JP2017065175A - Ink-jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording device capable of reducing smear on a recording sheet caused by ink ejected onto a platen.SOLUTION: A first recessed groove 51G is provided in a frameless recording area in a platen. A plurality of ink reception members 53 are provided in the first recessed groove 51G. Each of the ink reception members 53 has a protrusion shape protruding toward a recording part. A protruding end of each of the ink reception members 53 is arranged further apart from a recording part than a protruding end of a support lib 51E supporting a recording sheet, and formed in a shape tapered toward the protruding end. Spaces 53D formed in between respective adjacent ink reception members 53 in the first recessed groove 51G are continued in a scan direction. Pigments contained in ink drops ejected to the first recessed groove 51G from nozzles in the recording part are adhered to and accumulated in the ink reception members 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet using ink.

  The ink jet recording apparatus includes a platen (supporting member) that supports a sheet such as recording paper, and a recording unit that is disposed to face the platen. The recording unit includes a carriage that reciprocates in a direction (scanning direction) intersecting the sheet conveyance direction, and a recording head mounted on the carriage. The recording head ejects ink droplets toward the platen while reciprocating in the scanning direction by the carriage.

  The ink jet recording apparatus can perform so-called “marginless printing” in which printing is performed up to the end of the sheet. In borderless printing, the recording head ejects ink droplets over a wider area than the sheet supported by the platen. Accordingly, the ink droplets ejected outside the edge of the sheet reach the platen without landing on the sheet.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a platen is provided with a groove-shaped ink receiving portion. The ink discharged to the ink receiving portion flows into the ink storing portion via the ink discharge path and is absorbed by the ink absorbing material provided in the ink storing portion.

JP 2003-103849 A

  A pigment ink is known as an ink used in an ink jet recording apparatus. When borderless printing is performed with the pigment ink, the pigment contained in the ink discharged to the ink receiving portion of the platen may not flow out together with the liquid component of the ink but may accumulate in the ink receiving portion. When the pigment accumulated and accumulated in the ink receiving portion increases with an increase in the number of times of borderless printing, the pigment adheres to the back surface of the sheet, and the back surface of the sheet may be stained by the pigment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can reduce the risk of staining the back surface of a sheet with ink droplets ejected onto a support member.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is disposed so as to face a support member that supports a sheet that is transported in a transport direction, and to dispose ink droplets while moving in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction. And a recording unit for discharging. The support member is provided in a plurality of support ribs protruding from the first surface toward the recording unit and extending along the transport direction, and in a borderless recording area on the first surface, and the recording A plurality of protrusions protruding toward the protruding portion and tapered toward the protruding end. The protruding end of each protrusion is farther from the recording portion than the protruding end of the support rib. A space formed between the plurality of protrusions is continuous along the scanning direction.

  According to the above configuration, in the borderless printing, the ink droplets of the pigment ink adhere to the protrusions provided in the borderless recording area. Since each protrusion is tapered, the ink droplet is more likely to adhere to the side surface than the protruding end of each protrusion. The pigment contained in the ink adhering to the side surface is deposited on the side surface of the projection, but the side surface of the projection is tapered, and is accumulated at the lower portion of the side surface.

  Ink droplets ejected from the recording unit increase the probability that ink mist will be generated as the ejected distance becomes longer. By providing each protrusion in the borderless recording area, the ink droplet ejected from the recording unit adheres to each protrusion, thereby shortening the moving distance. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of ink mist is suppressed.

  The generated ink mist tends to flow in the scanning direction, which is the moving direction of the recording unit. Since the space formed between the protrusions in the borderless recording area is continuous along the scanning direction, the flow of ink mist flowing in the space is not blocked in the scanning direction. Thereby, the ink mist flowing in the scanning direction is reduced from flowing toward the recording unit. Note that the space formed between the protrusions is continuous in the scanning direction means that the space is continuous in a linear state parallel to the scanning direction when the space is viewed downward. It is not limited only to the embodiment. For example, a state in which the space is meandering along the scanning direction, that is, a state in which the space includes not only the scanning direction but also a component in the sheet conveyance direction is also included.

