JP7474074B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

There are known recording devices that transport and record on long recording media, such as roll paper. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device in which the roll paper feed section is located on the top of the device body, taking into consideration operability when setting the roll paper. Patent Document 2 discloses a printing device that can feed cut paper in addition to roll paper.

Patent No. 6394870 JP 2018-114648 A

In a device capable of feeding both roll paper and cut paper, if the roll paper feed section is located on the upper side of the device body for ease of use when setting the paper, the placement of the components that guide the cut paper may be limited due to the transport path of the roll paper. Therefore, there is room for improvement in ease of use, especially when setting cut paper that is short in the transport direction.

The present invention aims to improve operability when setting cut sheets.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a recording device is provided that comprises: a support means for supporting a roll sheet rotatably around a rotation axis; a housing having an inlet formed on its upper surface for introducing a sheet pulled out from the roll sheet supported by the support means ; a transport roller for transporting the sheet or cut sheet introduced from the inlet toward a recording means; a first cover for covering the roll sheet supported by the support means; and a guide member provided on the first cover that is displaceable between a guide position for guiding the cut sheet from the inlet to the transport roller and a retracted position for retracting from the transport path of the sheet , wherein the support means supports the roll sheet so that the rotation axis is positioned above the upper surface, the inlet includes an introduction area into which the cut sheet can be introduced when the first cover is closed, and the recording device further comprises a second cover for covering the introduction area .

The present invention improves operability when setting cut sheets.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic internal structure of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing configuration examples of a cover portion and a variable guide member. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing configuration examples of a cover portion and a variable guide member. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing configuration examples of a cover portion and a variable guide member. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing configuration examples of a cover portion and a variable guide member. 7 is a view of the variable guide portion as viewed from the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 6.

The following embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

Note that "recording" does not only include the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also includes the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or unmeaning, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. In addition, while this embodiment assumes that the "recording medium" is a sheet of paper, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

First Embodiment
<Outline of the recording device>
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a recording device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the recording device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Note that some components are not shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In each diagram, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction respectively indicate the depth direction (front-rear direction), the width direction, and the up-down direction.

The recording device 1 pulls out the leading end of a roll sheet R, which is a long recording medium wound into a roll, and records an image in the pulled-out area. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 can record images not only on the roll sheet R, but also on cut sheets C. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the roll sheet R and the cut sheet C, they may be collectively referred to as sheets S. In this embodiment, the recording device 1 includes a housing 2, a support section 3, a transport unit 4, a variable guide member 5, a cover section 6, a recording unit 7, and a cutter unit 8.

The housing 2 forms at least a part of the outer shape of the recording device 1, and houses the components of the recording device 1, such as the transport unit 4, inside. An inlet 210 is formed on the top surface 21 of the housing 2 for introducing the roll sheet R into the housing 2. In addition, an outlet 220 is provided on the front surface 22 of the housing 2, through which the roll sheet R introduced from the inlet 210 is discharged.

The support unit 3 rotatably supports the rolled sheet R. More specifically, the support unit 3 rotatably supports the rolled sheet R such that the rotation axis R1 of the rolled sheet R is located above the top surface 21 of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the support unit 3 is provided on the rear side (-X side) opposite to the front side (+X side) where the discharge port 220 of the housing 2 is provided.

The support unit 3 includes a spool 31 that is inserted into the hollow portion of the cylindrical roll sheet R to support the roll sheet R, a holding unit 32 that rotatably holds the spool 31, and a roll drive motor (not shown) that drives the spool 31 to rotate. For example, the spool 31 has a spool gear (not shown) at one end, and the spool 31 rotates when the driving force of the roll drive motor (not shown) is transmitted to the spool gear via a drive gear (not shown). The rotation of the spool 31 feeds the roll sheet R supported by the spool 31 into the interior of the housing 2.

For example, when a user sets the roll sheet R on the support unit 3, the user moves both ends of the spool 31 toward the rear (-X direction) along the support surface 321 of the holder 32 to set the roll sheet R in a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the roll sheet R is supported so that the rotation axis R1 of the roll sheet R is located above the top surface 21, making it easier for a user operating from the front side of the recording device 1 to reach the holder 32, improving operability when setting the roll sheet R. Note that in this embodiment, the roll sheet R is supported on the support unit 3 so that the entire roll sheet R is located above the top surface 21, but the roll sheet R may also be supported on the support unit 3 so that a portion of the roll sheet R below the rotation axis R1 is located below the top surface 21.

