Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing the degradation of image quality. [Solution] The printing apparatus comprises: a rail extending in the direction of transport of the medium to be printed; a platen support member mounted on the rail, which supports a platen on which the medium to be printed is placed, and moves the platen along the rail between a printing position where droplets are ejected from the ejection head onto the medium to be printed and a setting position where the medium to be printed is set on the platen; a first rail fixing member provided between one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction to fix the rail; and a second rail fixing member provided between one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction and at a position away from the first rail fixing member to fix the rail.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a printing apparatus in which a platen having a print medium placed thereon is conveyed along a conveyance guide between a set position where the print medium is set on the platen and a printing position where ink droplets are ejected from an ejection head (Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-202681 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The platen is mounted and conveyed on a rail extending in the conveyance direction. It is conceivable that the rail has a front end, which is one end in the conveyance direction, and a rear end, which is the other end, and the front end and the rear end are fixed to a housing of the printing apparatus.

[0005] However, if the rail bends due to the weight of the platen, an external force, or the like, the platen may deviate from a desired position. When the platen deviates from the desired position, the landing position of ink droplets ejected from the ejection head shifts, which reduces landing accuracy. As a result, there has been a possibility that image quality is degraded.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing degradation of image quality. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] The printing apparatus of this disclosure comprises: a rail extending in the transport direction of the medium to be printed; a platen support member mounted on the rail, supporting a platen on which the medium to be printed is placed, and moving the platen along the rail between a printing position where droplets are ejected from a discharge head onto the medium to be printed and a setting position where the medium to be printed is set on the platen; a first rail fixing member provided between one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction and fixing the rail; and a second rail fixing member provided between one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction and at a position away from the first rail fixing member and fixing the rail.

[0008] According to this disclosure, the first rail fixing member and the second rail fixing member fix the rail at a position closer to the printing position than one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction. Therefore, compared to the case where one end and the other end of the rail in the transport direction are fixed, the rail is less likely to bend due to the weight of the platen or external forces. Thus, the amount by which the platen deviates from the desired position is reduced. As a result, the impact point of droplets ejected from the ejection head is reduced, which can lead to a decrease in impact accuracy. Consequently, a decrease in image quality can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can suppress the deterioration of image quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the printing apparatus from a different angle than that shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the printing apparatus from a different direction than Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus in Figure 1, excluding a portion of the guide frame. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus, excluding a portion of the guide frame, as seen from a different direction than in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism for operating the drive belt. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the height positions for fixing by the first central rail fixing member, the height positions for fixing by the first left rail fixing member, and the height positions for fixing by the first right rail fixing member. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the height positions for fixing by the second central rail fixing member, the height positions for fixing by the second left rail fixing member, and the height positions for fixing by the second right rail fixing member. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the platen support member. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration for fixing the drive belt to the platen support member. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing the fixing position of the drive belt to the platen support member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are only one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, and additions, deletions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used for the same or corresponding elements throughout all drawings, and redundant descriptions will be omitted unless otherwise noted.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the printing apparatus 100 viewed from a different direction than that shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the printing apparatus 100 viewed from a different direction than that shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 in Figure 1 with a portion of the guide frame 10 removed. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 with a portion of the guide frame 10 removed, viewed from a different direction than that shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the drive mechanism 130 for operating the drive belt.

[0013] In Figures 1 to 6 and the subsequent figures, mutually orthogonal directions are referred to as the first direction Dy, the second direction Dx, and the third direction Dz. In this embodiment, for example, the first direction Dy is the transport direction of the printing medium W, the second direction Dx is the movement direction of the carriage (not shown) supporting the ejection head 2, and the third direction Dz is the up and down direction. In the following description, Dx will be referred to as the left-right direction, Dy as the transport direction, and Dz as the up and down direction. One direction of the transport direction Dy is referred to as the forward direction Dy1, and the other direction as the backward direction Dy2. The printing medium W is transported, for example, in the forward direction Dy1 during printing. Also, one direction of the left-right direction Dx is referred to as the left direction Dx1, and the other direction as the right direction Dx2. Furthermore, one direction of the up and down direction Dz is referred to as the up direction Dz1, and the other direction as the down direction Dz2. However, the above directions are illustrative and not limiting.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the printing apparatus 100 includes a platen 1, an ejection head 2, a platen support member 3, a guide frame 10, a first rail fixing member 51, a second rail fixing member 52, a third rail fixing member 53, a fourth rail fixing member 54, a fifth rail fixing member 55, and a drive mechanism 130. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 100 includes a rail 4 and a central plate 6, as shown in Figure 4 below.

[0015] The platen 1 is formed in a plate shape, for example. A printing medium W is placed on the platen 1. Accordingly, the platen 1 supports the printing medium W. The platen 1 moves in the conveyance direction Dy. The ejection head 2 is, for example, a serial-head-type inkjet head. A printing apparatus 100 alternately repeats a pass process of ejecting ink droplets from the ejection head 2 onto the printing medium W while moving the ejection head 2 in the left-right direction Dx based on print data, and a conveyance process of conveying the printing medium W in the conveyance direction Dy. Accordingly, a predetermined image is printed on the printing medium W.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the platen support member 3 includes a left roller pair 7 and a right roller pair 8. The left roller pair 7 described above includes a first left roller pair 70 and a second left roller pair 71. The right roller pair 8 described above includes a first right roller pair 80 and a second right roller pair 81. The platen support member 3 also includes the support column portion 60 shown in FIG. 1 and a base plate 61 shown in FIG. 9 described later. Furthermore, the platen support member 3 includes roller attachment members 62 shown in FIG. 9 described later, each provided corresponding to the first left roller pair 70, the first right roller pair 80, the second left roller pair 71, and the second right roller pair 81 described above.

