Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device that is configured to adsorb a recording medium onto a support surface, which enables an adsorption hole thereof to be easily closed, in accordance with a size of the recording medium.SOLUTION: The printing device comprises a printing head that discharges ink to a recording medium, a recording medium support part that supports the recording medium, with a support surface, an air suction part that suctions air from an adsorption hole, and an adsorption area changing part. The adsorption area changing part has: a first guide member and a second guide member arranged side by side; a first movable body that can move along the first guide member; a second movable body that can move along the second guide member; a synchronizing mechanism that synchronizes movement of the first movable body with movement of the second movable body; a first shielding structure that can move together with the first movable body and the second movable body and includes a first sheet part having flexibility; and a first storage part that stores at least a portion of the first sheet part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that adsorbs a recording medium to a platen having a plurality of suction holes and performs printing on the adsorbed recording medium, there is a printing apparatus capable of changing an execution suction area capable of adsorbing the recording medium according to the width of the recording medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus in which an execution suction area can be changed by moving a shielding body that shields suction holes in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a printing apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when using a flat shielding body, a large space is required for storing the shielding body, and there is a problem that it is difficult to miniaturize the mechanism for closing the suction holes. Further, when using a flexible sheet-like shielding body, there is a problem that it is difficult to move the shielding body so as not to be in a position inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a transport unit for transporting a recording medium along a first direction, a print head for ejecting ink onto the recording medium, a recording medium support unit having a support surface facing the transport path between the print head and the recording medium and supporting the recording medium with the support surface, an air intake unit for drawing in air, and an adsorption area changing unit, wherein the support surface is composed of surfaces along the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and has an adsorption area provided with a plurality of adsorption holes, the air intake unit draws in air from the adsorption holes via a duct located on the surface opposite to the support surface, and the adsorption area changing unit is a member extending in the second direction, comprising a first guide member and a second guide member arranged side by side in the first direction so as to sandwich the recording medium support unit, a first movable body movable along the first guide member, a second movable body movable along the second guide member, and the movement of the first movable body and the movement of the second movable body The device comprises a synchronization mechanism for synchronization, a first suspension portion suspended between the first moving body and the second moving body, a first shielding structure including a flexible first sheet portion connected to the first suspension portion, and a first housing portion that accommodates at least a part of the first sheet portion, wherein the first suspension portion is movable in the second direction together with the first moving body and the second moving body to a position facing the support surface, the first sheet portion extends from the first suspension portion to one side in the second direction and is larger than the suction area in the first direction, the first housing portion is located on one side of the recording medium support portion in the second direction, the opening of the first housing portion is located in a position that does not overlap with the suction area in a plan view, and the first sheet portion housed in the first housing portion can be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area in a plan view by moving the first moving body away from the first housing portion. The first housing section includes a sheet fixing section for fixing one end of the first sheet section, a pull-out section from which the first sheet section is pulled out, a first weight that presses the first sheet section downward between the sheet fixing section and the pull-out section to bend it, and a weight guide that movably supports the first weight, and the other end of the first sheet section is connected to the first suspension section. It is a printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the adsorption area modification section. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the section where the adsorption area is changed. [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view of the adsorption area modification section. [Figure 5] Side view of the main part of the adsorption area modification section. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the adsorption area modification section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] [1. Overall structure] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The printing apparatus 1 is a device that performs printing on a recording medium M.

[0008] Figure 1 shows the X, Y, and Z axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The Z axis is an axis that extends in the vertical direction. The X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal plane. In the following explanation, the direction along the X axis is referred to as the front-back direction, and the direction along the Y axis is referred to as the left-right direction. More specifically, the positive direction along the Z axis is referred to as the upward direction, the positive direction along the X axis is referred to as the forward direction, and the positive direction along the Y axis is referred to as the rightward direction. The X, Y, and Z axes in Figure 1 also indicate the same directions in the figures described later. Note that the direction along the X axis, i.e., the front-back direction, corresponds to an example of the "second direction". Also, the direction along the Y axis, i.e., the left-right direction, corresponds to an example of the "first direction".

[0009] The printing apparatus 1 comprises a housing 10. The housing 10 is a hollow box composed of, for example, a frame-shaped frame and panels fixed to the frame. The housing 10 houses various components such as the carriage 50, platen 71, wiper mechanism 21, flashing mechanism 23, and cap mechanism 25, which will be described later, as well as a roll medium R1 and a roll-shaped printed material R2. The interior of the housing 10 is divided into three sections: a medium storage section 10a, a printing section 10b, and a printed material storage section 10c.

[0010] The media storage section 10a is located on the left side of the housing 10. The media storage section 10a is provided with a media mounting section 31. The media mounting section 31 is a cylindrical rod extending in the front-to-back direction and is fixed to the housing 10. The media storage section 10a houses the roll medium R1. The roll medium R1 is a recording medium M, which is a long, strip-shaped sheet, rolled into a roll and mounted on the media mounting section 31 by the operator. The media mounting section 31 passes through the center of the roll medium R1 and supports the roll medium R1 so that it can rotate. The recording medium M is pulled out from the roll medium R1 and guided by a plurality of rollers 33 to be transported to the printing position. At the printing position, ink is ejected onto the recording medium M by the print head 51, and printing is performed on the recording medium M. After printing, the recording medium M is wound onto the winding section 35 located in the printed material storage section 10c and rolled into a roll-shaped printed material R2. Subsequently, the roll-shaped printed material R2 is removed from the winding section 35 by the operator and transported outside the housing 10 of the printing device 1.

[0011] The rollers 33 are rotatably supported by the housing 10. The printing apparatus 1 is equipped with a plurality of rollers 33, and at least some of the rollers 33 are rotated by the power of the transport motor 34 to transport the recording medium M. The recording medium M is also pulled and transported by the power of the winding motor 35b which drives the winding unit 35. In Figure 1, the transport direction of the recording medium M is indicated by the symbol F. The transport direction F is the direction along the left-right direction of the printing apparatus 1. The rollers 33, transport motor 34, and winding unit 35 correspond to an example of a "transport unit" that transports the recording medium M in the transport direction F.

