JP6600933B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mounting position of detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a medium, a cassette, or the like in a recording apparatus, and a cable routing structure from the detection means to a circuit board.

  Conventionally, a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer requires a high-function, high-performance product that requires sensing of the presence / absence of a recording medium, the type of recording medium, the presence / absence of a medium container, and the like. In general, it is common to use different technologies for low-priced products that are used in these products while maintaining a common housing, mechanism and other mechanisms and device layout.

  In order to reduce the size of the recording apparatus, a circuit board for controlling a mechanism such as sensing or a mechanism is provided in the apparatus body, for example, a side surface of the apparatus body (see Patent Document 1), an upper part of the apparatus body (see Patent Document 2). ) And the bottom of the apparatus body (see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3067908 JP 2010-23526 A JP 2014-014943 A

  However, when the detection means for sensing the presence / absence of a recording medium, the type of recording medium, the presence / absence of a medium accommodating portion, etc. is installed in the apparatus main body after the layout of the circuit board in the apparatus main body is determined, The position where the detection means is provided in the body is limited. Further, with respect to the cable for transmitting the detection signal from the detection means to the circuit board, the positional relationship between the detection means and the circuit board, the assembly of the apparatus, the interference with other members in the apparatus body, and the like are taken into consideration. Must be routed through the device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In the mounting position of the detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a medium, a cassette, etc., and the cable routing structure from the detecting means to the circuit board, the assembly of the apparatus and other members An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus that takes into account the interference of the above.
Incidentally, there are various names such as “cassette” and “tray” as names of medium accommodating portions for accommodating recording media in the recording apparatus, but the term “tray” is used in this specification.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a recording head that performs recording on a recording medium, a plurality of medium storage units that store the recording medium, and a supply of the recording medium. A first base portion provided on one side across the medium accommodating portion in a direction crossing the feeding direction, a second base portion provided on the other side, the first base portion, and the Connected to the second base unit, provided on the transport path of the recording medium on the downstream side of the recording head, provided at a position facing the medium storage unit, the plurality of medium storage units A first detection means for detecting at least one of the presence / absence of the recording medium and the presence / absence of the medium accommodating portion in the medium accommodating portion at a position where the medium can be fed, and an upper surface of the top plate portion A provided circuit board, the first detection means and the front And a cable for connecting to a circuit board, wherein the cable passes through a cable protection part provided on a side surface of the first base part or the second base part facing the medium housing part. And

  According to this aspect, since the cable passes through the cable protection portion provided on the side surface of the first base portion or the second base portion that faces the medium storage portion, the cable comes into contact with the medium storage portion. The possibility of damage can be reduced. In addition, since the route of the cable is exposed by removing the medium accommodating portion from the apparatus main body, the cable can be easily routed at the time of assembling the apparatus, and the assemblability of the apparatus can be improved.

  Further, according to this aspect, the first detection unit is provided at a position facing the medium storage unit, and at least in the medium storage unit at a position where the medium can be fed among the plurality of medium storage units, Since either the presence / absence of a recording medium or the presence / absence of the medium accommodating portion is detected, the recording medium in the medium accommodating portion that feeds the recording medium to the recording head in the plurality of medium accommodating portions. The presence or absence can be detected, or it can be detected that any one of the plurality of medium accommodating portions is in a position where the recording medium can be fed toward the recording head. For example, in the case where the plurality of medium storage units are composed of an upper medium storage unit and a lower medium storage unit, it is detected which of the upper medium storage unit and the lower medium storage unit is in a feedable state. Therefore, before the user gives a recording operation instruction, it is possible to specify which of the upper medium storage unit and the lower medium storage unit is the medium storage unit in a state in which feeding is possible. Can be improved.

  A recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the recording medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion is opposed to the feeding roller that feeds the recording medium from the medium accommodating portion, and the medium accommodating portion. And a holding member for holding the feeding roller, wherein the first detection means is provided on the holding member.

The recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the cable protection portion is formed as a groove.
According to this aspect, since the cable protection portion is formed as a groove, the cable extending from the first detection means toward the circuit board passes through the groove, and the medium accommodating portion is provided with respect to the apparatus main body. When inserting / removing, it is possible to reduce the contact of the cable with the medium accommodating portion, and it is possible to reduce damage to the cable.

  A recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the groove has a first groove extending from the first detection means to the downstream side in the transport direction in the transport direction of the recording medium, And a second groove portion extending toward the circuit board provided in the top plate portion in the apparatus height direction from an end portion of the groove portion on the downstream side in the conveying direction.

