US20070096386A1 - Printer with sheet returning mechanism - Google Patents
Printer with sheet returning mechanism Download PDFInfo
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- US20070096386A1 US20070096386A1 US11/554,691 US55469106A US2007096386A1 US 20070096386 A1 US20070096386 A1 US 20070096386A1 US 55469106 A US55469106 A US 55469106A US 2007096386 A1 US2007096386 A1 US 2007096386A1
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- roller
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- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 121
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H31/00—Pile receivers
- B65H31/02—Pile receivers with stationary end support against which pile accumulates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
- B41J13/0009—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets control of the transport of the copy material
- B41J13/0045—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets control of the transport of the copy material concerning sheet refeed sections of automatic paper handling systems, e.g. intermediate stackers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/04—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H31/00—Pile receivers
- B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
- B65H31/36—Auxiliary devices for contacting each article with a front stop as it is piled
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
- B65H2801/06—Office-type machines, e.g. photocopiers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a printer for printing on a sheet.
- the printer of the present invention is a generic name of a device comprising: a head which prints characters, graphics, photographic images or the like on a sheet; a storage which stores a plurality of sheets to be printed in a stacked condition; and a transfer which sends a piece of sheet from the storage to the head.
- a printer with a single function but also a copying device, a facsimile device, a composite device (or a multifunction device) and the like comprising the head, the storage and the transfer are also the printer of this application.
- the storage has a rear wall, and an edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head abuts the rear wall.
- the sheet being returned to the storage is stored in the storage again.
- the returned sheet may be used for figure printing.
- a printer of the invention includes a head for printing on a sheet; a storage for storing a plurality of sheets in a stacked condition; and a transfer for sending a piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially and returning the piece of sheet from the head to the storage.
- the storage includes a rear wall. An edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head abuts the rear wall and movement of the sheet being returned to the storage is stopped by the rear wall.
- at least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the rear wall
- a top surface of the projection is inclined such that the top surface at a distal end of the projection is lower than the top surface at a root of the projection, and a bottom surface of the projection is substantially horizontal or inclined such that the bottom surface at the distal end of the projection is lower than the bottom surface at the root of the projection.
- the projection formed on the inner surface of the rear wall works as a stopper for stopping further movement of the sheet being returned to the storage.
- FIG. 30 when the projection 5 c is formed on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b , and the bottom surface 5 e of the projection 5 c is inclined such that the bottom surface 5 e at the distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the bottom surface 5 e at the root 5 g of the projection 5 c , the edge PE of sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to abut the bottom surface 5 e of the projection 5 c .
- the sheet P tends to move from the distal end 5 f to the root 5 g , being guided by the bottom surface 5 e of the projection 5 c
- the sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to move as shown in P 1 ⁇ P 2 ⁇ P 3 and the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to move as shown in PE 1 ⁇ PE 2 ⁇ PE 3 and reaches the root 5 g of the projection 5 c .
- the edge PE of the sheet P reaches the root 5 g of the projection 5 c , further movement of the sheet P is prohibited, and the sheet P is prevented from leaping over the rear wall 5 b of the storage S.
- the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S abuts a top surface 5 d of the projection 5 c , the movement of the sheet P may not be stopped even though the edge PE reaches the root 5 i of the top surface 5 d .
- the sheet P abuts the bottom surface of another projection located above before leaping over the rear wall 5 b , therefore, leaping over of the sheet P is prevented by the projections 5 c .
- a plurality of projections 5 c is formed on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b.
- the top surface 5 d of the projection 5 c is inclined such that the top surface 5 d at the distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the top surface 5 d at the root 5 i of the projection 5 c . Therefore, the sheet that is located above the projection 5 c may slip down along the top surface 5 d .
- the projection 5 c does not prevent the plurality of sheets from being stored in the storage S in the stacked fashion.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a multifunction device of a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a lower section case, excluding an upper section case, is viewed from the back;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a substantial part in which a paper cassette is installed in the multifunction device
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged side view in the vicinity of a printing region
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the paper cassette and a supply unit
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cut-out section in which the paper cassette is installed in the multifunction device
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a printing unit in which a guide plate and platen on a back side thereof are removed;
- FIG. 9 is a figure taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing power transmission switching means
- FIG. 11 is a front view: showing a state in which modes are switched by the power transmission switching means
- FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the modes are switched by the power transmission switching means
- FIG. 13 is a figure showing power transmission in an intermittent feeding mode (first mode) when a sheet is fed;
- FIG. 14 is a figure showing power transmission in the intermittent feeding mode at the time of printing
- FIG. 15 is a figure showing power transmission in a continuous feeding mode (second mode) when a sheet is fed;
- FIG. 16 is a figure showing power transmission in the continuous feeding mode at the time of printing
- FIG. 17 is a figure showing power transmission in the continuous feeding mode when feeding a subsequent sheet P 1 ;
- FIG. 18 is a figure showing a sheet-discharging process in the continuous feeding mode
- FIG. 19 is a figure showing a sheet-returning process in the continuous feeding mode
- FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a control unit
- FIG. 21 is a flowchart for controlling the printing operation
- FIG. 22 is a flowchart for discharging or returning a sheet in the continuous feeding mode
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a first slider (first block) and a second slider (second block);
- FIG. 24 is a perspective view in which the first block and the second block are combined
- FIG. 25 is a front view in which the first block and the second block are shallowly geared with each other;
- FIG. 26 is a front view in which the first block and the second block are deeply geared with each other;
- FIG. 27 is a simplified cross sectional view of the sheet cassette
- FIG. 28 shows the plurality of sheets stacked in the sheet cassette
- FIG. 29 shows another example of the plurality of sheets stacked in the sheet cassette
- FIG. 30 shows a detail of an example of a projection
- FIG. 31 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 32 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 33 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 34 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 35 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 36 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 37 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 38 shows another example of projections
- FIG. 39 shows another example of projection
- FIG. 40 shows another example of projection
- FIG. 41 shows another example of projection
- FIG. 42 shows another example of projection
- FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the entire multifunction device of a second embodiment
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view showing an exterior of a multifunction device 1 which comprises a facsimile function, print function, copy function, and scanner function.
- the multifunction device 1 comprises a sheet sending mechanism for sending a sheet and a printing mechanism for printing characters, graphics, photographic images or the like (generically referred to as “graphic pattern” hereinafter) on the sheet which is sent by the sheet sending mechanist and provides the sheet printed with the graphic pattern to a user.
- the multifunction device 1 has a lower section case 2 and an upper section case 3 .
- the lower section case 2 is substantially in the form of a box in which an upper surface thereof is opened.
- the upper section case 3 is connected to a left side face of the lower section case 2 via a hinge (not shown), and can be rotated from the position thereof shown in FIG. 1 , in a direction of the arrow 202 around a rotation axis 200 .
- the upper section case 3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 202 , the inside of the lower section case 2 can be viewed from the outside.
- the lower section case 2 and the upper section case 3 are injection-molded articles made of synthetic resin.
- an X-direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as “front-and-back direction”, a Y-direction is referred to as “horizontal direction”, and a Z-direction is referred to as “vertical direction”.
- An operation panel 30 is disposed on an upper face front section of the upper section case 3 .
- the operation panel 30 is provided with various buttons such as a numeric button, a start button, and a function section button so that various operations can be performed by pressing these buttons.
- the operation panel 30 is farther provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 on which the setting status of the multifunction device 1 , various operation messages and the like are displayed according to need.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- a scanner device 33 is disposed inside the upper section case 3 .
- the scanner device 33 comprises a glass plate (not shown) for placing a script, a graphic pattern reading section (not shown) disposed directly below the glass plate, and a cover body 34 for covering an upper face of the glass plate.
- the cover body 34 can be rotated from the position thereof shown in FIG. 1 , in a direction of the arrow 206 around a rotation axis 204 . When the cover body 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 206 , the glass plate is exposed so that a script can be placed on the glass plate.
- the graphic pattern reading section comprises a contact image sensor (CIS), which extends in the X direction in the figure, is guided by a rail which is not shown, and can reciprocally be moved in a direction of a Y-axis.
- the graphic pattern reading section uses the contact image sensor to read a graphic pattern on a script which is placed on the glass plate.
- the facsimile function When the facsimile function is selected, information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to a facsimile device through a telephone line, the facsimile device being a transmission destination.
- the copy function information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to the printing mechanism incorporated in the multifunction device 1 , and the graphic pattern which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is printed on a sheet.
- the scanner function information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to a computer which is not shown.
- Position holding means is provided in order to rotate the upper section case 3 significantly around the rotation axis 200 and maintain the state where the interior of the lower section case 2 is exposed.
- the position holding means comprises a supporting rod (not shown) and a guide rail (not shown).
- One end of the supporting rod is installed in the vicinity a point 208 of the lower section case 2 and can be oscillated with respect to the lower section case 2 .
- the guide rail extends in the Y-direction along a lower surface on the back edge of the upper section case 3 .
- a groove extending in the Y-direction is formed on the guide rail.
- a guide pin is fixed on the other end of the supporting rod and inserted in the groove.
- An engaging section (not shown) for inhibiting the guide pin from sliding is formed in the vicinity of the point 208 of the groove.
- a paper cassette 5 is provided at the central section in the horizontal direction of the lower section case 2 .
- the paper cassette 5 is configured such that it can be withdrawn with respect to an opening section 2 a formed on a front surface of the lower section case 2 .
- a plurality of sheets P are stored in a stacked fashion in the paper cassette 5 .
- Sheets, which are not printed with the graphic patterns, are stored in the paper cassette 5 .
- a separating inclined surface 8 which is formed of a material having a high frictional coefficient, is prepared on a front wall of the paper cassette 5 .
- the sheet sending mechanism is stored in the lower section case 2 .
- the sheet sending mechanism comprises a supply unit 6 , a sheet guide 9 , a pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b , a tabular platen 11 , and a pair of feed-out rolIers 21 a , 21 b .
- the printing mechanism is stored in the lower section case 2 as well.
- a printing unit 10 is disposed in an upper part of the platen 11 .
- a space through which the sheet P can pass is secured between the printing unit 10 and the platen 11 , and this space is a printing region 210 .
- the supply unit 6 comprises the supply roller 7 .
- the sheet guide 9 extends in U shape and guides the sheet P. which is sent from the paper cassette 5 by the supply roller 7 , toward a space between the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , and 20 b .
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b causes the sheet P to pass through the printing region 210 which is secured between the printing unit 10 and the platen 11 , and sends the sheet P to a space between the pair of feed-out rollers 21 a and 21 b .
- the pair of feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b sends the sheet P to the position located above the paper cassette 5 .
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b is positioned on an upstrean side of the printing unit 10 and platen 11
- the pair of feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b is positioned on a downstream side of the printing unit 10 and platen 11 .
- the printing unit 10 sprays ink droplets onto the sheet P which passes through the space 210 between the printing unit 10 and the platen 11 to print the graphic pattern on the sheet P.
- the printing unit 10 sprays the ink droplets onto the sheet P to print the graphic pattern thereon while the sheet P passes through the printing region 210 .
- the printing unit 10 comprises a frame 39 formed of a metal plate, a carriage 13 , a timing belt 25 which reciprocates the carriage 13 in the Y-direction, and a carriage motor 24 (“CR motor” hereinafter) for rotating the timing belt 25 .
- a printing head 12 is mounted on the carriage 13 .
- the frame 39 is disposed on the upper section of the paper cassette 5 on the back of the lower section case 2 .
- the frame 39 is made of metal plate and comprises, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , a bottom surface 39 a extending in the Y-axis direction, a left wall 39 b which is standing upward from a left end of the bottom surface 39 a , a right wall 39 c which is standing upward from a right end of the bottom surface 39 a , a front side guide place 41 which connects the left wall 39 b and the right wall 39 c , and a backside guide plate 40 which connects the left wall 39 b and the right wall 39 c .
- the front side guide place 41 and the backside guide plate 40 extend in the Y-direction.
- the timing belt 25 which is wrapped around pulleys 25 a and 25 b , is disposed on an upper surface of the guide plate 41 .
- the timing belt 25 extends in a main scanning direction (Y-axis direction).
- the carriage 13 is coupled on a part of the timing belt 25 .
- the pulley 25 a is rotated by the CR motor 24 .
- the carriage 13 and the printing head 12 are caused to reciprocate in the Y-direction by a reciprocal rotation of the CR motor 24 .
- a linear encoder (encoder strip) 37 extending in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction) is disposed on the upper surface of the guide plate 41 .
- the linear encoder 37 detects the position of the carriage 13 in the Y-axis direction.
- the linear encoder 37 has a strip-like shape, and a control surface thereof is formed with slits which are disposed at regular intervals in the Y-axis direction.
- the control surface of the linear encoder 37 is disposed along a vertical surface.
- the platen 11 is fixed onto the bottom surface 39 a of the frame 39 .
- a drive shaft 14 of the supply unit 6 is rotatably attached to the bottom surface 39 a of the frame 39 .
- the supply unit 6 comprises an arm 6 a which is rotatable around the drive shaft 14 , a torsion spring 38 which biases the arm 6 a in a clockwise direction, the supply roller 7 which is rotatably attached to a front end of the arm 6 a , and a mating gear train 50 for transmitting torque from the drive shaft 14 To the supply roller 7 (see FIG. 4 ).
- the arm 6 a Since the arm 6 a is rotatable around the drive shaft 14 , it does not interfere with a sliding motion of the paper cassette S.
- the supply roller 7 contacts with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet P of the plurality of sheets stored in the paper cassette 5 .
- the supply roller 7 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the uppermost sheet P is taken out from the paper cassette S, guided by the sheet guide 9 and travels toward the space between the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a and 20 b .
- the supply roller 7 When the supply roller 7 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the sheet P that has been taken out from the paper cassette 5 is returned to the paper cassette 5 .
- the paper cassette 5 (the storage) includes a rear wall 5 b that abuts rear edges of sheets stacked in the paper cassette 5
- the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b abuts the rear edge of the sheet being returned to the paper cassette 5 from the printing head 12 .
- a plurality of projections 5 c is formed on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b .
- Each of the projections 5 c extends horizontally on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b .
- the projections 5 c are distributed from an upper portion to a lower portion of the rear wall 5 b .
- a top surface 5 d of each projection 5 c is inclined such that the top surface 5 d at a distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the top surface 5 d at a root 5 i of the projection 5 c .
- a bottom surface 5 h of each projection 5 c may be substantially horizontal.
- a bottom surface 5 e of each projection 5 c may be inclined such that the bottom surface 5 e at the distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the bottom surface 5 c at the root 5 g of the projection 5 c.
- the sheet P is sent to right side in FIG. 28 .
- the right side in FIG. 28 is referred to the front side
- the left side is referred to the rear side.
- At least one projection is formed at level that is higher than a height of the uppermost sheet when maximum number of sheets are stacked in the sheet cassette 5 .
