JP2013208917A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus that eliminates the risk of breaking a recording head and can surely prevent an edge part of a medium to be recorded from floating up.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus (1) includes: a recording head 22 for ejecting ink to a medium (R) to be recorded to execute recording; a medium supporting part (24) for supporting the medium (R) to be recorded; covering members (31, 31) formed of a flexible raw material, opposing an edge part (R1) of the medium (R) to be recorded on the medium supporting part, and covering the edge part (R1) while protruding to the outside from the edge part (R1); a plurality of suction holes 26, 26, ... provided at positions opposing at least the covering members (31, 31) in the medium supporting part (24); and a suction means 28 for sucking air in the side of the medium to be recorded to the medium supporting part side from the medium supporting part through the suction holes 26, 26, ....

Description

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink to a recording medium, and a medium support unit that supports the recording medium.
In the present application, the recording apparatus includes types such as an ink jet printer, a wire dot printer, a laser printer, a line printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile.

Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration in which curl is removed by pressurizing the medium with a roller as a countermeasure when a medium as a recording medium is curled for some reason.
As another configuration, as shown in Patent Document 2, a dedicated sheet pressing roller is disposed upstream of the recording head in the sheet feeding direction as a recording medium, and the so-called floating of the sheet due to deformation of the curl or the like is provided. There was a configuration to hold down.
Further, as another configuration, as shown in Patent Document 3, there is a configuration in which a sheet is firmly pressed by a long metal pressing plate to prevent the sheet from rising due to deformation such as curling.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-14052 JP 2006-137027 A JP 9-255191 A

However, in the configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to provide a dedicated roller, which complicates the configuration.
In the configuration of Patent Document 3, it is difficult to keep a long pressing plate strictly straight, and if it bends even a little by the lifting force, it may collide with the recording head and the recording head may be damaged.
Therefore, a configuration in which the sheet is simply sucked to the platen side that supports the sheet is conceivable.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a recording apparatus studied by the applicant.
As shown in FIG. 5, the recording apparatus 100 includes a platen 101 supported by a sheet 104, a plurality of suction holes 103, 103... Provided in the platen 101, and air above the platen 101 through the suction holes 103, 103. And a fan 102 for sucking air.
Therefore, the sheet 104 can be adsorbed onto the platen 101 in a state where no so-called lifting force is generated in which the sheet 104 is lifted away from the platen 101.

  However, in order to accelerate the drying of the ink that has landed on the paper 104, it is conceivable to heat the paper 104 before or during the recording of the paper 104. In such a case, the amount of moisture contained in the paper 104 decreases, and the paper 104 tends to be deformed. Specifically, both side edges 105, 105 of the sheet 104 are curled upward.

  At this time, even when the entire sheet 104 is adsorbed to the platen 101, the curling becomes stronger by further heating, so that the lifting force is increased. Then, the magnitude of the lifting force at the side edges 105 and 105 of the sheet 104 becomes larger than the magnitude of the suction force, and the side edges 105 and 105 of the sheet 104 may be lifted. In other words, it was insufficient as a countermeasure against lifting.

  Further, when the side edges 105 and 105 of the paper 104 are separated from the platen 101 by a certain distance, the suction force does not reach the side edges 105 and 105 of the paper 104, and only air is sucked from the suction holes 103, 103. That is, the air outside the side edges 105 and 105 flows between the side edges 105 and 105 of the paper 104 and the platen 101, and the suction force is merely sucked, and the suction force is increased. It is less than 105. Therefore, it is not possible to sufficiently prevent lifting.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the problem is that there is no possibility of damaging the recording head, and a recording apparatus that can reliably suppress the lifting of the end of the recording medium. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a medium support unit that supports the recording medium, A covering member that is formed of a flexible material and faces an end portion of the recording medium on the medium support portion and covers the end portion while protruding outward from the end portion; and at least the covering member in the medium support portion And suction means for sucking air on the recording medium side from the medium support portion to the medium support portion side through the suction holes. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording apparatus includes the medium support portion, the covering member, the suction hole, and the suction means.
Here, consider a case where the end of the recording medium is lifted from the medium support.
In this case, a sealed space can be formed at the end of the recording medium by the medium support portion, the covering member, and the vicinity of the end of the recording medium. The suction means can suck the air in the sealed space through the suction hole. Therefore, a negative pressure can be generated in the sealed space so that the sealed space disappears, and the end portion of the recording medium and the covering member can be adsorbed to the medium support portion. That is, it is possible to reliably counter the lifting force at the end of the recording medium, and to suppress the lifting at the end.

