jam processing cover that covers the jammed transport path is unlocked, and the cover can be opened.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-149308

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the cover is unlocked, processing such as presenting information to the effect that the lock has been unlocked to the user is not performed. Therefore, it was difficult for the user to recognize which cover was unlocked at that timing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that allows a user to easily recognize an unlocked cover.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording means for recording on a recording medium transported along a transport path, an openable/closable cover means provided in an apparatus housing the recording means, and the A recording apparatus comprising locking means for locking a cover means in a closed state, wherein an operating means for outputting information for unlocking the locking means and an unlocking operation by the operating means are possible. and a control means for controlling such that, after the control by the control means , the locking means is unlocked, and the cover means protrudes from the side surface of the device .

According to the present invention, the user can easily recognize the unlocked cover.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when the recording device is in a standby state; 3 is a control configuration diagram of the recording apparatus; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram when the recording device is in a recording state; (a) to (c) are conveying route diagrams of a recording medium fed from a first cassette. (a) to (c) are conveying route diagrams of a recording medium fed from a second cassette. (a) to (d) are conveyance path diagrams when performing a recording operation on the back surface of a recording medium. FIG. 10 is a diagram when the recording device is in a maintenance state; It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a drive roller and a motor. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing an open/closed state of a cover. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship with respect to a conveyance path|route of a 1st cover and a 2nd cover. (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the operation of the lock unit during locking and unlocking. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing detailed processing contents of a resolution process; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an operation panel.

FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as recording apparatus 1) used in this embodiment. In the drawing, the x direction is the horizontal direction, the y direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) is the direction in which ejection ports are arranged in the recording head 8 described later, and the z direction is the vertical direction.

The recording apparatus 1 is a multi-function device including a print unit 2 and a scanner unit 3, and various processes related to recording operation and reading operation can be executed by the print unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 individually or in conjunction with each other. The scanner unit 3 has an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS (flatbed scanner), and reads documents automatically fed by the ADF and documents placed on the document table of the FBS by the user (scanning). )It can be performed. Although the present embodiment is a multifunction device having both the printing unit 2 and the scanner unit 3, a configuration without the scanner unit 3 is also possible. FIG. 1 shows the recording apparatus 1 in a standby state in which neither recording operation nor reading operation is performed.

In the printing unit 2, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B for containing recording media (cut sheets) S are detachably installed at the bottom of the housing 4 in the vertical direction. The first cassette 5A accommodates relatively small recording media up to A4 size, and the second cassette 5B accommodates relatively large recording media up to A3 size in a flat stack. In the vicinity of the first cassette 5A, a first feeding unit 6A for separating and feeding the contained recording media one by one is provided. Similarly, a second feeding unit 6B is provided near the second cassette 5B. When the recording operation is performed, the recording medium S is selectively fed from one of the cassettes.

The transport roller 7, discharge roller 12, pinch roller 7a, spur 7b, guide 18, inner guide 19, and flapper 11 constitute a transport mechanism (transport means) for guiding the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The transport rollers 7 are driving rollers arranged upstream and downstream of the recording head 8 (platen 9) and driven by a transport motor. The pinch roller 7 a is a driven roller that rotates while nipping the recording medium S together with the transport roller 7 . The discharge roller 12 is a driving roller arranged downstream of the conveying roller 7 and driven by a discharge motor. The spur 7b nips and conveys the recording medium S together with the conveying roller 7 and the discharge roller 12 arranged downstream of the recording head 8 (platen 9).

The recording apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of motors for driving the drive rollers, and each of the drive rollers is connected to one of the plurality of motors. The correspondence relationship between the motor and the driving roller will be described later in detail.

The guide 18 is provided on the transport path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The inner guide 19 is a member extending in the y direction and has a curved side surface, and guides the recording medium S along the side surface. The flapper 11 is a member for switching the direction in which the recording medium S is conveyed during the double-sided recording operation. The ejection tray 13 is a tray for stacking and holding the recording medium S ejected by the ejection roller 12 after the printing operation is completed.

The recording head 8 (recording means) of this embodiment is a full-line type color inkjet recording head, and ejection openings for ejecting ink according to recording data correspond to the width of the recording medium S along the y direction in FIG. Multiple arrays are arranged as many as necessary. When the recording head 8 is at the standby position, the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 faces vertically downward and is capped by the cap unit 10 as shown in FIG. When performing a printing operation, the direction of the printing head 8 is changed by the print controller 202 to be described later so that the ejection port surface 8 a faces the platen 9 . The platen 9 is composed of a flat plate extending in the y direction, and supports the recording medium S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head 8 from the back. The movement of the recording head 8 from the standby position to the recording position will be described later in detail.

The ink tank unit 14 stores four color inks to be supplied to the recording head 8 . The ink supply unit 15 is provided in the middle of the flow path connecting the ink tank unit 14 and the recording head 8, and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the ink inside the recording head 8 to appropriate ranges. This embodiment employs a circulating ink supply system, and the ink supply unit 15 adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 and the flow rate of the ink recovered from the recording head 8 within appropriate ranges.

