JP5630244B2 - Platen and image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a platen that is disposed on the lower side of a recording head having nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets and is opposed to the recording head and supports a recording medium that is conveyed in the conveying direction, and image recording including the platen Relates to the device.

  2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording type image recording apparatus ejects ink droplets from a nozzle provided in a recording head onto a recording medium. As a result, an image is recorded on the recording medium supported by the platen provided facing the recording head.

  In addition, when performing so-called borderless printing in which an image is recorded without providing a margin on the recording medium, the image recording apparatus is slightly outside the recording medium in addition to the image recording area (recording medium area). Ink droplets are also ejected to the region. As a result, ink droplets that do not land on the recording medium adhere to the platen. Then, ink adheres to the back surface of the recording medium that is transported next and supported by the platen and becomes dirty.

  In order to prevent this, for example, in the platen described in Patent Document 1, in-region support ribs are provided in a recording region where ink droplets are landed in borderless printing. Thereby, since the recording medium is supported by the in-area support ribs in the recording area, it is possible to prevent the back surface of the recording medium from being stained with ink.

JP 2009-208245 A

  However, when borderless printing is repeatedly performed, the total amount of ink adhering to the platen increases. As a result, the platen described in Patent Document 1 cannot prevent the back surface of the recording medium from being stained with ink, as will be described below.

  In the platen described in Patent Document 1, the in-region support ribs are erected from the upper surface of the platen. For this reason, when the total amount of ink adhering to the platen increases, the ink may rise from the upper surface of the platen to the top of the in-region support rib along the wall surface of the in-region support rib due to capillary action. When this rise occurs, the sheet is transported next, and ink adheres to the back surface of the recording medium supported by the in-region support ribs, and the recording medium becomes dirty.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is to reduce the possibility that the back surface of the recording medium is stained with ink even when the borderless printing is repeatedly performed on the recording medium by the inkjet recording method. It is to provide a structure that can be done.

  (1) The present invention is a platen that is disposed on the lower side of a recording head having nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets and is opposed to the recording head, and supports a recording medium conveyed in the conveying direction. The platen includes a plurality of first members on which a landing surface on which ink droplets discharged from the nozzles can land is formed at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and along the landing surface. Arranged, provided upstream of the first member in the transport direction, provided on the downstream side of the transport direction of the second member capable of supporting the recording medium, and provided in the downstream of the transport direction of the first member. A third member capable of supporting a recording medium; and at least one of the intervals, the first member is spaced apart from the first member in the width direction, and the second member and the third member are separated along the transport direction. A first rib extending in between and protruding above the landing surface and capable of supporting the recording medium.

  According to this structure, the 1st rib is formed in the at least 1 of the space | interval between 1st members, and is separated from the 1st member. Therefore, even when borderless printing is repeatedly performed and the total amount of ink adhering to the landing surface increases, it is possible to prevent ink from being transmitted to the first rib. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from being transmitted to the top of the first rib due to the capillary phenomenon.

  (2) The first rib is formed integrally with the second member or the third member at least one of the upstream side or the downstream side in the transport direction.

  According to this configuration, the end of the first rib in the conveyance direction is fixed to the second member and / or the third member. Therefore, the height position of the first rib can be fixed to the second member and / or the third member. Therefore, the height position of the first rib requiring accuracy can be accurately fixed.

  (3) A plurality of second ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the second member. A plurality of third ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the third member. The upper end of the first rib is lower than the upper ends of the second rib and the third rib.

  The 1st rib is formed in the space | interval between each 1st member. That is, the position of the first rib in the transport direction is the same position as the landing surface. Therefore, ink droplets ejected from the nozzles may adhere to the first rib. However, according to this configuration, when the recording medium is supported by the second rib or the third rib, the recording medium is supported by the first rib as long as the recording medium does not hang down above the landing surface. It will never be done. That is, in this configuration, the situation in which the recording medium is supported by the first rib is reduced. Therefore, the possibility that the ink attached to the first rib adheres to the back surface of the recording medium can be reduced.

  (4) Among the regions where the first member and the first rib are provided, the first member and the first rib in one region have the length in the transport direction in the other region and the first member and the first rib. It is longer than the first rib. The second member or the third member is located in at least a part of a region corresponding to the other region in the width direction and corresponding to a portion in which the landing surface is formed long in the transport direction. Is formed. The upper end of at least one of the first ribs provided in the one region is the upper end of the second rib or the third rib in a portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. Is the same height.