  In the recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the cable and a second detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of the medium accommodating portion are provided in the groove. It is characterized by.

  According to this aspect, in addition to the first detection means, the second detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of the cable and the medium accommodating portion is provided in the groove. Thereby, the possibility that the second detection means interferes with the medium accommodation portion can be reduced, and the possibility that the medium accommodation portion and the second detection means are damaged can be reduced. In addition, for example, the presence or absence of each medium storage unit in the plurality of medium storage units can be detected by causing the second detection unit to detect the position retracted from the feedable position in the plurality of medium storage units. The user can grasp the plurality of medium accommodating portions mounted on the apparatus main body, and can meet the user needs more appropriately.

  The recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein a noise reduction member for reducing noise generated in the cable is provided in the groove. To do.

  According to this aspect, since the noise reducing member for reducing the noise generated in the cable is provided in the groove, the first detecting means can be used even if the cable is extended from the first detecting means to the circuit board. It is possible to suppress noise from being mixed into a detection signal transmitted from one detection means toward the circuit board, and to improve the detection reliability of the first detection means.

  In the recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the first detection unit can detect the type of the recording medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion. It is characterized by being.

  According to this aspect, the first detection means can detect the type of the recording medium accommodated in the medium accommodating portion at a position where feeding can be performed. For example, when the first detection unit is configured as an optical sensor that irradiates the recording medium with light and receives and detects the reflected light from the recording medium, the first detection unit is configured to detect the recording medium. It is possible to detect the reflectance according to the type. As a result, the first detection means can detect whether the recording medium that can be fed is plain paper, dedicated paper, or photographic paper, and transmits the detection information to the circuit board. be able to. As a result, the circuit board can present the recording mode corresponding to the type of the recording medium to the user, or can automatically select and execute the recording mode according to the type of the recording medium. , User convenience can be improved.

  The recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the recording medium is transported and discharged along the transport path of the recording medium to the medium housing portion. A discharge tray for receiving the medium is integrally provided.

  According to this aspect, the medium storage unit is integrally provided with a discharge tray that receives the recording medium that is transported and discharged along the transport path of the recording medium. The number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the discharge tray is configured separately, so that the cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be simplified.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a sheet is present in a lower sheet tray in a sheet conveyance path and a feedable position of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a first state of the medium accommodating portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a second state in the medium accommodating portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a lower surface side of the printer in a state where a medium housing unit is removed in the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where no paper is present in a lower paper tray at a feedable position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a sheet is present in an upper sheet tray at a feedable position. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which no paper is present in an upper paper tray at a feedable position. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the detection target in a detection means, and the intensity | strength of a detection signal. The perspective view which shows a 2nd detection means in the state which removed the medium accommodating part in the printer which concerns on the example of a change of 1st Example. The perspective view which shows a noise reduction member in the state which removed the medium accommodating part in the printer which concerns on the other modification of a 1st Example. The external appearance perspective view of the medium accommodating part which concerns on a 2nd Example. The top view which shows the 1st state in the medium accommodating part which concerns on a 2nd Example. The top view which shows the 2nd state in the medium accommodating part which concerns on a 2nd Example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same structure in each Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and it demonstrates only in the first Example, The description of the structure is abbreviate | omitted in a subsequent Example.

  In the XYZ coordinate system shown in each drawing, the X direction indicates the scanning direction of the recording head and the apparatus width direction, the Y direction indicates the depth direction of the recording apparatus and the paper transport direction, and the Z direction indicates the apparatus height direction. In each figure, the −X-axis direction is the carriage home position side, the −Y direction is the apparatus front side, and the + Y direction side is the apparatus back side.

■■■ First Example ■■■■■■■
<<< Printer overview >>>
With reference to FIG. 1, components of an inkjet printer 10 (hereinafter referred to as “printer 10”) as an example of a recording apparatus will be described. The printer 10 includes an apparatus main body 12, an upper structure 13 including an operation unit, a scanner unit, and the like disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 12, and a medium storage unit 16 that stores paper P as a “recording medium” It has.

  The apparatus main body 12 includes a first base part 12A and a second base part 12B with the medium accommodating part 16 interposed therebetween in the apparatus width direction. In the present embodiment, the first base portion 12A includes a drive source (a driving roller for driving a pickup roller 18, a conveyance roller pair 20, a discharge roller pair 22, a discharge roller pair 24, a carriage 26, a reverse roller pair 46, and the like, which will be described later. Etc.) are provided.

