Recording device

Abstract

To solve a problem that, since a rib of a platen is metal, a medium that contacts the rib may be damaged by a projection such as a burr remaining on a surface of the metal.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head that discharges liquid onto a conveyed medium for recording; and a platen 14 supporting the medium in a lower part of the recording head. The platen 14 has: a rib 14A2 contacting the medium; and a static elimination part 14B1 connected to a ground potential. The static elimination part 14B1 is arranged in a lower part from an upper surface of the rib 14A2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional device equipped with a platen that supports a medium. The platen is formed with ribs that come into contact with the medium. The ribs are made of metal, and the medium is neutralized via the ribs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-23365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the ribs of the platen are made of metal, and therefore there is a problem in that protrusions such as burrs left on the surface of the metal can scratch the medium that comes into contact with the ribs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a recording head that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a transported medium, and a support portion that supports the medium below the recording head, the support portion having a rib that contacts the medium and a discharge portion that is connected to ground potential, the discharge portion being positioned below the upper surface of the rib. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a platen. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a platen. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a platen in a second embodiment. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the following embodiment, an inkjet printer will be described as an example of a recording apparatus 1 with reference to the drawings. In the drawings shown below, the scale of each component is different from the actual scale so that each component can be recognized. In addition, the same components are given the same reference numerals in each drawing, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, in each drawing, at least one of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is illustrated as necessary as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are each indicated with an arrow. For each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the direction of the arrow indicates the positive direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow indicates the negative direction.

[0008] The X axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface of the recording device 1, and corresponds to the width direction of the recording device 1 and the width direction of the medium M. The +X direction parallel to the X axis is the direction from left to right of the recording device 1 when viewed from the front of the recording device 1. In the case of FIG. 1, the +X direction is the direction from the back to the front of the drawing. The -X direction parallel to the X axis is the direction opposite to the +X direction. In the recording device 1, the +X direction side is the right side, and the -X direction side is the left side.

[0009] The Y axis is an axis parallel to the installation surface of the recording device 1 and corresponds to the depth direction of the recording device 1. The +Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the direction from the back side of the recording device 1 to the front side when viewed from directly facing the front of the recording device 1. The -Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the direction opposite to the +Y direction. In the recording device 1, the +Y direction side is the front side, and the -Y direction side is the back side. Note that in the recording device 1, the transport direction in which the medium M is transported is also referred to as downstream, and the opposite direction is also referred to as upstream.

[0010] The Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the installation surface of the recording device 1 and corresponds to the height direction of the recording device 1. When the installation surface of the recording device 1 is horizontal, the Z axis is an axis along the vertical direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the direction from below to above the recording device 1 when viewed from the front of the recording device 1. The -Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the direction opposite to the +Z direction. In the recording device 1, the +Z direction side is the upper side, and the -Z direction side is the lower side. The part located on the upper side is also referred to as the upper part, and the surface facing upward is also referred to as the upper surface. The part located on the lower side is also referred to as the lower part, and the surface facing downward is also referred to as the lower surface.

[0011] In the following description, the direction parallel to the X-axis will also be referred to as the X-axis direction, the direction parallel to the Y-axis will also be referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the Z-axis will also be referred to as the Z-axis direction. In other words, the X-axis direction includes both the +X direction and the -X direction, the Y-axis direction includes both the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the Z-axis direction includes both the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0012] 1. First embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes a housing 2 that constitutes the main body of the recording device 1, and a medium setting section 3 in which multiple media M can be set is provided on the rear side, or the -Y direction side, of the housing 2. The medium setting section 3 includes a hopper 4 on which the media M are placed and a paper support 5. The leading end side of the medium M is supported in an inclined position on the support surface 4A of the hopper 4. The trailing end side of the medium M that is not supported by the hopper 4 is supported by the paper support 5 that is provided upstream of the hopper 4 in the transport direction of the medium M.

[0013] A feed roller 7 is provided at a position facing the support surface 4A of the hopper 4. The hopper 4 is provided so as to be swingable about a swing shaft 6 extending in the X-axis direction on the upstream side of the transport direction of the medium M, so that the support surface 4A of the hopper 4 moves toward and away from the feed roller 7. The hopper 4 is pressed toward the feed roller 7 by a pressing member (not shown). The feed roller 7 sends the medium M toward the recording head 8.