[0012] The printing section 10b is located to the right of the media storage section 10a and is situated in the center of the housing 10 in the left-right direction. The printing section 10b is equipped with a carriage 50 and a platen 71 that sandwich the recording medium M, which is transported along the rollers 33, from above and below. A wiper mechanism 21, a flashing mechanism 23, and a cap mechanism 25 are provided to the left of the platen 71. The housing 10 can be opened and closed in front of the printing section 10b, allowing the operator to access the equipment inside the printing section 10b.

[0013] The carriage 50 is a trolley supported by a carriage guide 53, which is an axis extending in the left-right direction, and is located above the platen 71. The carriage 50 moves in the left-right direction by power from a carriage drive motor (not shown). A print head 51 is mounted on the lower part of the carriage 50. The print head 51 includes a piezo actuator (not shown) and a nozzle. Driven by the piezo actuator, the print head 51 ejects ink onto the recording medium M from a nozzle opening on the lower surface of the print head 51.

[0014] The platen 71 is a substantially flat member, and its upper surface faces the print head 51 across the transport path of the recording medium M, serving as a support surface 71a that supports the recording medium M. The platen 71 corresponds to an example of a "recording medium support section". The support surface 71a is a plane that aligns with the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and a part of the support surface 71a may be curved.

[0015] The support surface 71a is provided with a plurality of suction holes 71b that penetrate in the vertical direction. The suction holes 71b are sufficiently small compared to the recording medium M. The region on the support surface 71a where the plurality of suction holes 71b are provided is defined as the suction region B. The adsorption holes 71b connect the back surface 71c, which is the opposite side of the support surface 71a, to the space above the support surface 71a. The adsorption holes 71b also connect to the internal space of the intake duct 73 formed on the back surface 71c side of the platen 71. The intake duct 73 is a hollow duct, and its upper end is in close contact with the back surface 71c in a plan view that encompasses the adsorption area B. The lower end of the intake duct 73 is connected to the intake port of the blower 75.

[0016] The blower 75 includes a motor (not shown) and an impeller (not shown) connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The blower 75 sucks air from the suction port by driving the motor to rotate the impeller. The air sucked by the blower 75 is discharged from the discharge port provided at the lower end of the blower 75 and exhausted through the exhaust duct 77. Thus, due to the operation of the blower 75, air is sucked from the suction holes 71b through the intake duct 73. The blower 75 corresponds to an example of an "intake section". The intake duct 73 corresponds to an example of a "duct".

[0017] When the blower 75 sucks air with the recording medium M supported on the support surface 71a, a negative pressure is generated between the suction holes 71b and the recording medium M, and the recording medium M is adsorbed to the support surface 71a. As a result, the recording medium M is adsorbed to the support surface 71a below the print head 51, and an appropriate gap is secured between the nozzles of the print head 51 and the recording medium M. Thereby, it becomes possible to stabilize the print quality of the printing apparatus 1.

[0018] The printing apparatus 1 includes an adsorption area changing unit 40 in the printing unit 10b. The adsorption area changing unit 40 inhibits the suction of air from the suction holes 71b by covering a part of the suction holes 71b located in the adsorption area B.

[0019] For example, when the width of the recording medium M is narrower than the width of the adsorption region B in the front-rear direction, among the suction holes 71b located in the adsorption region B, the suction holes 71b located outside the front-rear direction of the adsorption region B do not overlap with the recording medium M and are in an open state. In this case, since air can freely flow through some of the suction holes 71b, the negative pressure generated in the intake duct 73 by the blower 75 is attenuated by the intake air from the suction holes 71b that do not overlap with the recording medium M. Therefore, the adsorption force for adsorbing the recording medium M to the support surface 71a is reduced. The adsorption region changing unit 40 suppresses the attenuation of the suction force on the support surface 71a by inhibiting the suction of air in the suction holes 71b that are not in a position overlapping with the recording medium M. As a result, when printing is performed on the recording medium M having a width narrower than that of the adsorption region B, the recording medium M can be reliably adsorbed by the support surface 71a, and printing with stable quality becomes possible.

[0020] The wiper mechanism 21 wipes the nozzle surface of the print head 51 by advancing a wiper blade (not shown) into the path of the print head 51. The flushing mechanism 23 includes an ink receiver that receives the ink discharged by the flushing operation of the print head 51, and a pump that sends the waste ink stored in the ink receiver to a waste ink tank. The cap mechanism 25 includes a concave cap that engages with the nozzle surface of the print head 51. The cap mechanism 25 prevents the ink from drying by covering the print head 51 during printing standby with the cap. Further, the cap mechanism 25 has a suction pump that sucks the ink inside the cap. The cap mechanism 25 has a function of performing suction by the suction pump in a state where the cap is engaged with the print head 51 to clean the nozzles.

[0021] The carriage 50 is movable in the left-right direction to a position where it overlaps with the wiper mechanism 21, the flashing mechanism 23, and the cap mechanism 25 in a plan view. The wiper mechanism 21, the flashing mechanism 23, and the cap mechanism 25 are normally moved downward to a position where they do not interfere with the carriage 50. The wiper mechanism 21, the flashing mechanism 23, and the cap mechanism 25 are each moved upward by their respective actuators to a position where they interfere with the print head 51 as needed.

[0022] The printed material storage section 10c is equipped with a winding section 35, which includes a cylindrical winding shaft 35a extending in the front-to-back direction and a winding motor 35b. The winding motor 35b is a motor that rotates the winding shaft 35a.

[0023] [2. Configuration of the adsorption area modification unit] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the adsorption area changing section 40. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adsorption area changing section 40, showing a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the adsorption area changing section 40. Figure 5 is a side view of the adsorption area changing section 40, showing the adsorption area changing section 40 as seen from the front.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the adsorption area changing unit 40 comprises a first guide member 41a, a second guide member 41b, a first movable body 43a, a second movable body 43b, a first shielding structure 45, and a first housing section 47. The adsorption area changing unit 40 covers a portion of the adsorption area B with the first shielding structure 45 by moving the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b along the first guide member 41a and the second guide member 41b. The first housing section 47 houses a portion of the first shielding structure 45.

