Image recording apparatus

An image recording apparatus includes: a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction; conveyance rollers arranged downstream of the recording unit in the conveyance direction to be apart from each other in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction; first spur rollers arranged opposingly to the conveyance rollers respectively and configured to nip the sheet between the conveyance rollers and the first spur rollers; second spur rollers arranged between the mutually adjoining first spur rollers respectively in the width direction; and a first guide member arranged upstream of the first spur rollers and the second spur rollers in the conveyance direction; and having a first guide surface configured to guide the sheet to a nip position at which the sheet is nipped by the conveyance rollers and the first spur rollers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-011844 filed on Jan. 23, 2015, the disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which is capable of allowing a sheet, on which an image is to be recorded in a recording section, to be in a wavy shape.

Description of the Related Art

In an ink-jet recording apparatus that records an image by jetting ink droplets on to a sheet such a recording paper supported on a platen, through nozzles provided in a recording unit, sometimes a phenomenon (cockling) in which, a part of the sheet having an ink adhered thereto is lifted off due to swelling, occurs. As the cockling occurs, due to the part of the sheet lifted off the platen thereby making a contact with the recording section or making a contact with a guide member that guides the sheet, there is a possibility that an image recorded on the sheet is distorted or that there is a jamming of paper.

Therefore, an arrangement by which, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of cockling by providing a plurality of paper discharge rollers, and a plurality of first spur rollers, and a plurality of second spur rollers downstream in the conveyance direction, of the platen has been known. Concretely, the plurality of paper discharge rollers is arranged at intervals between the two adjacent paper discharge rollers, along a direction of width which is orthogonal to a conveyance direction, and makes a contact with a reverse surface of a surface of the sheet on which the image has been recorded. The plurality of first spur rollers is provided face-to-face at an upper side of the plurality of paper discharge rollers respectively, and the sheet is pinched between the mutually facing first spur rollers and the paper discharge rollers, and conveyed. The plurality of second spur rollers is arranged between the adjacent first spur rollers in the direction of width, and a position of the lowermost end is lower than the uppermost end of the paper discharge roller.

Each of the plurality of second spur rollers abuts against the surface having an image recorded of the sheet that is conveyed from the platen, and pushes down an abutting portion below the uppermost end of the paper discharge roller. Accordingly, the sheet becomes wavy along the direction of width. In such wavy state, even when an ink is adhered to the sheet supported on the platen and a part of the sheet is swollen, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of the phenomenon (cockling) in which the sheet is lifted off the platen.

SUMMARY

However, in the aforementioned arrangement, since the second spur roller is provided to the downstream in the conveyance direction of the first spur roller, the second spur roller, after the sheet is pinched between the paper discharge roller and the first spur roller which are adjacent in the direction of width, pushes down the sheet to a lower side (below) the uppermost end of the paper discharge roller, between the respective pinching positions. In this case, for instance, when the sheet is flat without being caved in (dented) between the pinching positions which are adjacent in the direction of width, it is difficult to make that flat location to be caved in to form a recess. Therefore, there is a possibility that the sheet cannot be made to have a wavy shape in the direction of width.

Moreover, unlike the aforementioned arrangement, in a case in which, the second spur roller is provided to the upstream of the first spur roller, for making the sheet to be dented to form a recess, the lowermost end of the second spur roller is to be arranged at a lower side of the pinching position between the first spur roller and the paper discharge roller. Depending on an angle of entry of the sheet to the second spur roller, a substantial load is exerted to the sheet that has abutted against the second spur roller, thereby damaging a part of the sheet, which in turn, leads to jamming of sheet.

The present teaching has been made in view of the abovementioned circumstances, and an object of the present teaching is to provide an image recording apparatus which is capable of allowing a sheet; on which an image is to be recorded in a recording section, to be in a wavy shape easily, along a width direction which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

According to an aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an image recording apparatus including: a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance direction; conveyance rollers arranged downstream of the recording unit in the conveyance direction to be apart from each other in a width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction; first spur rollers arranged opposingly to the conveyance rollers respectively and configured to nip the sheet between the conveyance rollers and the first spur rollers; second spur rollers arranged between the mutually adjoining first spur rollers respectively in the width direction; and a first guide member arranged upstream of the first spur rollers and the second spur rollers in the conveyance direction, and having a first guide surface configured to guide the sheet to a nip position at which the sheet is nipped by the conveyance rollers and the first spur rollers, wherein, as viewed in the width direction; the second spur rollers overlaps with the nip position, and as viewed in the width direction, a circular virtual outer circumferential line along an outer circumference of each of the second spur rollers does not overlap with a virtual straight line along the first guide surface.

According to such arrangement, the sheet that is guided by the first guide surface of the first guide member abuts against the second spur rollers before reaching the nip position or at the same time as when nipped. Accordingly, it is possible to allow easily the sheet to be in a caved-in state in the form of a recess by the second spur rollers. Moreover, for the sheet that is guided by the first guide surface, since the angle of entry to (angle of contact with) the second spur rollers is regulated, there is no possibility that a substantial load is exerted to the sheet when the sheet abuts against the second spur rollers. Accordingly, damage to the sheet or occurrence of jamming of sheet at the second spur rollers is suppressed. Moreover, since each of the second spur rollers overlaps with the nip position as viewed in the width direction, it is possible to allow the sheet to be in the wavy shape effectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An explanation will be made below about an embodiment of the present teaching appropriately with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is only an example of the present teaching, and it is needless to mention that the embodiment of the present teaching can be changed appropriately without departing from the scope of the present teaching. In the following explanation, the up-down direction7, the front-rear direction8, and the width direction (left-right direction)9are defined on the basis of the state ofFIG. 1in which a multifunction peripheral10is installed usably.