  When borderless printing is performed, ink is landed on the landing surface. Therefore, the number of nozzles that can eject ink at the same time is limited to the length in the conveyance direction of the landing surface. That is, it is not possible to efficiently perform image recording on both end portions of the recording medium to be conveyed. However, in this configuration, the first member and the first rib in one region are longer in the transport direction than the first member and the first rib in the other region. Therefore, at the position where the first member is elongated in the transport direction, it is possible to increase the number of nozzles that transport ink at the same time in the transport direction. As a result, image recording on the recording medium can be performed efficiently.

  Moreover, in this structure, the upper end of the 1st rib is the same height as the upper end of a 2nd rib or a 3rd rib in the part in which the 2nd member or the 3rd member is formed in the width direction. Therefore, the recording medium can be supported by the second rib or the third rib in addition to the first rib in the above portion. Accordingly, the recording medium can be supported more stably when ink droplets are ejected onto the recording medium.

  (5) The first member in the one region is provided on both sides of the second member or the third member in the central portion in the width direction. Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib on the center side is the portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. The height is lower than the upper ends of the two ribs or the third rib. Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib outside the first rib on the center side is formed by the second member or the third member in the width direction. The height is the same as the upper end of the second rib or the third rib.

  Even if the upper end of the first rib on the center side is lower than the upper end of the second rib or the third rib, the recording medium is supported by the second member or the third member in the center at a position close to the center. Can be done. In addition, by setting the upper end of the first rib on the center side lower than the upper end of the second rib or the third rib, even if ink adheres to the first rib on the center side, the ink remains on the recording medium. The possibility of adhesion can be reduced.

  On the other hand, in this configuration, the upper end of the first rib at a position far from the central portion, that is, a position outside the first rib on the central portion side, is the same height as the upper end of the second rib or the third rib in the central portion. I am doing it. Accordingly, the second rib or the third rib can support the recording medium in the central portion, and the first rib can support the recording medium in a position far from the central portion. As a result, the conveyance of the recording medium can be stabilized.

  (6) The first rib protrudes below the lower surface of the first member.

  According to this configuration, the ink that has landed on the first rib flows downward along the wall surface of the first rib. Therefore, even if ink adheres to the first rib, the possibility that the ink adheres to the back surface of the recording medium can be reduced.

  (7) An ink flow path is formed on the landing surface to flow the landed ink along the width direction.

  When the first member and the second member or the third member are integrally formed, the ink that has landed on the landing surface flows along the transport direction or the direction opposite to the transport direction, and the second member or the third member. There is a risk of reaching the member. As a result, normally, the second member or the third member to which ink does not land is soiled by ink. Further, the ink that has reached the second member or the third member may rise along the wall surface of the second rib or the third rib due to a capillary phenomenon. As a result, there is a possibility that the ink adheres to the back surface of the recording medium supported by the second rib or the third rib and the recording medium becomes dirty. However, in this configuration, the ink that has landed on the landing surface flows along the ink flow path along the width direction and is guided to the interval, so that the above-described problem can be prevented.

  (8) The first ribs are disposed between the second ribs and between the third ribs in the width direction.

  Thereby, the area | region of the width direction which supports a recording medium can be increased. As a result, the conveyance of the recording medium can be stabilized.

  (9) The present invention is arranged on the platen, on the upper side of the platen, and opposed to the platen at a predetermined interval, and is movable in a reciprocating manner along the width direction. It can also be understood as an image recording apparatus provided with a recording head provided with a nozzle that can eject ink droplets toward the platen.

  In the present invention, since at least one first rib is formed in the interval between the first members, the first rib is separated from the first member. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink landed on the landing surface from being transmitted to the first rib. Therefore, even when borderless printing is repeatedly performed on the recording medium by the inkjet recording method, the possibility that the back surface of the recording medium is stained with ink can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the carriage 40 and the platen 42. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the platen 42 as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the platen 42 as viewed from below. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the platen 42. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the platen 42 taken along line GG in FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the platen 42.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the advance from the start point to the end point in consideration of the arrow in the vector is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point in the vector without considering the arrow is expressed as the direction. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed (the state in FIG. 1), and the side where the opening 13 is provided is the front side (front side). A direction 8 is defined, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front).

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 10 as an example of an image recording apparatus of the present invention is formed in a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped, and is provided with a printer unit 11 of an ink jet recording system in the lower part. The multifunction machine 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 having an opening 13 formed in the front. The paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 can be inserted and removed from the opening 13 in the front-rear direction 8. A recording paper of a desired size (an example of a recording medium according to the present invention) is placed on the paper feed tray 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a paper feeding unit 15 that feeds recording paper, an ink jet recording type recording unit 24 that records an image on the recording paper, and the like. The printer unit 11 records an image on a recording sheet based on print data received from an external device.

