JP2018114708A - Conveying device and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change an opening/closing state of a plurality of suction holes and facilitate securement of suction force with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A shutter drum 43 rotates around a rotation axis L1 extending in a width direction X. A suction fan 42 generates a negative pressure in an internal space of the shutter drum 43. One suction hole adjacent to the width direction X is a first suction hole. The other suction hole 51 is a second suction hole. A first communication passage includes a suction chamber K2 communicating with the first suction hole, and a communication hole 33B. A second communication passage includes the suction chamber K2 communicating with a second suction hole, and a communication hole 33B. In this case, the shutter drum 43 functions as a shutter for selectively changing an opening/closing state of the first and second communication passages in response to rotation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and a printing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printing apparatus that includes an inkjet head that ejects ink onto a conveyed medium, a placement surface on which the medium is placed, and a suction platen that has a suction hole that opens on the placement surface.
This type of printing apparatus has an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the air hole group that generates negative pressure in the belt width direction, and this adjustment mechanism opens and closes a plurality of branch portions connected to the air holes. A configuration including an on-off valve is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The printing apparatus may also include a configuration in which the upper platen has a plurality of platen holes, and the lower platen has a plurality of plate members that slide in the sub-scanning direction and change the sizes of the holes that penetrate the upper and lower platens. It is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2008-183825 A JP 2012-51331 A

However, in the conventional configuration, it is necessary to provide a plurality of branch portions, on-off valves, and the like, or to provide a plurality of plate members that slide in the sub-scanning direction, which increases the number of parts and complicates the configuration.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to change the open / close state of a plurality of suction holes with a simple configuration and to easily secure a suction force.

In order to achieve the above object, a transport apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting surface on which a medium to be transported is mounted, and a first suction opening at an opening on the mounting surface and spaced in a predetermined direction. A hole and a second suction hole; a first communication path communicating with the first suction hole; a second communication path communicating with the second suction hole; and an axis extending in the predetermined direction. A shutter drum that rotates and selectively changes the open / closed state of the first and second communication passages according to the rotation; and the communication passage in an open state by generating a negative pressure in the internal space of the shutter drum. A suction fan that applies a suction force to the suction hole communicating with the suction hole.
According to the present invention, compared with a conventional configuration in which a plurality of branch portions and an on-off valve are provided, or a conventional configuration in which a plurality of plate members are provided, the open / closed states of the plurality of suction holes are changed with a simple configuration, and A suction force can be easily secured.

  In the present invention, the predetermined direction is a width direction intersecting with the transport direction of the medium. According to the present invention, the suction range in the width direction can be expanded.

  In the present invention, the predetermined direction is a conveyance direction of the medium. According to the present invention, it is possible to selectively change the open / closed state of the suction holes provided at intervals in the medium transport direction.

  Further, according to the present invention, the communication path includes a suction chamber that is adjacent to the predetermined direction and communicates with the suction hole between the placement surface and the shutter drum, the suction chamber, and the shutter drum. And a communication hole for communicating with each other. According to the present invention, it is easy to secure a wide suction space between the suction hole and the shutter drum that are spaced apart in a predetermined direction.

  Further, in the present invention, the shutter drum has a cylindrical shape that is hollow inside and extends in the predetermined direction about the axis, and one end of the shutter drum opens, and from the end, The air in the shutter drum is discharged by the suction fan. According to the present invention, the shutter drum and the suction fan can be easily and compactly arranged, which is advantageous in reducing the intake resistance.

  According to the present invention, the shutter drum has an opening portion that opens the communication path along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum at positions corresponding to the first and second communication paths, And a rib extending along the circumferential direction is provided between the opening portions corresponding to the first and second communication passages. According to the present invention, the open / close state of each communication passage can be changed with a simple configuration, and a shutter drum having sufficient rigidity can be easily provided.

Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes an inkjet head that ejects ink onto a conveyed medium, a suction platen having a placement surface on which the medium is placed, an opening on the placement surface, and an interval in a predetermined direction. A first suction hole, a second suction hole, a first communication path communicating with the first suction hole, and a second communication path communicating with the second suction hole. A shutter drum that rotates about an axis extending in the predetermined direction and selectively changes the open / closed state of the first communication path and the second communication path according to the rotation, and an internal space of the shutter drum. A suction fan that generates a negative pressure and applies a suction force to the suction hole communicating with the open communication path.
According to the present invention, compared with a conventional configuration in which a plurality of branch portions and an on-off valve are provided, or a conventional configuration in which a plurality of plate members are provided, the open / closed states of the plurality of suction holes are changed with a simple configuration, and A suction force can be easily secured.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the II-II cross section of FIG. 1 typically. The perspective view of a platen unit. The figure which looked at the platen unit from the front side. The disassembled perspective view of a suction platen. The perspective view of the box body of a suction platen. VII-VII sectional drawing in the platen unit of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the platen unit at the time of rotating a shutter drum to the rotation position different from FIG. The figure which shows the channel | path structure between a shutter drum and a suction platen. XX sectional drawing of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the structural example at the time of using a valve body instead of a shutter drum.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printing apparatus 10 is a printer that prints on a continuous sheet S (recording medium, medium) such as a label sheet in which labels are attached to a long mount at regular intervals, and is also referred to as a label printer. The printing apparatus 10 is connected to an information processing terminal via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and performs printing based on print data transmitted from the information processing terminal. Do.
In FIG. 1 and each drawing to be described later, the symbol FR indicates the front of the printing device 10, the symbol LH indicates the left side of the printing device 10, the symbol RH indicates the right side of the printing device 10, and the symbol UP indicates the printing device 10. Is shown above.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes a rectangular parallelepiped apparatus case 11 that constitutes a casing of the printing apparatus 10. An operation panel 12 having operation buttons and the like is provided on the front FR side surface of the device case 11. A drawer-type ink cartridge replacement port 13 is provided below the operation panel 12. Further, a slit-shaped paper discharge port (medium discharge port) 14 through which the printed continuous paper S is discharged is provided on the right RH side from the operation panel 12.

