Medium transporting device for recording apparatus with suction chambers

Of suction holes formed on a medium transporting surface, the areas of the suction holes formed in positions corresponding to ends of a medium which is being transported are set larger than the areas of other suction holes. Hereby, since large air flow is obtained under the both side ends or the leading end of the medium, the medium is transported in a state where the both side ends or the leading end are attracted into the suction holes, and a stain due to contact with a recording head can be prevented.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2003-62537, 2003-62536 and 2003-66079, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medium transporting device which transports a medium and a recording apparatus provided with this medium transporting device.

Heretofore, for example, in an ink jet printer that is one of recording apparatuses, while paper that is one of recording media is being fed into a recording section by a paper transporting device, recording is performed and thereafter the paper is fed out to the outside. In such the ink jet printer, while the paper is fed in a state where it is held between a feed roller and its driven roller, recording is performed in a recording head, and thereafter the paper is fed out in a state where it is held by a discharge roller and a spur roller functioning as its driver roller, and discharged.

In the ink jet printer including such the paper transporting device, in case that an image composed of ejected many ink droplets, for example, a solid image is recorded on the paper, the paper absorbs a large amount of ink, so that it bulges toward the recording head in the wavy shape after recording, that is, cockling is produced. As this cockling develops, the distance between the paper and the recording head becomes more uneven, and unevenness is produced in ink splash distance, whereby unevenness is produced in recording, or the paper comes into contact with the recording head and stains. Therefore, recently, an ink jet printer has been proposed, in which plural openings are formed on a paper transporting surface in the paper transporting direction and in the direction perpendicular to the paper transporting direction at a regular pitch, that is, the plural openings are provided in the shape of a grid, and the paper is sucked through these opening by a suction pump thereby to suppress the above cockling (refer to JP-A-63-303781 and JP-A-3-270).

Generally, a curve (curl) is produced in paper by the influence of environment such as humidity and temperature, or by properties of surface coat material. Particularly, it is most difficult to suck and attract ends (a leading end and both side ends) of the paper which has curled upward. Therefore, there is fear that the ends of the paper which has curled are stained by contact with the recording head.

Further, by setting of a position of a feed roller arranged in a paper transportation-insertion part of the above paper transporting device, it is possible to press the leading end of the inserted paper on the paper transporting surface thereby to prevent coming-up of the leading end. However, as the paper advances, the power for pressing mechanically the leading end of the paper on the paper transporting surface is reduced, so that the leading end of the paper readily separates from the paper transporting surface. Therefore, there is fear that the leading end of the paper which has come up is stained by the contact with the recording head.

In the ink jet printers including the above conventional suction type paper transporting device, there is an ink jet printer having a dimple around each opening in order to heighten suction force determined by negative pressure×area. However, since the dimples are formed in the shape of a grid correspondingly to each opening, both ends of the paper in a direction perpendicular to the paper transporting direction, that is, both side ends of the paper get on partition walls formed outside the dimples corresponding to the both side ends of the paper. Therefore, the both side ends of the paper readily curl up by the suction force of holes in the dimples corresponding to the both side ends, and there is fear that the both side ends are stained by contact with the recording head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to prevent curling-up and coming-up of the ends of the medium when the medium is transported.

In order to achieve the object, according to the first aspect of the invention, a medium transporting device comprising: a medium transporting surface having a plurality of suction holes on which a supplied medium is transported; wherein an area of the suction hole formed in a position at which an end of said medium which is transported is set larger than that of other suction holes formed on said medium transporting surface.

Further, a medium transporting device according to the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that each area of the suction holes formed in positions at which both side ends of said medium are transported is set larger than that of other suction holes. Hereby, since the amount of air flowing below the both side ends of the medium becomes large, the medium is transported in a state where its both side ends are attracted into the suction holes, so that it is possible to prevent the both side ends of the medium from being stained by contact with the recording head.

Further, a medium transporting device according to the third aspect of the invention is characterized in that an area ratio of said suction hole having a larger area with respect to said suction hole having a smaller area is 2 to 6.5. Hereby, it is possible to make large the amount of air flowing below the both side ends of the medium without reducing the suction force.

