Patent Publication Number: US-9895907-B2

Title: Inkjet printer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 371 application of the international PCT application serial no. PCT/JP2015/061147, filed on Apr. 9, 2015, which claims the priority benefits of Japan application no. JP 2014-080101, filed on Apr. 9, 2014. The entirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an inkjet printer for performing printing on print media. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As an inkjet printer of the related art, there has been known an inkjet printer which has an inkjet head for ejecting ink drops toward a print medium, a platen configured to have a groove formed at a position facing the inkjet head and support the print medium, a medium conveyer for conveying the print medium supported by the platen, and an air suction device for sucking air from the inside of the groove of the platen (see Patent Literature 1). The platen of this inkjet printer is for supporting a print medium disposed between the inkjet head and the groove. 
     The inkjet printer of the related art can perform printing on mesh-like print media (hereinafter, referred to as mesh media) such as fabrics. In the inkjet printer of the related art, a portion of ink drops ejected from the inkjet head toward a mesh medium adheres to a surface of the mesh medium, thereby forming a print image on the surface of the mesh medium. However, the other portion of the ink drops oozes out of the rear surface side of the mesh medium, that is, the opposite side of the mesh medium to the inkjet head side, through the mesh medium. In a case where the inkjet printer of the related art performs printing on a mesh medium, ink which is a portion of ink drops ejected from the inkjet head and oozes out of the mesh medium is collected in the groove of the platen. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink ejected from the inkjet head and oozing out of the mesh medium from staining the mesh medium. Also, in a case where the inkjet printer of the related art performs printing on a mesh medium, air is sucked from the inside of the groove of the platen by the air suction device, whereby ink drops ejected from the inkjet head are sucked toward the groove of the platen through the mesh medium. Therefore, it is possible to suppress wind pressure exerted by scanning of the inkjet head from causing the flight routes of ink drops to be curved or causing ink drops to be dispersed into a fine mist. Therefore, the inkjet printer of the related art can perform high-quality printing on mesh media. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2007-168206 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     However, the inkjet printer of the related art has the groove formed at the position facing the inkjet head. Therefore, even in a case of performing printing on a print medium which is not a mesh-like medium (hereinafter, referred to as a non-mesh medium) such as paper, at the position facing the inkjet head, the non-mesh medium is not directly supported from the opposite side to the inkjet head side. For this reason, the inkjet printer of the related art cannot keep the distance between the inkjet head and the non-mesh medium at the position facing the inkjet head, within a specific range. Therefore, in order to prevent contact between the inkjet head and the non-mesh medium, it is required to space the inkjet head sufficiently far from the non-mesh medium. In a case where the inkjet head is sufficiently far from the non-mesh medium, it is difficult to attach ink drops to the non-mesh medium with high accuracy. Therefore, the inkjet printer of the related art has a problem that the quality of printing on non-mesh media is not high. 
     With respect to the inkjet printer of the related art, in order to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media, it can be considered to provide a lid configured to detachably cover the opening of the groove of the platen so as to support a non-mesh medium by its surface. In other words, the inkjet printer of the related art needs only to be modified to perform printing on mesh media in a state where the lid has been detached from the platen and perform printing on non-mesh media in a state where the lid has been attached to the platen. 
     However, in a case where the inkjet printer having the lid attachable to and detachable from the platen performs printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid has been attached to the platen, there is a probability that the non-mesh medium is waved or curls, whereby the non-mesh medium rises from the lid. However, spacing the inkjet head sufficiently far from the non-mesh medium in order to prevent contact between the inkjet head and the non-mesh medium due to such rising deteriorates the quality of printing on the non-mesh medium as described above. Therefore, in order to prevent a non-mesh medium from rising from the lid in a case where the inkjet printer having the lid attachable to and detachable from the platen performs printing on the non-mesh medium in a state where the lid has been attached to the platen, it is required to suck and hold the non-mesh medium by the lid. 
     Also, in a case where only one lid attachable to and detachable from the platen is provided to the inkjet printer, as compared to a configuration in which a plurality of lids is provided and a step between lids can be generated, since it is possible to keep the surface flatness of the entire lid within a specific range, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on non-mesh media. 
     Meanwhile, recently, with respect to inkjet printers, with diversification of their applications and print media, growth in size has been proceeding at a rapid rate. Therefore, in a case where only one lid attachable to and detachable from a platen is provided to a large-sized inkjet printer, since the width of the lid is longer than the arm span of a user and is, for example, 3.2 m, there is a probability that a case where it is difficult for the user to attach or detach the lid alone occurs. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet printer capable of making it easy for a user to attach or detach an attachable and detachable lid for making it possible to high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also non-mesh media. 
     Solution to Problem 
     An inkjet printer of the present invention is an inkjet printer for performing printing a print medium which includes an inkjet head configured to eject ink drops toward a print medium, a platen configured to have a groove formed at a position facing the inkjet head, and support the print medium, a medium conveyer configured to convey the print medium supported on the platen, an air suction device configured to suck air from the inside of the groove, a lid configured to be attachable to and detachable from the platen, and cover an opening of the groove and support the print medium by its surface when attached to the platen, a storage part for storing the lid detached from the platen, and a guide mechanism configured to guide movement of the lid between the platen and the storage part, wherein the lid has a plurality of through-holes formed in the surface for allowing air to pass therein from the outside of the groove toward the inside of the groove in a case where air is sucked from the inside of the groove by the suction device in a state where the lid has been attached to the platen. 
