Liquid ejecting apparatus

A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting unit that ejects a liquid onto a medium, a transporting mechanism that transports the medium, a member having concave portions, which is arranged downstream of the liquid ejecting unit in a transporting direction of the medium, an introducing mechanism that introduces the medium to the concave portions, the transporting mechanism having rollers that come into contact with the medium at a plurality of contact positions in a direction that intersects the transporting direction, and the concave portions being arranged at positions that correspond to a position between neighboring ones of the contact positions in the transporting direction. By giving the liquid ejecting apparatus such a structure, wrinkles that occur in a liquid ejection region can be suppressed.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

2. Related Art

To date, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto a medium has been used. In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, when a medium rises up from a supporting unit for the medium, the medium and a liquid ejecting unit may come into contact with each other and the impact accuracy of the liquid to the medium may decrease. Accordingly, a technique for suppressing such rising up of the medium from the supporting unit has been disclosed.

For example in JP-A-2001-334646, a liquid ejecting apparatus (ink jet printer) that suppresses rising up of the medium from the supporting unit by attracting the medium onto an attracting roller is disclosed.

The medium rises from the supporting unit due to various reasons, and depending on the shape of the transporting mechanism of the medium, specific portions may particularly easily rise up. In a liquid ejecting apparatus having a structure in which such specific portions particularly easily rise up, wrinkles occur in a medium due to such specific portions, and wrinkles may reach a liquid ejection region.

However, even though the liquid ejecting apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2001-334646 can suppress rising up of a medium from a supporting unit on the whole, it does not effectively suppress wrinkles that occur in the specific portions due to particularly easy rising up of the particular specific portions. Consequently, wrinkles may occur in the medium, wrinkles may reach the liquid ejection region, the medium may come into contact with the liquid ejecting unit, and the like, and the liquid impact accuracy of a liquid to the medium may decrease. In this way, in the conventional liquid ejecting apparatus, wrinkles may occur in the liquid ejection region.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that wrinkles that occur in the liquid ejection region are suppressed.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to an aspect of the invention has a liquid ejecting unit that ejects a liquid onto a medium, a transporting mechanism that transports the medium, a member having concave portions that are arranged downstream of the liquid ejecting unit in a transporting direction of the medium, an introducing mechanism that introduces the medium to the concave portions, the transporting mechanism having rollers that come into contact with the medium at a plurality of contact positions in a direction that intersects the transporting direction, and the concave portions being arranged at positions that correspond to positions between neighboring ones of the contact positions in the transporting direction.

According to this aspect, the member having the concave portions that are arranged downstream of the liquid ejecting unit in the transporting direction and the introducing mechanism that introduces the medium to the concave portions are included in the liquid ejecting apparatus. Consequently, in a structure in which specific portions particularly easily rise up, concave portions are arranged at positions corresponding to the specific portions, and by introducing the medium to the concave portions, wrinkles that easily occur in the specific portions can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wrinkles that occur in a liquid ejection region.

Moreover, whereas the transporting mechanism having a roller that comes into contact with the medium at a plurality of contact positions has a structure that has a high transporting accuracy and is easy to form, wrinkles easily occur in space portions between the contact positions. However, according to this aspect, a member having concave portions and an introducing mechanism that introduces a medium to the concave portions are included in the liquid ejecting apparatus. Consequently, the concave portions are arranged at positions corresponding to the space portions, and by introducing the medium to the concave portions, wrinkles that easily occur in the space portions can be suppressed effectively. Therefore, together with ease of formation of a transporting mechanism that has a high transporting accuracy, the wrinkles occurring in a liquid ejection region can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to this aspect, concave portions are arranged at positions that correspond to positions between neighboring contact positions in the transporting direction. Consequently, because the concave portions are arranged at positions corresponding to the space portions, by introducing the medium to the concave portions, wrinkles that easily occur in the space portions can be suppressed effectively. Therefore, together with ease of formation of a transporting mechanism that has a high transporting accuracy, the wrinkles that occur in a liquid ejection region can be suppressed.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the transporting mechanism transports the medium while applying a tension in the transporting direction, and the introducing mechanism is a structure that pushes the medium against the concave portions due to the member being arranged so as to subject the medium to tensions in different directions with the member as a reference when viewed from a direction that intersects the transporting direction and an ejection direction of the liquid.