Further, a medium transporting device according to the fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that an area of the suction hole on a transportation downstream side on said medium transporting surface is larger than an area of the suction hole on a transportation upstream side. Hereby, since the amount of air flowing below the leading end of the medium becomes large, the medium is transported in a state where its leading end is attracted into the suction holes, so that it is possible to prevent the leading end of the medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head,

Further, a medium transporting device according to the fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that said suction holes are formed so that the areas become larger toward the transportation downstream side. Hereby, it is possible to make large the amount of air flowing below the leading end of the medium without reducing the suction force.

A medium transporting device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, comprising: a medium transporting surface having a plurality of suction holes on which a supplied medium is transported; wherein portions on said medium transporting surface at which both side ends of said medium pass are provided so that both side edges of said medium come downwards. Hereby, after the both side ends of the medium have come down, the medium is transported in this state. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is prevented that both side ends of the medium get on the partition walls formed outside the dimples (suction chambers) corresponding to the both side ends of the medium, and it is prevented that the both side ends of the paper curl up by the suction force of the holes (suction holes) in the dimples corresponding to the both side ends, so that it is possible to prevent the both side ends of the medium from being stained by contact with the recording head.

Further, a medium transporting device according to the seventh aspect on the invention is characterized in that said portions on the medium transporting surface are formed stepwise. Further, a medium transporting device according to the eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that said portions on said medium transporting surface are formed aslant. Hereby, the both side ends of the medium can come down surely. Further, a medium transporting device according to the ninth aspect of the invention is characterized in that said portions on the medium transporting surface are formed in a plural number correspondingly to predetermined sizes of said medium. Hereby, it is possible to prevent the medium of each size from being stained by the contact with the recording head. Further, a medium transporting device according to the tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that said portions on the medium transporting surface have recording material receiving members. Hereby, so-called frameless recording can be performed.

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid jet apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized by including a jetted material transporting device having the above each function of the medium transporting device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. Hereby, it is possible to provide the liquid jet apparatus taking the above each working effect.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus including the medium transporting device according to the twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized by including the medium transporting device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects. Hereby, it is possible to provide the recording apparatus taking the above each working effect.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1is a side view showing a recording medium transporting device that is one of medium transporting devices according to an embodiment of the invention. This recording medium transporting device100includes a suction unit110which sucks and holds a recording medium at the recording time, and a recording medium transporting unit150which transports the recording medium from the upstream side of the suction unit110to the downstream. The suction unit110is arranged below a recording head231for recording data on the recording medium, forming a recording medium transporting path L therebetween. Further, the suction unit110is formed in the shape of a hollow box having up-and-down two-stage structure comprising a suction part120of the upper stage and a suction force generating-part130of the lower stage.

A first embodiment of the suction part120will be described. The suction part120comprises a pressure reduction chamber121formed inside, plural suction chambers123which are formed on a recording medium transporting surface122in the shape of a rectangular recess that is long in the transporting direction of the recording medium, and plural suction holes124which have circular and smaller cross-section than the suction chambers123extending up and down so as to communicate these suction chambers123respectively with the pressure reduction chamber121.

The suction force generating part130is communicated with the pressure reduction chamber121of the suction part120through a communication hole131, and includes a pump132having a centrifugal fan inside. The pump132is attached in the predetermined position below the pressure reduction chamber121in a state where it communicates with the pressure reduction chamber121through the communication hole131, and the centrifugal fan turns at the recording time.

The recording medium transporting unit150comprising a feed roller151which feeds the recording medium between the recording head231and the suction unit110, a driven roller152which is brought into pressure-contact with this feed roller151from the upside, a discharge roller153which discharges the recording medium to the outside, and a spur roller154which is brought into contact with this discharge roller153from the upside. In case of the constitution in which the suction unit110can be moved in the discharge direction, the discharge roller153and the spur roller154may not be provided.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare plan view of the suction part120in the first embodiment and a sectional side view taken along a line IIB-IIB ofFIG. 2A. The suction chamber123is formed so that its short side has the predetermined length and its long side has the length leading from the neighborhood of an upstream end of the recording medium transporting surface122to the neighborhood of a downstream end. Namely, each suction chamber123extends in the transporting direction of the recording medium in succession, and the suction chambers123are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium with a partition wall therebetween.

