RECORDING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF READING RECORDED IMAGE IN RECORDING APPARATUS

A recording apparatus includes: a recording path passing a recorder performing recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium; a feeding path through which the medium is fed to the recording path; a discharge path through which the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is discharged; a reading path extending through a reader reading an image, provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path and to which the medium with a recorded image being used to check a state of liquid ejection of the recorder recorded thereon is fed; and a switching portion switching between a first state in which a feeding direction of the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is set to a direction toward the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2022-061661, filed Apr. 1, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a medium and a method of reading a recorded image in the recording apparatus.

2. Related Art

In a printer described in JP-A-2009-132020, an image sensor is provided in a discharge path through which a sheet after recording performed thereon is discharged and the image sensor checks the presence or absence of ink ejection failure.

In the case of a configuration in which an image sensor is provided in a discharge path through which a sheet after recording performed thereon is discharged, a sheet that does not need to be checked for the presence or absence of ink ejection failure also passes through the image sensor. Therefore, the image sensor is likely to be stained with ink and there is a high probability that the presence or absence of ink ejection failure cannot be appropriately checked.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a recording apparatus including a recorder performing recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium, a medium transportation path through which the medium is transported, and a switching portion switching a feeding direction of the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder. The medium transportation path includes a recording path passing the recorder, a feeding path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium is fed to the recording path, a discharge path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is discharged, and a reading path that is a medium transportation path passing a reader reading an image and that is a medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, a medium with a recorded image recorded thereon is fed to the reading path, the recorded image being used to check a state of liquid ejection of the recorder, and the switching portion switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction toward the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of reading a recorded image in a recording apparatus including a recording path that is a medium transportation path through which a medium is transported and that passes a recorder performing recording by ejecting liquid onto the medium, a feeding path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium is fed to the recording path, a discharge path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is discharged, a reading path that is a medium transportation path passing a reader reading an image, that is a medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, and to which the medium with a recorded image recorded thereon is fed, the recorded image being used to check a state of liquid ejection of the recorder, and a switching portion that switches a feeding direction of the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder and that switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction toward the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path, the method including recording the recorded image by means of the recorder, transporting the medium such that the reader is positioned between the recorder and the recorded image, and reading the recorded image by means of the reader while transporting the medium such that the recorded image faces the recorder.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be schematically described.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a recording apparatus including a recorder performing recording by ejecting liquid onto a medium, a medium transportation path through which the medium is transported, and a switching portion switching a feeding direction of the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder. The medium transportation path includes a recording path passing the recorder, a feeding path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium is fed to the recording path, a discharge path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is discharged, and a reading path that is a medium transportation path passing a reader reading an image and that is a medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, a medium with a recorded image recorded thereon is fed to the reading path, the recorded image being used to check a state of liquid ejection of the recorder, and the switching portion switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction toward the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path.

In this case, since the reading path passing the reader reading the image is the medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, a medium after normal recording performed thereon passes through the discharge path and a medium with the recorded image recorded thereon passes through the reading path, the recorded image being used to check the state of liquid ejection of the recorder. In addition, a medium before recording performed thereon passes through the feeding path. Accordingly, the reader is less likely to be stained and the state of liquid ejection of the recorder can be appropriately checked.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the recording path is provided with a transportation roller pair rotating forward to transport the medium to a position facing the recorder at a time of recording performed by the recorder, the reading path is provided at a position to which the medium is fed when the transportation roller pair rotates backward, and the recorded image of the medium fed to the reading path because of backward rotation of the transportation roller pair is at a position far from the transportation roller pair with respect to the reader and is read by the reader at a time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair.

In this case, since the reader and the recorded image are positioned upstream of the transportation roller pair at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair and the recorded image is read at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair, the medium is transported while being pulled at the position of the reader. Therefore, the accuracy of transportation of the medium performed when the recorded image is read can be made favorable and the recorded image can be appropriately read.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, in which the transportation roller pair is the only roller pair nipping the medium when the medium is read by the reader at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair.

In this case, since the transportation roller pair is the only roller pair nipping the medium when the medium is read by the reader at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair, a transportation load acting on the transportation roller pair when the recorded image is read is reduced, the accuracy of transportation of the medium performed when the recorded image is read can be made favorable, and the recorded image can be appropriately read.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, in which a path portion of the reading path that is disposed upstream of the reader at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair is linear.

In this case, since the path portion of the reading path that is disposed upstream of the reader at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair is linear, a transportation load acting on the transportation roller pair when the recorded image is read is reduced, the accuracy of transportation of the medium performed when the recorded image is read can be made favorable, and the recorded image can be appropriately read.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, in which a pressing portion pressing the medium toward the reader is provided at a position facing the reader.

In this case, since the pressing portion pressing the medium toward the reader is provided at the position facing the reader, the medium can be brought into close contact with the reader, and thus favorable reading accuracy can be achieved.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in which the feeding path is the medium transportation path through which the medium fed from a medium accommodation portion positioned below the recording path passes and through which the medium fed from the medium accommodation portion is guided to the recording path after being inverted by an inversion roller, and the inversion roller and the pressing portion are configured to be integrally detachable from an apparatus main body including the recorder.

In this case, since the inversion roller and the pressing portion are configured to be integrally detachable, a repairing operation performed when the inside of the apparatus main body is clogged with a medium is easy and cleaning the reader and the pressing portion is also easy since the reader and the pressing portion are separated from each other.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in which a reading unit including the reader includes a guide portion guiding the medium to a space between the reader and the pressing portion when the transportation roller pair rotates backward.

In this case, the reading unit including the reader includes the guide portion guiding the medium to the space between the reader and the pressing portion when the transportation roller pair rotates backward. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the medium to the space between the reader and the pressing portion without a dedicated guide member, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in which the recording path extends along an apparatus depth direction, an uppermost portion of the inversion roller is above the recording path, the feeding path has a shape downwardly inclined downstream from the uppermost portion of the inversion roller, the reading path includes a path portion that is positioned above the feeding path and that extends along a path portion of the feeding path having the shape downwardly inclined, the recorder is provided in a carriage that is movable in a width direction intersecting a medium transportation direction in the reading path, the reader is positioned between the carriage and the inversion roller in the apparatus depth direction, and a portion of the carriage and a portion of the inversion roller are positioned within a height range of the reader in an apparatus height direction.

In this case, the reader is positioned between the carriage and the inversion roller in the apparatus depth direction and a portion of the carriage and a portion of the inversion roller are positioned within the height range of the reader in the apparatus height direction. Accordingly, the reader is disposed with effective utilization of a space between the carriage and the inversion roller, and thus a decrease in apparatus size can be achieved.

A ninth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the recording path is provided with a transportation roller pair rotating forward to transport the medium to a position facing the recorder at a time of recording performed by the recorder, and the switching portion switches between the first state and the second state by means of power obtained from a driving roller, which is a roller constituting the transportation roller pair.

In this case, the switching portion switches between the first state and the second state by means of the power obtained from the driving roller, which is a roller constituting the transportation roller pair. Accordingly, a dedicated power source used to drive the switching portion is not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

A tenth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, which further includes a power transmitter configured to switch between a power transmission state in which power is transmitted to the switching portion from the driving roller and a non-power transmission state in which power is not transmitted to the switching portion from the driving roller. The recorder is provided in a carriage that is movable in a width direction intersecting a medium transportation direction in the reading path, the power transmitter includes a contact member that is a member movable in a direction of movement of the carriage, that forms the non-power transmission state by being positioned at a first position, and that forms the power transmission state by being positioned at a second position, and a pressing member pressing the contact member from the second position to the first position, and the contact member moves from the first position to the second position by being pressed by the carriage.