[0017] The support column portion 60 is formed in a U-shape with an open front end, for example. A support portion 60a shown in FIG. 3 that extends in the vertical direction Dz is provided at the front end of the upper part of the support column portion 60. The support portion 60a supports the platen 1 from below. The support column portion 60 is provided at the center of the base plate 61 in the left-right direction Dx. The base plate 61 supports the lower end of the support column portion 60 from below. The first left roller pair 70, the first right roller pair 80, the second left roller pair 71, the second right roller pair 81, and the roller attachment members 62 of the platen support member 3 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The platen support member 3 moves the platen 1 in the transport direction Dy by the drive mechanism 130. In this case, the first left roller pair 70 and the second left roller pair 71 of the platen support member 3 move in the transport direction Dy along the left rail 41 described later, and the first right roller pair 80 and the second right roller pair 81 move in the transport direction Dy along the right rail 42 described later, thereby transporting the platen 1 in the transport direction Dy. Specifically, the platen support member 3 moves the platen 1 along the rail 4 described later between the printing position Pp and the setting position Ps shown in Figure 1. The printing position Pp is the position where ink droplets are ejected from the ejection head 2 onto the printing medium W placed on the platen 1. The setting position Ps is the position where the printing medium W is set on the platen 1.

[0019] The central plate 6 shown in Figure 4 extends in the transport direction Dy and the left-right direction Dx. The central plate 6 is located below the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, the central plate 6 is located above the bottom frame 10c shown in Figures 7 and 8. Details of the central plate 6 will be described later.

[0020] The guide frame 10 is a box-shaped body with an open top. The guide frame 10 has a left frame 10a, a right frame 10b, a front frame 10d, and a rear frame 10e, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the guide frame 10 has a bottom frame 10c, as shown in Figure 7 below.

[0021] The left frame 10a extends in the transport direction Dy and is located to the left of the platen support member 3. The right frame 10b extends in the transport direction Dy parallel to the left frame 10a and is located to the right of the platen support member 3. The front frame 10d is connected to the front end of the left frame 10a and the front end of the right frame 10b and extends in the left-right direction Dx. The rear frame 10e is connected to the rear end of the left frame 10a and the rear end of the right frame 10b and extends in the left-right direction Dx.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the rail 4 has a central rail 40, a left rail 41, and a right rail 42.

[0023] The central rail 40 is, for example, a round bar and extends in the transport direction Dy. The central rail 40 is positioned between the left rail 41 and the right rail 42 in the left-right direction Dx. In this case, for example, the distance between the central rail 40 and the left rail 41 in the left-right direction Dx is the same as the distance between the central rail 40 and the right rail 42 in the left-right direction Dx. The central rail 40 is positioned on the upper part 6e of the central plate 6 as shown in Figure 3.

[0024] The left rail 41 is formed, for example, in an L-shape in cross-section and extends in the transport direction Dy. The left rail 41 is located to the left of the central rail 40. The left rail 41 has a side member 41s and an upper member 41t. The side member 41s extends in the vertical direction Dz. The upper member 41t is connected to the upper end of the side member 41s and extends to the right in the direction Dx2. The side member 41s of the left rail 41 is also located on the right side of the left frame 10a.

[0025] The right rail 42 is formed, for example, in an L-shape in cross-section and extends in the transport direction Dy. The right rail 42 is located to the right of the central rail 40. The right rail 42 has a side member 42s and an upper member 42t. The side member 42s extends in the vertical direction Dz. The upper member 42t is connected to the upper end of the side member 42s and extends to the left in the direction Dx1. The side member 42s of the right rail 42 is also located on the left side of the right frame 10b.

[0026] The drive mechanism 130 includes an electric motor 30, a drive belt 31, a pulley 32, a shaft 32a, a drive belt 9, and a pulley 34, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the drive mechanism 130 also includes a pulley 33, as shown in Figure 6.

[0027] A pulley (not shown) is provided on the rotating shaft of the electric motor 30, and the drive belt 31 is wound around this pulley and pulley 32. Pulley 32 is connected to the right end of shaft 32a, and pulley 33 is connected to the left end of shaft 32a. The drive belt 9 extends in the conveying direction Dy and moves the platen support member 3 in the conveying direction Dy. The drive belt 9 is wound around pulleys 33 and 34. In addition, a portion of the drive belt 9 is fixed to the platen support member 3. The configuration of fixing the drive belt 9 to the platen support member 3 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The driving force of the electric motor 30 is transmitted to pulley 32 via a pulley (not shown) and drive belt 31, which are provided on the rotating shaft of the electric motor 30. The driving force transmitted to pulley 32 is transmitted to pulley 33 via shaft 32a. As a result, pulley 33 rotates, and the drive belt 9 moves by rotating pulley 34 in accordance with the rotational force of pulley 33. As the drive belt 9 moves in this way, the platen support member 3, to which a part of the drive belt 9 is fixed as described above, moves in the transport direction Dy. As a result, the platen 1 on which the printing medium W is placed moves in the transport direction Dy.

[0029] Next, the first rail fixing member 51, the second rail fixing member 52, the third rail fixing member 53, the fourth rail fixing member 54, and the fifth rail fixing member 55 will be described.