<Overall Structure of Multifunction Peripheral>

The multifunction peripheral10(an example of an image recording apparatus of the present teaching) has various functions such as a printer function, a facsimile function, and a copy function. The multifunction peripheral10includes an apparatus main-body11which is arranged to have a substantially thin rectangular parallelepiped shape and a feeding tray13which is detachable from a lower portion of the apparatus main-body11. The feeding tray13, as shown inFIG. 1, from a state of being installed on the apparatus main-body11, is uninstalled from the apparatus main-body11by being drawn out frontward from the apparatus main-body11.

As shown inFIG. 2, a recording section31which records an image on a recording medium is provided to an upper portion inside the apparatus main-body11. The feeding tray13installed on the apparatus main-body11is positioned at a lower side of the recording section31, and a plurality of sheets (recording media) on which an image is to be formed in the recording section, may be accommodated in a state of being stacked vertically in the feeding tray13. In the present embodiment, a recording paper14which is an ordinary paper of a size A4 is accommodated as a sheet inside the feeding tray13with a longitudinal direction of the recording paper14along the frontward-rearward direction8.

An interior of the apparatus main-body11is provided with a feeding section16which conveys rearward the recording paper14at the top of the recording papers14accommodated inside the feeding tray13, and a feeding guide member15which guides upward the recording paper14that is conveyed rearward from the feeding tray13. The feeding guide member15is arranged at a position close to area/surface inside the apparatus main-body11.

The feeding section16includes a feeding roller16A that is arranged along the width direction9, and a supporting arm16B that supports the feeding roller16A to be movable in the vertical direction7. The supporting, arm16B is pivotably supported by a supporting shaft16D along the width direction9, and the feeding roller16A is rotatably supported by a front-end portion of the supporting arm16B. The feeding roller16A, by the supporting, arm16B being pivoted in the vertical direction7with the supporting shaft16D as a center, moves to a position of abutting with the recording paper14at the top of the recording papers14accommodated inside the feeding tray13, and to a position of being separated apart upward from the recording paper14. The feeding roller16A is rotated by a driving force of a motor not shown in the diagram, being transmitted by a driving-force transmission mechanism16C.

As the feeding roller16A rotates in a state of being abut with the recording paper14at the top of the recording papers14accommodated inside the feeding tray13, the recording paper14at the top is fed in the rearward direction. The recording paper14fed from the feeding tray13is conveyed to a lower-end portion of the feeding guide member15.

The feeding guide member15is provided with a feeding path15C through which the recording paper14passes. The feeding path15C has a circular arc shape projected toward the rear surface of the apparatus main-body11, and the recording paper14which is guided by the feeding guide member15is conveyed frontward from an upper-end portion of the feeding guide member15.

The recording paper14in the feeding tray13is conveyed in a state of a central portion in the width direction9of the recording, paper14along a central portion in the width direction9of the feeding path15C (center reference). Moreover, the multifunction peripheral10is capable of feeding not only the recording paper14of size A4 but also a recording paper of a size smaller than A4, such as a postcard (having a higher rigidity than an ordinary paper), to the feeding path15C with center reference.

At a front-side position close to the upper-end portion of the feeding guide member15, a pair of conveyance rollers21that conveys the recording paper14passed the upper-end portion of the feeling guide member15to a lower side of the recording section31, is provided. A platen35which supports the recording paper14at a lower side of the recording section31is provided at a front side of the pair of conveyance rollers21, or in other words, downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording paper14by the pair of conveyance rollers21(hereinafter, let to be “sheet conveying direction6” (refer toFIG. 2)). An upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61and a downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41which impart a wavy shape in the width direction9to the recording paper14are provided to an upstream and to a downstream respectively in the sheet conveying direction6of the platen35.

The pair of conveyance rollers21conveys the recording paper14passed through the feeding guide member15, to a conveying path29formed between the platen35and the recording section31. The conveying path29reaches up to a paper discharge tray17via the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41.

The pair of conveyance rollers21includes one first conveyance roller22which abuts against an upper surface (first surface) of the recording paper14passed through the feeding guide member15, and a plurality of pinch rollers26which abuts against a lower surface (second surface) of the recording paper14. The recording paper14that has passed through the feeding guide member15is pinched between the pinch roller26and the first conveyance roller a rotating state, and is conveyed on the platen35.

The recording section31provided at an upper side of the platen35is supported by a first guide rail36and a second guide rail37, each arranged along the width direction9. The first guide rail36and the second guide rail37are extended along the width direction9in a state of being separated apart leaving a fixed interval (distance) in the sheet conveying direction6.

The recording section31includes a carriage32which is slidably supported across the first guide rail36and the second guide rail37, and a recording head33which is installed at a lower portion of the carriage32. The carriage32is reciprocatable along the width direction9along the first guide rail36and the second guide rail37.

The recording head33includes a plurality of nozzles34that jets an ink in a downward direction. An ink from an ink cartridge (not depicted in the diagram) is supplied to each nozzle34. The plurality of nozzles34is arranged in a row along the sheet conveying direction6, and a lower end of each nozzle34opens through a nozzle surface34A which is a lower surface of the recording head33. The nozzle surface34A is a flat surface along the frontward-rearward direction8and the width direction9.

The platen35provided at the lower side of the recording section31supports the recording paper14conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers21, in a state parallel to the nozzle surface34A.

