JP2010228875A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording device capable of making the curvature of a refeeding passage small, while suppressing an increase in the size of the device. <P>SOLUTION: A printer part 104 includes a first reverse conveying passage 162 for returning recording paper recorded with images to a recording passage. The first reverse conveying passage 162 is extended from the upstream sides of a pair of switchback rollers 191 to an upstream side of the recording passage. The first reverse conveying passage 162 includes a first inclined passage 162A, a second inclined passage 162B and a second curved passage 162C. The second curved passage 162C passes through a through-hole 164B provided in a first curved passage 160A in the main conveying passage 160 and is formed on the rear side of the first curved passage 160A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a configuration of an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium.

  Conventionally, the double-sided recording apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 11 is made by switching back a paper tray 1, a feeding roller 2, a feeding guide 3, an image recording unit 4, and a sheet on which an image is recorded. A pair of switchback rollers 5 to be fed are sequentially arranged. A refeeding path for refeeding the switched back sheet to the image recording unit 4 is set between the image recording unit 4 and the feeding roller 2, and the refeeding guide 8 is arranged. Yes.

JP 2002-362766 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the refeeding path is set in a narrow space between the image recording unit 4 and the feeding roller 2, the curvature of the refeeding path immediately before the image recording unit 4 is set. Is difficult to reduce. Therefore, when the position of the image recording unit 4 is raised in order to reduce the curvature, there is a problem that the overall height of the apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image recording apparatus capable of suppressing the enlargement of the apparatus and reducing the curvature of the refeed path and making the bending gentle. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium, a first storage unit that can store the recording medium, and the recording medium that is stored A first feeding unit that feeds the fed recording medium to the image recording unit, which is arranged downstream of the first storage unit and upstream of the image recording unit. A guide, a refeeding unit that is disposed downstream of the image recording unit and refeeds the recording medium on which an image is recorded, and is disposed between the image recording unit and the first storage unit, A first re-feeding guide for guiding the re-feeded recording medium to the image recording unit, and the first feeding guide includes the recording medium guided by the first re-feeding guide. A passing through portion is provided.

  With this configuration, the recording medium guided by the first refeed guide passes through the penetrating portion of the first feed guide. Thereby, the 1st refeeding guide can be arranged in the space outside the 1st feeding guide. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the curvature of the first refeed guide while suppressing an increase in size of the apparatus.

  (2) A flapper that is rotatable in the vicinity of the penetrating portion between a first position that forms part of the first feeding guide and a second position that forms part of the first refeeding guide. Furthermore, it is preferable to have.

  With this configuration, when the recording medium is guided by the first feeding guide, the flapper is rotated to the first position that constitutes a part of the first feeding guide, and the recording medium is moved to the first position. When the feeding guide is guided, the feeding guide is rotated to the second position constituting a part of the first refeeding guide. Thereby, the recording medium can be reliably guided.

  (3) It is preferable to have a biasing member that biases the flapper to the second position.

  With this configuration, when the recording medium is guided by the first feeding guide, the flapper is rotated to the first position by the contact of the recording medium, and the recording medium is guided by the first refeeding guide. In this case, the biasing member is rotated to the second position. Thereby, a recording medium can be guided more reliably.

  (4) In the vicinity of the first refeed guide upstream of the penetrating portion, a second re-guide for guiding the refeeded recording medium to the image recording portion without passing through the penetrating portion. It is preferable to further have a feeding guide.

  With this configuration, it is possible to feed the re-fed recording medium to the image forming unit without passing through the penetrating unit.

  (5) It is preferable that a part of the second refeed guide is on both outer sides than the first refeed guide in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction in the first refeed guide. .

  With this configuration, when the recording medium is re-fed, the first re-feeding guide or the second re-feeding guide can be selected according to the width in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

  (6) It is preferable that the downstream side of the through portion in the first feeding guide also serves as a part of the second feeding guide.

  With this configuration, since it is not necessary to configure the downstream side of the first feed guide with respect to the penetrating portion as a separate part, the apparatus can be reduced in size. In addition, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  (7) A second storage unit disposed on the opposite side of the image recording unit across the first storage unit and capable of storing a recording medium, and a second feeding unit for feeding the stored recording medium A second feed guide disposed on the downstream side of the second storage unit and the upstream side of the image recording unit and guiding the fed recording medium to the image recording unit. It is preferable that the feeding guide also serves as a downstream side of the penetrating portion in the first refeeding guide.

  With this configuration, since it is not necessary to configure the downstream side of the first refeed guide with a separate part from the penetrating portion, the apparatus can be reduced in size. In addition, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  (8) The first feeding unit supports a feeding roller and the feeding roller, and rotates about a rotation shaft so that the feeding roller and the stored recording medium come into contact with and separate from each other. And a projection surface of the first refeed guide in the recording medium feeding direction by the first feeding portion partially overlaps the projection surface of the rotation shaft. preferable.

  With this configuration, since it is not necessary to arrange the first refeed guide in a narrow space between the rotation shafts in the image recording unit and the first feed unit, the first refeed guide is arranged with a small curvature. Is possible. Therefore, since the recording sheet can be guided by the first re-feeding guide that is gently bent, the recording medium having high rigidity can be transported more stably.