The suction holes124are formed on the bottom surface of the suction chamber123in the transporting direction of the recording medium at the predetermined pitch. Namely, the suction holes124are formed for each suction chamber123in a row. Further, as a characteristic part of the invention, suction holes124R and124L formed in suction chambers123R and123L on which both ends of the recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium, that is, both side ends of the recording medium pass are formed so that their areas become larger than those of other suction holes124.

Under a state where the recording medium is stuck onto the recording medium transporting surface122by suction, the air flow is not produced below the recording medium. The magnitude of negative pressure (static pressure) in the pressure reduction chamber121is dominant over power for keeping this state (suction force in the close attachment state). On the other hand, under a state where the recording medium separates from the recording medium transporting surface122, the air flow is produced below the recording medium. By dynamic pressure loss caused by air flow between the lower surface of the recording medium and the recording medium transporting surface122, the recording medium is attracted on the recording medium transporting surface122.

In the invention, using this latter working, the both side ends of the recording medium curled upward are sucked and attracted onto the recording medium transporting surface122. The larger the amount of air flowing below the recording medium is, the greater an effect is. This large amount of air flow is obtained by making the area of the suction hole124large. However, in case that the areas of all the suction holes124are made large, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121becomes small because of the following reason, so that the suction force decreases. Namely, by the gross area of the suction holes124and the flow rate characteristics of the pump132, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121is determined.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing a relation among a negative pressure ΔP in the pressure reduction chamber121, the gross area ΣS of the suction holes124and a flow rate Q of the pump132, and characteristics of the negative pressure ΔP in the pressure reduction chamber121and the flow rate of the pump132. The negative pressure ΔP in the pressure reduction chamber121is represented by the following expression (1), on the basis of the gross area ΣS of the suction holes124and the flow rate Q of the pump132.
ΔP=ρ(Q/ΣS)2/2  (1)

Accordingly, an intersection of a graph of the expression (1) and a characteristic graph becomes the negative pressure ΔP in the pressure reduction chamber121determined by the suction holes124of the gross area ΣS at that time. For example, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121determined when the suction holes124of the gross area ΣS1are formed becomes ΔP1, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121determined when the suction holes124of the gross area ΣS2that is larger than the gross area ΣS1are formed becomes ΔP2that is smaller than the negative pressure ΔP1, and the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121determined when the suction holes124of the gross area ΣS3that is larger than the gross area ΣS2are formed becomes ΔP3that is smaller than the negative pressure ΔP2. Namely, as the gross area ΣS of the suction holes12increases, the negative pressure ΔP in the pressure reduction chamber121, that is, the suction force decreases. Therefore, in this case, it is important to make larger only the suction holes124R and124L formed in the most necessary portions through which the both side ends of the recording medium pass than other suction holes124.

Hereby, since the gross area of the suction holes124can be made small, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121can be made large. Therefore, it is possible to dynamically suck the recording medium of which both side ends curl upward, and particularly the recording medium that is high in rigidity and to attract it readily. Here, it is preferable that the area ratio of the suction holes124R and124L formed in the portions through which both side ends of the recording medium pass to the other suction holes124is 2 to 6.5. For example, when the suction holes124R and124L formed in the portions through which both side ends of the recording medium pass are formed with the area φ5, the other suction holes124are formed with the area φ3.5to φ2.

As described above, the suction opening is composed of the suction holes124and the suction chamber123, and further the suction hole124is formed into the through-hole having the small diameter, whereby coefficient of utilization of the negative pressure which can be utilized in relation to the characteristic of the pump132is heightened. Further, the suction chamber123is formed as the nearly rectangular recess that is larger in area than the suction hole124, whereby the great suction force can be generated in relation to the recording medium. Further, the suction holes are formed so that the suction holes124R and124L formed in the suction chambers123R and123L of the portions on which both side ends of the recording medium pass are larger in area than the other suction holes124. Therefore, the both side ends of the recording medium are kept attracted into the suction holes124R and124L and transported. Accordingly, since it is prevented that the both side ends of the medium are curled up unlike the related art, it is possible to prevent the stain on the medium caused by contact with the recording head231.