  Further, when the carriage 26 is located at the home position, the second base portion 12B includes a cap member (not shown) that covers a recording head 28, which will be described later, and a pump (not shown) that creates a negative pressure inside the cap member. And a waste ink tank (not shown) for storing ink that has been discarded in the cap member by applying a negative pressure to the space in the cap member or performing flushing.

  A top plate portion 30 that connects the first base portion 12A and the second base portion 12B is provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12. The top plate 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the recording head 28, that is, on the downstream side of the discharge roller pair 24, which will be described later, in the feeding path, that is, the conveying path of the paper P as the “recording medium”. A circuit board 14 including a plurality of electronic components is disposed on the top surface of the top plate portion 30. In the present embodiment, the circuit board 14 is configured as a control unit that controls a recording operation in the printer 10 and a drive source (not shown).

  In this embodiment, the circuit board 14 is arranged on the upper part of the apparatus body 12. This is because, in the case where the medium accommodating portion 16 is detachable in the printer 10, if the circuit board 14 is arranged below the medium accommodating portion 16, there is a possibility that the apparatus is enlarged in the apparatus height direction. In the area avoiding the portion 16, if the board area of the circuit board 14 is increased, the apparatus may be increased in the apparatus width direction, or if it is disposed on the side surface of the apparatus, the apparatus may be increased in the apparatus height direction. There is. Therefore, by using the upper part on the front surface side of the apparatus main body 12, it is possible to effectively use the dead space in the product and secure an area corresponding to the required substrate size.

  Further, the medium accommodating portion 16 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 12. In this embodiment, the medium storage unit 16 includes a lower tray 32, an upper tray 34 positioned above the lower tray 32, and a discharge stacker as a “discharge tray” provided integrally with the upper tray 34. 36. In this embodiment, the upper tray 34 and the discharge stacker 36 are configured to be slidable relative to the lower tray 32. In the present embodiment, the lower tray 32 is configured to be manually slid by the user. In FIG. 2, the paper accommodated in the lower tray 32 is indicated by reference numeral P <b> 1, and the paper accommodated in the upper tray 34 is indicated by reference numeral P <b> 2 (hereinafter referred to as “ Paper P)).

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the state in which the upper tray 34 is located at the retracted position on the front side in the apparatus depth direction with respect to the lower tray 32 (see the solid line in FIG. 2) is the sheet in the lower tray 32. This is the P1 feedable state, that is, the first state. Then, when the upper tray 34 is slid to the rear side in the apparatus depth direction with respect to the lower tray 32 from the state where the upper tray 34 is in the retracted position, the paper P2 can be fed from the upper tray 34. The state (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), that is, the second state.

  Next, a paper conveyance path in the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the apparatus main body 12, a pickup roller 18 is provided above the medium accommodating portion 16, that is, at a position facing the lower tray 32 in the first state and facing the upper tray 34 in the second state. The pickup roller 18 is configured to be swingable in a direction in which the pickup roller 18 comes in contact with and separates from the paper P1 stored in the lower tray 32 or the paper P2 stored in the upper tray 34.

  Specifically, the pick-up roller 18 is positioned above the medium accommodating part 16 in the apparatus height direction, and is configured as a metal member that connects the first base part 12A and the second base part 12B. 48 is swingably held. The pickup roller 18 is driven to rotate by the drive source (not shown).

  The pickup roller 18 feeds the paper P stored in the medium storage unit 16 (the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34) toward the downstream side of the feeding path. A conveying roller pair 20 is provided on the downstream side of the pickup roller 18 in the feeding path. The conveyance roller pair 20 includes a conveyance driving roller 20a and a conveyance driven roller 20b. The conveyance drive roller 20a is driven to rotate by the drive source (not shown). The paper P sent out by the pickup roller 18 is nipped by the transport roller pair 20 and sent out toward the recording unit 38 located on the downstream side of the transport path.

  The recording unit 38 includes a carriage 26, a recording head 28 provided at the bottom of the carriage 26, and a platen 40 that faces the recording head 28. The recording head 28 faces the paper P supported by the platen 40. The platen 40 supports the paper P and defines the distance between the paper P and the recording head 28. The carriage 26 is driven by the drive source (not shown) so as to reciprocate in the apparatus width direction (the front and back direction in FIG. 2, that is, the X-axis direction).

  The paper P sent out toward the recording unit 38 by the transport roller pair 20 is transported to a position facing the recording head 28 and recording is performed. A pair of paper discharge rollers 22 is provided on the downstream side of the recording unit 38 in the transport direction. The paper discharge roller pair 22 includes a paper discharge driving roller 22a and a paper discharge driven roller 22b. The paper discharge drive roller 22a is driven to rotate by the drive source (not shown).