The maintenance unit 16 includes a cap unit 10 (protective means) and a wiping unit 17, and actuates them at predetermined timings to perform maintenance operations on the recording head 8. FIG. The maintenance operation will be explained later in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration in the printing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The control configuration is mainly composed of a print engine unit 200 that controls the print section 2, a scanner engine unit 300 that controls the scanner section 3, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire printing apparatus 1. FIG. The print controller 202 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100 . Various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 are controlled by the main controller 101 of the controller unit 100 . Details of the control configuration will be described below.

In the controller unit 100 , a main controller 101 composed of a CPU controls the entire printing apparatus 1 using a RAM 106 as a work area according to programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 107 . For example, when a print job is input from the host device 400 via the host I/F 102 or wireless I/F 103, the image processing unit 108 performs predetermined image processing on the received image data according to instructions from the main controller 101. Apply. Then, the main controller 101 transmits the processed image data to the print engine unit 200 via the print engine I/F 105 .

The printing apparatus 1 may acquire image data from the host apparatus 400 via wireless communication or wired communication, or may acquire image data from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the printing apparatus 1. Also good. A communication method used for wireless communication or wired communication is not limited. For example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be applied as a communication method used for wireless communication. As a communication method used for wired communication, USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like can be applied. Also, for example, when a read command is input from the host device 400 , the main controller 101 transmits this command to the scanner section 3 via the scanner engine I/F 109 .

The operation panel 104 (operation means) is a mechanism for the user to input/output to/from the recording apparatus 1 . A user can instruct operations such as copying and scanning, set a print mode, and recognize information of the printing apparatus 1 via the operation panel 104 .

In the print engine unit 200 , a print controller 202 configured by a CPU controls various mechanisms provided in the print section 2 while using a RAM 204 as a work area according to programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203 . When various commands and image data are received via the controller I/F 201 , the print controller 202 temporarily stores them in the RAM 204 . The print controller 202 causes the image processing controller 205 to convert the stored image data into print data so that the print head 8 can be used for printing operations. When print data is generated, the print controller 202 causes the print head 8 to perform a print operation based on the print data via the head I/F 206 . At this time, the print controller 202 drives the feeding units 6A and 6B, the transport rollers 7, the ejection rollers 12, and the flapper 11 shown in FIG.

The conveying control unit 207 is connected to a detecting unit 212 that detects the conveying state of the recording medium S, and a driving unit 211 that drives a plurality of driving rollers. 211 is used to control the transport of the recording medium S. FIG. The detection unit 212 has a detection member 20 that detects the presence or absence of the recording medium S and an encoder 21 that detects the amount of rotation of the drive roller.

In the process of transporting the recording medium S by the transport control unit 207, the recording head 8 performs the recording operation in conjunction with the transporting operation of the recording medium S according to the instruction of the print controller 202, and the printing process is performed.

The head carriage control unit 208 changes the direction and position of the recording head 8 according to the operating state such as the maintenance state and recording state of the recording apparatus 1 . The ink supply control unit 209 controls the ink supply unit 15 so that the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head 8 is within an appropriate range. The maintenance control unit 210 controls operations of the cap unit 10 and the wiping unit 17 in the maintenance unit 16 when performing maintenance operations on the recording head 8 . A lock control unit 213 controls lock units 92 and 96 (described later) based on instructions from the print controller 202 to control opening and closing of a cover 90 (described later).

In the scanner engine unit 300 , the main controller 101 controls hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 while using the RAM 106 as a work area according to programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 107 . As a result, various mechanisms provided in the scanner section 3 are controlled. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller I/F 301 to transport the document placed on the ADF by the user via the transport control unit 304 and read it by the sensor 305 . . The scanner controller 302 stores the read image data in the RAM 303 . The print controller 202 converts the image data acquired as described above into print data, thereby making it possible for the print head 8 to execute a print operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller 302. .

FIG. 3 shows the recording device 1 in the recording state. 1, the cap unit 10 is separated from the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8, and the ejection port surface 8a faces the platen 9. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the plane of the platen 9 is tilted about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and the ejection port surface 8a of the recording head 8 at the recording position is also tilted horizontally so that the distance from the platen 9 is kept constant. is tilted about 45 degrees with respect to

When moving the print head 8 from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the print position shown in FIG. 3, the print controller 202 uses the maintenance control section 210 to lower the cap unit 10 to the retracted position shown in FIG. As a result, the ejection opening surface 8 a of the recording head 8 is separated from the cap member (not shown) of the cap unit 10 . Thereafter, the print controller 202 rotates the recording head 8 by 45 degrees while adjusting the vertical height of the recording head 8 using the head carriage control unit 208 , so that the ejection port surface 8 a faces the platen 9 . When the print operation is completed and the print head 8 is moved from the print position to the standby position, the print controller 202 performs the reverse steps.