As the recording paper14conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers21reaches a predetermined position on the platen35, conveyance of the recording paper14is stopped, in such state, the carriage32slides in the width direction9orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction6, and while the carriage32slides, a recording process in which, inks are jetted selectively from the nozzles34of the recording head33, is carried out. Thereafter, by a conveyance process, in which the recording paper14on the platen35is conveyed by only a predetermined distance by the pair of conveyance rollers21and a recording process by the recording head33being carried out repeatedly, an image is recorded on the overall recording paper14.

The downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41provided downstream in the sheet conveying direction6with respect to the platen35conveys the recording paper14supported on the platen35in the sheet conveying direction6, and also imparts a wavy shape along the width direction9to the recording paper14on the platen35. The recording paper14that has passed through the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41is discharged to the paper discharge tray17.

The first conveyance roller22in the pair of conveyance rollers21is supported by a sub-frame39(refer toFIG. 3) which supports two end portions in the width direction9of the first guide rail36. As shown inFIG. 3, also, each of two end portions in the width direction9of the second guide rail37is supported by the sub-frame39. The first conveyance roller22rotates in a direction shown by an arrow mark D1inFIG. 2by the rotation of a motor which is not shown in the diagram being transmitted to the first conveyance roller22.

The plurality of pinch rollers26is provided at a lower side of the first conveyance roller22, and each of the plurality of pinch rollers26is supported by a roller holder (not shown in the diagram) in a state of leaving a distance from the other pinch roller in the width direction. The roller holder is movable such that each pinch roller26assumes a state of being separated apart from a state of being in a contact with the first conveyance roller22. Each pinch roller26that is in contact with the first conveyance roller rotates following the rotation of the first conveyance roller22.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61includes seven upstream abutting members62that are installed on a lower surface of the first guide rail36, and two end-portion abutting members63that are provided to the two end portions in the width direction9. Moreover, a main rib35G to be described later, which is provided to the platen35, is also included in the upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61.

Out of the seven upstream abutting members62, three upstream abutting members62positioned at a central portion in the width direction9form a central wavy shape applying portion61A, and two upstream abutting members62provided at two sides of the width direction9with respect to the central wavy shape applying mechanism61A form one set of side wavy shape applying portion61B. The upstream abutting member62at the center in the central wavy shape applying portion61A is provided at a position corresponding to a center of the platen35in the width direction9. The three upstream abutting members62that form the central wavy shape applying portion61A are arranged leaving a constant (fixed) distance G1in between. The three upstream abutting members62are provided for imparting the wavy shape to the recording paper14of size A4 and not for imparting the wavy shape to a recording paper of a shorter length (such as a postcard) along the width direction9, with which only the three upstream abutting members62abut. In a case in Which a postcard is conveyed, by the three upstream abutting members62being abut with the postcard, the overall platen35moves downward. Accordingly, the wavy shape is not imparted to the postcard.

As shown inFIG. 3, the two upstream abutting members62which form the side wavy shape applying portion619are arranged leaving a distance G2shorter than the distance G1. The upstream abutting members62at the two ends in the width direction9of the central wavy shape applying portion61A, and the upstream abutting member62which has come close to the central wavy shape applying portion61A in the side wavy shape applying portion619, are at a distance same as the distance G1.

Each of the seven upstream abutting members62has the same shape, and as shown inFIG. 6, includes a base portion62A installed on the lower surface of the first guide rail36, a connecting portion62B which has assumed a state of being suspended (trailed) from the base portion62A, and an abutting portion62C which is installed at a lower-end portion of the connecting portion62B. The upstream abutting member62is formed integrally of a synthetic resin (such as polyacetal (POM)).

The base portion62A is arranged along the lower surface of the first guide rail36, and has a plurality of latching portions62D that are to be latched with the first guide rail36. Each latching portion62D is projected upward from the base portion62A. The first uncle rail36is provided with openings36A in which the respective latching portions62D are inserted.

The connecting portion62B is in the form of a band plate with almost fixed (constant) length along the width direction9, and is formed to have a shape of a curve projected frontward, to be along an outer peripheral portion of the first conveyance roller22from a front-end portion of the base portion62A. The front-end portion of the connecting portion62B is positioned at a front side and at a lower side of the base portion62A. The connecting portion629has a flexibility that allows it to move in the vertical direction7and the frontward-rearward direction8.

The abutting portion62C provided at a lower-end portion of the connecting portion62B is in the form of a flat plate, and in a plan view, is formed to be triangular shaped, with a length in the width direction becoming gradually shorter toward the front side. The abutting portion62C is positioned upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording paper14, of a position of the nozzle34in the recording section31.

The abutting portion62C is inclined to be positioned such that a front-end portion positioned downstream in the conveyance direction is positioned at the lowest side. Moreover, the front-end portion of the abutting portion62C is lower than an upper-end portion of the main rib35G provided to the platen35.

As shown inFIG. 6, a position, at which the abutting portion62C of the upstream abutting member62abuts against an upper surface of the recording paper14, is separated apart by a distance L1downstream of the sheet conveying direction6from a nip position NP1at which the recording paper14is pinched by the pair of conveyance rollers21.

The end-portion abutting member63provided on each of the two sides in the width direction9of all the upstream abutting members62, as shown inFIG. 7, has a base portion63A, a connecting portion6313, and an abutting portion63C, similarly as the upstream abutting member62. The abutting portion63C is formed to be rectangular shaped in a plan view. The rest of the arrangement of the end-portion abutting member63is substantially similar to the arrangement of the upstream abutting member62. The abutting portion63C of the end-portion abutting member63pushes downward the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers21.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, an end portion of the platen35, which is positioned upstream of the sheet conveying direction6, is positioned at a lower side of the first guide rail36, and an end portion of the platen35, which is positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction6is positioned at a lower side of the second guide rail37. The platen35has a platen main-body portion35A stretching from a lower-side position of the upstream abutting member62up to an upstream position in the sheet conveying direction6of a position at which the recording paper14is pinched by a second conveyance roller42A and a first spur roller43A.

