Conveying device and printing device

Abstract

To provide means capable of stably carrying a sheet in accordance with a sheet width while suppressing the buckling of the sheet.SOLUTION: An image recording apparatus 1 comprises: a transport roller 45; a sheet holder 13; a tensioner 14; a first side guide 145 having a first guide face 147; a front side guide 21 having a second guide face 155 opposed to the first guide face 147; and an interlock mechanism 50 for interlocking the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146. The interlock mechanism 50 has: first rack gears 52, 53 inwardly extending from the first and second side guides 145, 146; second rack gears 54, 55 movable to a first position identical in phase thereto and a second position deviated in phase therefrom; a pinion gear 51 being in mesh with the gears 52, 53, 54, 55; and a coil spring 58 urging the second rack gears 54, 55 toward the second position relatively to the first rack gears 52, 53.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and a printing device having a tensiometer.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an image recording device, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer provided with a tension guide. The tension guide has a convex arc-shaped guide surface. The recording paper conveyed upward from the roll paper is conveyed toward the printing position by a paper feed roller while sliding on the guide surface of the tension guide. A detachable guide is attached to the tension guide. The position of the recording paper in the width direction is regulated by the paper width guide piece of the detachable guide.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming device provided with a horizontal guide. The horizontal guide includes two racks and one gear engaged with these racks.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a roller is provided on the detachable guide, and the rotation of the roller reduces the sliding resistance of the recording paper having a large coefficient of friction. However, even if the conveyance of the recording paper in the conveyance direction is smoothed by the roller, the roller protrudes outward in a curved shape from the guide surface that curves the recording paper, so the curvature of the recording paper is reduced by contact with the roller. As a result, the stiffness of the recording paper is weakened, and the recording paper is easily bent in the width direction, so the recording paper is likely to buckle when it contacts the paper width guide piece.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the distance between the paper width guide pieces of the detachable guide is constant, and it does not accommodate recording paper of different widths.

[0007] In the lateral guide disclosed in Reference 2, backlash occurs between the rack and the gear, making it difficult to accurately and smoothly position the recording paper.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a means for stably transporting a sheet in accordance with the sheet width while suppressing buckling of the sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The conveying device according to the present invention comprises: a conveying unit that conveys a sheet in the conveying direction along a conveying path; a sheet holder that is rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction that intersects the conveying direction upstream of the conveying direction; a tensioner that applies tension to the sheet while curving it between the sheet holder and the conveying unit in the conveying path; a first side guide attached to the tensioner and having a first guide surface that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and along the conveying direction; a second side guide attached to the tensioner and having a second guide surface that faces the first guide surface in the first direction; and an interlocking mechanism that links the movement of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction. The interlocking mechanism includes: a first rack gear connected to the first side guide and the second side guide, each extending inward in the first direction; a second rack gear superimposed on the first rack gear in the second direction, and movable in the first direction to a first position in phase with respect to the first rack gear and a second position out of phase; a pinion gear that meshes with the first rack gear and the second rack gear, respectively; and an elastic member that biases the second rack gear toward the second position relative to the first rack gear.

[0010] With the above configuration, the sheet is clamped in the first direction by a first side guide that allows for precise and smooth positioning and a second side guide that works in conjunction with it. This prevents the sheet from meandering or slanting due to rattling of the first and second side guides while accommodating various sheet widths. In addition, since tension is applied to the sheet by the tensioner as it curves, the sheet develops rigidity between the first and second guide surfaces, making it less prone to buckling.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the interlocking mechanism has a locking mechanism that restricts the movement of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction, the tensioner has a first roller that rotates around an axis and contacts the sheet, the axis of the first roller intersects the conveying direction such that a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis approaches either the first guide surface or the second guide surface as it moves downstream in the conveying direction.

[0012] With the above configuration, even if the sheet comes into contact with the first guide surface or the second guide surface by the first roller, the sheet's slanting can be reliably and smoothly suppressed by fixing the first side guide and the second side guide.

[0013] (3) The locking mechanism comprises a disc that can rotate around the axis of the pinion gear in synchronization with the rotation of the pinion gear, a locking member having a contact portion that contacts the outer surface of the disc, and the locking member moving between a contact position where the contact portion contacts the outer surface and a separated position where the contact portion is separated from the outer surface.

[0014] With the above configuration, the movement of the first and second side guides can be restricted by stopping the rotation of the pinion gear.

[0015] (4) The locking mechanism has a locking member having a contact piece that is movable in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the locking member moving between a contact position in which the contact piece contacts the first rack gear and a separated position in which the contact piece is separated from the first rack gear.

[0016] With the above configuration, the movement of the first rack gear can be stopped, thereby restricting the movement of the first and second side guides.

[0017] (5) The conveying section further comprises a third side guide and a fourth side guide located downstream in the conveying direction, wherein the third side guide has a third guide surface that extends along the second direction and the conveying direction, and the fourth side guide extends along the second direction and the conveying direction and has a fourth guide surface that faces the third guide surface in the first direction.

[0018] With the above configuration, a third side guide and a fourth side guide are provided downstream of the conveying section in the direction of conveying, allowing the sheet to be conveyed stably even downstream of the conveying section.