  (9) It is preferable that a projection surface of the first refeed guide in the feeding direction of the recording medium by the first feeding portion partially overlaps the projection surface of the image recording portion.

  With this configuration, since it is not necessary to arrange the first refeed guide in a narrow space between the rotation shafts in the image recording unit and the first feed unit, the first refeed guide is arranged with a small curvature. Is possible. Therefore, since the recording sheet can be guided by the first re-feeding guide that is gently bent, the recording medium having high rigidity can be transported more stably.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the curvature of the first refeed guide while suppressing an increase in size of the apparatus.

1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 when the guide flapper 165 in the first embodiment is in the paper feeding position. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 when the guide flapper 165 according to the first embodiment is at a refeeding position. The perspective view of the 1st curve guide 164 and the guide flapper 165 in Embodiment 1. FIG. Schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 when the first paper cassette 110 is inserted and removed Schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 during CD and DVD label printing Schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 in Modification 1 The perspective view of the 1st curve guide 164, the guide flapper 252, and the 3rd curve guide 274 in the modification 1. Schematic perspective view of the rear side of the multifunction machine 100 in the first modification. Schematic side view of the internal structure of the printer unit 104 in Modification 2 Schematic side view of a conventional double-sided recording device

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

Embodiment

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 94 is defined with reference to the state of FIG. 1 in which the multifunction device 100 is installed, and the front-rear direction 96 is defined with the side on which the operation panel 102 is provided as the front side. The horizontal direction 98 is defined when the multifunction peripheral 100 is viewed from the front side.

  The multifunction device 100 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that is longer in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction than in the up-down direction. The multifunction machine 100 includes a printer unit 104 at the bottom, a scanner unit 106 at the top, and an operation panel 102 at the top on the front side.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 104]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 104 includes an image recording unit 130, a first paper cassette 110, a first paper feeding unit 114, a main conveyance unit 158, a reverse conveyance unit 161, and a path guide unit 167. The switchback unit 140 is included.

[Image Recording Unit 130]
The image recording unit 130 is disposed in the upper part of the printer unit 104, and ejects ink droplets onto the recording paper fed by the first paper feeding unit 114 to record an image on the recording paper. The image recording unit 130 includes a recording head 206 and a carriage 205.

  The recording head 206 ejects ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) as fine ink droplets. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper.

  The carriage 205 supports the recording head 206. The carriage 205 is supported by a guide rail (not shown) extending in the left-right direction (perpendicular to the paper surface) and can reciprocate in the left-right direction along the guide rail.

[First paper cassette 110]
As shown in FIG. 1, the first paper cassette 110 is disposed on the bottom side of the printer unit 104 and can accommodate recording paper of various sizes. The paper cassette 110 can be inserted into and removed from the printer unit 104 through the opening 108 in the front-rear direction. The paper cassette 110 may be fixed to a frame (not shown) of the printer unit 104 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first paper cassette 110 includes a bottom plate 110 </ b> A, a side plate (not shown), a separation inclined plate 110 </ b> B, and a paper discharge holding unit 112.

  The bottom plate 110 </ b> A is a rectangular plate disposed at the lower part of the first paper cassette 110. A recording sheet is placed on the bottom plate 110A. The bottom plate 110A is not limited to a rectangle as long as a recording sheet can be placed thereon.

  The side plates are plates erected from the front end to the rear end of the bottom plate 110A at both left and right ends of the bottom plate 110A. The right side plate is provided with a recess (not shown) on the rear side. The recess includes an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the paper cassette 110. When the first paper cassette 110 is pulled out, the inclined portion in the recess comes into contact with a support arm 118 described later and pushes up the support arm 118. The recess may be provided on the left side plate. Further, it may be provided on both the left and right side plates.

  The separation inclined plate 110B is a plate that is erected obliquely upward rearward from the right end to the left end of the bottom plate 110A at the rear end of the bottom plate 110A. The separation inclined plate 110B separates the uppermost recording sheet. A plurality of teeth protrude from the inner surface of the separation inclined plate 110B. When the leading edge of the fed recording sheet comes into contact with the inner surface of the separation inclined plate 110B, even if a plurality of recording sheets overlap, only the uppermost recording sheet is separated by the teeth and the image recording unit 130 is separated. Paper is fed to Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the separation inclined plate 110 </ b> B abuts on a support arm 118 described later and pushes up the support arm 118 when inserting the first paper cassette 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge holding unit 112 is arranged above the front side of the first paper cassette 110 and holds the recorded recording paper discharged on the upper surface thereof. The paper discharge holding unit 112 is integrated with the first paper cassette 110 and can be inserted into and removed from the printer unit 104 together with the first paper cassette 110. The paper discharge holding unit 112 may be configured separately from the paper cassette 110 and may be fixed to the frame of the printer unit 104 or the like.

[First paper feeding unit 114]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first paper feeding unit 114 is disposed above the first paper cassette 110 and feeds the stored recording paper. The first paper feed unit 114 includes a paper feed roller 116, a support arm 118, a paper feed motor (not shown), and a first drive transmission mechanism (not shown).

  The paper feed roller 116 is rotatably supported by the support arm 118 and feeds the recording paper to the first curved guide 164. The paper feed roller 116 is composed of a single roller. It should be noted that the number of paper feed rollers 116 may be one or more, and in the case of a plurality of paper feed rollers 116, the lengths in the direction of the rotating shaft 117 may be different.

