阅读说明：本技术 介质输送装置及处理装置 (Medium conveying device and processing device ) 是由 金丸真二 高桥大辉 佐佐木恵亮 于 2020-11-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及介质输送装置及处理装置。在可拆装部相对于具有介质输送路径的装置主体的一部分可安装和拆卸的结构中,可能存在用户的操作繁琐,装置主体尺寸大的问题。本公开的介质输送装置具有主体部、反转单元及扩展单元。主体部具有片材的第二手动馈送路径。反转单元设置为相对于主体部可安装和分离,当安装于主体部时覆盖第二手动馈送路径,当从主体部分离时使第二手动馈送路径的一部分露出。扩展单元设置为相对于反转单元可安装和拆卸,在反转单元分离的状态下,通过将其从反转单元拆卸并且安装到主体部,第二手动馈送路径被沿片材的输送方向扩展。(The present disclosure relates to a medium conveyance device and a processing device. In a structure in which a detachable part is attachable to and detachable from a part of an apparatus main body having a medium conveying path, there is a problem that an operation by a user is troublesome and the apparatus main body is large in size. The medium conveying device of the present disclosure includes a main body, a reversing unit, and an expanding unit. The main body has a second manual feed path for the sheets. The reversing unit is provided to be attachable to and detachable from the main body, covers the second manual feeding path when attached to the main body, and exposes a part of the second manual feeding path when detached from the main body. The expanding unit is provided to be attachable and detachable with respect to the reversing unit, and the second manual feeding path is expanded in the conveying direction of the sheet by detaching and attaching it from the reversing unit to the main body portion in a state where the reversing unit is separated.)

1. A medium transport device is characterized by comprising:

an apparatus main body having a medium conveyance path;

a detachable portion provided to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body, covering the conveyance path when attached to the apparatus main body, and exposing a part of the conveyance path when at least a part is detached from the apparatus main body; and

a path expanding portion provided to be attachable and detachable with respect to the detachable portion,

the transport path is expanded in the transport direction of the medium by detaching and attaching the path expanding portion from the detachable portion to the apparatus main body in a state where the detachable portion is detached.

2. The media transport apparatus of claim 1,

the detachable portion is an inversion portion that inverts the front and back surfaces of the medium.

3. The media transport apparatus of claim 2,

a part of a reversing path formed by attaching the reversing section to the apparatus main body also doubles as a part of the conveying path.

4. The medium transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

an engaged portion is formed on the device main body,

the path expanding portion has an engaging portion that is elastically deformed and engages with the engaged portion.

5. The medium transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the path expansion unit includes: a guide portion that guides an end portion of the medium in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction in the conveyance direction.

6. The medium transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the detachable portion has a base portion that forms an inclined surface extending in a cross direction that intersects with an attachment direction of the device main body,

the path expanding portion is attached to the base portion in a state of being in contact with the inclined surface, and is detachable from the base portion.

7. A processing apparatus is characterized by comprising:

the media delivery device of any of claims 1-6; and

and a processing unit configured to process the medium conveyed through the conveyance path.

8. The processing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising:

a moving unit configured to move the processing unit in a crossing direction crossing the conveying direction;

a detection section that detects separation of the detachable section from the apparatus main body; and

and a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the detachment of the detachable unit, performs control so that the moving unit moves to a side where the processing unit is retracted with respect to the conveyance path.

9. The processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,

the processing section is a recording section that records information on the medium based on the received information.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a medium conveyance device that conveys a medium, and a processing device that processes the conveyed medium.

Background

Conventionally, a structure for opening a rear panel to release a jam is known, and an example thereof is shown in patent document 1.

In the printing apparatus described in patent document 1, the paper guide is integrated with the rear panel.

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 10-1240

Disclosure of Invention

Incidentally, there is a medium conveying apparatus in which a detachable portion is configured to be detachable from a part of an apparatus main body having a medium conveying path. In this apparatus, the detachable portion is separated from the apparatus main body to expose the conveyance path, so that the medium can be fed into the conveyance path. However, since the portion to which the detachable portion is attached is removed, the transport path when the medium is supplied becomes short, and therefore a path expanding portion for expanding the transport path is required.

However, in the configuration in which the path expanding portion is housed outside the medium conveying device in order to suppress an increase in the size of the device main body, the user needs to search for the path expanding portion, and the user operation may become troublesome. In addition, in the structure in which the housing section dedicated to the path expansion section is mounted to the apparatus main body, the size of the apparatus main body may increase.

A medium transport device according to the present invention for solving the above problems includes: an apparatus main body having a medium conveyance path; a detachable portion provided to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body, covering the conveyance path when attached to the apparatus main body, and exposing a part of the conveyance path when at least a part is detached from the apparatus main body; and a path expanding portion that is attachable and detachable with respect to the detachable portion; the transport path is expanded in the transport direction of the medium by detaching and attaching the path expanding portion from the detachable portion to the apparatus main body in a state where the detachable portion is detached.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view showing a paper conveyance path in the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a moving state of a print head of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an exposed state of a conveyance path on the back side of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of a conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a mounted state of a sensor in the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the reversing unit to which the extension unit according to the embodiment is attached.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the reversing unit with the extension unit according to the embodiment removed.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a side portion of the reversing unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the extension unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an end portion of the extension unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where the extension unit is detached from the reversing unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which an extension unit is attached to a part of a conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a side sectional view showing a state in which an extension unit is attached to a part of a conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment.

