US20090267284A1 - Transport device and image recording apparatus - Google Patents
Transport device and image recording apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090267284A1 US20090267284A1 US12/422,041 US42204109A US2009267284A1 US 20090267284 A1 US20090267284 A1 US 20090267284A1 US 42204109 A US42204109 A US 42204109A US 2009267284 A1 US2009267284 A1 US 2009267284A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- roller
- curved surface
- recording paper
- transport
- recording
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/36—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation
- B65H5/38—Article guides or smoothers, e.g. movable in operation immovable in operation
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/50—Surface of the elements in contact with the forwarded or guided material
- B65H2404/54—Surface including rotary elements, e.g. balls or rollers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/60—Other elements in face contact with handled material
- B65H2404/61—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires
- B65H2404/611—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires arranged to form a channel
- B65H2404/6111—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires arranged to form a channel and shaped for curvilinear transport path
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- 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 transport device which transports a sheet-like medium, and an image recording apparatus.
- image recording apparatuses such as a printer, include a transport device which transports a sheet-like medium arranged in the tray to an image recording unit.
- a transport device which transports a sheet-like medium arranged in the tray to an image recording unit.
- An example of a technique concerning an image recording apparatus provided with a transport device including a transport path called a U-turn path is disclosed in JP-A-2006-008328 and JP-A-2007-182264
- An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a transport device which can transport a sheet-like medium well. Additionally, another advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image recording apparatus which can record an image on a sheet-like medium well.
- a transport device includes: a transport path which connects an inlet and an outlet and is formed between a first curved surface which is convex in a first direction, and a second curved surface which faces the first curved surface via a gap, and along which a sheet-like medium is transported; a protruding portion which is arranged on the first curved surface and protrudes from the first curved surface; and a first roller which is arranged on the second curved surface, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the second curved surface.
- the protruding portion is arranged in a position where the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion prior to the first roller.
- the sheet-like medium after the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet of the transport path formed between the first curved surface and the second curved surface has contacted the protruding portion arranged on the first curved surface, the sheet-like medium contacts the first roller of the second curved surface, and is transported toward the outlet.
- an increase in the transport resistance of the sheet-like medium when being moved along the transport path can be suppressed. Accordingly, the sheet-like medium can be transported well.
- the protruding portion is arranged in a position closer to the inlet than the first roller, and adjusts the plunging angle of a leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller. Since the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion before contacting the first roller, the posture of the sheet-like medium is adjusted, and the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller is adjusted.
- the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller is an angle formed by the traveling direction of the sheet-like medium, and a line perpendicular to a tangential line of the first roller in a position where the leading edge of the sheet-like medium, and the first roller collide with each other.
- Transport resistance changes according to the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller. Accordingly, an increase in the transport resistance can be suppressed by the protruding portion of the first curved surface which can adjust the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller.
- the first roller is arranged in the vicinity of an apex of the second curved surface.
- the protruding portion includes at least a portion of the second roller.
- the external diameter of the second roller is smaller than the external diameter of the first roller.
- the transport path is adapted such that the sheet-like medium one face of which faces a second direction is curved in the inlet, and the one face faces a direction substantially opposite to the second direction in the outlet. That is, enlargement of the transport device can be suppressed by forming the transport path as a U-turn path (reversing path).
- an image recording apparatus includes: a tray in which a sheet-like medium is arranged; a recording unit which is arranged in a position different from the tray, and records an image on the sheet-like medium; and the transport device of the first aspect which transports the sheet-like medium of the tray to the recording unit.
- the sheet-like medium arranged in the tray is made to enter the transport path through the inlet of the transport device of the first aspect.
- the sheet-like medium can be taken out of the outlet, and transported to the recording unit well. Accordingly, an image can be recorded on the sheet-like medium well by the recording unit.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus including a transport device according to this embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the transport device according to this embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the transport device according to this embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the plunging angle of the leading edge of a recording paper with respect to an outside roller.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the transport device according to this embodiment.
- a predetermined direction within a horizontal plane is defined as an X-axis direction
- a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane is defined as a Y-axis direction
- a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is defined as a Z-axis direction.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
- the image recording apparatus 1 is a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid substance ejecting apparatus) which ejects a liquid (liquid substance), such as ink, and records an image on a sheet-like recording medium P
- a fluid ejecting apparatus 1 is an ink jet image recording apparatus which ejects ink onto a recording medium P from an ejection port 3 of a recording head 2 , and records an image on the recording medium P
- an ink jet printer which discharges (ejects) droplets of ink onto a recording paper P which is the sheet-like recording medium, and records an image on the recording paper P will be described as an example of the ink jet image recording apparatus 1 .
- the ink jet printer 1 includes a paper feed tray 4 on which the recording paper P is arranged, a recording unit 5 which is arranged in a position different from the paper feed tray 4 and records an image on the recording paper P in ink, and a recording paper transport device 6 which transports the recording paper P of the paper feed tray 4 to the recording unit 5 .
- the recording unit 5 includes a recording head 2 which ejects ink, a carriage 7 which is movable while supporting the recording head 2 , and a platen 8 which is arranged in a position which faces the recording head 2 supported by the carriage 7 , and supports the recording paper P onto which ink is to be ejected.
- the ink jet printer 1 includes a carriage guide member 9 which guides movement of the carriage 7 , and a carriage driving unit 10 including a timing belt and a motor which drives the timing belt.
- the carriage 7 is moved in a main scanning direction (X-axis direction) by the carriage driving unit 10 while being guided by the carriage guide member 9 .
- the recording paper P is moved in a sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) which intersects the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the recording unit 5 by the recording paper transport device 6 .
- the recording head 2 is a so-called electromechanical conversion type droplet discharge head.
- the recording head 2 has a piezoelectric element and a space the pressure of which changes by the deformation of the piezoelectric element.
- the space is formed by a flexible film displaced by the deformation of the piezoelectric element, a plate (nozzle plate) having an ejection port 3 , etc.