  According to the present invention, the possibility that the back surface of the sheet is soiled by ink droplets ejected onto the support member is reduced. Further, when pigment ink is used, the volume in which the pigment can be deposited can be expanded in a state where the pigment ink does not adhere to the back surface of the sheet in borderless printing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the multifunction machine 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the platen 50 and the discharge guide body 52. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the platen 50 and the discharge guide body 52. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the platen 50. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inside of the first concave groove 51G provided with a plurality of ink receiving members 53, and each ink receiving member 53 is shown in cross section. 9A is a schematic diagram for explaining the borderless recording area 50A, FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram for explaining borderless printing on the edge of the recording paper 12, and FIG. 9C. FIG. 9D is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the first concave groove 51G provided in the platen 50 and the size of the recording paper 12, and FIG. 9D explains the behavior of the ink droplet 61 in borderless printing. It is a schematic diagram for. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified example of the ink receiving member 53.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. 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.

  A multifunction device 10 (an example of an ink jet recording apparatus) illustrated in FIG. 1 has various functions such as a printer function, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The multifunction machine 10 includes an apparatus main body 11 configured in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a paper feed tray 13 that can be attached to and detached from a lower portion of the apparatus main body 11.

  1 with reference to the state of FIG. 1 in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed to be usable, the upward direction 6 and the downward direction 7, the forward direction 8 and the backward direction 9, the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 (shown in FIG. Each corresponds to a right direction and a left direction toward the rear direction 9). In the following description, a defined direction is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, recording paper 12 (an example of sheets) on which images are recorded is stored in the paper feed tray 13 in a stacked state. The paper feed tray 13 can be pulled out in the forward direction 8 in the state of FIG. In the present embodiment, for example, A4 size plain paper as the recording paper 12 is stored in the paper feed tray 13 with its long side along the front direction 8 and the rear direction 9. The A4 size recording paper 12 in the paper feed tray 13 is conveyed through a conveyance path 28 provided in the apparatus main body 11.

  In this case, the recording paper 12 is transported in a state where the central portion of the long side or the short side coincides with the central portion in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction 3 in the transport path 28. In the following, the case where the recording paper 12 is conveyed along the conveyance direction 3 in the long side is referred to as “vertical conveyance”, and the recording paper 12 is conveyed along the conveyance direction 3 in the short side. Is referred to as “lateral transport”. Further, the case where the central portion of the recording paper 12 is conveyed in the conveyance path 28 so as to coincide with the central portions in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 is referred to as “central reference”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a recording unit 31 that records an image on the recording paper 12 by an inkjet method is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11. A platen 50 (support member) that supports the recording paper 12 is provided in the downward direction 7 of the recording unit 31. An image is recorded by the recording unit 31 on the recording paper 12 supported on the platen 50.

  Between the platen 50 and the paper feed tray 13, a paper feed unit 15 that feeds the recording paper 12 in the paper feed tray 13 in the transport direction 3 is provided. Further, a paper feed guide member 16 for guiding the recording paper 12 fed from the paper feed tray 13 by the paper feed unit 15 to the recording unit 31 is provided at the rear end portion of the apparatus main body 11.

  The sheet feeding unit 15 includes a sheet feeding roller 15 </ b> A whose axis is arranged along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. The paper feed roller 15A is rotatably supported by one end portion (tip portion) of the support arm 15B. The other end (base end) of the support arm 15B is rotatably supported by a support shaft 15C having an axis parallel to the axis of the paper feed roller 15A. When the support arm 15B is rotated downward about the support shaft 15C, the paper supply roller 15A contacts the uppermost recording paper 12 in the paper supply tray 13, and is rotated upward 6. And away from the recording paper 12. The power of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to the paper feed roller 15A by a power transmission mechanism 15D and is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow D1 in FIG. When the paper feed roller 15 </ b> A is rotated in contact with the recording paper 12, the recording paper 12 is introduced into the lower end portion of the paper feed guide member 16.

  The paper feed guide member 16 defines an arc-shaped space that protrudes in the rearward direction 9. The internal space of the paper feed guide member 16 defines an upstream portion of the transport path 28 through which the recording paper 12 is transported. The recording paper 12 introduced into the paper feed guide member 16 is transported in the upstream portion of the transport path 28 in the paper feed guide member 16 on the basis of the center.