     According to this configuration, since the inkjet printer of the present invention guides movement of the lid between the platen to which the attachable and detachable lid for making it possible to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media is attached, and the storage part for storing the lid detached from the platen, it is possible to make it easy for a user to attach and detach the lid. 
     Also, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, the guide mechanism may be a link mechanism. 
     According to this configuration, since the guide mechanism can be implemented by a simple configuration as compared to a configuration in which the guide mechanism is a mechanical mechanism other than the link mechanism, the size of the inkjet printer of the present invention does not increase. 
     Also, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, the link mechanism may have a pair of links supported so as to be rotatable around a shaft perpendicular to their extension direction and disposed in parallel to each other with the lid interposed therebetween, and the pair of links may have long holes formed so as to face each other, and the lid may have shaft parts formed on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the links and to be inserted into the long holes so as to be rotatable, and the shaft parts may be slidable along the long holes. 
     According to this configuration, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, since the shaft parts of the lid are slidable along the long holes of the links with respect to the links, it is possible to provide the storage part in the vicinity of the platen, as compared to a configuration in which the shaft parts of the lid are not slidable with respect to the links. Therefore, the size of the inkjet printer of the present invention does not increase. 
     Also, the lid may be the only lid which the inkjet printer of the present invention has. 
     According to this configuration, in a case where the inkjet printer of the present invention performs printing on a non-mesh medium in a state where the lid has been attached to the platen, as compared to a configuration in which a plurality of lids is provided and a gap between lids can be formed, since it is possible to uniformize the suction state of the non-mesh medium through the through-holes of the lid, over the entire lid, regardless of place, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on the non-mesh medium. Also, in a case where the inkjet printer of the present invention performs printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid has been attached to the platen, as compared to a configuration in which a plurality of lids is provided and a step between lids can be generated, since it is possible to keep the surface flatness of the entire lid within a specific range, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on the non-mesh medium. Especially, in a case where the inkjet printer of the present invention is a large-sized printer, although the only one lid provided becomes large and heavy, since it is possible to easily guide an operation of attaching the lid stored in the storage part to the platen, and an operation of storing the lid detached from the platen in the storage part, by the guide mechanism, the advantage which is obtained that the inkjet printer has the guide mechanism is great. 
     Also, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, the inkjet head may be disposed on the upper side in a vertical direction with respect to a conveyance path of the print medium by the medium conveyer, and the storage part may be disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction with respect to the conveyance path. 
     In an inkjet printer, a space on the lower side in a vertical direction where any inkjet head does not exist may be empty. In the inkjet printer of the present invention, since the lid detached from the platen is stored in a space on the lower side in the vertical direction, whereby it is possible to effectively use the space on the lower side in the vertical direction, the size does not increase as compared to a configuration in which the lid detached from the platen is stored in a space on the upper side in the vertical direction where the inkjet heads exist. 
     Also, the inkjet printer of the present invention may include an attachment/detachment state detector configured to detect the attachment/detachment state of the lid relative to the platen. Further, in a case where it is detected by the attachment/detachment state detector that the lid has been attached to the platen, the air suction device may suck air from the inside of the groove with a stronger suction force as compared to a case where it is detected by the attachment/detachment state detector that the lid has been detached from the platen. 
     According to this configuration, in a case of performing printing on a mesh medium in the state where the lid has been detached from the platen, since the inkjet printer of the present invention sucks air from the inside of the groove of the platen with a weaker suction force by the air suction device, as compared to a case of performing printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid has been attached to the platen, it is possible to suppress the mesh medium from greatly bending toward the groove of the platen. Therefore, the inkjet printer of the present invention can perform high-quality printing on the mesh medium. Also, in a case of performing printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid has been attached to the platen, the inkjet printer of the present invention sucks air from the inside of the groove of the platen with a stronger suction force as compared to a case of performing printing on a mesh medium in the state where the lid has been detached from the platen. Therefore, it is possible to improve a function of suppressing rising of non-mesh media from the lid. Therefore, the inkjet printer of the present invention can perform high-quality printing on the non-mesh medium. In other words, since the inkjet printer of the present invention sucks air from the inside of the groove of the platen with appropriate suction forces for mesh media and non-mesh media by the air suction device, it is possible to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The inkjet printer of the present invention can make it easier for a user to attach or detach an attachable and detachable lid for making it possible to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also non-mesh media. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the external appearance of an inkjet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of the inkjet printer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of an area including a platen shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a lid and a link mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the inkjet printer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of an operation of the inkjet printer shown in  FIG. 1  in a case of driving an air blowing unit. 
         FIG. 7( a )  is a view illustrating a first process in a case of detaching the lid from the platen.  FIG. 7( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 7( a ) . 