  A waste ink tank replacement port 15 is provided on the surface of the apparatus case 11 on the right RH side, vertically below the front FR side, and a roll paper feed port 16 is provided behind the waste ink tank replacement port 15. Is provided. An opening / closing lid (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the device case 11. By opening the opening / closing lid, the guide unit 18 provided in the transport path 21 (described later) of the continuous paper S is exposed.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a II-II section of FIG.
The printing apparatus 10 includes a roll paper loading unit 20 in which a roll paper 100 obtained by winding the continuous paper S in a roll shape is loaded, a conveyance path 21 from the roll paper loading unit 20 toward the paper discharge port 14 of the apparatus case 11, and conveyance And a printing unit 22 that performs printing on the continuous paper S at a predetermined position in the path 21. The continuous paper S is not limited to label paper, and various types of paper can be used. For example, a sheet folded along perforations provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction may be used.

The roll paper loading unit (medium loading unit) 20 is disposed below the apparatus case 11 in the vertical direction on the rear side opposite to the front direction FR. The conveyance path 21 includes a first path 21A that extends upward from the roll paper loading unit 20 and a second path 21B that extends from the upper end of the first path 21A toward the front FR side.
The second path 21B has a transport mechanism including a plurality of rollers and a motor that drives the rollers. The transport mechanism transports the continuous paper S from the upstream side toward the downstream paper discharge port 14. The printing apparatus 10 can convey the continuous paper S in the reverse direction by switching the rotation direction of the motor.
The roll paper loaded in the roll paper loading unit 20 is rotated by the roll paper rotation shaft 23. The conveyance path 21 has a tension lever 24 that applies a constant tension to the continuous paper. The tension lever 24 reduces the occurrence of slack in the transport path 21.

In the second path 21B, a guide unit 18 and a platen unit 46 having a suction platen 31 are provided. In the second path 21 </ b> B, the suction platen 31 is located on the front FR side from the guide unit 18.
The guide unit 18 functions as a paper guide for the continuous paper S. The guide unit 18 includes a plate-like feed plate 18A (FIG. 1) positioned vertically below the continuous paper S to be transported, and a width direction X that intersects the transport direction of the continuous paper S with respect to the feed plate 18A. Guide walls 18L and 18R are provided on both sides (see FIG. 3). The guide wall 18L is located on the left LH side (one side) with respect to the feed plate 18A, and the guide wall 18R is located on the right RH side (other side) with respect to the feed plate 18A.
The guide walls 18L and 18R extend in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper S, and come into contact with side edges (side edges) that are ends of the continuous paper S being conveyed in the width direction X intersecting the conveyance direction. Guide the position of.

The guide wall 18L is included in a fixed guide whose position is fixed. The guide wall 18R is included in a movable guide that moves relative to the fixed guide. According to this configuration, when the user of the printing apparatus 10 adjusts the position of the guide according to the paper width of the continuous paper S, the side edge of the continuous paper is in contact with the guide wall on the fixed guide side. The position of the other guide can be adjusted, and continuous paper can be easily set. In this configuration, the side edge of the continuous paper S that contacts the guide wall 18L on the fixed guide side is always aligned at the same position in the width direction X that intersects the transport direction, regardless of the paper width of the continuous paper S. Be transported. Further, the guide walls 18L and 18R prevent the continuous paper S from being skewed.
In this embodiment, the guide is provided on both sides in the width direction X, but the guide may be provided only on one side. In this case, the continuous paper S is transported in a state in which the side end is in contact with a guide provided only on one side.

  The printing unit 22 includes an inkjet head (liquid ejection head) 22A that ejects ink onto the conveyed continuous paper S. The inkjet head 22A discharges ink from the ink cartridge to form dots on the continuous paper S, and prints an image by combining the dots. The inkjet head 22A is provided at a position facing the suction platen 31 across the second path 21B. In the present embodiment, the inkjet head 22 </ b> A is disposed above the suction platen 31 in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the ink jet head 22 </ b> A ejects ink toward the continuous paper S passing between the suction platen 31.

The printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a line printer in which the inkjet head 22A has a nozzle row over substantially the entire width of the continuous paper S.
The suction platen 31 has a placement surface 31A, and the continuous paper S placed on the placement surface 31A is sucked by a suction unit described later. The printing apparatus 10 can transport the continuous paper S while reducing the floating of the continuous paper S by transporting the continuous paper S in a state where the suction platen 31 is operated, that is, in a state where the continuous paper S is sucked. Thereby, the platen gap between the continuous paper S and the inkjet head 22A is also properly maintained. Note that when the continuous paper S wound in a roll shape is conveyed, the configuration of the suction platen 31 is particularly effective because the continuous paper S is likely to float from the placement surface 31A due to the curl.