- Ink is reserved in the space.
- the piezoelectric element is deformed on the basis of the electric signal.
- the pressure of the space in which ink is reserved changes. Some of the ink in the space is ejected (discharged) from the ejection port 3 by the change of the pressure.
- the recording head 2 includes an ejection face 11 in which the ejection port 3 which ejects ink is formed.
- the ejection port 3 is able to discharge droplets of ink.
- the ejection face 11 is nearly parallel to an XY plane. Additionally, in this embodiment, the ejection face 11 is a rectangle which is long in the X-axis direction.
- a plurality of the ejection ports 3 is formed at predetermined intervals, for example, in the X axis in the ejection face 11 .
- the platen 8 of the recording unit 5 is arranged in the position which faces the ejection face 11 of the recording head 2 supported by the carriage 7 , and supports one face Pa of the recording paper P arranged in the recording unit 5 .
- the recording head 2 and the carriage 7 are arranged above (+Z side) the platen 8 .
- the recording paper transport device 6 transports the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to the recording unit 5 in an interlocking manner with the recording operation by the recording unit 5 .
- the recording paper transport device 6 includes a paper feed roller 12 for carrying out the recording paper P of the paper feed tray 4 , a paper feed roller driving unit 13 including a motor which drives the paper feed roller 12 , a recording paper guide member 14 which guides movement of the recording paper P, a transport roller 15 which is arranged on the downstream side in a transport direction with respect to the paper feed roller 12 and the recording paper guide member 14 , a transport roller driving unit 16 including a motor which drives the transport roller 15 , a pinch roller 17 which is arranged in a position which faces the transport roller 15 , a discharge roller 18 which is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport roller 15 and the recording unit 5 , a discharge roller driving unit 19 including a motor which drives the discharge roller 18 , and a spur roller 20 which is arranged in
- the paper feed roller 12 is arranged in a position which faces the recording paper P arranged in the paper feed tray 4 .
- the paper feed roller 12 is able to pick up the recording paper P arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in the paper feed tray 4 , and carry out the recording paper from the paper feed tray 4 .
- the recording paper P of the paper feed tray 4 is fed to between the transport roller 15 and the pinch roller 17 by the paper feed roller 12 which is driven by the paper feed roller driving unit 13 while being guided by the recording paper guide member 14 .
- the transport roller 15 is able to pinch a recording paper between the transport roller and the pinch roller 17 .
- the pinch roller 17 is a driven roller which is rotated so as to follow the driving of the transport roller 15 .
- the recording paper P fed to between the transport roller 15 and the pinch roller 17 is fed to between the discharge roller 18 and the spur roller 20 via the recording unit 5 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport roller 15 which is driven by the transport roller driving unit 16 .
- the discharge roller 18 is able to pinch the recording paper P between the discharge roller and the spur roller 20 .
- the spur roller 20 is a driven roller which is rotated so as to follow the driving of the discharge roller 18 .
- the recording paper P recorded by the recording unit 5 is discharged from the ink jet printer 1 by the recording paper transport device 6 including the discharge roller 18 .
- the recording paper guide member 14 forms a transport path 21 along which the recording paper P is transported. Additionally, the recording paper guide member 14 forms an inlet 22 and an outlet 23 of the transport path 21 .
- the inlet 22 is arranged at a lower end of the guide member 14 , and the outlet 23 is arranged at an upper end of the guide member 14 .
- the paper feed tray 4 is arranged on the ⁇ Z side of the recording unit 5 .
- the inlet 22 is arranged in the vicinity of the paper feed tray 4
- the outlet 23 is arranged in the vicinity of the recording unit 5 .
- the transport path 21 is formed so as to connect the inlet 22 and the outlet 23 .
- the recording paper P from the paper feed tray 4 enters the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 .
- the recording paper comes out from an outlet 23 and is fed to the recording unit 5 .
- the transport path 21 is formed between a first curved surface 24 which is convex in the +Y direction, and a second curved surface 25 which faces the first curved surface 24 via a gap G.
- the recording paper guide member 14 includes a first guide member 14 A in which the first curved surface 24 is arranged, and a second guide member 14 B in which the second curved surface 25 is arranged.
- each of the first guide member 14 A and the second guide member 14 B is a plate member which is convexly curved toward +Y direction.
- each of the first curved surface 24 and the second curved surface 25 has a circular-arc shape which is convex in the +Y direction.
- the transport path 21 formed between the first guide member 14 A and the second guide member 14 B includes a so-called U-turn path (reversing path).
- the recording paper P is arranged in the paper feed tray 4 with one face Pa turned toward the +Z side.
- the paper feed roller 12 is arranged in a position which faces one face Pa of the recording paper P arranged in the paper feed tray 4 .
- the paper feed roller 12 picks up the recording paper P arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in the paper feed tray 4 , and carries out the recording paper from the paper feed tray 4 .
- a separating inclined plate 26 is arranged between the paper feed tray 4 (paper feed roller 12 ) and the inlet 22 of the transport path 21 .
- the separating inclined plate 26 separates a plurality of recording papers P overlappingly fed from the paper feed tray 4 , for example, by the paper feed roller 12 , and guides the recording paper P, which is arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in the paper feed tray 4 , to the inlet 22 .
- the transport path 21 includes a first portion 21 A which inclines toward +Y direction with respect to the Z axis through the inlet 22 , a second portion 21 B which is bent to the +Z side gradually from an upper end of the first portion 21 A, a third portion 21 C which extends in the +Z direction from an upper end of the second portion 21 B, a fourth portion 21 D which is bent to the ⁇ Y side gradually from an upper end of the third portion 21 C, and a fifth portion 21 E which inclines toward the ⁇ Y direction with respect to the Z axis from an upper end of the fourth portion 21 D.
- the recording paper P which has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 is transported to the outlet 23 while being curved in the transport path 21 including the first to fifth portions 21 A to 21 E.