  The paper P recorded by the recording head 28 is nipped by the paper discharge roller pair 22 located downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording head 28 and further conveyed toward the discharge roller pair 24 located downstream in the paper conveyance direction. The The discharge roller pair 24 includes a discharge drive roller 24a and a discharge driven roller 24b. The discharge drive roller 24a is driven to rotate by the drive source (not shown). The paper P nipped by the discharge roller pair 24 is discharged toward the discharge stacker 36 located on the downstream side in the paper transport direction.

  A flap 42 is provided between the paper discharge roller pair 22 and the paper discharge roller pair 24 in the paper transport path. The flap 42 is configured to be swingable. Specifically, the flap 42 allows the sheet P to be discharged from the discharge roller pair 22 to the discharge stacker 36 via the discharge roller pair 24 (see the solid line in FIG. 2) and the paper from the discharge roller pair 24. The posture (refer to the two-dot chain line labeled with reference numeral 42 ′ in FIG. 2) that reversely feeds P and feeds paper P to the reversing path 44 can be switched.

  The paper P fed back from the discharge roller pair 24 is sent to the reverse path 44 via the flap 42. Then, the paper P is fed into the paper transport path by a reverse roller pair 46 provided in the reverse path 44 at a position upstream of the transport roller pair 20 in the paper transport path. Then, the paper is again sent to the discharge stacker 36 through a position facing the recording head 28. The reverse roller pair 46 includes a reverse drive roller 46a and a reverse driven roller 46b. The reverse drive roller 46a is driven to rotate by the drive source (not shown).

  In this embodiment, the circuit board 14 functioning as a control unit is picked up based on a command input by a user to an operation unit provided in the printer 10 or based on detection information in a detection means 50 described later. The roller 18, the transport roller pair 20, the paper discharge roller pair 22, the paper discharge roller pair 24, the carriage 26, the reversing roller pair 46, a driving source (not shown) that drives these, and the recording operation of the recording head 28 are controlled.

<<< Regarding Configuration of Medium Storage Unit 16 >>>
Next, the configuration of the medium accommodating portion 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The medium storage unit 16 includes a lower tray 32, an upper tray 34, and a discharge stacker 36. Further, the upper tray 34 and the discharge stacker 36 are integrally formed. Specifically, the upper tray 34 is formed such that the front end of the apparatus is one step higher in the apparatus height direction than the sheet P containing surface 34a (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The portion formed higher than this level functions as a discharge stacker 36 in a state where the medium accommodating portion 16 is attached to the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper accommodated in the lower tray 32 is indicated by the symbol P1, and the paper accommodated in the upper tray 34 is indicated by the symbol P2. "Paper P"). In this embodiment, for example, plain paper is stored in the lower tray 32 as paper P1, and special paper such as thick paper or photographic paper having a size, thickness, and rigidity different from that of the plain paper is stored in the upper tray 34 as paper P2. is doing.

  In addition, the lower tray 32 is provided with edge guides 52 and 52 slidable in the paper width direction (see FIG. 3). The edge guides 52 and 52 regulate the position of the paper P1 in the paper width direction. Further, the lower tray 32 is provided with an edge guide 54 (see FIG. 2) that can slide in the apparatus depth direction, that is, the paper length direction (paper feeding direction). The edge guide 54 regulates the position of the trailing edge of the sheet P1.

  The upper tray 34 is provided with edge guides 56, 56 that can slide in the paper width direction. The edge guides 56 and 56 regulate the position of the paper P2 in the paper width direction. Further, the upper tray 34 is provided with an edge guide 58 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that can slide in the apparatus depth direction, that is, the paper length direction (paper feeding direction). The edge guide 58 regulates the position of the rear end of the paper P2.

  In this embodiment, the upper tray 34 is integrally attached to the lower tray 32 so as to be slidable along the transport direction of the paper P with respect to the lower tray 32. That is, by sliding the upper tray 34 along the paper transport direction with respect to the lower tray 32, the discharge stacker 36 is also slid with respect to the lower tray 32 together with the upper tray 34.

  That is, in the state where the upper tray 34 is in the retracted position, that is, in the first state where feeding from the lower tray 32 is possible, the discharge stacker 36 is positioned at the end of the medium accommodating portion 16 on the front side of the apparatus. In the first state, the length of the area of the discharge stacker 36 that supports the paper in the depth direction of the apparatus is long enough to support the paper P1 fed from the lower tray 32. .