The transport unit 4 is disposed within the housing and transports the rolled sheet R. In this embodiment, the transport unit 4 includes multiple roller pairs 41-44 spaced apart in the transport direction of the rolled sheet R. Each of the multiple transport roller pairs 41-44 includes a drive roller driven by a transport motor (not shown) and a driven roller driven by the drive roller. Note that each drive roller may be driven by a single transport motor, or may be driven separately by multiple transport motors corresponding to each drive roller. Furthermore, the number of transport roller pairs provided in the transport unit 4 is not limited.

In addition, a guide member 9 is arranged within the housing 2 to form a transport path for the sheet S. The transport path P formed by the guide member 9 is a common transport path for the rolled sheet R and the cut sheet C. The unwound portion of the rolled sheet R enters the transport path P through the transport path PR. On the other hand, the cut sheet C enters the transport path P through the transport path PC when it is supplied into the housing 2 by a user or the like.

The variable guide member 5 guides the supply of the cut sheet C from the inlet 210 to the transport unit 4. Details are described in <Example of the configuration of the variable guide member>.

The cover unit 6 covers a portion of the top surface of the housing 2. The cover unit 6 includes a cover 61 and a cover 62, which are arranged to cover the inlet 210 of the housing 2. The cover 61 covers the roll sheet R supported by the support unit 3 in an openable and closable manner. The cover 62 covers an area 211, which is a cut sheet introduction area where the cut sheet C can be introduced into the housing 2 when the cover 61 is closed. In this embodiment, the area 211 is the area on the near side (+X side) of the inlet 210.

In this embodiment, the cover 61 is rotatably provided on the support portion 3, and the cover 62 is rotatably provided on the cover 61. However, a configuration in which the cover 61 or the cover 62 is rotatably or displaceably provided with respect to the housing 2 can also be adopted. The cover 62 may also be rotatably provided with respect to the support portion 3. The shape of the cover portion 6 is an example, and other configurations can also be adopted. For example, the cover portion 6 may have a shape with an arc-shaped cross section.

The recording unit 7 is capable of recording an image on the sheet S. The recording unit 7 includes a recording head 71 that ejects ink onto the sheet S. In this embodiment, the recording head 71 is a line-type recording head in which ejection ports for ejecting ink are provided in an area corresponding to the width of the sheet S. However, the recording unit 7 may have a serial-type recording head and a carriage for moving the head, or may record an image on the recording medium by a method other than the inkjet method. The recording unit 7 also includes a platen 72, and the recording head 71 and the platen 72 are arranged so as to sandwich the transport path P of the sheet S. In one embodiment, the platen 72 may be a suction platen that adsorbs and holds the sheet S.

The cutter unit 8 is located downstream of the recording unit 7 in the transport direction and cuts the sheet S that has been pulled out from the roll sheet R and has completed recording.

In this embodiment, the recording device 1 is equipped with a sheet transport device that transports the rolled sheet R when viewed from one side. Also, in this embodiment, the recording device 1 transports the rolled sheet R and the cut sheet C using a common transport unit 4. For this reason, the transport roller pair 41 on the upstream side of the transport direction of the transport unit 4 is provided below the inlet 210 and on the discharge outlet 220 side (downstream in the transport direction) of the area 211 of the inlet 210. Furthermore, since the sheet S needs to pass under the recording head 71, each roller pair of the transport unit 4 is provided under the recording head 71.

As a result, the distance between the area 211 of the inlet 210 and the pair of transport rollers 41 on the upstream side of the transport unit 4 in the transport direction becomes large compared to the length of the cut sheet C, which can make it difficult to set the cut sheet C. For example, if the length of the cut sheet C in the transport direction is shorter than the distance from the inlet 210 to the pair of transport rollers 41, the user must release the cut sheet C before the leading edge of the cut sheet C reaches the pair of transport rollers 41 and set the sheet. As a result, the cut sheet C may be misaligned in the width direction or set at an angle to the transport direction.