3 is a perspective view of the platen unit 46, and FIG. 4 is an external view of the platen unit 46 viewed from the front FR side.
The platen unit 46 includes a suction platen 31, a support frame 41, a suction fan 42, a shutter drum unit 43, and a drum cover (shutter cover) 44. The suction platen 31 is a plate-like platen that extends in the width direction X, which is a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the second path 21B. The suction platen 31 is supported by a pair of support frames 41 provided at intervals in the width direction X.

  The suction fan 42, the shutter drum 43 </ b> A included in the shutter drum unit 43, and the drum cover 44 are disposed between the pair of support frames 41 and on the opposite side of the suction platen 31 from the inkjet head 22 </ b> A (below the suction platen 31 in the vertical direction). Side). As will be described later, the suction fan 42 functions as a suction unit that causes the suction platen 31 to generate a suction force.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the suction platen 31.
The suction platen 31 includes a placement plate 32 having a placement surface 31A on which the continuous paper S is placed, and a box 33 whose opening is covered by the placement plate 32. The placement plate 32 is a member extending in the width direction X that intersects the transport direction of the continuous paper S.
The mounting plate 32 has a plurality of suction holes 51 that open to the mounting surface 31A. The mounting plate 32 includes a first suction hole 51A as a plurality of suction holes 51, and a second suction hole 51B provided at an interval in the width direction X with respect to the first suction hole 51A. In the present embodiment, the first suction hole 51A is located on the right RH side from the second suction hole 51B. The placement plate 32 has a third suction hole 51 </ b> C that overlaps with the first suction hole 51 </ b> A in the width direction X and that is provided at an interval in the transport direction of the continuous paper S. As will be described later, the first suction hole 51A, the second suction hole 51B, and the third suction hole 51C all communicate with any one of the plurality of suction chambers K2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box 33.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the box 33 includes a plurality of partition plates 33 </ b> A that partition the space between the placement plates 32 in the width direction X of the continuous paper S with an interval. The bottom plate of the box 33 is provided with a communication hole 33B that communicates with a space partitioned by the partition plate 33A.
In this configuration, the air in each space partitioned by the partition plate 33A is sucked by the suction fan 42 through the communication holes 33B. Thus, the space partitioned by the partition plate 33A functions as a negative pressure chamber lower than the atmospheric pressure, that is, a suction chamber. Therefore, the suction fan 42 generates a negative pressure in the suction hole 51 communicating with the suction chamber, and a suction force for sucking the continuous paper S is generated.

As shown in FIG. 6, the box 33 includes a suction chamber K <b> 1 and a plurality of suction chambers K <b> 2 provided between the suction chamber K <b> 1 and the end of the box 33 as suction chambers.
In the present embodiment, the suction chamber K1 is located on the side (left LH side) where the fixed guide is located in the guide unit 18 in the width direction X. As described above, the end of the continuous paper S that is transported that contacts the guide wall 18L included in the fixed guide is transported at the same position in the width direction X regardless of the paper width of the continuous paper S. For this reason, even if the width of the continuous paper S changes, the continuous paper S exists in the area where the suction chamber K1 is provided in the placement plate 32.

In the present embodiment, the suction chamber K1 has a shape corresponding to a region where the continuous paper S having the narrowest width exists. The suction chamber K1 communicates with the suction hole 51 located in the area, and the width W1 (FIG. 6) which is the length in the width direction X of the suction chamber K1 is the width of the area where the continuous paper S having the minimum width can exist. This corresponds to the length in the direction X. As a result, the suction chamber K1 functions as a chamber in which the suction hole 51 provided in the region where the continuous paper S having the minimum width is conveyed has a negative pressure.
In the present embodiment, the suction chamber K1 has a shape extending in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper S, and communicates with the plurality of suction holes 51 whose positions in the width direction X overlap. As a result, all the suction holes 51 arranged in the area where the continuous paper S having the minimum width is conveyed are set to a negative pressure by the suction chamber K1.

