JP7585665B2 - MEDIUM STACKING DEVICE AND LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium loading device and a liquid ejection device.

Conventionally, as one type of device for discharging liquid onto a medium, an image forming apparatus has been known that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium, and a medium loading device that loads the medium discharged from the image forming unit. In addition, the medium loading device is configured so that the mode of use can be changed by manual operation by the user depending on the application of the image forming apparatus.

For example, there is a media loading device that can change the mode between a transport mode, a first rear discharge mode, a second rear discharge mode, a front discharge mode, etc. by hanging multiple shafts that support sheet members on which media are loaded onto one of multiple hooks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the mode change operation described in Patent Document 1 is so complicated that users must manually confirm the procedure. As a result, many users give up on the mode change operation, which poses an issue of not being able to fully utilize the functions of the media loading device.

The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a media loading device whose usage form can be changed with simple operations.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention includes a support sheet that is deformable into a bucket form that is bent to form a bucket space for accommodating a medium, and a stacker form that is expanded to support a medium on its upper surface, a fixed pipe that supports one end of the support sheet, a first movable pipe that supports the other end of the support sheet and is movable to a bucket position where the support sheet is deformed into the bucket form, and a stacker position where the support sheet is separated from the fixed pipe from the bucket position and is deformed into the stacker form, a second movable pipe that is movable to a pressing position where the support sheet in the stacker form is pressed from the underside, and a release position where the pressure on the support sheet is released, and a pipe link mechanism that moves the second movable pipe in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe, the pipe link mechanism comprising a slide pipe having one end fixed to the first movable pipe and extending along the movement direction of the first movable pipe, and a slide mechanism that moves the first movable pipe. the first arm engages with the first engagement part and rotates in a first direction as the first movable pipe moves from the bucket position to the stacker position, and engages with the second engagement part and rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the first movable pipe moves from the stacker position to the bucket position; and a second arm having one end connected to the first arm and the other end connected to the second movable pipe, wherein the first engagement part is disposed upstream of the second engagement part in the movement direction of the first movable pipe, and the second arm rotates in a direction that causes the second movable pipe to revolve from the release position to the pressing position by transmitting the rotation of the first arm in the first direction, and rotates in a direction that causes the second movable pipe to revolve from the pressing position to the release position by transmitting the rotation of the first arm in the second direction.

According to the present invention, the usage mode of the media loading device can be changed with a simple operation.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the shape of a support sheet. 13 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching a fixing pipe to a support sheet. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a pipe link mechanism according to the embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing changes in the positions of a first movable pipe and a second movable pipe. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing changes in the position of the media positioning member caused by the positioning member link mechanism. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a pipe link mechanism according to a modified example.

[Embodiments of the present invention]
An image forming apparatus 1, which is an example of a liquid ejection apparatus, will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is an inkjet type image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper P (medium) by ejecting ink (liquid) onto the paper P.

However, the image forming method of the image forming device 1 is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be an electrophotographic method, etc. Furthermore, specific examples of the medium are not limited to paper P, and may be any medium that is sheet-like and allows image formation by the image forming device 1, such as overhead projector sheets, thread, fiber, leather, metal, and plastic. Furthermore, specific examples of the liquid are not limited to ink, and may be a pre-treatment liquid or a post-treatment liquid, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 1 mainly comprises an image forming unit 10, which is an example of a liquid ejection unit, and a medium loading device 20. The image forming device 1 also comprises a transport unit that transports paper P set in the image forming device 1 to a position facing the image forming unit 10 and further discharges the paper P through a discharge port 2. The transport unit is composed of, for example, multiple pairs of rollers that rotate while clamping the paper P. Hereinafter, the direction in which the paper P is transported by the transport unit is defined as the "sub-scanning direction X."

The image forming device 1 further includes a plurality of detachable ink cartridges 11 each storing ink of a different color (black, cyan, magenta, yellow). The image forming unit 10 ejects the ink stored in the ink cartridges 11 toward the paper P being transported by the transport unit, thereby forming an image on the paper P. More specifically, the image forming unit 10 mainly includes a guide rod 12, a guide rail 13, a carriage 14, and a main scanning motor 15.

The guide rod 12 and the guide rail 13 extend in the main scanning direction Y perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction X. The carriage 14 is configured to be able to move back and forth in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rod 12 and the guide rail 13. The driving force of the main scanning motor 15 is transmitted to the carriage 14 through a driving force transmission mechanism, causing the carriage 14 to move in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 14 is also equipped with multiple recording heads that eject ink of each color stored in the ink cartridges 11. Then, an image is formed on the paper P facing the image forming unit 10 by causing the recording heads to eject ink as the carriage 14 moves in the main scanning direction Y.