[0014] When the support surface 4A of the hopper 4 swings in a direction approaching the feed roller 7, the medium M placed closest to the feed roller 7 among the media M placed in the hopper 4 comes into contact with the feed roller 7. As the feed roller 7 rotates, the media M are picked up one by one and sent downstream in the conveyance direction. In FIG. 1, the media M are conveyed by the feed roller 7, which rotates clockwise.

[0015] The medium M sent from the upstream side in the transport direction is transported to a recording position below the recording head 8 by a transport roller pair 11 made up of a transport drive roller 9 and a transport driven roller 10.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the recording head 8 is an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the transported medium M to record an image or the like. Ink is an example of a "liquid." The recording head 8 is mounted on a carriage 12. The carriage 12 can be equipped with an ink cartridge 13 for supplying ink to the recording head 8. The carriage 12 receives power from a drive source (not shown) and is configured to be able to move back and forth in a direction intersecting the +Y direction, which is the transport direction of the medium M, i.e., in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium M.

[0017] The carriage 12 is supported by a first guide rail 28 and a second guide rail 29 extending in the X-axis direction, and moves along the first guide rail 28 and the second guide rail 29. The first guide rail 28 is disposed upstream of the recording head 8, and the second guide rail 29 is disposed downstream of the recording head 8. The first guide rail 28 and the second guide rail 29 are supported by the housing 2 at both ends in the X-axis direction.

[0018] A platen 14 that supports the medium M is provided below the recording head 8. The platen 14 constitutes part of the transport path S along which the medium M is transported, and the medium M is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path S while in sliding contact with the platen 14. The transport path S for the medium M is indicated by a dashed dotted line. The platen 14 is an example of a "support portion" that supports the medium M. A gap is provided between the ink ejection surface of the recording head 8 and the medium M, allowing the medium M to be transported. Recording is performed by ejecting ink from the recording head 8 onto the medium M that is transported while supported by the platen 14.

[0019] A discharge roller pair 17 including a discharge drive roller 15 and a discharge driven roller 16 is provided downstream of the recording head 8. A discharge unit 19 is provided in front of the recording device 1, downstream of the discharge roller pair 17. A medium tray 26 that receives the discharged medium M is provided downstream of the discharge unit 19. After recording, the medium M is discharged from the discharge unit 19 toward the medium tray 26 by the discharge roller pair 17. A regulating roller 18 is provided upstream of the discharge driven roller 16. The regulating roller 18 is a roller that regulates the medium M from floating up upstream of the discharge driven roller 16. The discharge driven roller 16 and the regulating roller 18 are formed as knurled rollers with protrusions on their outer peripheries.

[0020] The recording device 1 also includes an inversion mechanism 20 that inverts the medium M, allowing recording to be performed on both sides of the medium M. The inversion mechanism 20 is located on the -Y direction side of the hopper 4. The inversion mechanism 20 includes a inversion roller 22 that inverts the medium M on which recording has been performed by the recording head 8, and multiple driven rollers that are biased against the inversion roller 22 and rotate in response to the inversion. The multiple driven rollers include a first driven roller 23, a second driven roller 24, and a third driven roller 25. The inversion mechanism 20 inverts the medium M by transporting the medium M along an inversion path 21 that surrounds the inversion roller 22.

[0021] In the recording device 1, when recording on both sides of the medium M, first, recording is performed on the first side of the medium M by the recording head 8. The medium M is then returned to the upstream side of the transport roller pair 11 by the reverse feed operation of the transport roller pair 11 and the discharge roller pair 17. Furthermore, the medium M is sent from the portion indicated by arrow A to the reversing path 21 by the reverse feed operation of the transport roller pair 11. Furthermore, the medium M passes through the reversing mechanism 20 and is returned to the transport path S from the portion indicated by arrow B.

[0022] After being turned over and returned to the transport path S, the medium M is again sent below the recording head 8 by the transport roller pair 11, where recording is performed on the second side, which is the side opposite to the first side. After recording on the second side by the recording head 8, the medium M is discharged from the discharge section 19 to the medium tray 26 by the discharge roller pair 17.

