JP5534435B2 - Image recording apparatus and image recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.

  As a countermeasure against curling of the image recording medium, a curl pressing member made of a thin resin sheet is provided on both sides of the medium, and the end of the medium is inserted between the curling pressing member and the platen (medium support part). Thus, a technique for avoiding a problem due to curling has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-197799

In the curl pressing member, the width changes depending on the width of the member to which the curl pressing member is attached, or the width changes to expose the end of the medium from the curl pressing member so that the end of the medium is detected by the sensor. To do.
If the width changes in the portion where the end of the medium is inserted between the curl pressing member and the platen, a force is easily applied to the portion where the width changes. In particular, if the base portion of the portion where the width changes is a right-angled shape, the force concentrates on the base portion, cracking occurs, and the curl pressing member is damaged.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

The main invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is: (A) a recording unit that records an image on a medium; (B) a medium support unit that supports the medium in an image recording area; A transport unit that includes a supply roller that supplies a medium and a discharge roller that discharges the medium from the image recording area, and transports the medium from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction; and (D) the transport direction A sensor for detecting an end portion of the medium on one side in the width direction intersecting the transport direction on the upstream side of the medium; and (E) a first covering and pressing the end portion of the medium on the one side in the width direction. A movable pressing portion having a first pressing portion and a first upstream connection portion located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the first pressing portion, and movable in the width direction. The first pressing portion is the first upstream side. It protrudes to the medium side in the width direction from the connection part, the first pressing part is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position of the sensor, and the medium side of the first pressing part is located on the medium side. A movable pressing portion in which an end surface and the end surface on the medium side of the first upstream connection portion are connected in an R shape; and (F) a first covering and pressing the end portion of the medium on the other side in the width direction. A reference pressing part having a second pressing part and a second upstream connection part located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second pressing part, wherein the second pressing part is A reference pressing portion that protrudes to the medium side in the width direction from the second upstream connection portion, and the second upstream connection portion is located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the supply roller. This is an image recording apparatus.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall configuration block diagram of a printer. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of a printer. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an outline of a printer. 4A to 4C are views for explaining the curl pressing member of the present embodiment. 5A and 5B are views showing the state of the end of the roll paper when the reference curl pressing member is attached. 6A and 6B are views for explaining a curl pressing portion of a comparative example. 7A to 7D are views for explaining problems in the curl pressing member of the comparative example. It is a figure explaining the movable curl pressing member of a modification.

=== Summary of disclosure ===
At least the following will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

That is, (A) a recording unit that records an image on a medium, (B) a medium support unit that supports the medium in an image recording area, (C) a supply roller that supplies the medium to the image recording area, and An ejection roller that ejects the medium from the image recording area, and a transport unit that transports the medium from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, and (D) the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction A sensor for detecting an end portion of the medium on one side in the width direction intersecting the line, (E) a first pressing portion for covering and pressing the end portion of the medium on the one side in the width direction, and the first A first upstream connecting portion located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing portion, and a movable pressing portion movable in the width direction, wherein the first pressing portion is The medium in the width direction than the first upstream connection portion. The first pressing portion is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the detection position of the sensor, and the medium-side end surface of the first pressing portion and the first upstream connection portion A movable pressing portion having an end surface on the medium side connected in an R shape, (F) a second pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the other side in the width direction, and the second pressing portion. A reference pressing portion having a second upstream connection portion positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing portion, wherein the second pressing portion is more than the second upstream connection portion. An image recording apparatus comprising: a reference pressing portion that protrudes toward the medium in the width direction, and the second upstream connection portion is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the supply roller. .
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

In this image recording apparatus, the medium-side end surface of the second pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the second upstream connection portion are connected in an R shape.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

In this image recording apparatus, the movable pressing portion has a first downstream connection portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first pressing portion, and the first pressing portion is It protrudes to the medium side in the width direction from the first downstream connection part, and the first downstream connection part is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the discharge roller.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

In this image recording apparatus, the medium-side end surface of the first pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the first downstream connection portion are connected in an R shape.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

In this image recording apparatus, the reference pressing portion includes a second downstream connection portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second pressing portion, and the second pressing portion is It protrudes to the medium side in the width direction with respect to the second downstream connection portion, and the second downstream connection portion is located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the discharge roller.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

In this image recording apparatus, the medium-side end surface of the second pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the second downstream connection portion are connected in an R shape.
According to such an image recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing member from being damaged.

(A) a recording unit that records an image on a medium; (B) a medium support unit that supports the medium in an image recording region; (C) a supply roller that supplies the medium to the image recording region; An ejection roller that ejects the medium from the image recording area, and a transport unit that transports the medium from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction, and (D) the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction A sensor for detecting an end portion of the medium on one side in the width direction intersecting the line, (E) a first pressing portion for covering and pressing the end portion of the medium on the one side in the width direction, and the first A first upstream connecting portion located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing portion, and a movable pressing portion movable in the width direction, wherein the first pressing portion is The medium in the width direction than the first upstream connection portion. The first pressing portion is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the detection position of the sensor, and the medium-side end surface of the first pressing portion and the first upstream connection portion A movable pressing portion having an end surface on the medium side connected in an R shape, (F) a second pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the other side in the width direction, and the second pressing portion. A reference pressing portion having a second upstream connection portion positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the pressing portion, wherein the second pressing portion is more than the second upstream connection portion. The image recording apparatus includes a reference pressing portion that protrudes toward the medium side in the width direction, the second upstream connection portion is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the supply roller, and (G). An image recording method characterized by recording an image on a medium. That.
According to such an image recording method, an image can be recorded on the medium without damaging the curl pressing member.