[0019] (6) A conveying unit that conveys a sheet along a conveyance path in the conveyance direction, a recording head that records an image on the sheet sent by the conveying unit, a sheet holder rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction intersecting the conveyance direction upstream in the conveyance direction, a tensoner that applies tension to the sheet while curving the sheet between the sheet holder and the conveying unit in the conveyance path, a first side guide attached to the tensoner and having a first guide surface extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a first guide surface extending along the conveyance direction, a second side guide attached to the tensoner and having a second guide surface facing the first guide surface in the first direction, and an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the movements of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction. The interlocking mechanism is connected to the first side guide and the second side guide, and includes a first rack gear extending inward in the first direction, a second rack gear overlapping the first rack gear in the second direction and movable in the first direction between a first position in phase with the first rack gear and a second position out of phase with the first rack gear, a pinion gear meshing with each of the first rack gear and the second rack gear, and an elastic member that biases the second rack gear toward the second position with respect to the first rack gear.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is to provide a means capable of stably conveying a sheet in accordance with the sheet width while suppressing buckling of the sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a longitudinal section of the image recording apparatus 1 along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first side guide 145 viewed obliquely from the rear. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a view of the interlocking mechanism 50 as seen from the front in the front-back direction 7. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking mechanism 50 taken at the positions of the first left rack gear 52 and the first right rack gear 53 in the front-back direction 7, and is a view showing the same together with the tensioner 14. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the interlocking mechanism 50 taken at the position between the second left rack gear 54 and the flange 56 in the front-back direction 7, and is a view showing the same together with the tensioner 14. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the pinion gear 51 in FIG. 5. [[ID=ID=10]] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the pinion gear 51 in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the lock member 71 is in the separated position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing the lock mechanism 70A according to the first modification, and is a view showing a state in which the lock member 71A is in the contact position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view showing the lock mechanism 70A according to the first modification, and is a view showing a state in which the lock member 71A is in the separated position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing the lock mechanism 70B according to the second modification, and is a view showing a state in which the lock member 71B is in the contact position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view showing the lock mechanism 70B according to the second modification, and is a view showing a state in which the lock member 71B is in the separated position. [Embodiments of the Invention]

[0022] Hereinafter, the image recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0023] [Definitions] In the following, the movement from the starting point to the ending point of an arrow is referred to as direction, and the movement along the line connecting the starting point and ending point of the arrow is also referred to as direction.

[0024] The vertical direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the image recording device 1 is installed for use (the state in Figure 1). The front-to-back direction 8 is defined with the side of the image recording device 1 where the outlet 111 is located as the front. The left-to-right direction 9 (an example of the first direction) is defined when viewing the image recording device 1 from the front.

[0025] [Image recording device 1] The image recording device 1 (an example of a transport device and printing device) records images onto a sheet S using an inkjet recording method. The sheet S is, for example, a roll of paper. Multiple types of sheets S with different sheet widths can be mounted on the image recording device 1.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the image recording device 1 comprises a housing 11. The housing 11 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, elongated front to back, and is sized to be installed on a tabletop, floor, or rack. An outlet 111 is located on the front wall of the housing 11. The outlet 111 is a narrow, elongated through-hole. The image-recorded sheet S is discharged from the outlet 111. An operation panel 116, operated by the user, is located on the front wall of the housing 11. A front cover 115 is located at the bottom of the front wall of the housing 11. Opening and closing the front cover 115 exposes or conceals the tank 12 (see Figure 2). A right cover 114 is located at the rear of the right wall of the housing 11. Opening and closing the right cover 114 exposes or conceals the sheet holder 13 (see Figure 2).

[0027] The housing 11 has a lower part, the main body 112, and an upper part, the upper cover 113. The main body 112 is box-shaped with an upward opening. The upper cover 113 is located at the rear of the main body 112 and is connected to the main body 112 so as to be rotatable around an axis 101 that extends along the left-right direction 9. As shown in Figure 1, when the upper cover 113 is in the closed position, the opening of the main body 112 is closed. The image recording device 1 performs image recording in this state. When the upper cover 113 is rotated around the axis 101 so that the front wall is lifted upward, the opening of the main body 112 is exposed. When the user performs maintenance work such as replacing the sheet S, the user lifts the upper cover 113 to access the internal space of the housing 11.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the internal space of the housing 11 includes a tank 12, a sheet holder 13, a tensioner 14, a rear side guide 15, a pair of transport rollers 16, a belt transport mechanism 19, a recording head 20, a third side guide 21A, a fourth side guide 21B, a lower guide 17, a pair of discharge rollers 23, and a cutter 26. It goes without saying that the internal space of the housing 11 may also contain other components such as a reading sensor for reading the recorded image on the sheet S, various other sensors, a power supply, a heater, a control board, and a cooling device.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the tank 12 is located immediately behind the front cover 115 and stores ink inside. The ink from tank 12 is supplied to the recording head 20 through an ink tube (not shown).

[0030] At the rear of the internal space of the housing 11, a roll storage space 105 is partitioned by a partition wall 104 and the outer wall of the housing. A space 106 through which the sheet S passes is formed between the rear end of the partition wall 104 and the rear wall of the housing 11. A sheet holder 13 is located in the roll storage space 105. The sheet S, which forms a roll, is supported by a sheet holder 13 that is rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The sheet holder 13 rotates when power is supplied from a holder drive motor (not shown). The holder drive motor can rotate in the forward or reverse direction.

[0031] A tensioner 14 is located above space 106. A sheet S, pulled upward from the sheet holder 13, is hung on the tensioner 14. The sheet S curves along the tensioner 14 and extends forward. The top surface of the tensioner 14 and the discharge port 111 are approximately at the same position in the vertical direction 7. In the front-rear direction 8, a transport path 10 through which the sheet S passes is demarcated between the tensioner 14 and the discharge port 111 by members located in the vertical direction 7, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2. The sheet S is transported upward (an example of transport direction) between the sheet holder 13 and the tensioner 14, curves along the tensioner 14, and then transported forward (an example of transport direction) along the transport path 10 from the top surface of the tensioner 14 towards the discharge port 111.

[0032] [Tensioner 14] As shown in Figure 3, the tensioner 14 is connected to a pair of left and right frames 27, 28 fixed to the housing 11. The tensioner 14 includes a support member 42, a support plate 43 located below the support member 42, a biasing member 18 (see Figure 2), an arc member 140, a flat member 141, a first roller 142, an interlocking mechanism 50 (see Figure 4), and a locking mechanism 70.