- the transport roller 15 and the pickup roller 17 are arranged between the outlet 23 of the transport path 21 , and the recording unit 5 . Additionally, in this embodiment, a pair of plate members 27 and 28 is arranged between the outlet 23 of the transport path 21 , and the transport roller 15 and the pickup roller 17 . The thickness of the plate members 27 and 28 is smaller than the thickness of the first and second guide members 14 A and 14 B. The transport path 29 along which the recording paper P is transported is formed between the plate member 27 and the plate member 28 . The plate members 27 and 28 guide the recording paper P which has come out of the outlet 23 to between the transport roller 15 and the pickup roller 17 .
- the recording paper P which has passed between the transport roller 15 and the pickup roller 17 is fed to between the recording head 2 of the recording unit 5 , and the platen 8 .
- the recording head 2 is arranged above (+Z side) the platen 8 , one face Pa of the recording paper P fed to the recording unit 5 faces the platen 8 , and the other face of the recording paper faces the recording head 2 .
- the transport path 21 forms the U-turn path (reversing path) in which the recording paper P one face Pa of which faces +Z direction is curved in the vicinity of the paper feed tray 4 and the inlet 22 , and one face Pa faces ⁇ Z direction in the vicinity of the outlet 23 and in the recording unit 5 .
- the first curved surface 24 forms an inside surface of the curved transport path 21
- the second curved surface 25 forms an outside surface of the curved transport path 21
- the first curved surface 24 is appropriately referred to as an inside curved surface 24
- the second curved surface 25 is appropriately referred to as an outside curved surface 25
- the first guide member 14 A is appropriately referred to as an inside guide member 14 A
- the second guide member 14 B is appropriately referred to as an outside guide member 14 B.
- the recording paper transport device 6 includes the protruding portion 30 which is arranged on the inside curved surface 24 and protrudes from the inside curved surface 24 , and an outside roller 31 which is arranged on the outside curved surface 25 , and at least a portion of which protrudes from the outside curved surface 25 .
- the protruding portion 30 includes at least a portion of the inside roller 32 rotatably supported by the inside guide member 14 A. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the inside roller 32 protrudes toward the transport path 21 (outward) from the inside curved surface 24 .
- the outside roller 31 is rotatably supported by the outside guide member 14 B. At least a portion of the outside roller 31 protrudes toward the transport path 21 (inward) from the outside curved surface 25 .
- the protruding portion 30 is arranged in a position where the recording paper P which has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 contacts the protruding portion prior to the outside roller 31 .
- a plurality of inside rollers 33 ( 33 A, 33 B) is arranged in the inside curved surface 24 on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the protruding portion 30 .
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, showing the positional relationship between the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B and the outside roller 31 , when the inside guide member 14 A is seen from the ⁇ Y side.
- the two inside rollers 33 A and 33 B are arranged along the transport direction in the inside curved surface 24 on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the protruding portion 30 .
- the inside rollers 33 A and 33 B are rotatably supported by the inside guide member 14 A.
- the inside guide member 14 A includes a plurality of openings 34 A, 34 B, and 34 C in which the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B are arranged, respectively, and supporting portions 35 A, 35 B, and 35 C which are arranged at edges of the openings 34 A, 34 B, and 34 C, and rotatably support the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B, respectively.
- the supporting portions 35 A, 35 B, and 35 C supports the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B, respectively, so as to be rotatable around the X axis.
- the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B are arranged roughly in the middle of the transport path 21 in the width direction (X-axis direction) so as to stand in a line in the transport direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 2 ).
- the inside roller 32 which forms the protruding portion 30 is arranged in a position closer to the inlet 22 than the outside roller 31 .
- the inside roller 32 which forms the protruding portion 30 is arranged so as to face the second portion 21 B (or the first portion 21 A) of the transport path 21 .
- the inside roller 33 A is arranged so as to face the third portion 21 C of the transport path 21 .
- the inside roller 33 B is arranged so as to face the fourth portion 21 D (or the fifth portion 21 E) of the transport path 21 .
- the outside roller 31 includes two outside rollers 31 A and 31 B arranged in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the transport path 21 .
- the outside guide member 14 B includes a plurality of openings 36 A and 36 B in which the outside rollers 31 A and 31 B are arranged, respectively, and supporting portions 37 A and 37 B which are arranged at edges of the openings 36 A and 36 B, and rotatably support the outside rollers 31 A and 31 B, respectively.
- the supporting portions 37 A and 37 B support the outside rollers 31 A and 31 B, respectively, so as to be rotatable around the X axis.
- the outside rollers 31 A and 31 B are arranged on both sides of the inside roller 33 A in the X-axis direction within the XZ plane.
- the outside roller 31 is arranged in a position closer to the outlet 23 than the protruding portion 30 .
- the outside roller 31 is arranged so as to face the third portion 21 C of the transport path 21 . That is, in this embodiment, the outside roller 31 is arranged in the vicinity of the apex of the second curved surface 25 .
- the apex of the second curved surface 25 is a portion nearest to the +Y side within the YZ plane in the second curved surface 25 , and includes an inflection point.
- the size (external diameter) of the outside roller 31 B is the same as the size (external diameter) of the outside roller 31 A. Additionally, the size (external diameter) of the inside roller 32 , the size (external diameter) of the inside roller 33 A, and the size (external diameter) of the inside roller 33 B are the same. Additionally, the sizes (external diameters) of the inside rollers 32 , 33 A, and 33 B are smaller than the sizes (external diameters) of the outside rollers 31 A and 31 B.
- the recording paper P of the paper feed tray 4 is carried out of the paper feed tray 4 by the paper feed roller 12 .
- the leading edge of the recording paper P carried out of the paper feed tray 4 enters the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 after it has contacted the separating inclined plate 26 .
- FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the recording paper P immediately after the paper has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 .
- the recording paper P which has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 contacts the protruding portion 30 before it contacts the outside roller 31 .
- the protruding portion 30 contacts a portion of one face Pa of the recording paper P.