=== About the printer ===
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described by taking an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as a “liquid ejecting apparatus” shown as an example of an “image recording apparatus”.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 1. In the present embodiment, the printer 1 is communicably connected to the computer 2, and the computer 2 outputs print data for printing an image to the printer 1. The function of the computer 2 may be built in the printer 1.

  The controller 10 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. The interface unit 11 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 2 and the printer 1. The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 13 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 12, a work area, and the like. The CPU 12 controls each unit by the unit control circuit 14. The detector group 40 monitors the situation in the printer 1, and the controller 10 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an outline of the printer 1. The printer 1 of the present embodiment prints an image on roll paper R that is a roll-shaped medium. The medium is not limited to paper, but may be a film or a fabric, for example. The transport unit 20 (corresponding to a transport unit) transports the roll paper R from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. The roll paper R held by the roll paper holder 22 is supplied to the printing area (corresponding to the image recording area) by the supply roller 21 and the like. After the image is printed on the roll paper R in the print area, the printed roll paper R is discharged from the print area by the discharge roller 23 and the like, and is wound up in a roll shape by the take-up roller 24.

  The recording unit 30 (corresponding to a recording unit) prints an image on the roll paper R in the printing area, and includes a platen 31 (corresponding to a medium support unit), a carriage 32, and a head 33. In the printing region, the roll paper R is supported by the platen 31 from the back side opposite to the printing surface so as to face the head 33. The carriage 32 moves the head 33 in the X direction (the conveyance direction of the roll paper R) and the Y direction (the width direction of the roll paper R that intersects the conveyance direction) while being guided by a guide shaft (not shown). . The head 33 is for ejecting ink onto the roll paper R, and a plurality of nozzles Nz serving as ink ejection portions are provided on the lower surface of the head 33.

  The ink discharge method from the nozzle may be a piezo method in which voltage is applied to the drive element (piezo element) to expand and contract the pressure chamber to discharge ink, or bubbles are generated in the nozzle using a heating element. Alternatively, a thermal method in which ink is ejected by the bubbles may be used.

The head 33 ejects ink toward the roll paper R on the printing area while moving in the X direction and the Y direction together with the carriage 31. As a result, a two-dimensional image is printed on the roll paper R. When the printing of the roll paper R positioned in the printing area is completed, the portion of the roll paper R that has not yet been printed is supplied to the printing area by the transport unit 20, and the image is printed again on the roll paper R in the printing area. .
As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 32 and the head 33 can be retracted upstream of the printing area in the transport direction. For this reason, it is possible to easily attach and detach curl pressing members 50 and 51 (described later) that press the end of the roll paper R in the width direction.

  Further, in order to hold the roll paper R located in the printing area at a predetermined position, the roll paper R is sucked and sucked from under the platen 31. For this purpose, the platen 31 is provided with a plurality of suction holes 34 communicating with the pressure chamber 35 below the platen 31. When the air in the pressure chamber 35 is sucked by the fan 36, the roll paper R on the platen 31 is sucked and sucked at a predetermined position. As a result, ink is landed at the correct position on the roll paper R, and deterioration of the image quality of the printed image can be suppressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the roll paper R may be electrostatically adsorbed.

  Further, by heating the platen 31, drying of the ink landed on the roll paper R on the platen 31 is promoted. As a result, bleeding of the printed image can be suppressed. For this purpose, a heater 37 (for example, nichrome wire) may be disposed inside the platen 31.

=== Method of Holding Roll Paper R Curling ===
<About the curl pressing members 50 and 51>
FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the outline of the printer 1. 4A to 4C are views for explaining the curl pressing members 50 and 51 of the present embodiment. If printing is performed in the printing area with curling at the end portions R1 and R2 in the width direction of the roll paper R, for example, the ink does not land at the correct position on the roll paper R and the image quality of the printed image deteriorates. This causes problems such as Therefore, in the present embodiment, the end portions R1 and R2 of the roll paper R in the printing area are covered and pressed by the curl pressing members 50 and 51 from above. That is, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 suppress the force (so-called lifting force) that the end portions R1 and R2 of the roll paper R curl and separate from the platen 31. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate problems caused by curling of the roll paper R in the printing region.

  The curl pressing members 50 and 51 of the present embodiment are belt-like thin members (film-like members) made of a soft elastic material having flexibility and flexibility. For example, the Young's modulus of the curl pressing members 50 and 51 is 10000 MPa or less, the thickness is 0.5 mm or less, and the material is PET resin, polyimide, silicon rubber, or the like. However, it is not limited to this, and other members may be used.