The media loading device 20 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Figure 2 is a diagram showing changes in the shape of the support sheet 21. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching the fixed pipe 25 to the support sheet 21. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the pipe link mechanism 30 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram showing changes in the positions of the first movable pipe 26 and the second movable pipe 27. Figure 6 is a diagram showing changes in the position of the media positioning member 28 due to the positioning member link mechanism 40.

The media loading device 20 loads paper P discharged from the discharge port 2 (i.e., paper P onto which ink ejected from the image forming unit 10 has landed). The media loading device 20 is also configured so that its mode of use can be changed by an operator. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the media loading device 20 mainly comprises a support sheet 21, fixed pipes 22, 23, 24, and 25, a first movable pipe 26, a second movable pipe 27, a media positioning member 28, a pipe link mechanism 30, and a positioning member link mechanism 40.

The support sheet 21 is a flexible cloth-like member. The length of the support sheet 21 in the sub-scanning direction X is, for example, longer than the maximum length in the sub-scanning direction X of paper P that can be set in the image forming device 1. The width of the support sheet 21 in the main scanning direction Y is, for example, longer than the maximum width in the main scanning direction Y of paper P that can be set in the image forming device 1. However, the relationship between the size of the support sheet 21 and the size of paper P that can be set in the image forming device 1 is not limited to the above example.

The support sheet 21 is configured to be capable of being transformed into a bucket form shown in FIG. 2(A) and a stacker form shown in FIG. 2(B). In the bucket form, the support sheet 21 bends downwardly to form a bucket space capable of accommodating the paper P discharged from the discharge port 2. In other words, the bucket space is a space that is open at the top. In the stacker form, the support sheet 21 unfolds to support the paper P discharged from the discharge port 2 in a stacked manner on its upper surface.

The fixed pipes 22 to 25 are fixed to the frame of the medium loading device 20 with each pipe extending in the main scanning direction Y. Furthermore, each of the fixed pipes 22 to 25 is attached to the underside of the support sheet 21 at positions spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction X and the up-down direction Z. In other words, the fixed pipes 22 to 25 support the support sheet 21. The fixed pipe 22 supports the upstream end (one end) of the support sheet 21 in the sub-scanning direction X.

The method of attaching the fixed pipes 22 to 25 to the support sheet 21 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fixed pipe 25 may be inserted into a slit 21a that penetrates the support sheet 21 and extends in the sub-scanning direction X. This allows the support sheet 21 to be supported at an appropriate position in the sub-scanning direction X depending on the shape of the support sheet 21. The same applies to the other fixed pipes 22 to 24.

The first movable pipe 26 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The first movable pipe 26 also supports the downstream end (other end) of the support sheet 21 in the sub-scanning direction X. The first movable pipe 26 is supported by slide pipes 31a and 31b (described later) in a state in which it can move along the sub-scanning direction X. More specifically, the first movable pipe 26 moves along the sub-scanning direction X between a bucket position (FIG. 2(A)) closest to the fixed pipe 22 and a stacker position (FIG. 2(B)) farthest from the fixed pipe 22.

The first movable pipe 26 moves from the bucket position to the stacker position when it is pulled out of the media loading device 20 by the user of the image forming device 1. This causes the support sheet 21 to transform from the bucket form to the stacker form. The first movable pipe 26 moves from the stacker position to the bucket position when it is pushed into the media loading device 20 by the user of the image forming device 1. This causes the support sheet 21 to transform from the stacker form to the bucket form.

The second movable pipe 27 extends in the primary scanning direction Y. The second movable pipe 27 is supported by second arms 37a and 37b, which will be described later, in a state in which it can revolve (move) around a rotation center _O2 of second gears 36a and 36b, which will be described later. More specifically, the second movable pipe 27 revolves around the rotation center O2 between a pressing position (FIG. 2B) where it presses the support sheet 21 in the stacker form from the lower surface side, and a release position (FIG. 2A) where it releases the pressure on the support sheet ₂₁ .

The media positioning member 28 supports the leading edge of the paper P supported on the support sheet 21 in the stacker configuration. This allows the end positions of the paper P to be aligned (positioned) when multiple papers P are stacked on the support sheet 21 in the stacker configuration. One end of the media positioning member 28 is connected to the second movable pipe 27, and the other end appears and disappears from the upper surface of the support sheet 21 as the second movable pipe 27 rotates. More specifically, the media positioning member 28 protrudes from the upper surface side of the support sheet 21 through a slit provided in the support sheet 21 (FIG. 2(B)) and sinks into the lower surface side of the support sheet 21 (FIG. 2(A)).