- the height of the rear wall 5 b is higher than the height of the stack of the maximum number of sheets, there may be a space between the highest projection 5 c and the top edge of the rear wall 5 b.
- each projection 5 c has a triangular shape.
- the cross section of projections 5 c has a saw teeth shape.
- a cross sectional area of each projection 5 c along a plane that is vertical and parallel to the rear wall 5 b is reduced from the root to the distal end of the projection.
- both end sections of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b are supported rotatably by the left wall 39 b and right wall 39 c of the frame 39 .
- Both end sections of the pair of feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are supported rotatably by the left wall 39 b and right wall 39 c of the frame 39 .
- the feed-in roller 20 a which is positioned above, is rotated by a motor which is described later.
- the feed-in roller 20 b which is positioned below, is pressed against the feed-in roller 20 a by a certain force.
- the feed-in roller 20 b also rotates with the rotation of the feed-in roller 20 a .
- the feed-in roller 20 a is a feed-in drive roller 20 a
- the feed-in roller 20 b is a feed-in driven roller 20 b.
- the feed-out roller 21 a which is positioned below, is rotated by the motor which is described later.
- the feed-out roller 21 b which is positioned above, is pressed against the feed-out roller 21 a by a certain force.
- the feed-out rollers 21 b also rotates with the rotation of the feed-out roller 21 a .
- the feed-out roller 21 a is a feed-out drive roller 21 a
- the feed-out roller 21 b is a feed-out driven roller 21 b.
- the speed of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b to send the sheet P is faster than the speed of the supply roller 7 to send the sheet P. Since the power of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b to send the sheet P is stronger than the power of the supply roller 7 to send the sheet P, when a piece of sheet P is sent by both the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the supply roller 7 , the sheet P is sent at the sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b . The sheet P slides with respect to the supply roller 7 . The sending speed of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b to send the sheet P is equal to the sending speed of the pair of feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b to send the sheet P.
- a plurality of nozzles for injecting black ink droplets, a plurality of nozzles for injecting cyan ink droplets a plurality of nozzles for injecting magenta ink droplets, and a plurality of nozzles for injecting yellow ink droplets are formed on the lower surface of the printing head 12 .
- the printing head 12 is mounted on the carriage 13 and moves in the Y-direction.
- the sheet P. onto which the ink droplets are sprayed, is sent in the upper section of the platen 11 in the X-direction by the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b .
- any color of ink droplets can be sprayed onto any position on the sheet P. and thereby any graphic pattern can be printed on the sheet P.
- ink cartridges 26 for supplying inks to the printing head 12 are stored in the lower section case 2 .
- the ink cartridges 26 are configured so as to be detachable from above with respect to a storage section 27 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ) which is formed in a position far away from the rotation axis 200 shown in FIG. 1 .
- a storage section 27 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 ) which is formed in a position far away from the rotation axis 200 shown in FIG. 1 .
- an ink cartridge storing the black ink an ink cartridge storing the cyan ink, an ink cartridge storing the magenta ink, and an ink cartridge storing the yellow ink are used. More ink cartridges may be used.
- Each of the ink cartridges 26 and the printing head 12 is connected with each other by a flexible ink tube 28 .
- an ink receiving section 35 is provided in a section which is located outside the width of a sheet P to be conveyed (short side of the sheet P) and in the vicinity of the left wall 39 b of the frame 39 .
- a maintaining mechanism 36 is provided in a section which is located outside the width of the sheet P to be conveyed and in the vicinity of the right wall 39 c of the frame 39 .
- the printing head 12 periodically discharges ink to the ink receiving section 35 in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles.
- the ink, which is discharged to prevent the clogging, is received at the ink receiving section 35 .
- a cap section 36 a covers a nozzle surface of the printing head 12 from below to prevent the ink from drying in the nozzles of the printing head 12 .
- a recovery process and the like are performed in which a suction pump (not shown) is activated to draw the ink from the nozzles and air bubbles are removed from a buffer tank (not shown) provided on the printing head 12 .
- the carriage 13 travels, in the Y-direction, back and forth between a position existing in an upper section of the ink receiving section 35 and a position existing on an upper section of the maintaining mechanism 36 .
- the position existing in the upper section of the ink receiving section 35 is called “first end”, and the position existing in the upper section of the maintaining mechanism 36 is called “second end”.
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a , feed-out drive roller 21 a supply roller 7 , and maintaining mechanism 36 are driven by the same motor (LF motor) 42 .
- the LF motor 42 is disposed at a left end section of the frame 39 .
- a shaft of the LF motor 42 penetrates through the left wall 39 b of the frame 39 and extends to the outside of the frame 39 .
- a pinion 43 a is fixed to the shaft of the LF motor 42 .
- Gears 43 b , 43 c and 43 d are rotatably supported outside of the left wall 39 b.
- the gear 43 b is geared with the pinion 43 a .
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a is fixed to the gear 43 b .
- the gear 43 d is geared with the pinion 43 a via the intermediate gear 43 c .
- the feed-out drive roller 21 a is fixed to the gear 43 d .
- the feed-out drive roller 21 a rotates.
- the gear 43 b and the gear 43 d rotate in the counter direction. Therefore, the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-out drive roller 21 a also rotate in the counter direction.
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a abuts on the top surface of the sheet P and the feed-out drive roller 21 a abuts on the bottom surface of sheet P. Therefore, if the direction of rotation of the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-out drive roller 21 a is reversed, the sending direction of the sheet P by the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the sending direction of the sheet P by the feed-out drive roller 21 a become the same direction.
- the LF motor 42 is a DC motor and can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.
- a gear 101 is fixed to the feed-in drive roller 20 a within a range located at a right end section of the feed-in drive roller 20 a , i.e. the upper section of the maintaining mechanism 36 .
- the gear 101 is geared with one of three gears 113 , 114 and 115 disposed adjacent to the gear 101 , and rotates one of the three gears 113 , 114 and 115 .
- Power transmission switching means 100 selects a gear to be engaged with the gear 101 .
- a movement of the carriage 13 in the Y-direction is used to select the gear to be engaged with the gear 101 by means of the power transmission switching means 100 .
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in the reverse direction and in a direction of returning the sheet to the sheet guide 9 .
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction and in a direction of sending the sheet to the printing region 210 .
- the supply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction, the sheet is taken out from the cassette and sent to the sheet guide 9 .
- the supply roller 7 rotates in the reverse direction, the sheet is returned to the cassette 5 .
- a rotary encoder 44 which rotates integrally with the gear 43 b is provided.
- the amount of sheet P conveyed by the feed-in roller 20 a can be detected by the rotary encoder 44 .
- the CR motor 24 and LF motor 42 can be rotated in forward and reverse directions.
- the power transmission switching means 100 selects any of an intermittent feeding mode, a continuous feeding mode, and a maintenance mode.
- the intermittent feeding mode when the LF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, the supply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction.
- the continuous feeding mode when the LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, the supply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction.
- the maintenance mode the torque of the LF motor 42 is transmitted to the maintaining mechanism 36 .
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of returning the sheet to the sheet guide 9
- the supply roller 7 rotates in a direction of taking the sheet out from the cassette and sending it to the sheet guide 9 .
- the LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction.
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of sending the sheet to the printing region 210
- the supply roller 7 rotates in a direction. of returning the sheet to the cassette.
- the sheet is sent to the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b by the supply roller 7 . Since the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b is rotated in the reverse direction, the sheet cannot enter between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b . The front edge of the sheet is aligned with a contact line with which the feed-in drive roller and the feed-in driven roller contact. The pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b rotating in the reverse direction exerts a fiction providing the front edge of the sheet in a certain position.
- the LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction in the intermittent feeding mode, the sheet is sent to the printing region 210 by the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b . In this state, the sheet slides with respect to the supply roller 7 .
- the LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction the supply roller 7 rotates in the direction of taking out the sheet from the cassette and sending it to the sheet guide 9 , and the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of sending the sheet to the printing region 210 .
- the torque of the LF motor 42 is transmitted to the feed-in drive roller 20 a via deceleration gear 43 b .
- the gear 101 is fixed to a right end section of the feed-in drive roller 20 a (upper section of the maintaining mechanism 36 ).
- a switching gear 102 which is always engaged with the gear 101 , is provided at a position adjacent to the gear 101 .
- the switching gear 102 is slidable with respect to a spindle 103 extending in the Y-axis direction.
- a first block 104 (first slider) and a second block 105 (second slider) are slidable with respect to the spindle 103 .
- the switching gear 102 , first block 104 , and second block 105 are slidable with respect to the spindle 103 independently of other members.
- the first block 104 contacts with or separates from the switching gear 102 .
- the second block 105 contacts with or separates from the first block 104 .
- the switching gear 102 and the first block 104 are rotatable with respect to the spindle 103 , and the second block 105 is prohibited to rotate with respect to the spindle 103 .
- a surface with which the first block 104 and the second block 105 contact is inclined to the spindle 103 .
- the first block 104 rotates around the spindle 103 .
- An abutting piece 104 a protruding upward is fixed to the first block 104 .
- the abutting piece 104 a moves from top to bottom, in FIG. 11 .
- a plate-like engaging plate 104 b is provided between a base section 104 c of the first block 104 and the abutting piece 104 a extending from the base section 104 c in a radial outer direction.
- a section facing the engaging plate 104 b in the base section 105 a is provided with a notch section 105 b in which the engaging plate 104 b is buried.
- One surface of the notch section 105 b is formed as an abutting surface 105 c inclining from the center of radius of the base section 105 a to the outside the radius of same.
- the second block 105 is provided with a pair of corner sections 105 d extending in the radial outer direction from the base section 105 a .
- the pair of corner sections 105 d is provided so as to be able to abut on a bottom surface of the guide plate 41 on the downstream side so that the second block 105 does not rotate around the spindle 103 .
- the base section 104 c of the first block 104 is formed so as to be buried in an inner diameter of the base section 105 a of the second block 105 .
- the position of the first block 104 is forcibly caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow D (see FIG. 24 ). If the first block 104 rotates, the abutting piece 104 a also rotates. When the first block 104 rotates in the direction of the arrow D, the abutting piece 104 a moves from top to bottom in FIG. 11 .
- a first biasing spring 106 a is disposed around the spindle 103 .
- the first biasing spring 106 a presses the second block 105 in the direction of the arrow C.
- a second biasing spring 106 b is disposed around the spindle 103 .
- the second biasing spring 106 b presses the switching gear 102 in the direction of the arrow E.
- the biasing force of the first biasing spring 106 a is larger than the biasing force of the second biasing sp ng 106 b.
- a first engaging step section 13 a and a second engaging step section 13 b are formed in the carriage 13 .
- the carriage 13 moves in the direction of the arrow E, the abutting piece 104 a of the first block 104 is engaged with either the first engaging step section 13 a or the second engaging step section 13 b.
- a guide block 107 is fixed to the frame 39 .
- a guide groove 109 is formed in the guide block 107 , and the abutting piece 104 a of the first block 104 is buried in the guide groove 109 .
- the guide groove 109 comprises a horizontal groove section 109 a which is elongated in the direction indicated by the arrows C and E (Y axis), and an inclined groove section 109 b which is communicated with a left end section of the horizontal groove section 109 a .
- a regulating piece 110 which extends downward from an upper section of the guide block 107 is inserted in a central section of the inclined groove section 109 b .
- the regulating piece 110 is elongated in the direction indicated with the arrows C and E.
- the inclined groove section 109 b is provided with a stair-like first set section 111 and second set section 112 .
- a first wall 216 which is provided with the first set section 111 and second set section 112 , and a second wall 218 extending to the opposite side are formed on the inclined groove section 109 b .
- the first set section 111 and the second set section 112 are formed on the first wall 216 , while no set section is formed on the second wall 218 .
- the carriage 13 when the carriage 13 is located in a position facing the sheet P, the carriage 13 is away from the maintaining mechanism 36 and does not press the abutting piece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E.
- the first biasing spring 106 a causes the second block 105 , first block 104 and switching gear 102 to slide along the spindle 103 in the direction of the arrow C.
- the abutting piece 104 a is positioned at the first set section 111 . This position is called “position 1 ” (Po 1 ).
- the switching gear 102 is engaged with the intermittent feeding gear 113 .
- the first engaging step section 13 a of the carriage 13 presses the abutting piece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E.
- the switching gear 102 , the first block 104 , and the second block 105 are caused to slide along the spindle 103 in the direction of the arrow E. Since the first block 104 is pressed by the second block 105 from the right side, the abutting piece 104 a is pressed against a lower wall (first wall 216 ) of the inclined groove 109 b .
- the abutting piece 104 a When the carriage 13 presses the abutting piece 104 a up to the position corresponding to the second set section 112 , the abutting piece 104 a is moved down to enter the second set section 112 .
- the position where the abutting piece 104 a enters the second set section 112 is called “position 2 ” (Po 2 ).
- the switching gear 102 In the case of the position 2 , the switching gear 102 is engaged with the continuous feeding gear 114 . This state is shown in FIG. 10 .
- the first engaging step section 13 a of the carriage 13 presses the abutting piece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E.
- the pressed abutting piece 104 a proceeds to the horizontal groove section 109 a from the inclined groove section 109 b .
- the second engaging step section 13 b of the carriage 13 presses the abutting piece 104 a .
- the switching gear 102 , intermittent feeding gear 113 , continuous feeding gear 114 and maintenance gear 115 are all spur gears, and a bevel gear 115 a having a large diameter is fixed to a side surface of the maintenance gear 115 .
- a side surface of the switching gear 102 abuts on the bevel gear 115 a , whereby the switching gear 102 is inhibited from moving any further in the direction of the arrow E and thus continues to be engaged with the maintenance gear 115 .
- the abutting piece 104 a is pressed by the second engaging step section 13 b of the carriage 13 and then positioned at a back end section of the horizontal groove section 109 a (right end section shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 ). This position is called “position 4 ” (Po 4 ) and is a home position (original position). In this state, the switching gear 102 and the first block 104 are separated from each other.
- the abutting piece 104 a moves from the horizontal groove section 109 a to the inclined groove section 109 b .
- the abutting piece 104 a is received by a step between the first engaging step section 13 a and the second engaging step section 13 b of the carriage 13 , thus the abutting piece 104 a moves above the regulating piece 110 of FIG. 11 in the direction of the arrow C.
- the abutting piece 104 a abuts on a left inclined surface of the inclining groove section 109 b shown in FIG.
- the abutting piece 104 a moves from the position 1 to the position 2 , from the position 2 to the position 3 , from the position 3 to the position 4 , and from the position 4 to the position 1 .
- the carriage 13 repeats the movement of moving to the right end in the E direction and then moving in the C direction, while the abutting piece 104 a repeats the cycle of moving from the position 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 ⁇ 1 .
- the switching gear 102 is held at the position 1 .
- the switching gear 102 is held in the position 2 .
- the position 3 (Po 3 ) is both stand-by position and maintenance position.