Next, the transport path of the recording medium S in the printing section 2 will be described. When a print command is input, the print controller 202 first uses the maintenance control section 210 and the head carriage control section 208 to move the print head 8 to the print position shown in FIG. After that, the print controller 202 uses the transport control unit 207 to drive either the first feeding unit 6A or the second feeding unit 6B according to the recording command to feed the recording medium S. FIG.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are diagrams showing the transport path when the A4 size recording medium S housed in the first cassette 5A is transported. The recording medium S stacked at the top in the first cassette 5A is separated from the second and subsequent recording media by the first feeding unit 6A, and is nipped between the conveying roller 7 and the pinch roller 7a. and the recording head 8 toward the recording area P. FIG. 4A shows the conveying state immediately before the leading edge of the recording medium S reaches the recording area P. FIG. The traveling direction of the recording medium S is changed from the horizontal direction (x direction) to a direction inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction while being fed to the first feeding unit 6A and reaching the recording area P. be.

In the recording area P, ink is ejected toward the recording medium S from a plurality of ejection openings provided in the recording head 8 . The back surface of the recording medium S in the area to which ink is applied is supported by the platen 9, and the distance between the ejection port surface 8a and the recording medium S is kept constant. While being guided by the conveying roller 7 and the spur 7b, the recording medium S to which ink has been applied passes through the left side of the flapper 11 whose tip is tilted to the right, and along the guide 18, vertically upwards of the recording apparatus 1. be transported. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the recording area P and is transported vertically upward. The traveling direction of the recording medium S is changed vertically upward by the conveying roller 7 and the spur 7b from the position of the recording area P which is inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

After being transported vertically upward, the recording medium S is discharged to the discharge tray 13 by the discharge roller 12 and the spur 7b. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the ejection roller 12 and is ejected to the ejection tray 13 . The discharged recording medium S is held on the discharge tray 13 with the surface on which the image is recorded by the recording head 8 facing downward.

FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are diagrams showing the transport path when the A3 size recording medium S housed in the second cassette 5B is fed. The recording medium S stacked at the top in the second cassette 5B is separated from the second and subsequent recording media by the second feeding unit 6B, and while being nipped by the transport roller 7 and the pinch roller 7a, the platen 9 is moved. and the recording head 8 toward the recording area P.

FIG. 5A shows the conveying state immediately before the leading edge of the recording medium S reaches the recording area P. FIG. A plurality of conveying rollers 7, pinch rollers 7a, and an inner guide 19 are arranged on the conveying path from the second feeding unit 6B to the recording area P, so that the recording medium S is S-shaped. It is bent upward and conveyed to the platen 9 .

The subsequent transport path is the same as in the case of the A4 size recording medium S shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c). FIG. 5B shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the recording area P and is transported vertically upward. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the ejection roller 12 and is ejected to the ejection tray 13 .

FIGS. 6A to 6D show the transport path when performing a recording operation (double-sided recording) on the back side (second side) of the recording medium S of A4 size. When double-sided recording is performed, the recording operation is performed on the second side (back side) after recording on the first side (front side). The conveying process for recording the first side is the same as that shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the transfer process after FIG. 4(c) will be described.

When the recording operation on the first side by the recording head 8 is completed and the trailing edge of the recording medium S passes the flapper 11 , the print controller 202 reversely rotates the conveying roller 7 to move the recording medium S inside the recording apparatus 1 . transport to At this time, the flapper 11 is controlled by an actuator (not shown) so that its tip is tilted to the left. It is transported vertically downward. 6A shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S (the trailing edge in the recording operation on the first surface) passes the right side of the flapper 11. FIG.

After that, the recording medium S is transported along the curved outer peripheral surface of the inner guide 19 and transported to the recording area P between the recording head 8 and the platen 9 again. At this time, the second surface of the recording medium S faces the ejection port surface 8 a of the recording head 8 . FIG. 6B shows the conveying state immediately before the leading edge of the recording medium S reaches the recording area P for the recording operation on the second surface.

The transport path after that is the same as in the first surface recording shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c). FIG. 6C shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the recording area P and is transported vertically upward. At this time, the flapper 11 is controlled by an actuator (not shown) so that the tip thereof is tilted to the right. FIG. 6D shows a state in which the leading edge of the recording medium S passes through the ejection roller 12 and is ejected to the ejection tray 13 .

Next, maintenance operations for the recording head 8 will be described. As explained in FIG. 1, the maintenance unit 16 of this embodiment includes the cap unit 10 and the wiping unit 17, and operates these at predetermined timings to perform maintenance operations.

FIG. 7 is a diagram when the recording apparatus 1 is in a maintenance state. When moving the recording head 8 from the standby position shown in FIG. 1 to the maintenance position shown in FIG. 7, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 upward in the vertical direction and moves the cap unit 10 downward in the vertical direction. Then, the print controller 202 moves the wiping unit 17 rightward in FIG. 7 from the retracted position. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 downward in the vertical direction to the maintenance position where the maintenance operation can be performed.