The pipe link mechanism 30 moves the second movable pipe 27 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26. More specifically, the pipe link mechanism 30 moves the second movable pipe 27 from the release position to the pressing position in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26 from the bucket position to the stacker position. The pipe link mechanism 30 also moves the second movable pipe 27 from the pressing position to the release position in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26 from the stacker position to the bucket position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pipe link mechanism 30 mainly includes a pair of slide pipes 31a, 31b, a pair of first engagement portions 32a, 32b, a pair of second engagement portions 33a, 33b, a pair of first arms 34a, 34b, a pair of first gears 35a, 35b, a pair of second gears 36a, 36b, and a pair of second arms 37a, 37b.

One end of the slide pipes 31a and 31b is connected to the end of the first movable pipe 26 in the main scanning direction Y. The slide pipes 31a and 31b are also extended in the sub-scanning direction X (i.e., the movement direction of the first movable pipe 26 between the bucket position and the stacker position). The slide pipes 31a and 31b are supported by the frame of the media loading device 20 in a state in which they can slide in the sub-scanning direction X. Furthermore, the other end of the slide pipes 31a and 31b is configured to be capable of being brought into contact with and separated from the positioning member link mechanism 40 described later.

The first engaging portions 32a, 32b and the second engaging portions 33a, 33b are protrusions that protrude from the surfaces of the slide pipes 31a, 31b in the main scanning direction Y. The first engaging portions 32a, 32b and the second engaging portions 33a, 33b are provided at positions spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction X. More specifically, the first engaging portions 32a, 32b are disposed upstream of the second engaging portions 33a, 33b in the sub-scanning direction X.

The first arms 34a, 34b are supported by the frame of the medium loading device 20 with one end engaged with the slide pipes 31a, 31b and the other end rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y. More specifically, one end of the first arms 34a, 34b is an elongated hole into which the slide pipes 31a, 31b can be inserted, and is configured to be engageable with the first engagement parts 32a, 32b and the second engagement parts 33a, 33b. The first gears 35a, 35b are fixed to the other ends of the first arms 34a, 34b. The rotation center _O1 of the first arms 34a, 34b and the rotation center O1 of the first gears 35a, 35b coincide with _{each other} .

The second gears 36a, 36b are meshed with the first gears 35a, 35b and fixed to second arms 37a, 37b. One end of the second arms 37a, 37b is connected to an end of the second movable pipe 27 in the main scanning direction Y, and the other end is supported by the frame of the medium loading device 20 in a state where it can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y. The rotation center _O2 of the second arms 37a, 37b coincides with the rotation center _O2 of the second gears 36a, 36b.

The pipe link mechanism 30 operates as follows to move the second movable pipe 27 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26. Note that the components of the pipe link mechanism 30 provided at one end and the other end of the first movable pipe 26 and the second movable pipe share the same operation. Therefore, the operation of the slide pipe 31b, the first engagement portion 32b, the second engagement portion 33b, the first arm 34b, the first gear 35b, the second gear 36b, and the second arm 37b will be described in detail.

5A, the first arm 34b engages with the first engaging portion 32b and rotates counterclockwise (first direction) around the rotation center _{O1 while the first movable pipe 26 moves from the bucket position to the stacker position. As a result, the first gear 35b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center O1 ,} the second gear 36b meshed with the first gear 35b rotates clockwise around the rotation center _O2 , and the second arm 37b rotates clockwise around the rotation center _O2 .

That is, the counterclockwise rotation of the first arm 34b is transmitted to the second arm 37b via the first gear 35b and the second gear 36. Then, the second movable pipe 27 attached to the rotating tip of the second arm 37b revolves around the rotation center _O2 from the release position to the pressing position. As a result, the support sheet 21 is transformed from the bucket form to the stacker form, and the second movable pipe 27 presses the support sheet 21 in the stacker form from the underside.

5B, the first arm 34b engages with the second engaging portion 33b and rotates clockwise (a second direction opposite to the first direction) around the rotation center _O1 during the process in which the first movable pipe 26 moves from the stacker position to the bucket position. As a result, the first gear 35b rotates clockwise around the rotation center _O1 , the second gear 36b meshed with the first gear 35b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center _O2 , and the second arm 37b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation center _O2 .