- an increase in the transport resistance of the recording paper P is suppressed.
- the recording paper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while suppressing damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P.
- the protruding portion 30 is arranged in a position closer to the inlet 22 than the outside roller 31 , and is able to adjust the posture of the recording paper P, which has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 , before contacting the outside roller 31 .
- the protruding portion 30 adjusts the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 .
- the positional relationship between the outside roller 31 and the protruding portion 30 is adjusted (optimized) according to, for example, the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the leading edge of the recording paper P enters (plunges into) at a predetermined plunging angle ⁇ with respect to the outside roller 31 .
- the basis weight of the recording paper P is, for example, 50 to 300 g/m 2 .
- the basis weight of the recycled paper is about 50 g/m 2 and the basis weight of the photographic paper is about 200 g/m 2 .
- the basis weight of the recording paper P with high use frequency is, for example, 50 to 200 g/m 2 .
- the position of the protruding portion 30 with respect to the outside roller 31 is adjusted (optimized) according to the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the leading edge of the recording paper P enters (plunges into) at the predetermined plunging angle ⁇ with respect to the outside roller 31 .
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 .
- the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 is an angle formed by the traveling direction of the recording paper P, and a line perpendicular to a tangential line of the outside roller 31 in a position where the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the outside roller 31 collide with each other.
- the positional relationship between the outside roller 31 and the protruding portion 30 is adjusted (optimized) according to the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 becomes, for example, 5 to 35 degrees, preferably, 10 to 30 degrees. If the plunging angle ⁇ is large, the force which acts in the direction away from the outside roller 31 may occur in the recording paper P. As a result, for example, the recording paper P and the inside curved surface 24 may contact each other, and transport resistance may become large.
- the plunging angle ⁇ is small, for example, the leading edge of the recording paper P may be caught on the surface of the outside roller 31 , and the recording paper P may not be transported well.
- the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 becomes, for example, 5 to 35 degrees, preferably, 10 to 30 degrees, an increase in transport resistance can be suppressed, and the recording paper P can be transported well.
- the recording paper P which has contacted the outside roller 31 is transported along the transport path 21 while one face Pa and the inside rollers 33 A and 33 B are brought into contact with each other.
- the recording paper transport device 6 since the inside rollers 33 A and 33 B are arranged in addition to the inside roller 32 , the recording paper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P is suppressed.
- the leading edge of the recording paper P which has come of the outlet 23 of the transport path 21 is guided by the plate members 27 and 28 , and is fed to between the transport roller 15 and the nip roller 17 .
- the leading edge of the recording paper P passes between the recording head 2 of the recording unit 5 , and the platen 8 , and is fed to between the discharge roller 18 and the spur roller 20 .
- One face Pa of the recording paper P pinched between the transport roller 15 and the nip roller 17 and between the discharge roller 18 and the spur roller 20 faces the platen 8 .
- the recording paper P is supplied with ink from the recording head 2 in a state where it is supported by the platen 8 . This causes an image to be recorded on the recording paper P.
- the recording paper transport device 6 transports the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to the recording unit 5 in an interlocking manner with the recording operation by the recording unit 5 .
- the recording paper P on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit 5 is discharged from the ink jet printer 1 .
- the recording paper P which has entered the transport path 21 through the inlet 22 contacts the protruding portion 30 before it contacts the outside roller 31 .
- an increase in the transport resistance of the recording paper P can be suppressed. Accordingly, the recording paper P is transported to the recording unit 5 , and an image is recorded well in the recording unit 5 .
- the recording paper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while suppressing damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P.
- the protruding portion 30 is arranged in a position closer to the inlet 22 of the transport path 21 than the outside roller 31 , and is able to adjust the plunging angle ⁇ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to the outside roller 31 . Accordingly, after the recording paper P contacts the outside roller 31 , it is smoothly transported to the recording unit 5 via the outlet 23 .
- the protruding portion 30 is a portion of the rotatable inside roller 32
- the protruding portion may be, for example, a convex portion formed integrally with the inside curved surface 24 .
- the paper transport device 6 may be provided in image forming apparatuses, such as a copying machine and a facsimile, not limited to the ink jet printer.
Abstract
A transport device includes a transport path which connects an inlet and an outlet and is formed between a first curved surface which is convex in a first direction, and a second curved surface which faces the first curved surface via a gap, and along which a sheet-like medium is transported, a protruding portion which is arranged on the first curved surface and protrudes from the first curved surface, and a first roller which is arranged on the second curved surface, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the second curved surface. The protruding portion is arranged in a position where the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion prior to the first roller.
Description
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention relates to a transport device which transports a sheet-like medium, and an image recording apparatus.
- 2. Related Art
- For example, image recording apparatuses, such as a printer, include a transport device which transports a sheet-like medium arranged in the tray to an image recording unit. An example of a technique concerning an image recording apparatus provided with a transport device including a transport path called a U-turn path is disclosed in JP-A-2006-008328 and JP-A-2007-182264
- When a sheet-like medium is transported and transport resistance is large, for example, a transport speed may become unstable or the sheet-like medium may stop. As a result, the sheet-like medium cannot be transported well to the recording unit, and the quality of an image to be formed on the sheet-like medium may deteriorate.
- An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a transport device which can transport a sheet-like medium well. Additionally, another advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image recording apparatus which can record an image on a sheet-like medium well.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, a transport device includes: a transport path which connects an inlet and an outlet and is formed between a first curved surface which is convex in a first direction, and a second curved surface which faces the first curved surface via a gap, and along which a sheet-like medium is transported; a protruding portion which is arranged on the first curved surface and protrudes from the first curved surface; and a first roller which is arranged on the second curved surface, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the second curved surface. The protruding portion is arranged in a position where the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion prior to the first roller.