In this case, a switch between power transmission states of the power transmitter is performed as the contact member moves and the contact member moves from the first position to the second position by being pressed by the carriage. Accordingly, a dedicated power source used to move the contact member is not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the tenth aspect, in which the first position and the second position are within a movement region of the carriage at the time of recording performed on the medium by the recorder.

In this case, since the first position and the second position are within the movement region of the carriage at the time of recording performed on the medium by the recorder, it is possible to suppress expansion of the movement region of the carriage accompanied by the setting of the first position and the second position and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in apparatus size.

A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, in which a home position is set, in the movement region of the carriage, at a position at which the recorder is capped and that is different from the first position and the second position, and after the medium with the recorded image recorded thereon is fed to the reading path, the carriage is moved to the home position before the recorded image starts to be read.

In this case, the home position is set, in the movement region of the carriage, at the position at which the recorder is capped and that is different from the first position and the second position, and after the medium with the recorded image recorded thereon is fed to the reading path, the carriage is moved to the home position before the recorded image starts to be read. Accordingly, the recorder is made less likely to be dried and thus appropriate recording quality can be maintained.

A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides the recording apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, in which the contact member receives power from the driving roller, is withdrawn from a position, at which the contact member comes into contact with the carriage, as the driving roller rotates forward, and advances to the position, at which the contact member comes into contact with the carriage, as the driving roller rotates backward.

In this case, the contact member receives power from the driving roller, is withdrawn from the position at which the contact member comes into contact with the carriage, and advances to the position at which the contact member comes into contact with the carriage. Accordingly, a dedicated power source used to drive the contact member is not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of reading a recorded image in a recording apparatus including a recording path that is a medium transportation path through which a medium is transported and that passes a recorder performing recording by ejecting liquid onto the medium, a feeding path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium is fed to the recording path, a discharge path that is a medium transportation path coupled to the recording path and through which the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder is discharged, a reading path that is a medium transportation path passing a reader reading an image, that is a medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, and to which the medium with a recorded image recorded thereon is fed, the recorded image being used to check a state of liquid ejection of the recorder, and a switching portion that switches a feeding direction of the medium after recording performed thereon by the recorder and that switches between a first state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction toward the reading path and a second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path, the method including recording the recorded image by means of the recorder, transporting the medium such that the reader is positioned between the recorder and the recorded image, and reading the recorded image by means of the reader while transporting the medium such that the recorded image faces the recorder.

In this case, since the reading path passing the reader reading the image is the medium transportation path provided independently of the recording path, the feeding path, and the discharge path, a medium after normal recording performed thereon passes through the discharge path and a medium with the recorded image recorded thereon passes through the reading path, the recorded image being used to check the state of liquid ejection of the recorder. In addition, a medium before recording performed thereon passes through the feeding path. Accordingly, the reader is less likely to be stained and the state of liquid ejection of the recorder can be appropriately checked.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be specifically described.

In the following description, an ink jet printer1will be described as an example of the recording apparatus. Hereinafter, the ink jet printer1will be simply referred to as a printer1.

Note that, regarding the X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in each drawing, an X-axis direction is an apparatus width direction and is a width direction of a medium on which recording is performed. A +X direction is a direction to the left side and a −X direction is a direction to the right side as seen from an operator of the printer1.

A Y-axis direction is an apparatus depth direction and is a direction along a medium transportation direction at the time of recording. A +Y direction is a direction from an apparatus rear surface to an apparatus front surface, and a −Y direction is a direction from the apparatus front surface to the apparatus rear surface. In the present embodiment, of side surfaces constituting the periphery of the printer1, a side surface provided with an operation portion3(that is, a side surface in the +Y direction) is the apparatus front surface and a side surface in the −Y direction is the apparatus rear surface.

A Z-axis direction is a direction along the vertical direction and is an apparatus height direction. A +Z direction is a vertically upward direction, and a −Z direction is a vertically downward direction.

In some of the drawings, an A-axis direction and a B-axis direction are shown. The A-axis direction is a direction in which a path portion of a reading path T5that faces a reading unit50extends and a +A direction is a direction including a +Y direction component and a −Z direction component. The B-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the A-axis direction, and a +B direction is a direction including the +Y direction component and a +Z direction component.

Note that, in the following description, a direction in which a medium is fed may be referred to as “a downstream direction”, and the direction opposite thereto may be referred to as “an upstream direction”.

InFIG.1A, the printer1includes the operation portion3for various operation settings, the operation portion3being provided on a front surface of an apparatus main body2that performs ink jet recording on a medium typified by a recording sheet. A remaining ink amount display portion4is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body2.

A reference numeral “5” represents a front surface cover that can be opened and closed, the front surface cover being provided to be rotatable around a rotary shaft5a(refer toFIG.2) with respect to a medium cassette8which will be described later and constituting a portion of a paper discharge tray when being opened.

InFIG.1B, an inversion unit6(refer toFIG.9as well) is provided on the rear surface of the apparatus main body2to be detachable from the apparatus main body2. The inversion unit6integrally includes an inversion roller15and a pressing portion72(refer toFIG.2), which will be described later.

Next, a medium transportation path in the printer1will be described with reference toFIG.2. InFIG.2, the medium transportation path is represented by broken lines. As the medium transportation path for transportation of a medium, the printer1includes a feeding path T1used when the medium is to be fed from the medium cassette8provided at an apparatus bottom portion, a recording path T2passing a position facing a recording head34, a discharge path T3through which a medium after recording performed thereon is discharged, an inversion path T4through which a medium after recording performed thereon is fed to the inversion roller15, and the reading path T5to which a medium with a nozzle check pattern recorded thereon is fed. The nozzle check pattern is an example of a recorded image used to check the state of ejection of ink from the recording head34.

In the present example, the feeding path T1is a path extending from a pick roller10to a transportation roller pair20via the inversion roller15.

The recording path T2is a path extending from the transportation roller pair20to a discharge roller pair26. In the present embodiment, the recording path T2extends along the Y-axis direction (that is, the apparatus depth direction). That is, the recording path T2extends along a horizontal direction.

The discharge path T3is a path extending downstream (in the +Y direction) from the discharge roller pair26.

The inversion path T4is a path that extends from the transportation roller pair20and that extends back to the transportation roller pair20via the inversion roller15.

The reading path T5is a path that is closer to a side to which the −Y direction extends than the transportation roller pair20is, and is a path that passes a space between the reading unit50and the pressing portion72.

In the feeding path T1, a medium is fed, by the pick roller10, in the −Y direction from the medium cassette8as a medium accommodation portion. The medium cassette8is provided to be detachable from the apparatus main body2. InFIG.2, a reference numeral “P” represents a medium accommodated in the medium cassette8.

The pick roller10is supported by a roller supporting portion11that is rotatable around a rotary shaft11aand moves forward and backward with respect to the medium accommodated in the medium cassette8as the roller supporting portion11rotates. The pick roller10rotates in a counterclockwise direction inFIG.2by means of power received from a transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3).

The medium fed in the −Y direction by the pick roller10is curved and inverted by the inversion roller15and is fed toward the transportation roller pair20.