- the carriage 13 stops at an upper position of the maintaining mechanism 36 and the power transmission switching means 100 is at the position 3 .
- the maintenance gear 115 is geared with the feed-in drive roller 20 a via the switching gear 102 .
- the cap section 36 a of the maintaining mechanism 36 rises and covers The nozzle surface of the printing head 12 from below. Accordingly, the ink is prevented from drying in the nozzles of the printing head 12 .
- the maintaining mechanism 36 is provided with a suction pump (not shown), and when the LF motor 42 rotates in the state where the power transmission switching means 100 is at the position 3 and the maintenance gear 115 is geared with the feed-in drive roller 20 a via the switching gear 102 , the LF motor 42 activates the suction pump.
- the suction pump of the maintaining mechanism 36 is activated, air bubbles which are mixed in the buffer tank provided on the printing head 12 are removed, thus the ability of discharging the ink from the nozzles is maintained.
- the position 1 (Po 1 ) where the switching gear 102 is geared with the intermittent feeding gear 113 is configured such that, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the torque of the LF motor 42 is transmitted to the drive shaft 14 provided at a rear end of the arm 6 a , via two intermediate gears 119 a and 119 b , and the supply roller 7 is rotated via the gear train 50 . In this state, when the LF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, the supply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction.
- the position 2 (Po 2 ) where the switching gear 102 is geared with the continuous feeding gear 114 is configured such that, as shown in FIG. 15 through FIG. 17 , the torque of the LF motor 42 is transmitted to the drive shaft 14 provided at the rear end of the arm 6 a , via one intermediate gear 120 , and the supply roller 7 is rotated via the gear train 50 .
- the supply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction.
- a roller 50 is disposed between the printing head 12 and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b .
- the roller 50 presses the sheet P against the platen 11 . Since the roller 50 is provided, the sheet P is not brought into contact slidingly with the nozzle surface of the printing head 12 , thus the sheet P is prevented from being stained.
- a sheet sensor 116 for sensing the presence of the sheet P is provided on an upstream side of the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b .
- the sheet sensor 116 detects a point of time at which the front edge of the sheet P reaches the-sheet sensor 116 and a point of time at which the back edge of the sheet P separates from the sheet sensor 116 .
- a control section (control means) of the multifunction device 1 is described next with reference to FIG. 20 .
- the control section is for controlling the entire operation of the multifunction device 1 .
- the control section is configured as a computer comprising mainly as a CPU 300 , ROM 301 , RAM 302 , and EEPROM 303 , and is connected to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 306 via a bus 305 .
- ASIC application specific integrated circuit
- the ROM 301 has stored therein a program and the like for controlling various operations of the multifunction device 1 , and the RAM 302 is used as a storage region for temporally storing various data items which are used when the CPU 300 executes these programs.
- An NCU (Network Control Unit) 317 is connected to the ASIC 306 , and a communication signal which is inputted from a public circuit via the NCU 317 is demodulated by a MODEM 318 and then inputted to the ASIC 306 . Furthermore, when the ASIC 306 transmits image data to the outside by means of facsimile transmission or the like, the image data is modulated by the MODEM 318 and then outputted to the public line via the NCU 317 .
- the ASIC 306 generates a phase excitation signal and the like which are communicated with, for example, the LF motor 42 in accordance with a command from the CPU 300 . These signals are provided to a drive circuit 311 of the LF motor 42 or a drive circuit 312 of the CR motor 24 , and a drive signal is communicated to the LF motor 42 or CR motor 24 via the drive circuit 311 or drive circuit 312 to control forward and reverse operation, stoppage and the like of the LF motor 42 and CR motor 24 .
- the scanner device 33 for reading images or characters on a script
- a panel interface 313 for performing transmission of signals with a keyboard 30 a and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 of the operation panel 30
- a parallel interface 315 for performing transmission of data with external equipment such as a personal computer via a parallel cable or USB cable, a USB interface 316 , and the like are connected to the ASIC 306 .
- a switch 118 for detecting a rotation position of a cam (not shown) of the maintaining mechanism 36 , the sheet sensor 116 for detecting the front edge position and the back edge position of the sheet P when the sheet P is fed so as to approach the printing region 210 via the sheet guide 9 , the rotary encoder 44 for detecting the amount of rotation of the feed-in roller 20 a , the linear encoder 37 for detecting the position (present position) of the carriage 13 in the Y-direction, and the like are connected to the ASIC 306 .
- a driver 314 is for selectively discharging the ink from the printing head 12 at a predetermined timing.
- the driver 314 receives a signal, which is generated in the ASIC 306 on the basis of a drive control procedure outputted from the CPU 300 and is then outputted, and drive-controls the printing head 12 .
- a pattern of feeding the sheet P is changed to either the first mode or the second mode.
- the first mode a plurality of sheets are sent intermittently to the printing region 210 .
- the first mode is an accurate mode in which printing precision is prioritized.
- the second mode a plurality of sheets is sent to the printing region 210 continuously and sequentially.
- the second mode is a speedy mode in which the printing speed is prioritized.
- control is started.
- the user presses a mode setting button of the operation panel 30 (not shown) to select either the first mode or the second mode.
- the first mode is selected
- the front edge of a sheet P which is sent by the supply roller 7
- a contact line 212 see FIG. 5
- the front edge of the sheet P is not sent toward the printing region 210 in the inclined state, and the position of the front edge of the sheet P and the control on the printing head 12 are synchronized, whereby a desired graphic pattern is printed on a desired location of the sheet P.
- the control section first checks the set mode (S 1 in FIG. 21 ). The control section then determines whether the set mode is the accurate mode (intermittent feeding mode) (S 2 ). If the set mode is the accurate mode (S 2 : yes), the flag is switched to the first mode (S 3 ). and the power transmission switching means 100 is set to the accurate mode (S 4 ). Specifically, the carriage 13 , which is stopped at the stand-by position indicated by the Po 3 in FIG. 12 , is moved significantly to the printing region 210 in the direction of the arrow C. Accordingly, the first block 104 which is pressed by the biasing spring 106 a is moved in the direction of the arrow C along the regulating piece 110 inside the inclining groove 109 b shown in FIG. 11 , then received by the first set section 111 and held at this position (position 1 (Po 1 ). In this state, the switching gear 102 is geared with the intermittent feeding gear 113 .
- the front edge of the sheet P is aligned with the contact line 212 (see FIG.5 ) between the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b . Even if the front edge of the sheet P sent by the supply roller 7 is inclined, the front edge of the sheet P is aligned with the contact line 212 between the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b.
- the LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction through an appropriate number of steps
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction (clockwise rotation in FIG. 14 )
- the sheet P between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b is sent toward the printing region 210 .
- the sheet P is sent by a predetermined distance after the LF motor 42 started rotation in the forward direction.
- the front edge of the sheet P is set at a print starting position inside the printing region 210 . This process is called “heading process”.
- the supply roller 7 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 14 ) during the heading process.
- the power of the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b sending the sheet P is set larger than the power of the supply roller 7 sending the sheet P
- the sheet P is sent by the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b
- the arm 6 a is oscillated in the counterclockwise direction around the drive shaft 14 .
- the power for pressing the sheet against the supply roller 7 weakens, thus the power for sending the sheet is not transmitted to the sheet even when the supply roller 7 is rotated.
- the sheet is caused to slide with respect to the supply roller 7 and released from the supply roller 7 .
- the carriage 13 is caused to move in the Y-direction and at the same time the ink is discharged from the nozzles of the printing head 12 onto a surface of the sheet P to print a graphic pattern thereon (S 6 in FIG. 21 ). While the carriage 13 moves in the Y-direction, the supply roller 7 , the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are stopped, therefore, the sheet P is stopped.
- the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are rotated in the forward direction by the predetermined distance, which is equal to a length of the printing region along X axis printed by the single path of the carriage. Movement of the carriage 13 and rotation of the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are performed alternately.
- the drive shaft 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the arm 6 a is oscillated upward.
- the power for pressing the sheet against the supply roller 7 weakens, thus the power for sending the sheet is not transmitted from the supply roller 7 to the sheet.
- the supply roller 7 rotates in a reverse direction while the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b rotate in the forward direction, the sheet is caused to slide with respect to the supply roller 7 and the sheet P is sent in the forward direction.
- the front edge of the sheet P was aligned with the contact line 212 between the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b when the LF motor 42 started the forward rotation. Therefore the position of the front edge of the sheet P during the forward rotation of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b is determined from elapsed time since the timing when the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b started the forward rotation.
- the operation of the printing head 12 is controlled based on that timing, the position of the font edge of the sheet P and the operation of the printing head 12 are synchronized, whereby a desired graphic pattern is printed on a desired location of the sheet P.
- next page it is determined whether printing data for a sheet (next page), which is described hereinafter, is present or not (S 11 ). If the print data exists or is stored (S 11 in FIG. 21 : yes), the process from the step S 5 through S 11 is repeated. In this manner, the sheets P are sent to the printing region 210 one by one. In this mode, a color picture, for example, can be printed accurately.
- the flag is set to the second mode (S 12 in FIG. 21 ). Specifically, the flag showing the second mode is stored in a predetermined region inside the RAM 302 .
- the power transmission switching means 100 is set to the second mode (S 13 ). In the second mode, the quality of a print it not important, but the printing speed is prioritized, thus a plurality of sheets P are continuously and sequentially sent to the printing region 210 .
- the power of the feed-in roller 20 a and the feed-in roller 20 b sending the sheets is set larger than the power of the supply roll 7 sending the sheets, and the circumferential speed of the feed-in roller 20 a is set higher than the circumferential speed of the supply roller 7 .
- the speed reduction ratio between the continuous feeding gear 114 and the intermediate gear 120 shown in FIG. 15 through FIG. 17 is set such that the circumferential speed of the feed-in roller 20 a is higher than the circumferential speed of the supply roller 7 .
- the carriage 13 In order to set the power transmission switching means 100 to the second mode (Sl 3 in FIG. 21 ), the carriage 13 is moved a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow E, as shown in FIG. 12 . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11 , the abutting piece 104 a is pressed in the E direction at the first engaging step section 13 a of the carriage 13 . The abutting piece 104 a is positioned at the second set section 112 (position 2 , Po 2 ) while moving the carriage 13 in the direction of the arrow E.
- the abutting piece 104 a By positioning the abutting section 104 a at the second set section 112 (position 2 , Po 2 ), even if the carriage 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow C thereafter, the abutting piece 104 a can be held at the second set section 112 .
- the switching gear 102 and the continuous feeding gear 114 are geared with each other, as shown in FIG. 15 through FIG. 17 , and the power is transmitted to the drive shaft 14 of the rear end of the arm 6 a via one intermediate gear 120 .
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 15 ), and the supply roller 7 also rotates in the forward direction.
- the supply roller 7 separates only one uppermost sheet P and sends it to the sheet guide 9 (S 14 in FIG. 21 ).
- the preceding sheet is sent by the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b with faster speed, and the subsequent sheet is sent by the supply roller 7 with slower speed, there is provided a space between the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet when the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet reach the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b.
- the printing operation onto the sheet P (S 15 in FIG. 21 ) is started when the amount of rotation of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b reaches a predetermined amount after the front edge of the sheet P is sensed by the sheet sensor 116 .
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b rotates by the predetermined amount after the sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the sheet P
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b stops rotation.
- the sheet is located at a print start position.
- the printing operation is stared (S 15 in FIG. 21 ) when the sheet is adjusted at the print start position.
- the carriage 13 In the printing operation, the carriage 13 is caused to move in the Y-direction and at the same time the ink is discharged from the nozzles of the printing head 12 onto a surface of the sheet P to print a graphic pattern thereon (SI 5 in FIG. 21 ). While the carriage 13 moves in the Y-direction, the supply roller 7 , the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are stopped, therefore, the sheet P is stopped.
- the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are rotated in the forward direction by the predetermined distance, which is equal to a length of the printing region along X axis printed by the single path of the carriage. Movement of the carriage 13 and rotation of the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b and the feed-out rollers 21 a , 21 b are performed alternately.
- the controller has an additional procedure that starts continuous rotation of the supply roller 7 and the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b at a timing when printing operation of a preceding sheet is completed (S 17 ). Accordingly, the preceding sheet (preceding page) is discharged, and the following sheet (subsequent page) is conveyed to the print starting position.
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b rotates by the predetermined amount after the sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the subsequent sheet P, the sheet is positioned at the print starting position.
- the supply roller 7 and the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b continues to rotate without stoppage until the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b rotates by the predetermined amount after the sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the sheet P. After this process, the step returns to S 15 , and printing on the next page (subsequent page) is started.
- This continuous rotation of the supply roller 7 and the pair of the feed-in roller makes the printing operation for a plurality of sheets faster.
- the cyclic change that the supply roller 7 and the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b rotate and stop alternately may be repeated continuously.
- the same cyclic change is repealed while the contact point between the roller and the sheet moves from the front edge of the preceding sheet through the intermediate portion and the back edge of the preceding sheet to the front edge of the subsequent sheet.
- the same cyclic change of the supply roller 7 and the feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b is repeated while the printing operation for a plurality of sheets is performed in the cautious feeding mode.
- FIG. 17 shows a state in which the preceding sheet P is discharged and the following sheet P is conveyed to the print starting position.
- the plurality of sheets P are continuously and sequentially fed/discharged without temporarily stopping sending of the sheet P by the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b , thus high-speed printing process can be performed.
- step S 16 in FIG. 2 when the command indicating that the print data to be printed on the next page exists is not received (S 16 : no), that is, when the print data for the subsequent sheet P no longer exist, the sheet P (sheet) positioned at the printing region 210 is conveyed a predetermined distance in a feed-out direction (S 20 ). This predetermined distance is approximately three printing lines.
- the flag is switched to the first mode (S 21 ). In this state, printing is executed on the sheet P positioned in the printing region 210 (S 17 ).
- S 17 yes
- the current flag is questioned (S 18 ).
- step S 18 When it is determined in the step S 18 that the flag is the first mode (S 18 : first), the process control is executed on the subsequent sheet (S 30 ). The detail of this control is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 .
- the supply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction (S 32 in FIG. 22 ).
- the carriage 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 12 from the position of the printing region and the abutting piece 114 a is positioned at the position 1 (Po 1 ).
- the switching gear 102 is geared with the intermittent feeding gear 113 , as shown in FIG. 14 .
- the supply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction.
- the supply roller 7 is rotated a predetermined amount in the reverse direction (S 33 in FIG. 22 ) and then stopped (S 34 ), the subsequent sheet P 1 is returned to the stacking position in the paper cassette 5 (see FIG. 19 ).
- the projection formed on the inner surface of the rear wall works as a stopper for stopping reward movement of the sheet being returned to the paper cassette 5 .