The thus constructed recording medium transporting device100operates as follows: The feed roller151rotates and feeds the recording medium between the recording head231and the suction unit110. On the other hand, the pump132operates and applies the suction force through the communication hole131and the pressure reduction chamber121to the suction hole124and the suction chamber123. Hereby, the recording medium is transported in a state where it is sucked on the recording medium transporting surface122. Simultaneously, the recording head231, moving in a main scanning direction above the recording medium, ejects an ink droplet on the recording medium to perform recording.

At this time, the both side ends of the recording medium are kept attracted into the suction holes124R and124L and transported. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by curling-up of the both side ends of the recording medium. Next, the discharge roller153rotates and discharges the recording medium on which recording has been completed to the outside.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of an ink jet printer as a recording apparatus provided with the above recording medium transporting device100, andFIGS. 5 to 7are a plan view, a front view, and a side view which show a main part of the ink jet printer. This ink jet printer200comprises an automatic supply feeding (ASF) unit220aslant attached to the backward upper portion of a printer body210, a recording part230included in the printer body210, and the recording medium transporting device100. As a recording medium, paper for the ink jet printer200, plain paper, an OHP film, tracing paper, and a post cart can be used.

The ASF unit220comprises a tray221in which paper1is housed, and a supply roller222which pulls out the paper1from this tray221and supplies it. The recording part230comprises a carriage233on which a recording head231and an ink cartridge232are mounted, and a DC motor235which moves this carriage233along a guide shaft234arranged in the main scanning direction. The recording head231has a nozzle array comprising plural nozzles, for example, ninety-six nozzles for each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, dark yellow, and black.

The recording medium transporting device100includes the suction unit110comprising the suction part120of the upper stage which sucks and holds the recording medium at the recording time and the suction force generating part130of the lower stage, and the recording medium transporting unit150which transports the recording medium from the upstream side of the suction unit110to the downstream. The suction part120comprises the pressure reduction chamber121formed inside, the plural suction chambers123which are formed on the recording medium transporting surface122in the shape of a rectangular recess that is long in the transporting direction of the recording medium, and the plural suction holes124which communicate these suction chambers123respectively with the pressure reduction chamber121.

The suction holes124R and124L formed in the suction chambers123R and123L of the portions on the recording medium transporting surface122through which both ends of the recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium, that is, both side ends of the recording medium pass are formed so that their areas become larger than those of the other suction holes124. These suction holes124R and124L, correspondingly to each size of the recording medium, for example, B5 size, A4 size, B4 size and A3 size by JIS, are formed, and the number of them is plural. Hereby, it is possible to prevent the stain on the medium of each size caused by contact with the recording head231.

As described foregoing, the recording medium transporting unit150includes the feed roller151which feeds the recording medium between the recording head231and the suction unit110, and the driven roller152which is brought into pressure-contact with this feed roller151from the upside. This ink jet printer200has the suction unit110which can move in the discharge direction and is not provided with the discharge roller153which discharges the recording medium to the outside and the spur roller154brought into contact with the discharge roller153from the upside as shown inFIG. 1. However, the ink jet printer having the discharge roller153and the spur roller154may be used.

The thus constructed ink jet printer200operates as follows. When a recording instruction on the paper1housed in the tray221is input from a not-shown host computer, the supply roller222rotates and picks up the paper housed in the tray221one by one to supply it. Further, the feed roller152rotates and feeds the paper1between the recording head231and the suction unit110.

On the other hand, the pump132operates, and applies the suction force through the communication hole131and the pressure reduction chamber121to the suction hole124and the suction chamber123. Hereby, the paper1is transported in the state where it is sucked on the recording medium transporting surface122. Simultaneously, the DC motor operates, and moves the carriage233through a timing belt along the guide shaft234. At this time, the recording head231ejects ink of each color supplied from the ink cartridge232as a minute ink droplet on the paper1from all or a part of the plural nozzles according to recording data thereby to record the data. Since the both side ends of the recording medium, kept attracted into the suction holes124R and124L, are transported, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by curling-up of the both side ends of the recording medium. Next, the discharge roller153rotates and discharges the paper1on which recording has been completed from a discharge outlet201to the outside.