The width W2 (FIG. 6), which is the length in the width direction X of the suction chamber K2, corresponds to the interval between the suction holes 51 adjacent in the width direction X. In particular, in the present embodiment, the width W2 matches the interval between the adjacent suction holes 51. The plurality of suction chambers K2 function as chambers that make the suction holes 51 that do not communicate with the first suction chamber K1 negative pressure in a predetermined unit.
In the present embodiment, each suction chamber K2 has a shape extending in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper S, and communicates with the plurality of suction holes 51 whose positions in the width direction X overlap. That is, the first suction hole 51A and the third suction hole 51C communicate with the same suction chamber K2. As a result, the suction hole 51 communicating with the suction chamber K2 is set to a negative pressure for each suction hole 51 having the same position in the width direction X.
In the present embodiment, the width W2 coincides with the interval between the adjacent suction holes 51, and the negative pressure is set for each suction hole 51 whose position in the width direction X is the same, but the interval between the width W2 and the suction hole 51 is The correspondence relationship is not limited to this. For example, if the width W2 is a length corresponding to twice the interval between the suction holes 51, the region where the suction holes that are made negative by one suction chamber K2 are arranged is twice that of the present embodiment. The control related to the configuration of the box 33 and the change of the sucked area is simplified.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication hole 33B of the suction chamber K1 is an opening larger than the communication hole 33B of the suction chamber K2. For this reason, the air in the suction chamber K1 communicating with the larger number of suction holes 51 than the suction chamber K2 is quickly sucked, and the negative pressure is easily generated in the large number of suction holes 51 communicating with the suction chamber K1.
The communication hole 33B of the suction chamber K2 is provided at the center position in the transport direction in the suction chamber K2. Thereby, it becomes easy to generate a negative pressure appropriately in the plurality of suction holes 51 arranged in the transport direction.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in the platen unit 46 of FIG.
The shutter drum unit 43 includes a shutter drum 43 </ b> A positioned between the pair of support frames 41 below the suction platen 31 in the vertical direction. The shutter drum 43A is supported by a pair of support frames 41 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis L1 extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the continuous paper S. The shutter drum 43A is hollow and has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction X of the suction platen 31 with the rotation axis L1 as the center. One end of the shutter drum 43A (in this embodiment, the fixed guide side of the guide unit 18) is open. The suction fan 42 described above is adjacent to the open end.

The shutter drum 43A has an opening 43H. When the opening 43H is located at a position corresponding to the communication hole 33B for each suction chamber K2, the inside of the shutter drum 43A and the suction chamber K2 are communicated with each other through the communication hole 33B. The shutter drum 43A has a closing portion 43T. When the closing portion 43T is located at a position corresponding to the communication hole 33B for each suction chamber K2, the opening on the shutter drum 43A side of the communication hole 33B is blocked by the binding portion 43T.
The opening portion 43H and the closing portion 43T are formed along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A. For this reason, the opening part 43H or the closing part 43T is located at a position corresponding to the predetermined communication hole 33B by rotating the shutter drum 43A around the rotation axis L1 to a predetermined rotation position. Therefore, by rotation of the shutter drum 43A, the predetermined communication hole 33B communicates with the shutter drum 43A, or the opening of the predetermined communication hole 33B on the shutter drum 43A side is shielded.

The shutter drum 43A has an opening 43H that opens the communication hole 33B and a communication hole 33B in a closed state along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A at positions corresponding to the communication holes 33B of the suction chamber K2. And a closing portion 43T.
As shown in FIG. 7, the closing portion 43T includes a fully closing portion TA that extends in the same direction as the rotation axis L1 and bridges between both ends of the shutter drum 43A. When the fully closed portion TA is arranged at a position facing the communication hole 33B by the rotation of the shutter drum 43A, all of the communication holes 33B communicating with the suction chamber K2 are closed. Further, since the fully closed portion TA crosses the shutter drum 43A in the width direction X, it is also used as a frame member or a reinforcing member of the shutter drum 43A.
The opening 43H includes a full opening HA (see FIG. 7) in which all positions corresponding to the communication holes 33B of the suction chamber K2 are opened along the same direction as the rotation axis L1. For this reason, when the fully opened portion HA is disposed at a position facing the communication hole 33B by the rotation of the shutter drum 43A, all of the communication holes 33B communicating with the suction chamber K2 are communicated with the shutter drum 43A.

The shutter drum 43A has a “first angle state”, which is a rotational position where all of the communication holes 33B communicating with the suction chamber K2 are open, and a rotational position where at least one of the communication holes 33B is closed (position shown in FIG. 7). Etc.) that are “second angle state”.
The shutter drum 43A has an arcuate rib 43R extending along the circumferential direction. The opening 43H is partitioned in the width direction X by the rib 43R. Since the rib 43R exists on the entire circumference of the shutter drum 43A, the rib 43R also functions as a reinforcing member (reinforcing rib) that reinforces the shutter drum 43A.

  The shutter drum unit 43 includes a shaft portion 43J that protrudes from the shutter drum 43A in the direction of the rotation axis L1, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power to the shaft portion 43J. The power transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft 43K that is rotated by power from a drive motor (not shown), and a reduction gear mechanism 43G that transmits power between the shaft portion 43J and the drive shaft 43K. The power of a drive motor (not shown) is transmitted to the shutter drum 43A and is driven to rotate. In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 43J and the drive shaft 43K are pivotally supported by the support frame 41 on the right RH side, as shown in FIG. The reduction gear mechanism 43G is provided on the opposite side to the shutter drum 43A in the support frame 41 on the right RH side.