- FIG. 30 when the projection 5 c is formed on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b of the paper cassette 5 , and the bottom surface 5 e of the projection 5 c is inclined such that the bottom surface 5 e at the distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the bottom surface 5 e at the root 5 g of the projection 5 c , the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the paper cassette 5 tends to abut the bottom face 5 e of the projection 5 c .
- the sheet P tends to move from the distal end 5 f to the root 5 g , being guided by the bottom surface 5 c of the projection 5 c .
- the sheet P being returned to the paper cassette 5 tends to move as shown in P 1 ⁇ P 2 ⁇ P 3 and the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the paper cassette 5 tends to move as shown in PE 1 ⁇ PE 2 ⁇ PE 3 and reaches the root 5 g of the projection 5 c .
- the edge PE of the sheet P reaches the root 5 g of the projection 5 c , further movement of the sheet P is prohibited, and the sheet P is prevented from leaping over the rear wall 5 b of the paper cassette 5 .
- the projection 5 c works as the stopper for preventing the sheet P from leaping over the rear wall 5 b of the paper cassette 5 .
- the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S abuts a top surface 5 d of the projection 5 c , the movement of the sheet P may not be stopped even though the edge PE reaches the root 5 i of the top surface 5 d .
- the sheet P abuts the bottom surface of another projection located above before jumping over the rear wall 5 b , therefore, jumping over of the sheet P is prevented by the projections 5 c .
- a plurality of projections 5 c is formed on the inner surface 5 a of the rear wall 5 b.
- the top surface 5 d of the projection 5 c is inclined such that the top surface 5 d at the distal end 5 f of the projection 5 c is lower than the top surface 5 d at the root 5 i of the projection 5 c . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 , the sheets that are located above the projection 5 c may slip down along the top surface 5 d The projections 5 c do not prevent the plurality of sheets from being stored in the stacked fashion.
- the LF motor 42 is rotated a predetermined amount (S 36 in FIG. 22 ), and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P 1 is aligned with the contact line 212 between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b .
- the rotation of the LF motor 42 is stopped once and the rotation of the feed-in roller 20 a and of the supply roller 7 is also stopped (S 37 in FIG. 22 ).
- the supply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction (see FIG. 19 ), thus when the supply roller 7 is rotated a predetermined amount in the reverse direction (S 39 ), a subsequent sheet P 2 which follows the sheet P 1 is returned to the paper cassette 5 .
- the distance from a contact line 214 between the stacked sheets P on the paper cassette 5 and the supply roller 7 to the contact line 212 between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and feed-in driven roller 20 b along the sheet guide 9 is L 1
- the distance from the contact line 214 between the stacked sheets P on the paper cassette 5 and the supply roller 7 to the separating member in the separating inclined surface 8 is L 2 .
- the subsequent sheet P 1 is conveyed by the rotation of the supply roller 7 , thus the distance L 2 becomes a lapping amount (overlapping amount) along the direction of conveyance of the preceding sheet P and a subsequent sheet P 1 .
- the difference between the L 2 and L 1 is set so as t to be longer than a predetermined value, and the difference between the circumferential speed V 1 of the feed-in roller 20 a and the circumferential speed V 2 of the supply roller 7 (V 1 >V 2 ) (V 1 ⁇ V 2 ) is set so as to be at least a predetermined value, whereby when the back edge of the preceding sheet P passes through the contact line 212 between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b , the front edge of the subsequent sheet P 1 does not reach the contact line 212 between the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the feed-in driven roller 20 b .
- an appropriate space (sheet interval) can be formed between the back edge of the preceding sheet P and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P 1 . Therefore, even when a plurality of sheets P are fed/conveyed continuously, all print data corresponding to each sheet P can be printed completely in the printing region 210 . Specifically, in the printing region 210 , the back edge of the preceding sheet P and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P 1 do not overlap with each other, thus printing is not performed on the space between the both sheets.
- the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b is configured by the feed-in drive roller 20 a driven by the LF motor 42 and the feed-in driven roller 20 b pressurized by the feed-in drive roller 20 a Further, the power of the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b sending the sheets is set larger than the sending power of the supply roller 7 , and the circumferential speed of the feed-in drive roller 20 a is set higher than the circumferential speed of the supply roller 7 .
- control means is provided so that control is performed such that, when the print data for the subsequent sheet P 1 exists, the feed-in roller 20 a and the supply roller 7 are continuously rotary driven in the same direction. Therefore, the plurality of sheets P can be continuously and successively conveyed to the printing region 210 and printed continuously and successively, thus an effect is obtained in which the printing operation on the plurality of sheets P can be executed at high speed.
- the feed-in drive roller 20 a and the supply roller 7 are configured so as to be rotary driven by the single drive motor (LF motor) 42 , thus an effect is obtained in which a configuration for feeding and supplying the sheets can be made simple.
- the front end of the arm 6 a is provided with the supply roller 7 , drawing operation of the paper cassette 5 does not obstruct the supply roller 7 . Further, when a piece of sheet is in contact with the feed-in dive roller 20 a and the supply roller 7 , the arm 6 a is oscillated, whereby the supply roller 7 is prevented from obstructing the pair of feed-in rollers 20 a , 20 b sending the sheets.
- the power transmission switching means 100 Since the power transmission switching means 100 is provided, switching can be performed between an intermittent feeding operation for positioning the cut sheets one by one and sending them to the printing region 210 , and a high-speed feeding operation for continuously and successively sending the plurality of cut sheets. The operation for this switching is executed using the movement of the carriage 13 , thus excess mechanisms are not required.
- both the top surface and the bottom surface of each projection may be flat.
- the top surface may be curved.
- FIG. 32 shows a convex top surface
- FIG. 33 shows a concave top surface.
- each projection may be inclined.
- the bottom surface may extend horizontally as shown in FIG. 35 .
- a plurality of projections 5 c may be formed only in a vicinity of the top edge of the rear wall 5 b.
- only one projection may be enough for preventing the sheet from jumping over the rear wall of the sheet cassette 5 .
- projections or projection 5 c are formed integrally with the rear wall 5 b .
- projection or projections that is formed independently from the rear wall may be fixed to the rear wall.
- the printer that can practice the invention is not limited to ink jet printer. Any type of printer, for instance, laser printer may also practice the invention.
- the sheet that has been taken out from the paper cassette 5 may be returned to the paper cassette 5 in a various situation.
- the invention may be adopted regardless the reason of returning the sheet to the sheet cassette.
- the sheet storage may not be a cassette.
- the multifunction device 1 in the second embodiment comprises, as shown in FIG. 43 , the lower section case 2 in which a first lower section case 2 a and a second lower section case 2 b are stacked.
- An opening section 2 c is formed on a front side of the first lower section case 2 a and a first paper cassette is inserted therein such that it can be drawn.
- an opening section 2 d is formed on a front side of the second lower section case 2 b and a second paper cassette 5 B is inserted therein such that it can be drawn.
- the present invention may be adopted in the first cassette and/or the second cassette 5 B.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
- Pile Receivers (AREA)
Abstract
A printer has a head for printing on a sheet, a storage for storing a plurality of sheets in a stacked condition; and a transfer for sending a piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially and returning the piece of sheet from the head to the storage. The transfer returns the piece of sheet that was previously sent to the head, to the storage when no more printing data is stored in the printer. The storage includes a rear wall that abuts an edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head. At least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the rear wall. A top surface of the projection is inclined such that the top surface at a distal end of the projection is lower than the top surface at a root of the projection, and a bottom surface of the projection is substantially horizontal or inclined such that the bottom surface at the distal end of the projection is lower than the bottom surface at the root of the projection. The movement of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head is stopped by the projection.
Description
- This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-317050 filed on Oct. 31, 2005, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a printer for printing on a sheet. The printer of the present invention is a generic name of a device comprising: a head which prints characters, graphics, photographic images or the like on a sheet; a storage which stores a plurality of sheets to be printed in a stacked condition; and a transfer which sends a piece of sheet from the storage to the head. Not only a printer with a single function, but also a copying device, a facsimile device, a composite device (or a multifunction device) and the like comprising the head, the storage and the transfer are also the printer of this application.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In order to speed up printing operation, there has been developed a printer which sends a piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially. In this type of the printer, it may happen that no printing data is stored in the printer at a timing when the piece of sheet is moving towards the head. If the printing data for printing on the sheet is null when the piece of sheet is being sent towards the head, then the sheet being sent towards the head should be returned to the storage. In order to return the sheet, there has been developed a printer having a transfer which sends the piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially and returns the piece of sheet from the head to the storage. This type of printer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No. 2002-283637.
- The storage has a rear wall, and an edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head abuts the rear wall. When the movement of the sheet is stopped by the rear wall, the sheet being returned to the storage is stored in the storage again. The returned sheet may be used for figure printing.
- However, it sometimes happens that returning speed of the sheet is so fast that the sheet being returned to the storage leaps over the rear wall of the storage. When the sheet being returned to the storage leaps over the rear wall of the storage, the sheet is not returned to the storage, and the sheet cannot be used for future printing. The sheet that leaps over the rear wall of the storage prevents fixture proper operation of the printer.
- It is therefore necessary to develop a technology which prevents the sheet being returned to the storage from leaping over the rear wall of the storage.
- A printer of the invention includes a head for printing on a sheet; a storage for storing a plurality of sheets in a stacked condition; and a transfer for sending a piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially and returning the piece of sheet from the head to the storage. The storage includes a rear wall. An edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head abuts the rear wall and movement of the sheet being returned to the storage is stopped by the rear wall. In order to prevent the sheet being returned to the storage from leaping over the rear wall of the storage, at least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the rear wall
- It is preferred that a top surface of the projection is inclined such that the top surface at a distal end of the projection is lower than the top surface at a root of the projection, and a bottom surface of the projection is substantially horizontal or inclined such that the bottom surface at the distal end of the projection is lower than the bottom surface at the root of the projection.
- The projection formed on the inner surface of the rear wall works as a stopper for stopping further movement of the sheet being returned to the storage. As shown in
FIG. 30 , when theprojection 5 c is formed on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b, and thebottom surface 5 e of theprojection 5 c is inclined such that thebottom surface 5 e at thedistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thebottom surface 5 e at theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c, the edge PE of sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to abut thebottom surface 5 e of theprojection 5 c. The sheet P tends to move from thedistal end 5 f to theroot 5 g, being guided by thebottom surface 5 e of theprojection 5 c The sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to move as shown in P1→P2→P3 and the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S tends to move as shown in PE1→PE2→PE3 and reaches theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c. When the edge PE of the sheet P reaches theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c, further movement of the sheet P is prohibited, and the sheet P is prevented from leaping over therear wall 5 b of the storage S. - Even if the
bottom surface 5 h of theprojection 5 c is substantially horizontal, same phenomenon can be obtained, and theprojection 5 c works as the stopper for preventing the sheet P from leaping over therear wall 5 b of the storage S. - When the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S abuts a
top surface 5 d of theprojection 5 c, the movement of the sheet P may not be stopped even though the edge PE reaches theroot 5 i of thetop surface 5 d. However, the sheet P abuts the bottom surface of another projection located above before leaping over therear wall 5 b, therefore, leaping over of the sheet P is prevented by theprojections 5 c. It may be preferred that a plurality ofprojections 5 c is formed on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b. - The
top surface 5 d of theprojection 5 c is inclined such that thetop surface 5 d at thedistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thetop surface 5 d at theroot 5 i of theprojection 5 c. Therefore, the sheet that is located above theprojection 5 c may slip down along thetop surface 5 d. Theprojection 5 c does not prevent the plurality of sheets from being stored in the storage S in the stacked fashion. -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of a multifunction device of a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a lower section case, excluding an upper section case, is viewed from the back; -
FIG. 3 is a top view ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a substantial part in which a paper cassette is installed in the multifunction device; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged side view in the vicinity of a printing region; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the paper cassette and a supply unit; -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cut-out section in which the paper cassette is installed in the multifunction device; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a printing unit in which a guide plate and platen on a back side thereof are removed; -
FIG. 9 is a figure taken along the line IX-IX ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing power transmission switching means; -
FIG. 11 is a front view: showing a state in which modes are switched by the power transmission switching means; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the modes are switched by the power transmission switching means; -
FIG. 13 is a figure showing power transmission in an intermittent feeding mode (first mode) when a sheet is fed; -
FIG. 14 is a figure showing power transmission in the intermittent feeding mode at the time of printing; -
FIG. 15 is a figure showing power transmission in a continuous feeding mode (second mode) when a sheet is fed; -
FIG. 16 is a figure showing power transmission in the continuous feeding mode at the time of printing; -
FIG. 17 is a figure showing power transmission in the continuous feeding mode when feeding a subsequent sheet P1; -
FIG. 18 is a figure showing a sheet-discharging process in the continuous feeding mode; -
FIG. 19 is a figure showing a sheet-returning process in the continuous feeding mode; -
FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of a control unit; -
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for controlling the printing operation; -
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for discharging or returning a sheet in the continuous feeding mode; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a first slider (first block) and a second slider (second block); -
FIG. 24 is a perspective view in which the first block and the second block are combined; -
FIG. 25 is a front view in which the first block and the second block are shallowly geared with each other; -
FIG. 26 is a front view in which the first block and the second block are deeply geared with each other; -
FIG. 27 is a simplified cross sectional view of the sheet cassette; -
FIG. 28 shows the plurality of sheets stacked in the sheet cassette; -
FIG. 29 shows another example of the plurality of sheets stacked in the sheet cassette; -
FIG. 30 shows a detail of an example of a projection; -
FIG. 31 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 32 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 33 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 34 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 35 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 36 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 37 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 38 shows another example of projections; -