The inversion roller15rotates in the counterclockwise direction inFIG.2by means of power received from the transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3). A first driven roller16, a second driven roller17, a third driven roller18, and a fourth driven roller19are provided in the vicinity of the inversion roller15. A medium fed from the medium cassette8by the pick roller10is and fed downstream while being nipped by the inversion roller15, the first driven roller16, the second driven roller17, and the third driven roller18.

The transportation roller pair20provided in the recording path T2includes a transportation driving roller21and a transportation driven roller22. The transportation driving roller21rotates forward and backward by means of power received from the transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3). In the present specification, forward rotation of the transportation driving roller21is counterclockwise rotation of the transportation driving roller21inFIG.2and rotation performed when a medium is to be fed in the +Y direction. In addition, such rotation may be referred to as forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20. In addition, rotation of the transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3) in this case may be referred to as forward rotation of the transportation motor91.

In addition, in the present specification, backward rotation of the transportation driving roller21is clockwise rotation of the transportation driving roller21inFIG.2and rotation performed when a medium is to be fed in the −Y direction. In addition, such rotation may be referred to as backward rotation of the transportation roller pair20. In addition, rotation of the transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3) in this case may be referred to as backward rotation of the transportation motor91.

The transportation driven roller22is driven to rotate with a medium nipped between the transportation driven roller22and the transportation driving roller21. The transportation driven roller22is supported by a roller supporting member23. The roller supporting member23is provided to be rotatable around a rotary shaft (not shown), and the transportation driven roller22moves forward and backward with respect to the transportation driving roller21as the roller supporting member23rotates. A reference numeral “24” represents a tension spring which is an example of a pressing member that presses the roller supporting member23such that the transportation driven roller22is pressed against the transportation driving roller21.

The recording head34, which is an example of a recorder, and a supporting member40are disposed downstream of the transportation roller pair20in the recording path T2such that the recording head34and the supporting member40face each other. In the present embodiment, the recording head34is configured as an ink jet recording head that ejects ink. To the recording head34, ink is supplied from an ink tank35via an ink tube36.

The supporting member40supports a medium so that a gap between the recording head34and the medium is defined.

A carriage33provided with the recording head34is provided to be movable in the X-axis direction (that is, in a medium width direction) with a carriage motor92(refer toFIG.3) serving as a power source.

A main frame32is provided in the −Y direction with respect to the carriage33, and the carriage33moves in the X-axis direction while being supported by the main frame32.

The discharge roller pair26is provided downstream of the recording head34and the supporting member40in the recording path T2. A discharge driving roller27rotates forward and backward by means of power received from the transportation motor91(refer toFIG.3). In the present specification, forward rotation of the discharge driving roller27is counterclockwise rotation of the discharge driving roller27inFIG.2and rotation performed when a medium is to be fed in the +Y direction. In addition, such rotation may be referred to as forward rotation of the discharge roller pair26.

In addition, in the present specification, backward rotation of the discharge driving roller27is clockwise rotation of the discharge driving roller27inFIG.2and rotation performed when a medium is to be fed in the −Y direction. In addition, such rotation may be referred to as backward rotation of the discharge roller pair26.

A discharge driven roller28is provided to be movable forward and backward with respect to the discharge driving roller27, is pressed toward the discharge driving roller27by a spring (not shown), and is driven to rotate with a medium nipped between the discharge driven roller28and the discharge driving roller27. A medium after recording performed thereon is discharged in the +Y direction by the discharge roller pair26.

Note that a restriction roller29is provided upstream of the discharge roller pair26while being provided in the vicinity of the discharge roller pair26, a restriction roller30is provided downstream of the discharge roller pair26while being provided in the vicinity of the discharge roller pair26, and a medium to be discharged is restricted from rising upward by the restriction rollers29and30.

Note that, inFIG.3, a controller90can figure out, based on detection information of a rotation detector93, the amounts of rotation of the pick roller10, the inversion roller15, the transportation driving roller21, and the discharge driving roller27. The rotation detector93detects the amount of rotation of the transportation motor91, and can be composed of, for example, a rotary encoder.

In addition, the controller90can figure out, based on detection information of a carriage position detector94, the position of the carriage33in the X-axis direction. The carriage position detector94can be composed of, for example, a linear encoder.

In addition, the controller90can figure out, based on detection information of a medium detector95, that a leading end of a medium has reached the vicinity of the transportation roller pair20and is upstream of the transportation roller pair20(refer toFIG.10). The medium detector95can be composed of an optical sensor or a contact-type sensor disposed in the vicinity of the transportation roller pair20while being closer to a side to which the −Y direction extends than the transportation roller pair20is.

Referring again toFIG.2, when recording is to be performed on a second surface of a medium which is opposite to a first surface of the medium, the controller90(refer toFIG.3) controlling the transportation motor91causes the transportation motor91to rotate backward so that the medium is fed to the inversion path T4. In this case, the medium is nipped by the inversion roller15and the fourth driven roller19, and is fed downstream while being nipped by the inversion roller15, the first driven roller16, the second driven roller17, and the third driven roller18. The medium transported to the inversion path T4is inverted by the inversion roller15such that the second surface faces the recording head34and then is fed to the recording path T2.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a medium after recording performed thereon is fed back in the −Y direction to return to the feeding path T1side and then enters the inversion path T4. However, the position of the inversion path T4is not limited to such a position and the inversion path T4may be provided to branch off from the discharge path T3.

However, when a configuration in which a portion of the feeding path T1is used for the inversion path T4as in the present embodiment is adopted, an increase in apparatus size can be suppressed in comparison with a configuration in which the inversion path T4dedicated for inversion is formed.

A switching flap42, which is an example of a switching portion, is provided between the transportation roller pair20and the inversion roller15. When the medium is to be fed to the inversion path T4and when the feeding path T1is to be coupled to the recording path T2, the switching flap42is caused to enter a second state as represented by a solid line inFIG.2.

When a medium after recording performed thereon (more specifically, a medium with a nozzle check pattern recorded thereon which will be described later) is to be fed to the reading path T5, the switching flap42is controlled by the controller90to enter a first state as represented by a two-dot chain line and a reference numeral “42-1” inFIG.2.

As described above, the switching flap42is a portion that switches feeding directions of a medium after recording performed thereon and that switches between the first state in which a feeding direction is set to a direction toward the reading path T5and the second state in which a feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path T5(in the present example, a direction toward the inversion path T4).

The reading path T5is provided with the reading unit50, which is an example of a reader. The reading unit50includes a sensor module51which is an example of a reading sensor, and the sensor module51is a contact image sensor module (CISM), for example. The reading unit50reads a surface of a medium transported along the reading path T5. The pressing portion72that presses the medium toward the reading unit50is provided at a position facing the reading unit50.

The pressing portion72is pressed toward the reading unit50by a pressing spring73, which is an example of a pressing member. Accordingly, the medium can be brought into close contact with the reading unit50, and thus favorable reading accuracy can be achieved.

A lower side of the reading path T5is formed by an inclined guide member45, and the pressing portion72and the pressing spring73are provided at the inclined guide member45. The inclined guide member45constitutes the inversion unit6as shown inFIG.9. The reading path T5is formed above the inclined guide member45, and a path portion of the feeding path T1that extends downstream from an uppermost portion of the inversion roller15forms a shape downwardly inclined along the inclined guide member45.