  Hereinafter, the curl pressing member that presses the rear end R1 (corresponding to the other end) in the width direction of the roll paper R is referred to as “reference curl pressing member 50 (corresponding to the reference pressing part)”. The curl pressing member that presses the front end R2 (corresponding to one end) in the width direction is referred to as “movable curl pressing member 51 (corresponding to the movable pressing portion)”. The position of the reference curl pressing member 50 in the width direction is constant without changing. On the other hand, the position of the movable curl pressing member 51 in the width direction varies according to the width of the roll paper R. That is, the movable curl pressing member 50 is movable in the width direction with the back side in the width direction as a reference. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both the curl pressing members positioned on the far side and the near side in the width direction may be movable in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the reference curl pressing member 50 is composed of two layers of film members, an upper layer portion 501 and a lower layer portion 502. Compared with the upper layer part 501, the lower layer part 502 has a shorter length in the transport direction and the width direction. The lower layer portion 502 is located at the center of the upper layer portion 501 in the conveying direction, and the upper layer portion 501 protrudes toward the front side (roll paper side) in the width direction with respect to the lower layer portion 502.

  The reference curl pressing member 50 is attached to the printer 1 (base body) in a state where the support surface (upper surface) of the platen 31 and the lower layer portion 502 are in contact with each other. Then, since the upper layer portion 501 is separated from the support surface of the platen 31, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R can be inserted into the gap between the upper layer portion 501 and the platen 31. In other words, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R can be covered and pressed by the upper layer portion 501 from above. Note that when the reference curl pressing member 50 is attached to the printer 1, the lower layer portion 502 is positioned over the length of the printing area in the transport direction.

  The upper layer portion 501 of the reference curl pressing member 50 includes a “pressing portion 505 (corresponding to a second pressing portion)” and an “upstream connecting portion 506 (second upstream portion) located upstream of the pressing portion 505 in the transport direction. Equivalent to the side connection portion) ”,“ upstream attachment portion 507 ”located upstream of the upstream connection portion 506 in the conveyance direction, and“ downstream connection portion 508 located downstream of the pressing portion 505 in the conveyance direction. (Corresponding to the second downstream connection portion) ”and“ downstream attachment portion 509 ”located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the downstream connection portion 508.

  The width in the width direction of the upstream attachment portion 507 and the downstream attachment portion 509 is “W2” in accordance with the width of the attachment member that attaches the reference curl pressing member 50 to the printer 1. On the other hand, the width in the width direction of the pressing portion 505 is “W1” wider than W2 so that the end portion R1 of the roll paper R is covered and pressed by the pressing portion 505. Therefore, in the reference curl pressing member 50, the width between the pressing portion 505 and the upstream mounting portion 507 is W2, and the width between the pressing portion 505 and the downstream mounting portion 509 is W2. A downstream connection portion 508 is provided.

  And the holding | suppressing part 505 is the width | variety front side (roll paper side) rather than the upstream connection part 506 and the downstream connection part 508 by the part wider than the upstream connection part 506 and the downstream connection part 508. It protrudes. As described above, the pressing portion 505 that is the upper layer portion 501 is separated from the support surface of the platen 31 by the lower layer portion 502. Therefore, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R is inserted into the gap between the pressing portion 505 in the upper layer portion and the platen 31, and the pressing portion 505 in the upper layer portion 501 is located on the back side in the width direction of the roll paper R. It plays a role of covering and holding the end R1 of the.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the upstream side connection portion 506 is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the supply roller 21, and the downstream side connection portion 508 is located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the discharge roller 23. Therefore, the end portion R1 on the far side in the width direction of the roll paper R is positioned on the far side in the width direction with respect to the end surface on the near side in the width direction of the press portion 505 when supplied from the supply roller 21, and the press portion 505. Will be covered from above. Further, the end portion R1 on the far side in the width direction of the roll paper R is positioned on the far side in the width direction with respect to the end surface on the near side in the width direction of the press portion 505 until it is discharged by the discharge roller 23. It will be covered from above.

  FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an upstream boundary portion 503 that is a boundary portion between the pressing portion 505 and the upstream connection portion 506. Since the width W1 of the pressing portion 505 and the width W2 of the upstream connection portion 506 are different, the width changes at the upstream boundary portion 503, and a step is generated. For the sake of explanation, the point where the width starts to change from the pressing portion 505 to the upstream side connection portion 506 is called “top t”, and the point where the width finishes changing is called “root b”.

  In the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, the base portion b has an R shape. In other words, the end surface 505s (dashed line portion) on the front side in the width direction (roll paper side) of the pressing portion 505 and the end surface 506s (dotted line portion) on the front side in the width direction (roll paper side) of the upstream connection portion 506 are R. Connected in shape. The top t is also rounded. However, the top t is not limited to the R shape, and may be chamfered, for example.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the downstream boundary portion 504 that is a boundary portion between the pressing portion 505 and the downstream side connection portion 508, the root is a point where the width has finished changing from the pressing portion 505 to the downstream side connection portion 508. The part b has an R shape. That is, the end surface on the front side in the width direction (roll paper side) of the pressing portion 505 and the end surface on the front side in the width direction of the downstream connection portion 508 are connected in an R shape. Moreover, the top part t which is a point where the width starts to change from the pressing part 505 to the downstream side connection part 508 is also formed in an R shape.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, the movable curl pressing member 51 that covers and presses the end R2 on the front side in the width direction of the roll paper R is also composed of two layers of film members, an upper layer portion 511 and a lower layer portion 512. The The upper layer portion 511 protrudes to the back side (roll paper side) in the width direction with respect to the lower layer portion 512. Therefore, a gap is generated between the upper layer portion 511 and the platen 31, and the end portion R2 of the roll paper R can be inserted into the gap.