  The support arm 118 has an arm rotation shaft 120 at one end, and rotatably supports the paper feed roller 116 at the other end. The support arm 118 rotates about the arm rotation shaft 120 and extends rearward from the arm rotation shaft 120. A part of the base end side of the support arm 118 extends to the right side (not shown). When the first sheet cassette 110 is pulled out, the end portion extending to the right side comes into contact with the inclined portion in the concave portion of the side plate. Note that the extending direction on the base end side of the support arm 118 may be either left or right because the extended end side only needs to abut on the inclined portion in the recess. Moreover, you may extend to both right and left.

  The arm rotation shaft 120 is a rotation center shaft that is disposed at the base end portion of the support arm 118 and supports the support arm 118 in a rotatable manner. The arm rotation shaft 120 is positioned above the first paper cassette 110 and below a second inclined guide 172 described later. With the arm rotation shaft 120, the support arm 118 can be rotated to a first position (position shown in FIG. 2) and a second position (position shown in FIG. 5). The support arm 118 is urged in the direction of arrow 122 in FIG. 2 by its own weight or by a first spring (not shown) provided at the base end of the support arm 118.

  The paper feeding motor is a driving force source that rotates the paper feeding roller 116, and is fixed to the frame of the printer unit 104. The paper feeding motor can rotate in either the forward or reverse direction.

  The first drive transmission mechanism is composed of a plurality of gears arranged in a substantially straight line in the extending direction from the arm rotation shaft 120 of the support arm 118 to the rear side, and each gear is pivotally supported by the support arm 118. The first drive transmission mechanism transmits the driving force of the paper feed motor to the paper feed roller 116 to rotate the paper feed roller 116. The first drive transmission mechanism rotates the paper feed roller 116 in the direction of arrow 123 in FIG. 2 when the paper feed motor rotates in the forward direction.

  The first position (the position shown in FIG. 2) of the support arm 118 is a position where the paper feed roller 116 is pressed against the recording paper stored in the first paper cassette 110. When the support arm 118 is in the first position, the paper feed roller 116 can feed the stored recording paper.

  The second position (position shown in FIG. 5) of the support arm 118 is a position where the paper feed roller 116 is retracted from the insertion / extraction area of the first paper cassette 110. When the support arm 118 is in the second position, the paper feed roller 116 is retracted from the insertion / extraction region of the first paper cassette. The support arm 118 is pressed by the separation inclined plate 110B when the first paper cassette 110 is inserted. Further, when the first paper cassette 110 is extracted, the first paper cassette 110 is pressed by the inclined portion in the concave portion of the side plate of the first paper cassette 110. By these pressings, the support arm 118 rotates so as to be pushed up.

[Main transport unit 158]
As shown in FIG. 2, the main transport unit 158 is arranged from the rear end of the first paper cassette 110 to the rear end of the paper discharge holding unit 112, and is fed from the first paper cassette 110 by the first paper feed unit 114. The recorded recording paper is conveyed via the lower part of the image recording unit 130. The main transport unit 158 includes a first main transport path 160, a first transport roller pair 183, a second transport roller pair 187, and a switchback roller pair 191.

  The first main transport path 160 is a recording paper path in the main transport unit 158. The first main transport path 160 is classified into a first curved path 160A, a recording path 160C, and a paper discharge path 160B.

  The first curved path 160A extends from the vicinity of the upper end of the separation inclined plate 110B of the first paper cassette 110 to the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction of the image recording unit 130 (hereinafter simply referred to as “upstream side”). It is an extended curved passage. The first curved path 160A includes a first curved guide 164.

  The first curved guide 164 has a guide surface 164A and a through hole 164B.

  The guide surface 164A is a substantially arc-shaped surface centering on the inner side of the printer unit 104, and the recording paper is conveyed along the guide surface 164A. The guide surface 164A extends in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the through hole 164 </ b> B is a notch disposed at the lower end of the first curved guide 164, through which a recording sheet conveyed through a first reverse conveying path 162 described later can pass. The through hole 164B extends in the left-right direction, and the length in the left-right direction is longer than the width of the recording paper. Further, the through hole 164B extends from the center in the left-right direction of the guide surface 164A to the same length on the left and right. For this reason, the recording paper can pass through the through hole 164B. The through hole 164B is not limited to a notch as long as the recording sheet can pass therethrough. Further, the through hole 164B is not limited to the lower end of the first curved guide 164, and may be disposed below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording path 160 </ b> C is a linear path extending from the upstream side to the downstream side of the image recording unit 130. The recording path 160 </ b> C is formed by the platen 204. The platen 204 is disposed below the image recording unit 130 and supports the recording paper horizontally when an image is recorded by the image recording unit 130. The platen 204 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

  The paper discharge path 160 </ b> B is a linear passage extending from the downstream side of the image recording unit 130 to the upstream side of the paper discharge holding unit 112. The paper discharge path 160B is formed by a paper discharge guide 166. The paper discharge guide 166 is disposed on the downstream side of the second conveying roller pair 187 and supports the recording paper on the upper surface thereof. The paper discharge guide 166 extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

  The first conveying roller pair 183 is disposed between the upper ends of the first curved guide 164 and the second curved guide 174 described later and the image recording unit 130, and the first curved path 160A and the second curved path 162C (see FIG. 3). The recording paper that has been conveyed is sandwiched and conveyed onto the platen. The first transport roller pair 183 includes a first transport roller 180 and a pinch roller 182. The pinch roller 182 is disposed below the first transport roller 180 and is pressed against the roller surface of the first transport roller 180 by a second spring (not shown).