The platen main-body portion35A is in the form of a band plate along the width direction9which is orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction6. The platen main-body portion35A abuts against a roller shaft42B of the second conveyance roller42A, and is pivotably supported with the roller shaft42B as a center of pivoting.

The platen main-body portion35A in the form of a flat plate is provided with three main ribs35G between the adjacent upstream abutting members62in the central wavy shape applying portion61A. Each of the main ribs35A is projected upward from an upper surface of the platen main-body portion35A, in a state along the frontward-rearward direction8. Moreover, one main rib35G having the same arrangement is provided also between each of the upstream abutting members62on two sides in the width direction9of the central wavy shape applying portion61A and the upstream abutting member62which is close to the central wavy shape applying portion61A in the side wavy shape applying portion61B.

Furthermore, two main ribs35G having a similar arrangement are provided at an interval in the width direction9also between the pair of upstream abutting members62in the side wavy shape applying portion619. Moreover, two main ribs35G having a similar arrangement are provided at an interval in the width direction9, each between the end-portion abutting member63and the upstream abutting member62that is close to the end-portion abutting member63in the side wavy shape applying portion61B.

The main ribs35G are projected to a uniform height from the upper surface of the platen main-body portion35A, and an upper surface of each main rib35G is flat and has substantially the same height. Each of the main ribs35G is extended from an end portion of an upstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the platen main-body portion35A up to a position downstream of the middle of the sheet conveying direction6.

Furthermore, the platen main-body portion35A is provided with one sub-rib35H at a position corresponding to a lower side of the upstream abutting member62at a center of the central wavy shape applying portion61A. The sub-rib3514is projected upward from the upper surface of the platen main-body portion35A. An upper surface of the sub-rib35H is low at a lower side of the upstream abutting member62at the center, and is inclined to be gradually higher toward the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6from the upstream abutting member62. Furthermore, at the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6in continuation with the inclined portion, the sub-rib35H has a constant projection height lower than the projection height of the main rib35G. A downstream position in the sheet conveying direction6of the sub-rib35H and a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction6of the main rib35G are substantially the same positions.

Moreover, a pair of sub-ribs35H having a similar arrangement is provided at an interval in the width direction9at a lower side of the upstream abutting member62at the two ends in the width direction9of the central wavy shape applying portion61A. Between the pair of sub-ribs35H, one auxiliary rib35K is provided at a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction6with respect to the sub-rib35H. The auxiliary rib35K has a substantially similar arrangement as the sub-ribs35H on two sides, except for being shifted downstream in the sheet conveying direction6.

The platen main-body portion35A, even at a lower side of each upstream abutting member62in the side wavy shape applying portion61B, is provided with one sub-rib35H each, having a similar arrangement. Moreover, the platen main-body portion35A, even at positions on both outer sides in the width direction9of the side wavy shape applying portion61B, is provided with one sub-rib35H having a similar arrangement.

An upper portion of the abutting portion62C of the upstream abutting member62is flat, and as aforementioned, is lower than the main rib35G provided to the platen main-body portion35A. Consequently, as the abutting portion62C abuts against the upper surface (first surface) of the recording paper14, the recording paper14assumes a state of being caved in (dented) in the form of a recess between the main ribs35G positioned at the both outer sides in the width direction9of the abutting portion62G.

One or the plurality of sub-ribs35H is positioned between the adjacent main ribs35G, and as the recording paper assumes the state of being caved in (dented) in the form of a recess by the abutting portion62C, each sub-rib35H supports a lower surface of the portion of the recording paper14that is caved in (dented) in the form of a recess. The pair of auxiliary ribs35K guides end portions on two sides in the width direction9of a recording paper of a small size to the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41, such that a wavy shape is not imparted by the central wavy shape applying portion61A.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41includes a plurality of second conveyance rollers42A arranged along the width direction9, a first guide member46arranged at an upper side of the second conveyance roller42A, a plurality of first spur rollers43A, each supported by the first guide member46, a plurality of second spur rollers44A, and a third spur roller45A.

The plurality of second conveyance rollers42A abuts against a lower surface (second surface) which is reverse of the upper surface (first surface) of the recording paper14having an image recorded in the recording section31. One roll shaft42B is inserted through a central portion of each second conveyance roller42A. Each of the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A abuts against the upper surface of the recording paper14. The plurality of first spur rollers43A is arranged to be facing the upper side of the second conveyance rollers42A respectively.

A second guide member48which guides the recording paper14conveyed from the platen main-body portion35A to the upper side of the second conveyance roller42A, is provided at a downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the platen main-body portion35A. The roller shaft42B is arranged at an axial center portion of the second conveyance roller42A. The second guide member48is provided with a plurality of opening portions48B (refer toFIG. 7) at an interval in the width direction9, at an upper side of the roller shaft42B. The opening portions48B are provided at a position corresponding to the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6between the adjacent upstream abutting members62, at a position corresponding to the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6between the end-portion abutting member63and the upstream abutting member62adjacent to the respective end-portion abutting member63, and a position corresponding to the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6of the upstream abutting member62and the end-portion abutting member63. The second conveyance roller42is arranged inside each of the opening portions48B provided at the corresponding position between the adjacent upstream abutting member62, and the corresponding position between the end-portion abutting member63and the upstream abutting member62adjacent to the end-portion abutting member63. The second conveyance roller42A has a part thereof projected toward the upper side of the second guide member48, through the opening portion48B of the second guide member48.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the second guide member48is provided with a lower guide surface (an example of a “third guide surface” of the present teaching) which guides the recording paper14from the platen main-body portion35A to the second conveyance roller42A. The lower-portion guide surface48A is inclined such that a distance up to an axial center CL1(refer toFIG. 8) of the first spur roller43A in a direction orthogonal to the width direction9and the sheet conveying direction6becomes closer toward the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6.