That is, the clockwise rotation of the first arm 34b is transmitted to the second arm 37b via the first gear 35b and the second gear 36. Then, the second movable pipe 27 attached to the rotating tip of the second arm 37b revolves around the rotation center _O2 from the pressing position to the release position. As a result, the support sheet 21 is transformed from the stacker form to the bucket form, and the pressing of the support sheet 21 by the second movable pipe 27 is released.

The gear ratio of the first gears 35a, 35b and the second gears 36a, 36b that mesh with each other is set appropriately according to the ratio of the rotation angles of the first arms 34a, 34b and the second arms 37a, 37b.

The first movable pipe 26 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and the sub-scanning direction X between the stacker position and a positioning position below the stacker position and downstream in the sub-scanning direction X. More specifically, the user pulls down the first movable pipe 26 at the stacker position, causing it to move to the positioning position. The user pushes up the first movable pipe 26 at the positioning position, causing it to move to the stacker position. The other ends of the slide pipes 31a and 31b move up and downstream in the sub-scanning direction X as the first movable pipe 26 moves from the stacker position to the positioning position, and move down and upstream in the sub-scanning direction X as the first movable pipe 26 moves from the positioning position to the stacker position.

The positioning member link mechanism 40 rotates the second movable pipe 27 in the pressing position about a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y in conjunction with the movement of the other ends of the slide pipes 31a and 31b in the up-down direction and the sub-scanning direction X. As a result, the media positioning member 28 appears and disappears from the upper surface side of the support sheet 21 through a slit provided in the support sheet 21. As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning member link mechanism 40 mainly comprises link arms 41, 42, 43, and 44 and a coil spring 45 (biasing member). Note that FIG. 6 shows only the components of the positioning member link mechanism 40 on the slide pipe 31b side, but similar components are also present on the slide pipe 31a side.

Each of the link arms 41 to 44 is supported by the frame of the medium loading device 20 in a state in which it can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y or slide in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y. The link arm 41 is pushed by the other end of the slide pipe 31b, which moves up and down and in the sub-scanning direction X, and rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in FIG. 6. The link arm 41 is also biased downward by a coil spring 45 so as to maintain its current position. The link arm 44 is fixed to the second movable pipe 27. The link arms 42 and 43 rotate the link arm 44 in conjunction with the rotation of the link arm 41. As a result, the second movable pipe 27 rotates on its axis.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the user moves the first movable pipe 26 from the stacker position to the positioning position, the other end of the raised slide pipe 31b abuts against one end of the L-shaped link arm 41, causing the link arm 41 to rotate clockwise. The clockwise rotation of the link arm 41 is then transmitted through link arms 42, 43, and 44, causing the second movable pipe 27 in the pressing position to rotate counterclockwise. As a result, the media positioning member 28 protrudes to the upper surface side of the support sheet 21 through a slit provided in the support sheet 21.

In other words, when the user moves the first movable pipe 26 from the stacker position to the positioning position (i.e., the other end of the slide pipe 31b pushes the link arm 41 clockwise), the positioning member link mechanism 40 causes the media positioning member 28 to protrude toward the upper surface of the support sheet 21 through a slit provided in the support sheet 21.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the user moves the first movable pipe 26 from the positioning position to the stacker position, the other end of the pressed-down slide pipe 31b abuts against the other end of the L-shaped link arm 41, causing the link arm 41 to rotate counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the link arm 41 is then transmitted through the link arms 42, 43, and 44, causing the second movable pipe 27 in the pressed position to rotate clockwise. As a result, the media positioning member 28, whose current position is no longer held by the coil spring 45, sinks under its own weight through a slit provided in the support sheet 21 into the underside of the support sheet 21.

In other words, when the user moves the pipe 26 from the positioning position to the stacker position (i.e., the other end of the slide pipe 31b pushes the link arm 41 counterclockwise), the positioning member link mechanism 40 causes the media positioning member 28 to sink into the underside of the support sheet 21 through a slit provided in the support sheet 21.

The above embodiment provides the following advantages:

According to the above embodiment, the user can change the shape of the support sheet 21 and move the second movable pipe 27 by operating the first movable pipe 26 between the bucket position and the stacker position. In this way, the usage form of the media loading device 20 can be changed with a simple operation.

In addition, according to the above embodiment, the media positioning member 28 can be caused to appear and disappear from the upper surface of the support sheet 21 in the stacker configuration by having the user operate the first movable pipe 26 between the stacker position and the positioning position. In this way, the media positioning member 28 can be moved with a simple operation.

Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the first movable pipe 26, the second movable pipe 27, and the media positioning member 28 can be moved in a coordinated manner by the pipe link mechanism 30 and the positioning member link mechanism 40. In this way, since there is no need to use an actuator such as a motor, the coordinated movement of the first movable pipe 26, the second movable pipe 27, and the media positioning member 28 can be achieved with a simple configuration.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the pipe link mechanism 30 and the positioning member link mechanism 40 were provided on both of the pair of slide pipes 31a, 31b. However, if the other ends of the pair of second arms 37a, 37b are connected and fixed by a stay or the like, the above-mentioned operation can be achieved even if the pipe link mechanism 30 and the positioning member link mechanism 40 are provided on only one of the pair of slide pipes 31a, 31b.

[Modification]
Next, the configuration of a pipe link mechanism 50 according to a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the pipe link mechanism 50 according to a modified example. Note that detailed description of commonalities with the above embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. As shown in Fig. 7, the pipe link mechanism 50 according to the modified example is composed of a slide pipe 31b, a first arm 51, and a second arm 52. Note that Fig. 7 shows only the components on the slide pipe 31b side of the pipe link mechanism 50, but similar components also exist on the slide pipe 31a side.

The first arm 51 is supported by the frame of the medium loading device 20 in a state in which it can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y, centered on the rotation center _O3 . The first arm 51 is composed of a first long arm 53 and a first short arm 54 which extend in different directions from the rotation center _O3 and have different extension lengths. The rotating tip of the first long arm 53 engages with the slide pipe 31b. A long hole 55 is formed in the rotating tip of the first short arm 54.

The second arm 52 is supported by the frame of the medium loading device 20 in a state in which it can rotate about a rotation axis extending in the main scanning direction Y, centered on a rotation center _O4 . The second arm 52 is composed of a second long arm 56 and a second short arm 57 which extend in different directions from the rotation center _O4 and have different extension lengths. The end of the second movable pipe 27 in the main scanning direction Y is fixed to the rotation tip of the second long arm 56. A protrusion 58 which enters the long hole 55 is formed at the rotation tip of the second short arm 57.

7A, the first arm 51 engages with the first engaging portion 32b and rotates counterclockwise (first direction) around the rotation center _{O3 as the first movable pipe 26 moves from the bucket position to the stacker position. This causes the second arm 52 to rotate clockwise around the rotation center O4} in conjunction with the counterclockwise rotation of the first arm 51. As a result, the second movable pipe 27 attached to the rotation tip of the second long arm ₅₆ revolves around the rotation center _O4 from the release position to the pressing position.

7(B), the first arm 51 engages with the second engagement portion 33b and rotates clockwise (second direction) about the rotation center _{O3 in the process of the first movable pipe 26 moving from the stacker position to the bucket position. This causes the second arm 52 to rotate counterclockwise about the rotation center O4} in conjunction with the clockwise rotation of the first arm 51. As a result, the second movable pipe 27 attached to the rotation tip of the second long arm 56 revolves from the pressing position to the release position about _the rotation center _O4 .

At this time, in the process of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 rotating relatively, the position of the protrusion 58 in the long hole 55 changes. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(A) and Fig. 7(B), when the first movable pipe 26 is located at the stacker position and the bucket position (in other words, the second movable pipe 27 is located at the pressing position and the release position), the protrusion 58 is located at the position farthest from the rotation center _O3 of the long hole 55. The closer the protrusion 58 is to the imaginary line connecting the rotation centers _O3 and _O4 , the closer it is to the rotation center _O3 in the long hole 55, and the farther it is from the imaginary line connecting the rotation centers _O3 and _O4 , the farther it is from the rotation center _O3 in the long hole 55. This enables the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 to rotate relatively. Note that the long hole 55 may be provided in the second short arm 57, and the protrusion 58 may be provided in the first short arm 54.