  The second transport roller pair 187 is disposed between the image recording unit 130 and the paper discharge guide 166, and sandwiches the recording paper transported through the recording path 160C and transports it to the paper discharge guide 166. The second transport roller pair 187 includes a second transport roller 184 and a spur roller 186. The spur roller 186 is disposed above the second transport roller 184 and is pressed against the roller surface of the second transport roller 184 by its own weight or a third spring (not shown).

  The driving force source for the first transport roller 180 and the second transport roller 184 is a first transport motor (not shown). The driving force of the first transport motor is transmitted to the first transport roller 180 and the second transport roller 184 via a gear constituting a second drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The second drive transmission mechanism rotates the first transport roller 180 and the second transport roller 184 so that the recording paper is transported downstream when the first transport motor rotates in any of the forward directions.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a platen 204, a pinch roller 182, a second transport roller 184, a paper discharge guide 166, a switching flapper 212, and a switchback roller 188 record an image on a CD or DVD label. In this case, it can move downward. As a result, a CD and a DVD can be inserted between the carriage 205, the first transport roller 180, the spur roller 186, and the spur roller 190 that are opposed to the platen 204, the pinch roller 182, the second transport roller 184, and the switchback roller 188, respectively. A large space 304 can be secured.

  The switchback roller pair 191 is disposed between the paper discharge guide 166 and the paper discharge holding unit 112, and sandwiches the recording paper conveyed through the paper discharge path 160B, on the paper discharge holding unit 112 or a first reverse conveyance path described later. To 162. The switchback roller pair 191 includes a switchback roller 188 and a spur roller 190. The spur roller 190 is disposed above the switchback roller 188 and is pressed against the roller surface of the switchback roller 188 by its own weight or a fourth spring (not shown).

  The driving force source of the switchback roller 188 is a second transport motor (not shown). The driving force of the second transport motor is transmitted to the switchback roller 188 via a gear that constitutes a third drive transmission mechanism (not shown). The third drive transmission mechanism rotates the switchback roller 188 in the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed downstream by the forward rotation of the second conveyance motor. On the other hand, the switchback roller 188 is rotated in the direction in which the recording paper is conveyed upstream by the reverse rotation of the second conveyance motor. The first transport motor and the second transport motor may be one and the same motor.

[Reverse conveying unit 161]
As shown in FIG. 3, the reverse conveyance unit 161 is arranged from the upstream side of the switchback roller 188 to the upper end of the first curved guide 164, and the recording sheet on which the image is recorded and is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 191. Are conveyed toward the recording unit 130. The reverse conveyance unit 161 includes a first reverse conveyance path 162 and a switchback roller pair 191.

  The first reverse conveyance path 162 is a recording paper path in the reverse conveyance unit 161. The first reverse conveying path 162 is classified into a first inclined path 162A, a second inclined path 162B, and a second curved path 162C.

  The first inclined path 162 </ b> A is a linear path extending obliquely downward and rearward from the upstream side of the switchback roller pair 191. The first inclined path 162 </ b> A is formed by the first inclined guide 170. The first inclined guide 170 extends obliquely downward and rearward from the upstream side of the switchback roller pair 191 and supports the recording paper on the upper surface thereof. The 1st inclination guide 170 is extended in the left-right direction.

  The second inclined path 162 </ b> B is a linear path that is disposed above the first paper feed unit 114 and extends from the vicinity of the rear end of the first inclined guide 170 to the vicinity of the lower end of the first curved guide 164. . The second inclined path 162 </ b> B is formed by the second inclined guide 172. The second inclined guide 172 extends rearward and obliquely downward from the rear end of the first inclined guide 170, and supports the recording paper on its upper surface. The tilt angle in the front-rear direction of the second tilt guide 172 is smaller than the tilt angle of the first tilt guide 170. The second inclined guide 172 extends in the left-right direction. The second inclined guide 172 has a through hole 172A. Note that the second tilt guide 172 may be substantially horizontal without having a tilt angle in the front-rear direction.

  The through hole 172A is a rectangular hole and is located on the downstream side of the second inclined guide 172. When the first paper cassette 110 is inserted and removed, the retracted paper feed roller 116 is fitted into the through-hole 172A. Note that the through-hole 172A is not limited to a quadrangle as long as the paper feed roller 116 is fitted. Further, a notch into which the sheet feeding roller 116 is fitted may be used.

  The second curved path 162 </ b> C is a curved path that is disposed on the rear side of the first curved guide 164 and extends from the vicinity of the lower end of the first curved guide 164 to the vicinity of the upper end of the first curved guide 164. is there. The second curved path 162C is formed by the second curved guide 174. The second curved guide 174 has a guide surface 174A. The guide surface 174A is a generally arc-shaped surface centering on the inside of the printer unit 104, and the recording paper is conveyed along the guide surface 174A. The guide surface 174A extends in the left-right direction. The length of the guide surface 174A in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the length of the through hole 164B in the left-right direction. Further, the guide surface 174A extends from the center in the left-right direction of the through hole 164B to the same length on the left and right. The length of the guide surface 174A in the left-right direction may be longer than the length of the through-hole 164B in the left-right direction.