On the other hand, when moving the recording head 8 from the recording position shown in FIG. 3 to the maintenance position shown in FIG. 7, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 vertically upward while rotating it by 45 degrees. The print controller 202 then moves the wiping unit 17 rightward from the retracted position. After that, the print controller 202 moves the recording head 8 downward in the vertical direction to the maintenance position where the maintenance operation by the maintenance unit 16 is possible.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a plurality of motors and drive rollers in the recording apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The first feeding motor 22 drives the first feeding unit 6A for feeding the recording medium S from the first cassette 5A. The second feeding motor 23 drives the second feeding unit 6B for feeding the recording medium S from the second cassette 5B. The first conveying motor 24 drives the first intermediate roller 71A that initially conveys the recording medium S fed by the first feeding unit 6A. The second conveying motor 25 drives the second intermediate roller 71B that first conveys the recording medium S fed by the second feeding unit 6B.

The main conveying motor 26 drives a main conveying roller 70 arranged upstream of the platen 9 and mainly conveying the recording medium S during recording. The main conveying motor 26 also drives two conveying rollers 7 arranged downstream of the platen 9 and conveying the recording medium S conveyed by the main conveying rollers 70 further downstream.

The third conveying motor 27 drives two conveying rollers 7 that convey downward the recording medium S having the first surface printed thereon. The third conveying motor 27 is arranged along the inner guide 19 and conveys the recording medium S conveyed by the second intermediate roller 71B or the recording medium S having the first side printed and the front and back sides reversed to the recording head. drive two transport rollers 7 transporting towards 8;

A fourth transport motor 28 drives two transport rollers 7 that transport the recording medium S upward or downward after the recording operation has been performed. The ejection motor 29 drives the ejection roller 12 that ejects the printed recording medium S to the ejection tray 13 . Thus, each of the two feed motors 22, 23, the five transport motors 24-28, and the ejection motor 29 is associated with one or more drive rollers.

On the other hand, detection members 20 for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium S are arranged at eight locations along the transport path. Each detection member 20 is composed of a sensor and a mirror arranged on both sides of the transport path. A mirror is arranged at a position facing the . Whether or not the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the sensor is reflected by the mirror and detected by the light-receiving portion determines the presence or absence of the recording medium S, that is, the passing of the leading edge or the trailing edge.

The transport control unit 207 controls the feed motors 22 and 23, the transport motors 24 to 28, and the discharge motor 29 based on the detection result of each of the plurality of detection members 20 and the output value of the encoder that detects the amount of rotation of each driving roller. are individually driven to control the transportation of the entire device.

Next, a cover for allowing access to the transport path by the user will be described. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the cover 90 is closed, FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the cover 90 is fully opened, and FIG. 9(c) is a diagram showing the second cover 90b is a diagram showing a state in which the door 90b is opened by a predetermined amount; FIG. Also, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the cover 90 on the transport path.

The cover 90 (cover means) is provided on the side surface 1a of the recording apparatus 1, and is composed of a first cover 90a and a second cover 90b. Each of the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b (cover member) is rotatably provided on the recording apparatus 1, and by rotating, the conveying path is moved to the outside of the apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as "outside" as appropriate). ) and shielded from the outside. That is, the inner surfaces of the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are respectively formed with a conveying surface outside the conveying path, and when the covers are closed, they face the spurs 7b, the inner guide 19, and other components for conveying. Form part of the path (see Figure 10).

The first cover 90a (the other cover member) is arranged above the second cover 90b and is rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction (z direction). The first cover 90a is biased in the direction of arrow A by a biasing member 93 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) in the closed state. In addition, the biasing member 93 is an elastic member such as a spring or rubber, for example. Further, the first cover 90a is configured to maintain a closed state by a lock portion 92 (described later). Therefore, when locked by the lock portion 92, the first cover 90a is in a closed state, shielding from the outside the region of the conveying path where the conveying surface is formed by the inner surface of the first cover 90a. Further, when the lock by the lock portion 92 is released, it is rotated in the direction of the arrow A by the biasing force of the biasing member 93 to open, and the inner surface of the first cover 90a forms the conveying surface in the conveying path. Expose the area to the outside. In addition, the biasing member 93 that biases the first cover 90a has a biasing force sufficient to rotate the first cover 90a in the direction of opening the first cover 90a in the closed state.

The second cover 90b (one of the cover members) is arranged adjacent to the lower side of the first cover 90a, and has an axis extending in a horizontal direction (x direction) intersecting (perpendicular to) the vertical direction. It is configured to be rotatable as The second cover 90b is biased in the arrow B direction by the biasing member 93 when closed. Further, the second cover 90b is configured to maintain the closed state by the lock portion 96. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the second cover 90b is in a closed state when locked by the lock portion 96, and shields from the outside the region in which the conveying surface is formed by the inner surface of the second cover 90b in the conveying path. Further, when the locking portion 96 is unlocked, the biasing force of the biasing member 93 rotates in the direction of the arrow B to open a predetermined amount (see FIG. 9(c)). The inner surface of the cover 90b exposes the area where the conveying surface is formed. In addition, the biasing member 93 that biases the second cover 90b has a biasing force sufficient to rotate the second cover 90b in the direction of opening the second cover 90b in the closed state. Further, specifically, the predetermined amount may be, for example, an amount by which the user can perceive that the cover 90 has been opened (first predetermined amount), or the user may be able to recognize that the cover 90 has been opened. It may be an amount (second predetermined amount) by which the direction can be recognized.