As shown inFIG.21, the reading unit50includes a housing structure50a, and the sensor module51is held by the housing structure50a. The sensor module51and the housing structure50aconstitute the reading unit50.

At a second housing member55constituting the housing structure50a, a guide portion55athat guides a medium to a space between the reading unit50and the pressing portion72when the transportation roller pair20rotates backward and the medium is fed to the reading path T5is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the medium to the space between the reading unit50and the pressing portion72without a dedicated guide member, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

Here, disposition of the reading unit50will be described in detail with reference toFIG.14. An uppermost portion15aof the inversion roller15is above the recording path T2. The feeding path T1has a shape downwardly inclined downstream (in the +Y direction) from the uppermost portion15aof the inversion roller15, and the reading path T5includes a path portion that is positioned above the feeding path T1and that extends along the path portion of the feeding path T1having the shape downwardly inclined. The reading unit50is positioned in a region Y1between the carriage33and the inversion roller15in the Y-axis direction (that is, in the apparatus depth direction). In addition, a portion of the carriage33and a portion of the inversion roller15are positioned in the height range of the reading unit50in the Z-axis direction (that is, the apparatus height direction). A range represented by a reference numeral “Z1” is the height range of the reading unit50, a range represented by a reference numeral “Z2” is the height range of the inversion roller15, and a range represented by a reference numeral “Z3” is the height range of the carriage33.

As shown in the drawing, a portion of the height range Z3of the carriage33and a portion of the height range Z2of the inversion roller15are positioned in the height range Z1of the reading unit50.

With such a configuration, the reading unit50is disposed with effective utilization of a space between the carriage33and the inversion roller15, and thus a decrease in apparatus size can be achieved.

The reading unit50may also be disposed such that the height range Z1of the reading unit50falls in the height range Z2of the inversion roller15.

Next, a configuration of switching between the states of the switching flap42will be described.

Regarding the carriage33, an end portion of a movable range in the −X direction is a home position. InFIGS.5and6, positions X0, X1, X2, and Xc are positions at which a side wall33a(refer toFIG.8) of the carriage33in the +X direction can be positioned. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the positions X0, X1, X2, and Xc will be described as the positions of the carriage33.

The position X0is the home position of the carriage33. In addition, the position X1is a position at which the carriage33is positioned when being moved furthest in the −X direction within a recording-enabled range A1and the position X2is a position at which the carriage33is positioned when being moved furthest in the +X direction within the recording-enabled range A1. The position Xc is the central position in the recording-enabled range A1.

The home position X0of the carriage33is set to be closer to one side, to which the −X direction extends, than the central position Xc is.

In addition, a contact lever110a, which is an example of a contact member, is provided to be closer to the other side, to which the +X direction extends, than the central position Xc is. The shape of the contact lever110ais shown in more detail inFIG.4andFIGS.7A and7B. The contact lever110aconstitutes a power transmitter100, and the power transmitter100is disposed to be closer to the side to which the +X direction extends than the central position Xc is.

The power transmitter100is configured to be able to switch between a power transmission state in which power of the transportation driving roller21is transmitted to the switching flap42and a non-power transmission state in which the power of the transportation driving roller21is not transmitted to the switching flap42. Such a switch is performed by means of the carriage33.

As shown inFIG.4, the power transmitter100includes gears101,102,103,104,105,106,107, and108, a rotary member110, the contact lever110a, and a pressing spring111(refer toFIGS.7A and7B) which is an example of a pressing member.

When the power transmitter100enters the power transmission state, power is transmitted, from the gear101provided on the transportation driving roller21, to the gears102,103,104,105,106,107, and108in this order. As shown inFIGS.5and6, the gear108is a gear provided on a rotary shaft42aof the switching flap42in the +X direction.

The gears106and107are two-stage gears. In addition, the gear102and the gear103are provided to rotate coaxially and integrally. In addition, the gear104and the gear105are also provided to rotate coaxially. However, although not described in detail, the gear104and the gear105are configured such that a rotational torque is transmitted between the gear104and the gear105via a frictional force and thus the gears104,103, and102can continue to rotate in a state where the gears108,107,106, and105are stopped.

Regarding the switching flap42, the rotary shaft42ain the +X direction is rotatably supported by a left frame80(refer toFIG.15andFIG.16) and the rotary shaft42ain the −X direction is rotatably supported by a right frame81(refer toFIG.15andFIG.16). The center of a rotary shaft of the switching flap42is parallel to the X-axis direction, that is, intersects the medium transportation direction.

The limit of rotation of the switching flap42at the time of backward rotation of the transportation motor91and the limit of rotation of the switching flap42at the time of forward rotation of the transportation motor91are defined with the switching flap42coming into contact with a rotation restriction portion (not shown).

Note that the switching flap42is pressed, by a tension spring43(refer toFIGS.10and11), in a downward direction, that is, in a direction to enter the second state.

The gear103is displaceable in the X-axis direction, and by being displaced in the X-axis direction, the gear103switches between a state in which the gear103meshes with the gear104(refer toFIG.6) and a state in which the gear103does not mesh with the gear104(refer toFIG.5). The power transmitter100enters the power transmission state when the gear103meshes with the gear104and the power transmitter100enters the non-power transmission state when the gear103does not mesh with the gear104.

When the transportation driving roller21rotates backward in a state where the power transmitter100is in the power transmission state and the switching flap42is in the second state in which a medium feeding direction is set to the direction toward the inversion path T4, the switching flap42switches from the second state to the first state (that is, a state in which the medium feeding direction is set to the direction toward the reading path T5).

In addition, when a switch to the non-power transmission state of the power transmitter100is performed in a state where the power transmitter100is in the power transmission state and the switching flap42is in the first state in which the medium feeding direction is set to the direction toward the reading path T5, the switching flap42switches from the first state to the second state (that is, a state in which the medium feeding direction is set to the direction toward the inversion path T4) because of the weight of the switching flap42and a spring force of the tension spring43.

Note that, the switch from the first state to the second state of the switching flap42may be performed by means of forward rotation of the transportation driving roller21. In addition, the switch from the first state to the second state may be performed by means of only the weight of the switching flap42.

As shown inFIGS.7A and7B, the gear103is pressed in the +X direction by the pressing spring111. In addition, the pressing spring111presses the rotary member110in the +X direction via the gear103.

The contact lever110ais integrally formed with the rotary member110. The rotary member110is rotatable via friction between the rotary member110and the gear102, and when the transportation driving roller21rotates forward in a state where the power transmitter100is in the power transmission state, the rotary member110comes into contact with a lever contact portion112shown inFIG.7Aand maintains such a state. In such a state, the contact lever110ais out of the movement region of the carriage33and is at a position where the contact lever110acannot come into contact with an engagement portion33b(refer toFIG.8) provided on a rear surface of the carriage33.

An opening portion32bis formed at a lower frame portion32aof the main frame32. In addition, when the transportation driving roller21rotates backward in a state where the power transmitter100is in the power transmission state, the contact lever110aenters the opening portion32bas shown inFIG.7Band comes into contact with a contact surface32cof the opening portion32b. In such a state, the contact lever110ais within the movement region of the carriage33and is at a position where the contact lever110acan come into contact with the engagement portion33b(refer toFIG.8) provided on the rear surface of the carriage33. The position of the contact lever110ain the X-axis direction in this state will be referred to as a first position X3(refer toFIG.5). When the contact lever110ais at the first position X3, the gear103and the gear104do not mesh with each other.