As described above, since the both side ends of the recording medium, kept attracted into the suction holes124R and124L, are transported, it is possible to bring the recording head231nearer to the recording medium, and recording accuracy can be further improved. In the first embodiment, though the suction chamber123is formed into the rectangular recess that is long in the transporting direction of the recording medium, also in case that it is formed in the shape of grid like the related art, the similar effect can be obtained. Further, also in case that a suction unit which has only the suction hole124without having the suction chamber123is used, the similar effect can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the suction part120will be described.

FIGS. 8A,8B and8C are a plan view, a sectional side view taken along a line VIIIB-VIIIB ofFIG. 8A, and a sectional side view taken along a line VIIIC-VIIIC ofFIG. 8A, which show a second embodiment of the suction part. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. A suction chamber123is formed so that its short side has the predetermined length and its long side has the length leading from the neighborhood of an upstream end of the recording medium transporting surface122to the neighborhood of a downstream end. Namely, each suction chamber123extends in the transporting direction of the recording medium in succession, and in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium, the suction chambers123are arranged with a partition wall125between.

As the characteristics of the embodiment, on the transportation downstream side of the recording medium, the suction hole124having which is larger in area is formed. Specifically, the suction holes124are formed so that their areas increase toward the transportation downstream side of the recording medium.

Under a state where the recording medium is stuck onto the recording medium transporting surface122by suction, the air flow is not produced below the recording medium. The magnitude of negative pressure (static pressure) in the pressure reduction chamber121is dominant over power for keeping this state (suction force in the close attachment state). On the other hand, under a state where the recording medium separates from the recording medium transporting surface122, the air flow is produced below the recording medium. By dynamic pressure loss caused by air flow between the lower surface of the recording medium and the recording medium transporting surface122, the recording medium is attracted on the recording medium transporting surface122.

In the invention, as described above, the larger the amount of air flowing below the recording medium is, the greater an effect is. This large amount of air flow is obtained by making the area of the suction hole124large.

However, in case that the areas of all the suction holes124are made large, the negative pressure in a pressure reduction chamber121becomes small as described above, whereby the suction force decreases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the areas of the suction holes toward the transportation downstream of the recording medium are increased. Hereby, since the gross area of the suction holes124can be made small, the negative pressure in the pressure reduction chamber121can be made large. Therefore, it is possible to dynamically suck the recording medium of which leading end curls upward, and particularly the recording medium that is high in rigidity and to attract it readily.

As described above, the suction opening is composed of the suction hole124and the suction chamber123, and further the suction hole124is formed into the through-hole having the small diameter, whereby coefficient of utilization of the negative pressure which can be utilized in relation to the characteristic of the pump132is heightened. Further, the suction chamber123is formed as the nearly rectangular recess that is larger in area than the suction hole124, whereby the great suction force can be generated in relation to the recording medium. Further, the areas of the suction holes124increase toward the transportation downstream side of the recording medium. Therefore, the leading end of the recording medium is, even in case that the recording medium advance, kept attracted into the suction holes124and transported. Accordingly, unlike the related art, it is possible to prevent the stain on the medium by contact with the recording head231caused by coming-up of the leading end of the recording medium.

The thus constructed recording medium transporting device100operates as follows: Similarly to the first embodiment, the feed roller151rotates and feeds the recording medium between the recording head231and the suction unit110. On the other hand, the pump132operates and applies the suction force through the communication hole131and the pressure reduction chamber121to the suction hole124and the suction chamber123. Hereby, the recording medium is transported in a state where it is sucked on the recording medium transporting surface122. Simultaneously, the recording head231, moving in a main scanning direction above the recording medium, ejects an ink droplet on the recording medium to perform recording.

In this embodiment, the leading end of the recording medium is, kept attracted into the suction holes124, transported. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by coming-up of the leading end of the recording medium. Next, the discharge roller153rotates and discharges the recording medium on which recording has been completed to the outside.