[0030] (First rail fixing member) The first rail fixing member 51 fixes the rail 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first rail fixing member 51 is provided between the front end 4a, which is an example of one end of the rail 4, and the rear end 4b, which is an example of the other end, in the transport direction Dy. The first rail fixing member 51 is provided between the third rail fixing member 53, which is provided in front of the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy, and the second rail fixing member 52, which is provided behind the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy. Furthermore, when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp, the first rail fixing member 51 is provided on the front end side of the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy.

[0031] The first rail fixing member 51 is, for example, a screw. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first rail fixing member 51 includes a first central rail fixing member 51a, a first left rail fixing member 51b, and a first right rail fixing member 51c. The first central rail fixing member 51a, the first left rail fixing member 51b, and the first right rail fixing member 51c are provided at the same position in the transport direction Dy.

[0032] The first central rail fixing member 51a fixes the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the left-right direction Dx. In this case, the first central rail fixing member 51a is fastened to the central plate 6 and the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. That is, the first central rail fixing member 51a is screwed in the up-down direction Dz. As a result, the central rail 40 is fixed to the central plate 6 in the left-right direction Dx.

[0033] The first left rail fixing member 51b fixes the left rail 41 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz. In this case, the first left rail fixing member 51b is fastened in the horizontal direction Dx to the left frame 10a and the side member 41s of the left rail 41 shown in Figure 1. In other words, the first left rail fixing member 51b is screwed in the horizontal direction Dx. As a result, the left rail 41 is fixed to the left frame 10a in the vertical direction Dz.

[0034] The first right rail fixing member 51c fixes the right rail 42 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz. In this case, the first right rail fixing member 51c is fastened in the horizontal direction Dx to the right frame 10b and the side member 42s of the right rail 42 shown in Figure 2. In other words, the first right rail fixing member 51c is screwed in the horizontal direction Dx. As a result, the right rail 42 is fixed to the right frame 10b in the vertical direction Dz.

[0035] (Second rail fixing member) The second rail fixing member 52 fixes the rail 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second rail fixing member 52 is located between the front end 4a and the rear end 4b of the rail 4 in the transport direction Dy, and away from the first rail fixing member 51. The second rail fixing member 52 is located behind the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy. Furthermore, when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp, the second rail fixing member 52 is located behind the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy.

[0036] The second rail fixing member 52 is, like the first rail fixing member 51, for example, a screw. The third rail fixing member 53, the fourth rail fixing member 54, and the fifth rail fixing member 55, described later, are also for example screws. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second rail fixing member 52 includes a second central rail fixing member 52a, a second left rail fixing member 52b, and a second right rail fixing member 52c. The second central rail fixing member 52a, the second left rail fixing member 52b, and the second right rail fixing member 52c are provided at the same position in the transport direction Dy.

[0037] The second central rail fixing member 52a fixes the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the left-right direction Dx. In this case, the second central rail fixing member 52a is fastened to the central plate 6 and central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. The second left rail fixing member 52b fixes the left rail 41 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. In this case, the second left rail fixing member 52b is fastened to the left frame 10a and the side members 41s of the left rail 41 shown in Figure 1 in the left-right direction Dx. The second right rail fixing member 52c fixes the right rail 42 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. In this case, the second right rail fixing member 52c is fastened to the right frame 10b and the side members 42s of the right rail 42 shown in Figure 2 in the left-right direction Dx.

[0038] (Third rail fixing member) The third rail fixing member 53 fixes the rail 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the third rail fixing member 53 is located between the front end 4a and the rear end 4b of the rail 4 in the transport direction Dy, and away from the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52. The third rail fixing member 53 is located in front of the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 in the transport direction Dy.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the third rail fixing member 53 includes a third central rail fixing member 53a, a third left rail fixing member 53b, and a third right rail fixing member 53c. The third central rail fixing member 53a, the third left rail fixing member 53b, and the third right rail fixing member 53c are provided at the same position in the transport direction Dy.

[0040] The third central rail fixing member 53a fixes the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the left-right direction Dx. In this case, the third central rail fixing member 53a is fastened to the central plate 6 and central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. The third left rail fixing member 53b fixes the left rail 41 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. In this case, the third left rail fixing member 53b is fastened to the left frame 10a and the side member 41s of the left rail 41 shown in Figure 1 in the left-right direction Dx. The third right rail fixing member 53c fixes the right rail 42 shown in Figure 4 in the up-down direction Dz. In this case, the third right rail fixing member 53c is fastened to the right frame 10b and the side member 42s of the right rail 42 shown in Figure 2 in the left-right direction Dx.

[0041] (Other rail fixing components) The fourth rail fixing member 54 fixes the rail 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fourth rail fixing member 54 is positioned in front of the third rail fixing member 53 in the transport direction Dy. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fourth rail fixing member 54 includes a fourth central rail fixing member 54a, a fourth left rail fixing member 54b, and a fourth right rail fixing member 54c. The fourth left rail fixing member 54b and the fourth right rail fixing member 54c are positioned at the same location in the transport direction Dy. The fourth central rail fixing member 54a is positioned behind the fourth left rail fixing member 54b and the fourth right rail fixing member 54c in the transport direction Dy. The fourth central rail fixing member 54a fixes the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the left-right direction Dx, similar to the first central rail fixing member 51a, the second central rail fixing member 52a, and the third central rail fixing member 53a. The fourth left rail fixing member 54b fixes the left rail 41 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz, similar to the first left rail fixing member 51b, the second left rail fixing member 52b, and the third left rail fixing member 53b. The fourth right rail fixing member 54c fixes the right rail 42 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz, similar to the first right rail fixing member 51c, the second right rail fixing member 52c, and the third right rail fixing member 53c.