According to this aspect, the transporting mechanism is a structure that transports a medium while applying a tension in the transporting direction. Moreover, the introducing mechanism is a structure that pushes the medium against the concave portions due to the member being arranged so as to subject the medium to tensions in different directions with the member as a reference when viewed from a direction that intersects the transporting direction and an ejection direction of the liquid. Consequently, it is possible to easily form the introducing mechanism that does not come into contact with a side of the target recording medium on which a liquid is applied.

Further, “a structure that transports the medium while applying a tension in the transporting direction” can be considered to be, for example, a so-called “roll to roll” structure or the like that includes a setting unit for setting a medium having a roll shape and a winding unit for winding the medium into a roll shape and that can transport the medium while applying a tension in the transporting direction from the setting unit to the winding unit.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the member is an assist roller that assists in transporting of the medium.

According to this aspect, the member is an assist roller that assists in transporting of the medium. Consequently, it is possible to increase the transporting accuracy of the medium.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, suction holes are arranged in the concave portions.

According to this aspect, suction holes are arranged in the concave portions. Consequently, it is possible to particularly improve the effect of introducing the medium to the concave portions and it is possible to effectively suppress wrinkles that occur in the liquid ejection region.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, suction holes are arranged in the concave portions and a cover unit that covers the suction holes is arranged on a side of the assist roller that is different from the side that comes into contact with the medium.

According to this aspect, suction holes are arranged in the concave portions and a cover unit that covers the suction holes is arranged on the side of the assist roller that is different from the side which comes into contact with the medium. Consequently, by suppressing suction from the side of the assist roller that is different from the side that comes into contact with the medium, it is possible to increase the suction force on the side of the assist roller that comes into contact with the medium. That is, it is possible to particularly improve the effect of introducing the medium to the concave portions and it is possible to effectively suppress wrinkles that occur in the liquid ejection region.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a supporting unit that supports the medium in the transporting path of the medium is included and suction holes are arranged in the supporting unit.

According to this aspect, a supporting unit that supports the medium in the transporting path of the medium is included in the liquid ejecting apparatus and suction holes are arranged in the supporting unit. Consequently, in a structure in which specific portions easily rise up, by arranging the suction holes at positions corresponding to the specific portions in the supporting unit, it is possible to particularly effectively suppress wrinkles that easily occur in the specific portions. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress wrinkles that form in a liquid ejection region.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the recording device according to an embodiment of the invention as a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment (FIGS.1to5)

FIG. 1is a schematic side view of a recording device1according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the recording device1of this embodiment transports a target recording medium P in a transporting direction A from a setting unit14for setting the target recording medium P, along a platen2, a platen3and a platen4that are supporting units for supporting the target recording medium (medium) P, and up to a winding unit15for winding the target recording medium P. That is, the path from the setting unit14to the winding unit15is the transporting path for the target recording medium P in the recording device1and the platen2, the platen3, and the platen4are supporting units that are provided on the transporting path and that support the target recording medium P. Further, the setting unit14rotates in a rotation direction C and sends out the target recording medium P, and the winding unit15rotates in the rotation direction C and winds up the target recording medium P.

Here, the setting unit14and the winding unit15that form one portion of the transporting mechanism of this embodiment can transport the target recording medium P while applying a tension in the transporting direction A. By adopting such a structure, the setting unit14and the winding unit15serve as an introducing mechanism for introducing the target recording medium P to an assist roller10serving as a member having concave portions30(not illustrated inFIG. 2) described later.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment has a structure in which recording can be performed on the target recording medium P in roll form; however, it is not limited to such a structure and may have a structure in which recording can be performed on the target recording medium P in single sheet form. In the case of a structure in which recording can be performed on the target recording medium P in single sheet form, as the setting unit14for the target recording medium P, for example, a so-called paper feed (feed) tray, a paper feed (feed) cassette, or the like may be used. Moreover, as a collecting unit for the target recording medium P other than the winding unit15, for example, a so-called discharge receiving unit, a paper ejection (discharge) tray, a paper ejection (discharge) cassette, or the like may be used.

However, in the case of a structure in which recording can be performed on the target recording medium P in single sheet form, it is necessary to separately establish an introducing mechanism that introduces the target recording medium P to the member having the concave portions30. As an introducing mechanism used in such a structure, there is no particular limitation; however, for example, it is possible to use a roller that can push the target recording medium P from the side opposite to the platen3(a side corresponding to a recording surface16of target recording medium P) toward the platen3.