When the second cover 90b is in the closed state, a handhold portion 94 is formed on the surface facing the first cover 90a in the closed state (the surface located at the upper free end) so that the user can put a hand thereon. (See FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c)). The handhold portion 94 is configured to facilitate the opening and closing operation of the second cover 90b by the user's hand. When the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are closed (the cover 90 is closed), the handle portion 94 is not exposed to the outside of the recording apparatus 1, and the user cannot touch it ( See FIG. 9(a)). That is, when the cover 90 is closed, the user cannot not only open the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b, but also cannot put his or her hand on the handle portion 94. FIG. Further, after the second cover 90b is opened by a predetermined amount by releasing the lock portion 96 from the closed state, the user can further rotate the second cover 90b using the handle portion 94 exposed to the outside. and is opened until it is almost horizontal.

A manual feed tray 98 is provided on the second cover 90b so that it can be opened and closed with respect to the second cover 90b. The manual feed tray 98 is rotatable around a horizontally extending shaft. Then, the manual feed tray 98 is opened and closed by the user via the handle portion 98a exposed to the outside. The second cover 90b is provided with an opening (not shown). (see FIG. 10).

Next, the locking portions 92 and 96 will be explained. The lock portion 92 for maintaining the closed state of the first cover 90a and the lock portion 96 for maintaining the closed state of the second cover 90b have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the lock portion 92 will be described, and the difference from the lock portion 92 will be described with respect to the lock portion 96 . FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of the lock portion 92. As shown in FIG.

The locking portion 92 (locking means) includes a locking member 74 provided on the side of the recording apparatus 1 (housing 4), and an engaging member 76 provided on the first cover 90a and capable of engaging with the locking member 74. ing. That is, in the locking portion 92, the engaging member 76 is provided at the free end portion 90aa (see FIG. 9B) of the first cover 90a, and the locking member 74 is provided at the free end portion 90aa of the first cover 90a in the closed state. It is provided on the recording apparatus 1 side facing the end portion 90aa.

In addition, in the locking portion 96, the engaging members 76 are provided on the free end sides of the side portions 90ba (see FIG. 9B) of the second cover 90b, respectively, and the locking member 74 locks the second cover in the closed state. It is provided on the recording apparatus 1 side facing the side portion 90ba of the cover 90b. In addition, although the locking portion 96 is provided to correspond to the two side portions 90ba of the second cover 90b, it may be provided to correspond to one of the side portions 90ba.

The locking member 74 includes a rotating portion 78 that is formed in a substantially L shape and is rotatably arranged, and a driving portion 80 for rotating the rotating portion 78 . The rotating portion 78 is configured to be rotatable about the support shaft 82 at the L-shaped bent portion. An engaging member 76 can be engaged with one end portion 78a, and a plunger 80a (described later) of the driving portion 80 is connected to the other end portion 78b.

The drive unit 80 is a solenoid capable of moving a plunger 80a when energized. When energized, the plunger 80a moves in the arrow C direction, thereby rotating the rotating portion 78 in the arrow D direction. When the energization is canceled, the plunger 80a moves in the direction of arrow E due to the biasing force of a return spring (not shown) or the like, thereby rotating the rotating portion 78 in the direction of arrow F. As shown in FIG. Further, the drive unit 80 is energized for a predetermined time by the lock control unit 213 to move the plunger 80a in the arrow C direction. Therefore, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the plunger 80a is moved in the direction of arrow E by the return spring, the rotating portion 78 is rotated in the direction of arrow F, and the rotating portion 78 is moved to the initial position (shown in FIG. 11(a)). position.).

The engaging member 76 is provided with a convex portion 76 a that is engaged with one end portion 78 a of the rotating portion 78 . The convex portion 76a has an engaging surface 76aa that is engaged with one end portion 78a. In addition, the convex portion 76a forms an inclined surface 76ab capable of rotating the rotating portion 78 in the initial position in the direction of the arrow D by the movement when the first cover 90a moves from the open state to the closed state. I have.

Therefore, when the first cover 90a is locked by the locking portion 92, the user first turns the first cover 90a from the open state to the closed state against the biasing force of the biasing member 93. As shown in FIG. At this time, one end 78a of the rotating portion 78 at the initial position abuts against the inclined surface 76ab of the convex portion 76a. The rotating portion 78 is rotated in the arrow D direction against the force. After that, as the first cover 90a rotates further, when one end 78a passes over the slope 76ab, the rotating portion 78 rotates in the direction of arrow F due to the biasing force of the return spring, and the locking surface 76aa It is locked to one end 78a. The locking portion 92 maintains the closed state of the first cover 90a. When the first cover 90a is kept closed by the locking portion 92, the first cover 90a is biased by the biasing member 93 (biasing means).

Further, when unlocking (unlocking) by the locking portion 92, the rotating portion 78 is rotated in the direction of the arrow D by the driving portion 80, and the engaging relationship between the locking surface 76aa and the one end portion 78a is released. Then, the first cover 90a is opened by the biasing force of the biasing member 93 (see FIG. 11(b)).