- According to the first aspect of the invention, after the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet of the transport path formed between the first curved surface and the second curved surface has contacted the protruding portion arranged on the first curved surface, the sheet-like medium contacts the first roller of the second curved surface, and is transported toward the outlet. Thereby, an increase in the transport resistance of the sheet-like medium when being moved along the transport path can be suppressed. Accordingly, the sheet-like medium can be transported well.
- In the first aspect of the invention, the protruding portion is arranged in a position closer to the inlet than the first roller, and adjusts the plunging angle of a leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller. Since the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion before contacting the first roller, the posture of the sheet-like medium is adjusted, and the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller is adjusted. The plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller is an angle formed by the traveling direction of the sheet-like medium, and a line perpendicular to a tangential line of the first roller in a position where the leading edge of the sheet-like medium, and the first roller collide with each other. Transport resistance changes according to the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller. Accordingly, an increase in the transport resistance can be suppressed by the protruding portion of the first curved surface which can adjust the plunging angle of the leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller.
- In the first aspect of the invention, the first roller is arranged in the vicinity of an apex of the second curved surface. Thereby, after the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet has contacted the protruding portion, the sheet-like medium contacts the first roller, and is transported well to the outlet.
- In the first aspect of the invention, the protruding portion includes at least a portion of the second roller. Thereby, since the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the rotatable second roller, an increase in transport resistance is suppressed.
- In the first aspect of the invention, the external diameter of the second roller is smaller than the external diameter of the first roller. Thereby, enlargement of the transport device can be suppressed.
- In the first aspect of the invention, the transport path is adapted such that the sheet-like medium one face of which faces a second direction is curved in the inlet, and the one face faces a direction substantially opposite to the second direction in the outlet. That is, enlargement of the transport device can be suppressed by forming the transport path as a U-turn path (reversing path).
- According to a second aspect of the invention, an image recording apparatus includes: a tray in which a sheet-like medium is arranged; a recording unit which is arranged in a position different from the tray, and records an image on the sheet-like medium; and the transport device of the first aspect which transports the sheet-like medium of the tray to the recording unit.
- According to the second aspect of the invention, the sheet-like medium arranged in the tray is made to enter the transport path through the inlet of the transport device of the first aspect. Thus, while an increase in transport resistance is suppressed, the sheet-like medium can be taken out of the outlet, and transported to the recording unit well. Accordingly, an image can be recorded on the sheet-like medium well by the recording unit.
- The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image recording apparatus including a transport device according to this embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the transport device according to this embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the transport device according to this embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the plunging angle of the leading edge of a recording paper with respect to an outside roller. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the transport device according to this embodiment. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system will be set, and the positional relationship of respective members will be described with reference to this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. A predetermined direction within a horizontal plane is defined as an X-axis direction, a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane is defined as a Y-axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (that is, a perpendicular direction) is defined as a Z-axis direction.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of animage recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a case where the image recordingapparatus 1 is a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid substance ejecting apparatus) which ejects a liquid (liquid substance), such as ink, and records an image on a sheet-like recording medium P will be described as an example. In this embodiment, a case where a fluid ejectingapparatus 1 is an ink jet image recording apparatus which ejects ink onto a recording medium P from anejection port 3 of arecording head 2, and records an image on the recording medium P will be described as an example. In this embodiment, an ink jet printer which discharges (ejects) droplets of ink onto a recording paper P which is the sheet-like recording medium, and records an image on the recording paper P will be described as an example of the ink jetimage recording apparatus 1. - In
FIG. 1 , theink jet printer 1 includes apaper feed tray 4 on which the recording paper P is arranged, arecording unit 5 which is arranged in a position different from thepaper feed tray 4 and records an image on the recording paper P in ink, and a recordingpaper transport device 6 which transports the recording paper P of thepaper feed tray 4 to therecording unit 5. - The
recording unit 5 includes arecording head 2 which ejects ink, acarriage 7 which is movable while supporting therecording head 2, and aplaten 8 which is arranged in a position which faces therecording head 2 supported by thecarriage 7, and supports the recording paper P onto which ink is to be ejected. - The
ink jet printer 1 includes acarriage guide member 9 which guides movement of thecarriage 7, and acarriage driving unit 10 including a timing belt and a motor which drives the timing belt. Thecarriage 7 is moved in a main scanning direction (X-axis direction) by thecarriage driving unit 10 while being guided by thecarriage guide member 9. The recording paper P is moved in a sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) which intersects the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) with respect to therecording unit 5 by the recordingpaper transport device 6. - In this embodiment, the
recording head 2 is a so-called electromechanical conversion type droplet discharge head. Therecording head 2 has a piezoelectric element and a space the pressure of which changes by the deformation of the piezoelectric element. The space is formed by a flexible film displaced by the deformation of the piezoelectric element, a plate (nozzle plate) having anejection port 3, etc. Ink is reserved in the space. When a pulsatile electric signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element is deformed on the basis of the electric signal. When the flexible film is displaced by the deformation of the piezoelectric element, the pressure of the space in which ink is reserved changes. Some of the ink in the space is ejected (discharged) from theejection port 3 by the change of the pressure. - The