  Between the paper feed guide member 16 and the platen 50, a first transport roller unit 21 that transports the recording paper 12 that has passed through the paper feed guide member 16 onto the platen 50 is provided. The first transport roller unit 21 is disposed in one downward direction 7 of the first transport roller 22 in contact with the upper surface (referred to as “image recording surface”) of the recording paper 12 and the first transport roller 22. And a plurality of pinch rollers 26 in contact with the lower surface (referred to as “back surface”).

  The axis of the first conveying roller 22 is arranged along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, and the rotation of a motor (not shown) is transmitted to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 in FIG. The plurality of pinch rollers 26 are arranged along the axis of the first transport roller 22 with a certain interval. Each pinch roller 26 can be brought into contact with and separated from the first conveying roller 22, and each pinch rotates following the rotation of the first conveying roller 22.

  When the recording paper 12 is transported between the first transporting roller 22 and the pinch roller 26, the recording paper 12 is nipped (niped) by the first transporting roller 22 and the pinch roller 26 and transported in the transporting direction 3, and the platen Reach 50.

  The downstream end of the platen 50 in the transport direction 3 is positioned downstream of the recording unit 31 in the transport direction 3. A discharge guide body 52 and a discharge tray 17 are continuously provided along the transport direction 3 downstream of the downstream end of the platen 50 in the transport direction 3. The conveyance path 28 of the recording paper 12 sequentially passes through the inside of the paper feed guide member 16, between the first conveyance roller 22 and the pinch roller 26, between the platen 50 and the recording unit 31, and on the discharge guide body 52. The discharge tray 17 is reached. Details of the platen 50 and the discharge guide body 52 will be described later.

  The recording unit 31 includes a carriage 32 disposed in the upward direction 6 of the platen 50. The carriage 32 is supported on the first guide frame 36 and the second guide frame 37. The first guide frame 36 and the second guide frame 37 are spaced apart along the front direction 8 and the rear direction 9, and extend along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, respectively. Yes.

  The carriage 32 is supported by the first guide frame 36 and the second guide frame 37 and can reciprocate along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the carriage 32 reciprocates (scanning direction) is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction 3, but the scanning direction does not necessarily have to be orthogonal to the conveyance direction 3. As long as it intersects.

  A recording head 33 is provided below the carriage 32. The recording head 33 has a plurality of nozzles 34 that eject ink in the downward direction 7. Each nozzle 34 is supplied with ink containing pigment, so-called pigment ink, from an ink cartridge (not shown). Each nozzle 34 discharges the supplied ink toward the platen 50 as ink droplets.

  When the recording unit 31 records an image on the recording paper 12 conveyed on the platen 50, the recording paper 12 is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen 50. Next, the carriage 32 is reciprocated along the scanning direction (right direction 4 and left direction 5), and ink droplets are selectively ejected from the nozzles 34 during this reciprocal movement. Thereafter, intermittent conveyance of the recording paper 12 in the conveyance direction 3 and reciprocation of the carriage 32 and selective ejection of ink droplets from the nozzles 34 while the recording paper 12 is stopped are repeated. As a result, an image is formed by the ink adhering to the recording paper 12.

  A second transport roller unit 41 that transports the recording paper 12 on the discharge guide body 52 to the discharge tray 17 is provided downstream of the platen 50 in the transport direction 3. The second conveyance roller unit 41 is disposed to face the plurality of second conveyance rollers 42A that are in contact with the back surface of the recording paper 12 and the plurality of second rollers 42A, respectively. A plurality of spur rollers 43 in contact therewith.

[Platen]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the platen 50 includes a sheet support portion 51 </ b> A located in the downward direction 7 of the recording unit 31. The sheet support portion 51 </ b> A faces the recording head 33 mounted on the carriage 32. The sheet support portion 51A is divided into a second region 51Y, a fourth region 51T, a first region 51X, and a third region 51Z in order from the upstream in the transport direction 3.