When the carriage33moves to a side to which the −X direction extends from a side to which the +X direction extends inFIG.7Bin such a state, the engagement portion33bprovided on the rear surface of the carriage33presses the contact lever110ain the −X direction. Accordingly, the rotary member110integrally formed with the contact lever110amoves the gear103in the −X direction and thus the gear103meshes with the gear104. That is, the power transmitter100enters the power transmission state. The position of the contact lever110ain the X-axis direction in such a state will be referred to as a second position X4(refer toFIG.6).

Next, the feeding of a medium to the reading path T5will be described. Note that, each control described below is realized by a program (not shown) stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) included in the controller90(refer toFIG.3).

The controller90executes a nozzle check mode at a predetermined time. The nozzle check mode is a mode in which a nozzle check pattern CP (refer toFIG.13) used to check the state of ink ejection of the recording head34is recorded on a medium Pt, the medium Pt with the nozzle check pattern CP recorded thereon is fed to the reading path T5so that the nozzle check pattern CP is read by the reading unit50, and it is determined, based on the result of a reading operation, whether or not an ink ejection nozzle (not shown) is clogged. When it is determined that the ink ejection nozzle is clogged, the controller90causes a display (not shown) of the operation portion3(refer toFIG.1A) or a display (not shown) of a computer coupled to the printer1to display an error and executes automatic cleaning of the recording head34in a case where automatic cleaning is enabled. This automatic cleaning is an operation of covering the recording head34with a cap (not shown) and generating a negative pressure in the cap so that ink is sucked from the ink ejection nozzle.

In the present example, the nozzle check mode can be executed by the user at any time via the operation portion3(refer toFIG.1A).

In addition, in the present example, whether to perform automatic execution of the nozzle check mode can be selected via the operation portion3(refer toFIG.1A). In addition, in the present example, the automatic execution of the nozzle check mode includes a first automatic mode and a second automatic mode.

When the first automatic mode is selected and a pre-recording check is enabled, the controller90executes the nozzle check mode before the start of recording when a recording execution command is received. In addition, when the first automatic mode is selected, the controller90stops a recording job and executes the nozzle check mode even while the recording job is being executed in a case where the number of times of recording after the last execution of the nozzle check mode reaches the number of times of recording set in advance.

When the second automatic mode is selected, the controller90turns on a nozzle check mode execution flag in a case where the number of times of recording after the last execution of the nozzle check mode reaches the number of times of recording set in advance. In addition, when the execution flag is ON before the start of the next recording, the nozzle check mode is executed. Note that, in the second automatic mode, a recording job is not stopped and the nozzle check mode is not executed even when the number of times of recording after the last execution of the nozzle check mode reaches, during execution of the recording job, the number of times of recording set in advance.

Next, control of the controller90at the time of execution of the nozzle check mode will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.12.

When the controller90determines that a time for execution of the nozzle check mode has been reached, the controller90executes recording of the nozzle check pattern CP (step S101). Note that, after the recording of the nozzle check pattern CP is finished, a trailing end of a medium is positioned between the transportation roller pair20and the medium detector95.

Next, the controller90causes the carriage33to move to an end portion in the +X direction (step S102) and then causes the transportation motor91to rotate backward by a first defined amount (step S103). Accordingly, as shown with a change from a state shown inFIG.7Ato a state shown inFIG.7B, the contact lever110aadvances into the movement region of the carriage33. At this time, the contact lever110ais at the first position X3(refer toFIG.5). Note that, because of execution of step S103, the medium Pt moves slightly in the −Y direction, and thus, as shown inFIG.10, a trailing end Pe of the medium Pt is positioned closer to a side to which the −Y direction extends than the medium detector95is. In this state, the switching flap42is in the second state.

Next, the controller90causes the carriage33to move in the −X direction (step S104), so that the contact lever110amoves from the first position X3to the second position X4(refer toFIG.6) and the power transmitter100switches to the power transmission state.

In this state, the controller90causes the transportation motor91to rotate forward by the first defined amount (that is, causes the transportation roller pair20to rotate forward) (step S105). Accordingly, the medium Pt moved in the −Y direction because of execution of step S103is returned to the original position. Because of such processing, the trailing end of the medium Pt is disposed between the transportation roller pair20and the medium detector95again.

Note that, at this time, the contact lever110amoves to be out of the movement region of the carriage33because of the forward rotation of the transportation motor91. However, in this state, the contact lever110ais in a restriction hole32dformed at the lower frame portion32a(refer toFIGS.7A and7B) of the main frame32and thus a state where the carriage33is in the movement region is maintained. That is, the power transmission state of the power transmitter100is maintained.

Next, the controller90causes the transportation motor91to rotate backward (that is, causes the transportation roller pair20to rotate backward) (step S106). In an initial stage of the backward rotation of the transportation motor91, the switching flap42switches to the first state as shown inFIG.11. The backward rotation of the transportation motor91is continued until the medium Pt slightly passes through a reading standby position, which is shown inFIG.11, in a −A direction after the medium detector95detects the trailing end Pe of the medium Pt.

It is possible to accurately transport the medium Pt by a necessary transportation amount by transporting the medium Pt in the −A direction after the trailing end Pe of the medium Pt is disposed between the transportation roller pair20and the medium detector95as described above.

Next, the controller90causes the carriage33to move to the end portion in the +X direction (step S107). Accordingly, the contact lever110amoves from the second position X4(refer toFIG.6) to the first position X3(refer toFIG.5), and the power transmitter100switches to the non-power transmission state. In this state, since the contact lever110ais in the movement region of the carriage33, the controller90causes the transportation motor91to rotate forward by the first defined amount (step S108). Accordingly, the contact lever110ais withdrawn from the movement region of the carriage33as shown with a change from the state shown inFIG.7Bto the state shown in FIG.7A.

Then, the controller90causes the carriage33to move to the home position in the −X direction (step S109). Accordingly, the recording head34is covered with the cap (not shown).

The medium Pt is positioned at the reading standby position shown inFIG.11because of the forward rotation of the transportation motor91in step S108. In this state, the nozzle check pattern CP (refer toFIG.13) is positioned closer to a side to which a direction along an arrow extends than a position Wp shown inFIG.11is. The position Wp is the position farthest from the transportation roller pair20within a range where the reading unit50can read.

In other words, the nozzle check pattern CP of the medium Pt fed to the reading path T5by means of backward rotation of the transportation roller pair20is at a position far from the transportation roller pair20with respect to the reading unit50.

InFIG.13, a distance L1from a leading end Pf of the medium Pt to the nozzle check pattern CP is larger than the length of a path between a nip position of the transportation roller pair20and the position Wp.

Next, the controller90reads the nozzle check pattern CP by means of the reading unit50while causing the transportation motor91(that is, the transportation roller pair20) to rotate forward (step S110). When the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP is finished, the controller90causes the transportation motor91(that is, the transportation roller pair20) to rotate forward so that the medium Pt is discharged (step S111).

As described above, the printer1includes the recording path T2, the feeding path T1coupled to the recording path T2, and the discharge path T3coupled to the recording path T2. In addition, the reading path T5, which is a transportation path for the medium Pt provided independent of the recording path T2, the feeding path T1, and the discharge path T3and to which the medium Pt with the nozzle check pattern CP recorded thereon is fed, and the switching flap42that switches between the first state in which a feeding direction of the medium Pt after recording performed thereon is set to the direction toward the reading path T5and the second state in which the feeding direction is set to a direction other than the direction toward the reading path T5are provided.