Further, in this embodiment, because a target recording medium P, which is wound up in a roll in such a manner that the recording surface16is on the outer side, is used, when sending out the target recording medium P from the setting unit14, the rotation shaft of the setting unit14rotates in the rotation direction C. However, in the case where a target recording medium P, which is wound up in a roll in such a manner that the recording surface16is on the inner side, is used, it is possible for the rotation shaft of the setting unit14to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction C and send out the target recording medium P.

Thus, similarly, because the winding unit15of this embodiment winds the target recording medium P in such a manner that the recording surface16is on the outer side, the rotation shaft of the winding unit15rotates in the rotation direction C. However, in the case where the winding is performed in such a manner that the recording surface16is on the inner side, it possible for the rotation shaft of the winding unit15to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction C and wind the target recording medium P.

A heater6is provided in the platen2of the recording device1of this embodiment. The heater6is provided in order to heat up (so-called pre-heat) the target recording medium P before a recording head12serving as the recording unit performs recording.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment has a structure in which the target recording medium P is preheated from a surface17side which is on the opposite side to the recording surface16of the target recording medium P by using the heater6. However, for example, a structure may be used in which the target recording medium P is preheated from the recording surface16side by using a heater that is capable of heating the target recording medium P by irradiating infrared rays from the recording surface16side of the target recording medium P.

Moreover, in the recording device1of this embodiment, drive rollers5that have rotation shaft that extends in an intersecting direction B that intersects the transporting direction A are provided between the platen2and the platen3. The drive rollers5apply a feeding force to the surface17of the target recording medium P.

In addition, driven rollers7that have a rotation shaft that extends in the intersecting direction B are provided at positions that face the drive rollers5. The target recording medium P can be interposed between the drive rollers5and the driven rollers7that form roller pairs. By adopting such a structure, a transporting section9is formed of the drive rollers5and the driven rollers7. Here, a driven roller refers to a roller that rotates with the transporting of the target recording medium P. Further, the transporting section9, similarly to the setting unit14and the winding unit15, forms a portion of the transporting mechanism of this embodiment.

Moreover, when the target recording medium P is transported in the transporting direction A, the drive rollers5rotate in the rotation direction C and the driven rollers7rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation direction C.

Moreover, the recording device1of this embodiment is provided with the recording head12that serves as a liquid ejecting unit on a side opposite to the platen3. The recording device1forms a desired image by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, in a direction D (a direction toward the target recording medium P from a nozzle forming face F; in this embodiment, a vertically down direction) to a liquid ejection region R of the target recording medium P from the nozzle forming surface F of the recording head12while reciprocating the recording head12in the intersecting direction B by using a carriage11. By adopting such a structure, the recording head12serving as the liquid ejecting unit can eject ink as a liquid onto the target recording medium P.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment is provided with the recording head12that records while moving to and fro; however, a recording device may be used in which nozzles that eject ink are provided in a plurality in the intersecting direction B that intersects the transporting direction A in a so-called line head.

Here, a “line head” is a recording head in which a nozzle region formed in the intersecting direction B that intersects the transporting direction A of the target recording medium P is disposed in such a manner as to be capable of covering the whole of the target recording medium P in the intersecting direction B, and is used in a recording device that forms an image by moving the recording head and the target recording medium P relative to each other. Further, the region of the nozzles in the intersecting direction B of the line head need not cover all types of target recording media P that can be used in the recording device.

A heater8serving as a heating unit capable of irradiating infrared rays toward a region (liquid ejection region R) on which recording is to be performed by the recording head12is provided on the downstream side of the recording head12in the transporting direction A.

Further, the heater8is provided at a position facing the platen3and is an infrared ray heater capable of heating the recording surface16side of the target recording medium P; however, the heater8is not limited to such a heater and a heater capable of heating the target recording medium P from the platen3side (the surface17side) may be used.

Moreover, a heater13capable of irradiating infrared rays is provided on the downstream side of the heater8in the transporting direction A of the target recording medium P. Further, the heater13of this embodiment is provided at a position that faces the platen4and is an infrared ray heater capable of heating the recording surface16side of the target recording medium P; however, the heater13is not limited to such a heater and a heater capable of heating the target recording medium P from the platen4side (the surface17side) may be used. Moreover, for example, instead of a heating device such as an infrared ray heater, a blowing device such as a fan may be used.