         FIG. 8( a )  is a view illustrating a second process in the case of detaching the lid from the platen.  FIG. 8( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 8( a ) . 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an example different from an example shown in  FIG. 8( b )  as a lid storage state. 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating an example different from an example shown in  FIG. 2  as a configuration for collecting ink having dropped into a groove of the platen. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portion of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12 ( a )  is a view illustrating a first process in a case of detaching lids from a platen shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 12( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 12( a ) . 
         FIG. 13( a )  is a view illustrating a second process in the case of detaching the lids from the platen.  FIG. 13( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 13( a ) . 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a third process in the case of detaching the lids from the platen. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. 
     (First Embodiment) 
     First, the configuration of an inkjet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the external appearance of an inkjet printer  10  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of the inkjet printer  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the inkjet printer  10  includes a supporting part  11 , an unwinding roller  12 , a winding roller  13 , a grid roller  14 , a pinch roller  15 , a tension bar  16 , a tension bar  17 , a rotation support unit  18 , and a rotation support unit  19 . 
     The supporting part  11  is installed on a floor. The unwinding roller  12  is for winding a print medium  90  before printing and unwinding the print medium  90 . The winding roller  13  is for winding the print medium  90  after printing. The grid roller  14  is a medium conveyer for conveying the print medium  90  from the unwinding roller  12  toward the winding roller  13 . The pinch roller  15  nips the print medium  90  together with the grid roller  14 . The tension bar  16  applies a tension to the print medium  90  at a position between the unwinding roller  12  and the grid roller  14 . The tension bar  17  applies a tension to the print medium  90  at a position between the winding roller  13  and the grid roller  14 . The rotation support unit  18  is supported on the supporting part  11  so as to be rotatable around a shaft  18   a  extending in a main scan direction shown by an arrow  10   a , and supports the tension bar  16  such that the tension bar is rotatable. The rotation support unit  19  is supported on the supporting part  11  so as to be rotatable around a shaft  19   a  extending in the main scan direction, and supports the tension bar  17  such that the tension bar is rotatable. 
     The unwinding roller  12  and the winding roller  13  extend in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , and are supported on the supporting part  11  so as to be rotatable. 
     The grid roller  14  and the pinch roller  15  extend in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , and are supported so as to be rotatable. 
     The tension bar  16  and the tension bar  17  extend in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a.    
       FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of an area including a platen  31  to be described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the inkjet printer  10  includes a guide rail  21  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , a carriage  22  supported on the guide rail  21  so as to be movable in the main scan direction, a plurality of inkjet heads  23  mounted on the carriage  22  and configured to eject ink drops toward the print medium  90 , and a case  24  for covering the guide rail  21 , the carriage  22 , and the inkjet heads  23 . 
     The inkjet heads  23  are disposed above a conveyance path of the print medium  90  by the grid roller  14 , in a vertical direction shown by an arrow  10   c  and perpendicular to both of the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  and a sub scan direction shown by an arrow  10   b  and perpendicular to the main scan direction. 
     The case  24  has an opening/closing part  24   a  which is openable and closable. The opening/closing part  24   a  can be opened and closed around a shaft  24   b  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the inkjet printer  10  includes the platen  31 , an ink storage part  32 , an air blowing unit  33 , a filter  34 , an upstream-side supporting part  35 , a downstream-side supporting part  36 , and an after-heater  37 . 
     The platen  31  has a groove  31   a  formed at a position facing the inkjet heads  23 , and supports the print medium  90 . The ink storage part  32  collects ink having dropped into the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . The air blowing unit  33  is an air suction device for sucking air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 , such as a fan or a blower. The filter  34  is installed in the ink storage part  32  and prevents ink from entering the air blowing unit  33 . The upstream-side supporting part  35  is positioned on the upstream side from the platen  31  in the conveyance direction of the print medium  90  from the unwinding roller  12  toward the winding roller  13 , and supports the print medium  90 . The downstream-side supporting part  36  is positioned on the downstream side from the platen  31  in the conveyance direction of the print medium  90  from the unwinding roller  12  toward the winding roller  13 , and supports the print medium  90 . The after-heater  37  is disposed inside the downstream-side supporting part  36 , and dries ink on the print medium  90  supported on the downstream-side supporting part  36 . 
     The platen  31  supports the print medium  90  which is conveyed in the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b  by the grid roller  14 . The platen  31  is for supporting a part of the print medium  90  disposed between the inkjet heads  23  and the groove  31   a.    
     The formation direction of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the print medium  90  which is positioned above the groove  31   a  in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c.    
     The downstream-side supporting part  36  has an opening/closing part  36   a  which is openable and closable. The opening/closing part  36   a  can be opened and closed around a shaft  36   b  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a . Also, although not shown, the after-heater  37  can be installed on the opening/closing part  36   a.    
     The inkjet printer  10  has a lid  41  attachable to and detachable from the platen  31 . The lid  41  is configured to cover an opening  31   b  of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  so as to support the print medium  90  by its surface  41   a  when attached to the platen  31 . 
     Also, the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  needs to be sealed so as to be airtight to a certain extent by the lid  41  in a case where the lid  41  is covering the opening  31   b.    