The above contents are described as follows.
The recording medium on the medium support portion tends to curl when it receives heat or undulate when it absorbs moisture. At this time, particularly the end portion of the recording medium is displaced so as to be lifted from the medium support portion. So-called floating. Then, there is a possibility that the lifting force at the time of the lifting cannot be sufficiently countered only by the suction force that the suction means sucks through the suction hole.
Further, once the air is lifted, there is a possibility that the suction force of the suction means does not reach because there is a gap in which the outside of the end is opened.

  Therefore, the sealed space is configured using the covering member. At this time, the magnitude of the pressing force that acts to suppress lifting is suction force × space surface area. Here, the spatial surface area can be made relatively large by the covering member. Specifically, the space surface area is configured to be larger than the configuration in which the coating member is not provided by an area between the coating member and the end portion of the recording medium and the medium support unit. Can do.

Therefore, as a first effect, the magnitude of the pressing force can be greatly increased as compared with the configuration in which the covering member is not provided. The suction means can suck the air in the sealed space. At this time, since the pressing force can be made larger than the lifting force, the sealed space can be reduced and eliminated.
As a result, the pressing force can be reliably opposed to the lifting force without changing the magnitude of the suction force. As described above, the end portion of the recording medium and the covering member can be adsorbed to the medium support portion.

Further, as a second effect, even when the end of the recording medium has already been lifted, by forming the sealed space, it is possible to reliably press the force by the suction force to the end of the recording medium. Can be affected. As a result, the end portion can be reliably adsorbed to the medium support portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent the end of the recording medium from being lifted.
If the lifting force increases after the sealed space is reduced, the end of the recording medium must be expanded while increasing the negative pressure of the sealed space in order to expand the sealed space. I must. Therefore, once the sealed space becomes smaller and disappears, there is almost no possibility that the sealed space becomes larger.