recording head 2 includes anejection face 11 in which theejection port 3 which ejects ink is formed. Theejection port 3 is able to discharge droplets of ink. In this embodiment, theejection face 11 is nearly parallel to an XY plane. Additionally, in this embodiment, theejection face 11 is a rectangle which is long in the X-axis direction. A plurality of theejection ports 3 is formed at predetermined intervals, for example, in the X axis in theejection face 11. - The
platen 8 of therecording unit 5 is arranged in the position which faces theejection face 11 of therecording head 2 supported by thecarriage 7, and supports one face Pa of the recording paper P arranged in therecording unit 5. Therecording head 2 and thecarriage 7 are arranged above (+Z side) theplaten 8. - The recording
paper transport device 6 transports the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to therecording unit 5 in an interlocking manner with the recording operation by therecording unit 5. The recordingpaper transport device 6 includes apaper feed roller 12 for carrying out the recording paper P of thepaper feed tray 4, a paper feedroller driving unit 13 including a motor which drives thepaper feed roller 12, a recordingpaper guide member 14 which guides movement of the recording paper P, atransport roller 15 which is arranged on the downstream side in a transport direction with respect to thepaper feed roller 12 and the recordingpaper guide member 14, a transportroller driving unit 16 including a motor which drives thetransport roller 15, apinch roller 17 which is arranged in a position which faces thetransport roller 15, adischarge roller 18 which is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to thetransport roller 15 and therecording unit 5, a dischargeroller driving unit 19 including a motor which drives thedischarge roller 18, and aspur roller 20 which is arranged in the position which faces thedischarge roller 18. - The
paper feed roller 12 is arranged in a position which faces the recording paper P arranged in thepaper feed tray 4. Thepaper feed roller 12 is able to pick up the recording paper P arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in thepaper feed tray 4, and carry out the recording paper from thepaper feed tray 4. The recording paper P of thepaper feed tray 4 is fed to between thetransport roller 15 and thepinch roller 17 by thepaper feed roller 12 which is driven by the paper feedroller driving unit 13 while being guided by the recordingpaper guide member 14. Thetransport roller 15 is able to pinch a recording paper between the transport roller and thepinch roller 17. Thepinch roller 17 is a driven roller which is rotated so as to follow the driving of thetransport roller 15. The recording paper P fed to between thetransport roller 15 and thepinch roller 17 is fed to between thedischarge roller 18 and thespur roller 20 via therecording unit 5 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction by thetransport roller 15 which is driven by the transportroller driving unit 16. Thedischarge roller 18 is able to pinch the recording paper P between the discharge roller and thespur roller 20. Thespur roller 20 is a driven roller which is rotated so as to follow the driving of thedischarge roller 18. The recording paper P recorded by therecording unit 5 is discharged from theink jet printer 1 by the recordingpaper transport device 6 including thedischarge roller 18. - The recording
paper guide member 14 forms atransport path 21 along which the recording paper P is transported. Additionally, the recordingpaper guide member 14 forms aninlet 22 and anoutlet 23 of thetransport path 21. Theinlet 22 is arranged at a lower end of theguide member 14, and theoutlet 23 is arranged at an upper end of theguide member 14. In this embodiment, thepaper feed tray 4 is arranged on the −Z side of therecording unit 5. Theinlet 22 is arranged in the vicinity of thepaper feed tray 4, and theoutlet 23 is arranged in the vicinity of therecording unit 5. - The
transport path 21 is formed so as to connect theinlet 22 and theoutlet 23. The recording paper P from thepaper feed tray 4 enters thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22. After the recording paper P which has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22 has been transported along thetransport path 21, the recording paper comes out from anoutlet 23 and is fed to therecording unit 5. - The
transport path 21 is formed between a firstcurved surface 24 which is convex in the +Y direction, and a secondcurved surface 25 which faces the firstcurved surface 24 via a gap G. In this embodiment, the recordingpaper guide member 14 includes afirst guide member 14A in which the firstcurved surface 24 is arranged, and asecond guide member 14B in which the secondcurved surface 25 is arranged. In this embodiment, each of thefirst guide member 14A and thesecond guide member 14B is a plate member which is convexly curved toward +Y direction. In this embodiment, in a cross-section parallel to the YZ plane, each of the firstcurved surface 24 and the secondcurved surface 25 has a circular-arc shape which is convex in the +Y direction. In this embodiment, thetransport path 21 formed between thefirst guide member 14A and thesecond guide member 14B includes a so-called U-turn path (reversing path). - In this embodiment, the recording paper P is arranged in the
paper feed tray 4 with one face Pa turned toward the +Z side. Thepaper feed roller 12 is arranged in a position which faces one face Pa of the recording paper P arranged in thepaper feed tray 4. Thepaper feed roller 12 picks up the recording paper P arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in thepaper feed tray 4, and carries out the recording paper from thepaper feed tray 4. - In this embodiment, a separating
inclined plate 26 is arranged between the paper feed tray 4 (paper feed roller 12) and theinlet 22 of thetransport path 21. The separating inclinedplate 26 separates a plurality of recording papers P overlappingly fed from thepaper feed tray 4, for example, by thepaper feed roller 12, and guides the recording paper P, which is arranged on the uppermost side (+Z side) among a plurality of recording papers P stacked in thepaper feed tray 4, to theinlet 22. - The
transport path 21 includes afirst portion 21A which inclines toward +Y direction with respect to the Z axis through theinlet 22, asecond portion 21B which is bent to the +Z side gradually from an upper end of thefirst portion 21A, athird portion 21C which extends in the +Z direction from an upper end of thesecond portion 21B, afourth portion 21D which is bent to the −Y side gradually from an upper end of thethird portion 21C, and afifth portion 21E which inclines toward the −Y direction with respect to the Z axis from an upper end of thefourth portion 21D. The recording paper P which has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22 is transported to theoutlet 23 while being curved in thetransport path 21 including the first tofifth portions 21A to 21E. - In this embodiment, the
transport roller 15 and thepickup roller 17 are arranged between theoutlet 23 of thetransport path 21, and therecording unit 5. Additionally, in this embodiment, a pair ofplate members outlet 23 of thetransport path 21, and thetransport roller 15 and thepickup roller 17. The thickness of theplate members second guide members transport path 29 along which the recording paper P is transported is formed between theplate member 27 and theplate member 28. Theplate members outlet 23 to between thetransport roller 15 and thepickup roller 17. - The recording paper P which has passed between the
transport roller 15 and thepickup roller 17 is fed to between therecording head 2 of therecording unit 5, and theplaten 8. Therecording head 2 is arranged above (+Z side) theplaten 8, one face Pa of the recording paper P fed to therecording unit 5 faces theplaten 8, and the other face of the recording paper faces therecording head 2. As such, in this embodiment, thetransport path 21 forms the U-turn path (reversing path) in which the recording paper P one face Pa of which faces +Z direction is curved in the vicinity of thepaper feed tray 4 and theinlet 22, and one face Pa faces −Z direction in the vicinity of theoutlet 23 and in therecording unit 5. - The first