Moreover, the recording device1of this embodiment is provided with the assist roller10that assists in the transporting of the target recording medium P between the platen3and the platen4. As illustrated inFIG. 1, in the recording device1of this embodiment, the setting unit14and the winding unit15are provided at positions lower than the position of the platen3, and the target recording medium P is transported while being subjected a tension in the transporting direction A from the setting unit14to the winding unit15. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the assist roller10is provided between the platen3and the platen4and the transporting path of the target recording medium P, when viewed from the side, curves at the position of the assist roller10. By adopting such a structure, the surface17of the target recording medium P is pushed against the assist roller10.

Next, the driven rollers7and the assist roller10that form the transporting section9and which are essential parts of the recording device1of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2is a schematic plan view of a main part of the recording device1that shows a region of the transporting path of the target recording medium P from the driven rollers7to the assist roller10. Moreover,FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view of the driven rollers7.FIG. 4is a schematic perspective view of the assist roller10.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the driven rollers7of this embodiment form driven roller units U. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in the recording device1of this embodiment, a plurality of driven roller units U each provided with a plurality (three) of the driven rollers7are arranged in such a manner that the driven rollers7form a line in the intersecting direction B.

In a liquid ejecting apparatus having a transporting mechanism of such a structure, swelling of the target recording medium P with the ejection of liquid onto the target recording medium P, swelling due to the target recording medium P absorbing water vapor in the atmosphere, or swelling due to the target recording medium P being heated by a heater may result in wrinkling of the target recording medium P.FIG. 3illustrates a state in which the target recording medium P has swelled and the wrinkles W1and wrinkles W2have occurred. In the manner of the recording device1of this embodiment, in a structure in which a plurality of the driven rollers7(a plurality of interposing portions of the target recording medium P) are arranged parallel to the intersecting direction B, the wrinkles W1and W2occur in spaces S1and S2of the driven rollers7. Further,FIG. 3illustrates that the spaces S2neighboring the driven rollers7in different driven roller units U is larger than the spaces S1neighboring individual ones of the driven rollers7formed in the same driven roller unit U, and that in accordance with the size of the space, the wrinkles W2corresponding to spaces S2rise from the platen3to a greater degree than the wrinkles W1corresponding to spaces S1.

When such wrinkles W1and W2reach the liquid ejection region R, the target recording medium P comes into contact with the recording head12, and a decrease in the impact accuracy of the ink (decrease in image quality) or the like may occur. Therefore, in the recording device1of this embodiment, in order to reduce the wrinkles W1and W2, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4, the assist roller10is provided with the concave portions30for reducing the wrinkles W1and W2.

As described above, in the recording device1of this embodiment, the target recording medium P has a tension applied thereto in the transporting direction A and is pushed toward the assist roller10. When the target recording medium P is pushed against the assist roller10, as illustrated inFIG. 4, a force G that is drawn toward the concave portions30is applied to the target recording medium P. The wrinkles W1and W2on the platen3including the liquid ejection region R are reduced or eliminated, due to a portion of the target recording medium P that has become swollen and enlarged in the intersecting direction B being drawn toward the concave portions30due to this force G.

In summary, the recording device1of this embodiment has the recording head12that ejects ink onto the target recording medium P, the transporting mechanism for the target recording medium P, and the assist roller10having the concave portions30, which is provided downstream of the recording head12in the transporting direction A of the target recording medium P. Then, the target recording medium P is pushed against the concave portions30(the target recording medium P is pushed in). Because of such a structure, as a result of the concave portions30being arranged at positions corresponding to specific portions in a structure in which the spaces S1and S2of the driven rollers7(as the specific portions) particularly easily rise up and the target recording medium P being pushed against the concave portions30, the wrinkles W1and W2which easily occur in the specific portions can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, the wrinkles W1and W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R can be suppressed.

Here, by arranging the assist roller10having the concave portions30for suppressing the wrinkles W1and W2not on the upstream side but on the downstream side in the transporting direction A, a decrease in the transporting efficiency due to the target recording medium P being pushed against the concave portions30can be easily suppressed. For example, the target recording medium P is not pulled toward the upstream side in the transporting direction A (a direction opposite to the transporting direction A). This is because a structure that pulls the target recording medium P towards the downstream side in the transporting direction A can be easily formed.