  The first area 51X is an area facing the nozzles 34 of the recording head 33 when the carriage 32 reciprocates. Accordingly, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 34 toward the first region 51X. The second area 51Y is an area upstream in the transport direction 3 from the first area 51X. In the second region 51Y, a part of the recording paper 12 before ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 33 is supported. The third area 51Z is an area downstream in the transport direction 3 from the first area 51X. Even toward the third region 51Z, ink droplets are ejected from some of the plurality of nozzles 34 located downstream in the transport direction 3. The fourth area 51T is an area located between the first area 51X and the second area 51Y in the transport direction 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the upper surface 51U (hereinafter referred to as “first surface 51U”) of the first region 51X in the sheet support portion 51A is a portion where a first concave groove 51G described later is provided. Except for a flat surface with a certain height. 6 and 7, the upper surface 51V of the second region 51Y (hereinafter referred to as “second surface 51V”) is the same as the first surface 51U except for the upstream end in the transport direction 3. It is comprised on the flat surface of the same height. An upper surface 51W (hereinafter referred to as “third surface 51W”) in the third region 51Z is lower than the first surface 51U.

  In the sheet support portion 51A, support ribs 51E along the transport direction 3 are provided from the upstream in the transport direction 3 to the second surface 51V and the first surface 51U. The support rib 51E protrudes from the second surface 51V and the first surface 51U in the upward direction 6 (the direction approaching the recording unit 31, the same applies hereinafter).

  A plurality of the support ribs 51E are arranged at intervals in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of the sheet support portion 51A. The arrangement of each support rib 51E is set in consideration of the standard size of the recording paper 12 supported by the sheet support portion 51A, that is, the width along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. In this embodiment, the sheet support portion 51A can support the L size, postcard size, A5 size, B5 size, A4 size, and letter size with the short sides along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 respectively. It is. The upper surface of each support rib 51 </ b> E has substantially the same height in the upward direction 6 and the downward direction 7. Each support rib 51E is appropriately arranged such that the recording paper 12 of each fixed size has a substantially flat recording surface facing the recording head 33.

  Each support rib 51E is arranged at a position slightly closer to the center than the both end portions at both end portions in the right direction 4 and left direction 5 of the recording paper 12 of each standard size. Of the support ribs 51E, the support ribs 51E that are closest to both ends of each standard size recording paper 12 are about several millimeters closer to the center than the both ends of each standard size recording paper 12 conveyed on the center reference. It is arranged to become. The arrangement of the support ribs 51E is set in consideration of the range of ink droplets ejected outward from both ends of the recording paper 12 and the range in which the recording paper 12 can be skewed in borderless printing described later. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a plurality of first concave grooves 51 </ b> G are provided in the first region 51 </ b> X of the sheet support portion 51 </ b> A. Each first concave groove 51G is recessed downward 7 from the first surface 51U (a direction away from the recording unit 31, hereinafter the same) and opens toward the upward direction 6. The length along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 is constant in the transport direction 3 and the first concave groove 51G extends over the entire region in the transport direction 3 in the first region 51X.

  Each of the first concave grooves 51 </ b> G is disposed in the lower direction 7 of both end portions along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of the recording paper 12 of each fixed size conveyed with the center reference. Accordingly, the first concave grooves 51G are arranged in line symmetry with respect to the reference line 55 serving as the center reference of the recording paper 12 in the first region 51X.

  In FIG. 9C, the L plate size and postcard size transported horizontally, the A4 size transported vertically and laterally, the letter size recording paper 12 transported vertically, and the first concave groove 51G, respectively. The relationship with is shown.

  The length along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of each first concave groove 51G is the range of ink droplets ejected outward from both ends of the recording paper 12 in borderless printing described later, and the recording paper 12 Is set in consideration of the range that can be skewed. Each of the first concave grooves 51G includes a position immediately below the both ends in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of each standard size recording paper 12 in borderless printing. Therefore, in borderless printing, the ink droplets ejected outward at both ends of the recording paper 12 in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 are directed to the first concave grooves 51G.

