Stacker position changer, recording apparatus or liquid ejecting apparatus incorporating the same

Abstract

A recording section includes a recording head operable to record information on a first medium and a second medium. A first stacker has a first face and a second face, and is movable between a first position and a second position. A stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker placed in the first position in a first direction, and then to move a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, thereby placing the first stacker in the second position. The first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recoding section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the first position. The second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the recording section in a third direction opposite to the first direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the recording section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the second position. The stacker position changer is operable to cause the second face to be parallel to the first direction and a fourth direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the ink jet printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the ink jet printer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stacker position changer in the ink jet printer, showing a state a sheet recording mode is effected.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stacker position changer, showing a state that a disk recording mode is effected.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stacker position changer, showing a state that a disk tray is set.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic side views for explaining transmission of power to the stacker position changer.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state that a first ejection stacker of the stacker position changer is placed in a first position.

FIGS. 11 to 21 are side views showing movement of the first ejection stacker between the first position and a second position.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a state that the first ejection stacker is placed in the second position.

FIGS. 23 to 25 are side views showing movement of a second ejection stacker between a closed position and an opened position.

FIG. 26 is a side view showing the second position of the first ejection stacker according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a first cover opening sequence executed by a controller in the ink jet printer.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a second cover opening sequence executed by the controller.

FIG. 29 is a side view showing a state that a first ejection stacker in an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment of the invention is placed in a first position.

FIGS. 30 to 38 are side views showing movement of the first ejection stacker of FIG. 29 between the first position and a second position.

FIG. 39 is a side view showing a state that the first ejection stacker of FIG. 29 is placed in the second position.

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of a position regulator of a first ejection stacker in an ink jet printer according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 41 and 42 are side views showing operations of the position regulator of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a plan view showing the location of the position regulator of FIG. 40.

Claims

1. A recording apparatus, comprising: a recording section, including a recording head operable to record information on a first medium and a second medium;a first stacker, having a first face and a second face, and being movable between a first position and a second position; anda stacker position changer, operable to move the first stacker placed in the first position in a first direction, and then to move a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, thereby placing the first stacker in the second position, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recoding section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the recording section in a third direction opposite to the first direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the recording section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the second position; andthe stacker position changer is operable to cause the second face to be parallel to the first direction and a fourth direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

2. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a second stacker, disposed in a downstream side of the first stacker in the first direction, and having a third face adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recording section together with the first stacker placed in the first position, wherein:the stacker position changer is operable to ascend a downstream end portion in the first direction of the first stacker than an upstream end portion in the first direction of the second stacker, thereby bringing the first stacker in an inclined state;the stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker in the first direction while maintaining the inclined state; andthe stacker position changer is operable to ascend an upstream end portion in the first direction of the first stacker, after the first stacker is moved in the first direction, thereby placing the first stacker in the second position.

3. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a first roller, adapted to convey the first medium and the second medium in the first direction and the third direction;a second roller, adapted to convey the first medium in the first direction together with the first roller; anda frame member, supporting the second roller and coupled to the first stacker, wherein:the stacker position changer is operable to move the frame member in such a direction that the second roller is separated from the first roller, in accordance with the movement of the first stacker from the first position to the second position.

4. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a third roller, adapted to convey the first medium and the second medium in the first direction and the third direction, wherein;the stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker in the third direction, after the second face is caused to be parallel to the first direction and the fourth direction.

5. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a position regulator, operable to regulate a position and a posture of the first stacker placed in the second position.

6. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein: the position regulator comprises a pair of opposing members adapted to clamp a rotary shaft of the first roller when the first stacker is moved in the third direction.

7. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein: one of the opposing members is a movable member; andthe position regulator comprises a biasing member biasing the movable member toward the other one of the opposing members.

8. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein: one of the opposing members closer to the first position is adapted to first come in contact with the rotary shaft.

9. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker in the first direction by a first distance, and in the third direction by a second distance shorter than the first distance.

10. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the second medium is a rigid medium mounted on a tray member;the third roller is adapted to come in contact with the tray member while avoiding the rigid medium.

11. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the stacker position changer comprises a rack and a pinion operable to move the first stacker between the first position and the second position.

12. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a motor, operable to drive the first roller, wherein:the stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker with the aid of a driving force of the motor.

13. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein: the motor is operable to drive the first roller in a direction for conveying the first medium and the second medium in the first direction, when the stacker position changer moves the first stacker from the second position to the first position.

14. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 12, further comprising: a gap adjuster, operable to adjust a distance from the recording head to the first medium and the second medium, wherein;the stacker position changer is operable to transmit the driving force of the motor to the first stacker when the gap adjuster adjusts the distance.

15. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein; the stacker position changer comprises: a pair of racks and pinions, arranged in both sides of the recording apparatus in the fourth direction; anda power transmitter, operable to transmit a driving force of one of the pinions to the other one.

16. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the second stacker is movable between a third position opening at least a part of a front section of the recording apparatus and a fourth position closing the front section.