[0033] The support member 42 has a support shaft 96, a pivot shaft 97, and a pair of connecting members 44A and 44B. The support member 42 is located in front of the upper part of the arc member 140. The support member 42 supports the tensioner 14 against the frames 27 and 28.

[0034] The support shaft 96 is cylindrical in shape with its axis extending in the left-right direction 9. The support shaft 96 is supported by a pair of frames 27 and 28. The support shaft 96 rotatably supports a pair of connecting members 44A and 44B. Connecting member 44A is located to the left of the first side guide 145. Connecting member 44B is located to the right of the second side guide 146. A pivot shaft 97 is inserted through the pair of connecting members 44A and 44B. The pivot shaft 97 rotatably supports the arc member 140 relative to the pair of connecting members 44A and 44B.

[0035] The support plate 43 is a flat plate connected to a pair of frames 27 and 28, with its main surface extending in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The biasing member 18 is a coil spring extending in the front-rear direction 8, with one end fixed to the support plate 43 and the other end fixed to the flat member 141.

[0036] The arc member 140 is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis of the pivot shaft 97. The arc member 140 is movable in directions intersecting the surface of the curved sheet S, i.e., outward and inward. The arc member 140 faces the sheet S being transported along the transport path 10. The arc member 140 has a first curved surface 143 that faces outward. The first curved surface 143 is a curved surface that extends along the left-right direction 9 and has an arc shape when viewed from the left-right direction 9.

[0037] The flat member 141 extends downward from the lower end of the arc member 140. The flat member 141 rotates integrally with the arc member 140 around the axis of the pivot shaft 97. The flat member 141 is biased backward by the biasing member 18. The flat member 141 has a first flat surface 144. The first flat surface 144 is a plane facing backward. The upper end of the first flat surface 144 is continuous with the lower end of the first curved surface 143.

[0038] The tensioner 14 is fitted with a first side guide 145 and a second side guide 146. The first side guide 145 is positioned from the first flat surface 144 to the first curved surface 143. The first side guide 145 has a first guide surface 147, a first extension piece 148, and a second extension piece 149.

[0039] The first guide surface 147 is the surface facing left on the first side guide 145. The first guide surface 147 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the front-to-back direction 8 (an example of the second direction), and also extends along the conveying direction G (see Figure 2).

[0040] The first extension piece 148 extends to the left from near the curved inward end of the first guide surface 147. The dimension of the first extension piece 148 along the left-right direction 9 is less than half the width dimension of the narrowest sheet S being conveyed along the left-right direction 9. The first extension piece 148 has a second curved surface 150 that curves outward. The second curved surface 150 is curved along the first curved surface 143 of the arc member 140. Specifically, the second curved surface 150 is arc-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction 9 and widens along the left-right direction 9. Because the second curved surface 150 is curved, the sheet S is conveyed in the conveying direction G in a curved state, which strengthens the rigidity of the sheet S and makes it less likely to buckle even when the end of the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide surface 147.

[0041] The second extension piece 149 extends downward from the lower end of the first extension piece 148. The second extension piece 149 extends to the left from near the curved inward end of the first guide surface 147. The first extension piece 148 and the second extension piece 149 are a single unit. The dimension of the second extension piece 149 along the left-right direction 9 is smaller than the dimension of the first extension piece 148 along the left-right direction 9. The second extension piece 149 has a second flat surface 151. The second flat surface 151 is a plane that faces rearward and extends along the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the downstream edge of the first guide surface 147 in the transport direction G is the first downstream edge 152. The first gripping portion 153 is located at the upper end of the first guide surface 147. The first gripping portion 153 is grasped by the user when sliding the first side guide 145 in the left-right direction 9. The first downstream edge 152 is located between the first gripping portion 153 and the upper end of the second curved surface 150. The first downstream edge 152 extends forward as it is directed upward. To the right of the first downstream edge 152 of the first guide surface 147 is the first pressing surface 154, which is continuous with the first downstream edge 152 (see Figure 4). The first pressing surface 154 is a surface that extends to the right from the first downstream edge 152. When a sheet S being transported in the transport direction G moves diagonally to the right, the right edge of the sheet S may extend to the right of the first guide surface 147 downstream of the transport direction G. At this time, the first pressing surface 154 is located above the right edge portion of the sheet S.

[0043] The second side guide 146 has a shape symmetrical to the first side guide 145 with respect to the center of the tensioner 14 in the left-right direction 9. The second side guide 146 is located from the first flat surface 144 to the first curved surface 143. The second side guide 146 has a second guide surface 155, a third extension 156, and a fourth extension 157.

[0044] The second guide surface 155 is the surface facing to the right on the second side guide 146. The second guide surface 155 faces the first guide surface 147 in the left-right direction 9. The second guide surface 155 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the front-back direction 8, and also extends along the conveying direction G. The second guide surface 155 faces the first side guide 145 in the left-right direction 9.

[0045] The third extension piece 156 extends to the right from near the curved inward end of the second guide surface 155. The dimension of the third extension piece 156 along the left-right direction 9 is less than half the width dimension of the narrowest sheet in the left-right direction 9 among the sheets S being conveyed, and is the same as that of the first extension piece 148. The third extension piece 156 has a third curved surface 158 that curves outward. The third curved surface 158 is curved along the first curved surface 143 of the arc member 140. Specifically, the third curved surface 158 is arc-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction 9 and widens along the left-right direction 9.

[0046] The fourth extension piece 157 extends downward from the lower end of the third extension piece 156. The fourth extension piece 157 extends to the left from near the curved inward end of the second guide surface 155. The third extension piece 156 and the fourth extension piece 157 are a single unit. The dimension of the fourth extension piece 157 along the left-right direction 9 is smaller than the dimension of the third extension piece 156 along the left-right direction 9. The fourth extension piece 157 has a third flat surface 159. The third flat surface 159 is a plane that faces rearward and extends along the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9.