Each of the second conveyance rollers42A is made of an elastic member such as rubber, to be circular cylindrical shaped, and is fitted coaxially to the roller shaft42B. Each of these eight second conveyance rollers42A is projected upward from an upper surface of the second guide member48. The roller shaft42B is rotated in a direction shown by an arrow mark D2inFIG. 2, by the rotational force of a motor being transmitted thereto via a transmission mechanism not shown in the diagram. Accordingly, all the second conveyance rollers42A rotate integrally.

The first guide member46which supports each of the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A is arranged at an upper side of the conveying path29. A length of the first guide member46in the width direction9is longer than a length in the sheet conveying direction6. As shown inFIG. 6, the first spur roller43A which is arranged face-to-face at the upper side of the second conveyance roller42A is supported by an end portion downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the first guide member46.

As shown by magnifying inFIG. 4, the first spur roller43A is provided with two spur portions43C having a circular plate shape, at an interval in the width direction9. An outer peripheral surface of each spur portion43C is provided with projections and recesses along a circumferential direction. A roller shaft43B along the width direction9is inserted through an axial center portion of the first spur roller43A. The first guide member46is provided with a roller supporting portion46C arranged along the frontward-rearward direction8, on two sides in the width direction9of the first spur roller43A, and two end portions in the width direction9of the roller shaft43B are rotatably supported by the roller supporting portions46C respectively.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram for explaining an arrangement of the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41. InFIG. 8, the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller454are indicated by circular virtual peripheral lines along an outer periphery, namely, a first virtual outer peripheral line VL1, a second virtual outer peripheral line VL2, and a third virtual outer peripheral line VL3respectively.

The first virtual outer peripheral line VL1having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the first spur roller43A makes a contact with an outer peripheral surface of the second conveyance roller424on the lower side, and as the second conveyance roller42A rotates, the first spur roller434rotates following the rotation of the second conveyance roller42A. A position at which the first virtual outer peripheral line VL1of the first spur roller43A makes a contact with the second conveyance roller42A is a nip position NP2at which the recording paper14is pinched, and the recording paper14that is conveyed from the platen35is pinched at the nip position NP2, and conveyed downstream in the sheet conveying direction6.

As shown inFIG. 5, each second spur roller44A, at a corresponding position between the adjacent second conveyance rollers42A, is supported by the first guide member46. Each second spur roller44A corresponds to coincides with) a position in the width direction9with respect to a respective upstream abutting member62from among the seven upstream abutting members62in the aforementioned upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61, and each second spur roller44ais positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction of each upstream abutting member62.

Each second spur roller44A, as shown magnified inFIG. 4, has one spur portion44C having a shape similar to each spur portion43C of the first spur roller43A, and a roller shaft44B in the width direction9is inserted through an axial center portion of each second spur roller44A. Two end portions in the width direction9of the roller shaft44B are rotatably supported by second roller supporting portions46E provided along the frontward-rearward direction8to the first guide member46.

As shown inFIG. 8, the second spur roller44A, from a viewpoint along the width direction9, overlaps with the nip position NP2. In other words, from a viewpoint along the width direction9, the nip position NP2is positioned inside the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the second spur roller44A. An axial center CL2of the second spur roller44A is at a position lower than the axial center CL1of the first spur roller43a. In other words, a distance L4(in the up-down direction7) between the axial center CL2of the second spur roller44A in a direction (up-down direction7) orthogonal to each of the sheet conveying direction6and the width direction9and a virtual plane VFR along the sheet conveying direction6including an axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42A, is shorter than a distance L3between the axial center CL1of the first spur roller434and the virtual plane VFR.

In this case, a position LP, at which a distance between the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the second spur roller44A and the virtual plane VFR that includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42A becomes the shortest, is separated apart only by a distance L2downstream in the conveyance direction of the nip position NP2, at which the recording paper14is pinched by the second conveyance roller42A and the first spur roller43A, the recording paper14abuts against the position LP at the shortest distance. Consequently, at a position separated apart by the distance L2downstream in the conveyance direction of the nip position NP2, the second spur roller44A abuts with the maximum pressure exerted to the recording paper14. The distance L2is shorter than the distance L1from the nip position NP1at which the recording paper14is pinched by the pair of conveyance rollers21up to a position, at which the abutting portion62C of the upstream abutting member62abuts against the upper surface of the recording paper14. The position, at which the abutting portion62C of the upstream abutting member62abuts against the upper surface of the recording paper14is equivalent to a position, at which the distance from the virtual plane VFR along the conveyance direction that includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42A becomes the shortest.

As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the third spur rollers45A are supported by two end portions in the width direction9of the first guide member46. The third spur rollers45A are arranged at positions corresponding to the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the two end-portion abutting members63respectively, in the upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61, which are positions corresponding to the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the second spur rollers44A.