As described above, it is possible to easily suppress the lifting of the end portion simply by providing the covering member. There is no need to provide a separate mechanism as in the prior art roller pressing mechanism.
Further, since the covering member is attracted to the medium support portion, there is no possibility that the recording head collides with the covering member. Further, since there is no possibility of the collision, there is no possibility that the recording head is damaged due to the collision.
Even if there is a collision, since the covering member is made of a flexible material, there is no possibility that the recording head is damaged due to the collision.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the covering member is a film and extends in a direction in which a side that is an end of the recording medium extends. To do.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same effects as those of the first aspect, it is possible to easily fit the end portion of the recording medium by forming the covering member in a film shape. As a result, the sealed space can be eliminated more reliably by suction, and the end portion of the recording medium and the covering member can be adsorbed to the medium support portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the recording medium is a roll-shaped medium, a pair of the covering members are provided, and both sides of the medium in a state where the roll state is released. It is the structure which covers a side end.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same function and effect as the first or second aspect, the covering member is in a state in which the covering member presses both side edges of the roll-shaped medium. The recording medium can be continuously fed to the downstream side in the feeding direction. In other words, it is not necessary to consider the tip of the recording medium. The configuration having the covering member is particularly effective when the recording medium is a roll-shaped medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, there is provided a pulling means for pulling the covering member in the extending direction of the covering member.
According to the 4th aspect of this invention, in addition to the effect similar to any one of the 1st-3rd aspect, there is no possibility that the said covering member may loosen. As a result, when the end portion of the recording medium is about to rise, the sealed space can be surely formed, and the lifting force can be reliably countered and the lifting can be prevented.
Further, it is possible to more reliably prevent the recording head from colliding with the covering member by loosening.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording medium has a heating unit that heats the recording medium.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same function and effect as in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording apparatus includes a heating unit that heats the recording medium. In such a case, since the recording medium tends to curl, the covering member is particularly effective.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the covering member is configured to be movable in a width direction with respect to a feeding direction of the recording medium.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same function and effect as in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the covering member is configured to be movable in the width direction with respect to the feeding direction of the recording medium. ing. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a case where the size of the recording medium is changed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the covering member is detachable from the base portion of the recording apparatus.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same functions and effects as any one of the first to sixth aspects, the covering member is detachable from the base portion of the recording apparatus. Therefore, the recording medium can be easily set on the medium support portion. When the recording medium is a roll-shaped medium, it is only necessary to set the recording medium once.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the outline of the entire printer according to the invention. The top view which shows the outline of the curl pressing means based on this invention. (A) (B) is front sectional drawing which shows the effect of the curl pressing means of this invention. (A) (B) is a figure which shows the fixation state and removal state of a fixing pin. The figure which shows the example of the floating of the side edge of a paper.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an entire inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 1 as an example of a “recording apparatus” or a “liquid ejecting apparatus” according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the curl pressing means according to the present invention.
Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus refers to an ink jet recording apparatus, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like that performs recording on a recording material by ejecting ink from a recording head as a liquid ejecting head to a recording material such as recording paper. In addition to the recording apparatus, instead of ink, a liquid corresponding to a specific application is ejected from the liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to the ejected material corresponding to the recording material, and the liquid is ejected to the ejected material. Used to include the device to be attached.

  Further, as the liquid ejecting head, in addition to the recording head described above, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display or a surface emitting display (FED). (Conductive paste) A jet head, a bio-organic matter jet head used for biochip manufacturing, a sample jet head for jetting a sample as a precision pipette, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer 1 includes a feeding unit 10, a recording unit 20, and a discharge unit 40. Among these, the feeding unit 10 is provided so as to be able to feed the ejection medium and the roll paper R which is an example of the recording medium to the recording unit 20.
Specifically, the roll medium holder 11 is provided, and the roll medium holder 11 holds the roll-shaped roll paper R. Then, by rotating the roll-shaped roll paper R, the roll paper R in the unrolled state is supplied via the first roller 12 to the recording unit 20 on the downstream side in the feed direction (the arrow direction of the Y axis). It is configured so that it can be sent.
In the present embodiment, the roll paper R will be described as an example of the recording medium, but it is needless to say that a cut sheet or a film material may be used.

In addition, the recording unit 20 is provided so as to be able to perform recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the roll paper R sent from the feeding unit 10.
Specifically, the platen 24, the carriage 21, the recording head 22, and the curl pressing unit 30 are provided. Among these, the platen 24 is provided so that the roll paper R can be supported from the back surface.

The carriage 21 faces the platen 24 and is provided so as to be moved in the feed direction Y of the roll paper R by the power of a carriage motor (not shown) while being guided by a first guide shaft (not shown). .
FIG. 1 shows a state where the platen 24 is retracted to the upstream side in the feed direction. The carriage 21 is provided so as to be movable upstream of the platen 24 so that the operator can easily attach and remove the curl pressing member 31 and move it in the width direction X, which will be described later. is there.

  The recording head 22 is provided on the carriage 21 so as to be able to move integrally with the carriage 21 in the feed direction Y. Further, the recording head 22 is configured to be able to move relative to the carriage 21 in the width direction X. Specifically, it is provided so that it can be moved in the width direction X by the power of a recording head motor (not shown) while being guided by a second guide shaft (not shown). That is, the recording head 22 is configured to be able to move in the feed direction Y and the width direction X within a range facing the platen 24. Then, it is possible to perform recording on the roll paper R by ejecting ink from the nozzle row 23 provided on the surface of the recording head 22 facing the platen 24.