FIG. 39 shows another example of projection; -
FIG. 40 shows another example of projection; -
FIG. 41 shows another example of projection; -
FIG. 42 shows another example of projection; -
FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the entire multifunction device of a second embodiment; - (First Embodiment)
- The first embodiment which practices the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view showing an exterior of amultifunction device 1 which comprises a facsimile function, print function, copy function, and scanner function. Themultifunction device 1 comprises a sheet sending mechanism for sending a sheet and a printing mechanism for printing characters, graphics, photographic images or the like (generically referred to as “graphic pattern” hereinafter) on the sheet which is sent by the sheet sending mechanist and provides the sheet printed with the graphic pattern to a user. - The
multifunction device 1 has alower section case 2 and anupper section case 3. Thelower section case 2 is substantially in the form of a box in which an upper surface thereof is opened. Theupper section case 3 is connected to a left side face of thelower section case 2 via a hinge (not shown), and can be rotated from the position thereof shown inFIG. 1 , in a direction of thearrow 202 around arotation axis 200. When theupper section case 3 is rotated in the direction of thearrow 202, the inside of thelower section case 2 can be viewed from the outside. Thelower section case 2 and theupper section case 3 are injection-molded articles made of synthetic resin. - It should be noted that in the following description an X-direction in
FIG. 1 is referred to as “front-and-back direction”, a Y-direction is referred to as “horizontal direction”, and a Z-direction is referred to as “vertical direction”. - An
operation panel 30 is disposed on an upper face front section of theupper section case 3. Theoperation panel 30 is provided with various buttons such as a numeric button, a start button, and a function section button so that various operations can be performed by pressing these buttons. Theoperation panel 30 is farther provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 on which the setting status of themultifunction device 1, various operation messages and the like are displayed according to need. - A
scanner device 33 is disposed inside theupper section case 3. Thescanner device 33 comprises a glass plate (not shown) for placing a script, a graphic pattern reading section (not shown) disposed directly below the glass plate, and acover body 34 for covering an upper face of the glass plate. Thecover body 34 can be rotated from the position thereof shown inFIG. 1 , in a direction of thearrow 206 around arotation axis 204. When thecover body 34 is rotated in the direction of thearrow 206, the glass plate is exposed so that a script can be placed on the glass plate. The graphic pattern reading section comprises a contact image sensor (CIS), which extends in the X direction in the figure, is guided by a rail which is not shown, and can reciprocally be moved in a direction of a Y-axis. The graphic pattern reading section uses the contact image sensor to read a graphic pattern on a script which is placed on the glass plate. - When the facsimile function is selected, information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to a facsimile device through a telephone line, the facsimile device being a transmission destination. When the copy function is selected, information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to the printing mechanism incorporated in the
multifunction device 1, and the graphic pattern which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is printed on a sheet. When the scanner function is selected, information which is read by the graphic pattern reading section is transmitted to a computer which is not shown. - Position holding means is provided in order to rotate the
upper section case 3 significantly around therotation axis 200 and maintain the state where the interior of thelower section case 2 is exposed. The position holding means comprises a supporting rod (not shown) and a guide rail (not shown). One end of the supporting rod is installed in the vicinity apoint 208 of thelower section case 2 and can be oscillated with respect to thelower section case 2. The guide rail extends in the Y-direction along a lower surface on the back edge of theupper section case 3. A groove extending in the Y-direction is formed on the guide rail. A guide pin is fixed on the other end of the supporting rod and inserted in the groove. An engaging section (not shown) for inhibiting the guide pin from sliding is formed in the vicinity of thepoint 208 of the groove. When theupper section case 3 is rotated significantly around therotation axis 200, the guide pin of the supporting rod is buried in the engaging section of the guide rail, whereby theupper section case 3 is inhibited from rotating downward. - Next, the configuration of the sheet sending mechanism incorporated in the
lower section case 2 is explained. As shown inFIG. 1 , apaper cassette 5 is provided at the central section in the horizontal direction of thelower section case 2. Thepaper cassette 5 is configured such that it can be withdrawn with respect to anopening section 2 a formed on a front surface of thelower section case 2. As shown inFIG. 6 , a plurality of sheets P are stored in a stacked fashion in thepaper cassette 5. Sheets, which are not printed with the graphic patterns, are stored in thepaper cassette 5. A separatinginclined surface 8, which is formed of a material having a high frictional coefficient, is prepared on a front wall of thepaper cassette 5. When asupply roller 7, which is described later, is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, one piece of sheet P is taken out from thepaper cassette 5 and sent to the printing mechanism incorporated in thelower section case 2. A sheet P, which is printed with the graphic pattern by the printing mechanism, is sent to a position located in an upper section of thepaper cassette 5 by the sheet sending mechanism. The user can take out the sheet P, which is printed with the graphic pattern, from theopening section 2 a shown inFIG. 1 . - The sheet sending mechanism is stored in the
lower section case 2. As shown inFIG. 4 , the sheet sending mechanism comprises asupply unit 6, asheet guide 9, a pair of feed-inrollers tabular platen 11, and a pair of feed-out rolIers 21 a, 21 b. The printing mechanism is stored in thelower section case 2 as well. Aprinting unit 10 is disposed in an upper part of theplaten 11. A space through which the sheet P can pass is secured between theprinting unit 10 and theplaten 11, and this space is aprinting region 210. - The
supply unit 6 comprises thesupply roller 7. When thesupply roller 7 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, one piece of sheet P is taken out from thepaper cassette 5 and the taken sheet is send to the right inFIG. 4 . Thesheet guide 9 extends in U shape and guides the sheet P. which is sent from thepaper cassette 5 by thesupply roller 7, toward a space between the pair of feed-inrollers rollers printing region 210 which is secured between theprinting unit 10 and theplaten 11, and sends the sheet P to a space between the pair of feed-outrollers rollers paper cassette 5. The pair of feed-inrollers printing unit 10 andplaten 11, and the pair of feed-outrollers printing unit 10 andplaten 11. - The
printing unit 10 sprays ink droplets onto the sheet P which passes through thespace 210 between theprinting unit 10 and theplaten 11 to print the graphic pattern on the sheet P. Theprinting unit 10 sprays the ink droplets onto the sheet P to print the graphic pattern thereon while the sheet P passes through theprinting region 210. - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , theprinting unit 10 comprises aframe 39 formed of a metal plate, acarriage 13, atiming belt 25 which reciprocates thecarriage 13 in the Y-direction, and a carriage motor 24 (“CR motor” hereinafter) for rotating thetiming belt 25. As shown inFIG. 4 , aprinting head 12 is mounted on thecarriage 13. - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 , theframe 39 is disposed on the upper section of thepaper cassette 5 on the back of thelower section case 2. Theframe 39 is made of metal plate and comprises, as shown inFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , abottom surface 39 a extending in the Y-axis direction, aleft wall 39 b which is standing upward from a left end of thebottom surface 39 a, aright wall 39 c which is standing upward from a right end of thebottom surface 39 a, a front side guideplace 41 which connects theleft wall 39 b and theright wall 39 c, and abackside guide plate 40 which connects theleft wall 39 b and theright wall 39 c. The front side guideplace 41 and thebackside guide plate 40 extend in the Y-direction. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , thetiming belt 25, which is wrapped around pulleys 25 a and 25 b, is disposed on an upper surface of theguide plate 41. Thetiming belt 25 extends in a main scanning direction (Y-axis direction). Thecarriage 13 is coupled on a part of thetiming belt 25. As shown inFIG. 3 , thepulley 25 a is rotated by theCR motor 24. Thecarriage 13 and theprinting head 12 are caused to reciprocate in the Y-direction by a reciprocal rotation of theCR motor 24. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , a linear encoder (encoder strip) 37 extending in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction) is disposed on the upper surface of theguide plate 41. Thelinear encoder 37 detects the position of thecarriage 13 in the Y-axis direction. Thelinear encoder 37 has a strip-like shape, and a control surface thereof is formed with slits which are disposed at regular intervals in the Y-axis direction. The control surface of thelinear encoder 37 is disposed along a vertical surface. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , theplaten 11 is fixed onto thebottom surface 39 a of theframe 39. As shown inFIG. 6 , adrive shaft 14 of thesupply unit 6 is rotatably attached to thebottom surface 39 a of theframe 39. Thesupply unit 6 comprises anarm 6 a which is rotatable around thedrive shaft 14, atorsion spring 38 which biases thearm 6 a in a clockwise direction, thesupply roller 7 which is rotatably attached to a front end of thearm 6 a, and amating gear train 50 for transmitting torque from thedrive shaft 14 To the supply roller 7 (seeFIG. 4 ). - Since the
arm 6 a is rotatable around thedrive shaft 14, it does not interfere with a sliding motion of the paper cassette S. When thepaper cassette 5 is pushed into thelower section case 2, thesupply roller 7 contacts with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet P of the plurality of sheets stored in thepaper cassette 5. When thesupply roller 7 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the uppermost sheet P is taken out from the paper cassette S, guided by thesheet guide 9 and travels toward the space between the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the sheet P that has been taken out from thepaper cassette 5 is returned to thepaper cassette 5. - As shown in
FIG. 27 , the paper cassette 5 (the storage) includes arear wall 5 b that abuts rear edges of sheets stacked in thepaper cassette 5 Theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b abuts the rear edge of the sheet being returned to thepaper cassette 5 from theprinting head 12. - As shown in
FIG. 28 and Pig. 29, a plurality ofprojections 5 c is formed on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b. Each of theprojections 5 c extends horizontally on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b. Theprojections 5 c are distributed from an upper portion to a lower portion of therear wall 5 b. As shown inFIG. 30 , atop surface 5 d of eachprojection 5 c is inclined such that thetop surface 5 d at adistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thetop surface 5 d at aroot 5 i of theprojection 5 c. Abottom surface 5 h of eachprojection 5 c may be substantially horizontal. Alternatively, abottom surface 5 e of eachprojection 5 c may be inclined such that thebottom surface 5 e at thedistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thebottom surface 5 c at theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c. - In the normal printing operation, the sheet P is sent to right side in
FIG. 28 . In this specification, the right side inFIG. 28 is referred to the front side, and the left side is referred to the rear side. - It is important that at least one projection is formed at level that is higher than a height of the uppermost sheet when maximum number of sheets are stacked in the
sheet cassette 5. When the height of therear wall 5 b is higher than the height of the stack of the maximum number of sheets, there may be a space between thehighest projection 5 c and the top edge of therear wall 5 b. - As shown in
FIG. 28 , the cross section of eachprojection 5 c has a triangular shape. The cross section ofprojections 5 c has a saw teeth shape. A cross sectional area of eachprojection 5 c along a plane that is vertical and parallel to therear wall 5 b is reduced from the root to the distal end of the projection. - As shown in
FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 , both end sections of the pair of feed-inrollers left wall 39 b andright wall 39 c of theframe 39. Both end sections of the pair of feed-outrollers left wall 39 b andright wall 39 c of theframe 39. - Of the pair of feed-in
rollers roller 20 a, which is positioned above, is rotated by a motor which is described later. The feed-inroller 20 b, which is positioned below, is pressed against the feed-inroller 20 a by a certain force. When the feed-inroller 20 a rotates, the feed-inroller 20 b also rotates with the rotation of the feed-inroller 20 a. The feed-inroller 20 a is a feed-indrive roller 20 a, and the feed-inroller 20 b is a feed-in drivenroller 20 b. - Similarly, of the pair of feed-out
rollers roller 21 a, which is positioned below, is rotated by the motor which is described later. The feed-outroller 21 b, which is positioned above, is pressed against the feed-outroller 21 a by a certain force. When the feed-outroller 21 a rotates, the feed-outrollers 21 b also rotates with the rotation of the feed-outroller 21 a. The feed-outroller 21 a is a feed-outdrive roller 21 a, and the feed-outroller 21 b is a feed-out drivenroller 21 b. - When the feed-in
drive roller 20 a rotates in a clockwise direction in a state where a sheet P is held between the pair of feed-inrollers printing region 210 between a lower surface of theprinting head 12 and theplaten 11. When the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in a clockwise direction and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the sheet is sent to theprinting region 210. This situation is called “forward rotation of the pair of feed-in rollers”. The power of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 to send the sheet P. The speed of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 to send the sheet P. Since the power of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 to send the sheet P, when a piece of sheet P is sent by both the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7, the sheet P is sent at the sending speed of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7. The sending speed of the pair of feed-inrollers rollers - On the lower surface of the
printing head 12, a plurality of nozzles for injecting black ink droplets, a plurality of nozzles for injecting cyan ink droplets a plurality of nozzles for injecting magenta ink droplets, and a plurality of nozzles for injecting yellow ink droplets are formed. Theprinting head 12 is mounted on thecarriage 13 and moves in the Y-direction. The sheet P. onto which the ink droplets are sprayed, is sent in the upper section of theplaten 11 in the X-direction by the pair of feed-inrollers printing head 12 in the Y-direction, any color of ink droplets can be sprayed onto any position on the sheet P. and thereby any graphic pattern can be printed on the sheet P. - As shown in
FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 ,ink cartridges 26 for supplying inks to theprinting head 12 are stored in thelower section case 2. Theink cartridges 26 are configured so as to be detachable from above with respect to a storage section 27 (seeFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 ) which is formed in a position far away from therotation axis 200 shown inFIG. 1 . In the present embodiment, an ink cartridge storing the black ink, an ink cartridge storing the cyan ink, an ink cartridge storing the magenta ink, and an ink cartridge storing the yellow ink are used. More ink cartridges may be used. Each of theink cartridges 26 and theprinting head 12 is connected with each other by aflexible ink tube 28. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , anink receiving section 35 is provided in a section which is located outside the width of a sheet P to be conveyed (short side of the sheet P) and in the vicinity of theleft wall 39 b of theframe 39. A maintainingmechanism 36 is provided in a section which is located outside the width of the sheet P to be conveyed and in the vicinity of theright wall 39 c of theframe 39. - The
printing head 12 periodically discharges ink to theink receiving section 35 in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles. The ink, which is discharged to prevent the clogging, is received at theink receiving section 35. - When the
printing head 12 is not used, theprinting head 12 is moved to a position facing the maintainingmechanism 36. In this position, acap section 36 a (seeFIG. 8 ) covers a nozzle surface of theprinting head 12 from below to prevent the ink from drying in the nozzles of theprinting head 12. Moreover, at a required timing, a recovery process and the like are performed in which a suction pump (not shown) is activated to draw the ink from the nozzles and air bubbles are removed from a buffer tank (not shown) provided on theprinting head 12. It should be noted that when thecarriage 13 moves from a position facing themechanism 36 toward theprinting region 210 in a lateral direction (Y direction), cleaning of theprinting head 12 is performed by wiping the nozzle surface thereof using awiper blade 36 b (seeFIG. 8 ). - The
carriage 13 travels, in the Y-direction, back and forth between a position existing in an upper section of theink receiving section 35 and a position existing on an upper section of the maintainingmechanism 36. The position existing in the upper section of theink receiving section 35 is called “first end”, and the position existing in the upper section of the maintainingmechanism 36 is called “second end”. - The feed-in