[0047] Similar to the first side guide 145, the second side guide 146 has a second downstream edge 160, which is the downstream edge of the second guide surface 155 in the transport direction G. A second gripping portion 161 is located at the upper end of the second guide surface 155. The second downstream edge 160 is grasped by the user when sliding the second side guide 146 in the left-right direction 9. The second downstream edge 160 is located between the second gripping portion 161 and the upper end of the third curved surface 158. Similar to the first downstream edge 152, the second downstream edge 160 extends forward as it is oriented upward. To the left of the second downstream edge 160 of the second guide surface 155 is a second pressing surface 162 that is continuous with the second downstream edge 160. The second pressing surface 162 is a surface that extends to the left from the second downstream edge 160. When a sheet S being transported in the transport direction G moves diagonally to the left, the left edge of the sheet S may extend to the left of the second guide surface 155 downstream of the transport direction G. At this time, the second pressing surface 162 is located above the left edge portion of the sheet S.

[0048] [Interlocking mechanism 50] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the interlocking mechanism 50 is located forward of the arc member 140 in the front-rear direction 8. The interlocking mechanism 50 interlocks the movement of the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 along the left-right direction 9. The interlocking mechanism 50 is a rack and pinion mechanism and includes a pinion gear 51 (see Figure 5), a first left rack gear 52, a first right rack gear 53, a second left rack gear 54, a second right rack gear 55, and a flange (an example of a disc) 56.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the pinion gear 51 is rotatably fitted to a support shaft 57 along the front-rear direction 8 at the center of the arc member 140 in the left-right direction 9. The flange 56 is connected to the support shaft 57 in front of the pinion gear 51 and supports the pinion gear 51 from the front. The flange 56 is fitted to the front end of the support shaft 57. The flange 56 has an outer circumferential surface 68 centered on an axis extending in the front-rear direction 8.

[0050] The first left rack gear (an example of a first rack gear) 52 has upward-facing teeth arranged along the left-right direction 9 and is fixed to the first side guide 145 at its left end by a screw 64. The first left rack gear 52 meshes with the pinion gear 51. The first left rack gear 52 is fitted onto a guide rail 66 that extends along the left-right direction 9 and is movable in the left-right direction along the guide rail 66. When the first left rack gear 52 moves in the left-right direction 9, the pinion gear 51 rotates around the pivot shaft 57.

[0051] The first right rack gear (an example of a first rack gear) 53 has downward-facing teeth arranged along the left-right direction 9 and is fixed to the second side guide 146 at its right end by a screw 65. The first right rack gear 53 meshes with the pinion gear 51. Similar to the guide rail 66 of the first left rack gear 52, the first right rack gear 53 is fitted onto a guide rail 67 that extends in the left-right direction 9 and is movable in the left-right direction along the guide rail 67. When the first right rack gear 53 moves in the left-right direction 9, the pinion gear 51 rotates around the pivot shaft 57.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second left rack gear (an example of a second rack gear) 54 is locked to the first left rack gear 52 in front of it. The second left rack gear 54 is located between the first left rack gear 52 and the flange 56 in the longitudinal direction 8 and is supported from the front by the flange 56. The dimension of the second left rack gear 54 along the longitudinal direction 8 is smaller than the dimension of the first left rack gear 52 along the longitudinal direction 8. The second left rack gear 54 has upward-facing teeth arranged along the left-right direction 9. The tooth size, i.e., module and number of teeth, of the first left rack gear 52 and the second left rack gear 54 are the same.

[0053] The left and right ends of the second left rack gear 54 are locked to the first left rack gear 52, thereby supporting its movement in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, at the right end of the second left rack gear 54, a coil spring 58 is compressed and deformed and interposed between the second left rack gear 54 and the first left rack gear 52. Due to the biasing force of the coil spring (an example of an elastic member) 58, the second left rack gear 54 is biased to the right (inward) relative to the first left rack gear 52. As shown in Figure 6, due to the biasing force of the coil spring 58, the teeth of the first left rack gear 52 and the teeth of the second left rack gear 54 are slightly out of phase in the left-right direction 9. The position of the second left rack gear 54 relative to the first left rack gear 52 with the phase shifted teeth is an example of the second position. An example of the first position (not shown) is the position of the second left rack gear 54 relative to the first left rack gear 52 where the phase of the teeth matches.

[0054] The second right rack gear (an example of a second rack gear) 55 is locked to the first right rack gear 53 in front of it. The second right rack gear 55 is located between the first right rack gear 53 and the flange 56 in the longitudinal direction 8 and is supported from the front by the flange 56. The dimension of the second right rack gear 55 along the longitudinal direction 8 is smaller than the dimension of the first right rack gear 53 along the longitudinal direction 8. The second right rack gear 55 has forward-facing teeth arranged along the left-right direction 9. The size of the teeth, i.e., the module and number of teeth, of the first right rack gear 53 and the second right rack gear 55 are the same.

[0055] The left and right ends of the second right rack gear 55 are locked to the first right rack gear 53, thereby supporting its movement in the left-right direction 9. At the left end of the second right rack gear 55, a coil spring 58 is compressed and deformed and interposed between the second right rack gear 55 and the first right rack gear 53. Due to the biasing force of the coil spring 58, the second right rack gear 55 is biased to the left (inward) relative to the first right rack gear 53. As shown in Figure 8, due to the biasing force of the coil spring 58, the teeth of the first right rack gear 53 and the teeth of the second right rack gear 55 are slightly out of phase in the left-right direction 9. The position of the second right rack gear 55 relative to the first right rack gear 53 with the phase shifted teeth is an example of the second position. The position of the second right rack gear 55 relative to the first right rack gear 53 with the phases of the teeth match is an example of the first position (not shown).