  The lower side of the second curved guide 174 is disposed below the virtual straight line 300 that extends horizontally from the arm rotation shaft 120 in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the upper side of the second curved guide 174 is disposed above the imaginary straight line 302 that extends horizontally from the lower end of the image recording unit 130 in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the curvature of the second curved guide 174 becomes small. Note that only the lower side of the second curved guide 174 may be disposed below the virtual straight line 300. Further, only the upper side may be arranged above the virtual straight line 302.

[Route Guide 167]

  As shown in FIG. 4, the path guide portion 167 is disposed in the vicinity of the through hole 164B, and part of the main transport path 160 (see FIG. 2) or part of the first reverse transport path 162 (see FIG. 3). Constitute. The route guide unit 167 has a guide flapper 165.

  The guide flapper 165 is supported by a rotating shaft 165A that extends in the left-right direction. The guide flapper 165 extends from the rotation shaft 165A and extends in the left-right direction. The length of the guide flapper 165 in the left-right direction is shorter than the through hole 164B. The guide flapper 165 extends from the center of the through hole 164B in the left-right direction to the same length on the left and right. The guide flapper 165 may be plural.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation shaft 165A is disposed near the upper end of the separation inclined plate 110B and rearward of the rear end of the second inclined guide 172, and rotatably supports the guide flapper 165. This is the rotation center axis. The rotation shaft 165A is fixed to the frame of the printer unit 104. For this reason, the guide flapper 165 can be rotated between a paper feeding position (position shown in FIG. 2) and a refeeding position (position shown in FIG. 3). The guide flapper 165 is urged in the direction of the arrow 124 by a spring (not shown) provided at the base end thereof. Accordingly, the guide flapper 165 rotates to the refeeding position in the paper feed standby state before feeding the recording paper from the first paper cassette 110.

  The paper feed position (position shown in FIG. 2) of the guide flapper 165 is a rotation position for transporting the recording paper fed from the first paper cassette 110 to the first curved path 160A. The extended end portion of the guide flapper 165 is located in the vicinity of the guide surface 164A when in the paper feed position. As a result, the guide flapper 165 closes the through hole 164B and constitutes a part of the main transport path 158. In the guide flapper 165, the paper feed surface 165B of the guide flapper 165 is pressed by the leading end of the fed recording paper. As a result, the guide flapper 165 rotates so as to be pushed up.

  The refeeding position (the position shown in FIG. 3) of the guide flapper 165 is a rotation position for transporting the switched back recording sheet to the second curved path 162C. The extended end portion of the guide flapper 165 is located in the vicinity of the downstream end portion of the second inclined guide 172 described later when in the refeeding position. Accordingly, the guide flapper 165 constitutes a part of the first reverse conveyance path 162.

[Switchback unit 140]
The switchback unit 140 is disposed between the second conveying roller pair 187 and the paper discharge holding unit 112 and switches back the recording paper. The switchback unit 140 includes a switchback roller pair 191, a switching flapper 212, and a sheet sensor (not shown).

  The switching flapper 212 is disposed between the second conveying roller pair 187 and the switchback roller pair 191 and constitutes a part of the paper discharge path 160B or a part of the first inclined path 162A. The switching flapper 212 has a rotation shaft 214. The switching flapper 212 extends to the downstream side of the rotating shaft 214 and extends in the left-right direction. The recording sheet on which the image is recorded is supported on the upper surface of the switching flapper 212 and conveyed to the switchback roller pair 191. The recording sheet that has been switched back is guided to the lower surface of the flapper 212 and conveyed to the first reverse conveying path 162.

  The rotation shaft 214 is a rotation center shaft that is disposed in the frame on the downstream side of the paper discharge guide 166 and supports the switching flapper 212 so as to be rotatable. Therefore, the switching flapper 212 can be rotated to the discharge position (position shown in FIG. 2) and the reverse position (position shown in FIG. 3) by the rotation shaft 214.

  The discharge position of the switching flapper 212 is a rotational position where the recording paper on which the image is recorded is conveyed to the paper discharge holding unit 112. The extension end of the switching flapper 212 is disposed in the vicinity of the switchback roller 188 when in the discharge position. The virtual straight line connecting the base end portion and the extending end portion of the switching flapper 212 is arranged along the virtual straight line connecting the second transport roller 184 and the switchback roller 188.

  The reverse position of the flapper 212 is a rotational position where the recording paper on which the image is recorded is transported to the first reverse transport path 162. The extension end of the flapper 212 is disposed in the vicinity of the spur roller 190 when in the reverse position.

  The sheet sensor is disposed in the paper discharge guide 166 and detects the presence or absence of recording paper. The sheet sensor includes a rotating body having a detector, a photo interrupter including a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (for example, a phototransistor) that receives light emitted from the light emitting element. The detector is arranged so as to protrude from the upper surface of the paper discharge guide 166, and can detect the rear end of the recording paper conveyed through the paper discharge path 160B.