FIG. 9is a plan view showing a main portion of an ink jet printer having the suction part120in the second embodiment, in which the same components as those inFIG. 5are denoted by the same reference numerals. The suction holes124are formed throughout the entire surface of the recording medium transporting surface122so that their areas gradually increase toward the transportation downstream side of the recording medium. Hereby, it is possible to prevent the recording medium of each size from being stained by the contact with the recording head231. The leading end of the recording medium, kept attracted into the suction holes124, is transported. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by coming-up of the leading end of the recording medium.

As described above, since the leading end of the recording medium, kept attracted into the suction holes124, is transported, it is possible to bring the recording head231nearer to the recording medium, and recording accuracy can be further improved. In the second embodiment, though the suction chamber123is formed into the rectangular recess that is long in the transporting direction of the recording medium, also in case that it is formed in the shape of grid like the related art, the similar effect can be obtained. Further, also in case that the suction unit which has only the suction hole124without having the suction chamber123is used, the similar effect can be obtained.

Next, a third embodiment of the suction part120will be described.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare a plan view and a sectional side view taken along a line XB-XB ofFIG. 10A, which show the third embodiment of the suction part120. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As the characteristics of the embodiment, at portions on the medium transporting surface122, on which the both ends of the recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium, that is, the both side ends of the medium pass, escape parts126R and126L are formed, from which the both side ends of the recording medium can come down and be escaped. This escape part126R,126L, so that the both side ends of the recording medium can come down and be escaped in the escape parts, is formed lower than the recording medium transporting surface122. For example, it may be formed into a stepwise surface.

In the example shown inFIG. 10, the stepwise escape parts126R and126L are formed. A partition wall125arranged on the right side of the right-end suction chamber123R corresponding to the right end of the recording medium is removed, and only the recess of the suction chamber123R is intactly extended up to the right end of the recording medium transporting surface122thereby to form the escape part126R. Further, a partition wall125arranged on the left side of the left-end suction chamber123L corresponding to the left end of the recording medium is removed, and only the recess of the suction chamber123L is intactly extended up to the suction chamber123which was located in the left neighborhood of that removed partition wall125thereby to form the escape part126L.

Here, since the both side ends of the recording medium come down in the escape parts126R and126L, only the part of the escape parts126R and126L is covered with the recording medium. Therefore, there is fear of badness of absorption-transportation of the recording medium due to lowering of the suction force. However, on the lower surfaces of the both side ends of the recording medium, negative pressure is produced by dynamic pressure loss caused by air flow between the lower surfaces of the both side ends of the recording medium and the bottom surfaces of the suction chambers123R,123L due to the suction holes124R and124L in the suction chambers123R and123L corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium and by dynamic pressure loss of the suction holes124R and124L themselves. Therefore, it is possible to suck the both side ends of the recording medium stably and transport the recording medium.

Hereby, as shown inFIG. 11A, the both side ends PR and PL of the recording medium P, after come down, are transported in that state. Therefore, unlike the related art, the both side ends PR and PL do not get on the partition walls formed outside the dimples (suction chambers) corresponding to the both side ends, and it is prevented that the both side ends PR and PL curl up by the suction force of the holes (suction holes) in the dimples corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium, so that the stain on the recording medium due to the contact with the recording head231can be prevented.

Further, as the example of the escape part126R,126L, the stepwise surface is taken. As long as the escape part is formed lower than the recording medium transporting surface122so that the both side ends of the recording medium can come down and be escaped, it may be formed into any shape, for example, a slant surface.FIG. 11Bshows escape part127R,127L of the slant surface, in which the partition wall125arranged on the right side of the right-end suction chamber123R corresponding to the right end of the recording medium is removed, and the bottom surface of the suction chamber123R is inclined and intactly extended up to the right end of the recording medium transporting surface122thereby to form the escape part127R. Further, the partition wall125arranged on the left side of the left-end suction chamber123L corresponding to the left end of the recording medium is removed, and the bottom surface of the suction chamber123L is inclined and intactly extended up to the suction chamber123which was located in the left neighborhood of that removed partition wall125thereby to form the escape part127L.