It should be noted that the configuration of the locking portion 92 is not limited to the configuration described above, and a known technique may be used. In addition, although the configurations of the lock portion 92 and the lock portion 96 are the same, the lock mechanisms may have different configurations.

As described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes the detection unit 212, and the detection unit 212 detects abnormal conveyance of the printing medium S during the printing operation. In the specification of the present application, a state in which the recording medium S to be transported is not normally transported, such as a jam in which the recording medium S is jammed in the transport path, or a slip in which the transport roller slides on the recording medium S, is referred to as transport abnormality. It is assumed that Further, the recording apparatus 1 has an operation panel 104 arranged on the upper front side, and the user checks the information displayed on the operation panel 104 and operates the displayed operators. That is, in this embodiment, the operation panel 104 is a touch panel.

In the configuration described above, when the detection unit 212 detects a conveyance abnormality such as a jam during a printing operation, a resolution process for solving the conveyance abnormality is started. Note that the print controller 202 executes the resolution processing while using the RAM 204 as a work area according to a program stored in the ROM. Here, the resolution processing will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing detailed processing contents of the resolution processing. FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing display contents displayed on the operation panel 104 during the resolution process.

When this elimination process is started, first, the driving of the drive roller is stopped (step S1202). That is, in step S1202, based on the detection result of the detection unit 212, the print controller 202 detects the position of the recording medium S in which the conveyance abnormality has occurred, and drives the drive roller located upstream from the detected position to convey the medium. It is stopped by the control unit 207 . At this time, if the recording operation is in progress, the recording operation by the recording head 8 is also stopped. Further, the drive rollers are, for example, the feed motors 22 and 23, the transport motors 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, and the discharge motor 29.

Next, preprocessing is executed (step S1204). That is, in step S1204, the head carriage control unit 208 moves the recording head 8 from the recording position to the standby position, and the maintenance control unit 210 causes the cap unit 10 to cap the discharge port surface 8a. Also, the recording medium S located downstream of the recording medium S having the transport abnormality is transported by the transport rollers 7 . Note that step S1204 may be executed in parallel with step S1202.

After that, the information about the conveyance abnormality and the operation buttons of the cover 90 are displayed on the operation panel 104 (step S1206). That is, in step S1206, first, information indicating that a transport error has occurred is output to the main controller 101 via the controller I/F 201. FIG. After that, the main controller 101 displays, on the operation panel 104, the position where the transport error occurred as shown in FIG. Further, on the operation panel 104, a button 104a (manipulator) for opening the cover 90 is displayed as an operation button for the cover 90. FIG. In FIG. 13(a), characters are shown in the display area that displays the position where the conveyance abnormality occurred. is used to clearly indicate the position where the transport error occurred. That is, in this embodiment, the main controller 101 functions as control means for performing control so that the operation of unlocking the lock portions 92 and 96 on the operation panel 104 is enabled.

Then, it is determined whether or not to open the cover 90 (step S1208). That is, in step S1208, the main controller 101 determines whether or not the button 104a displayed on the operation panel 104 has been selected. If it is determined in step S1208 that the button 104a has not been selected, that is, it has not been selected when the cover 90 is opened, the process returns to step S1208. That is, in this embodiment, the process of step S1208 is repeatedly executed until the button 104a is selected. Further, when the button 104a is selected in step S1208, ie, when it is determined that the cover 90 is to be opened, the locks by the lock portions 92 and 96 are released and the cover 90 is opened (step S1210).

When the button 104a is selected, information is output to the print controller 202 that the button 104a has been selected. Therefore, in step S1210, the print controller 202 controls the lock control unit 213 to energize the drive unit 80 of the lock units 92 and 96, and the lock unit 92 locks the first cover 90a and the lock unit 96 locks the second cover 90b. release.

As a result, the first cover 90a is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the biasing force of the biasing member 93, and the second cover 90b is rotated in the direction of arrow B by the biasing force of the biasing member 93, so that the cover 90 can record. It will be in a state of protruding from the side surface 1a of the device 1 (see FIG. 9(c)). Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the cover 90 is unlocked and can be opened. Also, depending on the amount by which the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are opened by the biasing member 93, the user can recognize the opening direction of the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b. will be able to open

The lock portions 92 and 96 may be unlocked at the same time, or may be unlocked after one is unlocked. Further, the button 104a is deleted from the operation panel 104 when selected by the user, for example.

Further, the operation panel 104 displays specific processing contents to be executed by the user (step S1212). That is, in step S1212, as shown in FIG. 13(b), specific processing contents are displayed using a diagram, image, characters, or the like. It should be noted that the display content thus displayed can be scrolled in the display area as necessary. In this case, a previous procedure button, a subsequent procedure button, etc. are displayed, and when these buttons are selected by the user, the display contents displayed in the display area are scrolled to the previous screen or the subsequent screen. (b)). In FIG. 13(b), characters are shown in a display area for displaying specific processing contents, but in reality, an image of the recording apparatus 1 or a diagram schematically showing the recording apparatus 1 is displayed. is displayed with a letter. It should be noted that the characters may not be displayed, but may be displayed in combination with an operation diagram or the like. Moreover, this step S1212 may be executed before step S1210, or may be executed in parallel with step S1210.