  The upper layer portion 511 of the movable curl pressing member 51 includes a “pressing portion 515 (corresponding to the first pressing portion)” and an “upstream connection portion 516 (first upstream portion) located upstream of the pressing portion 515 in the transport direction. Equivalent to the side connection portion) ”,“ upstream attachment portion 517 ”located upstream of the upstream connection portion 516 in the transport direction, and“ downstream connection portion 518 located downstream of the pressing portion 515 in the transport direction. (Corresponding to a first downstream connection portion) ”and a“ downstream attachment portion 519 ”positioned downstream of the downstream connection portion 518 in the transport direction.

  Similar to the reference curl pressing member 50, the width of the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 is “W1”, and the upstream side connection portion 516, the upstream side mounting portion 517, the downstream side connection portion 518, and the downstream side mounting. The width W2 of the portion 519 is narrower than the width W1 of the pressing portion 515. And the holding | suppressing part 515 protrudes in the width direction back | inner side (roll paper side) rather than the upstream connection part 516 and the downstream connection part 518. FIG. Therefore, the pressing portion 515 in the upper layer portion 511 plays a role of covering and pressing the end portion R2 on the near side in the width direction of the roll paper R.

  Here, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes, for example, a paper end detection sensor 41 (corresponding to a sensor) that detects the end of the roll paper R in order to measure the width of the roll paper R. An example of the paper edge detection sensor 41 is a fiber sensor. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper end detection sensor 41 is attached to the carriage 32 and can move together with the carriage 32 in the transport direction and the width direction. In the present embodiment, the position of the movable curl pressing member 51 in the transport direction is changed according to the width of the roll paper R with reference to the back side in the width direction. Therefore, the paper end detection sensor 41 is caused to detect the end R2 of the roll paper R on the front side in the width direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, roll paper is fed to the paper end detection sensor 41 at a position upstream of the platen 31 (or printing region) in the transport direction and downstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction. The end R2 of R is detected.

  The paper end detection sensor 41 detects the position of the end R2 of the roll paper R in the transport direction based on the presence or absence of the roll paper R (difference in the material to be detected). Therefore, if the end portion R2 of the roll paper R is not exposed from the movable curl pressing member 51 at the detection position by the paper end detection sensor 41, the paper end detection sensor 41 is the correct position in the width direction of the end portion R2 of the roll paper R. Cannot be detected.

  Therefore, in the movable curl pressing member 51, the pressing portion 515 is positioned downstream in the transport direction from the detection position of the paper end detection sensor 41. By doing so, the upstream connection portion 516 having a narrower width than the pressing portion 515 is positioned at the detection position, and the end portion R2 on the near side in the width direction of the roll paper R is exposed from the movable curl pressing member 51. be able to. Therefore, the paper end detection sensor 41 can detect the correct position in the width direction of the end portion R2 on the near side in the width direction of the roll paper R.

  In the movable curl pressing member 51 of this embodiment, the lengths in the transport direction of the downstream side connection portion 518 and the upstream side connection portion 516 are set to be approximately the same. Therefore, in the movable curl pressing member 51, the downstream side connection portion 518 is located upstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction.

  Further, the upstream boundary portion 513, which is the boundary portion between the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 and the upstream connection portion 516, changes in width and has a step. Then, the “base portion b”, which is a point where the width has been changed from the pressing portion 515 to the upstream side connection portion 516, has an R shape. In other words, the end surface on the back side in the width direction (roll paper side) of the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 and the end surface on the back side in the width direction of the upstream connection portion 516 are connected in an R shape. In addition, the “top portion t”, which is a point where the width starts to change from the pressing portion 515 to the upstream side connection portion 516, is also R-shaped.

  Similarly, the width of the downstream boundary portion 514, which is the boundary portion between the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 and the downstream connection portion 518, is changed, and a step is generated. Then, the “base portion b”, which is a point where the width has been changed from the pressing portion 515 to the downstream side connection portion 518, has an R shape. In other words, the end surface on the back side in the width direction of the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 and the end surface on the back side in the width direction of the downstream connection portion 518 are connected in an R shape. In addition, the “top portion t” that is a point where the width starts to change from the pressing portion 515 to the downstream side connection portion 518 is also formed in an R shape.

<How to install curl pressing members 50 and 51>
Next, how to attach the curl pressing members 50 and 51 to the printer 1 (base portion) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 1 includes “upstream side mounting member 60 </ b> A” and “downstream side mounting member 60 </ b> B” for attaching the curl pressing members 50 and 51 to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction from the platen 31. It is arranged. The upstream attachment member 60 </ b> A is engaged with the spring 64. Therefore, the upstream mounting member 60A can be displaced in the transport direction by extending and contracting the spring 64 by the adjusting lever 63. On the other hand, the downstream attachment member 60B is fixedly attached to the printer 1 without moving in the transport direction.

  Holes are provided on the upper and lower sides in the width direction on the upper surfaces of the upstream attachment member 60A and the downstream attachment member 60B in accordance with the attachment positions of the curl pressing members 50 and 51 in the width direction. With the upstream mounting portions 507 and 517 or the downstream mounting portions 509 and 519 of the curl pressing members 50 and 51 aligned with the holes, the fixing pins 61 are fitted into the holes and the fixing pins 61 are tightened. The curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached to the printer 1. Since the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are film members, the fixing strength can be increased by providing the fixing auxiliary member 62 between the curling pressing members 50 and 51 and the fixing pin 61. At the time of attachment, the fixing auxiliary member 62 may be sandwiched, or the fixing auxiliary member 62 may be attached to the curl pressing members 50 and 51 in advance.