[0056] When one of the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 is moved in either the left-right direction 9 by the interlocking mechanism 50, the other side guide also moves in the opposite direction of the left-right direction 9 in conjunction with it. The first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are linked in their movement toward each other (inward) and their movement toward each other (outward).

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, when the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are moved away from each other, that is, outward in the left-right direction 9, the outward-facing tooth surface 60 of the first left rack gear 52 is in contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51, while the inward-facing tooth surface 61 is not in contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51. The gap between the tooth surface 59 and the tooth surface 61 is what is called backlash. When the pinion gear 51 is not rotating, the first left rack gear 52 can move to the left (inward) by the amount of backlash. In other words, it becomes loose. Similarly, in the first right rack gear 53, the outward-facing tooth surface 60 is in contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51, while the inward-facing tooth surface 61 is not in contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, in the teeth of the first left rack gear 52 and the teeth of the second left rack gear 54, which are in phase at the first position, the leftward-facing (outward-facing) tooth surface 60 of the first left rack gear 52 is located to the left (outward) of the leftward-facing (outward-facing) tooth surface 62 of the second left rack gear 54 in the second position. Similarly, in the teeth of the first right rack gear 53 and the teeth of the second right rack gear 55, which are in phase at the first position, the rightward-facing (outward-facing) tooth surface 60 of the first right rack gear 53 is located to the right (outward) of the rightward-facing (outward-facing) tooth surface 62 of the second right rack gear 55 in the second position.

[0059] In the teeth where the pinion gear 51 and the second left rack gear 54 mesh with each other, the outward-facing tooth surface 62 of the second left rack gear 54 does not contact the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51, while the inward-facing tooth surface 63 is in contact with the tooth surface 59. Similarly, in the second right rack gear 55, the outward-facing tooth surface 62 does not contact the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51, while the inward-facing tooth surface 63 is in contact with the tooth surface 59.

[0060] When the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are moved toward each other, i.e., inward in the left-right direction 9, from the state shown in Figure 6, the coil spring 58 is compressed and deformed, causing the second left rack gear 54 and the second right rack gear 55 from the second position to move to the first position. As a result, the teeth of the first left rack gear 52 and the teeth of the second left rack gear 54 become in phase, and the teeth of the first right rack gear 53 and the teeth of the second right rack gear 55 become in phase. Then, the inward-facing tooth surface 61 of the first left rack gear 52 and the inward-facing tooth surface 63 of the second left rack gear 54 simultaneously come into contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51. Similarly, the inward-facing tooth surface 61 of the first right rack gear 53 and the inward-facing tooth surface 63 of the second right rack gear 55 simultaneously come into contact with the tooth surface 59 of the pinion gear 51. As a result, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 move inward in the left-right direction 9 in conjunction with each other.

[0061] When the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are moved away from each other, that is, outward in the left-right direction 9, the coil spring 58 does not compress and deform, and the second left rack gear 54 and the second right rack gear 55, which are in the second position, move while remaining in the second position. As a result, the outward-facing tooth surfaces 60 of the first left rack gear 52 and the outward-facing tooth surfaces 60 of the first right rack gear 53 come into contact with the tooth surfaces 59 of the pinion gear 51, and the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 move in conjunction outward in the left-right direction 9.

[0062] [Locking mechanism 70] As shown in Figure 4, the locking mechanism 70 includes a locking member 71 and a lever 72. The user of the image recording device 1 can move the locking member 71 between a contact position and a separated position by rotating the lever 72. When the locking member 71 is in the contact position, the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50 is locked, and when the locking member 71 is in the separated position, the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50 is unlocked.

[0063] The locking member 71 is a flat plate shape that extends in the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9, and is located in front of the flange 56. The locking member 71 is connected to the flat member 141 by a screw 73 in its central portion. The locking member 71 is supported so as to be rotatable around the screw 73 relative to the flat member 141. The locking member 71 has a contact piece 76, a first bent piece 77, and a second bent piece 78.

[0064] The contact piece 76 is located slightly to the left of the center in the left-right direction 9 of the locking member 71. The contact piece 76 extends backward from the locking member 71 (see Figure 4). The first bent piece 77 is located slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction 9 of the locking member 71 and extends backward. The first bent piece 77 is biased counterclockwise in Figure 4 by the spring member 79.

[0065] The second bent piece 78 extends rearward at the right end of the locking member 71. The second bent piece 78 is located to the right of the first bent piece 77. The second bent piece 78 is a piece that extends rearward at the left end of the locking member 71. The second bent piece 78 is located at a distance below the lever 72 when the first bent piece 77 is biased by the spring member 79 and the locking member 71 is in a separated position.

[0066] Above the second bent piece 78 is a lever 72 that is rotatably supported around a pivot shaft 84 (see Figure 5) along the front-rear direction 8. The lever 72 has a handle 80 for rotating the lever 72 and a protrusion 81 that contacts the second bent piece 78 and rotates the locking member 71. The lever 72 is located at the right end of the flat member 141 and is movable between a release position (see Figure 9) where the protrusion 81 contacts the second bent piece 78 and a lock position (see Figure 4) where the protrusion 81 is separated from the second bent piece 78.