In such a case, if a guide is provided along the transport path PC of the cut sheet C, the user can easily set the cut sheet C along the guide. However, providing a guide member for guiding the cut sheet C between the area 211 and the transport roller pair may be restricted by the relationship with the transport path PR of the roll sheet R. For example, a fixed guide member for the cut sheet C cannot be provided in a position that interferes with the transport path PR. In this embodiment, the roll sheet R is placed behind the set position of the cut sheet C, so if the guide for the cut sheet C is extended to the vicinity of the inlet 210, it will interfere with the transport path PR of the roll sheet R. Therefore, in this embodiment, a variable guide member 5 is adopted. An example of the configuration will be described below.

<Configuration example of cover and variable guide member>
3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the cover unit 6 and the variable guide member 5, and shows a state in which the cover 61 and the cover 62 are closed. In this embodiment, the cover 61 is provided rotatably with respect to the support unit 3 by having its rotation shaft member 611 supported by the support unit 3. In addition, the cover 62 is provided rotatably with respect to the cover 61 by having its rotation shaft member 621 supported by the cover 61. By opening the cover 61, a user can set the roll sheet R on the support unit 3 or perform jamming removal or the like. In addition, by opening the cover 62, a user can supply the cut sheet C to the transport unit 4 in the housing 2. In addition, in this embodiment, a variable guide member 5 is provided that is displaced in conjunction with the opening operation of the cover 62.

The variable guide member 5 includes a guide portion 51 that guides the cut sheet C, and a displacement portion 52 that displaces the guide portion 51 between a guide position and a retracted position.

The guide portion 51 guides the cut sheet C to the conveying roller pair 41 at the guide position. The guide portion 51 has a guide surface 511 extending in a width direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the cut sheet C, and guides the cut sheet C with the guide surface 511. The guide surface 511 may have a width similar to that of the cover 62, or may have a width capable of guiding cut sheets C of a predetermined size such as A3 and A4.

The displacement unit 52 displaces the guide unit 51 between a guide position and a retracted position. In this embodiment, the guide position is a position where the guide unit 51 can guide the cut sheet C (FIG. 4), and the retracted position is a position where the guide unit 51 retracts from the transport path PR of the roll sheet R (FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the displacement unit 52 converts the rotation of the cover 62 into linear motion using a rack and pinion mechanism to displace the guide unit 51. The displacement unit 52 includes two gears 521 and 522, and a rack 523. The gear 521 is configured to mesh with a gear (not shown) provided on the rotating shaft member 621 of the cover 62 and the gear 522, thereby transmitting the rotational force of the cover 62 to the gear 522. The gear 522 transmits the rotational force transmitted from the gear 521 to the rack 523. The rack 523 converts the rotational force transmitted from the gear 522 into linear motion to displace the guide unit 51. Note that the configuration of the displacement unit 52 is an example, and any configuration that can displace the guide unit 51 can be appropriately adopted.

<Operation of variable guide member>
The operation of the variable guide member 5 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the cover portion 6 and the variable guide member 5, and shows a schematic diagram of a state in which the cover 61 is closed and the cover 62 is open.

In the state shown in FIG. 3, i.e., when the cover 62 is closed, the guide portion 51 is in the retracted position. In this embodiment, the retracted position is a position above the inlet 210. However, the retracted position may also be a position where the guide portion 51 enters the interior of the housing 2 (a position below the inlet 210) to the extent that the guide portion 51 does not interfere with the transport path PR of the roll sheet R.

When the cover 62 is opened, the cover 62 rotates clockwise around the rotating shaft member 621 when viewed in the directions of Figures 3 and 4. Accordingly, the gear 521 rotates counterclockwise, the gear 522 rotates clockwise, and the rack 523 moves downward. That is, in this embodiment, the rotation of the cover 62 is transmitted to the rack 523 via the two gears 521 and 522, and the rotational force of the cover 62 is converted into a downward movement of the guide part 51. When the cover 62 is closed, the opposite of when it is opened, the cover 62 rotates counterclockwise when viewed in the directions of Figures 3 and 4, causing the guide part 51 to move upward.

When the cover 62 is opened, the guide portion 51 is displaced to the guide position as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the guide portion 51 is located between the area 211 of the inlet 210 and the pair of transport rollers 41 at the guide position. More specifically, the guide portion 51 guides the transport of the cut sheet C between the area 211 and the transport path P formed by the guide member 9 at the guide position. Furthermore, the guide portion 51 being located at the guide position forms the transport path PC for the cut sheet C.