Accordingly, a medium after normal recording performed thereon passes through the discharge path T3and the medium Pt with the nozzle check pattern CP recorded thereon passes through the reading path T5. Therefore, the reading unit50is less likely to be stained and the state of ejection of ink from the recording head34can be appropriately checked.

In addition, in the reading path T5, there is a transportation load since a medium is nipped by the reading unit50and the pressing portion72. Since no medium after normal recording performed thereon passes through the reading path T5, no transportation load is applied to a medium after normal recording performed thereon by the reading unit50and the pressing portion72.

Note that, in the present example, a recorded image used to check the state of ejection of ink from the recording head34is the nozzle check pattern CP. However, the recorded image is not limited thereto and the recorded image can be any image as long as the state of ejection of ink (that is, recording quality) can be checked.

In addition, a method of reading the nozzle check pattern CP, which is executed by the controller90of the printer1, includes a step of recording the nozzle check pattern CP by means of the recording head34, a step (step S104inFIG.12) of transporting the medium Pt such that the nozzle check pattern CP is disposed at a position far from the recording head34with respect to the reading unit50, and a step (step S105inFIG.12) of reading the nozzle check pattern CP by means of the reading unit50while transporting the medium Pt such that the nozzle check pattern CP faces the recording head34.

The nozzle check pattern CP may be read in the step of transporting the medium Pt such that the nozzle check pattern CP is disposed at the position far from the recording head34with respect to the reading unit50.

In addition, the transportation roller pair20that rotates forward to transport the medium Pt to a position facing the recording head34at the time of recording performed by the recording head34is provided in the recording path T2and the reading path T5is provided at a position to which the medium Pt is fed when the transportation roller pair20rotates backward. The nozzle check pattern CP of the medium Pt fed to the reading path T5because of backward rotation of the transportation roller pair20is at a position far from the transportation roller pair20with respect to the reading unit50and is read by the reading unit50at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20.

Accordingly, the medium Pt is transported while being pulled at the position of the reading unit50. Therefore, the accuracy of transportation of the medium Pt performed when the nozzle check pattern CP is read can be made favorable and the nozzle check pattern CP can be appropriately read.

Note that, the presence or absence of the nozzle check pattern CP may be checked by the reading unit50when the medium Pt is fed to the reading path T5by means of backward rotation of the transportation roller pair20and in a case where no nozzle check pattern CP is found even when the transportation roller pair20is rotated backward by a predetermined amount, the medium Pt may be discharged with the transportation roller pair20rotated forward and the nozzle check mode may be retried on a presumption that there is an error.

In addition, when the medium Pt is read by the reading unit50at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20, the transportation roller pair20is the only roller pair nipping the medium Pt. Accordingly, a transportation load acting on the transportation roller pair20when the nozzle check pattern CP is read is reduced, the accuracy of transportation of the medium Pt performed when the nozzle check pattern CP is read can be made favorable, and the nozzle check pattern CP can be appropriately read.

Note that, in the present example, the leading end Pf of the medium Pt is not nipped by the discharge roller pair26until the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP is finished.

However, a roller pair nipping the medium Pt when the medium Pt is read by the reading unit50at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20may include a roller other than the transportation roller pair20.

In addition, in the present example, the leading end Pf of the medium Pt is not under the recording head34at the time of the start of the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP. However, when the leading end Pf of the medium Pt is under the recording head34at the time of the start of the reading of the nozzle check pattern CP, a variation in accuracy of transportation caused by the leading end Pf caught on the recording head34can be suppressed and the nozzle check pattern CP can be appropriately read.

In addition, regarding the reading path T5, a path portion upstream of the reading unit50at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20is linear as is clear fromFIG.11. In other words, the posture of the medium Pt upstream of the reading unit50is linear at the time of forward rotation of the transportation roller pair20. Accordingly, a transportation load acting on the transportation roller pair20when the nozzle check pattern CP is read is reduced, the accuracy of transportation of the medium Pt performed when the nozzle check pattern CP is read can be made favorable, and the nozzle check pattern CP can be appropriately read.

In addition, the inversion roller15and the pressing portion72constitute the inversion unit6, and the inversion unit6is detachable from the apparatus main body2including the recording head34. That is, the inversion roller15and the pressing portion72are integrally detachable from the apparatus main body2. As shown inFIG.9, the pressing portion72is exposed to the outside of the inversion unit6when the inversion unit6is removed. Accordingly, a repairing operation performed when the inside of the apparatus main body2is clogged with a medium is easy and cleaning the reading unit50and the pressing portion72is also easy since the reading unit50and the pressing portion72are separated from each other.

However, the pressing portion72may not be provided in the inversion unit6but may be provided to be fixed to the apparatus main body2.

In addition, the switching flap42switches between the first state and the second state by means of power obtained from the transportation driving roller21, which is a roller constituting the transportation roller pair20. As a result, a dedicated power source used to drive the switching flap42is not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

However, the switching flap42may switch between the states by means of other power, or may be configured such that a switch between the states is manually performed by a user.

In addition, the printer1includes the power transmitter100that is able to switch between the power transmission state in which power from the transportation driving roller21is transmitted to the switching flap42and the non-power transmission state in which the power from the transportation driving roller21is not transmitted to the switching flap42. The power transmitter100includes the contact lever110athat is a member movable in the direction of movement of the carriage33, that forms the non-power transmission state by being positioned at the first position X3, and that forms the power transmission state by being positioned at the second position X4and the pressing spring111that presses the contact lever110afrom the second position X4to the first position X3. In addition, the contact lever110amoves from the first position X3to the second position X4by being pressed by the carriage33.

According to such a configuration, a dedicated power source used to move the contact lever110ais not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

In addition, the first position X3and the second position X4are within the movement region of the carriage33at the time of recording performed on a medium by the recording head34. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress expansion of the movement region of the carriage33accompanied by the setting of the first position X3and the second position X4and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in apparatus size.

However, the first position X3and the second position X4may be out of the movement region of the carriage33at the time of recording performed on a medium by the recording head34.

In addition, the home position X0, which is the position of the carriage33and is a position where the recording head34is capped, is set on one side with respect to the central position Xc and the first position X3and the second position X4are disposed on the other side with respect to the central position Xc, the central position Xc being the central position in a movement region A1of the carriage33at the time of recording performed on a medium by the recording head34. In the vicinity of the home position X0of the carriage33, movement of the carriage33may occur because of maintenance of the recording head34. However, since the home position X0is set on the one side with respect to the central position Xc and the first position X3and the second position X4are disposed on the other side, it is possible to prevent the contact lever110afrom interfering with the maintenance of the recording head34.

However, the first position X3and the second position X4may be on the same side as the home position X0with respect to the central position Xc.

In addition, the first position X3, the second position X4, and the home position X0are different positions from each other and after the medium Pt with the nozzle check pattern CP recorded thereon is fed to the reading path T5, the carriage33is moved to the home position X0before the nozzle check pattern CP starts to be read (step S109inFIG.12). Accordingly, the recording head34is covered with the cap (not shown).

Accordingly, the ink ejection nozzle (not shown) of the recording head34is made less likely to be dried and thus appropriate recording quality can be maintained.