[0025] The first guide member 41a and the second guide member 41b are members that extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged side by side so as to sandwich the platen 71 in the left-right direction. The first guide member 41a is positioned to the right of the platen 71, and the second guide member 41b is positioned to the left of the platen 71.

[0026] The first movable body 43a is configured to move in the front-rear direction along the first guide member 41a and is fixed to the first belt 42a, which will be described later. The second movable body 43b is configured to move in the front-rear direction along the second guide member 41b and is fixed to the second belt 42b, which will be described later. A pin 43c is provided through the first movable body 43a in the vertical direction. The pin 43c fits into an elongated hole 44a of the sliding guide 44. The sliding guide 44 is provided along the front-rear direction and is a member having an elongated hole 44a. The elongated hole 44a is provided in a range that overlaps with the front half of the support surface 71a in the front-rear direction. The pin 43c functions as a thumb screw, and by tightening this screw, the first movable body 43a can be fixed at any position in the elongated hole 44a. This makes it possible to fix the first movable body 43a at any position on the front half of the support surface 71a.

[0027] The first shielding structure 45 has a first suspension portion 45a and a first sheet portion 45b. The first suspension portion 45a is suspended between the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b. The first suspension portion 45a is made of a resin strip that extends along the left-right direction and faces the support surface 71a, and is flexible. The first suspension portion 45a is movable together with the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b to a position facing the support surface 71a.

[0028] The first sheet portion 45b is a flexible sheet, for example, made of synthetic resin. It is desirable that the first sheet portion 45b is a sheet with low breathability. Specifically, the breathability of the first sheet portion 45b is low enough to provide airflow resistance to the airflow passing through the adsorption holes 71b when the first sheet portion 45b overlaps the adsorption holes 71b. Preferably, the first sheet portion 45b closes the adsorption holes 71b and blocks the airflow passing through the adsorption holes 71b. The width W in the left-right direction of the first sheet portion 45b is greater than the width Wb in the left-right direction of the adsorption area B. The rear end of the first sheet portion 45b is connected to the first suspension portion 45a, and the front end of the first sheet portion 45b is fixed to the first housing portion 47. In other words, the first sheet portion 45b extends from the first suspension portion 45a to the front in the front-rear direction. The front side is an example of "one side in the second direction". The front end of the first sheet portion 45b corresponds to an example of "one end of the first sheet portion." The rear end of the first sheet portion 45b corresponds to "the other end of the first sheet portion." As will be described later, as the first suspension portion 45a moves rearward together with the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b, the first sheet portion 45b is pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the adsorption area B.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the first housing section 47 is positioned in front of the platen 71, and at least its opening does not overlap with the suction area B in a plan view. The first housing section 47 houses a portion of the first sheet section 45b. The first housing section 47 extends across the width W of the first sheet section 45b in the left-right direction. The first housing section 47 includes a sheet fixing section 47c, a pull-out section 47d, a first weight 47b, and a first groove section 47a.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the sheet fixing portion 47c is located at the front end of the first housing portion 47 and is a plate-like portion that extends across the width of the first housing portion 47 in the left-right direction. The sheet fixing portion 47c extends across the entire left-right direction of the first sheet portion 45b and is fixed to the front end of the first sheet portion 45b, for example, by screw fastening.

[0031] The pull-out portion 47d is located at the rear end of the first housing portion 47 and is a curved plate-like portion that extends across the width of the first housing portion 47 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the pull-out portion 47d is along the support surface 71a of the platen 71, and the lower end is along the edge of the first groove portion 47a. As will be described later, the pull-out portion 47d guides the first sheet portion 45b, which is pulled out from the first groove portion 47a, to the support surface 71a. In other words, the pull-out portion 47d is the part from which the first sheet portion 45b is pulled out.

[0032] The first groove 47a is a groove that opens upward between the sheet fixing portion 47c and the pull-out portion 47d. The upper opening of the first groove 47a constitutes the opening of the first housing portion 47. The first groove 47a is located at both ends of the first housing portion 47 in the front-rear direction. The first groove 47a is formed with an inclination towards the rear, extending downward from above. That is, in the front-rear direction, the lower end of the first groove 47a is located closer to the center of the platen 71 when viewed from the upper end of the first groove 47a. The first groove 47a corresponds to an example of a "weight guide".

[0033] The first weight 47b is an independent shaft-shaped member that fits into the first groove 47a and extends in the left-right direction. More specifically, the first weight 47b consists of a cylindrical rod-shaped portion whose length in the left-right direction is approximately equal to the distance between the pair of first grooves 47a, and retaining portions provided outward from both ends in the left-right direction and which are larger than the width of the first grooves 47a. The first weight 47b is movable in the diagonal up-and-down direction when fitted into the first grooves 47a. In other words, the first groove 47a is a groove that fits into the end of the first weight 47b and supports it so that it can move in the diagonal up-and-down direction.

[0034] The first sheet portion 45b is fixed at its front end to the sheet fixing portion 47c and connected at its rear end to the first suspension portion 45a, and in a plan view it overlaps with the first groove portion 47a. The first weight 47b presses the first sheet portion 45b downward by its own weight between the sheet fixing portion 47c and the pull-out portion 47d, causing it to bend. As a result, a portion of the first sheet portion 45b is housed in the first storage portion 47.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the adsorption area changing unit 40 further includes a synchronization mechanism 42 that synchronizes the movement of the first moving body 43a and the movement of the second moving body 43b. The synchronization mechanism 42 includes a first belt 42a, a second belt 42b, a connecting member 42s, a first pulley 42sa, and a second pulley 42sb. The first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb are pulleys of the same size.

[0036] The first belt 42a is an annular belt positioned along the first guide member 41a and stretched between the first pulley 42sa and the third pulley 42c. Both the first pulley 42sa and the third pulley 42c are pulleys that can rotate on an axis in the left-right direction. The first pulley 42sa is positioned at the rear end of the first guide member 41a, and the third pulley 42c is positioned at the front end of the first guide member 41a. The portion of the first belt 42a connecting the upper end of the first pulley 42sa and the upper end of the third pulley 42c is defined as the upper part 42aU of the first belt. The portion of the first belt 42a connecting the lower end of the first pulley 42sa and the lower end of the third pulley 42c is defined as the lower part 42aL of the first belt.