  Second grooves 51J are provided in the third region 51Z of the sheet support portion 51A along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, respectively. The second recessed grooves 51J are recessed downward 7 from the second surface 51V and the third surface 51W, respectively, and open toward the upward direction 6. The length along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of each second concave groove 51J is the maximum size recording paper 12 conveyed on the center reference, in this embodiment the letter size recording paper 12 in the right direction 4 and left. It is wider than the width along the direction 5. The length of the second concave groove 51J along the conveyance direction 3 is such that the range of ink droplets discharged outward from the upstream end and the downstream in the conveyance direction 3 of the recording paper 12 in the borderless printing, It is set in consideration of the range that can be skewed.

  Each of the first concave grooves 51G and the second concave grooves 51J has the same configuration except that the arrangement and dimensions are different. Therefore, the detailed configuration will be described below by taking one first concave groove 51G as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first concave groove 51G has a flat bottom surface 51H. An ink receiving member 53 (an example of a protrusion) is provided on the bottom surface 51H. The ink receiving member 53 is a protrusion having a triangular cross section protruding upward 6. The ink receiving member 53 extends along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 on the bottom surface 51H. A plurality of ink receiving members 53 are arranged side by side along the transport direction 3.

  Each ink receiving member 53 extends so as to be continuous over the entire area in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 in the first concave groove 51G. The ink receiving member 53 has two side surfaces 53 </ b> C that are downstream and upstream in the transport direction 3 and face the upward direction 6. The ink receiving member 53 has a tapered shape toward the protruding end (upward direction 6) by two side surfaces 53C, and the cross-sectional shape along the transport direction 3 is an isosceles triangle.

  Each ink receiving member 53 has the same length from the bottom surface 51H to the protruding end. Accordingly, the protruding end of each ink receiving member 53 is located in one imaginary plane parallel to the bottom surface 51H. The protruding end of each ink receiving member 53 is positioned in a lower direction 7 than the protruding end of the support rib 51E, and in the present embodiment, is positioned in a lower direction 7 than the first surface 51U in the first region 51X. doing.

  A space 53D defined by a pair of side surfaces 53C and extending along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 is formed between the ink receiving members 53 adjacent in the transport direction 3. Each space 53D is continuous over the entire area in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 in the first concave groove 51G.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the third region 51 </ b> Z of the sheet support portion 51 </ b> A is provided with a plurality of auxiliary ribs 51 </ b> M each protruding upward 6 along the conveyance direction 3. The number of the auxiliary ribs 51M is smaller than that of the support ribs 51E. Further, the upper surface of the auxiliary rib 51M is positioned in the downward direction 7 from the upper surface of the support rib 51E.

[Discharge guide body 52 and second transport roller unit 41]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the discharge guide body 52 has a flat plate-shaped discharge guide main body 52B provided downstream in the transport direction 3 with respect to the second roller shaft 42B, and the discharge guide main body 52B. And an upstream guide portion 52 </ b> A provided upstream in the transport direction 3. A second roller shaft 42B of the second transport roller unit 41 that transports the recording paper 12 in the transport direction 3 is disposed along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 downstream of the sheet support unit 51A in the transport direction 3. Yes. The discharge guide main body 52B is disposed downstream of the second roller shaft 42B in the transport direction 3 and has the same height as the downstream end of the upstream guide portion 52A.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second transport roller unit 41 has a constant interval along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 on the second roller shaft 42 </ b> B arranged along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. The plurality of (eight) second transport rollers 42 </ b> A are provided to be vacant. As described above, the second transport roller unit 41 includes a plurality of spur rollers 43 (see FIG. 2) disposed to face the second transport roller 42A, but is omitted in FIGS. Has been. The recording paper 12 on which the image is recorded is discharged onto the discharge tray 17 by the second transport roller 42A and the spur roller 43.

[Borderless printing]
The multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment performs printing by providing margins in the vicinity of each end of the rectangular recording paper 12 (both ends in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, and a downstream end and an upstream end in the transport direction 3). Both normal printing and borderless printing for printing to each end of the recording paper 12 can be performed. In borderless printing, as shown in FIG. 9A, the ink extends to a region 50A wider than the recording paper 12 supported on the sheet support portion 51A of the platen 50, that is, to the outside of each end of the recording paper 12. Drops are ejected.