  The switchback unit 140 is not limited to the above configuration as long as the recording sheet on which the image is recorded can be conveyed to the reverse conveyance path 162. For example, a re-feed roller may be provided that once feeds a recording sheet on which an image is recorded on the discharge holding unit 112 and the like, and then feeds it again.

[Double-sided recording operation]
Hereinafter, a double-sided recording operation in the printer unit 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  When a double-sided recording instruction is input to the multi-function device 100, first, a paper feed motor provided in the printer unit 104 rotates. The rotation of the paper feed motor is transmitted to the paper feed roller 116 via the first drive transmission mechanism. As a result, the paper feed roller 116 rotates in the direction of the arrow 123 and feeds the recording paper stored in the first paper cassette 110.

  The fed recording paper is rotated to the paper feeding position so as to push up the guide flapper 165, and is conveyed along the guide flapper 165, and is then conveyed to the first curved path 160A. The guide flapper 165 rotates to the refeeding position after the recording paper passes through the guide flapper 165.

  Subsequently, the recording sheet is conveyed so as to make a U-turn from below to above along the guide surface 164A of the first curved guide 164.

  When the recording sheet reaches the first conveying roller pair 183, the rotation of the sheet feeding motor stops and the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 116 stops.

  Thereafter, the recording sheet is conveyed onto the platen 204 by the first conveying roller pair 183 toward the recording path 160C. Recording is performed by the image recording unit 130 on the front surface of the recording sheet conveyed onto the platen 204.

  The recording paper on which the image is recorded on the front surface is conveyed to the paper discharge path 160B by the second conveying roller pair 187. When the recording paper reaches the switching flapper 212, the switching flapper 212 rotates from the reverse position to the discharge position. Then, the recording paper is conveyed further downstream by the switchback roller pair 191.

  The trailing edge of the recording paper conveyed through the paper discharge path 160B is detected by the detector of the sheet sensor. When the detector detects that the trailing edge of the recording sheet has passed, the control unit of the multifunction peripheral 100 causes the trailing edge of the recording sheet to stop between the extending end of the switching flapper 212 and the switchback roller pair 191. Then, the rotation of the switchback roller 188 is stopped. In the case of single-sided recording, the recording paper is not stopped and is conveyed to the paper discharge holding unit 112 by the switchback roller pair 191.

  When the trailing edge of the recording paper stops between the extended end of the switching flapper 212 and the switchback roller pair 191, the switching flapper 212 rotates from the discharge position to the reverse position.

  Subsequently, when the second transport motor rotates in the reverse direction, the switchback roller 188 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the conveyance direction is switched in a state where the rear end side of the recording sheet is sandwiched between the switchback roller pair 191, and the recording sheet is conveyed to the first reverse conveyance path 162.

  The recording sheet is conveyed to the second inclined path 162B through the first inclined path 162A. The recording sheet conveyed through the second inclined path 162B is conveyed along the guide flapper 165 and passes through the through hole 164B.

  The recording sheet that has passed through the through-hole 164B is conveyed to the second curved path 162C, and is fed again to the recording path 160C.

  When the recording paper is conveyed again to the recording path 160C, the image recording unit 130 records an image on the back surface. The recording paper on which the images are recorded on both sides is conveyed to the paper discharge path 160B and then discharged to the paper discharge holding unit 112 by the switchback roller 188 rotated in the forward direction again.

[Effect of Embodiment 1]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the second curved path 162C is disposed on the rear side of the first curved path 160A. Further, the recording sheet conveyed through the first reverse conveyance path 162 passes through the through hole 164B provided in the first curved guide 164 and is conveyed to the second curved path 162C. For this reason, the overall height of the apparatus can be suppressed, and the curvature of the second curved path 162C can be reduced.

[Modification 1]
Hereinafter, Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. In addition, the structure which is common in Embodiment 1 attaches | subjects the code | symbol of the same number as Embodiment 1, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  The first modification is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the through hole 164C, the guide flapper 252, and the second curved path 256. In addition, a second reverse conveyance path 270 is newly provided.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the through hole 164 </ b> C is a notch disposed at the lower end of the first curved guide 164, and the recording sheet conveyed through the first reverse conveying path 162 can pass therethrough. The through-hole 164C extends in the left-right direction, and the length in the left-right direction is different from that of the through-hole 164B. The length in the left-right direction of the through hole 164C is shorter than the horizontal width of the A4 recording paper and longer than the horizontal width of the postcard size recording paper. Further, the through hole 164C extends from the center in the left-right direction of the guide surface 164A to the same length on the left and right. For this reason, among the conveyed recording sheets, a recording sheet having a horizontal width equal to or smaller than the postcard size can pass through the through hole 164C. The through-hole 164C is not limited to a notch as long as a recording sheet having a width that is equal to or smaller than a postcard size can pass through. Further, the through hole 164B is not limited to the lower end of the first curved guide 164, and may be disposed below. Further, the center of the through hole 164C in the left-right direction may be shifted from the center of the guide surface 164A in the left-right direction.