Description of the symbols

10 … printer, 12 … main body, 13 … frame, 14 … accommodating portion, 15 … medium supporting portion, 15a … supporting member, 16 … operation panel, 17 … main body frame, 18 … scanner portion, 19 … side wall, 20 … information recording portion, 21 … inclined wall, 22 … print head, 23 … notch portion, 24 … moving unit, 24a … movable portion, 24B … base portion, 26 … sensor, 26a … emitter portion, 26B … light receiver portion, 27 … lower side guide member, 27a … upper wall portion, 27B … longitudinal wall portion, 27C … lower wall portion, 28 … control unit, 29 … notch portion, 30 … paper conveying portion, 31 … unit detection sensor, 33 … engaged portion, 34 … conveying roller, 35 … guide member, 40 … inversion unit, 41 … guide member, 42 inversion roller 72, … main body member, 3644 a …, … B …, … auxiliary circular plate 72, and auxiliary circular plate 72, 46 … upper guide member, 48 … base member, 49 … inclined surface, 52 … bottom, 53 … upper surface, 53A … through hole, 54 … side, 54A … side wall, 54B … flange, 54C … through hole, 55 … detected part, 55A … flat part, 55B … inclined part, 56 … movable claw part, 58 … rear cover, 58A … window part, 60 … expansion unit, 62 … base part, 62A … upper surface, 63 … slit, a 64 … extension, a 64a … upper surface, a 66 … engagement, a 67 … arm, a 68 … pawl, a 69 … pinch, a 72 … grip, a 74 … projection, a 76 … edge guide, a D1 … thickness, a D2 … spacing, a D3 … thickness, an E … void, a K1 … first path, a K2 … second path, a K3 … first manual feed path, a K4 … second manual feed path, a K5 … reverse path, a K5 539 5a … straight portion, a K5b … curved portion.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be briefly described below.

A medium transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems includes: an apparatus main body having a medium conveyance path; a detachable portion provided to be attached to the apparatus main body and at least partially detachable, covering the conveyance path when attached to the apparatus main body, and exposing a part of the conveyance path when at least partially detached from the apparatus main body; and a path expanding portion attachable and detachable with respect to the detachable portion; in a state where the detachable portion is detached, the transport path is expanded along the transport direction of the medium by detaching and attaching the path expanding portion from the detachable portion to the apparatus main body.

According to the present embodiment, the detachable section is detachable from the apparatus main body in a state where the path extending section is attached to the detachable section. Since the path expansion section is used as a part of the detachable section that is detachable from the apparatus main body, it is not necessary to secure a housing space dedicated to the path expansion section in the apparatus main body, and an increase in size of the apparatus main body can be suppressed.

Further, the path expanding portion is detached from the detachable portion in a state where the detachable portion is detached from the apparatus main body. The conveyance path is expanded in the conveyance direction of the medium by attaching the path expansion section detached from the detachable section to the apparatus main body. Thus, by attaching the path expansion portion to the detachable portion, the trouble of the user finding the path expansion portion is eliminated, and the user can easily perform the operation of attaching the path expansion portion to the apparatus main body.

That is, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the detachable part is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body having the conveyance path, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the apparatus main body while improving the workability of extending the conveyance path by the user.

A medium transport apparatus according to a second embodiment is the medium transport apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the detachable portion is an inversion portion that inverts a front surface and a back surface of the medium.

According to the present embodiment, the reversing section having a longer path length than that in the case of conveying only the front surface or the back surface is detachable from the apparatus main body, and therefore, when the conveyance of the medium is stopped in the reversing section, the medium can be easily removed from the conveyance path.

A medium transport apparatus according to a third embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, a part of a reversing path formed by attaching the reversing section to the apparatus main body also doubles as a part of the transport path.

According to the present embodiment, since a part of the reversing path also doubles as a part of the conveying path, the space required for disposing the conveying path and the reversing path is reduced, and the size of the medium conveying device can be reduced, as compared with a configuration in which both paths are independently present.

A medium transport device according to a fourth embodiment is the medium transport device according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein an engaged portion is formed in the device body, and the path expansion portion includes an engaging portion that is elastically deformed and engaged with the engaged portion.

According to the present embodiment, when the path expanding portion is attached to the apparatus main body, the engaging portion is caused to engage with the engaged portion while being elastically deformed by pushing the engaging portion toward the engaged portion. Thus, the path expanding portion can be attached to the apparatus main body by pressing the path expanding portion in one direction, and the attachment work of the path expanding portion can be performed easily.

A medium transport device according to a fifth aspect of the invention is the medium transport device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the path expansion unit includes a guide portion that guides an end portion of the medium in a width direction intersecting the transport direction in the transport direction.