Further, the member that has the concave portions30against which the target recording medium P is pushed is the assist roller10; however, the member is not limited to this. Even something that does not rotate may be used and it need not be in the shape of a roller such as one having a semi-cylindrical shape. In addition, for example, a structure in which the platen3and the platen4are in contact with each other, or a corner region formed by such a contact may be used.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the transporting mechanism of this embodiment has rollers (the driven rollers7) that are disposed upstream of the recording head12in the transporting direction A and that come into contact with the target recording medium P at a plurality of contact positions in the intersecting direction B that intersects the transporting direction A.

Whereas the transporting mechanism having rollers that come into contact with the target recording medium P at a plurality of contact positions has a structure that has a high transporting accuracy and is easy to form, wrinkles (the wrinkles W1and W2) easily occur in the space portions (the spaces S1and S2) between the contact positions. However, the recording device1of this embodiment has the assist roller10that has the concave portions30, and the setting unit14and the winding unit15serving as an introducing mechanism for introducing the target recording medium P to the concave portions30. Because of this, the concave portions30are arranged at positions corresponding to the space portions, and by pushing the target recording medium P against the concave portions30the wrinkles W1and W2that easily occur in the space portion can be suppressed effectively. Therefore, together with ease of formation of a transporting mechanism that has a high transporting accuracy, the wrinkles W1and W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the recording device1of this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the concave portions30are arranged at positions downstream of the spaces S2in the transporting direction A. In other words, the concave portions30are arranged at positions (spaces S2) corresponding to positions between neighboring contact positions of the driven rollers7and the target recording medium P in the transporting direction A. Consequently, because the concave portions30are arranged at positions corresponding to the space portions of the driven rollers7, by pushing the target recording medium P against the concave portions30, the wrinkles W1and W2that easily occur in the space portions can be suppressed effectively. Therefore, together with ease of formation of a transporting mechanism that has a high transporting accuracy, the wrinkles W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R can be suppressed.

Further, in the recording device1of this embodiment, the concave portions30are arranged only at positions corresponding to the spaces S2. In such a structure, it is possible to reduce the wrinkles W1corresponding to the spaces S1. This is because the distance by which the target recording medium P can be pulled in the intersecting direction B by the concave portions30is large relative to the swelling amount of the target recording medium P in the intersecting direction B. However, in order to further effectively reduce the wrinkles W1corresponding to the spaces S1, the concave portions30may be further arranged at positions corresponding to the spaces S1.

Moreover, in the recording device1of this embodiment, the setting unit14and the winding unit15that form the transporting mechanism and the introducing mechanism transport the target recording medium P while applying a tension in the transporting direction A. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 1, by arranging the assist roller10so as to subject the target recording medium P to tensions in different directions with the assist roller10as a reference when viewed from a direction (namely, the intersecting direction B) that intersects the transporting direction A and the ink ejection direction (direction D) (a horizontal direction on the upstream side of the assist roller10in the transporting direction A, an oblique direction at an angle to the horizontal direction on the downstream side of the assist roller10in the transporting direction A), the target recording medium P is pushed against the concave portions30. That is, the surface17of the target recording medium P is pushed against the assist roller10. Because of such a structure, in the recording device1of this embodiment, an introducing mechanism that does not come into contact with a side of the target recording medium P on which liquid is applied (the recording surface16) can easily be formed.

Further, a structure “that transports the target recording medium P while applying a tension in the transporting direction A”, similarly to the recording device1of this embodiment, includes the setting unit14for setting the target recording medium P having a roll shape and the winding unit15for winding the target recording medium P into a roll shape, can be considered as a so-called “roll to roll” structure or the like that can transport the target recording medium P while applying a tension in the transporting direction A from the setting unit14to the winding unit15. However, the structure is not limited to such a structure.

Moreover, in the recording device1of this embodiment, the member having the concave portions30against which the target recording medium P is pushed is the assist roller10that assists in the transporting of the target recording medium P. Consequently, not only are the wrinkles W1and W2suppressed, but the transporting accuracy of the target recording medium P is also increased. Further, the assist roller10of this embodiment is a driven roller; however, a driving roller capable of driving so as to rotate at a speed corresponding to the transporting speed of the target recording medium P may be used.

Next, the electrical structure of the recording device1of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating the recording device1of this embodiment.