curved surface 24 forms an inside surface of thecurved transport path 21, and the secondcurved surface 25 forms an outside surface of thecurved transport path 21. In the following description, the firstcurved surface 24 is appropriately referred to as an insidecurved surface 24, and the secondcurved surface 25 is appropriately referred to as an outsidecurved surface 25. Additionally, thefirst guide member 14A is appropriately referred to as aninside guide member 14A, and thesecond guide member 14B is appropriately referred to as anoutside guide member 14B. - In this embodiment, the recording
paper transport device 6 includes the protrudingportion 30 which is arranged on the insidecurved surface 24 and protrudes from the insidecurved surface 24, and anoutside roller 31 which is arranged on the outsidecurved surface 25, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the outsidecurved surface 25. - In this embodiment, the protruding
portion 30 includes at least a portion of theinside roller 32 rotatably supported by theinside guide member 14A. In this embodiment, at least a portion of theinside roller 32 protrudes toward the transport path 21 (outward) from the insidecurved surface 24. - The
outside roller 31 is rotatably supported by theoutside guide member 14B. At least a portion of theoutside roller 31 protrudes toward the transport path 21 (inward) from the outsidecurved surface 25. - In this embodiment, the protruding
portion 30 is arranged in a position where the recording paper P which has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22 contacts the protruding portion prior to theoutside roller 31. - Additionally, in this embodiment, a plurality of inside rollers 33 (33A, 33B) is arranged in the inside
curved surface 24 on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the protrudingportion 30. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, showing the positional relationship between theinside rollers outside roller 31, when theinside guide member 14A is seen from the −Y side. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the twoinside rollers curved surface 24 on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the protrudingportion 30. Theinside rollers inside guide member 14A. - The
inside guide member 14A includes a plurality ofopenings inside rollers portions openings inside rollers portions inside rollers inside rollers transport path 21 in the width direction (X-axis direction) so as to stand in a line in the transport direction (Z-axis direction inFIG. 2 ). - In this embodiment, the
inside roller 32 which forms the protrudingportion 30 is arranged in a position closer to theinlet 22 than theoutside roller 31. In this embodiment, theinside roller 32 which forms the protrudingportion 30 is arranged so as to face thesecond portion 21B (or thefirst portion 21A) of thetransport path 21. Theinside roller 33A is arranged so as to face thethird portion 21C of thetransport path 21. Theinside roller 33B is arranged so as to face thefourth portion 21D (or thefifth portion 21E) of thetransport path 21. - In this embodiment, the
outside roller 31 includes twooutside rollers transport path 21. Theoutside guide member 14B includes a plurality ofopenings outside rollers portions openings outside rollers portions outside rollers outside rollers inside roller 33A in the X-axis direction within the XZ plane. - In this embodiment, the
outside roller 31 is arranged in a position closer to theoutlet 23 than the protrudingportion 30. In this embodiment, theoutside roller 31 is arranged so as to face thethird portion 21C of thetransport path 21. That is, in this embodiment, theoutside roller 31 is arranged in the vicinity of the apex of the secondcurved surface 25. The apex of the secondcurved surface 25 is a portion nearest to the +Y side within the YZ plane in the secondcurved surface 25, and includes an inflection point. - Additionally, in this embodiment, the size (external diameter) of the
outside roller 31B is the same as the size (external diameter) of theoutside roller 31A. Additionally, the size (external diameter) of theinside roller 32, the size (external diameter) of theinside roller 33A, and the size (external diameter) of theinside roller 33B are the same. Additionally, the sizes (external diameters) of theinside rollers outside rollers - Next, an example of the operation of the
ink jet printer 1 will be described. In order to record an image on the recording paper P in ink, the recording paper P of thepaper feed tray 4 is carried out of thepaper feed tray 4 by thepaper feed roller 12. The leading edge of the recording paper P carried out of thepaper feed tray 4 enters thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22 after it has contacted the separating inclinedplate 26. -
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the recording paper P immediately after the paper has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22. As shown inFIG. 3 , the recording paper P which has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22 contacts the protrudingportion 30 before it contacts theoutside roller 31. The protrudingportion 30 contacts a portion of one face Pa of the recording paper P. As one face Pa of the recording paper P and the protrudingportion 30 whose surface is curved contacts each other, an increase in the transport resistance of the recording paper P is suppressed. Additionally, as one face Pa of the recording paper P and the protrudingportion 30 whose surface is curved contacts each other, the recordingpaper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while suppressing damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P. - Additionally, as the recording paper P contacts the protruding
portion 30, its posture is adjusted before contacting theoutside roller 31. The protrudingportion 30 is arranged in a position closer to theinlet 22 than theoutside roller 31, and is able to adjust the posture of the recording paper P, which has entered thetransport path 21 through theinlet 22, before contacting theoutside roller 31. - In this embodiment, the protruding
portion 30 adjusts the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31. In this embodiment, the positional relationship between theoutside roller 31 and the protrudingportion 30 is adjusted (optimized) according to, for example, the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the leading edge of the recording paper P enters (plunges into) at a predetermined plunging angle θ with respect to theoutside roller 31. - In this embodiment, the basis weight of the recording paper P is, for example, 50 to 300 g/m2. In addition, in a case where the frequency in use of recycled paper, photographic paper, etc. as the recording paper P is high, the basis weight of the recycled paper is about 50 g/m2 and the basis weight of the photographic paper is about 200 g/m2. Thus, the basis weight of the recording paper P with high use frequency is, for example, 50 to 200 g/m2. In this embodiment, the position of the protruding
portion 30 with respect to theoutside roller 31 is adjusted (optimized) according to the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the leading edge of the recording paper P enters (plunges into) at the predetermined plunging angle θ with respect to theoutside roller 31. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31. InFIG. 4 , the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31 is an angle formed by the traveling direction of the recording paper P, and a line perpendicular to a tangential line of theoutside roller 31 in a position where the leading edge of the recording paper P, and theoutside roller 31 collide with each other. - In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the