  On the other hand, in the second state in which the upper tray 34 can be fed (see FIG. 7), the discharge stacker 36 moves along the device rear side of the upper tray 34 with the device of the medium storage unit 16. Move from the front end to the rear. Thereby, the paper support area of the discharge stacker 36 in the paper transport direction is reduced.

  Here, when the upper tray 34 is in a feedable position with the medium accommodating portion 16 attached to the printer 10, the length of the paper support area of the discharge stacker 36 in the paper transport direction is the length of the paper P2. Is set. Thereby, even when the upper tray 34 is in the second state, the discharge stacker 36 can support the discharged paper P2. That is, the discharge stacker 36 can appropriately support the paper P1 or the paper P2 in accordance with the switching of the feedable position between the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34.

  In the present embodiment, the medium storage unit 16 is integrally provided with a discharge tray stacker 36 that receives the paper P that is transported and discharged along the transport path of the paper P. Therefore, the medium storage 16 And the discharge stacker 36 can be reduced in number of parts, and the cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be simplified.

<<< About detection means >>>
Next, the detection means 50 as “first detection means” will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 to 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection means 50 is attached to the lower surface of the holding member 48 that connects the first base portion 12 </ b> A and the second base portion 12 </ b> B with the detection surface facing the medium accommodating portion 16. In this embodiment, the detection means 50 is configured as an optical sensor as an example. Here, the optical sensor includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, emits light from the light emitting unit toward the detection target, receives the light reflected from the detection target by the light receiving unit, and reflects the light at that time. It is configured to detect a detection target by a change in rate.

  2 and 6 to 8, the two-dot broken line drawn below the detecting means 50 is light emitted from the light emitting unit toward the detection target and light reflected from the detection target toward the light receiving unit. Is schematically represented. Note that the change in reflectance is caused by the difference in color and material in the detection target.

  In the present embodiment, the detecting means 50 is provided at a position facing the upper tray 34 when the upper tray 34 is in a feedable position (see FIG. 7) in the apparatus depth direction. A cable 60 extends from the detection means 50 toward the circuit board 14 provided on the upper surface of the top plate portion 30 of the apparatus main body 12. In this embodiment, the cable 60 is connected to the circuit board 14 through the lower surface of the holding member 48, that is, the side facing the medium accommodating portion 16 and the side surface 12 c facing the medium accommodating portion 16 in the first base portion 12 </ b> A. Yes.

  Specifically, the cable 60 connects the detection means 50 and the circuit board 14 through the cable protection unit 62. In this embodiment, the cable protection part 62 is formed as a groove. Here, the cable protection portion 62 extends from the detection means 50 through the lower surface of the holding member 48 to the side surface 12c of the first base portion 12A, and in the side surface 12c from the upstream side in the medium conveyance direction to the downstream side, that is, in the apparatus depth direction. A first groove 62a extending from the back side to the front side, and the first groove 62a is provided on the top plate part 30 on the downstream side in the transport direction, that is, on the top side of the apparatus height direction from the end of the apparatus front side in the apparatus depth direction. And a second groove 62b extending toward the circuit board 14. That is, in this embodiment, the cable 60 is routed so that the path from the detecting means 50 to the circuit board 14 passes through the first groove 62a and the second groove 62b.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cable protection part 62 is formed as the grooves 62a and 62b, so that the cable 60 extending from the detection means 50 toward the circuit board 14 passes through the grooves 62a and 62b, and the apparatus body 12 When the medium accommodating part 16 is inserted into and extracted from the cable 60, the contact of the cable 60 with the medium accommodating part 16 can be reduced, and damage to the cable 60 can be reduced.

  Next, detection of the paper P or detection of the medium storage unit 16 by the detection unit 50 will be described. In the present embodiment, the detection means 50 is configured to be able to identify the detection target according to the change in the reflectance of the reflected light from the detection target, that is, the intensity of the detection signal, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the reflectance of the paper P is set to be larger than the reflectance of the paper P containing surface 32a of the lower tray 32 and the paper P containing surface 34a of the upper tray 34. Further, the intensity of the detection signal is set to increase as the detection target becomes closer to the detection means 50.