[Paper Feeder 15]
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 15 is provided on the upper side of the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed unit 15 includes a paper feed roller 25, a paper feed arm 26, and a drive transmission mechanism 27 in which a plurality of gears are engaged. The paper feed roller 25 is pivotally supported at the tip of the paper feed arm 26. The paper feed arm 26 rotates in the direction of an arrow 29 about a shaft 28 provided at the base end. Thereby, the paper feed roller 25 can be brought into contact with and separated from the paper feed tray 20. The sheet feeding roller 25 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown) by a drive transmission mechanism 27. The sheet feeding roller 25 is in contact with the uppermost recording sheet among the recording sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 20 and separates the recording sheet from other recording sheets, and will be described below. Supply to the curved path 66.

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, recording paper can be guided inside the printer unit 11 from the front end (rear end) of the paper feed tray 20 through the recording unit 24 to the paper discharge tray 21. A transport path 65 is formed.

  The conveyance path 65 passes from the front end of the paper feed tray 20 to a first roller pair 58 to be described later, and to the paper discharge tray 21 via the first roller pair 58 and directly below the recording unit 24. It is divided into a straight path 67 formed in the middle.

  The curved path 66 is a curved path extending from the vicinity of the front end of the paper feed tray 20 to the first roller pair 58. The recording paper is guided while being curved along the curved path 66 in the conveyance direction (the direction indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) in the conveyance direction (the direction of the arrow attached to the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2). The curved path 66 is continuous with the straight path 67 with the first roller pair 58 interposed therebetween. As a result, the recording sheet is guided to the straight path 67 through the curved path 66. The curved path 66 is partitioned by an inner guide member 19 and an outer guide member 17 that face each other at a predetermined interval.

  The straight path 67 is a linear path extending in the front-rear direction 8 from the downstream end of the curved path 66 in the conveyance direction, that is, from the first roller pair 58 to the discharge tray 21. The recording sheet is guided along the straight path 67 in the conveyance direction (the direction of the arrow attached to the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). The recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 21 after an image is recorded by the recording unit 24. The straight path 67 is formed by the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 facing each other with a predetermined interval at a location where the recording unit 24 is provided, and at a predetermined interval at a location where the recording unit 24 is not provided. The upper guide member 52 and the lower guide member 53 that are opposed to each other are separated.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is provided on the upper side of the straight path 67. The recording unit 24 is mounted with a recording head 38 (an example of the recording head of the present invention) and reciprocates in the main scanning direction, that is, the left-right direction 9 (corresponding to the width direction of the present invention) that is perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A moving carriage 40 (an example of a movable part of the present invention) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 40 is supported by guide rails 45 and 46 attached to a frame 70 provided inside the printer unit 11. More specifically, the guide rails 45 and 46 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the recording sheet conveyance direction, and the carriage 40 straddles the guide rails 45 and 46 on the left and right sides so as to straddle the guide rails 45 and 46. It is slidable in direction 9 (main scanning direction).

  Ink is supplied to the recording head 38 mounted on the carriage 40 from an ink cartridge (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a nozzle 39 (an example of the nozzle of the present invention) is formed on the lower surface of the recording head 38. The recording head 38 ejects ink from the nozzle 39 as fine ink droplets. The nozzle 39 ejects ink droplets toward a platen 42 (an example of a platen according to the present invention) provided below the straight path 67 so as to face the recording unit 24 at a predetermined interval. The recording sheet conveyed in the conveying direction is supported by the platen 42.

  As described above, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 39 toward the recording paper conveyed on the platen 42 while the carriage 40 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The platen 42 will be described later.

[First roller pair 58 and second roller pair 59]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first conveyance roller 60 disposed on the upper side of the straight path 67 and the first conveyance on the lower side of the straight path 67 on the upstream side of the recording unit 24 in the straight path 67 in the conveyance direction. A first roller pair 58 including a pinch roller 61 disposed to face the roller 60 is provided. The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the roller surface of the first conveying roller 60 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring. The first roller pair 58 holds the recording paper and conveys it onto the platen 42.

  On the downstream side of the recording unit 24 in the straight path 67 in the transport direction, the second transport roller 62 disposed below the straight path 67 and the second transport roller 62 disposed above the straight path 67. A second roller pair 59 comprising a spur 63 is provided. The spur 63 is pressed against the roller surface of the second transport roller 62 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring. The second roller pair 59 pinches the recording paper that has passed through the recording unit 24 and conveys it to the paper discharge tray 21.