outside roller 31 and the protrudingportion 30 is adjusted (optimized) according to the basis weight of the recording paper P so that the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31 becomes, for example, 5 to 35 degrees, preferably, 10 to 30 degrees. If the plunging angle θ is large, the force which acts in the direction away from theoutside roller 31 may occur in the recording paper P. As a result, for example, the recording paper P and the insidecurved surface 24 may contact each other, and transport resistance may become large. On the other hand, if the plunging angle θ is small, for example, the leading edge of the recording paper P may be caught on the surface of theoutside roller 31, and the recording paper P may not be transported well. By adjusting (optimizing) the positional relationship of theoutside roller 31 and the protruding portion 30 (optimization) so that the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31 becomes, for example, 5 to 35 degrees, preferably, 10 to 30 degrees, an increase in transport resistance can be suppressed, and the recording paper P can be transported well. - After contacting the protruding
portion 30, the recording paper P which has contacted theoutside roller 31 is transported along thetransport path 21 while one face Pa and theinside rollers inside rollers inside roller 32, the recordingpaper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P is suppressed. The leading edge of the recording paper P which has come of theoutlet 23 of thetransport path 21 is guided by theplate members transport roller 15 and thenip roller 17. - Then, as shown in
FIG. 5 , the leading edge of the recording paper P passes between therecording head 2 of therecording unit 5, and theplaten 8, and is fed to between thedischarge roller 18 and thespur roller 20. One face Pa of the recording paper P pinched between thetransport roller 15 and thenip roller 17 and between thedischarge roller 18 and thespur roller 20 faces theplaten 8. The recording paper P is supplied with ink from therecording head 2 in a state where it is supported by theplaten 8. This causes an image to be recorded on the recording paper P. - The recording
paper transport device 6 transports the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) with respect to therecording unit 5 in an interlocking manner with the recording operation by therecording unit 5. The recording paper P on which an image has been recorded by therecording unit 5 is discharged from theink jet printer 1. - As described above, according to this embodiment, the recording paper P which has entered the
transport path 21 through theinlet 22 contacts the protrudingportion 30 before it contacts theoutside roller 31. Thus, an increase in the transport resistance of the recording paper P can be suppressed. Accordingly, the recording paper P is transported to therecording unit 5, and an image is recorded well in therecording unit 5. - Additionally, as one face Pa of the recording paper P and the protruding
portion 30 whose surface is curved contacts each other, the recordingpaper transport device 6 is able to transport the recording paper P while suppressing damage of one face Pa of the recording paper P. - Additionally, the protruding
portion 30 is arranged in a position closer to theinlet 22 of thetransport path 21 than theoutside roller 31, and is able to adjust the plunging angle θ of the leading edge of the recording paper P with respect to theoutside roller 31. Accordingly, after the recording paper P contacts theoutside roller 31, it is smoothly transported to therecording unit 5 via theoutlet 23. - In addition, although the case where the protruding
portion 30 is a portion of the rotatable insideroller 32 has been described as an example in the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion may be, for example, a convex portion formed integrally with the insidecurved surface 24. - In addition, although the case where the recording
paper transport device 6 is provided in theink jet printer 1 which records an image on the recording paper P has been described as an example in the above-described embodiment, the paper transport device may be provided in image forming apparatuses, such as a copying machine and a facsimile, not limited to the ink jet printer.
Claims (7)
1. A transport device comprising:
a transport path which connects an inlet and an outlet and is formed between a first curved surface which is convex in a first direction, and a second curved surface which faces the first curved surface via a gap, and along which a sheet-like medium is transported;
a protruding portion which is arranged on the first curved surface and protrudes from the first curved surface; and
a first roller which is arranged on the second curved surface, and at least a portion of which protrudes from the second curved surface,
wherein the protruding portion is arranged in a position where the sheet-like medium which has entered the transport path through the inlet contacts the protruding portion prior to the first roller.
2. The transport device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the protruding portion is arranged in a position closer to the inlet than the first roller, and adjusts the plunging angle of a leading edge of the sheet-like medium with respect to the first roller.
3. The transport device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first roller is arranged in the vicinity of an apex of the second curved surface.
4. The transport device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the protruding portion includes at least a portion of the second roller.
5. The transport device according to claim 4 ,
wherein the external diameter of the second roller is smaller than the external diameter of the first roller.
6. The transport device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the transport path is adapted that the sheet-like medium one face of which faces a second direction is curved in the inlet, and the one face faces a direction substantially opposite to the second direction in the outlet.
7. An image recording apparatus comprising:
a tray in which a sheet-like medium is arranged;
a recording unit which is arranged in a position different from the tray, and records an image on the sheet-like medium; and
the transport device according to claim 1 , which transports the sheet-like medium of the tray to the recording unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2008102422A JP2009249162A (en) | 2008-04-10 | 2008-04-10 | Transporting device and image recording device |
JP2008-102422 | 2008-04-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090267284A1 true US20090267284A1 (en) | 2009-10-29 |
Family
ID=41214219
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/422,041 Abandoned US20090267284A1 (en) | 2008-04-10 | 2009-04-10 | Transport device and image recording apparatus |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20090267284A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2009249162A (en) |
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CN104070848A (en) * | 2013-03-27 | 2014-10-01 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Recording apparatus |
WO2022071937A1 (en) * | 2020-09-30 | 2022-04-07 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Sheet inlet and outlet |
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JP6651695B2 (en) * | 2015-01-09 | 2020-02-19 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Paper transport device and image forming system |
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JP2009249162A (en) | 2009-10-29 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OKUDA, TAKAYUKI;SHIMOMURA, MASAKI;KAWAKAMI, KAZUHISA;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022534/0775;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090331 TO 20090403 |
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