  Further, the platen 24 is provided with a suction means 28, a pressure chamber 27, a plurality of suction holes 26, 26... And a heating means 25. Among these, the suction means 28 is provided so that the air inside the pressure chamber 27 can be sucked into a negative pressure. Specifically, an axial flow fan 29 is provided as an example, and the axial flow fan 29 is configured to suck air inside the pressure chamber 27.

Further, the pressure chamber 27 is connected to a plurality of suction holes 26, 26... Provided vertically above (the Z-axis arrow direction), which is the side of the platen 24 that supports the roll paper R. Accordingly, the air above the platen 24 can be sucked by the suction of the suction means 28 through the plurality of suction holes 26, 26.
In this embodiment, the suction holes 26, 26... Are provided in the entire area of the platen 24. However, at least in the range facing the opposite side ends R1, R1 of the roll paper R and the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31. What is necessary is just to provide.

  The heating means 25 is provided so that the roll paper R on the platen 24 can be heated. This is for accelerating the drying of the ink that has landed on the surface of the roll paper R as the recording is performed. Specifically, it has a nichrome wire 25a as an example. The nichrome wire 25a is arranged inside the entire area of the platen 24 so as to be a certain distance from the upper surface of the platen 24. When energized, the nichrome wire 25 a itself generates heat, and heat can be conducted to the back surface of the roll paper R on the platen 24 that is in contact with the platen 24.

  Here, since the nichrome wire 25 a is provided in the entire region of the platen 24, heat can be generated in the entire region of the platen 24. Since the platen 24 is a smooth surface without unevenness, the upper surface of the platen 24 can be in uniform contact with the roll paper R. Further, the distance from the nichrome wire 25a to the upper surface of the platen 24 is constant. Therefore, heat can be uniformly conducted to the roll paper R on the platen 24. That is, the roll paper R can be warmed uniformly.

  As a result, there is no possibility that the ink may become cloudy or bleed even if so-called overstrike is performed in which the ink is ejected in the same location on the roll paper R. In other words, since the previously ejected ink can be dried by the time when the ink is ejected in layers, there is no possibility that the ink will become cloudy or bleed even if the overstrike is executed. Further, since the ink that has landed on the roll paper R at the time of recording can be dried immediately, the ink on the surface of the roll paper R adheres to the back surface of the preceding roll paper R even if it is taken up by the discharge unit 40 described later. There is no fear of doing it.

  Further, the curl pressing means 30 opposes a so-called lifting force, which is a force that curls the side edge R1 of the roll paper R and separates it from the platen 24 by pressing the side edge R1 of the roll paper R. And it is comprised so that the floating of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R may be prevented. Specifically, the curl pressing means 30 includes a platen 24, a pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 formed as a film of a flexible material, for example, a plurality of suction holes 26, 26,. 28.

Specifically, as will be described later, a sealed space A (see FIG. 3A) is configured by the platen 24, the curl pressing member 31, and the roll paper R at the side end R1 of the roll paper R. Then, the suction means 28 sucks the air inside the sealed space A through the suction holes 26, 26... So that the curl pressing member 31 presses the side end R1 of the roll paper R from above. .
In this embodiment, the curl pressing member 31 is formed in a strip-like thin film having flexibility and flexibility. The Young's modulus is 10,000 MPa (megapascal) or less, and the thickness is 0.5 mm or less. Examples of the material include “polyimide”.

  Furthermore, a first curl pressing attachment portion 35 is disposed upstream of the platen 24 in the feed direction. The first curl pressing attachment portion 35 is provided to be displaceable in the feed direction Y with respect to the base portion 2 of the printer 1. Further, a spring engaging portion 34 that is displaceable in the feed direction Y with respect to the base portion 2 is provided. One end of a plurality of tension springs 32 a and 32 a that are an example of the pulling means 32 is engaged with the spring engaging portion 34.