A CPU19that performs control of the whole of the recording device1is provided in a control unit18. The CPU19, via a system bus20, is connected to a ROM21on which are stored various control programs that the CPU19carries out and a RAM22that is capable of temporarily storing data.

Moreover, the CPU19, via the system bus20, is connected to a head driving unit23that drives the recording head12.

Moreover, the CPU19, via the system bus20, is connected to a motor driving unit24for driving a carriage motor25for moving the carriage11, a sending motor26which is the driving source of the setting unit14, a transporting motor27which is a driving source of the drive rollers5, and a winding motor28which is a driving source of the winding unit15.

Moreover, the CPU19, via the system bus20, is connected to a heater driving unit33for driving the heaters6,8, and13.

Furthermore, the CPU19, via the system bus20, is connected to an input/output unit31and the input/output unit31is connected to a PC29that is an external device for inputting recording data or the like to the recording device1.

Second Embodiment (FIG.6)

Next, a recording device of a second embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6is a schematic plan view of the main part of the recording device1of this embodiment and is a diagram corresponding toFIG. 2, which illustrates the recording device1of the first embodiment. Further, elements equivalent to those of the above-described first embodiment have the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment, with the exception of the structure of the platen3, has the same structure as the recording device1of the first embodiment. Specifically, suction holes H are provided in the platen3, and the surface17of the target recording medium P can be pushed against the platen3by a suction force provided by a suction mechanism (not illustrated) via the suction holes H.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the recording device1of this embodiment similarly to the recording device1of the first embodiment, has the platen3which is a supporting unit that supports the target recording medium P on the transporting path of the target recording medium P. Suction holes H are provided in the platen3. Here, the suction holes H, as illustrated inFIG. 6, are arranged so as to correspond to a portion downstream, in the transporting direction A, of the spaces S2that particularly easily rise up. Consequently, in a structure in which a specific portion easily rises up, because the suction holes H are arranged at positions corresponding to the specific portions in the platen3, it is possible to particularly effectively suppress the wrinkles W2that easily occur in the specific portion. Therefore, it is possible to particularly effectively suppress the wrinkles W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R.

Next, a recording device of a third embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 7is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the recording device1of this embodiment and is a diagram corresponding toFIG. 4that illustrates the recording device1of the first embodiment. Further, elements equivalent to those of the above-described first and second embodiments have the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment, with the exception of the structure of the assist roller10, has the same structure as the recording device1of the first embodiment. Specifically, suction holes H are provided in the assist roller10, and the surface17of the target recording medium P can be pushed against the assist roller10by a suction force provided by a suction mechanism (not illustrated) via the suction holes H.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in the recording device1of this embodiment, suction holes H are provided in the concave portions30. Consequently, the effect of pushing the target recording medium P against the concave portions30is improved and the wrinkles W1and W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R can be suppressed effectively.

Next, a recording device of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 8is a schematic side view of the main part of the recording device1of this embodiment and is a diagram corresponding toFIG. 1that illustrates the recording device1of the first embodiment. Further, elements equivalent to those of the above-described first to third embodiments have the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Further, the recording device1of this embodiment, with the exception of the provision of a cover unit32that covers the suction holes H of the assist roller10, has the same structure as the recording device1of the third embodiment.

In the recording device1of this embodiment, suction holes H are provided in the concave portions30as described above and, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the cover unit32that covers the suction holes H is provided on a side of the assist roller10different from the side which comes into contact with the target recording medium P. Consequently, by suppressing suction from the side of the assist roller10that is different from the side that comes into contact with the target recording medium P, it is possible to increase the suction force on the side of the assist roller10that comes into contact with the target recording medium P. That is, it is possible to particularly improve the effect of pushing the target recording medium P against the concave portions30and the wrinkles W1and W2that occur in the liquid ejection region R can be effectively suppressed.

Further, the cover unit32of this embodiment is a structure that is formed of a material having a coefficient of friction that is lower than that of the concave portions30of the assist roller10and is constantly in contact with the concave portions30. However, the structure is not limited to such a structure and a structure in which the cover unit32is capable of coming into contact with and separating from the concave portions30, a structure in which the cover unit32is slightly spaced apart from the concave portions30, or the like may be used.

Further, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications are possible within the parameters of invention that are listed in the scope of the claims, and it goes without saying that they are included in the scope of the invention.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-143686, filed Jul. 21, 2015. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-143686 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.