  The mounting position of the movable curl pressing member 51 in the width direction varies according to the width of the roll paper R. Therefore, the holes provided in the upstream side attachment member 60A and the downstream side attachment member 60B are preferably elongated holes extending in the width direction so that the movable curl pressing member 51 is attached at a desired position in the width direction. In the case of a long hole, the hole for attaching the reference curl pressing member 50 and the hole for attaching the movable curl pressing member 51 may be shared. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of holes may be provided in the upstream mounting member 60A and the downstream mounting member 60B at predetermined intervals in the width direction. Further, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached to the printer 1 by the fixing pins 61, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other attachment methods may be used.

  After the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached to the upstream attachment member 60A and the downstream attachment member 60B by the fixing pin 61, the upstream attachment member 60A is moved upstream in the transport direction by the adjustment lever 63. As a result, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are pulled upstream in the transport direction with respect to the downstream side in the transport direction, and the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached to the printer 1 without being loosened. That is, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 can be prevented from floating with respect to the support surface of the platen 31, and the end portions R1 and R1 of the roll paper R can be pressed from above. Further, it is possible to prevent the curl pressing members 50 and 51 and the nozzle surface of the head 33 from coming into contact with each other.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side attachment member 60 </ b> A and the downstream side attachment member 60 </ b> B are located below the support surface of the platen 31 in the vertical direction. Therefore, by moving the upstream side attachment member 60A to the upstream side in the transport direction, the ends of the curl pressing members 50 and 51 on the upstream side in the transport direction can be pulled obliquely downward with respect to the transport direction. As a result, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 can more reliably press the ends R1 and R2 of the roll paper R from above. The upstream mounting member 60A and the downstream mounting member 60B are not limited to be lowered below the support surface of the platen 31, but the upstream mounting member 60A and the downstream mounting member 60B are at least as high as the support surface of the platen 31. If so, the end portions R1 and R2 of the roll paper R can be pressed from above.

  5A and 5B are views showing the state of the end portion R1 of the roll paper R when the reference curl pressing member 50 is attached. The figure is a cross-sectional view of the reference curl pressing member 50 and the like viewed from the transport direction. The curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached in a state where the roll paper R is positioned in the printing area. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R may be curled. First, the back end portion of the lower layer portion 502 of the reference curl pressing member 50 is used as the support surface of the platen 31. Put it on. Then, the sealed space A is configured by the end R1 of the roll paper R, the support surface of the platen 31, and the reference curl pressing member 50.

  Further, air is sucked from the suction hole 34 of the platen 31 when the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are attached. As a result, the air in the sealed space A is sucked, and the end R1 of the roll paper R comes into close contact with the support surface of the platen 31 as shown in FIG. 5B. Thereafter, the upper layer portion 501 of the reference curl pressing member 50 covers the end portion R1 of the roll paper R in close contact with the support surface of the platen 31 from above. As a result, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R can be covered and pressed by the reference curl pressing member 50 without breaking the end portion R1 of the roll paper R. Similarly, the end portion R <b> 2 of the roll paper R on the front side in the width direction is covered from above with the movable curl pressing member 51 while being in close contact with the support surface of the platen 31.

  Note that the movable curl pressing member 51 is movable in the width direction according to the width of the roll paper R. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the suction hole 34 provided in the platen 31 may be located on the near side in the width direction with respect to the movable curl pressing member 51. Therefore, the suction hole 34 closer to the width direction than the movable curl pressing member 51 is covered with the cover member 65. When the movable curl pressing member 51 is attached, the cover member 65 may be sandwiched between the platen 31 and the movable curl pressing member 51, and the tip of the cover member 65 is connected in advance to the end of the movable curl pressing member 51. Also good. As a result, it is possible to prevent the suction force from the suction holes 34 located under the roll paper R from being reduced. The length of the cover member 65 in the transport direction is equal to or greater than the length of the platen 31 in the transport direction so that the suction holes 34 on the exposed platen 31 are all covered by the cover member 65. The length can be adjusted by the winding device 66.

<Regarding the curl holding member of the comparative example>
6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a curl pressing portion 50'51 'of a comparative example. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the upstream boundary portion 513 ′ of the movable curl pressing member 51 ′ of the comparative example. In the comparative example, the base portion b at the upstream boundary portion 513 ′ is processed into a right-angle shape (90 degrees) instead of the R shape. That is, the end surface 515 ′s in the width direction of the pressing portion 515 ′ and the end surface 516 ′s in the width direction of the upstream connection portion 516 ′ are connected in a right-angle shape. Although not shown, in the comparative example, the base b of the downstream boundary 514 ′ of the movable curl pressing member 51 ′, the base b of the upstream boundary 503 ′ of the reference curl pressing member 50 ′, and the downstream side The base part b of the boundary part 504 ′ is also assumed to have a right-angle shape instead of an R-shape.

  Further, in the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the upstream side connection portion 506 (upstream side boundary portion 503) is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the supply roller 21, and the downstream side. The connecting portion 508 (downstream boundary portion 504) is located downstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction. On the other hand, in the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the upstream side connection portion 506 ′ (upstream side boundary portion 503 ′) is located downstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction. And downstream connection part 508 '(downstream boundary part 504') is located in the conveyance direction upstream rather than the discharge roller 23. FIG.