  The other end is engaged with the first curl pressing attachment portion 35. Furthermore, the spring engaging portion 34 is configured to be displaced in the feed direction Y by the action of a cam (not shown) provided integrally with the spring force switching lever 33 by swinging the spring force switching lever 33. ing. And the spring engaging part 34 is provided so that the 1st curl pressing attachment part 35 can be pulled to a feed direction upstream.

On the other hand, a second curl pressing attachment portion 36 is disposed downstream of the platen 24 in the feed direction. The second curl pressing attachment portion 36 is fixed to the base portion 2 of the printer 1.
One end of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 is attached to the first curl pressing mounting portion 35 by fixing pins 37... And fixing auxiliary members 38. Specifically, one end of the curl pressing member 31 is fixed by fitting the fixing pins 37... Into the first elongated hole portion 35 a extending in the width direction X in the first curl pressing mounting portion 35. The

  On the other hand, the other ends of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 are attached to the second curl pressing attaching portion 36 by fixing pins 37 ... and fixing auxiliary members 38 ... like the one end. Specifically, the other end of the curl pressing member 31 is fixed by fitting the fixing pins 37... Into the second elongated hole portion 36 a extending in the width direction X in the second curl pressing mounting portion 36. Is done.

One end and the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 are fixed at a position slightly lower than the upper surface of the platen 24 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 can lightly press the side end R1 of the roll paper R from above by its own weight. As a result, as will be described later, the outline of the sealed space A (see FIG. 3A) can be configured without a gap. That is, the space can be closed without a gap.
The positions of the one end and the other end of the curl pressing member 31 in the vertical direction Z are preferably the same position as the upper surface of the platen 24 or a position lower than the upper surface. This is because a sealed space A described later can be easily configured.

Further, the one end of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 is pulled to the upstream side in the feed direction by the pulling means 32.
Here, the one end and the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 are positions slightly lower than the upper surface of the platen 24 as described above.
Therefore, a force for pressing downward can be applied to the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31. Then, the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 can more strongly press the side end R1 of the roll paper R from above.
Of course, the other end of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 may be pulled downstream in the feed direction.

  As a result, as will be described later, the contour of the sealed space A can be more reliably configured without a gap. Further, there is no possibility that the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 is loosened. Therefore, there is almost no possibility that the intermediate portion in the extending direction Y of the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 is displaced upward. As a result, the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 can be almost free from contact with the moving recording head 22. In addition, there is almost no possibility that the recording head 22 is damaged by the contact. Here, since the curl pressing member 31 is formed of a flexible material as described above, there is almost no possibility that the recording head 22 is damaged even if it is in contact with the recording head 22.

Furthermore, the roll paper R recorded in the recording unit 20 is sent to the discharge unit 40 via the second roller 13 provided on the downstream side in the feed direction from the platen 24.
The discharge unit 40 is configured to be able to take up the roll paper R sent from the recording unit 20. Specifically, it has a take-up roller 41 and is provided so that the roll paper R can be taken up. The rolled roll paper R is provided so that it can be discharged from the printer 1.

Next, the effect of the curl pressing unit 30 will be described in detail.
3 (A) and 3 (B) are schematic front sectional views showing the operational effects of the curl pressing means of the present invention. Among these, FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a state in which a sealed space is formed when the curl pressing member is placed on the side edge of the roll paper. On the other hand, FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which the sealed space is substantially eliminated by the suction means and the side edges of the roll paper are not lifted.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in a state where the roll paper R is fed onto the platen 24, the operator positions the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 in the width direction X with the side end R1 of the roll paper R. Adjust to the opposite position. Specifically, the fixing pins 37 are loosened and moved in the width direction X in the first elongated hole portion 35a of the first curl pressing attachment portion 35 and in the second elongated hole portion 36a of the second curl pressing attachment portion 36. Let Then, the curl pressing member 31 is disposed on the side end R1 of the roll paper R.