  In the sheet support portion 51A, each region 50A in which ink droplets are ejected to the outside of the recording paper 12 in borderless printing is referred to as a “borderless recording region 50A”. If the borderless recording area 50 </ b> A is at both ends in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, for example, the borderless recording area 50 </ b> A is set to an outside range of about several mm from the both ends to the right direction 4 or the left direction 5. Further, the marginless recording area 50A is set in consideration of misalignment and skew of the recording paper 12 conveyed with the center reference, deviation of the arrival position of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 34, and the like. Each first concave groove 51G is disposed at a position including at least the borderless recording area 50A.

  Further, the borderless recording area 50A with respect to the downstream end and the upstream end in the transport direction 3 on the recording paper 12 extends outward from both end positions in the right direction 4 and left direction 5 of the maximum size recording paper 12. Yes. Further, the length of the borderless recording area 50A along the conveyance direction 3 is the position of the recording paper 12 when performing borderless printing on each of the downstream end and the upstream end of the recording paper, and the nozzle 34 used. Are set in consideration of the position of the recording paper 12, the skew of the recording paper 12, the deviation of the arrival position of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 34, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the first concave groove 51 </ b> G will be described by taking as an example a case where borderless printing is performed on both ends of the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of the recording paper 12. The recording paper 12 is conveyed on the sheet support portion 51A of the platen 50 by the center reference, and the downstream end in the conveyance direction 3 of the recording paper 12 reaches the third region 51Z of the sheet support portion 51A. At this time, borderless printing is performed on the downstream end of the recording paper 12 in the conveyance direction 3, but detailed description thereof is omitted here. Further, after borderless printing on both ends of the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 of the recording paper 12 to be described later is performed, the upstream end of the recording paper 12 in the conveyance direction 3 is the third region 51Z of the sheet support portion 51A. , And borderless printing is performed on the upstream end of the recording paper 12 in the conveyance direction 3, but detailed description thereof is also omitted here.

  When both ends of the recording paper 12 in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 are in the first region 51X of the sheet support portion 51A of the platen 50, borderless printing is performed on the both ends. As shown in FIG. 9B, the right end 12A of the recording paper 12 protrudes in the right direction 4 from the support rib 51E closest to the right end 12A, and in the downward direction 7 there is a first concave groove 51G. Is located.

  When the conveyance of the recording paper 12 is stopped, the carriage 32 in the recording unit 31 is reciprocated along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 and ink droplets of pigment ink are selected from the nozzles 34 toward the recording paper 12. Is discharged. In borderless printing, ink droplets are ejected outward from both ends of the recording paper 12. Therefore, the ink droplets that have not landed on the recording paper 12 enter the first concave groove 51G in the downward direction 7 with respect to the recording paper 12.

  Since the plurality of ink receiving members 53 are provided in the first concave groove 51G along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, most of the ink droplets that have entered the first concave groove 51G enter the space 53D. Thus, the ink reaches the side surface 53C of one of the ink receiving members 53. The ink droplet that has reached the side surface 53C flows down toward the bottom surface 51H along the side surface 53C by the action of gravity.

  Ink droplets that have flowed down along the side surface 53C of each ink receiving member 53 accumulate near the bottom surface 51H of the space 53D. The liquid component in the accumulated ink droplets evaporates with time, or flows out along the liquid flow path when a liquid flow path is formed through which ink can flow out from the space 53D. When the liquid component of the ink droplets accumulated in the space 53D evaporates, the pigment remains in the space 53D. Even if the ink flows out from the space 53D along the liquid flow path, the pigment having a lower fluidity than the liquid component tends to remain in the space 53D.

  As illustrated by reference numeral 63 in FIG. 8, the borderless printing is repeatedly performed, whereby the pigment is deposited in the space 53D. Since the space 53D extends in the upward direction 6 so that the length along the transport direction 3 increases, the amount of pigment that can be deposited in the space 53D increases in the upward direction 6. As a result, the amount of the pigment that can be deposited in the first concave groove 53G can be made relatively large. As a result, the pigment adheres to the back surface of the recording paper 12 even if the number of times of borderless printing is increased. That is alleviated.