In the printing apparatus 10, a control unit (not shown) adjusts the rotation position (rotation angle) of the shutter drum 43A by controlling the rotation amount (or rotation angle) of the drive motor. For example, the control unit can acquire information related to the width of the continuous paper S from detection by a sensor (not shown) or driver settings, and control the rotational position of the shutter drum 43A according to the width.
In FIG. 7, in the shutter drum 43A, the communication holes 33B of the suction chamber K2 from the suction chamber K1 side to the eighth suction chamber K2 in the suction chamber K2 communicate with the shutter drum 43A, and the remaining communication holes 33B of the suction chamber K2. However, it is the state rotated to the position shielded by the closing part 43T.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the shutter drum 43A of the present embodiment, the start position of the closing portion 43T is shifted by a predetermined angle along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A as it goes to the right RH side of the rotation axis L1. Formed.
Therefore, when the shutter drum 43A rotates in the first direction among the circumferential directions of the shutter drum 43A, the number of communication holes 33B that continuously open from the suction chamber K1 (left LH) side increases according to the rotation. When the shutter drum 43A rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the number of communication holes 33B that continuously open from the suction chamber K1 side decreases according to the rotation.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the platen unit 46 when the shutter drum 43A is rotated to a rotational position different from that in FIG. In FIG. 8, the shutter drum 43A is rotated in the second direction from the position shown in FIG. 7, and the number of the communication holes 33B of the suction chamber K2 continuously opened from the suction chamber K1 side is 8 to 5. The changed state is shown.
That is, according to the rotation of the shutter drum 43A, a predetermined passage in the width direction X is established with respect to the communication path (suction chamber K2 and communication hole 33B) communicating with the first suction hole 51A and the first suction hole 51A. The open / closed state of the communication passage communicating with the suction hole 51B provided to be vacant is selectively changed.
Therefore, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment adjusts the rotational position of the shutter drum 43A according to the width of the continuous paper S, so that the area where the continuous paper S exists in the suction holes 51 communicating with each suction chamber K2. Only the suction hole 51 corresponding to can be communicated with the shutter drum 43A.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the communication hole 33B communicating with the suction chamber K1 communicates with the intake passage 45 provided between the suction fan 42 and the shutter drum 43A. The intake passage 45 is made negative pressure by sucking the internal air by the suction fan 42. Thereby, when the suction fan 42 is driven, a negative pressure is always generated in the suction hole 51 communicating with the suction chamber K1, and the suction force of the continuous paper S is generated.
A configuration in which the intake passage 45 is omitted is also possible. In this case, the shutter drum 43A may have a shape that extends to the lower side in the vertical direction of the suction chamber K1, and may have a shape in which an opening 43H that always opens the communication hole 33B of the suction chamber K1 is provided.

The drum cover 44 is a cover that covers at least a part of the shutter drum 43 </ b> A and has an opening in a region corresponding to the communication hole 33 </ b> B provided in the bottom surface of the suction platen 31.
Due to the drum cover 44, the interior of the shutter drum 43 </ b> A is not communicated with the space outside the drum cover 44 and is a space closed from the periphery. Further, the region corresponding to the communication hole 33B communicates with the communication hole 33B and the shutter drum 43A through an opening.

  The suction fan 42 is disposed between the support frame 41 on the suction chamber K1 side and the shutter drum 43A with respect to the suction chamber K2 and below the suction platen 31 in the vertical direction. The suction fan 42 discharges air in the internal space of the intake passage 45 and the shutter drum 43A communicating with the suction chamber K1 to the outside. That is, the suction fan 42 functions as a suction unit that generates negative pressure in the suction hole 51 by setting the intake passage 45 and the internal space to negative pressure.

In this configuration, one end (left side in the present embodiment) of the shutter drum 43A is opened, and air in the shutter drum 43A is discharged from this end by the suction fan 42, so that the communication path is subdivided. Compared to the case, the air in the shutter drum 43A can be discharged efficiently along the direction of the rotation axis L1 of the shutter drum 43A.
Furthermore, since the suction fan 42 is disposed adjacent to the direction of the rotation axis L1 of the shutter drum 43A, a compact arrangement is possible. In addition, the air passage between the shutter drum 43A and the suction fan 42 can be shortened, which is advantageous in reducing the intake resistance. Therefore, the suction fan 42 can efficiently make negative pressure in the shutter drum 43A, and is also advantageous for noise reduction.
In this embodiment, the suction fan 42 is provided as a suction unit that generates a negative pressure in the suction hole. However, a mechanism such as a vacuum pump may be applied instead of the suction fan 42.

  As described above, the present embodiment includes the shutter drum 43 that rotates about the rotation axis L <b> 1 extending in the width direction X and the suction fan 42 that generates a negative pressure in the internal space of the shutter drum 43. The shutter drum 43 is a shutter that selectively changes the open / closed state of the first communication path communicating with the first suction hole 51A and the second communication path communicating with the second suction hole 51B according to rotation. Function. Further, the suction fan 42 functions as a suction unit that generates a suction force in a suction hole communicating with the open communication path.

  According to this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with a conventional configuration in which a plurality of branch portions and on-off valves are provided or a conventional configuration in which a plurality of plate members are provided. Further, the air inside the shutter drum 43A is sucked by the suction fan 42 and negative pressure is generated in the internal space of the shutter drum 43A, which is advantageous in reducing the intake resistance. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to change the open / closed state of the plurality of suction holes 51 and to easily secure the suction force. In addition, since the suction holes 51 are provided at intervals in the width direction X, the suction range in the width direction X can be expanded.