  That is, the curl pressing member 31 is disposed so as to cover the side end R1 of the roll paper R. Strictly speaking, the curl pressing member 31 is disposed so as to straddle the side end R1 of the roll paper R in the width direction X. In other words, one side end E1 of the curl pressing member 31 is brought into contact with the platen 24 outside the side end R1 of the roll paper R. On the other hand, the other side end E2 of the curl pressing member 31 is disposed so as to be located inside the side end R1 of the roll paper R, and the other side end E2 side of the curl pressing member 31 is set to the side end R1 of the roll paper R. Contact with. Thereafter, the fixing pins 37 are fastened and fixed.

At this time, the side edge R1 of the roll paper R is heated by the heating means 25 and tends to curl. Therefore, the side end R1 curls so as to float upward.
Therefore, the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 are placed on the side end R 1 of the roll paper R, and the triangular sealed space A as viewed from the feeding direction Y by the platen 24, the vicinity of the side end R 1 of the roll paper R and the curl pressing member 31 is formed. Configure.

That is, it is a closed triangular sealed space A with the platen 24 as the bottom, the vicinity of the side edge R1 of the roll paper R as one oblique side, and the curl pressing member 31 as the other oblique side.
Here, as described above, since the downward pressing force acts on the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31, one side end E 1 of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 is connected to the platen 24. At least in line contact. Similarly, the surface on the other side end E2 side of the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31 can be brought into at least line contact with the side end R1 of the roll paper R.

Further, the plurality of suction holes 26, 26... Are provided in the region on the platen 24 at least in the region facing the side edges R 1 and R 1 of the roll paper R and the curl pressing members 31 and 31. Therefore, the suction means 28 can suck the air in the sealed space A through the suction holes 26, 26.
As shown in FIG. 3B, when the air in the sealed space A is sucked through the suction holes 26, 26,..., The inside of the sealed space A becomes negative pressure. Therefore, both side ends R 1 and R 1 of the roll paper R and the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 are in close contact with the platen 24. That is, it will be in the adsorbed state.

At this time, the “force to press down” the roll paper R is a product of “suction force” and “space surface area”. Here, the “suction force” means a force that the suction means 28 sucks through the suction holes 26, 26. Further, the “space surface area” refers to an area where the air in the sealed space A contacts the curl pressing member 31 and the vicinity of the side end R1 of the roll paper R.
Accordingly, the side edge R1 of the roll paper R can be pressed with a large force as compared with the configuration without the curl pressing member 31. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently counter the lifting force of the roll paper R, and the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R can be brought into close contact with the platen 24. That is, as a result, the floating can be prevented.

  Here, if the lifting force of the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R gradually increases and acts to push the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 upward, the sealed space A again becomes large. Although it is going to be done, negative pressure acts very strongly. Therefore, once the sealed space A disappears as shown in FIG. 3B, there is almost no possibility that the both side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R will float unless the suction means 28 is turned off.

As described above, by providing the pair of curl pressing members 31, 31, the pressing force can be opposed to the lifting force of the both side ends R 1, R 1 of the roll paper R. Then, both side ends R 1 and R 1 of the roll paper R can be brought into close contact with the platen 24.
Further, even when both side ends R1, R1 of the roll paper R are already lifted from the platen 24, by forming the sealed space A, the suction force ensures that the side edges R1, R1 can be extended. Then, both side ends R 1 and R 1 of the roll paper R can be brought into close contact with the platen 24.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the side edge R1 of the roll paper R curls by heating and generates a lifting force. However, the cause of the lifting force is not limited to heating. Similarly, when the roll paper R absorbs the moisture of the ink to cause a lifting force due to expansion and undulation deformation, the lifting can be prevented.
In addition, when the roll paper R has a tendency that the lifting force tends to be relatively large depending on the material of the paper, it is a matter of course that the lifting force can be surely countered by increasing the width of the curl pressing member 31.