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the lid  41  and a link mechanism  50  to be described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the lid  41  has a plurality of suction holes  41   b  formed in the surface  41   a . The lid  41  has shaft parts  41   c  positioned on both sides in the main scan direction and extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a . The suction holes  41   b  are through-holes for allowing air to pass therein from the outside of the groove  31   a  toward the inside of the groove  31   a  in a case where air is sucked from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  by the air blowing unit  33  (see  FIG. 2 ) in a state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the inkjet printer  10  has a storage part  42  for storing the lid  41  detached from the platen  31 . The storage part  42  is disposed below the conveyance path of the print medium  90  by the grid roller  14 , in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c . The storage part  42  has a mounting rack  42   a  where the lid  41  can be mounted. The mounting rack  42   a  is supported by a member (not shown) so as not to move in any direction of the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b , and the vertical direction, with respect to the downstream-side supporting part  36 . 
     The inkjet printer  10  has the link mechanism  50  as a guide mechanism for guiding movement of the lid  41  between the platen  31  and the storage part  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the link mechanism  50  has a pair of links  51  disposed so as to be parallel to each other with the lid  41  interposed therebetween. 
     The links  51  have shafts  51   a  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  and perpendicular to the extension direction of the links  51 . The shafts  51   a  are rotatably supported by a member (not shown) so as not to move in any direction of the main scan direction, the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b , and the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c , with respect to the downstream-side supporting part  36 . 
     The pair of links  51  have long holes  51   b  facing each other. The shaft parts  41   c  of the lid  41  are inserted into the long holes  51   b  of the links  51 , and are rotatable inside the long holes  51   b , and are slidable along the long holes  51   b.    
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the inkjet printer  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inkjet printer  10  includes an operation unit  61 , a display unit  62 , a communication unit  63 , the above-described inkjet heads  23 , a carriage driving device  64 , a unwinding-roller driving device  65 , a winding-roller driving device  66 , a grid-roller driving device  67 , the above-described air blowing unit  33 , an attachment/detachment state detector  69 , a storage unit  70 , and a control unit  71 . 
     The operation unit  61  is an input device of buttons and the like on which various operations can be input. The display unit  62  is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a variety of information. The communication unit  63  is a communication device for performing communication with external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer). The carriage driving device  64  moves the carriage  22  (see  FIG. 1 ) in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  (see  FIG. 1 ) along the guide rail  21  (see  FIG. 1 ). The unwinding-roller driving device  65  rotates the unwinding roller  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). The winding-roller driving device  66  rotates the winding roller  13  (see  FIG. 1 ). The grid-roller driving device  67  rotates the grid roller  14  (see  FIG. 2 ). The attachment/detachment state detector  69  detects the attachment/detachment state of the lid  41  (see  FIG. 2 ) related to the platen  31  (see  FIG. 2 ). The storage unit  70  is a storage device for storing a variety of data, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The control unit  71  controls the whole of the inkjet printer  10 . 
     The attachment/detachment state detector  69  may have any configuration as long as it can detect the attachment/detachment state of the lid  41  related to the platen  31 . For example, the attachment/detachment state detector  69  may be a contact-type sensor which comes into contact with the lid  41  in a case where the lid  41  is attached to the platen  31 , and may be a contactless sensor for detecting the lid  41  attached to the platen  31 , such as an optical sensor. 
     The control unit  71  has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) retaining programs and a variety of data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) usable as a work area of the CPU. The CPU is configured to sequentially read out and execute programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit  70 . 
     The control unit  71  controls the carriage driving device  64  such that the carriage driving device moves the carriage  22  in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  along the guide rail  21 , thereby relatively moving the inkjet heads  23  mounted on the carriage  22 , in the main scan direction with respect to the print medium  90 . At this time, the control unit  71  ejects ink drops toward the print medium  90  by the inkjet heads  23 , thereby performing printing in the main scan direction. Further, whenever printing in the main scan direction finishes, the control unit  71  controls the grid-roller driving device  67  such that the grid-roller driving device rotates the grid roller  14 , thereby moving the print medium  90  nipped by the grid roller  14  and the pinch roller  15  (see  FIG. 3 ) in the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In other words, the control unit  71  moves the print medium  90  in the sub scan direction, thereby relatively changing the printing position of the print medium  90  relative to the inkjet heads  23  in the sub scan direction. 
     Then, the control unit  71  re-performs printing in the main scan direction, on the new printing position in the sub scan direction. As described above, the print medium  90  is conveyed in the sub scan direction with respect to the inkjet heads  23  by a predetermined amount for each conveyance time, whereby printing passes are configured. Also, in response to conveyance of the print medium  90  by the grid-roller driving device  67 , the control unit  71  controls the unwinding-roller driving device  65  at a predetermined timing, such that the unwinding-roller driving device rotates the unwinding roller  12 , whereby the print medium  90  to be conveyed by the grid roller  14  is unwound from the unwinding roller  12 . Also, in response to conveyance of the print medium  90  by the grid-roller driving device  67 , the control unit  71  controls the winding-roller driving device  66  at a predetermined timing, such that the winding-roller driving device rotates the winding roller  13 , whereby the print medium  90  subjected to printing by the inkjet heads  23  is wounded around the winding roller  13 . 
     Now, an operation of the inkjet printer  10  will be described. 