[0037] A first movable body 43a is fixed to the front portion of the upper part 42aU of the first belt. The first movable body 43a moves in the front-rear direction along the first guide member 41a as the first belt 42a rotates. Conversely, the first belt 42a rotates as the first movable body 43a moves along the first guide member 41a. The first pulley 42sa also rotates due to the movement of the first belt 42a. The front end of the first guide member 41a corresponds to an example of "one end of the first guide member". The rear end of the first guide member 41a corresponds to an example of "the other end of the first guide member". The first pulley 42sa and the third pulley 42c together correspond to an example of "a pair of pulleys".

[0038] The second belt 42b is an annular belt positioned along the second guide member 41b and stretched between the second pulley 42sb and the fourth pulley 42d. Both the second pulley 42sb and the fourth pulley 42d are pulleys that can rotate on an axis in the left-right direction. The portion of the second belt 42b connecting the upper end of the second pulley 42sb and the upper end of the fourth pulley 42d is defined as the upper part 42bU of the second belt. The portion of the second belt 42b connecting the lower end of the second pulley 42sb and the lower end of the fourth pulley 42d is defined as the lower part 42bL of the second belt.

[0039] A second movable body 43b is fixed to the front portion of the upper part 42bU of the second belt. The second movable body 43b moves in the front-rear direction along the second guide member 41b as the second belt 42b rotates. Conversely, the movement of the second movable body 43b along the second guide member 41b causes the second belt 42b to rotate. Also, the second pulley 42sb rotates due to the movement of the second belt 42b.

[0040] The connecting member 42s is a shaft that connects the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb. The connecting member 42s transmits torque between the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb, causing these pulleys to rotate in the same direction. In other words, when the first belt 42a rotates as the first movable body 43a moves, the connecting member 42s transmits the rotation of the first belt 42a to the second belt 42b via the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb. Consequently, the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b move synchronously, and the first suspension section 45a and the first seat section 45b follow suit. As a result, the suction area changing section 40 is configured to move the first movable body 43a away from the first housing section 47, thereby allowing the first seat section 45b, which is housed in the first housing section 47, to be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area B. Furthermore, as the first moving body 43a and the second moving body 43b move in synchronously, the first shielding structure 45 moves in the second direction while maintaining a state parallel to the widthwise edge of the recording medium M. Therefore, the size of the area covered by the first sheet portion 45b in the adsorption region B can be changed to match the width of the recording medium M, so that this area does not take on a shape that is inclined with respect to the widthwise edge of the recording medium M.

[0041] In this embodiment, the center of the recording medium M in the front-to-back direction is configured to pass through the center C in the front-to-back direction of the support surface 71a shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the adsorption area changing section 40 is also configured to cover the adsorption holes 71b from both the front-to-back sides of the support surface 71a. As shown in Figure 2, the adsorption area changing section 40 further comprises a third movable body 63a, a fourth movable body 63b, a second shielding structure 65, and a second housing section 67.

[0042] The third movable body 63a is configured to move along the first guide member 41a. The position of the third movable body 63a in the front-rear direction is symmetrical to that of the first movable body 43a with respect to the front-rear center C of the support surface 71a. The third movable body 63a is fixed to the lower part 42aL of the first belt. Therefore, the first movable body 43a, which is fixed to the upper part 42aU of the first belt, and the third movable body 63a, which is fixed to the lower part 42aL of the first belt, move in directions away from or towards each other due to the rotation of the first belt 42a. At this time, the travel distances of the first movable body 43a and the third movable body 63a are equal to each other. The first belt 42a corresponds to an example of an "endless belt".

[0043] The fourth movable body 63b is configured to move along the second guide member 41b. The position of the fourth movable body 63b in the front-rear direction is symmetrical to that of the second movable body 43b with respect to the front-rear center C of the support surface 71a. As shown in Figure 4, the fourth movable body 63b is fixed to the lower part 42bL of the second belt. Therefore, due to the rotation of the second belt 42b, the fourth movable body 63b and the second movable body 43b, which is fixed to the upper part 42bU of the second belt, move in opposite directions by the same distance.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second shielding structure 65 has a second suspension portion 65a and a second seat portion 65b. The second suspension portion 65a is suspended between the third movable body 63a and the fourth movable body 63b. The second suspension portion 65a is made of a resin strip that extends along the left-right direction and faces the support surface 71a, and is flexible. The second suspension portion 65a is movable in the front-rear direction together with the third movable body 63a and the fourth movable body 63b, at a position facing the support surface 71a.

[0045] As described above, the first moving body 43a and the third moving body 63a, and the second moving body 43b and the fourth moving body 63b are each in symmetrical positions with respect to the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a are located at the same distance D from each other from the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a.

[0046] The second sheet portion 65b is a flexible sheet, for example, made of synthetic resin. It is desirable that the second sheet portion 65b is a sheet with low permeability. The permeability of the second sheet portion 65b is low enough to provide airflow resistance to the airflow passing through the adsorption holes 71b when the second sheet portion 65b overlaps the adsorption holes 71b. Preferably, the second sheet portion 65b closes the adsorption holes 71b and blocks the airflow passing through the adsorption holes 71b. The width W in the left-right direction of the second sheet portion 65b is equal to the width W in the left-right direction of the first sheet portion 45b and is greater than the width Wb in the left-right direction of the adsorption area B. The front end of the second sheet portion 65b is connected to the second suspension portion 65a, and the rear end of the second sheet portion 65b is fixed to the second housing portion 67. That is, the second sheet portion 65b extends from the second suspension portion 65a to the rear in the front-rear direction. The rear side corresponds to an example of the "other side in the second direction". Therefore, as will be described later, as the second suspension portion 65a moves forward together with the third moving body 63a and the fourth moving body 63b, the second sheet portion 65b is pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the adsorption area B.