  7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining problems in the curl pressing member 50'51 'of the comparative example. Hereinafter, a situation where the roll paper R passes through the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ of the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, the upstream side connection portion 506 ′ (upstream side boundary portion 503 ′) is located downstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction. Therefore, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R is covered from above by the pressing portion 505 'after being supplied from the supply roller 21. In other words, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R enters between the platen 31 and the pressing portion 505 '(upper layer portion 501') after being supplied from the supply roller 21.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating how the roll paper R normally passes through the upstream boundary portion 503 ′. The left view of FIG. 7A is a top view, and the right view of FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view. In FIG. 7A, it is assumed that the roll paper R is transported along the transport direction, and the roll paper R is supplied from the supply roller 21 without slack. In this case, the end portion R1 of the roll paper R enters between the platen 31 and the pressing portion 505 ′ (upper layer portion 501 ′) without contacting the base portion b of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ or the pressing portion 505 ′. .

  FIG. 7B is a top view illustrating a state in which the roll paper R is conveyed obliquely with respect to the conveyance direction. When the roll paper R is just replaced, or when the balance in the width direction of the supply roller 21 is poor (for example, when the supply amount is shifted between the back side and the near side), the roll paper R is moved in the transport direction. On the other hand, it is conveyed obliquely or conveyed while meandering. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the roll paper R is transported obliquely downward with respect to the transport direction, the end R1 of the roll paper R when the roll paper R passes through the upstream boundary 503 ′. And the base portion b of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ may come into contact with each other.

  As an example of a method for manufacturing the curl pressing member, a method of punching out from a film member can be mentioned. If the base portion b of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ has a right-angle shape like the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, the base portion b is likely to crack when the mold is removed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the roll paper R is conveyed obliquely with respect to the conveyance direction, or conveyed while meandering, and the end R1 of the roll paper R and the root portion b contact, The resulting crack will progress. As a result, the reference curl pressing member 50 'of the comparative example is damaged.

  FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the roll paper R rides on the pressing portion 505 ′ (upper layer portion 501 ′). The left view of FIG. 7C is a top view, and the right view of FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view. When the roll paper R is conveyed while meandering, if the roll paper R meanders to the front side in the width direction, the end R1 of the roll paper R comes off between the pressing portion 505 'and the platen 31. Thereafter, when the roll paper R meanders in the width direction back side, the end R1 of the roll paper R does not enter between the pressing portion 505 ′ and the platen 31, and as shown in FIG. The part R1 may ride on the holding part 505 ′. Then, due to the weight of the roll paper R, a downward force in the vertical direction is applied to the pressing portion 505 ′ (upper layer portion 501 ′) that is separated from the platen 31.

  When the base b of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ has a right-angle shape like the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, the downward force in the vertical direction due to the weight of the roll paper R is concentrated on the base b. . As a result, a crack occurs at the base portion b, or a crack generated at the time of manufacture progresses, leading to the damage of the reference curl pressing member 50 'of the comparative example.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a state in which the roll paper R is supplied in a slack state. The left view of FIG. 7D is a top view, and the right view of FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view. When the supply amount (supply force) of the roll paper R by the supply roller 21 and the discharge amount (tensile force) of the roll paper R by the discharge roller 23 cannot be balanced, the roll paper R is supplied loosely as shown in FIG. 7D. Will be. Then, when the end portion R1 of the roll paper R enters between the pressing portion 505 '(upper layer portion 501') and the platen 31, a vertical upward force is applied to the pressing portion 505 '.

  If the base b of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ has a right-angle shape like the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, the upward force in the vertical direction due to the looseness of the roll paper R is concentrated on the base b. As a result, a crack occurs at the base portion b, or a crack generated at the time of manufacture progresses, leading to the damage of the reference curl pressing member 50 'of the comparative example.

<About the curl pressing member of this embodiment>
Therefore, in the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the upstream connection portion 506 (upstream boundary portion 503) is positioned upstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 3, the end R1 on the far side in the width direction of the roll paper R is farther in the width direction than the end face on the near side in the width direction of the pressing portion 505 when supplied from the supply roller 21. It is located on the side and is covered from above by the pressing portion 505.

  Therefore, even if the roll paper R is meandered and conveyed, or the roll paper R is supplied slackly, the base b of the upstream boundary 503 and the end R1 of the roll paper R are in contact (FIG. 7B). ), The roll paper R rides on the pressing portion 505 and applies a downward force in the vertical direction to the base portion b (FIG. 7C), or a vertical upward force is applied to the base portion b due to the looseness of the roll paper R (FIG. 7D). ) Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the base portion b from being cracked or to advance the crack generated at the time of manufacture, and to prevent the reference curl pressing member 50 from being damaged.

  Furthermore, in the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, the base b of the upstream boundary 503 has an R shape. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the base portion b from being cracked when the reference curl pressing member 50 is manufactured. Further, it is possible to prevent the force generated when the reference curl pressing member 50 is handled (for example, when being attached / detached) from being concentrated on the root portion b (the force can be dispersed). Therefore, damage to the reference curl pressing member 50 can be further prevented.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference curl pressing member 50 can be prevented from being damaged by positioning the upstream connection portion 506 upstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction. Instead of the shape, other shapes may be used.