     If the control unit  71  of the inkjet printer  10  receives print data transmitted from the outside through the communication unit  63 , it controls the inkjet heads  23 , the carriage driving device  64 , the unwinding-roller driving device  65 , the winding-roller driving device  66 , and the grid-roller driving device  67  as described above on the basis of the print data, thereby performing printing by the inkjet heads  23 . 
     In a case of performing printing by the inkjet heads  23 , the control unit  71  drives the air blowing unit  33 , thereby sucking out air from the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  by the air blowing unit  33 . At this time, the control unit  71  performs an operation shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the operation of the inkjet printer  10  in a case of driving the air blowing unit  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the control unit  71  of the inkjet printer  10  determines whether the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 , on the basis of a detection result received from the attachment/detachment state detector  69  (STEP S 81 ). 
     If it is determined in STEP S 81  that the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 , the control unit  71  starts to suck air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with a first suction force by the air blowing unit  33  (STEP S 82 ). 
     If it is determined in STEP S 81  that the lid  41  has not been attached to the platen  31 , that is, the lid  41  has been detached from the platen  31 , the control unit  71  starts to suck air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with a second suction force weaker than the first suction force by the air blowing unit  33 . 
     If the process of STEP S 82  or STEP S 83  finishes, the control unit  71  determines whether the attachment/detachment state of the lid  41  related to the platen  31  has been changed, on the basis of a detection result received from the attachment/detachment state detector  69  (STEP S 84 ). 
     If it is determined in STEP S 84  that the attachment/detachment state of the lid  41  related to the platen  31  has been changed, the control unit  71  performs the process of STEP S 81 . 
     If it is determined in STEP S 84  that the attachment/detachment state of the lid  41  related to the platen  31  has not been changed, the control unit  71  determines whether printing using the inkjet heads  23  has finished (STEP S 85 ). 
     If it is determined in STEP S 85  that printing using the inkjet heads  23  has not finished, the control unit  71  performs the process of STEP S 84 . 
     If it is determined in STEP S 85  that printing using the inkjet heads  23  has finished, the control unit  71  finishes suction using the air blowing unit  33  (STEP S 86 ), and finishes the operation shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Now, attachment and detachment of the lid  41  relative to the platen  31  will be described. 
       FIG. 7( a )  is a view illustrating a first process in a case of detaching the lid  41  from the platen  31  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 7( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 7( a ) . In a case of detaching the lid  41  from the platen  31  from a state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31  as shown in  FIG. 3 , first, a user opens the opening/closing part  24   a  and the opening/closing part  36   a  as shown in  FIG. 7( a ) . 
     Next, the user moves the lid  41  as shown in  FIG. 7( b )  with the hands, and then stores the lid  41  in the storage part  42  as shown in  FIG. 8( a ) . 
       FIG. 8( a )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 7( b ) .  FIG. 8( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 8( a ) . Finally, the user closes the opening/closing part  24   a  and the opening/closing part  36   a  as shown in  FIG. 8( b ) . 
     In a case of attaching the lid  41  to the platen  31  from a state where the lid  41  has been stored in the storage part  42  as shown in  FIG. 8( b ) , the user can attach the lid  41  to the platen  31  in the reverse procedure to that in the case of detaching the lid  41  from the platen  31 . 
     Also, in a case of making the inkjet printer  10  perform printing on a mesh medium as the print medium  90 , the user stores the lid  41  in the storage part  42  as shown in  FIG. 8( b ) , and then makes the inkjet printer  10  perform printing. Also, in a case of making the inkjet printer  10  perform printing on a non-mesh medium as the print medium  90 , the user attaches the lid  41  to the platen  31  as shown in  FIG. 3 , and then makes the inkjet printer  10  perform printing. 
     As described above, since the inkjet printer  10  performs printing on a mesh medium in a state where the lid  41  has been detached from the platen  31 , ink drops ejected from the inkjet heads  23  are sucked toward the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  through the mesh medium by the air blowing unit  33 , and ink which is a portion of ink drops ejected from the inkjet heads  23  and oozes out the mesh medium is collected in the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink drops ejected from the inkjet heads  23  and oozing out the mesh medium from staining the mesh medium, and as a result, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on the mesh medium. 
     Also, since the inkjet printer  10  performs printing on a non-mesh medium in a state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 , the non-mesh medium is sucked through the suction holes  41   b  of the lid  41  by the air blowing unit  33 , thereby being suppressed from rising from the lid  41 . Therefore, it is possible to perform printing in a state where the inkjet heads  23  are sufficiently close to the non-mesh medium. Therefore, the inkjet printer  10  can perform high-quality printing on the non-mesh medium. 
     In other words, the inkjet printer  10  can perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media. 
     In the case of performing printing on the mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been detached from the platen  31  (STEP S 83 ), the inkjet printer  10  sucks air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with a weaker force by the air blowing unit  33 , as compared to the case of performing printing on the non-mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31  (STEP S 82 ). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the mesh medium from greatly bending toward the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . Therefore, the inkjet printer  10  can perform high-quality printing on the mesh medium. 