In addition, the contact lever110areceives power from the transportation driving roller21, is withdrawn from a position, at which the contact lever110acan come into contact with the carriage33, as the transportation driving roller21rotates forward, and advances to the position, at which the contact lever110acomes into contact with the carriage33, as the transportation driving roller21rotates backward. According to such a configuration, a dedicated power source used to drive the contact lever110ais not necessary, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in cost, an increase in apparatus weight, and an increase in size.

Next, the configuration and the attachment structure of the reading unit50will be described.

As shown inFIGS.15and16, a base of an apparatus rear portion is composed of the left frame80and the right frame81that are disposed at an interval in the X-axis direction. The left frame80is an example of a first frame, the right frame81is an example of a second frame, and the left frame80and the right frame81form a pair of frames. The inversion unit6described above enters a mounted state by being inserted into a space between the left frame80and the right frame81. Both the left frame80and the right frame81are formed of a resin material in the present example.

A left opening portion80ais formed in the left frame80, a right opening portion81ais formed in the right frame81, and the reading unit50penetrates the left opening portion80aand the right opening portion81ato be fixed. That is, the reading unit50is detachable from the left frame80and the right frame81, and is supported by the left opening portion80aand the right opening portion81ain the mounted state.

When the reading unit50is to be mounted, in the present example, the reading unit50is inserted into the left opening portion80aof the left frame80from a side to which the +X direction extends and the reading unit50is moved toward the right opening portion81a. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a configuration may also be adopted in which the reading unit50is inserted into the right opening portion81afrom a side to which the −X direction extends and the reading unit50is moved toward the left opening portion80a.

As shown inFIGS.17A and17B, on the left frame80side, the reading unit50is fixed, by means of a screw82, to a screw hole80bformed in the left frame80.

In addition, as shown inFIGS.18A and18B, on the right frame81side, the reading unit50is fixed, by means of the screw82, to a screw hole81bformed in the right frame81.

In the mounted state, the reading unit50protrudes from the left frame80by a predetermined length in the +X direction and protrudes from the right frame81by a predetermined length in the −X direction.

FIG.19shows the position of the reading unit50with respect to the left frame80and the right frame81, and for the sake of convenience, the shapes of the left frame80and the right frame81are slightly simplified. The reading unit50protrudes from the left opening portion80aof the left frame80by a length Xt1in the +X direction. In addition, the reading unit50protrudes from the right opening portion81aof the right frame81by a length Xt2in the −X direction. In the present example, the length Xt1is larger than the length Xt2. However, the length Xt2may be larger than the length Xt1. Alternatively, the length Xt1and the length Xt2may be the same as each other.

In the present embodiment, a circuit substrate85is disposed in a region of the length Xt1as shown inFIG.15.

In addition, inFIG.19, a length Xu is the length of the reading unit50in the X-axis direction, and a region Xs is a reading-enabled region of the sensor module51(which will be described later) in the X-axis direction. As shown in the drawing, the reading-enabled region Xs also protrudes from the left opening portion80aof the left frame80in the +X direction and protrudes from the right opening portion81aof the right frame81in the −X direction.

In addition, inFIG.19, a region Xp is a medium transportation region of the reading path T5, that is, a region through which a medium can pass. The size (the length in the X-axis direction) of the medium transportation region Xp is set with a slight margin with respect to a medium having the maximum allowable size.

Next, the configuration of the reading unit50will be described in detail. Note that, in the case of the configuration of the reading unit50described below, a mounting structure for the reading unit50with respect to the left frame80and the right frame81is not essential.

As shown inFIGS.20and21, the reading unit50includes the housing structure50aand the sensor module51and the sensor module51is accommodated in the housing structure50a. The detailed description about the configuration of the sensor module51will be omitted. The sensor module51includes a light receiving element, a light source, a lens array, and the like.

The housing structure50aincludes a first housing member54, a second housing member55, and a glass plate53. In the present embodiment, the first housing member54and the second housing member55are formed of a resin material.

The first housing member54has a box-like shape to accommodate the sensor module51, and two screw holes54bare provided near each of both end portions in the X-axis direction. Screw insertion holes55ecorresponding to the screw holes54bare formed in the second housing member55and the first housing member54and the second housing member55are fixed to each other when screws57are fitted into the screw holes54bthrough the screw insertion holes55e. Note that, as will be described later, the first housing member54and the second housing member55are fixed by the screws57and are bonded to each other via a double-sided tape.

Spring holding portions54aare formed near both end portions of the first housing member54in the X-axis direction, and springs56, which are examples of pressing members, are held by the spring holding portions54a. In the present embodiment, the springs56are compression coil springs. The sensor module51is displaceable in the B-axis direction inside the housing structure50a, and the springs65presses the sensor module51in a −B direction, that is, in a direction toward the second housing member55.

Two sensor-side contact portions51aare formed at each of both end portions of the sensor module51in the X-axis direction. In addition, as shown inFIG.23, housing-side contact portions55dare formed on both end portions of the second housing member55in the X-axis direction. In addition, as shown inFIGS.24A and24B, the sensor-side contact portions51aare pressed against the housing-side contact portions55dby a pressing force of the springs56, so that the position of the sensor module51with respect to the second housing member55and the glass plate53is determined.

The second housing member55includes an opening portion55b, and covering portions55care formed with respect to the opening portion55bin the +X direction and the −X direction, respectively. The covering portions55care portions that cover a portion of the reading-enabled region Xs described with reference toFIG.19.

InFIG.22, regions represented by reference numerals “Xm1” and “Xm2” (hereinafter, referred to as “cover regions”) are regions of the covering portions55cin the X-axis direction. The cover region Xm1is a region where a +X direction side of the reading-enabled region Xs of the sensor module51is covered and the cover region Xm2is a region where a −X direction side of the reading-enabled region Xs of the sensor module51is covered.

A region represented by a reference numeral “Xk” is a region out of the reading-enabled region Xs that is not covered by the covering portions55c, that is, a substantially reading-enabled region. The substantially reading-enabled region Xk is also a region where the glass plate53is exposed. The size of the substantially reading-enabled region Xk is substantially equal to that of the medium transportation region Xp or slightly larger than that of the medium transportation region Xp (refer toFIG.19).

The glass plate53is attached to a rear side of the second housing member55. InFIG.23, a reference numeral “61” represents a glass plate bonding double-sided tape, and the glass plate53is attached to and fixed to the rear side of the second housing member55by means of the glass plate bonding double-sided tape61. The glass plate bonding double-sided tape61is attached to rear sides of the covering portions55cand is disposed to surround the opening portion55b.

Note that, a housing member bonding double-sided tape62is provided between the first housing member54, the second housing member55, and the glass plate53as shown inFIG.25, and the housing member bonding double-sided tape62bonds the first housing member54and the second housing member55to each other and bonds the first housing member54and the glass plate53to each other. Particularly, since the housing member bonding double-sided tape62is disposed to cover a gap Bb between the glass plate53and the second housing member55, foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia the gap Bb can be suppressed.

Next, a sheet material60is attached to the guide portion55aformed on the second housing member55. The sheet material60is a material of which the coefficient of friction with the medium Pt is lower than the coefficient of friction between the second housing member55and the medium Pt, and, for example, a low-friction sheet formed of ultra high molecular weight poly ethylene (PE), poly tetra fluoro ethylene (PTFE), or the like can be used.