[0023] 2 to 4, the platen 14 is configured by joining a base 14A, a metal plate 14B, an absorber 14C, a lead wire 14D, and a male screw 14E. The base 14A is a generally plate-shaped portion that extends along the XY plane and has concave and convex portions, openings, etc. The base 14A is injection-molded from a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin.

[0024] The base 14A has a plurality of ribs 14A2 on a facing surface 14A1 facing the +Z direction. A portion of the facing surface 14A1 faces the recording head 8. The plurality of ribs 14A2 are each formed integrally with the base 14A and come into contact with the medium M. The plurality of ribs 14A2 are each formed to protrude from the facing surface 14A1 in the +Z direction. The plurality of ribs 14A2 are each arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction. The plurality of ribs 14A2 are also each arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the plurality of ribs 14A2 are arranged in series along the width direction and the conveying direction of the medium M. The plurality of ribs 14A2 are arranged to correspond to a plurality of standard sizes of the medium M, such as postcard size and A4 size.

[0025] The medium support surface 14A3, which is the upper surface of the multiple ribs 14A2, is a surface that lies along the XY plane. The medium support surface 14A3 is a surface that supports the medium M transported on the platen 14. The multiple ribs 14A2 each have approximately the same width, i.e., length in the X-axis direction. Of the multiple ribs 14A2, the rib 14A2 formed at the -Y-direction end of the base 14A, i.e., the upstream end, has a longer length in the Y-axis direction than the ribs 14A2 formed at other positions.

[0026] The metal plate 14B is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate. In the first embodiment, the metal plate 14B is formed from an electro-galvanized steel plate (SECC). However, the metal plate 14B may also be formed from a material such as aluminum, a nickel alloy, phosphor bronze, or stainless steel.

[0027] The metal plate 14B includes a connecting portion 14B4 extending in the X-axis direction and multiple bent portions 14B5 connected to the end of the connecting portion 14B4 on the -Y-axis direction side. The connecting portion 14B4 is arranged along the XY plane. The multiple bent portions 14B5 have a shape that bends multiple times and extend generally in the +Z direction. Of the multiple bent portions 14B5, the portion closest to the +Z direction is formed along the XY plane and constitutes a first static eliminator 14B1. The first static eliminator 14B1 is an example of a "static eliminator." As shown in FIG. 3, when the metal plate 14B and the base 14A are coupled together, the first static eliminator 14B1 is located on the +Z side of the base 14A and faces the medium M. The multiple first static eliminators 14B1 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the connecting portion 14B4 has a plurality of through holes 14B3 formed therethrough along the Z-axis direction. In the first embodiment, three through holes 14B3 are formed, but this is not limited to this. The number of through holes 14B3 may be one or more. The threaded portions of the male screw 14E are passed through the plurality of through holes 14B3.

[0029] The first static eliminator 14B1 is exposed at the −Y direction end and the +Z direction end of the base 14A by inserting the metal plate 14B from the back side toward the front side of the base 14A. The metal plate 14B is fastened to the base 14A by screwing a male screw 14E into a screw hole (not shown) formed on the underside of the base 14A.

[0030] The absorbent material 14C is a sheet-like member that absorbs ink ejected from the recording head 8 to the outside of the medium M as waste liquid. The absorbent material 14C is made of a material that can absorb and retain ink. In the first embodiment, the absorbent material 14C is made of nonwoven fabric, but is not limited to this. The absorbent material 14C may also be made of various materials such as urethane foam, sponge, cloth, or paper.