  The first transport roller 60 and the second transport roller 62 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown). When the motor is rotated in one of forward rotation and reverse rotation, the first conveyance roller 60 and the second conveyance roller 62 convey the recording paper in the conveyance direction.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 42 is arranged with its upper surface facing the lower surface of the recording head 38. As shown in FIG. 4, the platen 42 has a generally flat plate shape. The platen 42 is arranged with the left-right direction 9 as a longitudinal direction. The platen 42 includes a first member 71 (an example of the first member of the present invention), a second member 72, and a first rib 74 (an example of the first rib of the present invention).

  In the following description, some of the reference numerals in the drawings are omitted as described below. In FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG. 8, some reference numerals are attached only to the enlarged views, and are omitted in portions that are not enlarged. In FIG. 4, the reference numerals of the second ribs 85 formed on the rear member 83 are attached only to some of the second ribs 85. In FIG. 6, the reference numerals of the third ribs 86 formed on the front member 84 are attached to only some of the third ribs 86. In FIG. 4, the rear end 94 is attached to only one second rib 85 and is omitted from the other second ribs 85. In FIG. 4, the front end 95 is attached to only one third rib 86 and is omitted from the other third ribs 86.

[First member 71]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first member 71 has a generally flat plate shape. A plurality of first members 71 are arranged at a predetermined interval 73. The first members 71 are provided in a line along the left-right direction 9. In the present embodiment, 21 first members 71 are arranged.

  The upper surface of the first member 71 is formed at a position that can be opposed to an area where the nozzles 39 are disposed (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle area) on the lower surface of the recording head 38. Specifically, the foremost end 90 on the upper surface of the first member 71 is located in front of the front end of the nozzle region. Further, the rearmost end 91 of the upper surface of the first member 71 is located behind the rear end of the nozzle region. Further, the right end of the upper surface of the first member 71 is located on the right side of the right end of the nozzle region when the carriage 40 slides to the rightmost side during image recording on the recording paper. Further, the left end of the upper surface of the first member 71 is located on the left side of the left end of the nozzle region when the carriage 40 slides to the leftmost side during image recording on the recording paper. As described above, the upper surface of the first member 71 corresponds to the landing surface of the present invention on which ink ejected from the nozzles 39 can land. In other words, the landing surface is formed on the first member 71. In addition, although the rear end of the upper surface of the first member 71 includes a rear end 91 and a rear end 93 in front of the rear end 91, this will be described later.

  On the upper surface of the first member 71, an upper surface ink flow path (an example of the ink flow path of the present invention) including a first ink flow path 76 and a second ink flow path 77 is formed. The upper surface ink flow path is formed over the entire upper surface of the first member 71. The first ink channel 76 and the second ink channel 77 are alternately provided in the front-rear direction 8. The first ink flow path 76 is at the highest position at the right end and has the widest width in the front-rear direction 8, and becomes lower toward the left and narrows in the front-rear direction 8. As a result, the ink ejected onto the first ink flow path 76 flows toward the left and is guided to the left end of the first member 71, that is, the boundary with the interval 73. The second ink flow path 77 is the highest position at the left end and has the widest width in the front-rear direction 8, and becomes lower toward the right and the width in the front-rear direction 8 is narrower. As a result, the ink ejected onto the second ink flow path 77 flows rightward and is guided to the right end of the first member 71, that is, to the boundary with the interval 73.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a lower surface ink flow path 80 is formed on the lower surface of the first member 71. The lower surface ink channel 80 includes a left and right ink channel 81 and a front and rear ink channel 82. The left and right ink flow paths 81 are grooves extending in the left-right direction 9 from the left and right edge portions of the first member 71. The front and rear ink channels 82 are connected to the left and right ink channels 81 at one end and extend to the front end 92 on the lower surface of the first member 71 at the other end. Here, an ink absorber (not shown) made of a porous material such as foamed polyurethane is disposed below the front member 84 provided in front of the first member 71. The other end of the front and rear ink channels 82 is communicated with the ink absorber.

  As described above, the ink discharged on the upper surface of the first member 71 flows in the left-right direction 9 along the first ink flow path 76 or the second ink flow path 77, and the left and right ends of the first member 71, that is, the interval 73. To reach the boundary. Next, the ink reaches the lower side from the upper side of the first member 71 through the edges of the left and right ends. Finally, the ink flows along the lower surface ink flow path 80 and reaches the ink absorber.