According to the present embodiment, when the medium is conveyed in the conveyance path expanded by the path expanding portion, the medium is guided in the guide direction by the end portion in the width direction coming into contact with the guide portion. This can suppress the skew of the medium entering the conveyance path from the path expanding section.

A medium transporting device according to a sixth aspect is the medium transporting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the detachable portion includes a base portion formed with an inclined surface extending in a direction intersecting with an attaching direction to the device body, and the path expanding portion is attached to the base portion in a state of being in contact with the inclined surface and is detachable from the base portion.

According to the present embodiment, when the detachable portion is attached to the apparatus main body, an external force acts on the detachable portion in the attaching direction. Here, when the path expanding portion is pressed in the mounting direction by the external force, the path expanding portion is disposed in contact with the inclined surface and inclined, so that the external force in the mounting direction is less likely to be concentrated on a part of the path expanding portion than in a structure in which the path expanding portion is perpendicular to the path expanding portion. This can suppress deformation of the path expanding portion.

A processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment includes: the medium transport device according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments; and a processing unit configured to process the medium conveyed on the conveyance path.

According to the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the medium transport device according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments can be obtained.

A processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment is a processing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment, including: a moving unit that moves the processing unit in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a detection section that detects separation of the detachable section from the apparatus main body; and a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the detachment of the detachable unit, performs control so that the moving unit moves to a side where the processing unit is retracted with respect to the conveyance path.

According to the present embodiment, when the detachable portion is detached from the apparatus main body, the detection portion detects the detachment. In this case, the control unit executes control so that the moving unit moves to a side where the processing unit retreats with respect to the conveyance path. Thereby, the processing unit is retracted from the conveyance path. Thus, since the distance between the processing portion and the transport path becomes larger as the detachable portion is separated, a thick medium can be transported on the transport path and processed by the processing portion.

A processing apparatus according to a ninth embodiment is the seventh or eighth embodiment, wherein the processing unit is a recording unit that records information on the medium based on the received information.

According to the present embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth embodiment can be obtained.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of a medium conveyance device and a processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in the figures, with respect to a printer 10 described later, the X-axis direction is the device width direction, the Y-axis direction is the device depth direction, and the Z-axis direction is the device height direction.

In the device width direction, when the left side and the right side are distinguished from each other when viewed from the front, the right side is referred to as the + X side, and the left side is referred to as the-X side. In the depth direction of the device, when the front side and the back side are distinguished, the front side is referred to as + Y side and the back side is referred to as-Y side. In the device height direction, when the upper side and the lower side are distinguished, the upper side is referred to as + Z side, and the lower side is referred to as-Z side.

Outline of printer

Fig. 1 shows an example of a processing apparatus and a printer 10 as an example of a recording apparatus. The printer 10 records various information on paper P or a sheet S (lower drawing in fig. 14) as an example of a medium. The various information recorded on the sheet P includes character information and image information.

As an example, the paper P is plain paper. As an example of the sheet S, the sheet S is thicker than the sheet P, is configured as a resin plate, and is formed with a recessed portion, not shown. For example, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) for recording information is placed in the recess.

The printer 10 includes a main body 12 and a scanner 18 placed on the + Z side of the main body 12. In the printer 10, the same operational effects as those of the paper conveying section 30 described later can be obtained.

The scanner 18 reads information of an unillustrated document. The information of the read original is sent to a control unit 28 described later.

The main body 12 is an example of an apparatus main body, and includes: a housing 13 for housing the respective parts of the printer 10; a storage unit 14 for storing the paper P; an operation panel 16 for performing various settings of the printer 10; and a main body frame 17 made of a plurality of metal plates provided in the frame body 13. Inside the frame 13, a plurality of paths described later that convey the paper P or the sheet S (the lower diagram of fig. 14) are formed.

As shown in fig. 2, a medium support portion 15 is provided at the-Y-side end portion of the main body portion 12. For example, the medium supporting portion 15 includes plate-shaped supporting members 15A, 15B, and 15C. The support members 15A, 15B, and 15C are housed in the-Y side end portion of the main body 12 when not in use, and form a rear wall portion of the-Y side of the main body 12. Further, the medium supporting portion 15 is disposed on the-Y side of the rear cover 58 described later, and covers the rear cover 58 from the-Y side.

The supporting members 15A, 15B, and 15C are unfolded and inclined toward the + Z side in use, thereby supporting the sheet P (fig. 1) fed into a first manual feeding path K3 described later.

As shown in fig. 1, the main body 12 includes: an information recording portion 20 that records information on the paper P or the sheet S; and a paper conveying section 30 that conveys the paper P or the sheet S toward the information recording section 20.

Information recording part

The information recording portion 20 shown in fig. 1 records information on the paper P or the sheet S conveyed in the second path K2 and the second manual feed path K4 (fig. 2) described later, based on received information, such as information of an original read by the scanner portion 18 or information input from the outside. Specifically, the information recording portion 20 includes, for example, a print head 22, a moving unit 24, a sensor 26 (fig. 3), and a control unit 28.