[0047] The second housing section 67 accommodates a portion of the second sheet section 65b. The second housing section 67 is located on the rear side of the platen 71, that is, on the opposite side of the platen 71 from the first housing section 47 in the front-rear direction, and is positioned so that at least the opening does not overlap with the suction area B in a plan view. The second housing section 67 extends across the width W of the second sheet section 65b in the left-right direction, and the second housing section 67 comprises a second sheet fixing section 67c, a second pull-out section 67d, a second weight 67b, and a second groove section 67a.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the second sheet fixing portion 67c is located at the rear end of the second housing portion 67 and is a plate-like portion that extends across the width of the second housing portion 67 in the left-right direction. The second sheet fixing portion 67c extends across the entire left-right direction of the second sheet portion 65b and is fixed to the rear end of the second sheet portion 65b, for example, by screw fastening.

[0049] The second pull-out portion 67d is located at the front end of the second housing portion 67 and is a curved plate-like portion that extends across the width of the second housing portion 67 in the left-right direction. The upper end of the second pull-out portion 67d is along the support surface 71a of the platen 71, and the lower end is along the edge of the second groove portion 67a.

[0050] The second groove 67a is a groove that opens upward between the second sheet fixing portion 67c and the second pull-out portion 67d. The upper opening of the second groove 67a constitutes the opening of the second housing portion 67. A pair of second grooves 67a are formed at both the left and right ends of the second housing portion 67. The second grooves 67a are formed with an inclination toward the front, extending downward from above. That is, in the front-rear direction, the lower end of the second groove 67a is located closer to the center of the platen 71 when viewed from the upper end of the second groove 67a.

[0051] The second weight 67b is an independent shaft-shaped member that fits into the second groove 67a and extends in the left-right direction. More specifically, the second weight 67b consists of a cylindrical rod-shaped portion whose length in the left-right direction is approximately equal to the distance between the pair of second grooves 67a, and retaining portions provided outward from both ends in the left-right direction and which are larger than the width of the second groove 67a. The second weight 67b is movable diagonally up and down when fitted into the second groove 67a.

[0052] The second seat portion 65b has its rear end fixed to the second seat fixing portion 67c and its front end connected to the second suspension portion 65a, and in plan view it overlaps with the second groove portion 67a. The second weight 67b presses the second seat portion 65b downward by its own weight between the second seat fixing portion 67c and the second pull-out portion 67d, causing it to bend. As a result, a part of the second seat portion 65b is housed in the second housing portion 67.

[0053] As described above, the third movable body 63a is fixed to the first belt 42a, and the fourth movable body 63b is fixed to the second belt 42b. Therefore, when the first belt 42a rotates in conjunction with the movement of the third movable body 63a, the connecting member 42s transmits the rotation of the first belt 42a to the second belt 42b via the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb. Consequently, the third movable body 63a and the fourth movable body 63b move synchronously, and the second suspension section 65a and the second seat section 65b follow suit. As a result, the suction area changing section 40 is configured to move the third movable body 63a away from the second housing section 67, thereby allowing the second seat section 65b, which is housed in the second housing section 67, to be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area B. Furthermore, as the third moving body 63a and the fourth moving body 63b move synchronously, the second shielding structure 65 moves in the second direction while maintaining a state parallel to the widthwise edge of the recording medium M. Therefore, the size of the area covered by the second sheet portion 65b in the adsorption region B can be changed to match the width of the recording medium M, so that this area does not become inclined with respect to the widthwise edge of the recording medium M.

[0054] As shown in Figure 2, the first guide member 41a, the first pulley 42sa, and the third pulley 42c described above are each fixed to a first base plate 48a located to the right of the platen 71. The first base plate 48a is a plate provided parallel to the support surface 71a. Below the first base plate 48a are two air cylinders 46. Each air cylinder 46 has a movable part that can move up and down, and this movable part supports the first base plate 48a. An air tank (not shown) and a speed controller are connected to the air cylinders 46, and the movable part of the air cylinder 46 moves up and down when the operator operates the air cylinder 46 via an operating part (not shown). The speed controller controls the speed of the up and down movement of the air cylinder 46 based on the operation instructions for the air cylinder 46. As the movable part of the air cylinder 46 moves up and down, the first base plate 48a moves up and down.

[0055] Similarly, the second guide member 41b, the second pulley 42sb, and the fourth pulley 42d are each fixed to a second base plate 48b located to the left of the platen 71. The second base plate 48b is a plate provided parallel to the support surface 71a. The second base plate 48b is supported from below by the movable parts of two air cylinders 46. The second base plate 48b moves up and down as the movable parts of the air cylinders 46 move up and down.

[0056] When the movable part of the air cylinder 46 is in its lowest position, as shown in Figure 5, the first movable body 43a and the third movable body 63a are each located below the support surface 71a. Similarly, when the movable part of the air cylinder 46 is in its lowest position, the second movable body 43b and the fourth movable body 63b are each located below the support surface 71a. At this time, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a each contact the support surface 71a from above and extend diagonally downward on the left and right sides of the support surface 71a.

[0057] Furthermore, when the movable part of the air cylinder 46 is in its uppermost position, the first movable body 43a and the third movable body 63a are each positioned above the support surface 71a. Similarly, when the movable part of the air cylinder 46 is in its uppermost position, the second movable body 43b and the fourth movable body 63b are each positioned above the support surface 71a. In this case, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 5, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a are each separated upward from the support surface 71a.

[0058] [3. Operation of the Printing Device] [3.1. Behavior when the width of the recording medium is changed] Here, we will explain the operation of the printing device 1 when changing the size of the recording medium M.

[0059] When a new recording medium M is set, the operator operates the control unit to move the movable part of the air cylinder 46 to the top. At this time, the first sheet portion 45b and the second sheet portion 65b are pushed from above into the first groove portion 47a and the second groove portion 67a by the first weight 47b and the second weight 67b. As a result, parts of the first sheet portion 45b and the second sheet portion 65b are automatically stored in the first housing portion 47 and the second housing portion 67, respectively. In this state, the first suspension portion 45a and the second suspension portion 65a are separated upward from the support surface 71a. The recording medium M is stretched horizontally on the support surface 71a, in contact with the support surface 71a. Therefore, the first suspension portion 45a and the second suspension portion 65a are located above the recording medium M.