[Rear member 83 and front member 84]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the platen 42 is disposed on the rear side of the first member 71 (an example of the second member of the present invention) 83 and on the front side of the first member 71. And a front member 84 (an example of a third member of the present invention). The rear side member 83 and the front side member 84 have a generally flat plate shape. The front end of the rear member 83 is formed integrally with the rear end 91 and the rear end 93 of the first member 71. The rear end of the front member 84 is formed integrally with the foremost end 90 of the first member 71.

  In the present embodiment, the platen 42 includes the rear side member 83 and the front side member 84, but the platen 42 may include only one of the rear side member 83 and the front side member 84. .

[Second Rib 85 and Third Rib 86]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a plurality of second ribs 85 (an example of the second ribs of the present invention) are formed on the upper surface of the rear member 83. A plurality of third ribs 86 (an example of the third ribs of the present invention) are formed on the upper surface of the front member 84. Each of the second rib 85 and the third rib 86 protrudes upward from the upper surfaces of the rear member 83 and the front member 84. Further, each of the second rib 85 and the third rib 86 extends along the front-rear direction 8. Each of the second ribs 85 and the third ribs 86 is formed at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction 9. The plurality of second ribs 85 can support the recording paper conveyed along the straight path 67 directly above the rear member 83. The plurality of third ribs 86 can support the recording paper conveyed along the straight path 67 directly above the front member 84.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rear end 94 of each of the second ribs 85 formed on the rear member 83 protrudes to the rear side from the rear end 96 of the upper surface of the rear member 83. Further, the front end 95 of each of the third ribs 86 formed on the front side member 84 protrudes to the front side from the front end 97 on the upper surface of the front side member 84.

  On the other hand, the front end 98 (see the enlarged view in FIG. 4) of each of the second ribs 85 formed on the rear member 83 extends only slightly rearward from the front end of the upper surface of the rear member 83. That is, the front end 98 is not in contact with the rearmost end 91 and the rear end 93 of the first member 71. Further, the rear end 99 (see the enlarged view in FIG. 4) of each of the third ribs 86 formed on the front side member 84 extends slightly forward from the rear end of the upper surface of the front side member 84. That is, the rear end 99 is not in contact with the foremost end 90 of the first member 71.

[Interval 73]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8, a plurality of intervals 73 are formed in the left-right direction 9 on the upper surface of the first member 71. The right side of the interval 73 is configured by the side surface of the left end portion of each first member 71, the left side of the interval 73 is configured by the side surface of the right end portion of each first member 71, and the rear side of the interval 73 is the rear side. The front side of the space 73 is formed of a side surface constituting the rear end of the front member 84.

[First rib 74]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, at least one of the plurality of intervals 73 is provided with a first rib 74. In the present embodiment, one first rib 74 is provided for each of the six intervals 73. Each of the first ribs 74 extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rear end of each first rib 74 is formed integrally with the rear member 83. The front end of each of the first ribs 74 is formed integrally with the front member 84. In other words, the first rib 74 extends between the rear member 83 and the front member 84. Each of the first ribs 74 is provided at the central portion in the left-right direction 9 in the interval 73. Thus, each of the first ribs 74 is separated from the first member 71 in the left-right direction 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the positions of the first ribs 74 in the left-right direction 9 are different from those of the second ribs 85 and the third ribs 86. That is, each first rib 74 is arranged between the two second ribs 85 in the left-right direction 9. Each first rib 74 is disposed between the two third ribs 86 in the left-right direction 9.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the first ribs 74 protrudes to the upper side of the upper surface of the first member 71. In other words, the upper end of each first rib 74 is higher than the upper surface of the first member 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper ends of the first ribs 74 are formed on the second ribs 85 except for a part of the first ribs 74 provided in a second range 88 (see FIG. 6) described later. In addition, the position is lower than the upper end of the third rib 86. As described above, the plurality of first ribs 74 can support the recording paper conveyed along the straight path 67 immediately above the first member 71.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each of the first ribs 74 protrudes below the lower surface of the first member 71. In other words, the lower end of each of the first ribs 74 is lower than the lower surface of the first member 71.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8, in the present embodiment, the first ribs 74 are provided in a part of the plurality of intervals 73, but the first ribs 74 are all the It may be provided at the interval 73. In the present embodiment, one first rib 74 is provided at each interval 73, but a plurality of first ribs 74 may be provided at each interval 73.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the first rib 74 is formed integrally with the rear member 83 and the front member 84 at the front and rear ends. However, the first rib 74 may be formed integrally with the rear member 83 or the front member 84 at one of the front end and the rear end.