The print head 22 is an example of a processing unit and a recording unit, and is configured as a so-called ink jet type recording head that records various kinds of information on the paper P or the sheet S by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the paper P or the sheet S as an example of processing. On the-Z side of the print head 22, a guide member 41 that forms a bottom surface of a second path K2 (fig. 2) described later is provided. Further, on the-Z side with respect to the print head 22, a conveying roller 34 that conveys the paper P or the sheet S toward the print head 22 is provided. On the + Z side with respect to the conveying roller 34, a guide member 35 is provided.

The moving means 24 shown in fig. 3 is an example of a moving portion. In addition, the moving unit 24 has a movable portion 24A that moves in the Z-axis direction, and a base portion 24B that movably holds the movable portion 24A. The print head 22 is fixed to the movable portion 24A. In addition, the movable portion 24A is movable toward the + Z side or the-Z side with respect to the reference position based on control by a control unit 28 described later. The reference position is set according to the sheet P.

Thus, the moving unit 24 is configured to: the print head 22 is moved in the Z-axis direction, which is an example of the direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P.

Further, the thickness of the paper P is set to d1 [ mm ], and the interval between the lower surface of the print head 22 on the-Z side and the upper surface of the guide member 41 on the + Z side is set to d2 [ mm ]. Further, the thickness of the sheet S having a thickness larger than that of the paper P is set to d3 [ mm ] (fig. 14). Here, the thickness d1, the spacing d2 and the thickness d3 are in the size relationship of d2 > d3 > d 1.

A part of the main body frame 17 shown in fig. 6 is included in a paper conveying section 30 described later. In addition, a side wall 19 along the Y-Z plane is provided in a part of the main body frame 17. The side wall 19 is disposed with a gap between the + X side and the-X side with respect to the center of the body 12 in the X-axis direction. Between the pair of side walls 19, an inversion unit 40 (fig. 1) described later is arranged. In addition, the side wall 19 is formed in a triangular shape with the hypotenuse located on the + Y side when viewed from the X-axis direction.

In addition, an inclined wall 21 is provided at a part of the main body frame 17. The inclined wall 21 is inclined so that the + Y side end is located on the-Z side with respect to the-Y side end. The inclined wall 21 connects oblique side portions of the pair of side walls 19 in the X-axis direction. Further, the inclined wall 21 divides a space portion in which the reversing unit 40 is arranged and a space portion of a first manual feed path K3 (fig. 2) described later in the Y-axis direction.

A notch 23 that penetrates the side wall 19 in the X-axis direction and opens toward the-Y side is formed in a part of the side wall 19. A sensor 26 is provided on the-X side with respect to the notch 23.

The sensor 26 is configured as an optical sensor, and includes an emitting portion 26A that emits light in the Z-axis direction, and a light receiving portion 26B that receives the light emitted from the emitting portion 26A. When the amount of light received at the light receiving portion 26B is smaller than the set amount, the sensor 26 detects that the inversion unit 40 is in the mounted state. When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 26B is equal to or greater than the set amount, the sensor 26 detects that the inversion unit 40 is separated from the main body 12. The information on the presence or absence of the inversion unit 40 detected by the sensor 26 is sent to the control unit 28 (fig. 1).

The control unit 28 shown in fig. 1 includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a Memory, which are not shown. The control unit 28 is configured to control not only the operation of the print head 22 but also the conveyance of the paper P or the sheet S in the printer 10. The control unit 28 controls various operations in the printer 10 based on information input from the operation panel 16.

Further, when the separation of the reversing unit 40 is detected in the sensor 26 (fig. 6), the control unit 28 controls the moving unit 24 so that the print head 22 moves toward the side (+ Z side) retracted from the second manual feeding path K4 (fig. 2) described later.

Conveying path for paper and the like

As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of paths for conveying paper P or sheets S are formed in the printer 10. Specifically, the main body portion 12 has a first path K1, a second path K2, a first manual feed path K3, a second manual feed path K4, and a reverse path K5. The plurality of paths are configured to include a plurality of rollers and guide members, not shown. The second path K2 and the second manual feeding path K4 correspond to an example of the conveyance path according to the present embodiment.

The paper P can be conveyed through all the paths described above.

The sheet S can be conveyed only by the second path K2 and the second manual-feed path K4.

The first path K1 extends from the-Y-side end of the storage section 14 toward the + Z side to the transport roller 34 via the outer peripheral surface of the later-described reversing roller 44 on the + Z side. A portion from the reverse roller 44 to the conveying roller 34 in the first path K1 is formed linearly in the Y-axis direction. In the linear portion, the paper P or the sheet S is supported by the lower guide member 27 constituting the lower portion of the path.

The second path K2 extends linearly from the transport roller 34 toward the + Y side in the Y-axis direction via the-Z side with respect to the print head 22 (fig. 1).

The first manual feed path K3 extends obliquely downward to the conveying roller 34 from a position on the-Y side and the + Z side with respect to the center of the main body 12.