[0031] The absorbent material 14C is disposed on the opposing surface 14A1 of the base 14A. The absorbent material 14C is formed in a shape that avoids the rib 14A2 located most upstream and the rib 14A2 located most downstream. The absorbent material 14C is formed with a plurality of openings 14C1 that penetrate from front to back along the Z-axis direction. The openings 14C1 are formed at positions corresponding to the remaining ribs 14A2 of the plurality of ribs 14A2, excluding the rib 14A2 located most upstream and the rib 14A2 located most downstream. The size of each of the plurality of openings 14C1 is large enough to expose the rib 14A2 corresponding to the opening 14C1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent 14C is formed in a generally lattice shape that includes a plurality of openings 14C1. When borderless recording is performed on the medium M, ink that spills out from both ends in the width direction of the medium M lands on a portion of the generally lattice shape of the absorbent 14C that extends in the transport direction, which is the Y axis direction. When borderless recording is performed on the medium M, ink that spills out from the upstream and downstream ends in the transport direction of the medium M lands on a portion of the generally lattice shape of the absorbent 14C that extends in the width direction, which is the X axis direction. The ink that has landed is absorbed by the absorbent 14C. The portion of the absorbent 14C that extends in the Y axis direction and the portion of the absorbent 14C that extends in the X axis direction are connected to each other, so that ink that has landed on each portion can permeate into the other portion.

[0033] Borderless recording is a function that uses the recording head 8 to record without leaving any margins on the borders (edges) of the medium M. Borderless recording records images and the like larger than the size of the medium M. As a result, some of the ink is ejected into the area that extends beyond the borders of the medium M. The approximate grid shape of the absorbent material 14C is arranged to accommodate multiple standard sizes of the medium M, such as postcard size and A4 size.

[0034] The lead wire 14D is an electric wire in which a conductor is covered with an insulator. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in the first embodiment, a crimp terminal having a hole is connected to each end of the lead wire 14D. The crimp terminal at one end of the lead wire 14D is fastened by a male screw 14E to a screw hole (not shown) formed in the base 14A corresponding to one of the through holes 14B3. This allows electrical continuity between the metal plate 14B and the male screw 14E through the crimp terminal at one end of the lead wire 14D.

[0035] The crimp terminal at the other end of the lead wire 14D is electrically connected to a conductive part connected to the ground potential, such as a metal frame (not shown) provided in the recording device 1. The lead wire 14D is a member that connects the metal plate 14B to the ground potential. The metal plate 14B including the first static eliminator 14B1 is connected to the ground potential by fastening both ends of the lead wire 14D.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the lead wire 14D is used as an example of a member connecting the metal plate 14B to the ground potential, but this is not limiting. The metal plate 14B may be connected directly to the ground potential or may be connected via a conductive cable such as a flexible flat cable. In addition, in the first embodiment, crimp terminals are connected to both ends of the lead wire 14D, but this is not limiting. The ends of the lead wire 14D may be connected by soldering or spot welding, or may be connected via a connector.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of first static eliminators 14B1 and an absorber 14C of the metal plate 14B are exposed on at least a portion of the surface of the platen 14 facing the +Z direction. In Figs. 3 to 5, to clearly show the configuration, the metal plate 14B is hatched with an upward-sloping pattern to the right, and the absorber 14C is hatched with a downward-sloping pattern to the right. The plurality of first static eliminators 14B1 are adjacent to the rib 14A2 in the X-axis direction. The plurality of first static eliminators 14B1 are provided in an area that does not overlap with the absorber 14C when viewed from the +Z direction. The plurality of first static eliminators 14B1 are provided in an area that avoids the absorber 14C.

[0038] 3 is a virtual line along the X-axis that indicates the boundary between an upstream region J of the platen 14 that does not face the recording head 8 and a region other than the upstream region J. The upstream region J is a region on the platen 14 that is located upstream of the recording head 8 in the transport direction of the medium M. A plurality of first static eliminators 14B1 are provided in the upstream region J of the platen 14 that does not face the recording head 8. This prevents ink ejected from the recording head 8 from landing on the first static eliminators 14B1.

[0039] As mentioned above, the multiple ribs 14A2 are arranged to correspond to multiple standard sizes of the medium M. Whether the borderless recording function is used or not, a control unit (not shown) controls the ink ejection so that ink ejected from the recording head 8 does not land on the multiple ribs 14A2.

[0040] In the upstream region J of the platen 14, among the multiple ribs 14A2, ribs 14A2 that are longer in the Y-axis direction than the other ribs 14A2 that are provided in regions other than the upstream region J are provided. This makes it possible to support the medium M while stabilizing its posture as it is transported from the transport roller pair 11 shown in FIG. 1. However, because the medium M is transported while rubbing against the ribs 14A2 that are longer in the Y-axis direction, the medium M is more likely to be charged in the upstream region J than in regions other than the upstream region J. In the first embodiment, in order to effectively discharge the medium M in the upstream region J, multiple first charge eliminating units 14B1 are provided on the platen 14 in the upstream region J that is located upstream of the recording head 8 in the transport direction in which the medium M is transported.