[First range 87 and second range 88]
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the first member 71 extends to the rear of at least a part of the left-right direction 9 than the other parts. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the first member 71 in the present embodiment includes a third range 30 at both ends in the left-right direction 9 and a fourth range between the center and both ends in the left-right direction 9. In the range 31, the rear end 93 is extended to the rearmost end 91 behind the rear end 93. On the other hand, the first member 71 extends to the rear end 93 in the fifth range 32 other than the third range 30 and the fourth range 31 in the left-right direction 9.

  That is, the first member 71 is formed in the first range 87 in the front-rear direction 8 over the entire range in the left-right direction 9 (the third range 30, the fourth range 31, and the fifth range 32). On the other hand, the first member 71 is formed over only a partial range (the third range 30 and the fourth range 31) in the left-right direction 9 in the second range 88 in the front-rear direction 8.

  From the above, the region formed by the third range 30, the first range 87, and the second range 88, and the region formed by the fourth range 31, the first range 87, and the second range 88 are the present invention. It corresponds to one area. The region formed by the fifth range 32, the first range 87, and the second range 88 corresponds to the other region of the present invention. The first member 71 formed in one region is longer in the front-rear direction 8 than the first member 71 formed in another region.

  As described above, the rear end 91 and the rear end 93 of the first member 71 and the front end of the rear member 83 are integrally formed. Accordingly, the rear member 83 is formed in the left-right direction 9 range in which the first member 71 is not formed in the second range 88 in the front-rear direction 8, that is, in the fifth range 32. Specifically, the rear member 83 is formed in a region formed by the fifth range 32 and the second range 88.

  From the above, when the platen 42 is viewed leftward from the right end or when viewed rightward from the left end, the first member 71 is formed so as to overlap the rear member 83 in the second range 88 in the front-rear direction 8. Has been. In the second range 88, the range in the left-right direction 9 where the first member 71 overlaps the rear member 83 is the third range 30 and the fourth range 31. That is, the first member 71 is formed so as to overlap the rear member 83 in at least a part of the left-right direction 9 (the third range 30 and the fourth range 31).

  In other words, the portion corresponding to the other region in the left-right direction 9 (that is, the third range 30 in the left-right direction 9) and the length of the first member 71 is long in the transport direction (that is, the second range 88 in the front-rear direction 8). A rear side member 83 is formed in at least a part of the region corresponding to.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the first member 71 is formed so as to overlap with the rear member 83 has been described. However, the first member 71 is formed so as to overlap with the front member 84. Also good. That is, the front member 84 may be formed in at least a part of the region corresponding to the other region in the left-right direction 9 and corresponding to the portion where the length of the first member 71 is long in the transport direction.

  In the fourth range 31, the three first members 71 are extended to the rearmost end 91. Therefore, the interval 73 formed between the three first members 71 and the first rib 74 formed between the intervals 73 are also extended to the rearmost end 91. Therefore, the first rib 74 formed in one region is longer in the front-rear direction 8 than the first rib 74 formed in the other region.

  As described above, when the platen 42 is viewed from the right end to the left or from the left end to the right, at least one of the interval 73 and the first rib 74 is the In the second range 88, it is formed so as to overlap with the rear member 83. At this time, the gap 73 and the first rib 74 are formed so as to overlap the rear member 83 in at least a part of the left-right direction 9 (fourth range 31).

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, in the second range 88, at least one upper end of the first rib 74 is the same height as the upper end of the second rib 85. In other words, the upper end of at least one first rib 74 provided in one region is the same height as the upper end of the second rib 85 in the portion where the rear member 83 is formed in the left-right direction 9. When the first member 71 is formed so as to overlap the front member 84, the front member 84 is formed in the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of at least one first rib 74 provided in one region. In the portion, the height is the same as the upper end of the third rib 86.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, in the first range 87, the plurality of first ribs 74 can support the recording paper conveyed on the straight path 67 directly above. On the other hand, in the second range 88, the second rib 85 and the first rib 74 having the same height as the second rib 85 can support the recording paper conveyed on the straight path 67 immediately above.

  Hereinafter, the height of the first rib 74 in the present embodiment will be described more specifically than described above. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in the present embodiment, a region formed by the fourth range 31, the first range 87, and the second range 88, that is, 6 of a part of one region. Three first members 71 are provided on both sides of the rear member 83 in the center in the left-right direction 9. 4 and 6, each of the four intervals 73 formed between the six first members 71 includes a first rib 74 (74A, 74B, 74C, 74D in FIG. 6). Is provided).