The second manual feed path K4 extends linearly along the Y-axis direction from a location on the-Y side with respect to the center of the main body 12 to the transport rollers 34 toward the + Y side in a state where the reversing unit 40 described later is separated from the main body 12.

The reversing path K5 is formed by attaching the reversing unit 40 to the main body 12. Further, the reverse path K5 includes: a linear portion k5a extending linearly from the conveying roller 34 to the reverse roller 44 along the Y-axis direction; and a curved portion K5b merging from the-Y-side end of the linear portion K5a with the first path K1 via the-Z-side outer peripheral surface of the reverse roller 44.

In the present embodiment, the linear portion of the first path K1, a portion of the second manual-feeding path K4, and the linear portion K5a are formed as one path. That is, a part of the reverse path K5 doubles as a part of the second path K2 and the second manual feeding path K4.

Fig. 5 shows the lower guide member 27 and the peripheral portion in a state where the reversing unit 40 (fig. 1) is separated from the main body 12. The lower guide member 27 includes a plate-shaped upper wall portion 27A extending along the X-Y plane, a vertical wall portion 27B extending from the-Y side end of the upper wall portion 27A toward the-Z side, and a lower wall portion 27C extending from the-Z side end of the vertical wall portion 27B toward the-Y side.

A notch 29 (fig. 13) facing the + Y side is formed in the center of the upper wall 27A in the X axis direction and at a position corresponding to the-Y side end in the Y axis direction.

The height of the vertical wall portion 27B in the Z-axis direction is substantially the same as the height of a base portion 62 (fig. 10) of the extension unit 60 described later. Thus, when the extension unit 60 is placed on the lower wall portion 27C, the height of the upper surface of the + Z side of the upper wall portion 27A is substantially aligned with the height of the upper surface of the base portion 62 by the same height.

The extension unit 60 is located on the + Z side of the lower wall portion 27C. Further, a cell detection sensor 31 is provided on a part of the lower wall portion 27C.

The cell detection sensor 31 is, for example, a reflection-type optical sensor. The cell detection sensor 31 includes an emitting portion that emits light and a light receiving portion that receives light. When the extension unit 60 (fig. 10) is positioned on the + Z side of the lower wall portion 27C, the unit detection sensor 31 is configured to detect whether or not the extension unit 60 is attached by receiving light reflected by a reflecting member, not shown, of the extension unit 60 at a light receiving portion. The information on the presence or absence of the extension unit 60 detected by the unit detection sensor 31 is sent to the control unit 28 (fig. 1).

Engaged portions 33 are formed at a-Z-side portion of the center of the main body frame 17 in the Z-axis direction and at a-Y-side portion with respect to both ends of the lower wall portion 27C in the X-axis direction.

The engaged portion 33 is a portion recessed toward the outside in the X-axis direction, and is formed so that the engaged member can be inserted in the X-axis direction and engaged in the Z-axis direction.

Paper conveying part

The paper conveying section 30 shown in fig. 2 is an example of a medium conveying device, and includes a part of the main body 12, the reversing unit 40, and the expanding unit 60.

Inversion unit

The reversing unit 40 shown in fig. 4 is an example of a detachable portion and a reversing portion, and is provided to be attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 12. The upper diagram of fig. 4 shows a state in which the reversing unit 40 is mounted on the main body 12, and the second path K2 and the second manual-feeding path K4 (fig. 2) are covered. The lower diagram of fig. 4 shows a state in which the reversing unit 40 is separated from the main body 12 and a part of the second manual feed path K4 is exposed. In addition, the reversing unit 40 has a function of reversing the front and back sides of the paper P or the sheet S.

As shown in fig. 7, the reversing unit 40 includes a main body member 42, a reversing roller 44, an auxiliary disk 45, an upper guide member 46, a base member 48, a rear cover 58, and a movable claw 56. Fig. 7 shows a state in which the extension unit 60 is mounted on the base member 48.

The main body member 42 is formed in a prismatic shape with the X-axis direction as the axial direction. The main body member 42 is formed into a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the X-axis direction. The body member 42 has a portion on the + Y side inclined downward toward the near side (+ Y side and-Z side), and has a plurality of through holes formed therein. the-Y side portion of the body member 42 is upstanding in the Z direction.

The reverse roller 44 includes a shaft portion 44A (fig. 2) extending in the X-axis direction, and a columnar rotating portion 44B formed in a central portion of the shaft portion 44A in the X-axis direction. In a state where the reversing unit 40 is attached to the main body 12 (fig. 2), the outer peripheral surface of the reversing roller 44 faces the first path K1 and the reversing path K5 (fig. 2) when viewed from the X-axis direction. The reverse roller 44 is driven to rotate by a motor, not shown, and rotates the paper P forward and backward.

The auxiliary disk 45 is disposed axially in the X axis direction with a gap between the + X side and the-X side with respect to the rotating portion 44B, and is integrated with the shaft portion 44A.