The shutter drum 43A is hollow inside and extends in the width direction X around the rotation axis L1. In this configuration, one end (left side in the present embodiment) of the shutter drum 43A is opened, and air in the shutter drum 43A is discharged from this end by the suction fan 42, so that the communication path is subdivided. Compared to the case, the air in the shutter drum 43A can be discharged efficiently along the direction of the rotation axis L1 of the shutter drum 43A. Further, the shutter drum 43 and the suction fan 42 can be easily and compactly arranged, which is advantageous for reducing the intake resistance.
Further, the shutter drum 43A has an opening 43H that opens the communication path and a communication path in a closed state along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A at positions corresponding to the first and second communication paths. And a closing portion 43T. Further, a rib 43R extending along the circumferential direction is provided between the opening portions 43H corresponding to the first and second communication paths. According to this configuration, the open / close state of each communication path can be changed with a simple configuration, and it becomes easy to provide the shutter drum 43A having sufficient rigidity.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the suction platen 31 (platen unit 46) provided in the printing apparatus 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a conveying device of a printing apparatus other than the ink jet method, and is not limited to a printing apparatus, and the present invention is applied to a conveying apparatus that conveys a conveyed object (medium) other than continuous paper S. It is also possible to apply.

<A passage structure between the shutter drum 43A and the suction platen 31>
Next, the passage structure between the shutter drum 43A and the suction platen 31 will be described.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 7 and shows a passage structure between the shutter drum 43 </ b> A and the suction platen 31. In FIG. 7, the communication hole 33B of the suction chamber K2 from the suction chamber K1 (left LH) side to the eighth suction chamber K2 in the suction chamber K2 communicates with the shutter drum 43A. FIG. 9 shows the eighth and ninth suction chambers K2 from the left LH side. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the drum cover 44 is a member including a surface of the suction platen 31 on the shutter drum 43 </ b> A side. The drum cover 44 is provided with a plurality of partition members 71 for partitioning a communication path (hereinafter denoted by reference symbol PT) connected to the suction chamber K2.
An opening 71K, which is partitioned by the partition member 71 and is a space between the partition members 71 in the width direction X, communicates with a communication hole 33B provided in the bottom surface of the suction platen 31 and an opening 43H of the shutter drum 43A. . Thereby, each suction chamber K2 is communicated independently with the internal space of the shutter drum 43A. As shown in FIG. 10, the opening 71K is longer in the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A than the communication hole 33B. The length of the opening 71K in the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A may be the same as that of the communication hole 33B. The shape of the opening 71 </ b> K may be any shape that allows communication with the communication hole 33 </ b> B, and may be any of a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

FIG. 9 shows that, of the two openings 71K adjacent to each other in the width direction X, the opening 71K on the left LH side communicates with the inside of the shutter drum 43A via the opening 43H, and the opening on the right RH side. 71K shows a state closed by the closing portion 43T.
In the present embodiment, the shutter drum 43 </ b> A is disposed away from the partition member 71. Accordingly, the shutter drum 43 </ b> A rotates without contacting the partition member 71. Thereby, when the shutter drum 43A rotates, a load caused by sliding contact with a member on the suction platen 31 side is reduced, and the shutter drum 43A is smoothly rotated.

  The adjacent communication path PT is communicated by a gap SS (see FIG. 9) between the shutter drum 43A and a partition member 71 provided away from the shutter drum 43A. If this gap SS is large, even if one (left LH side) communication path PT is open and the other (right RH side) communication path PT is closed as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that air in the other communication path PT may be sucked by the negative pressure generated in one (left LH side) communication path PT. When the air in the other communication path PT is sucked, the other communication path PT becomes negative in spite of the closed state, and the suction force of the suction hole 51 communicating with the one communication path PT is reduced accordingly. To do.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the cross-sectional area SX when the gap SS is cut by a surface extending in the vertical direction along the communication path PT is made smaller than the opening area SY of the communication path PT. Further, the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 are arranged.

More specifically, the cross-sectional area SX is a cross-sectional area of the gap SS when cut along a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the gap SS (left-right direction in FIG. 9). If the cross-sectional area SX of the gap SS increases to an area similar to the opening area SY of the communication path PT, the path resistance decreases, and air or sucked ink easily flows through the gap SS between adjacent communication paths PT. Become.
On the other hand, since the sectional area SX of the gap SS in the present embodiment is smaller than the opening area SY, the resistance of the flow path from the communication path PT to the gap SS is high, and the inflow of air into the gap SS is restricted. . Accordingly, a situation in which the other communication passage PT is in a closed state (a state in which the opening 71K is closed by the closing portion 43T) is suppressed from being negative, and the suction hole 51 communicating with the one communication passage PT is suppressed. The suction force is efficiently secured. In addition, since the possibility that ink or foreign matter sucked into one communication path PT flows into the gap SS is reduced, adhesion of ink or foreign matter to the gap SS is also suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the partition member 71 includes a convex portion 72T (protruding portion) that protrudes toward the shutter drum 43 from the suction platen 31, and a concave portion 72H that is recessed to the opposite side of the shutter drum 43A with respect to the convex portion 72T. Have.
The convex portion 72T is an annular projecting portion that extends along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A.

As described above, the shutter drum 43A has the arc-shaped rib 43R extending along the circumferential direction between the opening portions 43H adjacent to each other in the width direction X.
The shape of the rib 43R is a shape corresponding to the convex portion 72T and the concave portion 72H on the platen side. That is, the rib 43R has a convex portion 74T at a position that does not overlap the convex portion 72T in the width direction X, and the convex portion 74T faces the concave portion 72H. The rib 43R has a recess 74H at a position that does not overlap the recess 74H in the width direction X, and the recess 74H faces the protrusion 72T. The convex portion 74T is an annular projecting portion that extends along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum 43A.