  Further description will be made specifically with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 8. In a state in which the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 are detached from the apparatus main body 12, the reflected light received by the detection means 50 is the smallest, so the intensity of the detection signal is the smallest (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the circuit board 14 that receives the detection signal from the detection means 50 can be determined to be in a state in which the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 are detached from the apparatus main body 12.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lower tray 32 that does not contain the paper P <b> 1 is attached to the apparatus main body 12, the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 are removed from the apparatus main body 12. The reflected light received by the detection means 50 increases. As a result, it is possible to determine that the circuit board 14 is in a state where the lower tray 32 is mounted at the mounting position in the apparatus main body 12, that is, the lower tray 32 is in a position where feeding can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the upper tray 34 that does not contain the paper P2 is slid from the retracted position (see FIG. 2) to the feedable position (see FIG. 8), the detecting means 50 The reflected light from the accommodation surface 34 a of the upper tray 34 is received. At this time, the receiving surface 34a of the upper tray 34 is closer to the detecting means 50 than the receiving surface 32a of the lower tray 32, so that the reflected light becomes stronger, that is, the intensity of the detection signal in the detecting means 50 is lower tray. It becomes larger than the intensity of the detection signal from the 32 accommodating surfaces 32a. Thereby, the detection means 50 detects the upper tray 34. Then, the circuit board 14 can determine that the upper tray 34 is in a feedable position in the apparatus main body 12.

  In this embodiment, the reflectance of the paper P is set to be larger than the accommodation surfaces 32a and 34a of the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34. That is, the intensity of the detection signal in the detection means 50 is set to be strong.

  Here, referring again to FIG. 2, the sheet P <b> 1 is accommodated in the lower tray 32 in the first state where the lower tray 32 is in the feedable position. In this state, the detection means 50 receives reflected light from the paper P1 accommodated in the lower tray 32. Thereby, the intensity of the detection signal in the detection unit 50 becomes stronger than the intensity of the detection signal in the accommodation surfaces 32 a and 34 a of the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 in a state where the sheet P is not accommodated. Therefore, the circuit board 14 can determine whether or not the sheet P1 is stored in the lower tray 32 in the first state where the feeding is possible, that is, whether or not the sheet P1 is present.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the sheet P <b> 2 is accommodated in the upper tray 34 in the second state in which the upper tray 34 is in the feedable position. In this state, the detection means 50 receives reflected light from the paper P1 accommodated in the upper tray 34. Here, since the upper tray 34 is closer to the detection means 50 than the lower tray 32, the intensity of the detection signal in the detection means 50 is detected when the paper P1 stored in the lower tray 32 is detected. It becomes stronger than the signal strength. Therefore, the circuit board 14 can determine whether or not the sheet P2 is stored in the upper tray 34 in the second state in which the feeding is possible, that is, whether or not the sheet P2 is present.

  In summary, in the present embodiment, the detection unit 50 is provided at a position facing the medium storage unit 16, and the lower tray 32 or the upper stage side in the position where the medium can be fed among the plurality of medium storage units 16. Since at least one of the presence / absence of the sheets P1 and P2 and the presence / absence of the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 is detected in the tray 34, the sheets P1 and P2 are supplied to the recording head 28 in the plurality of medium storage units 16. The presence or absence of the sheets P1 and P2 in the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 to be fed can be detected, or one of the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 faces the recording head 28 and the sheets P1 and P2. Can be detected at a position where it can be fed. For example, in the case where the plurality of medium storage units 16 are constituted by the upper tray 34 and the lower tray 32, it is possible to detect which of the upper tray 34 and the lower tray 32 is in a feedable state. Therefore, it is possible to specify either the upper tray 34 or the lower tray 32 in the feedable state before the user gives an instruction for the recording operation, so that convenience for the user can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the cable 60 passes through the cable protection part 62 provided on the side surface 12c of the first base part 12A facing the medium accommodation part 16, so that there is a risk of damage due to contact with the medium accommodation part 16. Can be reduced. Further, since the route of the cable 60 is exposed by removing the medium accommodating portion 16 from the apparatus main body 12, the cable 60 can be easily routed when the apparatus is assembled, and the assembly of the apparatus can be improved.

<<< Modification of the first embodiment >>>
(1) In the present embodiment, the cable 60 is passed through the groove-shaped cable protection part 62. However, in addition to this structure, as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure which provides the detection means 64 which is. Also in this modified example, the detection means 64 is configured as an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. In this modification, since the detection means 64 is provided in the groove-shaped cable protection section 62, the possibility that the detection means 64 interferes with the medium storage section 16 is reduced, and the medium storage section 16 and the detection means 64 are damaged. The fear can be reduced. In addition, for example, the detection unit 64 detects the position retracted from the feedable position in the upper tray 34 that is slidable in the plurality of medium storage units 16, so that the position is set at the retreat position in the plurality of medium storage units 16. It is possible to detect the presence or absence of the upper tray 34, and the user can grasp the plurality of medium accommodating portions 16 attached to the apparatus main body 12 and more appropriately meet the user needs. .