     Also, in the case of performing printing on the non-mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31  (STEP S 82 ), the inkjet printer  10  sucks air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with a stronger suction force by the air blowing unit  33 , as compared to the case of performing printing on the mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been detached from the platen  31  (STEP S 83 ). Therefore, it is possible to improve a function of suppressing rising of non-mesh media from the lid  41 . Therefore, the inkjet printer  10  can perform high-quality printing on non-mesh media. 
     In other words, since the inkjet printer  10  sucks air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with appropriate suction forces for mesh media and non-mesh media by the air blowing unit  33 , it is possible to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media. 
     However, the inkjet printer  10  may be configured to suck air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  with the same suction force in a case of performing printing on non-mesh media in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31  and in a case of performing printing on mesh media in the state where the lid  41  has been detached from the platen  31 . 
     In the inkjet printer  10 , since the shaft parts  41   c  of the lid  41  are slidable along the long holes  51   b  of the links  51  with respect to the links  51 , it is possible to provide the storage part  42  in the vicinity of the platen  31 , as compared to a configuration in which the shaft parts  41   c  of the lid  41  are not slidable with respect to the links  51 . Therefore, the size of the inkjet printer  10  does not increase. Also, in a case where inkjet printers are large-sized printers, “space saving” is often requested from users. Therefore, in a case where the inkjet printer  10  is a large-sized printer, the great advantage that the size does not increase is great. 
     Also, the inkjet printer  10  may have a configuration other than the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , as the link mechanism  50 . For example, in the inkjet printer  10 , in the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the lid  41  has the shaft parts  41   c , and the long holes  51   b  into which the shaft parts  41   c  can be inserted are formed in the link  51 ; however, conversely, the link  51  may have shaft parts, and the lid  41  may have long holes into which the shaft parts can be inserted. Also, in the inkjet printer  10 , the links  51  may have simple holes having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft parts  41   c , instead of the long holes  51   b , such that the shaft parts  41   c  of the lid  41  cannot slide with respect to the links  51 . 
     Since the guide mechanism is the link mechanism, the inkjet printer  10  can be implemented by a simple configuration as compared to a configuration in which the guide mechanism is a mechanical mechanism other than the link mechanism, such as a mechanism using chain. Therefore, the size of the inkjet printer  10  does not increase. 
     Also, the inkjet printer  10  may have a mechanical mechanism other than the link mechanism, as the guide mechanism. 
     Since the inkjet printer  10  can guide an operation of attaching the lid  41  stored in the storage part  42  to the platen  31 , and an operation of storing the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  in the storage part  42 , by the link mechanism  50 , it is possible to improve the workability of the user as compared to a configuration which does not have a guide mechanism such as the link mechanism  50 . In other words, since the inkjet printer  10  guides movement of the lid  41  between the platen  31  which the attachable and detachable lid  41  for making it possible to perform high-quality printing not only on mesh media but also on non-mesh media is attached, and the storage part  42  for storing the lid  41  detached from the platen  31 , by the link mechanism  50 , it is possible to make it easier for the user to attach and detach the lid  41 . 
     Also, since the inkjet printer  10  can make it easier for the user to attach and detach the lid  41 , the user can attach and detach the lid  41  without the need for a large force. Therefore, the inkjet printer  10  can make the user safely and quickly attach and detach the lid  41 . 
     Also, since the inkjet printer  10  has a guide mechanism such as the link mechanism  50 , it can make the user accurately attach the lid  41  to the platen  31 . In the inkjet printer  10 , if the lid  41  is accurately attached to the platen  31 , it is possible to improve the printing quality related to non-mesh media on which printing is performed in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 . 
     Also, since the inkjet printer  10  has a guide mechanism such as the link mechanism  50 , even if the opening/closing part  36   a  is small, it is possible to make the user easily put and take the lid  41  in and out of the storage part  42 . 
     In the inkjet printer  10 , the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  is stored in a space on the lower side in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c  where the inkjet heads  23  do not exist, whereby it is possible to effectively use the space on the lower side in the vertical direction. Therefore, the size does not increase as compared to a configuration in which the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  is stored in a space on the upper side in the vertical direction where the inkjet heads  23  exist. 
     Also, in the inkjet printer  10 , the storage part  42  is disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c , from the conveyance path of the print medium  90  by the grid roller  14 , mainly, on the lower side in the vertical direction from the downstream-side supporting part  36 ; however, the storage part  42  may be disposed at a position different from that. For example, in the inkjet printer  10 , the storage part  42  may be disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction from the conveyance path of the print medium  90  by the grid roller  14 , mainly, on the lower side in the vertical direction from the upstream-side supporting part  35 , or may be disposed on the upper side in the vertical direction from the conveyance path of the print medium  90  by the grid roller  14 . 
     Also, the inkjet printer  10  is configured to store the lid  41  shown in  FIG. 8( b )  in the storage part  42  such that the lid extends not only in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  but also in the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b ; however, it may be configured so as to store the lid  41  in the storage part  42  such that the lid becomes a state different from that.  FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an example different from the example shown in  FIG. 8( b ) , as a lid storage state. For example, the inkjet printer  10  may be configured to store the lid  41  in the storage part  42  such that the lid extends not only in the main scan direction but also in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Also, the inkjet printer  10  may be configured to store the lid  41  in the storage part  42  such that the lid is inclined, not horizontal as shown in  FIG. 8( b )  and not vertical as shown in  FIG. 9 . Especially, since the inkjet printer  10  has the link mechanism  50 , it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the storage posture of the lid  41  in the storage part  42 , and the internal space of the inkjet printer  10  can be effectively used. 