  Among the first ribs 74 </ b> A to 74 </ b> D, the upper ends of the first ribs 74 </ b> B and 74 </ b> C on the central portion side in the left-right direction 9 are in the portion where the rear member 83 is formed in the left-right direction 9, that is, in the second range 88. The height is lower than the upper end of the two ribs 85. On the other hand, among the first ribs 74A to 74D, the upper ends of the first ribs 74A, 74D outside the first ribs 74B, 74C in the left-right direction 9 are portions where the rear member 83 is formed in the left-right direction 9, That is, in the second range 88, the height is the same as the upper end of the second rib 85.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the above-described embodiment, the first rib 74 is formed in at least one of the intervals 73 of the first member 71 and is separated from the first member 71. Therefore, even when borderless printing is repeatedly performed and the total amount of ink adhering to the upper surface of the first member 71 increases, it is possible to prevent the ink from being transmitted to the first rib 74. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from being transmitted to the top of the first rib 74 due to the capillary phenomenon. As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the back surface of the recording paper is stained with ink even when the borderless printing is repeatedly performed on the recording paper by the inkjet recording method.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the end of the first rib 74 in the conveyance direction is fixed to the rear member 83 and the front member 84. Therefore, the height position of the first rib 74 can be fixed to the rear side member 83 and the front side member 84. Therefore, the height position of the first rib 74 requiring accuracy can be accurately fixed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first ribs 74 are formed at the intervals 73 between the first members 71. That is, the position of the first rib 74 in the conveying direction is the same position as the upper surface of the first member 71. Therefore, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 39 may adhere to the first rib 74. However, according to the above-described embodiment, when the recording sheet is supported by the second rib 85 or the third rib 86, the recording sheet is the first as long as the recording sheet does not hang down on the upper surface of the first member 71. It is not supported by one rib 74. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the situation in which the recording paper is supported by the first rib 74 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink attached to the first rib 74 adheres to the back surface of the recording paper.

  In the above-described embodiment, when borderless printing is performed, the ink is landed on the upper surface of the first member 71. Therefore, the number of nozzles 39 in the transport direction that can simultaneously eject ink is limited to the length of the upper surface of the first member 71 in the transport direction. That is, it is not possible to efficiently perform image recording on both end portions of the conveyed recording paper. However, in the above-described embodiment, the first member 71 and the first rib 74 in one region are long in the conveying direction of the first member 71 and the first rib 74 in the other region. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of nozzles 39 in the transport direction that simultaneously eject ink at a position where the first member 71 is long in the transport direction. Thereby, the image recording on the recording paper can be executed efficiently.

  In the above-described embodiment, the upper end of the first rib 74 is the same height as the upper end of the second rib 85 in the portion where the rear member 83 is formed in the left-right direction 9. Therefore, the recording paper can be supported by the second rib 85 in addition to the first rib 74 in the above portion. As a result, the recording paper can be supported more stably when ink is ejected onto the recording paper.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, even if the upper ends of the first ribs 74B and 74C on the center side are lower than the upper ends of the second ribs 85, the recording paper is located at the position close to the center portion after the center portion. It can be supported by the side member 83. In addition, by setting the upper ends of the first ribs 74A and 74D on the center side lower than the upper ends of the second ribs 85, even if ink adheres to the first ribs 74B and 74C on the center side, the ink is recorded. The possibility of adhering to the paper can be reduced.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the upper ends of the first ribs 74A and 74D at positions far from the central portion, that is, at positions outside the first ribs 74B and 74C on the central portion side, are connected to the second rib 85 at the central portion. It is the same height as the top edge. As a result, the second rib 85 supports the recording sheet at the center, and the first ribs 74A and 74D can support the recording sheet at a position far from the center. As a result, the conveyance of the recording paper can be stabilized.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink that has landed on the first rib 74 flows downward along the wall surface of the first rib 74. Therefore, even if ink adheres to the first rib 74, the possibility that the ink adheres to the back surface of the recording paper can be reduced.

  When the first member 71 and the rear member 83 or the front member 84 are integrally formed, the ink that has landed on the upper surface of the first member 71 flows along the transport direction or the direction opposite to the transport direction, There is a risk of reaching the side member 83 or the front member 84. As a result, the rear member 83 or the front member 84 that is not normally landed with ink is contaminated with ink. Further, the ink that has reached the rear member 83 or the front member 84 may rise along the wall surface of the second rib 85 or the third rib 86 due to capillary action. As a result, the ink may adhere to the back surface of the recording paper supported by the second rib 85 or the third rib 86, and the recording paper may become dirty. However, in the above-described embodiment, the ink that has landed on the upper surface of the first member 71 flows along the left-right direction 9 along the first ink flow path 76 and the second ink flow path 77 and is guided to the interval 73. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the above problems from occurring.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first ribs 74 are disposed between the second ribs 85 and the third ribs 86 in the left-right direction 9. Thereby, the area | region of the left-right direction 9 which supports a recording paper can be increased. As a result, the conveyance of the recording paper can be stabilized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multi-function device 38 ... Recording head 39 ... Nozzle 40 ... Carriage 42 ... Platen 71 ... 1st member 72 ... 2nd member 73 ... Space | interval 74 ... 1st rib 76 ... 1st ink flow path 77 ... 2nd ink flow path 85 ... 2nd rib 86 ... 3rd rib