[0042] The fifth rail fixing member 55 fixes the rail 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fifth rail fixing member 55 is positioned behind the second rail fixing member 52 in the transport direction Dy. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fifth rail fixing member 55 includes a fifth central rail fixing member 55a, a fifth left rail fixing member 55b, and a fifth right rail fixing member 55c. The fifth left rail fixing member 55b and the fifth right rail fixing member 55c are positioned at the same location in the transport direction Dy. The fifth central rail fixing member 55a is positioned in front of the fifth left rail fixing member 55b and the fifth right rail fixing member 55c in the transport direction Dy. The fifth central rail fixing member 55a fixes the central rail 40 shown in Figure 4 in the left-right direction Dx, similar to the first central rail fixing member 51a, the second central rail fixing member 52a, the third central rail fixing member 53a, and the fourth central rail fixing member 54a. The fifth left rail fixing member 55b fixes the left rail 41 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz, similar to the first left rail fixing member 51b, the second left rail fixing member 52b, the third left rail fixing member 53b, and the fourth left rail fixing member 54b. The fifth right rail fixing member 55c fixes the right rail 42 shown in Figure 4 in the vertical direction Dz, similar to the first right rail fixing member 51c, the second right rail fixing member 52c, the third right rail fixing member 53c, and the fourth right rail fixing member 54c.

[0043] (Spacing of rail fixing members) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first distance S1 between the third rail fixing member 53 and the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy is greater than the second distance S2 between the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 in the transport direction Dy.

[0044] More specifically, the first distance S1a between the third central rail fixing member 53a and the first central rail fixing member 51a in the transport direction Dy is greater than the second distance S2a between the first central rail fixing member 51a and the second central rail fixing member 52a in the transport direction Dy. Also, the first distance S1b between the third left rail fixing member 53b and the first left rail fixing member 51b in the transport direction Dy is greater than the second distance S2b between the first left rail fixing member 51b and the second left rail fixing member 52b in the transport direction Dy. Furthermore, the first distance S1c between the third right rail fixing member 53c and the first right rail fixing member 51c in the transport direction Dy is greater than the second distance S2c between the first right rail fixing member 51c and the second right rail fixing member 52c in the transport direction Dy. Note that each of the above distances is, for example, the distance between the axis of one rail fixing member and the axis of the other rail fixing member in the transport direction Dy.

[0045] (Height position of fixing by rail fixing member) Figure 7 shows the height positions for fixing by the first central rail fixing member 51a, the first left rail fixing member 51b, and the first right rail fixing member 51c. Figure 8 shows the height positions for fixing by the second central rail fixing member 52a, the second left rail fixing member 52b, and the second right rail fixing member 52c. Note that in Figures 7 and 8, the left frame 10a, the right frame 10b, and the front frame 10d are omitted for the sake of explanation.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the height position Ph1 at which the first left rail fixing member 51b fixes the left rail 41 and the height position Ph2 at which the first right rail fixing member 51c fixes the right rail 42 are higher than the height position Ph3 at which the first central rail fixing member 51a fixes the central rail 40. Here, for example, height position Ph1 is the height of the axis of the first left rail fixing member 51b, height position Ph2 is the height of the axis of the first right rail fixing member 51c, and height position Ph3 is the height of the upper surface of the upper part 6e of the central plate 6.

[0047] Furthermore, height positions Ph1 and Ph2 are the same. In Figure 7, the difference between height positions Ph1 and Ph2 and height position Ph3 is shown as Ga. Note that height positions Ph1 and Ph2 do not necessarily have to be the same; they may be approximately the same, and even if they are approximately the same, they are considered the same in this disclosure. The same applies hereafter.

[0048] As shown in Figure 8, the height position Ph4 at which the second left rail fixing member 52b fixes the left rail 41 and the height position Ph5 at which the second right rail fixing member 52c fixes the right rail 42 are higher than the height position Ph6 at which the second central rail fixing member 52a fixes the central rail 40. Here, for example, height position Ph4 is the height of the axis of the second left rail fixing member 52b, height position Ph5 is the height of the axis of the second right rail fixing member 52c, and height position Ph6 is the height of the upper surface of the upper part 6e of the central plate 6.

[0049] Furthermore, height positions Ph4 and Ph5 are the same. In Figure 8, the difference between height positions Ph4 and Ph5 and height position Ph6 is shown as Ga.

[0050] Furthermore, height positions Ph1 and Ph2 are the same as height positions Ph4 and Ph5. Also, height positions Ph3 and Ph6 are the same.

[0051] Next, the configuration of the central plate 6 and the platen support member 3 will be described in detail with reference to the figures mentioned above, as well as Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower part of the platen support member 3. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of fixing the drive belt 9 to the platen support member 3.

[0052] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the central plate 6 has side portions 6a and 6d, middle side wall portions 6b and 6c, and the upper portion 6e described above.

[0053] The upper section 6e extends in the transport direction Dy and the left-right direction Dx. The upper section 6e supports the central rail 40 from below. The side section 6a is connected to the left end of the upper section 6e and protrudes downward. The side section 6d is connected to the right end of the upper section 6e and protrudes downward. The middle side wall section 6b is provided between the side section 6a and the side section 6d in the left-right direction Dx and protrudes downward. The middle side wall section 6c is provided between the side section 6a and the side section 6d in the left-right direction Dx and to the right of the middle side wall section 6b and protrudes downward.

[0054] The bottom frame 10c of the guide frame 10 shown in Figure 7 is provided with four wall portions 10f that protrude upward. The side portions 6a, 6d and the middle side wall portions 6b, 6c are fixed to the corresponding wall portions 10f, for example, by screws Bs.