  In addition, the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 may remain set, except when changing the size and paper type of the roll paper R and when resetting. In other words, the roll paper R can be fed to the downstream side in the feed direction while the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 press the both side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R. In such a case, both side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R are fed downstream in the feed direction while sliding between the platen 24 and the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31.

  In the range where the curl pressing member 31 and the side end R1 of the roll paper R overlap, the suction force acting on the curl pressing member 31 is very small. This is because it is not in direct contact with the sealed space A. Therefore, when the roll paper R is sent to the downstream side in the feed direction, the dynamic frictional force between the curl pressing member 31 and the side end R1 of the roll paper R is very small. As a result, there is no possibility of preventing the roll paper R from being fed downstream in the feed direction.

  In order to eliminate the dynamic frictional force between the roll paper R and the platen 24, a third roller (not shown) is disposed below the axial fan 29, and the first roller 12 and the second roller 13 are disposed. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a roll paper R is fed on the belt by winding a belt provided with a plurality of holes in the third roller. This is a so-called suction belt mechanism. In such a case, since the roll paper R is fed to the downstream side in the feed direction together with the belt while being attracted to the belt by the suction means 28, the dynamic friction force between the roll paper R and the platen 24 can be eliminated.

Subsequently, attachment / detachment of the curl pressing member 31 will be described.
4A and 4B are enlarged views showing an outline of the other end side of the curl pressing member. Among these, FIG. 4 (A) is a figure which shows the attached state. On the other hand, FIG. 4 (B) is a diagram showing a removed state.
4 (A) and 4 (B), the fixing pins 37 are loosened and removed while the suction means 28 is turned off.

Then, the curl pressing member 31 can be detached from the second curl pressing mounting portion 36. The same applies to the first curl pressing attachment portion 35 side. The description is omitted.
The curl pressing member 31 can be pulled away from the platen 24 even when the suction means 28 is kept ON. If the curl pressing member 31 is lifted from one end side, it can be easily pulled away from the platen 24.

Further, when the fixing pins 37 are inserted through the holes at the other end of the curl pressing member 31 and fastened to the second elongated hole portion 36a, the curling pressing member 31 can be attached to the second curl pressing mounting portion 36. it can. The same applies to the first curl pressing attachment portion 35 side. The description is omitted.
Furthermore, when the fixing pins 37 are loosened, the fixing pins 37 and the curl pressing member 31 can be moved in the width direction X. Even when the roll paper R is changed to a roll paper R of a different size, the position of the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 can be accommodated by overlapping the opposite side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R.

  In this embodiment, the roll paper R has been described as an example, but a cut sheet may be used. In such a case, the pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 may be configured to press only the width direction opposite side ends (R1, R1) with respect to the sheet feeding direction Y, but the leading and trailing ends in the feeding direction may be configured. You may comprise so that it may also hold down. In such a case, it is necessary to provide four curl pressing members 31 so as to correspond to the four sides of the cut sheet.

As described above, the sealed space A can be configured by providing the curl pressing means 30. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R from being lifted.
Further, since the curl pressing member 31 is formed of a flexible material, even if the curling pressing member 31 is slightly displaced upward by the lifting force and contacts the moving recording head 22, There is no risk of damage.

Further, by providing a plurality of suction holes 26, 26... In the entire area of the platen 24, it is possible to prevent the roll paper R from being lifted even at the center side in the width direction X. That is, it is possible to prevent the roll paper R from being lifted not only on both side ends R1 and R1 but also on the whole.
Since the curl pressing member 31 contacts only the both side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R which is a margin, there is no possibility of damaging the recording area on the surface actually recorded.

Further, since the curl pressing member 31 is pulled by the pulling means 32, there is no possibility that the curl pressing member 31 is loosened on the platen 24. Therefore, the possibility that the curl pressing member 31 contacts the recording head 22 can be reduced.
Furthermore, since the curl pressing member 31 is detachable, it is easy for an operator to set. Further, it is possible to easily cope with the size change.