[0067] When the lever 72 is in the locked position, the handle 80 is located below the pivot shaft 84 in the vertical direction 7, and the protrusion 81 protrudes to the left in the horizontal direction 9 from the pivot shaft 84 of the lever 72. At this time, the protrusion 81 is separated from the second bent piece 78. When the protrusion 81 separates from the second bent piece 78, the locking member 71 rotates counterclockwise around the screw 73 in Figure 4. At this time, the contact piece 76 moves in the intersecting direction (an example of a third direction) E, which intersects the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. When the contact piece 76 moves in the intersecting direction E, it comes into contact with the lower end extension piece 52a that extends forward from the lower end of the first left rack gear 52. In other words, the locking member 71 can rotate counterclockwise in Figure 4 to a position where the contact piece 76 comes into contact with the lower end extension piece 52a. When the contact piece 76 contacts the first left rack gear 52, that is, when the locking member 71 is in the contact position, the first left rack gear 52 is sandwiched between the contact piece 76 and the arc member 140. The movement of the first left rack gear 52 in the left-right direction 9 is restricted by being sandwiched between the contact piece 76 and the arc member 140.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, when the lever 72 is in the release position, the handle 80 extends to the left in the left-right direction 9 from the pivot shaft 84, and the protrusion 81 protrudes downward in the up-down direction 7 from the pivot center. When the protrusion 81 protrudes downward, it contacts the second bent piece 78. At this time, the locking member 71 rotates clockwise in Figure 9 against the biasing force of the spring member 79, and the contact piece 76 moves in the intersecting direction E and separates from the lower end extension piece 52a. When the contact piece 76 separates from the first left rack gear 52, that is, when the locking member 71 is in the separated position, the lock of the interlocking mechanism 50 is released.

[0069] When the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50 is locked by the locking mechanism 70, the first side guide 145 will not move outward even when subjected to an outward external force. It will also not move when subjected to an inward external force. Specifically, when the first side guide 145 is locked by the locking mechanism 70, the movement of the lower end extension piece 52a in the left-right direction 9 is restricted by the contact piece 76.

[0070] Therefore, even if the sheet S tilts or otherwise pushes the first side guide 145 outward, the first side guide 145 will not rattle. In addition, the first side guide 145 is precisely positioned outward in the left-right direction 9 to match the width of the sheet S.

[0071] Furthermore, when the second side guide 146 receives an outward external force while the lower end extension 52a is restricted from moving in the left-right direction by the contact piece 76, the second left rack gear 54 moves from the second position to the first position relative to the first left rack gear 52, against the biasing force of the coil spring 58. Also, when the second side guide 146 receives an inward external force while the lower end extension 52a is restricted from moving in the left-right direction by the contact piece 76, the second right rack gear 55 moves from the second position to the first position relative to the first right rack gear 53, against the biasing force of the coil spring 58. In other words, the second side guide 146 is in a state where it can move slightly in the left-right direction.

[0072] [First roller 142] The first roller 142 moves in contact with the sheet S being transported along the transport path 10. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first roller 142 is located in the center of the flat member 141 in the left-right direction 9. The first roller 142 rotates around an axis that is inclined in the up-down direction 7 with respect to the left-right direction 9. A virtual plane P perpendicular to the axis of the first roller 142 intersects the transport direction G such that it approaches the first guide surface 147 as it moves downstream in the transport direction G.

[0073] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear side guide 15 has the same configuration as the first side guide 145 and second side guide 146 attached to the tensioner 14, except for its position within the housing 11, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0074] A pair of conveyor rollers 16 is located in front of the rear side guide 15. The pair of conveyor rollers 16 has a conveyor roller 45 (an example of a conveying section) and a pinch roller 46. The conveyor roller 45 and the pinch roller 46 rotate around an axis along the left-right direction 9. The roller surfaces of the conveyor roller 45 and the pinch roller 46 are in contact with each other in the up-down direction 7. The sheet S is nipped between the roller surfaces of the conveyor roller 45 and the pinch roller 46. The conveyor roller 45 rotates with power supplied from a conveyor motor (not shown). The conveyor motor rotates forward or backward based on a command from a controller (not shown). The pinch roller 46 rotates in accordance with the conveyor roller 45. As a result, the pair of conveyor rollers 16 conveys the sheet S unwound from the roll body forward.

[0075] A third side guide 21A and a fourth side guide 21B are located in front of the conveyor roller pair 16. The third side guide 21A and the fourth side guide 21B are located above the lower guide 17. The shapes of the third side guide 21A and the fourth side guide 21B are generally symmetrical with respect to the center of the lower guide 17 in the left-right direction 9. The third side guide 21A has a third guide surface 22A that extends along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The fourth side guide 21B has a fourth guide surface 22B that extends along the vertical direction and the front-rear direction 8. The third guide surface 22A and the fourth guide surface 22B extend along the conveying direction G and face the third guide surface 22A in the left-right direction 9.

[0076] The upper surface of the lower guide 17 is a plane aligned with the front-to-back direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9, and supports the seat S. The mechanism for moving the third side guide 21A and the fourth side guide 21B in conjunction with each other in the left-to-right direction 9 has the same configuration as the interlocking mechanism 50 for the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146, so a detailed explanation is omitted. The rear side guide 15 also has the same configuration as the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 attached to the tensioner 14, except for its position within the housing 11, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0077] A belt conveying mechanism 19 is located in front of the lower guide 17. The belt conveying mechanism 19 is separated in the front-rear direction 8, and consists of a rear pulley 191A and a front pulley 191B with an endless belt 192 wound around them, with the left-right direction 9 as the axis. Power is supplied to the front pulley 191B from a motor (not shown) driven by a command from the controller, causing the front pulley 191B to rotate clockwise in Figure 2, thereby rotating the endless belt 192. The sheet S supported by the endless belt 192 is conveyed forward by the rotation of the endless belt 192.

[0078] A recording head 20 is positioned above the belt conveying mechanism 19. Multiple nozzles 202 are arranged in the front, back, left, and right directions on the nozzle surface 201, which is the lower surface of the recording head 20. The recording head 20 ejects ink supplied from the tank 12 through the nozzles 202. An image is recorded on the sheet S when the ink ejected from the nozzles 202 adheres to the sheet S.