The third spur roller45A has an arrangement similar to the second spur roller44A. A roller shaft45B of the third spur roller45A, as shown inFIG. 4, is rotatably supported by a third roller supporting portion46N provided to the first guide member46along the frontward-rearward direction8. As shown inFIG. 8, the shortest distance of the third spur roller45A from the virtual plane VFR that includes the axial center CUR of the second conveyance roller42A and the shortest distance of the second spur roller44A from the virtual plane VFR that includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42A are substantially the same. Consequently, a position of the third spur roller45A in the vertical direction7abutting with the recording paper14and a position of the second spur roller44A in the vertical direction7abutting with the recording paper14are substantially the same.

As shown inFIG. 4, forth spur rollers47A are supported by the first guide members46respectively, at positions corresponding to downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of all the second spur rollers44A respectively, and at a position corresponding to downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of each third spur roller45A.

The fourth spur roller47A has an arrangement similar to the second spur roller44A, and a roller shaft47B is rotatably supported by a fourth roller supporting portion46X provided along the frontward-rearward direction8to the first guide member46. As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the shortest distance of the fourth spur roller47A from the virtual plane VFR which includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42, and the shortest distance of the second spur roller44A from the virtual plane VFR which includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42are substantially the same. Consequently, a position of the fourth spur roller47A in the vertical direction7abutting with the recording paper14and a position of the second spur roller44A in the vertical direction7abutting with the recording paper14are substantially the same.

As shown in diagrams fromFIG. 4toFIG. 7, an upstream end portion in the sheet conveying direction6of the first guide member46is provided with a wall surface46K erected perpendicularly along the width direction9. The wall surface46K is positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction6with respect to the platen main-body portion35A of the platen35, and near the platen main-body portion35A. The wall surface46K, as shown inFIG. 5, is arranged to spread over a first range F1along the width direction9, in which all the first spur rollers43A supported by the first guide member46are supported.

As shown inFIG. 9, a lower end portion of the wall surface46K is provided with a first guide portion46G which is extended downward and downstream of the sheet conveying direction6. The first guide portion46G is provided over the entire area of the wall surface46K in the width direction, and consequently is arranged to be spread over the first range.

As shown inFIG. 6, the first guide portion46G is inclined such that, a distance of the first guide portion46G from the axial center of the second conveyance roller42A in the conveyance direction and the direction orthogonal to the width direction9becomes shorter gradually from the upstream toward the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6. The first guide portion46G is provided with a plurality of guide ribs46H projected from the first guide portion46G, at an interval in the width direction9. Each guide rib46H is provided along the direction of inclination of the first guide portion46G, and a front-end surface of a projected side of each first guide portion46G similar to the first guide portion46G, is a first guide surface46J which is inclined such that a distance from the axial center of the second conveyance roller42A in the conveyance direction and the direction orthogonal to the width direction9becomes gradually shorter from the upstream toward the downstream of the conveyance direction. The first guide surface46J, as shown inFIG. 8, intersect with a virtual straight line FL2along a lower-portion guide surface48A which is provided to the second guide member48of the platen35.

As shown inFIG. 9, end portions on two sides in the width direction9of the wall surface46K of the first guide member46are provided with end-portion guide surfaces46R extended in the sheet conveying direction6and both outer sides of the wall surfaces46K respectively. The end-portion guide surfaces46R are arranged in a second range F2on both outer sides in the width direction with respect to the first range F1, in which the first guide portion46G is provided, and the end-portion guide surfaces46R are inclined such that a distance along the width direction9from the first range F1becomes gradually longer from the upstream toward the downstream of the conveyance direction. In other words, the end-portion guide surface46R are inclined with respect to the sheet conveying direction6and the width direction9, and are inclined such that the most downstream position in the sheet conveying direction6is positioned on both outer sides in the width direction9of the most upstream position.

As shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, a lower end of the end-portion guide surface46R is provided with second guide portion46M continuously that is extended downstream and downward of the sheet conveying direction6. The second guide portion46M, similarly as the end-portion guide surface46R, is arranged in the second range F2on both outer sides of the width direction9with respect to the first range F1. The second guide portion46M has a second guide surface46P which is in an inclined state coming closer gradually to the virtual plane VFR that includes the axial center CLR of the second conveyance roller42A, from the upstream toward the downstream of the sheet conveying direction6. The second guide surface46P is in the inclined state similarly as the first guide surface46J, and is inclined such that, a distance from the axial center of the second conveyance roller42A in the direction orthogonal to the width direction9and the sheet conveying direction6becomes gradually shorter from the upstream toward the downstream of the conveyance direction.

In this case, as shown inFIG. 10, in a range, in which the first guide surface46J in the sheet conveying direction6is provided, a distance L5between the axial center of the second conveyance roller42A and the first guide surface46J in the direction orthogonal to the width direction9and the sheet conveying direction6becomes shorter than a distance L6between the axial center of the second conveyance roller42A and the second guide surface46P in the direction orthogonal to the width direction9and the sheet conveying direction6, in a range F3, in which the second guide surface46P in the sheet conveying direction6is provided. Moreover, the most downstream position of the second guide surface46P in the sheet conveying direction6is between the second spur roller44A and the first spur roller43A in the sheet conveying direction6.

The second guide surface46P is in an inclined state similarly as the first guide surface46J, and at a central portion in the width direction9, a step46Z is formed along the direction of inclination of the second guide surface46P. The step46Z is formed by end portions positioned on both outer sides in the width direction9of each second guide surface46P being positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of a portion positioned at a center in the width direction9of the step46Z.

The second guide surface46P is positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the first guide surface46J, and is arranged to be spread over from an upstream position up to a downstream position in the sheet conveying direction6, with respect to the nip position NP2between the second conveyance roller42A and the first spur roller43A.