  On the other hand, the ink droplet 61 entering the first concave groove 51G has a longer moving distance in the downward direction 7 after being ejected from the nozzle 34 than the ink droplet landing on the recording surface of the recording paper 12. As a result, there is a high possibility that the ink droplet 61 will collapse and ink mist floating as a large number of minute droplets will be generated.

  In addition, the carriage 32 provided with the nozzles 34 that eject ink droplets moves along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9D, the airflow existing in the downward direction 7 with respect to the nozzle 34 flows in the direction indicated by the arrow 71 along the moving direction of the carriage 32. The ink mist generated by the collapse of the ink droplet 61 flows by the air current. In FIG. 9D, the flow of ink mist is indicated by an arrow 70.

  Since the ink receiving member 53 is provided in the first concave groove 53G, the ink droplet 61 that has entered the space 53D reaches the side surface 53C of the ink receiving member 53 before reaching the bottom surface 51H. That is, since the ink droplet 61 adheres to the side surface 53C at a distance shorter than the moving distance to reach the bottom surface 51H, the generation of ink mist in the first concave groove 53G is suppressed.

  When ink mist is generated in the first concave groove 51G, the ink mist flows along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 by the air current. In the first concave groove 51G, since the space 53D extends along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, a member that blocks the flow 70 of the ink mist flowing in the space 53D, for example, along the transport direction 3 is provided. There are no members such as extending walls. Therefore, the ink mist flow 70 is not blocked by the member in the space 53D, and therefore, the ink mist flow 70 is prevented from being wound up in the upward direction 6 as indicated by the arrow 70B in FIG. 9D. As a result, the ink mist is likely to fall naturally as indicated by an arrow 70A in FIG. 9D. As a result, ink mist can be reduced from adhering to the recording paper 12 positioned in the upward direction 6 of the first concave groove 51G.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, by providing the ink receiving member 53 in the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J of the sheet support portion 51A, the pigment is efficiently put into the space 53D formed between the ink receiving members 53. Can be accumulated. This suppresses the pigment from adhering to the back surface of the recording paper 12. In addition, when the number of times of borderless printing with pigment ink increases, the volume of pigment that can be deposited without adhering to the recording paper 12 can be expanded.

  Each ink receiving member 53 extends along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, and the plurality of ink receiving members 53 are arranged along the transport direction 3. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the ink mist in the 1st recessed groove 51G and the 2nd recessed part 51J can be suppressed.

  The protruding end of each ink receiving member 53 is lower than the first surface 51U in the first region 51X of the sheet support portion 51A or the third surface 51W in the third region 51Z. Thereby, the capacity | capacitance in which the pigment in the 1st groove 51G and the 2nd recessed part 51J can accumulate without adhering to the recording paper 12 can further be expanded.

  Providing the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J can increase the probability that ink mist will occur. However, since the ink receiving member 53 provided in the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J forms a space 53D continuous along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 (scanning direction), the ink mist Can be prevented from being rolled up in the upward direction 6. As a result, the ink mist is prevented from adhering to the back surface of the recording paper 12.

  The space 53D formed between the ink receiving members 53 does not necessarily have to be continuous over the entire area in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 in the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J. When the ink mist flows along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 in the space 53D, the space 53D has a side surface 53C, a first groove 51G, or a second groove 51J of the ink receiving member 53 due to natural fall. What is necessary is just to continue in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 over the length which can adhere to the bottom face 51H.

[Modification]
The shape of the ink receiving member 53 provided in the first concave groove 51G and the second concave groove 51J is configured to extend integrally along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 as shown in the above-described embodiment. Not exclusively. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink receiving member 53 may be configured by a plurality of ink receiving members 53 formed in a conical shape. Each ink receiving member 53 has the same shape and size. Such ink receiving members 53 are arranged in rows along the right direction 4, the left direction 5, and the transport direction 3 on the bottom surfaces 51 </ b> H of the first concave grooves 51 </ b> G and the second concave grooves 51 </ b> J. Also in this case, a space 53 </ b> D continuous along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 is formed between the ink receiving members 53 adjacent along the transport direction 3.