The upper guide member 46 is disposed to face the portion of the body member 42 on the + Z side and the + Y side, and forms a part of the first path K1 (fig. 2) together with the body member 42.

The rear cover 58 is formed in a plate shape with the Y-axis direction as the thickness direction, and is attached to the-Y side portion of the body member 42. Further, a window portion 58A (upper view in fig. 4) penetrating in the Y-axis direction is formed in the rear cover 58.

The movable claw 56 is provided in the main body member 42 so as to be relatively movable in the X-axis direction, and is biased outward in the X-axis direction by a spring, not shown. In addition, the movable claw portion 56 can be operated through the window portion 58A to move toward the center in the X-axis direction. The movable claw portion 56 engages with a recess portion, not shown, formed in the main body portion 12, thereby restricting the movement of the reversing unit 40 with respect to the main body portion 12.

The base member 48 shown in fig. 8 is an example of a base portion, and is formed as a member long in the X-axis direction. Fig. 8 illustrates a state in which the extension unit 60 (fig. 7) is detached from the base member 48. An inclined surface 49 is formed on the + Y side of the base member 48. The inclined surface 49 is inclined downward toward the near side so that the + Y side portion is located on the-Z side with respect to the-Y side portion. In other words, the inclined surface 49 extends in a cross direction intersecting with the mounting direction of the reversing unit 40 to the main body 12 (fig. 1). For example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 49 with respect to the Y-axis direction is about 50 °.

A bottom portion 52 projecting in a plate-like shape from the inclined surface 49 toward the + Y side is formed at the + Y side end portion of the base member 48. The bottom 52 has a + Z side surface, i.e., an upper surface 53. A through hole 53A is formed in the center of the upper surface 53 in the X axis direction. The inclined surface 49 and the upper surface 53 support the extension unit 60 in a state where the extension unit 60 (fig. 7) is attached to the base member 48.

The base member 48 has side portions 54 formed on the + X side and the-X side with respect to the inclined surface 49. The side portion 54 has a sidewall 54A along the Y-Z plane, and a flange 54B. The flange 54B is formed with a through hole 54C.

As shown in fig. 9, a detection target portion 55 is formed on the side wall 54A on the-X side. The detection section 55 protrudes from the side wall 54A toward the-X side. In addition, the detection section 55 includes, for example, a flat section 55A extending in the Y-axis direction and an inclined section 55B extending obliquely from the-Y-side end of the flat section 55A. The flat portion 55A is disposed between the emitter portion 26A and the light receiver portion 26B (fig. 6) in a state where the inversion unit 40 is attached to the main body portion 12 (fig. 1), and blocks light.

Expansion unit

The extension unit 60 shown in fig. 10 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the base member 48 (fig. 8) of the reversing unit 40. Specifically, the extension unit 60 includes, as an example, a base 62, an extension 64, an engagement portion 66, a pressing portion 69, a grip portion 72, a protrusion 74, and an edge guide 76. In the extension unit 60, for example, a portion other than the edge guide 76 is integrally formed.

In addition, as an example, the base portion 62, the protruding portion 64, the engaging portion 66, the pressing portion 69, and the grip portion 72 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center in the X axis direction on the + X side and the-X side. Therefore, in the following description, the + X side portion of the extension unit 60 is basically described, and the description of the-X side portion may be omitted.

The base 62 is a plate-shaped portion formed with the Z-axis direction as the thickness direction. Further, the base 62 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the X-axis direction and short in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. A slit 63 that is long in the X-axis direction is formed in a part of the base 62.

The protruding portion 64 protrudes from the-Y-side end of the base portion 62 toward the-Y side in a plate shape that is long in the X-axis direction. The length of the protruding portion 64 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is shorter than the length of the base portion 62 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The upper surface 64A of the extension portion 64 is disposed at a height position on the-Z side of the height position of the upper surface 62A of the base portion 62.

As shown in fig. 11, the engaging portion 66 includes, for example, an arm portion 67 and a pawl portion 68. The arm portion 67 extends from the + X-side end of the extension portion 64 toward the-Z side in a plate shape with the X-axis direction as the thickness direction. In addition, the arm portion 67 is elastically deformable in the X-axis direction.

The claw portion 68 protrudes from the-Z-side end of the arm portion 67 toward the + X side. The claw portion 68 is formed in an inverted triangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction. The claw portion 68 is sized to be engageable with the engaged portion 33 and the edge of the through hole 54C (fig. 8).

The pressing portion 69 extends from the-Z-side end of the arm portion 67 toward the-Z side in a plate shape having the X-axis direction as the thickness direction. When the user presses the pressing portion 69, the pressing portion 69 is moved to the + X side or the-X side to elastically deform the arm portion 67.

The grip portion 72 extends in a plate shape from the + X side end portion of the base portion 62 and a portion serving as the + Z side end portion with the Z axis direction as the thickness direction toward the + X side. The grip portion 72 is gripped by the user when the extension unit 60 is attached and detached with respect to the main body portion 12 or the reversing unit 40 (fig. 1).