     Since the inkjet printer  10  has the storage part  42  for storing the lid  41  detached from the platen  31 , it is unnecessary to provide a space for keeping the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  outside the inkjet printer  10 . Therefore, the inkjet printer  10  can improve convenience as compared to a configuration which needs to provide a space for keeping the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  outside the inkjet printer  10 . 
     Especially, since the inkjet printer  10  has only one lid  41 , the lid  41  is a long part. Therefore, in a case where it is necessary to provide a space for keeping the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  outside the inkjet printer  10 , a wide space is required as the space for keeping the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  outside the inkjet printer  10 . Therefore, the advantage which is obtained since the inkjet printer  10  has the storage part  42  is great. 
     Since the inkjet printer  10  has only one lid  41 , in a case of performing printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 , it is possible to uniformize the suction state of the non-mesh medium through the suction holes  41   b  of the lid  41 , over the entire lid  41 , regardless of place, as compared to a configuration in which a plurality of lids is provided and a gap between lids can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on non-mesh media. Also, since the inkjet printer  10  has only one lid  41 , in a case of performing printing on a non-mesh medium in the state where the lid  41  has been attached to the platen  31 , it is possible to keep the surface flatness of the entire lid  41  within a specific range, for example, a range equal to or less than 0.5 m, as compared to a configuration in which a plurality of lids is provided and a step between lids can be generated. Therefore, it is possible to perform high-quality printing on the non-mesh medium. 
     Especially, for example, in a case where the inkjet printer  10  is a large-sized printer configured such that the width of a print medium  90  in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  can range to 1.8 m to 3 m, or more, although the only one lid  41  provided becomes large and heavy, since it is possible to easily guide an operation of attaching the lid  41  stored in the storage part  42  to the platen  31 , and an operation of storing the lid  41  detached from the platen  31  in the storage part  42 , by the link mechanism  50 , the advantage which is obtained since the inkjet printer has the link mechanism  50  is great. 
     In a case where the inkjet printer  10  has a plurality of lids arranged in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , since the user is required to repeat an operation of attaching a lid to the platen  31  and an operation of detaching a lid from the platen  31 , the same number of times as the number of lids, this is troublesome for the user. However, since the inkjet printer  10  has only one lid  41 , it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user with respect to the operation of attaching the lid  41  to the platen  31  and the operation of detaching the lid  41  from the platen  31 , as compared to a configuration having a plurality of lids arranged in the main scan direction. 
     Also, the inkjet printer  10  may have a configuration having a plurality of lids arranged in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a.    
     The inkjet printer  10  is configured to collect ink having dropped into the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  by the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 ; however, it may have another configuration as a configuration for collecting ink having dropped into the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . For example, the inkjet printer  10  may have a configuration shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 10  is a view illustrating an example different from the example shown in  FIG. 2 , as a configuration for collecting ink having dropped into the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . 
     A groove  31   a  of a platen  31  shown in  FIG. 10  is different from the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  shown in  FIG. 2 , and does not have an ink passage on the lower side in the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c . The inkjet printer  10  shown in  FIG. 10  has a pipe  38  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  (see  FIG. 1 ), and a plurality of pipes  39  (in  FIG. 10 , in a cross section, only one pipe is shown) communicating the inside of the pipe  38  and the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 . The pipe  38  is disposed on one side from the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  in the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b . In the groove  31   a  of the platen  31 , a plurality of holes  31   c  for communicating with the insides of the pipes  39  is formed on the side close to the pipe  38 . For example, in the platen  31 , about twelve holes  31   c  (in  FIG. 10 , in a cross section, only one hole is shown) having a diameter of about 6 mm are formed in the main scan direction. Also, the air blowing unit  33  is connected to the pipe  38  through the filter  34 . Therefore, it is possible to collect ink having dropped into the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  in the ink storage part  32  by sucking air from the inside of the groove  31   a  of the platen  31  by the air blowing unit  33 . 
     (Second Embodiment) 
     First, the configuration of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
     Also, in components of the inkjet printer according to the present embodiment, components identical to components of the inkjet printer  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols as those of the components of the inkjet printer  10 , and a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     The inkjet printer  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the first embodiment has the downstream-side supporting part  36  (see  FIG. 2 ), the after-heater  37  (see  FIG. 2 ), the lid  41  (see  FIG. 2 ), and the link mechanism  50  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     In contrast with this, an inkjet printer  110  of the second embodiment includes two downstream-side supporting parts  136  arranged in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , two after-heaters  137  disposed inside the two downstream-side supporting parts  136 , respectively, a lid  141  disposed at the center in the main scan direction and two lids  142  disposed with the lid  141  interposed therebetween in the main scan direction, and two link mechanisms  150  disposed so as to correspond to the two lids  142 , respectively, instead of such components of the inkjet printer  10  of the first embodiment. 