17. A liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a liquid ejecting section, including a liquid ejecting head operable to eject liquid toward a first medium and a second medium;a first stacker, having a first face and a second face, and being movable between a first position and a second position; anda stacker position changer, operable to move the first stacker placed in the first position in a first direction, and then to move a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, thereby placing the first stacker in the second position, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the recording section in a third direction opposite to the first direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the second position; andthe stacker position changer is operable to cause the second face to be parallel to the first direction and a fourth direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

18. A recording apparatus, comprising: a recording section, including a recording head operable to record information on a first medium and a second medium;a power source, disposed inside the recording apparatus;a stacker, having a first face and a second face and being movable between a first position and a second position;a first roller, adapted to convey the first medium and the second medium in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;a second roller, adapted to convey the first medium in the first direction together with the first roller, when the stacker is placed in the first position;a frame member, supporting the second roller and coupled to the stacker;a biasing member, biasing the frame member in such a direction that the second roller approaches the first roller; anda stacker position changer, operable to move the stacker between the first position and the second position with the aid of power supplied from the power source, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recoding section in the first direction, when the stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the recording section in the second direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the recording section in the first direction, when the stacker is placed in the second position; andthe stacker position changer is operable to move the frame member against a biasing force of the biasing member, in such a direction that the second roller is separated from the first roller, in accordance with the movement of the stacker from the first position to the second position.

19. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein: the stacker position changer comprises a groove;the stacker is provided with a projection adapted to move along the groove while receiving the biasing force of the biasing member;the stacker position changer is operable to move the first stacker placed in the first position in a first direction, and then to move a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, thereby placing the first stacker in the second position; andthe stacker position changer is operable to cause the second face to be parallel to the first direction and a fourth direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction.

20. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein: the stacker position changer comprises a rack and a pinion operable to move the stacker between the first position and the second position.

21. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further comprising: a position regulator, operable to regulate a position and a posture of the stacker placed in the second position while receiving the biasing force of the biasing member.

22. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 19, further comprising: a third roller, adapted to convey the first medium and the second medium in the first direction and the third direction, wherein:the stacker position changer is operable to move the stacker in the second direction while receiving the biasing force of the biasing member, after the second face is caused to be parallel to the first direction and the fourth direction.

23. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein: the biasing member comprises a first biasing member providing a first biasing force with respect to the frame member, and a second biasing member providing a second biasing force with respect to the stacker.

24. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein: the first biasing member and the second biasing member are configured such that the first biasing force and the second biasing force are not provided simultaneously.

25. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein: the stacker is provided with a slider being slidable against the second biasing force; andthe second biasing member provides the second biasing force with respect to the stacker by way of the slider.

26. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein: a moving path of the stacker includes a first section closer to the first position and a second section closer to the second position;the second biasing force acts on the stacker when the stacker is placed in the first section, and the first biasing force acts on the stacker when the stacker is placed in the second section; andthe second biasing member is configured such that the second biasing force decreases as the first stacker approaches the first position.

27. A liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a liquid ejecting section, including a liquid ejecting head operable to eject liquid toward a first medium and a second medium;a power source, disposed inside the liquid ejecting apparatus;a stacker, having a first face and a second face and being movable between a first position and a second position;a first roller, adapted to convey the first medium and the second medium in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction;a second roller, adapted to convey the first medium in the first direction together with the first roller, when the stacker is placed in the first position;a frame member, supporting the second roller and coupled to the stacker;a biasing member, biasing the frame member in such a direction that the second roller approaches the first roller; anda stacker position changer, operable to move the stacker between the first position and the second position with the aid of power supplied from the power source, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the liquid ejecting section in the second direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the stacker is placed in the second position; andthe stacker position changer is operable to move the frame member against a biasing force of the biasing member, in such a direction that the second roller is separated from the first roller, in accordance with the movement of the stacker from the first position to the second position.

28. A recording apparatus, comprising: a recording section, including a recording head operable to record information on a first medium and a second medium;a first stacker, having a first face and a second face, and being movable between a first position and a second position;a second stacker, having a third face and being movable between a third position opening at least a part of a front section of the recording apparatus and a fourth position closing the front section;a power source, disposed inside the recording apparatus;a stacker position changer, operable to move the first stacker between the first position and the second position with the aid of power supplied from the power source; anda controller, operable to cause the stacker position changer to move the first stacker from the first position to the second position, in a case where the second stacker is in the fourth position when the recording is performed with respect to the first medium, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recoding section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the recording section in a third direction opposite to the first direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the recording section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the second position;the third face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the recording section together with the first stacker placed in the first position; andthe first stacker is adapted to come in contact with the second stacker placed in the fourth position in accordance with the movement from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the second stacker to move the third position.

29. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein: the controller is operable to interrupt the movement of the first stacker from the first position to the second position in a case where a load of the power source exceeds a prescribed value.

30. The recording apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein: the controller is operable to cause the stacker position changer to move the first stacker with a first speed when the first stacker comes in contact with the second stacker, and with a second speed higher than the first speed after the first stacker comes in contact with the second stacker.

31. A liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a liquid ejecting section, including a liquid ejecting head operable to eject liquid toward on a first medium and a second medium;a first stacker, having a first face and a second face, and being movable between a first position and a second position;a second stacker, having a third face and being movable between a third position opening at least a part of a front section of the liquid ejecting apparatus and a fourth position closing the front section;a power source, disposed inside the liquid ejecting apparatus;a stacker position changer, operable to move the first stacker between the first position and the second position with the aid of power supplied from the power source; anda controller, operable to cause the stacker position changer to move the first stacker from the first position to the second position, in a case where the second stacker is in the fourth position when the liquid ejection is performed with respect to the first medium, wherein:the first face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the first position;the second face is adapted to guide the first medium and the second medium conveyed to the liquid ejecting section in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and to receive the first medium and the second medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section in the first direction, when the first stacker is placed in the second position;the third face is adapted to receive the first medium conveyed from the liquid ejecting section together with the first stacker placed in the first position; andthe first stacker is adapted to come in contact with the second stacker placed in the fourth position in accordance with the movement from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the second stacker to move the third position.