[0041] When a conductive metal is provided on the medium support surface 14A3 at the end of the rib 14A2 in the +Z direction to neutralize the medium M, scratches may occur on the contact surface of the medium M that comes into contact with the metal. The inventors discovered that this is caused by scratches on the medium M caused by contact with protrusions such as burrs left on the surface of the metal. The inventors also discovered that neutralization of the medium M can be achieved by placing the medium M supported by the rib 14A2 close to a conductive metal connected to ground potential at a distance that does not allow them to come into contact with each other. However, the neutralization effect in this case is not as great as when the medium M and the conductive metal come into contact with each other within the humidity range specified in the operating environment specifications of the recording device 1.

[0042] A configuration for eliminating static electricity from the medium M without damaging the medium M will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the metal plate 14B including the first static eliminator 14B1 is positioned below the medium support surface 14A3, which is the upper surface of the rib 14A2. The distance between the medium support surface 14A3 and the surface of the first static eliminator 14B1 facing the +Z direction is defined as distance L. Distance L is set to a distance at which the medium M supported by the rib 14A2 and the first static eliminator 14B1, which is connected to ground potential, do not come into contact with each other, and at which a predetermined static elimination effect is obtained.

[0043] According to this recording device 1, the medium M and the metal plate 14B do not come into contact with each other, which prevents scratches on the medium M supported on the medium support surface 14A3 of the platen 14. Furthermore, the medium M can be neutralized by the metal plate 14B, which is connected to the ground potential.

[0044] According to this recording device 1, the first static eliminator 14B1 is provided in an area that avoids the absorber 14C, so that ink ejected from the recording head 8 is not ejected onto the first static eliminator 14B1 of the metal plate 14B. In other words, the surface of the first static eliminator 14B1 is not contaminated with ink. This prevents a decrease in the static elimination effect of the first static eliminator 14B1 on the medium M.

[0045] According to this recording device 1, the first de-electrification section 14B1 is provided on the platen 14 in the upstream region J located upstream of the recording head 8 in the transport direction in which the medium M is transported, so that the medium M can be de-electrified at a timing before the medium M is recorded by the recording head 8.

[0046] 2. Second embodiment A recording device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9. In these figures, the same components as those in the previously mentioned figures are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] 6, the recording device 100 has a detection unit 50 on the carriage 12 on which the recording head 8 is mounted. The detection unit 50 is an optical reflective sensor equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The detection unit 50 receives light reflected from the light-emitting unit toward the medium M with the light-receiving unit, and detects the presence or absence of the medium M based on the detected amount of reflected light received by the light-receiving unit.

[0048] The detection unit 50 is provided on the underside of the carriage 12 facing the -Z direction. The detection unit 50 is provided so that light can be emitted from a light-emitting unit toward the medium M facing the recording head 8. The detection unit 50 is provided on the underside of the carriage 12 at a position that avoids the recording head 8, upstream of the recording head 8 in the -Y direction, and adjacent to the recording head 8 in the -X direction. The position of the detection unit 50 is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 50 may be provided downstream of the recording head 8 or on the +X side. Furthermore, multiple detection units 50 may be arranged on the underside of the carriage 12.

[0049] By moving the carriage 12 equipped with the detection unit 50 in the X-axis direction, the detection unit 50 detects the presence or absence of the medium M within a predetermined detection range W. As shown in FIG. 7 , the detection range W is located in the upstream region J of the platen 14 and is a long, narrow range in the X-axis direction. For example, the detection unit 50 can detect the width direction ends of the medium M being transported by detecting the presence or absence of the medium M as the carriage 12 moves from the +X direction end to the -X direction end. Furthermore, the detection unit 50 can detect the upstream and downstream ends of the medium M by detecting the presence or absence of the medium M as the medium M is transported on the platen 14.