In this way, the pipe link mechanisms 30, 50 may have any configuration as long as they can move the second movable pipe 27 in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26. Similarly, the positioning member link mechanism 40 may have any configuration as long as they can cause the media positioning member 28 to appear and disappear in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe 26.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist of the invention. All technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above-described embodiment shows a preferred example, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1: Image forming device 2: Discharge port 10: Image forming section 11: Ink cartridge 12: Guide rod 13: Guide rail 14: Carriage 15: Main scanning motor 20: Media loading device 21: Support sheet 21a: Slits 22, 23, 24, 25: Fixed pipe 26: First movable pipe 27: Second movable pipe 28: Media positioning member 30: Pipe link mechanism 31a, 31b: Slide pipe 32a, 32b: First engagement portion 33a, 33b: Second engagement portion 34a, 34b: First arm 35a, 35b: First gear 36a, 36b: Second gear 37a, 37b: Second arm 40: Positioning member link mechanism 41, 42, 43, 44: Link arm 45: Coil spring 50: Pipe link mechanism 51 : First arm 52 : Second arm 53 : First long arm 54 : First short arm 55 : Long hole 56 : Second long arm 57 : Second short arm 58 : Protrusion

JP 2009-242111 A

Claims (8)

a support sheet that can be deformed into a bucket shape that is bent to form a bucket space for accommodating the media, and into a stacker shape that is expanded to support the media on its upper surface;
A fixed pipe supporting one end of the support sheet;
a first movable pipe that supports the other end of the support sheet and is movable to a bucket position where the support sheet is deformed into the bucket shape and a stacker position where the first movable pipe is separated from the fixed pipe from the bucket position and where the support sheet is deformed into the stacker shape;
a second movable pipe that is movable between a pressing position where the support sheet in the stacker form is pressed from the bottom side and a releasing position where the pressing of the support sheet is released;
a pipe link mechanism that moves the second movable pipe in conjunction with the movement of the first movable pipe,
The pipe link mechanism includes:
a slide pipe having one end fixed to the first movable pipe and extending along a moving direction of the first movable pipe;
a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion fixed to the slide pipe at positions spaced apart in a moving direction of the first movable pipe;
a first arm that engages with the first engagement portion and rotates in a first direction when the first movable pipe moves from the bucket position to the stacker position, and that engages with the second engagement portion and rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first movable pipe moves from the stacker position to the bucket position;
a second arm connected to the second movable pipe,
the first engagement portion is disposed upstream of the second engagement portion in a moving direction of the first movable pipe,
The second arm is
The rotation of the first arm in the first direction is transmitted to rotate the second movable pipe in a direction that revolves the second movable pipe from the release position to the pressing position,
a medium loading device, characterized in that the rotation of the first arm in the second direction is transmitted to rotate the second movable pipe in a direction that revolves the second movable pipe from the pressing position to the release position. The pipe link mechanism includes:
a first gear attached to a rotation center of the first arm;
a second gear attached to the second arm at a rotation center and meshing with the first gear,
2. The medium loading device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the first arm is transmitted to the second arm via the first gear and the second gear. The medium loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slide pipe, the first arm, the first gear, the second gear, and the second arm are provided at one end and the other end of the first movable pipe and the second movable pipe, respectively. The medium loading device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the gear ratio between the first gear and the second gear is set according to the ratio of the rotation angles of the first arm and the second arm. The first arm includes a first long arm and a first short arm extending in different directions from a rotation center and having different extension lengths,
The second arm includes a second long arm and a second short arm extending in different directions from a rotation center and having different extension lengths,
a rotation tip end of the first long arm engages with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion,
The second movable pipe is connected to a rotation tip of the second long arm,
The media loading device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first arm and the second arm are configured to be able to rotate relative to each other by a protrusion provided on one of the first short arm and the second short arm entering a long hole provided on the other of the first short arm and the second short arm. a media positioning member for positioning an end position of a plurality of stacked media;
a positioning member link mechanism for causing the media positioning member to appear and disappear from the upper surface of the support sheet;
The positioning member link mechanism includes:
In response to the first movable pipe being pushed down from the stacker position to the positioning position, the media positioning member is caused to protrude toward the upper surface of the support sheet through a slit provided in the support sheet;
A media loading device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the media positioning member is recessed into the underside of the support sheet through the slit in conjunction with the first movable pipe being pushed up from the positioning position to the stacker position. the media positioning member has one end connected to the second movable pipe, and the other end protruding from and retracting from the upper surface of the support sheet as the second movable pipe rotates;
the pipe link mechanism includes a slide pipe having one end fixed to the first movable pipe,
The media loading device described in claim 6, characterized in that the positioning member link mechanism is provided with a link arm that rotates the second movable pipe in a direction in which the media positioning member protrudes toward the upper surface side of the support sheet and in a direction in which the media positioning member retracts into the lower surface side of the support sheet in conjunction with the vertical movement of the other end of the slide pipe. a liquid ejection unit that ejects liquid onto a medium;
A liquid ejection device comprising: the medium stacking device according to claim 1 , which stacks media onto which liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portion has landed.