(2) In this embodiment, the cable 60 is passed through the groove-shaped cable protection part 62. However, in addition to this structure, a noise reduction member 66 is provided in the cable protection part 62 as shown in FIG. It is good also as a structure to provide. In the present modification, as an example, the noise reduction member 66 is configured as a ferrite core. In this modified example, since the noise reduction member 66 for reducing the noise generated in the cable 60 is provided in the groove-shaped cable protection part 62, the cable 60 is routed from the detection means 50 to the circuit board 14 for a long time. In addition, noise can be prevented from being mixed into the detection signal transmitted from the detection unit 50 toward the circuit board 14, and the detection reliability of the detection unit 50 can be improved.

(3) In the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the sheets P1 and P2 accommodated in the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 or the presence or absence of the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34 is determined depending on the strength of the detection signal in the detection unit 50. In addition to this configuration, it is configured to detect the types of the sheets P1 and P2 from the difference in reflectance between the sheets P1 and P2 accommodated in the lower tray 32 and the upper tray 34. Also good.

  Specifically, plain paper, which is an example of the papers P1 and P2, and specialty paper such as cardboard and photographic paper have different light intensities, so that the detection intensity in the detection unit 50 is different. Therefore, the detection means 50 can detect whether the papers P1 and P2 that can be fed are plain paper, dedicated paper, or photographic paper, so that the detection information can be transmitted to the circuit board 14. Can do. As a result, the circuit board 14 can present the user with a recording mode corresponding to the type of the paper P1, P2 to the user by a display means (not shown), or the recording mode is automatically set according to the type of the paper P1, P2. Since it can be selected and executed, the convenience of the user can be improved.

(4) In this embodiment, the cable protection part 62 is provided on the surface 12c of the first base part 12A facing the medium accommodating part 16, but instead of this structure, the cable protection part 62 is provided in the second base part 12A. It is good also as a structure provided in the surface 12d facing the medium accommodating part 16 of the base | substrate part 12B. That is, the cable 60 may be routed around the surface 12d of the second base portion 12B facing the medium accommodating portion 16.
(5) In the present embodiment, the holding member 48 is formed of a metal material, but instead of this configuration, the holding member 48 may be formed of a resin material.
(6) In this embodiment, the upper tray 34 is manually slid with respect to the lower tray 32, but instead of this configuration, the slide is automatically slid by a drive source and a drive mechanism (not shown). You may comprise.

■■■ Second Example ■■■■■■■
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the medium accommodating portion and the discharge stacker are not integrally formed. The other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the medium storage unit 68 includes a lower tray 70 and an upper tray 72. The lower tray 70 and the upper tray 72 are integrally formed. That is, the medium storage unit 68 is configured to insert and remove the lower tray 70 and the upper tray 72 as one unit with respect to the printer main body. Further, the upper tray 72 is configured to be slidable between a retracted position (see FIG. 13) and a paper feedable position (see FIG. 14) with respect to the lower tray 70.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a transmission gear 74 is provided on the apparatus main body side, and a transmission gear 76 is provided on the lower tray 70. In a state in which the medium storage unit 68 is mounted on the printer, the transmission gear 74 and the transmitted gear 76 are engaged with each other, and driving force from a drive source provided in the printer main body (not shown) is supplied to the medium storage unit 68. Then, the upper tray 72 is slid between the retracted position and the feedable position by a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown) provided in the medium accommodating portion 68.

  The upper tray 72 is provided with an edge guide 78 that can slide in the paper width direction. The edge guide 78 regulates the position of the paper P2 in the paper width direction. Further, the upper tray 72 is provided with an edge guide 80 that is slidable in the apparatus depth direction, that is, the paper length direction (paper feeding direction). The edge guide 80 regulates the position of the trailing edge of the sheet P2.

  In addition, a high friction material 82 is disposed on the storage surface 72a of the paper P2 of the upper tray 72 at a location corresponding to the contact position between the pickup roller 18 and the paper P2. The high-friction material 82 holds the sheet bundle so that the sheet bundle is not sent to the downstream side of the feeding path when the pickup roller 18 feeds the sheet.

  Although not shown, the lower tray 70 is provided with edge guides that are slidable in the paper width direction and the paper length direction in the same manner as the upper tray 72, and the sheets stored in the lower tray 70. The position of P1 in the sheet width direction and the position of the trailing edge of the sheet are restricted. Further, a high friction material 84 is disposed on the storage surface 70a of the paper P1 of the lower tray 70 at a location corresponding to the contact position between the pickup roller 18 and the paper P1. The high friction material 84 holds the sheet bundle so that the sheet bundle is not sent downstream of the feeding path when the pickup roller 18 feeds the sheet.