[0055] The first left roller pair 70 of the platen support member 3 grips the upper member 41t of the left rail 41 in the vertical direction Dz, and the second left roller pair 71 grips the upper member 41t in the vertical direction Dz. In addition, the first right roller pair 80 of the platen support member 3 grips the upper member 42t of the right rail 42 in the vertical direction Dz, and the second right roller pair 81 grips the upper member 42t in the vertical direction Dz.

[0056] To describe in detail how the first left roller pair 70 grips the upper member 41t of the left rail 41 in the vertical direction Dz, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the upper roller R1 and lower roller R2 of the first left roller pair 70 grip the upper member 41t in the vertical direction Dz. The second left roller pair 71 grips the upper member 41t in the vertical direction Dz with its upper roller R1 and lower roller R2, similar to the first left roller pair 70. The second left roller pair 71 is located at a distance from the first left roller pair 70 in the conveying direction Dy, and is positioned behind the first left roller pair 70.

[0057] To describe in detail how the first pair of right rollers 80 grips the upper member 42t of the right rail 42 in the vertical direction Dz, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the upper roller R1 and lower roller R2 of the first pair of right rollers 80 grip the upper member 42t in the vertical direction Dz. The second pair of right rollers 81 grips the upper member 42t in the vertical direction Dz with its upper roller R1 and lower roller R2, similar to the first pair of right rollers 80. The second pair of right rollers 81 is located at a distance from the first pair of right rollers 80 in the conveying direction Dy, and is provided behind the first pair of right rollers 80.

[0058] Furthermore, the position of the first left roller pair 70 in the conveying direction Dy is the same as the position of the first right roller pair 80 in the conveying direction Dy. Also, the position of the second left roller pair 71 in the conveying direction Dy is the same as the position of the second right roller pair 81 in the conveying direction Dy.

[0059] Here, as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 is rotatably connected to the left end of a shaft Sh1 extending in the left-right direction Dx, and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 is rotatably connected to the right end of the shaft Sh1, and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 is rotatably connected to the right end of the shaft Sh1, and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 is rotatably connected to the right end of the shaft Sh1, and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 is rotatably connected to the base plate 61 of the platen support member 3, for example, by a bolt Bt. The shaft Sh1 is inserted through a hole HL in a roller mounting member 62 provided corresponding to the lower roller R2 of the first right roller pair 80, and a hole in a roller mounting member 62 provided corresponding to the lower roller R2 of the first left roller pair 70, which is similar to the hole HL but is not shown.

[0060] Furthermore, the upper roller R1 of the second left roller pair 71 is rotatably connected to the left end of a shaft Sh1 extending in the left-right direction Dx, and the upper roller R1 of the second right roller pair 81 is rotatably connected to the right end of the shaft Sh1, and the upper roller R1 of the second right roller pair 81 is rotatably connected to the right end of the shaft Sh1, and the upper roller R1 of the second right roller pair 81 is rotatably connected to the base plate 61 of the platen support member 3, for example, by a bolt Bt. The shaft Sh1 is inserted through the hole HL described below in the roller mounting member 62 provided corresponding to the lower roller R2 of the second left roller pair 71, and the hole HL described below in the roller mounting member 62 provided corresponding to the lower roller R2 of the second right roller pair 81.

[0061] The roller mounting member 62 is formed, for example, in an L-shape. The roller mounting member 62 is provided in accordance with the lower roller R2 of the first left roller pair 70, the lower roller R2 of the first right roller pair 80, the lower roller R2 of the second left roller pair 71, and the lower roller R2 of the second right roller pair 81, and the lower roller R2 is rotatably mounted to it. As shown in Figure 9, the roller mounting member 62 is fixed to the base plate 61, for example, by screws Bs.

[0062] The roller mounting member 62 has an upper part 62a and a side part 62b. The upper part 62a extends in the left-right direction Dx. The upper part 62a is fixed to the base plate 61, for example, by screws Bs.

[0063] The side portion 62b is connected to one end of the upper portion 62a in the left-right direction Dx and extends downward. As shown in Figure 9, the side portion 62b is provided with a hole HL through which a shaft Sh1 connected to the upper roller R1 and a shaft Sh2 connected to the lower roller R2 are inserted. The lower roller R2 of each of the four roller pairs, the first left roller pair 70, the first right roller pair 80, the second left roller pair 71, and the second right roller pair 81, is rotatably connected to the shaft Sh2 which is inserted through the hole HL and extends in the left-right direction Dx. The shaft is fixed by nuts Nu provided on the left and right sides of the side portion 62b. With the above configuration, the base plate 61 is connected to the first left roller pair 70, the first right roller pair 80, the second left roller pair 71, and the second right roller pair 81.

[0064] Here, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a pair of rollers R3 and R4 are provided below the shaft Sh1 connected to the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80. Roller R3 is fixed to the base plate 61 and rotatably connected to the shaft Sh, which extends in the vertical direction Dz. Roller R3 is located to the left of the central rail 40 and is in contact with the central rail 40. Roller R4 is also fixed to the base plate 61 and rotatably connected to the shaft Sh, which extends in the vertical direction Dz. Roller R4 is located to the right of the central rail 40 and is in contact with the central rail 40.