[0079] A pair of discharge rollers 23 is located in front of the belt conveying mechanism 19. The discharge roller pair 23 has a drive roller 47 and a pinch roller 48. The drive roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 rotate around an axis along the left-right direction 9. The roller surfaces of the drive roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 are in contact with each other in the up-down direction 7. The sheet S is nipped between the roller surfaces of the drive roller 47 and the pinch roller 48. The drive roller 47 rotates with power supplied from the conveying motor. The pinch roller 48 rotates in conjunction with the conveying roller 45. As a result, the discharge roller pair 23 conveys the image-recorded sheet S forward.

[0080] The cutter 26 is positioned in front of the discharge roller pair 23. Under the control of the controller 130, the cutter 26 cuts the sheet S being transported along the transport path 10 in the left-right direction 9. The cut sheet S is discharged from the discharge port 111 to the outside of the housing 11.

[0081] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to this embodiment, the sheet S is clamped in the left-right direction 9 by a first side guide 145 that allows for accurate and smooth positioning and a second side guide 146 that is linked to it. This prevents the sheet S from meandering or slanting due to rattling of the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146, while accommodating various sheet widths. Furthermore, since tension is applied to the sheet S by the tensioner 14 as it curves, the sheet S develops a rigidity between the first guide surface 147 and the second guide surface 155, making it less prone to buckling.

[0082] Furthermore, even if the sheet S comes into contact with the first guide surface 147 or the second guide surface 155 by the first roller 142, the slanting of the sheet S can be reliably and smoothly suppressed by fixing the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146.

[0083] Furthermore, the movement of the first left rack gear 52 and the first right rack gear 53 in the left-right direction 9 can be restricted, thereby limiting the movement of the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146.

[0084] Furthermore, a third side guide 21A and a fourth side guide 21B are provided downstream of the conveying roller 45 in the conveying direction to ensure stable conveyance of the sheet S even downstream of the conveying roller 45.

[0085] [Example 1] In the above-described embodiment, the case in which the contact piece 76 of the locking mechanism 70 contacts the first left rack gear 52 to lock or unlock the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50 was explained as an example, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the locking mechanism 70A may lock the rotation of the pinion gear 51 of the interlocking mechanism 50A. Specifically, the locking mechanism 70A has a flange 56A, a locking member 71A, and a lever 72A.

[0086] The flange 56A is fitted onto the front end of the support shaft 57. The flange 56A has an outer circumferential surface 68A centered on an axis that extends in the front-rear direction 8. The locking member 71A is a flat plate shape that extends in the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9, and is located to the right of the flange 56A. The locking member 71A is connected by a screw 73A near the upper end of the flat member 141, at a position slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction 9. The locking member 71A is rotatably supported relative to the flat member 141. The locking member 71A has a contact portion 76A, a first bent piece 77A, and a second bent piece 78A.

[0087] The contact portion 76A extends rearward from the left end of the upper end of the locking member 71A. When the locking member 71A rotates counterclockwise in Figure 10, the contact portion 76A contacts the outer circumferential surface 68A of the flange 56A from the right. The first bent piece 77A, the second bent piece 78A, and the lever 72A have the same configuration as the first bent piece 77 and the second bent piece 78, and the lever 72 described above, so their configurations will not be explained.

[0088] As shown in Figure 10, when the lever 72A is operated to the locked position, the locking member 71A rotates counterclockwise in Figure 10 according to the biasing force of the spring member 79A, and the contact portion 76A comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 68A. When the contact portion 76A comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 68A, the interlocking mechanism 50A is locked. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 11, when the lever 72A is operated to the separated position, the locking member 71A rotates clockwise in Figure 11 against the biasing force of the spring member 79A, and the contact portion 76A moves away from the outer circumferential surface 68A. When the contact portion 76A moves away from the outer circumferential surface 68A, the lock on the interlocking mechanism 50A is released.

[0089] When the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50A is locked by the locking mechanism 70A, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 will not move away from each other even when subjected to an outward external force. They will also move slightly when subjected to an inward external force. Specifically, when the flange 56A is locked by the contact portion 76A, the rotation of the flange 56A is restricted. In this state, when subjected to an outward external force, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are in a state where the outward tooth surface 60 of the first left rack gear 52 and the outward tooth surface 60 of the first right rack gear 53 are in contact with the tooth surface (not shown) of the pinion gear, as described in Figure 8 of the above embodiment. For this reason, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 will not move away from each other.

[0090] When flange 56A is locked by contact portion 76A, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are subjected to an inward external force, and the second left rack gear 54 is movable from the second position to the first position relative to the first left rack gear 52. The second right rack gear 55 is also movable from the second position to the first position relative to the first right rack gear 53. As a result, when subjected to an inward external force, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 move slightly toward each other against the biasing force of the coil spring.

[0091] Even if the sheet S tilts or otherwise pushes the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 outward, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 will not rattle. Furthermore, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 are precisely positioned outward in the left-right direction 9 to match the width of the sheet S.

[0092] The contact portion 76A contacts the outer circumferential surface 68A, thereby stopping the rotation of the pinion gear 51 and restricting the movement of the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146. However, this is not limited to the case where the contact portion 76A and the outer circumferential surface 68A simply come into contact. Gears may be formed on the contact surfaces of the contact portion 76A and the outer circumferential surface 68A so that they mesh with each other, and the contact surfaces may be roughened so that the rotation of the flange 56A is easily stopped by contact with the contact portion 76A.

[0093] [Differentiation 2] Furthermore, as an alternative configuration to the modified example 1, for example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the locking mechanism 70B of the interlocking mechanism 50B may have a flange 56B, a locking member 71B, and a lever 72B.