<<< Modified Example of First and Second Embodiments >>>
(1) In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the detection means 50 is provided on the holding member 48. However, the detection means 50 is opposed to the medium storage section 16 in the space for storing the medium storage section 16 in the printer 10. It is good also as a structure provided. For example, the detection means 50 may be provided on the side surface 12c of the first base portion 12A facing the medium storage portion 16 and on the side surface 12d of the second base portion 12B facing the medium storage portion 16.

(2) In the first and second embodiments, the detection means 50 and 64 are configured as optical sensors, particularly sensors that detect the amount of reflected light. However, the distance for measuring the distance to the detection target using a laser beam or the like. It may be configured as a measurement sensor or may be configured as a mechanical sensor such as a switch.
(3) In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the detection means 50 is configured to be provided on the lower surface of the holding member 48. Instead of this configuration, for example, an opening is provided in the holding member 48, You may comprise so that the detection surface of the detection means 50 may oppose a detection target through the opening part.

In this embodiment, the cable 60 and the cable protection unit 62 according to the present invention are applied to an ink jet printer as an example of a recording apparatus. However, the present invention can also be applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses in general.
Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus uses an ink jet recording head, and is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine that discharges ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. And a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the ink jet recording head to an ejected medium corresponding to the recording medium, and attaching the liquid to the ejected medium.

  In addition to the recording head, as a liquid ejecting head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED) Examples thereof include an ejection head, a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and a sample ejection head as a precision pipette.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer, 12 apparatus main body, 12A 1st base | substrate part, 12B 2nd base | substrate part,
12c, 12d side surface, 13 upper structure, 14 circuit board, 16, 68 medium accommodating portion,
18 pickup roller, 20 transport roller pair, 20a transport drive roller,
20b conveyance driven roller, 22 discharge roller pair, 22a discharge drive roller,
22b discharge driven roller, 24 discharge roller pair, 24a discharge drive roller,
24b discharge driven roller, 26 carriage, 28 recording head, 30 top plate section,
32, 70 Lower tray, 32a, 34a, 70a, 72a receiving surface,
34, 72 Upper tray, 36 Eject stacker, 38 Recording unit, 40 Platen,
42 flaps, 44 reverse paths, 46 reverse roller pairs, 46a reverse drive rollers,
46b Reverse driven roller, 48 holding member, 50, 64 detection means,
52, 54, 56, 58, 78, 80 Edge guide, 60 cables,
62 cable protection part, 62a first groove part, 62b second groove part,
66 Noise reduction member, 74 transmission gear, 76 transmitted gear, 82, 84 high friction material,
P, P1, P2 paper

Claims (10)

A recording head for recording on a recording medium;
A medium accommodating portion for accommodating the recording medium;
A first base portion provided on one side across the medium accommodating portion in a direction intersecting a feeding direction of the recording medium;
A second base portion provided on the other side;
A top plate portion that connects the first base portion and the second base portion, and is positioned on the downstream side of the recording head in the transport path of the recording medium;
A first detection unit that is provided at a position facing the medium storage unit and detects the presence or absence of the medium storage unit in the medium storage unit at a position where the medium can be fed out of the medium storage unit;
A circuit board provided on the top surface of the top plate,
A cable connecting the first detection means and the circuit board;
A cable protector for protecting the cable;
With
The first detection means is provided in the cable protection unit;
A recording apparatus. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position facing the medium housing portion provided with the first detection means is a side surface of the first base body portion or a side surface of the second base body portion.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the recording device is connected to the circuit board by the cable,
Second detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of the medium accommodating portion is provided at a different height from the first detection means;
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a feeding roller that feeds out the recording medium stored in the medium storage unit from the medium storage unit,
A holding member that faces the medium container and holds the feeding roller;
With
The second detection means is provided on the holding member;
A recording apparatus. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second detection unit can detect the presence or type of the recording medium accommodated in the medium accommodation unit.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the cable protection portion is formed as a groove.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the groove includes a first groove portion extending downstream from the second detection unit in the transport direction in the transport direction of the recording medium, and a downstream side in the transport direction of the first groove portion. A second groove extending from the end of the device toward the circuit board provided in the top plate in the device height direction;
Comprising
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 6 and 7 , wherein the groove is exposed by removing the medium accommodating portion.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the cable protection unit is provided with a noise reduction member that reduces noise generated in the cable.
A recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the medium accommodating portion is conveyed along the conveying path of the recording medium, the discharge tray for receiving the recording medium discharged Provided integrally,
A recording apparatus.

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