  In this modification, a space 53 </ b> D formed between adjacent ink receiving members 53 communicates not only in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 but also in the transport direction 3. Therefore, when ink mist is generated and flows along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, the ink mist flow 70 illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 is along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. It is also possible to pass between adjacent ink receiving members 53. Thereby, the probability that the ink mist adheres to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving member 53 is increased, and the possibility that the ink mist adheres to the back surface of the recording paper 12 is further reduced.

[Other variations]
The ink receiving member (protrusion) 53 only needs to be tapered toward the protruding end. For this reason, the cross section of the ink receiving member 53 extending in the right direction 4 and the left direction 5 does not have to be triangular as shown in FIG. 8, but may be polygonal such as rhombus. . Moreover, it does not need to be continuous along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, and may be formed intermittently. Furthermore, each ink receiving member 53 is not limited to the cone shape as shown in FIG. 10, but may be a pyramid shape or the like.

  Further, the space 53D is not limited to a mode in which the space 53D is continuous in a straight state along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. For example, when the space 53D is viewed in the downward direction 7, the state in which the space 53D meanders along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5, that is, the direction in which the space 53D continues is the right direction 4 and the left An aspect including not only the direction 5 but also components of the forward direction 8 and the backward direction 9 may be used. For this reason, for example, in each ink receiving member 53, a convex portion protruding along the transport direction 3 and a concave portion recessed along the transport direction 3 are repeated along the right direction 4 and the left direction 5. The zigzag side surface 53C is used. In this case, the adjacent side surfaces 53C are fitted into the concave portion of one side surface 53C with the convex portion of the other side surface 53C being spaced apart. As a result, a zigzag space 53D is formed.

  In the above embodiment, the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J are provided in the borderless recording area of the first area 51X of the platen 50, and the ink receiving member is provided in the first concave groove 51G and the second concave portion 51J. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the ink receiving member 53 may be provided on the borderless recording area on the first surface 51U of the first area 51X without providing the first groove 51G in the first area 51X of the sheet support portion 51A. .

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, it is not restricted to the structure which provides the 2nd recessed part 51J in a part of 3rd area | region 51Z in 51 A of sheet | seat support parts, and provides the said 2nd recessed groove 51J. For example, the entire third region 51Z is configured to be lower than the bottom surface 51H of the first concave groove 51G provided in the first region 51X, and the portion where the auxiliary rib 51M is provided in the third region 51Z. The ink receiving member 53 may be provided over the entire surface.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the recording paper 12 is conveyed based on the central reference has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. In other words, the recording paper 12 may be transported such that one end of the recording paper 12 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction 3 coincides with one end of the transport path 28 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

12 .... Recording paper 31 ... Recording section 34 ... Nozzle 50 ... Platen (supporting member)
51A ... Sheet support portion 51E ... support rib 51G ... first groove 51H ... bottom surface 51J ... second groove 51U ... first surface 51X ... first region 53 ... Ink receiving members (protrusions)
53C ... Side 53D ... Space

Claims (7)

A support member for supporting the sheet conveyed in the conveyance direction;
A recording unit that is disposed to face the support member and that ejects ink droplets while moving in a scanning direction that intersects the transport direction;
The support member is
A plurality of support ribs protruding from the first surface toward the recording unit and extending along the transport direction;
Provided in an edgeless recording area on the first surface, protruding toward the recording portion, and having a plurality of tapered protrusions toward the protruding end;
The protruding ends of the protrusions are separated from the recording portion than the protruding ends of the support ribs,
An ink jet recording apparatus in which a space formed between the plurality of protrusions is continuous along the scanning direction. Each of the protrusions extends along the scanning direction,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged in the transport direction.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the protrusions has a cone shape.   4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is disposed below both ends in the scanning direction of a sheet of each size supported by a support member. 5.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a concave groove that is recessed in a direction away from the recording portion is provided in the borderless recording area, and the protrusion is provided in the concave groove. .   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding end of each of the protrusions is separated from the recording unit from the first surface.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink ejected from the recording unit includes a pigment.

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