Next, it is determined whether or not the processing for canceling the transportation by the user has ended (step S1214). In addition to the cover 90, the recording apparatus 1 is provided with a front cover 91 that is opened and closed when, for example, the recording head 8 or the ink tank is replaced. A detection unit (not shown) for detecting opening/closing is provided. In addition, the inner guide 19 and the like constituting the transport path are configured to be movable when removing the recording medium S in which transport abnormality has occurred. A detector (not shown) is provided for detecting whether or not it is positioned. Accordingly, in step S1214, the print controller 202 determines whether or not all the covers are closed and all the guides are positioned at their respective predetermined positions based on the detection result of the detection section. .

If it is determined in step S1214 that the user has not completed the process, that is, all the covers are closed and all the guides are not positioned at their respective predetermined positions, the process of step S1214 is performed again. Also, in step S1214, when it is determined that the processing by the user has ended, that is, all the covers are closed and all the guides are positioned at their respective predetermined positions, the recording medium S is placed in the transport path. It is determined whether or not there is (step S1216). That is, in step S1216, the print controller 202 determines whether or not the recording medium S is present in the transport path by means of the detection member 20. FIG.

If it is determined in step S1216 that there is a recording medium S, it is determined that a jam has occurred, and the process returns to step S1206 and the subsequent processes are executed. If it is determined in step S1216 that there is no recording medium S, the transport control unit 207 initializes the transport system (step S1218), and determines again whether or not there is a recording medium S in the transport path. (Step S1220). In other words, the driving motor and the like are forcibly stopped due to the occurrence of the conveyance abnormality. Therefore, in step S1218, initialization of the conveying system such as initialization of the number of slits of the encoder corresponding to the driving roller is performed. Also, in step S1220, it is determined whether or not the recording medium S is positioned within the transport path due to the initialization of the transport system. Note that the specific processing content of step S1220 is the same as that of step S1216.

If it is determined in step S1220 that the recording medium S is present, the process advances to step S1206 to display on the operation panel 104 that the transport error has not been resolved. If it is determined in step S1220 that there is no recording medium S, this resolution process is terminated.

As described above, in the recording apparatus 1, the cover 90, which opens in the event of a transport error or the like to allow the user to access the transport path, is composed of the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b. bottom. The first cover 90a is not provided with a structure for a user to place a hand on, and when locked by the lock portion 92, the closed state is maintained, and when unlocked, the first cover 90a is rotated by the biasing force of the biasing member 93. and opened. Further, the second cover 90b is provided with a handle portion 94 which is not exposed to the outside when closed together with the first cover 90a but is exposed to the outside when the cover is opened. When the second cover 90b is locked by the lock portion 96, the closed state is maintained. bottom. Further, in the recording apparatus 1, when a conveyance abnormality is detected, a button 104a for opening the cover 90 is displayed on the operation panel 104, and when the button 104a is selected by the user, the lock units 92 and 96 unlock the cover. 90 opened.

Thus, according to the recording apparatus 1, when the cover 90 is unlocked by the locking portions 92 and 96, the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are opened by the biasing force of the biasing member 93, and the recording apparatus 1 is closed. A first cover 90a and a second cover 90b protrude from the side surface 1a. Therefore, the user can recognize that the cover 90 is unlocked and the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b can be opened. Therefore, in the recording apparatus 1, compared with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which the cover is simply unlocked, the user can recognize the cover to be opened and the locked cover can be opened. will not be accidentally opened.

Further, since the unlocked first cover 90a and second cover 90b are rotated and opened by a predetermined amount, it is possible to know how to open the first cover 90a and second cover 90b (opening direction). As a result, the operability for the user is improved, and even an inexperienced user can easily and quickly open the cover 90 .

Even if the user tries to open the locked cover 90 by mistake, it is very difficult for the user to hold and turn the cover 90 because the user cannot put his or her hand on the cover 90 . In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the handle portion provided on the cover is always exposed to the outside. Therefore, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, if a user tries to open a locked cover by mistake, a load is applied to the handle portion, the lock mechanism, the cover moving mechanism, and the like, and the cover may be damaged. . On the other hand, in the recording apparatus 1, since the handle portion 94 is not exposed to the outside and it is difficult to rotate the cover 90, the user is prevented from opening the cover 90 by mistake. be. That is, a large load is not applied to the handle portion 94 and the lock portions 92 and 96, and the cover is less likely to be damaged than the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The above-described embodiment may be modified as in (1) to (7) below.

(1) A recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to an inkjet recording apparatus, and can be applied to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium S by various methods. Further, the printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the so-called full-line type inkjet printing apparatus as in the above embodiment. Applicable.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the processing when the cover 90 is opened has been described as an example of a case in which a transport abnormality has occurred. A process of opening the cover 90 may be executed. Specifically, for example, when cleaning the inside of the transport path, the recording head 8 is first moved to the standby position as a pretreatment at the timing when the number of recording sheets reaches a predetermined number of sheets, and the recording head 8 is is capped by the cap unit 10. After that, a button 104a is displayed on the operation panel 104, and when the button 104a is selected, the cover 90 is unlocked by the locking portions 92 and 96, and a specific cleaning procedure for the conveying path is displayed. .