[0060] In this state, the operator moves the first movable body 43a in the front-rear direction along the first guide member 41a. As the first movable body 43a moves in the front-rear direction, the first belt 42a, which is fixed to the first movable body 43a, rotates. As a result, the third movable body 63a also moves in the front-rear direction along the first guide member 41a in synchronization with the movement of the first movable body 43a. At this time, the first movable body 43a and the third movable body 63a move symmetrically with respect to the front-rear center C of the support surface 71a, either moving away from each other or moving towards each other.

[0061] Furthermore, as the first belt 42a rotates, the first pulley 42sa also rotates. As a result, the connecting member 42s and the second pulley 42sb rotate in the same direction as the first pulley 42sa. Consequently, the second belt 42b rotates in the same direction by the same amount of movement in sync with the rotation of the first belt 42a. Consequently, the first moving body 43a, the second moving body 43b, the third moving body 63a, and the fourth moving body 63b move in sync with each other. Since the first moving body 43a and the second moving body 43b move in the same direction by the same amount of movement, the first suspension part 45a always extends along the left-right direction. Similarly, since the third moving body 63a and the fourth moving body 63b move in the same direction by the same amount of movement, the second suspension part 65a always extends along the left-right direction. Furthermore, as described above, since the second movable body 43b and the fourth movable body 63b are in symmetrical positions with respect to the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a are always in symmetrical positions with respect to the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a.

[0062] Therefore, by moving only the first movable body 43a in the forward and backward direction, the operator can simultaneously move the first suspension section 45a and the second suspension section 65a in a direction that separates them from each other, or in a direction that brings them closer together.

[0063] The operator moves the second movable body 43b so that the front-rear ends of the recording medium M slightly overlap with the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a. In this state, the operator operates the control unit to move the movable part of the air cylinder 46 to its lowest position. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a press down on the front-rear ends of the recording medium M from above. At this time, the first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a are located at the same distance D1 from the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a. In addition, the entire surface of the adsorption area B is covered from above by the recording medium M, the first shielding structure 45, and the second shielding structure 65. Furthermore, tension is applied to the first sheet part 45b and the second sheet part 65b by the first weight 47b and the second weight 67b. Therefore, the first sheet portion 45b and the second sheet portion 65b cover the adsorption area B without loosening. Once the above operations are completed, printing can be performed. During printing, the recording medium M is transported so as to pass between the support surface 71a and the first suspension portion 45a, and between the support surface 71a and the second suspension portion 65a.

[0064] [3.2. Printing Operation] During printing by the printing device 1, the blower 75 is driven according to the control of a control unit (not shown), generating negative pressure in the intake duct 73. This initiates air intake through the suction holes 71b. At this time, a portion of the suction area B overlaps with the recording medium M, and an adhesive force is generated in the suction holes 71b that attracts the recording medium M to the support surface 71a. The suction holes 71b that do not overlap the recording medium M in the suction area B are covered by the first shielding structure 45 and the second shielding structure 65. Since ventilation is obstructed in these suction holes 71b, the negative pressure in the intake duct 73 is not easily relieved due to the influence of the open suction holes 71b, and the recording medium M is strongly attracted to the support surface 71a.

[0065] Furthermore, the front-to-rear ends of the recording medium M are pressed against the support surface 71a from above by the first suspension portion 45a and the second suspension portion 65a. As a result, the recording medium M does not curl at its front-to-rear ends and adheres tightly to the support surface 71a.

[0066] [4. Effects, etc.] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a winding unit 35 that transports the recording medium M along the left-right direction, and a print head 51 that ejects ink onto the recording medium M. The printing apparatus 1 also has a support surface 71a that faces the print head 51 and the transport path of the recording medium M, and a platen 71 that supports the recording medium M with respect to the support surface 71a. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 includes a blower 75 for sucking in air and an adsorption area changing unit 40. The support surface 71a is composed of surfaces along the left-right direction and the front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, and has an adsorption area B provided with a plurality of adsorption holes 71b. The blower 75 sucks in air from the adsorption holes 71b via an intake duct 73 located on the back surface 71c opposite to the support surface 71a. The adsorption area changing unit 40 is a member extending in the front-rear direction and has a first guide member 41a and a second guide member 41b arranged side by side so as to sandwich the platen 71 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the suction area changing unit 40 includes a first movable body 43a that can move along the first guide member 41a, a second movable body 43b that can move along the second guide member 41b, and a synchronization mechanism 42 that synchronizes the movement of the first movable body 43a and the movement of the second movable body 43b. In addition, the suction area changing unit 40 has a first shielding structure including a first suspension part 45a suspended between the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b, and a flexible first sheet part 45b connected to the first suspension part 45a. In addition, the suction area changing unit 40 has a first housing part 47 that accommodates at least a part of the first sheet part 45b. The first suspension part 45a is movable in the front-rear direction together with the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b to a position facing the support surface 71a. The first sheet portion 45b extends forward from the first suspension portion 45a in the front-rear direction and is larger than the suction area B in the left-right direction. The first housing portion 47 is located on the front side of the platen 71 in the front-rear direction, and the opening of the first housing portion 47 is located in a position that does not overlap with the suction area B in a plan view. The printing apparatus 1 is configured to be able to pull out the first sheet portion 45b housed in the first housing portion 47 to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area B in a plan view by moving the first movable body 43a away from the first housing portion 47.

[0067] In this configuration, the first movable body 43a and the second movable body 43b move synchronously. Therefore, by simply moving the first movable body 43a, the first sheet portion 45b can be easily pulled out while the first suspension portion 45a maintains its position aligned in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to realize a configuration in which the recording medium M is adsorbed onto the platen 71, in which the adsorption holes 71b can be easily closed according to the size of the recording medium M. Furthermore, since a part of the first sheet portion 45b can be housed in the first storage portion 47, there is no need to provide a large space for housing the member that closes the adsorption holes 71b, and the printing device 1 can be miniaturized.

[0068] In the adsorption area changing section 40, the first housing section 47 has a sheet fixing section 47c that fixes the front end of the first sheet section 45b and a pull-out section 47d from which the first sheet section 45b is pulled out. The first housing section 47 also has a shaft-shaped first weight 47b that presses downward and bends the first sheet section 45b between the sheet fixing section 47c and the pull-out section 47d. Furthermore, the first housing section 47 has a first groove section 47a that movably supports the first weight 47b, and the first groove section 47a is located at both ends of the first housing section 47 in the left-right direction. The rear end of the first sheet section 45b is connected to the first suspension section 45a.