As shown inFIG. 8, the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the second spur roller44A is arranged not to overlap with a virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J from a viewpoint along the width direction9, with respect to the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46. In other words, a position of the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2of the second spur roller44A, at which the distance from the virtual plane VFR becomes the shortest, is at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the nip position NP2.

Moreover, the first virtual outer peripheral line VL1of the first spur roller43A does not overlap with the virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J from a viewpoint along the width direction9. In other words, even the first spur roller43, from a viewpoint along the width direction9, is positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction of the virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J.

<Action of Upstream Wavy Shape Applying Mechanism, Platen, and Downstream Wavy Shape Applying Mechanism>

In the multifunction peripheral10having such arrangement, as the recording paper14in the feeding tray13is conveyed with center reference from the feeding path15C in the feeding guide member15to the pair of conveyance rollers21, the recording paper14is pinched between the first conveyance roller22and the pinch roller26, and conveyed to the platen35. At this time, the front-end portions of the abutting portions62C of the seven upstream abutting members62abut with the upper surface of the recording paper14conveyed by the pair of first conveyance rollers21, at positions separated apart by the distance L1from the nip position NP1at which the recording paper14is pinched between the pair of first conveyance rollers21. Accordingly, the recording paper14is pushed downward by the respective abutting portions62C. Moreover, the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14are pushed downward by the end-portion abutting member63.

Since the platen main-body portion35A of the platen35is provided with the main ribs35G on the both outer sides in the width direction9of each abutting portion62C, a portion of the recording paper14abutting with the main ribs35G is not pushed downward, and a portion of the recording paper14with which the abutting portion62C abut between the main ribs35G assumes a state of being caved in (dented) in the form of a recess. Accordingly, a wavy shape along the width direction9is imparted to the recording paper14. In this case, a lower surface of the portion that has caved in (dented) in the form of a recess is supported by the sub ribs35H.

An image is recorded at a predetermined position beneath the recording section31on the recording paper14, to which a wavy shape along the width direction9is imparted on the platen35. Thereafter, the recording paper14is conveyed to the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41.

In the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41, a front-end portion downstream in the sheet conveying direction of the recording paper14conveyed from the platen35is guided to the a lower-portion guide surface48A provided for the second guide member48. At this time, since the virtual straight line FL2along the lower-portion guide surface48A intersects with the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46, the front-end portion at the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction6of the recording paper14conveyed along the lower-portion guide surface48A, except for the two end portions in the width direction9, abuts against the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46, and is guided downstream in the sheet conveying direction6along the first guide surface46J. Thereafter, the front-end portion of the recording paper14, except for the two end portions in the width direction9, abuts against an outer peripheral surface of the first spur roller43A which is in a rotating state, and is guided toward the nip position NP2of the first spur roller43A and the second conveyance roller42A.

At this time, each second spur roller44A is arranged in a state of overlapping with the nip position NP2from a viewpoint along the width direction9orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction6, and the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the second spur roller44A is in a state of not overlapping with the virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J, from a viewpoint along the width direction9. Accordingly, the recording paper14which is guided along the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46abuts against the second spur roller44A before being pinched at the nip position NP2. According to the arrangement of the second spur roller44A, there is a possibility that the recording paper14abuts against the second spur roller44A at the same time as when pinched at the nip position NP2. In any of the cases, it is possible to make the recording paper14to be caved in (dented) easily in the form of a recess by the second spur roller44A. As a result, a wavy shape along the width direction9is imparted to the recording paper14.

Moreover, an angle of entry (an angle of contact) of the recording paper14guided by the first guide surface46J to the second spur roller44A is regulated, there is no possibility of a substantial load being exerted on the recording paper14when the recording paper14abuts against the second spur roller44A. Accordingly, the recording paper14is suppressed from getting damaged, and an occurrence of jamming of the recording paper at the second spur roller44A is suppressed. Moreover, since the second spur roller44A overlaps with the nip position in aside view, it is possible to make the recording paper14wavy corrugated, crimped) effectively. Consequently, on the platen main-body portion35A, even when there is a swelling of a portion of the recording paper14to which the ink is adhered, an occurrence of cockling is suppressed.

Furthermore, the distance L2along the conveyance direction from the nip position NP2of the recording paper14pinched between the first spur roller43A and the second conveyance roller42A in the downstream wavy shape applying mechanism41up to the position at which the second spur roller44A abuts against the recording paper14is shorter than the distance L1from the nip position NP1of the recording paper14pinched between the pair of conveyance rollers21in the upstream wavy shape applying mechanism61up to the position at which the abutting portion62C of the upstream abutting member62abuts against the upper surface of the recording paper14.

In this case, before the upstream abutting member62assumes a state of not being abut with the recording paper14, the second spur roller44A abuts against the recording paper14. As a result, it is possible to maintain stably the wavy state of the recording paper14.

Furthermore, the virtual outer peripheral line VL1of the first spur roller43A, from a viewpoint in the width direction9, does not overlap with the virtual straight line FL1along the guide surface46J. Accordingly, there is no possibility of a substantial load being exerted to the recording paper when the recording paper14abuts against the first spur roller43A. As a result, it is possible to suppress damage to the recording paper14, and jamming of the recording paper14at the first spur roller43A.

Thereafter, the recording paper14is pinched between the second conveyance roller42A and the first spur roller43A, and is conveyed downstream in the sheet conveying direction6.