drive roller 20 a, feed-outdrive roller 21 asupply roller 7, and maintainingmechanism 36 are driven by the same motor (LF motor) 42. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , theLF motor 42 is disposed at a left end section of theframe 39. A shaft of theLF motor 42 penetrates through theleft wall 39 b of theframe 39 and extends to the outside of theframe 39. As shown inFIG. 9 , apinion 43 a is fixed to the shaft of theLF motor 42.Gears left wall 39 b. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , thegear 43 b is geared with thepinion 43 a. As shown inFIG. 10 , the feed-indrive roller 20 a is fixed to thegear 43 b. When theLF motor 42 rotates, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates. As shown inFIG. 9 , thegear 43 d is geared with thepinion 43 a via the intermediate gear 43 c. The feed-outdrive roller 21 a is fixed to thegear 43 d. When theLF motor 42 rotates, the feed-outdrive roller 21 a rotates. - The
gear 43 b and thegear 43 d rotate in the counter direction. Therefore, the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-outdrive roller 21 a also rotate in the counter direction. The feed-indrive roller 20 a abuts on the top surface of the sheet P and the feed-outdrive roller 21 a abuts on the bottom surface of sheet P. Therefore, if the direction of rotation of the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-outdrive roller 21 a is reversed, the sending direction of the sheet P by the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the sending direction of the sheet P by the feed-outdrive roller 21 a become the same direction. - The
LF motor 42 is a DC motor and can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , agear 101 is fixed to the feed-indrive roller 20 a within a range located at a right end section of the feed-indrive roller 20 a, i.e. the upper section of the maintainingmechanism 36. Thegear 101 is geared with one of threegears gear 101, and rotates one of the threegears gear 101. A movement of thecarriage 13 in the Y-direction is used to select the gear to be engaged with thegear 101 by means of the power transmission switching means 100. - When the
gear 113 is engaged with thegear 101, and theLF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction When thegear 114 is engaged with thegear 101, and theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction. When thegear 115 is engaged with the gear 01, theLF motor 42 moves the maintainingmechanism 36. - When the
LF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in the reverse direction and in a direction of returning the sheet to thesheet guide 9. When theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction and in a direction of sending the sheet to theprinting region 210. When thesupply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction, the sheet is taken out from the cassette and sent to thesheet guide 9. When thesupply roller 7 rotates in the reverse direction, the sheet is returned to thecassette 5. - When the
LP motor 42 rotates in the forward direction in a state where thegear 113 is engaged with thegear 101, the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 rotates in the reverse direction. When theLF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction in the state where thegear 113 is engaged with thegear 101, the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction. When theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction in a state where thegear 114 is engaged with thegear 101, the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , arotary encoder 44 which rotates integrally with thegear 43 b is provided. The amount of sheet P conveyed by the feed-inroller 20 a can be detected by therotary encoder 44. It should be noted that theCR motor 24 andLF motor 42 can be rotated in forward and reverse directions. - Next, the configuration of the power transmission switching means 100 is explained with reference to
FIG. 10 andFIG. 11 . The power transmission switching means 100 selects any of an intermittent feeding mode, a continuous feeding mode, and a maintenance mode. In the intermittent feeding mode, when theLF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction. In the continuous feeding mode, when theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction. In the maintenance mode the torque of theLF motor 42 is transmitted to the maintainingmechanism 36. - In the intermittent feeding mode, when the
LF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of returning the sheet to thesheet guide 9, and thesupply roller 7 rotates in a direction of taking the sheet out from the cassette and sending it to thesheet guide 9. Thereafter, in the intermittent feeding mode, theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction. In the intermittent feeding mode, when theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of sending the sheet to theprinting region 210, and thesupply roller 7 rotates in a direction. of returning the sheet to the cassette. - When the
LF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction in the intermittent feeding mode, the sheet is sent to the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7. Since the pair of feed-inrollers drive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b. The front edge of the sheet is aligned with a contact line with which the feed-in drive roller and the feed-in driven roller contact. The pair of feed-inrollers LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction in the intermittent feeding mode, the sheet is sent to theprinting region 210 by the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7. - In the continuous feeding mode, the
LF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction thesupply roller 7 rotates in the direction of taking out the sheet from the cassette and sending it to thesheet guide 9, and the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in a direction of sending the sheet to theprinting region 210. - As described above, the torque of the
LF motor 42 is transmitted to the feed-indrive roller 20 a viadeceleration gear 43 b. Thegear 101 is fixed to a right end section of the feed-indrive roller 20 a (upper section of the maintaining mechanism 36). Aswitching gear 102, which is always engaged with thegear 101, is provided at a position adjacent to thegear 101. Theswitching gear 102 is slidable with respect to aspindle 103 extending in the Y-axis direction. - A first block 104 (first slider) and a second block 105 (second slider) are slidable with respect to the
spindle 103. Theswitching gear 102,first block 104, andsecond block 105 are slidable with respect to thespindle 103 independently of other members. Thefirst block 104 contacts with or separates from theswitching gear 102. Thesecond block 105 contacts with or separates from thefirst block 104. Theswitching gear 102 and thefirst block 104 are rotatable with respect to thespindle 103, and thesecond block 105 is prohibited to rotate with respect to thespindle 103. - A surface with which the
first block 104 and thesecond block 105 contact is inclined to thespindle 103. When the second block 10S approaches thefirst block 104, thefirst block 104 rotates around thespindle 103. Anabutting piece 104 a protruding upward is fixed to thefirst block 104. When thesecond block 105 approaches thefirst block 104 and thefirst block 104 rotates around thespindle 103, the abuttingpiece 104 a moves from top to bottom, inFIG. 11 . - As shown in
FIG. 23 throughFIG. 26 , a plate-likeengaging plate 104 b is provided between abase section 104 c of thefirst block 104 and theabutting piece 104 a extending from thebase section 104 c in a radial outer direction. In thesecond block 105, a section facing theengaging plate 104 b in thebase section 105 a is provided with anotch section 105 b in which theengaging plate 104 b is buried. One surface of thenotch section 105 b is formed as anabutting surface 105 c inclining from the center of radius of thebase section 105 a to the outside the radius of same. Further, thesecond block 105 is provided with a pair ofcorner sections 105 d extending in the radial outer direction from thebase section 105 a. The pair ofcorner sections 105 d is provided so as to be able to abut on a bottom surface of theguide plate 41 on the downstream side so that thesecond block 105 does not rotate around thespindle 103. Thebase section 104 c of thefirst block 104 is formed so as to be buried in an inner diameter of thebase section 105 a of thesecond block 105. - During a period between a state where the
first block 104 and thesecond block 105 approach each other and theengaging plate 104 b abuts against a section on the outer radius side in theabutting surface 105 c of thenotch section 105 b (seeFIG. 25 ) and a state where the space between thefirst block 104 and thesecond block 105 becomes narrow and theengaging plate 104 b abuts against a section on the center side of the radius in theabutting surface 105 c of thenotch section 105 b (seeFIG. 26 ), the position of thefirst block 104 is forcibly caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow D (seeFIG. 24 ). If thefirst block 104 rotates, the abuttingpiece 104 a also rotates. When thefirst block 104 rotates in the direction of the arrow D, the abuttingpiece 104 a moves from top to bottom inFIG. 11 . - As shown in
FIG. 10 , afirst biasing spring 106 a is disposed around thespindle 103. Thefirst biasing spring 106 a presses thesecond block 105 in the direction of the arrow C. Asecond biasing spring 106 b is disposed around thespindle 103. Thesecond biasing spring 106 b presses theswitching gear 102 in the direction of the arrow E. The biasing force of thefirst biasing spring 106 a is larger than the biasing force of the second biasing sp ng 106 b. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , a firstengaging step section 13 a and a secondengaging step section 13 b are formed in thecarriage 13. When thecarriage 13 moves in the direction of the arrow E, the abuttingpiece 104 a of thefirst block 104 is engaged with either the firstengaging step section 13 a or the secondengaging step section 13 b. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , aguide block 107 is fixed to theframe 39. Aguide groove 109 is formed in theguide block 107, and theabutting piece 104 a of thefirst block 104 is buried in theguide groove 109. As shown inFIG. 11 , theguide groove 109 comprises ahorizontal groove section 109 a which is elongated in the direction indicated by the arrows C and E (Y axis), and an inclined groove section 109 b which is communicated with a left end section of thehorizontal groove section 109 a. A regulatingpiece 110 which extends downward from an upper section of theguide block 107 is inserted in a central section of the inclined groove section 109 b. The regulatingpiece 110 is elongated in the direction indicated with the arrows C and E. The inclined groove section 109 b is provided with a stair-likefirst set section 111 andsecond set section 112. Afirst wall 216, which is provided with thefirst set section 111 andsecond set section 112, and asecond wall 218 extending to the opposite side are formed on the inclined groove section 109 b. Thefirst set section 111 and thesecond set section 112 are formed on thefirst wall 216, while no set section is formed on thesecond wall 218. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , when thecarriage 13 is located in a position facing the sheet P, thecarriage 13 is away from the maintainingmechanism 36 and does not press the abuttingpiece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E. In this state, thefirst biasing spring 106 a causes thesecond block 105,first block 104 andswitching gear 102 to slide along thespindle 103 in the direction of the arrow C. Theabutting piece 104 a is positioned at thefirst set section 111. This position is called “position 1” (Po1). At this moment, theswitching gear 102 is engaged with theintermittent feeding gear 113. - When the
carriage 13 moves in the direction of the arrow E, the firstengaging step section 13 a of thecarriage 13 presses theabutting piece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E. As a result, theswitching gear 102, thefirst block 104, and thesecond block 105 are caused to slide along thespindle 103 in the direction of the arrow E. Since thefirst block 104 is pressed by thesecond block 105 from the right side, the abuttingpiece 104 a is pressed against a lower wall (first wall 216) of the inclined groove 109 b. When thecarriage 13 presses theabutting piece 104 a up to the position corresponding to thesecond set section 112, the abuttingpiece 104 a is moved down to enter thesecond set section 112. The position where theabutting piece 104 a enters thesecond set section 112 is called “position 2” (Po2). In the case of theposition 2, theswitching gear 102 is engaged with thecontinuous feeding gear 114. This state is shown inFIG. 10 . - When the
carriage 13 further moves in the direction of the arrow E, the firstengaging step section 13 a of thecarriage 13 presses theabutting piece 104 a in the direction of the arrow E. The pressedabutting piece 104 a proceeds to thehorizontal groove section 109 a from the inclined groove section 109 b. Once the abuttingpiece 104 a enters thehorizontal grove section 109 a. the secondengaging step section 13 b of thecarriage 13 presses theabutting piece 104 a. When theabutting piece 104 a is in the position immediately after entering thehorizontal groove section 109 a (this position is called “position 3” (Po3)), theswitching gear 102 is engaged with themaintenance gear 115. - The
switching gear 102,intermittent feeding gear 113,continuous feeding gear 114 andmaintenance gear 115 are all spur gears, and abevel gear 115 a having a large diameter is fixed to a side surface of themaintenance gear 115. When thecarriage 13 further moves from the position 3 (Po3) in the direction of the arrow E, a side surface of theswitching gear 102 abuts on thebevel gear 115 a, whereby theswitching gear 102 is inhibited from moving any further in the direction of the arrow E and thus continues to be engaged with themaintenance gear 115. The abuttingpiece 104 a is pressed by the secondengaging step section 13 b of thecarriage 13 and then positioned at a back end section of thehorizontal groove section 109 a (right end section shown inFIG. 11 andFIG. 12 ). This position is called “position 4” (Po4) and is a home position (original position). In this state, theswitching gear 102 and thefirst block 104 are separated from each other. - Contrary to the above state, when the
carriage position 13 moves from the position 4 (Po4) in the direction of the arrow C, the abuttingpiece 104 a moves from thehorizontal groove section 109 a to the inclined groove section 109 b. At this moment, the abuttingpiece 104 a is received by a step between the firstengaging step section 13 a and the secondengaging step section 13 b of thecarriage 13, thus theabutting piece 104 a moves above the regulatingpiece 110 ofFIG. 11 in the direction of the arrow C. Theabutting piece 104 a abuts on a left inclined surface of the inclining groove section 109 b shown inFIG. 11 while sliding on theregulating piece 110, thereafter moves along the left inclined surface (second wall 218) and then is engaged with thefirst set section 111. A set section does not exist on an upper wall (second wall 218) of theguide groove 109, thus theabutting piece 104 a moves from theposition 4 to theposition 1. - After the
carriage 13 moves to the right end in the E direction and then moves in the C direction, the abuttingpiece 104 a moves from theposition 1 to theposition 2, from theposition 2 to theposition 3, from theposition 3 to theposition 4, and from theposition 4 to theposition 1. Thecarriage 13 repeats the movement of moving to the right end in the E direction and then moving in the C direction, while theabutting piece 104 a repeats the cycle of moving from theposition 1→2→3→4→1. When thecarriage 13 moves in the E direction to theposition 1 and then in the C direction, theswitching gear 102 is held at theposition 1. When thecarriage position 13 moves to theposition 2 in the E direction and then in the C direction, theswitching gear 102 is held in theposition 2. - The position 3 (Po3) is both stand-by position and maintenance position. In a state where power is not applied to the
multifunction device 1, thecarriage 13 stops at an upper position of the maintainingmechanism 36 and the power transmission switching means 100 is at theposition 3. When the power transmission switching means 100 is at theposition 3, themaintenance gear 115 is geared with the feed-indrive roller 20 a via theswitching gear 102. When theLF motor 42 rotates in this state, thecap section 36 a of the maintainingmechanism 36 rises and covers The nozzle surface of theprinting head 12 from below. Accordingly, the ink is prevented from drying in the nozzles of theprinting head 12. Moreover, the maintainingmechanism 36 is provided with a suction pump (not shown), and when theLF motor 42 rotates in the state where the power transmission switching means 100 is at theposition 3 and themaintenance gear 115 is geared with the feed-indrive roller 20 a via theswitching gear 102, theLF motor 42 activates the suction pump. When the suction pump of the maintainingmechanism 36 is activated, air bubbles which are mixed in the buffer tank provided on theprinting head 12 are removed, thus the ability of discharging the ink from the nozzles is maintained. - The position 1 (Po1) where the
switching gear 102 is geared with theintermittent feeding gear 113 is configured such that, as shown inFIG. 13 andFIG. 14 , the torque of theLF motor 42 is transmitted to thedrive shaft 14 provided at a rear end of thearm 6 a, via twointermediate gears supply roller 7 is rotated via thegear train 50. In this state, when theLF motor 42 rotates in the reverse direction, thesupply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction. - The position 2 (Po2) where the
switching gear 102 is geared with thecontinuous feeding gear 114 is configured such that, as shown inFIG. 15 throughFIG. 17 , the torque of theLF motor 42 is transmitted to thedrive shaft 14 provided at the rear end of thearm 6 a, via oneintermediate gear 120, and thesupply roller 7 is rotated via thegear train 50. In this state, when theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction, thesupply roller 7 rotates in the forward direction. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , aroller 50 is disposed between theprinting head 12 and the feed-outrollers roller 50 presses the sheet P against theplaten 11. Since theroller 50 is provided, the sheet P is not brought into contact slidingly with the nozzle surface of theprinting head 12, thus the sheet P is prevented from being stained. - Furthermore, a
sheet sensor 116 for sensing the presence of the sheet P is provided on an upstream side of the feed-inrollers sheet sensor 116 detects a point of time at which the front edge of the sheet P reaches the-sheet sensor 116 and a point of time at which the back edge of the sheet P separates from thesheet sensor 116. - A control section (control means) of the