Claims (13)

A platen that is disposed on the lower side of a recording head having nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets and is opposed to the recording head, and supports a recording medium that is conveyed in a conveying direction,
A plurality of first members on which landing surfaces on which ink droplets ejected from the nozzles can land are formed are arranged at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and along the landing surfaces,
A second member provided upstream of the first member in the transport direction and capable of supporting a recording medium;
A third member provided downstream of the first member in the transport direction and capable of supporting a recording medium;
At least one of the intervals is spaced apart from the first member in the width direction, extends between the second member and the third member along the transport direction, and the landing surface A first rib that protrudes to the upper side and can support the recording medium ,
Of the region where the first member is provided, the first member in one region is formed such that the length in the transport direction is longer than the first member in the other region,
The second member or the third member is provided in at least a part of a region corresponding to the other region in the width direction and corresponding to a portion in which the landing surface of the one region is long in the transport direction. Is formed to be located,
The first member of the one region is provided on both sides of the second member or the third member at the center in the width direction,
The first rib is a platen provided in at least the one region.   A plurality of second ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the second member,
  A plurality of third ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the third member,
  The platen according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the first rib is lower than upper ends of the second rib and the third rib.   The upper end of at least one of the first ribs provided in the one region is the upper end of the second rib or the third rib in a portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. The platen according to claim 2, wherein the platen has the same height.   Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib on the center side is the portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. 2 ribs or lower than the upper end of the third rib,
  Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib outside the first rib on the center side is formed by the second member or the third member in the width direction. 4. The platen according to claim 3, wherein a height of the second rib or the third rib is equal to an upper end of the second rib or the third rib.   The platen according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first rib protrudes below the lower surface of the first member. A platen that is disposed on the lower side of a recording head having nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets and is opposed to the recording head, and supports a recording medium that is conveyed in a conveying direction,
A plurality of first members on which landing surfaces on which ink droplets ejected from the nozzles can land are formed are arranged at intervals in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and along the landing surfaces,
A second member provided upstream of the first member in the transport direction and capable of supporting a recording medium;
A third member provided downstream of the first member in the transport direction and capable of supporting a recording medium;
At least one of the intervals is spaced apart from the first member in the width direction, extends between the second member and the third member along the transport direction, and the landing surface A first rib that protrudes to the upper side and can support the recording medium ,
The said 1st rib is the platen which protrudes below rather than the lower surface of the said 1st member. A plurality of second ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the second member,
A plurality of third ribs extending along the transport direction are formed on the upper surface of the third member,
The platen according to claim 6 , wherein an upper end of the first rib is lower than upper ends of the second rib and the third rib. Among the regions where the first member and the first rib are provided, the first member and the first rib in one region are the first member and the first rib in which the length in the transport direction is the other region. Is formed longer than
The second member or the third member is located in at least a part of a region corresponding to the other region in the width direction and corresponding to a portion in which the landing surface is formed long in the transport direction. Is formed,
The upper end of at least one of the first ribs provided in the one region is the upper end of the second rib or the third rib in a portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. The platen according to claim 7 , wherein the platen is the same height. The first member of the one region is provided on both sides of the second member or the third member at the center in the width direction,
Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib on the center side is the portion where the second member or the third member is formed in the width direction. 2 ribs or lower than the upper end of the third rib,
Among the first members provided in the one region, the upper end of the first rib outside the first rib on the center side is formed by the second member or the third member in the width direction. The platen according to claim 8 , wherein the height of the second rib or the third rib is the same as the upper end of the second rib or the third rib. The platen according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first rib is formed integrally with the second member or the third member at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction. The platen according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein an ink flow path for flowing the landed ink along the width direction is formed on the landing surface. The platen according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the first ribs are disposed between the second ribs and between the third ribs in the width direction. A platen according to any of claims 1 to 12 ,
A movable part that is disposed on the upper side of the platen so as to face the platen at a predetermined interval, and is movable back and forth along the width direction,
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording head provided on the movable part and having a nozzle capable of ejecting ink droplets toward the platen.

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