  The gap SS between the suction platen 31 and the shutter drum 43A is bent between the adjacent communication paths PT by the projection 72T provided on the partition member 71 and the projection 74T provided on the shutter. As a result, the resistance of the flow path is higher than when the gap SS is linear between the adjacent communication paths PT. Therefore, the movement of air between adjacent communication paths PT is further suppressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the communication path PT that connects the suction hole 51 and the internal space (suction space) of the shutter drum 43 </ b> A, the suction hole 51 is located between the suction space and the suction platen 31. And a shutter drum 43A that moves in a non-contact manner. Then, a suction fan (suction unit) 42 generates a negative pressure in the suction space of the shutter drum 43 </ b> A and applies a suction force to the suction hole 51 communicating with the communication path PT.
According to this configuration, when the shutter drum 43 </ b> A rotates, the sliding contact load that can occur due to contact with the member (partition member 71) on the suction platen 31 side is reduced. Further, in the configuration in which the shutter drum 43A contacts and rotates with respect to the member (partition member 71) on the suction platen 31 side, fine ink droplets and foreign matters are caused to rotate from the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 by the rotation of the shutter drum 43A. There is a possibility that the sliding contact load between the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 may increase due to the ink droplets or foreign matter entering between the two. In this configuration, since the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 are separated from each other, the possibility that a fine ink droplet or a foreign substance enters between the two members to increase the sliding contact load is reduced.

Under this configuration, as a passage structure between the shutter drum 43A and the suction platen 31, the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 that partitions the adjacent communication passage PT are separated. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area SX when the gap SS between the shutter drum 43A and the partition member 71 is cut along the surface along the communication path PT is made smaller than the opening area SY of the communication path.
According to this configuration, movement of air and ink between adjacent communication paths PT can be suppressed. Accordingly, air and ink can be smoothly moved in the communication path PT, the suction force can be increased efficiently, and even if ink is sucked, adhesion to the gap SS can be suppressed, and the opening and closing operation of the communication path PT (suction hole 51). Equivalent to the opening / closing operation).

  In the present embodiment, a drum cover 44 that functions as a shutter cover that is disposed between the shutter drum 43A and the suction platen 31 and covers at least a part of the shutter drum 43A is provided. A convex portion 72T protruding toward the shutter drum 43A is provided on the surface of the drum cover 44 on the shutter drum 43A side, and the gap SS is a gap between the convex portion 72T and the shutter drum 43A. . According to this configuration, the possibility of air or ink flowing into the gap SS between the platen side protrusion 72 and the shutter drum 43A is further reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the surface of the drum cover 44 on the shutter drum 43A side has a recess 72H that is recessed to the opposite side of the shutter drum 43A with respect to the protrusion 72T, and the shutter drum 43A has a protrusion 74T that enters the recess 72H. The rib 43R which has is provided. According to this configuration, the gap SS acts as a bent passage, and the possibility that air or ink moves through the gap SS is further reduced.

In the present embodiment, the case in which the drum cover 44 has the partition member 71 that partitions the communication path that communicates the suction hole 51 and the suction space of the shutter drum 43A has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the partition member 71 may be integrally provided on the partition plate 33 </ b> A of the suction platen 31, and the partition member 71 may be omitted from the drum cover 44.
In other words, the convex plate 72T that protrudes toward the shutter drum 43A is provided on the surface of the suction platen 31 on the shutter drum 43A side, and the gap SS is a gap between the convex portion 72T and the shutter drum 43A. Good. This reduces the possibility that air or ink flows into the gap SS between the convex portion 72T and the shutter drum 43A. Therefore, even if ink is sucked into the suction hole 51, the influence on the opening / closing operation of the suction hole 51 can be suppressed.

The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the direction in which the suction holes 51 are spaced apart and the direction in which the rotation axis L1 of the shutter drum 43A extends coincide with the width direction X, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a predetermined direction including other than the width direction X may be used.

  For example, the direction in which the rotation axis L1 of the shutter drum 43A extends may be the conveyance direction (forward direction FR) of the continuous sheet S that is a medium. In this case, the shutter drum 43A can selectively change the open / closed state of the suction holes 51 provided at intervals in the transport direction (forward direction FR) of the continuous paper S. According to this configuration, for example, when the continuous paper S moves in the transport direction, the suction holes only in the region where the continuous paper S exists in the suction holes 51 arranged in the transport direction in accordance with the movement of the continuous paper S. The suction force can be applied by opening 51.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, in the configuration in which the shutter drum 43A is used, the case where the cross-sectional area SX of the gap SS is made smaller than the opening area SY of the communication path is described, but the present invention is not limited to the shutter drum 43A. Ink or air moves between adjacent communication paths PT, even if the shutter has a shutter that moves in a non-contact manner with respect to the suction platen 31 and the sectional area SX of the gap SS is smaller than the opening area SY of the communication path. The risk of doing so is reduced.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example in which a valve body 143 is used instead of the shutter drum 43A. In FIG. 11, parts corresponding to the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals.
11, the valve body 143 is a member that moves the communication hole 33B of the communication path PT in the vertical direction, and opens the communication hole 33B from an upper position (closed position) where the communication hole 33B is closed by the cam mechanism 144. Move to the lower position (open position). FIG. 11 shows a state in which the valve body 143 is in the closed position. The valve body 143 functions as a shutter that moves between the upper position and the lower position in a non-contact manner with respect to the suction platen 31. The valve body 143 integrally includes an annular convex portion 74T that protrudes upward toward the partition member 71 that partitions adjacent communication holes PT.