[0069] This configuration allows for the realization of the first storage section 47 with a simple structure. Therefore, the printing device 1 can be miniaturized with a simple structure. Furthermore, since the first sheet section 45b is pressed downward by the first weight 47b, the first sheet section 45b does not loosen on the support surface 71a. Therefore, the first sheet section 45b can more reliably close the suction holes 71b, and the recording medium M adheres more closely to the support surface 71a. This improves the printing quality in the printing device 1.

[0070] The first groove 47a is a groove that fits onto the end of the first weight 47b and supports the first weight 47b so that it can move diagonally up and down. The lower end of the first groove 47a is located in a direction closer to the center of the platen 71 when viewed from the upper end of the first groove 47a.

[0071] With this configuration, the first storage unit 47 can be further miniaturized with a simpler design. Therefore, the printing device 1 can be further miniaturized.

[0072] The synchronization mechanism 42 includes an annular first belt 42a stretched along a first guide member 41a and an annular second belt 42b stretched along a second guide member 41b. The synchronization mechanism 42 also includes a first pulley 42sa that engages with the first belt 42a and rotates with the movement of the first belt 42a, and a second pulley 42sb that engages with the second belt 42b. Furthermore, the synchronization mechanism 42 includes a connecting member 42s arranged along the left-right direction and connecting the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb. In the suction area changing section 40, a first movable body 43a is fixed to the first belt 42a, and a second movable body 43b is fixed to the second belt 42b. When the first belt 42a rotates as the first movable body 43a moves, the connecting member 42s transmits the rotation of the first belt 42a to the second belt 42b via the first pulley 42sa and the second pulley 42sb.

[0073] This configuration allows for the implementation of a synchronous mechanism 42 with a simple structure. Therefore, the convenience of the printing device 1 can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0074] The printing apparatus 1 includes a third pulley 42c that engages with the first belt 42a and rotates with the movement of the first belt 42a, and a third movable body 63a fixed to the first belt 42a. The first pulley 42sa is located on the front end side of the first guide member 41a, and the third pulley 42c is located on the rear end side of the first guide member 41a, and the first belt 42a is stretched between the first pulley 42sa and the third pulley 42c. The first movable body 43a is fixed to the first belt 42a, and the first movable body 43a and the third movable body 63a move in a direction away from each other or in a direction toward each other as the first belt 42a rotates.

[0075] In this configuration, as the first mobile body 43a moves, the third mobile body 63a moves in the opposite direction to the movement of the first mobile body 43a. Therefore, the operator can move the third mobile body 63a simply by moving the first mobile body 43a, without having to operate the third mobile body 63a itself. This improves the convenience of the printing device 1.

[0076] Furthermore, the suction area changing section 40 includes a third movable body 63a that can move along the first guide member 41a, and a fourth movable body 63b that can move along the second guide member 41b. The suction area changing section 40 also has a second shielding structure 65 which includes a second suspension section 65a suspended between the third movable body 63a and the fourth movable body 63b, and a flexible second sheet section 65b attached to the second suspension section 65a. Furthermore, the suction area changing section 40 has a second housing section 67 which accommodates at least a portion of the second sheet section 65b. The second suspension section 65a is movable in the front-rear direction together with the third movable body 63a and the fourth movable body 63b to a position facing the support surface 71a. The second sheet section 65b extends rearward from the second suspension section 65a in the front-rear direction and is larger than the suction area B in the left-right direction. The second housing section 67 is positioned on the opposite side of the platen 71 from the first housing section 47 in the front-rear direction, and the opening of the second housing section 67 is located in a position that does not overlap with the suction area B in a plan view. Furthermore, the second housing section 67 is configured such that the second sheet section 65b housed in the second housing section 67 can be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area B in a plan view by moving the third movable body 63a away from the second housing section 67.

[0077] With this configuration, the first sheet portion 45b and the second sheet portion 65b can overlap with the adsorption area B from both the front-rear and rear-facing sides of the support surface 71a. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the front-rear position of the recording medium M supported on the support surface 71a is improved. This improves the design freedom of the printing apparatus 1.

[0078] Furthermore, the recording medium M is transported so as to pass between the support surface 71a and the first suspension part 45a, and between the support surface 71a and the second suspension part 65a. The first suspension part 45a and the second suspension part 65a press down on the front-rear ends of the recording medium M from above.

[0079] With this configuration, the first suspension portion 45a and the second suspension portion 65a can press down from above to prevent the front-to-back ends of the recording medium M from curling. As a result, the recording medium M comes into closer contact with the support surface 71a, improving the print quality of the printing apparatus 1.

[0080] [5. Other Embodiments] The above embodiments are merely examples illustrating the application of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0081] In the printing apparatus 1, the recording medium M may be transported such that its center does not coincide with the front-to-back center C of the support surface 71a, for example, so that the rear end of the recording medium M and the rear end of the suction area B overlap vertically. In this case, the entire surface of the suction area B can be covered without providing the third moving body 63a, the fourth moving body 63b, the second shielding structure 65, and the second housing section 67. Thus, the configuration becomes simpler. However, in the embodiment described above, the curling of the recording medium M can be suppressed by the second suspension section 65a.