As described above, in this embodiment, the variable guide member 5 guides the cut sheet C between the inlet 210 and the pair of transport rollers 41. This improves operability when setting the cut sheet C. In addition, the variable guide member 5 is configured to be displaceable between the retracted position and the guide position, which ensures a transport path for the rolled sheet R when the rolled sheet R is in use, while improving operability when setting the sheet when the cut sheet C is in use. On the other hand, by retracting the guide portion 51 to the retracted position when the rolled sheet R is in use, interference between the rolled sheet R and the guide portion 51 can be avoided.

In addition, in this embodiment, cut sheets C can be set by opening the cover 62, so there is no need to open the relatively large cover 61 when using cut sheets C, reducing the operational burden on the user. Also, the guide section 51 moves from the retracted position to the guide position in conjunction with the opening of the cover 62, reducing the operational burden on the user. This further improves operability when setting cut sheets C. Also, when the user finishes using cut sheets C and closes the cover 62, the guide section 51 retracts to the retracted position in conjunction with this. Therefore, there is no need to perform operations such as putting away the guide section 51 when using roll sheet R thereafter, reducing the operational burden on the user.

Also, from a certain side view, in the state of FIG. 4, the cover portion 6, i.e., the cover 61 and the cover 62, function as a guide for the cut sheet above the housing 2. The guide portion 51 can be said to be displaced so as to extend from the side of the cover portion 6 that functions as a guide to the side of the guide member 9. Furthermore, since the recording device 1 of this embodiment cannot provide a fixed guide member for the cut sheet C at a position that interferes with the transport path PR, a gap is created between the cover portion 6 that functions as a guide and the guide member 9. However, in this embodiment, the guide portion 51 extends to fill this gap when the cover 62 is opened, so that a guide with a small gap is formed overall. This improves operability when the user sets the cut sheet C.

Second Embodiment
A recording device according to the second embodiment will be described below. Note that descriptions that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the cover 62 and the variable guide member 505 are provided on the cover 61 side. In the second embodiment, the cover 562 and the variable guide member 505 are provided on the housing 2 side.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the cover 506 and the variable guide member 505 according to one embodiment, and shows a schematic diagram of the cover 561 and the cover 562 in a closed state. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the cover 506 and the variable guide member 505 according to one embodiment, and shows a schematic diagram of the cover 561 and the cover 562 in an open state.

In this embodiment, the cover 562 is provided to be rotatable with respect to the housing 2 between a closed position shown in FIG. 5 and an open position shown in FIG. 6. The variable guide member 505 is provided to be extendable downward from the cover 562 when the cover 562 is in the open position. FIG. 7 is a view of the variable guide member 505 as viewed from the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 6. The variable guide member 505 is provided to be slidable in the direction of the surface formed by the cover 562. In this embodiment, the variable guide member 505 has convex portions 5051 at both ends in the width direction, and the variable guide member 505 slides as the convex portions 5051 move along sliding grooves (not shown) provided in the cover 562.

According to this embodiment, the variable guide member 505 can be provided with a simpler configuration. Furthermore, if the cut sheet C is sufficiently long in the conveying direction, the cut sheet C can be cut without operating the variable guide member 505, reducing the user's workload.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to disclose the scope of the invention.

1 Recording device, 4 Transport unit, 5 Variable guide member, 6 Cover part

Claims (4)

A support means for supporting the roll sheet so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis;
a housing having an inlet formed on an upper surface thereof for introducing a sheet pulled out from the roll sheet supported by the supporting means ;
a conveying roller for conveying the sheet or cut sheet introduced from the introduction port toward a recording means;
a first cover for covering the roll sheet supported by the supporting means;
a guide member provided on the first cover and displaceable between a guide position where the cut sheet is guided from the introduction port to the conveying roller and a retracted position where the cut sheet is retracted from a conveying path of the sheet ;
the support means supports the roll sheet such that the rotation axis is located above the upper surface,
the inlet includes an introduction area into which the cut sheet can be introduced when the first cover is closed,
The recording device further comprises a second cover which covers the introduction area . 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member is displaced from the retracted position to the guide position in conjunction with the second cover being opened when the second cover is in a closed state. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cover is provided on the first cover. the housing further includes a discharge port on a downstream side in a conveying direction of the roll sheet,
the support means is provided on the opposite side to the side on which the discharge port is provided in the conveying direction,
4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cut sheet is guided to the transport roller from a downstream side in the transport direction of the roll sheet supported by the supporting means.

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