  The partition member 71 includes a convex portion 72T that protrudes toward the valve body 143, a concave portion 72H that is recessed on the opposite side of the valve body 143 compared to the convex portion 72T, and a convex portion 72T that protrudes toward the valve body 143. The convex portion 72T is an annular protrusion that extends along the circumferential direction of the valve body 143, and the concave portion 72H is an annular recess that extends along the circumferential direction of the valve body 143. The valve body 143 has a convex portion 74T that enters the concave portion 72H of the partition member 71. The convex portion 74 </ b> T is an annular projecting portion extending along the circumferential direction of the valve body 143.

In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, when the gap SS between the convex portion 74T of the valve body 143 and the concave portion 72H of the suction platen 31 is cut by a surface extending in the vertical direction along the communication path PT. The cross-sectional area SX is made smaller than the opening area SY of the communication path PT. Accordingly, the resistance of the flow path from the communication path PT to the gap SS is high, and the inflow of air into the gap SS is restricted, thereby reducing the adhesion of ink, foreign matter, etc. to the gap SS.
Further, the gap SS between the suction platen 31 and the valve body 143 is bent between the adjacent communication paths PT by the convex part 72T provided in the partition member 71 and the convex part 74T provided in the valve body 143. As a result, the resistance of the flow path is higher than when the gap SS is linear between the adjacent communication paths PT. Therefore, the movement of air between adjacent communication paths PT is further suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the line printer has been described. However, the inkjet head 22A is provided to be movable in the main scanning direction (corresponding to the width direction X) orthogonal to the transport direction. The present invention may be applied to a serial printer.
In the above-described embodiment, the structures and shapes of the suction platen 31, the shutter drum 43A, the drum cover 44, and the like can be changed as appropriate. For example, the mounting surface 31A may be a curved suction platen.

In the above-described embodiment, the opening shape of the suction hole 51 is not limited to a perfect circle or an ellipse. Any opening shape such as a polygonal shape can be applied.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the printing apparatus 10 that prints the continuous paper S has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various printing apparatuses such as a printing apparatus that prints cut sheet paper. The present invention may be applied to.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 18 ... Guide unit, 18L ... Guide wall (fixed guide), 18R ... Guide wall (movable guide), 21 ... Conveyance path, 22 ... Printing part, 22A ... Inkjet head, 31 ... Suction platen, 31A ... Placement surface, 32 ... Placement plate, 33 ... Box, 33A ... Partition plate, 33B ... Communication hole, 42 ... Suction fan (suction unit), 43 ... Shutter drum unit, 43A ... Shutter drum (shutter), 43H ... Open Part, 43R ... rib (reinforcing rib), 43T ... closing part, 44 ... drum cover (shutter cover), 45 ... intake passage, 46 ... platen unit, 51 ... suction hole, 71 ... partition member, 72H, 74H ... concave part, 72T, 74T ... convex portion, 100 ... roll paper, 143 ... valve body (shutter), 144 ... cam mechanism, L1 ... rotation axis, PT ... continuous Road, S ... continuous paper (medium), SS ... clearance, SX ... cross-sectional area, SY ... opening area, X ... width direction.

Claims (7)

A mounting surface on which a medium to be transported is mounted;
A first suction hole and a second suction hole which are opened in the mounting surface and are provided with a gap in a predetermined direction;
A first communication path communicating with the first suction hole;
A second communication path communicating with the second suction hole;
A shutter drum that rotates about an axis extending in the predetermined direction and selectively changes the open / closed state of the first and second communication paths according to the rotation;
A suction fan that generates a negative pressure in the internal space of the shutter drum and applies a suction force to the suction hole that communicates with the open communication path;
A transport apparatus comprising:   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined direction is a width direction intersecting a transport direction of the medium.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined direction is a transport direction of the medium.   The communication path includes a suction chamber that is adjacent to the predetermined direction between the placement surface and the shutter drum and communicates with the suction hole, and a communication hole that communicates the suction chamber and the shutter drum. The conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 which has these.   The shutter drum is hollow and has a cylindrical shape extending in the predetermined direction with the axis as a center. One end of the shutter drum is opened, and the shutter is opened by the suction fan from the end. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein air in the drum is discharged. The shutter drum is in a position corresponding to each of the first and second communication passages, and along the circumferential direction of the shutter drum, an opening portion that opens the communication passages and the communication passages are closed. And a closing portion
The conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 5 with which the rib extended along the said circumferential direction is provided between the said opening parts respectively corresponding to a said 1st and 2nd communicating path. . An inkjet head that ejects ink onto a conveyed medium;
A suction platen having a mounting surface on which the medium is mounted;
A first suction hole and a second suction hole which are opened in the mounting surface and are provided with a gap in a predetermined direction;
A first communication path communicating with the first suction hole;
A second communication path communicating with the second suction hole;
A shutter drum that rotates about an axis extending in the predetermined direction and selectively changes the open / closed state of the first communication path and the second communication path according to the rotation;
A suction fan that generates a negative pressure in the internal space of the shutter drum and applies a suction force to the suction hole that communicates with the open communication path;
A printing apparatus comprising:

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