[0082] The first housing section 47 may also be configured to have a winding mechanism that winds up the first sheet section 45b, whose rear end is held by the first suspension section 45a, from the front end. The winding mechanism may be configured, for example, by connecting the front end of the first sheet section 45b to a winding pipe that is rotatable on an axis in the left-right direction, and rotating the winding pipe with a coil spring. In the printing apparatus 1, the first shielding structure 45 has a configuration comprising a first suspension portion 45a and a first sheet portion 45b, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, a shielding structure in which the first suspension portion 45a and the first sheet portion 45b are integrally formed may be used. The same applies to the second shielding structure 65. In the printing apparatus 1, the first groove 47a and the second groove 67a are formed inclined from top to bottom toward the center C in the front-rear direction of the support surface 71a, but are not limited to this. For example, the grooves may be formed vertically from top to bottom, or they may be inclined toward the direction away from the support surface 71a in the front-rear direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1…Printing device, 10…Housing, 10a…Media storage section, 10b…Printing section, 10c…Printed material storage section, 21…Wiper mechanism, 23…Flushing mechanism, 25…Cap mechanism, 31…Media mounting section, 33…Roller, 34…Transport motor, 35…Winding section, 35a…Winding shaft, 35b…Winding motor, 40…Adsorption area changing section, 41a…First guide member, 41b…Second guide member, 42…Synchronization mechanism, 42a…First Belt, 42aL...Lower part of the first belt, 42aU...Upper part of the first belt, 42b...Second belt, 42bL...Lower part of the second belt, 42bU...Upper part of the second belt, 42c...Third pulley, 42d...Fourth pulley, 42s...Connecting member, 42sa...First pulley, 42sb...Second pulley, 43a...First moving body, 43b...Second moving body, 43c...Pin, 44...Sliding guide, 44a...Elongated hole, 45...First shielding structure, 45a...First suspension part, 45b...First sheet section, 46...Air cylinder, 47...First housing section, 47a...First groove section, 47b...First weight, 47c...Sheet fixing section, 47d...Pull-out section, 48a...First base plate, 48b...Second base plate, 50...Carriage, 51...Print head, 53...Carriage guide, 63a...Third moving body, 63b...Fourth moving body, 65...Second shielding structure, 65a...Second suspension section, 65b...Second sheet section, 67...Second housing section, 67 a...Second groove, 67b...Second weight, 67c...Second sheet fixing part, 67d...Second pull-out part, 71...Platen, 71a...Support surface, 71b...Adsorption hole, 71c...Back surface, 73...Intake duct, 75...Blower, 77...Exhaust duct, 79...Exhaust hole, 90...Control unit, 91...Interface, B...Adsorption area, C...Center in the left-right direction, D...Distance, D1...Distance, M...Recording medium, R1...Roll medium, R2...Roll-shaped printed material, W...Width, Wb...Width.

Claims

1. A transport unit that transports the recording medium along a first direction, A print head that ejects ink onto the recording medium, A recording medium support unit having a support surface facing the print head and the transport path of the recording medium, and supporting the recording medium with the support surface, An air intake section that draws in air, It comprises an adsorption area changing unit, The support surface is composed of surfaces along the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and has an adsorption region provided with a plurality of adsorption holes. The intake section draws air from the adsorption hole via a duct located on the side opposite to the support surface. The adsorption region changing unit is, A member extending in the second direction, comprising a first guide member and a second guide member arranged side by side in the first direction so as to sandwich the recording medium support portion, A first movable body that can move along the first guide member, A second movable body that can move along the second guide member, A synchronization mechanism for synchronizing the movement of the first moving body and the movement of the second moving body, A first shielding structure including a first suspension portion suspended between the first moving body and the second moving body, and a flexible first sheet portion connected to the first suspension portion, It has a first housing section that houses at least a part of the first sheet section, The first suspension portion is movable in the second direction together with the first and second moving bodies at a position facing the support surface. The first sheet portion extends from the first suspension portion to one side in the second direction, and is larger than the adsorption region in the first direction. The first housing portion is positioned on one side of the recording medium support portion in the second direction, and the opening of the first housing portion is located in a position that does not overlap with the adsorption area in a plan view. By moving the first movable body in a direction away from the first housing, the first sheet portion housed in the first housing can be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area in a plan view. The first storage section is, A sheet fixing portion for fixing one end of the first sheet portion, and a pull-out portion from which the first sheet portion is pulled out, A first weight is used to press the first sheet portion downward and bend it between the sheet fixing portion and the pull-out portion, The first weight is supported by a weight guide, The other end of the first seat portion is connected to the first suspension portion. Printing device.

2. The first weight is shaft-shaped, The weight guides are arranged at both ends of the first housing in the first direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The weight guide is a groove that fits onto the end of the first weight and supports the first weight so that it can move diagonally up and down. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of the weight guide is located in a direction closer to the center of the recording medium support when viewed from the upper end of the weight guide.

4. The aforementioned synchronization mechanism is An annular first belt stretched along the first guide member, An annular second belt stretched along the second guide member, A first pulley that engages with the first belt and rotates due to the movement of the first belt, A second pulley that engages with the second belt, A connecting member is arranged along the first direction and connects the first pulley and the second pulley, The first moving body is fixed to the first belt, and the second moving body is fixed to the second belt. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting member transmits the rotation of the first belt to the second belt via the first pulley and the second pulley when the first belt rotates in conjunction with the movement of the first moving body.

5. A third pulley engages with the first belt and rotates due to the movement of the first belt, The system comprises a third movable body fixed to the first belt, The first pulley is positioned on one end of the first guide member, the third pulley is positioned on the other end of the first guide member, and the first belt is stretched between the first pulley and the third pulley. The first moving body is fixed to the first belt, The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first moving body and the third moving body move in a direction away from each other or in a direction approaching each other as the first belt rotates.

6. The third movable body is movable along the first guide member, The adsorption region changing unit is, A fourth movable body that can move along the second guide member, A second shielding structure including a second suspension portion suspended between the third moving body and the fourth moving body, and a flexible second sheet portion attached to the second suspension portion, It has a second housing section that accommodates at least a part of the second sheet section, The second suspension portion is movable in the second direction together with the third and fourth moving bodies at a position facing the support surface. The second sheet portion extends from the second suspension portion to the other side in the second direction, and is larger than the adsorption region in the first direction. The second housing portion is positioned in the second direction on the opposite side from the first housing portion to the recording medium support portion, and the opening of the second housing portion is located in a position that does not overlap with the adsorption area in a plan view. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the third movable body is configured to move away from the second housing so that the second sheet housing can be pulled out to a position that overlaps with a part of the suction area in a plan view.

7. The recording medium is transported so as to pass between the support surface and the first suspension portion, and between the support surface and the second suspension portion. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first suspension portion and the second suspension portion press down on the end of the recording medium in the second direction from above.

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