  A printer 1 as a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a recording head 22 that performs recording by discharging ink onto a roll paper R that is an example of a recording medium, and a medium support unit that supports the roll paper R. The platen 24 is formed of a flexible material, faces the side edges R1 and R1 which are the ends of the roll paper R on the platen 24, and covers the side edges R1 and R1 while protruding outward from the side edges R1 and R1. The curl pressing members 31 and 31 as the covering members, and the platen 24 via a plurality of suction holes 26 and 26 provided at least at positions facing the curl pressing members 31 and 31 and the suction holes 26 and 26. An axial flow fan 29 is provided as suction means 28 for sucking air on the roll paper R side from the platen 24 toward the platen 24 side.

Further, in the present embodiment, the curl pressing members 31 and 31 are in the form of a film and extend in the feeding direction Y, which is the direction in which the sides that are the side edges R1 and R1 of the roll paper R extend. It is characterized by.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recording medium is a roll-shaped roll paper R, and a pair of curl pressing members 31 and 31 are provided, and both side ends R1 and R1 of the roll paper R in the unrolled state. It is the structure which covers.

In addition, the present embodiment is characterized by having tension springs 32 a and 32 a as tension means 32 for pulling the curl pressing members 31 and 31 in the feed direction Y that is the extending direction of the curl pressing member 31.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, it has the nichrome wire 25a as the heating means 25 for heating the roll paper R.

Further, in the present embodiment, the curl pressing members 31 and 31 are configured to be movable in the width direction X with respect to the feeding direction Y of the roll paper R.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the curl pressing members 31 and 31 are detachable from the base portion 2 of the printer 1.

In the above embodiment, the heating means 25 has a heat conduction type (also referred to as a contact type), but may be a convection type. Here, the “heat conduction type” means a method of transferring heat from the high temperature part to the low temperature part through the inside of the object. That is, this is a system that conducts heat to the roll paper side when a high-temperature object comes into contact with the roll paper. The “convection type” refers to a method of transferring heat by a fluid such as gas or liquid.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer (recording apparatus), 2 base | substrate part, 10 feeding part, 11 roll medium holder, 12 1st roller, 13 2nd roller, 20 recording part, 21 carriage, 22 recording head, 23 nozzle row, 24 platen, 25 Heating means, 25a Nichrome wire, 26 suction hole, 27 pressure chamber, 28 suction means, 29 axial fan, 30 curl pressing means, 31 curl pressing member, 32 tensioning means, 32a tension spring, 33 spring force switching lever, 34 spring Engaging portion, 35 first curl pressing attachment portion, 35a first elongated hole portion, 36 second curl pressing attachment portion, 36a second elongated hole portion, 37 fixing pin, 38 fixing auxiliary member, 40 discharge portion, 41 Winding roller, 100 recording device, 101 platen, 102 fan, 103 suction hole, 104 paper 105 end, A closed space, one side edge of the E1 curl suppressing member, E2 other side edge of the curl suppressing member, R roll paper, R1 end, X width, Y feed direction, Z the vertical direction.

Claims (6)

A recording head that performs recording by discharging ink to a recording medium;
A medium support unit for supporting the recording medium;
A covering member that is formed of a flexible material, faces the end of the recording medium on the medium support, and covers the end while protruding outward from the end;
A plurality of suction holes provided at a position facing at least the covering member in the medium support portion;
A suction means for sucking air on the recording medium side from the medium support portion to the medium support portion side through the suction hole;
A recording apparatus comprising pulling means for pulling the covering member in the extending direction of the covering member.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering member has a film shape and extends in a direction in which a side that is an end portion of the recording medium extends. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording medium is a roll-shaped medium,
A recording apparatus having a configuration in which a pair of the covering members is provided and covers both side ends of the medium in a state where the roll state is released.   4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heating unit that heats the recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering member is configured to be movable in a width direction with respect to a feeding direction of a recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering member is detachable from a base portion of the recording apparatus.

Images