[0065] A pair of rollers R5 and R6 are provided below the shaft Sh1 connected to the upper roller R1 of the second left roller pair 71 and the upper roller R1 of the second right roller pair 81. The pair of rollers R5 and R6 are positioned behind the pair of rollers R3 and R4 in the conveying direction Dy. Roller R5 is fixed to the base plate 61 and rotatably connected to a shaft Sh that extends in the vertical direction Dz. Roller R5 is located to the left of the central rail 40 and is in contact with the central rail 40. Roller R6 is also fixed to the base plate 61 and rotatably connected to a shaft Sh that extends in the vertical direction Dz. Roller R6 is located to the right of the central rail 40 and is in contact with the central rail 40. In the above configuration, when the platen support member 3 moves in the transport direction Dy, the first left roller pair 70 and the second left roller pair 71 slide along the upper member 41t of the left rail 41 in the transport direction Dy, and the first right roller pair 80 and the second right roller pair 81 slide along the upper member 42t of the right rail 42 in the transport direction Dy. At this time, the pair of rollers R3, R4 and the pair of rollers R5, R6 rotate around the shaft Sh while in contact with the central rail 40. As a result, the position of the platen support member 3 in the left-right direction Dx is restricted by the central rail 40, and the platen 1 is transported in the transport direction Dy.

[0066] Next, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of fixing the drive belt 9 to the platen support member 3. Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing the fixing position of the drive belt 9 to the platen support member 3.

[0067] As shown in Figure 10, the platen support member 3 has one end 3a located forward, which is an example of one side in the conveying direction Dy, and another end 3b located rearward, which is an example of the other side in the conveying direction Dy. The drive belt 9 is fixed to the one end 3a and the other end 3b of the platen support member 3. In detail, the platen support member 3 has two fixing members 63 as the one end 3a and the other end 3b.

[0068] Each fixing member 63 has a front portion 63a, a connecting portion 63b, and a rear portion 63c. The front portion 63a extends in the vertical direction Dz. The width of the front portion 63a, in the left-right direction Dx, is greater than the width of the drive belt 9, in the left-right direction Dx. The rear portion 63c extends in the vertical direction Dz. The width of the rear portion 63c, in the left-right direction Dx, is greater than the width of the drive belt 9, in the left-right direction Dx. The connecting portion 63b extends in the conveying direction Dy. The connecting portion 63b is connected to the lower end of the front portion 63a and the lower end of the rear portion 63c.

[0069] The front portion 63a and the rear portion 63c are each provided with slits 63e extending in the left-right direction Dx. The connecting portion 63b is also provided with a recessed portion 63d. The drive belt 9 is inserted through two slits 63e in the fixing member 63 which is one end 3a, and through two slits 63e in the fixing member 63 which is the other end 3b.

[0070] Here, one side of the drive belt 9 is provided with a rib 9a, as shown in Figure 11 below. The rib 9a of the drive belt 9 engages with the protrusions 63d of the fixing member 63, which is one end 3a, and also engages with the protrusions 63d of the fixing member 63, which is the other end 3b. In this state, the connecting portion 63b is fixed to the base plate 61 by, for example, a plurality of bolts Bt. As a result, the base plate 61 is fixed to the drive belt 9 by the fixing member 63.