As shown in fig. 10, the protruding portion 74 protrudes from the + Y-side end portion of the center of the base portion 62 in the X-axis direction toward the + Y side. The protruding portion 74 is formed in a plate shape having the Z-axis direction as the thickness direction. The shape and size of the protruding portion 74 are set to be capable of being inserted into the cutout portion 29 (fig. 13) and the through hole 53A (fig. 8). The protrusion 74 contacts the inner wall surface of the notch 29, thereby restricting the movement of the extension unit 60 to the + X side or the-X side and the movement to the + Y side.

The edge guide 76 is an example of a guide portion, and is provided on each of the + X side and the-X side. A set of edge guides 76 are connected via the slits 63 to a known rack and pinion mechanism, one of which follows the other movably. Further, the one set of edge guides 76 guides both end portions of the sheet S (lower drawing of fig. 14) in the X-axis direction in the Y-axis direction. Thus, the expansion unit 60 has a function of guiding the end in the width direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sheet S in the conveying direction.

Description of actions and effects of embodiments

In the printer 10 shown in fig. 2, when the reversing unit 40 is separated from the main body 12, the support members 15A, 15B, and 15C are pulled out toward the + Z side.

Thereby, as shown in the upper view of fig. 4, the-Y side portion of the reversing unit 40 is exposed. Thus, by operating the movable claw portion 56 (fig. 7) via the window portion 58A, the reversing unit 40 is separated to the-Y side with respect to the main body portion 12.

As shown in the lower drawing of fig. 4, by the separation of the reversing unit 40, the second manual feed path K4 is exposed.

Here, as shown in fig. 3, the sensor 26 detects the separation of the reversing unit 40 (the upper diagram of fig. 4). In this case, the control unit 28 operates the moving unit 24 to move the print head 22 to the + Z side. Thus, the print head 22 is retracted to the + Z side, and the sheet S can be conveyed in the region opposed to the print head 22.

As shown in the upper view of fig. 12, the extension unit 60 is mounted on the separated inversion unit 40. Specifically, in a state where the base 62 is in contact with the inclined surface 49, the protruding portion 74 is inserted into the through hole 53A, and the claw portion 68 engages with the edge of the through hole 54C (fig. 8), whereby the extension unit 60 is attached to the base member 48. Thus, since the extension unit 60 is attached to the reversing unit 40, in the case where the reversing unit 40 is separated from the main body 12 (fig. 1), the user easily notices the extension unit 60 and easily prepares the extension unit 60, thereby preventing the user from troublesome work.

Here, as shown in the lower drawing of fig. 12, when the pressing portion 69 is moved toward the center in the X-axis direction, the arm portion 67 is elastically deformed, and the engagement between the claw portion 68 and the edge portion of the through hole 54C (fig. 8) is released. Further, by lifting the extension unit 60 to the + Z side, the extension unit 60 is detached from the base member 48.

As shown in fig. 13, the extension unit 60 is attached to the main body 12 by inserting the protruding portion 74 into the cutout portion 29 and engaging the claw portion 68 of the engaging portion 66 with the engaged portion 33. In a state where the extension unit 60 is attached to the main body portion 12, the height of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 27A and the height of the upper surface 62A of the base portion 62 are kept at substantially the same height.

Thereby, in a state where the reversing unit 40 (fig. 7) is separated from the main body portion 12, by detaching and attaching the expanding unit 60 from the reversing unit 40 to the main body portion 12, the second manual feed path K4 is expanded in the conveying direction of the sheet S.

As shown in the upper view of fig. 14, in a state where the extension unit 60 (fig. 10) is not attached to the main body 12, the length of the second manual feed path K4 in the Y-axis direction is short.

On the other hand, as shown in the lower drawing of fig. 14, in a state where the extension unit 60 is attached to the main body portion 12, the length of the second manual feed path K4 in the Y-axis direction becomes long, and the section supporting the conveyed sheet S becomes long, and therefore, the conveyance state of the sheet S is stable.

Next, a description will be given of a procedure of housing the extension unit 60 in the main body portion 12.

In a state where the extension unit 60 shown in fig. 13 is attached to the main body 12, the engagement between the engaging portion 66 and the engaged portion 33 is released by operating the pressing portion 69, and the extension unit 60 is detached from the main body 12.

As shown in the upper view of fig. 12, the extension unit 60 is attached to the base member 48 by engaging the claw portion 68 with the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 54C (fig. 8). The movable claw 56 engages with a recess, not shown, of the main body 12, and the reversing unit 40 to which the extension unit 60 is attached to the main body 12.

As shown in fig. 2, the expanding unit 60 is disposed in the space E on the-Y side with respect to the first manual feed path K3 and on the + Z side with respect to the reverse roller 44. Here, since the space E is originally an unused space (dead space), the size of the main body 12 does not increase even when the extension unit 60 is housed.

(1) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reversing unit 40 can be attached to and detached from the main body 12 in a state where the extension unit 60 is attached to the reversing unit 40. The extension unit 60 is used as a part of the reversing unit 40 that is attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 12, and therefore, it is not necessary to secure a housing space dedicated to the extension unit 60 in the main body portion 12, and it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the main body portion 12.