multifunction device 1 is described next with reference toFIG. 20 . The control section is for controlling the entire operation of themultifunction device 1. - The control section is configured as a computer comprising mainly as a
CPU 300, ROM 301,RAM 302, and EEPROM 303, and is connected to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 306 via abus 305. - The ROM 301 has stored therein a program and the like for controlling various operations of the
multifunction device 1, and theRAM 302 is used as a storage region for temporally storing various data items which are used when theCPU 300 executes these programs. - An NCU (Network Control Unit) 317 is connected to the
ASIC 306, and a communication signal which is inputted from a public circuit via theNCU 317 is demodulated by aMODEM 318 and then inputted to theASIC 306. Furthermore, when theASIC 306 transmits image data to the outside by means of facsimile transmission or the like, the image data is modulated by theMODEM 318 and then outputted to the public line via theNCU 317. - The
ASIC 306 generates a phase excitation signal and the like which are communicated with, for example, theLF motor 42 in accordance with a command from theCPU 300. These signals are provided to a drive circuit 311 of theLF motor 42 or a drive circuit 312 of theCR motor 24, and a drive signal is communicated to theLF motor 42 orCR motor 24 via the drive circuit 311 or drive circuit 312 to control forward and reverse operation, stoppage and the like of theLF motor 42 andCR motor 24. - Further, the scanner device 33 (CIS, for example) for reading images or characters on a script, a panel interface 313 for performing transmission of signals with a keyboard 30 a and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 of the
operation panel 30, aparallel interface 315 for performing transmission of data with external equipment such as a personal computer via a parallel cable or USB cable, aUSB interface 316, and the like are connected to theASIC 306. - Moreover, a
switch 118 for detecting a rotation position of a cam (not shown) of the maintainingmechanism 36, thesheet sensor 116 for detecting the front edge position and the back edge position of the sheet P when the sheet P is fed so as to approach theprinting region 210 via thesheet guide 9, therotary encoder 44 for detecting the amount of rotation of the feed-inroller 20 a, thelinear encoder 37 for detecting the position (present position) of thecarriage 13 in the Y-direction, and the like are connected to theASIC 306. - A driver 314 is for selectively discharging the ink from the
printing head 12 at a predetermined timing. The driver 314 receives a signal, which is generated in theASIC 306 on the basis of a drive control procedure outputted from theCPU 300 and is then outputted, and drive-controls theprinting head 12. - Next, sending of sheets by means of the above control means and control of the printing operation are described with reference to the flowchart shown in
FIG. 21 . In the control shown inFIG. 21 , a pattern of feeding the sheet P is changed to either the first mode or the second mode. In the first mode, a plurality of sheets are sent intermittently to theprinting region 210. The first mode is an accurate mode in which printing precision is prioritized. In the second mode, a plurality of sheets is sent to theprinting region 210 continuously and sequentially. The second mode is a speedy mode in which the printing speed is prioritized. - When power is applied to the
multifunction device 1, control is started. The user presses a mode setting button of the operation panel 30 (not shown) to select either the first mode or the second mode. When the user wishes to print precisely, the first mode is selected When the first mode is selected, the front edge of a sheet P, which is sent by thesupply roller 7, is aligned with a contact line 212 (seeFIG. 5 ) between the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 such that the front edge of the sheet P is inclined with respect to thecontact line 212 between the pair of feed-inrollers contact line 212 between the pair of feed-inrollers contact line 212 between the pair of feed-inrollers rollers printing region 210. This timing is sent to theCPU 300, and theCPU 300 controls theprinting head 12 on the basis of this timing. When the first mode (accurate mode) is selected, the front edge of the sheet P is not sent toward theprinting region 210 in the inclined state, and the position of the front edge of the sheet P and the control on theprinting head 12 are synchronized, whereby a desired graphic pattern is printed on a desired location of the sheet P. - The control section first checks the set mode (S1 in
FIG. 21 ). The control section then determines whether the set mode is the accurate mode (intermittent feeding mode) (S2). If the set mode is the accurate mode (S2: yes), the flag is switched to the first mode (S3). and the power transmission switching means 100 is set to the accurate mode (S4). Specifically, thecarriage 13, which is stopped at the stand-by position indicated by the Po3 inFIG. 12 , is moved significantly to theprinting region 210 in the direction of the arrow C. Accordingly, thefirst block 104 which is pressed by the biasingspring 106 a is moved in the direction of the arrow C along the regulatingpiece 110 inside the inclining groove 109 b shown inFIG. 11 , then received by thefirst set section 111 and held at this position (position 1 (Po1). In this state, theswitching gear 102 is geared with theintermittent feeding gear 113. - Once the
switching gear 102 is geared with theintermittent feeding gear 113, rotation of the feed-indrive roller 20 a is transmitted to thedrive shaft 14 of thesupply unit 6 via theintermediate gear FIG. 13 . In this state, when theLF motor 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction inFIG. 13 ). On the other hand, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction (counterclockwise direction inFIG. 13 ) by thegear train 50 inside thearm 6 a. When thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the forward direction, the plurality of sheets P, which are stacked on thepaper cassette 5, are caused to abut on a separating member (not shown) of the separatinginclined surface 8 provided at the front edge of thepaper cassette 5, the separating member having a high frictional coefficient. Then, only one uppermost sheet P is taken out from thepaper cassette 5 and sent toward the sheet guide 9 (S5 inFIG. 21 ). At this moment, since the feed-inroller 20 a is rotated in the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction inFIG. 4 ), the sheet P which is sent by thesupply roller 7 cannot pass through between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b. The front edge of the sheet P is aligned with the contact line 212 (seeFIG.5 ) between the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 is inclined, the front edge of the sheet P is aligned with thecontact line 212 between the pair of feed-inrollers - Next, as shown in
FIG. 14 , theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction through an appropriate number of steps, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction (clockwise rotation inFIG. 14 ), and the sheet P between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b is sent toward theprinting region 210. The sheet P is sent by a predetermined distance after theLF motor 42 started rotation in the forward direction. As a result, the front edge of the sheet P is set at a print starting position inside theprinting region 210. This process is called “heading process”. - The
supply roller 7 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise direction inFIG. 14 ) during the heading process. However, since the power of the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b sending the sheet P is set larger than the power of thesupply roller 7 sending the sheet P, the sheet P is sent by the pair of feed-inrollers arm 6 a is oscillated in the counterclockwise direction around thedrive shaft 14. When thearm 6 a is oscillated in the counterclockwise direction around thedrive shaft 14, the power for pressing the sheet against thesupply roller 7 weakens, thus the power for sending the sheet is not transmitted to the sheet even when thesupply roller 7 is rotated. The sheet is caused to slide with respect to thesupply roller 7 and released from thesupply roller 7. - Subsequently, when a printing command is inputted from an external computer or the like, which is not shown, the
carriage 13 is caused to move in the Y-direction and at the same time the ink is discharged from the nozzles of theprinting head 12 onto a surface of the sheet P to print a graphic pattern thereon (S6 inFIG. 21 ). While thecarriage 13 moves in the Y-direction, thesupply roller 7, the feed-inrollers rollers rollers rollers carriage 13 and rotation of the feed-inrollers rollers - When the feed-in
rollers rollers drive shaft 14 is rotated in the reverse direction, and thearm 6 a is oscillated upward. The power for pressing the sheet against thesupply roller 7 weakens, thus the power for sending the sheet is not transmitted from thesupply roller 7 to the sheet. Although thesupply roller 7 rotates in a reverse direction while the feed-inrollers rollers supply roller 7 and the sheet P is sent in the forward direction. - In this heading process, the front edge of the sheet P was aligned with the
contact line 212 between the pair of feed-inrollers LF motor 42 started the forward rotation. Therefore the position of the front edge of the sheet P during the forward rotation of the pair of feed-inrollers rollers printing head 12 is controlled based on that timing, the position of the font edge of the sheet P and the operation of theprinting head 12 are synchronized, whereby a desired graphic pattern is printed on a desired location of the sheet P. - When printing one page is finished (S7 in
FIG. 21 : yes), feeding out of the printed sheet P is started (S8 inFIG. 21 ). In doing so, theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction through the number of steps (S9 inFIG. 21 : yes), and then the rotation of theLF motor 42 is stopped (S10 inFIG. 21 ). As a result, feed-inrollers rollers cassette 5. - Next, it is determined whether printing data for a sheet (next page), which is described hereinafter, is present or not (S11). If the print data exists or is stored (S11 in
FIG. 21 : yes), the process from the step S5 through S11 is repeated. In this manner, the sheets P are sent to theprinting region 210 one by one. In this mode, a color picture, for example, can be printed accurately. - Next, a case in which the second mode is set is explained. When the user needs printing at high speed, the second mode is set.
- When it is determined in the step S2 in
FIG. 21 that the set mode is not the first mode, the flag is set to the second mode (S12 inFIG. 21 ). Specifically, the flag showing the second mode is stored in a predetermined region inside theRAM 302. Next, the power transmission switching means 100 is set to the second mode (S13). In the second mode, the quality of a print it not important, but the printing speed is prioritized, thus a plurality of sheets P are continuously and sequentially sent to theprinting region 210. Therefore, the power of the feed-inroller 20 a and the feed-inroller 20 b sending the sheets is set larger than the power of thesupply roll 7 sending the sheets, and the circumferential speed of the feed-inroller 20 a is set higher than the circumferential speed of thesupply roller 7. The speed reduction ratio between thecontinuous feeding gear 114 and theintermediate gear 120 shown inFIG. 15 throughFIG. 17 is set such that the circumferential speed of the feed-inroller 20 a is higher than the circumferential speed of thesupply roller 7. - In order to set the power transmission switching means 100 to the second mode (Sl3 in
FIG. 21 ), thecarriage 13 is moved a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow E, as shown inFIG. 12 . Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 11 , the abuttingpiece 104 a is pressed in the E direction at the firstengaging step section 13 a of thecarriage 13. The abuttingpiece 104 a is positioned at the second set section 112 (position 2, Po2) while moving thecarriage 13 in the direction of the arrow E. By positioning the abuttingsection 104 a at the second set section 112 (position 2, Po2), even if thecarriage 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow C thereafter, the abuttingpiece 104 a can be held at thesecond set section 112. During the period in which theabutting piece 104 a is positioned at thesecond set section 112, theswitching gear 102 and thecontinuous feeding gear 114 are geared with each other, as shown inFIG. 15 throughFIG. 17 , and the power is transmitted to thedrive shaft 14 of the rear end of thearm 6 a via oneintermediate gear 120. - As shown in
FIG. 15 , when theLF motor 42 rotates in the forward direction in order to start feeding a sheet P, the feed-indrive roller 20 a rotates in the forward direction (clockwise direction inFIG. 15 ), and thesupply roller 7 also rotates in the forward direction. Thesupply roller 7 separates only one uppermost sheet P and sends it to the sheet guide 9 (S14 inFIG. 21 ). When the front end section of the sheet P reaches thecontact line 212 between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b, the front end of the sheet P is drawn into between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-indrive roller 20 b since the feed-inroller 20 a is rotated in the forward direction, and is then sent toward theprinting region 210. - When one piece of sheet P is held between the pair of feed-in
rollers FIG. 16 ), since the power of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 sending the sheet, and the circumferential speed of the feed-indrive roller 20 a is set higher than the circumferential speed of thesupply roller 7, thus the sheet P is sent toward theprinting region 210 at the sending speed of the feed-inroller 20 a. The sheet P slides with respect to thesupply roller 7. Since the preceding sheet is sent by the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7 with slower speed, there is provided a space between the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet when the preceding sheet and the subsequent sheet reach the pair of feed-inrollers - In the continuous feeding mode, the printing operation onto the sheet P (S15 in
FIG. 21 ) is started when the amount of rotation of the pair of feed-inrollers sheet sensor 116. When the pair of feed-inrollers sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the sheet P, the pair of feed-inrollers FIG. 21 ) when the sheet is adjusted at the print start position. - In the printing operation, the
carriage 13 is caused to move in the Y-direction and at the same time the ink is discharged from the nozzles of theprinting head 12 onto a surface of the sheet P to print a graphic pattern thereon (SI5 inFIG. 21 ). While thecarriage 13 moves in the Y-direction, thesupply roller 7, the feed-inrollers rollers carriage 13 moves from one end to the other end in the Y-direction, and a printing operation along a single path of the carriage is completed, the feed-inrollers rollers carriage 13 and rotation of the feed-inrollers rollers - Next, when a command indicating that print data to be printed on the next page (subsequent sheet) exists is received from the external device (S16: yes), the process proceeds to S17. In this case, when printing of the preceding sheet P is ended (S17: yes), it is determined whether the current flag is the first mode or the second mode (Sl8). When the fag is the second mode (S18: second), the
LF motor 42 continues to rotate in the forward direction and the feed-indrive roller 20 a, feed-outdrive roller 21 a andsupply roller 7 are continued to rotate in the forward direction (S19). The controller has an additional procedure that starts continuous rotation of thesupply roller 7 and the pair of feed-inrollers rollers sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the subsequent sheet P, the sheet is positioned at the print starting position. Thesupply roller 7 and the pair of feed-inrollers rollers sheet sensor 116 detected the front edge of the sheet P. After this process, the step returns to S15, and printing on the next page (subsequent page) is started. - This continuous rotation of the
supply roller 7 and the pair of the feed-in roller makes the printing operation for a plurality of sheets faster. However, it is not essential, and the cyclic change that thesupply roller 7 and the feed-inrollers supply roller 7 and the feed-inrollers -
FIG. 17 shows a state in which the preceding sheet P is discharged and the following sheet P is conveyed to the print starting position. During the period in which the second mode is set, the plurality of sheets P are continuously and sequentially fed/discharged without temporarily stopping sending of the sheet P by the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b, thus high-speed printing process can be performed. - Next, a case in which control is performed when the print data for the subsequent sheet does not exist during execution of the second mode is explained. In step S16 in
FIG. 2 ,when the command indicating that the print data to be printed on the next page exists is not received (S16: no), that is, when the print data for the subsequent sheet P no longer exist, the sheet P (sheet) positioned at theprinting region 210 is conveyed a predetermined distance in a feed-out direction (S20). This predetermined distance is approximately three printing lines. When the sheet is sent by the predetermined distance (S20: yes), the flag is switched to the first mode (S21). In this state, printing is executed on the sheet P positioned in the printing region 210 (S17). When this printing operation is ended (S17: yes), the current flag is questioned (S18). - When it is determined in the step S18 that the flag is the first mode (S18: first), the process control is executed on the subsequent sheet (S30). The detail of this control is shown in the flowchart of
FIG. 22 . - First, at a point of time when the printing of the one page of the preceding sheets P is ended (when the S17 in
FIG. 21 is YES), it is determined whether thesheet sensor 116 is ON or not (S31 inFIG. 22 ). Specifically, it is determined whether the front edge section of the subsequent sheet P passes a section where the sheet sensor 16 exists. When thesheet sensor 116 is OFF (S31: no), that is, when the front edge of the subsequent sheet P does not yet reach the sheet sensor 116 (seeFIG. 18 ), the first half of the subsequent sheet P is positioned within thesheet guide 9 and the last half of this sheet P is positioned within thecassette 5, thus the processing time is reduced if the subsequent sheet P1 is returned to thepaper cassette 5. Further, when a sheet P which is not recorded is discharged through theprinting region 210, it involves an effort to set the sheet P1 in thepaper cassette 5 again, thus it is preferred that the subsequent sheet P1 be returned to thepaper cassette 5. - In the above case, in order to return the subsequent sheet P1 to the