[0071] As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, the first fixing position Pf1 between the drive belt 9 and one end 3a of the platen support member 3 is located in front of the first left roller pair 70 and the first right roller pair 80, which is an example on one side in the conveying direction Dy. The second fixing position Pf2 between the drive belt 9 and the other end 3b of the platen support member 3 is located behind the second left roller pair 71 and the second right roller pair 81, which is an example on the other side in the conveying direction Dy.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 fix the rail 4 at a position closer to the printing position Pp than one end 4a and the other end 4b of the rail 4 in the transport direction Dy. Therefore, compared to the case where one end 4a and the other end 4b of the rail 4 are fixed in the transport direction Dy, the rail 4 is less likely to bend due to the weight of the platen 1 or external forces. Thus, the amount by which the platen 1 deviates from the desired position is reduced. As a result, the impact point of ink droplets ejected from the ejection head 2 is reduced, which can suppress a decrease in impact accuracy. Consequently, a decrease in image quality can be suppressed.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 fix the rail 4 in the transport direction Dy closer to the printing position Pp than to one end 4a and the other end 4b of the rail 4, and at a position that straddles the printing position Pp. As a result, the rail 4 is less likely to bend near the printing position Pp due to the weight of the platen 1 or external forces. Therefore, the amount by which the platen 1 deviates from the desired position near the printing position Pp is further reduced. This further suppresses the shift in the landing position of ink droplets ejected from the ejection head 2 and the resulting decrease in landing accuracy. Consequently, the deterioration of image quality can be further suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the provision of the third rail fixing member 53 further reduces the amount by which the platen 1 deviates from the desired position. In addition, the first interval S1 between the third rail fixing member 53 and the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy is larger than the second interval S2 between the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 in the transport direction Dy. As a result, the amount of misalignment of the platen support member 3 at the printing position Pp, where relatively small misalignment is desired, can be efficiently reduced with a small number of rail fixing members.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central rail 40 is positioned and fixed in the left-right direction Dx, and the left rail 41 and right rail 42 are positioned and fixed in the up-down direction Dz. Therefore, the fixing can be performed more easily compared to the case where a single rail is positioned and fixed in both the left-right direction Dx and the up-down direction Dz.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height positions Ph3 and Ph6 for fixing the central rail 40 are lower than the height positions Ph1 and Ph4 for fixing the left rail 41 and the height positions Ph2 and Ph5 for fixing the right rail 42. Therefore, compared to the case where the height positions Ph3 and Ph6 are higher than the height positions Ph1 and Ph4 and the height positions Ph2 and Ph5, interference by the first central rail fixing member 51a and the second central rail fixing member 52a is less likely to occur when the shaft Sh1 is arranged across the left-right direction Dx at the height positions Ph1 and Ph4 and the height positions Ph2 and Ph5. In addition, since the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 are connected to the coaxial shaft Sh1, the height position of the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 and the height position of the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 are more likely to be the same compared to the case where they are connected to a non-coaxial shaft. Therefore, the shaft Sh1 to which the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 are connected tends to be parallel to the left-right direction Dx. As a result, the transport accuracy is improved compared to the case where the shaft Sh1 is tilted with respect to the left-right direction Dx. In addition, since the upper roller R1 of the first left roller pair 70 and the upper roller R1 of the first right roller pair 80 are connected to the shaft Sh1, the positional accuracy of the platen support member 3 is improved compared to the case where they are connected to a non-coaxial shaft. Furthermore, as described above, the diameter of the upper roller R1 can be reduced, assuming that the shaft Sh1 is at a position higher than height positions Ph3 and Ph6 compared to the case where height positions Ph1 and Ph6 are higher than height positions Ph1 and Ph4 and height positions Ph2 and Ph5. Furthermore, the side member 41s connected to the upper member 41t of the left rail 41, which is clamped by the first left roller pair 70 and the second left roller pair 71, is fixed by the first left rail fixing member 51b, the second left rail fixing member 52b, and the third left rail fixing member 53b, etc. In other words, the side member 41s is fixed in the vicinity of the upper member 41t, which has a sliding surface on which the first left roller pair 70 and the second left roller pair 71 slide. Then, the side member 42s connected to the upper member 42t of the right rail 42, which is clamped by the first right roller pair 80 and the second right roller pair 81, is fixed by the first right rail fixing member 51c, the second right rail fixing member 52c, and the third right rail fixing member 53c, etc.In other words, the side member 42s is fixed near the upper member 42t, which has a sliding surface on which the first pair of right rollers 80 and the second pair of right rollers 81 slide. This improves the rigidity and positional accuracy of the upper members 41t and 42t, thereby improving the transport accuracy of the platen 1 by the platen support member 3.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height position Ph1 at which the first left rail fixing member 51b fixes the left rail 41 and the height position Ph2 at which the first right rail fixing member 51c fixes the right rail 42 are the same as the height position Ph4 at which the second left rail fixing member 52b fixes the left rail 41 and the height position Ph5 at which the second right rail fixing member 52c fixes the right rail 42. Therefore, the platen support member 3 is less likely to tilt in the conveying direction Dy than when the height positions Ph1 and Ph2 are different from the height positions Ph4 and Ph5.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the central rail 40 is fixed to the central plate 6 which extends in the transport direction Dy and the left-right direction Dx, the horizontality of the central rail 40 is improved compared to the case where the central rail 40 is not fixed to the central plate 6.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the platen support member 3 has a left roller pair 7 that clamps the left rail 41 in the vertical direction Dz and a right roller pair 8 that clamps the right rail 42 in the vertical direction Dz. As a result, the transport resistance is reduced compared to when the platen support member 3 moves in the transport direction Dy, for example via a ball bush, while rattling of the platen support member 3 relative to the left rail 41 and the right rail 42 can be suppressed.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, rollers R3 and R4 are provided sandwiching the central rail 40 in the left-right direction Dx, and rollers R5 and R6 are provided behind rollers R3 and R4 in the transport direction Dy, also sandwiching the central rail 40 in the left-right direction Dx. As a result, the platen support member 3 can be transported along the central rail 40 in the transport direction Dy while being restricted in the left-right direction Dx.

[0081] Furthermore, if the drive belt 9 is fixed to the platen support member 3 at its center, the platen support member 3 is prone to tilting with respect to the transport direction Dy when the printing medium W is transported. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the drive belt 9 is fixed by a fixing member 63 at one end 3a of the platen support member 3 and a fixing member 63 at the other end 3b, so the platen support member 3 is less likely to tilt with respect to the transport direction Dy during transport.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first fixing position Pf1 between the drive belt 9 and one end 3a of the platen support member 3 is located in front of the first left roller pair 70 and the first right roller pair 80, which is an example of one side in the conveying direction Dy. Also, the second fixing position Pf2 between the drive belt 9 and the other end 3b of the platen support member 3 is located behind the second left roller pair 71 and the second right roller pair 81, which is an example of the other side in the conveying direction Dy. Therefore, compared to the case where the first fixing position Pf1 is located behind the first left roller pair 70 and the first right roller pair 80 in the conveying direction Dy, and the second fixing position Pf2 is located in front of the second left roller pair 71 and the second right roller pair 81 in the conveying direction Dy, the platen support member 3 is less likely to tilt with respect to the conveying direction Dy during conveying.