[0050] The metal plate 14B provided on the platen 14 of the second embodiment has a second static eliminator 14B2 having a different shape from the first static eliminator 14B1 instead of the first static eliminator 14B1 of the first embodiment. The second static eliminator 14B2 is an example of a "static eliminator." In Figures 7 to 9, to clearly show the configuration, the metal plate 14B is hatched with an upward sloping pattern to the right, and the absorber 14C is hatched with a downward sloping pattern to the right.

[0051] The metal plate 14B is connected to the ground potential via the lead wire 14D, as in the first embodiment. A plurality of second static eliminators 14B2 and an absorber 14C of the metal plate 14B are exposed on at least a portion of the surface facing the +Z direction of the platen 14. The plurality of second static eliminators 14B2 are each adjacent to the rib 14A2 in the X-axis direction.

[0052] As in the first embodiment, the plurality of second static eliminators 14B2 are provided in an area that avoids the absorber 14C. Furthermore, on the platen 14, the plurality of second static eliminators 14B2 are provided in an upstream area J that is located upstream of the recording head 8 in the transport direction in which the medium M is transported. In the second embodiment, in the upstream area J, the plurality of second static eliminators 14B2 are provided in an area that avoids the detection range W detected by the detection unit 50.

[0053] 8, the metal plate 14B including the second static eliminator 14B2 is disposed below the medium support surface 14A3, which is the upper surface of the rib 14A2. The distance between the medium support surface 14A3 and the surface of the second static eliminator 14B2 facing the +Z direction is defined as distance L. In the second embodiment, distance L is also set to a distance at which the medium M supported by the rib 14A2 and the second static eliminator 14B2 connected to ground potential do not come into contact with each other, and is set close enough to each other to obtain a predetermined static elimination effect.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, a portion of the absorbent material 14C is disposed within the detection range W of the detection unit 50. However, because the surface of the absorbent material 14C is sufficiently rough compared to the medium M, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit is reduced. This allows the detection unit 50 to correctly detect the presence or absence of the medium M. The detection range W also includes an exposed portion of the facing surface 14A1 of the base 14A, i.e., a portion of the facing surface 14A1 that is not covered by either the second charge removal unit 14B2 or the absorbent material 14C. This portion is formed, for example, as a rough surface so that the detection unit 50 can correctly detect the presence or absence of the medium M. Instead of roughening the facing surface 14A1, the facing surface 14A1 may be a dark color such as black.

[0055] 7 and 9, in the multiple ribs 14A2 located at the end in the -Y direction, a groove 14A4 is formed along the Y-axis direction at approximately the center in the X-axis direction of the medium support surface 14A3. As shown in Fig. 9, the groove 14A4 is a groove recessed in the -Z direction from the medium support surface 14A3. When viewed from the +Y direction side toward the -Y direction side, the groove 14A4 is V-shaped, and has a pair of side walls whose spacing narrows as it moves from the +Z direction side toward the -Z direction side.

[0056] Sloped surfaces 14A5 are formed on both ends of the medium support surface 14A3 in the X-axis direction. The sloped surfaces 14A5 and the side walls of the grooves 14A4 are both formed at an inclination angle that prevents the light emitted from the detection unit 50 from being reflected toward the detection unit 50.

[0057] The medium support surface 14A3 faces the detection unit 50. Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting unit of the detection unit 50 can be reflected by the medium support surface 14A3 and received by the light-receiving unit of the detection unit 50. However, the grooves 14A4 and slopes 14A5 described above are formed in the rib 14A2, thereby reducing the length of the medium support surface 14A3 in the X-axis direction. This reduces the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit, allowing the detection unit 50 to correctly detect the presence or absence of a medium M. Note that the color of the medium support surface 14A3 may be dark to further reduce the light reflected by the medium support surface 14A3 and received by the light-receiving unit.

[0058] The recording device 100 can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the recording device 100 has a plurality of second charge eliminating units 14B2 provided in an area that avoids the detection range W detected by the detection unit 50, so that the detection unit 50 does not detect light reflected from the second charge eliminating units 14B2. This prevents the detection unit 50 from erroneously detecting the second charge eliminating units 14B2 as the medium M.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this recording device 100, even if the light emitted from the detection unit 50 is reflected by the opposing surface 14A1, the multiple ribs 14A2, and the absorbent material 14C arranged within the detection range W, the detection unit 50 can correctly detect the presence or absence of the medium M, thereby preventing the detection unit 50 from mistakenly detecting the opposing surface 14A1, the multiple ribs 14A2, and the absorbent material 14C as the medium M.