  The guide flapper 252 is disposed in the vicinity of the through hole 164C and constitutes a part of the main transport path 158 or a part of the first reverse transport path 162. The guide flapper 252 extends in the left-right direction, and the length in the left-right direction is different from that of the guide flapper 165. The length of the guide flapper 252 in the left-right direction is shorter than the through hole 164C. The guide flapper 252 extends from the center of the through hole 164C in the left-right direction to the same length on the left and right. A plurality of guide flappers 252 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second curved path 256 is disposed on the rear side of the first curved guide 164, and extends from the vicinity below the first curved guide 164 to the vicinity of the upper end of the first curved guide 164. A curved passage. The second curved path 256 is formed by the second curved guide 266. The second curved guide 266 has a guide surface 266A. The guide surface 266A is different in length in the left-right direction from the guide surface 174A. The length of the guide surface 266A in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the length of the through hole 164C in the left-right direction. Further, the guide surface 266A extends from the center in the left-right direction of the through hole 164C to the same length on the left and right. The length in the left-right direction of the guide surface 266A may be longer than the length in the left-right direction of the through hole 174C.

  The second reverse conveyance path 270 is classified into a first inclined path 162A, a second inclined path 162B, and a third curved path 270C.

  The third curved path 270 </ b> C is a curved path extending from the rear end of the second inclined guide 172 to the upstream side of the image recording unit 130. The third curved path 270C is formed by the third curved guide 274 and the first curved guide 164.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the third curved guide 274 is disposed outside the left and right ends of the guide flapper 252, one on the left side and the other on the right side. The third curved guide 274 is located in the vicinity of the guide surface 164A from the rear end of the second inclined guide 172. The third curved guide 274 is arranged at the same length on the left and right sides from the center in the left-right direction of the through hole 164C. The interval in the left-right direction of the third curved guide 274 is the same as the length in the left-right direction of the through hole 164C. It should be noted that the distance between the third curved guides 274 in the left-right direction is not limited as long as a postcard-sized horizontal recording sheet can pass therethrough and may be shorter than the length in the left-right direction of the through hole 164C. The third curved guide 274 has an outer guide surface 274A and an inner guide surface 274B.

  The outer guide surface 274A is a substantially arc-shaped surface centering on the upper side inside the printer unit 104, and the recording paper fed from the first paper cassette 110 is conveyed along the outer guide surface 274A. .

  The inner guide surface 274B is a substantially arc-shaped surface centering on the upper side inside the printer unit 104, and among the recording sheets conveyed through the second reverse conveying path 270, the recording sheet having a horizontal width equal to or larger than the postcard size is It is conveyed along the inner guide surface 274B. The recording sheet conveyed on the inner guide surface 274 </ b> B is conveyed to the first curved guide 164. On the other hand, among the recording sheets conveyed through the second reverse conveying path 270, the recording sheet having a horizontal width equal to or smaller than the postcard size passes through the through hole 164C and is conveyed to the second curved guide 266.

  That is, as for the recording sheet conveyed through the second reverse conveying path 270, the recording sheet having a short lateral width passes through the through hole 164C and is conveyed to the second curved guide 256. Further, the recording sheet having a long width is guided by the third curved guide 274 and conveyed to the first curved guide 164. Note that the length of the second curved path 256 in the left-right direction need only be shorter than the length of the third curved path 270C in the left-right direction, and the postcard size may not be used as a reference.

  The configuration of the through hole 164C, the guide flapper 252, and the second curved guide 266 may be the same as that of the through hole 164B, the guide flapper 165, and the second curved guide 174, respectively. At this time, the third curved guide 274 is integrally formed without the left and right. The length of the third curved guide 274 in the left-right direction is the same as the length of the through hole 164B in the left-right direction. The third curved guide 274 extends from the center of the through hole 164B in the left-right direction to the same length on the left and right.

The third curved guide 274 is configured to be retractable from the second reversing conveyance path 270 or to be rotatable by a rotation shaft provided on the upstream side thereof. When the third curved guide 274 is not retracted or rotated, the recording paper conveyed through the second reverse conveying path 270 is along the inner guide surface (not shown) of the third curved guide 274. After being conveyed, the first curved guide 164 is conveyed. On the other hand, when the third curved guide 274 is retracted or rotated, the recording paper conveyed through the second reverse conveying path 270 passes through the through hole 164B and is conveyed to the second curved guide 174. The third curved guide 274 is configured to retract or rotate when the rigidity of the recording sheet being conveyed is higher than a predetermined value. As a result, the highly rigid recording paper is conveyed to the second curved guide 174. The predetermined value for the rigidity of the recording paper may be an arbitrary value.

  That is, among the recording sheets conveyed through the first reverse conveying path 162, the recording sheet having high rigidity passes through the through hole 164C and is conveyed to the second curved guide 266. Further, the recording sheet with low rigidity is guided by the third curved guide 274 and conveyed to the first curved guide 164. In other words, the recording sheet having high rigidity can be conveyed to the second curved guide 266 having a small curvature and a gentle bending. Modification 1 may have the configuration of Modification 2 described later.

[Effect of Modification 1]
As shown in FIG. 9, the rear surface 258 on the rear side of the apparatus has a curved portion 260 that can accommodate the second curved guide 266. Since the length of the bending portion 260 in the left-right direction can be shorter than that of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming large. When the recording paper has low rigidity, the recording paper is conveyed to the first curved guide 164. When the recording paper has high rigidity, the recording paper is conveyed to the second curved guide 266. As a result, a recording sheet having high rigidity can be conveyed to the second curved guide 266 having a small curvature, and conveyance during double-sided recording can be performed more stably.