  Although FIG. 7 illustrates the problem of the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, the same problem occurs in the upstream boundary portion 513 ′ (FIG. 6A) of the movable curl pressing member 51 ′ of the comparative example. However, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, since the paper end detection sensor 41 detects the end R2 on the near side in the width direction of the roll paper R, the end of the roll paper R is further downstream in the transport direction than the supply roller 21. It is necessary to expose R2 from the movable curl pressing member 51. Therefore, in the movable curl pressing member 51 of the present embodiment, the upstream side connection portion cannot be positioned upstream of the supply roller 21 in the transport direction unlike the reference curl pressing member 50.

  Therefore, in the movable curl pressing member 51 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the base b of the upstream boundary 513 has an R shape. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the base b from being cracked when the movable curl pressing member 51 is manufactured (when the mold is cut). Therefore, even if the upstream side boundary part 513 and the base part b contact (for example, FIG. 7B), it can prevent that a crack progresses. Further, it is possible to prevent the vertical downward force (for example, FIG. 7C) due to the roll paper R riding on and the vertical upward force (for example, FIG. 7D) due to the looseness of the roll paper R from being concentrated on the base portion b. it can. As a result, the base b can be prevented from being cracked, and the movable curl pressing member 50 can be prevented from being damaged.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the problem of the upstream boundary portion 503 ′ of the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example, but the same problem occurs in the downstream boundary portion 504 ′. However, the downstream boundary portion 504 ′ does not have a problem (for example, FIG. 7D) due to slackness when the roll paper R is supplied. Therefore, since the base portion b of the downstream boundary portion 504 is less likely to be damaged than the base portion b of the upstream boundary portion 503, the reference curl pressing member 50 ′ of the comparative example also has a downstream portion in the transport direction. There is no problem. In other words, the downstream connection portion 508 of the reference curl pressing member 50 may be positioned upstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction.

  However, in the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the downstream side connection portion 508 (downstream boundary portion 504) is positioned downstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 3, the end R <b> 1 on the far side in the width direction of the roll paper R is farther in the width direction than the end face on the near side in the width direction of the pressing portion 505 until it is discharged from the discharge roller 23. And is covered from above by the pressing portion 505. Therefore, the base b of the downstream boundary 504 and the end R1 of the roll paper R come into contact with each other, or the roll paper R rides on the holding part 505 and applies a downward force in the vertical direction to the base b of the downstream boundary 504. Can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the base b of the downstream side boundary portion 504 from being cracked or to advance the crack generated at the time of manufacturing, and to prevent the reference curl pressing member 50 from being damaged.

  Further, in the reference curl pressing member 50 of the present embodiment, the base portion b of the downstream boundary portion 504 is formed in an R shape to further prevent the reference curl pressing member 50 from being damaged. However, the base portion b of the downstream boundary portion 504 may be formed in another shape instead of the R shape.

  Similarly, in the movable curl pressing member 51, the base b of the downstream boundary 514 and the end R1 of the roll paper R contact each other (for example, FIG. 7B), or the roll paper R rides on the pressing portion 505 to form the root. There is a possibility that a downward force is applied to b (for example, FIG. 7C). However, in the movable curl pressing member 51 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lengths in the transport direction of the upstream side connection portion 516 and the downstream side connection portion 518 are made approximately the same. Therefore, since the downstream side connection part 518 (downstream side boundary part 514) is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the discharge roller 23, the base part b of the downstream side boundary part 514 has an R shape.

  By doing so, at the time of manufacturing the movable curl pressing member 51 (at the time of die cutting), it is possible to prevent the base portion b from cracking, and the vertical downward force due to the roll paper R riding on (for example, FIG. 7C) can be prevented from being concentrated on the base b. As a result, damage to the movable curl pressing member 50 can be prevented.

=== Modification ===
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a movable curl pressing member 70 according to a modification. In the above-described embodiment, the downstream side connection portion 518 of the movable curl pressing member 51 (FIG. 4B) is also located upstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction. On the other hand, in the movable curl pressing member 70 of the modified example, the downstream side connection portion 702 (downstream side boundary portion 703) is located downstream of the discharge roller 23 in the transport direction.

  By doing so, the end portion R2 on the near side in the width direction of the roll paper R is positioned closer to the near side in the width direction than the end surface on the far side in the width direction of the press portion 701 until it is discharged by the discharge roller 23. 505 is covered from above. Therefore, the base portion b of the downstream boundary portion 703 and the end portion R2 of the roll paper R come into contact with each other, or the roll paper R rides on the pressing portion 701 and a downward force is applied to the base portion b of the downstream boundary portion 703. It can be prevented from joining. As a result, it is possible to prevent the movable curl pressing member 70 of the modification from being damaged. In this case, the base b is not limited to the R shape, but may be another shape.

  Further, when the paper end detection sensor 41 detects the end R1 on the far side in the width direction of the roll paper R, for example, the pressing portion 505 of the reference curl pressing member 50 is conveyed more than the detection position of the paper end detection sensor 41. It should be located downstream in the direction. Further, when the paper end detection sensor 41 detects the roll paper R on the downstream side in the transport direction from the printing region (platen 31), for example, the pressing portion 515 of the movable curl pressing member 51 detects the paper end detection sensor 41. It is positioned upstream of the position in the transport direction.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the curl pressing members 50 and 51 are constituted by two layers of the upper layer portions 501 and 511 and the lower layer portions 502 and 512, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the upper layer portions 501 and 511 may be used as the curl pressing member.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiment is mainly described with respect to a printing system having an ink jet printer, but includes disclosure of a member or the like for pressing an end of a medium. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

<About the printer>
In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 that forms an image while moving the head 33 in the transport direction and the width direction of the roll paper R with respect to the roll paper R positioned in the printing region is described as an example. Not exclusively. For example, a printer that forms an image when the roll paper R passes under the fixed head 33 may be used. The medium on which the image is recorded is not limited to the roll paper R but may be a cut sheet.