[0060] In each embodiment, the recording device 1 or the recording device 100 is an on-carriage type inkjet printer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The recording device 1 and the recording device 100 may be, for example, an off-carriage type in which the ink cartridge 13 is not mounted on the carriage 12.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the recording device 1 is a serial printer that performs printing while moving the carriage 12 on which the recording head 8 is mounted, but the present invention is not limited to this. The recording device 1 may also be a line head printer in which the recording head 8 is formed to be as wide as or wider than the width of the medium M, and which performs printing without moving the recording head 8.

[0062] In the first embodiment, a recording device 1 not including a detection unit 50 is exemplified, but a recording device 1 including a detection unit 50 may also be used, as in the second embodiment. In this case, if the surface of the first static eliminator 14B1 facing the detection unit 50 that faces the +Z direction is a rough surface, the first static eliminator 14B1 can be provided in the detection range W. This allows the detection unit 50 to correctly detect the presence or absence of the medium M even if the light emitted from the detection unit 50 is reflected by the first static eliminator 14B1, thereby preventing the detection unit 50 from erroneously detecting the first static eliminator 14B1 as the medium M.

[0063] The configuration including the rib 14A2 of the platen 14 and the first static eliminator 14B1 or the second static eliminator 14B2 shown in each embodiment may also be provided in the reversing path 21. This makes it possible to prevent the medium M from being scratched in the reversing path 21 and to eliminate static electricity from the medium M.

[0064] In each embodiment, the first static eliminator 14B1 or the second static eliminator 14B2 of the metal plate 14B is provided in the upstream region J of the platen 14, which is located upstream of the recording head 8 in the transport direction of the medium M, but this is not limited to this. The first static eliminator 14B1 and the second static eliminator 14B2 of the metal plate 14B may be provided in the upstream region J and in a region other than the upstream region J, respectively. This allows static elimination of the medium M more efficiently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1,100...recording device, 2...casing, 3...medium setting section, 4...hopper, 4A...support surface, 5...paper support, 6...oscillating shaft, 7...feed roller, 8...recording head, 9...transport drive roller, 10...transport driven roller, 11...transport roller pair, 12...carriage, 13...ink cartridge, 14...platen, 14A...base, 14A1...opposing surface, 14A2...rib, 14A3...medium support surface, 14A4...groove portion, 14A5...inclined surface, 14B...sheet metal, 14B1...first charge elimination section, 14B2...second charge elimination section, 14B3...through hole, 14B4...connection part, 14B5...bending part, 14C...absorbent material, 14C1...opening, 14D...lead wire, 14E...male thread, 15...discharge drive roller, 16...discharge driven roller, 17...discharge roller pair, 18...regulating roller, 19...discharge part, 20...reversing mechanism, 21...reversing path, 22...reversing roller, 23...first driven roller, 24...second driven roller, 25...third driven roller, 26...media tray, 28...first guide rail, 29...second guide rail, 50...detection part, J...upstream area, L...distance, M...media, S...transport path, V...boundary line, W...detection range.

Claims

1. a recording head that discharges liquid onto a medium being conveyed to perform recording; a support portion that supports the medium below the recording head, the support portion has a rib that contacts the medium and a static eliminator that is connected to a ground potential, The recording apparatus is characterized in that the static eliminator is disposed below an upper surface of the rib.

2. the support portion further includes an absorbent material that absorbs the liquid ejected from the recording head to the outside of the medium; The static eliminator is provided in a region avoiding the absorber. The recording device according to claim 1 .

3. the static eliminator is provided upstream of the recording head in a transport direction in which the medium is transported; The recording device according to claim 1 .

4. a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a detection unit that detects the width direction edge of the medium being transported is provided on the underside of the carriage; the detection unit is an optical sensor, The static eliminator is provided in an area that avoids a detection range detected by the detector. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 .

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