Further, in a state where the reversing unit 40 is separated from the main body 12, the extension unit 60 is detached from the reversing unit 40. The second manual feed path K4 is expanded in the conveying direction of the sheets S by attaching the expansion unit 60 detached from the reversing unit 40 to the main body portion 12. Thus, by attaching the extension unit 60 to the reversing unit 40, the user is saved from the trouble of finding the extension unit 60, thereby making it easier for the user to attach the extension unit 60 to the main body portion 12.

That is, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the reversing unit 40 is attached to and detached from the main body 12 having the second manual feed path K4, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the main body 12 while improving the workability of the user in extending the second manual feed path K4.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the reversing unit 40 having a longer path length can be attached to and detached from the main body portion 12 as compared with the case of conveying only the front side or the back side, and therefore, when the conveyance of the sheet P is stopped in the reversing unit 40, the sheet P can be easily removed from the first manual feed path K3 or the like.

(3) According to the present embodiment, since a part of the reverse path K5 also serves as a part of the second manual feed path K4, the space required for disposing the second manual feed path K4 and the reverse path K5 is reduced as compared with a configuration in which the two are independent of each other, and the size of the sheet conveying unit 30 can be reduced.

(4) According to the present embodiment, when the extension unit 60 is attached to the main body 12, the engaging portion 66 is pushed toward the engaged portion 33, so that the engaging portion 66 engages with the engaged portion 33 while being elastically deformed. Thus, by pressing the extension unit 60 in one direction, the extension unit 60 can be attached to the main body 12, and the operation of attaching the extension unit 60 can be performed easily.

(5) According to the present embodiment, when the sheet S is conveyed in the second manual feed path K4 expanded by the expansion unit 60, the sheet S is guided in the Y-axis direction as the guide direction by the widthwise end portion contacting the edge guide 76. Thereby, the sheet S entering the second manual feed path K4 from the expansion unit 60 can be suppressed from being skewed toward the + X side or the-X side with respect to the conveying direction.

(6) According to the present embodiment, when the reversing unit 40 is attached to the main body portion 12, an external force acts on the reversing unit 40 in the Y-axis direction as the attachment direction. Here, when the extension unit 60 is pressed in the Y-axis direction by the external force, the extension unit 60 is disposed in contact with the inclined surface 49 and inclined, so that the external force in the Y-axis direction is less likely to be concentrated on a part of the extension unit 60 than in a structure in which the extension unit 60 is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. This can suppress deformation of the extension unit 60.

(7) According to the present embodiment, when the reversing unit 40 is detached from the main body 12, the sensor 26 detects the detachment. In this case, the control unit 28 performs control to move the moving unit 24 toward the side where the print head 22 is retracted with respect to the second path K2. Thereby, the print head 22 is retracted from the second path K2. Thereby, since the distance between the print head 22 and the second path K2 becomes larger with the separation of the reversing unit 40, it is possible to convey the sheet S thicker than the paper P in the second path K2 and perform processing on the sheet S by the print head 22.

Other embodiments

The paper conveying unit 30 and the printer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention basically have the above-described configurations, but it is needless to say that the configurations of the parts may be changed or omitted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The printer 10 is not limited to the inkjet type, and may be an electrophotographic type. The medium is not limited to the paper P or the sheet S, and may be a sheet-like film.

The processing device is not limited to a recording device such as the printer 10, and may be, for example, a scanner (information reading device) in which the print head 22 is replaced with an image reading section.

In the sheet conveying portion 30, the member attachable to and detachable from the main body portion 12 is not limited to the reversing unit 40 forming the reversing path K5, and may be, for example, a unit constituting a part of the first path K1 and exposing the second manual feeding path K4.

Although not shown, the member attachable to and detachable from the main body 12 may be a unit forming a second receiving portion provided at an upper portion of the receiving portion 14. For example, the second storage unit includes a member such as a paper feed cassette that is mostly pulled out of the apparatus main body and partially held in the apparatus main body. Thus, the detachable portion may be provided so as to be detachable from at least a part of the apparatus main body.

A part of the reverse path K5 may not double as a part of the second manual feed path K4.

The portion of the extension unit 60 attached to the main body 12 may not be elastically deformed. For example, the portion of the extension unit 60 attached to the main body 12 may be formed of a metal pin, and the pin may be inserted into a hole of the main body 12 to engage with the main body 12.

In the sheet conveying section 30, the extension unit 60 may not include the edge guide 76. The edge guide 76 is not limited to the movable type, and may be formed integrally with the base 62.

The base member 48 is not limited to having the inclined surface 49, and the extension unit 60 may be attached to the upper surface along the X-Y plane or the side surface along the X-Z plane.

The printer 10 is not limited to the print head 22 moving in the Z-axis direction, and the guide member 41 may move in the Z-axis direction. In addition, the medium supporting portion 15 may be provided separately, and the rear cover 58 of the reversing unit 40 constitutes a side surface of the-Y side of the printer 10.