[0083] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the following modifications may be adopted without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first rail fixing member 51 is provided on the front side of the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp, and the second rail fixing member 52 is provided on the rear side of the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The first rail fixing member 51 may be provided on the rear side of the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp, and the second rail fixing member 52 may be provided on the front side of the platen support member 3 in the transport direction Dy when the platen support member 3 is positioned at the printing position Pp.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first interval S1 between the third rail fixing member 53 and the first rail fixing member 51 in the transport direction Dy is larger than the second interval S2 between the first rail fixing member 51 and the second rail fixing member 52 in the transport direction Dy, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The first interval S1 may be the same as the second interval S2, or it may be smaller than the second interval S2.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rail 4 has a central rail 40, a left rail 41, and a right rail 42, but it is not limited to this. The rail 4 may be one or four or more.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, height positions Ph3 and Ph6 are lower than height positions Ph1 and Ph4 and height positions Ph2 and Ph5, but this is not limited to this. Height positions Ph3 and Ph6 may be higher than height positions Ph1 and Ph4 and height positions Ph2 and Ph5.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, height positions Ph1 and Ph2 are the same as height positions Ph4 and Ph5, but this is not limited to this. Height positions Ph1 and Ph2 may be different from height positions Ph4 and Ph5.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first fixed position Pf1 is located in front of the first left roller pair 70 and the first right roller pair 80 in the conveying direction Dy, and the second fixed position Pf2 is located behind the second left roller pair 71 and the second right roller pair 81 in the conveying direction Dy, but is not limited to this. The first fixed position Pf1 may be located behind the first left roller pair 70 and the first right roller pair 80 in the conveying direction Dy, and the second fixed position Pf2 may be located in front of the second left roller pair 71 and the second right roller pair 81 in the conveying direction Dy. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1 platen 2 Discharge heads 3. Platen support member 3a One end of the platen support member 3b Other end of platen support member 4 rails 4a One end of the rail 4b Other end of the rail 6 Center plate 7 Left Laura vs. 8 Right Laura vs. 9. Drive belt 40 Central Rail 41 Left rail 42 Right rail 51 First rail fixing member 51a First central rail fixing member 51b First left rail fixing member 51c First right rail fixing member 52 Second rail fixing member 52a Second central rail fixing member 52b Second left rail fixing member 52c Second right rail fixing member 53 Third rail fixing member 70 1st left fielder vs. Laura 71 2nd left fielder vs. Laura 80 1st Right Laura vs 81 2nd Right Laura vs 100 Printing device Dx Left / right direction Dy Conveying Direction Dz Vertical direction Pf1 1st fixed position Pf2 2nd fixed position pH1, pH2, pH3, pH4, pH5, pH6 Height position Pp Print position Ps Set Position S1 First interval S2 2nd interval W Printing medium

Claims

1. A rail extending in the direction of transport of the printing medium, A platen support member is mounted on the rail, supports the platen on which the printing medium is placed, and moves the platen along the rail between a printing position where droplets are discharged from the discharge head onto the printing medium and a setting position where the printing medium is set on the platen. A first rail fixing member is provided between one end and the other end of the rail in the aforementioned transport direction and fixes the rail, A printing apparatus comprising: a second rail fixing member provided in the transport direction between one end and the other end of the rail and at a position away from the first rail fixing member, for fixing the rail.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, with the platen support member positioned at the printing position, the first rail fixing member is provided on one end side of the platen support member in the transport direction, and the second rail fixing member is provided on the other end side of the platen support member.

3. A third rail fixing member is provided in the transport direction between one end and the other end of the rail and at a position away from the first rail fixing member and the second rail fixing member, and is used to fix the rail. In the aforementioned transport direction, the first rail fixing member is provided between the third rail fixing member and the second rail fixing member. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first distance between the third rail fixing member and the first rail fixing member in the transport direction is greater than the second distance between the first rail fixing member and the second rail fixing member in the transport direction.

4. The aforementioned rail includes a center rail, a left rail, and a right rail. The left rail is provided to the left in the left-right direction, intersecting the transport direction with respect to the central rail. The right rail is provided to the right of the central rail in the left-right direction, The first rail fixing member is, A first central rail fixing member that fixes the central rail in the left-right direction, A first left rail fixing member that fixes the left rail in a vertical direction intersecting both the transport direction and the left-right direction, The right rail is fixed in the vertical direction by a first right rail fixing member, The second rail fixing member is, A second central rail fixing member that fixes the central rail in the left-right direction, A second left rail fixing member that fixes the left rail in the vertical direction, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second right rail fixing member for fixing the right rail in the vertical direction.

5. The height position at which the first left rail fixing member fixes the left rail and the height position at which the first right rail fixing member fixes the right rail are higher than the height position at which the first center rail fixing member fixes the center rail. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the height position at which the second left rail fixing member fixes the left rail and the height position at which the second right rail fixing member fixes the right rail are higher than the height position at which the second center rail fixing member fixes the center rail.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the height position at which the first left rail fixing member fixes the left rail and the height position at which the first right rail fixing member fixes the right rail are the same as the height position at which the second left rail fixing member fixes the left rail and the height position at which the second right rail fixing member fixes the right rail.

7. It includes a central plate that extends in the transport direction and the left-right direction and is provided below the central rail, The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first central rail fixing member and the second central rail fixing member fix the central rail to the central plate.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the platen support member has a pair of left rollers that clamp the left rail in the vertical direction and a pair of right rollers that clamp the right rail in the vertical direction.

9. The vehicle is equipped with a drive belt that extends in the transport direction and moves the platen support member in the transport direction, The platen support member has one end located on one side in the conveying direction and the other end located on the other side in the conveying direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive belt is fixed to one end and the other end of the platen support member.

10. The platen support member includes a first left roller pair that clamps the left rail in the vertical direction, a first right roller pair that clamps the right rail in the vertical direction, a second left roller pair provided at a position away from the first left roller pair in the conveying direction and clamping the left rail in the vertical direction, and a second right roller pair provided at a position away from the first right roller pair in the conveying direction and clamping the right rail in the vertical direction. The first left roller pair and the first right roller pair are provided on one side of the second left roller pair and the second right roller pair in the conveying direction. The first fixing position between the drive belt and the one end of the platen support member is located on one side in the conveying direction of the first left roller pair and the first right roller pair. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second fixing position between the drive belt and the other end of the platen support member is located on the other side in the conveying direction than the second left roller pair and the second right roller pair.

Images