(3) In the above embodiment, the cover 90 is composed of two members (the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b), but the invention is not limited to this. That is, the cover 90 may be composed of one or three or more members. In the above embodiment, the second cover 90b is rotated by a predetermined amount when unlocked by the lock portion 96 (see FIG. 9(c)), but the present invention is not limited to this. do not have. That is, when the second cover 90b is unlocked, the second cover 90b may rotate until it is fully opened as shown in FIG. 9(b).

Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the first cover 90a may be rotated by a predetermined amount by the biasing member 93 when unlocked, or may be rotated as shown in FIG. 9(b). You may make it rotate until it will be in the fully opened state. The fully opened state is, for example, a state in which the closed state is rotated by 90° and opened. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are rotated to open and close, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b may be slid to expose and block the transport path.

(4) In the above embodiment, the button 104a for opening the cover 90 is displayed on the operation panel 104, but it is not limited to this. That is, a switch (button) for opening the cover 90 may be mechanically configured and provided at a position where the user can operate the recording apparatus 1 . Note that this switch may be operable all the time, or may be operable at a predetermined timing such as when the detection unit 212 detects a conveyance abnormality. Further, in the above embodiment, the button 104a is displayed on the operation panel 104 when a transport abnormality occurs, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the button 104a may be displayed on the operation panel 104 at all times.

(5) In the above embodiment, the detection unit 212 detects an abnormality in the transport of the recording medium S, and the button 104a is displayed on the operation panel 104 after the recording head 8 is protected by the cap unit 10 at the standby position. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the button 104a may be displayed on the operation panel 104 in parallel with the operation in which the recording head 8 is protected by the cap unit 10 at the standby position.

(6) In the above embodiment, the handle portion 94 is provided at a position that is not exposed to the outside when the second cover 90b is closed, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second cover 90b may have a mechanism for covering the handle portion 94 so that it is not exposed to the outside when the cover is closed. Further, a handle portion 94 may be provided on the first cover 90a. Alternatively, the handle portion 94 may not be provided for the second cover 90b. Further, the handhold portion 94 may be exposed to the outside when the cover 90 is closed, and may indicate on the operation panel 104 that the cover 90 cannot be opened.

(7) In the above embodiment, the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b are each biased in the opening direction by the biasing member 93 in the closed state, but the present invention is limited to this. not a thing That is, each of the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b may be always biased in the opening direction by a biasing member such as a torsion spring provided on the central axis. In the above embodiment, the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b in the closed state are urged by the urging member 93 formed of an elastic member such as a spring, but the present invention is limited to this. not a thing That is, a pressing portion that presses the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b is provided, and when the locking portions 92 and 96 are unlocked, the pressing portion presses the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b. , the first cover 90a and the second cover 90b may be biased in the opening direction. Therefore, in this case, the pressing portion functions as an urging means. In addition, since the transport control unit 207 can specify the location of the transport abnormality on the transport route, it opens only the first cover 90a or only the second cover 90b according to the location of the transport abnormality. It may be a configuration.

1 Recording Device 90 Cover 92, 96 Locking Part 93 Biasing Member

Claims (12)

a recording means for recording on a recording medium transported along a transport path;
a cover means that can be opened and closed and that is provided in a device in which the recording means is housed;
A recording device comprising locking means for locking the cover means in a closed state,
an operating means for outputting information for releasing the lock by the locking means;
a control means for controlling so that an operation for releasing the lock by the operation means becomes possible;
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is unlocked after being controlled by said control means , and said cover means protrudes from a side surface of said apparatus . 2. The cover means, when the lock means is unlocked, is opened by a predetermined amount such that the user can recognize that the cover means is open or the direction in which the cover means is opened. The recording device described in . 3. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cover means has biasing means for biasing said cover means in an opening direction. 4. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cover means has a first cover and a second cover. The first cover is adjacent to the second cover on the upper side,
The second cover has a handle portion that a user can put a hand on,
4. The handle portion is not exposed to the outside when the first cover and the second cover are closed, and is exposed to the outside when the first cover is opened. The recording device described in . 6. A recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first cover rotates about a rotating shaft extending in a vertical direction, and said second cover rotates about a rotating shaft extending in a horizontal direction. . 7. The lock means according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the lock means comprises first lock means for locking the first cover and second lock means for locking the second cover. recording device. The control means enables the operation means to be operated at at least one of a timing when a conveyance abnormality occurs in the recording medium in the conveyance path and a timing when the conveyance path is cleaned. 8. A recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The operation means is a touch panel,
9. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said control means displays an operator for unlocking said lock means on said operation means. 10. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying path is exposed to the outside of said apparatus when said cover means is open. 11. A recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said locking means unlocks by energization. further comprising protection means for protecting the recording means;
11. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protection means protects said recording means when said cover means is unlocked.

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