Since such a sheet material60is attached to the guide portion55a, the medium Pt fed in the A-axis direction can smoothly proceed in the A-axis direction. Particularly, since the medium Pt can smoothly proceed in the +A direction because of the sheet material60, improvement in reading accuracy can be achieved.

A portion of the sheet material60is interposed between the first housing member54and the second housing member55as shown with a reference numeral “60a”. In addition, the sheet material60extends up to a surface of the glass plate53so that a gap Ba between the glass plate53and the second housing member55is covered. Accordingly, foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia the gap Ba can be suppressed.

As described above, the left frame80and the right frame81, which form a pair of frames supporting the reading unit50, are disposed at an interval in the width direction, and at least one of the left frame80and the right frame81is provided with an opening portion penetrable by the reading unit50. In the present embodiment, such an opening portion is formed in both of the frames (the left opening portion80aand the right opening portion81a). The left frame80and the right frame81support the reading unit50penetrating the left frame80and the right frame81while being disposed between the left frame80and the right frame81.

Accordingly, the rigidities of the left frame80and the right frame81can be secured in comparison with a configuration in which upper portions of the left frame80and the right frame81are provided with notches and the reading unit50is dropped into the notches from above.

In addition, a distance between the left frame80and the right frame81in the width direction (a distance Xf inFIG.19) is smaller than the length of the reading unit50in the width direction (the length Xu inFIG.19).

Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost in comparison with a configuration in which the reading unit50is supported by the left frame80and the right frame81via another member. In addition, since the distance Xf between the left frame80and the right frame81can be shortened within a range in which the medium can be transported, it is possible to contribute to reduction in apparatus size.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the opening portion that the reading unit50penetrates is provided in both the left frame80and the right frame81(the left opening portion80aand the right opening portion81a), the posture of the reading unit50is stabilized. Note that a configuration may also be adopted in which at least one of the frames is provided with an opening portion and the other of the frames is provided with a recess portion into which an end of the reading unit50is inserted. That is, the one of the frames may be provided with a through-hole and the other of the frames may be provided with a non-through hole.

In addition, the reading unit50includes the sensor module51reading a medium and the size, in the width direction, of a medium readable by the sensor module51(the length of the reading-enabled region Xs inFIG.19) is larger than that of the medium transportation region (the medium transportation region Xp inFIG.19) in the medium transportation path. Here, the size of a medium readable by the sensor module51(the length of the reading-enabled region Xs inFIG.19) is the size of a medium readable before the sensor module51is mounted on the apparatus main body2.

According to such a configuration, the size of the sensor module51does not need to match the medium transportation region Xp. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in selecting the sensor module51is improved, the cost of the sensor module51can be suppressed, and thus it is possible to contribute a decrease in cost of the entire apparatus.

For example, as the sensor module51, a sensor module that is the cheapest and most widely available can be used.

However, in the width direction, the size of a medium readable by the sensor module51may be the same as that of the medium transportation region Xp and the size of a medium readable by the sensor module51may be smaller than that of the medium transportation region Xp. That is, any size may be adopted as long as the above-described nozzle check pattern CP has a readable size.

In addition, the reading unit50includes the housing structure50aaccommodating the sensor module51, and the housing structure50aincludes the glass plate53interposed between the reading path T5and the sensor module51, the first housing member54holding the sensor module51, and the second housing member55that is a member facing the first housing member54and that holds the glass plate53. Since the sensor module51is accommodated in such a housing structure50a, a decrease in reading accuracy caused by adhesion of foreign substances to the sensor module51can be suppressed.

In addition, the second housing member55includes the housing-side contact portions55dthat can come into contact with the reading unit50and the sensor module51is accommodated to be movable forward and backward with respect to the housing-side contact portions55dand is pressed against the housing-side contact portions55dby the springs56. Accordingly, the position of the sensor module51with respect to the second housing member55(that is, the glass plate53) is stabilized and there is improvement in reading accuracy.

In addition, the second housing member55includes the covering portions55ccovering a region that is a portion of the sensor module51in the width direction and that is outside the medium transportation region (the medium transportation region Xp inFIG.19) in the medium transportation path. Accordingly, the area of the glass plate53can be made small and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

As shown inFIG.23, the covering portions55cpartially overlap with the glass plate53as seen in the normal direction (the B-axis direction) of a surface of the glass plate53. According to such a configuration, foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia a gap between the glass plate53and the covering portions55ccan be suppressed.

However, the covering portions55cmay not partially overlap with the glass plate53as seen in the normal direction (the B-axis direction) of the surface of the glass plate53.

In addition, as described with reference toFIG.25, the second housing member55and the glass plate53are bonded to each other by means of the glass plate bonding double-sided tape61and at least a portion of the glass plate bonding double-sided tape61is interposed between the covering portions55cand the glass plate53. Accordingly, foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia a gap between the glass plate53and the covering portions55ccan be suppressed.

However, the second housing member55and the glass plate53may be bonded to each other by means of an adhesive instead of a double-sided tape.

In addition, since the first housing member54and the second housing member55are bonded to each other by means of the housing member bonding double-sided tape62as described with reference toFIG.25, the first housing member54and the second housing member55can be easily bonded to each other and foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia a gap between the first housing member54and the second housing member55can be suppressed.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the second housing member55is fixed to the first housing member54by means of the screws57(refer toFIG.20) and the housing member bonding double-sided tape62. However, the second housing member55may be fixed by means of only one of the double-sided tape and the screws.

In addition, since the second housing member55includes the guide portion55athat guides a medium to a position where the medium is read by the sensor module51, passage can be made smoothly when the medium passes through the position of the second housing member55. In addition, since the guide portion55ais provided with the sheet material60of which the coefficient of friction with the medium is lower than that of the second housing member55, passage can be made further smoothly when the medium passes through the position of the second housing member55.

Note that, the guide portion55amay be formed of a low-friction material such as polyoxymethylene (POM) instead of being provided with the sheet material60.

In addition, since a portion of the sheet material60is interposed between the first housing member54and the second housing member55as described with reference toFIG.25, the sheet material60falling off from the second housing member55can be suppressed.

In addition, since a portion of the sheet material60covers the gap Ba between the second housing member55and the glass plate53as described with reference toFIG.25, foreign substances entering the inside of the housing structure50avia the gap Ba can be suppressed. Note that, in the present example, the sheet material60covers almost the entire gap Ba in the X-axis direction. However, the sheet material60may cover a portion of the gap Ba in the X-axis direction.

As described above, the reading unit50is a reading unit that penetrates the left frame80and the right frame81via an opening portion formed in at least one of the left frame80and the right frame81while being disposed between the left frame80and the right frame81so as to be supported by the left frame80and the right frame81and that reads a medium transported along the reading path T5in the printer1including the left frame80and the right frame81that are disposed at an interval in the width direction. In addition, the reading unit50includes the sensor module51larger than the medium transportation region Xp in the reading path T5and the housing structure50aaccommodating the sensor module51. The housing structure50aincludes the glass plate53interposed between the reading path T5and the sensor module51, the first housing member54holding the sensor module51, and the second housing member55that is a member facing the first housing member54and that holds the glass plate53, and the second housing member55includes the covering portions55ccovering a region that is a portion of the sensor module51in the width direction and that is outside the medium transportation region Xp in the reading path T5. Accordingly, the area of the glass plate53can be made small and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and modification examples described above, various modifications can be made within the scope of the disclosure described in the claims, and it is a matter of course that the modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.