[0094] Flange 56B is similar to flange 56A and is fitted onto the front end of the support shaft 57. Flange 56B has an outer circumferential surface 68B centered on an axis extending in the front-rear direction 8. Locking member 71B is a flat plate shape that extends in the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 and is located to the right of flange 56B. Locking member 71B is connected by a screw 73B near the lower end of flat member 141 and at a position slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction 9. Locking member 71B is rotatably supported relative to flat member 141. Locking member 71B has a contact portion 76B, a first bent piece (not shown), and a second bent piece 78B.

[0095] The contact portion 76B is located at the left end of the upper end of the locking member 71B. When the locking member 71B rotates counterclockwise in Figure 12, the contact portion 76B contacts the outer circumferential surface 68B of the flange 56B from the right. The first bent piece 77B, the second bent piece 78B, and the lever 72B have the same configuration as the first bent piece 77, the second bent piece 78B, and the lever 72, so their description is omitted.

[0096] When the lever 72B is operated to the locked position, the locking member 71B rotates counterclockwise in Figure 12 according to the biasing force of the spring member 79B, shown by the dashed line in Figures 12 and 13, and the contact portion 76B comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 68B. When the contact portion 76B comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 68B, the interlocking mechanism 50B is locked. On the other hand, when the lever 72B is operated to the released position, the locking member 71B rotates clockwise in Figure 13 against the biasing force of the spring member 79B, and the contact portion 76B moves away from the outer circumferential surface 68B. When the contact portion 76B moves away from the outer circumferential surface 68B, the lock on the interlocking mechanism 50B is released.

[0097] Similar to Modification 1, when the movement of the interlocking mechanism 50B is locked by the locking mechanism 70B in the image recording device 1 according to Modification 2, the first side guide 145 and the second side guide 146 will not move away from each other even when subjected to an outward external force.

[0098] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment, the tensioner 14 was configured such that a flat member 141 is located at the lower end of an arc-shaped member 140, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the tensioner 14 may not have a flat member 141 and may only have an arc-shaped member 140. In this case, the first roller 142 is located on the arc-shaped member 140, and a part of its outer circumferential surface 167 may protrude outward from the second curved surface 150. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Image recording device (transport device, printing device) 10... Conveyor Route 13. Seat holder 14..Tensioner 21A...Third side guide 21B...Fourth side guide 22A...Third guide surface 22B...Fourth guide surface 45... Conveyor roller (conveyor section) 50,50A,50B...Interlocking mechanism 51...Pinion gear 52, 53... First left rack gear, first right rack gear (first rack gear) 54, 55... Second left rack gear, second right rack gear (second rack gear) 56, 56A, 56B... Flange (disc) 58. Elastic member 68,68A,68B...outer surface 70, 70A, 70B... Locking mechanism 71, 71A, 71B... Locking components 76...Abutting piece 76A,76B...Contact part 142...1st Laura 145...First Side Guide 146...Second Side Guide 147...First guide surface 155...Second guide surface

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys the sheet in the direction of transport along the transport path, A sheet holder rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction intersecting the conveying direction upstream of the conveying direction, Between the sheet holder and the conveying section in the above conveying path, a tensioner is provided to apply tension to the sheet while curving it, A first side guide is attached to the tensioner and has a first guide surface that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and in the direction of transport, A second side guide is attached to the tensioner and has a second guide surface that faces the first guide surface in the first direction, It is equipped with an interlocking mechanism that links the movement of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction, The above interlocking mechanism is, A first rack gear is connected to the first side guide and the second side guide, and each extends inward in the first direction, A second rack gear is superimposed on the first rack gear in the second direction described above, and is movable in the first direction between a first position which is in phase with respect to the first rack gear and a second position which is out of phase. A pinion gear that meshes with the first rack gear and the second rack gear, A conveying device having an elastic member that biases the second rack gear toward the second position relative to the first rack gear.

2. The above interlocking mechanism has a locking mechanism that restricts the movement of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction. The tensioner described above has a first roller that rotates around its axis and contacts the sheet, The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the first roller intersects with respect to the conveying direction such that a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis approaches either the first guide surface or the second guide surface as it moves downstream in the conveying direction.

3. The above locking mechanism is A disc that can rotate in sync with the rotation of the pinion gear is positioned around the axis of the pinion gear, A locking member having a contact portion that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the disc, The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the locking member moves between a contact position in which the contact portion contacts the outer peripheral surface and a separated position in which the contact portion is separated from the outer peripheral surface.

4. The above locking mechanism is It has a locking member having a contact piece that is movable in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the locking member moves between a contact position in which the contact piece contacts the first rack gear and a separated position in which the contact piece is separated from the first rack gear.

5. The above conveying section is further equipped with a third side guide and a fourth side guide located downstream in the direction of conveying, The above-mentioned third side guide has a third guide surface that extends along the second direction and the conveying direction, The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fourth side guide extends along the second direction and the conveying direction, and has a fourth guide surface facing the third guide surface in the first direction.

6. A conveying unit that conveys the sheet in the direction of transport along the transport path, A recording head that records an image on the sheet sent by the above transport unit, A sheet holder rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction intersecting the conveying direction upstream of the conveying direction, Between the sheet holder and the conveying section in the above conveying path, a tensioner is provided to apply tension to the sheet while curving it, A first side guide is attached to the tensioner and has a first guide surface that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and in the direction of transport, A second side guide is attached to the tensioner and has a second guide surface that faces the first guide surface in the first direction, It is equipped with an interlocking mechanism that links the movement of the first side guide and the second side guide in the first direction, The above interlocking mechanism is, A first rack gear is connected to the first side guide and the second side guide, and each extends inward in the first direction, A second rack gear is superimposed on the first rack gear in the second direction described above, and is movable in the first direction between a first position which is in phase with respect to the first rack gear and a second position which is out of phase. A pinion gear that meshes with the first rack gear and the second rack gear, A printing apparatus having an elastic member that biases the second rack gear toward the second position relative to the first rack gear.

Images