Also in this case, since the both side ends of the recording medium come down in the escape parts127R and127L, only the part of the escape parts127R and127L is covered with the recording medium. Therefore, there is fear of badness of absorption-transportation of the recording medium due to lowering of the suction force. However, on the lower surfaces of the both side ends of the recording medium, negative pressure is produced by dynamic pressure loss caused by air flow between the lower surfaces of the both side ends of the recording medium and the bottom surfaces of the suction chambers123R,123L due to the suction holes124R and124L in the suction chambers123R and123L corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium and by dynamic pressure loss of the suction holes124R and124L themselves. Therefore, it is possible to suck the both side ends of the recording medium stably and transport the recording medium. Further, the distance between the slant escape parts127R,127L and the both side ends of the recording medium becomes larger than the distance between the stepwise escape parts and the both side ends of the recording medium. Therefore, also in case that the both side ends of the recording medium come down greatly, the contact with the recording head can be prevented. In result, the both side ends of the recording medium can be more stably sucked and transported.

Hereby, as shown inFIG. 11B, the both side ends PR and PL of the recording medium P, after come down, are transported in that state. Therefore, unlike the related art, the both side ends PR and PL do not get on the partition walls formed outside the dimples (suction chambers) corresponding to the both side ends, and it is prevented that the both side ends PR and PL curl up by the suction force of the holes (suction holes) in the dimples corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium, so that the stain on the recording medium due to the contact with the recording head231can be further prevented. Further, as shown inFIG. 1C, an ink receiving part in which an ink absorber128such as a sponge which receives and absorbs the ejected ink droplets is embedded may be arranged at the portion of the escape part126R,126L. Hereby, so-called frameless recording which makes possible recording on the whole surface of the recording medium can be performed.

As described above, the suction opening is composed of the suction hole124and the suction chamber123, and further the suction hole124is formed into the through-hole having the small diameter, whereby coefficient of utilization of the negative pressure which can be utilized in relation to the characteristic of the pump132is heightened. Further, the suction chamber123is formed as the nearly rectangular recess that is larger in area than the suction hole124, whereby the great suction force can be generated in relation to the recording medium. Further, since the partition walls125arranged outside the suction chambers123R and123L corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium are removed thereby to form the escape parts126R,126L,127R and127L, the both side ends of the recording medium, after come down in the suction chambers123R and123L, are transported in that state. Therefore, unlike the related art, the both side ends of the recording medium do not curl up, so that the stain on the recording medium due to the contact with the recording head231can be prevented.

At this time, the both side ends of the recording medium, after come down in the suction chambers123R and123L, are transported in that state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by curling-up of the both side ends of the recording medium.

FIG. 12is a plan view showing a main portion of an ink jet printer having the suction part120of the third embodiment, in which the same components as those inFIG. 5are denoted by the same reference numerals. At portions of the medium transporting surface, on which the both ends of the recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the recording medium, that is, the both side ends of the recording medium pass, the escape parts126R and126L that are stepwise surface are formed, from which the both side ends of the recording medium can come down and be escaped. These escape parts126R and126L are formed according to each of the recording medium, for example B5 size, A4 size, and B4 size by JIS, and the number of them are plural. Hereby, the stain on the recording medium of each size by the contact with the recording head231can be prevented. The both side end of the recording medium, after come down in the suction chambers123R and123L, are transported in that state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being stained by the contact with the recording head231caused by curling-up of the both side ends of the recording medium.

As described above, the both side ends of the recording medium, after come down, are transported in that state. Therefore, unlike the related art, the both side ends of the medium do not get on the partition walls formed outside the dimples (suction chambers) corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium, and it is prevented that the both side ends curl up by the suction force of the holes (suction holes) in the dimples corresponding to the both side ends of the recording medium, so that it is possible to bring the recording head231nearer to the recording medium, and recording accuracy can be further improved.

In the third embodiment, though the suction chamber123is formed into the rectangular recess that is long in the transporting direction of the recording medium, also in case that it is formed in the shape of grid like the related art, the similar effect can be obtained. Further, also in case that a suction unit which has only the suction hole124without having the suction chamber123is used, the similar effect can be obtained. Further, in the above embodiment, the invention is applied to the recording apparatus having the recording medium transporting device. However, also in case that the invention is applied to a liquid jet apparatus having a jetted material transporting device, including, for example, an ink jet printer, the similar effect can be obtained.