  Further, the image recording apparatus is not limited to a printer. For example, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, a staining apparatus, a fine processing apparatus, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a surface processing apparatus, a three-dimensional modeling machine, a gas vaporization apparatus, an organic EL manufacturing apparatus (particularly a polymer The same technology as that of the above-described embodiment may be applied to various devices to which inkjet technology is applied such as an EL manufacturing device, a display manufacturing device, a film forming device, and a DNA chip manufacturing device. These methods and manufacturing methods are also within the scope of application.

1 Printer, 2 Computer 10 Controller, 11 Interface section,
12 CPU, 13 memory, 14 unit control circuit,
20 transport unit, 21 supply roller, 22 roll paper holder,
23 discharge roller, 24 take-up roller,
30 recording units, 31 platens, 32 carriages, 33 heads,
34 Suction hole, 35 Pressure chamber, 36 Fan, 37 Heater,
40 detector group, 41 paper edge detection sensor 50 reference curl pressing member, 501 upper layer portion, 502 lower layer portion,
503 upstream boundary part, 504 downstream boundary part, 505 holding part, 506 upstream connection part, 507 upstream attachment part, 508 downstream connection part, 509 downstream attachment part,
51 movable curl pressing member, 511 upper layer part, 512 lower layer part,
513 upstream side boundary part, 514 downstream side boundary part, 515 holding part, 516 upstream side connection part, 517 upstream side attachment part, 518 downstream side connection part, 519 downstream side attachment part,
60A upstream mounting member, 60B downstream mounting member, 61 fixing pin, 62 fixing auxiliary member, 63 adjustment lever, 64 spring, 65 cover member, 66 winding device,
70 movable curl pressing member, 701 pressing portion, 702 downstream connection portion, 703 downstream boundary portion,
R roll paper, Nz nozzle, t top, b root,

Claims (7)

(A) a recording unit for recording an image on a medium;
(B) a medium support unit that supports the medium in the image recording area;
(C) Conveyance that includes a supply roller that supplies the medium to the image recording area and a discharge roller that ejects the medium from the image recording area, and conveys the medium from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. And
(D) a sensor that detects an end of the medium on one side in the width direction intersecting the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction;
(E) a first pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the one side in the width direction, and a first upstream side that is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first pressing portion. A movable pressing part having a connection part and movable in the width direction,
The first pressing portion protrudes more toward the medium side in the width direction than the first upstream connection portion, and the first pressing portion is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position of the sensor. A movable pressing portion in which an end surface on the medium side of the first pressing portion and an end surface on the medium side of the first upstream connection portion are connected in an R shape;
(F) a second pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the other side in the width direction, and a second upstream side that is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second pressing portion. A reference pressing part having a connection part,
The second pressing portion protrudes more toward the medium side in the width direction than the second upstream connection portion, and the second upstream connection portion is located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the supply roller. A reference holding part to be
An image recording apparatus comprising: The image recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The medium-side end surface of the second pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the second upstream connection portion are connected in an R shape,
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The movable pressing portion has a first downstream connection portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first pressing portion,
The first pressing portion protrudes toward the medium in the width direction from the first downstream connection portion,
The first downstream connection portion is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the discharge roller,
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3,
The medium-side end surface of the first pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the first downstream connection portion are connected in an R shape,
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The reference pressing portion has a second downstream connection portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second pressing portion,
The second pressing portion protrudes toward the medium in the width direction from the second downstream connection portion,
The second downstream connection portion is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the discharge roller,
Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5,
The medium-side end surface of the second pressing portion and the medium-side end surface of the second downstream connection portion are connected in an R shape,
Image recording device. (A) a recording unit for recording an image on a medium;
(B) a medium support unit that supports the medium in the image recording area;
(C) Conveyance that includes a supply roller that supplies the medium to the image recording area and a discharge roller that ejects the medium from the image recording area, and conveys the medium from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. And
(D) a sensor that detects an end of the medium on one side in the width direction intersecting the transport direction on the upstream side in the transport direction;
(E) a first pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the one side in the width direction, and a first upstream side that is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first pressing portion. A movable pressing part having a connection part and movable in the width direction,
The first pressing portion protrudes more toward the medium side in the width direction than the first upstream connection portion, and the first pressing portion is positioned on the downstream side in the transport direction from the detection position of the sensor. A movable pressing portion in which an end surface on the medium side of the first pressing portion and an end surface on the medium side of the first upstream connection portion are connected in an R shape;
(F) a second pressing portion that covers and presses the end portion of the medium on the other side in the width direction, and a second upstream side that is positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second pressing portion. A reference pressing part having a connection part,
The second pressing portion protrudes more toward the medium side in the width direction than the second upstream connection portion, and the second upstream connection portion is located on the upstream side in the transport direction from the supply roller. A reference holding part to be
An image recording method comprising: recording an image on the medium using an image recording apparatus having (G).

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