[Modification 2]
Hereinafter, a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the structure which is common in Embodiment 1 attaches | subjects the code | symbol of the same number as Embodiment 1, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  Modification 2 newly includes a second paper cassette 280 and a second paper feed unit 282. In addition to the first main transport path 160, a second main transport path 284 is provided.

  The second paper cassette 280 is disposed below the first paper cassette 110 and stores recording paper. The second paper cassette 280 has the same configuration as the first paper cassette 110.

  The second paper feed unit 282 is disposed above the second paper cassette 280 and feeds the stored recording paper. The second paper feed unit 282 has the same configuration as the first paper feed unit 114.

  The second main transport path 284 is classified into a fourth curved path 284A, a recording path 160C, and a paper discharge path 160B.

  The fourth curved path 284A is a path having a curved portion extending from the vicinity of the upper end of the separation inclined plate 280B of the second paper cassette 280 to the upstream side of the first conveying roller pair 183. The fourth curved path 284A is formed by a fourth curved guide 286.

  The fourth curved guide 286 has a guide surface 286A. The guide surface 286A has a substantially arc-shaped surface centering on the inside of the printer unit 104, and the recording paper fed from the second paper cassette 256 is conveyed along the guide surface 286A.

  The recording sheet conveyed through the first reverse conveyance path 162 and passing through the through hole 164B is conveyed to the guide surface 286A. The recording sheet is conveyed along the curved portion of the guide surface 286A and then conveyed to the recording path 160C. That is, a part of the fourth bending guide 286 also serves as the second bending guide 174. Note that the second modification may have the configuration of the first modification.

[Effect of Modification 2]
The first reverse conveyance path 162 is formed by using the fourth curved guide 286 that forms the second main conveyance path 284, so that it is not necessary to newly provide a guide.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Multifunction machine 104 ... Printer part 108 ... Opening 110 ... 1st paper cassette (1st accommodating part)
110A ... Bottom plate 110B ... Separation inclined plate 112 ... Discharge holding unit 114 ... First paper feeding unit (first feeding unit)
116: Paper feed roller (feed roller)
118... Support arm (support arm)
130: Image recording unit (image recording unit)
140 ... Switchback part (refeed part)
160 ... first main transport path 160A ... first curved path 160B ... discharge path 160C ... recording path 162 ... first reverse transport path 162A ... first inclined path 162B ... Second inclined path 162C ... second curved path 164 ... first curved guide (first feeding guide)
164A ... guide surface 164B ... through hole (penetrating part)
165 ... Guide flapper (Flapper)
165A ... Rotating shaft 165B ... Paper feed surface 166 ... Paper discharge guide 170 ... First inclined guide (first refeed guide)
172 ... Second inclined guide (first refeed guide)
172A ... through hole 174 ... second bending guide (first refeed guide)
174B ... Guide surface 274 ... Third bending guide (second refeed guide)
280 ... 2nd paper cassette (2nd accommodating part)
282 ... Second paper feeding unit (second feeding unit)
286 ... fourth bending guide (second feeding guide)

Claims (9)

An image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium;
A first accommodating portion capable of accommodating a recording medium;
A first feeding unit that feeds the stored recording medium;
A first feeding guide that is arranged on the downstream side of the first storage unit and the upstream side of the image recording unit and guides the fed recording medium to the image recording unit;
A refeeding unit disposed downstream of the image recording unit and refeeding the recording medium on which an image is recorded;
A first re-feeding guide disposed between the image recording unit and the first storage unit and guiding the re-recorded recording medium to the image recording unit;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first feeding guide is provided with a through portion through which the recording medium guided by the first refeeding guide passes.   In the vicinity of the penetrating portion, there is further provided a flapper that is rotatable to a first position that constitutes a part of the first feeding guide and a second position that constitutes a part of the first refeeding guide. Item 8. The image recording apparatus according to Item 1.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a biasing member that biases the flapper to the second position.   In the vicinity of the first refeed guide on the upstream side of the penetrating portion, a second refeed guide for guiding the refeeded recording medium to the image recording portion without passing through the penetrating portion. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   5. The part of the second refeed guide is located on both outer sides of the first refeed guide in a direction orthogonal to a recording medium conveyance direction in the first refeed guide. Image recording device.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a downstream side of the penetrating portion in the first feeding guide also serves as a part of the second feeding guide. A second storage unit disposed on the opposite side of the image recording unit across the first storage unit and capable of storing a recording medium;
A second feeding unit that feeds the stored recording medium;
A second feed guide disposed on the downstream side of the second storage unit and the upstream side of the image recording unit, and for guiding the fed recording medium to the image recording unit;
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second feeding guide also serves as a downstream side of the penetrating portion in the first refeeding guide. The first feeding unit supports a feeding roller and the feeding roller, and a support arm that rotates about a rotation shaft so that the feeding roller and the received recording medium come into contact with and separate from each other. And
8. The image according to claim 1, wherein a projection surface of the first refeed guide in a recording medium feeding direction by the first feeding portion partially overlaps the projection surface of the rotation shaft. 9. Recording device.   9. The image according to claim 1, wherein a projection surface of the first refeed guide in the recording medium feeding direction by the first feeding unit partially overlaps the projection surface of the image recording unit. Recording device.

Images