The two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14are guided to the second guide surface46P of the first guide member46, after a portion other than the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14is guided to the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46. The two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14guided to the second guide surface46P pass over an upper side of the second conveyance roller42A. Thereafter, the two end portions in the width direction of the recording paper14abut with the third spur roller45A. Accordingly, each end portion of the recording paper14is pushed down in order from a side portion downstream in the sheet conveying direction6by the third spur roller45A.

In such manner, the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14being guided to the second guide surface46P positioned at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46are pushed down upon being abut smoothly with the third spur roller45A. Consequently, the recording paper14assumes a wavy (corrugated) state along the width direction9by being abut with the second spur roller44A, and even in a state of the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper being jumped (lifted) upward, the recording paper14is pushed down assuredly by the third spur roller45A. Thereafter, the recording paper14is discharged to the paper discharge tray17by the fourth spur rollers47A.

Furthermore, when the recording paper14is in an inclined state with respect to the conveyance direction, one of the angular portions in the width direction9positioned downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording paper being guided by the end-portion guide surface46R, abuts against the second guide surface46P without getting a substantial jolt (impact).

[Function and Effect of Embodiment]

In the present embodiment, the recording paper14guided by the first guide surface46J of the first guide member46, before reaching the nip position NP2, abuts against the second spur roller44A. Accordingly, the second spur roller44A is capable of making the recording paper14to be caved in (dented) easily in the form of a recess. Moreover, the recording paper14guided by the first guide surface46, before abutting with the second spur roller44A, is guided to the nip position NP2by the first spur roller43A. Accordingly, there is not possibility of a substantial load being exerted on the second spur roller44A, and it is possible to suppress jamming of the recording paper14at the second spur roller44A.

Moreover, since the first virtual outer peripheral line VL1of the first spur roller43A is positioned downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J, the recording paper14guided to the first guide surface46J, before abut with the second spur roller44A, is guided to the nip position NP2by the first spur roller43A. As a result, there is no possibility of a substantial load being exerted on the first spur roller43A, and it is possible to suppress jamming of the recording paper14at the first spur roller43A.

The third spur roller45A provided to the first guide member46is arranged at a position nearer to the virtual plane VFR than the first spur roller45A, and downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the second spur roller44A. Accordingly, the end portion in the width direction of the recording paper14is pushed down assuredly by the third spur roller45a.

The second guide surface46P provided to the first guide member46is positioned at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the first guide surface46J. Accordingly, even in a state of the two end portions in the width direction of the recording paper14jolted, the recording paper14is guided to the third spur roller45A smoothly, and is pushed down assuredly by the third spur roller45A.

The second guide surface46P, in the sheet conveying direction6, is extended downstream from the upstream of the nip position NP2. Accordingly, the two end portions in the width direction9of the recording paper14are guided smoothly to the third spur roller45A by the second guide surface46P.

As the first guide member46supports the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A, positioning of each of the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A becomes easy.

For the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2of the second spur roller44A, the position LP, at which the distance from the virtual plane VFR becomes the shortest is positioned at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the nip position NP2. Accordingly, since the load is exerted on the recording paper14by the second spur roller44A at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the nip position NP2, it is possible to suppress the load exerted on the recording paper14at the time of abutting with the second spur roller44A, and it is possible to suppress jamming and damage of the recording paper14.

The second guide member48, is facing to the first guide member46, and has the lower-portion guide surface48A which guides the recording paper14to the nip position NP2, and from a viewpoint along the width direction9, the virtual straight line FL1along the first guide surface46J intersects with the lower-portion guide surface48A.

In this case, the recording paper14guided to the lower-portion guide surface48A of the second guide member48abuts against the second spur roller44A after the front end of the recording paper14is directed toward the nip position NP2upon being guided by the first guide surface46J of the first guide member. Accordingly, there is no possibility of a substantial load being exerted on the recording paper14when the recording paper14abuts against the second spur roller44A, and it is possible to suppress jamming of the recording paper14at the second spur roller44A.

Since the second guide member48abuts against the roller shaft42B of the second conveyance roller42A, and the lower portion guide surface48A assumes a predetermined state with respect to the second nip position NP2, it is possible to convey the recording paper14stably to the second conveyance roller42A.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE

In the embodiment, the arrangement was such that the first virtual outer peripheral line VL1having a circular shape along the outer periphery of the first spur roller434does not overlap with the virtual straight line FL1from a viewpoint in the width direction. However, since the first spur roller43A rotates following the rotation of the discharge roller42A at the time of conveying the recording paper14, the load exerted on the recording paper14by the first spur roller43A at the nip position NP2is small, and therefore the first virtual outer peripheral line VL1may overlap with the virtual straight line FL1. Moreover, an arrangement, in which the first guide member46is not provided with the third spur roller45A, and an arrangement, in which the first guide member46is not provided with the second guide surface46P may be adopted. In this case, a second area (range) F2of the first guide member46is provided with an inclined surface similar to the first guide portion46G.

Furthermore, without restricting to the arrangement of the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A being supported by the first guide member46, an arrangement may be such that the first spur roller43A, the second spur roller44A, and the third spur roller45A are supported by a member other than the first guide member46.

Without restricting to the arrangement, in which for the second virtual outer peripheral line VL2of the second spur roller44A, the position, at which the distance from the virtual plane VFR becomes the shortest is positioned at the downstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the nip position NP2an arrangement may be such that the position, at which the distance from the virtual plane VFR becomes the shortest is upstream in the sheet conveying direction6of the nip position NP2.

Moreover, without restricting to the arrangement, in which the second guide member48is positioned upon being abut with the roller shaft42B of the second conveyance roller42A, an arrangement may be such that the second guide member48is positioned with respect to another member.