paper cassette 5, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction (S32 inFIG. 22 ). In this case, thecarriage 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow E inFIG. 12 from the position of the printing region and the abutting piece 114 a is positioned at the position 1 (Po1). In this position, theswitching gear 102 is geared with theintermittent feeding gear 113, as shown inFIG. 14 . When theLF motor 42 is rotated in the forward direction, the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-out drivenroller 21 a are rotated in the forward direction, thus the preceding sheet P is sent in the feed-out direction. On the other hand, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction. When thesupply roller 7 is rotated a predetermined amount in the reverse direction (S33 inFIG. 22 ) and then stopped (S34), the subsequent sheet P1 is returned to the stacking position in the paper cassette 5 (seeFIG. 19 ). - The projection formed on the inner surface of the rear wall works as a stopper for stopping reward movement of the sheet being returned to the
paper cassette 5. As shown inFIG. 30 , when theprojection 5 c is formed on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b of thepaper cassette 5, and thebottom surface 5 e of theprojection 5 c is inclined such that thebottom surface 5 e at thedistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thebottom surface 5 e at theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c, the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to thepaper cassette 5 tends to abut thebottom face 5 e of theprojection 5 c. The sheet P tends to move from thedistal end 5 f to theroot 5 g, being guided by thebottom surface 5 c of theprojection 5 c. The sheet P being returned to thepaper cassette 5 tends to move as shown in P1→P2→P3 and the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to thepaper cassette 5 tends to move as shown in PE1→PE2→PE3 and reaches theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c. When the edge PE of the sheet P reaches theroot 5 g of theprojection 5 c, further movement of the sheet P is prohibited, and the sheet P is prevented from leaping over therear wall 5 b of thepaper cassette 5. - Even if the
bottom surface 5 h of theprojection 5 c is substantially horizontal, same phenomenon can be obtained, and theprojection 5 c works as the stopper for preventing the sheet P from leaping over therear wall 5 b of thepaper cassette 5. - When the edge PE of the sheet P being returned to the storage S abuts a
top surface 5 d of theprojection 5 c, the movement of the sheet P may not be stopped even though the edge PE reaches theroot 5 i of thetop surface 5 d. However, the sheet P abuts the bottom surface of another projection located above before jumping over therear wall 5 b, therefore, jumping over of the sheet P is prevented by theprojections 5 c. It is preferred that a plurality ofprojections 5 c is formed on theinner surface 5 a of therear wall 5 b. - When a plurality of projections is distributed from an upper portion to a lower portion of the
rear wall 5 b as shown inFIG. 28 andFIG. 29 , jumping over of the sheet P is prevented regardless the number of sheets stacked in thesheet cassette 5. When a number of the sheets is small, lower projections work as stoppers, and when a number of the sheets is large, higher projections work as stoppers. - The
top surface 5 d of theprojection 5 c is inclined such that thetop surface 5 d at thedistal end 5 f of theprojection 5 c is lower than thetop surface 5 d at theroot 5 i of theprojection 5 c. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 28 andFIG. 29 , the sheets that are located above theprojection 5 c may slip down along thetop surface 5 d Theprojections 5 c do not prevent the plurality of sheets from being stored in the stacked fashion. - At a point of time when printing of one page of the preceding sheet P is ended (when S17 in
FIG. 21 is YES), when thesheet sensor 116 is ON (S31 inFIG. 22 : yes), the front edge section of the subsequent sheet P1 passes the position where thesheet sensor 116 is present. In this case, theLF motor 42 is rotated in the reverse direction, thesupply roller 7 is rotated forward, and the feed-indrive roller 20 a is rotated in the reverse direction (S35 inFIG. 22 ). When executing S35 inFIG. 22 , the abutting piece 114 a is positioned at the position 1 (Po 1) and is in a connection state shown inFIG. 13 . In this state, theLF motor 42 is rotated a predetermined amount (S36 inFIG. 22 ), and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P1 is aligned with thecontact line 212 between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b. In this state, the rotation of theLF motor 42 is stopped once and the rotation of the feed-inroller 20 a and of thesupply roller 7 is also stopped (S37 inFIG. 22 ). Subsequently, by rotating theLF motor 42 in the forward direction and the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-outdrive roller 21 a are rotated in the forward direction to discharge the sheet P1. In this state, thesupply roller 7 is rotated in the reverse direction (seeFIG. 19 ), thus when thesupply roller 7 is rotated a predetermined amount in the reverse direction (S39), a subsequent sheet P2 which follows the sheet P1 is returned to thepaper cassette 5. - It should be noted that, as shown in
FIG. 16 , the distance from acontact line 214 between the stacked sheets P on thepaper cassette 5 and thesupply roller 7 to thecontact line 212 between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and feed-in drivenroller 20 b along thesheet guide 9 is L1, and the distance from thecontact line 214 between the stacked sheets P on thepaper cassette 5 and thesupply roller 7 to the separating member in the separating inclinedsurface 8 is L2. - In a case of the continuous feeding operation, at the moment when the back edge of a preceding sheet P is removed from the
contact line 214 between the sheet P and thesupply roller 7, the subsequent sheet P1 is conveyed by the rotation of thesupply roller 7, thus the distance L2 becomes a lapping amount (overlapping amount) along the direction of conveyance of the preceding sheet P and a subsequent sheet P1. The difference between the L2 and L1 is set so as t to be longer than a predetermined value, and the difference between the circumferential speed V1 of the feed-inroller 20 a and the circumferential speed V2 of the supply roller 7 (V1>V2) (V1−V2) is set so as to be at least a predetermined value, whereby when the back edge of the preceding sheet P passes through thecontact line 212 between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b, the front edge of the subsequent sheet P1 does not reach thecontact line 212 between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b. Specifically, when passing through between the feed-indrive roller 20 a and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b, an appropriate space (sheet interval) can be formed between the back edge of the preceding sheet P and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P1. Therefore, even when a plurality of sheets P are fed/conveyed continuously, all print data corresponding to each sheet P can be printed completely in theprinting region 210. Specifically, in theprinting region 210, the back edge of the preceding sheet P and the front edge of the subsequent sheet P1 do not overlap with each other, thus printing is not performed on the space between the both sheets. In the above case, when the back edge of the preceding sheet P is removed from thesupply roller 7 and the conveyed by only the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7, whereby an effect is obtained in which the above sheet interval can be obtained more securely. - According to the present invention, as described above, in the configuration in which the sheets P which are stacked on the
paper cassette 5 can be supplied to thesheet guide 9 one by one by thesupply roller 7, and this supplied sheet P is conveyed to theprinting region 210 by the pair of feed-inrollers rollers drive roller 20 a driven by theLF motor 42 and the feed-in drivenroller 20 b pressurized by the feed-indrive roller 20 a Further, the power of the pair of feed-inrollers supply roller 7, and the circumferential speed of the feed-indrive roller 20 a is set higher than the circumferential speed of thesupply roller 7. Moreover, the control means is provided so that control is performed such that, when the print data for the subsequent sheet P1 exists, the feed-inroller 20 a and thesupply roller 7 are continuously rotary driven in the same direction. Therefore, the plurality of sheets P can be continuously and successively conveyed to theprinting region 210 and printed continuously and successively, thus an effect is obtained in which the printing operation on the plurality of sheets P can be executed at high speed. - Further, the feed-in
drive roller 20 a and thesupply roller 7 are configured so as to be rotary driven by the single drive motor (LF motor) 42, thus an effect is obtained in which a configuration for feeding and supplying the sheets can be made simple. - In the present embodiment, since the front end of the
arm 6 a is provided with thesupply roller 7, drawing operation of thepaper cassette 5 does not obstruct thesupply roller 7. Further, when a piece of sheet is in contact with the feed-indive roller 20 a and thesupply roller 7, thearm 6 a is oscillated, whereby thesupply roller 7 is prevented from obstructing the pair of feed-inrollers - Since the power transmission switching means 100 is provided, switching can be performed between an intermittent feeding operation for positioning the cut sheets one by one and sending them to the
printing region 210, and a high-speed feeding operation for continuously and successively sending the plurality of cut sheets. The operation for this switching is executed using the movement of thecarriage 13, thus excess mechanisms are not required. - As shown in
FIG. 31 , both the top surface and the bottom surface of each projection may be flat. As shown inFIG. 32 andFIG. 33 , the top surface may be curved.FIG. 32 shows a convex top surface andFIG. 33 shows a concave top surface. - As shown in
FIG. 34 , the bottom surface of each projection may be inclined. Alternatively, the bottom surface may extend horizontally as shown inFIG. 35 . - As shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, a plurality of
projections 5 c may be formed only in a vicinity of the top edge of therear wall 5 b. - As shown in FIGS. 39 to 42, only one projection may be enough for preventing the sheet from jumping over the rear wall of the
sheet cassette 5. - In the above embodiment, projections or
projection 5 c are formed integrally with therear wall 5 b. Instead, projection or projections that is formed independently from the rear wall may be fixed to the rear wall. - The printer that can practice the invention is not limited to ink jet printer. Any type of printer, for instance, laser printer may also practice the invention.
- The sheet that has been taken out from the
paper cassette 5 may be returned to thepaper cassette 5 in a various situation. The invention may be adopted regardless the reason of returning the sheet to the sheet cassette. The sheet storage may not be a cassette. - (Second Embodiment)
- Hereinafter, only the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment are described and the overlapping explanations are omitted.
- The
multifunction device 1 in the second embodiment comprises, as shown inFIG. 43 , thelower section case 2 in which a firstlower section case 2 a and a second lower section case 2 b are stacked. An opening section 2 c is formed on a front side of the firstlower section case 2 a and a first paper cassette is inserted therein such that it can be drawn. As shown inFIG. 43 , anopening section 2 d is formed on a front side of the second lower section case 2 b and asecond paper cassette 5B is inserted therein such that it can be drawn. - The present invention may be adopted in the first cassette and/or the
second cassette 5B.
Claims (4)
1. A printer comprising:
a head for printing on a sheet;
a storage for storing a plurality of sheets in a stacked condition; and
a transfer for sending a piece of sheet from the storage to the head sequentially and returning the piece of sheet from the head to the storage;
wherein the storage includes a rear wall that abuts an edge of the sheet being returned to the storage from the head;
at least one projection is formed on an inner surface of the rear wall,
a top surface of the projection is inclined such that the top surface at a distal end of the projection is lower than the top surface at a root of the projection, and
a bottom surface of the projection is substantially horizontal or inclined such that the bottom surface at the distal end of the projection is lower than the bottom surface at the root of the projection.
2. The printer as defined in claim 1 ,
wherein the projection is formed at an upper portion of the rear wall.
3. The printer as defined in claim 1 ,
wherein a cross sectional area of the projection along a plane that is parallel to the rear wall is reduced from the root to the distal end of the projection.
4. The printer as defined in claim 1 ,
wherein a plurality of the projections is formed on the rear wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005317050A JP2007119233A (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2005-10-31 | Image recording device |
JP2005-317050 | 2005-10-31 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070096386A1 true US20070096386A1 (en) | 2007-05-03 |
Family
ID=37995233
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/554,691 Abandoned US20070096386A1 (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-10-31 | Printer with sheet returning mechanism |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070096386A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007119233A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120203497A1 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | Jun Yamane | Detecting device, image forming apparatus, computer program product, and detecting system |
US8882107B2 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-11-11 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Sheet conveyance device, document feeder, image forming apparatus, and multi feed detection method |
US20170217218A1 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2017-08-03 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet conveyor and ink-jet recording apparatus |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4971204B2 (en) * | 2008-01-09 | 2012-07-11 | 株式会社リコー | Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus |
JP2012201443A (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-10-22 | Seiko Epson Corp | Cassette device and recording device |
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US2904335A (en) * | 1958-03-04 | 1959-09-15 | Rabinow Jacob | Stacker for mail sorters and the like |
US4050805A (en) * | 1975-11-18 | 1977-09-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electrophotographic copying apparatus for two-sided copying |
US5022641A (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1991-06-11 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Recirculating feeder of sheets |
US5096181A (en) * | 1990-07-13 | 1992-03-17 | Xerox Corporation | Sheet feeding and delivering apparatus having stack replenishment and removal for allowing continuous operation |
US5146286A (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-09-08 | Xerox Corporation | Compact copy sheet input/output apparatus for an electrophotographic printing machine |
US5263703A (en) * | 1992-06-24 | 1993-11-23 | Xerox Corporation | Orbiting nip control for increasing sheet stacking capacity |
US6322264B1 (en) * | 2000-01-05 | 2001-11-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Media cassette having an upper input tray and a lower output tray |
US6659451B2 (en) * | 2000-12-30 | 2003-12-09 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Paper cassette for an image forming device |
US6991228B2 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2006-01-31 | Oce-Technologies, B.V. | Sheet depositing device |
-
2005
- 2005-10-31 JP JP2005317050A patent/JP2007119233A/en active Pending
-
2006
- 2006-10-31 US US11/554,691 patent/US20070096386A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2904335A (en) * | 1958-03-04 | 1959-09-15 | Rabinow Jacob | Stacker for mail sorters and the like |
US4050805A (en) * | 1975-11-18 | 1977-09-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electrophotographic copying apparatus for two-sided copying |
US5022641A (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1991-06-11 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Recirculating feeder of sheets |
US5096181A (en) * | 1990-07-13 | 1992-03-17 | Xerox Corporation | Sheet feeding and delivering apparatus having stack replenishment and removal for allowing continuous operation |
US5146286A (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-09-08 | Xerox Corporation | Compact copy sheet input/output apparatus for an electrophotographic printing machine |
US5263703A (en) * | 1992-06-24 | 1993-11-23 | Xerox Corporation | Orbiting nip control for increasing sheet stacking capacity |
US6322264B1 (en) * | 2000-01-05 | 2001-11-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Media cassette having an upper input tray and a lower output tray |
US6659451B2 (en) * | 2000-12-30 | 2003-12-09 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Paper cassette for an image forming device |
US6991228B2 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2006-01-31 | Oce-Technologies, B.V. | Sheet depositing device |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120203497A1 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2012-08-09 | Jun Yamane | Detecting device, image forming apparatus, computer program product, and detecting system |
US8882107B2 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-11-11 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Sheet conveyance device, document feeder, image forming apparatus, and multi feed detection method |
US20170217218A1 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2017-08-03 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet conveyor and ink-jet recording apparatus |
US10308045B2 (en) * | 2016-01-29 | 2019-06-04 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Sheet conveyor and ink-jet recording apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP2007119233A (en) | 2007-05-17 |
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Owner name: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ASADA, TETSUO;REEL/FRAME:018465/0335 Effective date: 20061030 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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