     The downstream-side supporting parts  136  are for supporting a print medium  90  on the downstream side from the platen  31  in the conveyance direction of the print medium  90  (see  FIG. 1 ) from the unwinding roller  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) toward the winding roller  13  (see  FIG. 1 ). The downstream-side supporting parts  136  have opening/closing parts  36   a  openable and closeable. 
     The after-heaters  137  are for drying ink on the print medium  90  supported on the downstream-side supporting parts  136 . Also, although not shown, the after-heaters  137  can be installed on the opening/closing parts  36   a.    
     The lid  141  and the lids  142  are attachable to and detachable from the platen  31 . Each of the lid  141  and the lids  142  has a plurality of suction holes  41   b  formed in its surface  41   a . The suction holes  41   b  are through-holes for allowing air pass therein from the outside of the groove  31   a  toward the inside of the groove  31   a  in a case where air is sucked from the inside of the groove  31   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the platen  31  by the air blowing unit  33  (see  FIG. 2 ) in a state where the lids have been attached to the platen  31 . 
     The link mechanisms  150  constitute a guide mechanism for guiding movement of the lids  142  between the platen  31  and the storage part  42  (see  FIG. 2 ). Each link mechanism  150  has a pair of links  151  disposed so as to be apart from each other in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a  and extending in a direction perpendicular to the main scan direction, and a pair of links  152  connected to the pair of links  151 , respectively, so as to be rotatable and extending in the direction perpendicular to the main scan direction. 
     Each link  151  has a shaft  151   a  provided at one end and extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , and a shaft  151   b  provided at the other end and extending in the main scan direction. The shaft  151   a  is rotatably supported on a member (not shown) so as not to move in any direction of the main scan direction, the sub scan direction shown by the arrow  10   b , and the vertical direction shown by the arrow  10   c , with respect to the downstream-side supporting parts  136 . 
     Each link  152  has one end having a shaft  152   a  extending in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a , and the other end supported by the shaft  151   b  of the link  151  so as to be rotatable. 
     Now, attachment and detachment of the lid  141  and the lids  142  relative to the platen  31  will be described. 
       FIG. 12( a )  is a view illustrating a first process in a case of detaching the lids from the platen shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 12( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 12( a ) .  FIG. 13( a )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 12( b ) .  FIG. 13( b )  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 13( a ) .  FIG. 14  is a view illustrating the next process of  FIG. 13( b ) . In a case of detaching the lid  141  and the lids  142  from the platen  31  from a state where the lid  141  and the lids  142  have been attached to the platen  31  as shown in  FIG. 11 , first, a user opens the opening/closing part  24   a  as shown in  FIG. 7( a ) . 
     Next, the user moves the lid  141  to a storage position for the lid  141 , with the hands. At this time, the inkjet printer  110  becomes a state shown in  FIG. 12( a ) . Also, the storage position for the lid  141  may be, for example, the storage part  42 . 
     Next, the user opens the opening/closing parts  36   a  as shown in  FIG. 12( b ) . 
     Next, the user moves the links  152  as shown in  FIG. 13( a ) , with the hands, and attaches the shafts  152   a  of the link  152  to both sides of each lid  142  in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a.    
     Next, the user moves the lids  142  as shown in  FIG. 13( b ) , with the hands, thereby storing them in the storage parts  42 , and then closes the opening/closing parts  36   a  as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     Finally, the user closes the opening/closing part  24   a  as shown in  FIG. 8( b ) . 
     In a case of attaching the lid  141  and the lids  142  to the platen  31  from a state where the lids  142  have been stored in the storage parts  42  as shown in  FIG. 14 , the user can attach the lid  141  and the lids  142  to the platen  31  in the reverse procedure to that in the case of detaching the lid  141  and the lids  142  from the platen  31 . 
     The inkjet printer  110  can further obtain the following effects as compared to the inkjet printer  10  according to the first embodiment. In other words, in the inkjet printer  110 , since the link mechanisms  150  are attachable to and detachable from the lids  142 , when the link mechanisms  150  do not guide an operation of attaching the lids  142  stored in the storage parts  42  to the platen  31 , and an operation of storing the lids  142  detached from the platen  31  in the storage parts  42 , it is possible to detach the link mechanisms  150  from the lids  142  and compactly store them as shown in  FIG. 11 . Therefore, the size of the inkjet printer  110  does not increase as compared to a configuration in which the link mechanisms  150  are not detachable from the lids  142 . 
     Also, the inkjet printer  110  has the configuration having the lid  141  and the two lids  142  arranged in the main scan direction shown by the arrow  10   a ; however, it may have a configuration having only one lid which is long in the main scan direction and the link mechanisms can be attached to and detached from. In a case where the inkjet printer  110  has a configuration in which a number of lid parts are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, since maintenance of surface accuracy or ensuring of airtightness over the entire lid becomes difficult, it is not preferable. Therefore, it is preferable that the inkjet printer  110  have a configuration having only one lid, like the inkjet printer  10  according to the first embodiment. However, in the inkjet printer  110 , if necessary, the lid may be divided into a small number of parts. For example, the lid may be divided into about two with the central portion as a boundary, or may be divided into about three like the present embodiment.